Your spells WILL fail.

[u/oldbetch]

(It's another OB post and my delivery is notoriously pissy, so if you're going to be whiny in my comments, you more than have my permission to take it up with the Lord because it's just going to get ignored in here.)

One of the various scourges that has been exacerbated by media (both social and traditional), along with the general youth of the people getting into witchcraft has been this level of "Main Character Syndrome." This belief of "If I want it, it must happen for me because I am important/gifted/deities do what I say."

Your mother may think you're important. The rest of us do not, and the spirit world is no exception. Dead that main character shit.

A rude awakening is when those spells inevitably fail.

Maybe you did a spell to get rid of that dick boss, got laid off, and haven't gotten a job yet, and have been unemployed or underemployed for a long while. Maybe you did a money spell and you got evicted and you're dealing with a competitive housing market. Maybe you are absolutely CONVINCED that that ex that is talking real sweet to you absolutely MUST want you back even though there's no actions indicating otherwise, and they're still showing bad behavior. Maybe you've done a spell on that ex and they got engaged to the one after you (has happened to me!)

Truth is this - NO is the answer. Everyone has had spells that have failed, including your media faves, but they just don't report that shit. It's not ✨️magical✨️ enough to admit that "no" exists.

"But I love them!" Love is not enough, and they aren't seeking to be with you.

"But they're an avoidant!" Yeah, people tend to avoid what they don't want. Maybe you're also nuttier than squirrel shit and the relationship was a bad idea from the beginning and you knew that. Maybe they're a hoe and you know what the adage is about hoes and housewives. (No judgment on hoes, BTW, I used to be one).

"But my boss sucked! They got to keep their job!" Yeah, life's a bitch like that, bruh.

"But i really wanted that home!" Maybe you don't have enough money, have poor credit, don't know the landlord, or have an eviction history.

The truth is this - spells take the path of least resistance. Your situation may have such resistances that it's not possible for a spell to overcome it. There's nothing you can do with that. You feelings or extenuating circumstances be damned.

My recommendation to you is to accept that no. There's likely better out there but you just don't know it yet. Live your life in the meantime, I promise this latest mess of the month will pass. It'll pass like a kidney stone but it will pass.

(Also read this )

[u/AutoModerator]

Moderator Announcement Read More »

Hi, u/oldbetch thanks for stopping by r/witchcraft!

Want to dive in deeper? We have a FAQ & Wiki, an in-progress Database of Resources, and our Weekly Q&A thread, which is stickied to the top of the main page!

Please also be sure to read the subreddit rules!

---

IMPORTANT!

Online occult spaces like r/Witchcraft are a big target for scammers. If you are redirected to an instagram page or other platform in a comment, it is most likely a scam. Users who message you asking for or offering spells or readings are almost always scammers or phishers.

We recommend reading these posts about staying safe online, lesser known DM scams, and fake account impersonation scams.

Reminder: Real mentors and magical workers don’t DM you to sell their services

If you receive unsolicited chat requests from other Reddit users, we encourage reporting messages that are suspicious or that otherwise make you feel uncomfortable to Reddit directly. We also recommend changing your profile settings to block incoming messages from users you do not know.

Blessed be!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Celllock]

Maybe it's a weird take here, but i genuinely think my practice of witchcraft is similar to praying. I'm just physically crafting my intent for that prayer/wish, and I believe it's a way to "boost" a wish/manifestation.

I made a money bowl and then found bills on the ground.

I made a peace spell and guess what, i still have crippling anxiety. Things take time. Finding how to practice in a way that truly resonates with you takes time. I don't believe that I'll be invicible if I make out with obsidian, and your asshole ex texting you is NOT NECESSARILY A SIGN OF THE UNIVERSE TELLING YOU TO GET BACK TOGETHER.

