Guiding New Witches: Navigating Spiritual Uncertainty and Embracing the Craft

Times of anxiety and uncertainty often cause people to reach out towards a new spirituality. When we experience undue stress, such as in a time of the death of a loved one, illness, or even a pandemic, we can feel ourselves shaken to the core, questioning our beliefs. Times like these result in a spike in occult science interest, as people feel their traditional beliefs and practices aren’t sufficient and seek to try something new. As a Witch, you may find yourself approached by a friend expressing an interest in the Craft; you may even be asked to introduce them to the basics of spell work or advise them on how to begin their practice or how to “become” a Witch themselves.

The first thing to understand as a friend comes to you for spiritual guidance/development and an introduction to the Craft is this is an honor given to you by the Universe! By approaching you with these questions, your friend is trusting you, acknowledging they consider you wise, proficient, and powerful. As you proceed, keep this honor in mind, and know you are being entrusted with care for your friend’s spiritual health and wellbeing. Stay humble. Know that whether you end up sharing resources and ideas, working together magically with your friend, or becoming their formal Teacher in the Craft, you have been given a great responsibility.

It is also important to consider that your friend may be in great distress at this time. When folks are distressed, they are emotionally vulnerable; so when offering spiritual advice or teaching, keep in mind a few things. First, you are not their therapist. In a time of crisis, your friend may indeed need a therapist. If so, recommend they speak to a therapist. Let them know you are there for them as a friend and as a magical teacher, but this cannot replace therapy.

A corollary to this is that in your role as “teacher,” you should beware of obsession. Vulnerable people can develop unhealthy attachments to those they trust and see as authority figures; they can also develop an obsession with magic more easily, neglecting other important aspects of their lives. If you think that your new “student” is developing an obsession with you, you need to talk to them immediately. Remind them that you may know more about some things, but they are a powerful, competent, independent Witch as well. Remind them of their strengths, and remind them a benefits of growing one's magic is that it makes one a stronger person. Set boundaries and define your relationship - as mentor and student, as friends, and emphasize that you do not have power over them. Finally, always have patience with questions and the speed of progress. Be gentle, patient, and kind.

Which brings us to studies. In many occult traditions, the beginning of the path involves a lot of study and reading. If a friend comes to you in a time of crisis, this is not necessarily the best route. When we are dealing with an inordinate amount of stress and worry, it can be very hard to concentrate. If the new student is in a time of crisis and sought to learn about being a Witch, it is important that they see the positive effects their new path can have quickly. A course of study focused on the history and practice of magic, for example, could take months, if not years. A better approach for you as a teacher would be to recommend one basic Wiccan book, written for new practitioners, so your student grasps the basic concepts. Then offer them techniques they can work on and spells they can enact right away. This hands-on approach will yield immediate results, and will therefore be more motivating.

There are many different paths a new Witch can choose to explore. Whether the new practitioner eventually chooses to explore Wicca, Asatru, Thelema, Chaos Magick, or any of the dozens of other magical disciplines, a good grounding in the basic tenets of the Craft is essential. Not only will a good grasp of the underlying concepts in Pagan paths set a new Witch up for a lifetime of successful exploration and spell work, but they are easy to grasp and include techniques that will help them cope with difficult situations and stressful times. This is the time to start a first Book of Shadows, which is a journal and record of life as a Witch, and is an invaluable tool for reflection and knowledge! Everything a Witch studies, every spell cast, and thoughts about the magical life should be recorded in the Book of Shadows.

A basic understanding of the four elements and their directions is the perfect place to start. The new practitioner can look into North / Earth, East / Air, South / Fire, and West / Water and read about the different powers associated with each and the different skills a Witch has that are associated with each. This can be very thought-provoking work. Journal questions include: What powers does each element have? What Craft skills are associated with each element, and how could I increase these skills in my personal practice?

The new witch may also consider Gods and Goddesses. This is a great topic for meditative writing or, if the new witch is more verbally oriented, recording thoughts while speaking them out loud. The new witch can ponder and record - Do I believe in any Goddesses and/or Gods? Which ones? What characteristics do they have? Do I communicate to them through prayer? Do I make offerings to them? What do I want from my relationship with my deity or deities?

A vital practice for any Witch is a good meditation and visualization practice. There are many books, websites, and YouTube channels about meditation and visualization. Learning how to enter into a deep meditative space has many benefits. In a meditative state, the mind is more in touch with magical and spiritual energies all around us. Also, in a meditative state a Witch can be truly, fully relaxed. The mind can be at rest - and rest and relaxation are key to weathering times of personal travail.

Whatever direction the new Witches’ path takes, remember to be kind and gentle. A good teacher has open ears and a humble attitude, knowing that they have as much to learn from their student as their student does from them! Many blessings to you as you help out new Witches as they come to you in times of need.