I'm a Witch of 30+ years experience and I see many posts regarding how to start, where to start, where to begin. It can be very frustrating. I started the traditional way forged my Athame and made an ebony handle for it, basically from the ground up. I can share some resources to get started. But first you need an ephemeris regarding planetary aspects and especially a moon calendar-very important. Waxing moon power coming in Waning moon power going out, reducing power. All of Stewart and Janet Farrar books like their first book The Witch's Way. Solid background info. Some books I have found recently- The Witch's Guide to wands by Gypsey Elaine Teague. Plant Magic for the Beginner Witch by Ally Sands Queering your Craft by Cassandra Snow. Now the confusing part is she assigns the Athame as Air Wand as Fire. No. Cup/Chalice, Water, Athame Fire, Wand Air, Pentagram Earth. Earth, Water, absorbs, Fire, Air projects power. Cassandra's book is good but alas, there is a LOT of conflicting information out there. I know. Same with Tarot-that's why I published a book on it. It is not easy to start solo. And, you have to sift what is good from what is not so good. Hopefully my post helped a little.
To add to my post, I'm not a "cook book recipe" or "laundry list" Witch. There are many books out there like that. I feel that one has to develop one's method and spells, one's inner way and that's what so important about the Book of Shadows. I incorporate my Grimoire in my Book of Shadows some have it separate. So the book above Plant Magic for the Beginning Witch is really an excellent book and I give it 5 out of 5 stars even though I'm not a "cook book" Witch!
Before Covid I was going to Psychic Shows to do Tarot readings. Then I started a class because I had discovered so much conflicting information so I designed a syllabus then Covid hit. So I converted the syllabus into a book. Now I am using the book for a class I am giving with a new syllabus. Same with Witchcraft, a lot of conflicting information that people put out there which forces many to be very discerning in their research. There are some good books out there.
I can have done long distance readings before however readings are confidential so I would have to message somehow
I am still navigating and there has to be a private messaging system. ALL readings are confidential. I am quite advanced and I take Tarot very seriously. So specific questions before the reading I would have to ask privately. I have had to do long distance due to Covid.
So Candy Gal I can, but I would have to ask specific questions privately. Then the reading after a few days.
Back to conflicting information as one navigates through the variety of books regarding Witchcraft. For example, Cassandra Snow's book Queering your Craft assigns the Athame as Air, the Wand Fire. The correct answer is Athame Fire, Wand Air. Now in the book about wands above, many trees have their own energy but the overall element assignment to Wands is Air. This is just one conflicting bit of information I found-there are others, many others. I don't know if it is because authors want to step out and be different in order to sell books, but to the beginning Witch, these conflicting bits of information can cause quite a lot of stress. The internet does not help either by adding more conflicting information out there. That's why I wrote and published a book of Tarot using the Rider-Waite decks which I use in readings.
Though old, Stewart and Janet Farrar's books are still solid regarding basic information. Their approach was sincere and straight forward. Again, I still emphasize that you need to develop your own ceremonial path and the reason is that each person is different. Use information to tailor YOUR path. This is where your Book of Shadows is most important. It is your log, your journey, and all that crosses your path on that journey. Thus, your Book of Shadows is UNIQUE to you. It will become your blueprint to your ceremonial path.
