Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. For magic to work or not work is based largely on different variables - namely
~ Nothing in life is guaranteed
~ We often don't know what is best for us
~ And we certainly don't know what God/Fate/Diety has in store for us, even when we have the best of intentions.
Magic can be well related to prayer. Sometimes our prayers are not answered. Why is that?
1) It is not God's Will.
2) It was not for our highest good.
3) It was not the way our life is supposed to unfold.
4) There is something better right around the corner.
5) If we were to have it, it would interfere with whatever lesson/next thing coming to us.
6) We are being obsessive and the Universe is telling us to LET IT GO!!, etc. You get the idea.
These are all good explanations for why magic sometimes doesn't work. We just don't always know what's best for us, nor do we have the big picture. I can look back on several occasions in my life where I pined and pined for something and didn't get it. Now looking back, I realize that getting that particular thing (or person) would have been disastrous in my life. I now have a bigger piece of the puzzle, and I thank God for some of my unanswered prayers and "failed" magical undertakings.
Some folks further explain away magic by something like this: "If you don't believe strongly in it, it won't work." I disagree with this sentiment. It basically is stating that the power of the mind is that which controls all outcomes.
If that is so, why is there such a rich body of magical practice that puts such weight on the power of natural items, such as plants and minerals, or on amulets and talismans - items that have spiritual power inherent to themselves? Some examples would be crystals and other gemstones, Rabbit's foot and other good luck charms, religious symbol jewelry, horseshoes, etc. These are reputed to work without any input or belief from us, and these practices are as old as time.
If these items had no intrinsic power themselves, all we would be engaged in would be creative visualization practices such as those taught in certain meditation traditions or those popularized by The Secret and The Law of Attraction - there would be no natural or folk magic which honors the natural powers of plants, minerals, and animals. A fascinating topic - not one that can be developed even in part within these few lines.
But even with the most conscientious and thorough spellwork, sometimes magic does not bear fruits, and this is not always your fault or the fault of poor technique or a crummy spell. Sometimes doctors fail even though they tried their hardest, and we don't assess blame. Sometimes the minister's prayers do not save your loved one from Death's grip, and we don't blame the minister.
We simply reassess our desires, rework our intentions, make a new game plan, look for unlearned lessons, and brush ourselves off and go on again. God/dess has something greater in store for you, something beyond what you're hoping for!
Copyright: Me, LdyGry, A Higher Source Spiritual Supply