Magic
Just because you wanna be a wiccan doesn't mean you have to use magic. I can't remember the last time I performed. My general rule of thumb is, if all else fails, then magic. But thats just my way, everyone has their own. But heres some general things about magic that alot of newbies to the metaphysical scene tend to ask.
For one, people tend to ask, 'well, what kind of spells can I do?'. Magic is only limited to your mind. By this I don't mean you can bend spoons with your mind or shoot flames out of your hands. Magic takes time and patience. Emphasis on patience.
So what do you need to practice magic? Not a thing. Magic doesn't happen cause you put a newt's eye and some bat wings in a cauldron. It happens because you willed it to. However you can use items to help you. The purpose of these items aren't for "spell ingrediants" or a must to have. The purpose of them is to help you better focus through them to your objective. For instance, the athame. Or for those of you who don't know what that is, a dagger of sorts. The athame isn't meant to be looked upon as seperate from you and it, but rather an extension of yourself. The point on it representing your focus, narrowing it down to your objective.
So how about the witch books that tell you how to cast spells for money? Love? and then give you a list of ingrediants you supposedly need to cast them? Do you need it? In the words of Triumph, The Insult Dog: Hey, those are some nice books...for me to poop on. That's about all they're good for. If you want to perform magic, do it your way. Not someone elses.
What about the phases of the moon? Do you need to wait for the moon to be full? All depends, does the phase of the moon matter to you? If so, use them. Read up on what different phases of the moon represents.
Theres no set way on how to do things. The only ways that are set, are the ones you set. Nothing is carved in stone. But just remember, performing magic is hard when you first try. It takes great amounts of patience, and focus. You may feel your efforts were fruitless and not worth the time you put in it. Then again, you may find that everything clicked and came together as you wanted it to. We all have different first times.