Juniper Divination & Witchery

A Quick Guide to Common Witchcraft Questions


New to witchcraft and feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice online? Here are straight answers to the questions I see most often, without the gatekeeping or expensive shopping lists.

Getting Started

“Where do I start with witchcraft?”

Read one beginner book (Fire Lyte’s “The Dabbler’s Guide to Witchcraft” is solid), and learn about energy work, meditation and grounding.

Skip the expensive supplies for now. Your hands, intention, and awareness are your most important tools.

“What actually IS energy work?”

Energy work is training your attention and intention through focused mental practices. It’s about developing awareness of physical sensations, emotions, and mental states, then learning to direct your attention purposefully.

Think of it as mindfulness with intention - you’re practicing concentrated focus while setting specific goals. The “energy” is really your directed attention, emotional state, and physical awareness working together.

“What is a grimoire or Book of Shadows, and how do I start one?”

It’s your personal magical journal. It can contain spells that worked, correspondences, observations, dreams, anything relevant to your practice.

Start simple: notebook, date entries, record what you tried and what happened. It grows organically over time.

Mindset and Philosophy

“What’s the difference between Wicca and witchcraft?”**

Wicca is a specific religion with deities, ethics (like the Rule of Three), and structured practices. Witchcraft is just the practice of using energy and intention to create change, it’s a skill set, not a religion.

You can be a witch without being Wiccan, and technically be Wiccan without practicing witchcraft (though most do both).

“What type of witch am I/should I be?”

There’s no need to box yourself into a specific “type” of witch right away. Those labels can actually be pretty limiting when you’re starting out.

The best approach? Follow your natural interests and see what draws you. Are you fascinated by plants and herbs? Kitchen magic with cooking? Moon phases and astrology? Crystals and energy work? Your authentic path will emerge organically.

Start with what genuinely interests you, not what you think you “should” be doing. The labels can come later if they’re even needed at all.

“Is there a ‘right’ way to practice witchcraft?”

Nope. There are traditional methods and safety guidelines, but no universal “correct” way. What matters is what works for you and doesn’t harm others.

Start with basics, then adapt based on your results and intuition.

“Can anyone become a witch or is it a special gift?”

Anyone can learn witchcraft, it’s a skill, like learning to cook or play guitar. Some people have natural intuition or sensitivity, but the skills are learnable.

The “gift” is usually just being observant, intuitive, or comfortable with abstract thinking.

“Can I be a witch and still be [insert religion here]?”

Usually yes, since witchcraft is a practice, not a religion. Many Christians, Jews, and others practice folk magic traditions.

Some conservative religious communities disagree, so consider your specific situation.

Core Practices

“What is grounding?”

Connecting your energy to the earth to release excess energy. Do this before and after any energy work to avoid feeling scattered or drained.

Three simple grounding techniques:

“How do I meditate?”

Sit comfortably, breathe naturally, focus on your breath or a simple word. When your mind wanders (it will), gently return to your focus point.

Start with 5-10 minutes daily. Consistency beats duration.

Basic techniques:

“What are correspondences, and why are they important?”

Traditional associations between objects/times and magical purposes, like using rose for love or Tuesday for courage spells. They help focus intention and connect you to established energy patterns.

Start with what makes intuitive sense to you, then learn traditional ones. Your personal associations will often be more powerful than those you find in books.

Be skeptical of correspondence lists you find online with no attribution or source listed on them.

“Do moon phases actually matter?”

They’re a timing tool, not magic requirements. New moon for new beginnings, full moon for power/manifestation, waning moon for banishing/releasing. Use them if they help you focus, ignore them if they don’t. The moon’s energy is subtle - your intention matters more than perfect timing.

Tools and Supplies

“What tools do I need to start?”

Honestly? Nothing. Your intention and focus are the real tools.

If you want physical items: candles, notebook, maybe some salt or herbs from your kitchen. Build your collection slowly based on what you actually use.

“How do I set up an altar?”

Start small, even a windowsill works. Include representations of elements you connect with.

Make it personal and change it seasonally. There’s no required setup.

“Can I practice without tools?”

Absolutely. Visualization, meditation, energy work, and intention-setting need zero supplies.

Tools can help focus your mind, but they’re not doing the actual magic - you are.

Basic Spellwork

“My spell didn’t work. What did I do wrong?”

Maybe nothing. Magic often works through mundane means and timing. Check these common issues:

Sometimes spells work differently than expected, or you get what you need instead of what you wanted.

“How do I cleanse my space, my tools, and myself?”

Space: burn sage/incense, sprinkle salt water, or just clean it physically first. Tools: moonlight, salt, smoke, or intention. Yourself: shower, meditation, or visualizing white light washing through you.

Intention matters more than method.

“How do I meditate/ground myself?”

Sit comfortably, breathe naturally, focus on your breath or a simple word. When your mind wanders (it will), gently return to your focus point.

Start with 5-10 minutes daily. Consistency beats duration.

“What are correspondences, and why are they important?”

Traditional associations between objects/times and magical purposes, like using rose for love or Tuesday for courage spells. They help focus intention and connect you to established energy patterns.

Start with what makes intuitive sense to you, then learn traditional ones.

“What are ‘signs’ and how do I interpret them?”

Patterns, synchronicities, or unusual events that feel meaningful. Keep a journal to track them over time, real patterns emerge from random coincidences.

Trust your intuition but stay grounded. Not everything is a sign.

Divination

“How do I cleanse and charge my tarot/oracle deck?”

Cleanse: leave in moonlight, sage smoke, or with clear quartz overnight. Charge: sleep with it under your pillow for a few nights or meditate while holding it.

Handle your deck regularly to build connection.

“How do I ask good questions for a tarot reading?”

Ask “How can I…” or “What should I know about…” instead of yes/no questions. Be specific but open to unexpected answers.

For detailed guidance on crafting effective tarot questions, check out my comprehensive guide: Good Questions for Tarot Readings

“I did a reading and I’m scared/confused by the cards I pulled (like The Tower, Death, or the Devil). What does it really mean?”

Those cards rarely mean literal disaster. Death = transformation/endings, Tower = sudden change/breakthrough, Devil = feeling trapped by your own choices.

Look at surrounding cards for context and remember tarot shows possibilities, not certainties.

“Should I learn tarot or another style of divination?”

Try what calls to you. Tarot has the most learning resources. Pendulums and runes can be simpler to start with. Oracle cards are more intuitive for some practitioners.

Many readers use multiple methods for different situations.

“What are the different types of divination and what is the difference between them?”

There are more types of divination than I can list out here! But some of the more popular ones include:

Each system taps into intuition differently - find what resonates with you.

Learning and Resources

“What books should I read first?”

Read whatever interests you, but don’t read blindly. Look at the author’s credentials and history and don’t believe everything you read!

My personal recommendations for new practitioners are:

Avoid anything promising quick power or claiming to be “ancient secrets.”

“Do I need to join a coven?”

Nope. Many successful witches are solitary. Covens offer community and structured learning, but also potential drama and conflicting approaches.

Start solo, join groups later if you want community.

“How do I know if I’m doing it right?”

You feel more centered, aware, and intentional in your daily life. Your intuition gets stronger. Small synchronicities increase. You notice patterns and connections you missed before.

There’s no external authority to validate your practice - trust your own experience.

“What are ‘signs’ and how do I interpret them?”

Patterns, synchronicities, or unusual events that feel meaningful. Keep a journal to track them over time - real patterns emerge from random coincidences.

Trust your intuition but stay grounded. Not everything is a sign. Look for repeated symbols, numbers, or themes rather than single occurrences.