How do you become a wiccan?

Question

i have done the research and stuff and im a begginner should i mediatate and study it alot or what? if you metion stridy try to name specific books and how long should i mediate and what should i think about while doing so?

Answer 1

You have a long way to go before you can become Wicca, first of all you need to study a lot, Wicca is oath-bound so without a teacher you will not be able to learn everything about Wicca, however you will be able to learn a lot about Wicca and information you will need when you become Wicca – for example Golden Dawn, herb lore, meditation, and Paganism.

There is a lot of misinformation surrounding Wicca, many say this is a way to determine those serious about Wicca from those who simply wish to become Wicca for fad value, either way you need to know enough to be able to tell fact from fantasy when it comes to Wicca – remember just because someone says they are Wicca does not make it so. You need to be able to take information with a pinch of salt and keep an open mind; a lot of people will take on misinformation and simply be unwilling to step out of that comfort zone to study Wicca any further so refuse to learn what Wicca is, instead believing Wicca is as they have been misinformed, you need to avoid falling into this trap.

Some reliable books;

The Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook - Janet & Stewart Farrar.
The Witches' God - Janet and Stewart Farrar
The Witches' Goddess - Janet and Stewart Farrar
The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft - Ronald Hutton.
Witchcraft Today - Gerald B. Gardner.
Witchdom of the True - Edred Thorsson
Wicca: the Old Religion in the New Milennium - Vivianne Crowley
Advanced Wiccan Spirituality - Kevin Saunders
The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle - Deborah Lipp
What Witches Do - Stewart Farrar

There are writers best avoided, however most books will have some useful information even if they do not give accurate information on Wicca, for example Cunningham is a wonderful writer, his books on herb lore are particularly good, however what he writes about is Neo-wicca passed off as Wicca, not Wicca, the same is true of many writers such as Buckland. There are far more questionable writers, for example Ravenwolf, Tatiana and Horne, who really cash-in on the Wicca fad and often give highly questionable advice and information, for example Ravenwolf is very anti-Christian, and this is not something Wicca embrace.

Generally a few things to watch out for are people claiming to be 'solitary Wicca' or 'Eclectic Wicca', sites or books that contain spells, people who use the spelling 'Magick' when not involved with ceremonial magic or numerology, any web site or person who offers to teach you about Wicca for payment, anyone willing to initiate you if you are under the age of 18 years old.

There are plenty of web sites, again there is a lot of misinformation but there are reliable web sites such as StarFire Rising, the best option when it comes to research online is not to do wide searches on anything unless you know particularly what information you are looking for, also join a good forum for Wicca or Pagans. Amber & Jet are the best online group to join, these are Wicca-specific so you can be sure if there is any misinformation posted on their group they will correct it, I advise you join just to look through the discussions and once you feel you are ready start to ask your own questions, because they are Wicca they can sometimes be a little blunt with people who are looking to become Wicca for fad value so you do need to be careful what you say and show you are willing to learn about what Wicca really is about.
http://amberandjet.spiralpaths.org - Amber & Jet

Some reliable Wicca web sites;

http://www.cyprian.org/Articles/gardchron.htm - Gardnerian Chronology and Bibliography
http://www.wargoddess.net/index.php - Enyo`s Workshop
http://wicca.timerift.net/ - Wicca: For the Rest of Us
http://www.homecircle.info - Homecircle
http://www.starkindler.org/ - StarFire Rising
http://www.asiya.org/ - Asiya`s Shadows
http://www.whywiccanssuck.com - Why Wiccans Suck
http://www.newwiccanchurch.net - New Wiccan Church International
http://members.tripod.com/~Moonpfyr/gardnerian.html - Gardnerian Tradition

I recommend you read the New Wiccan Church International's advice to Seekers, Seekers are people who are 'Seeking' a coven to join in order to become Wicca, so generally people who are wishing to become Wicca.

When you are ready it is then time to find a coven, many covens keep themselves to themselves either because they are not looking for new initiates or because they get tired of people asking them to take them into their coven. Wicca do however tend to keep a foot in the door when it comes to local pagan communities so moots are good places to start, it also gives you a feel for any problems locally such as false covens.

You can look on the likes of Witchvox for public circles and covens, however just because someone claims to be Wicca does not make it so – I have honestly known someone who was within a coven for many years before she found out they were not actually Wicca. You need to have the ability to tell the difference between Wicca, Neo-wicca, Pagan, Fluffy bunny and outright wrong, when you know that then usually you can find a coven far easier. Some people do find that there are no covens I their area, if that is the case for you then you need to make a decision as to whether you want to try looking elsewhere for a coven, or convert to something like Neo-wicca or go into wider Paganism.

