What’s something we all like that has magical origins? Music! Do you use music magick in your practice? Have you every tried casting spells with music or setting an ambiance for ritual with music? In this article, we’ll explore music magick and how to use the energies of music in our witchcraft.

The Magical History of Music

Modern society may not treat music as a magical thing now, but once music was considered to be one of the highest forms of magic. When someone sang or played an instrument, it was often to honor the gods, rile up a war band, prepare for a big event or tell a mythical story. In Medieval times, a bard was a poet who weaved magical tales with his music. Often a bard played an instrument like a harp while singing tales of older times. The bards and musicians carried on the knowledge of their people. They weren’t just considered musicians or artists, but wise men and women.

If we look back to ancient times, drums and other instruments were used to celebrate holy-days, invoke trance-like states, or announce the start of a battle. The people in ancient times who sang, danced, and made music were once thought of as spiritually-gifted individuals. Music’s history is a magical one. We have only to look back in the pages of time.

Music Magick Today

Music magick is still alive and well in modern times. We might not see it in the mainstream music industry, but it’s there if we dig a little deeper. First – think of the way music makes you feel. One simple song can invoke feelings of joy, sorrow, laughter, and essentially every emotion under the sun. One simple song can whisk us away to a past moment of our lives whether good or bad. Music can also be used in mental and physical therapy to aid in healing the body, mind and soul. We can use the emotions felt through music and its unique, fluid energy in our magick. We can make music witchcraft.

Ritual Music

Have you ever tried playing music during ritual? If you haven’t, now’s the time to give it a go. The key to music magick is to first let its energy aid your rituals. Depending on your style, preference, and tradition will depend on the type of music you’ll play during ritual. For instance – if you’re next ritual involves trancework – consider playing a shamanic drum soundtrack. If your next ritual involves meditation, play nature sounds or gentle music like flutes or piano. Playing music during ritual sets a tone or an ambiance for your entire ritual process. So choose wisely.

Ambient Music To Try In Your Next Ritual

Here’s my favorite ambient music to use during ritual:

• World music: Norse, Germanic, Egyptian, Celtic, etc.
• Celtic flutes
• Native American flutes
• Shamanic drumming
• Tibetan singing bowls
• Harp
• Gregorian chants
• Chakra tones

Can you use modern music in ritual and magick?

I’ve heard of plenty of witches and magical practitioners using modern music (rock/pop/rap) in their magic. Music magick has no limitations, so don’t put a limitation on yours. Try what you feel drawn to. For instance, many witches LOVE the music of Stevie Nicks. Play a Stevie Nicks album during your next ritual and see how the energy affects you and the ritual’s results. Here are some other modern musicians and bands to try during ritual:

• Florence and the Machine
• Chelsea Wolfe
• Wardruna
• Heilung
• Eivor
• Danheim
• Corvus Corax
• Sarah Hester Ross
• Damh the Bard
• Bjork
• Kate Bush
• Vinnie Camilleri
• Ethel Cain
• Fleetwood Mac
• Hozier
• Stevie Nicks
• Princess Nokia (song Brujas)
• Secret Garden Soundtrack
• LOTR Soundtrack
• Harry Potter Soundtrack
• The Craft soundtrack
• Heart
• Ibeyi (River and Oya)
• Adrian Von Ziegler
• Peter Gundry
• Loreena McKennitt
• Enigma
• CocoRosie
• Reggae bands like Sublime, Dirty Heads, Etc.

Because witchcraft is what you make of it, music witchcraft is also what you make of it. If you don’t like a certain kind of music playing during ritual, don’t play it! If you prefer one thing over the other and it provides the energy you need during ritual, use it as much as you want!

LIVE Music and Spiritual Experience

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of attending a Reggae music festival. And, I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting much out of the experience. BUT I did go with an open mind and ended up enjoying myself. I learned a bit about the Reggae culture and how it can be spiritually enlightening to its listeners. The beautiful sunset on the water helped the situation a bit, too!

Casting Spells with Music

In addition to setting a tone with music magick in ritual, casting spells with music is something else you can try. This form of music witchcraft is especially powerful if you can play an instrument or sing well. BUT you don’t have to have musical talent to make music magick. Try writing a spell and instead of saying the words, chant them over and over. Pick a favorite tune and put the words of the spell to that song. Then sing them for your spell. You may find the music invokes a stronger sense of energy from within and stirs up the energies around you both outside and in the home. Casting spells with music requires just a little thought and practice. Here are some ideas:

Songs for Intention: Personal Empowerment & Strength

Need a boost of confidence or strength? Cast a spell using the song Roar by Katy Perry. Feeling called to cast a spell for personal empowerment and claiming your truth? Play or sing Lady Gaga’s Born This Way. You can play and sing these songs while performing candle magic or any other kind of magick OR you can literally use the song and the energies associated to cast the spell.

Songs for Intention: Money & Abundance

There are SO many songs you could play during your next money spells. Any song to do with money and a positive outlook on money will work wonders. Again, choose a song you connect with. Some money songs include: Pink Floyd’s Money, ACDC’s Moneytalks, Material Girl by Madonna, Glamorous by Fergie, Fehu by Wardruna, Money (That’s What I Want) by the Supremes, etc.

Music Magick: It’s All About Intention & Energy

Think of the message you’re sending when you are casting spells with music. Some songs about money have a more negative connotation than others, i.e. Mo Money Mo Problems by Puff Daddy. So it’s best to stay away from this song while trying to draw money towards you. Think about the energy and the message the song conveys before using it in your music magick. And if you really want to take music witchcraft to the NEXT level – learn how to play an instrument! Making music is magic in and of itself – alchemy of sound.