I have been interested in the pagan path since I was about fourteen. I tried casting some spells out of books I found at my local book store, but I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction, possibly. Thanks for any help!

I am not a pagan per se, but I don't think spells should be cast as entertainment. I know of many very potent spells that I gladly recommend to anyone in need but you didn't really specify what you want a spell for. If you really want to experiment I suggest a small prosperity or purifying spell to begin with. The key to a successful spell is usually the amount of energy and thought that you put into it. Really, your thoughts fuel the energy of the spell. If you cast it with skepticism or doubt, obviously it will do nothing for you. Meditate before any spell is cast, to get your mind in the right place.

To make things clear: I would never cast a spell for entertainment and I am not a skeptic. I suppose I didn't word my question very clearly. In my previous post, I meant kind of that the books seemed to be for people who just want to dabble or try something new. But I am sincerely interested in pursuing this path and wanted some positive direction. Someone who maybe could tell me how I should start and somethings I might need to know to begin. Any spells would be useful, there are a lot of things I might WANT to cast a spell for. I've heard that spells are similar to prayers in that you put your energy into what you're trying to accomplish. But, at the same time, I wish to be more knowledgeable, as I don't want to mess with something I don't fully understand or go about something the wrong way.

A purifying spell was something along the lines of what I was thinking when I initially wrote the post.

Well, I was told that the spell is worthless, it's the energy that you put into it.

And I don't mean the energy that you need when you are casting it, but the energy that you put into in writing, chosing the right day(s), tool(s), colors... etc. Believe me, a homewritten spell is much more powerfull than just an ordinary spell from a book. They are not for casting, but act as guidelines for what you can do.

You should try writing a spell on your own, believe me, the more you do, the easier and better each time. Keep in mind that everybody started. You will - eventually - be more experienced when you are writing your own spells, instead of picking those out books.

Thanks for the advice, Castitatus! This was one of the things I was wondering about, handwritten spells. The spells in the books usually don't convey what I'm trying to accomplish.