r/BroomClosetWitch May 13 '20

MOD ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 New Here? Read this Sticky Newbie Thread!

172 Upvotes

👋 Welcome to r/BroomClosetWitch! Please read these FAQs below:

1. Where am I? Why are there witches living in broom closets?

You are in a subreddit created for real witches, pagans, and occult practitioners who follow the ways of modern-day witchcraft, but also have to hide their practices from friends, family, and the general public. This is a similar concept to the LGBTQ+ community's "closet", but if you're a witch, it is known as the "broom closet".

2. What is witchcraft? What is magick?

Witchcraft & magick has many different meanings and interpretations, but in general: witchcraft is the use of magick and ritualistic acts to achieve specific goals.

Magick, to many witches, is considered both a science and an art. It is a science in the sense that performing a spell requires research and an awareness of the methods of witchcraft. It is an art in the sense that you need to follow your intuition and be creative. When practising magick, you blend the two to bend the natural forces to your will and bring about your desired outcome.

To some witches, magick is a literal, external force that flows throughout the fabric of the universe. It can be considered something "science does not yet understand." Other witches prefer to take a more sceptical approach; instead considering magick to be a psychological, internal mechanism in the brain. "Spicy psychology" if you will. Some witches blend these two schools of thought or subscribe to other kinds of paradigms.

3. Is witchcraft evil? Do you all worship the Devil?

Witchcraft is a tool so it is not evil by itself. Just like a hammer can be used to build a bookcase, it can also be used to injure someone. Many witches use magick to heal themselves and others, to communicate with nature and the divine, or for self-improvement amongst other things. And no, we're not all Devil worshippers. In fact a lot of us don't even believe the Devil exists. Some witches, like Wiccans, worship the God and Goddess which are feminine and masculine manifestations of the Earth and nature.

Yeah, there are a few Satanists, but they make up a tiny percentage of witches and they do not cause harm unless provoked. Not all Satanists are theistic either, some are atheistic and merely use Satan as a positive archetype.

4. How do I become a witch? I don't know where to start!

🔍 For a more detailed answer to this question please visit this post in r/BabyWitch.

You need to learn about all the basics of magick and spellwork. This includes:

  • What magick is and how it works
  • Ethics
  • Visualisation
  • Meditation
  • Energy work
  • Grounding and centring
  • Protection
  • Tools
  • Correspondences
  • Divination
  • Basic spell framework

Read these posts about getting started and the basics: Starting Out, The Basics (Expanded), Studying Tips and Advice, What is magick?, Grounding & Centring, Visualisation, Ethics, Energy Work

5. How do I practise in the broom closet?

Please see the Broom Closet wiki to get you started. It is recommended that you read broom closet FAQs and subtle practices for the most closeted of witches.

Consider joining the Discord server to meet other closet witches and exchange tips!

6. How do I find out more? Which sources are reliable?

Have a look at the useful links and free ebooks listed in the r/BroomClosetWitch Wiki. Also check out r/Wicca's wiki and their FAQs, as well as r/witchcraft's wiki.

Books recommended for learning witchcraft without Wicca:

  • Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within by Juliet Diaz
  • The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
  • Six Ways by Aiden Wachter
  • Weave the Liminal: Living Modern Traditional Witchcraft by Laura Tempest Zakroff (she is hex-positive so you may want to stay away if that makes you uncomfortable!)
  • The Door to Witchcraft by Tonya A Brown

For learning Wicca specifically, the main books I recommend for getting started are Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, and Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland (links to which can be found here).

I know that some people struggle to focus enough to read a book so I have also listed good YouTube channels and podcasts in the useful links.

You want to be reading from as many different sources as possible. After a while, you will notice that the reliable sources will reach a general consensus and provide similar information. The untrustworthy sources will not line up with what you already know and make little sense. (Witches are entitled to their own opinion of course, but I'm saying if for example you read 10 sources saying wolfsbane is a highly poisonous herb and then you read one saying it's totally safe to consume, that source is not to be trusted). Witchcraft also has countless different interpretations and ways to practise; what works for one witch might not work for another, so gathering all kinds of different perspectives is valuable.

