Witchcraft for absolute

Beginners!

As this is a site which is going to be dedicated to Witchcraft specifically for you the beginner, I will write as if you know very little, or even nothing about the Craft. What better way to inform you, the reader and neophytic Witch, of the trials and tribulations of becoming a Witch in today’s society? I don’t claim to be anything else but a beginner myself, but, it is nice to share experiences isn’t it. I’ll try to keep this nice and interesting, and above all informative. Oh, and not at all patronising.

A little bit about me

My name is Andrew, as you would have picked up if you bothered to inquire into the identity of the author. I’m 17 and have been studying various forms of magick for about 2 years, including Witchcraft, but only really practised for half a year, so I really am a fellow beginner. 

I’m finding this a lot more difficult to write than I thought it would be.

Why do we use witchcraft?

There are a number of reasons as to why we begin lighting candles and stinking out our rooms (much to the annoyance of parents) with incense.

Spell casting to me is an expression of what I want. We desire something in our lives, which sounds amazingly selfish, but really is not. We may want some aspect of ourselves to change, aswell as aspects of our lives in general. Casting spells works on a number of levels, depending on your view and also use of magick. In asking the universe for what we want, we are asking ourselves, and in effect telling ourselves. Self-improvement.

Another reason is that we teenagers, as new and modern as we are, all desire something more. We all seek answers, and in turn seek spirituality for these answers. One problem is that when we do, most are stumped by the answers provided by Christianity and many of the other mainstream religions. We aren’t happy with the doctrine of Christianity. All lot of us will agree that the idea of an almighty God who sits up in Heaven and Judges us all just doesn’t feel right, and to quote a most beloved friend "alien".

Witchcraft as a religion

Witchcraft is not by definition a religion. Witchcraft is a practise which we employ to bring about change through the use of magickal energies channelled through one’s own body. When we talk about witchcraft in reference to religion, we talk about Wicca. Wiccans are Witches who use magickal ritual to worship the Divine. When I refer to the divine, I refer to the Goddess, and some others would say the God aswell. This depends on your interpretation of the divine. I wont go into Wicca at this time, but I may feel the urge to write a little bit on my experience with Wicca. Basically, and please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, all Wiccans are Witches, but not all Witches are Wiccan.

A bit about "that" film

You all know which film I’m talking about. Yes you do…"The Craft". This little bit is not devoted to that film as the heading may suggest. The point of it is to identify well known sources of inspiration.

The craft starring, ermm, that one out of party of Five and Scream, and ermm some other girls, was a turning point in many girls lives. It gave them an insight into the power which witchcraft can give a girl, but also the trouble it can cause. Watch the film if you haven’t, I (secretly) recommend it for all beginners. I wouldn’t say it is a definitive way of looking at witchcraft, but is certainly is a talking point. I think the researchers did a great job. They even managed to get the idea of what goes around comes around into it.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m talking about the 3-fold law of return, as mentioned in the Wiccan Rede. Read the Rede (all groan please). You know the bits where they all get what they want, and then it backfires on them. The rule of 3 is about balance. Don’t see it as punishment. Its only fair.

The film, however tacky, does awaken an interest in many of us. It did a great service, not to Witchcraft, but to the mass teenage revival of it. Many of us after watching the film realised it made sense. Either that or girls wanted empowering in that way. Witchcraft can offer that, but be ever wary of the consequences.

Basic magick theory

For those of you interested in the theory behind how witchcraft works, I can’t tell you. It really is open to interpretation, much like everything else in witchcraft and magick. It is all to do with yourself, and what it all means to you.

When we perform a spell on our little home-made alters, we bring about an energy which exists in everything, in order to use it to achieve an aim. This energy comes under many different names, and is known to many forms spirituality. In China its called Chi. In India its called Prana. To us it is merely energy, or life-force. When we cast our circles, in accordance with magick theory we are creating a sphere which allows us to concentrate and maintain the magickal energies so that they do not escape and are wasted. Circles are also useful for keeping out negative energies and keeping your mind focused. Once the energy is ‘raised’ (a common term) it is channelled into the tools and other materials involved in the spell. These items are now charged with a very personal energy. The rest of the spell merely directs the energy. You provide the driving force.

The rest, you have to believe in. If there are any gaps feel free to ask me, but you’ll probably have more luck talking to a rock. Try me anyway and I’ll attempt to help. My email address is at the top of the page. Alternatively, try contacting others from the online group that set this whole site up. I’m sure the shear wealth of knowledge we collectively claim to hold is enough to keep you satisfied for a while.

