So I still call myself a newbie, I've been "on the path" since July 28th 2018 but I have not been able to get through a block that apparently no one else suffers from, I cannot feel energy.
Every beginner book about casting spells. circles, mediation, etc, require me to "feel" energy, and every beginner "energy manipulation" article I've found starts with the old "rub your hands together" bit and I never feel anything from that. I can't "raise vibrations", I can't "feel the energy" of a spell. I can't "feel the energy" of a crystal when I purchase one, even in a metaphysical shop. Whenever I go buy one the shop keep insists on me "feeling" the right crystal and I pretend I do cuz if not they won't leave me alone, but I feel no difference between a rock from my drive way and an amethyst.
When I meditate, it could be for 15 minutes or 50, I never "reach an altered state of consciousness" so I feel no different. Just sitting there in silence, listening to my breaths. Or I try a guided meditation that takes me no where.
I cast spells and they seem to work just fine but every time I do I just feel I'm talking to an inanimate object, usually a candle. It doesn't feel like I'm doing anything. I don't like to call myself a witch because of this. I feel like I'm just pretending, going through the motions, but don't feel any difference.
I used to have this same problem, and I had an intense focus on learning how to manipulate my own energies before really trying spells. (This took me forever because I am absolutely horrible at meditation as well)
My best advice that usually people don't consider is while you're sitting with your eyes closed (it's not meditation, but try to be some place that "energizes" you, like outside on a sunny day for me or in a room with incense burning), relax your hands in your lap or wherever is comfortable. Focus on your fingertips first, the very tips of it, if you're still long enough you will be able to feel your pulse under your skin. Focus on that pulse for as long as you can, when you think you're able, visualize (visualization has helped me overcome so many obstacles in my practice) a light beginning to form at the tips of your fingers until it starts to just barely tingle.
If this works for you, keep practice and expanding the range of where you feel your pulse and "see" the light and feel the tingling. It's really very subtle.
Most importantly, believe in yourself! :D You can do it!
I really like that tip. Visualization can maybe help evoke sensations and feelings you weren't getting before.
I haven't been practicing for as long this time around, but the I gave up on my path the first time around for the same thing that you are experiencing (or rather, not). I still don't feel energy and it's something that I really struggle with. I hope that both of us find our way, but I hope you find some solace in knowing that you are not alone! And thank you @KaliMonsterr for the advice, I shall try to follow it too!
You're definitely not alone in this, I also have absolutely zero luck with "sensing" energy. It might be some sort of inner block we put up to help keep from being overstimulated, or we could just be unlucky. Either way, I'd say as long as your spells work you must be doing something right and definitely deserve to call yourself a witch or whatever designator you choose! 🙂