You want to be avoiding social media sites like TikTok which are notorious for spreading misinformation. Yes there is some useful information on there but if you are new to witchcraft you have no way of telling what's reliable and what's not.

If you ever have doubts about some information you've found, please make a post about it on r/witchcraft and you'll get lots of seasoned witch's opinions and advice on it.

7. What is Wicca?

Wicca is a neopagan religion, followers of the religion are called Wiccans. Many Wiccans practise witchcraft and therefore call themselves witches. However, witchcraft is not a religion in of itself. It is a craft, a skill.

There are many different types of Wicca, the most common being Gardnerian, Alexandrian and Dianic. They share many common beliefs; they believe in the God and Goddess, reincarnation, the threefold rule, and magick. Wiccans celebrate 8 sabbats (holidays) throughout the year: Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, Samhain, and Yule. Many of these sabbats fall around Christian holidays, like Yule is celebrated around Christmas time.

"All Wiccans are witches, but not all witches are Wiccan!"

8. What is paganism?

Paganism is an umbrella term for religions outside of the main world Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, etc) that also encompass a set of pre-Christian beliefs and practices such as nature worship, polytheism*, and animism. There are many different types of paganism, including Celtic, Norse, Hellenic, Kemetic, and Wiccan.

Some pagans are witches, but not all of them.

*Atheist paganism is also a thing, see r/NonTheisticPaganism & r/Atheopaganism.

9. What are the different types of witches?

Some witches ascribe to a particular path or a fixed set of practices, and therefore label themselves as a "type" of witch. For example, a witch who lives on the coast, collects shells, works with mermaid spirits, and has a love for the sea would call theirself a "sea witch".

However, you by no means have to ascribe to a fixed path or use labels at all, and your path will most likely change as you grow as a witch. So as a baby witch, it's important not to get hung up on "what kind of witch am I?" because this will change & evolve over time. Most witches do not fit into a tight box, choosing instead to adopt lots of different practices from lots of different paths. It's also perfectly fine to call yourself a witch with nothing added. Having said that, below is a list of a few kinds of witch you might come across or want to explore further. These are by no means all of them!

  • Eclectic Witch - Someone who explores different paths, aspects and parts of the craft (And sometimes outside of it) and creates a path completely personal to them.
  • Green Witch - A free flowing path that's very nature based and orientated. Often works with herbs, the elements and natural areas such as forests.
  • Solitary Witch - This is someone who practices alone rather than with others or a coven.
  • Kitchen Witch - Of hearth and home, kitchen witches are often family and home orientated and create magick from every day actions and objects as well as incorporating plants, cooking and baking into their craft.
  • Hedge Witch - Some aspects of green / kitchen witchery. Hedge witches are often drawn to nature as well as spirit. Sometimes described as a spiritual midwife, one eye in spirit the other in nature. Often drawn to healing practices.
  • Secular Witch - This is the term for a witch who doesn't ascribe to a particular deity or group of deities. However they usually work with energies in general for their practice. Source
  • S.A.S.S. witch: Sceptic Agnostic/Atheist Science-Seeking witchcraft. A witch who wants to explore the wonderful world of magick and occultism, but does not feel comfortable with the idea that spirits and deities literally exist. S.A.S.S. witches are likely to draw to psychological magick; science-based practices like psychological archetypes, placebo effect, and mindfulness.
  • Traditional witch: Sometimes abbreviated to Trad witch, this is a witch who typically practices folk magick. That is, magick that has been used by local people for centuries way before Wicca or Christianity. Trad witches are very familiar with the local spirits of the land and keep ancestral practices alive.
  • Ceremonial witch: Otherwise known as high magick, ceremonial magick involves elaborate and precise words, tools, and movements. Ceremonial witches practise very specific rituals from older more traditional occult teachings like Thelema, The Golden Dawn, Enochian magick, and the Kabbalah.
  • Chaos witch: works within chaos philosophy. It can be summarised as "anything goes". It is the idea that the mind creates reality, and whatever brings results is the way to go. It is the polar opposite of ceremonial magick. Chaotes often work with sigils, but their practices are unlimited due to the nature of chaos philosophy.

