Monday, February 16, 2009

Guest Blogger: Marie-Claude Bourque

Marie-Claude's winner is: Julie Robinson! Congratulations. Send me your contact info and I'll pass it along to Marie-Claude. Thanks to everyone who participated.




Can You Cast a Spell for Me?


Can you do a spell for me? This question, oddly, comes more often than you may think. A witchcraft spell, a few simple words said with maybe the right tools and components, and all our wishes come true. Is it possible? Or are we dwelling in the paranormal?

Since I hear the request often and see ads for guaranteed spells constantly popping on my computer screen, then it must be because people believe they work. Love spells, in the last week, were particularly popular.

What is a Witch spell?

Contrary to what people may think, there are as many ways to do a spell as there are Witchcraft traditions. Some traditions are very rigid and have strict rules and steps in their ritual magic: blessing the elements, calling the guardians, casting the circle, reciting the charge of the God/Goddess, etc., before saying or reciting their intention. These can be performed either solitary or by a whole coven. Other Witches don’t follow specific traditions and their ritual can be looser, a simple meditation at the top of a mountain, or by the beach, or a visualization over candles. All those can be spells depending on who performs them. In fact, a spell is mostly a prayer, a gathering of powers by a very focused individual to make things happen.

Does a spell work?

This question is basically asking if this a paranormal phenomenon, a spirituality or scientific truth. Again, everyone has their own answers. Studies indicate that spiritual people seem healthier. But is this a paranormal phenomenon or biology? When the Witch perform the spell, is he/she attuned to otherworldly powers or just more in tune with his/her own sources of strength? Or, perhaps even a certain collective consciousness. I have to say that I personally don’t have the answers. Faith is individual. Some Witches really do believe in a true gods or goddesses outside themselves, while others use them as useful archetypes to work from within and understand what lay inside them.

A Witch friend of mine recently pondered that things happen for a reason. Perhaps it is true, or perhaps it is that when we look for a reason for an event, we actually study the circumstances of the event to help us grow.

Can you buy a spell?

So, can you buy a spell and expect it to work? Can you just buy the right series of words over the internet and win the lottery tomorrow or have that cute neighbor fall in love with you? The question just makes a Witch smile. It doesn’t really work that way. First, a spell has to be “correct” and a wish for “the good of all." So wishing for someone to love you back, might not be the best for all concerned. And then, Witches believe in the “three-fold law,” of the “power of three.” That whatever you send out will return back to you three times stronger. Again, is this paranormal or reality? Well, it does seem that whatever energy you send out there, whether through hard work or good wishes, tends to be returned to you. When you set things in motion, you do make them happen. Perhaps the spell is then just a way for someone to find the energy to do the steps necessary for change.

Hence, if you do buy a spell and expect it to work, you will be disappointed. Because you do have to put your heart and soul into it and have years of “practice” to expect any results. One cannot really do the work for you. And even if you ask a practiced friend to write or perform the spell for you, it may still not work at all.

A year and a day.

Some people believe it takes a year and a day to make a Witch. What this means is that this is a spiritual path. It is a commitment. And whether it is a true paranormal power or simply a more trained consciousness, there is no denying that one doesn’t become a Witch in a week and by purchasing a “Witch kit” for a few dollars over the internet. Just like any other religion or path, it takes time and practice before one can really find the way to harness the power that lay within themselves to make things happen in their life.

The witchcraft in dark paranormal romance ANCIENT WHISPERS.

The way I chose to illustrate spells in my dark paranormal ANCIENT WHISPERS was for my priestess in training to use rituals that are Wiccan-like in nature. And as my heroine enters a trance, she encounters the Goddess, and it is through those encounters that she learns more about herself and eventually manages to make things happen. But it doesn’t come easy. In one of her first efforts, my heroine attempts to perform a healing spell and the Goddess laughs at her arrogance, tells her she is not ready and nearly kills her. Only after training and deep inner work, does the Goddess finally accept the heroine and grant her the power of performing an invincible protection spell.

What do you believe?

You can learn more about Witches and spells at http://www.witchvox.com/.

But, to each his own, as they say. People do or not believe in magic. How about you? Do you believe in spells? Do you perform them? Have they worked? Or have you ever been curious, or maybe so desperate to make things happen, that you were tempted by those internet ads?

And if you could choose one spell? What would it be for? Let me know and you can win a 20$ Amazon gift certificate.
***
Marie-Claude Bourque is an American Title V finalist with her entry ANCIENT WHISPERS, a dark paranormal romance filled with tortured sorcerers, dark sensuality and gothic rituals. You can find her at www.mcbourque.com and www.myspace.com/marieclaudebourque .

