I’ve been doing some spellwork lately, and my mind started doing it’s thing and while it was wandering, I thought about temporary spells. Has anyone ever done this, has it worked the way you intended?
I was thinking along the lines of my motto everything in moderation, and for me maybe it should apply to magic too. It’s powerful stuff, and it could ease the mind to know that if something does go wrong, it’s only temporary…does that make sense?
Random example, writing a spell to commune with nature, except all of nature wants to commune, including the ants and spiders and all the other parts of nature that I prefer to appreciate outside my house. But if I designed the spell to last just an hour or 2, that little side effect would end then too.
I know that this stems from my fear of messing up the cosmic design and unintended consequences, but one can’t be too careful when it comes to magick, right? I hope that makes sense, all musings welcome!
I think it’s perfectly doable - and sometimes a good idea! - to include a time limit or set boundaries on spells. It’s common for those who practice the Wiccan Rede or other forms of magickal ethics that don’t wish harm upon others - they cast spell and set the boundary “and harm ye none”/don’t hurt anyone. It’s one form of boundary we can set, but the options of what types of boundaries are as limitless as magick itself
I think you’re wise to consider possible unintended consequences of a spell, but at the same time, I wouldn’t stress about “messing up” the will of the Universe. This is just me and my personal beliefs of course, but I don’t think it’s possible for any one individual, no matter how talented, to overpower the Universe when the Universe is everything and nothing.
In other words, we can channel the flow and work to assist ourselves and those around us, but in every step and with every choice and in all outcomes - we are working with the Universe. Magick is energy and energy is existence, so while we can make what might be seen as a “mistake” from our human perspective, in the higher eyes of the Universe, everything is meant to be as it is or isn’t. Back in our human perspectives, these “mistakes” may be interpreted as lessons to help us reach our higher potential.
Again, just my personal thoughts on it, offered in hopes of helping you feel less stress (and be more free to cast your spells)
I always love a good question that dips into magickal theory and makes me think - thanks for putting this out there, Nikki!
You can definitely do time limit spells! I do them frequently. For example: when going out in public I wil do a spell before I leave asking for protection as I drive and while running my errands. That spell would end when I’m safely at home. I’ve also cast spells to last a day or just an hour or two.
I’m with @BryWisteria on the cosmic design aspect. I don’t believe you can mess that up. I am not one who follows the Wiccan rede, but when casting I do always say something song the lines of “whatever Justice you see fit, but I would like ……” that way I’m saying what outcome I desire but if the gods/goddesses fee it is too extreme they can adjust to fit the situation.
Gosh @BryWisteria, I’ve just read it back and it makes me sound so arrogant, and that’s not what I meant at all! I meant in terms of unintended consequences for others, making mistakes. But as you and @Mystique have so eloquently pointed out, the cosmic design IS the cosmic deaign, and you’re so right; no matter what I do, whether I see it as a mistake or not, it’s part of the cosmic design and therefore meant to happen. And honestly, that brings me comfort, so thank you both!
I’m so glad others have done it, I intend to start working it into some spells and rituals!
I was always the type so attempt to see the outcome before I cast the spells. I was good at that even when I was young. People chided me for that, but I was the one who chose my outcome before I started, and I was successful.
Your idea to try out the spells for a limited time sounds right up my alley, now that I no longer see the future like I did. Not only can I test the spell briefly, but the effect as well, so I can choose my future again like I used to.
I’ve worked plenty of spells this way common ways I do this is either incorporate wording into the spell or some sort of action. I made a healing bag spell a few years ago before I had surgery. The spell bag was meant to work until I opened the bag and destroyed the contents since it was very specific to the healing I needed.
I did not think of that @georgia, you genius - it would provide a perfect glimpse into any possible side effects, helping to decide whether to cast it again or shelve it. Thank you!
Oooh, yet another great idea - for spells I intended to use wording, but I can also incorporate a specific action too if I’m doing a ritual!
[quote=“MeganB, post:6, topic:59585”]
The spell bag was meant to work until I opened the bag and destroyed the contents
[/quote] I’m soooo gonna do this, thanks!
Testing a spell seems logical. Considering side effects is important.
I also think that a code of morality (as seen in most beliefs) is important. Even the rowdy Norse Pantheon has strong codes of morality. Some pantheons do not but they are few in the great scream of things.
