Look alive !

One of the most common mistakes of beginners is that magic doesn't need a significant effort. Most believe that to make things work they only have to jerk off over a sigil and "presto!" all will be arranged as they wish.

Not true.

Most people don't have the ability to focus and concentrate hard enough to fuel up the jerk off technique. And jerking off over a drawing or symbol while focusing on it is one of the driest things one can do. That is not a beginners technique although most believe it is.

For the professional sorcerer things become even harder. Although there are a lot of things that we can do for the clients, there are times when we need their active cooperation, specially if there is an emergency. Two days ago a client and friend come to me with a desperate case. I made a reading and decided that he needed Ganesha's help to overcome that difficulty. Therefore I gave him a mala, taught him the Ganesha mantra and told him to do it while I did my part. After a while he stopped. I looked at him and asked what had happened. Nothing had happened, he simply thought that it was enough.

Enough... a serious emergency... requiring the use of a sorcerer and the help of a God that didn't knew him, and had no reason whatsoever to do anything for him... Enough ?!?

I scolded him and made him repeat the mantra for hours, which he did. The problem (that problem) was solved in less than 24 hours. Usually it requires more time, but Ganesha is a Good and Generous God.

My point ? When requesting the help of a God or other entity, look alive, do everything in your power to draw it's attention and to convince it that it is worth the time and effort to help you.

Half assed efforts won't give results.

If you believe otherwise, go home and forget about magic.