🔮 Introduction
✨ What Witchcraft Really Is
Witchcraft is not a religion—it’s a practice. Think of it like a spiritual toolkit—a way to focus energy, set intentions, and work with the natural world. You can pair it with a religion—or not at all. It doesn’t require belief in a deity or adherence to doctrine. It’s an intuitive system for shifting energy and manifesting intention.
Historical Roots:
Witchcraft was historically practiced by midwives, herbalists, seers, and healers. Many of these people were persecuted for their knowledge, especially women.
Many religions include ritual forms of magic:
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In Paganism, we “pray” through spells, offerings, meditation, or rituals.
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In Hinduism, offerings, chanting, and sacred repetition are common.
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Even Christianity, Judaism, and Islam use candles, hymns, holy water, chanting, and symbolic acts.
👉 These practices aren't labeled “witchcraft” in those contexts, but the structure is similar.
Common Misconceptions:
|
Myth |
Truth |
|
It’s devil worship. |
Most witches don’t believe in the devil. |
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You must be born into it. |
Anyone can choose the path. |
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You need fancy tools. |
A candle, salt, and your energy are enough. |
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It’s all about curses. |
Most spells focus on healing and protection. |
If you’ve ever…
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Made a wish while blowing out birthday candles…
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Repeated a mantra before a test…
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Kept a lucky charm…
…you’ve practiced the basics of witchcraft. It’s all about intention + action + energy.
“If you’ve ever made a wish or kept a lucky charm, you’ve already used magic.”
🌙 Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, & Spirituality
|
Term |
Meaning |
|
Witchcraft |
The practice of directing energy through intention. |
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Wicca |
A religion that includes witchcraft, dual deities, and seasonal rites. |
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Paganism |
An umbrella term for earth-based religions. |
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Spirituality |
A personal, often intuitive belief in something greater. |
Your path doesn’t have to fit into a single category. Witchcraft is fluid. You can borrow from multiple systems or build your own.
🧙 Solitary Witch or Coven Witch?
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Solitary witches practice alone. Most beginners start here.
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Coven witches practice with others, often following shared rituals or a tradition.
You can always switch later. There’s no right answer—only what fits your needs and energy.
If joining a coven, research carefully. Not every energy will align with yours.
🧭 Regional & Cultural Paths
|
Type |
Description |
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Traditional Witch |
Practices historical folk magic based on local customs |
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Granny Witch / Appalachian |
Combines folk wisdom, healing, Christianity |
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Bruja / Brujería |
Latinx blend of Indigenous, Catholic, and African traditions |
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Conjure / Rootworker |
African American folk magic from the South |
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Seiðr Witch |
Norse shamanic magic with runes, trance, spirit work |
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Celtic Witch |
Connects with fae, seasons, ancestral lands of Ireland, Scotland, Wales |
⚠️ Reminder: Some paths (like Vodou, Santería, Ifá) are closed and require lineage or initiation. Practicing them without that is appropriation, not empowerment.
🕯️ Practice-Based Witches
|
Type |
Description |
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Green Witch |
Works with herbs, plants, gardening |
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Kitchen Witch |
Magic through cooking, tea, hearth rituals |
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Elemental Witch |
Works with Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit |
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Sea Witch |
Connects to ocean tides, shells, salt, water deities |
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Shadow Witch |
Focuses on healing, inner child work, subconscious layers |
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Tech Witch |
Blends energy work with digital tools |
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Dream Witch |
Lucid dreaming, astral projection, dream magic |
✨ Spiritual Path & Pop Culture-Based
|
Type |
Description |
|
Wiccan Witch |
Follows Wiccan tradition, sabbats, deities |
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Eclectic Witch |
Mixes practices to build their own path |
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Crystal Witch |
Uses crystals for healing and intention |
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Glamour Witch |
Uses beauty, clothing, makeup as spellwork |
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Urban Witch |
Practices in a city environment with everyday items |
🛠️ Core Witchcraft Practices & Tools
These are the foundational practices many modern witches start with:
1. Spellcasting
Spells are intentional actions—whether spoken, written, or ritualistic. The key is alignment between your energy and your goal.
2. Divination
Tools like tarot, pendulums, or runes help access subconscious or spiritual insight. They don’t predict the future—they illuminate the present.
3. Altar Work
An altar is your spiritual workspace. It can be simple or ornate. Common items include candles, crystals, herbs, and photos.
4. Moon Phases & Elements
Each moon phase supports different types of work:
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New Moon = intention
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Full Moon = manifestation
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Waning = release
Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit) are called on for balance and power.
5. Cleansing & Protection
These keep your energy (and space) aligned. You can use:
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Smoke (herbs, incense)
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Salt
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Moon water
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Sound
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Visualization
“A witch’s real tool is intention. The rest are just amplifiers.”
