If you believe in the power of spells, you are likely someone who embraces the idea that there is more to the world than what meets the eye. Spells, in this context, are seen as a means to harness and direct this hidden energy for various purposes. From love spells to protection spells, there is a wide array of spells that practitioners believe can have a real impact on their lives. One of the core beliefs behind the power of spells is the concept of intention and manifestation. By performing a spell with a clear and focused intention, practitioners believe that they can bring that intention into reality. This is often done through rituals and ceremonies that help to create a conducive environment for the spell's success.
This is often done through rituals and ceremonies that help to create a conducive environment for the spell's success. The use of symbols, such as candles or herbs, can also enhance the energy and power of the spell. For those who believe in the power of spells, they often view spells as a tool for personal growth and empowerment.
MLB magic numbers, schedules: Blue Jays back in wild-card spot with AL West contenders in funk (9/17/23)
The Blue Jays had a terrible start to their week losing four in a row at home to the Texas Rangers to fall out of a playoff spot.
The weekend has been a lot better so far.
Still playing in Toronto, the Blue Jays have beaten the Red Sox two straight while all three AL West contenders have dropped in a row. The result has the Blue Jays holding the last AL wild-card spot again with the Rangers a half-game ahead and the Mariners on the outside at a half-game behind.
On Saturday, the Blue Jays prevailed 4-3 in 13 innings on a walk-off hit by Whit Merrifield.
Elsewhere on Saturday …
-- The Orioles are back on top in the AL East after blanking the Rays 8-0. Baltimore has a one-game lead over Tampa Bay and clinched the tiebreaker with Saturday’s victory.
-- The Yankees won 6-3 in Pittsburgh to get to within six games of an AL wild-card spot. That’s the closest they’ve been since Aug. 14.
-- The Dodgers beat the Mariners for the second night in a row to clinch a playoff berth. They’ll wrap up the NL West on Sunday with a win or a Diamondbacks loss.
-- The Reds beat the Mets 3-2 at Citi Field to maintain their last NL wild-card spot over the Diamondbacks on a tiebreaker. Arizona edged the Cubs 7-6 in 13 innings to keep pace with Cincinnati.
-- The Marlins beat the Braves for the second day in a row to stay a half-game behind the Reds and Diamondbacks.
-- The Giants dropped to 2.5 games behind the Reds and Diamondbacks by losing both ends of a doubleheader to the Rockies in Denver.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules for the contenders through Saturday, Sept. 16, along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Sept. 17:
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (92-56)
Standings: First in AL East. Lead Rays by 1 game.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 13
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Games remaining: 14 (7 home, 7 road).
Orioles schedule:
Sept. 18-20: at Astros (3)
Sept. 21-24: at Guardians (4)
Sept. 26-27: Nationals (2)
Sept. 28-Oct. 1: Red Sox (4)
TAMPA BAY RAYS (92-58)
Standings: Second in AL East. Trail Orioles lead by 1 game. Lead Rangers by 9 games for first AL wild card. Lead Blue Jays by 9.5 games for second AL wild card. Lead Mariners by 10 games for third AL wild card.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Games remaining: 12 (6 home, 6 road).
Rays schedule:
Sept. 17: at Orioles (1)
Sept. 19-21: Angels (3)
Sept. 22-24: Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 26-27: at Red Sox (2)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Blue Jays (3)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (82-67)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Orioles by 10.5 games. Lead Mariners by 0.5 games for third AL wild card.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 14
Remaining games: 13 (7 home, 6 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Sept. 17: Red Sox (1)
Sept. 19-21: at Yankees (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Rays (3)
Sept. 26-28: Yankees (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Rays (3)
Standings: Fourth in AL East. Trail first-place Orioles by 16.5 games. Trail Blue Jays by 6 games for third AL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 8
Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).
