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The occult arts have captivated humanity for centuries, though between the institutions of science and religion, magic has always been pushed to the margins.
From secret societies and esoteric texts to folk wisdom whispered down by ancestors, occult knowledge has found a way to persist, often in secrecy, against all odds—yet the knowledge is open to all, only if you know where to look. With the right tools and know-how, you too can craft a ritual to bring about a desired change in reality.
However, if you’re new to the craft, it’s natural to feel unsure and intimidated. And without understanding the foundational principles of magic, it is quite easy for a spell to go wrong or backfire on its caster.
That’s why it’s very important to do the research, be clear about intent, and trust your intuition to guide the process.
So, if you’re ready to do your first occult ritual, we have everything you need (including the must-read occult books) to get you started!
What is the Occult?
The very term “occult” means “hidden” or “secret”. In the olden days, those with the power to divine the future were said to be blessed with the “sight”. Thus, to delve into the occult means that you’re ready to see beyond the regular trappings of reality, raise your vibrations and enter a different plane of existence where what you imagine becomes your reality.
Be it foretelling the future with animal bones, beating drums in a specific rhythm to banish a malevolent spirit or painting predators on cave walls to summon courage before a hunt, people have tapped into the occult to achieve their goals since the ancient times.
What is an Occult Ritual?
You might be thinking that an occult ritual is one where a group of kids gather inside a pentagram and chant in Latin to summon the devil for a tricky bargain. While pentagrams can be highly useful and shamans have been known to make deals with spirits, occult rituals need not always be so elaborate or theatrical. An occult ritual can be something as simple as lighting a white candle and visualizing your heart’s desire coming true.
In fact, most of the ceremonial aids (be it candles, herbs, crystals or other accessories) are just there to help the caster focus better and enhance the efficacy of the spell. The true magic always happens with you.
How to Do Your First Occult Ritual
As a self-taught witch, I’ve dabbled in the occult arts since I was a teenager and developed my practice over the years. These are some of my tips and tricks to help you prepare and successfully perform your first occult ritual.
- First figure out what you want. An occult ritual is nothing without the right intent. Take a close look at your life and make a list of goals you want to achieve. The more specific, the better. Don’t just write “I want to be successful” or “I want to heal from my toxic ex”. Describe in detail what success or healing means to you.
- Create an altar or sacred space. Set up a spiritual corner in your home where you can meditate without being interrupted. Fill it with items that have symbolic meaning for you—such as scented candles or shells collected from a beach trip or photos of your loved ones whom you want to protect. Add in elements from nature and cleanse the space by lighting incense or smudging.
- Raise your vibration. Before you perform the ritual, you must be in a calm and steady state. Practice mindfulness, breathwork or even make a vision board. You need to believe that you’re capable of creating magic before you do it.
- Design a ritual. After deciding what you want and setting clear intentions, you can write a specific spell and craft a ritual around it. You can gather materials to enhance the spell based on your intuition or you can refer to the occult books below.
- Perform your ritual. Set a particular time and date for your ritual. Cleanse the space beforehand and while chanting or spell-casting, make sure you clearly visualize the desired outcome with confidence and conviction.
Afterward, take time to rest, recharge, and document your feelings in a journal.
Must-Read Occult Books
These occult books provide a foundational course on magical principles, along with an overview on various supernatural practices, as well as insights into crafting your own occult rituals.
The Beginner's Guide to the Occult
This book takes a very modern approach to magic, neatly summarizing various branches of occult philosophies and offering an eclectic collection of techniques that you can try out for yourself. Perfect for beginners.
The Witch's Guide to the Paranormal: How to Investigate, Communicate, and Clear Spirits
If you’re more interested in corresponding with ghosts and spirits, J. Allen Cross’s book on the occult is a very handy guide. From identifying different types of hauntings to exorcising a vengeful poltergeist, this book has it all to make you a successful ghost hunter.
The Little Book of the Occult
Those in need of a short and snappy read to initiate them into the occult can get Carvel’s book. It provides a succinct introduction to various forms of occult magic, be it crafting sigils or reading tarot cards, all accompanied by beautiful illustrations.
The Occult
However, if you’re looking for a more in-depth and academic approach to the subject, The Occult by Colin Wilson is an absolute must-have.
At over 800 pages, it dives deep into the history of the occult arts, focusing particularly on the findings of the 20th century, accompanied with scientific evidence, verified anecdotes and credible hypotheses. An utterly compelling read.
What Is Occultism?
Dion Fortune was one of the highly influential British occultists and ceremonial magicians of the last century. Her book, What Is Occultism is aimed at readers swayed by rationality and breaks down occult philosophies in a down-to-earth way, separating fact from fiction and providing timely wisdom.
Featured image via Canva.
