how much prep do you do?

[autodydact]

This is more of a general survey than a request for help. I am interested in how much preparation you all do before doing magick? Now obviously, different forms of magick require different preparations, but if you are doing a piece of simple candle magick, the sort of thing you might do on a whim (as opposed to heavy ceremonial rituals) how much prep time would you put in? Would you go to the lengths of working out the correct hour, or will you suffice with a the correct day (or dispense with this entirely?) Will you spend lots of time picking out herbs to be burnt or just stick with an all purpose or shop bought blend? The thing is, that in theory, you could spend.so much time working out the perfect conditions under which to cast some magick that it could become more effort that it's worth! So where do you draw a line?

[RoseRed]

Twenty years ago I did all of that. Now-a-days, I'll strike a match and light a candle. It doesn't need to be more elaborate than that for a simple candle spell. There are still times that I'll do most of the above but that's few and far between anymore. It really has to be worth the effort.

All of these correspondences, tools and ingredients can be extremely helpful - especially in the beginning. Some people do all of this for the entire length of their practice. Some people don't.

The thing is, that in theory, you could spend.so much time working out the perfect conditions under which to cast some magick that it could become more effort that it's worth! So where do you draw a line?

That line is different for everybody. If an individual feels that it's just too much effort to put into it then - it's too much effort.

[manonthepath]

I like to keep it simple, but it really depends on the energy I'm dealing with and what I'm trying to accomplish. I have many, what I call: "Repeater Rituals." these are often short and sweet and just reinforce something I've already got cooking in my day to day existence. Then I have middle prep rituals, which I use to strongly reinforce long-term spells. these can take from a day or two to a week to prep for. If I want to do something new (attract a new energy, of defend against a new stronger than usual psychic attack), I will do a significant amount of prep in which I have to assemble and prep various ingredients. Then I have my "Big guns." These are elaborate rituals used for "Strategic & Tactical" purposes for which I plan well ahead, sometimes years ahead. It usually takes time and money to locate and harvest special ingredients, and then there is always the coordination of additional variables. Basically, people just to stick to what they enjoy.