Dear Maggie,

Every year it’s the same thing. I make the same resolutions, (probably the same ones everyone does, lose weight, save money, work more, etc.) and then I break them before January is out. Is there something wrong with resolution-making? Why doesn’t it work? Is there a way to give myself an edge this year that will make me more likely to succeed?

Signed,

Resolved, but Not Hopeful

Dear Resolved,

I love, love, love New Year’s resolutions. It’s actually one of the oldest forms of folk magick, you know. You’re stating what you want to do and be and have in the coming year, and by saying it out loud, or writing it down, you are creating it. Even if it’s only a word or a thought, those are “things” and you made them. And everything that exists today was once a word or thought or idea spoken or written down by someone else. So making the resolution is the first step in creating your new reality!

Okay, so why aren’t they working?