Witchcraft For Beginners

Witchcraft can mean many different things, depending on who you ask. It’s common to hear it quickly associated with the tradition of Wicca, but Wicca, or any other tradition for that matter, does not define witchcraft.

So what definition can we use? Is there a clear explanation or step-by-step plan available to those who want to explore its magic? There is not. And perhaps that’s the most alluring aspect of witchcraft…

The idea is that a deeper connection to one’s self is required to explore the energy that surrounds us minute by minute. The emphasis that it places on reconnecting to one’s intuition… And the desire it creates to discover the secrets of the natural world, and in turn, our higher self’s deep-rooted power to manipulate the way we experience the world.

How To Become A Witch

By its essential nature, witchcraft is the tool we use to interact with the spiritual world. If you’re new to all of this, you might have a desire to quantify the concept of what the spiritual world represents, and for you to do that is a natural desire of your rational mind. But you won’t find a clearly defined explanation here.

There are no prerequisite beliefs necessary to practice witchcraft. There is no guiding book or institution that predestines the practices and knowledge that you’ll accept. You are in control of your own life, and it is simply your choice to practice the craft that makes you a witch.

And it’s that fact–that witchcraft has no standardized set of beliefs–that allows you to choose the practices that make up your craft, and to commune with others who share a common thread.

Two witches can follow different paths and show reverence for the same natural world. It’s this divergence from definition that gives witchcraft its power and gives you the power to change your world.  

Even so, baby witches commonly develop three main personal skills to help them develop their craft.

Insight

Insight is increasing your sensitivity to the world around you. This includes a greater sensitivity to yourself, other people, nature and the spiritual world.

Some are born more insightful than others, but this skill can be developed simply by bringing more awareness to a few areas in your life, like self awareness, empathy and intuition.

Self awareness is our ability to accurately describe ourselves. We do this by turning our assessment inward, and by validating what we believe is true about ourselves against outside truths.

Empathy asks us to understand and share the feelings of another. It’s by turning our attention to the well-being of others that we develop this skill and in turn, our insight

Intuition is the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. We can apply this ability in our lives by trusting ourselves and acting on that deep trust to work our craft.

Power Of Will

Power of will is a skill that asks us to develop a strong mind. It is the mind that allows us to create and bring forth changes in our lives.

Witches sometimes choose to cultivate mental strength in three areas, such as consistency, subconscious control and focus.

Consistent attention to your craft will give you better results than dabbling. The witch who practices daily sharpens her mind and improves her craft.

Many people don’t know that a vast majority of their daily actions are controlled by their subconscious thoughts and programming. Witches understand this, and we actively reprogram limiting beliefs, untruths and bad energies daily to remove unwanted results in our magic.

This is the ability to remain mentally focused on one thing at a time. Mental focus is necessary in spellwork to ensure the desired outcome is clear and without ambiguity.

Energy Management

Energy is what makes the world go round and it’s an essential part of many witches’ craft. Make sure you’re well-rested and fueling your mind and body with a clean diet from the earth.

And with that good foundation in place, you may want to consider the following energy management areas of raising energy, projecting energy, sensing energy and absorbing energy

Raising energy is the process of creating some frequency of energy (emotions work well) inside of yourself and raising that energy into a much more powerful state.

Projecting energy is the ability to take the energy created within yourself and imbuing that energy into or onto an object, person or desired outcome. It’s the transfer of energy from one area to another.

Sensing energy is the ability to navigate and define different fields of energy and categorize them into an emotion, idea or frequency.

Absorbing energy is the ability to intentionally draw in desired energies to accomplish your desired outcomes. For example, if you’re stressed, calming energies may be absorbed to neutralize that stress.

Beginning Witchcraft

While there is no definition or set standard of practice for witches, there do exist several practices and many useful magical correspondences that exemplify what a witch incorporates into his or her craft.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. And by no means are these practices essential to every witch. This list merely sheds light on the practices that have been handed down through the ages among witches and are meant to help you start down your path of witchcraft.

Keep an open mind. Trust your intuition. Rely on the inner clarity you were born with to guide you as you learn more ways to practice witchcraft.

Herbalism

Herbalism is the practice of using herbs and plant materials to achieve the desired outcome. Herbalism has applications in both magical and practical ways, and its benefits can be used as herbal allies in both manners.

Divination

Divination involves the use of an object or objects to gain answers to questions or to see events, that are not perceptible to the average person. The use of interpretive tools is used to relay guidance through your inner spirit or higher self.

Animism

Animism refers to the souls, spirits, or energy that may be tapped into by the witch. Animals, plants, natural phenomena, geographic features, and everyday objects may be manipulated to your advantage.

Spirit Work

Spirit work is the discovery of how to magically develop relationships with spirits and ultimately master both the spirit and material worlds. Spirits can include deities, ancestors (human or animal), or the specific energy or “vibration” of a plant or stone.

Ritual

Ritual is the practice of taking a defined set of actions that are designed to create a specific set of events or results. Rituals are performed when the desired outcome is needed as a way to create an ideal outcome and focused charge of energy.

How To Cast A Spell

Gather The Will

Will is the drive behind your intention. It’s what brings the spell into existence and what differentiates a wish from a spell… Will requires real work, while a wish is just hope.

