Wicca and witchcraft blog Articles
95 free articles on Wicca and witchcraft, from your very first steps to sabbat recipes.
New
Fresh from Wicca Academy.
Spells & MagickPumpkin and Apple Magick: What to Do With Them After HalloweenHow to thank and release a jack-o'-lantern, plus simple pumpkin seed and apple spells for November.6 min read
Spells & MagickHoliday Stress Spells: Protection and Calm for Family GatheringsGentle magick for holiday gatherings: a quick cleansing before guests, a calming pocket charm and an after-guests clearing.7 min read
Spells & MagickHarvest Bread Magick: How to Bake a Loaf as a Spell (With an Easy Recipe)How to knead, shape and mark a loaf as a spell, what each ingredient means, and an easy rosemary and honey soda bread.8 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysA Thanksgiving Table Blessing for Witches (7 Blessings to Say Before the Meal)Seven Thanksgiving blessings for witches, from a quiet line for a mixed family table to a full Wiccan blessing.7 min read
Spells & MagickGratitude Spells and Rituals: A Gratitude Jar, a Candle Spell and MoreHow to make a gratitude jar, cast a gratitude candle spell and build small rituals of thanks into your week.7 min read
Deities & SpiritsNight of Hecate: A November 16 Ritual for the Goddess of the CrossroadsWhat the Night of Hecate on November 16 is, where the date comes from, and a beginner's crossroads ritual with a key and a candle.9 min readReaders’ favourites
The articles our community comes back to most.
Wicca BasicsWhat Is Wicca? A Beginner's Guide to Wiccan Beliefs and PracticeA plain-words guide to the Wicca religion: what Wiccans believe, the Goddess and God, the sabbats and tools, and 7 steps to start.13 min read
Wicca BasicsHow to Become a Witch: A Beginner's Guide in 9 Simple StepsAnyone can become a witch. Learn how to start in 9 simple steps, what witches mean by power, and how to become Wiccan.7 min read
Spells & MagickJar Spells Made Simple: How to Make a Spell Jar, With RecipesHow to make a spell jar in 7 steps, a jar spell recipe table by intention, ingredient meanings, and five easy jar spells to try.12 min read
Wicca BasicsTypes of Witches: 15 Kinds of Witches and How to Find YoursCeremonial, augury, cosmic, green, grey, eclectic and more: 15 types of witches, a comparison table and a free quiz to find yours.6 min read
Spells & MagickSigils for Beginners: How to Make Wiccan Sigils and Protection SigilsHow to make a sigil in 6 steps, charge and activate it, make protection sigils, and a table of common witchcraft symbols.13 min read
Deities & SpiritsGet to Know Your Familiar: Witch Familiar Meaning, Types and AnimalsThe meaning of familiars, the types of familiars, a familiar animal list and how to find and bond with yours.9 min readWicca Basics
New to the Craft? Start here: what Wicca is, its ethics, and how to begin.
