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Witchcraft can mean a variety of things, depending on who you ask.
Witchcraft has a long history of being a misunderstood practice. Numerous innocent women were executed at the stake in the past for engaging in witchcraft. Once Christianity started to take over the world, being dubbed a “witch” was feared and considered to be a treacherous, disgusting thing.
Some people still view witchcraft as “evil”, involving gruesome blood rituals and covert, unreliable cults, even in modern times. Others may believe that witchcraft isn’t “real,” buying into Hollywood’s portrayal of witches and their practice, which features flying brooms and fictitious spells and skills like to those in Harry Potter. In either case, it isn’t taken seriously or regarded as legitimate.
To add to the confusion, witchcraft is also frequently mistaken for the tradition and religion of Wicca. Although witchcraft and Wicca are often practiced together, they are two separate and wholly different things.
Witchcraft has, however, grown much more widespread and tolerated in society as a result of its expanding popularity and the rise in the number of people who practice it in recent years.
Witchcraft is not a religion, but a practice.
Witchcraft is highly spiritual for some people and integrated with various religious beliefs. However, most people’s experiences with witchcraft are deeply personal and unconstrained by any particular religious or spiritual beliefs.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that there is no one, clear-cut definition of witchcraft. You may have arrived at this page seeking a definition of witchcraft or instructions on how to conduct it.
Is there a step-by-step manual for those who want to investigate its power and magic? Unfortunately, there is not.
And, perhaps, that is the most alluring aspect of witchcraft.
Despite its many variations and ambiguities, witchcraft’s core principle is that a closer connection to oneself is necessary to investigate the energy that envelopes us each minute. It places a strong emphasis on cultivating intuition as well as learning about and utilizing the mysteries of nature (i.e. energy, elements, plants, etc).
Fundamentally, witchcraft is about our innate power to manipulate the way we experience reality. In this post, we’ll be going over how to become a witch, types of witchcraft, beginning your craft, spellcasting & magic(k), things every new witch needs to know, and more!
HOW TO BECOME A WITCH
Witchcraft is fundamentally the actualization of focused intention. Your will shapes your desire, causing it to materialize.
To perform witchcraft, no pre-requisite beliefs are required. No institution or rulebook dictates the behaviors and information you will accept. You are in charge of your own life, and the only thing that qualifies you as a witch is your decision to engage in witchcraft.
The fact that there is no set of standardized beliefs or rules for witchcraft also gives you the freedom to choose the activities that comprise your craft and to connect with other witches who have a similar craft.
Two witches can take totally different paths while still exhibiting respect and appreciation for the same earthly world. Witchcraft’s power and your ability to influence changes in the world stem from this diversion from strict definition.
Nevertheless, novice witches frequently acquire three key personal traits that will aid in the advancement of their craft: insight, energy management, and the power of will.
Insight
Insight is increasing your sensitivity to the world around you. This involves a heightened awareness of oneself, others, the natural world, and the spiritual realm.
Some people are naturally more perceptive than others, but anyone can learn to be more perceptive by simply becoming more self-aware, empathic, and intuitive. Our capacity to appropriately identify ourselves is a sign of self-awareness. We accomplish this by focusing on ourselves and comparing what we think about ourselves to objective realities.
To demonstrate empathy, we must comprehend and share the sentiments of others. This ability and, thus, our awareness, are developed through focusing on the needs of others. It is possible to understand something intuitively without using conscious thought. By having profound confidence in ourselves and acting on it to work our craft, we may use this ability to improve our lives.
Energy Management
Energy is a crucial component of many witches’ practices because it is what keeps the world spinning. To manage your energy like a pro, make sure you get enough sleep and eat a healthy, earth-based diet to keep your body and mind in tip-top shape.
And after laying a solid foundation, you might want to think about the energy management strategies of increasing energy, projecting energy, sensing energy, and absorbing energy.
- Raising Energy: the process of establishing a certain frequency of energy inside of yourself (emotions work well for this) and elevating that energy to a much more potent state.
- Projecting Energy: the capacity to transfer your internal energy to another person, thing, or desired outcome. It is the movement of energy between two locations.
- Sensing Energy: The capacity to traverse, describe and classify various energy sources into an emotion, an idea, or a frequency.
