To Ritual, or Not To Ritual..?

​As it says in my brief description, I am a non-ritualistic practitioner. All this really means is that I don’t use a lot of, what some might consider standard, ritual elements when doing any sort of witchy work. These might include (but are not limited to) casting a circle, calling the quarters, using all the usual tools (chalice, athame, wand, robes, etc..), chanting, or even preparing well formed, memorized, rhyming spells. I tend to use more herbs, oils, candles, incense, and sigils, and I do it when the timing feels right. As a solitary practitioner I tend to observe the holidays with the same relaxed tone. I do believe that however you practice, you should feel comfortable while doing it. A lot of movies/mass media portray witches as having covens, and performing these great rites with grandeur, but I do not believe that all that is necessary to perform magic, or manifest your desires. Not everyone feels comfortable with the ritual aspect, and for some it can feel downright silly, especially when you are all by yourself…and that’s OK. Ritual is not for everyone, and it doesn’t make you less of a witch, or a less effective witch to not participate in it. While there are ever so many books, classes, and such that outline spell work with at least some ritual aspects, using only the elements that speak to you is best. At least, that is what I have found. What matters is your intent. Whether you feel you need to go all out to put yourself in the right magickal frame of mind, and gather the necessary energy to cast, or you feel you can get the job done with a packet of salt and a little chant, or just your own mind and a quiet space, you are right.
So, my question is, what makes you feel at your witchy best? Do you enjoy immersing yourself in rituals, using all your witchy tools? Or do you prefer the “less is more” approach?