Wicca BasicsWitch Names: How to Choose Your Craft Name (+ 120 Witchy Names)How to choose your craft name, a simple naming ritual and over 120 witchy names from nature, the stars, herbs, crystals and myth.9 min read
Wicca BasicsWitchcraft Symbols and Meanings: Wiccan and Protection SymbolsThe pentacle, triple moon, Horned God, triquetra, ankh, runes and old protection symbols explained, with a quick chart and simple ways to use them.10 min read
Wicca BasicsWhat Is Paganism? Meaning, Pagan Religions and HolidaysThe paganism definition, the main pagan religions compared, what Pagans believe, the pagan holidays of the Wheel of the Year and gentle first steps for beginners.11 min read
Spells & MagickShadow Work in Witchcraft: A Gentle Beginner's GuideHow to begin shadow work gently, with eight journal prompts, a tools table, tarot and crystals, and a dark moon release ritual.8 min read
Wicca BasicsHow to Set Up a Wiccan Altar: A Beginner's Guide With Altar IdeasSet up your first Wiccan altar in seven steps, with a simple altar layout, what each tool means and witch altar ideas for any space.6 min read
Wicca BasicsWhat Is Wicca? A Beginner's Guide to Wiccan Beliefs and PracticeA plain-words guide to the Wicca religion: what Wiccans believe, the Goddess and God, the sabbats and tools, and 7 steps to start.13 min read
Wicca BasicsWhat Is an Eclectic Witch? Eclectic Wicca and Solitary PracticeWhat an eclectic witch is, how eclectic Wicca differs from traditional Wicca, and how to build your own practice, respectfully.5 min read
Wicca BasicsThe Threefold Law: What the Rule of Three Means in WiccaWhat the Rule of Three means in Wicca, where it came from, how it compares with karma, and how to live by it.3 min read
Wicca BasicsIs Wicca Right for Me? 8 Signs Wicca Might Be Your PathWondering if Wicca is right for you? 8 signs it might be your path, honest signs it might not, and a 4-week plan to try it.3 min read
Wicca BasicsWicca vs. Paganism: The Difference Between Wiccan and PaganEvery Wiccan is a pagan, but not every pagan is Wiccan. Here's the difference, side by side, and how to tell which path fits you.11 min read
Wicca BasicsThe Wiccan Rede: Meaning, Full Poem and How to Live ItWhat "an it harm none, do what ye will" really means, where the Wiccan Rede comes from, the full poem and how to live by it.8 min read
Wicca BasicsAre All Witches Wiccan? Wiccans, Witches and the DifferenceAre Wiccans witches, and are all witches Wiccan? The difference between Wicca and witchcraft, and which word fits you.3 min readSpells & Magick
Simple, practical spellwork: jars, candles, sigils, knots, teas and more.
Sabbats & HolidaysWitchy Holiday Gift Ideas: 25 Gifts for Witches (Plus How to Bless Them)Twenty-five witchy gifts for every budget, from handmade spell jars to books for beginners, plus how to bless and wrap them.6 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysWinter Solstice Rituals: 6 Ways to Honor the Longest NightSix ways to honor the longest night, from a candlelit vigil to greeting the reborn sun at dawn.8 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysYule Colors: Meanings, Candle Colors and How to Use ThemWhat each Yule color means, which candle colors to burn at the solstice, and a five-candle Yule color spell.6 min read
Spells & MagickPumpkin and Apple Magick: What to Do With Them After HalloweenHow to thank and release a jack-o'-lantern, plus simple pumpkin seed and apple spells for November.6 min read
Spells & MagickHoliday Stress Spells: Protection and Calm for Family GatheringsGentle magick for holiday gatherings: a quick cleansing before guests, a calming pocket charm and an after-guests clearing.7 min read
Spells & MagickHarvest Bread Magick: How to Bake a Loaf as a Spell (With an Easy Recipe)How to knead, shape and mark a loaf as a spell, what each ingredient means, and an easy rosemary and honey soda bread.8 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysA Thanksgiving Table Blessing for Witches (7 Blessings to Say Before the Meal)Seven Thanksgiving blessings for witches, from a quiet line for a mixed family table to a full Wiccan blessing.7 min read
Spells & MagickGratitude Spells and Rituals: A Gratitude Jar, a Candle Spell and MoreHow to make a gratitude jar, cast a gratitude candle spell and build small rituals of thanks into your week.7 min read
Spells & MagickCord Cutting Ritual: How to Release Ties That Hold You BackA cord cutting ritual helps you let go of an old relationship, habit or situation that still pulls at you. Learn what it is, when to do it, a step-by-step candle ritual and gentle aftercare.8 min read
Spells & MagickLove Spells for Beginners: 5 Simple, Ethical Spells for LoveFive ethical spells for love, from self-love and rose quartz to a honey jar for couples, with the best timing, correspondences and why we never target a specific person.10 min read
Wicca BasicsWitchcraft Symbols and Meanings: Wiccan and Protection SymbolsThe pentacle, triple moon, Horned God, triquetra, ankh, runes and old protection symbols explained, with a quick chart and simple ways to use them.10 min read
Spells & MagickWitch Bottles: History, Ingredients and How to Make OneWitch bottles have guarded homes since the 1600s. Learn their history, what goes inside and why, how to make a traditional-style bottle, gentler variations and where to put yours.8 min readSabbats & Holidays
The Wheel of the Year: history, rituals, altars and recipes for every sabbat.
