There's the possibility, you know, that this is just how things are portrayed in the media to make these people look super loony. Same way they portray southerners or white males. I've met some people who do random "magic" work and take it very seriously; and by "take it seriously" I mean objectively experiment and produce repeatable results. To observe your mind's eye is to peek behind the curtain; there's lots of information to be gained there, if only you'd be willing to listen. But I'll drop a hint: a major component of ritual is tangible reinforcement. The real work is being done in your mind— the physical acts are mostly just a representation of what you're doing, to assist in making sure you follow all the right steps. You're working with energy, not physical objects. Some people need to do these things because their human incredulity and doubt block them from being able to do it any other way. You could simply cross your legs, in a meditative pose, "astral project" out of your body and do the ritual *there*— and if anything, doing it said way would have greater efficacy due to being performed in a space which is "closer to the source."