I'm noticing a theme from some Wiccans about spellcasting?

I honestly cannot think of a single book on Wicca that I have read, excepting a few I had to read as a paid reviewer that included a section on spellwork...and those that did were substandard.

Unless you are including ritual as "spells" and workings as "spells" and prayer as "spells," in which case you're using a definition of spells that I do not share.

Magick, ritual, chants, workings, songs and rites are *not* synonyms for spells.

Could you give me an example of such a book? I'm very serious. I'm not trying to dismiss you, here, I'm trying to understand. I really doubt you're going to find "spells" in books before the 1990s, even. There might be a few, but there is a reason a lot of people who've been Wiccan for a long time don't use the term...it's not our term.

Edit: Yes, I will go out on a limb for you. Spells have nothing to do with Wicca. Some Wiccans do spells, but some Wiccans also play football and it does not make football a part of Wicca.

Edit2: I have a copy of that book, and it is a 1990s book, but anyways, that's besides the point. "Spells" are mentioned in a section that is 2 pages long (197 in my copy.) It includes one, maybe two if you want to stretch it, things that are spells. He dedicates more pages to *recipes.* Would you claim that knowing how to cook is central to Wicca? Obviously he felt we needed more recipes than spells.

I believe that I am pointing out that Wicca is a religion, witchcraft is a craft, and basically one can be practiced without the other.

I happen to practice both. So it's not a matter of wanting to separate *myself* from either. Rather I want to help to clear up common misconceptions. Being a witch doesn't automatically make one a Wiccan, and vice versa...that's the bottom line.

Look at how many questions get posted by people saying they're interested in learning about Wicca for "spells and stuff". Well quite simply, if one isnt interested in the religious reverence of the gods, in celebrating the Sabbats/seasons, and in applying Wiccan ethics to their life, then it is NOT really Wicca they are actually interested in. No spells are needed for Wiccan belief and worship, so no, they really don't have anything to do with what Wicca is. That's the honest answer.

One only looking for the magical study and practice would be better off looking specifically into witchcraft rather than Wicca. There are witches of various religions and some witches that don't follow any particular religion at all.

And you're onto something there in the fact that witchcraft and spell-work may be understood or defined differently by different people. ;) From what I've read of Labgrrl's answers, much that I would classify as spell-craft, it doesn't seem to me that she would...or it's just that I use different terms than she. And that's okay - we are walking our own paths. Most of her answers I tend to agree with, but there are bound to be some differences too.

Because Wicca is far more open to just about anything, it's far more common for people to associate it with Witchcraft...perhaps because in it's creation Gardner referred it to being a "Witch CULT", using the word Witch seems to have perpetuated the stereotype that Wiccans automatically are Witches practicing Witchcraft. Witchcraft is a craft, not a religion. It can be used by the religious and non religious alike seeing as it has little to nothing to do with anything religious.

Also, anyone can write a book; anyone can write a book on Wicca AND get it published even with wrong information. Publishers don't check the content for accuracies, they rely on the authors to make sure their information is right. To make a buck, a lot of authors write books on Wicca because it's popular. They fill it with a lot of stereotypical information, with very little research behind what they write. That's why ANYONE reading on Wicca MUST do so with a grain of salt, and perhaps research further through other people or older books to make sure what they're learning IS accurate. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

I think some of us, myself included, draw distinctions between ritual, prayer and spellwork.

I don't have anything against spellwork, of course, but I prefer mundane work and prayer, most of the time. Ritual is, for me, most often simply communion with my Gods, rather than the launch pad for a spell.

The thing about spells for me is that so many people outside our fatih misunderstand what we do and think that the basis of Wiccan is doing spells, rather than communion with our Gods and connection with the cycles of nature.

I agree with you that most of my books on Wicca lean heavily toward routine spellwork, but my understanding of my faith has evolved significantly over the years, and I am more content to pray and work hard in mundane ways than us spell.

Great question, Mel!

Candles are my potential and that i might desire to grant you an entire BoS on the thank you to artwork with them, yet here is the quick version. this is not suitable the place you get your candle from or no be counted if this is scented. as long as you cleanse and gown your candle, you would be wonderful. What concerns on the subject of the size of the candle is the size of the casting. in case you're, say, casting each week long spell for self assurance to grant an upcoming presentation, you may get an prolonged tapered candle (my well-liked is from activity foyer, unscented 7-inch upright, a pair of quarter's width in diameter). in case you're engaging in a one time spell or ritual, use a votive or tea easy, or between the quick mini candles--you will discover them at very very nearly any pagan e book place. in case you have questions, be chuffed to digital mail me.

Different orders do different things I believe. Some take it to only the nature aspect, many will not do spells that cause harm or evil. Many know the result of some of the spells cast when they return upon them.

Many reasons I suppose.

Traditional Wiccans do not deny the use of spells. There is a perjorative term used by some traditionals called "White Lighters," it is similar to the perjorative term, "Fluffy Bunny." It (the former), refers to folks who have chosen to ignore anything in Wicca that might be considered negative. As far as I am concerned, anyone who wants to call themselves a Wiccan may do so. However, I was taught that Wicca meant Witch. Also according to academics (see Ronald Hutton), Wicca means modern pagan witchcraft. I was taught that, "A witch who cannot hex, cannot heal." I rarely read books on Wicca (they are 99% crap, IMO), but I recommend Hutton to anyone who wants to know the the history of Wicca.