Starting with magic - how?

[Marble]

How does one start with magic?
Any book recommendations?

[Gjallarhorn]

Liber Null and Psychonaut (all one book, considering the title) is an interesting (gonna refrain from using the word "good") book to start with. It will give you a very handy view of magic.

[Guitar's Cry]

We are all using magic by simply existing. By taking in the universe and observing it, we are co-creating with it.

[Guitar's Cry]

For books, please don't confine yourself to the New Age section. Try some philosophy and psychology and well. Carl Jung's Man and His Symbols gives an interesting look into dream mythology whether you buy into psychoanalysis or not. Lately, I've been lost in Joseph Campbell's The Masks of God series which gives some wonderful comparisons and basic beliefs of world mythology--relating to magic, of course, in the traditional and psychological sense of both symbols and origins of the systems.

[Shyanekh]

Originally Posted by Marble

How does one start with magic?
Any book recommendations?

Well to be honest that really depends on what you want to do. A lot of practitioners feel that all magic is essentially the same and it's only intent that determines what it does. However, nearly all practitioners prefer some methods over others. Have a think about what interests you/feels right to you and it will narrow the search quite drastically

For example would you prefer to work closely with nature or would dreams and "mental magic" be more suitable. Do you want to use ingredients or will a candle or two do? Would you prefer to work with something old/traditional or something modern/experimental?

There are a lot of systems to choose from and a lot of variation within those systems. One of the most difficult and rewarding journeys of a magician is discovering which methods suit them.

[Marble]

Originally Posted by Shyanekh

Have a think about what interests you/feels right to you and it will narrow the search quite drastically

Attract positive forces/people/events, get rid/protect me from negative ones.

Originally Posted by Shyanekh

Do you want to use ingredients or will a candle or two do?

The second option (1, 2 candles).

Originally Posted by Shyanekh

Would you prefer to work with something old/traditional or something modern/experimental?

Traditional.

[elmarna]

Do you realize that the ancient form of the word "magic" is wisdoms. It covered anything that called upon thoughts & concepts outside of the common mans understanding & perception.
So define what magic is. I may not have answered the question in the same way as well... Hodini or Naustrdaumus!

[Shyanekh]

Originally Posted by Marble

Attract positive forces/people/events, get rid/protect me from negative ones.

The second option (1, 2 candles).

Traditional.

In that case I'd definitely recommend starting off with candle magic. Candles have been used in rituals, ceremonies and spellwork for a hell of a long time, so there are a plethora of traditions to look into.
Furthermore candle magic is relatively simple (as it often requires little more than a particular candle, meditation/energy work and sometimes an invocation). This makes it a great starting point and will help you decide if you want to go further.
Finally, it's a topic that is readily available to read about online and in books (there are an absolute shedload of books on the subject).

Now, I've given you the positives, here are the negatives. I don't mean to put you off with this, I'm just looking to help you make an informed decision. There is one main problem with candle magic IMO and that is it's simplicity. The first mistake a lot of people make is thinking that by performing the necessary rituals/incantations you've cast the spell. This simply isn't true, the physical component of spellwork is incredibly useful but it isn't the be all and end all. You need to have desire for an outcome and you need to focus that desire with as much intensity as you can muster. A ritual should be exhausting and as simple as candle magic is, it shouldn't be treated any differently no matter how tempting it may be.

Hope that helps you

[Many Sages One Truth]

I think Modern Magick by Donald Kraig is a good starter. Or you could start with a simple spell like candle magick. Make sure it's a white candle. You can't mess up too much with white.

[Shyanekh]

Originally Posted by Many Sages One Truth

You can't mess up too much with white.

Depends really. White can be used as a substitute for any colour (as can black, but it depends on who you ask) so caution is still needed. Substitute red for white during a passion ritual for example and you can quite easily make a mess if you aren't careful.

That reminds me, it's good practice to construct a circle before performing any ritual. There are a few ways of doing this so you'll need to find the one you're comfortable with. In my experience creating an elemental circle is often useful for improving clarity of thought/focus and thus making spellwork smoother and more efficient.