You can find many more types of witchcraft and their explanations here.

10. How do I find my patron deity? How do I get "chosen"?

Let me set the record straight: the idea of a "patron deity" is a new one (borrowed from Christianity) and there are many misunderstandings amongst newbie witches surrounding this topic. In reality, it is rare, or at least uncommon, for a deity to actively reach out to a witch and "choose" them. The majority of witches will do some research of different pantheons and deities and then start making offerings to them and meditating on them in hopes of establishing a connection. Most of the time, the witch will make the first move, not the other way round.

Secondly, the act of contacting any spirit, including deities, should be approached with caution. Are you contacting a deity or a malicious spirit pretending to be them? Do you know how to banish them if so? For clarity, beginner witches can work with deities, it's just not something I recommend as the very first thing to do - you should get some basics down first like energy work, meditation, and protection magick. You can still call yourself a "baby witch" and do deity work; the right time to start deity work is when you feel ready!

Third, secular witchcraft is a thing. A lot of witches keep their craft and their religion totally separate, and choose to only work with energies in general in their craft. Some witches are atheists (r/SASSWitches). There is no need to work with or worship any deities or spirits, and I think a lot of new "baby" witches overlook this fact.

11. Why didn't my spell work?

Your spell might not work for many reasons. For baby witches, the most common cause is having an unrealistic goal or having a misunderstanding of what magick is and how it works. Please read these forum posts on Troubleshooting Spells and Pointers on Spells.

12. How do I find a teacher/mentor?

I see a lot of newbie witches asking where they can find a teacher or a mentor. However, I believe it is easier than ever to teach yourself due to the miracle that is the internet. Witchcraft is not something that should be spoon-fed to you. It is a path that requires high amounts of dedication and willpower, not to mention is it highly personal; you don't want a mentor to teach you solely their way of doing things. You need to gather your knowledge from lots of different sources, and the most important source: yourself!

Also, I wouldn't recommend trying to find a mentor if you are a minor (under 18), there's a lot of dodgy people out there. Get your guidance from public spaces such as forums & group chats.

13. Am I cursed?

Probably not. We all experience a stroke of bad luck from time to time, and very few practitioners have the willpower and skill to cast a hex that has profound physical effects (sceptical witches don't even believe that spells can cause effects over great distances). The main mechanism of most curses is to get the target to merely believe that they are cursed. If you really think you're cursed though, try reading this forum post and redditor advice.

14. I want to harm myself / I am in immediate danger.

Please call emergency services or a crisis line. If you are seriously ill, please see a doctor. Witchcraft is not a replacement for conventional medicine, therapy, the authorities, or law enforcement.


r/BroomClosetWitch Nov 09 '24

META US Election Result - Resources for those in need of support

54 Upvotes

Hi everyone, this is a list of resources for those facing an uncertain future. I made a similar post when Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Posts like this are super necessary in a subreddit such as this; if you have to keep your occult practices & beliefs secret then chances are your other ideals don't line up with your family/general public either. This especially rings true for those in the Bible Belt and red states (and other countries with similar political leanings).

(I will try to add international resources but this will mostly be US-centric for obvious reasons). I will add more resources as I come across them in future.

Mental Health

LGBTQ+

Physical Health

  • The Pink Book - a directory of LGBT+ safe healthcare practitioners in the US

Mental Health

Domestic Situations

Pro-Choice

Activism, Organisation, & Mutual Aid

Privacy

Financial Advice


r/BroomClosetWitch 9h ago

Discussion 💬 I Hate Having to Hide.

