how do I start practicing witchcraft?

Answer 1

I recommend reading up on several traditions to see which you feel the most comfortable with then just keep studying. You never stop learning and studying witchcraft. Its constantly evolving. You could also find a local occult shop of some sort and talk to the people there, ask questions, you can go to http://www.witchvox.com and find people in your area. I am on there as well if you would like to find me. You could also try http://www.covenspace.com/. If you're not comfortable with any of those just go to a book store and search through the new age section ^_^ you'll find alot of great things. And another word of advice, don't pay any attention to those people saying its evil, the devil will own your soul or things like that. We don't believe in any form of devil or satan. Good luck. If you have any more questions you can always e-mail me.

Answer 2

The difference is, Wicca is a religion. It is about how we worship our Gods and how we live our llives. Witchcraft is a skill-- you can be of any (or no) religion. You do not have to be in the Wiccan religion to practice Witchcraft. How to start practicing Witchcraft (broken down as simply as I can): 1. Read books on theory, philosophy & understanding of magic. I like the late 19th/20th century occultists like Crowley, Fortune & Seymore. They're not Witches, they're Ceremonial Magicians, but they give you a good overview of magic that applies to Witchcraft, too. 2. Stay away from "spell books" and "spell websites". Witchcraft works because you understand everything you're doing-- it does not work because you are good at acting out someone else's instructions to light candles and say rhymes. 3. Begin a daily meditation regime. Start at 5 minutes if you're new and work up to at least 30. Mental discipline is key. Also read up on meditation and improving your mind. 4. After a year or so of study & mental preparation, you may be ready for practice. By that time, after all that study, you'll have a better idea of where to begin when you start practicing. 5. Keep in mind that Witchcraft doesn't make things go "poof" like in fiction. Be realistic about it. Also keep in mind that it is by no means the fast & easy way to get things you want-- in fact it is quite a difficult art to master, and only those truly dedicated to learning will actually see results. But be prepared that it takes years of commitment to become adept.

Answer 3

Wow I'm sorry Dana S but I really have to call you on this. I know of MANY wiccan's that never went through the Great Rite. Thats reserved for the High Priestess! You made it sound like a big orgy for the High Priest. I don't even know of any covens who will let anyone under 18 be near that rite. And not all covens worship skyclad. Thats a personal choice. Many covens forbid being skyclad while in circle. You don't even have to join a coven. I think Solitaries are much more knowledgeable than those in covens these days. Covens are pretty filled with drama and self worship. I would listen to the other people who answered this. Reading is the best thing you can do to start off. Don't go jumping into a coven that doesn't know what they're doing or says that the only way to join them is to have the great rite with their High Priest. That is a sign of a troubled coven. Gah I started ranting. sorry.

Answer 4

First I have a couple of questions for you to really ponder.
1. Why do you want to practice witchcraft?
2. What lead you to this path?
3. What do you expect to gain from it?

If your answer to ANY of these questions is "power", forget it.

READ!!! Find out which denomination you would prefer. You may find your answer in, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft.

I would not bother with any type of initiation or gathering of ritual tools until you find which path you are going to follow. Most things that have been mentioned are not necessary in all denominations. I have much more than has been listed, but then, I have been practicing for a very long time. My particular path essentially needs only a Staff, Dirk (athame) and a Keek-Stane (or crystal ball). Other tools can be acquired as needed.

I am Pecti-Witan (aka Hedge Witch, not Wiccan) a "solitary" practitioner of "the Old Religion", and have been for many, many years. Being a "Witch" is nothing like what is portrayed in movies or on Television. There is nothing flashy about it. we are fairly simple people with "abilities" that everyone has, ours are just honed and utilized. Lots of research and practice. There is a lot to learn when you are dealing with herbal, mineral and candle magick.
I read tarot cards, rune stones and utilize a number of other tools for divination but would NEVER charge anyone for anything I do! Besides, I do not do "readings" or "cast spells" for others on demand. That sounds more like a con game to me!
Now as for what I did to start, well, it seemed to come naturally to me, (my mother was a witch and my great grandmother was the daughter of a Comanche medicine man) and I believe this is not my first life (nor the last) as a witch. I have always had a deep respect for nature and have an innate ability to communicate with animals. When I was very young my parents encouraged me to learn about all religions, so I did. And I encourage you to do the same to find your true path. Books are an excellent source, providing you get the right ones, there are some I would avoid (Ravenwolf). I prefer Scott Cunningham. If you can connect with other practitioners that would also be a good way to learn. One question you must ask yourself is are you looking for the structured system of a Coven or would you prefer the life as a "Solitary"? Buckland has some very good books outlining both. But my favorite book is still "Wicca, a Guide for the Solitary Practitoner". It is a good place to start (or affirm).
As you have probably noticed, you also have to have a thick skin, because even in this "advanced" civilization there are still those who believe we worship the devil (LMAO), and would rather turn a blind eye to the world around them. Some will even admit that they think we should be burned at the stake! Ignorance knows no bounds.
If you are very young, expect ridicule and really stupid requests to do "Magic" like they do on TV or in movies. It is not going to make you cool. Expect people to tell you that you are going to Hell. You will probably lose friends. Just being honest with you.
I hope you find the answers you were looking for.
BB
)O(

Answer 5

From the looks of things, this is a "scok pupett" someone made to pick their own best answer, but just in case I'll answer it anyway.

