Page 1 of 1

A newbie question - do you memorize spells?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 6:46 am
by ezzirah
Merry Meet!

Long time lurker, first time poster with a very noobie question, if you don't mind.

I have been reading around and learning about spells and casting. And I began to wonder, do people memorize the spells they are going to cast or do they keep a card or something and read it? With all the spells out there and all the ritual steps, it seems it would be easy to forget in the middle of the ritual what you are doing and saying.

Just curious....I would love to start casting, but I am curious.

Blessed be!

Re: A newbie question

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:44 am
by Obsidian
I have a BoS in which I write my spells down and I read from that as I'm doing my spell work. There is only one incantation that I've memorized for calming down because it's short and because I repeated it that many times that I memorized it.

Also, I do a lot of 'off the cuff' spell work where I just say what I mean. I don't have anything to recite I just honestly say whatever it is that I'm asking for or given thanks for.

Re: A newbie question

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:16 am
by Siona
There's nothing wrong with keeping a note card, or even your book of shadows, or whatever, available to read from during a ritual. In fact, a lot of cultures believe that reading the written word brings more life to a working than just speaking alone. However, you want to be sure you're familiar enough with the spell/ritual so that you're not just constantly having to look at the card for every last step, because that can really ruin the flow of your working. Some people find that memorizing their working allows them to really have a much better flow, and have a more successful working, for that very reason. It's a really personal thing, and basically whatever way works best for you is fine.

Re: A newbie question

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:20 pm
by ezzirah
Thank you so much for your very thoughtful replies! I have a BOS that I plan on using, I am so new at this I have not written in it! :roll:

Thank you again and Blessed Be!

Re: A newbie question

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:53 am
by Vervain
Man, I've done this all sorts of ways. I've made up spells as I go and written them down later (that's probably what I do most often, actually), I've taken the time to write them out in my Book of Light and Shadow and brought the book into circle, and I've even cast a circle in the tiny bathroom of my apartment with my laptop plugged in by the sink and read incantations off of my screen. Not the most magical ambience, but whatever works, right?

Re: A newbie question

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:35 pm
by ezzirah
Wow, ok, thanks for the kind reply. That is comforting to know that all that is possible :)