Novice Witch 1 Year Study Guide

Its not uncommon for wiccans, or even some paths of witchcraft, to have a year and a day study period, before they can be officially initiated into a coven. And even though thats quite specific circumstances, I love the concept of learning basics of many subjects to better choose a path to follow especially for novices. So here I've created a study guide for those interested, but unsure where to start.

Each subject can be broken up into 2-3 day study segments to allow for better time to learn the basics of it. You can also skip certain subjects if they are of no interest to you or your practice, and focus longer on a different subject that month, or one not included in the list at all. This can be very customizable to the person, but for those who've no idea what they want to practice, I've tried to include a variety of things for your exploration throughout the whole year.

I've also attempted to keep it very basic for subjects that could be considered advanced, or even unethical for some, but i think even for them its still important to know a little about it.

I highly suggest and would even say you need to keep some sort of book for notes and to write what you are learning, and will assist you many times having written things down previously. For novices, this can be considered your first book of shadows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ January Color theory - the effects color has on the brain, and how it can be used in your craft Earth and air - basic correspondences, and attributes Fire and water - basic correspondences, and attributes Commonly known tools - candles, cauldron, wand, athame, cup, pentacels, BOS or grimoire Less common tools - bell, bottles, feathers, herbs, besom, crystals and minerals, grid board or cloth, mortar and pestle, boline, censor, offering dishes, mirror, talismans Altar basics - set up a simple altar that will suit your current needs astrology basics - learn the basics of when the signs lie throught the year, amd basic correspondences and attributes for each personal astrology sign/s - learn more in depth about you own sign/s like who you are compatible with and the virtues and vices of them Craft of the month - make a brigid's cross Imbolc - learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations

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February Imbolc - celebrate your first imbolc! Moon and plants - learn basic correspondences, and attributes Symbols - learn basic symbols and practical applications in spellwork Animal magic - learn the basics correspondences and attributes of different bugs Numerology basics - learn the basic meanings in numerology, and practical applications in spellwork Spellwork 1st - using a colored cord of your intention, use knot magic, anr numerology to create a bracelet for yourself Craft of the month - paint or wood burn an altar pentagram, or other symbol Religious study - learn the basics of shamanism (including how this is is a closed practice) Days of the week - learn basic days of the week attributes Pendulum - learn how to use a pendulum, and the practical applications of its use in spellwork

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March Flower correspondences - learn basic local flower correspondences Minerals - learn basic correspondences and attributes to more common minerals Incense - learn the different types of Incense and how to make them Kitchen craft - begin to learn basic ingredient's correspondences and attributes Craft of the month - create a spring floral themed incense Ostara - learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations Ostara - celebrate your first Ostara! Religious study - learn the basics of animism Animal magic - learn the basics correspondences and attributes of different flying animals Spring nature trip - go on an outdoor adventure, to learn more about whats local to you, and to forage for supplies

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April Deity - learn about common deities Altars - as time goes on continue to personalize your altar Tea reading - learn the basics of tea reading Spellwork 2nd - create your first sachet, using basic minerals, flowers, and dry kitchen ingredients. Religious study - learn the basics of hoodoo (including how this is is a closed practice) Astrology - learn more in depth about astrology houses, modalities, and element associations Craft of the month - create a lavender wand Kitchen craft - learn about basic kitchen tools and how they can assist you Dreams - learn basic meanings of dreams Beltane - learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations

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May Beltane - celebrate your first Beltane! Grounding and centering - learn basic Grounding and centering methods and techniques Animal magic - learn the basics correspondences and attributes of different small mammals Religious study - learn the basics of roman polytheism Sigils - learn basic sigil making, and practical applications in spellwork Craft of the month - learn how to dry plants and flowers, by either hang drying, or creating a plant press Earth and air - learn practical applications of how to use in spellwork Fire and water - learn practical applications of how to use in spellwork Minerals - learn more specific minerals correspondences and attributes Tree correspondences - learn basic local tree correspondences