All you're doing is setting yourself up for a bunch of fluffies to email you with websites. It doesn't matter if they do have a $20 Doctor of Diviinity degree from the Universal Life Church, they can't make you a Wiccan!

Being initiated means you have to participate in the Great Rite (sex) with the High Priest, and you can't have sex with a book or a website, obviously. If you're under 18, your parents would have to sign a waiver. Rarely is someone intiated under the age of 18.

So find a real coven that worships skyclad (nude) and if the accept you, they will initiate you. Make sure you find a real coven, not a bunch of kids that watched Charmed 2 many times, or a bunch of self loathing man hating "wymyn" that have robes that should say "Goodyear" across them. LOL!

Blessed Be!

Answer 6

Ppl who are witches usually have some contact with the Other worlds since they are children, like seeing ghosts, or pre-cog, or other psychic abilities. However, witchcraft is a skill, like praying or gardening. It is not associated with any religion per se. You can get burnt as a witch regardless of your faith. I know some Jewitches, some Islamic witches, and esp. Xian witches. That said, witches are usually perveyors of the Old Religion, that is, the folk traditions of native ppls of the area in question. Like Native, Celtic, or Norse. Nowadays, they are often called 'pagan' or Earth based religions. ReClaimists and many neo-pagans actively work to recover the lost knowledge and practices of their Elders, and therefore do a great deal of research on folklore. Although most of it was lost with the often forceable conversion to Xianity and Islam, much of the folk traditions we see today all over the world are handed down from ancient times.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/cs/whatiswicca/a/wiccanwitch.htm
"Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion, therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock."

Wiccans are usually witches, but witches do not have to be Wiccan. Thank goodness.

"One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.
Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few... Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches."

Witches are Low Magic practioners, usually specializing in herbal and natural healing, both physical and mental, solving family and tribal issues, like finding lost articles, weather prediction, and the like. They are usually women, and also known as Priestesses of the Old Religion, which they often were.

Wizards are High Magic magicians. They specialize in ceremonial magic, such as the Kabbalah, or Key of Solomon. They are the cape, hat, wand, sword and dagger crowd. They are usually male.

I have a treatise on the specifics of High and Low magic, but that seems outside the scope of this question.

Most witches don't need to start practicing witchcraft. They always have done so. However, like any skill, we learn by doing, experiementation, speaking to others, and reading. There are many ways to increase efficacy of spellcraft, including focus, research, mediation, symbolism of both words and tools.

There are many websites to help you increase your skills and aid in your spirituality.
http://www.witchvox.com/
http://home.earthlink.net/~wodensharrow/worldlinks.html
http://hometown.aol.com/innerlightcoven2/trads.html
http://www.hallsofavalon.com/Definitions.htm

Answer 7

First, get a time machine and go back to the Dark Ages. This is the 21st century!

Witchcraft isn't real. If it was people would take Randi's million dollar challenge.

Answer 8

you don't start "practicing" witchcraft. you start by studying witchcraft. check out the books at your local barnes n noble or hastings. stay away from the public library. often those are filled with supersticion and religions doctrine.

wicca is an idea of how to live your life. witchcraft is simply one minute aspect of it (and way overdone by shows like charmed). most wiccans never get past the point of spells and ritual because they are too caught up with the dramatic side.

i studied wicca for many years, although i am no longer wiccan. i prefer the term pagan because i practice and study many different pagan beliefs and spirituality.

Answer 9

*Well, you can get training in a recognized tradition online through witchschool.com or you can learn from books.

these are the books that are my personal favorites. Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland or Buckland's complete book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland Scott Cunningham's Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner and his follow up book Living Wicca are also good for self learning.*

these are by no means the only books or the best, but are the ones I use.*

Answer 10

1. Study Traditions (IE Enochian, Wicca, Druidism, Asatru, etc.)
http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=trads

2. Pick a tradition and study it.

3. Get a supplier, http://www.azuregreen.com/

4. Network http://www.witchvox.com/

5. Keep studying http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=BlueFireWitch

Hope this helps