where to start?

[AVeryConfusedPerson]

i'm new to magick, and i was just wondering where a good place to start is?
i'm so interested in a variety of different things, such as empathy, premonitions, spell casting, deja-vu, etc. but i am just starting out and not exactly sure where to start.

any suggestions?
thanks ^-^

[JyuMuse]

It's hard to know where to start. I'm just starting out too. :wave:
I think the best advice I can share from where I am is try not to get overwhelmed. I'm working on a list called "My Goals as a Pagan". I'm just listing everything I want to learn in my studies. From there I'm just going to pick and choose what interests me most at the moment. I think starting with meditation and visualization is a good choice and simple energy work.

[Aleannah]

Meditation and visualization are excellent places to start, because you have to get those down in order to accomplish your goals with energy work, etc. If you feel you have any natural abilities, such as empathy, precognizance or such, then definitely get books and read up on the subject. Also, there are some very good classes in the CoT section, and I'm sure you can find helpful information there. Plus, if you are having a hard time understanding something, or need immediate input, then we will all try to help you to the best of our abilities. Have fun learning, and we look forward to watching and helping you grow. :)

[AVeryConfusedPerson]

thanks both of you[:

[Amelserru_halqu]

Try energy control it's more or less essential in most forms of magic (we have an energy work class in COT), meditation is extremely useful for most styles of magic, visualization can help as well.

I would suggest reading a great deal, a one good book is Richard Cavendish's the black arts which should be one of the first books you read since it has a nice overview of things from Astrology to Satanism to Animal Sacrifice (given in a historical perspective) to alchemy, to ceremonial magic. It is my favorite beginners book, however it will not tell you how to do anything (other than basic Astrology and numerology) but is definitely a good read. Once you have a decent overview take a look at different magical styles and pick one to learn as your basis. From there build on it and grow however you please.

[Crysiira]

Read! A lot!
And definitely click around on here. The CoT section, the Paths section, the Gods and Goddesses section... though I most often post in "just talk", I troll around the other ones quite a bit. Great for information, and great for reccomendations on other places to go as well. There are certain threads having solely to do with book recommendations as well. I tell you to read a lot because I'm a reader myself, and I find it extremely helpful. Do not limit yourself to Pagan stamped-and-approved books... to be perfectly honest, history books have been more helpful to me than anything else. I have a dozen different mythology books and am always seeking more!
There's so much information out there, it does get overwhelming. I loved whoever that was before me that suggested making a list of specific goals to accomplish, specific things you want to learn. You don't have to make any sort of decision about paths or anything like that within a certain amount of time.. or ever! I still am totally unsure, and I've been doing this for about... sevenish years... yeah. So whatever interests you, research it, but don't feel limited.
I hope that helps a tiny bit, I never know if the meaning in my head is being properly articulated... but yeah. Hope to see more of you around. :hahugh:

[RunningRiot]

Meditation, knot/cord magic, candle magic, tarot cards, spirit speak.. n_n

[Snapdragon]

The first thing is to realize that you have already started; the beginning place is where you already began, with the reality that is your life and awareness. You think, feel, and are embodied in a world--and the world is alive, with many voices.

You are drawn in ways specific to yourself--you are unique, so the way in which Power presents itself to you will be specific to the person you are. You have already noticed a lot of things in your life that "resonate" for yourself: in color, in music, in taste, in what invites and what brings caution--these and many more associations are your "radar" that enables you to navigate life.

Magic is based upon what you are given as a human being, especially feeling (which can also be called intuition, and seems like "guessing"). You may choose to keep a record of correspondences (the things that consistently "resonate" for you, and the circumstances in which you sense Power), which is often an important part of a Book of Shadows. Perhaps you prefer to just "follow your nose" and not write things down. Whatever you do, honor your own awareness and know that you are the first and last authority in your own search.

Good luck and Blessed Be.

[Kalika]

Generally, you just have to pick a topic and start there... take whichever one on your list you most want to get into first, and you'll find that everything pretty much branches off from there - anywhere you start, you will probably eventually find your way to all of the things that interest you, because they just "happen" to come across your path in myriad ways. :)

[MankyCat]

Read.

There is a lot of info on the internet and a ton of books (some local libraries even have some). If you have local pagan stores nearby, swing by there. Talk to the workers there if they have a moment and seem open to it. You can also look into some open circles... if you feel drawn to that.

Mainly, however, if you gather a pool of information, you'll find what direction you feel most comfortable going in at first. There a some good beginner books out there (and some I personally stayed away from). Forums are good too. Just remember that reading isn't the same as doing... but like cooking, it helps to have some understanding of the ingredients and the basic recipe before going on a whole improvised meal. And remember that all because you read it doesn't mean it's law. With enough study, you'll be able to determine what is more accurate (for you).

