Magickal Craft | Melbourne City Guide

Witchcraft, Wicca, Pagan.

What’s the difference?

Before we dive into the world of witchcraft, it is important to know the difference of these three main words. Sometimes they are used interchangably, but there are so much more than that.

Witchcraft Witchcraft is the practice of manipulating energy around oneself, typically with benevolent intent, to utilize magic and initiate change. Witchcraft by itself is a non-religious practice, but often it is incorporated into religions such as Wicca and Paganism. When incorporated with a religion, usually the energy used in the Craft comes from a deity or deities.

Wicca Paganism is an umbrella term for the religions and beliefs predating Christianity and other Abrahamic religions. They are typically nature-oriented and focus on the sacredness of the natural world. Includes religions such as Hinduism, Animism, Druidism, etc.

Pagan

Wicca is a nature oriented religion having rituals and practices derived from pre-Christian (Pagan) religious beliefs and typically incorporating modern witch craft of a benevolent kind. The religious symbol of Wicca is the pentagram.

Each point of the star represents an element, with Spirit on the top point- signifying its importance, and the other 4 elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) on the others.

When there is a circle around the Pentagram, it becomes a Pentacle.

Common Misconception about Witchcraft There are many misconceptions when it comes to witchcraft.

Some people associated with magick with the stuff that doesn’t really match the logic of everyday life. But there are certain points that you need to know.

There is no such thing as light or dark magic Magic and witchcraft is neither good nor evil. It is a practice, a tool. A curse can be used for good intentions, and a love spell can be used for a cruel purpose. The magic itself is not one thing or another, it’s the intentions of the caster that determine its nature. Therefore, there is really no such thing as bad or good magic, black or white magic, or light or dark magic. Instead, you can classify magic types as positive, negative, or neutral.

Witchcraft, Hoodoo, and Voodoo different things Hoodoo is a magical practice with African (specifically Yoruba), African American, Haitian, Mexican Catholic, Jewish and Native American (specifically Muscogee, Choctaw and Cherokee) roots. It is still practiced today in much of the Southern US and in Africa.

Witchcraft is a general term that is commonly thought of as the Wicca style of magic and refers to the European styles and ideas, but has no real tangible specific cultural heritage. Western witchcraft is a melting pot that is highly influenced by traditional Wiccan magic, as well as other cultures.

Not all witches believe in the “three fold law” or in ‘the law of return’ These are both Wiccan beliefs and many witches are not Wiccan. Non-Wiccans don’t have to follow these strict moral guidelines. Also note that this “rule” likely comes from the twelve fold law, where a traitor witch would be cursed by the twelve other members of her coven

Beginner’s Guide I’ve seen many confused questions such as “how do i know if i’m a witch?” “what kind of witch am i?” “how to i turn myself into a witch?” buzzing around lately so here’s some information:

First Things First • • •

• • •

A witch can simply be described as a human that uses Magik.

A witch is not a different species or mythical creature.

Witch is not a name taken only by women. Witch is actually a gender neutral name for a practitioner of witchcraft, although many people particularly men feel more comfortable being called wizards, warlocks, mages, spellcasters, etc.

Anyone can be a witch regardless of religion, sexuality, gender, appearance, race, etc.

You don’t have to go by ‘witch’ or any specific type of witch or even any title at all as a practitioner.

You don’t have to be in a coven or any group to be a witch or practitioner, many of us are solitary witches.

General Advice • • • • • • •

Meditate (find different meditations, start off with breathing exercises).

Make spell jars or herbal sachets.

Find spells to try out.

Create your own Book of Shadows/Grimoire.

Keep track of moon cycles, incorporate it into spells.

Learn how to spiritually protect yourself.

Recommended Reading • • • •

Initiation Into the Hermetics – Franz Bardon.

Wicca Herbal Magic - Lisa Chamberlain.

Nature Spirits - Danu Forest.

Wicca Candle Magic - Lisa Chamberlain.

Common Types of practices • •

•

A Solitary Witch: is one that practices alone, they do not involve others in spells or rituals and aren’t part of a coven.

