FAQ
Q: How should I approach the information that Aidan Wachter presents in his books?
A: He recommends in the introduction to Six Ways, “what works, works. That which does not work, or whose costs outweigh their benefits, should be discarded or modified until the balance skews more favorably… If something here makes sense for you to work with, you will likely have to adapt it to your own unique self, to your specific context and needs.”
Q: I’m new to Wachter’s writing. Which of his three books should I read first?
A: Six Ways is the best book to read first. More information about each of the author’s books can be found on the Books page. Additionally, a listing of Wachter’s guest appearances can be found ordered by topic on the Recordings page.
Q: There are suggestions for practice that Wachter recommends, but I don’t have access to these materials or a space to work as he suggests. Can I improvise?
A: The section, “The Arts of Asking” in Changeling suggests, “When we find ourselves with the least access to ‘outer’ forms of help, be that books, other practitioners or specialized tools and materia, this is often precisely the point where we need our magic the most. It’s also the place where we need our connection to spirit the most, as well as the clearest mind we can manage. The real powers of magic are invisible to most people… The inner work behind the physical forms is more than enough in many situations.” So, yes, you can improvise knowing that most often you need little more than your body, mind and volition to perform magic.
Q: Can I do other kinds of practices alongside those practices described in the author’s books?
A: Yes. Wachter does not adhere to the notion that his approach to magic requires exclusivity. His books are filled with a collection of ideas, practices and approaches that he finds useful. He does not write about anything that could be described as a closed system. Thus, information presented in Wachter’s books could be brought into other systems of work or used alongside other practices that make sense to you.
Q: I’m not really getting the results I desire from the author’s approach to practice. Am I doing it incorrectly?
A: Not necessarily. In the “Praxis” section of Changeling Wachter describes that, “…we are involved in a very personal practice based on our ability to move and direct energy and intention as active parts of a spirit ecosystem. You’re already a special snowflake biologically and neurologically. If we add in the Allies and something like ancestral currents of power, it’s no longer fair to say ‘your mileage may vary.’ Your mileage will vary.” Not everything works for every person all the time, and not everything can be influenced to our liking by magical practice.
Q: What’s the best way to maintain my space for my practice?
A: Think of your practice as a well-kept garden. The “Stay Clean” chapter of Six Ways speaks to this. “Overall you are seeking to create a healthy, fertile magical ecosystem where all of the good, helpful powers are keeping the system humming along in a friendly and balanced manner.” Nurture this garden by focusing your work on beneficial outcomes, taking spiritual baths and self-care.
Q: I’ve been having experiences — psychic phenomena, dreams, unusual thoughts, etc. — that I can’t explain. Can the author explain or interpret them for me?
A: Wachter believes that our experience of magic is context dependent. Weaving Fate begins with a discussion of this idea. “Context is the whole scenario in which something takes place. It’s who you are, where you are, what you are experiencing, the previous experiences that have led you to this place, what skills you do or don’t have, and who you are with… Outsiders may think they know far better, but they lack the context required for this to be the case.” So it is with the interpretations of experiences. It is up to an individual practitioner to decide the meaning of them.
Q: I can only find the author’s books as paperbacks and in English? Where can I purchase a hardback or digital copy or a translation of his books in a different language?
A: The author’s books are only available as print paperbacks and in English.
Explore the Books page for more specific information about where to purchase the author’s writings.
If you happen upon what appears to be any other version of Wachter’s books (ebook, .pdf, translated in Spanish, etc.) be confident that you are being offered a bootlegged version of something not written and/or endorsed by the author and his publisher, and please feel free to inform the vendor of set circumstances.
Please remember that the best way to support authors is to purchase their work through legitimate channels. These sales keep the lights on in their homes.
Q: When is Wachter’s next book coming out?
A: Probably sometime in the next few years.
Q: Does Wachter offer classes, private consultations, advice and/or readings?
A: No. He does, however, answer a lot of questions on his Patreon and the related Discord server that is connected to it.
Q: Does Wachter make jewelry anymore?
A: No. The author stopped making jewelry in 2019.
Q: I have a piece of jewelry the author made for me. How should I care for it?
A: Your jewelry can be polished with a polishing cloth, both pieces made of silver and gold. Avoid using polishing liquids or pastes on pieces with a dark background because that contrast is caused by the process of oxidation, the same process that causes silver to tarnish. Anything that will make the surface shiny again will also remove the dark background. Polish the pieces, taking care to only use the polishing cloth on the parts you want to be shiny.
Q: I miss having contact with the author on the Internet. Has Wachter completely vanished from it?
A: He was entirely offline for a time, but now you can follow him on Instagram. He is also quite active on Patreon and the related Discord server that is connected to it.