History of the Word “Spell”
Historically the term “spell” is derived from the old books kept by wizards and witches to record the proper grammar and descriptions of various magical terms, names, and procedures. These books were often labelled “Spellings and Grammars”, or simply “Grammars” that were filled with various spellings and similar notes. Over time, evolving as language does, the books themselves came to be known as “Grimoires” and the operations within were eventually and generically called “spells”.
There is also the old German word spel which means story, tale, discourse, command, , narrative, or saying. Quite a word was it not? The modern spell, in magical context, can be any or all of these things: a petition to or communication with causal forces, a story form that lays out exactly what you want to achieve with the magic you are working, a command to subtle energies to do this or that, or an affirmation (on steroids) to create change in yourself or the world around you.
Modern Definitions
Incantation, a synonym for spell in the current era derives from older words that mean spirited singing, rhythmic chanting, and similar. Indeed, rhyming verses, mantra-like chanting, and various sorts of musical delivery are common methods for delivering the verbal component of magical operations or workings.
When a spell is cast, the magic of the caster is sent with great force, intent, emotion, and willpower into the causal realm, or the dimensions where everything in the manifest world has its true origin. Beyond (in a sense) the three dimensions we know as the material world, the causal plane (some say causal spheres, astral plane, or formative world) is the place ideas pass through as they flow “down” from the mental or spirit plane, in order to begin the process of emerging upon or returning to the material world in the form of a desire or intention fulfilled. If that sounds too “far out” don’t even sweat it I only added the previous blurb for a (semi) thorough explanation.
Over the past century, roughly, the term spell has become entangled and synonymous with any working of magic, such that “magic spell”, “casting a spell” et al are generic terms applied to just about any kind of operation the magician might undertake. Most of the time on this blog when I list a spell it will be, by traditional definition, an incantation, and if otherwise this will be clarified on the accompanying fields.
Spells Published on this Site
You can visit the Grimoire to see what spells I have posted on this site. these are free to take, modify, etc. and are usually quite straightforward. Remember this site had to be restarted from scratch recently so it may take a while to rebuild the spells inventory.
The spells I list here have the following terms attached to them to help you understand what is being presented.
Branch
This will list either practical magic, the work of getting things done in the world, or esoteric magic, or “magic for the sake of magic”, which can be used as training or exploration as well as personal development.
Class
This term will read either high magic or low magic. High magic is typically more complex and requires more time and money to enact, while low magic can be done with common items and is very simplistic in nature.
Method
The term in this heading will be one of these five: Ritual Magic, Natural Magic, Divination, Occult, or Sorcery.
Discipline
This will tell you specifically the form of working magic the spell or operation derives from. Examples include crystal divination, candle magic, sigil magic, and so forth.
To understand these and other terms better check out the page that explains different kinds and forms of magic.