Baby Witch Tips & Introductory Research Topics 💞
If you’re just getting into Wicca/Paganism/some other form of witchcraft, welcome to the witchblr community!
When starting out in anything, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Especially when it comes to something as big as practicing witchcraft!
That being said, I believe that practicing magic can provide one with a good emotional outlet, promote healthy behaviours, and introduce a new passion- if not several new ones!
But with this in mind, it is important to remember that unfortunately, with practicing magic comes the potential for danger. I’m not saying that there are wicked witches who lure children into their huts with spells and cook them in cauldrons.
In fact, I believe that one of the many misconceptions that still exist about the practice of magic today has to do with the fact that many stereotypical witch things- potions and cauldrons, spells, voodoo dolls, charms and curses- only exist to a certain extent- an extent which is often over exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness.
Yes, there are those out there who abuse the practice of magic and twist it for malevolent purposes. When I see this I am saddened- but I also can’t help but laugh, for a couple of reasons.
For one thing, in many cases when this happens, often the people enacting these practices begin looking into magic with many misconceptions about what witchcraft really is.
No- witchcraft is not chanting things in a dark room while mixing a potion in a cauldron (well... except when it is). You can’t cast a spell and suddenly everything’s like the movies, where things are glowing and floating, and you have big red demons with devil horns working for you.
When witches do rituals- “make potions” or “cast spells”- we’re not doing it with the idea that “these herbs mixed with this moon water and this crystal will create a magical drink that will make so-and-so fall in love with me”.
The potions and sigils, charms and mantras- they don’t contain power themselves. It is our intentions that give them power.
With all that being said, there is still a potential for danger when it comes to practicing magic. Especially if that practice involves cursing/hexing or other forms of black magic. If it is something that is of interest to you- please take extreme caution.
But I also laugh when I see this because in magic, small mistakes can lead to tremendous unintended consequences... such as accidentally doing the exact opposite of what you want, such as flipping a curse back on you (see a previous post about a similar subject here).
To make a long story short, it can all be basically summed up in the following rules:
The Wiccan Rede - “an’ it harm none, do what ye will”
The Rule of Three - a religious tenet held by many Wiccans. Similar to the concept of Karma, the Rule of Threes states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world- positive or negative- will come back to the person with threefold strength. This particularly applies to actions applying to magic.
All of that being said- I believe that research is (or at least should be, in my opinion) the biggest part of practicing magic when first starting out.
Some introductory topics I would recommend looking into include:
Different types of witches/magic
The history of Wicca/whatever path interests you
Sigils/symbols in Wicca/whatever path interests you
Grounding and visualizing
Herbs/what you can do with different herbs
What you can do with/during different phases of the moon (charging/casting charms, potions, etc)
Also, if finding a patron guide/deity is something of interest to you, I would look into that as well!
If they are of interest to you, I would also recommend looking into gathering some materials that can aid you in your practice, such as:
Candles - candles are an extremely important tool in witchcraft! Using candles in spellwork is one of the simplest forms of magic, as it doesn’t require much ritual, resources, or money. Basically, if you have a candle, you can cast a spell. That being said: the colour of your candle (and sometimes its type) may be of importance when casting certain types of spells. For more info on colour magic, see my post on it here!
Incense - another important tool in witchcraft, incense is a substance which, when burned, releases a fragrant smoke. Usually comprised of plant-based materials, such as spices, barks, oils, wood, etc. Representing the element of air, incense can be used for a number of reasons in witchcraft (such as cleansing/purification, as an offering or part of spellwork, as part of a ritual, or for scrying).
A wand - a tool used to channel and focus energy. Representing the element of air, wands can be made from a number of different materials- including wood, metal, or bone. They may also be laden with crystals, feathers, wiring, stones, and/or leather. (I bought mine online from this site! They also teach you how to make your own, if that’s something you would prefer to do).
An athame - a ceremonial dagger used in rituals, representing the element of fire. Typically, an athame has a black handle.
A chalice - a chalice or goblet is used to represent the element of water. Generally in Wicca, a chalice is thought to serve as more of a symbol of the Goddess than as an actual tool.
A cauldron - a cast iron pot used for making brews, burning incense or oils, or to hold large pillar candles. It may also be used as a tool for scrying when filled with water.
A paten disc - a consecration tool for your altar with a sigil inscribed upon it. The most common sigil found on a paten is a pentagram within a circle (also known as a pentacle). The paten disc represents the element of Earth, and may be used to bless/magically energise whatever object is placed upon it.
