Wicca, Druidism Show me the way!?

Question

Hello all i was wondering how people actively get involved in these ancient faiths and how can you be sure that your not being drawn into some weird sect
Thanks in advance for constructive answers.

Cat man do - theres one to ignore in future

ak - there are weird sects in every religion and when on a search for faith it can be easy for any weirdo from any faith to take advantage, get a grip man.

Phantom as i say in the previous addition there are weirdos in every religion and id be careful with those as well.

Answer 1

It usually starts with dissatisfaction with established religion, fascination with mythology and love of Nature. Modern Paganism is based on a personal relationship with the divine, a reverence of Nature and the idea of not harming others through our actions. We don't have extensive laws for behaviour or lists of sins. How you carry this out, is up to the individual. It requires personal reflection and responsibility. It encourages us to think before we act and consider others.

The various Pagan paths are based on interpretations of ancient practises and beliefs. We may honour a variety of ancient Gods or a more archetypal Higher Power. Wicca draws on the philosophy of Gerald Gardner and his contemporaries. Druidism, from Welsh culture revivalists such as Iolo Morgannwg and Celtic mythology. There are numerous other traditions depending on the native region or sympathies of the practitioner. A good overview of these can be found on the Pagan Federation website (www.paganfed.org).

Most people contact others through websites, forums or publications. Some join groups whilst others practise alone. There are always people whose intentions are not pure. Caution is advised when meeting strangers. Many pagans meet in public groups known as "moots". These are widespread and can be found on pagan websites and magazines. Some pagan practises may seem strange to others. Rituals centre around creating a sacred space and inviting the Goddess/God to bless the circle. As with most religions, it is the people who determine whether it is a positive or negative experience. Most pagan groups are highly ethical and benign. You will not be expected to participate in orgies or drink blood. However, some people do see the body as sacred and prefer ritual nudity. It is best to thoroughly investigate your chosen path before you join a group. Most pagans are happy to be questioned.

If you want to know more about paganism, there are plenty of good websites out there. ukpaganlinks.com and paganfed.org will give you plenty of local points of contact and reliable information.

Paganism is not a cult movement. Most of the groups that are referred to as cults are based on Christianity.

Answer 2

Witchvox, http://www.witchvox.com has a list of thousands of covens and groups all over the world. While some of these groups are not what they seem, many are for real and not some weird sect. There are also some very good books you can read about Wicca and Druidism. Coming from the Wiccan standpoint, I can recommend, to name just a few:

Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf

Drawing Down The Moon by Margot Adler

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

Living Wicca : A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Teen Witch: Wicca For A New Generation by Silver RavenWolf

To Stir A Magick Cauldron by Silver RavenWolf

Covencraft by Amber K

and any other books by Cunningham, Starhawk, or Silver Ravenwolf.

These books give you a good idea of what Wicca is and is not, and what is or is not normal within covens.

In addition, if you are invited to a coven meeting and something that is done there makes you uncomfortable, you might ask afterward what the reason for that part of the ritual was, and if you are still not comfortable or something just doesn't feel right, that is not the group for you.

You may end up having to study and practice on your own for awhile, but keep looking for other who are also studying Wicca or Druidism and see about getting together to study and discuss. This is really helpful when you are trying to figure out if any spiritual path is right for you.

Do you have any stores were you live that sell Tarot decks, crystals, New Age books, Wicca books, Druid books, pentagrams or pentacles, etc.? If so, you might go there and see if they have any info on local covens or circles and whether any such groups are currently open to new members or people whop are trying to find their paths. Often, established groups that are accepting new members will leave fyers or simply tell store personnel about it, and leave contact info for anyone interested.

Good Luck and Blessed Be.

Answer 3

I am surprised that only one has told you that Wicca isn't an ancient faith. It isn't, technically it was started in the 1950's by Gerald Gardner. However it IS a valid religion. What I practice IS the old religion, that is Pect-Witan, witchcraft. Pre dates Wicca by hundreds of years. There are not many of us around, as a matter of fact I do not personally know of any! So it can't be a weird sect.
As to how I got to be a Pict, it was in my blood. My mother was a witch (also pre Wicca) and my great grandmother was the daughter of a Comanche Medicine Man. I have been practicing for over 40 years. I suggest if you are interested you read. Buckland and Cunningham are quite instructive (constructive), but I would avoid Ravenwolf because I think she is a fraud, just looking to cash in on the fluffy bunnies. Anyone who can give you a spell to make money then admit that she, herself, is too poor to get a haircut just does not come across as being very credible. Your best bet may be "Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham. It is a good place to learn (or affirm).
BB
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Answer 4

Well I do most of my wicca work on my own not with a group so I know its not a sect. But just remember a sect will try to insist on you doing things a certain way, some one will be a leader who is charismatic, they will try to keep you from family and friends. You wont find that in wicca or druidism. Check out websites and read books the ones by Gavin Frost are good for wicca.

