Beginning
Witchcraft
Learn to crawl
before you try to run.
One of the first things I’m usually asked by
someone who is not a Witch is, “Why are you a Witch?”
That is followed closely with, “Just what is a Witch?”
Witchcraft is a personal journey I
can show you where the Path is, or what it looks like, but only you can
walk it. Once you understand the basics, it's up to you to figure
out what works best for you. This is confusing to those who are
new to the Craft.
Don't worry because three books describe the same concept three
different ways. Each describes that author's way of doing things. Find
what works for you, and make it your own. That is how you walk your
Path.
This
may sound intimidating, but if you read what is here, and throughout
CyberWitchcraft, you will learn what it takes to be a Witch.
Any introduction
or discussion of Witchcraft is going to use words that you may not be
familiar with. Throughout this site, links in green
will pop up a glossary of terms in a new window. Please
set your browser to accept pop ups from this site.
I give you my word that I will not pop up unrelated windows, such as
ads or porn.
The
basic beliefs of Witchcraft
are fairly simple to state. It's like reciting the Golden Rule.
Unfortunately, it's understanding the meaning behind the words
that most who call themselves Witches have such a hard time with.
There are buzzwords and phrases every Witch knows. They include The Wiccan Rede but really...what
do those eight words mean? Just as many wear the symbols
of Witchcraft without knowing the meanings behind them. After you have gotten to this point in Witchcraft, you start to learn that there's
more to being a Witch than simply calling yourself a Witch.
Before you can cast
your first Circle, or chant your first spell, you need to
have an understanding of tools that are used, and how
to consecrate those tools. Some of these tools are not as obvious as a knife. They include things like an altar, robes, and salt.
Once you have cast the Circle, and created your
Sacred Space, you call
to the Quarters or Elements, to protect that
space. These Guardians are powerful, and must be properly controlled if
you hope to use them in ritual.
Now you can invoke
the Gods, and ask them to join you. Unlike the Quarters, you
cannot command the Gods, you simply invite them.
Once your Circle is complete, your Temple erected,
you begin the Working. I capitalize the word because your Working is
the entire purpose for the ritual. This is where you celebrate the
holiday, or cast your magick. It is called a Working because it is just
that, work. This can be a celebrational working such as a Sabbat, or a the magickal Working of an Esbat.
After completing whatever ritual Working you need,
it's time to relax with cakes and ale. If done correctly, the Working
will have depleted your energy significantly. By sitting down with food
and drink (alcoholic or not) you can ground and center yourself,
replenish your energy, and begin the journey back to the real world.
The last step in returning to the here and now, is
opening the
Circle. You thank the Gods for their presence, dismiss the
Quarters, and cut the Circle. The Circle is now open, but remains
unbroken. While the ritual is now over, it remains with you.
As you practice your Craft more, you will find
that there are times when you need a ritual. You will feel it. For the
same reasons some people find comfort in going to church, you will find
that ritual can comfort and soothe you.
When it's done right, you come out of ritual more
alert, and refreshed than when you started. You have talked to your
Gods and listened to their wisdom. You have reconnected with the Divine
within you, and confirmed that you can deal with
whatever life decides to throw at you.
What Questions Do You Have About Witchcraft?
You've come to this site looking for answers. I know you have questions.
Here is where you can ask your questions, and get answers from anyone who has an answer. Think of this as an interactive FAQ.
If you have questions, ask. If you have answers, share.
Questions others have asked...and the answers they got.
Click below to see questions from other visitors to this page...
Finding a coven
    
Wow, there is some really great information on this site. I have read books and other sites and this is the first one that I really feel that I am connecting ...
Why can't I feel magick?
    
What does energy feel like? I have been reading books for a few months now. They talk about raising engery to cast spells. I don't feel anything when ...
Is It Right To Command Elementals?
   
Ken wrote in one of his Beginning Witchcraft articles about ritual, and that when it comes to calling the quarters and the 'watchtowers' or the elemental ...
Psychic abilities?
Not rated yet
I think I might have some abilities, but do not know how to develop these. I have had several premonitions about future events. Most signficant was 2 years ...
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