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Im just starting on practising withcraft, do you have any suggestion on which i should start off doing first??

Forget everything you saw in the movies and pick up some of these books to start out your reading list:

Magicians Companion, Bill Whitcomb
A Grimoire of Shadows, Ed Fitch
An Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunning ham

A Latin Dictionary
A Greek Dictionary
A Hebrew Dictionary

Three Books Of Occult Philosophy, Agrippa

Trancendental Magic, Elphais Levi

I have a book called Witchcraft Theory and Practice by Ly De Angeles... would that work too to start off reading??

candle magic is a good way to practice focusing your mind and everything. once you can control a flame with your mind and hand spells will be easy

Witchcraft Theory and Practice is a good book but kind of deep to start off with. There are other books that are good for beginners.


Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, 2E (The Complete Idiot's Guide) by Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason (This is one of my favorites for beginners)

True Magick (Llewellyn's New Age Series) by Amber K


These are good books to start off. They cover the basics and aren't too deep to make you lose interest. If you decide to follow a more ceremonial path, the books that Markus recommended would be good.

thank you for the advice on books to get, that rly helps, ill diffenitely look into it once i get money lol

dependin on the type of witchcraft you are wanting to do you must clear the body and the mind.. free your self from all worries the best way to do such a thing is start off with just sittin there with a few candles lite and some insints burning... after you feel free of your worries start out with some thing easys such as easy candle spells that dont take a whole bouch of herbs...

If you want some websites to start with here are a couple that I read from.

www.witchvox.com
http://paganwiccan.about.com/mbody.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Column/1590/new.html
http://witchonthego.com/
www.sacredtexts.com

Thats a good start.

I am in the process of reading True Magick by Amber K and like it so far (I'm just starting out too) it covers the basics so you get a feel for all of it instead of going into a lot of detail right away. Has anyone read Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft? I have it but haven't finished it yet so I don't know if its good to start with or not.

thanks for the sites, ill check them out for sure^^

Personally for me, Buckland is one of those that it was an interesting read but I wouldn't put a whole lot of his views into practice. He does cover some of the basics. I think everyone should read him though, just to see a different side of it. When I was teaching with my Coven is was one of the required texts. We call it "the big blue book".

Sorry to ask but witch is better witchcraft or Wiccan?

i dont know not into it to much im more of a druid

It depends on what you a looking for. Wicca is more a religion. Witchcraft is more a practice of magick, which doesn't always include spells.

well all i can say is be a lil carfull when coming across any Raven Silver wolf books. some stuff is helpfull, but most of the info is scattered and blurry in a sence of truth. so yeah. thats all i can really say... OH!!! and a very very important thing, is to NEVER forget about casting a circle b4 doing something. other wise ur energy is scattered, and not focused on what ur doing it for. then it fucks up alot. thats something i had to learn the hard way...

If you get into casting, never, ever forget that rule of 3 catch. Anything you send, WILL return, in one form or another. Karma does work.

Here is a few more books to check out:

Magick for Beginners by J.H.Brennan
Earth Power 1&2 by Scott Cunningham
Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham
Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain

But remember the three fold law what u send out comes back three-fold.

Books are your best bet to start off with. Ly De Angeles is one of the best authors out there. One author you might want to look at though alot of people discredit her is Silver Ravenwolf, she is an exceptionaly good author and she will break everything down to the basics for you... I start learning from her. The biggest thing to remember is the rule of three, what you send out comes back to thee... I suggest that you memorize the wiccan reade, it will tell you the core rule of wicca.... becareful and blessed be

there are various types of witchcraft i d suggest to read a bit about them even on the internet and try to see which one applies more to you... so you can start from there... as you evlove you might stick to it or change

read my Journal and it will give you the answers you are looking for :) Believe me i live a with everday of my life :) and know i have spells and alot on my Jorunal, Beware of black magic it will come back on you 10 times worse ...

And I am also a ordain wiccan, pagan minister :) I disagree with some here but if you read you will find your answers :)

Always follow you instincts.When you think there is something wrong there probably is. Careful of personal gain. Everyone else has said what i was going to say about Karma, Black magick, and Choosing which path.