- Absorption Energy: The capacity to purposefully draw in desirable energies to achieve your desired outcomes. For instance, relaxing energies may be absorbed to reduce tension if you’re feeling it.
Power of Will
The ability of power of will requires us to cultivate a powerful mind. The ability to create and bring about changes in our life comes from the mind.
Witches occasionally opt to strengthen their minds in three different ways, such as by being consistent, controlling their subconscious, and intentional focusing. You will achieve better results by consistent dedication to your craft than by dabbling. The witch who practices regularly develops her skills and sharpens her abilities.
Many people are unaware that their subconscious beliefs and programming dictate a great bulk of their daily behaviors. Witches are aware of this, and to eliminate undesirable effects from our magic, we deliberately reprogram limiting ideas, untruths, and negative energies every day.
Focus is the capacity to maintain mental concentration on a single task at a time. Spellwork requires mental concentration to guarantee that the desired result is crystal clear and unambiguous.
TYPES OF WITCHES
There are numerous traditions, styles, paths, and organizational structures associated with witchcraft. This holds true for any group of individuals who want to use ritual to proclaim their divinity.
A method to categorize your practice is as a “type” of Witch.
This can help you connect with other witches, easily describe how you practice your Craft, learn more about your particular method, and more. Some Witches choose not to label themselves at all, while others prefer to categorize themselves according to their route (e.g., Right Hand Path Witch), their deity (e.g., Aphrodite Worshipper), their magickal practice (e.g., Cosmic Witch), or their magick.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose how you identify yourself (if at all).
TRADITIONAL WITCH
Traditional witches emphasize the old ways—the ways that existed before religions centered on witchcraft. Traditional witches place a high value on ancestral folklore and historical records of witchcraft because they seek to preserve the original practices of their profession.
Traditional witchcraft is a great place to start since it combines the various fragments of old witchcraft with contemporary folk-based rituals and beliefs. The current operational definition is based on these commonalities and customs.
It’s essential to understand that there are various traditions of witchcraft and that adhering to a set of guidelines isn’t necessary to be a traditional witch. Any new witch should start with traditional witchcraft if they are drawn to ancestor tradition and feel a connection to the “old ways” of doing things.
ECLECTIC WITCH
The eclectic witch is inspired by the various forms and styles of witchcraft and incorporates these elements into their work in a masterfully crafted mixture. An eclectic witch typically forges their own path, which varies from witch to witch.
Eclectic witchcraft is a way of life that draws from a wide range of customs, cultures, and inspirations. It is a path that is continuously changing and gloriously colorful. A Witch who takes this route is likely to start out using the practices and tools that feel the most natural to them before becoming deeply interested in learning why and how those particular tools fit into their profession in a magical setting.
The discerning Eclectic Witch goes to great lengths to make sure that all tools and traditions used in their affairs fit together cohesively in order to ensure that the magic is sound. And because they are open and welcoming of many diverse backgrounds, Eclectic Witches are continually shifting and broadening witchcraft in new and fascinating ways.
GREEN WITCH
More than most, green witches are drawn to the energy of the soil. They frequently practice their art in gardens, woodland areas, and other places that possess nature’s vital energies since they use plants, herbs, and flowers in much of their magick.
One who has a penchant for herbs and a green thumb is not always a “Green Witch.” Every day, the natural world is all around us and provides for us in ways that most people aren’t even aware of.
The green earth is the source of everything we consume, including the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. Green Witches are so inspired by this constant renewal that they feel called to practice their craft by working with plant energies and earth mother spirits.
Green witchcraft is all about allowing the natural energies of nature to permeate everything you do and allowing yourself to be open to those rhythms. Green witchcraft might be a natural fit for you if you enjoy spending time in nature, respect the forests, listen to peaceful streams, and are aware of the energetic properties of plants.
SOLITARY WITCH
A solitary witch decides to engage in solo practice of their art, where a coven of witches will be attracted to congregate. Solitary witches typically choose to practice their magick alone since they develop a deep bond with their profession early on and feel less of a desire to collaborate with others.
Most people who follow the path of solitary witchcraft do so by themselves. There are numerous benefits to taking this route. Perhaps there aren’t any covens or groups of witches nearby. Or perhaps you’re still developing your confidence and would prefer to handle things on your own. Solitary Witchcraft is ideal for you in either case.
