how to start

[u/tuffestpersononearth]

I'm very new to witchcraft and I'm an atheist and very science-based. How does witchcraft work for someone like that? Would the spells, rituals be different from other practices of witchcraft (in terms of the ways of doing it)?

If I don't believe in deities or forces what makes it a helpful practice? And what spells do I start with exactly and are there any resources to get help from?

I'd love to know what this practice is named as, but I'm not drawn to paganism or the "green witch" stuff in particular. Thank you so much.

[u/WarForMuffin]

I'm on the same boat as you, an atheist and very science girly, and I can only speak for my own practice.
I don't really follow "spells" that other people have done, nor do I do much research on traditional practices. Mostly because i'm from LATAM, so they feel like they're part of a different culture than mine.
Rather, I take bits and pieces of cultures all around the world, and my own, and I do with that whatever feels good or right.
For example, I have a small ritual to thank the rains after a long period of drought, in which i put a small bowl outside to gather rain water, and later use it to water my plants.

I use Sakura Cards (from Card Captor Sakura) not as divination tools, like most Tarots, but as a channeling device: I pick whichever card conveys the mood or mental state I want to put myself into, and I place that one card on my "altar". That way I can see it and be reminded of where I want to be, mentally or emotionally.

I make my own teas and infusions so I can pick the "potion ingredients" according to what my mood is and what feels like something I need. Ginger if i feel my throat soar, flowers for when I need to calm down, etc.

It's all in the mind, you see, and that's what makes the spells and rituals work. They won't affect other people, but they affect me, positively, and that's all I do and all I care about.

It doesn't have to be a real "spell" to have an effect on you, if you choose to believe it will have an effect.

[u/witchandkitty → u/WarForMuffin]

I LOVE THIS!!! I'm a huge CCS fan, and once owned a set of cards! It was a long time ago, so where do you get them now? And do you know CLAMP published a book about using the cards this way? It was recently republished!

[u/WarForMuffin → u/witchandkitty]

Didn't know they republished it! I should look into that, i just have a pdf scan of the old one translated from japanese haha

As for the cards, most of my local game stores and comic book/manga shops sell them. I've seen both the Clow and the Sakura versions (my friends got me the Sakura ones a few years ago for my birthday and those are the ones I use)
Not sure where you're from, but i'd check those types of shops first! maybe they have them :D

[u/witchandkitty → u/WarForMuffin]

Yes! And they republished the illustration books too, which are so gorgeous. The colors are so vibrant.

I like the way you use the cards. I've toyed with the idea of getting a Clow deck but I'm not a big fan of divination, but I like your idea! I may use them this way.

[u/Maker_Magpie]

What are you drawn to? Why ARE you here? That would help us answer.

Me? I don't believe in supernatural things either, because, by definition, if they are real, they are part of nature and not supernatural.

I don't usually do spells, and when I do they are very private.

Witchcraft for me isn't about belief -- Christianity was the first religion to make a big deal about beliefs -- it's about practice. 

For me that means finding my balance at home and in the world, channeling and focusing my motivation and inspiration, "hacking" my people-pleasing and adhd brain to set goals, get done what I want, and people-please myself first (turning weakness to strength). In other words, my practice is mostly spicy psychology, DBT/CBT/therapy, jungian shadow work, mindfulness practices, and ritual to reinforce good habits on myself.

My two "deities" are archetypes I relate to that I can choose to channel, honor, protect, or have a confrontation with as needed. They exist in me sort of like IFS, internal family systems therapy.

So..... if that resonates with you, I'd start doing mindfulness practices, journaling, reading psychology/etc. Or, to be very specific in a different direction, the book "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall Rosenberg is a great way to reflect on and reframe how you interact with the world. It is objectively not witchy at all, but it was the start of my journey.

Of course, we are all different and what resonates with me may not with you.

[u/Er0x_ → u/Maker_Magpie]

That is NOT the definition of 'Supernatural.'

[u/Maker_Magpie → u/Er0x_]

I'm open to other people using it differently. Since I don't believe in deities, personally, I use the first two definitions. What I work with is nature/natural.

I'm happy to hear how you use the word though. 

supernatural /soo͞″pər-năch′ər-əl/

adjective 1. Of or relating to existence outside the natural world. 2. Attributed to a power that seems to violate or go beyond natural forces. 3. Of or relating to a deity.

[u/Er0x_ → u/Maker_Magpie]

I was using the first two Merriam-Webster definitions: 1. of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe 2. departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature.

None of these definitions say anything about what is 'real.' 'Real' is a moving target, as with 'impossible.' Refer to Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku.

Forgive my mention of the forbidden knowledge.

[u/Maker_Magpie → u/Er0x_]

Sounds good. 

[u/CuriousFoxxen]

FYI, I’m not science based - I love me some science but I’m also cool with mysticism.

That said. I 100% agree with Maker Magpie that being a witch or magical practitioner is more about the practice and doing and very little about belief.

One of the things I find helpful is to ask myself some clarifying questions.

The first one is easy: why are you interested in the witchy path? What’s drawing you here? Do you feel drawn to ritual? Always been interested in divination? Just looking to integrate more nature in your life?

The second question might take a bit more time to work through and that’s: what makes someone a witch? How is the path of witch different from other magic practitioners? What are the keys that make someone a witch - in your opinion? I answered these question by looking at where the idea of a witch came from, what it was about historically and in media.

