10 Best Resources for a Beginner Witch
Starting out on the path can be exciting and overwhelming. When asked, many older experienced witches will just tell you to research lots of different subjects. While they give you advice, it does not provide any real guidance. Here I have compiled a list of the 10 best resources that I used and still use while finding and following my craft. These are listed in no particular order.
Note: Some of these things might not be available in your area or they have a different variation. Keep that in mind as you read through this list.
1. Pinterest
If anyone else is addicted to Pinterest like I am, than you know you absorb a lot of info from Pinterest. Its a great place to follow witchy boards and find lots of helpful tips. Pinterest has an option that you can make a secret board and also add subsections. This is useful because you can keep your interests hidden while still pinning ‘types of sage’ or ‘phases of the moon’ to your board.
Using Pinterest allows you to read a lot of the same information over and over again. When you start to save different pins, similar pins appear in your feed as well. This helps when learning basics of crystal properties and herb uses. Almost like looking at flash cards all the time.
Pinterest is not optimal for learning history of witchcraft and other pagan religions, but it is great for quick ideas. I use the app for ideas on how to set up an altar.
2. YouTube
YouTube is a great app to get ideas and learn lots of information. While there is bias and opinion in those videos, it can prove to be beneficial to understand others points of view. Hearing the opinions of others will help you decide which path best suits you and how you want to go about celebrating it. The beauty of this craft is that there is no right or wrong way to do something. Majority of the path is about your personal journey and growth in spirituality, so the more knowledge and ideas you hear the better.
Whether you are interested in witchcraft, or other lifestyles like veganism or minimalism, its a great place to start. Here is a short list of YouTube creators that I watch for witchcraft or lifestyle ideas.
- Harmony Nice
- Witch of Wonderlust
- Pick Up Limes
- Sustainably Vegan
3. Amino App
Amino is one of the first apps I discovered when I started my craft. It is full of other practitioners who can give advice and inspiration to others. There are chats for specific avenues or work like divination, herbalism, healing work, and so much more. The app also has weekly post events where they encourage users to contribute and participate in activities. These are things such as art drawings for inspiration, folk lore week, god/goddess appreciation and many others.
I have found the people on Amino very supportive and informative. They have always tried to help when I had questions or created very informative posts. I recommend downloading the app if you have the chance.
4. Audible
This is a great app to hear information and learn while you are on the go. I have listened to many books while on my commute to work and school and it has proved to be beneficial. I bought one credit a month and also got some nice originals to listen to as well. Its a great way to absorb lots of information on the go. Whether you want to listen to Scott Cunningham or choose some nice meditation books then audible is the app for you.
You can also listen while cooking, cleaning, or going for a run. Audible provides a way to get information while on the go. Other recommendations are meditation or mindfulness books. Listening to these is a great way to let go of stress of focus on yourself. You can listen to them in the bathtub or right before you go to bed. Focusing or listening to someone or something else is a great way to open your mind and focus more on your craft.
5. Second Hand Store
While this may not be the first place you think of to get witchy supplies, a thrift or second hand store is a great place to purchase materials or tools. It reduces waste and repurposes old items. Some second hand stores even give back to the community with donations, so you could be helping a positive cause.
These can be things like; cups or chalices, candle holders, glass bottles, candles, old books, table cloths, decorations, and so much more. With a quick cleansing, you could put together almost an entire altar for relatively low cost.
Make sure to wash all the clothes and linens that you get from thrift stores. Clean everything thoroughly because you do not know if the previous owner washed it before they gave it away. Cleanse items by giving them a wash and sitting them in the sun, the moon, or passing them through sage smoke. Once cleaned, the items are ready to be used.
6. Dollar Store/Tree
If you need to pick up some extra items on a budget, dollar stores are a great place to do so. While not great for the long term, short term items from here work great. These could be things like small candles, quick decorations, some salt or spices, paper, and matches. You can find lots of basics from different versions of a “dollar” store.
If you need candles and want something that will burn out very quick, birthday candles are a great quick substitute. You can buy small packages of the short sticks for a quick spell. Plus you can usually get them in different colors.
Other items like glass jars, holiday decorations, and garden or kitchen supplies might also be available. These are basics that can help you out no matter which specific path you choose to follow.
7. Amazon
If you need things in a pinch, or need something super specific then Amazon works great. Be mindful that Amazon may not be a great company to support long term but it works short term. You can buy second hand books, 7 day candles, and many other things like tapestries and pictures.
If you have the money to support small and local businesses, then please do so. If you are on a budget or need a certain item than Amazon can be a helpful place to look.
8. Yard Sales
One man’s trash is another mans treasure, and yard sales are no exceptions. These are an ideal place to find larger items for your altar or even house decorations.
Some things you may find are end tables or night stands that may be a better style to replace your current ones or make a new altar. Different yard sculptures or large decorations you can get at bargain price. Book shelves to have a multi-level altar or store all your ingredients and items on. The possibilities are endless as to all the different things you could find at a yard or moving sale.
9. Cooking Store
Cooking stores are a great place to get items for both the kitchen and your spell work. They have all different kinds of spices, salts, herbs, and so much more. If you choose to drink wine in your rituals or spells than you may be able to get some of that as well.
Other items like mortars and pestles, glass mixing bowls or mason jars, measuring cups, and even wooden or metal mixing utensils can all be used in your practices. Some witches or those who choose to practice cottage or kitchen magick use utensils as wands or another tool used in ritual work.
10. Reddit
Reddit is quite comparable to Amino. You have the ability to search for specific topics and follow specific subreddits about those topics. People can post all about their path, things they discover, and problems they encounter. I switch back and forth between both incase I cannot find answers for the question I am asking. I prefer Amino over Reddit because you can join one large group that talks about all subjects, but Reddit is good if you need to search for a specific question or problem that others might be having.