You don’t require anything special to get started, although effective Solitary Witches nurture a few essential qualities. Organization, commitment, mental strength, and effective time management are a few of these qualities.
It’s important for you as a Solitary Witch to manage your time well and make magic a regular part of your life, because it’s easy to let the days and weeks pass without even the most basic of routines.
HEDGE WITCH
Astral projection and other methods of communication are used by hedge witches to “leap the hedge” between the physical world and the spirit world. They are more adept at communicating between the two worlds than ordinary witches.
The Hedge Witch is a very individualistic and frequently solitary type of Witch that respects nature and has a developed talent for communicating with spirits and traveling across other worlds.
Due to their distinctive nature, hedge witches are really described in a wide variety of ways, although they typically combine elements of herbalism, healing, and psychic awareness.
Hedge Witchcraft may be for you if you have a kinship with spirits or a desire to lift the veil between worlds while exhibiting reverence for the natural world and the healing of others.
KITCHEN WITCH
Kitchen witches love to bake, cook, and serve new guests. They do a large portion of their magick in the kitchen or at home. Their magick revolves around the home, which provides a welcoming, nourishing, and advantageous atmosphere for everyone who lives there.
A pleasant and loving method that anybody may utilize to incorporate magic into their daily life is kitchen witchcraft. It’s not surprising that kitchen witchcraft has such tremendous influence on so many witches in the present era given that cooking has historically been the most vital job performed at home.
This path is really easy to begin with, and all that is needed are focused intentions and a clean kitchen, regardless of whether you already cook for a large family or live alone.
ELEMENTAL WITCH
The four elements of water, fire, earth, and air are a major part of how elemental witches practice their trade. They invoke the elements to help them with their witchcraft and combine these components with diverse objects that each correspond to a particular element.
The energies and structures of the five traditional elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Spirit are connected to the witches who practice elementalism (sometimes referred to as Ether or Aether). By concentrating on each element’s inherent properties and incorporating them into our rituals and spells, we can produce outcomes by using these elements to draw power into magic.
Elemental witches purposefully alter the experiences provided by each of the elements to choose the direction of their own energy and the course of their own daily existence. Elemental witches are very aware of the emotions, energies, and sensations that the elements present to us on a daily basis.
SECULAR WITCH
Witches who are secular by nature are not required to adhere to any one belief system because witchcraft does not. Secular witches don’t associate their work with religion or worship supernatural beings in an effort to harness their power.
Secular witchcraft is a beautiful form of witchcraft that approaches magic in a non-theistic way. A secular approach to Witchcraft is a wonderful place to start if you’ve come from a really strict religious structure or you want to restart your spiritual path from scratch.
The Secular Witch strives to come to their own conclusions about their personal power and leaves room in their practice for new ideas and ways of thinking. They may distance themselves from some of the more popularly referenced spiritual dogmas in the process.
However, this does not imply that Secular Witches are entirely devoid of spirituality. In witchcraft, you forge your own path, so follow your instincts and what feels right to you!
CEREMONIAL WITCH
The ritualistic element is one that many witches favor over others. These witches, also known as ceremonial witches, use ceremonial magick to call upon a variety of spiritual entities to aid them in their practice and spellwork.
In order to achieve desired results, Ceremonial Magic employs numerous protracted, intricate, and sophisticated ceremonies. It is a very structured method of achieving enlightenment. This type of magic is frequently referred to as “High Magic,” because it is extremely ritualistic, getting its routine from books from ancient times.
The rituals are carried out in order to summon and invoke spirits from other planes of consciousness to help bring about desired results in ours. If you’re really traditional in nature and want to learn how to control your physical environment via organized, traditional ritualistic practices, this path might be perfect for you.
HEREDITARY WITCH
One who is born into witchcraft in some form is known as a hereditary witch. They come from a long line of witches, and they have adopted and continued the craft.
The term “hereditary witch” refers to a witch that follows folk magic or witchcraft customs that have been passed down through their family’s generations. Hereditary witchcraft is frequently practiced as a form of cultural expression as well, honoring ancestry while adhering to the customs and rituals of that culture’s deity.
If someone claims to be a “Hereditary Witch,” it most likely means that their parents first taught them the trade when they were very young, and the bloodline may even extend farther back through subsequent generations.
