Pagan/Witch/Wiccan+ Community

Well…

Every day from the start of Yule I light a white candle and let it burn down.
On Christmas Eve I light two white candles and a blue one.
Christmas Day is two white, two blue and one red.
For the rest of Yule it is only one white candle.

I decorate my room with holly leaves and make a small wreath to place on my alter.

The one tradition that I would love to do, is the burning of the Yule log. I can't do that as long as I am living in this house, because questions will be asked.

Though there are lots of things you can do to celebrate Yule:

• Ceremonially light candles to encourage the sun to grow stronger. Or light a Yule candle on Christmas Eve and leave to burn until morning (Make sure the candle is in a safe position where it cannot get blown over and cause a fire).
• Have a feast celebrating all of the food harvested in the previous few months. (Unless you don't grow your own veg and herbs etc)
• Exchange presents. Think about keeping your presents simple and seasonal, perhaps something you have grown or something handmade.
• Celebrate the burning of the Yule log.
• Get crafty and make your own seasonal wreath for your door, your own decorations or food gifts.

White: Peace, purity
Blue: Protection, good fortune
Red: Strength, survival

Hey it's no worries, I'm always happy to help ^-^

I have something I want to discuss: Why does society assume that guys can't be witches, they have to be 'wizards' or 'warlocks'?

No, I know that, but isn't it odd that you never hear of any male witches?
You only hear stories of male wizards and warlocks.
And where are the female warlocks?
Doesn't society just assume that females are witches and males are wizards/warlocks?
Sorry, I'm kind of just having a moment.

Uh, hi! I’ve been stalking this chat for a while because I find this stuff all really interesting.Recently I’ve been considering getting into some form of witchcraft maybe. How do you go about figuring out what fits you best?

As a wise witch once said:

"Having a specialization or a personal path in your witchcraft can be a wonderful thing but unless you just KNOW right from the jump what kind of specialty is for you there’s no need to get wrapped up in those sorts of details.
The important thing is that you keep learning.
For the majority of people their path unfolds in the natural course of events.

Maybe you try a bunch of different things but you find after a few months that you’re gravitating toward divination almost every time you practice your craft.
Or perhaps you started out with kitchen magic but suddenly find yourself with a burning interest in stars and how they can be used in the craft.
Perhaps over the course of your time as a witch you even find that you prefer not to narrow your focus, instead pulling from many paths to create something personal to you.

Every individual witch will find their own path which, while they may choose to call it by a recognizable title, will be entirely unique to them. Finding your path is not about choosing what kind of witchcraft you want to practice, it’s about allowing your craft to develop its own flavor and personality as you learn and grow.
In order to find your path you must let go of the imposed boundaries of titles. Titles can be useful in many ways but for newer witches they can be limiting. Witchcraft is a way to claim your power! Why would you limit yourself in that pursuit?
Instead cast your net as far as you like, read about anything and everything that interests you. Allow yourself to wander in your learning, follow your whims and soak up as much variety as you can.

Don't limit yourself to only the things that are obviously magical! The mundane can always be made magical. What do you love? Can you transform your hobbies and existing interests and incorporate them into your craft? (Hint: the answer is almost certainly yes!)
As you explore and learn and practice your path will make itself clear, the things you love, the things that make you excited will always come to the surface. You will find yourself reaching for the practices that truly FEEL magical to you again and again.
That is the essence of your craft! Those foundational practices that you use so regularly that they come as easy as breathing are what make up your personal path."

Oh dang, that’s actually all really helpful. Do you guys know any good resources to get started?

What do you mean by resources, as in like items themselves?

Oh yeah, I guess that too.
But I was more talking about resources online or otherwise that talk about how to do different rituals, etc.

Well.. Some useful websites that I have heard a lot about—and some of them I use personally:
thewitchymommy.com
witchoflupinehollow.com
thetravelingwitch.com
sarahfawnempey.com/
patheos.com/library/pagan
sacred-texts.com
otherworldlyoracle.com
magicalrecipesonline.com/
pinterest.com

Is that the kind of thing you were looking for?

Yes. Thank you so much!

No worries, I'm always happy to try and help ^-^

What are good alternatives if you can’t burn things like candles?