Everything you NEED to kickstart your witch journey

Embracing your witch destiny can be daunting, so we rounded up the best advice and altar accessories from witches across the country to get you started…

Have you always known there was a witch inside you somewhere, with a powerful force for good, an affinity for nature, and a deep care for all creatures on the planet? There are many different types of witch (though many believe there are just ‘white’ or ‘black’ witches). In fact, in the past 12 months, online searches for ‘types of witchcraft’ has gone up 600%, and ‘how to become a witch’ up by 150%. So we’ve got your witchy journey sorted right here, from fun starter packs and spell jars to moonstone candles and crystal altars and love rituals to ‘road-opening’ baths. Don’t forget to contact the witches here by whom you’re most intrigued – enjoy!

Find your own path

Freya Fulbrook-Cook from Freya’s Cauldron (freyascauldron.co.uk)

“It can be very daunting when you start to feel that you are different, and when you become drawn to the witches’ path. The internet is flooded with information and advice on how you should practise, and it can be easy to lose your way or get bogged down. My advice to anyone starting out is to read as much as you can about different aspects of the craft while keeping an open mind. Everything that you read will be the author’s views or experiences, and although these are interesting, they may not be right for the path you wish to follow. So, the key is to learn as much as you can, then choose which pieces of information you wish to use. Trust your inner voice to guide you; after all, this is your path and no one else’s. There is
no right or wrong way: just your way.

Our Finding Your Path kit is a must-have for any beginner, whether you wish to follow a Wiccan path or not. This kit will help guide you with many altar items, supplies and a 62-page booklet of info. Of course, extra guidance from me, Freya, the founder and witch, is always available. This one is £95.99, including UK delivery, or browse our website for other starter kits.”

Create your first spell jar

Gemma Elizabeth Williams Manifesting guru and online psychic (manifestinggurus.com)

“The magic in any spell is to believe in magic, and believe in yourself. Prior
to casting spells, create a sacred space or altar. Altars are a must-have for most witches, and should include four things each to represent earth, water, air, and fire. In addition, many witches add feathers, incense, candles, flowers, imagery of goddesses and anything else that they feel drawn to.

I love making spell jars for powerful, beautiful gifts. For a self-love spell jar, you will need a jar, a pink candle, pink salt, sea salt, dark chocolate, a rose quartz crystal, rose petals and/or rose bulbs, honey, and some cinnamon.

To create magic, I hold the jar to my heart and focus on the intention to fill the jar with love energy. Light some candles, play relaxing music, and burn incense to help set the mood. You can put the ingredients in the jar in whatever order you feel drawn to. You can seal the jar with pink wax, or let the candle burn out on top of the lid, but please remember to never leave any candles burning unattended.”

Perform a releasing ritual

Lisa Melbourne from Natural Me Sisterhood (on Facebook @LisaNaturalMe and Instagram @lisa_natural_me)

“Witches are deeply connected to nature and the magic of each season. With the Autumn Equinox on the 21st of September, known as Mabon, and the Gaelic festival of Samhain on the 31st October, we reflect on our blessings and we let go of what no longer serves our purpose.

Try this simple ritual to mindfully connect you to the autumnal energies of release, before heading into the darker introspective months of winter. On a full moon, write down everything that you wish to release from your life as a letter to Mother Earth. Stand outside with your feet on the cool ground and read your letter to Gaia (Mother Earth), imagining that with every word you speak, you are held by her. Carefully, strike a match and burn the paper. Imagine everything that you are releasing being broken down and turned to ash. Allow the ash to be blown away by the breeze, or perhaps bury it in the earth, remembering to thank Gaia for her loving assistance.

Chant a moonstone incantation

Helen Gould from The Candle Co. (thecandlecoltd.etsy.com)

“Samhain is a special time for witches, and as this October is blessed with two full moons, it’s the perfect time to start your journey into the world of witchcraft. I want to share a simple dream spell which will help harness your psychic ability within the dream realm. You will need a notebook to record your dreams, so that you can write them down when you wake, and my new moonstone crystal candle for meditation, available from my Etsy shop. For each of the four phases of the moon, light the candle and let the fragrance fill the room for a while. Then say this moonstone dream spell
once, and blow out the candle:

‘Moonstones of Magik,
Moonstones of sleep.
Let my mind relax
and unwind.
Unlock the secrets
of my dreams.
Show me the wisdom
that I might keep.
When I wake from
my sleep.’