There is no such thing as "White" or "Black".. there are only shades of grey. Keep that in mind.

As well, the Witches Bible is ok for learning basic rituals.. a better one (if you have no coven to join) is Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham or Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft.

You might wish to also research "High Magik"... there is a lot to learn from that practice as well.

jus remember everything u put out comes back times 3

I am not really into witchcraft but it does interest me.

All of the post give good advice and I also just would like to stress to you to always protect yourself and be careful of what you are doing cause it will come back 3flds and worst with the black magic- I live by a rule of NO personal gain at all jsut my way is all, good luck and blessed be....

Crystal magick is a wonderful way to help focus your mind on one specific thing at a time. It also is a great aide in meditation and blocking negative energies from entering your mind.

I don't have a booklist on me right now but "The Crystal Bible" is a great book to start off with. I have to hunt down the author's name again but once I find it I'll post it here for you. The book is about $20...no more than $30, I do believe which isn't too bad of a price. It lists a grand variety of crystals and ALL of their individual properties. It is definitely a great learning tool.

wow...those websites really did help me understand the start to Wicca..thanks because i alwasy wanted to learn about it and i find it a very truthful religion so far and i might even stick with it.

but i was wondering i read an article of The Pentacle and it didnt mention Venus..
when i read DaVinci Code it mentioned that Venus drew that symbol in space and how Venus is the planet of the Godess and i was wondering if that is true?

Yes that is true. If you follow the path of Venus in the sky, it does create a pentacle.

Here is more information on that.
http://www.insidethedavincicode.com/inside/publish/path_of_venus_pentagram.shtml

thanks! :) thats awsome....

Thank you everybody for your suggestions it will really help..
Would you all suggest to write notes about it thought to remember it??

most deffenatly. writing things down is key to learning just about anything. starting a book of shadows is a big part too. its pretty much, your notes, spells, and other little du dads on stuff.

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge.

I have one more question, iv also gotten another book called Witches Magical Handbook and the authors are Gavin Frost, PH.D., D.D. and Yvonne Frost, D.D., and there the founders of The Church and School of Wicca, Est. 1968

Would you suggest that book? From what I heard from a friend of mine at school who also studys witchcraft, she sad that book was a waste of time.. but what is your opinion on it??

yo could try any of the farrar`s books some are basic and others are a bit more indepth

not all books are useful for everyone.. some read the book and dont find it useful, while others find it very good.. you should see it by yourself

Don't worry about books. All of the information you read you may not necessarily use. I've said this in another thread, but if something doesn't make sense to you, don't do it. It's not worth it.

here are a few web sites that might help you out

fionahorne.com

witchvox.com

shadowplayine.com

bookofshadows.net

CelticCrow.com

wendyrule.com

I agree with Rowiel. Not everyone will get the same things out of the same books. We can only make our suggestions and the rest is up to you. Depending on which path you decide to follow someone will always have favorite books they recommend. I can recommend tons of books on Celtic and Faery because that is what I study. If you wanted to know more about Egyptian I wouldn't have a clue. Do what feels right to you and it will never be the wrong path.

thanks you.... another question xD jeeze questions just keep popping into my head about all this lol.. anyways, about the Book of Shadows.. if i dont have an actually book can I just make my own instead of buying one??

yes you can make your own.. i d suggest to buy a plain book with blank pages (art sketch books are like that and the pages are quite good)

the good thing about a book of shadows is that it is a very personal thing...
you dont have to go buy a certain brand or even something that says "book of shadows"
i have a spiral notebook that i decorated witha magic marker...
any kind of notebook will do
i think that if you find something you like, then personalize it.... it is great because you can focus your thoughts and feelings better with a blank slate

just my opinion

i agree with vertigomoon, i have several books, i have he main book of shadows.. whcih has blanmk pages.. then i have my diary, which has prayers in it too, among my expierences, i shall do a herb book this summer and a spell book too... so you see you can actually have various types of BOS :)

good luck!

