I'm in two minds on this. Traditionally witchcraft is a secret art and many of my contemporaries would throw up their hands in horror at the thought of sharing their grimoire or book of shadows with anyone else. Secrecy is valued in the craft and the private workings of an individual are respected.

But in terms of sharing personal spells I'm perhaps a bit more flexible than most. In the first place, my spells simply wouldn't work for someone who hasn't learned how to focus intent and energy. And they certainly wouldn't work without belief. So I'd feel quite confident sharing certain things with certain types of people. I'm not sure copyright does (or should) have a place in spell work....

I wouldn't advertise specific spell work. I wouldn't post "Hey look at me, I hexed so and so yesterday..." But I might share the basics of my spell work, what works for me, what doesn't, wordings I have written, correspondences I personally find useful.

A few basic spells from a more experienced witch can be a good starting point for a beginner in the craft. I'm not suggesting they follow other people's spells slavishly but the spells can provide ideas as to how to create a structure for their own original workings.

However, from a safety perspective it would be foolhardy to share anything dangerous. It is wholly irresponsible to post recipes containing harmful herbs on a public forum for example.
You also have to think of your audience. I wouldn't post a pile of spells on a website that attracted a young following as this could cause problems with parents.

But the biggest issue with allowing other people to share your magic is that you are potentially allowing enemies to understand your protections (think sending a burglar a detailed floor plan of your home and copies of your keys).  This kind of information would be invaluable to anybody wanting to mount a magical attack against you.

So its not really black or white. I'd advise against sharing to show off, I'd advise against sharing too much and I would certainly advise against sharing with the wrong people. But learning from each other can only make us better practitioners of the craft and that is why I won't be putting a lock on my grimoire any time soon...

Image http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=997549 (hapekla)

I suppose its a case of seeing what resonates with you. I'm a believer that people choose a path and are not born to one. Ignore all that business that you need a family tree stretching back millenia to be a witch. Being a witch is what you do, not an accident of birth.
There are many paths that fall under the pagan umbrella. Aside from Witchcraft there is Druidism which focuses on a primarily nature based path, Asatru founded on a belief in the Gods of Norse mythology, Shamanism concerned with healing and the spirit world and several other broad pagan cultures.
There are also just general eclectic pagans who don't follow a specific culture and just get on with doing what they believe. The only thing I would say about following any path is to make sure it feels right for you and matches the beliefs that you hold personally.

http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1401433 (Krappweiss)

QUESTION -  I have recently started studying everything I can about Witchcraft but I feel myself a lot more drawn to the dark side of magic than the good stuff like healing and helping people. Does this mean I am a bad person and am going to be a dark witch? How can I focus on the light?

I think a lot of us, if we are honest, are initially a little bit more interested in the side of magic that has that forbidden feeling to it. Its just human nature. I will certainly admit that when I first started studying witchcraft, I was reading all sorts about cursing and hexing, things that, as it turned out, play a very small part in what I actually do. Possibly we associate these things with the forbidden because we’ve been brought up in an environment that frowns upon them. Certainly a traditional Christian upbringing will have encouraged you to turn the other cheek rather than hex the living daylights out of those who annoy you.

So currently, you’re drawn to witchcraft and it has opened a lot of doors and put a big bunch of possibilities on the table. Is it surprising that you’re going for the more controversial bits first? Think of this as an analogy - your mate comes over, tips a huge pile of dvs on your kitchen table and tells you to help yourself. Well, if you’re anything like me you will sift through and immediately look for the naughty ones and the gory ones. They might not be the best films, they might not be the ones you find yourself watching over and over again but they are the ones you are instantly drawn to. (My favourite film is still Gone with the Wind and there isn’t a naughty moment in the whole four hours…). Over time, you’ll get bored with the naughties and the gore and you’ll look for something with less immediate appeal but with more long term gratification.

And it’s the same with Witchcraft, you’re pulling out the shinies at the moment, the new stuff, the stuff you probably haven’t come across before. And its exciting and it appeals to you. But long term it won’t hold your interest unless you balance it out with other things.

I’m a big believer in natural balance and I believe that everyone one of us has a balance of light and dark in our personalities. So no, I don’t think you are either a bad person or a dark witch because you have an interest in the darker side of magic.

In terms of how can you focus on the light…Well I wouldn’t focus exclusively on anything at the moment if I were you. Just read, learn and absorb. Your own path will start to become clearer as you learn and understand more. And your path won’t be a dark one or a light one, it will be a blend that reflects the core of yourself which, as with anyone, is more complex than a simple label of light or dark.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/660011

Personally no. I can think of nothing the Goddess would less like to see than this wobbly witch bouncing her belly all over the place! Also I do some of my work outdoors and our garden is very overlooked. I would not feel comfortable putting my neighbours in the awkward position of seeing me flash in my back garden. Also, its winter, its cold! I'm not taking my stockings off for anyone!

