If I see a spell in a book or online and try it can this be changed/modified? What if I don't have the ingredients of the spell? Am I able to substitute items?
As I'm solitary, if I get disturbed doing a spell does it mean it won't work?
By all technicality, you don't need any items whatsoever to perform a spell. Magical tools help us focus our intent, such as wands. Cauldrons are used for brewing or even burning incense in, but you could use any ordinary pot as a substitute. If you modify a spell online, I'd recommend giving credit to it's original creator, or even asking permission to change it, especially if you plan on posting it yourself, as that can be considered plagiarism.
Getting disturbed while performing a spell doesn't necessarily mean it won't work, however you do need to be quite focused when performing one. If you do get disturbed, and you feel like the you might have broken a spell. Take a break and try again later.
Thanks. I'm not planning changing a spell to update on here. Just to learn at this point. I'll make sure I take a note of the creator of the spell before I practice it.
As long as you don't post it anywhere, even on this site, you should be fine to alter a spell for your use. Don't be afraid to create your own spells as well by taking some as inspiration.
you can, you can substitute items with similar energy if you don't have the specific one [the only time i wouldn't is if the spell for example is called "cinnamon spell" and you don't have cinnamon, if it's the key item in the spell you don't have, i would find a new one] nothing bad will happen if you personalize it to you, just be sure you know why you chose those items [just so you're not adding something that works against your goal]
Items can actually be quite important to some forms of natural magic. Items aren't just "focus" items like they're so commonly described. Using items in spells is all about correspondence with specific energies and drawing in desired "atmosphere" through these items. In some traditions, they are viewed as a kind of lens through which specific "energies" are honed and brought about to work within a ritual or spell. They serve to attract desired influences into the work.
Replacing items is fairly easy, just replace it with another item with similar correspondences. There are many correspondence tables that can be found online for free.
