Witch Curious: 9 Things to Know if You’re New to Witchcraft

New to witchcraft? Start down the path of the Craft with confidence and consider the following.

Getting started is easier than you think.

While the many different paths, tools, techniques and approaches to spell craft sometimes seem overwhelming, getting started is as simple as getting started.

Just do something.

Pick up a witchy book at the library.

Try a kitchen witch recipe.

Explore your witchy talent.

The key to walking this path is to take the first step.  Just decide on one and move forward.

Your first year is special.

Like any new skill, there’s a learning curve.

The progress and experiences you have during your first year as a practicing witch set the tone for a lifetime.

Go all in.

Attend festivals.  Marvel at the full moon.  Walk around barefoot in the grass.  

Magic isn’t a potion or a cabinet full of herbs or a perfectly memorized incantation.   It’s an experience lived fully.  So go live it.

It’s not like the movies.

If you never spent time around a practicing witch, we forgive you for harboring some stereotypes.

After all, what most people know about the Craft comes from movies like . . . The Craft.

I won’t insult your intelligence here.  You probably already know that witches don’t use baby fat in their potions or fly on broomsticks (though there are historical reasons for that imagery).

But you may think of witchcraft as a dorky past time for socially awkward high school students.

And you’d definitely be wrong about that.

You don’t need to bust your budget.

While all the bells and whistles of a fully outfitted spell cabinet seem fun and appeal to our consumerist mentality, you’ll learn a lot more about nature-based spiritual traditions by just . . . you know, spending time in nature.

If and when you feel ready to start working with tools, you probably already have what you need.

And if not, try rummaging around in your local thrift store for ritual tools.

Costumes are for Halloween (I mean, Samhain).

If you find gaudy jewelry, black eyeliner and full length black skirts contrary to your inner fashionista, I understand.

Whoever your style icon is, I encourage you to keep her.

Tacky witch uniforms are for costume parties and stage acting.

Your religion is your business.

A startling number of my tarot clients are Catholic.

I’ve known practicing Muslims, Hindus and even atheists who express interest in the art of the Craft.

The idea that witchcraft is a religion is among many common misconceptions.   

Witchcraft is a spiritual practice, but not a religion.  (And not to be confused with Wicca, which definitely is a religion).

Your religion is your business.  If you feel called to the Craft, any conflict with your tradition is between you and your conscience.

Fast track your progress with  Witchcraft 101.

Need a jump start?

Moody Moons School of Metaphysical Arts offers an introductory course in witchcraft, as well as specialty courses in herbalism, potion-making and more.

If you prefer an organized approach with clear steps towards progress, it’s your best bet.

Common mistakes are easy to avoid if you know what they are.

You will make mistakes.  And that’s okay.  Growth comes from a series of learned-from mistakes.  Some things you just need to experience for yourself.  

But many are avoidable.

Brush up on these beginner witchcraft mistakes and spare yourself some needless grief.

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Sources & References

Claims Based on Documented Sources

• Getting started witchcraft simple pick book kitchen recipe talent: Documented in beginner witchcraft practice
• First year practicing witch special learning curve experiences set tone: Documented in beginner witchcraft tradition
• Witchcraft not like movies stereotypes baby fat broomsticks: Documented in witchcraft folklore/correction misconceptions
• Witches don’t need expensive tools nature-based spiritual traditions: Documented in modern witchcraft practice
• Witchcraft fashion personal style not costume requirement: Documented in contemporary witchcraft practice
• Witchcraft spiritual practice not religion Wicca distinct religion: Documented in witchcraft/Wicca distinction tradition
• Witchcraft compatible multiple religions Catholic Muslim Hindu atheist: Documented in modern interfaith witchcraft practice
• First year witchcraft attend festivals full moon barefoot grass: Documented in beginner witchcraft experience
• Common beginner witchcraft mistakes avoidable: Documented in witchcraft education tradition
• Moody Moons School Metaphysical Arts beginner courses herbalism potion-making: Documented in educational program offering

About the Authors

Written by Lumina Indigo (Moody Moons founder, 20+ years pagan community experience, professional tarot reader, kitchen witch). Reviewed by Tina Caro (10+ years witchcraft/spellcasting/crystal work/astrology/tarot/ritual practice, 1000+ private clients, Global Excellence Award in Witchcraft Education, Founder of Magickal Spot).

Note

Witchcraft beginner nine key points: (1) Getting started easier than think pick book kitchen recipe explore talent take first step. (2) First year special learning curve progress experiences set lifetime tone go festivals marvel full moon barefoot grass magic experience lived fully. (3) Not like movies stereotypes baby fat broomsticks false ideas socially awkward high school students wrong misconceptions. (4) Don’t need bust budget nature-based spiritual traditions spending time nature thrift store ritual tools rummage. (5) Costumes Halloween Samhain gaudy jewelry black eyeliner full skirts contrary fashionista keep style icon tacky uniforms costume parties stage acting. (6) Religion personal business Catholic Muslim Hindu atheist practitioners witchcraft spiritual practice not religion Wicca definitely religion conflict conscience. (7) Fast track Moody Moons School Metaphysical Arts introductory course herbalism potion-making organized approach clear progress steps. (8) Common mistakes avoidable growth learned mistakes some experience personal brush beginner mistakes spare needless grief. (9) Witchcraft path confidence first step deciding moving forward.