A Witch's Journey

Here is a list of all my guides, tips, and other posts that I’ve compiled into one place. It will continue to be updated as I post more, as I have a lot I want to share here, and will be the most up-to-date version as I always update it after making a post. Enjoy!

Most recent update: August 2026

General Witchcraft

Witchcraft for Beginners

Witchcraft in Daily Life

Grimoires vs Books of Shadows

Closeted Witch Tips

Smudging vs Smoke Cleansing

Omens

How to Tell if a Spell is On You

Sigil Making

Grounding

Centering

Deity Worship vs Deity Work

Intermediate Witchcraft: Next Steps

Cultural Appropriation and Witchcraft

The Commercial Witch

Zero Cost Witchcraft

Finding Local Magic

Raising Energy in 8 Steps

50 Questions to Ask Tarot

Topic Masterlists

An Overview of Plants

Color Magic

Witchy Tools

My Spells

A Spell for Traditional Masculinity

A Sigil for Friendship

Old Spells

Protection Spell - Sator Square

Resource Lists

Protection Spells and Hexes

Weather Magic

Protections from Others and Energies

Trans Magic - Mostly Masculine

Removing Curses

Knot Magic

Activating Sigils

Book Reviews

A Practical Guide to Fortune Telling

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

Drawing Down the Moon

Learning Ritual Magic

Protection & Reversal Magick

Psychic Witch

The Book of Hedge Druidry

The Cosmic Symposium

The Crooked Path

The Encyclopedia of Natural Magic

(When You Don't Know What to Ask)

Something that I have periodically found difficult in reading tarot is knowing what to ask - especially when I was first learning, in a rut, or was mostly keeping up with the practice even if I didn't have something specific I was asking about. Practicing early on, and keeping up with that practice when I wasn't reading for a specific purpose had me feeling almost bored with divination sometimes, so I came up with a list of questions to ask when I didn't know what I wanted to know in that moment. I came up with a lot of these, but some of the questions I've seen other practitioners asking too - and I highly doubt any of these are truly original, given how many readers there are and how long the practice has existed. Still, hope this helps someone, and enjoy!

Title: Drawing Down the Moon

Author: Margot Adler

Genre/Type: History

My Personal Thoughts: Personally, I feel that this book should be a foundational read for any witches practicing in the US, and is a good read for even witches outside of the US. It covers a wide and diverse history of some of the biggest and most influential kinds of witchcraft, paganism, and alternative spiritualities in recent history in the US and goes into detailed descriptions of them all. The author approaches each group/topic fairly neutrally, though she does mention her own bias in a few places prior to covering them - and she has published updated editions of the book as the world of the occult in the US has continued to change.

Technical: The book is a bit dense due to the amount of information in it, however I found it fairly easy to understand throughout. The information is organized well, and each section makes logical sense in relation to the others. There are a wide variety of traditions discussed in the book, and the author herself identifies as part of the witchcraft and paganism movement, though she keeps her specific practices and beliefs out of the text for the most part. There is a significant appendix of resources and an extensive bibliography in the back of the book, and direct quotes from interviews the author conducted herself throughout the text.

Title: Wicca Spell Book

Author: Julia Steyson

Genre/Type: Wiccan, Beginner

My Personal Thoughts: Being entirely honest, while the book works decently as a primer to Wicca and the Wiccan approach to witchcraft... I did not enjoy this book. There was misinformation within it (for example, the name of a historical time period was used instead of the name of a pagan faith), some cultural appropriation of Indian and indigenous practices (despite the acknowledgement at the end of the importance of not appropriating from cultures and doing good research), and some places where information was referenced that had not been given. The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand, but shallowly as it attempts to cover all aspects of multiple topics in a book less than 150 pages. I was glad that she included a (small) section on some aspects of Wicca's history that has been problematic in the past.

Technical: There are no citations in the book for information sources, nor is there a bibliography in the back - making it impossible for curious readers to delve deeper and making it difficult for someone to verify any of the information being presented. Despite that, the information is presented rather neutrally, though obviously leaning towards the Wiccan tradition. The book is divided into sections that make logical sense, moving from beliefs and different traditions to supplies and correspondences, etc. I did not know this book was self-published when I picked it up, however there were some signs through errors within the text that made it evident as I continued reading. One thing I found missing in the text though, was actual spells. Given the name of the book, I was expecting a few beginner-friendly spells to be included, of which there were none.