A Family Witch: is one that has family that practice the craft close at hand, they often learn from their relatives rather than books, passing on family practices and traditions. Being a family witch does not give you special abilities though, unlike what some like to believe, a family witch is no more powerful by their blood than a solitary, the only difference is the environment in which they practice.

A Coven Witch: is one that solely practices in covens or with a group, this may sound really scary but a coven is just a group of like-minded people who enjoy spell-casting together and enjoy being around others with the same interests.

Tools of the craft When you’re first starting, much like the Gods and dedication, everything can appear enticing and necessary. My advice to you is start small, go with the basics. Some full kit includes a bronze censer, boxes of herbs crystals and statues, my athame and boline, bottles and jars of specific incenses and scents for certain Gods, and more books and lists of spells than you can count. The list is pretty endless when it comes to what a pagan can have on an altar or include in a spell.

The Community in VIctoria According to one white witch, more than half of the hills’ residents practise elements of Wicca and covens from across Victoria are being drawn to the area to practise ancient rituals in the forest. Many of Belgrave’s cafes are filled with notices advertising psychic services, including tarot readings and astrology. Here are ways for you to start practice or maybe find a coven that suits you.

Pagan Collective of Victoria The Pagan Collective Victoria is a not-for-profit Incorporated Association dedicated to providing a platform for Victorian Pagans to meet likeminded people, to sharing information and knowledge and to keeping the Victorian Pagan community informed with up-to-date information on Pagan events throughout the state.

Their mission is to provide a platform for Victorian Pagans to meet likeminded people. To provide opportunities for members of the Pagan community in Victoria to share information and knowledge. To keep the Victorian Pagan community informed with up-to-date information on Pagan events in the state and other relevant information.

pagancollectivevic@gmail.com

pagancollective.org fb: PagancollectiveVictoria

How to Get Started With This Booklet • Recommended Shops: We provie you the best shop Melbourne has to offer. Highly rated, friendly staffs and definitely trusted. They are also a great start to ask more directly about the whats and how to become a witch.

• Workshops: For the ones who already got their stuff but not sure what to do next, we provide some workshop that you might be interested in to help you guide your journey.

• Entertainment: Being a witch doesn’t mean being serious all the time. Take a break and have fun with your friends and enjoy the night in these places.

Maybe you will find more friends like-minded.

Spellbox If you live in the CBD, Spellbox is the place to go. Created by a witch named Danae, who wanted to open a shop to share her knowledge of witchcraft to everyone. This shop provides a varieties of products.

Starting from crystals, books, cards to spiritual readings. Worth a visit for those interested in shiney stones and metaphysical studies.

They also provides an online shop for those who can’t reach their shop physically.

For those who are more interested in social activities and wanted to practice with the pro witches, Spellbox also have events throughout the year such as Moon Phases, Wheel of the Year, Competitions with Magickal Prizes, Classes and School Holiday Spellcraft events. Spellbox is definitely a way to go if you are either a beginner or a more advance witch.

Royal Arcade 17/331-339 Bourke Street (03) 9639 7077 Mon to Sun 10 AM – 6 PM Fri 10 AM – 7 PM spellbox.com.au

The Haunted Bookshop The internationally-acclaimed Haunted Bookshop is Australia’s leading occult bookshop in Melbourne, specialising in all things supernatural.

Haunted Australia TV presenter Drew Sinton founded the store, eerily enough on Halloween in 1997. The store reveals Melbourne’s mysterious side with books on magic, witchcraft, satanism, Anton LaVey, divination, tarot, ghosts, vampires and aliens.

The Haunted Bookstore is the home of the haunted Melbourne ghost tour and recipient of the 2008 Lord Mayor’s Small Business Proprietor Commendation you’ll come face to face with Melbourne’s haunted past on an informative, fun-filled two hour historical walking tour. The tour starts from the Haunted Bookshop at 8.30pm on Saturdays and bookings are essential due to limited seats.

15 McKillop Street (03) 9670 258 Mon to Sat 12 – 5:30 PM Sunday Closed haunted.com.au

Muses of Mystery Another great shop in the CBD, Muses of Mystery. One of Melbourne’s finest metaphysical destinations. They offer services and supplies to local and international pagan community.

