Recently made the desision to become Wiccan. I need some guidance in what I need to do. Can anyone help?

Question

After 30 years of trying to make the beliefs that my parents instilled into me my own, I have finally desiced to take the step and do what I have been feeling is right for me. I feel that Wicca is the path for me. I have done extensive reading and searches on the internet but the information that I get is confusing at best. Is there anyone out there willing to give me some giudance?

Answer 1

HI, I;m 30 also. I'm also a Wiccan and I have been for almost 8 years. I'm going to post something for you that I post to most new Wiccans on this website. I also have a You Tube site where I talk about Wiccan Issues. Before I do that, I;m going to talk to you about how to build your path.

1. STUDY, i can't stress this enough. The more books you pick up and learn different schools of thought the better and more confident Wiccan you will be.

2 Dedication, when you are ready to dedicate yourself to the craft, be confident enough to make your own ritual for dedicatioin. Study rituals of dedication and make it your own. This is your path no matter what you call it. It belongs to you and so should your dedication.

3. Out of the Broom Closet. Many Witches struggle with the fact that they must be open and honest with their friends and family when it comes to their new found faith. Remember that you do not have to tell anyone if you don't want to. If you think they will react badly, it may not be the best course of action. If you do decide to tell them, be informed, confident and ready to be criticized for it.

4. Networking. Check out sites where you can meet other Pagans like http://www.witchvox.com/ and meet with others who have similar ideas. Check out covens. But beware that not all Pagans have the same agenda.

5. Spellcraft, when you are ready, you can start your active magickal path. Most people start with divination. You can see an example of a spell I use on my you tube page video for Imbolc.

Ok now I'm going to paste a study guide for the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief. They are the 13 beliefs that Wiccans hold.

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. (Wiccans believe that the moon is a part of the power of the Goddess. That is relevant by its correlation to a woman's menstrual cycle and the tides. We have 8 Sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year as well as 13 Esbats-Full Moons.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbaigo8rv...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvtyltahy...

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. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called sometimes called "supernatural," but we see it lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
(Magick comes from an ability to control your environment through attuning with the elements and keys)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g3j7pteq...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4quqrsua7...


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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogT7qXpa3rg

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity--as masculine and feminine--and that this same creative power lives in all people, and functions 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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7amcuqnoz...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edltlev1t...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f76p-xcsb...

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds--sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc.--and we see in the interaction 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.
(Our innerverse is ours to control and as part of that, we can contrl the outerverse)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqrkigrb...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzxdya-qo...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guvf1guac...

6. We do not recognize and 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.
(We have high priests and priestesses, but we don't let them interpret what we believe. We make up our own minds and lead our own rituals.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sln_q73up...

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 or the Wiccan Way.
(Magick is everywhere and everyone does it. It shapes the way we look at the world.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwossk97y...

8. Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a Witch--but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zgbrutbo...

9. We acknowledge that it 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 to our personal role within it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udy5upzmp...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axykowjsk...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l-hodcsl...

10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent its institutions have claimed to be “the one true right and only way” and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
(We believe that all people come to their own religious path. To interfere and try to actively convert someone away is a deception of the soul.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qylfbcj3e...

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.
(Some people claim that Wicca is a very new religion, others say it is pre-Christian. This does not concern us as we see our beliefs as personal and not political.)

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 Christian Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.
(The Devil or Satan is purely a Christian and Muslim concept. Wiccans don't see our Gods as having a Good and Bad persona. They are Nature and nature is both)

13. We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
(Wiccans have a strong desire to be environmentally conscious)

