Overview
The speaker shares a personal approach to starting with traditional witchcraft, emphasizing a foundation in natural science and practical knowledge before studying spellcraft or magical properties.
Foundational Books for Traditional Witchcraft
- Began with "Reader's Digest North American Wildlife" to study local birds, plants, fungi, and more for environmental awareness.
- Used "Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables, and Earth" to learn about medicinal and remedial uses of herbs and plants.
- Read "Complete Encyclopedia of Venture Healing" to deepen knowledge of natural remedies.
- Studied "Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants" (1908) and "American Medicinal Barks" (1909) for historical herbal medicine practices.
- Consulted an old pamphlet on Native American herbs for traditional herbal knowledge.
- Included books on rocks and crystals of North America to understand geological aspects.
Approach to Learning and Practice
- Emphasized hands-on identification and learning from nature, not just reading.
- Prioritized understanding how the natural world functions before learning spellcraft.
- Only began reading about magical properties of plants, rocks, and crystals after extensive study of their natural and medicinal uses.
- Stated that traditional witchcraft requires more focus on practical, real-world knowledge compared to Wicca or other paths that may start with magical or crystal books.
- Noted that magical properties often directly relate to the medicinal uses of plants and rocks.
Reflections on the Learning Process
- Advised that serious practitioners invest years in learning about nature and medicine before performing spells.
- Described performing very few spells in early years, focusing mainly on foundational knowledge.
- Continued to read and expand knowledge, maintaining a large collection of natural science books.
Recommendations / Advice
- Build a strong foundation in understanding the local natural world before engaging in magical practices.
- Study the medicinal properties of natural elements, as this forms the basis for understanding their magical uses.
- Avoid jumping directly into spell books or magical crystal guides without first learning the basics of nature and traditional remedies.