won't it work anyway?

Materials can be used as a boost, for the effectiveness, but I often dont realy need them unless im casting a really difficult spell, or I nead somthing more to boost it, but thats just my outlook on it

A spell might well work without any particular ingredients if the caster fully understand what they are doing, clearly visualizes what they want to achieve, is focused clearly on the outcome, and knows how to move energy and direct it cleanly to its goal.

That being said, the ingredients in a spell or ritual are more than simply props that can be omitted at will. There is a very good reason for using the tools necessary for any given working. They are part of what shapes the energy and the focus of the spell.

Now, that doesn't mean that one can't make some adjustments. If you're talking about candles you don't have to buy the expensive ones from the magic shop down the street. A candle from Walmart, properly cleansed and charged, will work just as well.

Knocking on Walmart candles? haha I use them when I need one. Birthday candles especially. Walmart sells them in twelve packs of solid colors, even special pink and black ones, so it makes my job much easier. Check around the birthday supply stuff. Also buy most of my herbs when needed from there because 9/10 times no one blinks or puts two and two together which I like. Don't need nosy people to start asking questions. I don't recommend dollar store candles though because the wick tends to remain and causes problems with the burn if you're using it for divination. But if you're not, then they should be good too. Just consecrate and use.

As for ingredients, that really depends. I've worked some with none and some with a bunch and both styles have worked. Depends on your mindset. When in doubt, meditate for a moment and you'll get an answer about what to do. I've already had everything ready to do one and when I was pre-meditating, I felt like most of it was unnecessary. Did it as I was instructed and it worked out fine. Also depends what kind of work you are doing. Rootwork for example I'd never attempt without having everything required.

Sun drops I wasn't knocking Walmart candles. It was an example of how she simplifies which relates to my question. It baffles me why some choose to go to expensive shops when she doesn't. I'm trying to understand is all. If the recipe calls for an apple but a banana will do then why not an orange? That's where I'm at in my studies. The very beginning. I have a lot of "but whys" in my notebook:)

Absolutely, materials are important, but you don't need an expensive sword or athame when you could just use a butter knife that you bless and dedicate. That's the basis of Kitchen Witchery. You use materials and tools because of their correspondences. Again, sword for air. You can use any kind of knife in place of it because its energy is the same if you bless it to be so, and you yourself believe that it is.

As far as Walmart candles go, that's actually all I've ever used. *Smirks*

You are worrying about it too much. If you try too hard to make sure your practice is perfect before you begin to practice then you may be chasing your own tail for eternity. Slow down. Breathe. Yes. I aspire to purchase my goods from more magical places but thats not always possible to add to the mistiqe and energy when you are first starting out. Or even in a pinch or maybe your friend is just cheap.

LoL what's cheap about having, good common sense. No one in their right mind would pay ninety five dollars when they could get it done with five. Like I said she's the real deal and is about results. Not about putting on a show or feeling witchy or powerful.
My point of mentioning the candle was about the simplicity of getting results not about financial costs of casting.

Word

Wands, cups, knives, circles are but tools, tools that allow the caster to focus on the matter at hand.

Used to be what separated a witch from a sorcerer, was that a witch utilized a plethora of tools, and a sorcerer had reached the point where they no longer needed tools to focus.

Today those lines have blurred....

Azerelus, that makes sense to me.
Personally, I find tools distracting. And following the spells written by others distracting as well. I wind up concentrating more on following instructions than
energy. My instinct has led me to other ways.