And you can also vote for your favorite of four entries in round 4 of the American Title V contest at:
http://www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php

***************
Marie-Claude's winner will be selected and posted here Wednesday evening.

33 Comments:

Blogger Zita said...

Hmmm...any spell? How about the ability to cast spells? Or maybe that chocolate has all the taste and no calories? that would be good :-)

Zita

5:48 AM  
Blogger Chris said...

Hmm. Probably a spell to find that perfect guy. Or maybe to not have to worry about money ever again. Of course, those sound more like wishes than spells, don't they?

6:17 AM  
Blogger Margay Leah Justice said...

I would like to cast a health spell so my daughter would no longer be bipolar/Asperger's and I would no longer have Multiple Sclerosis.
Margay

6:44 AM  
Blogger tetewa said...

I would cast a spell to be able to be anywhere I needed to be at any given time, since I'm a non-driver!

8:52 AM  
Blogger Sandra Sookoo said...

Thanks for the info! I'd love to be able to transfer myself somewhere else :-)

I use magic in alot of my books and I always like learning about alternative beliefs.

9:31 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Zita,
I love the chocolate one LOL.
That would be awesome LOL.

9:36 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Chris, yes they are more wishes. LOL. Good ones though.... a perfect guy and no financial problems. If all our wishes could come true....

9:38 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Margay,
You are really getting down to the essentials of everyone's life. I often thought that if the health of my love ones is fine than I have no right to complain about the small issues in my life.
Let's just hope and pray for at least some ease from both your sufferings.
((Hugs))

9:40 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Tetewa, I am right there with you. I know how to drive but don't like it much and I am not so great. In Canada, we only have 4 lanes highway. I was pretty freaked when I encountered the 10 lanes highway of the US. Still won't drive on them!

9:42 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Hi Sandra :)
Congrats on the request from the contest at Casablanca authors. Whoohooo!!!
From that blurb I read, your magic sounds just fantastic. I hope that book gets published, because I would love to read it :)

9:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes I believe in spells, Magic, and the Paranormal. I have cast spells in the past, and yes they did. However it does come back to haunt you, if it wasn't pure. A spell that I would want to cast? It would be for protection of everyone, so that no harm would come to them. ~*Sarina*~

10:23 AM  
Blogger Jacqueline Barbary said...

What a wonderful thought provoking topic, Marie-Claude!

I believe very strongly that we all have power within ourselves that connects to a larger power outside of ourselves. It seems to me that many religions have this concept as a foundation.

I have always been a person who strives to "make things happen", but I usually use "blood, sweat and tears" rather than a spell. Although, really, isn't that a type of spell or prayer, after all?

Just for fun, if I could, I would probably cast a spell to make everything I write mistake free and perfect so that I'd never have to slog through edits! lol

11:17 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Sarina,
Yes, you are totally right. They will come back to haunt you if not pure....
Protection to all, that is such a great wish...

11:32 AM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Barbara, great comment. I think in a way a spell sorts of prep you for adding the blood, sweat and tears....
yes mistake free would be great. Are you doing edits by any chance LOL ?

11:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a great topic! If I could have any spell come true it would be to command the elements. No more snow for Michigan. :)

11:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi M-C:

Wonderful post! Thank you for broaching a subject which many people dare not for fear of offending others.

I have always thought the same thing that prayer is akin to a spell. I know we'd have been burned as witches years ago, but most people, whether they like to admit it or not, say a prayer for some wish they have---Whether it's recited as a rote prayer in the Catholic tradition or as a free style prayer as the Baptists, etc. do, After all, thoughts are energy forms. So casting a spell or saying a prayer are similar in the wish for a desired outcome.

As far as buying a spell goes, is this not similar to the Church selling pardons at one time?

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here and instead answer your questions for a chance to win, since it's already a little late in the day.

I do believe in a higher power, coupled with the power of the will as far as magic spells or prayer go. There is no doubt in my mind that miracles do happen. If I could have one spell, then I would cast it over my son, so that he is protected and has a long, prosperous, and happy life using his intelligence and kindness so that his life is filled with love from family and friends who are like family. It is my prayer every night.

Julie

Oh, and congrats to making it to round 4. I didn't get a chance to say so on the CHRW loop, as I am catching up on emails.

6:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

BTW, do you study the Ancient Mysteries?

