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Since it can be so overwhelming for the novice, it's important for witches who are just starting to explore the world of witchcraft to get help. Find other more experienced witches who will help tutor you in the dark arts, recommend readings, and show you a thing or two about spells. Never lie about your experience or your expertise in witchcraft. If you don't know a wand from a cauldron, don't Try to cast yourself as an experienced witch. Others will respect you less and will see through it. It's better to be honest about your knowledge and be willing to learn. When you first get started in practicing witchcraft, it's a good idea to start your own book of shadows. Again, it doesn't need to be bound in ancient leather and stained with goat blood–just get a composition book. Adorn it as you would a journal, with images you find powerful, moving, or full of witchy wisdom. Use the book to record spells, observations, and incantations as you pick them up from your readings and research. An altar doesn't need to be elaborate, or feature the bleached skull of a 12th century mystic (although that would be awesome). An altar is simply a place where you will practice. It should prominently feature personal totems and inspirational objects, things that are essential to your practice. That may mean crystals, stones, herbs, pictures, and any number of other objects that are important to you. Adorn your alter with important objects.  If you're a green witch, or a Wiccan, it might be a good idea to put laurels, dead flowers, dried herbs, and other natural things on your altar. Find stones that speak to you, strange seashells, or other objects of power and beauty. If you're a druid, or another type of traditional witch, keep lots of pictures of your family, your ancestors, on your altar. If you don't have any, include very old objects–photos of Civil War soldiers, or old pocket watches, things that remind you of the past and help you connect to it. Many (but not all) witches find it beneficial to be in tune with the changing of the seasons, and with the transitions from one phase to the next. Attune yourself to the moon's phases and practice your spell casting in accordance with the lunar changes, the equinox, and other essential signifiers of changing time. Get an astrological calendar and learn about the shifting planets. Pay attention to the changing of the seasons and your emotional, physical, and psychic responses. As your Book of Shadows grows and swells with spells, it's a good idea to keep your cabinets and your altar growing. Collect herbs and essential oils for use in your spell casting and keep growing your collection of powerful herb and oils. Practice using them and learning about their distinctive uses. Collect precious stones and crystals and meditate with them to find out which you connect with and which you can use in your practice. Herbs and stones are available for purchase, but it's a good idea to learn more about foraging and collecting fresh herbs to dry for yourself. Connecting your practice as much as you can with the earth is an excellent idea. Get a local field guide for greenery in your climate and go out frequently to find useful magick herbs. Go foraging around creek beds to find precious stones.
Find a guide. Keep your own Book of Shadows. Create an altar. Practice rhythmically, with the seasons. Keep collecting magic objects.