Wicca and Magic

This is one of the key aspects of Wicca. The magic involved is not illusion, this is real manipulation of the environment to achieve an end. 

When a witch performs magic it is not done indiscriminately and there is a great deal of thought around it. Magic can't be performed at the drop of a hat, as it needs mental preparation, and magic is not instantaneous. If someone claims that this is so then they possess the power that billions of people on this planet are not aware of, or they are not real, since it will be going against the laws of physics to perform instant magic, and magic has to conform with natural processes in order for it to be most effective.

Magic is like electricity, it will choose the method which is both direct and energy efficient. Therefore a bolt of lightening would be quite energy inefficient, when a spell is cast. It would be more likely that it would be an energy packet (quantum energy) which would interact with the environment on a quantum level, hence no balls of fire.

Magic has not been proved in science either. Why is this the case? Magic can't be detected if it was being studied, under scientific conditions, simply because magic is not limited to the methods of current detection. The person who is undertaking this experiment is also a factor. The chances are that this person will be uncomfortable, with the conditions such as unfamiliar surroundings the fact that people will be watching, even fear of failure, and numerous more which conspire against the successful completion of the working.

They are many theories of how magic works, and how its effect are felt, however, none of these can be substantiated, all theories might be correct, and all of them might be wrong. Magic comes from the mind, therefore if there is something which is nagging at the back of the mind the chances of failure increase. 

The use of magic is not banned by the wiccan deities, since it is a natural part of us, and as such can be used when necessary. The more mundane methods of doing something, however, is preferred as it takes a lot of preparation and meditation to reach a state which is conducive to magic generation, those who are experienced are able to dispense with the basic preparation stages but for the best casting cutting corners is not recommended. 

In magic a great deal of thought is required before the spell is cast, this requires limitations the criteria supplied by the Rede. 

Many questions around the motivation around the ritual needs to be answered. e.g.. Does this magic harm anyone? Does it take free will away from someone? Are there likely to be any undesirable effects? All these questions must be resolved before the magic can go ahead. This is why most witches ask people for their permission before even a healing ceremony, if at all possible.

Magic, to Wiccans, are a tool to be cherished, and used with wisdom. Not to be used indiscriminately and without thought, since magic is not bound by physical laws, instead more like energy laws. 

Electricity is not inherently good or bad, it can be used for an electric chair (to take someone's life) and it can be used to power the computer you are using now.  It is obviously the way the person chooses to use this power. The same principle applies to magic, the magic itself is not good or bad, but it can be used to harm or to heal. Witches, generally, use the power to heal, rather than to harm.