[Help] What can I collect from nature for spells, and how to learn witchcraft as aa beginner?

[TimelessEnergy]

Hello,
I'm in Victoria, Australia, and have always felt a connection to the divine, spiritual, occult, paranormal, magic ect. But I don't have an understanding of how to cast spells or whats needed for them, I know you need candles and that a certain color represents something? correct me if I'm wrong. I'm going to do some research but I wanted to ask here as well. I need some help with getting started and would like to know what is possible, what can I do with witchcraft?
Thanks.

 

[Yazata]

For candle colors that's usually based on the colors of the sephiroth (see Tree of Life on Google).
For things from nature you would pick things that (in your or others' opinion) have a quality that aligns with your intended goal. An example I recently wrote is:

A European version of a Mojo bag

call-to-yer-ole-population instead of cultural appropriation... In Hoodoo there is the Mojo-bag – also known as a “hand” or Toby, sometimes Jack or John. Likely one of the techniques that grew into / were developed along with the popular concept of servitors. I really like the idea. Some...

wizardforums.com

Your imagination and creativity are the only limits for this

 

[AlfrunGrima]

Consider making allies with the things that are to be found in your own neighborhood. Do you know the saying that a witch is much stronger in her/his own environment? It is because he/she knows the energies that are surrounding her/his/them.

Choose local trees, bushes, streams, rocks and so on, to visit every day and offer them every day your time and attention (or another offer) If you can't visit them physically, do it in your mind. Start reading folklore/stories about trees, you will discover a lot that is useful. If you pay attention and keep notes, the magic of alle these things will be unraveled and you will find allies. In my case: people I didn't expect it from and who didn't know about my interests started to tell me a lot about local folklore, pointed me to old stories about old entities, pointed me to a source about an old spell about curing scalds, an old spell about finding things back, a nursery song to help to grow the plants that you are growing in the garden and I have a lot things I can draw energy from when needed. There is a small local stream which murmurs and gives answers when I need it. (I never use tarot for divination, but I have to admit that I always desperate need to pee after listening to that water)

Witchcraft is everywhere, if your minds eye is open to it.

(for the moderation team: is it sufficient to move this subject to the forum Witchcraft, Folk magic and Herbalism?)

 

[magick&psionics]

Start off with setting an intention. Then spell out your intention, then snap your finger after yours done. I do this a lot. Spells spellings spelling spells is a spell

 

[MinaAnd23as]

starting a meditation practice is always a solid place to start. working on visualization is also good foundational practice.

 

[Jumi]

Honestly? A white candle will do you for anything. Coloured candles help, but a tea light candle/dinner candle/chime candle will do you fine. For herbs, have a look in your kitchen first and see what you've got. Local plants can also be fine, but I prefer not to use any close to traffic, they're going to have pollutants in them. Burning them often wouldn't be great if you want to burn herbs a lot.

You'll likely have things like salt, pepper, and thyme, rosemary etc. in shakers. These will do you well to start out with spellwork. Salt and thyme are already protective. Rosemary is a good herb to burn for purification. Pepper can ward off unwanted energies, another form of protection. These are just suggestions. Of course, meanings will change according to location and culture. As mentioned already, grab some books on folklore on your local herbs and trees. Knowing what's around you is a powerful piece of work to start off with.

One other thing that will also be a good idea is grab a notebook to hold as a journal. Journal your spells, and any results. Keep your formulas in there, your herb ratios etc. It'll be invaluable especially when the internet goes out.
For now, research what herbs are around you, the herbs in your kitchen according to your culture, and follow up with what you believe you might need from spellwork.

Another suggestion is to start looking into everyday protection work; visualisation techniques, meditation, and astral work or hidden boxes if you live in a strict household (it may all seem boring, but it's will serve you very well, as you forge your path).