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Are you curious about how to begin your spiritual journey? I created this little “choose your own adventure” guide to help you find your way!
But before you dive in, I wanted to give a disclaimer: There’s no wrong way to start. The beauty of your spiritual path is that it’s uniquely yours, and it’s okay to begin wherever you feel drawn. Whether you’re just starting or have been on the journey for a while, it’s all about what resonates with you.
You don’t need to follow any particular order, and there’s no need to pressure yourself to do it “right.” You are the magic. It’s incredibly difficult to mess things up, so don’t let fears about dark forces or mistakes hold you back. As long as your intentions are pure, you’re good to go.
To help you get started, I’ve gathered a few key focus areas. My advice is to let your curiosity lead the way. If you have no interest in something, don’t start there. Instead, follow what excites you the most, and trust that your intuition will guide you to exactly where you need to begin.
Where to start with Crystals
If you’re drawn to crystals but unsure where to begin, here are some fantastic resources to help guide you.
Tune into our Crystal series here, part 1, part 2 and part 3. And wanting to shop crystals ethically we recorded a whole episode on that here.
Curious about crystals, but don’t get how they work? The Crystal Crash Course demystifies crystal work, from their energetic properties (and the science behind them) to practical rituals you can use every day.
One of the best places to start is Krista Mitchell’s books, especially her first one, Change Your Energy. It’s an incredible resource for beginners, offering practical advice and in-depth crystal meditations. For those like me who might start as skeptics, this book is a gentle introduction to how crystals can work in your life—whether you believe in the magical properties or simply want to try them out. It’s set up as an excellent reference guide, making it easy to dive in and use whenever you feel called to.
Another essential resource is Judy Hall’s The Encyclopedia of Crystals. This comprehensive guide is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about crystal lore and history. If you’re curious about the origins of each crystal’s magical properties, this book is a treasure trove of information. The book is organized by color, so it’s easy to flip through and identify the crystal you’re holding, adding an extra layer of magic to your collection.
Once you start collecting crystals, a great tip is to photograph each crystal with its name. This simple habit helps keep track of your growing collection and ensures you know what each crystal is and what it can do. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll come back to these photos to identify or remember the properties of your crystals, even years later.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into working with crystals, meditation can be a powerful tool. For example, I have a Crystal of the Year Meditation video that helps you discover which crystal will support you throughout the year.
So, whether you begin with a book or a meditation, the key is to let your curiosity guide you. Dive in, explore, and soon you’ll find that crystals aren’t just beautiful stones!
Where to start with Meditation
Tune into our episode on Meditation hacks for the ADHD brain here.
If you’re new to meditation, I highly recommend Calm, an app that has been a game-changer for me. While I’m not currently sponsored (though a collaboration would be amazing), Calm taught me how to meditate, which makes my recommendation feel well-earned.
It offers meditation practices with different timing options and voices, making it easy to fit into any schedule. For example, you can choose a gratitude meditation that lasts anywhere from 2 to 45 minutes. This flexibility kept me consistent with my practice, even on busy days.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, there is an app called ‘Solfeggio’ frequency app, which offers 20-minute meditations aligned with each of the seven chakras. These meditations include either spoken guidance or just the frequency tones, helping to deepen the meditative experience.
For readers, Into the Magic Shop by Dr. James Doty. This book is a blend of memoir, meditation instruction, and neuroscience. Dr. Doty shares his own transformative journey, and offers practical meditation techniques to enhance mental and emotional well-being. It’s an easy read that I return to yearly, and I discovered it through a sleep story on the Calm app—another reason to dive into Calm!
If you want to meditate with me directly, I’ve been posting meditation sessions on YouTube. These are perfect for both beginners and those with more experience, offering guided meditations to help you build a consistent practice.
Where to start with Candle Magic
Tune into our episode where we discuss candle magic here.
If you’re interested in exploring candle magic, a great place to start is with the candles themselves. My podcast co-host and bestie, Madison, offers two distinct lines of spell candles at her stores Healing Hedge Witch and Spellcrafter.
Healing Hedge Witch candles are perfect for those looking to bring in specific types of energy. Whether seeking more abundance, love, clarity, or courage, these candles are intention-based, helping you focus on what you want to manifest.
On the other hand, Spellcrafter candles are ideal if you’re looking for more traditional, spell-specific candles—whether you’re aiming to perform a money spell, a banishing spell, or something for manifestation. This is the line for you if you want to cast a spell.
For those new to sigils, Sigil Witchery is a great book to explore. It’s a beginner-friendly guide to creating sigils, offering a tactile approach to adding another layer to your candle magic practice.
Whether you’re focusing on intention or specific spells, these tools provide a solid foundation for candle magic.
Where to start with Kitchen Witchery
If you want to dive into Kitchen Witchery, a great starting point is Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. It’s a comprehensive guide for understanding the magical properties of herbs and how to use them in your practice.
