How do I becoma a wiccan?

Question

Because it is a very interesting religion that I like the beliefs of

Answer 1

I have a couple of questions for you to really ponder.
1. Why do you think you might want to be a Wiccan?
2. What lead you to this path?
3. What do you expect to gain from it?

If your answer to ANY of these questions is "power", forget it.

READ!!! Find out which denomination you would prefer. You may find your answer in, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft.

I would not bother with any type of initiation or gathering of ritual tools until you find which path you are going to follow. Most tools are not necessary in all denominations. I have much more than most, but then, I have been practicing for a very long time. My particular path essentially needs only a Staff, Dirk (athame) and a Keek-Stane (or crystal ball). Other tools can be acquired as needed.

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 "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 and candle magick.
I read tarot cards, rune stones and utilize a number of other tools for divination 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! Though I am often asked.
Now as for what I did to start, well, it seemed to come naturally to me, (my mother was a witch and my great grandmother was the daughter of a Comanche medicine man) and I believe this is not my first life (nor the last) as a witch. 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. And I encourage you to do the same to find your true path. Books are an excellent source, providing you get the right ones, there are some I would avoid (Ravenwolf). 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 (you will have to be 18 or older, unless your parents are part of an established 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).
The reason I suggest avoiding Ravenwolf is her blatant disreguard for honesty and her intolerance of other faiths and even different sects in Wicca/witchcraft. I think she is the Goddess of Fluffy Bunnies! One trait you will find among honest witches is a respect and tolerance for others faiths, we do not judge people by what they believe or don't believe but by what they say and do. Most of us can embrace the differences.
As you may notice, 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.
If you are very young, expect ridicule and really stupid requests to do "Magic" like they do on TV or in movies. It is not going to make you cool. Expect people to tell you that you are going to Hell. You will probably lose friends. Just being honest with you.
I hope you find the answers you were looking for whether they are mine or the wisdom of another.
BB
)O(
addendum: I will say it again, not all witches are Wiccan! And you do not have to be Wiccan to practice witchcraft.

Answer 2

I agree with all those people who say that it is not like charmed or Buffy.

It really depends on how orthodox your definition of Wicca is. The more orthodox would say that you need to be initiated into a Gardinarian or Alexandrian covern.

You can learn a lot from reading books on the subject but again there are some authors who have lost the plot and being inexperienced you wouldn't be able to tell the serious stuff from the fluffy nonsense.
Some people say you can initiate yourself , others disagree.
One of the easiest ways is to study through Witchschool.com which is part of the Correllian Nativist Church. Though some would argue that they are not even Wiccan; and others may argue that they are as fluffy as they come; Some of them are, some are completely un-Fluffy. The one positive thing that can be said it that they are accessible to anyone who has the internet. It might be a place to start as long as you keep your mind open that there are ways of doing things other than the ways they suggest. In fact there are always other ways of doing things, whatever path you follow.
In the end the answer to your question is it all depends on which Wiccans you ask.

Answer 3

Tessa, allow me to answer the last question first. Yes, Wicca IS real. Wicca is a Religion and as such, we give honor to BOTH a Goddess and a God (although there are exceptions to that (Dianic Wicca, being one)). We also acknowledge the Divine as being manifest in the Natural world around us, which kind of gives non-Wiccans the impression that we worship Nature. It is not Nature that we worship it is the Divine, and nature is only the conduit through which we do so. Wicca do not worship idols, we worship in front of statues (again there are many exceptions to this as well (Green Witches come to mind)). Christians do not worship the cross, they worship what the cross represents, it is precisely that same principle in Wicca. We conduct our ceremonies during the full moon (some also the new moon), and eight Sabbats which are spread out over the year (What many Wicca call the Wheel of the Year). These celebrations re-live certain phases in the life ages of the Gods and Goddesses and are done in commemoration of these Divine events. The Wicca recognize the existence of good and evil as inherent is ALL things, everything and everyone has the capability for BOTH (Even the Divine). Evil therefore, is an integral part of everything and one can not have one without the other. The key to this is balance, Wicca hold the concept of balance to be one of the core principles of the universe and al which exists. So, to answer your first question, there is NO being which is totally good or totally evil, only the intent of the individual determines whether a thing or an action is for good or evil. Therefore, as there is NO being assigned the nature of total evil (ie, a devil) it is impossible for us to worship such a being. NOw, as many member of Judeo-Christian-Islamic Faiths are so fond of stating in unequivocal terms, "if you do not worship the god of light and love, then you are worshiping the devil". They fail to realize that in order to worship anything or anyone, then worship MUST be the intent. There is no such thing as unknowingly worshiping anyone. We can NOT worship a concept which does NOT exist to us, therefore we do NOT worship the "Devil", as the "Devil" is NOT one of the Divine being concepts which exists within the Faith system of Wicca. It is as simple and direct as that. Does this make sense to you? Brightest Blessings, Raji the Green Witch

Answer 4

Check out www.witchvox.com
there is a lot of good information on the site along with a search engine for covens and a listing of others in your area that ahre the faith. Its a good site to contact people and to learn more.
and stay away from books written by Silver Ravenwolf
Read anything by Gerald Gardner or Vivian (cant remember her last name but she was Gardners first initiated Wiccan). Buckland is alright as well.
There are also reconstruction religions you may want to look into for reference:
Kemetic- Egyption
Asatru- Norse
Celtic Recon
Hellenic- Greek
There are others but I cant remember anymore off the top of my head. Happy hunting!

Answer 5

It depends on what type of Wiccan you are interested in becoming.

I recommend the 101 material at http://wicca.timerift.net as an overview.

I also recommend http://www.witchvox.com/xtrads.html to find a tradition to learn within if you're serious about it. How you join depends on the trad.

In general, many new people to Wicca tend to get confused if they sample a bit here from one type of Wicca and a bit here from another, because not all types work together, sort of like if you randomly combined bits of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christianity.

Answer 6

Traditional Wicca (such as Gardnerian) is an initiatory path which means you would need to be initiated by a High Priest/ess of that Tradition. Eclectics don't necessary follow that line of thought because they don't feel its necessary based on "who initiated the first Wiccan". I can be emailed through my profile for more information. Both Eclectic and Traditional paths have value to them as does solitairy work vs group work.

Answer 7

Education first. Then feel it out. You can self dedicate or join a coven and be dedicated. If you choose the second, be sure it is a group of people you could enjoy spending time with and who are decent, level headed folks.

Answer 8

I used to be Wiccan. I can teach you everything you need to know.

Wicca is a religion concocted by a man named Gerald Gardner in England circa 1950. Prior to Gardner, there was no Wicca. Gardner's original Wicca seems to have been little more than an excuse for him to be tied up and beaten by strong willed women, according to Adian Kelly, a Wiccan traditionhead and author of "Crafting The Art of Magic".

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Answer 9

Find spirituality in nature & have reverence the earth
Follow the god & goddess
& your there

Answer 10

All I have to say, is make sure your doing it for the right reasons. Its not like you see in Movies and TV.