COSMIC WITCH
Cosmic witches employ astronomy, astrology, and the stars to practice their craft and rely on celestial energy to give it strength and direction. The majority of cosmic witches are fascinated by cosmic happenings.
The Cosmic Witch is a type of witch that works with the energies connected to the planets, celestial motions, and their accompanying movements. They have a unique bond with the universe and experience an upsurge in energy when dealing with the planets.
Many Witches already engage in aspects of Cosmic Witchcraft, such as reverencing the moon and adhering to her cycles or using star signs to study and apply to spellwork to increase the potency and speed of those spells.
The Cosmic Witch regularly works with the planets, stars, celestial occurrences, and even celestial deities. They commit their time and energy to understanding the cosmos.
SEA WITCH
A sea witch works their magic while drawing strength and ideas from the moon and the water. Many sea witches are drawn to this form of witchcraft by its profound mystery and persistent force, and they frequently incorporate components of the sea in their rituals.
The Sea Witch is frequently a solitary Witch who honors a strong connection to how the land and the sea interact. The weather is always changing, the tides are constantly changing due to the moon, and there are very active energies at work along the coast.
The element of water naturally plays a significant role in the work of the Sea Witch since they deal with the interaction of the elements in places where land meets the sea.
DIANIC WITCH
The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone are the three incarnations of Diana that Dianic witches revere. Typical Dianic witches strongly hold feminist beliefs and incorporate them into their work.
A subset of witchcraft known as Dianic embraces and praises the divine feminine in all facets of nature and beyond. Zsuzsanna Budapest created the Witchcraft movement.
Although it is not specifically recognized as a Wiccan tradition, Dianic Witches engage in many of the same rituals and ceremonies as conventional Wicca.
WICCAN WITCH
A witch who follows the contemporary paganism of Wicca is known as a Wiccan witch. Wicca is a religion that Gerald Gardner first established. Even while witchcraft might be a part of religious beliefs, it is not a religion and needs to be treated equally in the law.
ALEXANDRIAN WITCH
The Wiccan practice known as Alexandrian witchcraft was started in the 1960s by Alex and Maxine Sanders. Gardnerian Wicca and Alexandrian Wicca have many similarities, and Alexandrian Wicca is frequently mentioned as one of the religion’s most well-known lineages in Wicca publications.
The Alexandrian Witch, who greatly utilizes both feminine and masculine energies equally during ritual, reveres the existence and abilities of both. Most of the ceremonial focus in this amazingly diverse kind of Witchcraft is on this relationship between God and Goddess.
Alexandrian covens gather at Sabbat festivals, full moons, and new moons, so if you like the social component of your practice, Alexandrian Wicca might be a good fit for you.
GARDNERIAN WITCH
Gerald Gardner started sharing what he had discovered on his personal path in the 1950s, which led to the creation of the Gardnerian witchcraft School of Wicca. Gardnerian witches are typically deeply rooted in ritual and have strong ties to nature.
Gardnerian Witches take great pride in their ability to establish a direct line of teaching descent from Gerald Gardner, who popularized what is now known as British Traditional Witchcraft. This legendary way of magic gave rise to the Wiccan Rede, which many Gardnerian Witches base much of their practice on and which reads, “An it hurt none, do what thou wilt.”
The Gardnerian Witch respects the idea of planning an action before taking it, which is the fundamental idea of setting a clear intention before performing any ritual work. Gardnerian Wicca is a fantastic place to start if you’d want a nondogmatic approach to witchcraft.
BEGINNING YOUR CRAFT
There are a number of practices and many helpful magical correspondences that serve as examples of what a witch includes in their craft, even though there is no definition or defined standard of practice for witches.
This list is not meant to be comprehensive. Furthermore, not all witches must engage in these rituals. This list just illuminates the customs that witches have passed down through the ages and is intended to guide you as you begin your practice of witchcraft.
As always, be open-minded. Trust your gut. As you learn more about how to practice witchcraft, rely on the inner insight you were born with to lead you.
1. Animism
The term “animism” describes the souls, spirits, or energies that a witch might access. You can use creatures, plants, natural events, geographical features, and common objects to your benefit.
2. Divination
In divination, an object or artifacts are used to view things that are not visible to the typical person, such as answers to questions. To communicate with your higher self or inner spirit, interpretative techniques are used.
