This is a matter of some debate in Pagan circles. Some hold very tightly to the belief that the bigger the ritual is, the more powerful the magick will be. Unfortunately for them, there’s no real proof of this belief.

Let me clarify… Magick is all about energy and intent. Because of this, it makes a certain kind of sense that a big ritual that involves a great deal of time and effort might be able to raise more energy and have a bigger effect. For some though, it can have the opposite effect. A person may lose interest, become distracted, feel uncomfortable, or otherwise lose focus on the goal at hand. Not everyone works the same way. While elaborate ritual may be just the thing for some, it can be a detriment to others.

For some people, simple magick works best. They may chant a quick verse over a cup of tea and call it a day. They might meditate for a while, then send their intention on its way. Lightning a single candle and reciting a single verse can be just as powerful as an hour long ritual with all the bells and whistles.

As I said before, magick is about energy and intent, how each person focuses that will vary. There’s no one right way and no one can guarantee that one will be more effective than the other. You have to try both and see what feels the best for you. You’ll know what you need and when you need it as you grow in your spirituality. You may even find, like many of us, that you will use both elaborate and simple magick at different times, depending on what you need.

*Disclaimer: I no longer practice Paganism, but I’ve left these Pagan Myths articles active because I believe they’re still valuable in helping people to understand Paganism and reduce negative stereotypes.*

Briana Blair

Briana Blair is an author and artisan. She has published more then 30 books and thousands of articles across multiple sites. After practicing Paganism and witchcraft for 25 years, she's now on a journey as an atheist and skeptic. She's eclectic, unpredictable, and always evolving. Facebook - Twitter