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Witchcraft is a practice that has been shrouded in mystery and misconception for centuries. Often associated with dark magic and evil intentions, witchcraft actually encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices that can be both productive and beneficial for those who choose to explore it. This guide aims to provide a productive approach to witchcraft, focusing on personal growth, spirituality, and positive energy. At its core, witchcraft is a deeply personal and individual practice. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and each practitioner can tailor their craft to suit their own beliefs and needs. However, there are some common principles and techniques that can guide beginners on their journey.

However, there are some common principles and techniques that can guide beginners on their journey. One of the fundamental aspects of witchcraft is the belief in the power of intention. The mind is a powerful tool, and by setting clear and focused intentions, practitioners can manifest their desires and make positive changes in their lives.

Autumnal Equinox: Witches Share How They Celebrate

September 23 marks the 2019 Autumnal Equinox — a day when the sky is equal parts dark and light. It’s also the date that witches celebrate Mabon, one of the pagan festivals in the Wheel of the Year. The Wheel of the Year is the cyclical calendar of festivals that modern pagans celebrate. The Wheel symbolizes the continuous turning of time and mirrors nature’s cycles of death and rebirth. Named for the God of Welsh mythology, the festival celebrates the harvest and the life and that summer created as we prepare for the long, cold nights of winter.

Most modern witches likely don’t have a literal harvest to feast on and honor like the original celebrants of Mabon did, so the day instead marks a time to reflect on and honor the things we’ve been working on this year and the work that we’ve brought to fruition. “Mabon is the day that corresponds to the last harvest: It is a day to call in, a day to appreciate our many, many blessings and spread those around. It is a day to give thanks and let whatever bad habits or troubles that have been accumulating in our psyche in an unhelpful way go,” Sarah Faith Gottesdiener told Teen Vogue.

Gottesdiener is an artist, designer, tarot reader and witch — you may know her from her popular and often sold-out Many Moons workbooks or from her shop, Modern Women. For Gottesdiener, the season’s magic is especially potent because it combines with her celebration of the Jewish High Holy Days. While she says that the Celtic mythology attached to the Wheel of the year doesn’t resonate with her, its connection to nature and the season’s effects on us personally and collectively makes following it important to her. This includes embracing the return of the darkness that accompanies the Equinox. “The darkness is a beautiful thing, because it is where seeds germinate. The darkness is deeply potent: it is our subconscious and a source of our own power,” Gottesdiener said.

For writer and intuitive tarot reader Swati Khurana, the Autumnal Equinox is a profoundly personal holiday. After Khurana began shifting away from the label of “Hindu” 20 years ago to separate herself from what she called a "tradition that was connected to caste violence," she said she started questioning and opting out of holidays and traditions that felt like they no longer fit into her “post-colonial intersectional feminist perspective.”

“I loved the rituals of being among women in temple, applying mendhi on my hands, creating trays of offerings, and walking into the moonlight,” Khurana told Teen Vogue about her appreciation of certain aspects of some Hindu holidays. “As I started observing the Equinox, I used elements that I still find so beautiful, but recast them in a ritual that centered self-actualization and personal freedom. Observing the Equinox became a way for me to reclaim the season [that] includes my birthday and my two favorite holidays — Diwali and Halloween — from a feminist perspective.”

If it’s your first time celebrating Mabon, Gottesdiener recommends choosing rituals that feel sacred to you and that have intuitive resonance. “Like celebrating the phases of the moon, or the different seasons, make it personal, and make it about celebrating and honoring life in the present moment— that is ultimately, what all great magick does,” she said.

Gottesdiener will be celebrating by hosting a customary potluck feast for loved ones where they’ll eat, read poems, pull tarot cards, reflect, and burn that which they wish to release. She also plans to do some solo celebrating. “For the most part, I am a solitary practitioner, so I'll also be reflecting and working with the energies for myself personally as well. Because of the placement of the [waxing] moon, this year, I'll be focused on what I wish to harvest more of in my life,” told Teen Vogue.

Social justice educator Steph Guthrie offered a ritual facilitated for her birthday by friend Kritty Uranowski that felt particularly meaningful during a difficult year of her life. “We each wrote down on small pieces of paper one thing we were grateful for from the summer that we’d carry with us into the winter, one thing we were ready to leave behind, and one thing we hoped to manifest in the months ahead,” she told Teen Vogue. After a consensual and optional sharing of their reflections, participants burned the things they wanted to leave behind, planted in the ground the things they hoped to manifest, and held onto the things we were grateful for.

Even if you don’t identify as a witch or aren’t up for a planning big ritual, pausing to acknowledge the season’s changing is a valuable practice for reflection and gaining perspective.“Dedication to observing and respecting the natural world is something that anyone can do, whether they are witches or not,” said scientist and college instructor T. Kempton. “Seasonal holidays like Mabon encourage us to be active participants in the turning wheel of time, living intentionally and intensely, instead of just coasting through life. Mabon is a beautiful time, and we are beautiful within it.”

Autumn cemetery visits don't have to be spooky. / Colors Hunter - Chasseur de Couleurs/Moment/Getty Images

This can be done through various rituals, spells, and visualizations, all aimed at harnessing the energy of the universe and directing it towards specific goals. Another important aspect of witchcraft is the connection with nature and the elements. Many witches find solace and inspiration in the natural world, and incorporate elements such as herbs, crystals, and essential oils into their practice. These natural tools can be used for various purposes, such as healing, protection, and energy cleansing. By cultivating a deep connection with nature, witches can tap into its wisdom and draw strength from its abundance. Spirituality is also a key component of witchcraft. While it is not necessarily tied to any specific religious belief, witchcraft encourages practitioners to cultivate a sense of spirituality and connection with the divine. This can be done through meditation, prayer, or simply spending time in quiet contemplation. By developing a spiritual practice, witches can find guidance, peace, and a sense of purpose in their craft. The practice of witchcraft is not just about personal gain or manipulation. It also emphasizes the importance of ethical and responsible behavior. Witches are encouraged to use their powers and knowledge for the greater good, and to avoid causing harm to others. This involves adhering to a code of ethics, which often includes principles such as respect for all living beings, honesty, and integrity. In conclusion, witchcraft is a diverse and multifaceted practice that can be a powerful tool for personal growth and spirituality. By harnessing the power of intention, connecting with nature, cultivating a sense of spirituality, and adhering to ethical principles, witches can create positive change in their lives and in the world around them. It is a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation, and each practitioner is free to explore and define their own unique path..

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