If you live in the Lawton, Oklahoma area and would like to attend one of these classes, please check out the Events page at the Curious Goods web site for  a complete schedule of these and other events.

Excerpts from the mystica an online encyclopedia.  (www.themystica.com)

A spell - a spoken or written formula which, in the act of magic or divination, is intended to create or change a particular course of events.

An act of magic that requires a magician, witch or sorcerer, performing a spell in a ritual. The spell itself consists of words or incantation (sometimes-called charms or runes). The ritual is a prescribed set of actions performed while the spell is being recited. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed words were so powerful, that speaking them would achieve the desired result. Certain words and Names of Power were essential in Egyptian magic and had to be pronounced correctly and with the proper intonation.

It is thought that the success of the spell rests on the power and will raised and the skill with which they are focused and projected. All of these powers go into spell casting. Things aiding spell casting include words, chants, songs, movements or dance which may be accompanied by the use of objects such as ritual tools, effigies, poppets, cords, candles, and nail clippings.

Generally the words of the incantation used in casting spells are spontaneous and composed to serve the immediate purpose. Rhyming words or verses help to create rhythm to boaster the increasing of energy. While many effective spells and charms may be found in books on witchcraft, folk magic and magic most witches and magicians believe spells composed from the heart work the best. They know just the recitation of a chant or charm does not cast a spell.

Along with this, many witches and magicians believe that the words of the incantation are not as important as their intent. This involves, during ceremonial magic, the focus of intense concentration and will upon achieving the goal, visualizing it and believing that it already has been accomplished. When the psychic power has peaked, it is released and directed toward the goal. A psychic cleanup ritual finishes the spell casting work; this is to banish any remnants of psychic energy. The invoked deities and forces of the elements are thanked (and sent on their way).

Form Marion Weinstein's book Positive Magic: Occult Self-Help.

Ten basic principles for creating words of power

1. For the good of all: This means for the good of all including the person working the magic/spell. When we work in perfect harmony with the universe we work for the good of all involved in the works we do. What we think is good for someone may be very different from what they think is good for them or for that matter what we think is good for us may not be what we need at that particular time. For example, maybe we need transportation, so we cast a spell. We are thinking "new car", but instead we are offered to be taken wherever it is we need to go by a friend, in reality this is the best thing for us at the time because we simply can afford the responsibility of owning a car.
2. Free will: Using this qualifier in your words of power will help eliminate any unintentional manipulative ideas or feelings from entering the work. In working positive magic we should be mindful of the free will of all involved. Ones free will may be to not be healed, or to do something different that what we feel need. To use the example above, even though we may want a car, the time is not appropriate, so "according to the free will of all" a friend offers to help with our transportation and we graciously/thankfully accept the offer.
3. The universe as a macrocosm: As a macrocosm the universe is inclusive of all, everything from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, every form, every being, every condition, every thought makes this universe what it is. I once read that a drop of water is only weak when it is removed from the ocean; replace it and it is as powerful as the whole ocean. (Spalding, pg. 44, vol. 2.) When we realize that we are one with the cosmic ocean of life we then begin to realize the power that we all have.
4. The universe as a microcosm: Individual beings and forms are the microcosm universes. As such we are each individual universes with all the power of the macrocosm, the droplets of ocean water. While it may seem that we are separate from the macrocosm universe it is but an illusion of our physical manifestation. When we are fully aware of this cosmic ocean and our place within it, we are more able to work with it in a harmonious manner.
5. The law of cause and effect: This is where our three-fold law comes from. And the saying "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". The universal law is said to be neutral, when we work with words of power we are consciously creating a cause, which most often occurs in the unseen realms of the universe. Then after an appropriate amount of time an effect occurs, usually as a manifestation in the world of form, the physical world. The creating of a cause and effect is compared to the dropping of a stone into water. The ripples of the wake caused by the stones being dropped vibrate out to the edges of the water then bounce off its boundaries to return to where they originated. When we consciously use words and thoughts to create a cause and effect we need to be aware that they not only have an effect on the intended situation/person/group they also have a return effect on the person sending them out. "Be ever mindful of the law of three."
6. Infinity: Ms. Weinstein refers to infinity as the concept of non-limitation and sees it as having two main applications. A.) "Anything can be solved by working magic. There are no limitations on the potential applications of Words of Power". "No matter what the problem all are potentially solvable…with Words of Power…." B.) "Always remember that no matter what the problem may be, there is an Infinity of Solution." We may not always see or think of all the possible solutions, but we can use words of power to help us find the most appropriate solution to any particular problem.
7. The concept of form and essence: There may be time that we don't know exactly what it is we want but we know the felling or essence of what we want. It is at these times that we would work for the essence of what we want, such as abundance or prosperity. When we work word of power for essence we need to remember the flexibility of the world of form that it will manifest in. This is where be careful what you ask for comes into play. Lets say we work to bring love into our life, a companion, someone who is tall dark and handsome or tall, fair and beautiful. We add all the qualifiers for the type of person we want in our life, into the formless void of the universe the thought and words go…then two weeks later you get what you asked for but he/she wasn't exactly what you had in mind. Then there are times we know exactly what it is we want, a car, a gas efficient, low maintenance, the perfect for me car. This is when use words of power for a specific form.
8. Transformation: Change, when we work magic, cast a spell, say a prayer, or use words of power we bring about a transformation, a change. We cause an effect to take place. We can change a negative situation into a positive situation; we can cause the transformation in our lives and ourselves when we consciously, with intent, put power into the words we use.
9. Love: Weinstein states that love "…starts with self-love…" "a primary function of self-love is an unequivocal acceptance of the validity of getting what one wants-- of respecting one's needs. '…. An acceptance of the total responsibility for one's own life, karma and future -- and the past as well. '…. After self-love is acknowledged, love for others flows more freely."
10. The now: "Occult work is done in the present tense." Weinstein speaks in detail in another chapter of her book of the concept of simultaneous / sequential time. She reminds us here that "we are working with the occult concept of simultaneous time: that "All time is now," that…the…past, present and future is "happening" at once." "Magic transcends our earthly (linear, sequential) perception of time." When using words of power we should think in the terms of "Be Here Now" for if "All time is now," we already have everything we need, it’s just a matter of realizing and believing it.

There is One Power.
And this Power is perfect fulfillment.
And I (name) is/am a perfect manifestation of this power.
Therefore, perfect fulfillment is mine (hers/his) here and now.
I, (she/he) hereby release(s) all negative cause, effects manifestations, forms and the essence of worry.
Perfect fulfillment is mine, (hers/his)
Harming none, Helping all,
For the good of all, 
According to the free will of all, 
So mote it be.

We can not simply say these words and then not do anything to help the effect we want to happen, happen. This is not a passive technique, responsibility is involved, and we must work in accordance with what we have set in motion.

If we want a new car and we use words of power to get it then we need to do the footwork too. We need to look for the car compare prices and so forth or may enter a lottery or both.

While it is true that there are powerful words and that the combination of power words can cause powerful results. Words can not always act by themselves they need the power that we put into them and behind them, our intent, actions propel the words we speak and write. When we use positive words of power to bring about positive change we tend to have more positive experiences. 

A word or two of warning; always be careful what you ask for and how you ask for it , be sure that you really want and need.  There is a reason the elders say "be careful what you ask for you just might get it."  Some of the most important words in a words of power statement are: Harming none, Helping all, For the good of all, and According to the free will of all.