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Welcome to The Real Witches’ Handbook. This book is written for all those who are young to the Craft of the Witch, whether in years or in experience. Within these pages you can discover how Witchcraft can be practised by anyone who wishes to, even in this, our modern, crowded world. Welcome to a new way of thinking where you can take charge of your life and your destiny.

Today there is a new growth in spirituality and Witchcraft is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. People are turning away from the better known patriarchal belief systems, with their rules and regulations. They are turning away from religions where they need an intermediary or priest to intercede and interpret their Gods for them. They are tired of being told what to believe, how to worship and what decisions they should make in their personal lives. They want to take charge of their lives, their morality and their beliefs. Having seen the mess that authority of one sort or another has made, people are no longer content to take on trust the information which is passed down to them. They want to talk to their God and/or Goddess directly, and to worship in a way which seems natural and right to them.

Thanks largely to the World Wide Web and the Internet there is an increasing amount of information available on religions both old and new and an increasing openness about Witchcraft, which was previously a very reticent religion. As a result more and more people, of all ages and occupations and of both sexes, are becoming interested in Witchcraft, or ‘the Craft’, as it is also known. This interest is also being encouraged by fictional portrayals in books, films and TV. However, these come complete with many misconceptions and elaborations and it can be difficult for those new to the Craft to determine what is accurate and what is myth, especially if they have no one to guide them.

For the young it is especially hard as Witches have traditionally held that reputable Covens (the name for a group of Witches) do not accept members who are under 18 years old. This is partly because it is felt that the individual should have the opportunity to make an informed decision about their choice of spirituality (and therefore needs time to assess the options), partly because they should also have some life experience and maturity (although 18 is quite an arbitrary age to choose for this) and partly because taking on candidates under that age would (in most parts of the world) leave the group open to all kinds of accusations of corrupting minors.

This combination of increased interest and information leads to the modern Witch’s dilemma: how to treat those who are under the age of 18? A few reputable groups have always had a policy of encouraging exceptional candidates, usually by a process of one-to-one support given by a senior member of the Coven, until such time as the ‘age limit’ has been passed. This support sometimes takes the form of supplying a formidable reading list and counselling patience, something which simply tends to alienate all but the most dedicated seeker. This is especially true as most of the better books were written a long time ago and were intended to be read by those who already had access to a group setting. In this day and age we have to recognize that from the age of 14, people are making decisions which could affect the rest of their lives, in exam choices for example, and at 16 they may set up home and/or marry.

There are also many mature people who live in the company of those who may not be tolerant of the study and practice of Witchcraft, and who may not be able to find, or travel to, a Coven which accepts newcomers.

The new enthusiast may set about discovering the Craft via the many books and websites that are available and quite often may end up setting off in the wrong direction, misled by some of the more dubious texts which abound. Additionally, and unfortunately, there have always been disreputable individuals and groups who are prepared to take advantage of earnest seekers, whether sexually or financially, and any Witch who turns away a prospective candidate is always aware that this is a lamentable possibility.

What I have set out to do with this book is to bridge these gaps and to dispel many of the misconceptions. Being a Witch, I believe that everyone is entitled to their own spirituality and that they are entitled to make an informed choice. Hence I feel there is a need to provide that information and in a way which is practical and usable under all but the most trying of domestic circumstances. This book is for all those who wish to explore this path whilst being sensitive to the needs of those around them.

Witchcraft has been described as ‘a thinking person’s religion’ and this is a serious book about the Craft. It is written for all those who are serious about studying and practising, whether on their own or in preparation for joining a Coven. Some of the content may seem a little dry to those who are keen to get on with the actual practice of Magic, but persevere, for all the parts are relevant to the understanding of the religion, ritual and Magic of Witchcraft. Think of the first couple of chapters as an introduction before the practical work of the rest of the book.

Use this as a workbook and make notes to record your own thoughts and feelings about what you are reading and in relation to the work you do in the Craft. In this way it will become not just a book to read, but also the foundation for your own Book of Shadows, the volume which forms the basis of every Witch’s practice.

So for all the ‘young in Craft’ who would take charge of their future, for those inexperienced in spiritual variety, for those whose search for their own path has been exploratory, I offer an introduction to practising the oft misunderstood and misconstrued belief system of the Witch.

Blessed Be

Kate