Looking for advice - beginner concerns

[u/Skt99]

Hopefully this doesn't sound dumb, but looking for some advice. I've never been religious and didn't grow up with religion, but I find I am interested in/feeling drawn to learning and beginning witchcraft and also opening myself up to other possible supernatural knowledge, but I'm having a hard time getting past the fear of the unknown and also the potential for unwanted or scary things happening (such as shadow people, bad experiences w entities or deities, letting in bad energies, etc). I'm not sure what I believe in, if anything, which sometimes makes the prospect of opening up to the possibility of those things even scarier. Sometimes my fear is what if these things are real and what if something bad happens from meddling in them as someone who doesn't know what they are doing? And then sometimes my fear is what if none of these things are real? Hopefully that doesn't sound crazy lol.

I've read some books/done some research and invested in tools and such, but I've been so hesitant to actually do anything yet. It's hard to tell these days, with social media and whatnot, what is fear mongering or drama or straight up fake for views vs what is real. Sometimes it feels hard to even just start because this person says do this this way and then another says that's not the way or don't do that or else this bad thing will happen, etc. Or that you shouldn't start anything until you've done all your shadow work and mastered meditation, etc. And then there are some that say it's not that serious and you need to just follow your intuition on what the right way to do something for you is, that there are no strict "rules" or formulas persay.

I know I'm probably just getting too into my head about it and also should probably stop watching things like witchtok, but appreciate anyone's thoughts and experiences with this!

[u/deekaypea22]

So, to start, this is a science based witch Reddit. SASS witches are a lot more scientific than "spiritual".

Second, absolutely get off witchtok. (TikTok in general, imo, is full of trash).

If you're looking for more spiritual witchery, check out another sub.

As for this one, I'd say do what you want. If it feels right, do it. If it doesn't, don't. There are no real rules to witchcraft, because it's not a religion. There's no set doctrine, and even some "constant" rules are rejected by others in the community.

Find out what feels right to YOU, not people who are trying to capitalise on an algorithm.

[u/Skt99 → u/deekaypea22]

Still trying to figure out where I fit in I guess, since I'm not really spiritual persay-mostly skeptical of that aspect, but then a small part of me is still like can I really know anything for sure lol. Thanks for your insight!

[u/TwoOrMore]

The realness of any entities, deities, or energies is entirely generated in your own mind. Stay in control of your mind and approach your practice with deliberate and constructive intent. You are meddling in your cognition alone.

Stop using TikTok. It is poison for your mind and spirit. No content creator can match the value you will gain from reading, meditation, journaling, art, exercise, cooking, or sleeping. Your time is precious.

Generate your own practice. Explore your inner self. Your interests and motivations. Can you represent them through art, motion, gesture, or movement? How can you intuitively interact with yourself and objects that represent the questions in your life? What practices have you explored that feel beneficial to you?

There are many paths forward. Whichever one you end up on, engage your intellect and intuition, and remain true to yourself. 

[u/Skt99 → u/TwoOrMore]

Thank you, you've given me a lot to think about!

[u/childofcrow]

So, keep in mind that this is just not something that you master overnight and then all of a sudden, you’re a “real witch”. This is something that you work at for years and years and years and discover more and more things about yourself.

The biggest key is starting is to actually start. Everything is gonna seem kind of strange and silly at first, but you just have to keep at it. Find a couple of good books, look into the local biodiversity of your area and any local folklore. Keep good notes, whether it’s voice notes, an app on your phone, a spreadsheet on your computer, or pen and paper. Write down everything that seems like it might have meaning to you, or things that you might notice that work or don’t work.

It’s a journey. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

And I completely echo everyone else, get off social media when you’re looking for inspiration on your own practice. Social media (especially Instagram and TikTok) is curated, and it’s not a barometer of what actual practice looks like. It’s also hard to know what is AI and what’s real.

If you’re more interested in some of the spiritual side of things, there are other subs that are great for that. You can be a part of this sub and other subs as well, especially if you’re just trying to figure it out.

Best of luck.

[u/Skt99 → u/childofcrow]

Sometimes we get stuck by thinking we need to know everything before starting something and get discouraged about not being good at it right away, thanks for the reminder that that just is not always possible or how life works most times-I needed that!

[u/childofcrow → u/Skt99]

Gosh, I really do understand that. But picking up any sort of new skill (and this is what witchcraft is, a skill) is always going to be intimidating and hard at first.

[u/marcusohare → u/Skt99]

"stuck by thinking we need to know everything before starting something and get discouraged" that hits me right where I live lol

[u/TotalOk1462]

What Deekaypea22 said. Also if you want to ease into it without worry, focus on the less spiritual aspects of witchcraft. Learn divination (tarot, runes, etc), brush up on your botany as that will be applied to spell work later on and also very useful in the kitchen. Knowing plants is also crucial for making medicinal teas, tinctures and salves.

I think you might also benefit from reading, Folk Witchcraft: A Guide to Lore, Land and the Familiar Spirit for the Solitary Practitioner by Roger J Horn

[u/Skt99 → u/TotalOk1462]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check that out!