And also... don't be afraid to actually try casting. Do something small. Be careful of course with what you do and choose. Experience is, to me, is the best learning and magical tool. (The suggestions others have made here are excellent. I will see if I can think of any I would suggest and try to post them later.)

[Against The Tide]

Using your interest in magic as your starting point read around and try and find the path for you.

Whatever your decide (hopefully join us pagans) reading around and asking questions will help your understanding of magical systems and how best to proceed.

When I first started getting interested seriously I looked at all the subjects people were talking about on various forums ect and then made a list so I had an idea or my research goals. I try to learn about all the subjects in my list (have still lots of reading to do, but I'm going at my own pace and I'm pleased with my progess so far).

Heres a sketchy guide to the stuff you might want to look at (not all at once!) if you were following my path.

Meditive and mind skills
Meditation!
Visualisation! (the most important skills in ALL magic systems)
Astral/trance/psionics
Grounding
Protection from attack
Aura work

Magic - uses and ethics
Wiccan redde (sorry non wiccans but I think its very apropriate and not fluffy at all)
Threefold law & Karma
Ways of making magic
Power/Magic/Energy
The Magicians rules
When/why to use magic

Divination (pick n mix here)
Why divination works: Tapping into subconscious mind vs conduit of knowledge vs asking god....
Tarot
Runes
Astrology
Scrying
Palmistry
Tea leaf reading/hand writing analysis ect ect

Myth and religion
*Basically a good knowledge of mainstream and pagan religions*
Greek/Norse/Celtic mythology goes a long way
Local Gods/Goddesses
Wheel of the year and pagan festivals (woohoo!)

Occult, healing and practical skills
Herbalism - Identification and use
Laying on hands, energy workl ect
Stones - identification and use
Blessing & consecrations
Candle magic and making (I make some nice candles and I made my pentacle from wax I wouldnt swap it for anything in the world)
Aromatherapy - making and using scents
First aid (mudane but effective!)
Tool making
Massage for relaxation and health
Talismans & amulets

Magical systems
Golden Dawn
Jung
Ceremonial/chaos magic
Gnosticism
the tree of life/Kabbala (very useful)

Other useful stuff
How to research effectively
How not to be fluffy or anti-fluffy
How to spot BS a mile away
Self development and motivation

List goes on, sorry if it looks a bit crap - honestly it worls for me

[AVeryConfusedPerson]

wow. thanks a lot of everyone for all your help! i will try as best i can to take all your suggestions because they are really helping. thanks!

[calm under waves]

i'm new to paganism and such as well. i'm reading a lot about it and made the choice of joining somewhere where i can talk to other pagans and get aquainted with everything hands on (aka on here).
i also went to the bookstore and bought The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism. it sounds like a stupid book to read but i find it really really helpful to learning basic things about types of pagan religions and everything.
my next goal is meditation but i know i'll have trouble focusing :twitch:

[morningstar2651]

I recommend Book Four: Magick (http://www.hermetic.com/crowley/libers/lib4.html) by Aleister Crowley. It has somewhat of a Thelemic slant to it, but it has good information in-general about magick, and is available for free online. Magick Without Tears (http://www.hermetic.com/crowley/mwt_contents.html) is also pretty good.

[Amelserru_halqu]

I recommend Book Four: Magick (http://www.hermetic.com/crowley/libers/lib4.html) by Aleister Crowley. It has somewhat of a Thelemic slant to it, but it has good information in-general about magick, and is available for free online. Magick Without Tears (http://www.hermetic.com/crowley/mwt_contents.html) is also pretty good.

I could kiss you! Liber IV is one of my favorite sources on magic. Unfortunately I don't even bother to recommend crowely anymore... not enough people can stomach it, plus it sounds harder than other paths sound.

Oh, and back to the original poster, I think you should go through the arcive of whywiccanssuck.com which can be found here.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050318062630/http://www.whywiccanssuck.com/

[Crysiira]

Oh, and back to the original poster, I think you should go through the arcive of whywiccanssuck.com which can be found here.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050318062630/http://www.whywiccanssuck.com/ (http://web.archive.org/web/20050318062630/http://www.whywiccanssuck.com/)


I vouch for that; I know it may sound "not nice" from the name, but check it out; it's enlightening. Of course, I'm not a wiccan *anymore* so that may be why I like it. Ah well.

[Lunacie]

Good suggestions here. Another good suggestion -- ask questions. ;)

There's a link in my siggie to a site with good info on Empathy. And there's an excellent forum right here on MW for all of us Empaths to get together and ask questions and talk about how we experience Empathy. Please come on over and join us. --> http://mysticwicks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=217