Hi all. Im new here. I have had the hift of spirits for many years and have always wanted to express and accept my gift, however i have been terrified to face it and im scared, my dear friend recommended this site to help me accept my gift and reconnect with earth. I would be really grateful if anyone has advise for me to start! Im very excited but very nervous at starting my new journey
11 Likes
Welcome! I do not have any advice for you unfortunately. I am new to the spiritual/witchy path.
I hope you find the help your seeking on your jorney!
10 Likes
Hi, @emma! I’m Amethyst from Southern West Virginia. Welcome to the forum! 
I am so not talented in that way, it’s not even funny. I joke that I’m head blind, but that’s about the truth of it.
What I do know is that grounding and centering are a must, as well as good meditation practices. I also know that there are oodles of books on psychic protection and empathic protection, but since I’m not too good at it, I don’t study it. Beetlejuice himself could stand in front of me, and I wouldn’t notice him. Sigh. Hopefully, someone else will be able to point you in the right direction there.
I do know that salt, even common table salt, is good for protection. So is black tourmaline. Amethyst may help you get better rest, too.
Anyhow, I hope this little bit of information helps. At least you’ll be able to find a starting point to your own research! It’s nice to meet you, and I hope you enjoy the forum!
9 Likes
Hi Emma. I’m Jayne, originally from the UK but now live in Texas. I’m an eclectic witch and my practice leans toward earth and nature magic.
@amethyst gave you some good points to start your study, I agree that grounding and centering will be essential as you begin on your path. But I don’t have any more advice for you as I am not gifted in that way myself.
10 Likes
Merry meet, Emma! 
Welcome! I just want to say first that what you’re feeling is completely valid. Excitement and fear often come together when we begin to truly accept parts of ourselves that we’ve kept hidden or misunderstood for a long time. You’re not strange or alone for feeling this way. Many of us have stood exactly where you are now.
I’m Stephanie or Eira of the Living Hearth, an eclectic witch from California. My practice is very hearth and nature based. I work a lot with green witchcraft, divination (tarot, runes, oracle, Lenormand), ancestry work, shadow work, and simple daily magic like kitchen craft, spell jars, meditation, gardening, and creating spiritual tools like soaps, candles, and oracle decks. A big part of my path has also been learning grounding, protection, and self-care, especially when working with energy or spirit sensitivity.
If you’re just starting to open to your gift, I would suggest beginning with grounding and protection ritual before anything else. Connecting with the earth can be as simple as sitting outside with a cup of tea, placing your hands or feet on the ground, breathing slowly, and imagining roots growing from you into the soil. Creating a small protection practice, like lighting a candle with intention, carrying a grounding stone, or visualizing a sphere of light around you like I do, can help you feel safer and more in control.
You don’t have to rush into spirit work. Your journey is yours, and it can unfold slowly. Learning to trust your intuition, building emotional stability, and creating a peaceful personal space are powerful first steps. Fear often softens when knowledge and routine grow.
You’re very welcome here. Take your time, ask questions, and move at the pace your spirit feels ready for.
Blessed be! 
10 Likes
Superb Sunday Emma,
Well, seems like “I’m late to the party”. Everyone seems to have already said what I was thinking. So, “hello and hi there” (Kathy Najimy in Sister Act). Welcome to our site, there is much to explore, and it will probably take a while. Amethyst gave you some very good sites to start with. I hope to “see” you around the site.
Lady Gene 
9 Likes
Welcome, @emma and Merry Meet! We’re glad you decided to join us. 
I’m Feathertip, from SE Michigan. I’m a lifelong Pagan, working with plants, herbs, and Nature with all her critters. I practice Yogic meditation and use Lenormand cards for divination.
It’s hard to tell someone how they should start, but our beautiful @Amethyst has made some wonderful suggestions here - simple Grounding and Centering exercises, and learning meditation, are very quiet and reflective acts. You may end up feeling much more empowered by these rituals, and they require nothing but your time.
Settle in, take your time looking around the site - and don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything! Enjoy your journey, lovely! 
7 Likes
Hi Emma!
Your feelings are probably common - I certainly felt that way when I started. As most have said, Amethyst gave you a starting point. You will have more questions as you read - I certainly did. Ask them in the articles you read or ask in the Q&A section on the forum.
I’m Dan and I study belief systems. I meditate a lot and I do cards (Tarot and Lenormand), runes, Oracle, , etc. Currently I’m studying the Norse, Celtic and Greek Pantheons (but I started out with just one - and took a while to expand) I have a path called Chaos - it is not the same as the lower case word!.. or maybe it is. 
