The Key To Becoming An Advanced Witch Is Practice

There was a point in my path where I realised that I had 'outgrown' the beginner witch resources. I knew candle magic, I practiced colour magic, I carried crystals, performed esbats - so what was next? What did I need to do or learn to become an 'advanced' witch? I tried looking for books about 'advanced' witchcraft, but found very little. I tried looking online, but again, it was nearly impossible to find anything on advanced witchcraft.


It took me a while to realise that that witchcraft doesn't quite work like that. It's not as if there is a blanket 'beginner level', and once you have passed your exams you can move onto the next, more advanced level (I'm deliberately excluding coven structures and progression here, and speaking more of solo practitioners). At some point, you will obtain everything you can about a certain subject from books and internet research and feel that there is nothing new you can learn from them. And so, the only real way to become 'advanced' at your craft, is to practice!


Witchcraft is a deeply experiential path, one that requires more than just reading books and studying theories. While doing your research and ensuring you are knowledgeable in what you are doing is essential, hands-on experience, trial and error, and personal exploration is the only way to progress. The best advice for those aspiring to become advanced witches is simple: practice, practice, practice. Below, we explore why direct experience is vital and how you can integrate active learning into your craft.




1. Knowledge Without Action is Incomplete

Reading about witchcraft can provide an excellent foundation, but knowledge without experience remains theoretical. Books can explain how to cast a circle, charge a crystal, or invoke a deity, but until you physically perform these actions, you won’t truly understand their power, effectiveness, or personal resonance.

How to Apply This:

Choose a spell or ritual from a book and try it out.
Keep a journal of your experiences, noting what works and what doesn’t.
Adjust and refine techniques based on your outcomes.




2. Personal Experience Builds Confidence

Many new witches hesitate to practice out of fear of doing something "wrong." However, witchcraft is a personal journey, and mistakes are part of the learning process. I can think of many, many things I did wrong when starting out (and more recently!). Or things that I thought I had done wrong - I remember when I first started out, I tried to make a poppet to represent a friend to bring them luck. But, being young, I didn't really have any tools, so I used some string and pencils to create a 'stickman'. Unsurprisingly, the poppet fell apart and I FREAKED out. I was convinced this would somehow harm my friend! Obviously now I know different, but experiences such as these are key. The more you practice, the more confident and intuitive you become.

How to Apply This:

Start small with simple candle magic, energy work, or sigil crafting.
Reflect on what you feel during rituals and spells—your intuition is a powerful guide.
Trust your own experiences and let them shape your path.




3. Energy Work Requires Practice

Much of witchcraft involves working with energy, and this is something that must be felt, not just read about. Learning to sense, direct, and manipulate energy is crucial for effective spellwork, divination, and healing practices. And it isn't just energy work; most of what we do takes practice, and this can be off-putting to those whose hearts aren't really in it, or maybe don't have the time to dedicate to practice. 

How to Apply This:

Try daily energy exercises such as grounding, centring, and shielding.
Work with your hands to feel energy in crystals, herbs, and sacred objects.
Practice visualizing energy flowing through you during spells.




4. Intuition Develops Through Experience

Books and mentors can offer guidance, but your intuition is one of your strongest tools. Developing intuition requires engaging with your craft regularly and learning to trust your own instincts. Even just on a day-to-day basis, try to listen to your intuition - if that voice in your head is telling you to take the bus rather than the train, then don't ignore it!

How to Apply This:

Use divination methods like tarot, runes, or pendulums to hone your intuitive skills.
Meditate with your tools and let your intuition guide your interpretations.
Allow yourself to experiment and go beyond strict rules when you feel led to.




5. Real-World Application Strengthens Your Craft

Witchcraft isn’t just about rituals—it’s about integrating magic into everyday life. The more you weave magic into your daily routine, the more natural and powerful your practice becomes. We often talk about witchcraft being a 'lifestyle', and actively working to integrate it into your day-to-day activities can really help elevate your practice to a whole new level.

How to Apply This:

Create morning or evening rituals incorporating magic.
Practice mindfulness and energy work throughout the day.
Use simple charms, sigils, or herbal magic in your home and workspace.




6. Experimentation is Key

Some of the most advanced witches didn’t get there by following pre-written spells alone. They experimented, tweaked techniques, and crafted their own unique approaches. Often we have our own ways of working, our own quirks, and our own, unique ways of connecting with energy and using it to manifest. What works well for one person may not necessarily be the best way for you. So experimenting and personalising your practice can have a real impact.

How to Apply This:

Modify existing spells to suit your personal energy and goals.
Create your own rituals and sigils based on your intuition.
Document your experiences to refine and perfect your techniques.




7. Building Relationships with Spirits and Deities Requires Engagement

If your path involves working with spirits, deities, or ancestors, reading about them is only the first step. Building real relationships requires active engagement, offerings, and communication. Again, this can be difficult for those who aren't willing to dedicate the time, or who might struggle to find the time.

How to Apply This:

Dedicate time for meditation and interaction with your guides or deities.
Keep an altar or sacred space as a focal point for connection.
Offer prayers, energy, or physical gifts as signs of devotion.




8. Magic is Meant to Be Experienced, Not Just Studied

At its core, witchcraft is a living, breathing practice which is meant to enhance our life. The best way to grow as a witch is to step beyond theory and embrace direct experience. Dive into spellwork, connect with nature, experiment with tools, and trust your instincts.



Final Advice:

Start now, even if you feel unprepared—learning happens through doing. Be patient with yourself and accept that growth takes time. And celebrate every experience as part of your journey!

By embracing action alongside study, you will deepen your connection to the craft, refine your skills, and ultimately evolve into an advanced stage of your journey.