Another excellent book is Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. This one expands beyond herbs to include magical uses for everyday foods like wine, chilli, eggs, and even garlic bread! It covers everything from protective foods to dishes for peace and happiness, making it a fun and practical guide to incorporating magic into your cooking.
For a more modern take, check out The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magical Herbs by Judy Ann Nock. It’s similar to Cunningham’s work but also includes a variety of flowers with magical properties, adding another layer to your kitchen witchery practice.
These books are fantastic resources for getting started, whether you’re focusing on herbs, foods, or the magical energies they bring to your kitchen.
Where to start with Spell Work
We recorded a whole episode on spell work during Samhain, you can tune into that here.
If you’re interested in getting started with spell work, there are a few resources I highly recommend. One is Modern Witch, a great book that offers clear, step-by-step instructions for spells. This book is perfect if you like a structured, recipe-like approach to magic. It provides traditional spells with easy-to-follow directions.
Another excellent book is Spells for Change by Chaotic Witch Aunt, a popular creator on TikTok. It’s another step-by-step guide focused on practical, modern spells, making it an excellent companion to Modern Witch for learning and practicing spell work.
For those who prefer hands-on experience, Madison’s ritual kits are a fantastic option. These kits include everything you need: crystals, candles, cleansing herbs, oils, and instructions. They were my first spells, and I was amazed at how effective they were. Whether you want to manifest abundance, boost creativity, or cleanse and protect your space, these kits offer a simple yet powerful way to get started. The best part? Many of the items in the kits are reusable, so you don’t have to buy everything separately.
If you prefer more structure as you begin, these books and kits can help build your confidence and make the transition into spell work smoother. But remember, you can also forge your path—there’s no one right way to do magic. Whether you’re drawn to structure or freedom, there’s no wrong way to start exploring the craft.
Where to start with Developing Your Psychic Skills
If you’re interested in honing your psychic abilities and learning how spirit communicates with you, a great place to start is with our podcast series on the different Clairs. That series was one of my favorites to record, and if you’re new to psychic development, it’s a must-listen.
For a deeper dive, I also recommend Psychic Witch, a book that comes highly recommended by Anthony, a talented psychic medium and manager at Spellcrafter. While I haven’t read it myself yet, Anthony’s book recommendations are always on point!
Where to start with Tarot
If you’re looking to dive into tarot, a great place to start is with 78 Degrees of Wisdom, a book highly recommended by many experienced readers. This book takes you through each card in an informative and story-driven way, which helps you connect with the energy of each card. If you struggle to simply memorize keywords for the cards, this approach—focusing on history, lore, and stories—can make the information stick much better.
Also, if you’re more of an audiobook person, there’s an audiobook version of 78 Degrees of Wisdom, which could be a great way to absorb tarot knowledge on the go.
Additionally, we recorded an episode all about how to start reading tarot, where I dive into different tips and techniques to help you feel more confident with the cards. If you’re new to tarot, this episode is a great way to get a solid foundation.
Where to start with Astrology
If you’re new to astrology, a great place to start is Chani Nicholas. She has a fantastic blog, app, and podcast I’ve followed for years. Her weekly astrology forecasts are a great way to stay informed, and her blog offers in-depth insights, especially around key events like full moons and new moons.
Another helpful starting point is getting a birth chart reading. This personalized session helps you understand how astrology explicitly applies to you, making the subject more relevant and accessible. Starting with your chart is a fun and meaningful way to connect with astrology.
If birth charts are overwhelming, focus on areas that resonate with you. For example, I’ve worked with an astrologer, Chelsee, to plan business events around the best astrological timing—it’s a powerful way to use astrology in your life. If you want to get your own reading you can use code MOLLY10 for 10% off, book a reading here.
Whether personal decisions, milestones, or business planning, astrology can offer clarity and insight.
Where to start with reiki
If you want to start your Reiki journey, Reiki 1: The Science of Self-Healing is a great place to begin. This online program, which I teach, is designed for anyone interested in learning how to heal themselves and others using Reiki.
The course combines scientific principles with spiritual understanding, providing a practical toolkit and a deeper connection to the subtle energy fields around you. It’s suitable for beginners and those who wish to deepen their practice or reawaken their energy-healing skills.
In addition to my program, here are some books I recommend for diving deeper into Reiki:
- Why Woo-Woo Works – This book, written by a doctor, explores the science behind Reiki and other holistic practices. It discusses how belief in a treatment (like Reiki) can affect the healing process, offering a unique perspective on the placebo effect and how it works across various healing modalities.
- The Way of Reiki by Franz Stein – Franz Stein is a Reiki master who studied in Japan for over a decade. His approach is rooted in traditional Japanese Reiki practices. His book provides deeper insight into Reiki’s cultural and historical roots, offering a potent and authentic understanding of the practice.
These resources will provide a well-rounded foundation for your Reiki practice, allowing you to understand the science behind Reiki and tap into the deep traditions that make this powerful energy work.
Want more Reiki content? We discuss it a lot on the Demystify Magic podcast, this is our most popular episode discuss the science behind Reiki, tune in here.
December 13, 2024