A Brief Introduction to Witchcraft

Dear Reader, I thank you for taking the time to read this humble pamphlet and congratulate you on taking these first steps into the wondrous world of Witchcraft.
As the title suggests, this is but a brief introduction and within you will find a simple summary of the main Crafts. If you should desire to know more about any particular Craft, a list of recommended reading and sources can be found on the final page, yet even this is just a drop in the ocean of the vast knowledge available.
For further enquiries or requests, I advise you to seek out your local Witch, or you can contact me directly in the ancient halls of Dewbell Crypt.

— Lady K.Fenlea, Resident Witch and Ghost of Dewbell, and her assistant, P.Quillian.

Introduction

First and foremost, it should be highlighted that power of an arcane nature rarely, if ever, comes without a cost. The type and level of this cost will differ depending on the Craft one chooses to practice, but it can be expected that the more complex the Craft, the higher the cost will be. For this reason, some Crafts are limited to those with an innate arcane ability, and even these must go through rigorous testing to be granted access to the teachings of such magic. These few are grouped under the title of Major Crafts which will not be included in this pamphlet for the readers safety, yet can be attained by personal request to the author. The remaining Crafts are referred to as Minor Crafts, and shall be the focus of this text.

Minor Crafts

Minor Crafts can be learnt by any and all, yet is naturally easier for those with innate abilities. While it is common for Witches to focus their energies and powers into one specific Craft, there is nothing to prevent one from dabbling in a variety, if they should so desire. This may serve to broaden horizons and opportunities, but it is often not recommended by numerous arcane academies who believe it is more beneficial to the Witch to become a Master of a Craft.*
Each Craft has one or more connections to a particular element, either physical or spiritual. The stronger the Witches' connection to the element is, the more potent their Crafting will be.
*The author prohibits herself from expressing her personal opinions on this subject, yet as her assistant, I see no reason to say that Academy rules are merely suggestions and not law, no matter how they might represent them.

Charmcraft

Witches of this Craft focus their energies on enchanting an array of handmade items and trinkets to make charms. These charms can have a wide array of purposes, strength and durability.
This Craft is connected with Spirit, Earth and Moon.

Divination

Witches of this Craft are able to use a variety of means to see into the future. It should be noted that a Witch without an innate ability will find this Craft a most difficult challenge to master, but it is not impossible.
This Craft's connections are with Spirit and Moon.

Elementalism

Perhaps one of the most varied of Crafts, Witches of the Elements can bend the powers of nature to their will, create golems or use their raw energy to fuel their spells. These Witches rarely have control over all the elements, but connect to one in particular.
This Craft's connections are with Earth, Air, Sun and Moon.

Forgecraft

Witches of the Forge focus their power on the crafting of magically imbued tools and weapons.
This Craft's connections are with Fire, Metal and Earth.

Healing

Healers use their magic to enhance the natural healing powers of organic components to craft potions and poultices.
This Craft is connected with Moon and Earth.

Illusioncraft

This Craft has a slightly misleading name as these Witches do not solely focus on creating illusions. There are different branches of this Craft but all focus on the creative arts, whether visual or auditory.
This Craft has connections with Light and Air.

Kitchen Witchery

Kitchen Witches focus on the art of cooking, baking and brewing. Their recipes tend to be highly protected secrets, only shared within their own Coven. This is a more subtle Craft, and it is believed there are many Kitchen Witches who are unaware of their own power.
This Craft is connected with Fire and Earth.

Leafography

Witches of this Craft ensure a healthy balance is kept in woods, forests and gardens through the reading of leaves. Not to be confused with the reading of tea leaves, which is an art known to Divination Witches.
This Craft's connections are with Earth and Sun.

The Cost of Magic

As has already been said, the cost of magic differs between Crafts, but also between Witches. Those with an innate ability will pay a smaller cost to those without, but it is vital for both to be aware of the cost before attempting to learn a Craft. Magic is a wonderful and beautiful thing, but it can also be dangerous and that danger is never to be forgotten or ignored.
When a Witch Crafts, they tap into the natural energies and magic of their location, drawing from them and channelling them into their Craft. The nature of the power being channelled is determined by the nature of the Craft and its connections. If a Witch is not careful, they can end up draining the element of not only its power, but also its life, which can have severe consequences on their surroundings. It is common, and highly recommended, for young Witches learning their Craft to use a Focus which limits the power they can channel. Runic Circles and Wards are also typically used as preventatives.

This section will be added to in the future!

A Note About Covens

Being a Witch doesn't have to be a solitary path. Whether formed locally or across distances, many Witches group together to create Covens. They aren't always Craft specific and can be quite diverse gatherings offering a range of opinions and perspectives. Speak to your local Witch to discover which Covens are near you, or how to get in touch with a long-distance Coven.