Thank you, ill make one of my own then and decorate it the way I like^^ Thanks for all your help

any help you need just msg me i ll try to do my best :)

Some people also keep a DOS (Disk of Shadows) on their computer. Some also make a binder and print out pages and such. A binder allows you to move things around and add pages at will.

what would u suggest getting for beginner supplies when first starting out with all the herbs and stuff??

thats exactly what im using for my BOS is a binder^^

I have a blank sketch book and a composition book.

Unless you have the money to spend on supplies you really don't need anything. You can do so much with just yourself. Thats an important lesson to know. All the tools you buy are just that, tools. They and just good for helping you focusing your energy. If you have some extra money, the best thing to start out with is a sage bundle, some incense and candles. Do some research on candle colors and types of incense.

Here is another great website to check out - it encompasses a LOT of various aspects of Witchcraft, and magick in general. Hope this helps you out some!

http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amethystbt/thewitch.html

i would also suggest a knife or other sharp object to etch words or symbols into the candles... this helps focus your energy and intent into the object...
but objects are not nescesary, they are just tools to help focus your energy into the work being done

Read everything you can find. Practice meditation and visualization. Practice focusing your energy. And, above all, know yourself. Be aware of your own energy . Understand your cycle in relation to everything around you. Be aware that you are part of the all and feel the connection you have to the greater forces.

^^thanks for the advice

I would definately have to agree with Swteternity stay away from black magik. i got into that and it isn't good to mess around with. Also to get your mind and body to believe a little better i've found that moving a crystal with your mind helps. My friends mom has a crystal bowl and and crystal necklace and she would take non believers and tell them not to move their hand at all and to invision the crystal moving in their head and through their mind the crystal would spin in circles around the bowl. This got many non believers into believing and it helps to open the body and mind a bit (you don't need the bowl just the crystal) Also as others have said learn how to control the flame of a candle with your mind and hand it's much the same thing. Meditate using candle light and the energy from the candle.
I do think the books will be great introduction and read SwtEternity's journal. Then come back with questions.
-MixedBlood-

Are you entirely Wiccan in religion? You could get the Wiccan 'bible' . It tells you about the religion, and things behind it, which could give you insight into practicing your witchcraft.

What is the Wiccan 'bible'?

Also be aware you don't just reside in one book alone. Seek out many different sources. Ask around talk to people. What I have found, that there are more then you may be aware of in your area. Read, research and ask. Do what is right for you, and if you don't like what you see, hear..walk away. There are so many weekenders, young children that profess. Trust in yourself most of all.

read anything and every thging you can books webs sites but stay away from silverraven wolf and starhawk unless you want to be a "fluff bunny"

first of all make sure your heart is pure for the rule of three applies books are fine but all true magic comes from within . there are as many opinions of witch craft is best .I think your best bet is read a book about different practices first find the one that suites your style best. then pursue that method Wicca is a general stereo type it isn't supposed to be but it has been wrongly applied to different types of magic over the years . like calling religions Christians I'm a green witch and a teacher of the craft. the spells on my profile are very general . and you have to know the basics of the craft for them to work. forming a circle and the basic elements (5) good luck If you have any questions feel free to ask . most of all keep an open mind and find what is right for you don’ let anyone push you into anything that doesn’t seem natural the goal is inner peace blessed be enchanted 1369 I’m on aim and yahoo if you have any questions enchanted1369j on yh .

my view on the subject is like has been said read on the differnt subjects see which best describes you and how it makes u feel some of the subjects are very very heavy and others are like a feather, i practice druidism and have been for years i also teach it as well to those who want to learn it , as it was once said to each their own, but i would see which one best describes what your trying to accomplish

MD

I'm not a book person or a website person when it comes to my witchcraft because everyone has a different theory on how to do spells and how certain rituals are supposed to work and all those different theories can really be confusing, I would personally recommend you practice under another witch's supervision for a while.

But if you insist on doing it by books just remember to observe ALL of the rules and to protect yourself at all times, new witches can be more vunerable and open to bad things. So for your first few months I'd keep some salt close by.

If you ever have any questions on witchcraft or stuff like that please ask me, I would be glad to help or at least point you to someone who can.