A bit of history

Witchcraft is a derivative form of an ancient practise used by what we call Pagans, in their religion a long, long time ago, predating Christianity in England. Pagans by definition were people who were not Christian. Before Christianity came to England through the Romans, the good old Anglo-Saxons practised a form of worship in which a whole Pantheon of Deities would be acknowledged, as opposed to the one God of Judeo-Christianity. Above all was the belief in Mother Nature. When Christianity was introduced, paganism was assimilated in to it. Many Christian celebrations coincide with pagan festivals. Yule is in the same week as Christmas for example. Indeed in many early Churches, you can find a pagan alter to the east I think. When I say early I mean early as you can imagine. Some of the deities worshipped were also incorporated. For example, the Celtic pagan deity Brighid was so loved by the people that they could not abandon her. When Christianity came, they made her into a Saint, so they could continue to worship her.

Paganism was suppressed by Christianity through out the time of the Roman occupation of Britain. Christianity spread to all the corners of the British Isles including Ireland where Paganism was strong i.e. Druids etc. Of course we know that it was not totally wiped out. Gerald B Gardner, who is some would say the Father of Witchcraft revival in England (though I do not), put forward the idea that varying forms of paganism managed to exist unaffected in remote places. This could have been active groups keeping the old religion alive, or merely traditions passed down from generation to generation. However it was done, witchcraft was a common factor. As it was seen, the craft was a means of worshipping the Goddess, mainly using materials from the land, in order to ensure fertility of the land, and to protect sacred sites from destruction or interference.

At the beginning of this century, it was known that a number of lodges sought to revive country witchcraft and rituals. Gerald Brosseau Gardner was initiated into one of these magickal lodges. After a period in which GBG met with OTO heads in America, wrote and published several books and defining texts and started a coven, Gardnerian Witchcraft was born. This form of Witchcraft was very different from traditional country Witchcraft. The term Wicca was coined to distinguish the two forms.

Witchcraft as you know it today originated in England. The witchcraft we practice is Gardnerian in basis.

I urge you to seek a more detailed account of the History of Witchcraft, both traditional and Gardnerian.

I thank you. Now that the boring bit is over, you can stop yawning.

Witchcraft today

If you have discovered witchcraft, chances are you’ve always believed in it without even knowing what its all about. It makes sense to you doesn’t it. Now that you have found your path, how easy is it to follow. This all depends on a number of things. Choosing it as a religion i.e. Wicca means you must have faith in it and believe totally. This requires a commitment. Another factor is whether you’re going to be a solitary or not. Being a solitary witch is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a lot easier for beginners to have someone, or indeed a group of close friends to learn and experience things with. I myself am a solitary, and have viewed it as a disadvantage. You do feel somewhat alone. This is the price of following something different. Where once witchcraft was well-known and a tradition embraced by many families, nowadays it is safe to say that most are ignorant to it. It may be difficult letting people know about your beliefs. For some lucky people, and you may find yourself to be one of them, your friends may have the same belief. You may be lucky enough to have friends who embrace the old ways the same way you do. You can therefore learn and experience together, enjoying group rituals.

The advent of the Internet has undoubtedly been a catalyst in Witchcraft following. We are able to get hold of information and material much easier than before, broadening our knowledge. Without the Internet, you wouldn’t be reading this now, and aren’t you grateful for it hehe. The Internet provides an excellent medium for research and enlightenment. If you’re having trouble being a solitary, have no fear. Join an online group or/and mailing list. There are a number of great sites just for this. I recommend (apart from this one of course)

www.witchvox.com

It has a list of many, many witches both Wiccan or not, from all around the world, not just the US. With its help I was able to get in contact with a number of Witches who live in the same area as me. You can do the same.

Is it the right path for you?

Now that you have found this path of spirituality, are you certain it is right for you? Witchcraft and Wicca will seem a very natural thing to you. if you feel uncomfortable with it however, do not lose heart. Its not the only form of magick and spirituality, depending on what it is you’re searching for. This is where it all gets a bit vague and ambiguous. Only you know the right path for you, and only you know what you’re looking for. If you have found this site, and have read all through my little essay and are now reading this, you have done well. What I recommend from now is to do more reading. Do what feels natural to you. Above all keep learning. You can never know too much about that you love. Check out the links page (if there is one).

I thank you very much for putting up with my babble. I doubt I’ve been of much help, but I thought it would be fun to have my input. Please get in contact with me and tell me how wonderful I am, because it would really make my day.

Remember the words of the Rede they make sense, even if you aren’t Wiccan.

Follow this with Mind and Heart, and merry meet and merry part.

(I did that from memory, could you tell?)

Blessed Be!