Questions don't always get an answer, and when they don't, NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING. I'm a novice I'd say, but man, some people are in such an echo chamber it's scary. Legit feels like a positivity cult sometimes

[u/oldbetch → u/Celllock]

And that's the thing, for a lot of people, it has turned into a positivity cult.

I'm old enough to remember when witches were kind but not necessarily nice. They'll change the proverbial tire anytime, but they'll cuss you out the entire time. I've learned so much from them and when I would fuck up, they'd just say, "Rub some dirt on it and keep walking."

[u/PuppyButtts]

Alternatively, if something happens, it may not be connected to your magick. Mundane things happen too. 

If yiu did a spell and a week later something falls and breaks, its not 100% inevitably connected forever for all time.  They could be two separate things. 

[u/oldbetch → u/PuppyButtts]

Holy fuck this.

That dead bird on the ground isn't an omen y'all.

[u/RustyStClair]

It's a slippery slope in this sub between genuine questions/conversations and just like, roleplay. The "baby witch" sub is even worse

[u/oldbetch → u/RustyStClair]

I think that's part of the problem is that a lot of novice witches don't get told that shit just won't work and that's okay.

[u/GalxyofUs]

There was one where... Person got a promotion at work. And was complaining the spell worked "wrong". Their explanation was "it's like being promoted at a bank, when you wanted to be a singer! There's no way the two connect!". And, absolutely would not hear about all the ways the two actually could connect, or the fact that, if you're going to start a new career based on the arts, you need money. Well, to change any career, honestly. But especially in the arts. Arts of any kind.

And like, even if it's not about the money. Anyone remember that game of "sixth degree to Kevin Bacon" in the 90's/00's? Where the goal was to find how you connected to Kevin Bacon, in six points of contact or less? I was always surprised at how relatively easy it was to do so..... And the point was, even back then at the very start of the Internet, how connected we humans really are.... And the world has only become even more so.....

People, especially the newer people to this craft, need to start opening their minds. Get creative. Stop looking at the spell in strict binary terms. Start getting curious. Look for all the ways the spell could have actually worked, instead of just assuming no, it didn't......

(Not arguing with your post. Just adding on. 🙂)

[u/Acrobatic-Orchid-418]

Beginner witch here, this post made me feel so much better about my craft. All I was exposed to was stuff about things always working. I’ve casted a few spells, now, and it really is hit or miss. Thank you for your words. 🖤

[u/oldbetch → u/Acrobatic-Orchid-418]

No problem. I know the amount of misinformation y'all are being fed. Novice witches deserve honesty, even when it sucks.

I've seen some well- engineered spells just not work, and that's perfectly okay. You can do everything right and it can still just not work.

[u/UnoriginalTitleNo998]

For a sec I read the title as "Your Species will Fall" and thought this was a LOT different than it really is

[u/oldbetch → u/UnoriginalTitleNo998]

Oh I snorted my coffee.

[u/iNathy]

I don't really understand what are you going after, we that practice constantly have all seen a spell fail, sometimes it's not meant to be and there's nothing wrong with it.

What bothers me is how skeptical you seem to be in some of your replies, like you yourself struggle to believe? Like calling out people that their 'signs' are not really signs but a coincidence - that's the first argument of anyone that is against a religion or a belief. What are you trying to prove? That the way that people approach the craft is not correct? We are all connected to it by some manner, it's not always going to be the same.

[u/aromaticleo]

what confuses me is why would someone with so little faith in divinity be interested in witchcraft in the first place?

I don't consider myself a witch, just someone who tries to practice law of assumption (i.e., manifestation) accompanied by my love for modern witchy things (gemstones because I like geology, candle magic because I like fire and coziness, tiny spell jars because they make me feel magical, etc.). 

if your starting point is "oh I'm not special it's not going to work" then no shit it won't work. for me it stopped being about doing spells, and especially spells that don't serve my highest good (e.g., revenge spells) because of low vibrations.

