Spell vs. Prayer

There are numerous popular areas addressed by both spellcasting and prayer.

When you examine the basic steps involved in each, you can appreciate their function and purpose.

Spells, to me, are more creative – more like “prayers in action.” There are many benefits and opportunities for growth and positive change within yourself by crafting and casting spells.

So… What is a spell?

A spell is simply a ritual performed with the intention of creating change. It consists of numerous symbolic actions performed (in the physical world) to (energetically) initiate and influence specific outcomes. A spell seeks to re-address the balance of a situation by introducing new energy or recalibrating energies already in place.

The thing is, “spellcasting” in and of itself is not a religious act.

Numerous religions, however, use a form of energy transfer (or energy manipulation) as part of worship. Spells may often be described as a form of prayer, not unique to any specific religion, but there are differences between prayer and spellcraft:

• Prayer to a higher power implies that you honor that higher power and that you have established a relationship that enables you to petition them for support. Also, needless to say, this implies that the higher power has the power and wherewithal to help you. So, with prayer, you “ask and wait.”
• Spells, by contrast, use the abundance of energy in the world around us to create co-change. Casting a spell is a more proactive process than prayer. I like to say that spells are “prayer in motion,” – meaning you have actions that support your intentions – whether it is a spiritual bath, crystal grid, or candle magick.

With spells, you recognize and call upon your own authority. You gather and direct your own energy and – while you may petition the support of entities and energies outside yourself, you recognize that you are an integral part of the process. Instead of solely relying on a separate entity to accomplish your specific tasks, you understand and activate the more proactive process that comes with spells.

That said, heartfelt prayer can be partnered with any spell – in fact, in many HooDoo traditions, “prayer” and “ritual” are synonymous.

However, in the most basic of terms, prayer is a religious act, while spells are not bound to religion.

When you cast a spell, you also acknowledge that your actions are co-responsible for creating the change you desire.

I believe when you do something physical intentionally, you embody it. The energy, then emanating from your body, communicates your desires with the Universe.