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The well-known neopaganist approach to witchcraft (“Wicca”) is hardly the only one. There are several different magical traditions that can all be considered “witchcraft,” which vary substantially between one another in purpose, origin, and worldview. However, because an article that covers all (or even some) of these traditions would become ludicrously complex very quickly, this guide only focuses on the modern Wiccan tradition of witchcraft. Wicca is a modern religion, based on ideas about early west European paganism, that includes witchcraft as a core component. Wiccan witchcraft is by far the most popular and widely practiced form of witchcraft in the English-speaking world. Wiccans may belong to an organized group, such as a priesthood or coven, or they may operate independently or in loose coalitions.  Wiccan belief varies from practitioner to practitioner somewhat, but all share belief in some basic concepts: A five-element system (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit) of the world; a clear division between genders and gender roles throughout creation, most clearly embodied by dual deities, a Moon Goddess and a Horned God; and the use of ritual elements that reflect the four suits of a deck of tarot cards, namely the cup or grail, the wand, the knife and/or sword, and the pentacle. Witchcraft is only one part of being a Wiccan. Much of the religion is concerned with the acceptance and embrasure of the natural world, its cycles, and the differences between individuals. Seasonal festivals, called Sabbats, and structured religious practice are major components of Wicca. You don't absolutely have to be Wiccan to practice Wiccan witchcraft, but the two are closely tied together. Depending on who you ask, becoming initiated into Wicca is either a matter of personal will, or a matter of ceremonialized induction into a formal group or “coven.” This reflects the young age of the religion, and the considerable range of disagreements about what, exactly, it means to be a “true” Wiccan. However, it also illustrates the extent to which nearly all Wiccans embrace the idea of personal power, responsibility, and freedom of choice. Choose what you believe will work best. Witchcraft is, essentially, the practice of magic. Because magic is a very personally oriented area of study, there are many competing views of it: how it works, where it comes from, what it means. Like any discipline, a novice in the field of magic should develop a grasp of the different general opinions and approaches to it.  Wiccans generally believe that the magic of witchcraft is the result of ritually imposing one's will upon the world by strengthening and projecting it through the appropriate mystical channels. This may include invoking the aid of powerful spirits, such as the God and Goddess or the Guardian Spirits of the four elements and directions; it also includes ritual processes to gather or cultivate power within the practitioner him- or herself. Understanding what various concepts and materials embody or represent is all-important to developing the most effective spell possible. The related magical tradition of Aleister Crowley posits that magic, though it can put the practitioner in contact with otherworldly forces, is essentially an exercise in self-discipline and mental rigor. Deep concentration, focused meditation, and control of one's thoughts are all key components to generating the personal power required to cast useful spells. Many psychologists see magic as a form of self-empowerment that is simply another framework for understanding the power of positive, proactive thought. The effects of magic are felt by the believer because the act of practicing magic primes him or her to see and seize opportunities he or she might otherwise have missed, thus creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. Those who are able to focus strongly on their goals while maintaining a flexible approach to achieving them are most likely to reap the greatest benefits of magic, according to this model of understanding. In many folk traditions of magic, the power of the spell isn't the power of the witch at all, except in its intent. The actual energy that makes the spell effective is coaxed from spirits, elemental forces, or other non-physical entities. The witch's job in this case is to draw in enough outside power for the spell to be effective, being sure to choose the right type of assistance for the job and avoid pulling too much outside force into the human realm. Chaos magic is a recently formed and still-popular theory that posits that any system of magic, including others not listed here, can be effective, provided the practitioner believes in its power. According to chaos magic, practicing witchcraft in such a way that you can believe in it is more important than choosing the “right” or “true” path.
Understand the scope of this guide. Learn about Wicca. Enter Wicca in a way that suits you. Educate yourself in schools of magical thought.