You don't have to anything (mostly)
It only takes one mindless scroll on witchblr to find at least one blog claiming that you "have to do x" or "need to y". But I'm actually going to say that no, you don't have to do anything these blogs claim.
The most common things I see getting touted as musts are protection, more often than not casting circles, working with nature and deity worship and work. But these aren't musts for witchcraft, and don't even apply to some paths at all!
First of all, protection. It's one of those things you'll see spoken of as a must within your practice, but it isn't, not for everyone. Myself I collect protections, shields and wards as if they were pieces of a neverending puzzle, but that's not the way for everyone. Many practicioners are fine with minimal to no protections, meanwhile communicating with entities and deities with little to no issues.
Now, here's the key takeaway from this whole little spout-off; it all depends on your own, personal paradigm.
But the protection being touted most often that I almost always roll my eyes at is circles. Not because they're stupid, they're fine in of themselves, but I am tired of witchblr calling it a must. Because raising protection to the heavens is.... A little understandable from a view, but circles specifically as a must? No thank you, because that propagates the idea that one method is better than another when there's no reason for that. And a lot of blogs claiming circles to be a must know also include a how-to on it, which more often than not includes concepts not applicable to everyone's practice including but not limited to calling upon guardians of elements and evoking deities. Guess what? Not everyone looks at those concepts as a part of their beliefs and practices.
Now here's one a lot of blogs seem to forget... Not every witch, practicioner or other work with nature. It is a mindblowing idea to some, but it really shouldn't. Because "witch" doesn't have a set in stone definition, and it's a self chosen identity, saying that you have to anything to be one is VERY iffy in my eyes.
Many practices, paths and traditions do incorporate nature, but we have to remember they vary greatly, and so do their contents. While I work with as much nature as I can, due to where I live it isn't easy, and that doesn't limit my capability as a witch, because being a witch doesn't hinge on interacting with nature for everyone. It isn't even accessible to everyone.
And deities... This is often seen on "research this as a beginner witch" list, but it forgets that witchcraft =/= a religion, and can have a secular nature. Not everyone who is a witch deals with anything religious at all, and deities definitely aren't a must even there.
Now here's the caveat, and the reason the title has (mostly) in it. Because there's two things I do think are necessary to understand... Namely appropriation and that magic shouldn't be a replacement for professional help.
Appropriation is a serious issue within occult and witchcraft spaces, the most common aspects being smudging, chakras and the like. Many won't know it is appropriation because many things are peddled back and forth so many times that people assume its open to participate in. It becomes a snowball effect. Therefore, researching closed practices is one of the most important things you can do, because knowing the properties of a crystal isn't more important than respecting people trying to protect their traditions from outsiders.
Lastly, magic can be an awesome supplement to aid with issues, but only alongside professional care. If you're dealing with medical issues, I beg that you try to find an option that fits your economy and situation in terms of professional help. Magic can give a push along the way, but it isn't going to cure any severe depression or prevent someone's appendix from rupturing. Magic can be helpful in helping treatments along to a degree, but they won't magically heal or fix any issues. I know this professional help isn't accessible to everyone and that magic can seem like a better option, and I'm not saying that you should never try it, but in general it isn't the way to go for most.
Thanks for reading. This turned out a little ranty, so thanks for just baring with me. Have a nice day, night or whatever, and take care of yourself. Remember, your practice is your practice, and you shouldn't let anyone else tell you what to do with it.
