Pagan Community, Let me get your opinion?

Question

On witch school or other programs for "learning wicca and magic(k)". Personally I think it sounds rediculous and takes away from the learning experience. But I wanted to find out how others felt. thank you for your time =)

oh I was specifically talking about a school such as
http://www.witchschool.com/

Which has a curriculum and when you finish the schooling you get a "Certificate" that says that you are able to teach others. I mean I am sorry but I was blessed with a practicing family so I learned a great deal from their experience as well as my own. Something like this school and others like it seems like a huge fraud and a scam to get money from people who truly begin with a hope to learn about it and end with the fluffy bunny crap and think that paganism and Wicca are like that.

Tawean- I agree that some of the books that some use as learning tools are useless peices of junk simply written for profit (for example Silver Ravenwolf's books). But is it better for the people to learn the same crap just learning it from an interenet "course" or a person in a classroom setting? I mean I am not one to bash others beliefs, but this whole thing seems like a huge scam and not actual learning of a religion.

And then of course heres another crappy website
http://www.calastrology.com/spells.html
I mean are you freaking kidding me? First off sounds like a scam "master psychic will cast spells for you" Second off even if it does follow witchcraft (which I realize is not associated with religion but nonetheless) All of these would go against the three fold law (for those that believe in it) and for wiccans the wiccan rede. Now I'm always one that believes that while some negative stereotypes may come from ignorance it is also fueled by false believers making claims or acting in a certain way.

Well I am glad to see that I am not the only one that feels this way. So I have to pick a best answer and there are so many that had great information. If I did not pick yours, know that your info was 100% valid and accurate (as this was more of an opinion than a fact I have no right to place a value to any of the answers). Blessed Be to all of you.

Answer 1

I suppose it's ok for a beginner level introduction to what Wicca is... After all, most people learn from books anyway these days. (And some of the books are so hokey, anything would be better than a "Wiccan" who's only read spell books with shiny covers.)

But it's no substitute for actual experience or a real teacher. Let alone for actual introspective analysis and detailed research. And I suppose it depends on the program, as to how effective it is. But I tend to think most of them are complete wastes of time.

Edit: Lol, well, it's got to be better than Silver! (And if it isn't please don't tell me. It would crush my faith in humanity. :-P )

Answer 2

I don't have any particular aversion to any religion. I don't agree with a lot of Christian belief - I'm not Christian. I don't have anything against either, it's just not the religion for me. Many Christians are wonderful people, some aren't. Same as any other religion. I'm not fond of the ones who believe they know my religion or my relationship with my gods better than I and this seems to be something very few outside of Christianity do. Feelings about Christianity (or any other religion) had nothing to do with my becoming Wiccan. I came to Wicca, I didn't run away from something else. An introduction like the one you quoted would put me off a bit and I would need to see more substance from such a person before I would be able to take them seriously.

Answer 3

Well, it can be useful for some, but I find most of those schools to be more than a bit shady and a waste of my money and time. Just this side of a scam. I want to learn something more, I go out into the community and ask several people. I don't take one source as fact, because we all know there is a lot of fluffy crap out there.

Like spelling it magick - hello, if you're a serious practitioner, you don't need the distinction to know the difference between what you do and what Chriss Angel or David Copperfield does. Please.


Yo Munk? Those schools existed before Harry Potter did. Explain that one.

Answer 4

I think that the best way to learn is through personal experience. I feel that most of these schools are scams or too close to it be comfortable. If you don't have access to a local Coven or mentor/teacher, then I think the best way is to get some books by respected and legit authors (like Ray Buckland, Scott Cunningham, Amber K etc) and study and PRACTICE. My Coven has a website, but we don't offer on-line classes or anything like that. It's more of a way for us to keep in touch with each other and for people who are curious to find out more about us. Just my two cents...

Answer 5

I agree with you. I feel it would be difficult to learn about the practice of being Pagan via an internet program. It is much easier to find a group in your community or online. Ultimately no matter what your spiritual path...you don't use much of what others tell you or even what you read. It is simply a relationship between you and your GODDESS/GOD.

Answer 6

It's a scam to try to get money out of beginners, gullible people and to take advantage of people who can't find a teacher or other witches. Most people who aren't raised in crafter families usually teach themselves from books anyway because so few people are willing to teach, or yourself is the only teacher available (as in my case). In my opinion, if a person isn't blessed with a practicing family, one's own experiences are the best learning tool anyway.

With the net you never know what you're getting. I always question the legitimacy of "schools" like that online. It's like reaching out in the dark.

Answer 7

I think it's good for those who are just looking into it but still unsure as to whether or not that particular path is for them. I don't think it's good for much else though. If one decides to be Wiccan, they should try to seek out others in their area to interact with. Online is fine for some things, but it's not a great idea to try to learn everything from the net. I know in some areas it's really difficult to find someone offline to help. I know it was for me... but you can still find someone to help you along. It's extremely difficult to learn all of this as a solitary without SOME help.

Answer 8

Your spiritual journey is your own and you needn't necessairly go to school to learn anything, however that being said it's interesting to see how "organized" paganism works. Learning about theology or lack there of doesn't hurt it only expands knowledge so that the path you take regardless of how personal it is may be less arduous. PEACE!

Answer 9

I think these "schools" do damage to our community. According to Kerr Culhulain's essays, some of our worst detractors claim to be or have been some sort of grand high poo-bah after graduating a correspondence course for Witchcraft.

Answer 10

I'm not sure what soty of "witch school" you refer to. I assume for young people?

there's nothing wrong with introductory overviews, but making it obligatory robs the fun and mystery of it, and it starts resembling dogma.

I would suggest an overview/comparison of many paths is the best starting point, and further study should be voluntary only.

the learning experience needs to be first and formost about a love for learning; everything else will either come about on its own, or require only slight nudges.