3. Herbalism
Herbalism is the practice of utilizing plants and herbs to get the desired result. Herbal remedies can be used as allies in both magical and everyday situations thanks to their benefits.
4. Ritual
Ritual is the act of performing a predetermined series of activities that are intended to produce a certain series of outcomes or happenings. Rituals are carried out when the desired result is required in order to produce the optimal result and a focused charge of energy.
5. Spirit Work
Spirit work involves learning how to communicate with spirits magically in order to eventually master both the spirit and material realms. Deities, ancestors (human or animal), or the particular energy or “vibration” of a plant or stone are examples of spirits.
SPELLCASTING & MAGIC(K)
Magic(k) and spellcasting are important ideas in witchcraft. This part will cover the definition of magic, its basic principles, the different kinds of spells, and how to use them. Let’s get started!
Magic
This includes casting spells, casting circles, imbuing objects, charging devices, and any other actions involving the passage of energy for the purpose of producing magic. Magic is simply actualization; it is when a person uses personal power, drawn power, and/or the power around them to affect change.
Different witches have various ways they prefer to express their magic, whether it be the manipulation of energy in addition to physical spell items, or performing a bit of folk magic as per tradition.
Magick (with a K)
Typically, this only pertains to High Magick or ceremonial magick. While completing a candle ritual for protection is considered lower-case m magic, magic carried out in accordance with High Magick’s principles and rituals is referred to as magick. Some of these techniques may already be a part of your witchcraft regimen. Many witches adapt and borrow ideas from various forms of magic, including ceremonial and High Magick, to utilize in their own unique traditions.
Magick is the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with one’s will.
– Aleister Crowley
Laws of Magick
The Laws (or Principles) of Magick are principles that explain how witchcraft and magic function; they are not rules. The top 24 Laws of Magick are mentioned below. Here are a few brief and easy definitions:
The Law of Attraction
You will receive back from the world what you have given out. The phrase “I want kindness so I will give kindness” is an example of manifestation by intention.
The Law of Knowledge
The power of knowledge. The more you understand something, the more you can use it, and the more control you have over it.
The Law of Self-Knowledge
Knowing oneself. The more self-aware you are, the better equipped you are to control your own destiny and bring about change in your own life.
The Law of Cause and Effect
The secret is consistency. You will always receive the exact same consequences if you perform the exact same activity under the exact same circumstances.
The Law of Synchronicity
No such thing as coincidence exists. Though it’s feasible, it’s exceedingly uncommon for two events to occur simultaneously if they aren’t connected in any manner.
The Law of Association
If any two patterns share any elements, those shared elements operate as a medium for interaction between the patterns.
The Law of Similarity
Control over anything is made easier when it has a precise physical or mental representation.
The Law of Contagion
After being separated, things or beings in physical contact still communicate with one another. More interaction equals a stronger bond.
The Law of Names
One has total power over something once they are aware of its full and true name.
The Law of Words of Power
Some words have enormous power. The force remains even though its meaning is obscured. As an illustration, even if you don’t really know what your name means, it still has a lot of influence.
The Law of Personification
Anything becomes an entity when it is personified, or given a personality or the appearance of being alive. This has numerous advantages: Personifying something in order to use it as a conduit for a deity is one instance.
The Law of Invocation
It is possible to create internal communication with entities that are either inside or outside of oneself, with the latter appearing to be inside of the former during the communication process.
The Law of Evocation
It is possible to establish external communication with entities that are either inside or outside of oneself, with the communicating parties appearing to be outside oneself at all times.
The Law of Identification
A sustained relationship or interaction with another (person, being, entity, etc.) might cause one to transform into that person or thing, gaining their abilities or knowledge. Therefore, possession is conceivable.
The Law of Personal Universes
Only our conscious perception of the world around us can be considered reality (and within us). It’s likely that various people have varied definitions of what “reality” is.
The Law of Infinite Universes
Multiple realities can exist simultaneously, whether they are yours (as in “multiple/alternate reality theory”) or different from someone else’s (for example, you may perceive reality differently than your friend does).
The Law of Pragmatism
A belief system becomes “real,” “true,” and “rational” to a person if it helps them cope, survive, or accomplish their goals.
The Law of True Falsehoods
Two belief systems can be in conflict with one another and nevertheless coexist. Basically, just because you don’t understand something doesn’t indicate that someone else won’t either. This summarizes the three statutes mentioned above.
