My Quest - Finding THE Perfect Beginner's Guide

Witchcraft beginner books are abundant. Every metaphorical corner that your turn there is a beginner book. But are they all worth it? Or will they lead you to regret starting your journey?

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I am giving myself a mission: To find the best beginner book, or at least the most informative for someone who is starting out in Witchcraft.

As a person who 100% regrets her first books, I do not want you to go through the same. Hopefully, after my reading quest, I will have found exactly what I should have read as a beginner Witch and help you find what you need at the same time.

But to succeed, I made myself a check list. For the perfect book, I hope it will check each and everyone of my bullet points. Is it possible? I have no idea.

Can I recommend the book to someone who has no prior knowledge?

What I need to find is mainly the history of Witchcraft and the differences when it comes to the umbrella terme Paganisme. It needs to be honest, not a glorified version that the writer believes in without concreat proof.

There could be a brief recounting of how it all started as what we know as Wicca and how there is more out there than the religious views of Gerarld Gardner. A necessary overlook at the Witch Trials and stigmatization of Witches. How every Neo-Pagan is different. How not to feel like you are culturaly appropriating? What kind of practices exist that can feel more appropriate for you, especially when starting out? What preconceptions exist?

These are fundamentals that I feel we need to know as a Witch. It needs to help cement the beginnings of our futur practice. Not a defined path, but an idea of were to start. It will also help when we need to explain what our new ''hobby'' is to those who only see Witchcraft as what the TV says Witchcraft is.

It needs to also be a gradual insertion into the meat of the subject. I don't what to be dropped into 'How to do Spells' on the first chapter if the fundementals of what a spell is aren't looked at. It will most likely be the boring part of your reading, but it will be necessary.

Is it Neutral?

I do not want a Wicca only book.

I am not a religious Witch and that is absolutely acceptable! I do not follow Wicca, their god and goddess, and their Wheel of the Year, or their altar set-up. That is specific to the religion. We need to know that Witchcraft is not defined by Wicca or other religious beliefs that have a magical aspect to it. Unless the book is for a Wiccan beginner, I do not want religious specific spells and rituals. This needs to be neutral, because some who turn to Witchcraft want to escape from the religious norms.

At least, that was the case for me. I wasn't looking for a new religion, but for a different mind set. One where we respect nature and ourselves, and where we can enact change directly with our environement. What I love about Witchcraft is the ability to adapt to the person. Religions do not adapt to the people, we adapt to them.

Hence, I don't want a book that makes me believe that I need to do this spell and that ritual with so and so deities. We need to know that we can include what we want, how we want, and with who we want.

Also, I do not want the author to make it seem that we need to do it like them or it won't work. That is a load of bull excrement.

Are the Basics Covered?

I am not talking about what the Wheel of the Year is. I want to read how to meditate, how to visualize, how to ground, etc. As a new Witch, you probably never tried to ground, so how do you do it? These are essential.

Is the Content Diverse?

This is where the fun begins. How much content is included? Do you only see candle magic and moon water? Or does it inlcude more? For me, the more the marrier. Even if it is a single page for each of the different aspects of magic, I don't care. I need to know what exist in terms of practices. If I feel drawn to a certain practice, I will grab another book only on that practice. This section should be jumping off points toward other works.

Easy to do Spells?

Are the spells written doable for a beginner who proably has run of the mill kitchen spices? Can it be done on a budget? Are they small and broom closet friendly? Think jarre spells and moon water level.

Easy to do Rituals?

I consider this different from spells. The same questions applies as for spells: budget friendly and accesability to ingredients. However, we need to consider that rituals demand a large space to practice and preparation. So what type of rituals exist, from the easier to the more complex. Think bath rituals and Sabbat rituals.

Basic Altar Set-Up?

For those who wish tho include a permanant alter, a temporary ritual altar, or a small outdoor altar. Explaining that altars can be used for different purposes and to help in longer spells.

Beginner level ingredient lists?

I do not want fancy ingredients like bones and mandrake root or emeralds and lapis lazuli. The simpler the better, with basic knowledge. Possibly a small correspondence list and how to use in certain spells.

How to Set-Up a Grimoire?

I want a quick overview of what a Grimoire or Book of Shadows is and what types exist. With suggestions on how to start one: on the computer, a cheap journal, post-its in your favourite books, the ways are infinit and personal, but suggestions never hurt. We also don't need it to be elegent and instagramable. Grimoires are your travel journals on your witchy journey. As a beginner, it is important that I understand this.

Prompts?

It is all fun and dandy to have all this knowledge, but will you use it?

Having prompts, activity ideas, Grimoire entries or whatever else helps you pratice what you have learned, is often overlooked. Prompts would have helped me practice more. I love challenging myself. I am not looking for marathon level challenges, however. Think pulling a daily card and meditate outside.

Over Time

I may add more to my check list. This is a list compiled from what I have already read and what I wish those books had. In the future, I would love to have a list of my top favourite books for you. Or even a beginner bundle idea. Whatever comes of this quest, I really hope it will help one of you.

Happy Reading!

If you have suggestions, please share!