Wisdom and Witchcraft

I have seen over the many years those who embrace Witchcraft and want to do spells right away, or want to access "power" (those I call "power seekers").
It's like starting Judo as a White Belt and wanting to be at the Black Belt level.
I was taught the traditional path of one year and one day. Spells were not part of the training. The very basics of Witchcraft like acquiring one's tools (I forged my Athame and after a lot of hard work fashioned an ebony handle for it. I made an ebony wand as well.) Much later I discovered the meaning of ebony, but I was drawn to it while shopping at an exotic wood vendor locally. Finding my chalice, my Pentagram, cords, and learning the very basics.
As well, observing. A lot of observing nature, being connected, paying attention to animal visitations. Recording a lot in my Book of Shadows.
Then I chose Astrology as my divination path and got school trained but much later after three tries, and intense study became a Tarot reader using the Rider-Waite decks. I was a reader at psychic shows before Covid and wrote and published a book on Tarot. I'm using the book to teach my second class in October.
How many years? 30+. Learning one's path takes time. Things cannot be rushed. And as one progresses, one learns how to tap into energies.
Being a practitioner takes time and learning never stops.
A new learning Witch has to acquire wisdom during that first year. Self discipline, control, and patience.

 

I don't agree. Most of my work has been involved with healing work, and ceremonial work regarding wellness. That's why I mentioned spells-I was taught that Witches for the most part are healers and work for the well fare of others. As far as Tarot, I went on a deep dive which took years after becoming proficient with Astrology and my journey took me to many inconsistencies regarding Tarot through the many books out there. After Covid hit, I suspended my readings at shows and concentrated on writing and successfully publishing a book on Tarot. Now I am using that book as a textbook for my class. I was taught by traditionalists of the Craft. Unfortunately today, many toy with the idea of "Witchcraft" to acquire something through "spells". One has to first learn about what goes out can come back at you three times which is basically Karma. Thus the ethics regarding Witchcraft, or "The Craft" for short. Taking shortcuts using Creational Energy can bite you in the ass. Thus, again, my comment about spells in my main thread.

 

Let's start with Tarot-I always tell students that one should ask for the best outcome in a reading. Plus, in my book, I have a list of things not to do like suggesting a life changing event or medical issues. Over time, the cards eventually start talking to you as you develop a deep relationship with them. That's what has happened with me an Tarot, and outcomes have been very successful as evidenced by clients seeking me at shows a month later and giving me a 50 or hundred dollar bill for a reading I did for them in the past. Tarot for me is a trip wire for my psychic ability. It works. I use a global example in my book a reading as an example and it is quite accurate. Tarot is not a game, card trick. With the practiced practitioner it works. As far as your question regarding spells-people of many faiths pray for an outcome, a best outcome to a situation. We are just conduit to that Creational Energy. It's up to spirit to determine outcome, it's up to the Creator. Spells are actually an advanced process as a spell is used towards let's say a sickness-of course the person needs to be treated by a medical doctor but like prayer, a spell is a way to tap into that spiritual world to ask for the best outcome. New Moon spell to take away energy from the disease, Full Moon spell to give the person energy? Just an example. Specific timing should always be used with spells. You would avoid specific time like Mercury Retrograde. Just an example. You should read Fred Aland Wolf The Eagle's Quest. Fred is a physicist and discusses that the root to Shamanism is Quantum Physics. Quantum Physics is behind spiritual practices. It taps into that Creational Energy of the Universe.

 

My spiritual training embraced many other paths including studying with an American Indian Medicine Woman for three years. Many pathways have similar techniques and rituals so i have noticed a blending of methods in many cultures. Psychic ability everyone was psychic as a child to a certain degree but through socialization loses that ability. It can be revived through techniques. Triggers, like Tarot Cards for me act as a trip wire. Thus it does work and I have had clients come back and thank me. There are many things we don't understand thus faith in a Higher Power. That works too. Read that book The Eagle's Quest. Spell work is really an advanced system not something novices should do right off the bat. And there is more. Also your last comment: I have come across people I call "Power Seekers". Approaching the Craft with that type of motivation will get one no where. Ego which comes with power is a healing/ceremonial killer-if that is the purpose then nothing will come of it. My experience with true practitioners is their humbleness and kindness.

 

My original thread above was to share my experience which might help a beginning Witch. The thread was challenged by MeAgain regarding those who are beginning Witches seek power. My purpose through my comment is based on observation regarding many new Witches who immediately want to create spells. Like I mentioned, spells was not in my initial training and quest. One has to also look at those who are Power Seekers, and I have met my share over the years. Power seeking feeds right into the ego which cancels any attempt regarding ceremony. MeAgain is right with many new Witches who go directly into spell casting, and buy books which have what I call a laundry list of spells for a number of issues. That is not what the Craft is about.
Going back to basics and consulting good books as well as developing one's ceremonial "blueprint" is more important. Self discipline, control and patience develops wisdom.
One of the divination tools I chose years ago was Astrology which was taught through an excellent course which took two years but then I started afterwards studying in great depth the Rider-Waite deck. Eventually I went to psychic shows to do readings, and wrote and published a book on Tarot for beginners. That book is used in my class on Tarot. I would not have invested that much time if Tarot did not work. Tarot is not a card trick or entertainment. It can show pathways regarding a client's issue at hand. The "relationship" with my Rider-Waite decks refers to working with my decks magnetizing them and at my stage of practice having them "talk to me". They become a trip wire during a reading and my experiences at shows constantly led to results consistently. If it did not work why have so many clients come back to me thanking me for their reading. That validation over the years propelled me to write a book on Tarot to standardize it and teach a class for beginners. I don't expect my students becoming Tarot readers in 6 weeks. The class is a starting point.
A new Witch has to determine after one year what direction will be taken. Herbalism? It will depend on what was discovered during ythe learning phase.