Magick, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking
Whenever I go online on different witchcraft or occult groups or forums, or sometimes I am at an event, I often hear people talk about how to use magick to solve their problems. Some of these problems are pretty basic and range from “I need some more money to pay a bill and I need a good money spell” to “I need a spell to spice up my luck on finding a date”, and sometimes there are more complex ones. We live in a very complex world, we have a lot of complex emotions and as result can have complex problems. It concerns me, and certainly triggers a lot of compassion, in me, to see people have so many problems and trying to solve them with one technique or with a process that does not address the entire problem in a holistic manner.
When I am attacking a problem with magic I actually have a bit of a process to ensure that everything can be accounted for and dealt with, with not only as few resources (of time and money) as possible, but to get to the root of the problem and solve it effectively. As such I wanted to share my process for attacking magical problems that’s really worked for me. Some of the most successful practitioners I know, especially the ones way better than me, also seem to use similar processes. This process is really rooted in critical thinking since I found balancing my logic and emotion and having them work hand in hand (trust me, I’ve had my fair share of impulsive decisions- both in Magick and life), helps me do effective workings based on looking at the overall picture.
My process can be broken down into six steps:
- Identifying the Problem
- Analysis
- Inventory of Available Resources
- Strategy
- Execution
- Observation
Identifying the Problem
The first step is identifying the problem. For this example, someone is in a partnership that is having some issues. They have been arguing for a month. Unfortunately, they have to go to the wedding of a mutual friend. The practitioner of the couple does not want to spend a long weekend (8 hour trip each way) in a car with their partner when there is way too much potential for further discord. The practitioner has decided now is the time to help the relationship with magick so they have a great weekend (Martha’s Vineyard- here we go!).
Analysis
For this step, I need to look at the entire picture. In the relationship spell example, let us say they want the love spell to improve the relationship with their partner. They really have to look at all the different aspects of the relationship- not just the sexual chemistry and the romantic emotions. They would have to do some thinking about what are the things that work well (or not) in the relationship. For example perhaps one of the sources of problems in the relationship is communication and how finances and resources are shared and managed together (fairly common problems in partnerships). In this case, they would need to do a working that is going to attack all the different aspects of the relationship to improve it.
Inventory of Available Resources
Next, they want to see what resources they have to solve the problem(s).Tthese resources may include spell materials, store of personal techniques that they are good at, the time they hAVE (just a week until the wedding) and anything else they can gather and use.
There is a limited time frame to do the work, and the nearest witchcraft store is a long ways away. The practitioner looks around and they discover they do have some candles. They also are a bit of “kitchen witch” and have a fairly standard store of kitchen herbs. Personally, I am a big fan of having some time between when I do a working and when I want results so I can give the Universe time to do what They have to do. In my experience, magick in some ways is like cooking. I want to use the proper heat level to cook the food properly. In this metaphor the heat is time. I found this is why some workings work differently when things are timed differently.
Strategy
The practitioner knows what resources they have, know the time frame, and have done enough thought regarding the different aspects of the problem they are addressing. So they are going to get going on the candle and herbs!
Going back to the analysis- they decide they want to attack my relationship problem in terms of money, communication, connection and physical attraction. Coincidentally (not rally) that works with the four elements with money being Earth, communication being Air, connection tied with Water, and physical attraction- Fire.
The practitioner goes to their kitchen and looks around. They get some cinnamon since they have used that effectively for spells for prosperity, vanilla extract since that reminds them of things like romantic candles, massage oils, etc and it has a warming aroma, mint since it is used for communication magick and also mint is used for fresh breath commonly (and things could use some “fresh air”), and chamomile since they have an abundance of chamomile tea. Chamomile helps relieve stress for the physical body and that translates well into a magical use of releasing tension in the relationship.
Execution
The next phase is execution. The practitioner assembles their ingredients. They are familiar with the energy of magick and the first thing they do is energetically charge all of the separate ingredients. They hold the candle to their heart (after they have energetically purified the ingredients and themselves), relaxed to a semi-meditative state, and put all of their intentions of what I want to happen and how it manifests into peace. They imagine that on the road trip that if the issues in the relationship come up, they solve them with grace, compassion, logic, and love, and that the weekend getaway is restorative for them both. They then charge each of the different kitchen ingredients with their appropriate purpose. They also realize they need a carrier for the vanilla and get a bit of almond oil to mix with it. They spread the vanilla/oil mix on the candle and they sprinkle the herbs on some plastic wrap and roll the candle in the herbs.
Lastly, they set up some sacred space in a corner they have in their home, ask for assistance from the higher Powers, and light the candle.
Observation
The final step is observation. This also means being patient, removing emotions from the situation at this point, or even distraction (isn’t there packing to do?), so the magic can work. The last thing they want is to let any future emotions that come after the spell has started to influence the work already done
They also want to critically observe any results. Do finances get better? Are there less arguments? Is communication getting better and there is more understanding and patience? Are things feeling more sensual in the bedroom? Perhaps they take notes, or journal, and reflect on daily changes. If everything works as it should, hopefully everything is better before the wedding and everyone is doing well.
If things are not entirely as envisioned, observations are critical in trying to figure out what went wrong and become better at their Craft. Magic is certainly a bit more of an art than a science, but we can try to look at it as both for the best results possible. If this was for something that was more long-term, I would do repeated workings. I do ascribe to the credo of ”practice makes perfect”.
I hope this process can help you out and by seeing how it can be executed and inspires you in your own magical practice.
Thanks so much for reading and blessings!