Hello there! My name is Devenne. I am so excited to have found a group of active people for guidance. I have one ritual under my belt. I’ve been studying a month I believe. So how I came into witchcraft was a ritual that I had someone perform online for a banishing ritual. It was my first time with anything like it. I knew before I received her message that she had completed my ritual. Peace like I’ve never known washed over me in the grocery store. I looked at my phone to see the ritual had been complete. I asked her afterwards if she had any book suggestions for an empath trying to find peace and protection. She recommended the book self care for witches by Blair Blackmore. Ever since then I haven’t stopped. Got a whole altar set up. Bringing me more peace and happiness than I’ve ever had. I am excited to learn and find myself. I’ve always felt other peoples energies and been able to feel other people’s emotions. Not sure which witch I am. Thanks for having me.
Hi, @Devenne! I’m Amethyst from Southern West Virginia. Welcome to the forum! 
It’s great to have you here! This is a wonderful place to learn! Have you found the Courses yet? They’re a great way to start here, and if you have any questions you can ask for help and someone will be there for you!
I look forward to getting to know you!
Hi Amethyst 
It’s very nice to meet you! I’m from Indiana. I did see the lessons and can’t wait to utilize them as there is so much information with different answers from everyone. Which can be overwhelming. I’m so glad to have found an active group to seek guidance from. Such a blessing. Thankyou!
You’re welcome, my dear! This really is a great place to make friends. Just pick a weekly challenge or a group ritual and jump right in!
Hello and welcome to the forum @Devenne
My name is Megan and I’m one of the moderators here at Spells8 
It’s nice to meet you!
That banishing ritual sounds like a great experience - I’m glad you’ve found a good start for your practice! There are so many places to explore, and so many things to learn – even someone such as myself who’s been practicing for a while still has something new to learn every single day! Please, feel free to make yourself at home!
Thankyou! I definitely will. I work a full-time job at a restaurant. So I will be on as much as I can. I’ll probably start some courses after work tomorrow evening. And keep an eye on the group stuff and jump in when I can. Thankyou for your kindness. 
Aww 
thankyou so much! Glad to be welcomed into the group 
i feel more at home in this month than I have ever I think. To be welcomed like this really makes me happy
You’re so welcome! If anything, we are certainly a welcoming group of people! 
I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling welcome here - it’s certainly a pleasure!
It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the public I’m constantly trying to protect myself from. Do you have any suggestions for me to read on protection? I saw you are from Florida oh I’m so jealous. That’s where I hope and plan to move. If I could live in the water I would. Lol. I come out there at least once a year. Thankyou Megan 
Also I’m very interested in a spirit guide or deities. I was interested in finding or talking to my spirit guide before I found this path. Would love to find my deities. I read that it’s not something to just jump into or call to you in the beginning. Not sure who to believe lol .
@Devenne Hello and welcome I’m Tracy from England Loki’s my patron deity. Make yourself at home Lovely 
Oh yeah, dealing with the general public can be really draining. I haven’t had to do it for work for a while, so I’m counting my blessings there!
We have plenty of protection information here on the site and the forum! There are a lot of ways to protect oneself - it just depends on the type of protection you need and your preferred method of protection. I’ll drop some links here for you to get you started!
haha yeah, I currently live in Florida, but we’re getting ready to move. I’m originally from California and have lived in many states across the country! Florida is definitely not my forever home. Being by the ocean is nice, but there are many things about Florida I don’t like 
It’s just not for me, but I hope that you’re able to move out here!
Go with what you believe! There are some things to keep in mind when working with deities, but I view working with and worshipping deities very differently. It’s perfectly acceptable to worship a deity if you feel called to do so. There are many reasons why someone would worship a deity, but working with a deity involves a relationship of sorts. I think that’s not something to take lightly and is usually done after plenty of research, introductions with the deity, and offerings given.
There are also a lot of views out there about finding a deity. Some polytheists believe a deity will reach out to you. Others believe we choose the deity. Neither is right, but neither is wrong - because it’s all down to what each person believes and their specific tradition, if any!
There’s this post about working with deities → Deity Worship: How to Honor Pagan Gods and Goddesses – Spells8
And here are a few more links!
→ How Does a Goddess Choose You? Signs a Deity is Calling – Spells8
→ Deity Tarot Spread with 7 Cards: Identify a God or Goddess – Spells8
→ Signs From Your Spirit Guides: How to Find & Meet Them – Spells8
This is so helpful. I have been studying since I got home lol. I’m going to disconnect and head to my altar before bed. I will definitely go through all of this. Thankyou for your guidance. It’s extremely helpful. Hope u sleep well. Talk to you soon xo
Welcome @Devenne! It’s lovely to meet you. 
I’m Katerina, living in Australia with my partner and two cats. 
I walk the left-hand path, with some almost inexplicable mix of both chaos and order. I think I’ve found my life’s purpose as being a guide to help others find their way and help open their paths for them, just as Hekate does.
I joined this coven almost two months ago now. But I’ve already been learning so much from everyone here. So, I’m excited to welcome you into this lovely space and to learn with you. 
Hey Katerina nice to meet. Glad to meet you thankyou for welcoming me.
You’re welcome! I used to work in restaurants so I know how some days you’re so tired your hair hurts. Good luck and have a good day!
Hello @Devenne,
Don’t mind me jumping on the welcome wagon too! I’m Bry, another one of the moderators here in the forum and an Eclectic Witch. Just wanted to say that it’s a pleasure to meet you
The banishing ritual sounds amazing- I’m so happy it worked so well for you! Congrats on getting your altar setup too, it’s a great feeling to have a special sacred place to work your magick 
Please make yourself at home here and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help! Blessed be 
Hey Bry, so nice to meet you. Thankyou for welcoming me. I am so excited to be here and learn more. Like palpably excited. 
Love you all already! Blessed be
What’s funny about that is I have waitressed at other jobs and dealt with the public and that’s a thing in itself. Lol. I have been a cook on and off for ten years. Don’t enjoy that. Lol. Women aren’t treated well in kitchens. The cook I work with is allowed to drink at work. He has a problem. I’ve been there and made it out the other side. I’ve tried to be nice to him. Quickly really there’s no point to waste my energy with him. He’s constantly angry and has the worst energy. It’s been tough. I spray myself with protection spray every day before I go. I take my headphones and try to ignore his behavior. Lol. I have been looking into maybe getting some kind of training/schooling so I can do something else. I like to cook, but I don’t now. 
I’m the cook at home too. So I’ve grown tired of it. I am getting stronger, and learning to not let him affect me so much. He’s not there today or Thursdays. So it’s such a treat to get a break from him on Thursdays.
welcome to the family! I’m Airam and I live in Greece.we deal with angelic and elemental magic Don’t hesitate to ask anything about magic, there are very wise witches here!