Remember to honour the five elements

Sara Denny from Thyme Keepers (thymekeepers.co.uk)

“It’s easy to make five minutes of magic wherever you are, and whenever the mood takes you. My simple rule is to honour all five elements; so walk in the sun or the moonlight, keep crystals on you, create smoke with sage and hold onto earth by hugging a tree or picking up twigs. Magic is all about breaking the rules and using what you’ve got, after all! Other than that, always keep your intention clear and pure, drink lots of water and use crystals such as citrine (my favourite as it’s self-cleaning), kyanite and apophyllite, which don’t absorb or propagate negativity. Another quick ritual involves smudging, where I move in a circle or sometimes draw a pentagram. I often dance as I do this; at least once a week, or more if there’s a full moon, when I’ll go out into the garden. I’m a bit conscious of what my
neighbours think, but I shouldn’t care! Witchcraft is all about being happy and enjoying what you’re doing.”

Cast a road-opening spell

Jarrad Townsend from Little Grey Witch (littlegreywitch.etsy.com)

I consider ‘road-opening’ to be essential for all witches. It’s the act of opening astral doors to allow energies and manifestations to flow to you, and to gently remove any obstacles or blockages that may prevent your spells from having success. I recommend combining oils, candles and baths to set you on your ‘road-opening’ journey.

NOW TRY SOMETHING NEW
Take a ritual bath
1 Mix 1-part lemon balm, 1-part lemongrass, 1-part abre camino herb and a handful of salt, and allow to brew in a hot bath for seven minutes before you get in.
2 After you have dried off, anoint your body with our ‘Road Opening’ oil to prepare yourself for the transition; these are available from many different
retailers, including us, Little Grey Witch on Etsy.
3 Finally, get dressed and fix a candle (or purchase a ‘Road Opening’ candle that has been prepared under proper ritual conditions) and pray over it whilst you light it (traditionally Psalm 23); allow this to burn fully. If it’s not
possible to burn it fully in one complete sequence, repeat the process of
anointing and prayer when you relight it. Never leave it unattended.
4 Now you will be able to manifest your desires, as your spells will have much greater effect.

Cast a love spell

Paula Reid from Psychic Today (psychictoday.co.uk)

For a rose quartz love spell, you’ll need one pink candle, lavender oil, pink paper/photo, a red pen and a rose quartz crystal.

1 Firstly, anoint your candle with oil, before lighting it.
2 With a red pen, make a list on pink paper of all the qualities you want to find in a partner: personality, looks, income, age, and so on. Be as detailed as possible. If you have a photo of a specific person, your list can be written on the back of this photo.
3 Fold your paper and place it under the candle, then extinguish the flame.
4 Light the candle for one hour per night for another five nights. Each time you do this, read your list, then sit quietly and visualise yourself with this person while holding your rose quartz.
5 Keep the quartz with you all day every day until the seven days are completed. Each night, visualise being together in different parts of your life. On the seventh night, repeat the process, but allow the candle to burn out under supervision.

Anoint a crystal altar

Annie Wilkinson-Gill from The Crystal Buddha (thecrystalbuddha.com)

By placing crystals on your altar, you infuse it with the energies of the stones, thus making it whole. Here are a few must-have crystals for any witch:

Quartz: This is a master healer crystal, and it embodies your connection to the Divine. It’s an important amplifier; one which you can use to amplify the energies of other crystals, your intent, and of course, your altar as a whole.

Rose quartz: Placed on your altar this can bring a nurturing heart-based vibration, and it enhances all types of love: self-love, love for others, and unconditional love.

Smoky quartz: For me, this is a wonderful altar tool as it has an incredibly grounding vibration. It’s very useful, as it alters negative energy by changing or deactivating the negativity. Therefore it’s a protective stone, as well as a grounding one.

Citrine: This is a brilliant stone for self-confidence, and is an important aid in asserting yourself and bringing about your personal power. It’s perfect for manifesting abundance and joy.

Lapis lazuli: A stone for communicating your intent and desires with your manifestions. It’s known as a promoter of wisdom, harmony and enlightenment and is another stone which helps you tap into your personal power.

Read more amazing features inside the October issue of Soul & Spirit, on sale Thursday 10th September from all major retailers. Click here to subscribe and get it delivered direct to your door every month, PLUS a bonus free* gift. Or, order a digital copy for your device via PocketMags here.