Most spiritualities and religions have a bit of what I mean when I say “magic.” It could be visualization and manifestation through positive thinking, it could be working up a spell, it could be prayer – basically, some way of putting your desires out there into the universe and hoping you get them in return. Often we’re desperate for this to work out, whether because we’re in a dire situation or because we need to convince ourselves that our belief of choice is real – we all want proof, don’t we? I think that’s just human nature. But what about when it doesn’t work? What about when we wish upon a falling star with all our might and – nada?

That kind of situation can really knock you down a peg. Is the universe not listening? Was my power all in my head this whole time? I’ve definitely had thoughts like these, because let’s face it, you kind of feel like a phony sometimes when you can’t make it happen the way you’re “supposed” to be able to. But it doesn’t mean your spirituality is any less real – in fact, it could be just the opposite. Here are some reasons why your magic might not have worked:

1. You didn’t give it enough time.

The universe doesn’t work on your personal agenda! Know that some things really just take time. Maybe the timing isn’t right for you when you ask for it – you want love but you’re not done healing from a past heartbreak, for example. That spell isn’t going to do the healing work for you. You need to get yourself to a better place, and then let the magic happen. And some things just don’t usually happen overnight – if you want to be rich, it might look more like building up your savings account instead of winning the lottery. There aren’t any shortcuts – otherwise every witch and their mother would be rolling in the dough, wildly happy, and super successful. Sometimes we get what we want a little at a time. Don’t get impatient if your magic doesn’t happen right away. It could be that there’s a bigger plan in motion that you just can’t see yet!

2. You’re expecting the wrong results.

Sometimes we get what we need in mysterious ways. I was seriously strapped for cash a few months ago and I did a little money manifestation ritual before leaving for a trip that was going to be expensive. I wasn’t sure what to expect – a check in the mail from a long-lost relative, maybe? What actually ended up happening was a series of small events that saved me money, rather than outright giving it to me – getting into a state park free of charge, the server comping an entire meal because someone in the kitchen had made a mistake, getting a discount on the hotel room. If I had been holding out for an inheritance from a newfound relative, I would have thought the ritual hadn’t worked. But instead, I paid attention and realized that it WAS working, just in its own way. If you think your magic was a fail, try thinking again about the things that have been happening to you recently. Maybe it’s working after all and you just didn’t notice it at first!

3. You didn’t do the work.

The universe isn’t just gonna drop your deepest desires into your lap. Doing a spell or saying a prayer for something is just step one – you’re announcing what you want to the world. But you have to do the work after that! If you do a spell to find love but never leave your apartment, of course it’s not gonna work. Hot people aren’t just gonna materialize in your living room (and if they do, it’s probably due to some alien nonsense and not because of magic.) But if you do that spell and then take the time to go new places and try new things, the magic will meet you halfway. Likewise, if you say a prayer to heal a troubled relationship, you have to then be sure you’re doing your part to be a good partner. It’s not gonna work if you’re not willing to change YOUR behavior, too!

4. You didn’t really want it.

I had an argument with a coworker a while ago and it was really upsetting. This was a person who had hurt me, but one I still had to see all the time and get along with for the sake of our mutual environment. I did a spell to try and mend our relationship because I thought that was the only way to move forward, but you know what? Inside I was still fuming over what this person had done. I wasn’t ready to mend the relationship, I wanted revenge!! The spell didn’t work because my intention wasn’t aligned with how I actually felt. And in the end, I decided this was NOT a person I wanted to be close to anyway, so it was for the best! I ended up dealing with the situation the mundane way – by feeling my feelings in private and then trying my best to be polite and courteous at work. Now our relationship is much more distant than it once was, but I feel MUCH better about not having her drama in my life. Sometimes we ask for something because we feel that we should, or because in the moment it seems like a good idea, but it doesn’t end up being something that we really, truly want. That’s okay! Just let it go and move on.

5. You did it wrong.

Sometimes we really just screw up. It happens to literally everyone. Even the most spiritual person isn’t always going to manifest what they want 100% of the time. I mean dude, there were Olympic divers that belly flopped when it came to the big competition. Stuff happens! Maybe you half-assed it, maybe you used the wrong ingredients (like if you use poisonous plants in a love spell), maybe you lost focus, or maybe you just didn’t have enough energy to make it work. That’s okay. Try again next time – it’s the only way we get better! There’s absolutely no shame in failure. Renew your resolve, check what the moon is up to, and give it another go when you and the ~cosmic energies~ are aligned. (Note: With witchcraft, it’s generally not advised to do the same spell over and over to try and get results. You might want to cancel the previous spell or cleanse yourself in preparation for your new one to make sure you’re not accidentally sabotaging yourself by doing it again! Of course, I’m all about making your own rules, so do what’s best for you, home slice!)

Have you ever had a spell or manifestation that just didn’t work? What happened? Let me know in the comments! ♥