Title: Learning Ritual Magic

Author: John Michael Greer, Clare Vaughn, Earl King Jr.

Genre/Type: Hermetic, Beginner

My Personal Thoughts: This book is formatted similarly to a workbook for beginners to learn fundamental skills to practice ritual magic. The book follows the initial teachings of the order Companions of the Rose, an established magical group. There are a lot of exercises that practitioners of any witchcraft tradition can use, as well as the basic theory for Hermetic magic. I will say, there is less of the theory of both Hermetic tradition and ritual magic than I expected, given the title. Most of the theory work was offloaded onto other books which are mentioned in the earliest chapters, and I wish for a book on fundamentals that it would have included more. I do appreciate though, that the book creates a framework for the practitioner to develop a daily practice of their own moving forward, even beyond the book.

Technical: The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand, and progresses through the lessons in a way that builds on the ones before them. There is a heavy Hermetic influence on the work, understandably, which is not immediately made clear unless reading the blurb on the back carefully. The authors are trained in teh Companions of the Rose tradition, and several are well-known authors in the witchcraft spheres in their own right. There is a bibliography in the back for further reading, as well as a list of Hermetic theory books early on in the process. There are diagrams scattered throughout the book to help with understanding the content, and the book chapters are organized by lesson. Each chapter is further divided by the type of lesson being taught in several categories, including theory, divination, meditation, and more.

Raising energy is such a key factor in witchcraft that is, surprisingly, not talked about all that often - especially in books for beginners, where it is most important to learn how to do. Energy is what makes the magic work, so if a new witch is attempting a spell without knowing how to work with energy, it likely won't work as intended, if at all. This is why a fair number of new witches eventually give up practicing the craft; if their spells don't work when they follow all the steps, why would they keep trying?

Raising energy is such a key part of witchcraft that I'd consider it fully foundational. It can be taught using a variety of methods, or done instinctively, or some combination of the two. The method I'm going to share here is how I instinctively started doing it when first learning witchcraft. I've since added methods to my practice when choosing to focus on different things, but this is a method that I still come back to even years later because it feels so natural and easy to me. It is not the only way of doing this, and if you choose to try it and one part of it works for you but not others, feel free to leave what doesn't work and take what does.

Title: The Cosmic Symposium

Author: Aubrey Houdeshell

Genre/Type: Astrology

My Personal Thoughts: This book is good for beginners interested in incorporating the planets and astrology into their practice. It goes over each of the classical planets, as well as the three modern planets and common planetary bodies. It also provides details and suggestions for incorporating the planets into your personal practice. I really loved the artwork throughout the book, and the ties to music that it provided when describing the workings of the skies - something unique to the book that I have not seen elsewhere. I do, however, wish that more attention had been given to the astrological signs and Houses as well to help tie everything together even further, though I do recognize this book focuses primarily on the planets.

Technical: The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand, and there is a bibliography in the back for further reading on many of the concepts discussed. The book ties together information from multiple traditions, without a heavy focus on any, but that may deter some readers uninterested in that aspect of it. The author herself is a long-time professional astrologer, and her experience in the field shows. The book is organized into sections - first by classical planets, modern planets, planetary bodies, and natal charts as a whole, then by which planet/body is being discussed.

Below I have included a list of correspondences, the history of the color, the biology and psychology of the color, and the magical uses it has. Enjoy!

Name: Bay laurel, Laurel, Bay (Lauris nobilis, several regional species)

Description: An evergreen shrub with large, smooth leaves. It has pale, yellow-green flowers that are about 1cm/0.5 in in diameter. The flowers come in pairs and are often near one of the leaves. The leaves are a deep green, and the edges are wavy. The leaves have a prominent vein that is yellowish in color, and v-shaped veins coming off the main one. When the tree fruits, they bear small, shiny, black fruits with a single seed in the middle. When crushed, the leaves have an herbal, spicy, and slightly floral scent reminiscent of oregano and thyme.

