How to Perform a Spell: A Step-by-Step Guide for Modern Witches (BONUS: Protection Spell)

selene
Jul 19
7 min read

Spells, to put them simply, are focused intentions wrapped in energy asnd symbolism. Whether you're new to witchcraft or reconnecting with your craft, performing a spell doesn't have to be a complicated, intimidating things.

I know when I first started, I was extremely overwhelmed. When you think about performing a spell, it sounds like a dire thing. If it goes wrong, will I be fucked for the rest of my life? If I perform one step wrong, will the universe interpret it in a way I never intended? The answer is no. Absolutely not.

I cannot stress this enough. Witchcraft is what you make it. You should cater your practice to what resonates with you the most.

For example, in my personal practice, I don't believe in curses.

When starting witchcraft, I would see people hexing or cursing others, and it always scared me. It felt like it was a part of the practice that I had to accept, but then I learned that if I don't like the idea of those things, they did not need to live in my space. In doing so, I've protected my peace and also have adopted the mindset of the fact that curses... don't work. In my head, no one can curse or hex me because a human being doesn't have that power.

Instead, I believe in a form of karma. I will do rituals or simply tell the universe (or the Deity I work with, The Morrigan) what that person did to me, and if the universe or The Morrigan wants to, she will take care of that person for me. And this has never failed me.

A lot of people disagree with me, and that is totally okay. You may even disagree with me! I don't think a witch's practice is any different if they do curses. In fact, I find it to be a beautiful way for people to deal with trauma and pain.

The point here is that you need to define your own morals and learn what your practice consists of. You don't have to have all of this figured out right away, but the sooner you do, the better!

Once you learn, you can start to perform spells much more easily. When you're a beginner witch, chances are you're copying what other people are doing step by step, and that is totally okay. It's a great way to get a sense of what other people do and what you like and don't like.

It is important, though, to create your own spells (not necessary, but I feel like you become closer to your practice when you do).

In this article, I'm going to explain my steps to a protection spell. It's my favorite spell to perform. You can get an inside look into why I do the things I do and what steps I take. I will be as thorough as possible.

If you want to skip straight to the spell, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Step One: Setting Your Intention

Every spell begins with a clear intention. There's a reason why you're performing the spell, this can be your intention.

What do you want? What is your goal? Be specific. Instead of "I want love," try "I am ready to attract a healthy, kind romantic partner."

For my protection spell, I like to do it as a way to rid myself of negative energy.

Step Two: Gathering Your Materials

You don't need tools; you can simply do these spells by meditating. But for my practice, I like to incorporate things because it makes me feel more powerful.

I like to use:

Grimoire or Book of Shadows (for my spell guide so I don't forget steps)
Candles (a simple tea-light candle)
Salt (I use regular table salt)
Herbs:
- Rosemary (Protection)
- Basil (Repels Negativity)
- Lavender (Calms Energy)
Sigil (I have a guide on how to make your own sigil and also share what mine is if you'd like to use that. You can find it here: A Guide to Sigils
Matches
Piece of paper (small, like the size of a business card: you will be burning this) and Pencil/pen
Fire-safe bowl or dish
Something to snuff candle

Step Three: Double Check Before Drawing Salt Circle

This is completely optional, but as I started doing more spells, I developed this belief that once I draw the salt circle, I cannot get up from my space. Drawing the salt circle begins the spell and moving from my area disrupts it and I feel like I have to start over.

Double Check:

I like to make sure I have everything I will be using. I go through my spell cheat sheet and make sure I have all the items and ingredients I will be using, as well as something to snuff the candle in case it becomes too dangerous.

During this, I will also make sure I have my list of herbs and what the herbs do, so that way I can easily assign them a role without forgetting their properties.

Do I do a giant circle of salt around myself?

No! I never have and probably never will. I like to draw a small circle around my candle instead. It's small, mess-free, and way easier to hide if I need to.

What does salt do?

