There is a lot of misinformation about witches and not all of it is true.A method of folk magic, witchcraft involves an in-depth knowledge of the natural world, the spiritual world and the self.If you have a connection with those worlds and are dissatisfied with traditional beliefs, learning more about what it takes to be a witch might be right for you.It is a lifelong practice.
Step 1: There are different magic traditions.
The lack of a central school of witchcraft, witchery, or spell-casting means that novices and non-practicioners have a hard time figuring out what's real and what isn't.For many witches, it takes 20% spell casting and 80% taking notes to become a witch.Different schools of thought and traditions may be more appropriate for you.Wicca and green witchcrafts are popular in the United States, often revolving around nature-based spells and meditation.The earliest Wiccans were followers of Gerald Gardner, a British magic scholar who had his ideas and works popularized in the 1950s and 1960s.This might be right for you if you have an interest in crystals, herbs, rituals, and essential oils.Ancient witches are interested in history and tradition, practicing in accordance with the seasons and with rituals.These styles might be right for you if you want to get back to traditional witchcraft.Depending on where you live and your culture's traditions, Santeria, Stregheria, Fari, and other cultural witchcrafts are common.You should research the local practices where you live if you have a strong connection to place.Some religions are closed.If you are required to be born into a culture or religion in order to participate in its spiritual practices, it is considered closed.Some orthodox sects of major religions are easy examples of this.There are some Hindu sects and some Native American religions.Wicca is closed due to the fact that it is a mystery religion and formal initiation into a coven is required.Neo-Wicca is an alternative that is more open and accommodates solitary and uninitiated practitioners who follow Wiccan principles and practices.Asking someone who is in the culture is the best way to find out if it is closed.It is a good idea to ask permission before buying something that seems exotic or mystical.Witchcraft Secular is not affiliated with any religion, philosophy or belief system.Secular witchcraft can be practiced by any person from any religion.Everyone is allowed to practice witchcraft.The truth is that other people don't have a say in your personal beliefs and practices, no matter what they say.There are many types of witches, including Christian, Jewish, and Wiccan witches.You are the only one who can decide what works for you.
Step 2: There are a lot of sources about different histories and traditions.
The first thing the novice witch will learn is that they practice differently.There is no central guiding list of principles or rules for witches.Anything that claims to be true is false.It's important to take expert advice with a grain of salt because your practice will be your own.You can read some classics, but they should be used for your own understanding of the arts and your practice.Colin Wilson's The Occult: A History Malleus Mallificarum is an ancient text on witchcraft.Many people have written about traditional witchcraft.Many books and authors are coming from a Wiccan/neo-pagan viewpoint.If you are looking for information on secular witchcraft, which is not associated with any religion, philosophy, belief system, etc., then books on Wiccan witchcraft won't be helpful.Some authors are known to be, at best, problematic and mistaken, and at worst, willfully ignorant and deliberately misinformative.Historical inaccuracies, biased views on various subjects, and rampant cultural appropriation are some of the things these authors include.Some authors to be wary of are: Silver RavenWolf, Raymond Buckland, Laurie Cabot, Margaret Murray, Edain McCoy, and D.J.There is a small town called Conway.If you decide to read their works, be sure to fact-check everything.These books can be useful, but do your own independent research, and don't take anyone's word for it, no matter how popular they are.Some authors have been dead for a while, and so their information is likely to be a little outdated.Scott Cunningham is an example of this.His books can be helpful, but remember to read other sources.
Step 3: Personal goals can be developed for your practice.
Being a witch is a journey.There is no one way to do it.It's important to learn what you can and how to do it, as well as write your own goals and path for yourself.It would be helpful to keep a record of what you hope to discover, as well as what it is you want to explore.It's up to you to find the answers, even if a few guiding questions can be helpful.What do you want from witches?What types of spells do you want to perform?What do you want to learn about being a witch?How do you hope that magic can change your life?
Step 4: It's a good idea to watch out for fluff.
Don't be fooled by online schemes.It's not something that can be communicated in 25 easy steps for only $39.95 from Hot Topic.It's not about following a pre-written list of rules and going from A to B to C in the correct order.It's a journey of discovery that is different for everyone.When you talk to different practitioners of magic, what it means to be a witch will change a lot.Take things with a grain of salt.Talk to other witches if they don't want to help you learn or disagree with a particular practice.Ignore the dissenters if you find a group of like-minded practitioners.
Step 5: The tools of the trade need to be collected.
Getting the basic tools is a good way to start practicing witchcraft.broomsticks and hats are not needed.The basics of being a witch are not required in order for you to use any of the different tools.You can choose a wand.For their personal connection to the witch, wands are often selected.It's not just a matter of finding and charging a stick.To find a short stick that works for you, you need to spend a lot of time in the woods.When you find it, you'll know it.If you don't use a wand or any other tool that another witch uses, you're not a real witch.No one else can tell you what works for you.There are important objects for spell casting.A mortar and pestle are used in most kitchens to mix herbs and other ingredients.There are herbs.Many herbs are used in witchcraft.Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a must have for beginners.You can learn about the powers of herbs and how to use them.Mineral spirit and salt.Mineral spirits and salts are used in cleansing and keeping your spell safe.You can protect yourself by charging your tools with all-natural mineral spirits and circling yourself in salt.
