Thank you to Aura for supporting me on my journey of wellbeing & sleep! Get started with Aura today for free & the first 500 people to use my link will also get 25% off+ free trial to the Aura membership: www.aurahealth.io/theoccultist23
One of the main things I like about you is you are a no-bullshit practitioner. You don't leave logic at the door but combine it with your practise to create something real and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with the world.
I am a person that adores your tendency towards more intermediate/advanced topics, but i deeply appreciate the void within the online occultist community that this fills. Well done, Ivy, thank you so much! ☺️
I picked up a really solid piece of advice from Aidan Wachter that I'd like to suggest to new occultists who have a hard time hearing your "start taking care of your body first" advice: doing magic to make exercise, nutrition, sleep, etc. easy and fun and maximally beneficial is super helpful, and in my opinion it's a GREAT place to start your occult journey.
Agreed, as someone who is starting to get into this who also happens to be a big gym person, I find that lifting heavy weights 5 days of the week has helped me get into the trance state I need to, and that in terms of results and how you get those results and the type of self improvement that goes on, its similar to how occultists seem to describe their magickal practice, and that makes me all the more excited to make inroads on this new occult journey I’m gonna embark on… only thing is, it’s so overwhelming how many options and paths there are
I'm not a beginner per se, but this year I jumped heavily back into my spirituality, so I feel like I'm looking at these things through a beginner lens anyway. these tips are amazing. I am mostly a folk practitioner, but I would like to dip my toes in ceremonial magick, just to see what it's like.
Even if you end up disliking ceremonial magick, the change in technique will improve your practice! (In my experience that is....) Definitely give it a try!
Yes, the elderly wise woman stereotype has a lot of truth to it. In my experience, there are little bits of success along the way, but nothing that really blows you out of the water or even can be solidly attributed to your practice and not something mundane. Months, years…then you do get something big, unexpected, but it reassures you that yes, you’ve been on the right track. Patience is a serious virtue in this field! I think a lot of people give up on it early because instant gratification is not a repeat occurrence, if you experience it at all, when you first start out.
See, if his is exactly why you needed to make this video! I want to get to your level someday, but I’m also a beginner that is so tired of people pretending to give good, unique advice when all of their advice is ridiculously superficial and the same as the last witch. This was actually the first beginner witch video where I actually thought “DAYUM!! Now I ACTUALLY have a place to start, and it actually makes sense, and I feel educated!” Thanks for being different than the rest. Literally after years of looking I feel like I finally found good advice for beginning. This video made me finally feel like I have begun. ✨
I would also recommend the podcast "What magic is this?"; It is a lecture-style podcast from a very, very knowledgeable magician. He often talks with other magicians/witches, and also with skeptics which has been very useful for me as I think one of the first things beginners should do is deconstruct their belief and the depth of their beliefs as that will put the boundaries on what your magic can do. For those who don't like history as much, it is a great platform to learn about occult topics that go very in-depth. I practice traditional witchcraft and "Standing and not Falling" by Lee Morgan is a very good book (as all of his books on the topic of witchcraft to be honest) that makes you progressively think about and deconstruct many philosophical and important topics to think about when you practice magic. He is also a poet, so he does it in a very beautiful and quotable way hehehe. I hate the "recipe" kind of books, because I think they gatekeep (in a way) what witchcraft is really about; which is your own practice and discovering of things. Love you, Ivy! This was a great video for beginners! Thank you for the wonderful work you do!
On the note of physical health, I think it's also good to be aware of one's limits and take care of your body in the way that is best for you. I am disabled, so my options for exercise are limited there, but I have certain types of bodily exercised I can do within the bounds of my ability, so on top of managing my condition with my medication and diet, I also feel good doing things that don't add undue stress to my body. Exercise is unique to each person and their unique body, and thus your magic will be unique to you and your needs and abilities as well!
This video is so refereshing. Many beginner videos and books repeat the same stuff over and over again, while this is an honest list based on personal experience and I really appreciate it.
Youre an amazing young , sensible woman. Ive been practicing for 53 years and have seen a lot, Ive nioticed that the young ones today are largely living in a fantasy, as if life is a computer game or something regurgitated out of hollywood. Our practice is HARD WORK, there is no short cut and no hands get held. Our teacher is experience. An elder once told me, many years ago that there is NO PATH, one lives and moves within a flow, following a path is to walk in another persons shadow, that is not a good place to be.
❤I agree with you about mental health. I had fought within so long about being the witch I was born(I came from a long line).I had alot of depression and trauma. I am almost 52.when I decided to embrace who I was I quit drinking, I just didn't and don't want it no more.I love learning and I learn so much from you and then I go from there,I research and read constantly. I am happier.i am an empath and I appreciate your tricks on protecting myself. I just wanted to say thank you ❤
This is the best beginner tips video I've seen, you show a much deeper understanding of occult practices and offer a lot of advice I haven't seen in other videos. And in regards to advice, I hope it's alright to add some here in the comments for those reading through them. While I'm nowhere near as experienced as Ivy, there's one thing I've never seen in a beginner tips video: Be patient with yourself. When first starting out, people often get overwhelmed by all the different traditions, history, conflicting instructions, even the vocabulary. All you really want is for someone to have the answers and tell you exactly how to get started. But nobody can, you learn that very quickly and it's frustrating. But if you can be patient with yourself and keep learning, you'll find that the lack of straight answers is actually an opportunity to build your practice however you want to. Be patient, and everything that felt restrictive in the beginning will feel more and more freeing with experience.
This is the most thorough and thoughtful 'beginner tips' video I can recall seeing, and I just want to thank you for putting this out there. Having a starting point that's more specific than just "read these books and do your own research" is so much more useful.
Great job on this video. Intelligent, insightful, and to the point .... not your average beginner tripe. Even my ole'-self learned a few things. lol Thank you. Your very talented.
