Spitiruality the Truth Behind Magick

To answer the question of whether magick's effects are mind over matter; first the definitions of magick and of matter must be established. Random House Dictionary defines magick as: an action or effort undertaken because of a personal need to effect change, especially as associated with Wicca or Wiccan beliefs [1]. This definition can be attributed to not only Wicca, but also any other magickal practice or belief system. Matter is defined by Random House in its second of fourteen definitions as: physical or corporeal substance in general, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, esp. as distinguished from incorporeal substance, as spirit or mind, or from qualities, actions, and the like [2].

Using those two definitions, the answer is still very unclear. Again, a special look should be taken into magick and what it actually is in practice. Is magick a bag full of tools or a skyclad ritual? Not necessarily. Is magick the want or need of the practitioner? In a sense, yes it is, but more to the point, magick is energy focused on a certain goal with a specific intent and does not need a specially written elaborate ritual to work effectively.

Wanting magick to work does not necessarily make it work, however. This is where various issues and beliefs factor in. If magick were simply mind over matter, any practitioner could 'spell' love into his or her life or conjure a new house or car. Magick doesn't work like that.

It is believed that the energy used is channeled through the practitioner from the universe via the four classical elements of earth, air, fire, and water. In the universe, everything has its time, place, and structure. If the practitioner is on the correct path set out for him or her, then the spell either will or will not work depending on the individual want in the larger, universal scheme of things. Alternately, if the practitioner does not word the spell right or is not clear with his or her intent, then it may not work in the slightest. Of course, even with potentially manipulative magick such as a love spell, the spell could work too well and then would require undoing.