⚖️ Ethics, Gatekeeping & Respect
🎯 Segment Goal:
Help new witches understand the ethical foundations of spiritual practice—including the difference between healthy boundaries and harmful gatekeeping. This section is meant to be affirming, freeing, and respectful of diverse paths.
Witchcraft is highly individual. No one can tell you the “right” way to be a witch—but it’s still important to practice ethically.
Gatekeeping is when someone says:
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“You can’t be a witch unless you practice XYZ tradition.”
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“Real witches don’t charge money.”
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“You’re not a witch if you believe in Jesus / don’t work with spirits / aren’t initiated.”
Why It’s Harmful:
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Creates shame and fear.
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Dismisses people from marginalized or mixed backgrounds.
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Discourages genuine exploration and self-discovery.
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Often rooted in personal insecurity or elitism—not actual tradition.
“No one else gets to gatekeep your relationship with your own magic.”
🔐 What Isn’t Gatekeeping: Understanding Closed Practices
Closed practices are sacred systems tied to specific cultures, lineages, or initiations. You can respect them without practicing them.
Examples:
|
Practice |
Why It’s Closed |
|
Vodou / Santería / Ifá |
Initiatory systems with priesthood, ancestral lineage, and spirits called with ceremony |
|
Native American Ceremonies |
Tribal rites passed down generationally, often deeply sacred |
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Certain forms of Shamanism |
Indigenous-only traditions (especially Siberian, Sámi, and Amazonian) |
“It’s okay to admire other traditions. It’s not okay to steal them.”
Respectful Approach:
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Admire, don’t imitate.
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Support practitioners from those cultures.
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Learn about your own ancestry for magic that’s personal and aligned.
🧠 Navigating Gray Areas:
|
Scenario |
Is It Okay? |
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You’re curious about Hoodoo |
Learn from authentic practitioners, but don’t DIY unless you're culturally connected |
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You want to celebrate the sabbats |
Yes! Most modern pagan sabbats are open and widely practiced |
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You’re a Christian witch |
Yes! Blending paths is valid—just follow your intuition and ethics |
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You charge for readings or spellwork |
Yes—energy exchange is valid when done with clarity and consent |
There’s no universal rulebook, but many witches follow a basic ethical compass that includes:
|
Principle |
What It Means |
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Personal Responsibility |
You own the energy you send out and invite in. |
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Consent Matters |
Don’t do love spells or energy work on others without consent. |
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Harm None (Wiccan Rede) |
Many witches believe in avoiding intentional harm—others follow a more flexible version. |
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Cause & Effect |
Some believe in karma or the Rule of Three—energy returns magnified. |
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Respect Spirit & Ancestry |
Don’t call spirits lightly. Offerings = respect. |
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Know Your Source |
Research where spells, deities, and rituals come from. Don’t mix randomly or rip sacred rites out of context. |
“Witchcraft isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. You’ll make mistakes, learn, and grow—and that’s the real magic.”
❓ Common Beginner Questions
Q: Do I need to follow moon phases? A: It helps, but you don’t have to. Work with what’s available.
Q: Do I need to be initiated? A: No. Unless you’re joining a closed practice, you can self-initiate.
Q: Can I blend different traditions? A: Yes, if done with knowledge, respect, and care.
🔥 Intention Spell Activity
🕯️ Light a candle you associate with peace, joy, or clarity.
✍️ In your journal, write:
“The parts of witchcraft I feel most drawn to are…”
Fold it up and place it on your altar, under a crystal, or in a drawer. That’s your first spell.
🌒 Intro to Shadow Work
Shadow work is about facing what you usually avoid—fears, insecurities, emotional wounds.
It’s also about discovering who you really are.
Your first shadow work prompt:
“What scares me about following my own spiritual path?”
🌕 Closing Reflection
We ended the session by reflecting on this question:
“What does being a witch mean to me right now?”
You’re encouraged to journal your thoughts or write a letter to your magical self.
Optional Ritual:
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Light a candle.
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Say a few words of affirmation.
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Blow/ Snuff it out and thank the energies that joined you.
“Your path doesn’t have to be perfect—it only has to be yours.”
📝 Homework Options
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Journal: What kind of magic feels most natural to me? What parts of witchcraft excite or scare you?
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Create your first altar or intention spell.
- Light a candle and reflect on your spiritual desires
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Choose a simple magical practice to try this week (e.g., cleansing your space, pulling a tarot card).
- Research one type of witch you resonated with
📅 Next Lesson Preview
“Next week, we’ll explore Types of Witches more deeply and help you figure out your magical personality!”
2 comments
thank you so much for doing this educational live also the blog. i learned so much during that live and i look forward to more live like that
Thank you so much for doing this educational series. It is so helpful for us who are just learning and deconstructing.