Article: Although not scientific in the usual sense of the word, practicing witchcraft nonetheless entails a lifelong dedication to, and passion for, knowledge and understanding. Many practitioners of witchcraft discover that they are more powerful in some areas than others, and become specialists over time, as they continue to learn and practice their craft. There are as many different areas of study available to the practicing witch as there are topics in witchcraft, but here are a few of the broader areas you might find yourself drawn to: Wiccan ritual magic. The one type of magic regularly practiced by most Wiccans is highly ritualized religious magic, with special tools and geometric shapes (especially the pentacle) lending power and meaning to every step. Ritual magic is highly flexible; a skilled witch in this area can empower nearly any spell by thoroughly understanding the symbolism of the elements of the ritual and using them to his or her advantage. The constant contemplation of the relationship between humanity, nature, and the divine that is required to master ritual magic can also lead to peace of mind, clarity of thought, and exceptional strength of character. Wiccan magic is often divided into sets of five types, since the number five is powerful to Wiccans. If you ask ten different Wiccan organizations what those five types are, you're likely to get ten different answers. This guide doesn't even come close to covering all of the possible answers, so ask your coven if you'd like to know the way they view it. Plant, soil, and earth magic. The so-called "green witch" or "cottage witch" not only learns to draw poisons, cures, and other powerful substances from plants, he or she also develops a close understanding of their natural cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. These witches are versed in protective magic as well, drawing from the natural world to ward off ill fortune. Studying this type of magic may lead to greater success in reading and understanding one's surroundings, coaxing plants to grow, and other powers that offer practical benefits to the witch's hearth and home. Shamanic magic. Although not strictly connected to the Wiccan tradition, shamanism is widely practiced by witches, and in fact by people of various folk religions all over the world. The basic notion of shamanism is that everything natural which exists in our world has a spirit of its own, a belief which is also called animism. By learning to visit the spirit world or "astral plane," a shaman can become adept at communicating with these spirits and invoking their aid in the waking world. Seasoned shamans may develop a strong sense of spiritual guidance, an ability to "read" people and predict their actions, and powers of divination gained by building relationships with powerful spirit allies. In witchcraft terms, shamans are sometimes referred to as "augurs" (prophets and spiritual guides) or "hedge witches" (travelers in the spirit world). Those who seek to communicate with mystical beings that don't have analogous representations in our world, such as fairies or elves, can also be considered shamans of a sort. Other forms of witchcraft. Because witchcraft is often practiced subtly or in secret, there are many witches who don't easily fit into any of the above categories. All of these approaches require the same dedication of mind and spirit that any of the more broadly-defined approaches require. A thirst for knowledge and a need to understand the systems of the world is of the utmost importance to developing any kind of witchcraft. Some of the less commonly seen types of witch include: Family witches, witches practicing a hereditary tradition that is kept secret within the family "Eclectic" witches, who study extensively and become generalists rather than specialists Solitary witches, who develop their own understanding of the craft and pursue knowledge in their own way, without relying on standard practices and rituals. Regardless of your opinion on how and why witchcraft works, or your interest in one field of magic over another, the simple fact remains that humankind bestows power and importance on things we venerate, uplift, and separate from the everyday. This means that the more you treat your witchcraft as something powerful and special, the more of an effect it will have in your life. Cultivate the personal within the communal framework. As opposed to most major religious traditions, complete and total submission to an overriding idea or power is not a tenet of Wicca. If you're practicing witchcraft as part of a group of Wiccans, remember that the rituals and spells of witchcraft are as much about personal empowerment as they are about connecting to greater forces. Respect the traditions of your group, but don't shy away from bringing your personal approach to bear on them. Find rituals that work for you. If you're a member of a group, their rituals will be lent extra power by the belief of the group. However, if you're practicing witchcraft irregularly or on your own, you'll need to develop a sense of what makes an object, act, or symbol significant to you personally. Use such significant items to create an environment of power and seriousness when you practice witchcraft. Magic depends on the will and intent of the practitioner to yield results. The more resolute and certain a witch is of his or her purpose, the more he or she will see and feel the effects of a spell. Therefore, it is important to cultivate a solid ethical and moral foundation through which all actions and interactions can be processed and understood by the practitioner as an individual. Begin with self-understanding. This is a lifelong process, but you'll reap the benefits for as long as you continue on the path. Many people seem to go through life without much of a moral code, only following one when it's convenient or easy. You must not be one of those people. Instead, you must be the rare person who does his or her best to always act on principle, even when principles don't seem to matter. To develop a strong ethical core, you'll need to truly understand yourself not just your strengths, but your weaknesses. What things worry or frighten you about yourself? Those are the areas in which you're weak. You don't want to indulge those parts of your personality, but you feel you might not always have the strength to hold them back. By acknowledging and accepting them, you can begin to build stronger defenses against them. Continue with self-awareness. As you begin to compensate for your weaknesses and focus on your strengths, you'll begin to see your own morals more clearly. Things that make you uncomfortable are likely things you have a moral opposition to; things that bring you a sense of peace or propriety are probably things in line with your sense of righteousness and decency. Your ethics help control your thoughts and actions, but your morals help you clearly understand the reasons behind them. Follow through with self-discipline. The learning process is never a finite one. Like anything solid and strong, your ethics must be constantly maintained. Scan your mind for faults and cracks in your sense of ethics on a regular basis, and either compensate for or reshape them as time goes by. Always try to frame your ethics in terms of an easily-understandable moral code to be sure that you fully grasp not only how you will act in a given situation, but why you will act that way. If you do these things, you will become a principled person, someone for whom few decisions are difficult because the options can be judged internally according to a clearly-defined system that never wavers.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Study and specialize. Engage in ritual and ceremony. Embrace ethics to maximize practical effects.