Witchery ~ So You Want to be a Witch
TAKING THE FIRST STEPS ON A MAGICKAL PATH

One of the questions that I am asked most frequently is "How do I become a witch?" After a great deal of thought, I've come up with a few suggestions to help those who are interested in following this path. Those that are raised within a magickal family may have others to guide them, but what about those of us that are 'muggle' born?

READ
I know, I know ... not terribly exciting is it? Want to hear something even more boring? Don't buy spell books. It's only been over the past few years that I have started collecting spell books though I have been practicing witchraft for almost fifteen years. How could I possibly learn magick without a spell book? Magick is everywhere!

Think about what it is that you are drawn to and read about those things. For example, do you love the idea of reading tea leaves and tarot cards? Then pick up a few books about divination. Do you want to heal and stir up some positive feelings? Perhaps you'd do well with aromatherapy or crystals. Some topics that may interest you are:

Each of these topics has direct connections to witchcrafting. Many so-called "grimoires", "book of shadows" and "spell books" give an overview of a lot of basic information but if you want a truly solid base of knowledge go straight for the goods. Spellbooks do have their place ... I have just a few in my own library... but I suggest using them as a guide to create your own magick.

MERRY MEET
Don't be afraid of going to meetings, moots and gatherings. Many groups are happy to see new faces. Occult and New Age shops will often post events or groups on a bulletin board in the shop. The internet is a great place to meet like-minded people, Yahoo and MSN have a huge number of online message boards for witches, many of them region or age specific. Another great internet resource is WitchVox.com which has memeber and event listings by region/town/city. Once you start looking you'll find loads of people just like you to learn from or with!

One or two words of advice when meeting others ... call/email ahead when going to a moot or meeting. You'll likely be recieved a little warmer if people know that you're coming and you're serious enough to make the effort to contact them first. Never ever stay anywhere you feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or pressured to do anything. If you are going to meet someone off-line, meet them in a very public place. Be smart and safe above all else.

All that being said, there is nothing wrong with practicing alone. While we mingle with other witchy folk, we prefer to preform our magick alone. Some people will say that without a teacher you cannot properly learn the magickal arts. I believe that experience, time, and practice are the best teachers. Do I think that you can initiate yourself as a High Prestess in the Wiccan tradition? No. That's something entirely different. You cannot ordain yourself a Roman Catholic priest, and the same goes for other religious orders.

GO OUTSIDE
As one of my witchy friends said "I think it's important to spend time out in nature, just listening to it's sounds and rythms. Look at plants and animals and see how they grow and interact with their surroundings. For me, spending time outside just watching, listening and feeling can be one of the most spiritual experiences I can have."

Spending time in nature may also give you inspiration to start creating your own magick "I'd recommend a new person get their hands in there. Pot a plant and keep it alive, create some basic ritual tools from twigs and rocks ... Start of simple and build gradually in experiences and practices."

JUST DO IT!
The truth is that practice may not make you perfect but it will definately make you better. The more you do the easier things will come to you, the stronger the magick you will create, the clearer your divinations and readings will be. To use a cooking analagy... what good is a cookbook if you're not going to make anything? Put the things that you've learned to use. Read, do, learn ...

DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE CREATIVE LICENCE
There seems to be a reluctance by many 'new' witches to stray from the formulas given in books. I'll say it again, magick is like cooking ... some people like a little more spice than others. I almost never follow a spell or recipe directly. I like to add my own flair and besides I rarely have every item listed so I need to be resourceful!

Part of learning is making mistakes and masterpeices ... you'll have to add your own touches eventually if you're going to do either. As another witchy chick suggested "Just because you change things doesn't make it wrong, it makes it yours."

KEEP YOUR MONEY
As you probably know I sell some witchy wares and I love doing it! That said, I do not think that the beginner witch needs to empty his or her bank account to get a little magick brewing. Much of what you need to get started is right in your cupboard already, or you can walk outside and find it easily enough. Bowls, spoons, jars, herbs, candles ... these will likely be your first tools. If you are drawn to something by all means begin your magickal collection but don't feel that you have to spend a fortune to get started. Be resourceful and creative ... many witch tools you'll be able to make on your own, many are found in garage sales, thrift stores. More expencive tools will not make you a better spell caster, practice and patience will.

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT
Perhaps the best advice I can give you is encouragement to formulate your own ideas and opinions. There are many pagan paths, many magickal traditions and loads of resources out there. You'll quickly discover that sometimes there are many varried answers to the simplest of questions. Gather as much information as you can and form your own opinions based on the facts that you've learned.

Just because someone throws together a web page does not make them an expert. Heck even founding a coven or writing a book doesn't mean they know everything or that everything they say is correct or true.

FINALLY ... YOU'LL NEED SOME GRAINS OF SALT
On your magickal path you will undobtedly come across a few ... well, let's call them 'characters'. There are some people out there that do not have the best of intentions, that take themselves far too seriously or feel that they are somehow better than others. Don't let anyone make you feel small, unworthy, dumb, ashamed or bad in anyway. If you like a certain author or book don't feel bad when you see it on a list of books to avoid. If you mispronounce something don't throw in the towel... it's all a part of learning. Anyone who makes you feel bad or awkward about yourself or your beliefs should be avoided. Embrace what moves you, follow the path that is shown to you and have faith in yourself.

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