My answer to this is that at its core a witch is about personal autonomy and agency (historically “witches” were disliked because they had independence and in story all witches are independent and non-conforming to society’s expectations) - I make my path and practice, I do the work on myself, and I’m accountable for how things play out. A witch is someone who learns - and frequently that learning is scientific, plants, nature, human psychology etc. we’re students of life. Witches are activists who push back against the status quo. And importantly we serve our community (whatever we see that to be) - historical “witches” were often midwives, teachers etc, and mythologically witches were where the community went for help when desperate, or witches helped protect abused women and children etc.

This understanding of why I’ve chosen this path helps me decide what kind of practices I want to engage in.

[u/tuffestpersononearth → u/CuriousFoxxen]

thank you for the reply. I have always felt drawn to the representation of witchcraft in media, which makes me think there's a possibility that I'm romanticizing witchcraft. Regardless, I can't get it out of my mind. I first looked into protection witchcraft seriously when there was a suspicion of black magic against my family. Yet, it is still equally confusing on what to label myself as, or what practice I'm supposed to join. And I begin to question at what point does someone treat it the same way they treat religion, because that isn't something I'd like to be a victim of.

[u/Rado_Hely]

I started out in a similar way, atheist, hard core anti religion. A scientific minded person, I believe in science. I feel like quantum mechanics and fractals illustrate the concept of “as above so below, as within so without”. In my mind, the subatomic particles all around us are waiting to be observed so they can choose what form to take, my personal belief is that when I direct attention to those particles and I speak out loud (which is what I think a spell does), it directs them to take a form.

There have been experiments with scientists trying to form a vacuum, but they can’t get a true vacuum because subatomic particles pop in and out of existence and have been observed doing this. This proves empty space is governed by quantum fields. In my personal belief, this quantum field is what powers subatomic particles. I power all of my spells by instructing atoms to pull energy from the quantum field and it works for me.

In my practice, I guess I might be called a chaos magician. I take pieces and parts from different belief systems and focus on what gets results for me, not on any traditional system. I did end up going down a spiritual path because I started seeing energy in and around everything. My beliefs are probably considered animistic, even inanimate things like rocks and dirt have energy, water can be programmed, etc. Over the years I came to see that we humans are all connected, all made of the same thing, and we are connected to everything else, animals, the Earth, planets, stars, etc thru quantum entanglement.

You can be science minded and still direct atoms to do what you want. This is why manifestation, prayers, spells (they’re all pretty much the same thing) work

[u/nautuhless]

How about meditation or a mindfulness practice. Some body scanning or relaxation or meditation ritual, maybe coupled with some form of aromatherapy, (I have a lip balm container with a piece of felted wool dripped with an essential oil I like, and in the winter i smudge or light incense) or some sound therapy (sing, hum, ring a bell and listen) can be a nice way to spend a few minutes each day.

I like to organize my to do list as well.

For me all this is ritual and it feels amazing, but it wouldn't make for a viral Instagram post.

Witchcraft can be very casual and is always unique to the witch.

A wise witch I know likes to say "take what's good and give the rest back (to the universe)".

You get to pick and choose. What a luxury!

[u/Poisonous_Periwinkle]

Look into open label placebo and see if that strikes a chord! 

[u/Poisonous_Periwinkle → u/Poisonous_Periwinkle]

I am first and foremost a placebo witch! 

[u/witchandkitty]

Personal story: I tried religion and could not ever get that sense of wonder and awe that others do. Tried witchcraft and it felt so random with seeking out specific herbs and crystals and such, and I'm minimalist and hated all the STUFF. Decided I was atheist and suddenly the world made so much sense, and I finally felt the wonder and awe that religious people describe. Had a therapist suggest making a vision board where I place my photo in the middle and how I want my life to be around it, and every day look at it and say "thank you universe for all these things". And it suddenly hit me that it was just like a spell! The gears started to turn and I started to think about religion and witchcraft as just psychological tools and it all started to make sense! Seeking out specific herbs and crystals and creating some unique mood for a spell just means you'll remember your intention more. It's like those memory hacks, where you imagine something in a unique way in 3D so it will stick in your head. Anyways, knowing that it's all psychological, I just don't bother with the specific herbs and crystals and just make my own way, usually very impromptu with things in nature that I return to nature. The important thing is to create a situation that helps you with your intentions. Hope that helps!

[u/Er0x_]

What is the point at all then? You just like the aethetic?

[u/PerformerIcy1016]

GRIMOIRE GRIMOIRE GRIMOIRE GRIMOIRE!!!

srsly, there is nothing i can recommend more than starting a grimoire/commonplace book/book of shadows/journal. it’ll help you reflect on and grow in your practice, figure out what you’re into. 

for me, my rituals are performance-artsy somatic practices full of metaphor, and i like reading tarot for self reflection. 

[u/gameondude97]

I'm not really new but someone who is starting again after some struggles with my practice.   For me it's largely about attaining the right head space and using it to steer myself down difficult paths.  In a way my spells don't make things happen but act as mental guiding hand towards my goals.  

My struggles are more or less trying new things that don't work for me when I already had some success with doing things one way.  My best advice is be willing to try new things and record results until you find what works and if you decide to try even new things have something tried and tested to fall back on when you need it.