Tonight, one night after Republicans swept special elections for seats vacated by representatives who are now in Donald Trump’s cabinet, thousands of witches will gather to cast spells to limit Trump’s authority.

This isn’t the first time the #MagicResistance witches have congregated in an attempt to “bind” Trump, but this time they’re doing it on the Summer Solstice. So, the results will be different… right?

Resistance Witch Kate Doucette told Vox that the binding spell was “very similar to prayer.” (My thoughts exactly…)

Doucette was raised Catholic in a predominantly born-again Protestant Christian area. She said she left the church after finding its attitude toward sexuality and social issues regressive. She told Vox that for her, the binding spell was “very similar to prayer — which I’ve had no use for, for most of my life” — as well as to meditation, which she prefers.

Want to know why Republicans keep winning elections? Here are thousands of people who oppose Trump and his policies. Yet they’re gathering to do something that is utterly useless. In fact, it’s suspected that this type of behavior can foster a sense of (false) accomplishment that works against the performers.

Michel M. Hughes, one of the originators of the spell, explains that he saw a need for something beyond traditional political activism (which has been proven to work):

My thought from the beginning was that Trump’s presidency was surreal and abnormal, therefore there was a need to counter him and resist his administration beyond the normal channels like public protests, petitions, emails, and calls to representatives… One very powerful element of the spell is its ability to allow participants to take back their power from the out-of-control administration.

Like prayer, this kind of mass thought exercise is ultimately without teeth when it comes to seeking change in the material world. You don’t stop corrupt politicians through happy thoughts or incantations. You vote them out. You challenge them at Town Halls. You call their offices and make sure they know where you stand. If nothing else, run for office yourself. In other words, engage in real activism. Raise awareness of the problems. Put people in the voting booths.

That’s what conservatives have done so effectively.