Ok … That was a really different “Tips for Beginners” video! The first thing I would like to ask is … What book would you recommend for getting into different states of mind and how do you know when you’re in a specific brainwave state? I have a meditation practice where I know I’m in a state of mind which allows me to enter my own limestone cavern healing place, but I couldn’t tell you what brainwave state I am in when I go there. I know that I’m unaware of the physical world around me. Second, in your opinion, what one book gives a great overall view of occult history … I’ll go back and review the video on books as well. The hardest thing for me to learn so far in my spiritual practice is that I need to align the things I’m doing in my magical practice with the things I’m doing in my mundane world. Somewhere I recently heard that it takes 68 seconds of chanting your manifestation statements daily for them to actually manifest. I’m trying this and I’m getting really good results from it. Thank you so much for actually leading classes on magic for free on your RUclips channel! I’m learning so much! Please don’t ever stop! Or, go ahead and create a website for classes and I’ll sign up for it ❤❤❤, Tammy
I love the book "Psychic Witch" for learning about brain wave states, how to enter altered states of consciousness, and how to begin working in the astral realm! As a quick overview: when we are alert and awake, we are in a brainwave state called "beta." But what we want to do when performing a ritual is to slip down into alpha or theta. Alpha feels sort of like being super relaxed and you're not necessarily thinking about anything in particular. You're kind of just in a state of flow. Theta is even deeper and it's almost a light sleeping stage. Theta is where you lose all sense of your surroundings, you no longer hear what's around you, and you're not moving your body anymore. What's really difficult about theta is that since it's a "light sleep" it's incredibly difficult to hold this brainwave state without actually falling asleep! It takes lots of practice. To answer your question about occult history, I WISH there was just one book I could refer to everyone but unfortunately there isn't. I am still on the hunt for a good book that gives an overview of the entire occult history but I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist. (Thus why I have so many book recommendations in that other video 😂)
@@IvyTheOccultist Thank you for your answer! I’m pretty sure I’m reaching alpha when I’m meditating. When I come out of my meditation, I have to move slowly out of my cavern. Eventually, when I’m back to beta, I find myself slumped down in my chair with my head down on my chest. I think to be safe while meditating, I need to move to my reclining chair. Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone to practice with, so I am realizing that I need to keep myself safe. I have Mat Auryn’s book. I think I’ll read it after the thriller I’m reading now. … I read a lot … Mostly thriller, horror and fantasy romance books … I love Sarah J. Maas. I also have Jason Miller’s protection and reversal magic book I want to read. So many books, so little time! 😂 I’m trying to streamline my magic practice and create my BOS. I need to create some solid goals for myself because I tend to go off on tangents. I’ll work on finishing up my thriller tomorrow and then go into reading Mat Auryn’s book and Jason Miller’s book in tandem. I think I’ll pick up John Michael Greer’s Occult book as well. Have a good night! Tammy
@@CoralTheWitch2023I totally resonate with the "so many books, so little time" issue!! I don't think we'll ever fully get to where we want to be but that's okay because it's a forever learning experience 😂 Have a good night too! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for mentioning meditation and altered states right away at the beginning. It never stops to amaze me how overlooked it is being such an important part of occultist practices. Besides, I had a very bad experience with a protection spell (now you can say you came across someone who experienced backfire with the most harmless type of spell 😅). It was my first kind of ceremonial spell and I'll always be thankful for the mess I made. Through that experience I learned that ceremonial magic is not for me and that land wights are a very serious thing that should not be ignored.
I want to share my appreciation for this video. I totally respect that you never wanted to do a video for beginners. I love your content even tho I am a beginner, new to this realm of interest and practice. However I was to just say how grateful I am for this content because I'm a bit older. I am a beginner at the age of 28. Yes, not that old, but compared to those who have been practicing since their teens, I can feel very overwhelmed by the fact I'm coming at this at a later stage in life. I also really appreciate all the advice shared in this video as it's extremely useful. Especially the aspect of reading up on the history of the occult and witch craft. Like you, I find history very boring but I also know how necessary it is. So hearing this from someone who is established in their practice really helps to reinforce this. I have found all this advice so valuable and helpful in helping me figure out my next steps. Also, I was curious as to weather you have any book recommendations for the different brainwave states. Again, thank you so much for your content! Inlvoe your work!
Best beginner witch video Ive seen so far! These are the important foundations people dont think immediately about. Mental health, meditation, working towards goals.. all the rest is window dressing if you dont have these.
I really wish I had known the same advice you gave in this video when I broke away from wicca and started to really dive deep into the occult (specifically black magic) I think I went on hardcore mode without realizing it lol, I'd been consumed by my studies so much that I forgot how to live, I rarely had human contact. I don't neglect myself anymore, and have been learning to balance the mundane & esoteric. It's a work in progress. You always have good stuff!🤘🍎🐍
Thank you so much, this feels like a university lecture (in a good way), you often inspire me to take notes. I'm so happy I have access to videos like these, when I first started witchcraft as a teenager in the early 2000s I didn't have access to anything like this and bad teaching/writing is pretty much what lead me to stop practicing and give up for a long time.
I've been practicing for about 8 years, so I'm not quite a beginner lol. but im trying to go through a beginner lens again to see if there is anything i missed or want to revise. I recently found your channel, and I am SO GLAD I got recommended here! All of your points are things that are so fundamental that a lot of beginner "how tos" are missing. Plus I learned some directions here that I'm very excited to either revisit or look at for the first time! Thank you thank you!
I have watched so many beginner videos and read so many beginner recommendations. This provided a clarity and practicality I havent found elsewhere. Thank you!
I second everything you said about the history stuff. History bores me to death (unless it is art history) and I struggle reading or listening to anything history related. I think I sat through too many of my mom's lectures while she was becoming a history teacher, because I am an expert at zoning out of boring conversations and readings now. But, learning the history of what you are practicing helps SO much. You need to know why the practice started and how it evolved to fully understand why it works, how it should work, and why and when to do certain practices. I have struggled a lot with the history part, but learning it also made me better in my practice and stronger in my beliefs.
