When intoxicated with alcohol, should one avoid spell casting?

[Mathew]

I don't drink often, and right now, I'm not especially drunk, but do have alcohol inside me.

I had planned to do a special spell tonight - but I got caught up with friends earlier and they were drinking a lot - and I joined in.

I'll probably wait another day, but was very eager to get the spell done tonight.  So for future reference, is it best to avoid casting a spell even when you have a little bit of alcohol inside you?    

[Phagos]

If the alcohol is effecting your focus, then as a beginner, it is probably best to wait until you sober up. 

[Moly]

I'm not the most cautious witch in general so maybe this isn't good advice. I think that the worst thing it is likely to do to some specific spell work that I do on a particular occasion is make that spell less effective.

More broadly, I think it's a bad practice. The workings get all mixed up with the substance and it becomes confusing. I can't be sure what was due to the spell or what was due to the substance. If I think on some occasion it was the substance then I might try using the substance again to get the effect. Then it just becomes about chasing the substance and what it can do. With a substance I think it's best for me to be completely clear, "I'm using this substance to get intoxicated, never to be magical".

Having said that, I do usually try to be magical when I'm drunk but alcohol sucks all the life out of my will to do magic, I can't concentrate properly and I just go to sleep.

The biggest thing I've noticed is that alcohol has a really bad effect on dreaming. It's poison to my dreaming practice. I will have reduced dreams in general, reduced magical dreams in particular, and I can have extremely violent dreams.

Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but caffeine is really bad for dreams too. I stopped drinking coffee for 18 months and my sleep was much better and so were my dreams. I need to quit again.

I think substances aren't good for magic and I'm highly skeptical about practices that mix substances with a magical experience.

[StanLily]

I think it depends on how alcohol affects you. I know some Native American Nations use peyote in ceremonies because of its hallucinogenic properties. I don't know how an individual is introduced to the use of peyote. Carlos Castaneda talks about it in The Teachings of Don Juan. If you were to try a spell while under the influence of alcohol, I would plan something small that could be easily verified. For control purposes, do the spell sober and check the outcome. At a later time, do the spell with alcohol in your system and check the outcome.

[Solanaceae]

I will start by agreeing with each of the other responders that a) It may not be best practice for a beginner. b) like Moly I personally find it to be entirely unconducive to my magical practice. c) It will depend on how it effects you personally. 

To add a little of my own thoughts to all that,  I will say that certain magical practices and practitioners do include alcohol use in their working, and seem to successfully. 

Just because it doesn't work for me, doesn't mean it can't for someone else. 

That said I will stress this particular point a bit more. As a beginner it is probably best to start sober. In general it is advisable to be clear minded, alert and aware especially when starting out. If later you feel quite comfortable with your practice and you want to incorporate certain substances, that should be done with respect. As part of a ritual, or a shared offering  for example. The forces you seek to work with are very real and not to be trifled with. 

 

[Bayne]

Being a beginner I would agree and you shouldn't. But on the other hand, the state of gnosis can be achieved in this way. Possible I would think, although I've never tried it that way. Lots of practice before though. Remember your 5 or 6 😆 senses. You chakras. Learn how you work first because everyone is different. 

[ADDorphanKitchenwitch]

I wouldn't but I also have attention issues so my work is often done with fiercely intense feeling and focused intentions in short bursts. If I tried to work under the influence of any substance, there would be absolute chaos. 😂 The only exception being before any dream work, but that's because I also have sleep issues and smoking (a tiny bit, not Cheech & Chong over here) helps me actually stay asleep for a solid length of time.

[Sagefire]

While enjoyable to imbibe in moderation, I find alcohol to conducive to only making me more handsome, charming, and an amazing dancer.

[StanLily]

7 hours ago, Sagefire said:

While enjoyable to imbibe in moderation, I find alcohol to conducive to only making me more handsome, charming, and an amazing dancer.

Brad Paisley has a song about all of that.

[Moly]

13 hours ago, Sagefire said:

While enjoyable to imbibe in moderation, I find alcohol to conducive to only making me more handsome, charming, and an amazing dancer.

hahaha. ♡

[Liddy]

It depends. Are you a follower of Dionysus? I have a feeling he'd approve, lol. 

In all seriousness, there's no hard rule to say you can't drink and spell cast. However, much like trying to meditate when drinking, it might get more difficult the drunker you are. 
I wouldn't *recommend* it, but I also wouldn't say no. My one area of caution is maybe don't get drunk and then decide to suddenly start trying out new spells that are meant to change your life or alter your reality in some major way. You might rather stick to things related to divination, positive self-care, and joy. 

But overall, it's a personal choice. Check your gut feeling and make personal boundaries for when is best to spell cast.