Since some of you were asking about witchcraft. I thought I'd answer some stuff.

I'm by no means experienced. I only started properly this year, and for the first few months it was nothing but research. So here's a lil on my experience so far and how to start practicing.

1) RESEARCH!
There's lots of stuff to know before you start to practice. Make a book of shadows and document everything. Read about other witches experience, the history of it, spells and spirits. I would suggest researching protection first so you're at least protected in case you accidentally mess something up.

When it comes to a BOS, I use a leaver arch file so I can rearrange and add pages in sections and such. Have sections for different witchy topics and stay organised.

I've been reading stuff from other witches experiences, watching witch youtubers and I've found a few books at my local book exchange. Always double check facts to make sure they're legit.

Some stuff to start with:
-herbs
-crystals
- moon phases
- types of spirits
-how to set up an altar
- protection spells
-how to cleanse.

2) Aim for a general path.

There's lots of different types of witches so research the different kinds and whatever one stands out to you the most, start by researching the things surround it. I would class myself as a sea witch, because I do a lot of water/ocean related things. Whatever jumps out at you, research that first and soon you'll find your sound down a rabbit hole. And it's ok to change the label later in your witch journey to fit you better. You may start out thinking you're a green witch then find out you're actually a cosmic witch. It's ok to change.

But!!! Keep in mind some types of craft are closed practices, meaning you can only do them if you're born or initiated into them. Voodoo and hoodoo are closed practices, don't touch them unless you're allowed to!  Also culture comes into play. If you're not Native American, for example, then you don't have to worry about crafts specific to native Americans.

It's a long journey but you'll find your craft sooner or later.

3) refrain from talking to spirts/ deities until you're experienced.

Baby witches can often get into trouble for starting to interact with spirits too early. Research them like crazy before you talk to them! If they approach you then either politely decline them or banish them. That's why protection is so important. Don't start deity work right away!!! There's tons of different deities and pantheons and while it's possible a deity will want to talk to you right out of the gate, wait a little while until you're fully educated to talk to them. 

Malicious spirits can disguise themselves as good ones, so be very careful when you start to talk to them.

Some pantheons to look into are:
Greek, Norse, Celtic, Egyptian and Chinese just to name a few.

But once you are ready, look for signs that they wish to talk. Example, I'm not 100% sure but I think Dionysus may have been watching me since I was a kid. He's the Greek god of wine and I legit used to live on a vineyard where we'd have massive grape harvests and make wine every year. And I have so many memories of 'leaving stems out for the fairies' when I was little. And tbh?? I think that may be a sign. Once I moved I went through a phase where EVERYTHING had to be purple. And would you look at that? That's his colour. That and there's a bunch of other small little things that make me think he's lurking. But because I'm still so new I'm not even going to try and talk to him or anyone else until I'm ready and 100% sure it's him.

Small things like colours, smells, animals, foods and music can be sings. Keep your eyes peeled for any trends. Have you always seen doves around you your whole life? Maybe it's Aphrodite. Are you drawn to nature thunderstorms and are always seeing lighting? Maybe it's Zeus.  Little things. It might not be but there's always a possibility.

One other thing I'll add to this point is the fae. They aren't inherently bad, but they're tricky creatures. They're easy to offend so you just tread lightly when working with them. But they can be very helpful for you, bringing you gifts, finding lost things, helping you with your craft. But there's a catch, once you accept a gift from they fae, you're stuck in a contact with them for life. If you accept something, they'll expect an offering back. It's and endless loop.

They can be very very helpful, but they're sensitive and if you anger them they'll make your life hard. Fae work has rules, research them before you accept or offer a gift to them. They can be very helpful but it's a lifelong contact you're committing too.

4) starting an altar.

You don't have to make one right away, especially if you're limited on money or in the broom closet. I can't let my parents know but luckily I've always had a very magical aesthetic so they don't question my crystals and stuff. But, here's a few things you may want to add to your altar. Pick a flat surface to make one in. This is where you'll do your spell work.

•A pentacle (circle with a five pointed start in the middle) each point represents an element. It's also a protection symbol.
•something to represent the elements. A candle for fire, incense for air, water in a jar or bottle for water and salt or flowers for earth.
•a wand. A want is literally any long pointed object thats been cleansed. A stick or even a pen. These are used for directing energy and casting circles.
•herbs, just in jars or something.
•crystals, maybe in some salt to charge or just on their own.
•moon water (water charged under the full moon, no sunlight is allowed to touch it) or rain water
•your book of shadows.
•a pendulum, a pointed heavy object in a string used for asking yes or no questions to spirits.
•tarot cards if you're into that kind of craft.
•anything deity related if you're working with them.

Remember these don't have to be fancy. A wand can literally be a stick from the floor, candles from the dolls or store, a book from a craft shop. Anything you can find. You're new, start small, get bigger. Mine is tiny because I barely have any room. Also any memorabilia related to your craft like shells, fairy statues or anything like that will work.

((I have real candles now this pic is a bit old, also that's a crystal ball idk how to use under the cloth. It was gifted as a joke like 4 years ago but now I have a reason to use it))

5) finally, religion.

You don't have to be religious to be a witch. Wiccan and witch are a bit different. You don't have to be Pagen. You don't have to be religious at all. And Catholics and Christians, witchcraft is a positive practice! You can be catholic or Christian and a witch at the same time. You can be atheist and a witch. Witchcraft is simply the practice of Magick. All you have to do is respect the earth, each other and research. Be kind, practice the craft and that's it! You're a witch. But if you wish to follow a religion and be a witch, research them. Research them even if you're not religious. All research is good research.

Well that's all my starter tips. Hope I didn't get anything wrong all the older witches reading this. Hope this helps people starting out or who were curious. I'll leave you with one thing, some doodles of L as a witch bc I highkey project onto him.

I think he'd be a kitchen witch. Working spells into his cakes and such. He'd hex light, cleanse the taskforce every time he gets over stressed and wonder if Shinigami can be contacted via pendulum.

Also take this dumb idea I had and doodled in like 3 minutes.

Does Ryuk count as a spirit? Can he be banished? Or does he couldn't as a deity? Whatever it is he'll take apples as an offering any day.

That's all! Hope this helps some of you and we'll be back to your regularly scheduled oneshots next update.

Bye for now.