We’ve all seen witchcraft on TV and in the movies like with characters like Harry Potter casting spells and making potions. What you may not know is that fictional witchcraft is based on a real life magic that anyone can do. The results may not be as fantastic as what we see on TV but they are real whether you believe in magic or just the placebo effect.
Witchcraft has always been strongly linked to people on the margins of society. It has thrived among women and people of colour throughout the centuries as a way to claw back some power from those who would oppress them. And as witchcraft has grown it has become more open to interpretation and more welcoming to anyone who wants to explore witchcraft.
Is magic real?
Beginners in witchcraft often have this as their first question. Is magic real? Can I use it to make my life better or even make someone else’s life worse? The effects of witchcraft are definitely real but whether you attribute these effects to magic or simply the placebo effect is up to you.
Practitioners of witchcraft believe that magic is a mystical force that we can control with our intentions. Intention is the key to manipulating the world around us. As long as you believe in what you are doing the rest doesn’t matter too much. How this works is not really understood but ask any witch and they will be able to give you some real life examples of how witchcraft has worked in their life.
Some believe that magic is just an example of the placebo effect. Simply because we believe that something is going to happen we can make it happen. The placebo effect is a documented scientific phenomenon that science cannot fully explain. This concept works in well with the concept of intention. Ultimately intention is the key to witchcraft.
Types of Witchcraft
There are as many different types of witchcraft as there are witches. They do however fall into a number of categories. There’s no rules though! You can be as many or as few different types of witch as you like. Here is a brief summary of the type of witch you can become:
Solitary Witch
This is a witch who chooses to work alone. A solitary witch can fall under any other category of witch as well.
Crystal Witch
A crystal witch is a witch who uses crystals and gemstones as a part of their practice. Crystal witches spend time learning about all the different energies associated with different stones and make use of them in all of their rituals.
Baby Witch
A baby witch is what we all are when we are beginning our witchcraft journey. Eventually we find more of what we like and follow this into other categories of witchcraft.
White Witch
A white witch is a with who only uses their powers for good. They will not ever use magic to harm anyone or cause bad things to happen to anyone.
Gray Witch
A gray witch is a witch who will sometimes use their powers for good and sometimes use them for evil. A gray witch has no moral code against perform hexes and spells which will harm others.
Cosmic Witch
Cosmic witches make use of astrology to help them understand the world around them and to inform their rituals.
Green Witch
Green witches use nature to inform their craft. They make use of natural herbs and plants for their spells and rituals
Kitchen Witch
A kitchen witch uses magic in cooking as a big part of their craft. They may use special herbs in their baking for their mystical or healing properties.
Hedge Witch
A hedge witch is similar to a green witch in that they will use nature as a big part of their craft. Hedge witches create their own rituals and spells using herbs, following their own solitary path.
Eclectic Witch
An eclectic witch uses a little bit of everything in their practice. Whatever feels good and right works for an eclectic witch. They don’t follow any special methodology but just take bits from each school of thought that work for them.
Is witchcraft evil?
This depends very much on who you ask. Christianity and other major world religions consider witchcraft to be evil, probably because it takes power away from the leaders and gives it to the people.
Witches in general would say witchcraft is only as evil as you make it. If you use magic to do evil things than it is evil. if you use it to do good then it is good. Witchcraft is simply a tool to influence the world with your will.
How can I start to develop my own craft?
What can beginner witches do to get started? Just get started! Have a look online for some simple spells and rituals. Learn about what crystals, herbs and colors can do. Try doing some simple candle magic. Set up an altar with things that are meaningful to you. Don’t be afraid to make up your own rituals and spells. As long as its meaningful to you then it has power.
Finding a coven
If you want to get into witchcraft and meet some new people in the process have a look online for a coven near you. Some covens are more exclusive than others and some may not let you join until they are sure you are a good fit. Shop around and look for people who you gel with. These people will become like your family and support you in your journey into witchcraft.
WitchiWoo 
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