Magic does not exist in a vacuum.

cunningcelt:

Nothing in our world, in our universe, exists by itself or for itself. Everything is connected and interconnected, right down to the smallest atoms. The survival of humanity rests on the wings of a humble bee. Every creature, every object, every force affects something else and is affected by something else. Everything is connected. And so it is with magic.

I firmly believe, and have always believed, that working magically toward a physical goal will be fruitless unless you likewise work toward it in physical, mundane ways. Casting a weight loss spell won’t work unless I also start dieting and exercising. Casting a job spell won’t work unless I also submit job applications and keep my résumé up to date. Casting a love spell won’t work unless unless I am also actively trying to meet people. Casting a home protection spell won’t work unless I also lock my doors at night. If you work magic for change in the physical world, you must work mundane changes as well. This ideology is not to be perceived as weak. It is not to me understood that I do not trust my magic, or that I limit it in any way. It is simply the nature of the universe that nothing can exist in a vacuum.

Magic has often been the last refuge of the powerless, who cast a spell or a curse when they have no other option. But they have no other option precisely because they have exhausted and are exhausting all mundane options available to them.

There is also a danger in thinking to try on magic alone. It is the danger that a sick person will seek a spell instead of a doctor. It is the danger that a victim of crime will seek a spell instead of the police. There are various reasons why health and legal services may be unavailable to you, but they should never be dismissed out of hand. Healing spells and legal spells will never work as powerfully as they could without the magic of a doctor or an attorney.

Also to be considered is the fact that no magic is 100% effective 100% of the time. Any witch who tells you that they’ve never had a spell fail is a liar. If you are only working magically toward your goals, what will you have to show if your magic fails?

Magic is not simply a motivational concept bandied about at self help seminars, it is a powerful force. But it is not all powerful, and neither are witches. As humans we live and work and live in the real world. And so does, and must, our magic.