Answer 5

Hello!
Well first of all you can not compare Wicca to druidism they are different religions NOT SECTS but let me ask you something does Christianity is not old? yes it is? so why do you call our beliefs weird? We (all pagans) have never killed anyone in the name of god, and christian have done so and still doing that.

I don't know who has the truth but at least we are not murderess. I'm Celtic -Druid my path is one of the oldest one..(sorry you can't find any info because all written knowledge is forbidden) .
How can you be sure that ppl are not being drawn into some weir an dangerous behaviors by christianity, catholicism..etc... ?

Answer 6

Wicca is a Neopagan religion and a religious movement found in various countries throughout the world. It was first popularised in 1954 by a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner[1] after the British Witchcraft Act was repealed. He claimed that the religion, of which he was an initiate, was a modern survival of an old witchcraft religion, which had existed in secret for hundreds of years, originating in the pre-Christian Paganism of Europe. Wicca is thus sometimes referred to as the Old Religion. The veracity of Gardner's claims cannot be independently proven, and it is thought that written Wiccan theology began to be compiled no earlier than the 1920s.[2] Various related Wiccan traditions have since evolved or been adapted from the form established by Gardner, which came to be called Gardnerian Wicca. These other traditions of Wicca each have distinctive beliefs, rituals, and practices. Many traditions of Wicca remain secretive and require that members be initiated. There is also a movement of Eclectic or Solitary Wiccans who do not believe that any doctrine or traditional initiation is necessary in order to practice Wicca. The 2001 American Religious Identification Survey estimated that at least 134,000 adults identified themselves as Wiccans in the US.


In Celtic polytheism the word druid denotes the priestly class in ancient Celtic societies, which existed through much of Western Europe north of the Alps and in the British Isles until they were supplanted by Roman government and, later, Christianity. Druidic practices were part of the culture of all the tribal peoples called "Keltoi" and "Galatai" by Greeks and "Celtae" and "Galli" by Romans, which evolved into modern English "Celtic" and "Gaulish". They combined the duties of priest, arbitrator, healer, scholar, and magistrate.

The Druids were polytheists, but also deified elements of nature[1], such as the sun, the moon, and the stars, looking to them for "signs and seasons". They also venerated other natural elements, such as the oak, certain groves, tops of hills, streams, lakes and even plants, especially mistletoe and holly. Fire was regarded as a symbol of several divinities and was associated with the sun and cleansing.

Their calendar year was governed by the lunar, solar, and vegetative cycles. Archaeological evidence suggests that ceremonies were conducted to celebrate the two solstices and two equinoxes every year.[2] These festivals would have been governed by the position and motions of the Sun alone. In addition to these, four holidays were celebrated according to the lunar and vegetative cycles. These include Imbolc (Imbolg) to denote the first signs of spring, Beltane (Beltain) to recognize the fullness of life after spring, Lughnasadh to celebrate the power of the Solar deity Lugh, and Samhain to recognize the lowering of the barrier between the world of the living and that of the dead. The timing for these latter four festivals would have been determined by the presence of a full moon and the signs of life implied by the above. Imbolg would thus be celebrated at a full moon roughly halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox, Beltane between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice, Lughnasadh between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox, and Samhain between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. This is contrary to popular "New Age" beliefs about Druidism that celebrate a given holiday according to the Julian calendar, which of course did not exist at the time of the formulation of these holidays. In modern times, Imbolg has been transformed into Groundhog Day, elements of Beltane have been absorbed into Easter, and Samhain has become Halloween (or All Hallows' Eve or All Saint's Day).

Modern attempts at reconstructing or reinventing Druidism are called Neo-druidism.

Answer 7

Have you done some research on the particular faith your interested in first? Have you decided in you preferred to be a solitary or in a group?
Wether it be druidry your interested in I STRONGLY suggest you go to www. druidry.org
they actually have audio tapes for learing the path!! Also alot more that could help you get started.

For wicca they have a online school called Magicka (you really should check them on google) that can also help you in your path as well.
Furthermore I recommend going to a local bookstore (even Barns and Nobel or Books a million will do) and buying anything written by Scott Cunningham - He was a truly brilliant man!
Please contact me more if you wish to know more!
Best wishes in your journey

Answer 8

I like your question, but I'm surprised at the lack of understanding of many of the people who answered. There are many paths and you need to find a good book and choose the one for you. As for all the religious cynics. A spell is like prayer, it's a request for something that will benefit mankind and harm none

Answer 9

I can e-mail you some information that will be helpful. Click my picture and you will see my profile page. There you should click the e-mail link.

PS: Make sure to remind me that you are the one who want the information about Wicca and Druidism.

Answer 10

The best way is to study a number of different beliefs without forming an opinion for a while. When you get a feel for it, you'll find that you start forming an opinion naturally.