Witchcraft, a way of life
It must be understood that Wicca, paganism and witchcraft are clearly spiritual belief systems and a way of life. Believers in Witchcraft generally work in covens and each coven develops its own system of worship, rituals and practice in Witchcraft based on the experience and beliefs of the members. You can practice witchcraft on your own without joining any coven. Even covens are not large gatherings. Sometimes a coven exceeding a membership of 13 is considered too large and is further split into smaller groups or hives. This freedom obviously allows each individual to practice the witchcraft in his own way without subscribing to any rigid dogma or regime.
There are, therefore, no hard and fast rules about how to do witchcraft.
The first step towards learning How To Do Witchcraft is to meet people, read books and literature on witchcraft. This would enable you to understand the fundamentals of witchcraft as a religion.
The next step is to formulate your own independent opinion about witchcraft by listening to your intuition or gut feeling. If you feel uneasy with any group or belief system, immediately run away from it.
Individual Approach
The magic of witchcraft is felt by each individual in a different manner. To the blessed ones, the charge comes in a different manner. It is a moment when we feel the magic of the universe for the first time coursing through us. You experience the reality not its shadow.
When you find that there are striking similarities between what you already believe and what you find here, your confidence in your intuitive awareness shall be strengthened and you will easily communicate with others and understand them better. You need to take the following steps to learn more about how to do witchcraft’.
As already stated above, try to read every thing pertaining to witchcraft that you lay your hands upon. Your views about wicca and witchcraft will become clearer and stronger. When you have learnt as much as you can about the basic beliefs and tenets of witchcraft, you will be able to decide if the old ways are right for you.
Your own Book of Shadows
While you are studying witchcraft, you will begin to form associations and hopefully find some synergies within yourself. Keep a daily diary or a journal and keep noting your experiences. Write down why you think witchcraft is the right way of life for you. What does being a witch mean to you? What do you expect to achieve from this knowledge? Do you have any apprehensions about following this path? How do you feel about God and Goddess? What do you feel about the divine?
You should try to be absolutely honest in expressing your beliefs and ideas since the journal is your private book and no body is going to read it. The more you write the clearer you will become about your dreams. This journal will eventually evolve into your own book of shadows and assist you in defining and designing your own dedication and self-initiation ritual. This should be absolutely your own ritual. Design it the way you want to and in a way that will be most meaningful to you by following your own impulses. A dedication ritual implies exactly what it sounds to you like. You are dedicating yourself to the Witchcraft and taking a decision to live life closer to God and Nature. You are entering into a commitment to yourself and the Divine.
Follow your Instincts
There are no right or wrong questions or answers. Self questioning does not mean testing yourself, but looking within and evolving your own personal philosophy about witchcraft. This is the beauty of this religion. You are your own guide. You do not have to blindly or even strictly follow into the footsteps of others. Witchcraft is about self evolution. Your own journal will help you define and clarify your understanding of this path.
Most importantly you should listen to your inner voice which is the best counsel and will never distract you. If you find something that you read or hear is not right for you, leave it altogether.
Books You Might Enjoy:
Michael Bailey - Historical Dictionary Of Witchcraft
Mike Nichols - Eight Sabbats Of Witchcraft
Archmage Bob Andrews - Old Witchcraft Secrets
Paul Huson - Mastering Witchcraft
Michael Harrison - The Roots Of Witchcraft
