When most folks think of magic spells, they think of the ones that grant instant gratification — the ones that you work and "pouf!" — your yearned-for thing materializes (or problem vanishes, like so much smoke) in three days' time or less. And this is fine, for there are such spells that work so smoothly, so quickly in all expected ways.

Indeed, magic's renown efficacy is such that, these days, many are tempted to believe that any spell that doesn't seem to yield quick results must have failed outright, was not meant to be, or the God/desses simply did not will it so. And yes, sometimes such is the case. And yes again, some spells do fail — mostly due to the caster's lack of experience, lack of confidence, poor astrological timing, or the God/desses thwarting their base motives. But there's a phenomena in magic that gets little press and regard: The 'long-term spell' that requires repetition to succeed.

If a spell's rightly cast in the first place, why might it need repetition? Because all spells work like a bell, tingling their way to the gods' ears — pealing now softly, sometimes shrilly, in an effort to get Their attention and ergo, beneficence, mercy, or aid. And, like a doorbell duly pressed, sometimes takes more than one push to wake your neighbor so you can borrow that cup o' sugar.

It's sometimes hard to know when a problem, need, or situation that necessitates magic is the kind that can be readily resolved with a one-time-only spell, or if it's has a recalcitrant nature, therefore tending to drag on and thus, require more than one to fully fix it.

Some Witches say that once a spell's done, it's done: Let the gods work it out, no matter how long the results seem to take. Other Witches say that if you see no tangible results within a week or so, you should rework the spell or cast another — attacking the problem from multiple fronts, from different angles. Both arguments have merit. Ultimately the spell-caster knows in their heart when a spell's working and when it's not — when a nut is simply tough to crack, but doable, and when it can't be cracked without trying a different method in order to do so.

Most folks give up if they feel their first spell "didn’t take". However, those who persist often report the most inspiring, delighted results! For example, a high school teacher contacted me recently when $100 was stolen from her wallet while she was out of the classroom. She had a few suspects, and I offered to help her magically reveal the true culprit, but she was not interested in that: She simply wanted every penny of her hard-earned money back.

Well, I've much experience with getting stolen money back. Once I was contacted by an employee after the shop they were working for had all their Opening Day till stolen. Everyone was devastated and many jobs were at stake. Could I reveal the culprit and get the money back? Sure I could, and did. I had my client work the spells To Reveal A Thief and To Recover Objects Stolen From You (in The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells For Modern Problems). The thief was quickly compelled to confess, subsequently charged, and the money promptly, completely returned.

Impressed by my new client's focus on simple justice, I gave her the second of the two spells above. She worked it, and kept in touch as to her progress, as I advised. Why hadn't she gotten her money back? (It had only been two days.) When would she get her money back? Throughout, she felt that her money had been spent; it was too late. Patiently I encouraged her: Fear not. I would know if it was too late, and from what she'd told me, she'd done the spell perfectly. The money was coming.

My client did as bidden when 10 days out I told her to repeat the spell verbatim. (Ten is the number of completion, so the date was magically propitious.) Sure enough, the next day she found the money atop her desk — clearly given back by the guilty party.

I don't know why she would be, for I see folks wait patiently for raises, nicer digs, better cars and the like. I see folks scrimp and save for the vacation of a lifetime, to send their kids to college or to buy an expensive magical tool. Yet when it comes to expending effort to change their luck or get their dream via magic... they feel that one working should be enough. It often is, but not always.

People jump through hoops to avoid overpaying their bills or being similarly shafted: They should approach magic with as much tenacity, for persistence pays in all things. In magic, as in life, the squeaky wheel gets the gods' grease. My experienced rubric is thus: If something's important to you, attack it early and often — using every magical means until you get what you want. Relax, and know that your cunning is the fulcrum tipping point that will manifest your desire — often early, but certainly, in time.

Lady Passion is co-author of The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells For Modern Problems and High Priestess of Coven Oldenwilde in Asheville, NC. She may be reached via: www.oldenwilde.org