Welcome, @Mara! To start, it's important that you think about what you really want. Rituals start with intentions, so find a moment to reflect. I remember when I started myself - I wrote down my most important goals on a piece of paper and it helped a lot.

Hey, I'm just getting started too! I'm wondering what is the best place to perform rituals? Do they need to be specially prepared somehow?

@mirta The place should be first and foremost yours. Where do you feel comfortable and safe? That's where you can perform your rituals. Some prefer nature, others a quiet corner in the house. It is important that you are not distracted. As for preparation, make sure your place is clean and tidy - both physically and mentally.

And what items are necessary for the ritual? What needs to be prepared? Some kind of altar, robes and incense or something like that?

@anima It depends on you and the type of ritual you want to perform. There are no rigid requirements. An altar, candles, crystals - these can all help with focus and visualization, but they are not essential. The most important thing is your intention and energy.

Posted by: @hellan

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Rituals begin with intentions,

How to define this intention? Should I write it down?

@mara The intention should be clear, specific and formulated in the present tense, as if it has already come true. You can write it down, say it out loud, or just hold it in your mind.

And what do you think about these "recipes" for rituals that can be found in books and on the Internet? Is it possible to use them?

@mirta You can, but you don't have to. Treat them as inspiration rather than rigid guidelines. Adapt them to yourself, to your needs and beliefs. Remember that the magic is in you, not in some book.

Posted by: @sauwak

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You can, but you don't have to. Treat them as inspiration rather than rigid guidelines. Adapt them to yourself, to your needs and beliefs. Remember that the magic is in you, not in some book.

That's what I think too. Ritual is your personal experience. Experiment, listen to your intuition and create your own rituals. This is the best way to develop your magical abilities.

@betalia And how to actually "experiment" with rituals? I am afraid that I will do something wrong and there will be some unpleasant consequences from it.

Posted by: @anima

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@betalia And how to actually "experiment" with rituals? I am afraid that I will do something wrong and there will be some unpleasant consequences from it.

Magic is all about energy. If your intentions are pure and you focus on the good, you have nothing to fear. Start with simple rituals, such as for attracting happiness or peace. Observe how you react to different elements of the ritual - music, smells, symbols. Over time, you'll learn what works best for you.

@anima Well, yes, just remember not to overdo it with this "creativity". I've seen so many bizarre recipes for rituals that it's a headache. 

Servitor - someone please explain to me what it is.

@mara They are small energy beings that can attach themselves to a person with a weak aura or unclear intentions. They can cause minor mischief, such as losing keys or breaking equipment. They can be easily gotten rid of with energy cleansing.

And can you recommend any books or websites where one can learn more about rituals?

@mirta I recommend Scott Cunningham's "Natural Magic," Buckland's "Encyclopedia of Magic and Wicca."

@mirta As for books, I recently came across a pretty interesting title about chaos magic. "Liber Null & Psychonaut" by Peter J. Carroll. It's a bit heavy reading, but those who like unconventional approaches to magic may find it inspiring.

@sauwak Chaos magic? Sounds weird...

Why? It is possible to invoke evil entities to do the work for us as well, although people with the right knowledge say straightforwardly that having the right spiritual strength and powers, these entities are sometimes more effective in achieving the goals set for them.

@mara Chaos magic emphasizes individualism and experimentation. It can be an interesting alternative to more traditional magic systems.

What about all those symbols and magic signs? Is it necessary to know them all by heart?

@mirta Rest assured, you don't have to get a tattoo with the entire Book of Goetia on your back. Symbols are important, but more important is to understand their meaning and the energy they carry. Start with the ones that attract you and that you intuitively feel.

Let him define what he wants to deal with because another sign is a pentacle and another is a seal, let him bring something back without knowing the seal then he may have a problem

And are there any symbols to avoid?

First get to know them, find out what or who they symbolize, then check out what the entity is and judge for yourself. Avoid pushing and invoking the dark side of power because.... as you can see your knowledge is lacking, and even experienced magicians ended up either in a psychiatric hospital or with severe agonies dying when they couldn't control these entities or send them away. It's a higher school of thought and you really have to know what you're doing. There is a lot, really a lot that you can do without such risks, by training meditation, visualization, breathing, focusing your mind and energy instead of taking on something that I will vividly recall like this. You're just about to take your driver's license exam, and you're already signing up for rallies without even having a clue about offensive driving and operating such a vehicle which, as you know, requires more knowledge and practice.

@sauwak symbols should not be tattooed, even the simplest ones, even runes

@pjangi It was ironic.

@sauwak I get it, I didn't catch it 🙂 but you're so ironic and suddenly someone will start running around with the eye of the prophet on their forehead 🙂

It depends on your beliefs and goals. Some symbols may have negative connotations or attract unwanted energies. It is always a good idea to carefully research the meaning of a symbol before you use it in a ritual.

You mentioned energy cleansing. How is it done? Is it enough to take a shower?

@mirta A shower is a good start, but more is needed for energy cleansing. You can use white sage smoke, incense, the sound of Tibetan bowls or crystals. The important thing is to focus on the intention of cleansing and visualize the negative energy leaving your body and surroundings.

@mirta You can also use salt for bathing or space cleansing. Salt has strong properties to absorb negative energy.