Sabbats & HolidaysWitchy Holiday Gift Ideas: 25 Gifts for Witches (Plus How to Bless Them)Twenty-five witchy gifts for every budget, from handmade spell jars to books for beginners, plus how to bless and wrap them.6 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysWinter Solstice Rituals: 6 Ways to Honor the Longest NightSix ways to honor the longest night, from a candlelit vigil to greeting the reborn sun at dawn.8 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysYule Colors: Meanings, Candle Colors and How to Use ThemWhat each Yule color means, which candle colors to burn at the solstice, and a five-candle Yule color spell.6 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysYule Altar Ideas: How to Set Up a Winter Solstice AltarHow to set up a Yule altar, what each item means, and ideas for every space, from a tiny shelf to a family table.7 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysYule Recipes and Foods: 7 Dishes for Your Winter Solstice FeastSeven recipes for your solstice table, from wassail and gingerbread suns to chestnut soup and a Yule log cake.9 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysThe Yule Log: History, Meaning and How to Make OneWhere the Yule log comes from, what it means, and how to make, bless and burn your own, with a candle version for apartments.9 min read
Spells & MagickPumpkin and Apple Magick: What to Do With Them After HalloweenHow to thank and release a jack-o'-lantern, plus simple pumpkin seed and apple spells for November.6 min read
Spells & MagickHarvest Bread Magick: How to Bake a Loaf as a Spell (With an Easy Recipe)How to knead, shape and mark a loaf as a spell, what each ingredient means, and an easy rosemary and honey soda bread.8 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysA Thanksgiving Table Blessing for Witches (7 Blessings to Say Before the Meal)Seven Thanksgiving blessings for witches, from a quiet line for a mixed family table to a full Wiccan blessing.7 min read
Deities & SpiritsNight of Hecate: A November 16 Ritual for the Goddess of the CrossroadsWhat the Night of Hecate on November 16 is, where the date comes from, and a beginner's crossroads ritual with a key and a candle.9 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysHonoring Your Ancestors at SamhainHow to honor your ancestors at Samhain: building an ancestor altar, holding a dumb supper, offerings, a candle in the window and a simple ancestor blessing.7 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysSamhain Divination: 7 Ways to Glimpse the Year AheadSeven ways to practice Samhain divination this year, from a five-card tarot spread and black mirror scrying to apple peels, barmbrack charms and old Halloween fortune-telling games.8 min readDivination & Astrology
Tarot, runes, pendulums, palms, the moon and the stars.