As for meditation, try looking in your local library for books specifically on meditation, most libraries have meditations and will guide you from easier to more advanced meditation techniques. Don't be scared to look at the likes of New Age or Christian meditations, some are religion-specific but most are not, or can be altered for your use and often far easier to get a hold of – bare in mind as Wicca is oath-bound chances of finding Wicca specific meditations past very basic things are slim, you may however want to look into higher forms of magic, ceremonial magic or specifically qabalah as a source of learning and finding meditation ideas as these will pop up in Wicca from their influences on the religion. You can also look online, of course there will be web sites that are pure nonsense, but I'm sure you will find meditation ideas that will suit you and your level of meditation.

Answer 2

Anyone can be Wiccan, it's simply another form of Spirituality, however many followers of Wicca do have a sense of feeling drawn to it, or being 'special'. However, Wicca is not simply spells and magick, it is a spirituality, and one which encourages constant learning and studying. It's not a faith where you just sit back and listen to others, and one where you are an active member in your exploration and growth. You can dedicate yourself to Wicca whenever you like, or whenever it feels right (follow your intuition, you have it for a reason) but do remember to study, learn and gain information from a variety of people. Perhaps consider joining a study circle, or a group or coven that can help you prepare for your journey ahead? If you are a solitary, than read, practice, think, read, and experience the divine in Nature all around you. Practice meditating, hold a small ritual, attune to the cycles of the Earth. You'll soon find that spells and magic play only a small part in Paganism, and learning to live with the Earth, rather than simply on it, will play a larger role in your growth and development than a little cord or candle magick ;) Good luck in your journey ahead, and I hope this helps you! Love, Light and Laughter!

Answer 3

It is in your very being..

There are some ritual guidelines in many of the books out there.. introduction is the one I'm referring to.. dedication.
Scott Cunningham's books are easily followed, for beginners, etc.
The Truth About Witchcraft Today
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
In his books he has the ritual I'm speaking of..
I know there are many other books out there, some of which are good, some not..
I trust the words of Scott Cunningham..
Check into the self dedication - introduction..
also, I suppose you can seek out
http://susunweed.com
Covens.. are not something I ever cared for.. though friends and I have gotten together from time to time.. I preferred to stay by myself, and family..and those I taught.

May your journey take you to the truth.. and may you enjoy the journey as much as finding the truth..

Answer 4

Welcome and Greetings, my friend. You are about to enter a wonderful Path. There are so many ways to choose from and so many things to do I can only give suggestions. You must in end choose what you are most attracted to. That is the best way. For me it was a natural evolution. In my spare time, when I had it some years ago, actually many years now, I joined with others and studied under several teachers some of the great arts as dream interpretation, psychic reading, etc etc...for many many years. There is a time to read...that is beginner. Then a time to learn..step 2...take those classes and develop those skills...dream interpretation..your own is a very important one but there are so many. Step 3...you will then find your Path..it will be made clear to you...no one will have to tell you...mine came in a very very vivid dream.....all the best and Blessed Be!

Answer 5

Meditate; while doing so, let your mind run free. Try to clear your mind. As far as books go, I would recommend books by Raymond Buckland and Scott Cunningham for starters. For the most part, avoid Silver Ravenwolf and any "Teen Witch" type books. If you want a challenge and wish to learn high magick, check out Aleister Crowley's "Book 4," "Book of the Law," and "Liber Legis."

Blessed be
)O(

Answer 6

i myself have studied wicca, however to answer ur question i became a wiccan before i ever even picked up a book,, u will feel it in your heart and mind, and soul as to wether or not ur a wiccan not .As far as study try these books...
anything by Scott Cunnigham, my very first book was "wicca a guide for solitary practitioners" very easy to read... and another i am fond of ..."the circle within" by Dianne Sylvan. also i studied for a year online at witchschool.com...sounds corny but very educational on all levels of wicca with open options and even a basic student offering that is free. enjoy.

Answer 7

meditate often, and never stop learning--a good book to get you started off the right way is "the magick power of witchcraft" by gavin and yvonne frost--but really you can find plenty of sites on the internet to help you too

Answer 8

You learn and choose it, or induct yourself into a coven.

Meditate as long as you feel you should.

Meditation's always good, no matter what your faith. It has amazing healing effects. Wiccan meditation is different from other forms, though. Nothing's stopping you from doing any sort of meditation you please, however.

There are far too many books to name specifics.

I'd suggest the authors Amber K, DJ Conway, Raymond Buckland, Scott Cunningham, Isaac Bonewitts, and Ted Andrews. They'll have all the books you need to read. ^_^

P.S.: Ignore people who suggest the Bible or any religious text, say you're going to Hell, that demons will kill you, etc etc etc...

- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 9

Actually Wicca is a sort of make it up as you go way of life. There are all sorts of Witches. I would suggest you look up a local occult shop and find some groups in your area that you can agree with.

May GOD richly bless you.

Answer 10

you already have a lot of very good advise from some other posters, so i will simply say welcome.

blessed be and be blessed.

Yogi