Getting Started

When I was first starting on my path, I didn't have many people to turn to for help. Of those people, none of them were older or particularly more experienced than I was. So alot of what I learned was through experience or the little advice I could glean. Now I want to share my experience for other people in my situation.

My first piece of advice, and most important: Do NOT do anything that doesn't feel right. Trust your instincts.

Secondly, don't go looking for things. Let them find you. Books, tools, tarot, it is important to use instinct, not common sense or desire. You will be drawn to the things intended for you. I own very few books, because many of the ones I pick up to look at don't feel right. My runes were given to me as a gift, they found me. My tarot I was drawn to from outside the shop. I could feel them from the street, when I saw it I could barely pull my eyes away. If something isn't meant for you it will find a way to be lost or your magic won't be as effective.

Build a Book of Shadows. It's important to keep a record of things that work for you.

Record dreams, meditations, any experiences you have. Each of them is a lesson, something important you need to know. What doesn't make sense now certainly will later, eventually. It will also help you keep a track of your abilities.

When you discover a new ability, nurture it. If you deny your gifts you are denying a part of yourself and that is dangerous to your perception of yourself. It is a way to suffocate yourself. You don't have to make a big deal of it if you don't want to, but make sure you don't hide it from yourself. I did that with my empathy for a while and it didn't help me, just made me doubt myself in so much more than just that.

Lastly, look for help, but do so responsibly. There are alot of people out there who don't know everything, or who will try to drive you down the wrong paths. Trust your instincts. If what they are telling you feels wrong, don't take it for gospel. I had someone who tried to manipulate me down the wrong path, and I got out of that relationship as quickly as I could. Do your research, find out as much as you can, but don't let that force yourself into a path you aren't comfortable with. At the end of the day, only you know what is right for you.