Yankees schedule:
Sept. 17: at Pirates (1)
Sept. 19-21: Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 22-24: Diamondbacks (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Royals (3)
BOSTON RED SOX (74-75)
Standings: Fifth in AL East. Trail first-place Orioles by 18.5 games. Trail Blue Jays by 8 games for third AL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 6
Remaining games: 13 (5 home, 8 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Sept. 17: at Blue Jays (1)
Sept. 18-20: at Rangers (3)
Sept. 22-24: White Sox (3)
Sept. 26-27: Rays (2)
Sept. 28-Oct. 1: at Orioles (4)
MINNESOTA TWINS (78-71)
Standings: First in AL Central. Lead second-place Guardians by 7 games.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 7
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 7
Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).
Twins schedule:
Sept. 17: at White Sox (1)
Sept. 18-20: at Reds (3)
Sept. 22-24: Angels (3)
Sept. 26-28: Athletics (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Rockies (3)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (71-78)
Standings: Second in AL Central. Trail first-place Twins by 7 games. Trail Blue Jays by 11 games for third AL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 7
Remaining games: 13 (7 home, 6 road).
Guardians schedule:
Sept. 17: Rangers (1)
Sept. 18-20: at Royals (3)
Sept. 21-24: Orioles (4)
Sept. 26-27: Reds (2)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Tigers (3)
HOUSTON ASTROS (83-66)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead second-place Rangers by 0.5 games.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 14
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 13
Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).
Astros schedule:
Sept. 17: at Royals (1)
Sept. 18-20: Orioles (3)
Sept. 22-24: Royals (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Mariners (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Diamondbacks (3)
TEXAS RANGERS (82-66)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Astros by 0.5 games. Lead Blue Jays by 0.5 games for second AL wild card. Lead Mariners by 1 game for third AL wild card.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 14
Remaining games: 14 (6 home, 8 road).
Rangers schedule:
Sept. 17: at Guardians (1)
Sept. 18-20: Red Sox (3)
Sept. 22-24: Mariners (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Angels (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Mariners (4)
SEATTLE MARINERS (81-67)
Standings: Third in AL West. Trail first-place Astros by 1.5 games. Trail Blue Jays by 0.5 games for third AL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 14
Remaining games: 14 (8 home, 6 road)
Mariners schedule:
Sept. 17: Dodgers (1)
Sept. 18-20: at Athletics (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Rangers (3)
Sept. 25-27: Astros (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Rangers (4)
ATLANTA BRAVES (96-52)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Phillies by 15.5 games.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 13.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 11.
Remaining games: 14 (9 home, 5 road).
Braves schedule:
Sept. 17: at Marlins (1)
Sept. 18-20: Phillies (3)
Sept. 21-24: at Nationals (4)
Sept. 26-28: Cubs (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Nationals (3)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Braves by 15 games. Lead Cubs by 3.5 games for first NL wild card. Lead Reds and Diamondbacks by 4 games for second and third NL wild cards.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 10
Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).
Phillies schedule:
Sept. 17: at Cardinals (1)
Sept. 18-20: at Braves (3)
Sept. 21-24: Mets (4)
Sept. 26-28: Pirates (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Mets (3)
MIAMI MARLINS (77-72)
Standings: Third in NL East. Trail first-place Braves by 19.5 games. Trail Reds and Diamondbacks by 0.5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 13
Remaining games: 13 (7 home, 6 road).
Marlins schedule:
Sept. 17: Braves (1)
Sept. 18-20: Mets (3)
Sept. 22-24: Brewers (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Mets (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Pirates (3)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (84-64)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 6.5 games.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: 8
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 7
Remaining games: 14 (7 home, 7 road).
Brewers schedule:
Sept. 17: Nationals (1)
Sept. 18-21: at Cardinals (4)
Sept. 22-24: at Marlins (3)
Sept. 26-28: Cardinals (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Cubs (3)
CHICAGO CUBS (78-71)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 6.5 games. Lead Reds and Diamondbacks by 0.5 games for second and third NL wild cards.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 13
Remaining games: 15 (7 home, 8 road).