I wouldn’t class myself as a beginner but i stepped away from practicing for a while. I love your videos because you explain things so simply, and im learning alot from you, and brushing up on things i had forgotten x currently binge watching your stuff lol x
Thank you for expanding on fear, because I have witnessed someone trying to out fear in others where Hekate is concerned and it was unsettling. You make great points and direct. Thank you for these videos!!
Well thought of. Probably one of my fave no bs advice, and brief explanation of the occult out there. Definitely the kind of vid I’d send to someone who wants to start the occult or when one needs a refresher.
I know this is an older video but I just signed up with Aura through you! I have been looking for a way to work on mindfulness and meditation so this happened at a perfect time!
I think this may just be my first comment but I really appreciate your approach to the occult sphere but also the knowledge that you share. Your channel has given me so much in such a short time but also listening to someone who has a lot of similarities as me in my approach and similar interests makes me feel less alone. So I just wanted to say thank you but I also want to say there may be many beginner videos on here but I think yours is the first I’ve found that is practical and doesn’t make people feel that anything is not attainable for them.
Hello, Ivy, I thank you for doing this video and for always giving out great advice, well-researched information on every video. Even though I am a newer viewer of your work, I am so impressed with you. Even though there are alot of 'beginner' videos out there, as you stated, I find that each one does include insights, tips that differ from eachother, which gives us viewers more options and more information to include into our practice. I find that is a big help as I incorporate and adapt that information into my own faery craft magick practice. So I appreciate your information!
This was absolutely excellent. I am not a beginner, I’m just a lonely lady (in terms of occult connections) but very active in the mundane world. So finding content creators with interesting perspectives really helps fulfill me. This was a really worthwhile listen. Even if there are many of these types of videos, much like you connect with a particular yoga instructor or lecturer it’s worth it because someone may have heard this stuff many many times, but the lesson doesn’t penetrate until it’s received from a particular person, and/or at a particular time in their life. Many blessings❤
Thanks so much for this Ivy. I like that the underlying points to many of your type boil down to "read lots on these particular topics, and take care of yourself" super valid advice, with enough specificity to be totally actionable. I found you through Olivia's channel but I'm also a huge Kelly Ann Maddox fan and I see overlaps between her content and yours that I'm excited to get into your stuff (esp the chaos magic side) Have you ever heard of the Forty Servants from Tommie Kelly? If so I'd be interested in your take, and thoughts on using archetypes in general (and i will search your archives just in case you already covered it!)
I LOVE Kelly Ann! I agree, I think our styles are very similar. Yes, I have that Forty Servants deck and I love it! I use archetypes all the time in pretty much everything I do. I plan on redoing my old servitor video so maybe I'll discuss the deck in that video too 😊 Thanks for the inspiration!
I agree with regular meditation. Girl I have tried telling fellow witches this and they will tell me that listening to music, crafting or driving in the country is the way they meditate. Then they tell me "it's my craft I meditate how I want". Yes, that is fine. But obviously they don't get it. You can't get into altered states of mind while driving 🫤
Altered states of consciousness is so hard for me! It seems I just can't relax my mind. I also have a bit of anxiety when trying to meditate or enter a deep state. I never allow myself to get comfortable enough to go beyond, and the closer I get to reaching a higher state my anxiety snaps me back. I think I'm afraid I'll lose myself or be vulnerable to spiritual attack. This video was very insightful. Just have to let go of my fear!
One of my favourite videos of yours and at the end when you said “people probably won’t be interested” no!! I love it. It shows respect for the journey and growth and others love being able to relate to someone else’s journey!! Love you! Thank you for sharing!
if anything my practice diminishes my psychotic symptoms by grounding and soothing me. like how some people hold stress balls or rosary beads or a specific pendant around their neck. I know that no matter what my trauma tells me I am warded from harm and surrounded with love
I really enjoyed this video. I feel like most beginner videos like this all have the same tidbits of information, which, was helpful of course but I think you added a lot of great tips that aren't focused on normally in beginner videos. Thank you!
You never fail to bring something new & so informative to all your videos!! Even when it’s in a subject that is massively popular. I truly value your content & effort you put into these videos. It definitely is so valuable!!!!
Ive looked in books and on line and so far you are the only resource I found that gives a clear definition of high magic/low magic,,,I get it now,,,! Thanks,,,I want to do both !
Just found your channel today and I love this video so much 🤗 I too, am a science-minded person! I came to occultism around 17 years ago and have largely studied hermeticism, alchemy, and the like. It’s so refreshing to see someone as knowledgeable and experienced as you. I also gained a few insights too, so thanks! Though I practice magic, I’m not a witch and it’s difficult to find where I fit sometimes. Looking forward to viewing more of your content! Thanks again. 💙
On the topic of telekinesis. It really do be like Harry Potter sometimes. Just understand that even ive only done it once, that it takes an incredible of amount of practice to do, and you may never be able to do it on command. Prepare for that, understand developing "powers" will take you even deeper than just spellwork. Understand that can break you like nothing else. But dont let it limit your potential. It wont happen unless you at least try. That shit is hard though. Fortify yourself. How much energy do you have to build up to produce light in your selenite wand? Metal burns when heated, do Crystals burn when energized? Is that why people use wood? District 9
Hi I'm here again lol isn't it exciting to see science kind of "proving" that magick is real and how they work kind of... hand in hand? Ivy, I am so glad I found you. I think you're my favorite channel. I so agree with you on everything and I know you do not need me to agree with you lol but it's very hard for me to find someone that I'm here yelling at my phone "yess! YES!" 😂 ty for the book recommendations as well. ❤
Your videos are amazing I have just discovered you. I’m working my way through your videos. Having so many aha moments and learning so much. Even your beginner videos have advanced magic. My favourite video so far is your astral work and spirit flight… wow. Thank you for sharing and being so open. I own a witchy shop in Australia I’m going to be telling everyone to watch you!