Their store is conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. They specialised in spiritual tools, esoteric teachings, spell consultations, intuitive readings, and reiki healing. Often times, they would held some great range of workshops throughout every month.They embrace a safe and understanding service to our diverse community, as well as the curious.

For the folks who are outside the Melbourne, 0r outside Australia, they also ship their products worldwide.

Nicholas Building 4/37 Swanston Street 04 1611 7250 Mon to Sat 10:30 AM – 5 PM Sunday Closed musesofmystery.com

Where There’s Witch, There’s a Way At Where There’s A Witch There’s A Way they are committed to provide you with the tools to help you with your own spiritual growth and well being.

They offers a wide variety of practice, not only witchcraft, but other religious supplies from meditation and spiritual development classes to crystals, jewelry, tarot and psychic readings.

They have everything you need to enhance and awaken your spiritual jorney through life.

Kate Relph is the owner of Where There’s A Witch There’s A Way. Kate is also a Tarot reader and Energy healer. She has worked for many years with her passion to awaken people on their spiritual journey. She believed that everyone should have the right to explore and develop their own unique spiritual path.

8/101 Station street Ferntree Gully (03) 9752 3475 Tue to Sat 10 AM – 6 PM Sun to Mon Closed

Workshop: Solitary Witch – Level 1 A beginners introduction to life today as a Solitary Witch. Learn about the history and philosophy behind the practice of the Craft, what magick means and how to develop your skills with the guidance of practicing witches.

Learn how to set up your altar, what the symbols and elements mean, witchcraft ethics and how to harness energy. Connect with the Goddess power and wisdom which lies within us all. Learn practical techniques including planning a spell and spellcasting.

Sat 26th May 2018 11.00 am – 1.00 pm Muses of Mystery, The Nicholas Building, Room 4, Level 2, 27 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000. $65.

Beginners’ Tarot Workshop A beginners introduction to life today as a Solitary Witch. Learn about the history and philosophy behind the practice of the Craft, what magick means and how to develop your skills with the guidance of practicing witches.

Learn how to set up your altar, what the symbols and elements mean, witchcraft ethics and how to harness energy.Connect with the Goddess power and wisdom which lies within us all.Learn practical techniques including planning a spell and spellcasting.

Tickets to this workshop can be purchased online at www. musesofmystery.com or instore. Booking is essential.

Sun 10th June 2018 11.00 am – 2.00 pm Location to be released after payment $65.

CBD Pagan Pub Moot Come along and have a meal and meet some like minded people in a friendly environment. All paths and levels of experience are welcome. Each moot begins with a introduction circle so you can meet and get to know everyone.

Followed by a discussion topic.

The Pagan Collective of Victoria is Victoria’s only non-profit, statewide Pagan organisation. We are dedicated to connecting, sharing and celebrating Victoria’s various Pagan groups and individuals through our many events. Our community is diverse, supportive, and nurturing, and we love it that way.

pagancollective.org fb: pagancollectivevictoria Free event No RSVP required Not Family Friendly Suitable for Beginners

Witches in Britches If you fancy for a fun dine out with fellow witches, come to Witches in Britches. Located at the corner of King and Dudley Street in Melbourne, the restaurant is centrally located to ensure that it the perfect place to end a day out in the city. For over 26 years, the ghoulishly decorated Wicked Castle has been opening its doors to Melbourne locals and those from further afield, and now it’s waiting to welcome you They have experienced actors and actresses who will entertain you with a live, costumed comedy performance which is packed with adult laughs and cheeky pop culture references. Be prepared for lots of laughs and more than a little audience participation. Once the show has come to an end, you can make your way to the Dungeon Disco, with our devilishly good DJ and proceed to dance the night away for you and your friends..

84 Dudley Street West Melbourne (03) 9329 9850 witchesinbritches.com.au

“Every spell is a journey.”

– Lawren Leo, Love’s Shadow: Nine Crooked Paths

for more information and the latest updates visit: magickalcraftmelbourne.com.au