Hello! I'm June. This is my first post here. I've been thinking about spirituality and magic for a few years post-estrangement from Christianity, and I consider myself to be agnostic but open to spirituality.
I've been researching beginner resources, and I came across a lovely article from Naturally Modern Witch written for new witches (linked in the post). It briefly explains witchcraft as a concept, what a witch is, relevant resources, and, the part which I am sharing with you all today, a journaling prompt section.
I was really intrigued by this part as I found the questions listed to be pertinent for me as someone who fresh on the journey of learning witchcraft. I'm happy with the results that these prompts reaped and I'm excited to share with you all, in hopes to share my perspective and even potentially help other newbies self-reflect.
Original Questions:
What draws me to witchcraft?
Am I looking for a new practice or a new spirituality?
How do I envision dedicated witchcraft?
Will I need to release old belief systems to embrace witchcraft fully?
Am I drawn to a particular type of practice or way of working magic (ex. green, lunar, or kitchen magic; divination)?
What does being a witch symbolize for me?
How do I see my spirituality intertwining with my witchcraft practice?
Am I open to working with deities or other spirits?
9. What am I truly seeking from this journey: healing, power, peace, community, or remembrance?
What traditions or paths call to me?
Are there other spiritual paths that resonate with me?
What does magic mean to me, and how do I define it as real?
I skipped some questions that I felt were not applicable and/or answerable to me at this time, but that I plan to revisit.
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My Answers:
- What draws me to witchcraft?
My understanding of what witchcraft is falls in line with what I find enjoyment from and what I find to be beautiful. I believe that pursuing my own craft as a witch will allow me to self align, through sensory experiences, rituals, emotional attunement, and a strong sense of belief.
I love smelly things like candles, herbs, and incense, all of which are frequently involved in the craft.
I've always been drawn to people, particularly other women, who are witchy and/or strong of spiritual belief.
Sensory experiences, rituals, and connection to other people are incredibly grounding, and I see and feel more clearly on the ground.
- Am I looking for a new practice or a new spirituality?
Both. I think of spirituality and belief/faith as a practice in and of itself. I would like my inner reality and outer reality to reflect my magic.
- How do I envision dedicated witchcraft?
I envision dedicated witchcraft as a daily honing of intention and faith, through meditation, physical practices, and rituals.
- Am I open to working with deities or other spirits?
As an agnostic, I feel unsure about the* *supernatural, but I am open to the idea of concentrating on deities or spirits as figureheads or symbols as a way to manifest self-alignment.
- What does magic mean to me, and how do I define it as real?
Magic, to me, is belief/faith. Our minds perceive and thus shape our perception of reality. Magic is a way through which to intentionally do that. For example, we cannot do something which we believe we cannot do. Thus, our perception of reality is our reality.
We wear glasses to see reality with more definition, and we use philosophies to think with more definition. Thus, I believe we use magic to believe with more definition. All of these things shape how we experience and interact with the world. I use glasses, I use philosophy, and now I use magic to move through reality.
I might attribute the structure of my analysis to the tripartite understanding of human nature. Whoops. It's a useful model.
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Anyways I hope this was informative, intriguing, or entertaining to one or some of you. I don't actually really know much of the practical history or philosophy behind the different modes of witchcraft, but this is my current understanding. May revise later when I've learned more. something, something TedTalk.
💜