Answer 2

First I would like to address the term Wiccan, Yes, technically Wicca originated in the 1950's, however, contrary to what some of the more ignorant believe, the practice of witchcraft goes back to hundreds of years before Christ.
I can't tell you what Coven life is like because I do not know. I am Pecti-Witan (aka Hedge Witch, not Wiccan) a "solitary" practitioner of "the Old Religion", and have been for many, many years. Being a Pict I have always concentrated more on the divination and "magick" aspect and less on ritual and worship. Therefore coven life is not for me.
As you know. being a "Witch" is nothing like what is portrayed in movies or on Television. There is nothing flashy about it. we are fairly simple people with "abilities" that everyone has, ours are just honed and utilized. Lots of research and practice. There is a lot to learn when you are dealing with herbal, mineral, colour and candle magick.
BTW I read tarot cards, rune stones and utilize a number of other "fortune telling" tools but would NEVER charge anyone for anything I do! Besides, I do not do "readings" or "cast spells" for others on demand. That sounds more like a con game to me.
Now as for what I did to start, well, it seemed to come naturally to me, as I believe that this is not my first life (nor the last) as a witch. And my mother practiced in the 1940's (there goes the 1950's claim), and my greatgrandfather was a Comanche Medicine Man. I have always had a deep respect for nature and have an innate ability to communicate with animals. When I was very young my parents encouraged me to learn about all religions, so I did. Books are an excellent source, providing you get the right ones, there are some I would avoid. I prefer Scott Cunningham. If you can connect with other practitioners that would also be a good way to learn. One question you must ask yourself is are you looking for the structured system of a Coven or would you prefer the life as a "Solitary"? Buckland has some very good books outlining both. But my favorite book is still "Wicca, a Guide for the Solitary Practitoner". It is a good place to start (or affirm).
You also have to have a thick skin, because even in this "advanced" civilization there are still those who believe we worship the devil (LMAO), and would rather turn a blind eye to the world around them. Some will even admit that they think we should be burned at the stake! Ignorance knows no bounds.
I hope you find the answers you were looking for. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.
BB
)O(

Answer 3

A common problem with Wicca is that there is misinformation; I'd first want to know what you think Wicca is – because to be frank if you have chosen to become Wicca then you should know where to go for guidance, part of becoming Wicca is the study to get to a point where you understand and have the ability to pick through the nonsense to find the right path (whether that be to Wicca or your own personal path).

Reading is first priority, don't fall into the trap of thinking that what you have read is what Wicca is because there is misinformation and people who misrepresent themselves, also remember all that you read or get taught prior to initiation is outer-court only not the core of Wicca. Some say misinformation is a tool of Wicca in that is separates true Seekers from the rest as Wicca is very specific and often challenging, those who are meant to become Wicca always seem to find their way.

A very useful tool is the internet, not so much for resources but what is useful is you have a great way of communicating with others. Find yourself a good Wiccan or Pagan forum to visit so that you can ask questions if you get confused or so you have people to correct you and guide you in the right direction. I'd personally highly recommend you join Amber & Jet as they are specifically Wiccan so reliable, I would say however best to just watch and learn until you have a good understanding of Wicca and how this particular group works - http://amberandjet.spiralpaths.org

Guidance online only goes so far, no one can teach you the inner-court teachings via online correspondences you can only learn these via training within a coven, and for outer-court I honestly believe that for the most part you should be doing this yourself because there are so many people who claim to be Wicca without the foggiest idea of what Wicca is the chances are if someone guides you in the wrong direction you may end up getting lost going the wrong way down a one way path.

After my own training within a coven I taught outer-court lessons, most of the students were never going to become Wicca because all they wanted was information, the few who showed promise were those who did not come to me with questions but more with answers.

After studying yourself then you should know where to go from there to find a coven in order to become Wicca, or find local groups to teach you further before deciding if Wicca is the best path for you – Witchvox is a terrible resource for information, however for finding local moots, groups and covens it is essential.

Generally I say to safely contact local pagans to talk to and attend moots, Wicca tend to stay out of the lime-light so to speak so the old idea that you don't find a teacher, a teacher finds you, tends to hold true.

Any specific questions or you need any more help feel free to e-mail me from the link on my profile and I'll try my best to help you, good luck :o)

Answer 4

Well, the reason you will be getting confused is because there are so many different types of Wicca out there.

There are what is known as BTW - British Traditional Wicca, which generally have to have some lineage in it's creation, to Gerald Gardner or Alex Sanders. Gardner was the modern founder of Wicca, and Sanders was kind of a 'hive-off' from Gardner's tradtions, without the compulsory nudity!

There is also Dianic Wicca, which focuses only on the Goddess, and I think generally only allows women in it's covens.

Seax Wicca I think focuses on Anglo-Saxon roots.

Celtic Wicca focuses on the Celtic Gods and rites. (I am not including 'Frostie' Wicca in this, as they don't actually appear to have many Celtic connotations in their rites, just lots of sex and incest.)

There are also different types of Witchcraft -

Strega - which is Italian Witchcraft which is reported to have come about in 1353, started by a woman named Aradia.

There is Teutonic Wicca/Witchcraft, which is also referred to as Norse or Nordic. It focuses on mainly English, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish roots and Gods.

Pictish Witchcraft is commonly known as Scottish Witchcraft and is mainly solitary in nature, attuning itself to all forms or nature, animal, mineral and vegetable. It has been said to be less about religion, and more about magic, but I guess that depends on the person.