Find something that looks interesting. The introductory courses are really well built so you might start with them. Touch base with folks as you go. You’ll find we are a welcoming group.
Now, for the most important advice… Have Fun!
7 Likes
Hello @emma,
Welcome to the forum! I’m Bry, an Eclectic Witch and one of the moderators. Just wanted to stop by and say hi, it’s very nice to meet you
Others have kindly shared some great advice and resources, but if I can add to the pile, I know you mentioned spirit work so perhaps reading some guides and trying some basic spirit work spells could be of interest to you. Here are a couple resources on the site you might find interesting:
That being said, there really is no “right” or “wrong” way to begin your practice. I’d warmly encourage you to pursue your interests by reading more about them. Follow your heart and embrace the journey! Also, know that you’re not alone. If you ever have questions or just want to chat with fellow magick-lovers, you have a whole coven here happy to talk. Make yourself at home!
Blessed be and happy studies 
7 Likes
Greetings from New Mexico!
Welcome @emma!
Thanks to your dear friend for the recommendation. I’m glad you are here.
How do you usually connect with your spirits? Are you outdoors, hiking; using certain tools; in dreams, visions and meditation; playing cards; cleaning house; indulging in activity while your mind is at rest; writing; watching repetitive movement like smoke or flame or someone else working; listening to certain sounds; or saying chants or prayers when they show up most often? Learning more about the type of spirit communication you have been gifted is a great way to start studying.
I used to roller skate in the basement or ride a bike when I started. Then I went to pacing before they just started showing up at random times. Now they seem to connect easiest around the sound of water. It may be their personalities or my own which helps with the connections, so learning various methods helped me.
Start with where you are. Once you get more comfortable with understanding the process, there are many ways to branch out and learn more. We are here to support you in your learning process.
Are you afraid of them? There are plenty of defenses and protection practices mentioned around the site and the forum to help with that. Getting to know their personalities is a lot like making friends with other humans. There are some good ones out there and some which think only of themselves. It is also good to create boundaries of when and where they can show up, to give you a break when you need some time to yourself.
If the fear you mentioned is based on what people have told you, consider the source. They are afraid. Give that fear back to them or send it away to be recycled by nature or the Universe. You don’t have to be afraid, though it is normal to be nervous when starting something new. The more you learn, the more you work with your gifts, the more comfortable you will get. You will be OK. We are here with you.
7 Likes
It was me who recommended @emma come here, your all wonderful souls and I knew she would get the help needed
8 Likes
Merry Meet Emma
I just wanted to welcome you. I was a little apprehensive about posting my introduction and opening up. The responses I received were full of love, support and kindness.
I can relate to your experiences with the spirt realm. If you read my post under Introductions named Lancashire Witch” and a recent post in the Forum “Signs your Energy may be Shifting” they will tell you a little more about me.
There have been many other experiences which cannot be explained rationally. The strangest ones are I ordered a new bed and written on the side of the van was” Bold Street” and my late Mum’s address was 118 Bold Street.
I always spent Boxing Day over the Christmas Holidays with my Mum and also my late Grandparents and every year I get a sign or feeling. This year my star on my Christmas Tree came on it was lunch time.
Another Boxing Day my mobile rang and when I looked it the call logged was my Mum’s telephone number. I had deleted it from my phone this was three years later. There is no way that the number would be in existence, it was disconnected and the my Mum”s house had been sold. Shortly, after the phone call a picture of another Boxing Day spent with my Mum appeared on my phone. I have spoken to my Mum in dreams only a couple of times.
The most important question is how do you feel when you receive messages are they your family members and do you see their spirts.? It is natural for you to question your experiences and know what to do.
I cannot add anything more than what has already been suggested by my fellow witches who have their own unique gifts and experiences, I echo then in saying grounding and centre yourself, the video attachments are very helpful. Just breathe and take your time to process all your emotions your inner guidance will come through.
Blessings to you 
7 Likes
Hello and welcome. I’m Tracy from England. I work within the Northern Traditions and love spirit communication, it’s nothing to fear. I’ve never used circles or such just the runes, they’re very good as filters 
or miniature bodyguards. Everyone’s given such great suggestions, dive in and enjoy the craft, we’re here to help and cheer you on. 
Skal 
5 Likes
Thank you for sharing! And thank you for being a good friend. You are a treasure.
Such cool experiences! Thank you for sharing, too.
Most spirit connections are fun, positive experiences. I learned a lot from mine, until recently when I have been needing stronger boundaries and defenses.
4 Likes