I've been into this a couple of years now... and like, I'm not as impatient anymore hahaha but still a little, it was much more frustrating at the beginning, and honestly I'm pretty sure I'm still learning the basics, but I'm kinda excited still😊
Can you do a video on banishing/summoning entities? I grew up Catholic, and so my family/ancestors have always been comfortable interacting with and calling upon Catholic saints/dieties, but I've never been taught about how to banish or cut off dieties/entities
i loved the part about managing expectations and having a life outside occultism. results in anything in life are hard earned. you need to work for it. also, having a life is more or less the point of occultism. what's the point of doing all this occult and magical work if you have no life? hobbies, a relationship, career etc. what i disagree with is the low/high magic part of this video. while there were historical differences as you correctly identified, emphasizing those distinctions in the present can really deter people from exploring one over the other. grimoires from the academies and aristocratic class are available as free PDFs and a thousand and one youtube videos teaching you how to use them. same for the "cunning man's" low magic.
Thanks for making this video! I appreciate the tips. We all come to this from different points so your perspective on tips for new occultists is appreciated!
Ivyyyy thank you for this! I appreciate you making this video even if it feels redundant haha. I have watched your videos for like a year or something, and I love hearing Your perspective on things. I value your opinion and I know that you’re well researched, so I am so glad to get this kind of video from a witch I respect and adore! I have imposter syndrome about whether or not I’m still a beginner (I don’t think I am, but since I don’t follow a specific tradition it can be kinda hard for me to tell sometimes). These kinds of videos help me evaluate where I’m at magically/spiritually and see where I might want to fill in the blanks on my practice. Thank youuu for all your hard work and thanks for sharing your knowledge with us 😌
hi, I discovered you through the panel with Nike and Olivia and I like your take on magic and everything revolving around it. Oh, and I love your earrings
The first video of yours that I watched is for beginners, so I could see what your content is like and the first thing you say is that most of your content is intermediate subscribe
Another incredible video honey I always learn from you because our practice is so different! I love that I might not do things like you but I love heading about your interests! Plus I could easily listen to a six your video from you so I always get was when you say you are trying to keep it shorter lol xx
all this you're explaining sounds like that movie "a dark song" from 2016. i've watched it a couple times and i still don't quite understand it. I'd love for Ivy to watch it and give an explanation. I did read that the innvocation used in the movie is real. I'm just unclear as to why the ritual sorta backfired on the occultist. i don't want to spoil the ending lol.
This is how I think of high Magick vs low magic- granny weatherwax and her coven vs the wizards of unseen university 😅 my compass when practising or learning witchcraft or magic is ‘would Granny Weatherwax have any truck with it?” if the answer is no, then I don’t do it, so that pretty much excludes almost all ‘high Magick’, as fascinating as it can be. Women didn’t, and don’t, have time for prancing about it in robes, meditating, posing with fancy staffs etc, we can do highly effective magic with a saucepan, a sprinkle of herbs and an order to the universe to do as it’s bloody told or else 😂
If someone is giving a warning or explaining something bad that happened to them they should not be automatically disregarded as attention seeking or needing to feel superior or being mentally off. I am enjoying your content but wanted to say that because of what you said in the fear mongering part.... there are many people who have had authentic bad (dangerous) experiences with spiritual stuff and a big problem is them being disregarded. There might be some way to give space for someone wanting to share or give warning, while still encouraging safe practices and reassuring that it will be ok.
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"Magic is not miracles." That one sentence alone would make this whole video worthwhile. Thanks, Ivy!
Thank you! 🙏
It can be
I read a great quote somewhere: "There's two kinds of science - the kind they teach you in school; and the kind they don't."
One of the main things I like about you is you are a no-bullshit practitioner. You don't leave logic at the door but combine it with your practise to create something real and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with the world.
I am a person that adores your tendency towards more intermediate/advanced topics, but i deeply appreciate the void within the online occultist community that this fills. Well done, Ivy, thank you so much! ☺️
Thank you so much! 🙏
I picked up a really solid piece of advice from Aidan Wachter that I'd like to suggest to new occultists who have a hard time hearing your "start taking care of your body first" advice: doing magic to make exercise, nutrition, sleep, etc. easy and fun and maximally beneficial is super helpful, and in my opinion it's a GREAT place to start your occult journey.
Agreed!!
You can use magic to make taking care of your body fun??
Agreed, as someone who is starting to get into this who also happens to be a big gym person, I find that lifting heavy weights 5 days of the week has helped me get into the trance state I need to, and that in terms of results and how you get those results and the type of self improvement that goes on, its similar to how occultists seem to describe their magickal practice, and that makes me all the more excited to make inroads on this new occult journey I’m gonna embark on… only thing is, it’s so overwhelming how many options and paths there are
I'm not a beginner per se, but this year I jumped heavily back into my spirituality, so I feel like I'm looking at these things through a beginner lens anyway. these tips are amazing. I am mostly a folk practitioner, but I would like to dip my toes in ceremonial magick, just to see what it's like.
Even if you end up disliking ceremonial magick, the change in technique will improve your practice! (In my experience that is....) Definitely give it a try!