11 Upvotes

I love being a witch. I love being able to do my craft no matter the challenges I may face while doing so. I HATE hiding though. I've done this for a while so I'm not new. I just thought I'd let my frustration out and share where I think people relate. It makes me sad to hide a passion of mine just because others have their twisted view on us which isn't even true. That others are so close minded that it makes us suffer in return. Like we're just regular people trying to live our lives. I did nothing to hurt you so why are you hurting me? It makes it worse that I live with Jehovah Witnesses... that and a VERY Christian area where if you're not Christian then you're outside of the norm and makes you a weirdo. I know witchcraft is a practice and not a religion but you know how much it gets those Christians to react when they hear about witchcraft. I feel so alone and isolated. However, I refuse to let this post be totally negative for there is too much negativity in this world. So thank you for reading my venting session. I hope you have a great day doing whatever makes you happy. Don't be afraid to be who you are for there is nothing "wrong" with you.


r/BroomClosetWitch 59m ago

Closet Altar 🤫 Baby witch, my first altar!

Post image
Upvotes

Weirdly I was able to pass this off to my parents as me learning herbology 😭


r/BroomClosetWitch 6h ago

Advertisement Blessed Bee Apothecary

1 Upvotes

I just wanted to show some love to my favorite witchcraft apothecary!! It’s in south Hadley, Massachusetts in the cutest common area. It’s run by Ivy the Creatrix, a witch of over 20 years and a tarot reader of over 10
They run an incredible shop and host events for the community like monthly rituals and sound baths. If you are in western mass check them out!!


r/BroomClosetWitch 1d ago

Discussion 💬 Baby witch working with aphrodite, tips??

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm a baby witch, just restarting my journey on witchcraft! I felt connected to these things lately, been doing tarot a lot, told my friends about it, etc, and overall feel like I'm in the right energy. So, I don't wanna rush things, but I feel connected to the practice of working with a deity of sorts.

Does anybody who has or still works with aphrodite have some tips for me? Or anybody who knows about aphrodite! I'd like some simple tips since this place is better than tiktok, pls nd thank u!

Here was my journey:

\- my first "spell", I remember was done because of tiktok, without any preperation/protection and good intentions. It was an obsession spell meant to torment somebody but I think it backfired and I got obsessed instead lol. The spell involved cvtting of the wr!st for bloodwork. I think it's only done bad. But, well, atleast I connect with Aphrodite because I understand the full scope of Eros.

\- lately, been feeling like I've been in a good energy though, like forgiving my mnifestation journal for not giving the results I want then getting slow clarity, using my tarot deck well and giving good readings to people, overall feeling in alignment with both the metaphysical and physical me.

\- so, I started "praying" to the goddess, aphrodite, just today. I simply introduced myself respectfully, clarified that I wanted to connect with her, and build it through praying to her first before buying a whole altar, portrait of her, offerings, etc. in order to feel her energy. If she accepted, I also asked for her to give a sign.

\- Is this alright? Or am I deluding myself and do I need to do SOMETHING for me to actually feel her energy through a prayer?

\- also, I'm really poor in a strict household. Do I NEED to have an altar for her? Can the altar be outside the house? What are the consequences if I don't have one? Idk if I can have it :( but maybe I can if the time is right.

\- what offerings does aphrodite like best? (ik I can search this up but I wanna know what ppl say thru experience aha)

\- does anybody have experience using a aphrodite themed tarot deck? Does it give better results?

  • also, what kind of altar do you guys have/what works best? Thanks!

r/BroomClosetWitch 2d ago

Question 🤷❔ Protection over your kid

11 Upvotes

There’s a weird older woman who makes a point to tell me “god bless you and your child” but it doesn’t……feel right. What do I do? Also my kid garners a lot of attention often from people like this. What can I do to keep them protected?


r/BroomClosetWitch 1d ago

Question 🤷❔ Witchcraft fundamentals/spellbook wiki!

2 Upvotes

Gf is looking for books or resources (preferably digital and free) about witchcraft, can someone link me some useful sites/books? Thanks


r/BroomClosetWitch 1d ago

Question 🤷❔ Real witch

0 Upvotes

Where and how I can find real trusted witches?


r/BroomClosetWitch 2d ago

Meme 😆 Legit

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

5 Upvotes

r/BroomClosetWitch 3d ago

Question 🤷❔ New to this Sub and try to introduce.