Cubs schedule:
Sept. 17: at Diamondbacks (1)
Sept. 19-21: Pirates (3)
Sept. 22-24: Rockies (4)
Sept. 26-28: at Braves (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Brewers (3)
CINCINNATI REDS (78-72)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 7 games. Tied with Diamondbacks for third NL wild card. Reds hold tiebreaker.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 13
Remaining games: 12 (6 home, 6 road).
Reds schedule:
Sept. 17: at Mets (1)
Sept. 18-20: Twins (3)
Sept. 22-24: Pirates (3)
Sept. 26-27: at Guardians (2)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Cardinals (3)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (90-57)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Diamondbacks by 13.5 games.
Magic number to clinch NL West: 1
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept.16.
Remaining games: 15 (7 home, 8 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Sept. 17: at Mariners (1)
Sept. 18-20: Tigers (3)
Sept. 21-24: Giants (4)
Sept. 26-28: at Rockies (4)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Giants (3)
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (78-72)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 13.5 games. Tied with Reds for third NL wild card. Reds hold tiebreaker.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 13
Remaining games: 12 (6 home, 6 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Sept. 19-20: Giants (2)
Sept. 22-24: at Yankees (3)
Sept. 25-27: at White Sox (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Astros (3)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (75-74)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 16 games. Trail Reds and Diamondbacks by 2.5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 11
Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).
Giants schedule:
Sept. 17: at Rockies (1)
Sept. 19-20: at Diamondbacks (2)
Sept. 21-24: at Dodgers (4)
Sept. 25-27: Padres (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Dodgers (3)
SAN DIEGO PADRES (71-78)
Standings: Fourth in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 19.5 games. Trail Reds and Diamondbacks by 6.5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 7
Remaining games: 13 (6 home, 7 road).
Padres schedule:
Sept. 17: at Athletics (1)
Sept. 18-20: Rockies (3)
Sept. 22-24: Cardinals (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Giants (3)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at White Sox (3)
CURRENT POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Baltimore Orioles (1), Houston Astros (2) byes
Seattle Mariners (6) at Minnesota Twins (3)
Texas Rangers (5) at Tampa Bay Rays (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Atlanta Braves (1), Los Angeles Dodgers (2) byes
Cincinnati Reds (6) at Milwaukee Brewers (3)
Chicago Cubs (5) at Philadelphia Phillies (4)
Note: Higher seed will host all games (from Tuesday Oct. 3 to Thursday, Oct. 5).
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They see spells as a way to influence their own lives and take control of their destinies. By actively engaging in spellwork, practitioners feel a sense of agency and connection to the spiritual realm. It is important to note that the belief in spells is not universally accepted or proven. Skeptics argue that any perceived effects of spells can be attributed to the power of suggestion or placebo effect. They believe that the act of performing a spell may simply instill confidence and motivation in the practitioner, leading to changes in behavior or outlook. In their view, the spells themselves may not have any inherent power. Ultimately, whether or not you believe in the power of spells is a personal choice. It requires a willingness to embrace the unknown and a belief in the existence of mystical energies. Whether it is through spells or other means, the power of belief itself can be a transformative force in our lives..
Reviews for "Exploring Ancient Traditions: Learning from the Spellcasting Methods of our Ancestors"
1. John Doe - 2 out of 5 stars
I found "If you believe in the power of spells" to be quite underwhelming. The writing style was poorly executed, with awkward sentence structures and an overall lack of flow. Additionally, the plot felt disjointed and hard to follow, jumping from one subplot to another without clear direction. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Jane Smith - 1 out of 5 stars
"If you believe in the power of spells" was a complete waste of my time. The story lacked any semblance of originality, relying on tired clichés and predictable plot twists. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the authenticity of the characters' interactions. Furthermore, the book was riddled with grammatical errors and typos, indicating a lack of proper editing and proofreading. I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and well-written story.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 out of 5 stars
I was hoping for a captivating and enchanting read with "If you believe in the power of spells," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, with drawn-out scenes that added little to the overall story. The world-building was lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers about the magical elements introduced. The romance aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it difficult to invest in the characters' relationships. While the concept had potential, the execution left much to be desired.