#beginner's witchcraft

[ophelia-avalon]

Witchcraft - The FAQ

So, you are interested in witchcraft but you have a lot of questions: This post is going to address some of them. This is by no means an exhaustive list. (This post does not contain any practical information for spells.)

Who can become a witch?

Everyone, regardless of gender, faith or heritage, can become a witch, if they are willing to learn.

How do I become a witch?

By studying and practicing witchcraft!

What can witchcraft do?

Witchcraft cannot bend the laws of physic (sorry, no flying on broomsticks), but it can help you achieve your goals. However, it cannot substitute mundane actions (if you need a job, for example, you still need to apply for jobs). It can open doors and help you along. For many witches, witchcraft increased their well-being because witchcraft fulfils a spiritual need and because it gives you some control over your life.

Do I need a teacher/mentor?

No. Nowadays, most witches start on their own. There is nothing bad about this. It helps you explore different paths and developing your own style. A teacher can help you refine your skills once you have learned the basics. This should be a person you can trust. Be cautious and stay safe.

Do I need a coven/witches’ circle?

No. Again, there are many solitary practitioners. And that is okay! Witches are not organised institutionalised globally, like the Catholic church, for example. It can be really hard to find witches in your area. Group rituals can be amazing, but you have to really be able to work well with these people.

Are all witches Satanists?

No. Some are. The way that Satanism is often portrayed by the media, however, is not necessarily accurate. (Related: Do witches sacrifice people/or animals? Generally not. Nowadays, most sacrifices are symbolic. Another popular offering is food.)

Is witchcraft a religion?

Witchcraft is not a religion, but a practice. Many witches incorporate their faith into their witchcraft. There are witches of nearly any faith and there are witches who are atheists. (There is also a long-standing tradition of Christian witchcraft.) Sometimes the term “witchcraft” is falsely used synonymously with Wicca. Wicca is a neo-pagan nature-religion founded in the 1950s that incorporates witchcraft in their rituals.

Is witchcraft dangerous?

Witchcraft is only dangerous if you are scared, or if you do not protect yourself appropriately (for example through a circle, cleansing and grounding). In that case it can be overwhelming. Also make sure that you know any potential health risks of the materials you are working with (this goes especially for essential oils, herbs and crystals).

Are there universal rules all witches need to follow?

No. You might come across the “Wiccan Rede” and the “Rule of Three”. These are moral codes/beliefs that are shared by some Wiccans, but not all witches.

How do I know which type of witch I am?

You might have heard about different types of witches on tumblr. Cottage witches, hedge witches, sea witches, etc. You don’t have to concern yourself with labels when starting out. After a while you will probably find that some aspects of witchcraft are more interesting to you than others.

Where do I start?

Do research! Read up on different paths of witchcraft and learn the basics. How to do rituals, how to work spells, what you need for spells, etc. Read a lot! Read different authors and gather different perspectives! Find out what makes sense to you and what you feel comfortable with!

Are there any books you should read?

There is no Holy Script for witchcraft. Each witch has their favourite authors. Generally, it is important to read critically. Most books on witchcraft have at least one of the following flaws:

They present the authors beliefs/practices as universal. 

They equate witchcraft with Wicca. 

They give in-accurate accounts of history in general and especially about the persecution of witches in the past, as well as the origins of modern witchcraft practices. 

They try to legitimate witchcraft with superficial/or wrong science. 

They are sexist, homophobic and/or transphobic. Most books simply do not acknowledge the existence of gay, bi or trans people at all. (This does NOT mean that witches cannot be gay, bi or trans.) 

They appropriate practices/beliefs from closed cultures or religions.

If you keep this in mind, however, you might still find good information in these texts. Read with a pinch of salt and decide for yourself which authors are worth your while. It is always a good idea to check any information about history, science and health against non-esoteric sources. Tumblr is, in my opinion, a good resource for spells and the basics, but books often offer a deeper insight into the workings of magic.

Do I need a Book of Shadows/a Grimoire?

Book of Shadows or Grimoires are a witch’s personal spell book. Not all witches have one, but it is useful to take notes somewhere. This way you can keep track of your progress and you don’t have to remember everything. It is totally valid to look up things, even as a more experienced witch. A paper notebook or a Word document will suffice. A digital Book of Shadows is useful because it is easy to add things and keep it structured at the same time. Just keep in mind that it is a tool for you and doesn’t have to look fancy or be ready for publishing.

When and how do I start practicing?

This is up to you. Once you learned about the basics, you can start with simple spells. There are a great many master posts with spells for beginner witches on tumblr. Many of them can be incorporated into everyday life.

