Beginners Witchcraft

So, you have taken your first step into familiarizing yourself with witchcraft, it is important for you to understand that it isn't just a fun game to play, the perks of hexes and love spells can come with a price. There are methods of protection so, don't get too alarmed and choose to turn your head to the idea of it.

There is an abundance of types of witchcraft, so there is no shortage of choices for you to choose from. Paganism is a word that you will come across often, it is an umbrella term for religions, and modern-day practitioners are called neo-pagans. Another term that is one of the more popular terms and one that you may already have heard in the past before getting into your research, Wicca, is a religion that was founded by Gerald Gardner, the Father of Wicca.

One of the most important steps, in my opinion, and one that I familiarized myself with first, is to learn the basic terminology. There is a comprehensive guide to terminology by Shelley Rabinovitch and James Lewis, the Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism, it will give you the chance to deep dive into it and get a larger understanding of commonly used words in the world of witchcraft.

Study, study, study, it is one thing you need to do before you even think about proceeding, this is the best way to really know what you are signing up for. Before flipping your way through your spellbooks. This may seem like an obvious thing, but make sure to do your research since modern-day witchcraft is pieced together by a mixture of legends and translated historical documents. Now, taking a couple of steps back, I will mention knowing your risks, Katherine Howe, who is a descendant of Salem's accused witches, wrote a book called The Penguin Book of Witches, this book goes over witch-related history dating back to the 1600s. But, if you want an easier read and a more firsthand read, Stewart Farrar's What Witches Do is a book that recounts his personal experience being involved with a coven that was led by Alex and Maxine Sanders.

So, after doing some research, and knowing you are still interested, start with the basics. A great book to start with is Wicca for Beginners, by Lisa Chamberlain, this is basically Wicca 101. But, there are many more books where that came from, so your research doesn't have to stop there. If you want to take a deeper dive, look into Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by the late Margot Adler, who was a Wiccan priestess.

Now, after your late nights of studying and note-taking, (feel like you're in school again?) Start to gather materials! Depending on what type of witchcraft you want to pursue, there are essential items that many beginner witches should look into getting to jumpstart themselves. Candles, oils, roots, and herbs for rituals; and spells books, tarot cards, potions ingredients, cauldrons, and if you are into psychism, a crystal ball.

Practicing is key, there are places to learn and try out basic rituals, and to familiarize yourself with the different crystals and uses for them. Keep a record in your Book of Shadows so you can return to it to keep a fresh mind.

Now, it may be time to find your coven, but, you have to have patience. You may get overwhelmed at first, covens are everywhere across the globe, but, their strength in numbers will help you avoid being bound by oaths and involved with a coven that you may not be that into. For starters to really take in perspective on how many covens there truly are, in the New York metro alone, there are about 80 covens to choose from. There is also an annual Pagan Pride Day festival. But, if you want to delve into the social justice route of witchcraft, if you are brave enough to face the death threats and protests from Christan protestors, get into contact with Melissa Madara, she is an owner of the Bushwick occult store called Catland Books, she held the infamous gathering to hex Brett Kavanaugh.

But if all of that doesn't appeal to you, and you are more into the shier and solitary side, don't get too worried, the internet has now made it easier to get into witchcraft. There is an abundance of message boards, reading lists, and podcasts. There is even a growing community on Instagram where you can find tips and tricks, so, don't fret if you are still unsure what direction you wish to go in, there are plenty of resources out there for baby witches!