If you are a complete beginner in witchcraft, or you are wondering how to get started in witchcraft, you are not alone.
This post is exactly for you.
It is the number one question I get asked as a practicing witch for over 20 years from a very witchy family. I am putting together this series to show you where to truly get started. It is going to be a little different from some of the resources out there because it is more in-depth and takes a different angle than just giving you information or instructions about tools, sabbats, and moons. There is plenty of that out there. What you really need is to know what to do with that information. That is what we are doing in this series. I’m showing you how to truly get started in witchcraft because I have led many beginners through this.
What is Witchcraft?
Witchcraft is a collective of practices that is unique to each practitioner. I like to view it as your craft, meaning it’s your personal spiritual practice. Witchcraft is where your spirituality and what you do in practice come together. What you create is your craft, just like a knitter has their craft or a woodworker has theirs. A witch is someone who dedicates themselves to that craft. Witchcraft isn’t tied to any single religion, though there are common themes and intersections. Practicing witchcraft often involves exploring your spirituality, but it is your own, shaped by you, as the witch, through your practice. It can align with any belief system you choose, but ultimately, witchcraft is developed by you, for you.
What is a Witch?
A witch today is someone reclaiming that word, often because in the past, witches were people who were persecuted: women, indigenous people, people of color, or anyone who looked or acted differently and did not fit the norms. They may have done things that were just part of their everyday life, like being in tune with nature, using agricultural calendars, or believing in older gods, things that today might be considered witchy. But many people accused of witchcraft were simply targeted for being different, whether that was their appearance, their culture, or their way of life. While there is debate, some think the word witch may have meant wise one. We do know that a couple of centuries ago, the word witch was recorded as something negative.
Today, a witch is someone who:
- Believes in magic and works with the energies around them, whether that means spirits, deities, vibrations, or something else.
- A witch values knowledge, not just collecting it, but turning it into wisdom through practice, which is their craft.
- A witch is someone who believes that magic and spirituality can be part of their life and works with those beliefs through their practice.
How to Get Started in Witchcraft
To get started in witchcraft, there are two important things I suggest you do as your homework.
- The first is to ask yourself a series of questions that will help you understand what exactly you are looking for from this journey and experience. These questions will guide you in figuring out what your intentions and goals are as a beginner in witchcraft.
- The second is to read four books that I recommend for all beginners. These books will give you a strong foundation for the information you will explore next. They will help you approach what you learn with more depth, look at things from different angles, and really understand the layers of what you are studying.
Witchcraft 101
Here are the questions you should ask yourself if you want to get started in witchcraft. Take your journal, pour some tea, and let’s get started.
What draws me to witchcraft?
Am I looking for a new practice or a new spirituality?
How do I envision dedicated witchcraft?
Will I need to release old belief systems to embrace witchcraft fully?
Am I drawn to a particular type of practice or way of working magic, such as green magic, lunar magic, kitchen magic, or divination?
What does being a witch symbolize for me?
How do I see my spirituality intertwining with my witchcraft practice?
Am I open to working with deities or other spirits?
What am I truly seeking from this journey: healing, power, peace, community, or remembrance?
Which traditions or paths (Wicca, Celtic, folk, eclectic, etc.) call to me?
Are there other spiritual paths that also resonate with me?
What does magic mean to me, and how do I define it as real?
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Witchcraft Books for Beginners
The first book, A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult, provides a timeline that shows how magic has existed across cultures, religions, and spiritualities, helping you see that magic, miracles, and manifestations have always been present.
The second book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, is useful when exploring mythology and cultural stories, helping you see layers and deeper meaning in what you read.
Finally, Naturally Modern Magick, my own book, has beginner-friendly spells, and it offers swaps for ingredients, so you can learn about plants and herbalism while having options for what you have on hand.
Remember that witchcraft is your craft. It’s personal, and you can weave it into any spiritual belief system or practice. There is a way that’s more fulfilling than just collecting information and getting frustrated when you don’t know what to do with it. I want to help you move past gathering and waiting for the perfect moment and actually develop a personal practice that flows with your life. This witchcraft for beginners series is meant to guide you in doing exactly that.
This is a series, so don’t miss out on part two, where we’re going to dive a little deeper into witchcraft for beginners.
Blessed be,
Lacey
Naturally Modern Witch
About the Author
Dedicated to helping you develop a practice that flows with everyday life, I’m a modern witch living by the seasons and the moon. Read more about me here