Salt cleanses and neutralizes negative energy. No matter what spell I am doing, I use salt to circle my candle. I had someone tell me once not to use salt because it blocks anything from coming in, the good included. I simply don't buy that. Salt isn't a barrier against good; it's a shield against evil.

Step Four: The Spell (In detail)

Once I've gathered all of my tools and ingredients and double-checked, I will begin.

Since I use tea light candles, I like to take them out of their tins. I'll then place the candle in a fire-safe bowl and place that bowl onto a plate.
1. Take it from me: I've had my fire-safe bowl get too hot and melt a hole through my table. Always be prepared and don't forget, even though you're a witch, you're working with fire. Fire is unpredictable, and you can easily burn your house down.
Pour salt around the candle. I like to use my finger to define the circle. Sometimes I'll move the candle to perfect the circle and then put it back.
1. As you're pouring the salt, give it intention. I do this by simply saying to myself or in my head, "Salt to ward off negativity."
I then add my herbs. I take just a small amount and lightly sprinkle it around the candles and onto the salt. Sometimes it gets messy and lands on top of the candle; this is totally okay. As I add each herb, I am giving it intent (or assigning it a role).
1. Depending on the spell, the order may or may not matter (for me personally). For this simple protection spell, it doesn't matter what order you sprinkle the herbs.
2. To give the herbs intent, I say out loud, or in my head, "Rosemary for protection. Basil to repel negativity. Lavender to calm my thoughts."
Create your sigil.
1. Write down a sentence on your piece of paper. This sentence is the reason why you're doing the spell. Do this as if it already happened; this is important. You are manifesting it. For example, I usually write, "I am protected from all negative energy."
2. Next, take that sentence and create your sigil. I have linked the way I make sigils.
Double Check. Have you used all your herbs? Is your sigil complete? Is your mind ready? Do you have your matches/lighter? Something to snuff the candle?
Light the candle.
1. When lighting, I like to say out loud or in my head, "I light this flame to guard and shield."
Burn the sigil. Visualize.
1. Once the candle is lit, I sit for a moment to breathe and clear my mind.
2. When I'm ready, I will burn the sigil. Burning the sigil activates it. As I burn it, I repeat what I wrote. "I am protected from all negative energy." Over and over again until I believe it.
3. As it burns, I watch the flame. I visualize it burning away fear and negativity. I visualize any darkness inside my mind being consumed by the flame. As it burns, it leaves behind only clean, bright energy.
I sit with the candle as it burns for as long as I can. Sometimes, I find myself getting bored, or my mind will wander to other things. Even if this happens, I bring myself back.
1. What to do while the candle is burning (while I'm sitting in front of it):
  1. Meditate on the flame.
  2. Write in your journal or grimoire about what you're protecting
  3. Doodle or decorate your grimoire
  4. Work on a project
  5. Listen to music or a podcast
  6. Organize my area
What if you have to leave/can't sit with the candle?
1. You can always snuff it and come back later. Say "The spell is paused but not broken. I return to it when the time is right." The protection has still worked even if it hasn't burned all the way.

The Spell

Set the Stage: Remove your tea light from the tin. Place it in a fire-safe bowl, then onto a plate. Trust me: even fire-safe bowls get hot. Respect the flame.
Create the Circle: Pour salt around the candle using your finger to guide the shape. Whisper:
1. “Salt to ward off negativity.”
Add Herbs with Intention: Sprinkle herbs around the candle. As you add each one, speak its purpose:
1. “Rosemary for protection.”
2. “Basil to repel negativity.”
3. “Lavender to calm my thoughts.”
Make Your Sigil: Write your goal as if it already happened:
1. “I am protected from all negative energy.”
2. Turn it into a sigil. Burn it when ready, repeating the phrase.
Light the Flame: Say:
1. “I light this flame to guard and shield.”
2. Visualize the fire burning away fear and forming a barrier of light.
While It Burns: Meditate, journal, draw, tidy your space, or simply breathe.
If You Need to Pause: Snuff the candle and say:
1. “The spell is paused but not broken. I return to it when the time is right.”