We know that people have been doing magic for thousands of years, so there has got to be something in it right? But how does magic work? Well, there are several different theories on how magic works. Some witches see spells working by connecting with the divine or spirit realms, some view them as more of a psychological tool and many believe they work at an energetic, or quantum level.

I have been doing magic for a long time and although I can’t say every spell I have ever done has worked, lots of my spells do work. For me, the most important thing is that they do work, but I feel that having an understanding of how magic works can help to create more effective magic.

Do I have a cast-iron explanation for how do spells work? Not exactly, but I have read a lot about it and here are some of the most compelling theories for how magic works.

Divine and Spiritual Connection

This theory suggests that spells work by enlisting the support of divine or spiritual entities, including ancestors, on our behalf. This suggests that when we cast spells, we connect with spiritual forces that exist beyond our physical world. These entities might include gods, goddesses, angels, spirit guides or ancestors who have passed on.

Many witches work with specific deities or spiritual beings when they cast spells. You might call upon a particular goddess for love magic or ask your ancestors for protection. The spell becomes a form of prayer or request where you ask these higher powers to help bring about the changes you desire.

This approach explains why many spells involve offerings, prayers and ritual actions designed to honour and connect with spiritual beings. When you light a candle for a deity or leave flowers on an ancestral altar, you’re building a relationship with these entities who can then assist your magical work.

Energetic Magic – Like Attracts Like

This theory suggests that spells work on an energetic level through principles such as ‘like attracts like’. Everything in the universe vibrates at different frequencies and we can influence these vibrations through our magical practice.

Some witches believe that quantum physics supports the idea that magic works through energetic connections. Einstein famously called quantum entanglement “spooky action at a distance” when describing how particles could instantly affect each other across vast distances. Whilst this remains a scientific phenomenon rather than proof of magic, some witches see parallels between quantum entanglement and how spells might work energetically.

The principle that ‘like produces like’ means objects or actions that resemble something can influence it through their similarity. For example, you might use green candles for money magic because green represents growth and prosperity. Yellow herbs could be used for mental clarity because yellow corresponds to the mind and communication. When you use crystals that match your intention or choose symbols that represent your goals, you’re working with energetic correspondences. This is often called sympathetic magic.

This theory also explains why certain objects hold power in magical work. Items that have been blessed or charged with specific intentions maintain that energetic signature. A crystal that you’ve programmed for protection or a candle that you’ve dedicated to healing carries that focused energy.

You can see this principle at work in everyday life too. People love to buy memorabilia from their favourite musicians or visit the homes of famous writers, hoping that some of that creative talent or inspiration might ‘rub off’ on them. This shows how deeply we believe in energetic connections, even outside of magical practice.

Psychological and Mental Magic

This theory views magic as operating on a psychological or consciousness level to change our beliefs and overcome blocks. This focuses on how magical practice affects our minds and internal states rather than external supernatural forces.

Spells work by helping you shift your beliefs and expectations about what’s possible. When you perform a confidence spell, the ritual actions help reprogram your subconscious mind to believe in your own power. This changed mindset then influences how you behave and interact with the world, creating real changes in your life.

Magic also provides a sense of control in uncertain situations. When you perform a protection spell or cast a prosperity ritual, the magical work helps reduce anxiety and gives you confidence to take positive action. This psychological comfort allows you to think more clearly and make better decisions.

Many spells work like powerful affirmations combined with symbolic actions. The ritual gives weight and importance to your intentions while helping your unconscious mind accept the new beliefs you’re trying to install.

Putting Theory into Practice

Understanding these different theories can help you create more effective magical practice. You might think magic works in just one of these ways or in all of them. You might choose different approaches depending on your personal beliefs and the type of spell you’re working. When considering how does magic work, you can experiment with different approaches to see which feels most natural to you. The next section will show how to do spells that work based on the principles we have talked about

Simple Manifestation Spell

This basic spell demonstrates how these theories work together in magical practice and gives you a practical example of how spells work. If you wish you can call on divine energy or deities and ancestors to support your work, but you can skip this step if you choose. The candle colour uses the principle of ‘like attracts like’. The intention you set is part of the psychological theory of magic.

What You Need

• Candle in a colour that matches your intention (or LED candle)
• Small piece of paper
• Pen
• Bell for sound cleansing (or you can clap your hands)
• Quiet space

What To Do

1. Choose a time when you feel calm and focused
2. Cleanse your space by ringing a bell or clapping your hands loudly in each corner
3. Light your candle or switch on your LED candle
4. If you wish, call on divine energy, or deities or ancestors to support you in you magical work.
5. Write your intention clearly on the paper in present tense
6. Hold the paper and visualise your goal as already achieved, really feeling the emotions of having what you want
7. Speak your intention aloud with confidence and belief
8. Place the paper under your candle or LED light
9. Sit quietly for 10-15 minutes focusing on your intention and how wonderful it feels to have manifested your desire
10. Thank any spiritual guides or energies you work with
11. Burn the paper or shred or bury it to release the spell energy
12. Trust that your spell is working and watch for signs of manifestation

Whether magic works through divine intervention, energetic vibrations or psychological programming, the most important element is your belief and intention. Understanding how does magic work from different perspectives can help you find the approach that resonates most with you. Focus on what feels right for your practice and trust in the process.

I hope you have enjoyed this post on how magic works. If you have, please consider sharing it.

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