How to Become a Real Witch

If you are wondering how to become a witch, you’ve come to the right place! A witch is someone who chooses to practice witchcraft and does not wait for permission, approval, or a perfect moment to make it a part of their life.

I think what most people are really asking is, “When am I allowed to call myself a real witch, and what does that look like in my everyday life?”

I’m writing this article for newer witches who have already started learning and practicing, but want to discuss their craft on a deeper level. If you’re new and want to learn the basics, I highly recommend reading my Witchcraft for Beginners post.

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What It Means to Be a Witch

Being a witch is about what you do and the actions you take or don’t take. It’s absolutely NOT about what you look like, how you dress, or what gender you identify with.

Witchcraft is a personal practice you can return to again and again when life feels uncertain or you feel disconnected from what matters to you. Think of it as a creative craft rather than a strict system. Anyone who wants to be a witch is welcome to be one.

Your practice is an amalgamation of who you are, how you relate to the world, and what brings personal meaning to you. Remember, you do not need to be chosen or validated by a book, teacher, or label to be a witch. Trust yourself to know what you believe, and who you really are. Then go be that person!

Can Anyone Become a Witch?

Yes, anyone can become a witch. You don’t need to come from an ancient bloodline, worship certain deities, or have formal training to embrace this path.

It typically begins with curiosity (at least it did for me). However, your practice will really begin when you start weaving witchcraft into your everyday life with intention and reflection. You truly become a witch when you stop reading about it and start living it each day.

What a Real Witch Is Not

A real witch does not have supernatural movie-style powers or spend every moment casting spells. In fact, witchcraft rarely looks flashy or Instagram-worthy.

A real witch doesn’t chase a certain look or pretend life is soft and easy all the time. It’s literally impossible to be a perfect witch all the time, either, so be prepared for things to sometimes get a bit messy.

Witchcraft will not help you avoid discomfort, conflict, or responsibility. If anything, witchcraft hands you a mirror, not a magical escape hatch.

Understanding Your Witchcraft Power

Witchcraft power is not Zeus-like lightning bolts or instant outcomes like in Harry Potter. Instead, power comes from within; your awareness of patterns, the choices you make, and your ability to influence your own behavior and environment.

I know that doesn’t sound glamorous, but I promise magic works when you keep showing up and pay attention to the small details. Small consistencies do much more than big rituals ever will, even if it’s a lot less fun to post about online.

I recommend really getting comfortable with Spiritual Grounding and Centering and learning How to Raise Your Vibration. These techniques aren’t very glamorous, but I think they are the foundations all witches must excel at to truly thrive.

Becoming a Good Witch in Real Life

This is something I hear people ask about a lot, and to be honest, it’s kind of a loaded question. What does it mean to be good?

If you’re Wiccan, you believe in the threefold law, which means whatever energy you put out (good or bad) will be returned to you times three. However, you do not need to be Wiccan to be a witch. So where does that leave non-Wiccan practitioners? What’s right and what’s wrong?

I’d like you to consider the following scenarios and think about what a “good person” would do in this scenario:

• A business owner repeatedly underpays employees, blaming it on tight margins, even though they are clearly profiting in large amounts. Is it appropriate to protect them from consequences and allow the behavior to continue?
• A landlord ignores safety issues and refuses repairs, knowing tenants have few options. Should you do nothing and let the harm continue unchecked?
• Someone who cheats, manipulates, lies, or gaslights their partner, then expects sympathy when they’re finally confronted. Should you stay silent and avoid helping the people affected by it?

Personally, I always remember the saying, “Before you help someone, make sure you aren’t interrupting their Karma.” However, it’s not about what I would do, or anyone else. It’s about what YOU think is right. What morals and beliefs do you have?

Being a good witch isn’t about following a rulebook or being perfectly behaved. It comes from within and shows up through the choices you make, especially when no one is watching, and before any spells or rituals are involved.

Choosing How Witchcraft Fits Into Your Life

Witchcraft isn’t a checklist you finish and move on from. It’s a path that’s shaped over time, as you change and grow as a person. Stop waiting for some imaginary moment when you’ll feel “official,” because that moment will never arrive.

Some witches lean toward devotional work like prayer, honoring ancestors, or building relationships with deities. Others keep their practice practical and focused on everyday life, boundaries, intention, and personal growth. Neither path is “better” or more legitimate. In fact, my witchcraft practice has changed many times depending on the season, my mental health, or what’s going on in my life at that moment.

Most witches practice alone. A solitary practice gives you a lot of freedom to experiment, reflect, and grow without being observed by other people. However, practicing in a group or coven can be very meaningful too. Again, neither path is right or wrong, nor is either a sign of being a more “serious” witch.