Yes, the elderly wise woman stereotype has a lot of truth to it. In my experience, there are little bits of success along the way, but nothing that really blows you out of the water or even can be solidly attributed to your practice and not something mundane. Months, years…then you do get something big, unexpected, but it reassures you that yes, you’ve been on the right track. Patience is a serious virtue in this field! I think a lot of people give up on it early because instant gratification is not a repeat occurrence, if you experience it at all, when you first start out.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
These are the tips that are actually useful
No bullshit no candy coating straight-to-the-point
Brilliant video Ivy ✨
Thank you, I really appreciate that!! 🙏
See, if his is exactly why you needed to make this video! I want to get to your level someday, but I’m also a beginner that is so tired of people pretending to give good, unique advice when all of their advice is ridiculously superficial and the same as the last witch. This was actually the first beginner witch video where I actually thought “DAYUM!! Now I ACTUALLY have a place to start, and it actually makes sense, and I feel educated!” Thanks for being different than the rest. Literally after years of looking I feel like I finally found good advice for beginning. This video made me finally feel like I have begun. ✨
I'm glad you made this video so new practitioners today don't have to go through the same blind confusion the rest of us did 👏💜
I would also recommend the podcast "What magic is this?"; It is a lecture-style podcast from a very, very knowledgeable magician. He often talks with other magicians/witches, and also with skeptics which has been very useful for me as I think one of the first things beginners should do is deconstruct their belief and the depth of their beliefs as that will put the boundaries on what your magic can do. For those who don't like history as much, it is a great platform to learn about occult topics that go very in-depth. I practice traditional witchcraft and "Standing and not Falling" by Lee Morgan is a very good book (as all of his books on the topic of witchcraft to be honest) that makes you progressively think about and deconstruct many philosophical and important topics to think about when you practice magic. He is also a poet, so he does it in a very beautiful and quotable way hehehe. I hate the "recipe" kind of books, because I think they gatekeep (in a way) what witchcraft is really about; which is your own practice and discovering of things. Love you, Ivy! This was a great video for beginners! Thank you for the wonderful work you do!
That is a great podcast recommendation!! And thank you so much! 🖤🖤🖤
One of my favorite podcasts!
On the note of physical health, I think it's also good to be aware of one's limits and take care of your body in the way that is best for you. I am disabled, so my options for exercise are limited there, but I have certain types of bodily exercised I can do within the bounds of my ability, so on top of managing my condition with my medication and diet, I also feel good doing things that don't add undue stress to my body. Exercise is unique to each person and their unique body, and thus your magic will be unique to you and your needs and abilities as well!
This video is so refereshing. Many beginner videos and books repeat the same stuff over and over again, while this is an honest list based on personal experience and I really appreciate it.
Thank you! 🙏🖤
Youre an amazing young , sensible woman. Ive been practicing for 53 years and have seen a lot, Ive nioticed that the young ones today are largely living in a fantasy, as if life is a computer game or something regurgitated out of hollywood. Our practice is HARD WORK, there is no short cut and no hands get held. Our teacher is experience. An elder once told me, many years ago that there is NO PATH, one lives and moves within a flow, following a path is to walk in another persons shadow, that is not a good place to be.
❤I agree with you about mental health. I had fought within so long about being the witch I was born(I came from a long line).I had alot of depression and trauma. I am almost 52.when I decided to embrace who I was I quit drinking, I just didn't and don't want it no more.I love learning and I learn so much from you and then I go from there,I research and read constantly. I am happier.i am an empath and I appreciate your tricks on protecting myself. I just wanted to say thank you ❤
This is the best beginner tips video I've seen, you show a much deeper understanding of occult practices and offer a lot of advice I haven't seen in other videos.
And in regards to advice, I hope it's alright to add some here in the comments for those reading through them. While I'm nowhere near as experienced as Ivy, there's one thing I've never seen in a beginner tips video:
Be patient with yourself. When first starting out, people often get overwhelmed by all the different traditions, history, conflicting instructions, even the vocabulary. All you really want is for someone to have the answers and tell you exactly how to get started. But nobody can, you learn that very quickly and it's frustrating. But if you can be patient with yourself and keep learning, you'll find that the lack of straight answers is actually an opportunity to build your practice however you want to. Be patient, and everything that felt restrictive in the beginning will feel more and more freeing with experience.
I love this advice!! Thank you for adding your thoughts here; they're totally welcome! And thank you, I'm so glad you found this video useful. 🖤
This is the most thorough and thoughtful 'beginner tips' video I can recall seeing, and I just want to thank you for putting this out there. Having a starting point that's more specific than just "read these books and do your own research" is so much more useful.
Fantastic information! I love how you don't hold anything back, but you do it in a way that is not intimidating. Inspiring!
Thank you, Ivy - you've achieved a Beginner's video that is truly different!
Great job on this video. Intelligent, insightful, and to the point .... not your average beginner tripe. Even my ole'-self learned a few things. lol Thank you. Your very talented.
I appreciate that, thank you! 🖤
Ok … That was a really different “Tips for Beginners” video! The first thing I would like to ask is … What book would you recommend for getting into different states of mind and how do you know when you’re in a specific brainwave state? I have a meditation practice where I know I’m in a state of mind which allows me to enter my own limestone cavern healing place, but I couldn’t tell you what brainwave state I am in when I go there. I know that I’m unaware of the physical world around me. Second, in your opinion, what one book gives a great overall view of occult history … I’ll go back and review the video on books as well. The hardest thing for me to learn so far in my spiritual practice is that I need to align the things I’m doing in my magical practice with the things I’m doing in my mundane world. Somewhere I recently heard that it takes 68 seconds of chanting your manifestation statements daily for them to actually manifest. I’m trying this and I’m getting really good results from it. Thank you so much for actually leading classes on magic for free on your RUclips channel! I’m learning so much! Please don’t ever stop! Or, go ahead and create a website for classes and I’ll sign up for it ❤❤❤, Tammy
I love the book "Psychic Witch" for learning about brain wave states, how to enter altered states of consciousness, and how to begin working in the astral realm! As a quick overview: when we are alert and awake, we are in a brainwave state called "beta." But what we want to do when performing a ritual is to slip down into alpha or theta. Alpha feels sort of like being super relaxed and you're not necessarily thinking about anything in particular. You're kind of just in a state of flow. Theta is even deeper and it's almost a light sleeping stage. Theta is where you lose all sense of your surroundings, you no longer hear what's around you, and you're not moving your body anymore. What's really difficult about theta is that since it's a "light sleep" it's incredibly difficult to hold this brainwave state without actually falling asleep! It takes lots of practice. To answer your question about occult history, I WISH there was just one book I could refer to everyone but unfortunately there isn't. I am still on the hunt for a good book that gives an overview of the entire occult history but I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist. (Thus why I have so many book recommendations in that other video 😂)
@@IvyTheOccultist Thank you for your answer! I’m pretty sure I’m reaching alpha when I’m meditating. When I come out of my meditation, I have to move slowly out of my cavern. Eventually, when I’m back to beta, I find myself slumped down in my chair with my head down on my chest. I think to be safe while meditating, I need to move to my reclining chair. Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone to practice with, so I am realizing that I need to keep myself safe. I have Mat Auryn’s book. I think I’ll read it after the thriller I’m reading now. … I read a lot … Mostly thriller, horror and fantasy romance books … I love Sarah J. Maas. I also have Jason Miller’s protection and reversal magic book I want to read. So many books, so little time! 😂 I’m trying to streamline my magic practice and create my BOS. I need to create some solid goals for myself because I tend to go off on tangents. I’ll work on finishing up my thriller tomorrow and then go into reading Mat Auryn’s book and Jason Miller’s book in tandem. I think I’ll pick up John Michael Greer’s Occult book as well. Have a good night! Tammy
@@CoralTheWitch2023I totally resonate with the "so many books, so little time" issue!! I don't think we'll ever fully get to where we want to be but that's okay because it's a forever learning experience 😂 Have a good night too! ❤️❤️
@@IvyTheOccultist ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for mentioning meditation and altered states right away at the beginning. It never stops to amaze me how overlooked it is being such an important part of occultist practices. Besides, I had a very bad experience with a protection spell (now you can say you came across someone who experienced backfire with the most harmless type of spell 😅). It was my first kind of ceremonial spell and I'll always be thankful for the mess I made. Through that experience I learned that ceremonial magic is not for me and that land wights are a very serious thing that should not be ignored.
