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Okay, so 9 out of 10 people believe magic works just because "I believe".

However, if anyone bothered to read the original question, the question was not a question of "I believe, therefore it works". The question is geared towards the occult understanding of why it works. This is not a simple question, it requires thought and as such, I do not want to know that you believe and therefore it works.

So, if you have any remote understanding of the reason why you perform rituals (and yes, focusing intent is a ritual in and of itself as it requires at least slight preparation), then tell me what are the principles and underlying occult laws that hold up your beliefs.

note to the admins: if someone answers with a silly reply or one that shows no thought, please destroy their post. I would do it myself, but I can only close threads... My thanks in advance:
Jenova

Perhaps this has already been stated...What about the combined properties of certain herbs, times of night/day month/year spark the fire of magic?

Honestly I don't know much beyond this point, though I have read spell books I don't understand the deep base of spells and why/how they work. ..

Morrigon, what you are refering to is the Hermetic Principle of Correspondances.

The universe runs in a constant cycle and the larger is still the pattern of the smaller. For example, our solar system of planets, asteroids and the like revolve around the Sun. Likewise, the electrons of a molecule revolve around the nucleus in a set radius.

Simply put, the larger scale may be represented by objects of a smaller scale. If one wishes to bring money into their lives (the easiest I can think of), one may use objects that represent money on a smaller scale. Some will burn green candles (the color of money) and others will create sigils and signs to represent what their mind sees as money. I have even heard of someone using monopoly money as a correspondance in a money spell.

This principle, along with many others, is at work when one casts magic at any level.

In terms of the herbs, the pagans and witches of old have figured out that many herbs have enough similarities to individual desires and ends to be used as a correspondance.

Its our belief in magic itself that makes it work, not just in the items we use

The reason magic works is because on a metaphysical level, all things including thoughts are energy. By believing or concentrating hard enough, a shift in the energy pattern occurs, thus shifting the world on a metaphysical level. This works through into our physical world, thus (however slightly) alltering our reality.