Because of the way Facebook is set up, I got notifications each time a person responded to this original post. Upon looking at the thread later in the day, I read a post that had me saying out loud..
Apparently, according to the responder, this person wasn't to do an ounce of magic until every single last mundane action had been taken, and still they should be really careful and probably not do any magic at all because other people were involved in the situation.
I love an analogy, so I'm going to use one.
One beautiful summer day it starts raining. Maybe you're in Florida. You know how that usually happens on the daily down there. There's an umbrella by the door, however you can't use it according to the Keeper of the Umbrella. At least not yet. First, you have to go change out of the flip flops on your feet and go put on closed toe shoes.
You do that and return.
"Shorts?" says the Keeper of the Umbrella. "You have to go put on some pants. Gotta cover those legs because they could get wet."
You change into some warm pants and head back to use the umbrella.
The Keeper shakes their head. "Hold on. You have a tank top on. You have to put on sweatshirt. Temperature is predicted to drop in his rain storm, you know."
Returning with a sweatshirt on, the Keeper asks where your rain coat is. "Wind is picking up."
You don a raincoat.
"What about one of those plastic thingies that you put over you head and tie under your chin?" asks the Keeper.
Finding one of those, you stand within reach of the umbrella wearing your closed toe shoes, pants, a sweatshirt, rain coat, plastic rain hat. "How about that umbrella?" you ask.
The Keeper rubs their chin, looking you up and down. "Looks like you are dressed pretty well for the storm. Do you think you really need to use that umbrella after all?"
Changing your shoes or tossing on a sweatshirt, aka - doing the mundane work such as filling out the job application when you need a job, or signing up for dating app if you are looking for a new partner, or seeking out legal advice if a child is in danger - is always important. The likelihood of getting that job or date or protection is a lot less likely, or maybe not possible if we don't do the legwork.
However, this idea that we cannot employ magic until the very last t is crossed and i is dotted, to me, is ...
There are more magical traditions and paths out there than I probably know about. From folk to ceremonial, hoodoo to grimoire, chaos to kitchen witchery and on and on and on. Each one is going to have it's rules or lack thereof, ethics, methods that just might differ depending on who you talk to. But this idea of not using magic until all possible 'mundane' options have been exhausted?
Why?
I think half the issue with many needs for magic is that there wasn't any magic being employed in the first place. If one is constantly doing magic out of a desperate need, or using magic when the shit is hitting the fan, because the shit is often hitting the fan, maybe that's part of the issue.
I'm not advocating for magic and no practical action. I mean, you have to fill out that application and not just sit in your house lighting money candles and making career dream boards. But to not employ magic to enchant a situation right alongside sending the resume? Not do spellwork to ensure protection on a regular basis, or health on a regular basis, or to create a continuous happy home and relationship?
Again, why?
If you aren't doing spellwork, you aren't practicing witchcraft. And if you are acting like the Keeper of the Umbrella over what and how other people work, you really ought to stop. If your ethics require you to exhaust every mundane option first, well... okay. But me? I'm going to slip on those closed toe shoes while I'm holding that umbrella, thank you very much.
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