The Law of Synthesis
A new pattern created by the combination of two “opposing” patterns will be more accurate than the two individual patterns. In other words, if two realities are understood by two different persons, the new reality will be more “true” or reasonable/comprehensible because it applies to more realities and may, thus, be accepted by a larger number of people.
The Law of Polarity
Any pattern of data can be divided into (at least) two “opposing” traits, each of which will have a core component of the other.
The Law of Opposites
By describing what it is not, the “opposite” of anything provides information about the original object. Because you now know about it, even if through its opposite, you have control or power over it. This illustrates once more how interrelated everything in the universe is.
The Law of Dynamic Balance
The key is balance. To experience all that life has to offer and live life to the fullest, one must allow themselves to refrain from extremes.
The Law of Perversity
Murphy’s Law. Anything that may go wrong will do so. Self-awareness and emotional stability can help keep things from spiraling out of control.
The Law of Unity
Every phenomenon that exists has some connection to every other phenomenon, whether it be in the past, present, or future.
Most Common Spell Types
You have access to many different sorts of spells. The most popular spells include those for full or new moons, protection, love, money, healing, banishment, and binding.
Remember that spells are highly individualized and potent objects as you explore them and consider casting them for yourself. Cast with care.
Protection Spells
A protection spell can be the greatest choice for you at that particular time if you sense that unfavorable or bad energy is starting to permeate your home or heart, or if a spirit or person has evil intentions toward you.
There are numerous protection spells you may cast from the comfort of your own home to help you achieve your goals, but I implore you to find the one that gives you the greatest confidence and uplifts you while you utilize protection Magic to ward off bad energy.
Banishing Spells
Because it gives us the ability to defend our energies and selves from bad persons and intentions, banishing is a regular practice for many witches. By casting banishment spells like these, we reclaim control over our lives and alter the course of events that might negatively impact us.
Binding Spells
Because they can influence the unfavorable forces, people, and circumstances that are preventing us from moving forward in life, binding spells are great to know. These spells are created to assist you in tying up those negative emotions so you may go on with your life. One of the best locations to employ sigils and symbols is in protection magic, therefore practice using them there.
Love Spells
Due to the intense emotions that surround love, Love Magic is strong. Employing spells to bring about the changes you want to see in the world, you can work your magic by using these strong tools, such as spell jars, candle magic, etc., as well as your thoughts and emotions.
By utilizing the strong intentions contained therein and a lot of candle magic, these spells are intended to help you attract love and romance.
Money Spells
Many people find the topic of money to be difficult, but many witches find freedom in the use of money magic. When we use the power of will to manifest greater plenty for ourselves, it comes to us in unexpected ways.
These spells are usually very herb-heavy to boost the efficiency of your spellwork and are wonderful for attracting that which you want most in terms of abundance.
Healing Spells
We all require healing at some point in our lives. When casting spells, it’s crucial to focus on the mind, body, and spirit, respectively. The healing energies you want to bring into your life and the lives of people you want to heal can be attracted through these spells.
Full Moon Spells
As witches, we profoundly experience the power of full moons, blue moons, harvest moons, and other types, and performing rituals and casting spells during a full moon can give our work a lot of power.
Moon magic has great power! Throughout the cycle, you can practice these spells during the full moon to bring the power of the moon below.
New Moon Spells
A new beginning can be started in your life by using new moon magic. These spells are straightforward and merely call for you to utilize the new moon’s energy.
How to Cast a Spell
In the world of witchcraft and magic, you might need to instigate change or control events to achieve your goals. The tools used to bring about this alteration are known as spells.
A spell can be any combination of words, deeds, and thoughts with the deliberate goal to change a circumstance by infusing fresh energy or influencing the dynamics of already existing energy.
Put simply, a spell includes three areas of focus to bring about desired change: the will, the intention, and the declaration. Contrary to popular opinion, casting a spell doesn’t require a lot of sophisticated ingredients! Although it is not required, using ingredients or making a sacred location can help when casting spells.
We’ve listed the three necessary steps for casting a spell here, along with the (optional) procedures of gathering materials & preparing a space:
1. Gather the Will
Your intention is driven by your will. It is what initiates the spell and distinguishes a spell from a wish. While a wish is only to hope, a will entails actual effort.
