Do Wiccans believe their spells work? or is it just a ritual thing?

I look at spells as prayers with accessories.

I'm not a Wiccan, but I do practice magic and feel that I can comment on this: Magic is probably more of a psychological tool than some kind of force that creates outer change. Most times, many problems that a person faces can be solved by inner changes. Magic rituals and "spells" focus a person on that change.

They change the magician, who changes the world around them. It may seem absurd, but human beings have engaged in magical practices since as far back as history can stretch. The earliest humans had magical trappings, mostly as a form of sympathetic magic (paint an animal on the wall and the animal will come to you/be more in the area).

There is an obvious psychological construct within that human mind that has use for "magic." It satisfies something within us and is useful for understanding the Self. It is not completely without value just because you can't change a rat into a teacup or something like that.

Incidentally, Wicca sprang up at the earliest around 1910, though it was really Gerald Gardner who made it what it was. Then again, Gardner's "magic" can be traced back to Aleistor Crowley, leading a search for the origin of magic even further back. It is notable however that Crowley's magic focused less on outer change and more on understanding one's "True Will."

To add: Its been "magic" longer than "positive thinking." Even so, most magical systems utilize highly fantastic mythic constructs that have little to do with "positive thinking." Magicians calling on "gods" (which I think of in terms of archetypes and forces within the psyche).

Magic is a way of externalizing psychology, in a way. Its not necessarily for everyone, but it is useful. I hope that helps.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.