Divination & AstrologyTarot Card Meanings: All 22 Major Arcana Cards ExplainedUpright and reversed meanings for all 22 Major Arcana cards, with love and career readings, Rider-Waite-Smith imagery and a quick-reference table.15 min read
Divination & AstrologyMercury Retrograde Survival Guide for WitchesHow witches get through Mercury retrograde: dates for 2026 and 2027, a prep checklist, two simple spells, crystals and herbs, and this autumn's retrograde in Scorpio over Samhain.7 min read
Spells & MagickHow to Make Moon Water in Witchcraft (and How to Store and Use It)Make moon water in seven easy steps, choose the right moon phase, store it safely and use it in your spells, baths and rituals.8 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysSamhain Divination: 7 Ways to Glimpse the Year AheadSeven ways to practice Samhain divination this year, from a five-card tarot spread and black mirror scrying to apple peels, barmbrack charms and old Halloween fortune-telling games.8 min read
Divination & AstrologyDivination for Beginners: 13 Types of Divination and How to StartWhat divination is in witchcraft, 13 popular methods from tarot to tea leaves, and how to choose your first divination tool.15 min read
Divination & AstrologyWhat Is Retrograde? Retrograde Meaning in Astrology and SpiritualityWhy planets seem to move backward, what a retrograde means spiritually, how long each one lasts, and how to work with it in magick.3 min read
Divination & AstrologyRune Casting for Beginners: How to Cast Runes and Read Their MeaningsHow to cast and throw runes, simple rune spreads, and all 24 Elder Futhark runes with their sounds and meanings.8 min read
Divination & AstrologyHow to Use a Pendulum: A Witch's Pendulum Guide for BeginnersChoose, cleanse and program your pendulum, read a pendulum mat, and ask yes/no questions that get clear answers.3 min read
Divination & AstrologyHow to Cleanse a Tarot Deck: 8 Easy Ways to Cleanse Tarot CardsA simple 5-step ritual and 8 easy ways to cleanse tarot cards, plus a first-time cleanse and full moon charging.7 min read
Divination & AstrologyPalm Reading for Beginners: How to Read Your Palm LinesLearn to read the heart, head, life and fate lines step by step, with a palm reading chart, hand shapes, the mounts and the witch's marks.10 min read
Divination & AstrologyMoon Phases and Simple Rituals: A Witch's Guide to Every PhaseWhat each moon phase is for in magick, with a moon phase table, the best spells for each phase and simple rituals.11 min readCrystals & Herbs
Working with stones and plants: cleansing, grids, gardens and protection.
Crystals & HerbsHealing Crystals and Their Meanings: 20 Crystals for BeginnersA chart of 20 healing crystals and their meanings, the best crystals for sleep, calm, love and protection, and how to cleanse and use them safely.9 min read
Spells & MagickThe Cinnamon Ritual: Blowing Cinnamon on the First of the MonthWhat the first-of-the-month cinnamon ritual is, why cinnamon is linked with money and luck, how to do it step by step, what to say and how to do it safely.5 min read
Crystals & HerbsCrystals for Confidence: 4 Stones for Courage and Self-BeliefHow to use citrine, tiger's eye, carnelian and sunstone for confidence, with a chart of more stones and an easy crystal spell.6 min read
Crystals & HerbsHerbs for Protection: 7 Protective Herbs and How to Use ThemThe protection herbs witches trust most, with a chart of how to use each one and simple herbal protection spells.10 min read
Crystals & HerbsCrystal Grid Patterns and Meanings: A Beginner's Guide to Crystal GridsLearn how to set up a crystal grid in seven steps, with a chart of grid patterns and meanings and four easy grids to try.5 min read
Crystals & HerbsHow to Cleanse Crystals: A Beginner's Guide to Crystal CleansingEight easy ways to cleanse crystals, which stones must avoid water, salt and sun, and how to charge your crystals afterward.13 min read
Crystals & Herbs13 Best Herbs for a Witch's Garden (and How to Grow Them)Thirteen easy magickal herbs to grow at home, with a chart of their uses and correspondences and tips for harvesting and drying.9 min read
Crystals & HerbsRose Quartz in Witchcraft: Meaning, Uses and a Self-Love SpellThe meaning of rose quartz in witchcraft, its correspondences, easy ways to use it, and a simple rose quartz self-love spell.7 min readDeities & Spirits
Goddesses, gods, faeries and familiars.