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June Religious study - learn the basics of buddhism Kitchen craft - learn about more specific ingredients correspondences and attributes Runes - learn basic rune casting Shells, feathers, coral, and driftwood - learn all the Miscellaneous items correspondences and attributes Craft of the month - create a God's eye Litha - learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations Litha - celebrate your first litha! Spellwork 3rd - create a spell bottle that will have an effect over time Ancestry - learn about your ancestors and consider doing work with them or leaving offerings to them Animal magic - learn the basics correspondences and attributes of different sea creatures

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July Deity - learn more about deities, and ways to worship different ones Summer nature trip - go on an outdoor adventure, to learn more about whats local to you, and to forage for supplies Religious study - learn the basics of druidry Non flowering plant correspondences - learn basic local plant correspondences Sigils - learn more complex sigils and how to cast them Metals - learn the basic correspondences and attributes of different metals Fae - learn the basics of fae Craft of the month - make a besom or broom Petitions - learn how to write a petition, and practical applications in spellwork Lammas -learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations

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August Lammas - celebrate your first lammas! Religious study - learn the basics of wicca Animal magic - learn the basics correspondences and attributes of different large mammals Palm reading - learn the basics of palm reading Astrology - learn how to use astrology in spellwork or in reading people Craft of the month - make a personal poppet Mushroom correspondences - learn basic correspondences to local Mushroom, and how to properly handle them to avoid harm Essential oils - learn basic correspondences and attributes of common oils Spellwork 4th - create a personalized sigil, to place in your poppet, with other ingredients like a sachet Kitchen craft - learn practical applications in spellwork and intention in cooking

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September Herbal remedies - learn basics of herbal remedies Minerals in spell work - learn how, when, and when not to use Minerals in spellwork Fall nature trip - - go on an outdoor adventure, to learn more about whats local to you, and to forage for supplies Cleansing methods - learn how to cleanse a variety of tools and ingredients Craft of the month - make a cornucopia Mabon - learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations Mabon - celebrate your first mabon! Religious study - learn the basics of luciferianism Animal magic - learn the basics correspondences and attributes of different reptiles Essential oils - learn proper application and use of oils, and how to avoid harm

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October Toxic plant correspondences - learn basic toxic plant correspondences, and how to avoid harmful practices Bones - learn how to prep and use bones Hexes, and curses - learn the basics, of how to cast and to break them. Tarot reading - learn basic tarot reading Shadow work - learn basics of shadow work Potions - learn how to craft a potion for different applications Craft of the month - make candles Spellwork 5th - Enchant an item, like jewelry, with protection to wear during Samhain Samhain - origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations Samhain - celebrate your first samhain!

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November Alternative paths - learn about different paths to take as a witch. And what areas of they focus on Creating mixtures - learn the different types of mixtures, and how to make them Tarot reading - continue your tarot study and practice Spirit guide and familiars- learn the differences Crystal grid - learn how to make a crystal grid Craft of the month - create a wand

Alternative pagan holidays - different religions will hold different holidays and celebrations. If you are leaning toward a certain religion or tradition in particular, celebrating its holidays can help you connect to it better Religious study - learn the basics of kemetic Herbal remedies - using mixtures knowledge, begin practicing creating simple herbal remedies Astral projection - learn basics of astral projection

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December Oracle reading - learn a little about Oracle reading, a very loose form Energy points - learn the basics or energy works Spellwork 6th - create your first full out ritual of your choosing Craft of the month - create a wreath Kitchen craft - prepare and create a multi dish meal for the upcoming sabbat Yule - learn the origin, tradition, food and drink, and decorations Yule - celebrate your first yule! Religious study - learn the basics of heathenry Winter nature trip - go on an outdoor adventure, to learn more about whats local to you, and to forage for supplies

Reviewing the years work - if you have indeed kept a book, this is the time to organize it how you like, but also to look back and see what all you've learned over the year, and choosing a path or religion to follow or not follow.

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At the end of the year, I'd suggest finishing your book there. Let it be a reflection of your first learning year. You could start a new book with further study, focused more on the path you choose to follow.