Exploring Different Types of Witches

I typically recommend new witches pick a type of witchcraft path. This is because it’s a lot less overwhelming when you’re trying to learn. For example, if you choose to be a Green Witch, you spend a lot of your time learning about witchcraft herbs, gardening, moon magic, pagan holidays, or the magic elements.

This helps beginners focus on what they’re most interested in and become really knowledgeable in those areas. However, I want to be very clear here: you do not need to pick a label and cling to it forever.

Witchcraft is flexible, and anyone telling you otherwise is probably selling you something. In reality, most witches end up on some kind of Eclectic path. Which is perfectly okay! You’re welcome to practice witchcraft in whatever way is most meaningful to you.

How to Live Like a Witch Day to Day

Living like a witch day to day starts with paying attention instead of sleepwalking through your life. Slow down and observe seasonal cycles, energy shifts with people and places, and your own behaviors (especially the ones you’d rather ignore).

Find ways to incorporate your intentions into everyday life. Maybe you whisper a positive affirmation into your tea so you consume it and have it with you throughout the day. Maybe you craft the perfect sigil and place it in your car so you’ll always arrive at your destination safely. The possibilities are endless!

Awareness is a real entry point to witchcraft. I think educating yourself is one of the best places to start (that’s why libraries are the most magical places on earth). Learn about anything you want! History, gardening, symbolism, herbalism, folklore, sigils, dream symbolism, etc. (I could go on and on). The more educated you are, the better witch you’ll be because no one can take knowledge from you.

Like, for example, did you know many Puritans were against celebrating Christmas during the 1600s due to its pagan origins? In fact, the Massachusetts Bay Colony outright banned it for around 20 years. Puritans despised the occasion so much, they deliberately closed their churches on December 25th. You can learn more fun facts like this in my Winter Solstice article or Britannica’s When Christmas Became Illegal.

Anyway, I was starting to rant on something I’m very passionate about. Lol! My point is, awareness and reflection are important foundations for being a witch. I recommend keeping a grimoire or Book of Shadows to keep track of your thoughts and what you’ve learned. It will be one of your most valuable witchcraft tools.

Signs You Are Already Practicing Witchcraft

You may already be practicing witchcraft without realizing it. Do you sometimes make decisions with your gut, even if logically you aren’t sure how you know that? That’s your intuition speaking to you.

Do you pause before big choices, step outside to clear your head, and give yourself a moment to check in with yourself? That’s a type of personal ritual!

Maybe you form strong connections to Nature or symbols without even trying to. Do you notice patterns, certain numbers, songs, animals, or moments that feel deeply meaningful to you? That’s not simply superstitions; you’re paying attention and letting those meanings build within you over time.

Are you constantly curious about spirituality? Do you always wonder why certain systems are the way they are? If you’re always watching, questioning, and then refining your beliefs, you’re already doing more witchcraft than you think.

Deepening Your Practice Over Time

Your witchcraft practice will begin to deepen when you stop consuming content and start testing things in real life. Reading books and saving posts feels productive, but nothing changes until you try something, reflect on it, and try again. At some point, you must start doing witchcraft.

You will begin to notice what actually works for you and stop listening to others who are not on the same path as you. Keep what works for you, and drop the rest without guilt or shame. You will feel like a powerful witch when you stop copying and start adapting practices for yourself. Even if it looks a bit different or peculiar to other people.

Common Doubts When Claiming the Word Witch

Deciding to call yourself a witch brings up doubts for almost everyone. Imposter syndrome rears its ugly head almost instantly, along with the fear of being cringe. Add religious baggage and the fear you’re doing it wrong, and suddenly you’re seriously doubting yourself and tempted to remain in the broom closet forever.

I promise I have felt every single one of these doubts myself. I’ve wondered if I knew enough to call myself a witch. Am I simply embarrassing myself?

Fear of being wrong is especially common for people who were taught there is only one correct way to believe. Witchcraft does not work like that, and that freedom can feel unsettling at first. You’re allowed to learn, adjust, and change your mind, all while still being a witch.

If you feel awkward, uncertain, or like you are still figuring things out, congratulations, you’re doing it right! Witchcraft is something you grow into by continuing anyway.

You Do Not Need Permission to Become a Witch

You do not need permission to become a witch. No one is keeping score, handing out certificates, or waiting for you to feel one hundred percent ready. Witchcraft shows up through your actions and how you treat people.

You become a witch by practicing, reflecting, and making intentional choices, even when you feel unsure or mildly ridiculous. I promise confidence will follow.

If you’re waiting to be the “perfect” witch, you’ll be waiting forever because it’s never going to happen. Start where you are, work with what you have, and let your practice grow with you. Witchcraft doesn’t demand perfection; it just asks you to show up and participate, and luckily, there’s no final exam.

I hope you found this How to Become a Witch article helpful! Sending you lots of love, and remember, as always…