Q&A: Does the target have to know about the spell or believe in magic for it to work?

Hey kids,

I know I've answered this question before, but since I see this line of hooey all too many places, let's get it answered again.

Q: Does the spell-target I'm working on have to know about the spell I'm casting, and/or believe in magic for the spell to affect them?

A: Hell. No. I actually quite enjoy atheistic targets. They are, generally speaking, far more helpless against many influences. I would STRONGLY discourage you from mentioning you're working on a target to the target, regardless of their beliefs. People – even those lacking any belief in the supernatural or magical, don't tend to react well to such news, and if they do believe in magic, then they are very likely to attempt to remove your work or work against your work. 

The idea is to keep silent about what you do, or at least mind your audience when you do speak about it. I personally suggest telling as few people as possible until you've manifested the desired result, as telling people about an active spell can actually "scatter" the energy, even if they don't know the spell target you're working on. 

The idea that one must have a belief in spellwork for a spell to work on them is a false premise that says it's merely a psychological reaction from the target. This gives comfort to people who are antitheist types (you know the kind – they are so contemptuous of anything that isn't perfectly explained by science, and they constantly berate others in an attempt to convert everyone to their anti-theist stance,) as this makes spellwork explainable in a way comfortable to them, despite it being false. As someone who's worked spells for ages, I can assure you that I've seen enough chains of all too convenient and unlikely coincidences (as well as a few just outright supernaturally crazy things,) to believe that current science can explain everything. 

So, NO, spells do not work only because the target is aware of them. If anything, it's far, far, far better for the target to know nothing at all. 🙂

~Cat