I'm thinking maybe in the minds of the Ancients
'spells' and 'prayer' were the same thing....by that I mean, our ancestors spoke to a Superior Being...whether to ask for a good growing season; good harvest...healthy children...whatever they needed. I wonder if, as thinking and reasoning evolved, so did the 'labels' of their conversations with their Deity? Did I say that right? Do you know what I mean? For instance.....when I pray, I offer Tobacco to the four Directions, to the Star Nations/Grandfather Sky, Grandmother and Creator, and I offer recognition to Their powers, etc. Then the Tobacco is scattered or burned. To some that might be considered an incantation.....to me, that's giving offering and respect before asking that my prayers be heard. It's all a mystery, isn't it? Sometimes wonderful.....sometimes maddening.