I have been studying Pagan religions, and Wicca sort of appeals to me. I haven't yet decided if I am going to follow it, but I just wondered if there are any good sources I should check out?
I checked out Witchvox and never realised how many Pagans there were around the world!
2006-09-30 01:54:32 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow! I didn't expect to have so many answers so quickly!
Thanks for the heads up on the Wicca for Dummies, I have seen it a few times in Waterstones, and a friend recommended The Idiots Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft as well.
2006-09-30 02:06:27 · update #1
Thank you Willow, vorlon and Sapphyre, I'll bear those in mind!
2006-09-30 02:17:43 · update #2
Thank you BlueManticore, I have some of Scott Cunningham and Ray Bucklands books, The Solitary Wiccans Guide being the first one I bought!
A friend of mine on here has told me about a group of books entitled The Sun, Moon and Star Witches written by Linda Winstead-Jones, and has told me they are great read.
Thanks Ashley K, I might do that!
I'm glad to have been instrumental in your 2 points, bavwill.
2006-09-30 02:45:35 · update #3
Thanks Epona, I have read a few of your comments before and I totally agree with you. I have seen users on here who are a little... controversial. I know Pagans are not all the same. It's what makes them so interesting!
2006-09-30 02:47:20 · update #4
Thanks Amy, Thats more books to buy! I'll have a veritable library soon! I have Cunninghams book, and it is really good.
2006-09-30 04:57:39 · update #5
Dr Zoom Zoom - I think I'll make up my own mind. I am by no means into forced sex or masochism, though I have heard there is a tradition that is. 'Frostie' Wiccans I think they are called, though I'm not sure. Whoever they are, I wont be joining them!
william c - I don't believe in the Bible, and never will, but thanks anyway.
rationalist - I have been thinking of getting the Farrar's book, I might look into it.
Seph - Thanks, I agree, I'm not sure I want a teacher or to be in a coven or group, but meeting other Wiccans/Pagans would be great.
2006-10-01 03:05:32 · update #6
emski - Thanks, I know there are some bits of... questionable info out there, and many covens are different from one another.
2006-10-01 06:17:18 · update #7
Hi, Epona summed it up better than I could. The Cunningham books and the Idiots Guide are very good starting places, but get your hands on every one. Read everything and decide for yourself. Witchvox is a good place to meet other Pagans and occultists. It is your choice if you want to study alone or with a teacher. I chose alone after a few years in a Wicca Group, they were very good to get me off on the right foot, but group work is not right for everyone, and you can indeed be Wiccan without being in a coven.
BB
)0(
2006-10-01 01:22:19 · answer #1 · answered by Seph7 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There already is eclectic Wicca. The be conscious "rede" skill suggestion. it somewhat is not a commandment. it somewhat is not the initiating or end of Wiccan morality and ethics. some Wiccans interpret it to be a regulation or rule, and that they think of it skill we are forbidden to do harm. some even twist it to assert "do what you will see you later because it harms none" (diverse meaning) or they shrink it right down to 2 words: "harm none". (additionally adjustments the meaning). some people do not even understand the version between the Wiccan Rede and that god-adverse poem The Rede of the Wiccae". Others see it as a license that announces, "hi, if what you're doing isn't hurting all people, have at it." however the determination to harm or to not harm all people in existence is mostly a deeper subject. to illustrate-- i want to break up with a guy. i don't love him. besides the undeniable fact that it is going to reason him harm. i want to get maximum cancers cures, yet which will kill the main cancers cells. Wicca is so plenty extra complicated than the Rede. I desire such a lot of people did not over-emphasize it. we at the instant are not a dogmatic faith... another guideline of Wicca tells us to apply our head in circumstances and take very own accountability for our movements... the Rede -- exceedingly the way people interpret it-- is purely too over-simplistic to truly be of any value as a ethical handbook until you're an entire and total pacifist. So i does not enable the Rede and the kind you settle with it or not probable sway you to or from Wicca... there is extra in contact in the religion. Straying from a element right here or there is not precisely damaging.
2016-12-15 17:16:31 · answer #2 · answered by biedrzycki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually the woman from About.com is Terri Paajanen. Great lady, very knowledgable, and sweet. Plus there is also a Forum for Pagans there.
If you have specific questions, you can go to allexperts.com, and there are experts in the Wiccan religion you can pose your question to, instead of allowing closed minded individuals of other religions give you a hard time.
The most important (imho) page at The Witches Voice is here http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usfl&c=white&id=1938
it's the Freq Asked Questions about Wicca and Witchcraft.
Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft- this is a Wicca 101 from a Traditional Wiccan point of View. This man is credited with bringing Wicca to the United States in 1954.
Drawing Down the Moon, Margot Adler it's not a Wicca 101 in a book, as many books are, it's more a social look / documentary type book, that looks at different traditions.
"Witchcraft for Tomorrow" by Doreen Valiente
A wonderful, poetic guide by one of the great Ladies of the Craft.
The Spiral Dance, Starhawk Great exercises, But the author leads a Dianic (women only) group, so guys might find some of her opinions off putting.
Natural Magic, Marian Green (Not exclusivley Wicca, but a good primer on Magick)
Cuhulain, Kerr - Wiccan Warrior This book is just AWESOME! This is not a "how-to" book but a spiritual one. Must read!
Cunningham, Scott - Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Great for Solitaires. The first of two books in this series.)