Perhaps researching and finding what kind of magic ur interested in may be a good choice for a starting point.

one thing I would like to add in here.....
repeatedly the "rule of 3" is brought up...
there are many paths who DO NOT believe in such....and they don't seem to get any huge celestial backlash from not following it....
to me magic is the belief and intent you force upon it wih your will.....very little more
if you TRULY believe that the rule of 3 applies....then it does...because your own belief powers it into action....
but take for instance, the bokour(voodoo/santeria) they do not follow that such rules exist in the world.....things simply are....and as long as you have not offended the spirits..it's ok...or even to the point that as long as the spirits you follow are more powerful than those of your enemies....I am not a follower of this myself....but I have researched it quite a lot.
it does have a certain logic to it when you consider it
and everyone warns to stay away from "black" magic....the only thing making ANY magic black or white is the intent of the caster
intent is EVERYTHING in casting....the words could be meaningless drivel....but if the will and the actual intent are followed...then that is when effects happen
will/intent/focus
this is what makes magic
the rest is candy coating

Your right, Voodoo/Santeria do not believe specifically in the rule of 3 but wouldn't consequences from angering the spirits be similar, just different terminology? Many traditions may not believe in the rule of 3 but they all have their beliefs of consequences "for angering the spirits"

actually i dont know waht others traditons belive... yes i know that the three fold rule is not applied in many other forms of witchcaft... it is up to a personal choice actually to decide in what to belive or not.... and thats why there are diferent paths... as a wiccan myself i belive in the 3 fold rule as i belive that things that go around will circulate too....but as said that is up to you to decide in what to belive and which path is good for you

well consequence for action is subjective...
as to angering the spirits....as far as i know in santeria they can be placated into compliance effectively removing karma from the equation.
as I said tho..I don't foloow this tradition myself...I just wanted it mentioned that the threefold law is NOT a universal to all paths....
when people ask for advice claiming to be amateur..I try to give as many available paths or options a I can...and then let them find that which suits them

I agree. I am not trying to be argumentative. Just making sure that, even though not all follow the 3 fold law, many of them still follow some variance of it. And yes there are those that do not believe in it at all. Which is why I have chosen this path, its all a personal choice. My choice and not what someone else tells me I have to believe or do to show that I believe a certain way.

dont belive any damn thing u saw in the movies and goood damn luck

Scott Buckingham also has alot of interisting books.It help'd me.

In most magical practices except for a few of those creepy ones, there is usually a rule about respecting the things around you and the other people around you, balance and all that.

Thats the way it is supposed to be for most religions not just magickal ones but it doesn't always get followed.

I am new to the subject of witchcraft, but in the last couple of months I have been reading a lot of articles online. However I still tend to get confused because quite often people use the terms witchcraft and Wicca as being one and the same.. and from what I understand its not.

My readings on the subject has led me to believe Wicca is not for me, however, I am interested in what came before or other alternatives. If anyone would have any links to well written and informative sites on witchcraft but not relating to the modernised wicca religion I would really appreciate it.

Also, I hope its alright I posted it on this thread.. I simply didnt see a need to start a whole new one when one already existed that was so similar.

I would just start reading and learning. Trying littler rituals if you try to jump in and start doing spells or other stuff that might be out of your reach your going to get frustrated and quit. Take you time with it and gain knowledge of the craft and over time you will become a proficient and natural based witch.

Do you have be rly religious and catholic and believe in God to be practising witchcraft?

be very careful.....thats all im going to say..

wiccans are not catholics by any chance... even tough there are the lectic wiccans whom have teo religions.. but perosnally i think that s VERY confusing... it depends on the path chosen.. but there are no catholic wiccans in my opninon

i wish i could practice witchcraft..but with my mom and i liveing with my grandma i wouldnt be able to :(

not every spell works right away just chill and wait

~truthfulvampire~

never forget who you are

Thanks, I got a book called Wicca a solitary practioner by Scott Cunnigham today^^

i've seen that one....it's ok
even geared ok for those who aren't actually wiccan..but just have similar paths

Its a good one to get some of the basics without pointing you in a specific direction. Unless you have a specific tradition in mind, I think that is the best way to start.

i've only read on it but have never have had anything elce to do with it

just remeber to steer away from the left hand path and you'll be alright also it would be best to start off with some candles and the basic crystals, ameythst and stuff like that as they can come in handy

Out of curiousity, has anyone read The Witching Way of the Hollow Hill by Robin Artisson? From the reviews I have read, it sounds like its a very indepth and informative book.. but I would like some more opinions, if possible, before I purchase it.

