Beginner Witch Tips + Intro Witchcraft Books
I've been asked many times to do a "how to get started in witchcraft" beginner's guide. Everyone's path is so different, including how it begins. Rather than creating a route to follow, Instead I've decided to just pass on some beginner witch tips. Some of them are things I did do, some I didn't do until later but wish that I did when I started. You can take them or leave them on your journey down your path.
Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.
Journal/Document Your Journey
I know journaling isn't for everyone. It doesn't have to be a "dear diary" type journal, you could do a bullet journal, a word document, a Notes app note. Just some way to document your journey, both to reflect on later and as an exercise with yourself to help you discover what you are looking for in witchcraft. It might really help you narrow down what kind of path you are looking for!
A few journal prompt ideas:
What do you want to get out of your magick journey? Is it that you just want to feel like you have full control over your life? Do you want to be more connected to nature? The universe? To deities?
What called you to this path? Was it a movie/TV show/social media? A book you saw in a bookstore? Was it a crystal/metaphysical shop you felt drawn into?
Is there something you feel particularly drawn to working with? Growing plants/herbs/flowers? Making herb blends/tinctures? Crystals? Tarot cards/pendulums/other divination? A particular deity/pantheon of deities? A particular element?
No Tools Required
The only tool you need to practice is yourself. All of the extra bits and baubles can be amazing tools to help harness and enhance your magick, but none of them are required to practice. I gathered most of my tools over many years. I broke or outgrew items, got new ones as they presented themselves or called to me. So just don't feel like you need to run out and buy everything right away!
Improvise
This one is pretty in line with the last tip! If you're doing a spell or following a ritual that requires a specific item or herb that you don't have or have access to, you can normally improvise. If you need a special herb, see what other herbs/plants/flowers you have or might be able to get easily that could have the same magickal properties you are looking for.
A few more magickal improvisation examples:
White candles can be used in place of any specific candle color
Specially charged clear quartz can be used in place of any crystal
If it calls for a cauldron, you can use a bowl or fire-safe dish
Birthday candles will also work (it also cuts down the burn time by a lot if you want to do a spell very quickly!)
I've also got a free/cheap spell supplies post on this blog that you can use as a resource for ideas!
Read, research, repeat.
Witchcraft is a path of knowledge. There are no definitive tiers to it. No matter how much I read or learn or feel that I know, I'll read a new "beginner/entry level" witch book (yes, I still pick them up after all these years) and learn something new.
The books listed below are the ones I talk about in my YouTube video in the beginning of this post! I selected books that are mostly secular (just focused on witchcraft and not wicca/paganism/a specific path of witchcraft). Some of them do cover introductions to a few different paths:
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells: https://amzn.to/2ZQ567w
Weave the Liminal: Living Modern Traditional Witchcraft: https://amzn.to/2PaXXwo
Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation: https://amzn.to/3aTlREQ
Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within: https://amzn.to/3snkTGY
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs: https://amzn.to/3byZ6Wc
Grimoire for the Green Witch: A Complete Book of Shadows (much more complicated, not user friendly, watch my video for why I put this one on the list) https://amzn.to/3kpbfky
Some resources won't be for you - but that doesn't mean they aren't still worth reading
Watching one video or reading one book is only going to be one witch/person's perspective. Every witch has their own way, and that includes authors. When I got started, my access to books on magick was very limited. There were maybe three books on Wicca in my local library that I alternated between every time I was there. While there were many aspects of the books that spoke to me on a deep level, none of them clicked with me quite right. As more books and the internet eventually developed, I finally found my way onto the path of Pagan Witchcraft that I am on now. If I hadn't read those books, I wouldn't have learned what didn't speak to me just as much as what did.
I still have quite the collection of books from other practices outside of my own for various references and information. One of my favorite books that I used for magickal correspondences is also full of rituals that are very based in a path that I don't personally walk. It is not impossible but unlikely that there will only be a single reference that will cover everything for you because your path is as unique as you are.
Learn what comes with the term "witch"
Understand what comes with the term “witch” historically. It’s only recently reclaimed, and a lot of people a lot of places still cannot safely use it. Do research on witch history, witch trials, how recently it was illegal to be a witch (you may be surprised!). Be aware that being able to use it in a safe environment is a privilege. In fact, many witches in the U.S. (and around the world) are "broom-closeted" because they feel they would be in an unsafe or unwelcoming environment if people knew. Researching all of the aspects of this will help you gain a deeper understanding, connection and meaning to the path.
Practice makes Magick
Remember that it’s a practice and it may take practice. It's a drip brew, not an instant coffee. It’s a path, a part of your life, not a band-aid for problems. Some things might come to you naturally, but some might be more of a struggle. Try not to get frustrated and give up if you can't maintain focus while meditating or can't get a spell candle to not go out on you. Everyone has natural strengths and weaknesses. You’ll find yours! Breathe. Give it time. Give yourself time. I believe in you.
