The best process of preparing for spells varies by the witch or sorcerer. However, the goal is the same: to awaken the practitioner's intuitive sense, and to prepare him or her to direct the mental energies the spell requires. Spells can be prepared days or even weeks ahead. How much you choose to prepare depends on the importance of the spell and the limits of your schedule.

Early-stage preparation is similar to preparation for any life-changing event. Ingrain the spell and the steps involved within your mind: mentally run through the instructions associated with the spell, whether it requires a chant or some other form of mental direction. Every so often during the course of the days, promise yourself that you will successfully carry out the spell. The idea is to bolster your confidence without actually going through with the spell. Pick the date of the spell in accordance with the phases of the moon and the days of the lunar calendar. Finally, on a more mundane level, try to clear your schedule for the day of the spell, if that spell is of high importance. While there is no harm in going to work and otherwise going about your normal life, unnecessary distractions can impede your concentration and therefore your spellcasting, especially for a beginner. You want to strive for a steady state of emotion and a stable mind.

The day before, make changes to your normal routine. Some practitioners choose to cleanse themselves with a particular preparation ritual. Others vary their eating schedule or cook a favorite food for dinner. Anything that makes the day feel more important in your mind. When going to bed, run over the spell's instructions in your head and visualize the intended result. If you live with others, instruct them to not disturb you while you are sleeping or mentally preparing. Make sure you get a full eight hours (at minimum) of rest on the night before the ritual is to be done. Sleep-deprivation saps you of the vital energy you need to successfully cast the spell. Even after you have awakened the next morning, refrain from moving or talking for at least fifteen minutes. Focus on the spell itself and do not let your mind wander. Some practitioners keep the requisite spell components close to or under their pillow to charge them with their energy in advance.

Before the spell itself, you must clear your mind of everything except your desire to cast the spell and your image of the spell taking effect. The means by which one may do so varies. If you know yoga or have experience with meditative exercises, these tend to yield reliable results. The more you practice spells, the easier it becomes to do. Next, create an atmosphere that facilitates your spellcasting. This can involve music or incense, or the burning of a candle that is designed to improve one's spellcasting prowess. If the ritual involves multiple people working together on the spell, the group should partake of a harmonizing activity—whether that is playing a game together, chanting a familiar song, or donning the same perfume or oil—to align the energies of the participants.

The underlying thread in all spell casting or ritual preparation is to mentally divide the spell you are going to cast from unpredictable outside influences. Preparation does not guarantee results, however. The spell itself could be bad, or the circumstances may be wrong. Don't overdo it; don't try harder than you feel you need, and for each spell give a proportional amount of preparation. This article only outlines what is possible