What is Witchcraft?
In its simplest form, witchcraft is the practice of magick. My personal take on it is that there is a different between witchcraft and paganism; paganism is a religion, whilst witchcraft can be practiced regardless of religion. Whilst many people work with Gods and Goddesses in their witchcraft, it isn't necessary. From small gestures such as burning a piece of paper with your intention on it, to full-blown rituals, witchcraft covers a lot.
There are many, many components to spell work, such as colour magic, candle magic, herbs and crystals and their associations, astrological correspondences...the list is endless. Those who practice witchcraft often spend time learning about these and connecting with these various components to improve their magickal workings.
What is Magick?
Again, another element which is difficult to define. Magick is all around us; many (like myself) believe that magick happens when we tap into universal energy and use our intent to shape this energy and manifest what it is we desire. Intent is extremely important in magick, moreso than making sure you are using the right colour candle or the correct herb. Our magick is fuelled by our intent, and to be able to make the most of it, many witches practice meditation and visualisation to help control our conscious and subconscious mind.
What do you mean by 'Universal Energy'?
The whole universe is made up of energy, and this has been scientifically proven. Through practicing magick, we can manipulate this energy and 'bend' it to our will to manifest specific intentions, such as a new job, to improve a relationship, for protection, etc. Some call this 'Spirit' and consider it the fifth element alongside earth, air, fire, and water. It has many names, but the same principle. We need to learn how to tap into and open ourselves up to this energy. This is where practices such as meditation, visualisation, and listening to our intuition come into play. We are also made of energy, and this energy connects us to everything; recognising this and actively strengthening our connection with this energy not only helps empower our magick, but is extremely rewarding on a spirtual level.
So with magick, I can get whatever I want?
Unfortunately it isn't quite as simple as that. The universe needs to be in a state of balance; asking for things that will upset this balance is often a request which is just ignored. Actions also have consequences, which you need to be aware of. You cast a spell asking for £1,000, but think about where that money will come from. The universe just can't 'create' money, it needs to come from somewhere; it could be from a relative passing away and leaving you an inheritance, or maybe you win that £1,000 in a raffle which could take that money away from a family who desperately needed it to pay their rent. This shouldn't stop you from working magick, just be aware and ready to accept any consequences of your actions. This is why many witches choose to work magick for selfless reasons, or as a last resort.
Consequences - so like karma?
Call it what you want, but essentially yes. Science teaches us that every action causes a reaction. Many witches believe in 'the rule of three' - what you do comes back to your multiplied by the power of three', meaning that if you do good that good will return to your threefold, and if you send negativity into the world then that negativity will return to you threefold. I personally find the 'rule of three' isn't really representative of quite how it works, but you get the idea. You can see this reflected in every day life; if you are a negative person who likes to gossip and spread rumours, chances are you won't have many friends! On a magickal level, these same principles apply.
How can I make sure that I won't accidentally cause anything bad to happen?
First, take your time to research and understand what you are getting yourself into before you jump in and do anything. It can be tempting to just get stuck in and cast your first spell, but do you know how to cast a circle? Do you know how to ground yourself, do you know how to properly call a deity and not invite anything 'untoward' into your circle? Make sure you are well informed before you act.
Second, always work with the best of intentions. It is recommended never to work magick when you are angry, upset or stressed, as this could allow for the negativity of your emotional state to affect your workings.
Third, you can add caveats; for example, if you are doing that money spell, saying outloud something along the lines of 'this spell shall cause harm to none; any money received will be through positive means'.
OK, so what is a witch?
A witch is someone who practices witchcraft, but many witches believe in a lot more than that. They believe in Gods and Goddesses (not necessary to practice witchcraft) for example, and observe the pagan sabbats and holidays.
Can I call myself a witch?
You can call yourself whatever you want! However, I personally believe that if you aren't putting the practice in, then you aren't a witch. Learning is absolutely encouraged, but if you don't do anything with all of that knowledge that you've gained, then you won't see all of the benefits it has to offer. Witchcraft isn't just about casting rituals or spells; sometimes just making a cup of ginger and lemon tea to help ease a cold, and stirring it anti-clockwise whilst you chant 'illness begone, I will suffer you no longer' is witchrcaft - you are manipulating energy and using your intent to manifest something (healing energy for your cold). There is no real defining metric as to what makes a witch or not, but the more you practice and study, the more comfortable you will become calling yourself such.
OK, so I think I want to be a witch - where do I start?!
There is a LOT of information out there, and it can be overwhelming! First, I would recommend becoming familiar with the basics, or the theory as it were. There are lots of 'beginners guides' out there, books, etc. These will give you an overview of the basics, but I personally would recommend:
Once you have these down, it is purely up to what interests you! Maybe it is crystals, or using herbs to heal, or divination such as tarot. Remember, there is no wrong or right way, so pick what interests you, do your reading and research, and then practice!
I've been practicing, but none of my spells are working; why?
There are many reasons why your spells might not work - for example:
In its simplest form, witchcraft is the practice of magick. My personal take on it is that there is a different between witchcraft and paganism; paganism is a religion, whilst witchcraft can be practiced regardless of religion. Whilst many people work with Gods and Goddesses in their witchcraft, it isn't necessary. From small gestures such as burning a piece of paper with your intention on it, to full-blown rituals, witchcraft covers a lot.
There are many, many components to spell work, such as colour magic, candle magic, herbs and crystals and their associations, astrological correspondences...the list is endless. Those who practice witchcraft often spend time learning about these and connecting with these various components to improve their magickal workings.
What is Magick?