Eclectic Wicca is bits and pieces taken from different tradtions in order to suit the person. I am myself now Eclectic, but was originally BTW. Eclectic works better for me.

The main thing to do is read, research and learn all you can about all the different types. I am currently studying Druidry to gain a better knowledge of other Pagan paths.

BB
)O(

Answer 5

HIPPIES! ECLECTICS! FLUFFIES! NEW AGERS!
Steer clear of them for the time being. They are dangerous for the beginner, I once decided Wicca was for me, I'm not a Wiccan anymore. Mostly because of the Fluffy bunnies and eclectics throwing in all sorts of junk and saying its Wicca... and also because I found out it was created in the 1950s.

A Good source to start, is the source. Gerald Gardner, he is the creator of Wicca.
This is the third time I have gave this link, but when it comes to the History of Wicca, it puts it in a subtle but truthful way... www.maidenmoon.com and download the PDF.

And as for my guidence... read the History, the works of Gardner, and the Historians that researched Wicca. Follow all study paths, and see where you end up.

REMEMBER: Steer clear of Hippies, fluffy bunnys, new agers, and eclectics, until you have an understanding of What wicca really is, otherwise your in for 6 month so even a few years of wasted, muddled or confusing research... I was one of the lucky ones, it was only 6 months for me... until I stumbled on www.whywiccanssuck.com (is no longer running), angered at the claims I researched, and to my hearts disdain, they were correct.

Answer 6

An excellent objective (non-Wiccan) source for information is Religioustolerance.org:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

It will provide you with easy-to-understand articles on the history, beliefs, and tenets of the Wiccan religion.

Wicca is a beautiful and deeply fulfilling religion that demands a lot from its members. The Wiccan Rede -- "If it harm none, do what you will" -- is simple on the surface, but that simplicity is deceptive. One can spend many years contemplating all the implications of that single short phrase, and deciding how best to apply it to one's own life.

Most Wiccans know that Wicca is only about 60 years old. So? All religions have to start somewhere; we're just closer to our roots than many others, and that newness is in itself an advantage. Wicca is a vital, evolving, growing faith.

Every Wiccan is a priest/ess, so each Wiccan is responsible for their own spiritual evolution and for forging their own relationship with the God/desses they choose to honor. It's a lifelong commitment to learning and development.

If you'd like to talk with other Wiccans, try the various Wiccan forums over at Beliefnet:

http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/boards_main.AllCategories.asp?Category=102

Or feel free to email me if you'd like to talk one-on-one. I've been Wiccan for 13 years and have been actively teaching for the last 5, so I'd be happy to discuss any questions you may have. In any case, I wish you the best of luck on your path.

ETA: You might also want to track down Wiccans in your city/town/part of the world using the Witches of the World section at Witchvox:

http://www.witchvox.com/xvn.html

Go to the pull-down menus on the left, select your location, and find other local Wiccans and Pagans to connect with. :-)

Answer 7

Don't listen to the christians they don't know squat about our history or any thing to do with us. Yes some were Wiccan and went back to being Christians, the path was not right for them. Listen to the other Wiccans that answer. witchvox.com is a very good source. Also look for Bucklands Complete Book of Withcraft, it is very informative. I myself am solitary, as are all of my pagan friends, that does not make us a coven. Blessed be! May your path be full of light and guidance.

Answer 8

I also became Wiccan after being brought up Christian. I even raised my children in the Methodist faith. I absolutely understand where you're coming from and why you would choose to become Wiccan. Please feel free to email or IM me at any time because I just don't have the desire to defend my very real, very spiritual, and yes, the beliefs of a very new religion to a bunch of Yahoo Answerers.

Blessed Be.

Answer 9

Guidance over the interent is only going to be as good if not less than from a book, which it sounds like you have several already. Try finding your local group or coven. Check out any New Age shops or bookstores, they usually have message boards or at least can contact the community. Approach them with openness and you should find help rather quickly.

Answer 10

Witchvox.com is a good source on Wicca in general. I'd suggest checking out some of Scott Cunningham's books in particular if you are just beginning. The best advice I can think of is take everything with a grain of salt and go with what works for you personally. The beauty of Wicca and Paganism in general is its fluidity and adaptivity. Good luck!

Answer 11

Depends on whether you want to be a solitaire or join a coven. If you want, get some books on the subject that will educate you to the history and present ideas within Wicca, and perhaps a book that will teach you along your year and a day of study, or you can contact a coven if you're interested and see if you can learn that way.

witchvox.com is a good resource for finding resources within your local area or close by, depending on where you live.

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