#witchy basics

When I first began practicing witchcraft I was utterly and completely lost, such to the point I didn’t learn the basics until I was already months in. I was busy doing candle magic and color correspondences­— following spells I found online with not a clue what I was doing. It was hard learning and adjusting to the basics after so many months of creating bad habits. Even to this day I still struggle and have to sit down and remind myself of them. People debate what qualifies as the basics, but I think fundamentally it all boils down to one clear winner— intent.

Basic Terminology

[A/N: I thought I'd share this little knowledge I gathered for months of researches I've done, so might be useful for other beginners. I am sorry the souces not listed here, as this post is enourmously long, and its just the part 1, it might be evolving over time. I will make a separeated segment for that and will pin it later if I have time after my exams are out of the way, during Summer Holiday. I have to admit I enjoy research and reading the most out of the craft, meeting new authors is amazing. IF you have book recommendations or source recs please dm me or send an ask and I try to get the material and read plus review it :) ]

witchcraft: the art of manipulating energy through series of magical actions fueled by own personal intentions in order to achieve certain prefered outcome(s). It’s a PRACTICE, not a religion!

energy: the foundational life force that flows through all beings in material and non-material existence, this is what a practicionare uses during ceremonies and spellworkings

intention: the purposeful focus which directs the energy toward the specified outcome, its like the fuel to the engine in a car, without it you are driving aimlessly. But intention helps to achieve what you want.

animism: the belief that all animate and non-animate has a distinct spiritual essence or soul if you prefer to call it as such.

closed practice: a culturally, ethnically or by other frameworks exclusive practice that is reserved only for the mebers of that tradition. (thanks for anyone who helped me get this specific term cleared in my mind) >> practices can be declared closed by ethnically, by family lineage (not only bloodline, adoptation or marriage can make you belong to a group, or assimilation |its rather a big question mark in my head so please if soemone else too has the answers jot down, might be useful for beginners like me|) [exclusion does not mean its forbidden, respectful research or initiation might be available, seek the communities elders if youare interested just do not claim to be of a tradition if its not true and certainly DO NOT SPEAK OVER THOSE GROUPS! LET THEM BE THE VOICE IN WHAT COUNTS AS APPROPRIATION OR DISRESPECT AS THEY KNOW BETTER! Its for everybody’s sake as misinformations I see since dawn of internet can spread in horrendous speed, let’s reduce it by being respectful]

These are the four main types of Salt used in Witchcraft, essentials in any witch’s home apothecary as with them you can work any & all kinds of protection spells (if you don’t know how to make black or red salt, stay tuned I’ll be posting the recipes in the near future) 💁🏼‍♀️🧂✨📖🖊️

What is a pendulum, anyway? At its most basic, a pendulum is a tool used for divination—a small object (typically a gemstone, crystal, or metal) suspended from a chain or cord that swings freely. It’s simple, elegant, and surprisingly powerful. You can use it to receive yes/no answers to questions, check energetic alignment, or even aid in Reiki and energy healing by detecting imbalances in the…

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Eclectic: A witch that takes from multiple OPEN paths to make their own, unique path.

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Green Witch: A witch that works with plants and nature. Commonly paired with Cottage magic, Kitchen Magic and Hearth Magic

Includes: Garden, Flora, Earth, Animal, Fauna and sometimes Fae Witches.

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Cottage Witch: A witch that uses magic to better their home and house.

Includes: Music, Art, Paper, Knitting, Embroidery

Hearth Witch: Uses magic in their house and mundane activities like knitting or cleaning.

Kitchen Witch: Uses magic in cooking to bring subtle charms to their loved ones.

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Solidary Witches: Typically work by themselves in their craft.

Coven Witches: Works with a coven or group of like minded witches.

・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★ Secular Witches: Non-religious witches. They typically don’t work with entities or deities.

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Satanic Witches: Witches that follow a Satanic path.

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Hereditary Witches: Witches who’s family has been involved with magic for generation.

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Traditional: A witch that follows the ancient or traditional paths of witchcraft.

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Christian Witch: Witch that follows Christian ideals or practices. Works with a Monotheistic god and angels

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Voodoo Witch: This is a closed practice. A religions that follows Voodoo ideals and practices, and works with Voodoo Deities.

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Hellenistic Witch: A witch that works with the Greek pantheon

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Roman Witch: A witch that works with the Roman Pantheon

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Heathen Witch: A witch that works with the Ancient Norse pantheon and Viking Traditions.

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* Germanic Witch is the same, but follows the Germanic Pantheon and sometimes the Norse Pantheon.

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Celtic Witch: Follows the Celtic Pantheon.

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Science Witch: Relies very heavily of scientific proof in their practice.

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Hedge Witch: Also known as a spirit witch, they “walk” the hedge between the living and the dead. Related to Death Magic and possibly Dream Witches.

Dream Witch: Uses lucid dreaming to communicate with other entities or even spirits.

Death Witch: One who works with death and the aspect of death.

Bone Witch: One who uses bones in their practice RESPECTFULLY.

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Sea Witch: Witches that use the ocean and ocean aspects in their practice.

Water Witch: One who uses any type of water or water aspects in their Practice. This also goes for bog, swamp, lake, river, pond, rain, etc Witches.

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Divination Witch: A witch who’s practice focus’ primarily on the different types of divination.

Includes: Tea, Pendulum, Tarot, Oracle, Scry,

・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・ Elemental: Witches that work with four (sometimes five) elements.

Includes: Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Spirit witches.

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Fae: Works with the fae. This is a more advanced path and requires a lot of research before beginning it.

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Draconic: Witches that work with dragons and dragon guides.

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Seasonal: Witches that work with or in particular seasons.

Includes: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Witches.

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Chaos: Witches that work with chaotic elements.

Includes: Sigil witches.

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Blood Witches: Witches that use their own blood (or fluids) in spells to make them stronger. THIS IS DANGEROUS IF NOT DONE PROPERLY. PLEASE LEAVE THIS PRACTICE TO THE ADULTS.

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Right Hand: Witches that follow the right hand are typically healers and protection witches.

Middle: A mix of healer/protection, and hexes/curses

Left Hand: Most made of witches that will hex and curse, feeling little to no remorse about it.

* All paths are valid and equal. Don’t feel bad for following the left hand path.

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Lunar: Witches that work directly with the moon

Astrology: Witches that work with many, if not all, of the aspects of astrology.

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Energy: Works with peoples energy and energy points. Can learn to manipulate their own energy and push it into their practice.

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Crystal: Uses crystals in their work. 

Cleansing and a precursor to Protection.

These are some of the most important things in witchcraft in my opinion. You may want to skip or opt out, but I assure you it’s worth doing. It’s worth the effort, regardless how much or how little you decide to do.