Spells and incantations in American music Throughout history, music has been a powerful tool for expression and communication. In American music, there has always been a fascination with the mystical and the supernatural, leading to the incorporation of spells and incantations into songs. Some of the earliest examples of spells and incantations in American music can be found in blues and folk songs. These songs often depicted the struggles and hardships faced by African Americans and used magical language and imagery to convey their emotions and desires. The use of spells and incantations in these songs served as a form of empowerment, allowing individuals to imagine a way out of their difficult circumstances. In the early 20th century, jazz musicians began incorporating spells and incantations into their music as well.
In 1999, George Harrison was attacked in his home by a man who believed The Beatles were witches who flew around on broomsticks.
Given her penchant for provocative album art, Patti Smith has become the elder stateswoman of this spooky school, posing with piercing eyes and doves on her wrists for the cover of Wave. With 232 pages and an expanded 12 by 12 format, our biggest print issue yet celebrates the people, places, music, and art of our hometown, including cover features on David Lynch , Nipsey Hussle , Syd , and Phoebe Bridgers Saddest Factory Records , plus Brian Wilson, Cuco, Ty Segall, Lord Huron, Remi Wolf, The Doors, the art of RISK, Taz, Estevan Oriol, Kii Arens, and Edward Colver, and so much more.
In the early 20th century, jazz musicians began incorporating spells and incantations into their music as well. This can be seen in songs like "Voodoo Boogie" by Cab Calloway and "Hoodoo Man Blues" by Junior Wells. These songs drew inspiration from African and Caribbean spiritual practices and used spells and incantations as a way to create a mystical atmosphere and engage the listener.
Song Magic: How Music Can Help You Manifest Your Dreams
In this installment of Practical Magic, Lisa Stardust explains song magic, and how to use music to manifest your dreams. Always remember that magic is for believers, but this column can also simply serve as a guide to getting in touch with yourself — magically or not.
If you are anything like me, you’re constantly looking for ways to up your magic and to bring your dreams to fruition. Manifestation is a great way to do this — especially through sound, music, and songs.
How can music translate to magic? Well, there is something extremely mystical and enchanting about it. Mystic and tarot reader Gary D’Andre says that “music is so integral to helping us tap into a vibe that we want to feel course through our veins and body.” Gary has used music alongside manifestation for years, and says finding the right frequency to help your manifestations come to life takes time. Still, it always helps his desires come to the surface when he finds a song with the right energy.
First, let me explain what a songspell is: Instead of simply stating your intentions and incantations, you can add some umph to a spell by humming and singing your desires out loud. To really tap into song magic, you can even set the words to music and play it everyday as a personal reminder to stay on the magical path.
Tarot reader and author of The Cosmo Tarot: The Ultimate Deck and Guidebook, Sarah Potter says, “You can use songs to raise the vibration, thin the veil, and enhance your spellwork. What are you trying to manifest? Choose songs that echo this energy. You are sending out a message to the universe with this music and getting yourself into a magical mood as well.”
Not only can you use the song for spell work, but it’ll come in handy when manifesting any and all of your goals. You don’t have to use a vision board to make things happen (although they are swell). You can use the most organic instrument that one has to offer — our voices. And, with a little help of musical instruments, we can jam our way into a new mindset.
Before I explain how you can use music to tap into your inner magic, it’s important to note that you are the one in charge of creating this spell and intention. There is no right or wrong way to craft a songspell, so while I'll give tips on how to use music to manifest your desires, you're the one guiding the ship. Like other forms of magic, when mixing ingredients and setting intentions, the person who is using their energy to bring their desires to fruition is calling the shots. Below are the how to’s and tips from Alexa Dexa, a “crafter and caster of songspells."
Tune In To Your Intentions
The first step in manifestation is to set the right and proper intention. This requires deep thought and mediation to ensure that you’re calling in the right energy. For instance, instead of just calling in a relationship or love, it’s best to be as hyper specific as possible. Make a list about what you want and need from a partner. Make sure you’re mentioning the attributes that are important and deal breakers, instead of glossing over the details. Then, start humming them to yourself and create a tune.
Manifest Transformation As You Sing And Listen
Now that you’ve come clear with the intent, Alexa suggests setting the intention to music, with your “voice, an orchestra of toy instruments, live electronic processing, and live coding.” They add, “No matter how the music comes to you though, the most important component of songspell casting is listening to yourself and centering your intention.”
What If I’m Not Musically Inclined?
If you don’t have any musical training, then you don’t have to stress or worry. You’re not vying for a Billboard hit. You are hoping to bring your manifestations to life through music. It doesn’t have to be pitch perfect, it just has to speak to your visions and dreams. The power is in the intention and words, not the quality of the song.
When Should I Listen to My Songspell?
Alexa says to “listen to your songspell as needed, until your intention is realized. Maybe you listen every night to dream your intention into your life, maybe you listen each morning to set the tone for your day, and maybe you listen when you need a reminder of your personal power. Keep listening, both to your songspell and yourself, and take note of the magic that follows.”
Nowhere, however, is witchery more present, more violent, and more misunderstood than in rock and roll. The electric guitar might as well be a stringed broomstick. The Sonics sang of a “girl who’s new in town” with “long black hair and a big black car.” Donovan’s ode to stitch-work followed a year later with “Season of the Witch.” On her album Clouds , Joni Mitchell sings about Rose, who has “gotten into tarot cards and potions.” In 1969, a band named Coven released Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls . Their live performances were rumored to include a Black Mass and a roadie strung from an inverted crucifix.
In the 1960s and 1970s, spells and incantations became a prominent feature in psychedelic rock and soul music. Bands like The Doors and Santana used mystical language and imagery to create an otherworldly experience for their listeners. These songs often explored themes of love, spirituality, and personal transformation, and the use of spells and incantations added an extra layer of depth and mysticism to the music. In more recent years, spells and incantations have continued to be present in American music, particularly in genres like hip-hop and R&B. Artists like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar have incorporated spells and incantations into their lyrics, using them to convey messages of empowerment and resistance. These modern interpretations of spells and incantations demonstrate the ongoing relevance of this mystical element in American music. In conclusion, spells and incantations have played a significant role in American music throughout history. From blues and folk songs to jazz and psychedelic rock, these mystical elements have added a sense of empowerment, spirituality, and transformation to the music. As artists continue to explore new ways of expressing themselves, it is likely that spells and incantations will remain a powerful tool for communication in American music..
Reviews for "Captivating Rhythms: The Magic of Spells and Incantations in American Dance Music"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Spells and Incantations in American Music" based on the great reviews I had seen. However, I was extremely disappointed. I found the writing style to be convoluted and the plot to be confusing. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be unique and ended up sacrificing clarity in the process. Additionally, I didn't connect with any of the characters, as they felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I couldn't wait to finish the book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mike - 3/5 stars - "Spells and Incantations in American Music" had an interesting premise, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of mundane descriptions and little action to drive the plot forward. The supernatural elements, which initially intrigued me, were not well-developed and seemed out of place within the story. While the author did a decent job of portraying the music scene, it wasn't enough to save the overall lackluster execution. I can see how some readers might enjoy this book, but it didn't resonate with me personally.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to like "Spells and Incantations in American Music," but I found it to be a pretentious and pretentiously confusing read. The author's attempt to blend music and magic felt forced and messy, making it difficult to follow the storyline. I also didn't appreciate the excessive use of obscure references and complex language, which only alienated me as a reader. Overall, I felt the book lacked coherence and failed to deliver on its promising premise. It definitely wasn't my cup of tea.