Important things to consider when casting a spell
Timing. The moon phase, time of day, day of the week, season, astrological position, weather, etc., can all be symbolic and significant in spellcasting. For example, if you were to do a spell to help you succeed in a new endeavor, you might like to cast it on the day of the new moon, as this moon phase represents new beginnings. Then the moon growing full can symbolize your success increasing. Do some research to see what different times and occurrences mean, if you want to incorporate their significance.
Symbolism. Magic relies heavily on symbolism. Everything used in spellcraft — herbs, tools, colors, actions, etc. — symbolize something. By being aware of what certain things mean and using them in accordance with your intentions, you can add meaning and significance to everything you do, which can aid your mentality and make your spells more effective. Be sure to use symbols that you find meaningful and that make sense to you.
Effort and intention. Spells are fundamentally based on feeling, desire, and will. You could perform a spell exactly as it’s written, with no mistakes or fumbles, but it still won’t be effective if you don’t push your energy and intention into your work. It’s not the tools you use, the words you say, or the actions you perform that make magic work — it’s whatyou put into the spell that’s important. You can use visualization, energy raising, and other techniques to put energy into your spells. Do everything you do in your spells purposefully and with intention. It’s my opinion that, when using magic to make an effect happen, the most important thing is to want it intensely and to will it to happen.
Your experience and level of knowledge. It’s easy to understand that a beginner will be less adept at magic than an experienced practitioner. As you learn and practice, you’ll grow to be better at the skills used in magic, such as meditation or visualization. You’ll also learn what works best for you.
Your state of being. If you are mentally, physically, or emotionally tired, distracted, distressed, or otherwise not in an optimal state for spellwork, spells tend to be less effective. Many people like to do some sort of pre-ritual to get themselves in the right state of mind. In general, be sure that you get enough sleep, eat well, manage stress effectively, and otherwise keep yourself healthy.
Source:
The Witch’s Spellbook
Witches Of The Craft® 