I want to share my appreciation for this video. I totally respect that you never wanted to do a video for beginners. I love your content even tho I am a beginner, new to this realm of interest and practice. However I was to just say how grateful I am for this content because I'm a bit older. I am a beginner at the age of 28. Yes, not that old, but compared to those who have been practicing since their teens, I can feel very overwhelmed by the fact I'm coming at this at a later stage in life.
I also really appreciate all the advice shared in this video as it's extremely useful. Especially the aspect of reading up on the history of the occult and witch craft. Like you, I find history very boring but I also know how necessary it is. So hearing this from someone who is established in their practice really helps to reinforce this.
I have found all this advice so valuable and helpful in helping me figure out my next steps.
Also, I was curious as to weather you have any book recommendations for the different brainwave states.
Again, thank you so much for your content! Inlvoe your work!
I am glad you did this . . . There are alot of videos out there for beginners but none with you perspective. Thank you
Best beginner witch video Ive seen so far! These are the important foundations people dont think immediately about. Mental health, meditation, working towards goals.. all the rest is window dressing if you dont have these.
I've been practicing since 2014 but I love all of your videos so I still had to watch it immediately 😂💕
Hahah well thank you!!
Probably one of he best beginner videos I’ve seen. That practicality is so important. It does take years and it’s the journey theater is important.
thanks so much for this! new sub. my book of shadows is filled with pretty much most of the basic principles. i’m stepping it up into occult family
I don’t know how I found you, but I’m thrilled I did!! I’m watching all of your content! ❤
I really wish I had known the same advice you gave in this video when I broke away from wicca and started to really dive deep into the occult (specifically black magic) I think I went on hardcore mode without realizing it lol, I'd been consumed by my studies so much that I forgot how to live, I rarely had human contact. I don't neglect myself anymore, and have been learning to balance the mundane & esoteric. It's a work in progress. You always have good stuff!🤘🍎🐍
I am glad you were able to learn balance. That's the hardest part, in my opinion! And yeah, you really did go on hard mode 😂🖤
Thank you so much, this feels like a university lecture (in a good way), you often inspire me to take notes. I'm so happy I have access to videos like these, when I first started witchcraft as a teenager in the early 2000s I didn't have access to anything like this and bad teaching/writing is pretty much what lead me to stop practicing and give up for a long time.
I've been practicing for about 8 years, so I'm not quite a beginner lol. but im trying to go through a beginner lens again to see if there is anything i missed or want to revise. I recently found your channel, and I am SO GLAD I got recommended here! All of your points are things that are so fundamental that a lot of beginner "how tos" are missing. Plus I learned some directions here that I'm very excited to either revisit or look at for the first time! Thank you thank you!
I have watched so many beginner videos and read so many beginner recommendations. This provided a clarity and practicality I havent found elsewhere. Thank you!
I second everything you said about the history stuff. History bores me to death (unless it is art history) and I struggle reading or listening to anything history related. I think I sat through too many of my mom's lectures while she was becoming a history teacher, because I am an expert at zoning out of boring conversations and readings now. But, learning the history of what you are practicing helps SO much. You need to know why the practice started and how it evolved to fully understand why it works, how it should work, and why and when to do certain practices. I have struggled a lot with the history part, but learning it also made me better in my practice and stronger in my beliefs.
Yes, all of this!! 🙌🖤
I wouldn’t class myself as a beginner but i stepped away from practicing for a while. I love your videos because you explain things so simply, and im learning alot from you, and brushing up on things i had forgotten x currently binge watching your stuff lol x
Thank you for expanding on fear, because I have witnessed someone trying to out fear in others where Hekate is concerned and it was unsettling. You make great points and direct. Thank you for these videos!!
Props 👏 Ivy 🖤🪄💜
The fact that your videos are more intermediate/advanced is what has kept me here. Thanks for what you do!
Well thought of. Probably one of my fave no bs advice, and brief explanation of the occult out there. Definitely the kind of vid I’d send to someone who wants to start the occult or when one needs a refresher.
Thank you; that means a lot!
Just wanna let you know that your thumbnail is so perfect with the RBF and the title that is along with it!
Hahaha I love how RBF is just someone not smiling 😂😂😂 I'll take it!
