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Be Careful What You Ask For

Nowhere in human existence is the old phrase, "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!" more true and important than in the working of magic. Considering the capricious nature of so many of the forces one deals with in the Craft, precision in the wording of your spells and incantations is essential. Even the more benign spirits may provide you with something very different than you wanted if your wording is vague enough to allow wide interpretation of the conditions of your desire.

Spoken language does have its limitations. With only a set number of sound combinations we are able to produce, communication requires that many words carry multiple meanings that are determined by the context of the surrounding sentence. Other words utilize the same sound while having various, totally unrelated, meanings. Into this amalgam of ever-evolving language forms one must overlay the cultural specific slang terms that comprise a great deal of our spoken heritage.

One can gain a better understanding of the problems created by simile and metaphor if they learn a second language and then attempt to communicate with one of the native speakers. Barring that effort, at least ask someone you know who has come from afar and learned your language to talk about the difficulties they may have encountered. Often they are left mystified because, while they may have understood every single word you said, they might still have no idea what you are talking about. How easy would someone unfamiliar with the origins of the cliche, "they get along like a house on fire", mistake it to mean they were passionate for each other rather than its true meaning that they were usually in a heated argument with each other?

The vast majority of the powers and entities you may be dealing with in magical work have even less knowledge or understanding of the nuances of your language's little idiosyncrasies. They may be actually trying to help to the best of their understanding rather than looking for loopholes to mess you up with. It is your responsibility to make it as clear and precise as possible for these non-human entities you seek aid from.

To give a fine example of what can so easily go awry, I must recount an episode early in my days in the Craft. I had gone to visit a friend one Saturday night that was the type of person who, being not very socially adept, was often alone and in need of companionship. He had requested that I help him with his problem if I could so I rose a cone of power around him and told him to state his desire. The statement he made was, "I want a horny little bitch who wants to [have sex] come knock on my door."

Not the most refined desire in the world but the wish had gone forth. About ten minutes later there came a scratching and thumping at his door. With eyes aglow he leapt up to answer, only to be greeted on his threshold by the neighbor's Chihuahua trying to get in. Before he could respond to the situation, his neighbor came running around the corner explaining that she was in heat and had escaped out the door and he was trying to catch her and get her back in before she could find a male dog to mate with. While his wish had been swiftly given in the precise terms it was put forth, it was far from what he had actually wanted.

Because of the need to be precise in the wording of your spells and incantations, a good dictionary and thesaurus is as essential a Craft tool as your Chalice or Athame. If you have been using spells written by someone else they will help you discover just what they really say and can help you refine them to better suit your needs and desires. If we ever evolve into completely telepathic entities this dilemma may be resolved. Until then, don't let the genie have the last laugh - be careful what you ask for.

As well as writing and researching on the paranormal and occult phenomena that intersect our reality, Douglas Mefford can also be found helping others spread literature to the world at Bell, Book & Candle Publications or hanging out at his bungalow in Greenwoods Village.