Is it important to have genuine intent when practicing magic

[Throughalloftime]

If you do not have genuine intent when practicing magick, whether it be in your divination or spells, can this cause your readings/results to be unsuccessful or inaccurate? I feel like when I am not in a serious mindset or I am not focused my divination and spells do not work for me.

[Siona]

I think that's a pretty important aspect of it, yeah. I think it's like many things, you get out from it what you put into it - if you can't focus your intent and your mind is wandering, you're probably not going to get as much out of it than if you were focused and attentive to what you're doing.

[Throughalloftime]

Yeah. I have found if you treat like a joke or are doing it for the wrong reasons you will get a nonsense answer. Maybe it's lower energies trying to teach a lesson?

[planewalker]

That's very true. There are negative forces that try to trick people. Sometimes just because they are causing chaos for the Heck of it and sometimes to try to lead people astray.

[Firebird]

you get out from it what you put into it

This is a VERY important statement/quote. If one approaches their craft all nonchalantly or haphazardly or in any other way without focus....Your results will vary.

I get rather animated when calling the quarters like drumming or dancing and using very descriptive words, phrases and gestures, it really helps (for myself) to FEEL the energy and become one with it, as opposed to just standing there saying something like... hey North, earth, be here now. (For instance )
bb, Firebird

[Throughalloftime]

I think I may have been getting nonsense answers because I did not take it seriously. So far whenever I have practiced I have been doing it more for self-fulfillent and trying to relieve my anxiety. I honestly think it may have been low energies trying to teach me a lesson.

[Firebird]

Sounds like you could benefit from meditation.
Meditation is a great way to alleviate anxiety.
Once you get a bit of a handle on the anxiety you will be able to focus your energy better.

[Throughalloftime]

Is it possible to attract lower energies if I'm suffering from so much anxiety when practicing?

[planewalker]

Absolutely! Negative and Dark forces look to make trouble whenever your concentration is divided as with excessive anxiety or other distracting emotions.

[EveningWithAstaroth]

Hi.

I feel with our work, Intent is everything.

The example you use is of divination. I often give readings for others, as I have ability I have been working to develop.

I take what I do very seriously, because other than helping another individual there is a goal I have set as well for myself. So if you find, you are joking around, maybe you are not into being too serviceable to others, then perhaps a goal for yourself such as strengthening your ability for divination or psychic accuracy may help to focus you.

For me I read for others when they ask, if they ask they must have a need whatever the need may be. Then I add the element of I enjoy developing my abilities and skills. Then I go to read to wait on images if I am energy reading, often the imagery does not come right away, I stay focused by having intent on receiving the imagery to get the reading done, then flows in the imagery which I interpret for meaning via clear feeling or what is called clairsentience.

Hopefully this may help you, if you do not take the service to others too seriously aspect, perhaps you could try servicing others while focusng on oneself- to develop one's own skill. Then you may find yourself capable indeed to be able to do both.

Blessings.

[Shekinah]

Employing magick for any purpose should be executed seriously. It is a natural law and one of physics that nothing is free. There will always be an unknown price to be paid for our manipulation of natural laws. Witchcraft is not a game. Frivolous employment of magick to do what you should be able to accomplish normally is not a noble thing to do. We know not what the price might be nor in deep time what consequences might ensue.

[Throughalloftime]

I was not taking it seriously when I was practicing divination. Can this result in getting bullshit answers? Does this have to do with the law of attraction?

[SpiritTalker]

Bull shit in - bull shit out. No more, no less.

[Throughalloftime]

Some people swear by their divination, but what about trusting your own gut for a change? What if the answers divination provides you feels wrong and unsettling? If you are using the divination tools correctly, shouldn't they align with your heart of hearts?

[SpiritTalker]

Nice philosophy. What are you doing to make it so? You'd just been saying you didn't take it seriously, so where does that lead you?