Original post: ladymia
Hello
I am just starting out in the witchcrafting field and i need some advice on how to get started. For example, i need some advice on magikal tools, spells, initiation ceremonies, and basic, good to know, knowledge. So if you have anything to give to a new witch feel free.
Thanks
Just starting out.
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Just starting out.
Original post: Winter
Well, before you worry about spells, initiations and tools, you must first have knowledge. Many covens still follow the old "Year and a day" rule about their initiates.
I would suggest going to google and typing in what you want to know about and starting to read. And read and read again.
Then, when you are done reading all that, think on it for a month. Then go back and reread it all again.
Witchcraft is a state of mind, a lifestyle, a life choice and a calling all rolled into one. The knowledge and information you glean for yourself will determine where you end up in your craft. While studying, you'll find a billion and two traditions and practices. Find one that calls to you. Study it exclusively for a year. Then start over. Pick another path or tradition and study it for a year. Repeat ad nauseum.
The best advice for any beginner is to start reading anything and everything they can get their hands on. Study with a critical eye and you'll soon sever the bullshit from the useful.
In all this studying, you will find there are certain paths and philosophies that draw you. Study them. Then study their opposers.
Witchcraft is about finding the balance within yourself. You'll learn many ways to do this, but do it you will.
*Winter*
Well, before you worry about spells, initiations and tools, you must first have knowledge. Many covens still follow the old "Year and a day" rule about their initiates.
I would suggest going to google and typing in what you want to know about and starting to read. And read and read again.
Then, when you are done reading all that, think on it for a month. Then go back and reread it all again.
Witchcraft is a state of mind, a lifestyle, a life choice and a calling all rolled into one. The knowledge and information you glean for yourself will determine where you end up in your craft. While studying, you'll find a billion and two traditions and practices. Find one that calls to you. Study it exclusively for a year. Then start over. Pick another path or tradition and study it for a year. Repeat ad nauseum.
The best advice for any beginner is to start reading anything and everything they can get their hands on. Study with a critical eye and you'll soon sever the bullshit from the useful.
In all this studying, you will find there are certain paths and philosophies that draw you. Study them. Then study their opposers.
Witchcraft is about finding the balance within yourself. You'll learn many ways to do this, but do it you will.
*Winter*
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Original post: Sud Ram
There is also a Beginner Information forum where you can post this kind of questions.
There is also a Beginner Information forum where you can post this kind of questions.
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Original post: doh
I agree with SudRam. I would suggest asking general questions in the beginners forum and more specific questions in the forum that it applies to most. I'm going to move this to the beginner's forum, though.
I agree with SudRam. I would suggest asking general questions in the beginners forum and more specific questions in the forum that it applies to most. I'm going to move this to the beginner's forum, though.
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Original post: Anubis RainHawk
Most Witches start from reading books. Go to your library and bookstore and try to read as much as u can. Bare in mind, though, thay you shouldn't believe everything you read. A great beginner's book is "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" by Christopher Penczak.
Anubis RainHawk
Most Witches start from reading books. Go to your library and bookstore and try to read as much as u can. Bare in mind, though, thay you shouldn't believe everything you read. A great beginner's book is "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" by Christopher Penczak.
Anubis RainHawk
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Original post: palindroem
As well, remember that there are at least several kinds of "witch". You may need to ask yourself some defining questions (always, defining at this moment, you can change and grow tho).
Witchcraft . . . religiously . . . do you believe in a "God and Goddess" or not and are just interested nature and magick . . . or just magick. There all good, just a bit different from each other.
Do you find yourself to be a structured, organized person or more of a free-form, go-with-the-flow person. This can help point you in the kind of magick and group association that you work best in.
At this point in your life (and remember, you will grow and change) do you "feel" most comfortable with magick thats deep incantations and "power" words or do you prefer magick that relates to herbs, scents and "lighter" visualizations? Neither is inherently more powerful then the other, except for how the practitioner performs.
Of course, read read read. And, practice practice practice. Look for some exercises you can do regularly. Move towards what you feel is best for yourself, allow yourself to grow into new things as the time is right.
As well, remember that there are at least several kinds of "witch". You may need to ask yourself some defining questions (always, defining at this moment, you can change and grow tho).
Witchcraft . . . religiously . . . do you believe in a "God and Goddess" or not and are just interested nature and magick . . . or just magick. There all good, just a bit different from each other.
Do you find yourself to be a structured, organized person or more of a free-form, go-with-the-flow person. This can help point you in the kind of magick and group association that you work best in.
At this point in your life (and remember, you will grow and change) do you "feel" most comfortable with magick thats deep incantations and "power" words or do you prefer magick that relates to herbs, scents and "lighter" visualizations? Neither is inherently more powerful then the other, except for how the practitioner performs.
Of course, read read read. And, practice practice practice. Look for some exercises you can do regularly. Move towards what you feel is best for yourself, allow yourself to grow into new things as the time is right.
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Original post: Whitefyre
Read, read, read, read, read, and discuss. There are enough beginner books out there to choke a horse. Scott Cunningham's books were helpful to me and very straight forward. I also enjoyed Silver RavenWolf, but there are many that do not like her writing style. Learn the basics first. What elements correspond with what directions (north, west, etc.) I would suggest not trying to perform any "magick" until you know exactly what you are dealing with. It's like trying to drive a car without ever even riding as a passenger. I have been lightly studying magick and magickal arts for seven years now, and I still don't actually perform any magickal "ceremonies". If you feel you want to perform some sort of magick, do it only on yourself. Concentrate on yourself, who knows what could happen if you direct your energy out. You may have a lot of potential and not know it yet. The whole year and a day thing is a good idea. I've been starting over on my year and a day for the last seven years (because I am SO extremely focused and I've NEVER been known to procrastinate!!! :roll: . Don't rush it... it will be that much better if you are patient with yourself and give yourself the time to learn.
Read, read, read, read, read, and discuss. There are enough beginner books out there to choke a horse. Scott Cunningham's books were helpful to me and very straight forward. I also enjoyed Silver RavenWolf, but there are many that do not like her writing style. Learn the basics first. What elements correspond with what directions (north, west, etc.) I would suggest not trying to perform any "magick" until you know exactly what you are dealing with. It's like trying to drive a car without ever even riding as a passenger. I have been lightly studying magick and magickal arts for seven years now, and I still don't actually perform any magickal "ceremonies". If you feel you want to perform some sort of magick, do it only on yourself. Concentrate on yourself, who knows what could happen if you direct your energy out. You may have a lot of potential and not know it yet. The whole year and a day thing is a good idea. I've been starting over on my year and a day for the last seven years (because I am SO extremely focused and I've NEVER been known to procrastinate!!! :roll: . Don't rush it... it will be that much better if you are patient with yourself and give yourself the time to learn.
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minatour87
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Re: Just starting out.
Has anyone read The Occult: A history By Colin Wilson?
In my mind, just starting out, I need a high level view of the traditions before selecting one.
My point of view is Tibetan Buddhism where lineage is valued.
peace
Minatour87
In my mind, just starting out, I need a high level view of the traditions before selecting one.
My point of view is Tibetan Buddhism where lineage is valued.
peace
Minatour87