Mostly my spells are not ‘forever’ spells - although I do ask for understanding and ability at times. Unintended consequences can happen but sticking to a code of ‘do no harm’ is always appropriate.
I’m becoming a fan of spell ‘packages’. Megan’s example of a spell bag, witch bottles, and wish boxes are all attractive. In most cases, these are tiime limited in one way or another - thus mitigating the chances of a long term unintended consequence.
So I’ve been thinking on this and how it fits in with my practice, and mmm it sort of does and doesn’t. My spell work is more ritual and asking the gods to get involved (the rowdy Norse lot love getting involved - I love this description so much ). I think with chaos Magick you set the intention and it plays out, any side effects are absorbed by either deity or the runes and I always add runes into everything I do now. Maybe I should be more orderly but it never works out that way. To time limit a ritual, to be honest I don’t know if I think that far ahead, I kinda ask, pull a rune, do a ritual to the god in question and off we go. Bit mad really when I think about it
Exactly, and I’m a huge fan of that description too!
I love them! I think my faves are pouches and mini jars, because they’re portable and fit inside practically anything.
I’ll admit that I know next to nothing about chaos magick, but I think that’s the part that I struggle with. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to be a ‘whatever happens, happens’ kind of vibe? It seems to be more about what the person wants at that moment, is that right? But it sounds like you account for that, asking the deity or rune to absorb the side effect?
Chaos does have order, it’s just not rigid with things like moon phases, correspondences, timelines etc. For example: A friend needs some courage for a job interview, I’ll light a fire for Thor, grab a beer as an offering, pull and maybe create a bind rune, draw it out, call in Thor and ask him to guide the energy of the runes to that person. I won’t think about what moon, what time, which colour matches which rune. Sometimes I may ask an angel and not worry that Angels aren’t really Norse pantheon. It’s just magic in the moment but there is order. The chaos side of it is letting the energies do there thing and trusting the runes/gods to re-distribute any residual energy. I think that’s how it works
Here’s an example. I’ve done loads of these on the go in my car.
Good question. Tracy is obviously proficient in her practice. I was looking at her Runes of Odin post last night and was so impressed. Without putting words in her mouth, I think she does stuff automatically (automagickly?) that I would have to work hard to implement.
Edit: and while I was pontificating, Tracy answered specifically.
I like this. It is why I say I park myself under the Chaos umbrella. There are so many things in Chaos that appeal to me and, many things I am not sure about. Overall, its appeal easily wins out.
Ahh, I see…thanks for clearing that up! I usually read your posts @tracyS as they’re so informative, and I’m kinda with @dan3, there are elements which sound appealing and others I’m not sure about it. 'Tis a journey!
Not really. A lot of throwing things together is instinct and intent. I have been in predicaments wherein I wanted to call the elements, but the only colors I had were pink, green, and blue. Yellow is a base color: you can’t make it, but I needed it. The opposite on the color wheel from yellow is purple. I mixed blue and pink to make purple and used that for Air. It worked for me because I needed it to.
Saying that
sounds so selfish. It’s more about fulfilling a need when there is nothing there to work with. Kinda like making stone soup, not realizing you had a little of each ingredient needed.
You’re welcome! I hope it works out for you!
it sort of does and doesn’t. My spell work is more ritual and asking the gods to get involved (the rowdy Norse lot love getting involved - I love this description so much 
). I think with chaos Magick you set the intention and it plays out, any side effects are absorbed by either deity or the runes and I always add runes into everything I do now. Maybe I should be more orderly but it never works out that way. 
To time limit a ritual, to be honest I don’t know if I think that far ahead, I kinda ask, pull a rune, do a ritual to the god in question and off we go. Bit mad really when I think about it 
and maybe 
create a bind rune, draw it out, call in Thor and ask him to guide the energy of the runes to that person. I won’t think about what moon, what time, which colour matches which rune. Sometimes I may ask an angel and not worry that Angels aren’t really Norse pantheon. It’s just magic in the moment but there is order. The chaos side of it is letting the energies do there thing and trusting the runes/gods to re-distribute any residual energy. I think that’s how it works 
Be careful with the chaos, you’ll have Loki knocking on your door soon 
