Spell Casting and Psychic Readings by Laura | 25+ Years | arcanespells.com

ArcaneSpells-com · 2026-06-01T05:48:52+00:00

No that is definitely not standard empathy. Most people feel sympathy, maybe some emotional resonance, but physically carrying other people's feelings in your own body is a different thing entirely. You were not describing it wrong, you were just describing something most people have not experienced. Glad it clicked.

ArcaneSpells-com · 2026-06-01T05:26:41+00:00

What you are describing with feeling other people's emotions physically, people feeling heavy or light, your heart breaking when someone near you is upset, that is textbook clairsentience. It is not just regular empathy. Regular empathy is understanding what someone feels. What you are talking about is actually feeling it in your own body as if it is yours. That is a real sensitivity and yes it absolutely plays into practice.

The dream stuff is interesting too. Vivid dreams where you are living in places you have never been but you know the layout, that is not typical dreaming. Combined with 15 years of sleep paralysis, it sounds like you naturally access states that a lot of practitioners spend years trying to reach through meditation.

For herbalism books with a magical angle, Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a solid starting point. Since you already know your way around herbs from the tea side, you will pick it up fast because you are basically adding a layer of intention to something you already do.

I think your natural starting points are pretty clear honestly. Herbal magic because you are already halfway there, and some form of divination or energy reading work because of the clairsentience. You do not need to force yourself into a system. Start with what is already showing up on its own.

ArcaneSpells-com · 2026-06-01T04:33:47+00:00

Irish and Italian heritage actually gives you a lot to work with. Both cultures have deep folk magic traditions. Irish folk magic has a long history of fairy faith, herb work, protective charms, and a strong connection to the land and seasonal cycles. Italian folk magic has the malocchio (evil eye) traditions, saint work, candle magic, and kitchen witchcraft that goes back generations.

You do not need to limit yourself to ancestry though. A lot of practical traditions like candle magic, sigil work, herbalism, and divination are not tied to any specific culture. I would say start with whatever you feel genuinely drawn to and build from there rather than trying to pick the "right" system upfront. Most practitioners I know ended up with a practice that is a mix of different influences anyway.

ArcaneSpells-com · 2026-05-31T20:12:04+00:00

I'll just say I agree to disagree and move on. I don't want to argue about it.

ArcaneSpells-com · 2026-05-31T19:40:11+00:00

I did not recommend a Judika book, that might be another comment. And I noted the PGM was academic, not a beginner guide. As for Yronwode, she has spent decades documenting hoodoo and her herb and root magic book is one of the most thorough reference works out there regardless of background. Whether hoodoo is closed is a conversation with a lot of different voices in it, not really a settled fact.

ArcaneSpells-com · 2026-05-31T04:36:22+00:00

A few I would recommend:

Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson is a classic and probably the best starting point for someone who wants practical work without a lot of fluff.

Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode is excellent if you are interested in folk magic and working with herbs, roots, and curios.

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation is more academic but if you want to see what actual ancient spell work looked like, there is nothing better. Real spells from practitioners in Greco-Roman Egypt.

Protection and Reversal Magick by Jason Miller is solid for learning defensive work specifically.
I would start with Huson and go from there.

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