SpellWork: How Music Is Magic

Creating a playlist is a lot like playing with LEGO without an instruction manual—just winging it and making your own constructions.

SpellWork is a direct reflection of my witchcraft practice. I’m not a traditional witch, and belong to no coven—think of me as a lone hedge witch.

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I believe that witchcraft is intention and action combined. And while it took me a while to accept that I am a witch, I’d been practicing the craft since childhood. We’ve covered collecting charms and writing to yourself, but those take a backseat to working with music.

Music is a special part of my life—it creates connections, has its own culture and emotions, is a whole other language, and more. It’s my actual first language. One of my earliest memories is climbing up the piano stool in our living room in Cubao as a toddler and playing the instrument, losing myself in the moment. I did this constantly, even though no other consistent piano player was in the house. Eventually, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons.

My mother played the drums, and my father played the guitar. I tried the drums but couldn’t get into (my mother’s) rhythm. I secretly learned how to play the guitar by following instructions in old guitar magazines scattered throughout the house. But, mostly, I sang like my parents did. They took me to their respective band practices—or held them at home—and I learned the words and sang along with them. I also sang along to the songs they listened to on FM radio—on RJ 100.3. It was how I communicated with my parents, who didn’t talk to me much. I learned the language of music to feel close to them.

The Power of Your Favorite Song

What’s your favorite song? Having multiple favorites is okay, but think of just one for now. When did you first hear this song? Who introduced you to it? Like charms, where a song “comes from” and how it’s introduced into your life play a big part in how you use it magically.

When Do You Listen to It?

Most people listen to their favorite song when they’re feeling happy. It’s like lighting a scented candle or having a snack—a small celebration for a momentary feeling of contentment. Some people have songs they associate with certain people or tasks, so they listen to those songs when they’re with those people or have to deal with those tasks.

Do you listen to your favorite song when you’re feeling sad? And if so, does it cheer you up or allow you to languish in loneliness longer than you would have without it?

How Does It Make You Feel?

Funnily enough, I felt the magic of music for the first time when I got really into being a Catholic as part of Youth for Christ (YFC) in the Philippines. I had two favorite church songs: “On Eagle’s Wings” and “As the Deer Pants for the Water.” These would bring me to tears during praise fests and masses, and leave me feeling amazing. Looking back now, I think the intensity of being part of a group of people focused on doing one thing—worship—pushed my emotions over the edge when I listened to and sang these songs.

The Necessity of Albums and Playlists

Okay, now you can think about all of your favorite songs. When do you listen to some or all of them, and how do they make you feel? Listening to one song is a baby little spell, and now we’re getting into more serious stuff. Now, we’re talking about albums and playlists.

Albums are special because they’re already fully-formed spells, created by the musicians themselves. I hold a particular reverence for songwriters whenever I listen to an album. Previously, I said: “I believe spells are very personal and that you should only use another person’s spell as a guide for yours—mimicking it exactly will result in the spell not aligning with you.”

I think music is an exception to this. Of course, you can’t know precisely how and why an album was created, but the music inspired by those can—in turn—inspire you. It’s understanding the essence of a Joni Mitchell Blue breakup, and how it’s different from a Fleetwood Mac Rumours breakup. It’s being “thе color when the spring is born.”

How Do You Create a Playlist?

Creating a playlist is a lot like playing with LEGO without an instruction manual—just winging it and making your own constructions. What looks good to you? Is it big enough? Is it the right color? Does it serve the purpose you had in mind for it?

Does the Right Music Help You Better Accomplish a Task?

Like most magic, it helps, but doesn’t do it for you. It lays the foundation for what you want to achieve, paving the way for it to unfold. This is why many people have playlists for cooking, driving, showering, etc. It sets the stage for the lead character: you.

How Your Own Voice Also Holds Magic

Witchcraft is combined intention and action, so when you write songs, that can be magic. You don’t have to be “good” at it to make your own music. Creating becomes the point of making music instead of performance when you don't care about what others think.

It’s also funny how, now that I’ve stopped making and performing music, I’ve figured out the point of it all. In healing, I’ve learned to love myself more and give importance to my words. I speak up more often. I sometimes wonder if that’s why I no longer feel the need to sing—because I can speak up now. I still sing when I’m alone, though—mostly talking to and motivating myself. Paired with my walking playlists, music is a huge part of my consistency when it comes to my health.

I hope this puts a new spin on how you incorporate music into your life! What’s your favorite song, and when do you listen to it?

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Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

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