What is your spellcasting style?
Experienced witches and newbies alike both benefit from understanding which approaches to spellcasting suits them, and how to adjust them to their needs.
In the Craft, we talk a lot about tools, energy, and symbols. We make much of “imparting your personal energy” and “creating magic that means something to you.”
But we rarely discuss exactly how to develop a personal style and why it matters.
Contents
Benefits of developing a personal style as a witch.
I am a firm believer that the Craft is, at its heart, an artform. The skill and nuance essential to the practice of magic are as unique as the witch herself.
But instead of producing a painting, or a piece of music, the goal is to produce a shift in your energy and your relationship with the Universe.
Developing a personal style as a witch is, in many ways, the central path to creating magic. The art is in how you walk it.
What is a spellcasting style?
Wait, what are we talking about here?
A spellcasting style is an approach you tend to take when creating magic, whether you are following someone else’s spell, or you’re writing your own spell.
There are an infinite number of ways to classify styles of the Craft, but the categories below apply broadly, and most people fall into at least one.
More likely, you fall into more than one category. This overlap is what makes you unique. Consciously try to integrate whichever styles appeal to you the most to create a practice that’s totally you.
The Minimalist Witch
The minimalist witch casts spells with few or no tools.
You might be a minimalist witch if:
-You tend to have a very neat, uncluttered altar.
-You generally employ mindfulness and enchantment in your spellcasting.
-Your local occult shop serves as a place for you to meet people and take classes, but not so much to buy things.
-Using mindfulness in spellcraft appeals to you.
Make the most of this style by:
-Developing your meditation skills.
-Building a vocabulary of magical words.
-Developing practices that involve going outside, such as earthing and going for witchy nature walks.
Back To The Roots Witch
The “back to the roots” witch emphasizes her heritage in her Craft.
You might be a back-to-the-roots witch if:
-Family history fascinates you.
-You enjoy wearing or making clothing, displaying art, or studying the history of your cultural background.
-You know well the folk magic traditions of your ancestors.
Make the most of this style by:
-Experiencing your culture directly in any way possible.
-Incorporating the magic of your ancestors in your practice wherever appropriate.
-Designing a sacred space that incorporates elements of your heritage.
The Social Witch
The social witch places a strong emphasis on communal rituals. She advances her Craft by working with, teaching, and learning from others.
You might be a social witch if:
-You enjoy celebrating your holidays (full moons, Sabbats, ect) with others.
-Hosting group rituals is more fun than stressful for you.
-You feel a yearning to connect with like-minded others.
Make the most of this style by:
-If you’re experienced in the Craft, consider becoming a high priestess.
-If you’re new to the Craft, find a moon circle or coven to work with.
-Attend festivals and events for witches and make a point of making friends.
The Craft-y Witch
The craft-y witch likes to use her talents to make things for spells and rituals.
You might be a craft-y witch if:
-Your craft supplies started out as a drawer, grew to a dresser, and eventually took over an entire room in your house.
-Most of the items you use you made yourself.
-Creating something by hand brings you more joy than frustration.
-You believe that the things you make by hand are the most useful in spellcasting.
Make the most of this style by:
-Consider opening an Etsy shop for ritual supplies.
-Survey your talents (sewing, pottery, photography, whatever) and brainstorm ways to incorporate them into your spellcasting.
-Consider taking a class in art magic.
The Historical Witch.
The historical witch finds meaning in spells from ancient or historical texts. She may or may not be a reconstructionist,
You might be a craft-y witch if:
-History was your favorite subject in school.
-You’ve researched and cast spells from historical sources.
-You tend to find credibility in spells with a long tradition tied to them.
Make the most of this style by:
-Learning as much about the context of historical spells before casting them.
-Consider making a “pilgrimage” to a historical site related to the historical spells that most interest you.
-Connecting with a historian or scholar who knows the kind of magic you’re interested in well.
-If you can find them and they are affordable, try experimenting with antique tools or objects from the historical period of your focus.
Sources & References
Claims Based on Documented Sources
- Witchcraft as artform: Documented in contemporary pagan philosophy and spiritual practice
- Spellcasting styles and personal approach: Documented in modern witchcraft tradition
- Minimalist witchcraft using few/no tools: Documented in contemporary spell-craft approaches
- Mindfulness in spellcasting: Documented in modern witchcraft practice
- Meditation skills for spell work: Documented in meditation and magic traditions
- Magical words/enchantment: Documented in spell-craft and word magic traditions
- Back-to-the-roots witchcraft: Documented in contemporary pagan practice
- Folk magic traditions and ancestry: Documented in cultural witchcraft and family practices
- Social witchcraft and group rituals: Documented in contemporary coven and circle work
- Full moons and sabbats in group practice: Documented in pagan celebration tradition
- Craft witchcraft and handmade ritual items: Documented in DIY spell-craft and contemporary practice
- Handmade items in spell-craft: Documented in contemporary witchcraft
- Historical witchcraft and reconstructionism: Documented in historical magic research and reconstructionist practice
- Spells from historical/ancient texts: Documented in witchcraft history and scholarly sources
Claims Based on Personal Practice & Experience
- 20+ years experience with modern pagan community (Lumina Indigo)
- Professional tarot reader and kitchen witch expertise (Lumina Indigo)
- Professional review (Tina Caro)
Recommended Reading
- Personal spellcasting style guides
- Mindfulness and meditation in witchcraft
- Folk magic and ancestral traditions
- Coven and group ritual resources
- DIY craft magic and ritual supply creation
- Historical witchcraft and reconstructionist materials
- Solitary versus social witchcraft guides
- Art magic and creative spell-craft
About the Author
Written by Lumina Indigo (Moody Moons founder, est. 2012), specializing in in-depth research on modern spirituality. With 20+ years of pagan community experience, Lumina is a professional tarot reader and kitchen witch. Reviewed by Tina Caro.
Note
Five primary spellcasting styles (with overlap creating individual uniqueness): Minimalist witch—few/no tools, mindfulness/enchantment focus, neat altars, develops meditation and magical word vocabulary. Back-to-the-Roots witch—emphasizes cultural heritage and folk magic, creates sacred spaces reflecting ancestral traditions. Social witch—communal rituals, group celebrations, seeks like-minded community connection. Craft-y witch—handmade ritual supplies, believes self-made items most powerful, potential Etsy entrepreneurship. Historical witch—finds credibility in ancient/historical spells, researches context, values long-standing traditions. Witchcraft as central artform focused on unique energy shifts and personal relationship with Universe.
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