What are the key components of Magickal operations?
Planning and preparation for any magickal working is an absolute. The Laws of Magick (well summarized by Isaac Bonewits and listed on various websites and in the book Authentic Thaumaturgy) should be included in the studies of anyone who desires to trod the magickal path. When it comes to correspondences, things become relative, and rather subjective. It is possible to study the “standard” correspondences for colors, plants, etc., but it will be for the individual to determine which work best. The planetary hours and the moon phases, coupled with the aspect of timing, also become relative, and dependent upon which style of magick an individual uses. Some will find these aspects of study useful, others will not and may need to discern their own method to monitor the energies in order to plan a working for the appropriate time to be most successful.