I know this is an older video but I just signed up with Aura through you! I have been looking for a way to work on mindfulness and meditation so this happened at a perfect time!
This video is fantastic! Thanks for the insight and inspiration.
Thank you. Great tips, love your videos.
Really appreciate this video. Found myself nodding along to every point made. Thank you. 🙏
Wow!! This was so good! Im not a beginner but boy I really learned so much from this video ❤
I think this may just be my first comment but I really appreciate your approach to the occult sphere but also the knowledge that you share. Your channel has given me so much in such a short time but also listening to someone who has a lot of similarities as me in my approach and similar interests makes me feel less alone. So I just wanted to say thank you but I also want to say there may be many beginner videos on here but I think yours is the first I’ve found that is practical and doesn’t make people feel that anything is not attainable for them.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I really appreciate the kindness 🖤
Perfect video for beginners. I love your explanations for WHY we need to develop a practice on these foundations. ❤❤
🖤🖤🖤
Always providing quality content I love it. 💖💖
Hello, Ivy, I thank you for doing this video and for always giving out great advice, well-researched information on every video. Even though I am a newer viewer of your work, I am so impressed with you. Even though there are alot of 'beginner' videos out there, as you stated, I find that each one does include insights, tips that differ from eachother, which gives us viewers more options and more information to include into our practice. I find that is a big help as I incorporate and adapt that information into my own faery craft magick practice. So I appreciate your information!
Ah, thank you so much that is so kind!! 🙏🖤
This was absolutely excellent. I am not a beginner, I’m just a lonely lady (in terms of occult connections) but very active in the mundane world. So finding content creators with interesting perspectives really helps fulfill me. This was a really worthwhile listen. Even if there are many of these types of videos, much like you connect with a particular yoga instructor or lecturer it’s worth it because someone may have heard this stuff many many times, but the lesson doesn’t penetrate until it’s received from a particular person, and/or at a particular time in their life. Many blessings❤
Thanks so much for this Ivy. I like that the underlying points to many of your type boil down to "read lots on these particular topics, and take care of yourself" super valid advice, with enough specificity to be totally actionable.
I found you through Olivia's channel but I'm also a huge Kelly Ann Maddox fan and I see overlaps between her content and yours that I'm excited to get into your stuff (esp the chaos magic side)
Have you ever heard of the Forty Servants from Tommie Kelly? If so I'd be interested in your take, and thoughts on using archetypes in general (and i will search your archives just in case you already covered it!)
I LOVE Kelly Ann! I agree, I think our styles are very similar. Yes, I have that Forty Servants deck and I love it! I use archetypes all the time in pretty much everything I do. I plan on redoing my old servitor video so maybe I'll discuss the deck in that video too 😊 Thanks for the inspiration!
I agree with regular meditation. Girl I have tried telling fellow witches this and they will tell me that listening to music, crafting or driving in the country is the way they meditate. Then they tell me "it's my craft I meditate how I want". Yes, that is fine. But obviously they don't get it. You can't get into altered states of mind while driving 🫤
This!!!!!! Exactly!
This was great! I love that you discuss mental health and managing expectations.
Altered states of consciousness is so hard for me! It seems I just can't relax my mind. I also have a bit of anxiety when trying to meditate or enter a deep state. I never allow myself to get comfortable enough to go beyond, and the closer I get to reaching a higher state my anxiety snaps me back. I think I'm afraid I'll lose myself or be vulnerable to spiritual attack.
This video was very insightful. Just have to let go of my fear!
Maybe you could start with active meditation when you're cleaning your room, washing dishes, etc.
Clear , concise ,and you talk at a nice pace not too slow . You must have good mercury placements lol . Thanks for all the info.
Haha! I do like my Mercury placement... And thank you! 😊🖤
Super helpful!! I’d love to hear more about tips to get into particular brain wave states
One of my favourite videos of yours and at the end when you said “people probably won’t be interested” no!! I love it. It shows respect for the journey and growth and others love being able to relate to someone else’s journey!! Love you! Thank you for sharing!
if anything my practice diminishes my psychotic symptoms by grounding and soothing me. like how some people hold stress balls or rosary beads or a specific pendant around their neck. I know that no matter what my trauma tells me I am warded from harm and surrounded with love
This is fantastic, Ivy, thank you! No fluff 😂 excellent!
I really enjoyed this video. I feel like most beginner videos like this all have the same tidbits of information, which, was helpful of course but I think you added a lot of great tips that aren't focused on normally in beginner videos. Thank you!
You never fail to bring something new & so informative to all your videos!! Even when it’s in a subject that is massively popular. I truly value your content & effort you put into these videos. It definitely is so valuable!!!!
Thank you so much! ❤️❤️
This was AMAZING ! Thank you for all that you do.
Ive looked in books and on line and so far you are the only resource I found that gives a clear definition of high magic/low magic,,,I get it now,,,! Thanks,,,I want to do both !
Just found your channel today and I love this video so much 🤗 I too, am a science-minded person! I came to occultism around 17 years ago and have largely studied hermeticism, alchemy, and the like. It’s so refreshing to see someone as knowledgeable and experienced as you. I also gained a few insights too, so thanks! Though I practice magic, I’m not a witch and it’s difficult to find where I fit sometimes. Looking forward to viewing more of your content! Thanks again. 💙
I can definitely relate to the part about not fully identifying as a witch. Thank you for your comment and I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! 🖤
I can't even say how much I've found this wise and I loved it. Thank you! You've definitely got me in.
Practical common sense advice👏thank you for putting this out there for the beginners and reminding us oldies👍💚
Can you expand on the coaching Aura offers? I don’t see any videos on RUclips discussing the type of coaching offered. Thanks for the video! 🙏🏻💜✨
On the topic of telekinesis. It really do be like Harry Potter sometimes. Just understand that even ive only done it once, that it takes an incredible of amount of practice to do, and you may never be able to do it on command. Prepare for that, understand developing "powers" will take you even deeper than just spellwork. Understand that can break you like nothing else. But dont let it limit your potential. It wont happen unless you at least try. That shit is hard though. Fortify yourself. How much energy do you have to build up to produce light in your selenite wand? Metal burns when heated, do Crystals burn when energized? Is that why people use wood?
