but applying an element to a stat? Does that mean if, say I have fire for strength, I can only use more fires to level that stat up?

Certain magic will effect certain stats better. In more basic terms the higher versions of that same magic will effect the stat it junctions to better. Ex. Fire, Fira, Firaga.

Now, remember that if you junction magic if you start to use it it will affect your stats as well, so if you had 100 junctioned and used 25...your stat that it is junctioned to would theoretically drop 25% until you replenish the stock.

In terms of MP, there isnt any really. You cast your stocked magic and your GF's learn abilities which you can choose to 'equip' to enhance what you want. Ex. Speed, Strength % bonuses, magic % bonuses, etc etc. (theres a lot).

Best thing to do with just the junctioning of stocked magic though is to auto equip it, either auto equip attack, magic or defence, depending on how you want that character to be in the game. Then you can manually tweak areas junctioned. What I mean by tweak? Personally I just tweaked the status and elemental junctions (again your GF's learn those later).

Just stock and stock everything. And make sure later you refine the lesser magics into the higher forms (again, your GF's will learn these abilities...).

I was like you, but once you get the hang of it, it's really fun. And it doesnt take long to get the hang of it either.

Caesu