Hi, I’m new here at Spells8 and very new to the craft in general. I follow Neopagan Druidry but find Wicca’s use of spells, amulets, divination, etc fascinating, which has brought me here. I am eager to begin my practice but find myself not really knowing where to start despite already being several chapters deep in multiple witchcraft books. It’s great learning new spells and such but I do not yet understand how to structure these rituals and happenings. Do I need to call the quarters each time? What about cleansing the space? Or do I need to cleanse myself first? How do I even end a given ritual? These are some of the many questions inhibiting my efforts to get started as a practicing pagan. Any helpful tips, concepts, experiences would be most appreciated.
@OakSeer Just popped in to say hello and welcome I’m Tracy from England Loki is my patron deity. There’s so much in the app. I find the Wiccan morning and evening ritual very nice. 
welcome to the wizarding family!
Here there are Witches who follow different paths I’m Airam from Greece I follow elemental and angelic magic I recently started the path of Hekati I’m glad you’re here!
Hi, @OakSeer! I’m Amethyst from Southern West Virginia. Welcome to the forum! 
It sounds like you need the courses, more specifically, the Wicca Self-Initiation Course. It will give you some history and information on Wicca and a step-by-step guide on how to start. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes! You’re not going to turn yourself into a toad. LOL!
If you have any questions, ask, and someone will be there to help. I look forward to getting to know you!
@OakSeer honestly the answer i can give u for all your questions is , do what feels right at the time. If u feel u need to cast a circle everytime, then do so.
I always cleanse in some fashion (ie: bath), my space and myself. Make sure u are grounded.
Hope this helps!!!
Welcome @OakSeer,
I’m Bry, one of the moderators here in the forum and an Eclectic Witch- it’s a pleasure to meet you 
I recently read a wonderful book about Druidry (The Book of Druidry by Kristoffer Hughes) where the author explained how wonderfully Druidry can go hand-in-hand with fellow magickal practices. The pagan paths often compliment each other in exciting and wonderful ways!
These are all great questions! I agree with what Mistress of Herbs said about doing what feels right for you- you are walking your own magickal path, and you get to set the rules! Not all witches/practitioners do every step or every procedure, just as not every witch/pracitioner studies every area of the Craft. We all have our individual specialties and areas of interest, which develop and change with time.
I just want to second what Amethyst suggested- the Self-Inittiation is a wonderful place to start and has lots of helpful information to help you lay your foundation. If I can suggest one additional place, it would be the materials in the Spellcasting 101 Course.
I’ve found that this course is both helpful with materials for those beginning their casting practice while also helping to build confidence. A little encouragement goes a long way! 
Please make yourself at home here- blessed be!
@OakSeer Hey welcome!!! Glad you made it! So, when I got here a few weeks ago. I was having a hard time with all that you mentioned. The lessons on spells saved me. It’s all a matter of your preference and what feels right. Definitely would start the lessons. You can also bookmark the pages. Or just type in the search bar when you get to the lessons page anything you need. I was pretty overwhelmed and unsure if I’d do circle casting and calling quarters. Only because I had never done it nor practiced. Now I’m casing circles and quarters and it’s feeling more comfortable.i still follow the directions laid out in spellcasting 101. Definitely would recommend the lessons page. Glad you are here! Good luck to you. 
Merry meet 
and welcome home @OakSeer
I’ve always wanted to learn more about Druidry, I’m so glad you have joined us, Wes! I’m Marsha, an Eclectic Solitary Witch, from Colorado. I am looking forward to getting to know you better. Welcome to the family! 
With love and magick 
always
@OakSeer Welcome to the family There is a lot to learn and it’s easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed with all the information out there. I recommend starting with the courses. Also, when I began I focused a lot on mindfulness and meditation. It helps a lot! Remember there are no hard and fast rules. Witchcraft is very personal. You’ll find what works for you over time. I’m 6 months in and I’m still finding my way! We’re all here to guide and support you. We are truly a family here 
Hello @OakSeer and welcome to the forum!
My name is Megan and I’m one of the moderators here at Spells8 it’s nice to meet you!
There are a lot of resources available for spells, rituals, and meditations - getting started is a whole other topic! A lot of times, people get analysis paralysis. There’s everything here, but finding the place to start is harder. My advice would be to start with something that’s important to you. If you’re struggling with where to start with witchcraft, you may want to choose a spell for something you need or want. If you’re struggling with where to start with druidry or paganism (with deities), the best place to start would be with a deity you’re interested in.
I’d also like to answer your questions one by one!
This is specific to Wicca and other ceremonial practices. Some rituals require calling the quarters each time. Others don’t. If you feel like you need to cast a circle and call the quarters each time, then that’s perfectly acceptable to do. However, if you don’t feel like it’s necessary (and it’s not part of a tradition), then it’s okay to not call the quarters.
Many people will cleanse the space when performing spells and rituals. I don’t always find it necessary in my personal practice - I’m a Celtic pagan and eclectic witch - but if I’m doing a bigger ritual then yes, I’d cleanse the space.
This is also personal preference like the above question. If you plan on cleansing the space, then I would cleanse yourself first. If you don’t plan on cleansing the space, then cleansing yourself is also optional.
Usually, ending a ritual is done in the reverse manner of the way you started the ritual. So, if you cast a circle and call the quarters, you would give thanks to anyone that you invited in, thank and release the quarters, and then dismiss the circle in reverse. I hope that makes sense. We have a course here on Spells8 that can help with circle casting! You can find that here → How to Cast a Circle (Wiccan & Non-Wiccan) 3-Step Guide – Spells8
I hope this helps!
Welcome, @OakSeer! It’s lovely to meet you here. 
I’m Katerina. I reside in Australia with my partner and two lovely cats. My journey began in earnest only this year, and I became active in this coven at the end of August.
You already have a lot of good answers to this, so I’ll just quickly add that I’m in the “fast and loose” boat. I generally do things intuitively, using what resources and energy I have available – I’ve almost never followed instructions word for word. All the big things I write up are almost always done after the fact, rather than before.
I hear some websites, books, and such places say that this is dangerous and horrible, but I think it’s a bit overblown. I conclude that’s just how they treat their practice and continue using whatever works for me.
Anyway, hopefully, that helps make you a bit more comfortable with what you’re doing.
Merry meet!
I’m Kat and am currently located in North Carolina. I found the practice over 20 years ago but lost my way for a while. I found my way home a couple of years ago and shortly thereafter found this amazing group of people!! I am a fairly eclectic Green witch with a deep interest in tarot, runes, herbalism, and moon magic. My deities are Artemis (she’s been with me since the beginning), The Morrigan, and Hekate, a recent guide in my life.
I’m not sure I can add more to the already wonderful advice that you’ve already received but I did want to say that Druidry is something that crosses my radar every now and then. I really need to look into it more and see if and how it fits into my life.
So glad to have you here!
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