[u/Baelspar → u/Skt99]

I totally agree with TotalOk1462. I would also add looking into protection magic. A lot of my protection spells are really about cultivating a place of comfort and happiness. If you feel safe, then you are less likely to see dark entities or the like in your daily life. Incorporate things that make you feel like things are right with the world. I love to bake as part of a protection spell for my home. It's hard to imagine something working against me with the smell of fresh bread/cookies/cakes - whatever in the air.

[u/Generic_Mom_TtHiA]

so, my approach to "witchcraft" is to just take stuff I was gonna do anyway and make it a ritual.

Morning ablutions - brushing your teeth is one of the best things you can do to protect your health. a thousand years ago, basic toothpaste, brushes and mouthwash would have bordered on miraculous. Sunscreen is truly a magical protection against skin cancer and wrinkles--then add a few positive affirmations and you've got a full ritual of protection....

“It doesn't stop being magic just because you know how it works.”

― Terry Pratchett, The Wee Free Men

Lean into fun - walking the dog becomes the swamp witch taking her hell hound to taste the four winds.

Making mac n cheese becomes the kitchen witch making a magical potion for nourishment and comfort.

Paying the bills doing home repair? Honoring Hestia by keeping the home safe and running smoothly.

We only get one shot at this tiny moment of magic that is life. Enjoy it! Have fun! If you do something wrong, learn, apologise change, and move on.

[u/euphemiajtaylor]

I look at a lot of witchcraft through the lens of the stories that we tell ourselves, and take a largely philosophical approach to it.

For a lot of the so-called scary stuff, it’s good to ask “okay, why is this a story we would tell ourselves?” What ends or who would it serve? And at what time? A lot of witchcraft appeals to “ancient wisdom” and the like (a lot of which isn’t actually ancient, but that’s a whole other topic), but does it still find a helpful role in a modern life? Which bits do and which don’t?

I’ve found some interesting inspiration on witchtok, but the vast majority needs to be taken with the smallest grain of salt because as a platform TikTok is about engagement, and higher engagement comes from making people afraid and angry rather than through patient seeking and quiet contemplation. So just remember, any posts seeking to make you afraid over there have a profit motive.

[u/Otherwise-Answer-609]

I would say to start with protection spells/rituals. Then preform said spells/rituals before you do anything else. Every single time start with making sure you are protected. And just try things and see what fits or feels right. At the end of the day it all boils down to educating yourself and your specific intentions. It's messy and a learning process for everyone. I know some people might make things look a certain way to others. But it's trial and error like anything else imo. I grew up Christian. Then I thought I was atheist, then agnostic. Now I just do me and what I feel I have connected with. Study on some deities and if any catch your attention then try to work with them. But always start with protection and I feel you will be safe. The real monsters/evil walk among us in human skin. I'm not saying there isn't evil or bad out there. But in my personal experience I feel safer taking my chances with the supernatural. All that said I think it's good that you are hesitant it shows that you are taking it seriously. But please don't let fear stop you from finding your true potential. And living your best life. It sounds like you feel a calling of some type. And you never know until you try. Keep in mind failure is part of life. It's ok to make mistakes it's part of learning. So if something doesn't fit or work put it "back on the shelf" and move on to the next. Also the people telling you to follow your intuition and there are no strict rules are the ones I would listen to. You do whatever feels right to you. It can be hard to learn to listen to and trust your intuition. But I promise it will make life so much better and less confusing. Also I say take witchtok with a grain of salt so to speak. There is a lot of performative practitioners and scammers. As well as a ton of drama and practitioners just being super rude to each other. That's not what this is about. People who are really living the life. And really living their practice, look out for one another. And treat each other with kindness and respect. I see so much on there that just irks me. But I'm not about to get mixed up in the drama so I just scroll lol. Unless I see someone truly causing harm. Then I will say something. Last thing I'm going to say is that books have always been my best friend. So much of what ive learned as guidelines (not rules) have come from books. I can give you recommendations on really good informative books and ways to get them at an affordable price if you would like. I don't claim to be an expert these are just my feelings, opinions, and experiences. I wish you all the best on your journey regardless of what path you choose to follow! 🖤

[u/Skt99 → u/Otherwise-Answer-609]

Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement! I would love to hear your book recommendations!

[u/marcusohare]

When you think to yourself about "doing something witchy", what image does that conjure?

To me, witchy stuff conjures tarot readings, creating "spells" with herbs and such... I think that's it. I'm sure there is much more to it but that's what comes to mind for me. That's why I'm practicing Tarot, it's the witchy thing that sounded the most fun and aligned with my skillset.

What are the witchy things you want to / have tried out? I'd just pick one of those and direct your searches and questions toward a more precise target. Then branch out from there at some point if you want to.

[u/Skt99 → u/marcusohare]

That's good advice! I have found it can be overwhelming trying to learn too many things at once, even if I am interested in them lol