Why do people always seem to forget magic doesn't exist in a vacuum?
Magic isn't there to solve all your problems for you, it's meant to /help you/ solve your problems! That job spell isn't going to do anything if you don't turn in a CV, that weight loss spell isn't going to help if you don't put in the effort to diet, that banishment curse isn't going to keep your target away if /you/ keep interacting with them, etc. etc. Without mundane efforts, magic won't do anything!
Your magical work must be supported by your mundane actions. In fact, your mundane actions can work against any magical work you may attempt. The magical result you want to achieve must also be within what I call the "Realm of Possibility." If it is impossible, it will not work. (Or, maybe it does work and since you based it on fiction that is all you get. Hmmm.)
I think there are several things that bring this about. First many cultures ascribe to what is often referred to as 'magic pill syndrome'. Western culture is especially bad for this. the idea is rooted in medicine, but applies pretty well across the board. In summary, it entails the constant search for a single simple thing to solve your problems without any investment of effort. This also of course translates to the habit of looking for external causes to one's problems, and external solutions. People just don't know how to take responsibility for the events of their lives, nor for committing the work involved to properly correct them. For example; 'have a headache, take some aspirin, it goes away for a while' ... and if it comes back, take more aspirin. if it comes back again, keep taking more aspirin, and don't bother asking where the headaches are coming from or how you can make lifestyle changes to stop them from appearing. It doesn't matter as long as there is more aspirin.
Many people look towards things like magic in the same light as medicine. Say a few words, wave a stick around, burn some grass clippings, and it makes your problem better. No need to reflect on or change the cause so long as you can still burn more grass. Honestly I find this attitude to be universal in practice mundanely, spiritually, and magically.
TheLadyGraveDancer made a video a few years ago about this topic, basically pondering why a witch would go, say, 'why can't i find a job?' and yet won't cast a spell for it [or cast one spell, then give up]
on the other hand, you've got people who don't understand magick, thinking it can solve all your problems, so they cast 10 spells at once and think 'i believe and that's all i need' only for their life to remain the same and cry 'magick isn't real' and give up. or you have those people who cast a money spell then sit back and wait to win the lottery, ignoring new job and money making ventures.
i think the whole thing comes down to tunnel vision. someones too focused on a specific thing they don't notice the other options.