District 9
Yes.. Evocation is not easy.... it no joke... you have to be in balance.. sure in your mind and hold your ground
Thank you for beautifully articulating what Im going through right now regarding ego. You summed it up perfectly.
Amazing video! Crystal clear thoughts expressed straight forward. A real treat!
Very nicely done Ivy. Thank you and Blessings 🕯️💜🕯️
Hi I'm here again lol isn't it exciting to see science kind of "proving" that magick is real and how they work kind of... hand in hand? Ivy, I am so glad I found you. I think you're my favorite channel. I so agree with you on everything and I know you do not need me to agree with you lol but it's very hard for me to find someone that I'm here yelling at my phone "yess! YES!" 😂 ty for the book recommendations as well. ❤
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words! 🖤
Love how you described High Magic..."practiced by the rich..." today it's more the rich and the elites :)
Your videos are amazing I have just discovered you. I’m working my way through your videos. Having so many aha moments and learning so much. Even your beginner videos have advanced magic. My favourite video so far is your astral work and spirit flight… wow. Thank you for sharing and being so open. I own a witchy shop in Australia I’m going to be telling everyone to watch you!
thank you so much your vids are always so practical which i suoer apprecite
Good stuff! ✨
I've been into this a couple of years now... and like, I'm not as impatient anymore hahaha but still a little, it was much more frustrating at the beginning, and honestly I'm pretty sure I'm still learning the basics, but I'm kinda excited still😊
Thanks 👍🏽
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! 🙏❤️❤️
Can you do a video on banishing/summoning entities? I grew up Catholic, and so my family/ancestors have always been comfortable interacting with and calling upon Catholic saints/dieties, but I've never been taught about how to banish or cut off dieties/entities
i loved the part about managing expectations and having a life outside occultism. results in anything in life are hard earned. you need to work for it. also, having a life is more or less the point of occultism. what's the point of doing all this occult and magical work if you have no life? hobbies, a relationship, career etc.
what i disagree with is the low/high magic part of this video. while there were historical differences as you correctly identified, emphasizing those distinctions in the present can really deter people from exploring one over the other. grimoires from the academies and aristocratic class are available as free PDFs and a thousand and one youtube videos teaching you how to use them. same for the "cunning man's" low magic.
Thanks for making this video! I appreciate the tips. We all come to this from different points so your perspective on tips for new occultists is appreciated!
Thank you!
I made my own incense, and I love it.
I didn't know I could .
It's so easy. Love your tips❤
Ivyyyy thank you for this! I appreciate you making this video even if it feels redundant haha. I have watched your videos for like a year or something, and I love hearing Your perspective on things. I value your opinion and I know that you’re well researched, so I am so glad to get this kind of video from a witch I respect and adore! I have imposter syndrome about whether or not I’m still a beginner (I don’t think I am, but since I don’t follow a specific tradition it can be kinda hard for me to tell sometimes). These kinds of videos help me evaluate where I’m at magically/spiritually and see where I might want to fill in the blanks on my practice. Thank youuu for all your hard work and thanks for sharing your knowledge with us 😌
Ooof, I felt the imposter syndrome bit. I'm so glad you liked the video! You have always been a lovely human and I appreciate you! 🙏
Happy Mothers day, however that applies to you darling 💐
Great information, I appreciate the honesty so much. I hope your day is beautiful.
Happy mother's day to you! ❤️❤️
hi, I discovered you through the panel with Nike and Olivia and I like your take on magic and everything revolving around it.
Oh, and I love your earrings
Thank you so much! ❤️
I wish I could come learn in person from you!
The first video of yours that I watched is for beginners, so I could see what your content is like and the first thing you say is that most of your content is intermediate subscribe
All great advice which are grounded and very necessary. Love ur channel.
Another incredible video honey I always learn from you because our practice is so different! I love that I might not do things like you but I love heading about your interests! Plus I could easily listen to a six your video from you so I always get was when you say you are trying to keep it shorter lol xx
all this you're explaining sounds like that movie "a dark song" from 2016. i've watched it a couple times and i still don't quite understand it. I'd love for Ivy to watch it and give an explanation. I did read that the innvocation used in the movie is real. I'm just unclear as to why the ritual sorta backfired on the occultist. i don't want to spoil the ending lol.
Thankyou so much for your knowledge you are very much appreciated!!!!❤❤
This is how I think of high Magick vs low magic- granny weatherwax and her coven vs the wizards of unseen university 😅 my compass when practising or learning witchcraft or magic is ‘would Granny Weatherwax have any truck with it?” if the answer is no, then I don’t do it, so that pretty much excludes almost all ‘high Magick’, as fascinating as it can be. Women didn’t, and don’t, have time for prancing about it in robes, meditating, posing with fancy staffs etc, we can do highly effective magic with a saucepan, a sprinkle of herbs and an order to the universe to do as it’s bloody told or else 😂
I love this!! 😆
If someone is giving a warning or explaining something bad that happened to them they should not be automatically disregarded as attention seeking or needing to feel superior or being mentally off. I am enjoying your content but wanted to say that because of what you said in the fear mongering part.... there are many people who have had authentic bad (dangerous) experiences with spiritual stuff and a big problem is them being disregarded. There might be some way to give space for someone wanting to share or give warning, while still encouraging safe practices and reassuring that it will be ok.
Hi, can anyone recommend any books with in-depth advice for spells, rituals etc?❤
Rad Info Ivy!
You always cover the stuff alot of people forget about.
Always refreshing 🌛🌝🌜💜
Thank you for the video, very informative!
When you said "erudite" I figuratively took a step back, I was like "excuse me what?"😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 I had to look it up. I like your points.
Hahaha it's one of my favorite words! 😆🖤
Brilliant video for beginners