Beyond the personal characteristics needed, what are the material components needed to begin magic studies and then start practicing magic as quicky as possible? You might think dozens of crystals, candles, a bunch of herbs, a magic wand, spell books, etc. are on the must have-list.

In Reality, Nothing Fancy is Required in the Beginning

If I’m honest fancy is rarely a requirement at any point on the journey. We magicians just sometimes opt for the strange or the snazzy to enhance the experience.

Certainly, to get started, you will need only a few material items or circumstances, all of which are quite straightforward. Here’s a rundown for you:

• Special Place or Sacred Space
• At least 1 journal/sketchbook
• Either 1 Quartz, Amethyst, or Citrine crystal or 1 branch cutting (1-2 in.) from Oak, Holly, or Maple tree
• Some small budget, say $5 to $20 for additional supplies as the need arises

That’s about all you’ll need, aside from your source material. The latter could be a book on magic, your teacher/group, or this lovely website.

Here’s the expanded version of each item from the above list.

Special Place or Sacred Space

Fancy pants types call this a temple. Simpletons like yours truly roll with the term my study.

Either way, we’re probably talking about an otherwise unused room in the back of the house, in the basement, etc. The truth is an entire room isn’t even necessary; a small space therein will do.

I can even outdo that and say you don’t really need a room per se; your place/space could be outside.

Historical fun fact: Renaissance magic was of two main brands: ceremonial magic and folk magic, the former sometimes called high magic and the latter sometimes known as low magic. Perhaps obviously, ceremonial magic was a practice requiring financial means, and thus was indulged by the nobility and merchant class, while folk magic lived among the commoners and peasantry.

Early mass-market publications (from the 1800s to circa 1980’s) tended to identify mainly, whether admittedly or not, with the ceremonial/high brand. Consequently, most books on magical study assumed or implied right out of the gate that the reader not only possessed a home of his or her own, but a dwelling of such size as to afford a casually unused room that could and ought to be forthwith committed to the study and practice of magic.

It’s a lovely idea. In fact, I am fortunate enough to have such a space in my home, and even a couple of spots on the property outdoors.

When I first approached the study of the arcane, however, I was the unwanted houseguest of someone who found magic itself offensive and appalling. The idea of any set-aside space, let alone a whole friggin’ room, would have been unthinkable. I imagine it’s quite possible some new students to the subject are even homeless.

Shall they be denied their piece of the magical pie until they can yank hard enough at the bootstrap and “get onto their feet”? I think not.

Your special place or sacred space is any area of whatever size wherein:

1. You can think and work undisturbed for specified periods of time.
2. You are comfortable expressing yourself FULLY and earnestly as needed.
3. You can and will build, over time and usage, a field of resonant, malleable energy. (more on this later)

A park bench, tree, bus seat, library corner, barn loft, tool shed, or rooftop are unconventional examples that could be converted perfectly with some patience and willpower. The space needs to be yours but only in a spiritual sense, it can be shared or used by others at different times.

You need a place to feel comfortable and let go so you can unleash some magic. In time you’ll realize this is anywhere at any time, for your space and place are really within you. The physical space that you are probably thinking of right now, or the one that you intuitively lean towards in the near future will suffice until you have actualized the internal space concept.

Journal or Sketchbook

I’ve always liked the leather or suede, blank-parchment-like-page look and feel because it’s all wizardly and what not. Spiral composition books and dollar store sketch diaries work just as well.

You should keep a daily journal specific to your magical training, in which you record subjects of study, questions, notes collected, insights, magical operations and results, etc. You may also wish to have specific notebooks for ritual (Temple Book), spirit communication (Books of Names and Whispers), and other aspects of practice.

Certainly, you will want to keep at least one spell book for recording new spells you find as well as formulae you create and experiment with yourself. A good method for spells is one rough work that includes notes, results, reformulations, etc. and a second for polished operations and spells you know are effective.

What I’m trying to say here is: record everything and make a ton of notes as you proceed through the months and years of study and practice. When a book is filled up, place it in a special place for archived notes and records, and refer back to your old journals often. You will be truly mesmerized by the synchronicity at play if you follow this simple procedure.

The wizard with stacks of grimoires and journals is one cliche that actually rings true and is worthy of your pursuit. Journal often, note everything, and compare today’s notes with last year’s regularly.

Here are some cool options, made by magicians, for magicians.

One Crystal or Wooden Totem

A quartz crystal, whether smokey, amethyst, clear, or citrine (or one of each!) can be invaluable to the aspiring magician. We live in the age of crystal attunement, where the stones of the earth call out for our attention, and we answer in droves. It’s more than a trend, it is literally the Goddess Arcana and her sister Nature reaching out to connect with us and to call to her the true seekers. A simple crystal will teach you to sense and play with unseen, subtle energies and attune your personal energy matrix to the appropriate frequencies to suit your individual psychic makeup.

Good, Simple Magic is of Sticks and Stones

So said he who taught me the way, and she who welcomed me first to the holy place where I met my teacher. Crystals and rocks and wands and staves, pieces of Earth, Nature, the Mother that connect us to her sister Arcana and also to the Divine Father, Brother, etc.

If you don’t care for stones or for any reason can’t or won’t carry one, cut yourself a 1 to 2 inch, round piece from a small tree limb; doodle on it, place there symbols or numbers of import to you, or colors, or leave it plain. Just connect with it. Choose either Oak, Maple, Holly, or Birch wood based on what your intuition wants.

This is all you need to know for now. Specific uses for your crystal or totem will emerge as you study.

Some Working Budget

At some point you are going to need a candle, or some herbs, or a new pen, or some other item or set of items for a procedure or spell. Set aside whatever you can, if only a few dollars.

If you have zero budget at this time, we’ll need to get you onto some money charms pretty quickly. Don’t fret. Keep reading and moving forward; all will be well.

If you haven’t already done so, sign up for our online magic course. You’ll get a solid, basic education for beginning your magical journey, and you can study at your own pace from anywhere you like.

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