[CelticSeeker]

Magic is what it is. In my understanding of it, it doesn't matter how you spell it. Magic = Magick (or what any other spelling of it you use) Magic is a living thing. Though it may not seem to have a thought or a flow, it does. Magic acts through us and we are a terminal. Everyone is born with it, but it is extremely different in how it interacts to us. It's almost how we precieve everything in our lives about emotions, our surrounding, and situations.
It depends on who we are inside, and what we have potential to become. Magic has no preference to how it is used, but it is a double edged sword. It can help and protect, but if use incorrectly, you can cause your self harm even death. (not nessesarily pyshical death, but it can and has been known to happen in some cases)(Rule Of Three)
It is also good that you listen to it and make sure you stay within it's boundries. Magic is not a cure all answer, even that statement is a big DUH. (I like to state the obvious, sorry)
Magic is what it is and that is your choice to define what and how you use and see it.

[MetalDragoness]

I have to agree with all of that. Especially the part about being tied directly to your own emotions. It is what you make of it, the outcome is purely determined by your inner will. (inner will, what you ask for on a subconscious level) .What you put into it, and it can be very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. It does not have to be selfless but it should always be harmless.

Of course there are some that would use it to bend ppl to their own will.

A warning on that, 3 fold!

With the seasons coming anew I say get out there and feel the earth beneath your feet
For all that you are is within it and all that you will become
We are all one, connected in many different ways.

[CelticSeeker]

MD is right. I think I'm going to talk about spells. First off, I am a Healer. Well, training to be one and a novice Peacemaker so my particular practice of magic is very white, as some would say, even though I have made mistakes before and I plan not to make the same again so I pass this on.
Spells and rituals suite the need of the witch, druid, and what ever you call yourself, by your need. I know for a fact that it is not a good idea to buy spell books except for maybe a suggesstion on it's theory of what you practice whether it be Wicca, Celtic, or something else. This is similair to what MD said.
The problem with buying spell books is the possibility that they are fake, false, or meant to make only money for the author. I'm not calling the writers sham's, but becareful of those who don't know what they are talking about. Another problem is USED BOOKS I PUT A HEAVY WARNING ON. Used books have been known to be cursed, had THINGS attached to them, and even more so tainted with black magic. Do not under any circumstances buy used spell books.
The best way to have spells is to write them yourselves. Make sure your wording is correct so you don't do something you did not intend, look it over with a fellow TRUSTED friend, and even sit on it and plan the spell cast or ritual so you hve everything you need. Magic working for me is hardly a spur of the moment, "I am board" deal. After you use the spell it's good to memorize it and get rid of the spell or better yet hide your spell book, so no one can take your spells because you would be protecting them from harm, and yourself.
Any questions?

[MetalDragoness]

I also would like to agree with you on that one point up there and reinforce it- about USED BOOKS. If you know where the book comes from if someone you know who has used the craft has given you this book and you trust them, you can take it home and use YOUR OWN cleansing spells on it, to make it your own, but as CS said do not go to a store and buy a used spell or magick book. You don't know what that book was used for and it does still contain all the energy that who ever owned it before gave to it.

I do Herb magick and am a novice healer. Eventually I would like to get into candle magick as well, but there is so much to learn I say take it one step at a time, at this point I say that in about 30 years I may know allot, but I will never know it all. There is always so much to learn, and all of it takes great practice.

I also make my own tools because it is important to put yourself into whatever tool you may need for the job. And it is a great deal cheaper. True the fancy stuff looks nice, but having made something yourself takes allot of work and all of that energy goes into what you have fashioned. So if you do so do with a positive thought for causing no harm with this tool.

[SherlawkDragon]

Magic has been described to me as "any influence by one's mind on the outside world which cannot be explained through science alone".  I like to think of it as something broader than that, something all around us and passing through us, which, if we choose to do so, can be manipulated to perform tasks: used as a tool to enhance the tool that is our mind. 

The problem with buying spell books is the possibility that they are fake, false, or meant to make only money for the author. I'm not calling the writers sham's, but be careful of those who don't know what they are talking about.

Or just don't buy them at all, the information is out there for free, from people who aren't just there to make some extra change...  The other thing though, it that you should really try and learn it on your own.  Magical practice is not like in Harry Potter, where you have to memorize silly words that don't mean anything and wave your magic wand in a special way, magic is a fluid, dynamic thing, and it works differently for everyone.  You don't need a book to learn spells, you need practice inventing them.
I've always equated Magical practice alot to Programming (I'm a game programmer, halway self taught, in case no one knows) where you need to start out with a book or teacher and learn the basics of how things function, but once you start to have that down, you get better at going out and finding your own ways to solve problems, your own set of methods.  Magical practice is the same thing, you need to be taught the basics, but for it to have worth, you need to know how to solve new problems on your own more than anything else.