Casting witchcraft spells and the importance of confidence

I mentioned yesterday (I think it was yesterday!) that I had had someone comment on the blog regarding starting out in witchcraft and she brought up some excellent points on how it can make you feel in the early days. Here's part of what she asked me about:

"I have yet to cast a successful spell. I haven't tried tons, but I have tried many. I am starting to think I am just a regular person, eventhough I feel now more than ever that I have natural witch abilities. "

I can TOTALLY relate to every word! You begin by being so excited in your new found quest and then so quickly lose faith in yourself when you don't see a smidgen of success. This starts a downward spiral - whenever you do a spell, you don't expect it to work and when you don't expect it to, it won't. I always felt casting a successful spell was like trying to jump on to a carousel while it's still going round - I had no idea when it started or what was powering it, I just wanted to be onboard and couldn't quite make the leap!

But are there many other statements in life more irritating than, "you should have more confidence"? Where on earth are you supposed to just pull a load of confidence out of?! It's too simplistic to be of much use but on the other hand, you know deep down that it's the key.

So what can you do to gain some much needed confidence in your spell craft? Well, one suggestion I can offer you is to not actually focus on spells. It's so hard to describe the feeling that you get when you know you are tuning in to the right energies during a spell. It just feels right and there is a sense of momentum within and around you. So instead of trying to cast spells that require results, try to find other ways to pick up on this energy. Here are some methods that you might like to try (but it's as ever, a totally individual matter):

• Meditate. Once you clear your mind you will be surprised at what you pick up on that's around you. It can be inner guidance coming into your conscious mind, it may be images that flash before your eyes or it may just help you relax enough to work better. I almost always meditate or do yoga before a spell.
• Divination. I also do tarot cards, crystal balls readings and work with a pendulum. These are great to use as you get used to your own internal energies while using external tools - it therefore gives you something to focus on and can be a prop to your confidence at first. The more you practise, the more you will recognise when you are tuning into something deeper. I find I get more psychic dreams the more I do in this field which can bring you excellent advice!
  
• Allow nature to help you. I also find that beginners (myself included) tend to get wrapped up in the self and forget that witchcraft/Wicca/Paganism is about being at one with the world around you and that we are all connecting with universal energies. Take yourself somewhere quiet outside and, without any pressure to acheive anything, just allow yourself to be at one with your surroundings.
• Follow your gut instincts with spells. Another one that's easier said than done isn't it? But be honest with yourself; how often has something come to you that you have ignored and just steamed ahead with what you had planned to do? You'll be surprised at the difference in how the spell starts to feel when you follow those little niggling feelings.
  

Hope this gives you some food for thought. If anyone has find other ways to find your witchy mojo then please do share them!

Love and hugs. x