Set The Intention

The intention is what outcome you desire out of the spell. Understanding your intention at a deep level will help you define the spell and gather effective materials to enhance its power.

Declare & Visualize

The declaration is the specific words used to bring about your outcome. Use easily repeatable affirmations and visualize as you feel the outcome taking place within and without.

In the world of magic, the need may arise to create change or manipulate outcomes in accordance with your will.

It is spelled that act as the tools for this change to arise.

A spell can be any combination of words, actions, and thoughts combined with a purposeful intention to alter a situation by introducing new energy or manipulating the existing energy.

But put simply, a spell can include three areas of focus to bring about change:

The will, the intention and the declaration.

Spell Casting Steps

Write The Spell

Write your spell on a piece of paper. Take the time to make it meaningful and easy to recite. Rhymes help with this, and so does keeping things concise. Include your affirmation and be specific!

Collect Your Ingredients

If you’re interested in using tools and ingredients in your spell, collect them beforehand by matching your intention to items that emit the energy you are desiring to bring forward in your spell. Herbs, candles, teas, smoke wands, magic wands, or incense, cleansing water and other items that bring you satisfaction are all great ingredients to use in the way that you see fit.

Create Your Space

Creating a sacred space is something many witches prefer to do before they begin to work their spells. A home altar is ideal for many, while others like to work their magic in nature. In any case, your space can benefit from being quiet, distracted-free and purified and protected.

Center Yourself

Now that you’ve created a space to work within, turn your attention inward to connect with your higher self. Shift your consciousness from the world you live in into the world your spirit inhabits. If you work your magic with Deities, Spirits, or other energetic beings, call on them to assist your magic here.

Raise Your Energy

Energy manipulation is the core of what makes spells work according to your will. Gather your will, ignite your passion and raise the energy that surrounds your intention. Draw power from within and project it into your work.

Perform Your Spell

Recite your spell infusing the energy you’ve drawn up. Focus deeply on the intention you desire to bring into reality, and visualize your outcome coming to fruition while you feel the deep emotions its success evokes in your life and the lives of others.

Types Of Witches

Witchcraft comes in many different traditions, styles, paths and organizational structures. This is true for any group of people who wish to express their divinity through ritual practice.

What you won’t find in Witchcraft is one dogma or absolute rule of how to practice the craft of the wise.

So, which type of Witch are you? Use the links below to find out more!

5 Things Modern Witches Need To Know

No one tells you how to be a witch. There’s no statement of belief, no 10 commandments of witchcraft, no First Church of Mother Earth, and no Temple Beth Herne.

The beauty, and challenge, of witchcraft, is that no one tells you what to do.

The closest thing to a commandment is the Threefold Law– whatever you do will come back to you threefold (think about THAT the next time you steal a parking space!).

Still, there are some things that you should know before you start on this path.

Forget What You’ve Learned

Let me tell you a secret- witches love movies and TV shows about witches as much as anyone.

Movies like The Craft and TV shows like Buffy the The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina are really fun to watch.

But the witchcraft and the spells they show have nothing to do with the real thing. For instance, you will never be able to teleport somewhere else, even if you can flick your want like Harry Potter.

Real witchcraft is nothing like the dramatic scenes in popular culture, and spells, just like anything else, have consequences.

Know Yourself

At its heart, witchcraft is nothing more than focused intent. You shape your desire and your will makes it manifest.

Sounds simple, right? Well, it is and it isn’t. To truly have focused intent, you need to understand yourself and your desire. You need to meditate.

Witches have altars. Altars are a sacred space, where spells are cast, prayers are made and rituals are performed. They’re also a place for reflection and meditation.

Take time to really examine your heart and your spirit and what you wish to accomplish. You can (and should!) use you altar to connect with the universe, but you should also connect with your own spirit.

Once you know yourself more intimately, you will find it easier to focus your intent.

Open Your Mind & Heart

There are all kinds of witches out there, Green Witches, Solitary Witches, Eclectic Witches and more.

Once you start on this path, you will meet all kinds of witches with all kinds of philosophies. Each one will have something to teach you, even if her point of view is very different from yours.

Truth is where you find it.

Open your heart and let wisdom in from all around you.

Start Your Own Book of Shadows

A Book of Shadows is a book containing spells, rituals, and other secrets.

Think of it a little like a journal of your experience with magic.

It doesn’t have to be elaborate, a simple notebook will do, but since it is important, make sure that you treat it as sacred.

You can decorate it if you like with drawings and pictures and items that are important to you, as related to witchcraft and magic.

Walk Your Own Path

By learning witchcraft, you are at the start of a wonderful adventure.

You aren’t given a map or a recipe to follow. Only you can decide what shape your witchcraft will take.

So take chances, learn and try new rituals and spells, and spend time in quiet meditation.

Your spirit will guide you to the places where you should go. There is nowhere in the universe that is without magic.

Once you start working with witchcraft, you will begin to see it all around you.

Common Questions Answered

There are so many questions new witches have as they start their journey. We’ll try to answer the most common ones we get here in this section to clear up any questions you still have.

If you have a specific question you’d like to ask, feel free to get in touch and we’ll respond to you within 24 hours.