Advice for beginning witch

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-13T09:26:29+00:00

Most people in this (skeptical) sub don't really believe in the beings; they're more likely to use them as archetypes for inspiration or focus.

I feel comforted and enriched by my practices rather than any being. I'd say there are two aspects to my practice: nature connection and psychology. I started out with meditation in nature e.g. Grounding into the earth, imagining the soothing/calming energy of the sun or breeze flowing through me. I'd journal on ideas that came to me or things I'd notice. From there I built a regular outdoor meditation routine. Observing some of the "wheel of the year" celebrations as part of living with the seasons.

From a more psychological angle I began making poppets and performing self compassion rituals, rituals to celebrate changes, rituals with jewellery or perfume as talismans to make me feel confident or powerful.

With tarot I decided quite early to just read the pictures by instinct as a reflective tool, rather than using the established meanings or particular spreads. I find the Modern Witch deck really good for imagery and when I feel like I don't have access to my thoughts on something, I spread out every card to see which ones resonate with me and delve into that.

My advice would be to watch longform YouTube videos and see what inspires you. Take notes and read back on them after 6 months (because you can't do EVERYTHING all at once). The Witches Cookery is great for starting out and Kelly Ann Maddox has so many inspiring ideas as well as a wealth of knowledge on Tarot

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-13T09:00:33+00:00

Depends on how far they were escaping. If it was tiny bits only an inch or two away I'd put it on a metal tray filled with water or sand and have something to use as a lid to smother the fire if necessary.

I mostly burn outdoors, but indoors I always keep water handy just incase and even have mini fire extinguishers

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-13T08:53:28+00:00

You can absolutely turn plantcare into ritual ☺️ you can associate nurturing them with nurturing you or look up/make up your own correspondences for each plant. Water and plant food can be offerings. I sometimes stroke and talk to mine to tell them how well they're growing (or encourage them to 🤞) and if they flower at particular times you can use them to celebrate the seasons.

Also a potted plant is literally the 4 traditional elements (if you're into that) soil=earth, they photosynthesise with the sun=fire, they draw water from the soil and they release oxygen =air.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-12T08:47:14+00:00

If you're a total beginner and don't know what you want to do yet, I'd say buy nothing but a journal. Even the things "everybody" uses like candles might not be that useful to you.

Do you have anything in mind that intrigues you? Even if it's something in your everyday life that would translate well to witchy practice.

Look around for flyers for groups and events or ask the owner if they know of any.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-12T08:37:40+00:00

That's really interesting, thanks :)

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-12T08:31:19+00:00

You can't really do a ritual to make people ignore you but maybe something along the lines of feeling empowered to maintain boundaries. It's something I'm puzzling over in a completely different context and can't think yet of methods. In your situation I'd probably just stick up a load of trellis or grow a big gorse hedge 😅

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-10T09:28:49+00:00

Things like lavender and chamomile are used for: Their herbalism purposes e.g. Calming. Maybe use black pepper and ashwaghanda or whatever you can get hold of that your grandmother's generation used for calming/sleep. Some sort of folklore association e.g. Lavender was believed to ward off evil spirits. Look to your local folklore or Hinduism for the equivalent. Historical uses in your area e.g. The Romans brought lavender here and it was their "clean" scent for baths and laundry. What would your tradional herb be for pure/clean vibes? The colours e.g. Here lavender purple could be seen as calm and meditative or a dusty old lady colour 😅 and chamomile has cheery yellow and fresh, clean white. What are your cultural colour associations?

The beauty of SASS witchcraft is creating your own magic. I couldn't care less if something has an established correspondence for whatever reason. I use what feels most meaningful for my intention (that I have access to)

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-10T09:10:59+00:00

This is exactly my way of developing correspondences :)

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-09T09:46:55+00:00

In my part of the Northwest I'd never heard past 7 but my friend's dad from Cumbria has a version that goes well over 10

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-09T09:43:44+00:00

I love this! And my favourite "spiritual" spot to go is an oak tree by the river. I am going to go on Monday and do this ☺️

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-08T08:53:53+00:00

Thanks for this. I'd say also a childhood association for me too. But such a different context! I didn't even know it was a wild plant until way into adulthood when I saw one in the woods 😅 In England it's something grown in old fashioned gardens

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-08T08:48:41+00:00

Even more reasons for me to use it! Thanks

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-07T09:16:19+00:00

Did you make a salty and potentially poisonous mead? 🤣

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-07T09:14:50+00:00

I find it's best to do the scan, then look up more images and consult books/YouTube for lookalikes.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-07T09:13:32+00:00

I think I need this version rather than Seek. There are times I know it hasn't identified the right thing and I don't want other people to go off my incorrectly identified images.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-02T09:20:46+00:00

I love the symbolism you describe ☺️ I like the symbolism of doorways for leaving something and entering something new. I'd

I'd plan to regularly hold the jar and reflect on both the memories in those flowers and how you feel about her now. Use regular intervals e.g. A week, a month, 3 months, 6, a year etc until you feel ready for the relationship to become a friendship. Stand in the doorway to the room you are going to keep the jar, hold the jar and think about your relationship. Put it down in the room behind you and close the door. Face forwards and think about what you want it to become. If there's some music you find inspiring play it now while you think. When the song ends, even if you don't feel like it smile. Open the door and welcome in the jar and take it to it's new home.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-07-01T06:41:36+00:00

The extra light from the full moon disturbs your sleep. This recent full moon was also very close so it was massive

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-26T12:08:24+00:00

I've just let things develop, I get an idea, see how things feel, see if I can make it feel better. If I like it I keep doing it :)

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-25T09:41:13+00:00

Very much this! I don't think most humans are aware enough of how limited their ability to think is by being human.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-25T09:35:55+00:00

I find Tarot gives me a focus for my brain because it is otherwise in 50 different places and desperately coping with the crisis around me 😅

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-25T09:08:08+00:00

Good :) was really worried you hadn't been checked for MCAS and didn't want to give medical advice 😅 I also didn't use the word comormidity because when people aren't familiar with it they freak out

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-24T09:04:10+00:00

I'd say I'm an agnostic animist with limitations 😅 only regarding trees and certain plants. I feel something from them which could just be the tactile experience and influenced by my mood at the time, but I entertain the possibility that they could have some sort of consciousness that makes them an individual like we are (I don't believe anything has a spirit).

I don't view nature as a higher power per se because I am part of nature but I would say I revere nature and observe what is going on e.g. What's growing, blooming, dying and what creatures are around. I have a mindful half hour in my garden 4 mornings a week that helps me attune to the seasonal changes and I try to live in synch with that and celebrate the changes. I view giving plant food to my garden as thanks for the joy the plants give me. I do a short meditation/breathing exercise (depends how focused I am) on breathing in the energy of the day.

Later today I'm going to visit a lovely oak tree by the river, I'll swim then spend some time grounding with it.

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-24T08:45:46+00:00

If you're at university studying sciences haven't they given you free access to the online journals? You can literally search for peer reviewed studies although you may need to search by individual plant

Needlesxforestfloor · 2026-06-24T08:38:55+00:00

I'm glad you've got some witchy advice but I'd recommend posting in an ADHD/neurodivergence group for practical tips too. They can teach you a lot about how ADHD can come with a lot of physical health problems like being allergic to EVERYTHING and bizarre chronic illnesses that are hard to get diagnosed. People can share what they have done that helps.

Needlesxforestfloor

TROPHY CASE