Standard Book Of Spells: Grade 1 - Miranda Goshawk


Heh.

Read plenty first, if you think you shoulden't do a spell!!, then don't!

well, i have the book by Ly de Angeles (hope i spelled it right), the one about Witchcraft and Theory. it has been a struggle for me , but through perseverance, i believ that you could probably learn many important things from that book without being overwhelmed. good luck!

You know, so many people keep saying to to stay away from dark magick, black magick or the left hand path. While it may not be for you in particular, who are you to say that it is not for them. I think that you should study all traditions and path's and see what fits you best.

It is sad to see people that are supposed to be more open minded continue to accept the media hype as to what is a "white witch or a black magician". Think about it. Its all about balance right? Light and dark, black and white, good or bad. Before you tell people that they should follow a certain path, maybe you should study a little about that path and make sure that you actually know what you are warning people against.

I know several people that follow what would be considered the "dark path" and they are no different than anyone else.

I'm curious mostly because of this rule of three that keeps coming up and the idea of karma in general...I see far too many people get a 'karma pass' in the mundane world...

Crowley never seemed especially concerned about karma and went so far as to supposedly initiate psychic battles with old Golden Dawn founders. He seemed to live quite well and didn't have any last minute confessions for forgiveness unlike LaVey.

So was Crowley just a crank who isn't acknowledged as an actual adept of magik anymore or did he get away with something that one isn't supposed to be able to get away with.

I agree with RavynWitch about the choice of paths. Each person should be the one to determine which way you want to travel. I started out searching on the Celtic path and now I tend to lean toward the Faeries, and the Dark ones at that. Just keep an open mind and *listen* to what you are being taught. You will know how to proceed if you just pay attention to your inner voice.

I also agree with this
which is why I have advised looking into ALL paths...from fairy (ick..personl dislike) all the way to santeria and voodoo..and any in between...then decide what fits you...
white, dark, green, hell why not plaid magic for all i care...as long as you go into it with OPEN EYES!

By next week I will have a complete list of herbs and where to get them, and how they should be handled, picked and such. If you want me to send it to you, just message and I will give it.

Herbal knowlegde is a very good way to start, because you need it in potions, rituals and some spells

oh i would love that guide Nianna too if you dont mind of course! :)

NO not at all. When it is completed I will put it in my journal for everyone to see, and they are more than welcome to borrow it. I will however make sure to keep the copywrite, so if you want it, just message and I shall send it to you.

I would also recomend to you, to try and see if you are a natural which. It is not about chanting and mixing stuff, waveing wands and lighting candles.

It takes time to learn, but if you have the natural which within you, it will be a lot easier.

OK. now i know you guys that know the rules like the back of your hand are gonna slap my wrist and say NO NO! but i did do a spell without a circle and i agree that if you do not cast a circle first some things may go wrong and i know because Karma happened in a big way! i lost the guy i loved cause i tried to do a spell to keep him close and he left for mississippi and has never talked to me since...see! ALWAYS CAST A CIRCLE BEFORE YOU DO A SPELL OR SOMETHING COULD GO WRONG

I don't think it was the fact that you didn't cast a spell that lost him for you. It was the fact that you tried to do a spell that went against his will. If it was his will to stay he would have. You should never do a spell that tries to get someone to do something against their will.

RavenWytch is right on that one. There is an old saying; And in the end they got eachother, and lived like dog and cat ever after.

If you bind others, you are often binding yourself. Love spells is something you anyone should stay far far away from.

There are potions and spells that can help promote lvoe, but it can never imitate or create true love.

I also agree with Ravenwytch.
Never force someone to go do something agains their will

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