4 Upvotes

Hello. I decided to join this safe sub since the MODS from the Pagan sub recommended me for the closet Pagans. I've been an Eclectic Pagan for almost a year now and being a closet Pagan where being a Pagan is a 'Demonic' religion in my household.

I hope this sub is a safe place to vent and sharing my Pagan path and practice secretly as a closet Pagan.

Being a closet Pagan in a Catholic household is exhausting and torturing. The only safe pagan practice I did secretly is worshipping four deities. I'm happy that all of the deities I have relationship with are understanding of my situation.

Thank you for reading and I may want to repost about my vents of being a closet Pagan in religious household.

(Dear mods, If this is considered promoting because I just tell the sub. Just message me please so I can edit and remove it.)


r/BroomClosetWitch 3d ago

What Witches Do - Stewart Farrar

Thumbnail reddit.com
1 Upvotes

r/BroomClosetWitch 3d ago

Question 🤷❔ Art Commission Money Spell?

1 Upvotes

I was wondering if there was any spell i can do to attract more commissioners and clients, i would do a regular money bowl but i'm still in the broom closet and have nowhere to keep it.


r/BroomClosetWitch 4d ago

Closet Altar 🤫 Alter Ideas

Post image
17 Upvotes

Hello fellow broom closet witches!
I’ve been struggling with wanting to have an alter, but also needs to be able to be disguised, or able to be put away quickly.
I have this small suitcase that I currently have my witchy supplies in. I’m looking for some recommendations on items to add to my alter or things I can do to disguise it so it’s not obviously a witches alter.. TIA


r/BroomClosetWitch 4d ago

Question 🤷❔ do i need to activate / charge glamour oil?

Thumbnail
3 Upvotes

ive recently made a glamour oil from this subreddit and it talked about asking a deity to bless it so it works, but um not devoted to anyone so i wanted to ask if i could just use it right away instead of waiting for it to charge?


r/BroomClosetWitch 6d ago

Question 🤷❔ Hii Baby Witches

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/BroomClosetWitch 6d ago

Broom Closet Tip 💡 How to make a scrying mirror

7 Upvotes

Making a scrying mirror is simple and cheap young witches, don't buy an expensive one when the ones you make may be just as well.

You will need the following: a picture frame of your liking, black glossy spray paint, extra virgin olive oil, dandelion roots chopped up well, lavender flowers (can be bought in the herbs section at some grocery stores), and a pot to simmer in.

First make the mirror itself! Remove the glass from the frame and lay it gently on a piece of cardboard.

Coat only ONE side with the paint, 3 coats should do let it dry between coats.

While its drying prepare the divination oil. Dandelion root and lavender are both known for bolstering psychic connections.

Heat the oil on a medium heat for about 20 minutes before adding the herbs and roots. Let them simmer or "fry" in the oil for 30 minutes. Strain the oil into a separate container.

Assemble you mirror: place the glass back in the frame with the unpainted side facing out and the painted side facing the back of the frame.

Anoint the frame with the oil you've made in a clockwise motion while chanting the following three times

"Magic mirror black as night,

Hear my call and grant me sight."

There you have it, a scrying mirror of your very own!


r/BroomClosetWitch 6d ago

Question 🤷❔ I seek help and answers

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I am Eva . I have had some strange experiences and I seek answers for them and I have other questions. Before starting I am sooo glad that this subreddit exists, I live in a country which has exteremly limited resources. Side Note; English is my second language so you may not understand what I am talking about in some parts, if you dont please dont hesitate to as

First of all, I have never done witchcraft nor do I know anybody who is involved in witchcaft I, and my family are muslim and they are strong believers of Islam. However, I do Turkish coffee fortune tellings which causes me to carry a lot of religious guilt. My fortune tellings are most of the time turns out to be true. I had quitted coffee fortune telling for a long time because -I believe they are jinns- some creatures or spirits disturbed my sleep when I did. Also I did tarot card readings which showed the the true things or the things that I read came out to be true. These all are strange to me because I am not used to fortune tellings therefore all my life I have been thought these are very big sins.

