A spell for the New Year

After a few days cooped up at home with the family, I'm ready for New Year's Eve. Actually, with this being Saturday, I'm looking forward to several days of partying before January 1. And The Party Girl Spell is the perfect spell to cast to make the most of social events.

It comes from How to Turn Your Ex-boyfriend into a Toad and Other Spells: For Love, Wealth, Beauty and Revenge, by Athena Starwoman.

This small book, described on the back as "magic/humour", had been sitting on my shelf ignored since I got it. I'm not really in favour of turning people into toads. Not only does it seem a bit nasty, but I generally find it more rewarding to try to turn frogs into princes - even if you do have to kiss a few less-than-charming creatures in the process.

Anyway, I was browsing through the book because I vaguely remembered it contained a spell to shut up an annoying relative. It does indeed have a spell specifically to deal with the mother-in-law, but as it requires an entire teaspoon of saffron (not a cheap spice) I decided not to bother.

I then opened the page at The Party Girl Spell and decided it was just the thing.

The party girl spell is best cast at a new moon. With there being a new moon at the moment and with New Year's Eve only a few days away, the time is perfect. According to the book, "With this spell, life's a party!"

You need a notebook and a pen. Sit somewhere quiet and peaceful, with the notebook in front of you, and take a few deep breaths. Imagine you see a white light surrounding you and filling you with happiness. Now think of something you would really like to do in your spare time, such as a holiday, a party or meeting new friends.

After you have decided on one social activity you really want to do, write a description of it in the notebook. Draw the shape of a square doorway around that description and then imagine you are opening that door and stepping through it. In your mind, imagine you have arrived at the social event you want, see yourself enjoying it and visualise what happens.

When you are done, close the notebook and carry it with you.

After casting a spell of this type, the best thing to do is to go out and enjoy yourself without thinking too much about what you want to achieve. Enjoy the party season and let your magic do its work without you worrying about it.

How to Turn Your Ex-boyfriend into a Toad and Other Spells: For Love, Wealth, Beauty and Revenge is published by HarperCollins and costs £5.99.