Again, another element which is difficult to define. Magick is all around us; many (like myself) believe that magick happens when we tap into universal energy and use our intent to shape this energy and manifest what it is we desire. Intent is extremely important in magick, moreso than making sure you are using the right colour candle or the correct herb. Our magick is fuelled by our intent, and to be able to make the most of it, many witches practice meditation and visualisation to help control our conscious and subconscious mind.
What do you mean by 'Universal Energy'?
The whole universe is made up of energy, and this has been scientifically proven. Through practicing magick, we can manipulate this energy and 'bend' it to our will to manifest specific intentions, such as a new job, to improve a relationship, for protection, etc. Some call this 'Spirit' and consider it the fifth element alongside earth, air, fire, and water. It has many names, but the same principle. We need to learn how to tap into and open ourselves up to this energy. This is where practices such as meditation, visualisation, and listening to our intuition come into play. We are also made of energy, and this energy connects us to everything; recognising this and actively strengthening our connection with this energy not only helps empower our magick, but is extremely rewarding on a spirtual level.
So with magick, I can get whatever I want?
Unfortunately it isn't quite as simple as that. The universe needs to be in a state of balance; asking for things that will upset this balance is often a request which is just ignored. Actions also have consequences, which you need to be aware of. You cast a spell asking for £1,000, but think about where that money will come from. The universe just can't 'create' money, it needs to come from somewhere; it could be from a relative passing away and leaving you an inheritance, or maybe you win that £1,000 in a raffle which could take that money away from a family who desperately needed it to pay their rent. This shouldn't stop you from working magick, just be aware and ready to accept any consequences of your actions. This is why many witches choose to work magick for selfless reasons, or as a last resort.
Consequences - so like karma?
Call it what you want, but essentially yes. Science teaches us that every action causes a reaction. Many witches believe in 'the rule of three' - what you do comes back to your multiplied by the power of three', meaning that if you do good that good will return to your threefold, and if you send negativity into the world then that negativity will return to you threefold. I personally find the 'rule of three' isn't really representative of quite how it works, but you get the idea. You can see this reflected in every day life; if you are a negative person who likes to gossip and spread rumours, chances are you won't have many friends! On a magickal level, these same principles apply.
How can I make sure that I won't accidentally cause anything bad to happen?
First, take your time to research and understand what you are getting yourself into before you jump in and do anything. It can be tempting to just get stuck in and cast your first spell, but do you know how to cast a circle? Do you know how to ground yourself, do you know how to properly call a deity and not invite anything 'untoward' into your circle? Make sure you are well informed before you act.
Second, always work with the best of intentions. It is recommended never to work magick when you are angry, upset or stressed, as this could allow for the negativity of your emotional state to affect your workings.
Third, you can add caveats; for example, if you are doing that money spell, saying outloud something along the lines of 'this spell shall cause harm to none; any money received will be through positive means'.
OK, so what is a witch?
A witch is someone who practices witchcraft, but many witches believe in a lot more than that. They believe in Gods and Goddesses (not necessary to practice witchcraft) for example, and observe the pagan sabbats and holidays.
Can I call myself a witch?
You can call yourself whatever you want! However, I personally believe that if you aren't putting the practice in, then you aren't a witch. Learning is absolutely encouraged, but if you don't do anything with all of that knowledge that you've gained, then you won't see all of the benefits it has to offer. Witchcraft isn't just about casting rituals or spells; sometimes just making a cup of ginger and lemon tea to help ease a cold, and stirring it anti-clockwise whilst you chant 'illness begone, I will suffer you no longer' is witchrcaft - you are manipulating energy and using your intent to manifest something (healing energy for your cold). There is no real defining metric as to what makes a witch or not, but the more you practice and study, the more comfortable you will become calling yourself such.
OK, so I think I want to be a witch - where do I start?!
There is a LOT of information out there, and it can be overwhelming! First, I would recommend becoming familiar with the basics, or the theory as it were. There are lots of 'beginners guides' out there, books, etc. These will give you an overview of the basics, but I personally would recommend:
- Researching the God and Goddess, and maybe even finding your deity
- Working with the God and Goddess
- Sabbats
- Witches 'laws' and tenants (please note; there aren't any hard and fast rules you need to follow, but some organisations come with their own which can be a good place to get a general idea of the different views and beliefs witches hold, like the American Council of Witches' 'Thirteen Principles of Belief')
- Tools of the witch
- Performing a ritual
- Magickal protection; grounding, centering, and different methods of protection
- Associations and correspondences, such as the days of the week, the seasons, colours, and moon phases
- Lunar magick, solar magick, and the elements
- Ethics in witchcraft
Once you have these down, it is purely up to what interests you! Maybe it is crystals, or using herbs to heal, or divination such as tarot. Remember, there is no wrong or right way, so pick what interests you, do your reading and research, and then practice!
I've been practicing, but none of my spells are working; why?
There are many reasons why your spells might not work - for example:
- Is this spell interfering with the free will of another? For example, or you trying to force someone to fall in love with you, or leave a job because you don't like working with them? Magick which interferes with anothers free will very rarely works
- Are you using the correct correspondences? For example, using a black candle to bring self love won't work nearly as well as using a pink candle. Whilst our intent is the most important thing in spell work, correspondences can be used to help hone and focus our intent, so it is important to choose the most suitable ones when you are first starting out. As you gain more experience, you will probably find that you become more relaxed when it comes to putting a spell together. But if you are just starting out, I would recommend that you pay attention to these in the first instance.
- Is it really for the best? I have had instances where I thought I wanted something, worked some magick, but then didn't get what I wanted. It turned out that something better came along which I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to pursue if my magick had worked. Trust that the universe is watching over you and has something better in store