2. Set the Intention
Your spell’s intention is the result you hope to achieve. You can define the spell and acquire powerful ingredients to increase its strength by really understanding your intention.
2. Collect Your Ingredients*
If you want to use tools and ingredients in your magic, gather them in advance by matching your intention to things that emit the energy your spell calls for.
You can utilize herbs, candles, teas, smoke wands or incense, moon water, and other objects that make you happy however you see fit!
3. Set Your Space*
The majority of witches prefer to prepare a sacred place before casting their charms. Many people find a home altar to be ideal, while others prefer to perform their magic outdoors. In any case, having a peaceful, uncluttered, purified, and secure environment can be beneficial.
4. Declare & Visualize
Turn your focus within to establish a place within which you may operate so that you can communicate with your higher self. Transform the world you are currently aware of into the one your spirit resides in. Call on Deities, Spirits, or other energetic beings to help you with your magic if you work with them in other places.
Spells function in accordance with your intentions thanks to energy manipulation. Raise the energy around your intention by gathering your will and generating or raising your energy. Draw strength from within and transfer it into your spellwork.
Declaratory language is the precise language utilized to achieve your goal. Use affirmations that are simple to remember and visualize the result as it happens both internally and outside.
Recite your spell while incorporating your accumulated energy. Concentrate intently on the goal you want to manifest, and as you see it happening, feel the powerful feelings that its fulfillment will bring about in your life and the lives of others.
Important Spell Work Tips
Now that you are aware of the fundamental procedures for casting spells, let’s discuss some factors you ought to think about before starting any spellwork:
- Candle Associations & Fire Safety: You are aware of the best candle size and color to burn for your spell. It’s also crucial to understand how to anoint candles, keep an eye out for potential fire threats, and recognize everyday encounters that could influence how your candle behaves.
- Crystal Care: You are aware of the crystals that will strengthen your intentions as well as those that are resistant to fading in the sun, water, and salt.
- Herbal Awareness & Safety: You are aware of the ideal herbs for a variety of spells, as well as which herbs should not be consumed, inhaled, or burned.
- Mundane Interactions: You are aware, as a witch, that the mundane world can obstruct your spellcasting.
- Sigils & Activation: You are knowledgeable as to what sigils are, how they help you achieve your goals, and how to use them effectively.
- Spellcraft: You are familiar with the tools to use, the ingredients needed, and the proper assembly procedures because you are versed in the spell’s construction. So to speak, you are familiarized with the spell’s requirements and instructions.
DAILY WITCHCRAFT PRACTICES
Witchcraft may be simply included in your everyday routines, morning, day, and night, no matter how busy you are or what your schedule looks like!
It doesn’t have to be incredibly difficult to practice your profession and apply it to your actual, everyday life. If you want to maintain your connection to your personal craft and add a little bit of enchantment to your days, try these everyday witchcraft rituals:
- Meditate for 5-20 minutes
- Read tarot/runes/scry/etc. for 10 minutes
- Cleanse yourself and your room
- Read a witchcraft book for 10+ minutes
- Wear a crystal
- Pray to your deities/give offerings to important spirits in your life
- Journal in your Book of Shadows or Grimoire
5 THINGS EVERY NEW WITCH SHOULD KNOW
There is no manual for becoming a witch. There is no First Church of Mother Earth, no Ten Commandments of Witchcraft, and no Temple Beth Herne.
No one tells you what to do, which is both its beauty and its challenge. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before beginning this route:
Forget What You’ve Learned
Unlearn to learn. Let me let you in on a little secret: witches, more than anyone, adore movies and television shows about witches.
It’s a lot of fun to watch movies like The Craft and TV episodes like Buffy and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. However, the witchcraft and spells they demonstrate are not authentic.
For example, even if you had the ability to flick your desire like Harry Potter, you will never be able to teleport somewhere else. The theatrical portrayals of witchcraft in popular culture are unrepresentative of real witchcraft because spells have effects the same as other actions.
Know Yourself
Spend some time reflecting on your goals and really examining your heart and spirit. You should connect with your own spirit as well as the universe through your altar, which you may (and should!) do. You’ll find it simpler to concentrate your intent if you have a deeper understanding of who you are.
Open Your Mind & Heart
Witches come in different shapes and sizes: Cosmic Witches, Hedge Witches, Eclectic Witches, and more! Truth can be found anywhere. Allow wisdom from all directions.