Step 6: Charge your magic tools.
Before and after spell castings, wand, crystals, and other implements need to be cleansed.A good witch keeps her tools charged and free of psychic energy.The traditions and techniques of your practice can be used to charge and cleanse your tools.Many witches use the moon's energy to charge or cleanse their wands, by sitting out in the night and absorbing the lunar energy into the stone.Mineral spirits can be used to cleanse and clear out psychic energy.
Step 7: The area should be cleansed.
Magic rituals can be performed in the comfort of your bedroom if you want to cast spells and circles.You will be comfortable and undisturbed if you choose a safe space.For as long as it takes to complete the ritual, choose a place where you can stay.According to your practice, meditate for several minutes.Good spirits and positive energy should stay away, and you should offer a prayer of protection.The task to come is something to meditate on.You should light candles and prepare other objects for the ritual that you're going to perform.If other people are around to perform the ritual with you, gather together, hold hands, and complete the cleansing prayers together.Join as a group.
Step 8: The circle needs to be cast.
It's not important if you want to use candles, stones, chalk lines or sticks to create your spell-casting circle, what matters is your intent.The circle is a physical or psychic barrier in your safe space that will allow you to channel the deities, powers, and energies necessary to do your work.Many traditions require a circle to have candles at each of the four directions.A representative of each element in the circle is a good idea.A handful of earth, a glass of water, the fire of a candle, and other elements should all be present.
Step 9: The spell was being cast.
You should welcome the elements and the deities and state the purpose of the ritual.Specific invocations or prayers should be said.There is an online database of spells.You need to raise and release the energy.The purpose of a spell is to connect your circle to the unseen world of energy and spirits.When you connect with those energies, you have to detach yourself from them as well.
Step 10: It's a good idea to close the ritual.
If present, thank the Deities for gracing you with their presence.The elements helped you in your spell.Depending on your tradition, close or open the circle."Remember the Rule of Three, What Ye Sends Out Comes Back to Thee" is a Wiccan law.Anything you do comes back to you threefold.Think about your actions and how they affect others.Non-Wiccan witches are not required to believe in or follow Wiccan guidelines.Don't bash or bully anyone else for their practice because it's not the same as yours.
Step 11: Look for a guide.
It's important for witches who are just starting to explore the world of witchcraft to get help since it can be so overwhelming.You can find other more experienced witches who will help tutor you in the dark arts, recommend readings, and show you a thing or two about spells.Do not lie about your experience in witchcraft.If you don't know a wand from a cauldron, try to be an experienced witch.Others will respect you less.Being willing to learn is better than being dishonest about your knowledge.
Step 12: You should keep your own Book of Shadows.
It's a good idea to start your own book of shadows when you first start practicing witchcraft.Just get a composition book, it doesn't need to be bound in ancient leather and stained with goat blood.Adorn it like a journal, with images you find powerful, moving, or full of witchy wisdom.As you pick up spells, observations, and incantations from your readings, use the book to record them.
Step 13: An altar can be created.
The bleached skull of a 12th century mystic would be awesome, but an altar doesn't need to be elaborate.An altar is a place to practice.It should include things that are essential to your practice.Crystal, stones, herbs, pictures, and any number of other objects are important to you.Your alter should be adorned with important objects.If you're a Wiccan or a green witch, it might be a good idea to put dead flowers, dried herbs, and laurels on your altar.You can find stones that speak to you, strange seashells, or other objects of power and beauty.If you're a traditional witch, you should keep pictures of your family on your altar.Photos of Civil War soldiers and old pocket watches are things that remind you of the past and can be included if you don't have any.
Step 14: Practice with the seasons.
Witches like to be in tune with the changing seasons and the transitions from one phase to the next.Practice your spell casting in accordance with the lunar changes and other signifiers of changing time by tuning yourself to the moon's phases.You can learn about the shifting planets by getting an astrological calendar.You should pay attention to the changing of the seasons.
Step 15: You should keep collecting magic objects.
As your Book of Shadows grows, it's a good idea to keep your cabinets and altar growing.Keep growing your collection of powerful herb and oils if you want to use them in your spell casting.Learning about their distinctive uses is a good way to practice using them.You can use precious stones and crystals in your practice by collecting them and meditating with them.It's a good idea to collect fresh herbs to dry for yourself if you want to purchase herbs and stones.It's an excellent idea to connect your practice to the earth.If you want to find magick herbs in your climate, you should get a local field guide.You can find precious stones by going around creek beds.