When getting started with witchcraft, it’s really easy to get caught up in buying the right things. The best tools, the best collection of supplies, the perfect adornments for our altars. Whilst it’s nice to treat ourselves to these material objects every now and then, it’s important that we focus on the most important aspect of witchcraft: your intentions.

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Whether you’re putting up a protective shield, banishing negativity, or inviting prosperity and abundance into your life, through manifestation and spells, your intention is the driving force behind your craft. Without it, these objects mean nothing.

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Although there are various ways to practice witchcraft, I’ll be speaking from my own views on it and how I engage with the craft. I consider myself to be a somewhat modern, eclectic witch. How I engage with ideas of magic comes from many avenues, but my primary influence is connection to nature. I believe in mundane before magic, I view Gods and Goddesses as metaphors, and I view much of my practice as symbolic. Perhaps I would be considered a “SASS” witch by others.

I find making totems, casting spells, and making offerings to be extremely useful acts in making my intentions physical, or providing me with physical reminders of what is in my mind. When I explain it to my friends, I explain that a cord cutting ceremony may feel cathartic after a breakup in the same way burning your ex’s gifts and belongings in a bonfire might – it’s a symbolic ceremony that represents me letting go of something (or someone).

As an additional note, although I’m an avid researcher, I’m not a therapist or counsellor. I’m exploring my own thoughts and opinions, which I generally support with research and personal experience. My ideas and recommendations should not be seen as medical advice, or be undertaken as an alternative to professional help and support.

With that disclaimer/explanation out of the way, let’s move on to exploring intentions in witchcraft!

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What do we mean when we say “intention”?

Simply put, I view intention as your desire for something. Be it love, abundance, protection, or separation. It’s the central energy and desire you bring to your craft, and its impact is directly related to the energy you place behind it. Some may also consider it a form of manifestation – using positive thinking and visualisation to achieve your goals.

While I don’t believe that simply saying “I will be successful” will cause it to become true, verbalising it, and solidifying this with a physical action (such as a ritual) can be beneficial.  It allows me to frame a space for positive thinking, and I think they can really help with self-esteem – at least in my experience.

Risks and detractors of intentions and manifesting

Of course, there is another side to this coin. Recent research has shown that people who believe wholeheartedly in the power of manifestation can be at greater risk of ending up bankrupt, or suffering from what some might consider illusions of grandeur.

Some studies have found that, whilst using self-statements – such as the ones we use in witchcraft – can be beneficial for some, they can cause harm for others. This can be attributed to many factors, but two that I found particularly compelling were that, “similar to… overly positive feedback[,] …[if] people feel deficient in some quality, positive self-statements may highlight [this] discrepancy” – that you feel worse if you don’t view yourself in that way, meaning that positive self statements can backfire, particularly people with low self-esteem. Additionally, this study noted that, when dealing with low self-esteem, it can actually be beneficial to consider how positive statements may not be true – the example they used was considering ways in which you are both lovable and unlovable. I think this ties in quite well with shadow work, which I’ve discussed in previous posts.

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Why is intention such a big deal?

We could spend all day discussing it, but I’ve decided to outline a few key reasons:

1. It Aligns Your Mind and Spirit
   When you set a clear intention, you are aligning yourself with the energy of the universe and directing it toward your goal. This alignment helps you to focus on your desires and ensures that your energy is flowing in the right direction. No matter your brand or stream of witchcraft, you need to be aligned to your intentions to make them come true. Essentially, when you cast a spell, you are putting your ducks in a row and preparing yourself for actions.
2. It Makes Your Magic Personal
   Spells and rituals are deeply personal. While you may follow specific guidelines or traditions, your intention is what makes the spell uniquely yours. Again, how this manifests itself will depend on your brand of witchcraft. For me, even if I’ve bought a prepared spell jar, charm, or incense blend, I put my own energy into it by speaking my intentions. I’m completing whatever ritual I’m doing for myself and directing my mentality towards it. Although pre-made products and blends may have suggested uses, you shouldn’t let this inhibit your creative approaches.
3. It Creates Focus and Clarity
   Along with aligning, it’s important to clarify your intentions – to truly consider what it is you want. Without doing this, your focus can become scattered and confused. Take it as an opportunity for reflection – what is it you want to have or be? Why? Clear intentions help you understand your needs and will help in any form of ritual.

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In Summary

I realise this is a somewhat lengthy post, so I’d like to post a few summative points:

• Simply put, intentions refer to what you desire from a spell. In other disciplines, this could be paralleled with the concept of positive self-talk or manifestation.
• There is conflicting evidence on the power of manifestation, but potential harm can be minimised if you stay grounded.
• Intention setting and spellcraft is not a shortcut or alternative to taking actual action in your life. It is an assistive tool.
• Casting a spell or invoking a ritual without having an intention is largely meaningless.

When has intention-setting proved most useful for you? I’d love to hear about your craft and how it has impacted your life in the comments.