I think it's hard to write a kind of piece on
beginners and say 'read this and you'll do fine' because it's more about you. I
know it's tempting just to dive into the spell section and start doing all the
cool stuff, but it won't work if you aren't ready and when you become more
experienced you just look back and laugh at your attempts. (I admit at the
beginning I was a bit stupid, I was obsessed with love spells and did nothing
but for ages, its basically a waste of time and you'd do better just taking it
slow) Of course, and everyone will tell you this, read a lot. Read pieces on
witchcraft, the morals, the history, and everything. Read through spells, get to
know your deities. (You may have a personal favourite, I know I prefer working
with Greek & Roman gods but you may differ) Also, I find a good place to
start is candle magick, it's easy and also can range in difficulties as it gets
more advanced. Successful and simple! Also it is important you work on focusing
your mind.
Meditation exercise (this is really simple)
you may wish to burn some incense. Close your eyes and try and get rid of all
your thoughts. Focus on your breathing (not controlling it, just listening to
it) Feel your whole body and be aware of it. Stay relaxed and watch thoughts
as they come into your head, observe them, then let them go and move on. You
may wish to practice focusing on a particular aspect or thing. If it's a
person create an image of their face in your mind, once your brain is totally
acquainted with them, try out making them say or do things which they haven't
done anything (Images which aren't from memory). Or you may wish to use a
place. Focus on that place and picture you being there. Feel the sun's warmth,
the breeze against your cheek, not only look around you but feel around you.
You can create a place in your mind, which is still and calm, and which you
can project places and images into. Meditation and focusing is useful in all
spells and also helps in astral projection.
Loads of reading. You can get sites with
some witchcraft religious text (i.e. Aradia & Diana) even if you don't
agree with that aspect of it; it is useful to read and learn other people's
views. Search the Internet and don't just go to the spell section of the site,
go to the personal section, read the witches views and feelings towards the
subject, their personal experience and beliefs. You can also get books, if you
aren't ready to buy, go to your local library, (you may think they won't
supply witchcraft books but you'd be surprised my local town library does.)
Ask for Help. Don't be afraid to ask for
help from witches. There are loads of sites out there with email address
contacts, email them and ask for help, don't just ask 'How can I become a
witch' but ask 'How did YOU become a witch?' A lot of people are willing to
help people as long as they have the right attitude.
Is Witchcraft for me? After all that
reading and researching, how do you know if this is all right for you? This is
important, if all you won't to do is spells and look cool, DON'T BOTHER!
Witchcraft is not just something for when you are bored it is a way of
thinking, it is always in you and the craft is always around you, you can't
just go to it when you feel like it. Also, don't be afraid to try out
witchcraft. When I became a witch I had trouble letting go of Christianity,
but when I questioned my Christian beliefs, I realised I had kept them out of
fear and not love. Don't be afraid to improvise as well, my religion has no
name, it is my own jumble of everything I like about different religions, but
it's the faith that counts. Although witchcraft is not a religion, it can
affect when religion you are and also your outlook on the earth. Finally, to
be a witch you need to love your earth. Respect nature and enjoy it and learn
to use it, if you find yourself in awe of a sunset or feeling happy at the
sight of a fresh shoot in spring, witchcraft could be, just maybe, a good way
for you express this. Above all listen to yourself and your own reasons, no
one else can tell you what to do.
Try Out Spells. Finally it is good to start
trying spells, don't over do it, and don't do meaningless spells, help people.
You might not be successful straight away but don't worry… keep at it and
you'll do great. If you feel yourself slipping ask the goddess/god for help,
no ones judging you, so take your time and learn from your mistakes.
After that lot I think I've talked enough! Try this
out, it might not be the right way to witchcraft for you but it’s a general idea
that could help. Blessed be.