As far as paranormality goes, I think that really everything is about science and logistics. what was once considered paranormal or abnormal in medieval times, for instance, now has a scientific explanation. Perhaps our own spirituality is a form of science in that we are energy forms; or in other words, our energy form is our spirit, our soul.

6:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Margay,
I just visited you, albeit a day late, on the Deadly Vixens. I'm with M-C on praying for the both of you.
Julie

6:33 PM  
Blogger donnas said...

I have never tried a spell. But the one that would tempt me the most would be finding the perfect guy for me.

8:12 PM  
Blogger Margay Leah Justice said...

Marie-Claude and Julie, thank you both for your warm wishes regarding the health of my daughter and I. Although we are learning to work around the limitations, it would still be nice to be able to go through a day without saying or thinking "I feel sick." What stinks for me is that, because my immune system is compromised by the M.S., I get colds and bugs so much easier than others and that is what bothers me, sometimes even more so than the M.S. itself. But I really wish my daughter didn't have to suffer from the conditions she has because she is just a beautiful girl who is smart and talented and doesn't realize how good she is because of the crap that's going on inside of her head. If I could cast a spell and take that all away for her so she could live a more stable life, I would do it in a heartbeat - even if it meant that I stayed the same. I would gladly suffer through my own ills if she could be without hers.
Margay

8:37 PM  
Blogger Jane said...

Hi Marie-Claude,
Congrats on being an American Title V finalist. I do believe in magic and in spells, but I haven't witnessed them with my own eyes. If I could choose a spell, I would pick one that would bring happiness.

9:06 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Command the element, that's funny Dawn. I am not a big snow person as well.
But in fact, in Whispers, my sorcerers use more of a "wizard" spell casting style and they do command the elements. A little quantum physics in the mix :)

10:42 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Julie,
I couldn't agree more about all you said. And yes, a little controversial. I try to treat the subject in a respectful way so that I don't start yet another witch war!
It's funny what you mention about magic and science. A Physics friend of mine, Dr. John DeSalvo, publishes non-fiction books about mysteries and is now writing a book on Magic.
http://www.gizapyramid.com/
I am very curious to read it.
I personnally like to study women's mysteries. Thanks for your congrats.

10:48 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

donnas,
a spell for the perfect guy, Yes! I wonder who long he would stay perfect!

10:50 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Margay,
I hear your pain. I have two children and it seems that nothing matters more than them. Not even my own comfort.
Your daughter is blessed with a wonderful caring mother.

10:51 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Jane,
Thanks for the congrats. And what a sweet spell. I'm sure the positive vibes you are sending out there are doing good to others and to you as well.

10:53 PM  
Blogger Julie Robinson said...

If we could only take away our children's pain. I can tell, Margay, you must be a beautiful person to know and Marie-Claude is right---you're daughter is blessed with a patient and loving mother.

As far as physics, science, and spirituality go, M-C, to me, it's just always made sense.
Julie

1:51 PM  
Blogger Hauckston said...

A spell... one that would turn back the hands of time - to give my children (now in their mid-20s) 1 month to spend with their father, who died when one was 19 months and the other was 32 months old, to ask him everything they think of, so each could garner a treasure chest of memories.

4:25 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

Hauckston that would be so nice. How hard it must have been to raise two children alone like that.
They must cherish the memories that you share with them about their father.
I so wish I could turn time backwards as well.

5:10 PM  
Blogger Hauckston said...

Yes it was hard, but what life doesn't have challenges? Besides,it builds character.

As a parent, one would do anything for their children - wishes and dreams and spells and things - to grant the improbable...

5:20 PM  
Blogger Marie-Claude Bourque said...

"As a parent, one would do anything for their children - wishes and dreams and spells and things - to grant the improbable..."

That is so true. I am fortunate that my children are healthy for now, but they are always my number one priority. We all want the very best for them, don't we?

5:25 PM  
Blogger Hauckston said...

'That is so true. I am fortunate that my children are healthy for now, but they are always my number one priority. We all want the very best for them, don't we?'

I couldn't agree with you more!

Loved your blog - succinct and interesting. Amazing what has survived the past, despite others' fear.

Thank you for the information.

6:06 PM  
Blogger Lynda Hilburn said...

Marie-Claude (what a great name you have!): Thanks so much for guest blogging today. It was wonderful (although I missed most of it by having to be at work all the time) having you and all your excellent commenters. I'll pick a winner for you and post it at the top of the blog. Hugs and best wishes in the Title competition!
Lynda

6:37 PM  

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