Morrison, Dorothy - The Craft, A Witch's Book of Shadows Down to earth, easy to understand and fun.
for the History of Wicca a good book is, "The Triumph of the Moon" by Ronald Hutton This is an extraordinary work; thorough, meticulous and informative. Hutton is a professor of history and his understanding of his discipline gives the book rigor lacking in other sources. Highly recommended!
Depending on your age group, you might find Sons of the Goddess helpful. It's a nice change from many of the female oriented books, but aimed at teen males.
As an adult, Wicca for Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans by AJ Drew
More Men's books on magick, click here!
http://www.cuups.org/content/resources/books/menbooks.html
2006-09-30 04:13:43 · answer #3 · answered by AmyB 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Coming from the Old School, I'd first recommend that you don't limit your studies to just books on Wicca. Many books on subjects you may think are unrelated to the craft often times reveal Magical secrets you won't find in many Wiccan books. Remember Magick is a Discipline of the mind, body and spirit and as with all things it is related to everything else; when learning allow all things you encounter to teach you about Magick, for as Magick is life itself so it is a way of Life.
Specific Books I'd recommend;
"The Witches Guide to Life" By Kala Trobe
"A Witches Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook" by Janet and Stewart Farrar
"The Masks of God" Series; "The Meaning of Myth"; and "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell
"Living Life's Circle: A Mescalero Apache Cosmovision" by Claire Farrer (I know that sounds strange but it will help you understand Wiccan cosmology; if you learn from it's wisdom it will help you to comprehend how the elements of the craft fit together and harmonize with life and the ways of Mother Earth. Hint Notice how the "Living Circle" is the same thing as the Magick Circle)
"Ninja: Spirit of the shadow warrior" by Stephen K. Hayes (You will find that Chapters 4 - 7 are indispensable in awakening your spirit)
General Subjects I recommend;
Celtic Art
Wilderness Survival
Camping and other outdoor activities
Herbology
First Aid
Music
Physical fitness
philosophy
Jungian Psychology
Dance
Theater
Music Therapy
Practical Activities I'd recommend;
Running and Aerobic Exercises
Archery or other sport that strengthens focusing skills
various types of meditation including Yoga
Axioms I'd recommend following;
Pay Attention
Witches Heal
Magick that has no tangible effect is magick that is no good
It's the same thing
To the wizard there are no coincidences
Truth in our hearts, strength in our hands, consistency in our tongues
be excellent to one another
Finally I leave you this poem by Stephen K. Hayes to ponder
"In the words and actions of the wise there can arise the appearance of contradiction: Those aspiring to enlightenment should hold in their hearts the reassuring truth that the universe is vest enough to contain comfortably all the paradoxes and all the piece of the puzzle that we have not yet touched."
one last piece of advice learn from your heart and follow the wind, but don't mistake your will for the will of the Goddess
Blessed be the feet that carry you on your way and may you never go astray
2006-09-30 02:55:06 · answer #4 · answered by Shazaaye Puebla 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Here are few useful links.
Traditional Wicca http://www.newwiccanchurch.net/articles/btwfaq.htm
Neo Wicca http://www.witches-tutorial.com/paths/neowicca.html
Pagan Traditions (this site is temporarily down but is one of the most extensive) http://www.paganpath.com/cgi-bin/wit/ikonboard.cgi
Traditional Witchcraft http://www.shadowdrake.com/HSDwitchFAQ.html
Laws of Wicca http://altreligion.about.com/library/texts/bl_lawsofwicca.htm?terms=enter+the+worship+circle
These sites should be able to give you clear information and lead you to many wonderful places.
On a personal note, read everything, take nothing at face value. Your spiritual path is personal and Pagans come in many flavors.
Blessings )O(
Edit: And once again Dr. Zoom Zoom pipes in with his stale copy and past message. Dr. Zoom Zoom, people can offer an unbiased opinion no matter what their personal beliefs may be. You wouldn't know anything about that. Religious Tolerance is a very good site and gives a fair representation of many beliefs and non-beliefs.
2006-09-30 02:39:42 · answer #5 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Several authors I would recommend for a wide spectrum of reading to learn about Wicca would be, in no particular order:
Scott Cunningham
D. J. Conway
Patricia Telesco
Margot Adler
Silver Ravenwolf
Raymond Buckland
Ted Andrews
Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
Sandra Kynes
A great fiction series that entertains as well as educates about Wicca is Isobel Bird's "Circle of Three." It basically follows three high school friends throughout their year and a day study to become Wiccans. As they learn about the religion, so does the reader.
2006-09-30 02:27:33 · answer #6 · answered by BlueManticore 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the books by Stewart Farrar and his wife give a good introduction. It's primarily Alexandrian Wicca but at least it's not the dreadful infantised version that seems to have developed in the US.
2006-10-01 01:16:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
there are many good books out their. My personal favourites are the complete guide to witchcraft by Raymond Buckland and the solitary witch by Silver Ravenwolf.
The majority of books out there are a good starting point, i would advise to be careful of websites, as although there are some good sites out there, there are equally as many whos infoprmation is questionable.
Good look on your quest!
2006-10-01 04:42:11 · answer #8 · answered by emski fairy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The modern Wicca religion is based on the ancient religion of katlyn a Norse religion. Try reading some of the old sagas. They believed that the written word had magical properties hence rune stones.
2006-09-30 02:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by Ashley K 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Feel free to e-mail me or contact me I have been studying wicca for a few years. I of course am still and always will be learning but I can try to help you if you would like and point you to some places to look.
2006-09-30 02:13:26 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