Where do you start? Where do you fit in? Where do you go from here?
If you ask any Pagan or witch where to start, they'll tell you to start with research. Sure, that seems logical, but precisely where? Do you just do some quick keyword searches on the internet? Join some witchy discussion groups? Do you camp out in a library's occult section? Order some books through Amazon Prime? Ebooks? What sources are credible? Do you have to stick to specific Wiccan based books? Can you branch out? Should you focus on the history of witchcraft? Should you focus on how to cast a circle and grounding and moon phases? What about a Book of Shadows? Should you read those? How do you even find one? And what should you be doing with all this research? Should you be taking notes? Should you photocopy passages? Is there a test?
(Insert record scratch)
Hold up.
Take a deep breath.
Now take my hand.
The start of the start.
Before jumping into your research, you'll need to put on your skeptic hat. The more research you do, the more aware you'll be that you can't take everything verbatim. You need to question the validity of what you are reading. It will be entirely up to you to decipher what is useful and true, and what is false and/or stolen. Some information may challenge your personal ethics and morals. Some information may make you question and reevaluate your own beliefs and spirituality. It can get very confusing very fast. This is why it's necessary to cross-reference, and be critical in your research.
When was the book written?
If you're looking into used books, you'll find a lot of older titles with yellowed and worn pages. Older sources of material can be very useful and packed with wonderful resources, but they can also have a lot of problematic and concerning areas: racism, misogyny, homophobia, cultural appropriation, etc. Yes, even newer sources can struggle with these topics too, but it seems to be a more prominent issue in dated material. Sure, it could have been a sign of the times, but keep in mind that times have changed, and the viewpoints in these books are not necessarily the same viewpoints in the modern day community.
Who wrote the book?
Authors can be biased. Just like anyone else. They are only human, you know. If an author claims that this is the number one, know-all resource, they're lying. There is no one way of the craft, so there cannot be one know-all resource. What works for you, may not work for someone else. Authors may try many different tactics to get readers to buy their stuff. They want your money. They may resort to these fictitious claims of having the book, or even lying about their heritage and knowledge to gain relevance in the modern community. They can use biased verbiage and opinions to set the stage for the rest of the book. Some books may seem very specific, but beneath the specific key words, it is generalized to fit many situations. It's meant to reach a multitude of readers, to sell more copies. Finding intensive specific information will require digging deeper into research. You're welcome to read these books, but be aware that when all is said and done, the author just wants your money, by any means necessary.
Has the beliefs of the author changed over time?
They should! No one should ever be the exact same person as when they started out so many years ago. Your beliefs and spirituality should evolve as well. Reading material that was published 20 years ago may seem vastly different than current material by the same author. Sometimes you will grow away from an author as they - and you - change over time, and that's ok. If the source no longer serves you in your spiritual journey, you don't have to hang on to it because it once did. Nothing has to be permanent in your craft.
Can you cross-reference the material?
It is human nature to error. It's natural, and it happens. Authors are not immune to this. But it is up to you to distinguish the mistakes from the useful information. Always cross-reference your research with scientific facts and historical texts. Again, don't take information verbatim, even if the author seems trustworthy. When cross-referencing, don't just cross-reference to other Pagan-based resources either. Reach outside the Pagan realm for cross-references; find sources that are not biased to Paganism and Witchcraft.
Can you say "cultural appropriation?"
Paganism has had a lot of issues with cultural appropriation. Though not always intentional, it is never ok to appropriate. Learn to spot appropriation when researching. Typical and common appropriations tend to come up on topics of: smudging, spirit animals, dream catchers, totems, chakras, ohms, voodoo, and karma. It is your responsibility to avoid cultural appropriation, and research what is accessible to you and what is not. If it is sacred to it's root origin/culture, then it is not open for you to use unless you fit the criteria of belonging to that origin/culture. If it is off-limits to outsiders, then I guess you're out of luck. If a source unintentionally appropriates, it is still "shame on them." They didn't do enough research to avoid appropriation. What does that say about them? It says they didn't care enough to do the research. It can be simple to avoid appropriation. If you can't work around the culture, and respect their rituals as sacred and private, then you should avoid using the ritual at all.
