Magic Isn't a Spectator Sport
According to Aleister Crowley, “Every intentional act is a magical act.” Intention, as you already know, is the seed from which outcomes materialize. The more clarity you bring to your spells, the more focused willpower you can use to direct them, and the more passion you put behind them, the better your results are likely to be.
In the beginning, you'll need to read some good books and learn as much as you can about magic. This book is a fairly comprehensive introduction, but you'll want to gain information from a variety of sources. Appendix B lists several books you may find valuable. Each magician has his or her own ideas and areas of specialty. As you explore the world of magic, you'll find that some concepts, styles, and practices interest you more than others. If you have a theatrical side, you might be drawn to ritual magic. If you love gardening, herbal magic could be your thing.
At some point in your magical process, you'll have to decide why you've chosen this path. Many people, especially teens and young adults, initially get interested in magic because they feel weak and seek to gain power over others. If you stick with it, however, you'll soon discover that magic is about gaining power over yourself and your ego.
When people ask me to do magic spells for them, I usually encourage them to get involved themselves. Spells you do for yourself can be more effective than those performed by someone else because the outcome is more important to you than to another person. You're able to pour your own emotions into the spell. You feel a strong connection to other people involved in the spell. You know the outcome you desire.
Everyone possesses magical ability. But magic isn't for couch potatoes. It's for people who genuinely want to take charge of their lives and their realities. Magic involves study, discipline, and practice. It necessitates building your mental muscles. It requires you to shift your old habit patterns and beliefs, which is easier said than done. It demands that you “clean up your act” and examine your motives. Most importantly, magic forces you to delve deep within yourself to discover who you truly are.