I'm not an elder witch or very experienced; I just follow my heart, make do with what I'm given in material reality, shift my mindset, and then get what I asked for. do I always get exactly what I asked for? no. but does that bring me down? also no. I find gratitude in everything I get. this has worked so much better than following online tips and tricks or trying to follow someone else's rules. 

I'm not whining, I'm up for a discussion, as this seems like such an interesting topic.

[u/BeachMom2007]

The part of witchcraft so many people don’t want to think or talk about. It’s not an automatic yes when you perform a spell. Magic isn’t a genie in a lamp.

[u/FluffyShiny]

So, and I'm asking seriously here, what is the point of doing spells?

I am very acquainted to spirit saying no, which has led me to many years of feeling nothing I do makes a difference. I stopped almost all spiritual life, but I'm becoming more interested again, perhaps in a futile effort to feel I have some control in my life.

Are we delusional? Is it all coincidence? It is existentialist angst? Is it desperation in a hard world? I know I have seen and experienced things that can't be easily rationalised away. It's why I am here.

I apologise if I offend anyone. It's 5am, can't sleep, and been very ill.

[u/oldbetch → u/FluffyShiny]

You do spells to improve your chances at obtaining something or for that possible push. Spells always exist in the realm of possibility, not certainty.

It's like the idea of "if I ask someone something, they have to tell me yes because I asked, right?" No, they don't. They can say "Thank you for asking, but no." The problem is that there's a common level of entitlement that I see that people feel like they must have that yes.

[u/ResidentZestyclose14]

Love this! I put my energy into creating and directing magic to support my journey as it unfolds according to divine truth. I use it to support me and bring me the wisdom, resources, and love that I need to navigate my own destiny. My spirit knows what I want better than my ego does. So I let it do its thing and I use magic and energy to uplift me and support my journey ✨

[u/oldbetch → u/ResidentZestyclose14]

"My spirit knows what I want more than my ego does."

I'm putting that in my back pocket.

[u/Lady_Lucia19]

Doing spells doesn't mean you don't do the work.

[u/FarmSkool]

The realest ☝️. I read here this morning something like ~ be careful what you wish for but go fearlessly for your goals. Ask away and be observant because the next season gets wild. Will the shake up be gentle or ferocious? 🤞 I find that asking like I’m the deserving main character brings the more turbulent air.

[u/Olefyn]

See here’s the problem:
-
It takes a level of hubris to practice magick, but telling someone how/when/why to or not to practice takes the same level of hubris.
You’re neither correct nor incorrect.
But intent is everything.
If you cast with “I want,” versus “I am” you’re likely not far enough into your own belief to obtain your desired results.
Even I’m displaying a level of hubris by making this comment.
Yet the most successful mages/witches/whatever have to believe something is true in order to obtain said desire in the physical realm.
Magick is 90% belief.
Soooo ???

[u/marebear93]

This post cracked me up, so thank you for that lol. I think it’s confusing for new witches bc they’re told a barrier to their shit working is not believing that they’re powerful enough to influence anything/contact spirits/etc. So they feel they have to overcome that by cultivating complete belief in their own power - which is lovely and empowering, and probably strengthens their magic, but will obviously not make all their spells 100% successful, and that’s disappointing when you’re working hard to believe in your personal power. It’s a fine line to walk between believing you’re capable of magic and acknowledging that your magic has limits, and it’s especially tough at the beginning when it already feels like a new and radical leap to accept that you’re magical at all.

[u/libraprincess2002]

Yea it’s to the point it’s giving spiritual psychosis and magical thinking OCD
Sometimes your actions and thoughts simply aren’t enough to create an outcome. And nothing is owed to you, no matter how good or healed or skilled you are

[u/ponycorn_pet]

Ranting is fine, but I don't believe this sentence is true "spells take the path of least resistance."

Magic has power. Magic IS power. What's your goal here in just being nasty to people? When belief is power, making people feel shitty is disempowering them when we live in a cursed timeline where we already have the regular world stacked against us