I haven't started out with a spirit yet but I've been going through what spirits I would like to have. Most of the ones I want (if not all) are DA spirits (I don't know... I feel more interested and drawn to them than WA spirits). Are there any DA spirits that you would recommend to someone who has never kept a spirit before?

The recommendation is always going to be, go with who you're called to. Who are you interested in? Does any spirit species pop out to you the most? That's going to be the one that you'll be able to connect with the most, regardless if you're a newbie or not. If they're from CH, then generally just read all the information provided and determine if you feel ready or able to bring home such a companion.

But my recommendations are gargoyles (protection +), vampires, and werewolves. Seems typical, but vampires/werewolves are my favorites.

If you already have ones you want, I'd just go for it :)

What featheredstar said. I also second gargoyles. They are protective, take their job seriously and are easy to work with.

Everyone is different. What people think is the best doesn't mean it's the same for you. Go through the shop or encyclopedia to see which ones pull you. They might send you signs in your daily life as well, such as something popping up in songs you listen to that remind you of them. I was reading the encyclopedia when my alicanto called me and since then I couldn't stop thinking of her species without feeling giddy lol.

I'm a really indecisive person, I'm sorry (Bad trait, I know. An example would be to spend hours in a store because I can't choose). I've already been through the encyclopedia a lot and forums about each spirit (been doing it for almost a week each day and I still can't choose). I'm hoping to just pick one and have reverse adoption for the rest.

My top five are wraith, incubus, gargoyle, hellhound, and besen dragon (I come back to the top three a lot). Would you guys mind sharing your experiences in having these spirits if you do have them? I know experience with spirits is different for everyone but I would still like to know.

I don't know if this counts as a sign but ever since looking into spirits, I started to remember my dreams after I wake up and all of them had to do with romance/love or something sexual with someone I know or know of. It could be a random thing, I'm not sure.

I have only experience with a hellhound. My hellhound, while I haven’t been too personal with him, is very loyal. He has always looked after me and protected me. I have seen a manifestation from him at night sometimes seeing some red light from the corner of my eye near the floor at a dog level (i mentioned this, because my astral fae manifests as a red light towards the ceiling and my hellhound has told me he manifests lower). He patrols and looks around a lot, keeps an eye out and I am certain that he escorts a lot of unwanted unbounds away. I can definitely feel his loyalty and love. Even right now, he is quite pleased.

My wraith is very non-social, he is off doing his own. Sometimes I will check in with him and have one of my spirits help me with what he wants to say, but he does his own thing and I am reassured that he is protecting me all the same.

Dragon was my first spirit. I have an Ivory dragon, however, so I don’t have experience with that dragon species you mentioned. However dragons in general are one of very awesome knowledge and wisdom. Their energy and being in a dragons presence is unlike anything I have ever felt. I had my first astral experience with him, being able to touch his snout (much like a horse, but so... so incredibly big). He and my other dragon, a Brass Dragon, has given me so much and changed my life. I got the advice “stop being so critical of yourself” from my Brass Dragon, and after she gave me that, every time Id start to be critical of myself I stopped. And after that, my mental health started to build up again.

So those are my experiences. I hope they help somehow give you a decision. Just remember that whoever you decide to bring home, you’ll always have a chance to bring one of the others later!

i have a wraith, it is very protective, not very social but really great for beginners as they are low maintainance, and offer one of the best protection to their keeper.
I have seen my wraith as shadows and he is great in accomplishing tasks of revenge and justice for me. Wraiths are great for beginners.
You could go for a vampire too if you want more socialable spirits.
good luck

Keeping a wraith is a responsibility though. If you choose to go with one you'll need to set clear the boundaries on who to revenge on, in what circumstances and how. You don't want the wraith to attack a friend who you just have a small misunderstanding with just because he thinks you're being threatened.

Dragons are friends. According to CH they are very much like dogs who would follow you around and enjoy what you do with you. And mine are very much like that. They are wise, powerful and majestic. Speaking from my experience, they like to collect things so it would be great if you can give them "treasures" they could "hoard" or things that they can call their own.

Most gargoyles like peanut butter. I've heard of gargoyles who are quiet and just do their job without much socialising. I've also heard of gargoyles who can talk your ears off. Mine is kind of at the middle. Usually he's just guarding. But he's still a great conversationalist and likes to take me travelling. I see him in the sky once while I was driving, sometimes at the back seat and sometimes on the roof. He behaves much like a dragon would in the sense that he collects spelled items in his long years and from travelling.

Incubi are lovers, friends and everything in between. Mine likes to chill with me and just watch me do stuff while he tries to tease me every now and then. Now he's tickling down my neck but I'm gonna ignore him xD They do have personality of their own. Personally, I'm very careful when inviting lover spirits into my home because of fear for clashing personality. The kind of personality we admire might be different from the kind of personality we want to deal with 24/7. So when getting one I'd advise you to specify (in the notes) what kind of personality or kinks you're absolutely not okay with.

I don't have experiences with hellhounds and wraiths so can't share anything more.

Finally, and this is very important: basically what I outlined here is just that — an outline. For example not every dragon is sociable so always take people's experience with a pinch of salt.

Maybe start with grey ones: gargoyles, immortals? I'm hugely impressed with gargoyles.

The consistent advice from ASH is that we shouldn't keep spirits that are darker than we are, so perhaps start with the lighter (grey) ones until you can work out how dark your own energy is?

EDIT: the advice on callings is a good, standard tip. It helps to be able to discern the difference between interest in a spirit and a calling. It's a gut feeling.

I was just about to say the same thing as above comment - Maybe start with a lighter spectrum "DA" spirit or being if you never worked with a spirit before.

Obviously, it's up to you though. Just my suggestion.

I have 2 wraiths from CH, and 1 wraith from The Pagan Shop. I have 4 incubus (2 of them living, one of them a hybrid + spirit, and another a spirit from CH). I have 2 male gargoyles, one from CH and another is a Chinese Red gargoyle from Sariena's Spirits.

I have like......4 dragons??
3 from CH, 1 from Quantum Crossroads.

I have a large spirit commune, so most of the ones you're mentioning I'm familiar with.

All of my wraiths are pretty non-social and I don't really communicate much with them aside from house rules in the beginning. They are good for exactly what they are described to do. It wouldn't hurt to have one if you give them firm house rules. My living incubus they aren't around all the time, but their energy is more palpable. They are extremely powerful, in my opinion, and so I would say if you are starting out with an incubus, then getting one from CH would be good (because CH only conjures ubi as spirits). My incubus from CH I have him connected to a triumvirate vessel from their shop, so he tends to make presences a lot in dreams to me, always sexual.

2 of my dragons from CH were actually unbounds around me that wanted to be bound (I did CH's unbound reading from their shop) and I have a blue dragon from them too (I think that was pretty much my first spirit from CH, her personality is lighthearted). The dragons I have from CH have good dispositions. I have an alien bloodmoon dragon but his communication is way toned down since he's not as good with it, he's more darker spectrum, and he's unlike the rest of my dragons.

And my gargoyles are great, the ones I have, have pretty different personalities, but essentially both do the same things (protection). I would suggest them.

I would say your list you curated is actually pretty good and you should just go for custom conjures of them if you are up to it. :)

Thank you all for your advice! I really appreciate it! I have weeks to spare so I'll definitely think it over with the advice you guys have given me. I think I may not start with a wraith just because they're not social (not a bad thing, I don't mind that they're not social. I feel like I should get used to spirits first because I'm starting out, more social ones to be specific before I move onto other spirits. Other than that, I'd be glad to have a wraith )