Post by Nox on Jun 29, 2016 2:22:56 GMT
A note from OP: Ghoul requested that I do a 101 post about Witchcraft in general. How to get started and such. So here are my notes on becoming a witch.
You need to identify your reasons for wanting to practice witchcraft.
This may not seem very important, but trust me, it is. Your reasons will impact which paths you lean more towards and what you use your magick for. A sense of identity is vital to nurturing a healthy amount of intention. And intention is the battery that makes this baby go.
Ask questions. Acquire teachers or mentors.
There is a reason witchcraft is called a ‘practice’. We are always learning. So pick your teachers wisely. At the end of this post is a list of books and blogs that you may find helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and remember that the universe and nature is our best teacher, and she is always willing to guide us should we be willing to learn.
Pick your path.
Decide what kind of witch you wanna be. This can change at any time, and you can have multiple paths at once. For example, I am a Green, Storm, Sun, Kitchen, and Solitary Witch. For now. There are no rules saying you have to be a certain thing. You just have to know what that thing is. Once again, knowing who you are and what you want is pretty important to conducting magick.
Pick your deities.
Or let them pick you. However you wanna role. Or if you want to be a secular witch, you don’t need deities. Personally, I have a massive pantheon that is always growing. I acknowledge hundreds of gods but I am only a devotee of a select few. You are not your deity’s servant. It is a partnership. You are their companion, and they are yours. Together you will do fucking amazing things. Also, remember to steer clear of appropriating closed religions and cultures. Native American religions, for example, are completely off limits.
Make witchy friends.
Here on tumblr, the witching community is alive and for the most part, very friendly. Hell, I will be your witch friend if you want me to. Friends are not VITAL to becoming a witch, but they sure make it a hell of a lot more fun. Who else are you gonna gush to about that beautiful amethyst cluster you found at the rock shop? Witchy friends are also great to learn from, and to teach. Witches should always try to learn from one another. Surrounding yourself with equally curious and magickal minds will do you good.
Start hoarding.
You heard me. HOARD! Hoard jars especially. Hoard dirt from different areas. Hoard storm water. Hoard sand. Hoard seashells. Hoard rocks. Hoard crystals. Hoard herbs. Hoard books. Hoard hoard hoard! Collecting is a big part of most witchy paths.
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
Don’t just wander willy nilly into a dragon’s astral cave. BE PREPARED. Study and meditate on your actions before you do them. Especially when it comes to summoning magickal creatures or placing curses on people.
Curses. We all wanna know.
Whether or not you curse is all up to you. Some witches do it, some don’t. Just depends on which path you follow and what you believe. Personally, I do curse in extreme circumstances (like my r*pists), as it helps me cope. I never actually try to bring physical harm or death on another person. But that’s just my belief. If someone has wronged you or is just a terrible human being in general, a justice spell may be what you are looking for. There are witches out there that just curse to curse. Its all a matter of opinion, really. Just tread carefully.
What you have to look forward to
Being a witch is literally magical. If you nurture your powers properly, you can learn to talk to trees, acquire familiars, befriend dragons and other magical creatures, astral travel or “flying”, talk to the dead, work with gods and goddesses, cast powerful spells, make kickass potions, heal yourself and your loved ones, protect yourself and your loved ones, seek guidance from crystals, and just generally enhance your life and the lives of those around you. It’s a hellova ride. Enjoy it.
Violet’s favorite books:
Where to Park your Broomstick by Lauren Manoy
Named by the Moon by Curious Violet (shameless self plug haha)
Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible
The Mythical Creatures Bible by Brenda Rosen
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants by Susan Gregg
Leaves in Myth, Magic and Medicine by Alice Thomas Vitale
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall
SOURCE
You need to identify your reasons for wanting to practice witchcraft.
This may not seem very important, but trust me, it is. Your reasons will impact which paths you lean more towards and what you use your magick for. A sense of identity is vital to nurturing a healthy amount of intention. And intention is the battery that makes this baby go.
Ask questions. Acquire teachers or mentors.
There is a reason witchcraft is called a ‘practice’. We are always learning. So pick your teachers wisely. At the end of this post is a list of books and blogs that you may find helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and remember that the universe and nature is our best teacher, and she is always willing to guide us should we be willing to learn.
Pick your path.
Decide what kind of witch you wanna be. This can change at any time, and you can have multiple paths at once. For example, I am a Green, Storm, Sun, Kitchen, and Solitary Witch. For now. There are no rules saying you have to be a certain thing. You just have to know what that thing is. Once again, knowing who you are and what you want is pretty important to conducting magick.
Pick your deities.
Or let them pick you. However you wanna role. Or if you want to be a secular witch, you don’t need deities. Personally, I have a massive pantheon that is always growing. I acknowledge hundreds of gods but I am only a devotee of a select few. You are not your deity’s servant. It is a partnership. You are their companion, and they are yours. Together you will do fucking amazing things. Also, remember to steer clear of appropriating closed religions and cultures. Native American religions, for example, are completely off limits.
Make witchy friends.
Here on tumblr, the witching community is alive and for the most part, very friendly. Hell, I will be your witch friend if you want me to. Friends are not VITAL to becoming a witch, but they sure make it a hell of a lot more fun. Who else are you gonna gush to about that beautiful amethyst cluster you found at the rock shop? Witchy friends are also great to learn from, and to teach. Witches should always try to learn from one another. Surrounding yourself with equally curious and magickal minds will do you good.
Start hoarding.
You heard me. HOARD! Hoard jars especially. Hoard dirt from different areas. Hoard storm water. Hoard sand. Hoard seashells. Hoard rocks. Hoard crystals. Hoard herbs. Hoard books. Hoard hoard hoard! Collecting is a big part of most witchy paths.
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
Don’t just wander willy nilly into a dragon’s astral cave. BE PREPARED. Study and meditate on your actions before you do them. Especially when it comes to summoning magickal creatures or placing curses on people.
Curses. We all wanna know.
Whether or not you curse is all up to you. Some witches do it, some don’t. Just depends on which path you follow and what you believe. Personally, I do curse in extreme circumstances (like my r*pists), as it helps me cope. I never actually try to bring physical harm or death on another person. But that’s just my belief. If someone has wronged you or is just a terrible human being in general, a justice spell may be what you are looking for. There are witches out there that just curse to curse. Its all a matter of opinion, really. Just tread carefully.
What you have to look forward to
Being a witch is literally magical. If you nurture your powers properly, you can learn to talk to trees, acquire familiars, befriend dragons and other magical creatures, astral travel or “flying”, talk to the dead, work with gods and goddesses, cast powerful spells, make kickass potions, heal yourself and your loved ones, protect yourself and your loved ones, seek guidance from crystals, and just generally enhance your life and the lives of those around you. It’s a hellova ride. Enjoy it.
Violet’s favorite books:
Where to Park your Broomstick by Lauren Manoy
Named by the Moon by Curious Violet (shameless self plug haha)
Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible
The Mythical Creatures Bible by Brenda Rosen
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants by Susan Gregg
Leaves in Myth, Magic and Medicine by Alice Thomas Vitale
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall
SOURCE