YOU OR THEM? It's best to work magick to cause changes within yourself or your life before helping others. In this way, you11 quickly learn how it works and how best to perform it.This isn't selfishness. Your life is your magickal laboratory. Once the experiments have worked, you can apply them to others. Who would trust a magician whose life is in disarray, who is in debt, constantly sick, or emotionally unstable?
[Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic - Scott Cunningham]