Example: The act of smudging is a sacred ritual to numerous Native American tribes. Unless you are an initiated member of their tribe(s), you are not actually smudging when you wave that sage stick around, and it is not your right to claim that you are. However, you can participate in the act of "smoke cleansing" without appropriating Native American cultures. It doesn't make the smoke any less valid just because it isn't used in a sacred smudging ritual.
Witchcraft and Wicca are the same, right?
Nope. They're not. They're totally separate things. Not all witches - those who practice witchcraft - are Wiccans, but all Wiccans are witches. You can be a witch without being Wiccan. Confused? Many authors are too. You may find that some authors continuously interchange the terms "witchcraft" and "Wicca." It doesn't mean all their research is garbage, you just have to figure out which witch they're talking about. Keep it in the back of your head as you research, that sometimes when an author says "Wicca" they mean "witchcraft." Ask yourself, "is this truly a Wiccan thing, or is this general witchcraft?" If it's general, or uses phrases like "the majority of Wiccans," or "some Wiccan," then it's probably more about witchcraft than Wicca. Remember that the Wiccan beliefs do not apply to all Pagans and witches. Never assume that someone is Wiccan just because they are Pagan or practice witchcraft; that's stereotyping. Not everyone believes the Threefold Law and the Wiccan Rede.
What's this devil magic?
Some Pagans and witches believe in the devil and use curses/hexes. Not everyone does, but those who do are still valid. There are many paths that believe in the devil of some form - Satan, Lucifer, the Witch's Devil, etc. - and they have every right. They have every right to worship such being as well as use curses or hexes. This doesn't mean every Pagan and witch believes such, and it certainly doesn't mean you have to. Remember, never do or believe anything that makes you uncomfortable or goes against your personal morals. Further, you can be what some call "curse neutral," and be open to the idea of curses/hexes as necessary balance, without partaking in the action. Whatever your personal decision on the devil and curses/hexes, those who believe in such exist and are valid.
What about internet sources?
With the rise of the world wide web, internet sources are very bountiful. They can provide information and answers with the click of a button. However, internet sources have authors, and remember, authors can be biased. Blogs can be a huge asset to your studies, and provide relatable material, but they are nothing more than opinions and personal beliefs. Including this blog! In fact, if you scroll up, right under the big white box with my blog name, there's a bright green paragraph that no one ever reads (honestly, I need to find a better place for it). It's a disclaimer stating that everything you read on this blog is personal opinion and belief, and that nothing here should be taken verbatim. I don't have all the answers and I am not all-knowing. If my blog is helpful to you, great! If it's not, that's fine too! Outside of blogs, other online resources can be relatable and seem well-researched, but can still fall victim to being biased. Ask yourself "is this an opinion, or is this completely cut and dry?"
What about real life experiences?
As great as book research is, it cannot replace real life experiences. Sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty, and try something for yourself. Some people learn better this way. Besides, practice makes perfect, right? The more you actually practice your craft, the better your outcomes will be, and the better your spiritual experience will be. Often times, we - myself included - forget that "craft" is a part of "witchcraft." It's easy to practice your craft on a regular basis, fuel by sheer determination alone, when you're first starting out. Trust me, as you continue through time, the "crafting" aspect can easily get lost in the mundane day-to-day hustle and bustle. Your spirituality is what you make it, and that means what you physically make it as well. Don't solely rely on book research.
So these resources are just garbage?
Not at all. Just because a resource's author has problems and those problems may or may not be displayed in their work, doesn't mean there isn't valid information in them as well. You just have to sort through it all first. This is why it can be so confusing to those just starting their research. Cross-referencing with multiple sources will help you sort through it all and decipher what is fact and what is not. There can be an immense amount of useful information if you learn how to read it critically. This is why it's so important to learn how to navigate the research.
Not at all. Just because a resource's author has problems and those problems may or may not be displayed in their work, doesn't mean there isn't valid information in them as well. You just have to sort through it all first. This is why it can be so confusing to those just starting their research. Cross-referencing with multiple sources will help you sort through it all and decipher what is fact and what is not. There can be an immense amount of useful information if you learn how to read it critically. This is why it's so important to learn how to navigate the research.
Are you ready to actually start your research?
Grab your pens and pencils, your highlighters and papers, and follow me!
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