Are You Overcomplicating Things?
We all do it. Here are some common pitfalls we run into when practicing witchcraft (and how to stop making things more difficult for ourselves!)
"I saw a ____. Could that be a sign?" Nobody knows for sure, we weren't there and we're not you. Even if you've asked for a sign and are waiting for a response, now you're spending brainpower trying to assess every little thing around you. Smooth out the process by asking for specific signs so you know what you're looking for. Color + Noun, such as "a green feather" tends to work well. If you're not expecting a sign about a specific thing, let the Universe know what your standards are. "I will read things as a sign only if ____."
More spell factors, generally, helps hone and amplify a spell. You can also go overboard. If you're exhausting yourself trying to find the exact moment the astrological hour, moon phase, and relevant constellations all line up with you having specific rare ingredients, memorizing a chant in another language, blah blah blah, you usually don't need to go that hard. Just pick two or three you can reasonably achieve and do what you need to do.
Being Lost in the Research
"I'm not ready to cast this spell until I ____." Research and prepping yourself properly are important, but it takes years to become a true ""expert."" At some point, we need to be confident in ourselves and actually take action. You're ready. It's fine.
Waiting for the Perfect Moment
Part of this can be astrological (see Spell Factors) but it's also just life. There's never a perfect moment to do anything... the Universe doesn't put those moments on a platter for us. Waiting for the exact perfect time can become an excuse to stall very easily! To quote Shia LaBeouf, "JUST DO IT!!!"
Needing a Second Opinion... on Everything
Second opinions aren't always bad; they can be very useful! But you don't need external validation for every move or interpretation you make. Remember that your craft is your own, not theirs. You have a good head on your shoulders! If you're still feeling unsure, write it down somewhere and come back to it later to see how you feel.
Wards, shields, and circles oh my! On top of that, there are protection methods galore with amulets, house charms, guardian spirits, reciting scripture, hand motions, and more. These are largely preventative measures that aren't under constant attack unless you are Up To Some Shit. No need to feel scared or vulnerable for not having every single one, just like you don't need to guard your house with triple locks, motion sensors, high-tech camera feeds, an electric fence, a guard dog, and a moat.
There are so many beautiful tools out there. I do think liking the way our craft looks, to a point, is helpful because it gets you in the mindset. You can easily work with whatever you have around you, though. It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like we need some specific ritual item that we've been doing just fine without before. Or that a functioning tool works okay, but it would be even better to shell out for the fancy one. Or that we have to have a statue of our deities. It's not necessary and it hurts your wallet, too.
Not everything requires magical solutions. You don't need to perform a banishing spell when blocking their social media will have the same effect. Being firm about boundaries and telling someone directly their actions bother you (and tell them to stop) can usually prevent the need for a binding spell. The best clear-the-air/resolve conflict spell is an honest conversation. Figuring out if someone likes you romantically can be a question for the cards, or you can just ask them. (Yes, that's super nerve-wracking. You can do it, I promise.)
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