ABOUT ME

I have been practicing my craft for a good 14 years or so and you know, the more I learn, the more questions I have. But I guess that's the way it's supposed be, the moment you run out of questions, that's when the fire dies. I don't know about anyone else but it's the questing and the seeking that gives my life meaning, aside from my wonderfully supportive fiancee' Neil and my Craft sister Angela.
My own Path is an ecclectic blend of many different paths. I use a little Shamanism, a touch of Wiccan, a dash of Metaphysics, some Egyptian magick and a lot of other flavors. Looking through my Book of Shadows you'll see what I mean. Anyway Blessed Be and welcome!

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Congratulations, you have joined the ranks of a very unique, ecclectic and sometimes strange group. Chances are you are one of those people who was always a little to the left of everyone else and if your anything like me you were probably teased and laughed at in school. At best people may have just been a little afraid of you. But this is your journey and what is in your heart is what's most important.
This journey is a spiritual quest for self realization and it will be something that continues throughout all your lifetimes. You know the old saying, "Once a Witch always a Witch". I read a lot about Witches and their spells, but in the end all it did was start me on my journey. Everything else was up to me.
Being a Witch isn't just casting spells and gathering around a fire to chant praises to the Gods. It's a journey of enlightenment, a quest to find your true self and your place in the universe. I spent a lot of time reading countless books and studying different Paths. I followed none of them, but instead borrowed a little from all of them and left behind the parts I didn't like or agree with. It's taken 14 years but I have my vision of the universe, now I need to find me and my place in it. It will likely take a few lifetimes but it's worth it.
If your just starting out on your journey, it's a good idea to explore the different Paths instead of following the first one your introduced to. Wicca or Qabala may be something your friends practice, but it may not be for you, or it may not be appropriate at this stage in your growth. Start with whatever strikes your fancy and is easiest to understand. You can always work your way outward from there.
Also, it's not nessessary to join a Coven right away, they are more experienced and even if you participate, it's a little like being thrown into the deep end of a pool. Plus, the group dynamics might make it even more confusing, so I suggest that you start out solitary, at least for your studies. You are welcome to go to coven meetings and learn, but it's better to start with something simpler. I remember the first Coven I joined and I remember that all the ceremony and ritual did nothing but confuse me. I  learned a lot of names and chants but I didn't remember any of it, it was this swirl of sounds, colors and scents, a little like being drunk at Mardi Gras I'd imagine :)
So, just take the time to shop around, read everything that interests you, you might discover you are more comfortable worshiping the Goddess in a different way from your friends.You are an individual and every soul journey is unique so follow your heart! Goddess Bless and Good Luck

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

The word Witch brings different things to mind depending on the person. It's a label that has long been attached to some negative stereotypes and misconceptions. I'm sure you have all experienced those misconceptions first hand. The sad thing is that they are all based on fear and ingnorance. Even in this modern age, when I tell people I'm a Pagan, at best they don't understand it at all, at worst they assume I must worship the Devil. Witches however, are not Satanists and never were. A true Satanist is not a Witch and a true Witch is not a Satanist. I don't believe in Satan anyway and never did.
Another misconception is that good Witches practice White Magic and bad Witches practice Black Magic. Magic is neither black nor white, it simply is and it follows our expression of it. It is no more then the utilizing of the energy around us for enlightenment and to better our lives. This is accomplished through our Will, our Focus and our Path.
Everyone has the ability to do Magic, it's not something only certain people are born with, but some people will have a natural talent for it. It's like playing the piano, everyone can learn, but some are naturals. If you put enough thought into something, you give it life and if you focus that will, what you desire will manifest itself in reality. This is what the candles and other tools are for, they are representations of our desires. They are what helps us focus our will. The only catch is, the universe doesn't always give you exactly what you want, it will give you what you need though and sometimes it gives you something you don't know you'll need till later. Tricky thing the universe. Those who combine their craft with religion like me, also use the candles and such for representations of their Gods, these rituals are simply their way of giving thanks.
Another common misconception regards spellcasting. I can't count the number of times someone has asked me to "do" a spell for them. Most of the time it has to do with money, curses or love. First of all, every action has a reaction and is governed by the laws of Karma, meaning that everything you put out you get back.
Number one, if I was any good at creating prosperity out of nothing, I'd be living in Hawaii. You cannot ask for what you don't deserve and you can't get something for nothing.
Number two, love spells are considered unethical because you might be making someone feel something that isn't there. You are forcing false affections onto someone and besides would you really want someone who's affections you know are only there because of the spell? If there wasn't anything real there to begin with, you can't create it out of nothing. Number three, curses are something I won't even touch. In essence, you are doing harm to someone and whether they derserved it or not, their judgement and sentence isn't up to you. It is Karma's job to make sure people learn from their mistakes and revenge may satisfy, but it's only temporary. Besides, if you agree to curse someone, even if it's for someone else, you are also doing harm to that person because curses are very personal and it's your energy that's fueling it. What ends up happening is you get caught up in someone elses Karma, specifically the person that asked you to do the spell and you get screwed for it. If it's your curse, then you will get back what you put out, trust me on this.
Another misconception is appearances. We don't all wear black and wear pentagrams (which by the way was not originally the symbol for Satan, it's an ancient representation of the 5 elements and only Satanists wear it with 2 points facing up to look like horns.)
The last misconception and probably the largest is that you don't have to have been through a Rite of Initiation or Rite of Passage to be considered a Witch, nor do you need teaching from another Witch to be considered one. It doesn't take a Witch to make one. Me for example, I was never initiated into any coven and I didn't seek out a teacher either, I am just as much a Witch as everyone else, however I learned through books and my own personal experimentation.
We come from many walks of life, I know doctors, lawyers, librarians and sales clerks who are Witches. As Rachel Raymond said "Witchcraft is not Satanism, it's not a quick path to riches and glory and it's not something only special people can do. Witchcraft is exactly what each Witch makes it to be. It is the Craft of the Witch. It is a dynamic, ecclectic path with a rich body of lore and no central, controlling priesthood".
We are lucky to be living in a pretty open society nowadays and the Burning Times are long past, but we still have aways to go. Rachel Raymond advises "Every truthful account of Witchcraft does a little bit more to drive back the misconceptions that endanger us all. As a practicing Witch you are your own best example of real Witchcraft".        So don't be afraid of what others think, be open with the people who may listen and educate them. The people who are ignorant and won't listen, just ignore them and forgive them their ignorance. Understand that there is one universal law of human nature "People fear what they don't understand and they hate what they fear". Nowadays it's not that extreme but it's still there, just more subtle. Don't let it anger you, just forgive and forget.