Magic and Locality

[Paleo]

Do you think that some forms of magic work better in some place but work less or not at all in others?

For example, where I live there is a tradition of using special vinegars for warding and banishment. It originated with African-American traditions and was adopted by Cajun and Creole folks as well. Originally, the vinegars were homemade blends (such as the famed Four Thieves Vinegar), but once Tabasco sauce (which is just red chilies and vinegar) hit the market it became a favored item for banishing nasties.

Tabasco sauce is my favorite tool for extreme banishing, but I've only used it here in the general area where the tradition started. If I were traveling to, say, Sweden would it work just as well there if I needed protection from a nasty? Or would it be wiser to find either a more universal form of banishment (such as salt water or Holy Water) or try to use something local to Sweden? My thoughts are split.

On one hand, the reasoning for using Tabasco sauce wouldn't change no matter where I went. Many culutres use stinging or foul smelling liquids or smoke for banishment.

On the other hand, many of the spirits encountered in Sweden, including the nasties, are likely to have a different sort of "culture" from the ones around my home. They probably wouldn't recognize my own culture-specific practice and thus it might have little to no power over them.

What do you think? Have any of you ever encountered a spell or ritual that works in one place but not in another.

[Seraphyna]

I can't say that I've ever encountered a working that only works in one or certain places and not others. It's my personal belief that the will, energy, intent, etc. of the practitioner is what matters when it comes to workings of the magical variety. So if tabasco sauce works for you, it will work anywhere...but it might not work for everyone because someone else might not attribute the same property/ies to it and instead attribute those properties to another substance and so that substance will work for them. It could also be that in certain areas the spirits of the local land are stronger and thus the workings in those areas are stronger if working alongside those spirits, but that doesn't mean that the same working won't "work" in another location, it just might not be as strong without the local spirits attached to the land lending a proverbial hand.
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"You do not have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body."-C.S. Lewis

[chequer]

I remember reading somewhere that Crowley kept detailed records of all his magical workings including the place.

He thought that places could add their unique energies to a working though he also believed that he could bring people into the circle whose energies could 'compensate' (for the want of a better word) for that if the working was carried out somewhere else.

[rainsingingwolf]

I'm sure that some places lend themselves better to certain energies than others; however, I have not personally encountered any.
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Believe as you may.
Do not expect others to accept everything you believe.
If you can truly be yourself
even under such ridicule
without seething in negativity
then you have nothing to fear

[aisteach]

We are impacted in a variety of ways by our environment. If a specific place has a special meaning for you then it may well impact your outlook, actions and intent differently than a place you feel no particular draw to.

Wow, was that vague enough? There's a deeper meaning that I'm having trouble conveying right now. I'll sleep on this one and try again later.
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The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others life. Rarely do members of the same family grow up under the same roof.
-R. Bach

[lupabitch]

I think it's important to be aware of the genii locii of a place, all the little and big land spirits, before doing work there, because even if your tools work well, the spirits may sabotage what you're doing if they disagree with it. Plus, of course, there's your own comfort in and connection to the place. And the weather. And a whole bunch of other factors.
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[Ravenari]

[lightgoddess]