Getting Started

So where do you even begin with witchcraft? You might think you need to get all this supplies and books to start, but really, you can start with just your bare hands! Witchcraft is all about intention. It is about being more grounded in the world you live in, to make you feel more alive. Witchcraft is something you build at your own pace, personalized for you. You should never feel like you’re doing something wrong because as long as it feels right to you, it is right.

Most witches you meet have something called an altar. An altar can be a place where you do your spells and rituals, or a place of worship. You can have an altar for many things, such as the worship of a deity, a lost loved one, an element, or even yourself. For example, my altar is geared towards myself and my inner being. You can put whatever you like on an altar, it doesn’t even have to be a spiritual tool, as long as it resonates with you and has meaning. For example, on my altar, I have guitar picks I've collected from concerts I’ve attended.

Intent comes from the heart and soul and guides where your spells and rituals will end. You don’t need every crystal and herb to start your journey. If you’d like, you can journal your experience in a personal notebook, witches call them the Book of Shadows. To be a witch is not to be educated on spells, but to be connected with the Earth and see energy as alive. Historically, witches were seen as “wise women” or folk healers. To practice witchcraft is to step into co-creating with spirit. To weave intention into action, infuse love into healing, and using your power responsibly. Real magick circles back to service, helping others, honoring the land, and living in alignment with your values.

Now hearing about all this energy and intention, how do you know you’re actually putting your energy into something? Please note, this is what I do, and there are many other methods to channel your energy.

Think of a color that brings you peace. Your favorite color. Let’s go with purple for this example. Think of a purple ball of light in the center of your body. That is your energy. When doing spells or rituals, this energy comes out of your body into your spells. Think of it traveling from the center of your body, branching out to your arms and out your fingers, feeding it into your spell/ritual. There are some situations where you might feel tired after your practices, and that is perfectly normal. But please, don’t overwork yourself!

For a spell to start with, let’s try a simple enchantment spell. Enchanting something with your energy can grant you protection, luck, and all other sorts of things. First, pick an object to enchant. You can put it in the middle of your altar or wherever you practice your spells. If you’d like, you can light candles surrounding it to help aid your enchanting. If it also helps, you can put protected herbs like rosemary and basil around your item, too. Then, close your eyes, and imagine your energy flowing into the item. You can whisper or say in your head your intention. For example, you could say, “Enchant this item with good fortune and protection, the bearer of this item shall be protected and remain unharmed”. Repeat it as many times as you’d like until you feel like your spell has worked. I hope you enjoy your new witchcraft journey!