Your Guide to the Most Popular Types of Spells in Witchcraft

Spells are how witches get things done. A spell is targeted intention and energy aimed at achieving a specific result. There are many types of spells in witchcraft so it could be one related to protection, love, money, or finally cutting ties with your ex who still texts “u up” every Mercury retrograde.

Some spells are fast and simple: a wish or a sigil drawn on your arm. Others are more involved. Think planetary timing, herbs that cost more than a latte, and full ceremonial setups that would make a stage magician sweat.

If you’re new to witchcraft, this is where things get practical. You’ve read the books. Now it’s time to learn which types of spells to use (and when) so your magic actually works instead of just setting off your smoke alarm.

1. Protection Spells

Protection spells shield you or your space from harmful energies and remove unwanted influences. If you’re doing any sort of energy work, it’s highly recommended you use these.

One of the most well-known protection spells is smoke cleansing. You can use this (and most protection spells), when moving into a new place, traveling, interacting with difficult people, or to clear out energy after a difficult conversation.

Protection spells may involve salt, black tourmaline, mirrors, iron nails, protective herbs, or even sigils or multi-layered wards tucked under floorboards or hidden behind light switches. They’re often done on Saturdays for setting boundaries or Mondays for psychic shielding.

2. Love Spells

Love spells are the most popular spells. Some common love spells include those for calling in a relationship, deepening your existing partnership, improving self love, igniting passion, having a certain person fall for you, or getting back your ex. For most of those you’ll want to work with Venus energy during the waxing moon, but if it’s passion you’re after, connect with Mars.

Simple love magic might include dressing pink or red candles with herbs like rose or cinnamon, crafting attraction jars, making glamour potions, or stitching charm bags to wear or tuck under your pillow.

3. Money and Good Luck Spells

Money magic is used to increase prosperity, clear blocks around wealth, and attract new financial opportunities. These types of spells can also be used to sell a major asset, like a house or car and to attract good luck

Money spells are best cast on Thursdays if you want to align with Jupiter’s giving energy or Sundays for visibility in your endeavors. You can also do abundance spells on Fridays as those are aligned with Venus or on Wednesdays if you want Mercury’s help with communication.

Many money spells use green candles, spell jars, or money bowls. Cinnamon, basil, bay leaf, and gold accents are popular for adding the energy of prosperity and success.

Some people would categorize road opener spells as money spells, and while I see the logic there, I’ve always found those to be a bit destructive. However, if you’re feeling really blocked, sometimes you do just need to break out the dynamite.

4. Banishing and Releasing Spells

Banishing spells remove toxic energy, people, or patterns from your life. Toxic ex? Gone. Lingering guilt? Bye. These spells create clear endings, remove unwanted influence, and make space for healthier patterns. They’re great for post-breakup rituals or when your inner saboteur is getting loud again.

They’re typically performed during the waning or dark moon and can include cord cutting, fire rituals, or black candle work.

If banishing spells and protection spells sound a little similar, here’s the difference. Protection spells are about building a shield. Something that keeps you safe, centered, and untouchable. They’re proactive, like drawing a salt line, wearing a charged amulet, or putting up wards so that negative energy never even gets in the door. They’re great for daily use, spiritual maintenance, and those times when your space feels a little “off.”

Banishing spells, on the other hand, are what you reach for when something’s already in your space and needs to go. Banishing is active removal and is done on Saturdays.

5. Healing Spells

If you’ve got a medical problem, go see a doctor. Healing spells are best for emotional wounds, nervous system overload, grief, burnout, self-worth… basically, the stuff your doctor doesn’t have a cure-all for. (We hear a trip to Bali improves most of those.)

Healing rituals can be deeply restorative and can include baths, tea spells, or courage charms. Depending on the spell, they’re typically done on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

6. Binding Spells

Binding spells are used to stop harm, limit influence, or prevent someone from causing damage. They’re magical duct tape. You’re not harming, you’re restraining someone’s behavior or energy, especially if they’re spiraling or being harmful. As with all magic, use discernment and don’t just bind someone because they ghosted you on Hinge.

They are different from banishing spells. Binding holds the energy in place rather than pushing it away. Binding magic often involve knotted cords, freezer spells, or poppets and are done on Saturdays.

7. Hexing and Cursing Spells

Hexes are a form of aggressive magic intended to bring misfortune or disrupt harmful people or systems. Even if you’re a beginner witch, you might have heard of this type of spell because of the phrase hex the patriarchy.

Hexes are boundary enforcement at a magical level used when someone won’t stop harming you or others but should be used with full clarity and purpose, and often as a last resort. These are precise, ancestral tools of justice, not to be casually done. Use sparingly, wisely, and only if you’re ready to deal with what comes back.

Hexing spells can involve baneful herbs, black candles, broken glass, or effigies and done on Saturdays.