Start Your Own Book of Shadows
A book called a Book of Shadows contains spells, rituals, and other hidden information. Consider it to be somewhat like a logbook of your magical adventures. It doesn’t have to be fancy; a plain notebook would do.
However, because it’s significant, you should treat it with respect. If you want, you can decorate it with artwork, photos, and other materials significant to you in terms of witchcraft and magic.
Walk Your Own Path
By becoming a witch, you are embarking on a beautiful journey. There isn’t a guidebook or recipe for you to follow. The form that your witchcraft will take is entirely up to you.
So, take risks, experiment with new spells and rituals, and spend time in solitude. You will be led in the right direction by your spirit. There is no place in the universe where magic does not exist. You will start to notice witchcraft all around you once you begin using it.
COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
As they begin their path, new witches have a ton of questions. To answer any questions you may still have, we’ll try to address the most frequent ones in this section.
Why Am I Attracted to Witchcraft?
This question frequently displays the unpleasant stigma associated with being able to confidently pick one’s own spiritual path.
Because witchcraft is regarded as “devil worship” or taboo, people (including yourself!) frequently feel embarrassed about their affinity to it. It’s neither of these things, and if you’re drawn to witchcraft it’s because you’re eager to start your own path to strength, freedom, and a better way, whether that path includes witchcraft or something else entirely.
Are Wicca and Witchcraft the Same?
No. Witchcraft is a liberating, adaptable, and strong method of interacting with the forces, ghosts, and natural components of our environment. There is no manual, framework, detailed instruction manual, or governing organization that prescribes how and what we practice. Wicca is an organized tradition of witchcraft and a great way to get started as one, however neither Wicca nor any other organized tradition defines witchcraft.
Is Witchcraft Evil?
Are you evil? In that case, your witchcraft might be. Evil is a human idea for people who are incredibly immoral and decidedly wicked. This description doesn’t fit any real witches I’ve ever encountered.
Can Anyone Be a Witch?
Yes! Anyone can be a witch and all are welcome, even though some are more suitable for the craft than others. You’ll rank right up there with the finest of witches if you have an open mind, share your life experience, and give back whenever you can.
I Tried a Spell and It Didn’t Work, What Now?
Remain patient! There is no one correct way to cast spells, and it’s possible that you’re still developing your inner strength. Visit this page’s “how to cast a spell” section again, and get well-versed in the suggestions made there. Magic is amazing because it frequently operates in mysterious ways and manifests even when we are not able to perceive it.
Another little-discussed aspect of casting spells that is important to understand is when a spell fails or backfires. This doesn’t imply that you performed the spell improperly or without sufficient purpose. Spells occasionally just don’t work.
How Do I Tell People I’m A Witch?
The short answer is, you don’t have to.
Witchcraft is a very personal path, so it’s usually a good idea to only disclose the most private and intimate details of who we are with those we can trust.
You should always show your genuine colors and feel free to express everything about yourself, but keep in mind the many things about life and the natural world that still remain in mystery – they do not compromise their integrity in the quiet art they do; rather, they merely provide others who desire to pay attention the chance to gain from their authenticity.
EXTRA RESOURCES
Witchcraft Books for Beginners:
- Liber Null & Psychonaut: An Introduction to Chaos Magic // Peter J. Carroll
- Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Ceremonial Magick: A Comprehensive Guide to the Western Mystery Tradition // Lon Milo DuQuette & Stephen Skinner
- Practical Elemental Magic: Working the Magick of the Four Elements in the Western Mystery Tradition // Sorita d’Este & David Rankine
- Practical Planetary Magic: Working the Magick of the Classical Planets in the Western Mystery Tradition // Sorita d’Este & David Rankine
- The British Book of Spells & Charms // Graham King
- The Golden Bough // Sir James George Frazer
- The Kybalion // Three Initiates
- The Little Work: Magic to Transform Your Everyday Life // Durgadas Allon Duriel
Witchcraft Starter Kits
These witchcraft starter kits from Etsy are perfect for the beginner witch!
We’ve gathered our top 3 favorite witch kits built with the beginner in mind: each kit comes with specially selected herbs, candles, incense, crystals, and other magical goodies, containing everything you need to begin your new journey into witchcraft.
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