Be Careful What you wish for...
How many times have we heard this phrase, often after a fable or fairy tale, that commonly includes 3 wishes, but sometimes less or more.
Inevitably, a person wishes for material goods that end up being their demise, or they forget to specify an important stipulation, and end up in ruin, either alone, with nothing of value, or missing the one thing or various things that would allow them to enjoy their reward.
They get what they WANT rather than what they truly need.
Now, to a large portion of the world, wishes serve only as a fable. They teach us to be mindful, to know what is really important, vs what is frivolous. They remind people that greed, selfeshness, and the desire for power, are ultimitely fruitless endevors. Some of these fables remind us that all the material tresures in the world, don't amount to much without people to share them with, or without joy, or love, or family.
However, to a witch, or to another believer in magic... these fables are more. Not only do they remind us of how to act... they remind us of some of the basic “magical” principles that we believe in. First off, what is a wish? A wish is the simplest, most basic form of a spell. It is a desire, cast into the universe, to bring forth change. How do spells work? They send forth energy, and through sympathetic magic, they draw to us our desires.
Simply put, will can and does Manifest reality in our world... to varying degrees.
It seems natural that the originators of many of these tales of “wishes gone wrong” must have believed in wishes as a reality, much as we do in the reality of magic. Usually people must go through some sort of strife, or journey to receive the wishes. Is it not the case that we what something the most after we have struggled for it?
Often the wish is passed on to a “wish granter” be it a Genie, a God, a Wizard, a Witch, a Dragon... etc. The wish granter then does whatever needs to be done for the magic to manifest in real life. In todays movies it usually has a “poof” and the wish “happens”.... but in the old tales it is usually a slower process... and you watch one tiny insignificant change create a “domino affect” that causes the persons wish to come into being. This is actually not unlike the witchcraft we practice today... one intent takes whatever is the “easiest path” to come into fruition. One of the differences is that WE are the genies, the wish granters... unless we happen to pass the wish off to a god or goddess...
So what of the ultimate Moral of wish making: be careful what you wish for. This is the stipulation that you don't want to “accidentally” wish ill upon yourself or others. You don't want to get you million dollars because you or your loved one got hit by a car! How do we avoid the wish coming to us in a way we didn't intend?
1. Only wish (or cast) for what you need. I know, it sucks. Almost every spell I do is for something I need or desire at the CORE of my being. Spells that lead to your inner growth, happiness, contentedness, and peace come a lot more quickly and more surely that those concerning your desires, that are not necessary (like a new car, a fancy boat, to win the lottery... etc) Do spells that allow you to be content with less, and than bolster them with spells that ask the gods that you may never truly go without. Suddenly, you may find that your desire for a big-screen TV lessens, and your contentedness with simply watching the sunset with your family by your side is increased tenfold.
2. When you MUST do a spell for something that could cause harm... stipulate it. So you are casting to protect your family from a bad person (who consequentially, you hate)... I truly think that you cannot bring harm upon another person, using magic, without the desire or intent to do so. However, when you are in the heat of the moment, and you already have negative feelings, you might do it anyways... Oops! How do we avoid this from happening, and save ourselves the return of it? Simple. When in doubt, add “with harm to none and with the free of all” to the spell, wish, prayer, whatever. Here is the catch, when you say words you have to mean it! So you can't just add them to the end of a malicious spell, or a spell that CLEARLY inhibits free will! You have to have all the energies pointing in the same “direction”. This is why, they best spells are performed on yourself alone, or in some cases, you family as a group (with consent of course).
3. Wish (or cast) for things that are traits or favors rather than material items. Spells for guidance, wisdom, hope, serenity, peace. Joy, and love (not specific love of an individual, but general love) are often less likely to “backfire” than those that are TOO specific. If you want companionship... just do a spell for it... don't make it into more than it is. If you “expected” a Hot person in tight jeans, but you get a cute fluffy little kitty that will love you pretty much unconditionally... accept it! Often the universe, if you ask humbly, will send you Exactly what you need, no more or less. Sometimes we greatly limit ourselves by what we think we want, rather than what we really need. It is ok, if you got something you didn't expect, to look up to the gods and say “Really? Are you sure?” Perhaps you know EXACTLY what you want... and they'll give it to you... but you just might have to ask them for the guidance to do with it the right way... that is ok too.
4. Use your intercessors. Be it a spirit, your higher self, or the gods. Usually what we want is not truly THINGS, but feelings. You don't want to be famous because you will have your picture on US Magazine... you want it because you want to be heard, you want to FEEL like you have a reason. You don't want a girlfriend or boyfriend so that you can have a warm body walking around your home and eating your cherrios, you want to FEEL love. You don't want a bunch of money because you want to have stacks of green paper around your house, you want to FEEL security. Before you cast a spell, boil down your “simple desire” like I want a Raise... to want you REALLY want... the feeling it will instill in you or your loved ones. Then, build your spell around THAT, new purpose... be it security, love, protection, purpose, attention, etc. Then “give it” to the gods. Ask them to find the means for you to get what you desire, in a positive, fulfilling way. Think about this... the gods often will use our desires as a way to set forth motions to achieve greater influence in the universe. A fertility goddess WANTS to bring you fertility, and she will, if possible- probably in a way that will further ensure fertility elsewhere. When we ask for things in a flexible way, that give the gods MANY ways to pursue helping our spells manifest... instead of frustrating them, or forcing them to reach havoc in order to bring us our desires... we make things easy. We form an alliance with the gods... and create the circumstances for a “win-win situation”. That said, try to be mindful of which gods you ask for What.... If you have patrons, they are probably good for many various spells. However, a fertility goddess, probably won't be interested in making you sterile, just so you can go have a bunch of “tumbles in the hay” without that particular consequence.
You are generally safe to follow the wiccan rede and the law of three (if you happen to be wiccan and ascribe to them). I think it is unwise to cast a spell when you are REALLY angry (uncontrollably) or have any other emotion that is not in your control. It is also unwise to spell cast when you are drunk, for the same reason, plus, unless your patron god is dionysis or the like, it probably will be offensive to them for you to ask for their blessings without the common decency to be sober.
Anyways... Think about the old fables for a bit... what can teach us, whether we are following in their footsteps, or blazing new paths. To this end, I want to invite you all to do a fun exercise with me....
Write and post one spell, potion, magical craft, invocation, etc. based on any old myth, legend or fable, but created by you! If you want help... feel free to message me and ask! Are you daring enough to consider the “ancient” magic of legend, revived in modernity? If no one responds I will start calling names out (dear friends)...
Blessed BE!
-Megan
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