Hi Everybody!
I’m Laurie, “The Garnet Heart Witch.” 
(Not officially, it’s just something I call myself.) I am a solitary eclectic witch, and I am here because, well – cool place! I have dabbled in the occult for most of my life, but there was never any support, and life took over and after five years of cognitive behavioral therapy for my ADHD, I have learned a lot about myself, and it was a lot of work, and I was also working my job a lot, and trying to get to as many concerts as possible, and I suddenly realized this past year that spirituality was really missing in my life. I decided to jump in full-on, and in the past month I’ve started a Wiccan course, bought divination tools, a few books, a bunch of magick supplies, have studied a heck of a lot, and last night I just finished putting together my first altar. It has been SO gratifying and satisfying. I feel so in my element. I am especially interested in runes and crystals right now, although I feel really comfortable doing candle magick and working with herbs. I will difinitely be checking out what threads are here regarding crystals (I need someone to help me identify them – some are really hard!)
The books I am reading right now are The Little Book of Wicca by Kirsten Riddle, Anan Cara – A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O’Donohue, Wicca – A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, and Grimoire - A Personal Magical Record of Spells, Rituals, and Divinations by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. I also use The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum to interpret my spreads of Viking runes. I’m interested in finding THE herb book that you have had luck with. One that is easy to understand. I’d love to try a magickal herb recipe for Lughnasadh.
I’ve already read quite a few of your posts, and I’m looking forward to learning from you and becoming as active a member as I can be. Thanks for having me, and I’ll talk to you soon.