7 Things NOT to do as a New Witch and/or Pagan

As a new witch and/or Pagan, there is a lot of information to sort through. So many people, books, and websites offering helpful advice, telling you how to do this, how to do that, everybody saying what you should do, but what about all of the things that you should not do? In no particular order, here is a list of 7 things to utterly avoid doing when you’re new to witchcraft and/or Paganism.

1. Keep your money. Don’t buy all the tools  or all the books; don’t throw your money at anyone offering to teach you, do not pay for any course or training programs. There is so much information available for free, spend time wading through that. Check out your library, don’t just look in the religion section, but peruse the folk lore and mythology sections, too –that’s where the good stuff is hiding. Look for reputable websites; join a message board or three. Pay attention to bulletin boards at your local library, natural food store, and metaphysical shop: any workshops or presentations on topics related to Paganism and/or witchcraft are likely to be posted there and they’re often free or relatively inexpensive. When just starting out, no one really knows what they, specifically, will really need, what it is exactly that they’re interested in, so spending a lot of money on a wide variety of tools just ensures that you’re going to have a lot of shiny stuff collecting dust. Start small, start with the basics, start with the things you’ll actually need: a sturdy notebook to jot down thoughts, ideas, topics you’d like to explore, authors to check out, bits of folk lore to examine further; a pack of pens with which to write in your sturdy notebook; a library card. Aside from that, you may find it useful to set up a small space that you can devote solely to your budding practice. This space needn’t be anything more than a clean coffee table or dresser top. It’s a place for you to sit and write at, to meditate at, to commune with your Gods at, to do divination, or to work any magick at. It doesn’t need anything atop it, although a candle to focus upon may be useful. Later, when you have a clearer idea of where your interests lay, which direction you are being pulled in, then slowly begin collecting items as they appear useful. It makes no sense to buy a cauldron if you have no interest in scrying, kitchen magick, or herbcraft –it would just spend most of its time collecting dust in a corner or under a table. Think of your tools as investments in your practice and spend your money wisely.
2. Resist the urge to name yourself, your path, or your “religion.” Remember, you’re just starting out. You may have a strong interest in one topic now, but that could very well change as you discover other topics. And, there is also the chance that, with further research and study, you may determine that this isn’t the right path for you. It makes no sense to give yourself a fancy sounding magickal name or proclaim yourself a ceremonial magician or declare to the world that you’re now Wiccan when just starting out because things change. And so will you. Very few people find themselves, even just a year later, where they were when they were in the first few months of their new path. Expect similar results.
3. DO NOT DEDICATE TO ANYTHING OR ANYONE. I cannot stress just how important this point is. You do not need to dedicate yourself to a religion to practice it. You do not need to dedicate yourself to a Deity to worship Them. You do not need to dedicate yourself to anything or Anyone to be a witch or Pagan. Let me say that again: dedication is absolutely not necessary to be Pagan or a witch. Dedication is one of those subjects that is tossed about too casually when it is a very serious matter. It is a promise you make, an oath you swear, and if you break that promise there are consequences. If you dedicate yourself to a Deity and then a few months later decide that They’re not cool enough anymore or that you don’t feel drawn to Them anymore, guess what: too bad. You can’t just toss that dedication aside and act like it never happened. You told that Deity that you belonged to Them –do you really think a God is going to give up what was so freely given to Them? Think twice before dedicating. Then wait six months and think twice again. Be sure, be really sure: dedication is not a promise to be made lightly and it is not a promise that can be taken back easily. 
4. Keep your wits about you. More than half of what you read (online and in the widely marketed books) is crap and/or bullshit. There’s a lot of make believe and there are many self aggrandizing individuals in the Pagan and witchcraft communities –some people truly believe we’re making it all up and that this is a game, a game they enjoy playing. Others see the vulnerability of those who are new, are seeking information, or are less experienced and they prey upon them –usually just by making themselves seem more skilled, knowledgeable, experienced, and powerful in order to gain admiration, but uglier predators and frauds do exist. It’s okay to be vulnerable; it’s not okay to be a fool. Keep your eyes and ears open and think for yourself.
5. Do not ask other Pagans or witches that you come across to be your teacher. The ones who readily agree are not qualified; see point #4 for reasons why. The vast majority of people who are Pagan or witches have never had a teacher outside of books, the internet, trial and error, and the Gods and Spirits they work with –and that’s absolutely fine. Paganism is not a guru religion; we don’t have divine spokespeople or a set way of doing things (outside of specific religious traditions, such as British Traditional Wicca. Most of us figured this out on our own, you can do the same. If not, shop elsewhere: self sufficiency and personal capability are need traits in both Paganism and witchcraft. Also, it’s incredibly rude to ask someone whom you don’t know and who doesn’t know you to make that kind of commitment to you, when they very likely have other things going on in their life and don’t have the extra time. It also denotes a lack of understanding of the depth and nature of the teacher/student relationship. It goes deeper than the teacher/student relationship that most of us have experienced in attending public schools, because these are religious and/or spiritual matters –there is a bond that is created, an energetic exchange that takes place. You don’t make those kinds of bonds arbitrarily –the effects of such bonds continue on far longer than you will be that person’s student.
6. Do not expect to find, let alone be accepted into, a coven. It takes a lot of work to maintain a coven, and most, honestly, don’t last that long. It is a delicate blend of personalities that makes a successful coven. Each member must mesh well with the other members and each must be committed to the goal(s) of the coven. Adding new members changes the dynamics of the coven, not always in beneficial ways. This is why new members are carefully selected after a long while of both parties (i.e. the coven and the prospective new member) getting to know each other. And this is why many covens are closed off to new members. Just because you’re a new witch looking for a coven and there happens to be one in your city doesn’t mean they’re obligated to let you in, let alone even talk to you. Persevere, keep searching. If coven work is really what you feel called for, check out some of the online directories for local groups, post a thorough introduction of yourself on seekers message boards and email lists (yeah, those things still exist,) and make sure to get involved with your local Pagan and/or magickal community. Don’t be afraid of publicly open groups, even if they don’t fit your interests perfectly: they may still be a great way to meet others, make contacts, and find leads to more reclusive groups that may be a good match for you –and you for them.
7. Don’t give up when the excitement wears off. It happens to nearly everyone, once you’ve read all the books and got the basics down you reach the point of “now what?” A lot of people don’t make it past this point, as it can be difficult to determine in which direction to go next, as even the how-to books only discuss the most superficial and general of information. This is your make or break point. This is where you decide you’re actually doing this or you decide to quit. Yes, I said actually doing this. Even if, up to this point, you’ve been honoring every Sabbat, working every Full and Dark Moon you haven’t actually been doing this, you haven’t truly been walking this path. This is where the real work starts. This is where the dabblers get separated from the serious folks. After you make it through this point, this point where so many give up and walk away, you will have proven your dedication and commitment (to yourself, because you don’t have to prove shit to anyone else) and you will move forward with the same wisdom that all longtime practitioners have gained from making it through this same experience. Expect no spoilers from me, but, a bit of advice: yes, it’s difficult, keep going, keep doing all the things you’re doing; pay attention, listen; seek out and talk with others who are doing similar to you; read the experiences of those who are at a similar place as you, as well as those who are more experienced; and, above all, leave yourself open to surprises.