Before beginning this post, I want to emphasize a few key points. There is no single “right” or “wrong” way to practice witchcraft. What follows is my personal path—how I began my own practice and what I would recommend to those seeking to embark on their own journey.

The Nature of a Witch

A witch is a wanderer, an alchemist, a traveler between worlds. Rooted in human existence yet attuned to unseen realms, a witch is a guardian of Gaia, bearing sacred responsibilities. Those who seek this path for power over others soon realize that true witchcraft is not about ego or control. The illusions of grandeur fade, revealing the true purpose of the craft: self-knowledge, communion with ancient gods, harmony with the spirits of the land, and the restoration of balance.

I walk the path of Ma’at. I am a conduit of truth, a voice in the chorus of the cosmos. My purpose is to protect the weak and uphold justice—not out of fear of divine punishment, but because it is my will. I seek transformation, to confront and heal my own shadows, to embrace the dual nature of existence, honoring both chaos and order, life and death. I dissolve into the pathless woods, the untamed wilderness of my ancient soul. Across lifetimes, I will always find my way back to the mystical arts, heeding the ancient call of the Goddess. No illusion will ever strip me of my power.

Are You Already One?

If you are reading this, then perhaps you already walk this path. Whether through ancestral gifts, an unshakable draw to the ancient gods, or the pull of the rising moon, the calling is unmistakable. Maybe the myths whisper hidden truths to your soul. Maybe you feel like an outsider, yet your will is strong. You cherish the night, the flicker of candlelight, the scent of incense. You dream vividly. You find solace in solitude, in the rhythm of the sea, in the embrace of the earth.

Where to Begin

Start with meditation. Learn to sense your aura, to open your third eye. The astral and ethereal planes are accessible through inner vision. Construct a sanctuary in the Otherworld, a temple in the unseen realms, and visit it often. Speak with the ancient gods, your ancestors, the fae. Walk the shamanic paths, commune with spirit animals and plant spirits.

Read everything that calls to you. Study daily—witchcraft is a lifelong path of learning. Explore herbs, crystals, runes, tarot. Immerse yourself in mythology, in the pantheons of old. Learn the many branches of magic: chaos, high, green, candle, elemental, faery, shamanic, necromantic. Develop your own spells, perform rituals, and master the use of magical tools.

Create a sacred space, an altar. Give offerings to your deities and spiritual allies. Keep your tools cleansed. Honor the spirits of the herbs and crystals you work with. Learn to commune with nature spirits. Celebrate the sabbats and esbats. Seek guidance from fellow witches, but understand that in witchcraft, as in most spiritual paths, there is no absolute truth—only the wisdom of experience.

Listen to your intuition, but discern between insight and illusion. Embrace failure as a teacher. Be humble, for a witch is always an apprentice. You will both teach and learn. Treat the gods with reverence. Bargaining and making pacts with deities is common, but true wisdom lies in forging a bond—a friendship. The gods of the old ways do not seek to subjugate you; they seek to guide you to self-mastery. They will teach you how to wield your own power, to become both magician and priest/priestess.

To serve the gods is to embody their archetypes, to assist the community, to pass on the sacred knowledge to those who seek it with an open heart. Teach with humility.

The Path of Power

Those who seek power to feed their own darkness often lose themselves. A witch is a master of self—one who has confronted their own shadows and the shadows of the world. A witch is rooted in the ancient memory of the Earth, standing firm in both reality and magic. A witch speaks truth, for their words are woven with power, shaping the fabric of the unseen.

A true witch walks in balance. Knows how to manifest joy and comfort, for themselves and those they love. Knows how to heal and how to curse. Sees not just with their eyes, but with vision—piercing the masks that conceal hidden truths.

This is the path of the witch. The path of the seeker. The path of the wise.

— Pythia Draco