So You Want To Be A Witch
I’ve seen a few of these posts going around and decided to make my own. I have noticed that a lot of beginner blogs tend to follow me so I wanted to dedicate this post to them, in terms of how I started witchcraft and how I grew to being a part of a coven and in priestess training. This post will contain some UPG and some tips I discovered on my own as well as what others have taught me from their own personal experiences.
Research
- Discovery: I believe witchcraft can be discovered in any means necessary. I have talked about before who I discovered witchcraft through a fictional book and a Google definition search. It doesn’t matter if a witch is born into the craft or discovers it on their own, anyone can be a witch. The term witch tends to be accepted as a gender neutral term, so don’t get too hung up over certain titles (i.e. sorceress, warlock, etc.). Everyone is a witch who wishes to be labeled as such.
- Resources: You might have seen online that there are certain books that get recommended for those who just want to learn about the craft. The flaw with this is that the list of books you find out are going to depend who you’re asking or where you’re reading a list from. A lot of books that are on these lists have outdated, biased or even unaccredited information that often tends to say things that do not apply to today’s world. Authors that are most recommended are Raymond Buckland, Gerald Gardner, Scott Cunningham, Doreen Valiente, Starhawk, Silver RavenWolf & Margot Adler. While these recommendations are great, as I stated previously the information may not be accurate anymore. Read the books however and see what speaks to you. Intuition is important in witchcraft.
- What To Learn First: There may be some debate on what exactly to learn first and it will also depend on what you actually want to learn. From my own UPG, I read on the different types of witchcraft (i.e. energy work, kitchen witch, etc.) and realizing that you don’t have to be pagan to be a witch. However, if that’s something you’d like to do as well, learning the different types of paganism is useful (i.e. wiccan, eclectic, etc.). It would also be helpful for you to figure out how a basic altar set up should be, what a Book of Shadows (BOS) and a Grimoire are and how to start working on your own, and if you’re delving into the paganism side of witchcraft, if you’re going to be devoting yourself to a certain deity or just call upon the Lord and Lady (again, this is NOT mandatory in witchcraft).
Daily Practice
- Getting Started: Once you’ve learned a decent bit and have felt comfortable enough with the knowledge you’ve learned, you can start practicing. I want to note, that you can take however long you’d like to begin actually practicing. If that takes you a week or a year, whatever resonates with you is perfectly fine.
- Setting Up Your Altar: It’s important in witchcraft that you have a certain space in order to do your workings in. Some witches are able to have their own room, others tend to place their altar on a dresser in their bedrooms. Whether you’re living alone, with a significant other or with your family, make sure it is a place that ultimately will not be disturbed. If you’re In the Broom Closet or are living with others that you do not wish to know that you’re practicing witchcraft, creating a to-go altar or digital altar would be the best route for you to take. There’s tons of information online, including my own Tumblr, that has altar inspiration. But if you don’t like my own tastes, feel free to do some digging. Most examples are available on this site!
- Setting Up Daily Practice: After setting up your altar, it would be ideal for you to begin to set up a practice. What things make you feel more connected with yourself, the universe, deities, etc.? Some examples of doing this are: yoga, gratitude journal, BOS recording, etc. If there’s something you do in the morning, such as exercise, you can even make that witchy. Just about any activity can be spruced up with a bit of witchcraft, go ahead and find out what works best for you. Once you’ve established this routine, STICK TO IT. Make it become second nature to you.
Groups, Covens & Groves! Oh My!
- Decide: This is something that is dependent on your own personal comfort. Do you want to continue working alone or do you want to work with others? You can start to work with others right away or even after several years of solitary work. You will eventually come upon varying opinions on the matter, but remember, do what feels best for you. My best friend worked solitary for several years before finding a coven whereas I was searching for one right away, it happens either way.
- Finding Others or Groups: If you decide that you’d like to find others or even a group that practices witchcraft, there are a few ways to go about this. There are websites dedicated to finding groups, such as Witchvox and PaganSpace depending upon what needs you have. Other websites will also lead you to these people and groups, such as Facebook or MeetUp. If you know what your practice is, try typing in those keywords. If nothing comes up, type in more generic terms such as ‘‘energy work, healing, pagan, witch, reiki” or similar terms. Keep in mind, this is also dependent upon where you live. If you’re living in the US, the coasts are going to have a better time finding groups and people versus those in the bible belt. Be patient though, the universe provides when asked. There also are organizations that have groups fall under their jurisdiction, such as Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF). If you join these organizations, you should be able to find a group in your area in most cases.
- Joining a Group: So you found a group and they seem to be the group for you. Talk to the Priest/Priestess/Member of the group and see if they’re accepting new members and how to join if so. This is going to vary depending upon the group, but make sure to take their instructions with care. If you start the joining process but then decide to opt out, then you have the right to do so. Keep an open line of communication regardless if there are any issues or not, just as a point of respect. Every groups joining process is going to be different, so do not expect the same process each time.
- Warning Signs: Unfortunately, there are some people and groups who cross the line of boundaries that should never be crossed. Do not do anything you’re uncomfortable doing! As I already stated, even if you’re in the process of joining, you have the right to back out! Do not let someone force you into having intercourse, sharing bodily fluids, forcing you naked if you don’t wish to be, eating anything raw or alive or something you’re allergic to, taking any recreational drugs, cutting yourself or just plain out doing things that are against your personal moral code. Though I personally have not seen any of these things happen, they can occur. If at any point you’re uncomfortable, tell them. If they’re decent human beings, they won’t make you do it. However, if they are telling you ‘‘this is the only way’‘ and you still don’t want to do it, DON’T. Run far away from this group and avoid them.
Tips
- Be Patient: Finding your perfect practice and a great coven might take some. You’re not going to be this all powerful being within a day or even a few years, just keep doing your practice and living your truth.
- You Don’t Need To Know Everything: Someone told me this and I didn’t listen, now I completely understand what they meant. There’s many different aspects of witchcraft and when you’re first starting out, you’re going to want to know all of it. You don’t need to. Focus on 1-3 different areas that interest you. If it’s not as cool as you think it is, move on to something else.
- Labels Aren’t Necessary: Just like in school, labels aren’t needed. If you choose to study a certain element and don’t call yourself that type of witch, then don’t. Also, if someone else tries to label your craft, don’t let them. Your craft is just exactly that, yours.
- Remember Personal Boundaries: When meeting others, it might be exciting to dig deep into this person’s history with the craft and get all the info from them you could ever want, but just like making friends in school, it will take some time for another witch to open up to you (unless you find that rare witch that will divulge all their secrets). Don’t hound them every time you see them; get to know them. Meeting other witches and groups is a lot like making friends in school. Give them some space, don’t stalk them and hound them and you should be just fine!
- Get Creative & Crafty: Witchcraft is what you make of it. Make it uniquely yours.