Tumblr witch etiquette:

Most witches on tumblr are happy to answer beginner witches’ questions. Please do your own research before doing so, however. Popular blogs get a lot of questions a day. Behind those blogs are human beings. Please treat them as such and not as answer-machines. Many blogs have FAQ pages or tags filled with resources for beginner witches. Many questions can also be answered through a quick Google search.

A note to underage witches:

Please stay safe. Never share personal information with a stranger. I would also advice you not to reach out to witches in real life/your area until you are older. Witchcraft does attract some weird folk. Most covens will not accept members under 18, anyway. If you are under 18, use this time as a solitary practitioner to get to know yourself and your craft better!

 Feel free to add onto this list!

[theearthygrimoire]

Recently, I've been interested in maybe try out witchcraft. What basic things would I need to start off and what basic spells would you recommend I try out?

Hey! You don’t need a lot to start magick, just motivation and a willing mind! You can start with something simple like sigil making or candle magick. Magick comes from the spirit and energy around you.

[ophelia-avalon]

Writing A Spell in Seven Steps

The following rules are based on Wiccan principles, but they can be applied to any witchcraft practice, I guess.

What is a spell?

A spell is a mean to reach a goal by using your psychic powers or by working alongside your deities.

Spells are a lot like cooking.There is usually a recipe with ingredients and a description of what you ought to do. As a beginner, it is often easier to follow a recipe that already exists.

Sometimes, however, you will find that a dish that you are dying to try out requires ingredients you cannot obtain easily. Sometimes, the recipe doesn’t suit your needs perfectly – it’s a recipe for eight persons, but you’re only cooking for three. What do you do? You adapt. That’s okay. It will taste a little different, maybe, but that doesn’t mean the meal won’t be delicious.

Once you’ve ventured a little further into the kitchen, you might want to write your own recipes. I have to admit that I really have to level up my cooking skills, but I am confident that I can come up with a simple spell. And you can do to.

writing a spell in seven steps

precise intent

What do you want to achieve? Try to be as precise as possible. Once you know, put it into words. Dramatic hocus pocus might be useful to get you into the right mindset, but make sure that your intent is clear. “I want person A to leave me alone” will work just as well as a sonnet in perfect iambic pentameter.

imagination

Imagine your goal achieved. See it before your inner eye while performing the spell.

willpower

Remember when Voldemort told Harry in the Order of the Phoenix that in order to kill Bellatrix Lestrange he had to really mean it? Well, while I hope that homicide is not what you’re planning to use your powers for, there is truth to it.

In order for it to work, you have to want it to work.

identification

Make sure it is clear whom the spell is directed at (in most cases that would be yourself). Say their name, their full name if you know it; use a picture, something that belongs to them, hair, nail clippings, etc.

correspondence

These are basically the ingredients of the spell. Some things correspond with your intent. There is tons of info on that, and lots of different systems. Get informed and figure out what resonates best with you. Correspondences could be symbols, colours, stones and crystals, herbs, moon phases or even deities. You decide how much correspondences you need.

dramatization

Show the effect of the spell. This can be symbolically – the stereotypical voodoo doll thing is an example. You can act it out.  This helps a lot with imagination.

disposal of loose ends

Once your spell has done its work, destroy any physical remnants of the spell.

You can burn it (stay safe!), rip it apart, etc. Figure out what is appropriate. Say you used a pouch with different ingredients. Some of them might be used again if thoroughly purified. And there is no use in trying to burn a bit of amethyst, right? 

A few tips:

Cast a Circle around you to focus energies involved.

Write it down. This way you have a guidance throughout the ritual and a reference for later on.

Use what you have. Especially if you’re on a budget. There’s nothing wrong with using kitchen spices, tea lights or whatever.

Be as creative as you want.

My spell is not working, what went wrong?

There can be many reasons.

When you’re just getting started, doubt about whether or not a spell is going to work, is inevitable. Sadly this might prevent you from successfully casting a spell.

Spells can be incredibly useful to help you with things. In many cases, however, witchcraft just isn’t enough. If you want to ace at something, you can use a spell to increase your motivation and concentration, but you will have to practice nonetheless.

As a Wiccan, I also believe that the gods have a say in whether your spell succeeds or not.

In any case, don’t lose hope. Like any other craft, witchcraft needs patience and practice.

Sources:

Farrar, J; Farrar, S.: A Witches’ Bible. The Complete Witches’ Handbook

Molitur, M.: Wicca-Magie für Junghexen

[I do not claim that this is the best or only way of doing things.]