Would you teach me the "Craft"?

Question

I want to learn everything about becoming, a druid/witch/ect.. But i am having a hard time with reading all the books out there. (there are so many)
Please help.
Before you all go on about, oooo don't do that it's evil, ect... I am not in this for the black arts. I just belive we should all be living and treating the earth as well and with love.

God i love ignorant people. If you have some dumb a** answer then why do you bother???

Answer 1

this is wonderful. blessed be and welcome to the craft! if you wish i can discuss my learning's with you and where i go for research and some examples of my own designs of esbats and sabbat rituals etc. i have contact info in my profile here go ahead and use that at your whim. i look forward of sharing my practices with you and guide you as i am able. please though find other sources as well. the more you get the better off you will be.
take care
mournyngwolf
solitary practitioner of wicca and wizardry

Answer 2

Learning (and utilizing what you've learned) what you call "The Craft" is a long term, slow growth process. And while it might take over a decade of study and practice (seriously) just to grasp the basics, those who stick with it do quite well.

Like another poster said, it's a bumpy road. And the first 'bump' is finding the right stuff to read. First thing I'd do is to totally ignore the 'Occult" department in the bookstore, or at least any book with "Llewellyn" as its publisher. Go instead to history, science, religion (all of 'em), philosophy, and similar things. Become a sponge, practice a household craft like cooking, sewing, or gardening.

I tell serious seekers that studying the Hermetic arts and the old Rosicrucians and Freemasons will give you a good metaphysical grounding- especially the Rosicrucian stuff. Understanding alchemy- even if you never have a lab set (very hard in these police state times) is a helpful thing. Delve deeply into the Hermetic philosophies, and read The Kybalion.

Don't neglect the study of other religions. If you can get past the dogma, they do hold kernels of truth that can teach you stuff. And don't toss Christ out with the Christians- his hidden teachings both in the accepted Bible as well as the less well-known books (find "The Other Bible" and the Nag Hammadi texts) are relevant for those who wish to have open Eyes and listening Ears.

Don't let zealots trouble you, and do not become a zealot yourself. If you are confident on your Path, no one can sway you from it. Nor should you try to do so in reverse. Treat people decently, even if they treat you horribly, and you'll win through.

Keep an eye peeled for Teachers. They won't advertise themselves as such, but they'll appear when you're ready. This really happens. And should you stay on this Path, do not neglect your obligation to be the Teacher Who Appears to those who are in the shoes you wear now.

Best of luck, whatever Path you choose.

Answer 3

First and foremost, the important thing I say to every beginner is to take your time. Witchcraft is not a competition, it is a religion. I understand how you feel about there being so many books out there. I suggest you start by picking up a book entitled "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk, OR "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham.

The Starhawk book is awesome, though a bit feminist, but the Cunningham book is (as well as many of his other books) designed for the beginner.

PLEASE steer clear of any books written by Silver RavenWolf.

Trust your conscious and your intuition on your learning. Pray and meditate regularly.

Good luck on your spiritual journey, sister, and may the Goddess be with you.

Answer 4

Get involved in local groups. That's what I did. Read as much as you can. Just because you believe that we should be living and treating the earth with love it doesn't mean that you have to become a witch. There are many pagan paths. I was a Pagan for many years. I worshipped the earth, the moon and nature.

Now that I've opened my heart to the Lord, I worship the creator of it all. I still have a deep apreciation for nature, and I feel closest to God when I'm outside in his wonderful creation. He loves us that much to make such beauity, to create each blade of grass, to mould each tiny pebble.When I look up and see the clouds, the sunsets, the rain, its amazing..I feel so in awe of his presence.
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19

Answer 5

Ok. First and foremost, know this; if you choose this path(as I have, for many years)be aware that it is by no means an easy life. Nor is it a rich and rewarding one, materially speaking(unless of course you deviate towards the darker Art). Knowledge IS power, but alas, Ignorance truly is bliss, but no-one can really understand this until they have experienced it, then of course, it is too late.
The way of the Occultist, be it whatever label one wishes to put on it, can be a very lonely one. There are some important things a true Occultist can ONLY discover through leaving the distractions of society and its ways. In effect, becoming a hermit for a time. It is a trial one must be willing to endure, if one truly wishes to learn the Ways of the Arts. There are more trials, but I will not go into them. Should you decide to spend your life, dedicated to discovering the knowledge of ancient ways, you will find those others out in time.
Choosing to stick to a religious version of the Occult can be good for some, but from my experience it cannot fully enlighten one to the truth in an unbiased way, so by default, corrupting some of the simple realities of our Way.
I have found that one of the best, for being in tune to the truth, is Druidism. It is not for everybody though, as it's a disciplined life, to say the least!
My suggestion to you, depending on your age, would be to read as many books on the Occult subjects that attract you, as much and as indepth as you can. Read and learn also, about sciences such as physics, Quantum theory, Chemistry and many more. These all hold keys to the workings of the Arts.
Learn too, about yourself, your ideals, your goals and your motivations. Realise that these will all change, many times. Master your Ego. This is important. Your Ego can kill you, make no mistake about that. Just because it is a part of yourself does NOT mean that it will always do what is for your benefit. Too many people, regardless of belief, are controlled by their Egos and cannot see it. Don't be one of them as you will never find the truth that way.
I hope I have helped you or at the least given you some things to consider. Should you choose this path that many have trodden, be they rich or poor, I wish you the greatest of luck and success. Be wary of those who may be eager to teach you, they WILL have their own agendas at heart, the majority of which will not necessarily be to your ultimate gain.
Should you wish me to clarify on anything I have said, you are welcome to contact me, as I know I can be vauge sometimes!

All the best. ;)

wytchgypsy is correct in suggesting Starhawk to you. Also try reading 'Dreaming the Dark', by the same author.

Answer 6

If you want to treat the earth with love, good for you. But, if you think you are going to learn spells and magic I'm sorry to say that it is pretty much all fantasy. I believe there is magick out there, but you won't find it in a book at the bookstore and from 99.9% of people that say they know magick.

Answer 7

As one who has been a practicing Wiccan for some years, I reccomend Silver Ravenwolf's Teen Witch. it has tons of basic info about the quarters and the Lord and Lady. Check it out, and the internet is an awsome tool ^_^

Answer 8

It sounds like you want to practice earth based magic. The best source for this is Wicca. Read books based on Wicca and I think you will find what your looking for. Witchcraft in an of itself is not evil. It is a religion just like any other. People who misuse their faith are evil in any religion.

Answer 9

Knock yourself out! If you believe for one second that being a witch,druid or whatever you feel like calling it, is a good thing and not dark-sided you are sorely mistaken. Take your broom and go somewhere else. I speak my mind and I for don't give a dam* what you think about me.

Answer 10

Blessed be, dear. Walk your path with your head high, and ignore the naysayers, the fearful, the ignorant, and the judgemental. And to answer your question, of course, there are lots of people who would be glad to teach you, or at least help get you started. In the end though, it's up to you.

[e-mail]

Answer 11

I will pray daily that you and the others who travel down this road come to your senses and have the courage to ask Jesus to save you. Never mind yelling at me. You cannot stop me from praying for you and your ilk. Whatever happens, whenever you realize that you were wrong, just bow your head and say "Jesus, forgive me. Jesus, heal me. Jesus, show me the way to love You".

I was mired in the depths of degenerative gambling for years. Lost 10's of thousands. I have since turned my life around. Do I still have the gambling urge? Yes I do. Do I gamble anymore? No I don't. When the times are tough, I turn to Jesus and ask Him for strength.