Basic Witches: How to Summon Success, Banish Drama, and Raise Hell with Your Coven

by Jaya Saxena

spells using figures made of wax or cloth, and the ancient Egyptians would fill their tombs with small models of the servants, animals, and amenities they wanted to bring into the afterlife. In the case of this spell, you’ll be pouring the magic into a figure that represents you. Using the modeling clay, build a figure that represents the ideal body you’ve always thought you “should” have. (You can use Play-Doh, Sculpey, or homemade salt dough made with 1 part salt, 2 parts water, and 4 parts flour.) As you build, think about all the things you’ve denied yourself or thought you didn’t deserve because of how your body looks. Think of all the things you would have done if you’d had a “perfect” body. Close your eyes and smash the figure in your hands. Then start rolling it into a ball between your palms, keeping your eyes closed, and picture the ball beginning to glow with the concentrated essence of perfection and potential. Hold it in front of you, and picture it glowing brighter and brighter. On the face of the ball, imagine a symbol taking form. Open your eyes and draw that symbol on the paper so you don’t forget it. If you don’t see a symbol, just draw whatever comes into your head when you first open your eyes. This represents your ideal body, a body that can do whatever it wants. Remodel the clay into a figure that looks like you—your actual body, the way it is today. Don’t exaggerate, but also don’t flatter: make it as detailed and realistic as possible. As you build,...