Magic is "Getting Something for Nothing" - My Thoughts

Recently I was listening to a podcast and one of the guests mentioned that some people disapprove of magic because they think it's "getting something for nothing." I apologise that I can't recall now which podcast it was. The guest didn't quote a particular source so perhaps it doesn't matter anyway.

When I heard that some people have this opinion, I was taken aback. Magic is certainly not "getting something for nothing," not in my experience or the experience of people I've observed who practice magic.

Magic takes a lot of time, effort and in many cases money, to practice. Let's start with money. Of course, you don't need to spend a lot of money on performing a spell or other magickal work, but for many people, having the right tools is essential to put them in the right frame of mind, and this may mean purchasing rare or antique tools or ingredients. Knowledge is even more valuable. My library of books is quite small -- only two bookshelves' worth so far -- but I've heard of people who own thousands of books, which is quite an investment. Then there's the online courses and workshops one can take to increase their knowledge. For those who interact with deity or other kinds of spirit being, there's the cost of procuring and preparing offerings. In several cases, I've even heard of people who've purchased a property due to it's suitability for performing magick at.

As for time, I've done spells that lasted 3, 5 and even 9 days. It takes commitment to get up every morning and spend up to an hour or more working an enchantment, setting up an altar, or worshipping beings. It takes time to track down the correct ingredients for a spell or find just the right tool for the job. The research required to follow a spell or ritual correctly can take days, weeks or even months. Magickal practitioners who follow the planetary hours may find it necessary to get up at any hour during the night to perform rites, or clear their schedules if a particular hour during the day is called for. Those who practice in groups need to spend time and effort in organising all of the logistics that come with that.

All of the above activities require effort, but there's also the effort and intention put into making handmade items, tools or offerings. Most people agree that magick involves energy, and the practitioner's personal energy is essential for magick to work. Expending energy is draining. Organising group activities requires effort, as does the study required to do magick effectively. The Grey School of Wizardry, for example, is a seven-year undertaking, requiring hundreds of hours of study and practical activities.

So, for those who claim that magick is "getting something for nothing," I beg to differ!