How did you find your Wiccan path?

Question

What obstacles did you find along the way? What Wiccan path do you follow? If you are eclectic, explain what you r path consists of?

To all those who have come to preach at us or insult us, you have been reported.

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by
the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment.
We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to
life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person.
Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called "supernatural",
but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity,
as masculine and feminine, and that this same Creative Power lies in all people,
and function's through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above
the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure,
as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies
used in magickal practice and religious worship.

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as
the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. and we see in the
inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises.
We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach,
respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those
who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7. We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views
the world and lives within it - a world view and philosophy of life which we
identify as Witchcraft - the Wiccan Way.

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch, but neither does heredity itself,
nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces
within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to
others and in harmony with Nature.

9. We acknowledge that it is in the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation
of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe
we know and our personal role within it.

10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy
of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way" and have sought
to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft,
the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions.
We are concerned with our present and our future.

12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known
as "Satan" or "the Devil", as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power
through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived
only by denial to another.

13. We work within nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no
allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being.
As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions,
and seek to learn from all and to share our learning. We do not wish to open ourselves
to the destruction of Wicca by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies
and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways
are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who
are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age,
national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.

Answer 1

For me, it began in school when I was exposed to a lot of different cultures and religions. I began to study many of these so I could better understand others. When I came across Wicca, the beliefs made sense to me. It was everything I believed in but I never thought there was a name for it. After a lot of study and soul searching, I decided to dedicate myself to Wicca.

Throughout the years I have practiced Wicca, I have questioned it as well as had it questioned by others. Through each of these situations, my beliefs have grown stronger and they have also changed. For example, I now believe in the Law of Return as opposed to the more common Threefold Law. I also follow the rede of the Lycian Tradition. I think that by choosing a faith different from the one I was brought up in has made me want to actively study and participate in it instead of following blindly.

I consider myself eclectic. My practices are mostly deity oriented. I have worked with with deities from Celtic, Greek, Egyptian, and Hindu belief systems but, I don't mix pantheons at a given time. I have also worked with the more general God and Goddess as well as The All. I think this practice stems from my interest in other cultures.

Answer 2

I found Wicca by reading up on all different faiths. When I read a book on it I was hooked, I knew i had found the right path. I follow a Celtic Generational tradition that has been in my family for hundreds of years. I don't have too many problems with it because my circle of friends is very accepting as are others I know. The worst I've come across is online, believe it or not.

Answer 3

I live very close to Salem ,Massachusetts.I have all the info I could ever need within drving distance.The main obstacles I encountered were people taking things WAY too serious. I'm telling you, some of them give fundies a run for their money! My branch is Celtic, with an emphasis on Celtic Shamanism.

Answer 4

Why is it the minute someone asks a question on Wicca Christians come on and say that you are going to burn in hell?

I am neither a Wiccan or a Christian but I find such action disgraceful.

I respect you for being able to stand up to them and believe what you want

Answer 5

Actually, that's a good question, I'm not sure I remember, but I think it started over that movie they had around '98, I can't remember what it was called, but it was the one where they were driving and she made the light green...Obviously it was fiction, but anyway, my first book was a Silver Ravenwolf book, then I got dumb, the rule of three came back and bit me in the a**, and I've been in the air with my religion since

Answer 6

I found "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" a very good book. It gives you an insight to what wicca is and how it is practiced, in laymen's terms. I'm sure anything by Scott Cunningham would be good suggestions too.

Answer 7

I actually read quite a few books, but the one I found most helpful was "Conversations With God" by Neale Donald Walsch. Most wiccans I know read it and loved it. I also recommend "The Four Agreements". I follow the basic wiccan rule: Do what you will, harm none.

Answer 8

I am not a Wiccan, and I think you Chrisitians who have posted your hateful messages should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you want people do believe because it is what others tell them or because they truly believe? Jesus loved all people, be a true chrisitan and follow his example. As with any spiritual path, I think you have to look inside yourself to find your answer, religion is a deeply personally experience that finds everyone in its own way.

Answer 9

I'm not Wiccan, but I am Dianic. I was raised with folk healing, etc. and was allowed to study various religions as I chose to. I chose paganism because it made the most sense and was the most peaceful.

Answer 10

Try this link they can help with almost any question. Mystic_investigations at Yahoo Groups