Cultivation: Growing bay by seed takes a very long time, so most suggest growing it from a sapling or young tree. They need at least six hours of full sun a day, and need warmer climates with no snow to grow outdoors. Plant it in the spring or fall in soil with good drainage, with plenty of room to grow. Aside from climate needs, bay laurel is very easy to care for. It requires water only when the soil it’s in is dry 1-2 inches down, and needs little to no additional nutrients to be added to the soil over time. It does not require regular pruning, but for convenience it can be done during the tree’s dormancy in winter. Keep an eye out for insect infestations like beetles or scales, and canker wounds.

Harvest: Once the plant is a couple of years old, it can be harvested any time between the growing season and midsummer, though its peak is closer to midsummer. It can be picked by hand or snipped, and the leaves should be dried for 48 to 72 hours. For bone-dry leaves and long-term storage, dry them for two weeks out of sunlight. Store them in an airtight container out of sunlight in slightly cool temperatures. Avoid cutting off more than a third of the leaves at once.

Folklore: Laurel was associated with the resurrection of Christ in Christianity. To the ancient Greeks, it was heavily associated with Apollo, as one of his loves, Daphne, was transformed into a laurel tree. In accordance with Apollo's domains, consuming the leaf was believed to lead to prophetic visions, and the leaves were worn by victors of athletic events. Apollo’s son Asclepius was the god of medicine, and the Greeks would also leave offerings of bay leaves to him for good health as well. Some Greeks would also put wreaths of bay above their doors to avert lightning. The Romans thought that laurel would protect them from evil spirits, and would send important messages wrapped in bay leaves. Later European herbalists believed it would speed up birthing, and that it was resistant to witchcraft. Across general European tradition, bay leaves were believed to help young men become poets and good scholars while at university. In the Middle Ages, bay was used to induce abortion, treat snakebites, insect stings, and ear pains. Standing beneath a bay laurel was believed to keep wizards away from you, and burning the leaves was believed to bring back straying husbands, too. In later years, a withered bay laurel was believed to be a bad omen, after a copse of the trees withered during a plague that claimed many lives in Italy. In England, a mix of bay and rose water was used by girls to see the face of their future husbands in dreams.

Magical Properties: Traditionally, it has been used for protection and purification purposes. It has also been known to help boost psychic abilities and healing spells. Additionally, it has also been used in workings associated with strength. It can be used in charms to ward off lightning and break curses, and can prevent entities from causing mischief in a household or bad luck. Used in love spells, it can be made into a charm to keep a couple together. Used for manifestation, it can be a part of wish spells to make the wishes come true.

Medicinal Properties: Bay is known to sometimes lower blood sugar and cholesterol. It can be useful for mitigating the effects of diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and the common cold - however it has not been tested extensively in clinical trials for these things. Bay can potentially slow down the central nervous system as a sedative, possibly helping with sleep issues - however mind the warnings related to this listed below. 

Recommended Amount: Currently there is no recommended dosage for bay laurel, so using common sense and not using too much is best.

Warnings: Bay can sometimes have interactions with medications for diabetes as it lowers blood sugar, pain as it affects metabolism, and sedatives as it can slow down the central nervous system. Talk to a healthcare professional before using increased doses of this if you take those. There is not enough information on the way increased amounts of bay affect pregnancy or breastfeeding, so consult with a doctor before increasing dosages. If planning on having a surgery, stop taking increased amounts of bay leaf at least two weeks beforehand as it can interfere with anesthesia. If taking it for sleep, be aware that taking too much can lead to breathing problems or extended drowsiness.

*This is a page from my grimoire. I am not a health professional, nor do I claim to be. This is just a compilation of information I’ve gathered from various sources I trust, and any medical decisions should be made by individuals with the help of a trained professional.

Title: Psychic Witch

Author: Mat Auryn

Genre/Type: Miscellaneous, Beginner, Intermediate

My Personal Thoughts: The book is a good introduction to energy work and psychic abilities, and even a good resource for more advanced practitioners to strengthen and expand their skillsets. It contains nearly one hundred practical exercises to help readers improve, and goes a bit into the background theories of each as well as the traditions they draw from. I don't personally align with all of the theory discussed for my own practice, but even still the information was both interesting and valuable to learn. The book includes several visuals throughout that help demonstrate what the author is discussing.