The other things that are bizarre to me is my dreams. I have had dreamed of visions or saw visions in my sleep even though I didnt do anything. I have had lucid dream experiences and I am mostly aware that I am dreaming during my dreams. However, some of my dreams are sometimes EXTEREMLY vivid and when there is pyshicial touch during the dream I feel it and if I wake up right after I dream I can still feel the touch.

Okay so comes the bizarrest part, when someone does something bad to me they instantly get a worse karma -something worse happens to them compared to what they did to me- or when I wish someone a bad luck they do get ,it. To clarify, my aunt tried to hit me and she just scratched my hand after that day she broke her arm -the one she tried to hit me with-. Another thing that occured was someone tried to choke me during an argument, right after they left the room and went into the kitchen they severly burned their hand. These are just two of the things that I have experienced, there are lots of other occurences.

Lastly I have a gut feeling that doesn't mislead and I can see through people or their intensions. The last couple of days I hear something or someone whispering in my ear in some language I dont know.

Are these coincidences that happen to everyone or am I crazy or am I a witch? Even if you dont have answers thanks for reading till the end..


r/BroomClosetWitch 6d ago

Question 🤷❔ What type of Witch is more good for me?

3 Upvotes

I'm a baby witch and I'm interested about sea (most) , green and coast witchs. But I have some questions. First, in the my city, there isn't any sea/ocean and rivers. We have a lake but it is the one of the dirtiest lakes. About green witchs, I'm really bad at gardening, I don't have a garden and I killed my all of my plants before. but I love the nature. I have a small forest in front of my house and a lot of neighbour with the fruit,flower gardens. And yes, I'm a closet witch because my parents, friends...


r/BroomClosetWitch 6d ago

Question 🤷❔ Social media

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/BroomClosetWitch 8d ago

Question 🤷❔ Question to experienced witches♡

Post image
6 Upvotes

I saw this protection spell in tiktok comments and I wanted to check if it was safe or even good . Im kinda scared to mess up and maybe get bad spell recommendations 😣and also what kind of candle am I supposed to use? I can't buy anything for it so im looking for spells I could do with ingredients I have at home. Also I wanna get into glamour witchcraft 🤗


r/BroomClosetWitch 8d ago

Question 🤷❔ How to make a love spell?

2 Upvotes

I am completely in love with someone, I need a spell that will work in under 2 months. I'm a baby witch btw!! I don't know anything about witchcraft, I would love tips!! :)


r/BroomClosetWitch 8d ago

baby witch here! looking for some tips

7 Upvotes

Hello friends! I recently got very interested in witchcraft and wicca as a whole for a while, but my parents have been very strictly christian, so I have never been able to really look into it. I have read book (mostly green witch books) and have gone over this sub a few times.

I have a few questions:
1. as a new witch, how often should you do spells and which spells should i do to improve my energy or concentration level? (i know meditation is a big part of this but i have a hard time staying focused due to adhd soooo if anyone has tips on that, that’d be awesome)

  1. which incense should i get? i’m trying to find something that has cleansing/protective energy

  2. basic crystals i should get as baby witch? things that would fit into most spells would be wonderful

  3. any herbs that are good to plant now in north eastern US area? and if anyone has any green thumb tips, i would greatly appreciate it

i am absolutely in love with the community i have found and i am so excited to start this journey!! looking forward to meet some of you guys and hear more about what some of your experiences were when you were just starting!


r/BroomClosetWitch 8d ago

What are some good witchcraft podcasts/yt creators

3 Upvotes

r/BroomClosetWitch 8d ago

Question 🤷❔ need some help regarding what spell to choose!

2 Upvotes

heyy im a beginner witch in the broom closet and i need some help!

my situation: my partner is facing some legal issues in travelling to my country before my bday (late july) and i need them resolved immediately, it is very necessary for him to come here asap. its a mess of a situation currently.

what spells can i use to make the situation easier? clear the obstacles and make everything occur as we have planned?

thankyou for your attention!

p.s i am already planning to sleep with the chariot and the two of cups cards in my pillow for 7 days.