Deities & SpiritsNight of Hecate: A November 16 Ritual for the Goddess of the CrossroadsWhat the Night of Hecate on November 16 is, where the date comes from, and a beginner's crossroads ritual with a key and a candle.9 min read
Deities & SpiritsFreya: The Norse Goddess of Love, Magick and WarWho Freya is in Norse myth, where her stories come from, her symbols and offerings, and a simple devotional ritual to honor the goddess of love.9 min read
Deities & SpiritsSpirit Animals and Animal Guides: 19 Spiritual Animal MeaningsThe spiritual meanings of 19 animals in witchcraft, from the crow, raven and owl to the cat and fox, and how to find and honor your animal guide.9 min read
Sabbats & HolidaysHonoring Your Ancestors at SamhainHow to honor your ancestors at Samhain: building an ancestor altar, holding a dumb supper, offerings, a candle in the window and a simple ancestor blessing.7 min read
Deities & SpiritsBrigid: Celtic Triple Goddess of Healing, Poetry and SmithcraftBrigid in Irish myth, why she's a triple goddess, Imbolc, her cross, flame and wells, and simple ways to honor her.10 min read
Deities & SpiritsHecate: Who She Is and How to Work With the Goddess of WitchcraftHecate, Greek goddess of witchcraft and the crossroads: her myths, triple form, symbols, offerings, the Deipnon and how to start working with her.12 min read
Deities & SpiritsWitchy Pet Names: 150+ Female, Male and Neutral Names for FamiliarsFemale, male and gender-neutral witchy pet names for cats, dogs, birds and more, inspired by goddesses, the moon, herbs, crystals and famous witches.2 min read
Deities & SpiritsFaeries: Friendly or Frightening? Fairy Folklore and Faery WiccaIrish and Scottish fairy folklore, the Seelie and Unseelie courts, types of faeries, Faery Wicca and how to honor the Fair Folk.13 min read
Deities & SpiritsWho Are the Moon Goddess and the Horned God in Wicca?The Triple Moon Goddess and the Horned God of Wicca: the Maiden, Mother and Crone, horned deities like Cernunnos and Pan, and how to honor them.10 min read
Deities & SpiritsGet to Know Your Familiar: Witch Familiar Meaning, Types and AnimalsThe meaning of familiars, the types of familiars, a familiar animal list and how to find and bond with yours.9 min readCulture & Community
Witchcraft around the world, pagan art, and encouragement for your path.
Wicca BasicsWitch Names: How to Choose Your Craft Name (+ 120 Witchy Names)How to choose your craft name, a simple naming ritual and over 120 witchy names from nature, the stars, herbs, crystals and myth.9 min read
Wicca BasicsWhat Is Paganism? Meaning, Pagan Religions and HolidaysThe paganism definition, the main pagan religions compared, what Pagans believe, the pagan holidays of the Wheel of the Year and gentle first steps for beginners.11 min read
Culture & CommunityYou Are Not AloneHere's a gentle reminder: You are not alone. In the vast tapestry of life, each thread – including yours – is crucial to the beauty of the whole.2 min read
Culture & CommunityThe Goddesses and Gods Love You and Want You to Be HappyIn the tranquil spaces between the rushing currents of everyday life, there lies a profound, yet often overlooked truth – the gods and goddesses love you.4 min read
Culture & CommunityCelebrating Pagan Artistry: Poem by Laura PlummerIn a resounding triumph for both poetry and paganism, Laura Plummer’s exquisite composition “How to Love the Moon” has captured not one, but two prestigious awards in 2023.3 min read
Culture & CommunityIs Witchcraft Illegal? The 9 Worst Countries to Be a WitchWhere witchcraft is legal, which countries have laws against sorcery, and nine places where being called a witch is especially dangerous.7 min read
Culture & CommunityWhat Is Brujería? Meaning, History and Practices ExplainedWhat brujería means, its Indigenous, African and Catholic roots, common practices, how it differs from Santería, and how to learn about it respectfully.10 min read
Culture & CommunityWhat Is Hoodoo? Is Hoodoo Witchcraft? History, Symbols and RespectWhat hoodoo is, where it comes from, its best-known symbols, how it differs from Voodoo and witchcraft, and how to learn about it respectfully.7 min read
Culture & Community7 Productive Quarantine Habits to CultivateYour friendly neighborhood witch has decided to come up with a small list of things to do while we’re trying to maintain social distancing.9 min readNo articles match that yet.
Try a simpler word, pick a topic above, or search all of Wicca Academy.