Technical: The exercises in the book build from simplest to most difficult, with the last ten or so showing how the skills in the book can be used practically in spellwork. There are multiple traditions discussed in the book, as the author has been trained in multiple types, but I did not feel like he was advocating for the reader to follow any particular kind of witchcraft, which I appreciated. There is a bibliography in the back of the book for further reading, and the author frequently mentions the teachings of other prominent witches he has learned from as sources for the information he presents.

Title: A Practical Guide to Fortune Telling

Author: Rachel Pollack

Genre/Type: Divination

My Personal Thoughts: The book is a good introduction to the five types of divination mentioned in the subtitle. It goes briefly into the history of each, and talks about how to begin practicing them as well. The one note I have is that I do wish the section on palmistry was a little more organized, because there is a lot of information presented in a way that would make it difficult to memorize for anyone attempting to learn it by heart. However, I do appreciate that the book had many visuals to help demonstrate exactly what was being described.

Technical: The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand, with no particular leaning towards any one tradition, though the author's own experience as a long-time professional is referenced often in addition to the more historic sources. The book is organized into five sections that each start with the history of the technique before moving into the details of it, though some sections are longer than others. There is a bibliography in the back for further research, for anyone wanting to dive deeper into any of the methods discussed.

Used for

Athames are a specific style of ritual knife that are primarily used in Wicca, but have also spread to wider witchcraft. However, if a witch does not have access to a dedicated athame, a regular knife can also be used for a similar purpose. The use of a blade in the craft is primarily for directing energy and magical workings: by casting a circle, calling elements, binding or severing magical attachments, and more. It is traditionally associated with the element of fire, and the magical energies of creation, destruction, and transformation.

Materials

A dagger with a black handle and an iron blade (traditional)

A knife (general or modern)

Ink or a tool for carving (optional)

Process

The only universal process of using a blade in a ritual is consecrating it in whatever tradition you follow, to elevate it above the mundane for the duration of the ritual. Beyond that, you can also choose to ink/carve runes or symbols onto the handle of the blade if you want to use it for a specific purpose and enhance those qualities of it. Again, the runes and symbols can belong to whichever tradition you follow, as there are traditional ones to certain paths and self-created ones in others.

Why it Works/History

A protection spell that dates back to Roman times is the Sator Square. Its oldest occurrence dates back to the ruins of Pompeii, and it has since been added to multiple old grimoires. It is a square that when arranged correctly spells out five words: Sator, Arepo, Tenet, Opera, Rotas. Four of them are clear Latin, while the last word Arepo has debated origins.

Title: Protection & Reversal Magick

Author: Jason Miller

Genre/Type: Intermediate, Protection Magic, Spellbook

My Personal Thoughts: This book is a great book for people who already have a foundation in magic to deepen their knowledge of protection magics and learn the process behind protective rituals. The book is written based on multiple traditions that the author has been trained and initiated in, but holds prominent traces of his own eclectic practice. I do think it is important to already have the skill and knowledge to understand nuance throughout the book, as well as to determine which parts of the book are open for the reader to practice - as there are spells and rituals from multiple traditions, some of which are closed to the uninitiated. They are included to show how to protect against different kinds of magic, and the book provides a lot of new information and perspectives that I had not encountered prior to reading it. I don't personally align with everything in the book for my own practice, however the information is still valuable and teaches the components of the magic involved regardless.

Technical: The information in the book is presented from the lens of personal experience by the author, providing examples throughout of situations where the knowledge has been used and came in handy for him. The book is well organized, progressing from pre-emptive protection, to identification, to more active workings, to repair work. I also highly appreciated that the author makes a point to include mental health and professionals in the field as a topic throughout the book, as spiritual delusion and paranoia can be a problem in some cases. It contains many diagrams as visual examples, and contains a bibliography for anyone wanting to dig further into different aspects of the book. I would recommend getting the newest version of the book that is annotated though - the original was published in the early 2000s, and the annotated version contains notes about what the author has learned since on the topic.