But seriously, I am sure you have heard that some witches do practise naked. Yes, some do, I believe it is primarily a wiccan thing. The idea behind it is that you eliminate all boundaries between yourself and the Gods and let them see you in your most natural state. Working naked is also adopted because it means you are not bringing dirt and pollutants on your clothes into the circle.
I suppose in a sense I do adopt a similar belief, when I do formal ritual work I always bathe beforehand, wash my hair and scrub my face. And I'm very much doing that because it is important to me not to hide behind fancy clothes, make up and artifice when working with my deities.
I think it is important to feel comfortable with how you dress when you work magic as feeling self conscious can have a negative affect on the work you do. So wear whatever feels best for you.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1340313 (african fi)

I have this awful feeling I'm going to disappoint you a bit here. Are you perhaps imagining some grand annual conference where all witches get together and go skinny dipping once a year? If so, I'm afraid I am going to have to pop that particular bubble. Witches don't all get together to go on holiday! We usually have our own friends and families and go on holiday to the same places as anyone else. Admittedly and unbeknown to my husband, our holiday itinery is slightly governed by whether or not there is a witch shop in the immediate location. (Sadly he has wised up to Whitby and my credit card and I are not allowed to go there very often...).
I suspect that a witch seeking a witchy holiday wouldn't have much of a problem finding one in the history rich UK. I did a tour of Edinburgh a few years ago and the caves below the city are home to a witch coven and allegedly a great number of spirits. Then of course there are always the more traditional pagan sites like Stonehenge and the Avebury stone circles.
And Witches do have conventions, group gatherings with speakers of noteworthy status. As with any common interest there are opportunities to get together, swap ideas and meet a few friendly faces. But sorry, no one size fits all answer for a specific witch holiday destination.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1377467 (Mei Teng)

Well I’m not the greatest of herbalists so I’m sure you’d get a more thorough answer from other witches. But I can tell you what works for me. Firstly remove yourself from light and sound. That sounds so obvious but I see so many people typing away under fluorescent lights and wondering why their paracetamol doesn’t work. Even if its just ten minutes in the dark stationary cupboard, it can work wonders.  Secondly, clear your mind. Ten minutes calm meditation where you firmly remove all negative thoughts from your head can be very therapeutic. Essential oils rubbed on the temples can help. Try lavender, pine, or geranium. My favourite is woody Sandalwood. You could try massaging your head (or getting someone to do it for you, pulling the hair gently away from the scalp to stimulate blood flow). Or massage crystals at the bottom of your neck, turquoise, quartz or selenite would work well. (Selenite’s my all time cure all crystal…)
Try resting your eyes for a whole two minutes, time it on your mobile.
And drink more (this is very hypocritical advice coming from me, I’m terrible at staying hydrated) dehydration is one of the major causes of headaches.
Oh and fresh air – go for a 20 min walk and breathe some fresh air into your lungs.
Also, replace the heavy metal on your ipod with some soothing sounds of nature and try playing for a few minutes each day. I find dolphin sounds or rain very useful in putting me in a tranquil state of mind for the day ahead.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/699871 (ayleene)

QUESTION This is a really embarrassing question and I would really appreciate it if you didn't print my name or email address. Sometimes after I do magic I feel like I want to do stuff to myself, like sex stuff only by myself. Is it the magic making me want to do this? Am I accidentally doing black magic because its making me feel like this? Should I stop?

The technical term that you are looking for is masturbation. And the thing to remember about masturbation is that we all do it. Yes, absolutely everyone. (Even me - especially me! lol).  Quickest way to spot a liar is to catch someone denying that they have a go occasionally. Its the most normal and natural thing in the world. After all, who knows your own body better than you? It stands to reason you are going to bring yourself pleasure better than anyone else ever could. So trust me, there is nothing at all wrong, dirty or even naughty in what you are doing. We're all at it!

Nor is it all that surprising that you feel particularly in the mood after working magic. Magic can involve a lot of mental effort and any form of sex can be a release after prolongued mental work. It does not mean you are performing dark magic, it just means you are working your brain hard and desiring a more physical type of effort afterwards.

I can't tell from your question whether you worship deity or not but I'm going to gamble that you do as your concerns suggest you feel you are being judged by someone. I can't speak directly for the God and Goddess but what I can tell you from a purely common sense approach that I very much doubt they would mind you doing something that causes absolutely no harm at all and brings you pleasure. Why would they mind? Why would anyone mind? If we weren't designed to enjoy a bit of fun on our own we more than likely wouldn't have been designed to have such easy access to our fun bits.

Incidentally I wouldn't worry about "accidentally" performing black magic. Magic is a neutral will dependent force. You can't accidentally intend something contrary to your own will. You can of course deliberately choose to use your own will for what is popularly termed black magic, but you certainly can't do that by accident. So stop worrying, enjoy what you are doing and relax x

image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/540757 (a kartha)

QUESTION - Hello! I'd like to know if you have any everyday, simple herb for transformation :)
And also how do you powder bay leaves without a grinder? Thank you.

ANSWER - I'm not completely sure I understand your question. Transformation for what? There are many herbs that will aid in transforming your mind and even your astral self but without defining exactly what you mean by transformation, its hard to advise. If you let me know what you mean, I'll answer the question again for you and give you some specifics depending on what you are looking for.

In terms of the bay leaves, it depends really whether you are making something you intend to eat or not. If it is something you do not intend to consume, dry the bay leaves and use a pestle and mortar to grind them up with something crumbly like a small piece of brick. Just using the pestle and mortar (buy one cheap in any supermarket by the way) won't be effective on its own.

If however you intend to consume whatever you are making with bay, you may be better to make an infusion of the leaves in oil. Simply steep two or three leaves in a few spoonfuls of olive oil and leave for a day or two for the oil to absorb the essence of the bay.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1339424 (mazwebs)

 No - because you just made that up.