Witch Craft 101: How to Practice for Beginners
The terms “witch” or “witch craft” have a lot of negative connotations attached to them which have, in turn, provoked fear in people for centuries.
“Witch” actually derives from the Old English terms wicce, (feminine) and wicca (masculine.) Although the western part of the world has placed a large negative stereotype on the word and people who practice the craft, there is actually something so beautiful about each person’s individual practices and connections with the world around them.
I first started practicing my craft around five years ago. As someone who has always had such a strong connection to the natural world around me, I felt very called to learn more about my environment, the elements, and the different energy I would tune into from time to time.
There are MANY different types of craft, types of witches, energy, divination, and other tools that people like to incorporate into their own practices depending on what they feel called to. Some folks may resonate more with herbs and natural elements of the earth like myself, while some resonate with working with other energies, spirits, or deities.
For myself, I have always had an interest in plants, herbs, and botanical things of that nature. Learning about the natural world and all of the medicines right at our fingertips was so intriguing for me, and I began to immerse myself in books, podcasts, and anything I could to learn more about how I could use these tools to help myself and others. Some of my favorite herbs to begin with that have different properties consist of mugwort, lavender, and rosemary. These herbs are easy to start off with and have different energetic and physical healing properties, aid in protection, and banish negative energy.
I feel very strongly about helping and healing others and have also taken an interest in learning about other areas of the world and their natural witchcraft practices. Witch- doctors were people who helped others with ailments both physically and energetically, which I think both are incredibly important. Learning about and respecting the ancient art of shamanism and what those practices look like from culture to culture is also something that has been of interest to me for quite some time now.
A person’s craft might look completely different than someone else’s, and it’s also important to remember to be respectful of others and their practices, what the earth gives you, and energy in general. One of, if not my biggest rule when it comes to my craft, is that whatever energy you put out into the world comes back to you threefold. Karma, but on the highest level! I personally really resonate with this teaching, and when working with others, making sure not to manipulate their energy or person in any way is just as important.
There are so many different ways you can practice your craft. If, like me, you feel really called to working with the natural elements, making herbal teas, tinctures, or topicals can be really beneficial to others and yourself. Maybe you want to start setting intentions and creating spell jars for your loved ones or to protect your home from negative energy. Maybe you really resonate with different divination tools, tarot cards, a pendulum, etc. and want guidance from the universe around you.
Whatever you feel drawn to, I highly recommend reading books and asking other witches in the community where to start and what tools to use. It can be overwhelming at first, but break it into chunks of learning. I would start with the history of witchcraft and different types of craft work. See what calls to you and pulls your interest. From there, learning craft basics such as how to protect yourself and energy or how to cleanse your work spaces, and safely open and close working circles would be my next recommendation.
For witchcraft beginners, here is one of my favorite spell jars to start with. A projection jar can be kept in your own home, gifted to a loved one, kept in your car or workspace. It is important to remember that variations of spells come and go as you begin to work with your own practices and learn about what resonates best with you. These are some of my favorite herbs and things I like to put in my protection jars, but work with what you have in your kitchen or backyard. It doesn’t have to be fancy as long you put your intentions clearly into your practice.
Protection Spell Jar
Items needed: A jar, incense, a black candle, small piec- es of white quartz or obsidian, any of the following herbs.
Herbs: Rosemary, eggshells, pink salt, bay leaf, star an- ise, cloves, echinacea, mugwort, dandelion root, laven- der, rose bud, chamomile. Many of these herbs provide protection, banish negative energy, protect your own en- ergy, provide psychic protection and healing.
Start by cleansing your space with incense or other tools. Cleanse the jar you have chosen with the incense and set your intention before you begin.
I like to add items (if you have them) such as small pieces of clear quartz or obsidian to strengthen the herbal energy. Add your herbs. There is no correct amount you need to add, and you don’t need every single item listed.
If you have a bay leaf, you can further your intention by writing it down, writing the person’s name you wish to protect, or simply just writing something like “protection” further encapsulates your energy into the spell.
Once you have added all the components to the jar, you need to seal the energy inside. Sealing a spell is very important, as it binds the spell and protects it from being altered without your permission. Take a black candle and light it. Once the wax starts to melt, let it melt and drip down over the top and sides of your candle.
You can carve an initial or sigil in the top of the wax for added protection and intention.
Place the spell in your home or area you wish to protect. Spell jars can also be worn to take the intention and energy with you.
Spell Variation
If you don’t have any of these tools, don’t stress! For a more simple protection spell, take a black or white candle and carve a name or your intention into the side of the candle. Light the candle, and let it melt, giving energy to your intentions of protection.
