Starting is hard… being new to witchcraft can feel like standing at the edge of a magickal forest, you see the beauty and feel the wonder, but you also can feel overwhelmed and fearful of what lies ahead.
Witchcraft is such an immense subject. A lifetime is not long enough to master even a fraction of what is available to learn. As a consequence, baby witches are often overwhelmed and get frustrated. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone.
Witchcraft incorporates thousands of years of traditions, from ancient pantheons to modern evolving practices. Further, Magick has so many diverse branches of study. You can study divination, hedge witchery, kitchen witchery, High Magick, crystal witchcraft, green witchcraft… and the list goes on.
Where do you begin? Are you a witch if you don’t do divination? What about ritual work? Do I need to work with deities?
Starting witchcraft can feel like your first day of school, everything seems so big, intimidating and unfamiliar. It seems like all the other kids know what they are doing. So why don’t I?
Well, despite their confidence, none of the kids had it all figured out. Likewise, no witch has it all figured out. A beautiful aspect of the craft is that we are all figuring it out together, one step at a time.
As someone who measures their witchcraft practice in decades, and has taught multiple cohorts of new witches, I have more experience than a lot of people reading this blog. Despite that, I am still always growing in my magickal practice. I still make mistakes, and there are still areas of the practice that I defer to others on.
My trick? I focus on what I enjoy; being serious enough to move forward, but playful enough to want to keep going. Never letting the joy be forgotten.
So, going back to some of my earlier questions, where do you begin?
Stop here for a moment. Take a deep breath. Let it out. Now, what first drew you to witchcraft?
If you like crystals, learn about crystals. If you are called to take your practice in an environmental direction, learn about Green Witchcraft. Do what you are called to.
There is no wrong path, witchcraft is a lifelong journey. Further, if you decide to do something outside of your calling, side quests don’t derail you. They enrich you, making you a more well-rounded witch, and person.
What about mistakes. We all make mistakes. Whether it is misquoting something in ritual or accidently walking the wrong way in circle, even the most experienced witches make mistakes. Hopefully less often with practice, but mistakes happen. Even the gods have flaws, why should we hold ourselves to a higher standard?
Witchcraft is meant to bring you joy. If your practice isn’t bringing you joy, stop what you are doing. Then think about what could spark your curiosity… let that spark re-light your path.
Laurie Cabot, the Witch of Salem, advises us that there are three aspects to witchcraft; science, art and religion. While religion doesn’t have to be part of your craft, for me, science and art are fundamental. Science is learning the how, the art is bringing your personality and your passion.
You can learn any subject in witchcraft, and you will be better for it. Finding the one that allows you to add your personality and passion, that makes it Magickal. So, follow your gut, and embrace your passion.
I hope you are enjoying reading these little blog posts as much as I am enjoying making them. Going forward, I’ll post articles on Monday evenings, giving us time to comment and share on the various topics we will cover.
Also, I am planning to leave my main career next year, to allow me to find new and exciting ways to support the Ottawa witch community. Would you like me to share more about this journey with you?
Finally, as the wheel turns to Yule, be kind to yourself. Maybe a bubble bath, a kind word or a little gift. The days are cold; you need to protect the warmth in your heart.
I look forward to your comments. Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet again.
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