num_pages: 106
description:  Everything You Need to Know About Wicca, from Best-Selling Wicca Author Lisa Chamberlain  It is estimated that there are over one-million practicing Wiccans around the world today. But what is it that has made these people turn their back on the formal, structured religions that encompass the majority of the Western world?  In our modern, high-pressured world, many of us fail to take notice the sheer beauty of the natural world surrounding us. In many ways, this is a travesty: the world we live in today seems so completely distant from the one our ancestors lived in, a world where humans and nature were at one, their existence intertwined in the natural cycles of life.  Wicca is a new way of life, a religion that takes you back to a more simple time, before the invention of the high-tech gadgetry we see all around us. You will learn to live and appreciate the natural world that surrounds you, celebrating the intricate changes in the seasons and everything they bring — from the bounties of the Summer harvest, to the cold and darkness of the Winter months, as Mother Nature rests in preparation for the next explosive cycle of life that Spring brings.  Wicca is a re-incarnation of the very earliest religions, long pre-dating Christianity. Wiccans celebrate and share many of the same beliefs that these early people held, and try to embrace their way of life, all while remaining fully-functional in today's modern world.   Getting Started as a Wiccan  If you’re sold on this new, exciting, peaceful way of life, that’s great! Good to have you onboard. Unfortunately, and despite this commitment, this is where many people get stumped.  One of the biggest questions I hear would-be Wiccans ask: “how do I start practicing Wicca?”  The truth is, there is no right answer. If you endeavour to learn as much as possible about this religion, follow the core principles (for example, the Threefold Law), and revere the natural world surrounding you, as far as I’m concerned, you’re a Wiccan.  If you’re just starting out, I’m sure this vague answer is of little help to you! That’s why I set out to write this mini-series of books, titled Practicing the Craft.  In this particular book, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Wicca altars and tools.   Wicca Altar and Tools: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide  Practicing magic isn’t compulsory for Wiccans, however many people are inevitably attracted to the religion by the potential to positively change their lives for the better. As such, spellwork is one of the most discussed parts of being Wiccan.  If you want to start practicing magic, it can help to have a dedicated place for your spellwork – a Wicca altar. There are also numerous “tools” and supplies Wiccans commonly use in their magic. In this book, I’ll be introducing you to them all, as well as explaining what each is for.  Don’t worry – you won’t have to rush out and spend your money acquiring all the relevant tools. Most tools are completely optional, so it’s up to you which ones you want or need. Many can be sourced from nature or acquired relatively cheaply, too.  We will also be discussing some of the more popular ingredients used in spells, as well as (optional) attire for rituals.  Finally, we’ll be taking a look at how you know a particular tool is right for you, as well as preparing the tool for spellwork by removing any negative energies – in a process known as clearing and consecrating.
language: English
title: Wicca Altar and Tools: A Beginner’s Guide to Wiccan Altars, Tools for Spellwork, and Casting the Circle
publisher: Wicca Shorts