is there anyone else that is wiccan? and can help me out with learning and stuff, ppl arent supportive!?

Question

It is very hard for me to learn anything about wicca when noone else I know is wiccan! My family is not supportive and when I brought up yule... well my brother just told me to "stop with that witch talk". It really irritates me because I do not know very much about wicca and I really want to learn.

I don't really want advise thats "read this book" or "go to that website". Its helpful, but don't you think I'd have already gone threw google and been to those sites? My parents would not like it very much if I tried to contact anyone, I am only 15, I mostly just want someone who I can learn from while still learning my own way. I can look, but what am I looking for? What should I be learning?

Answer 1

I have to agree that you are stuck in a situation.

However there are other ways to get around the system. Did you think of the idea about starting an " alternative" religion club at school. So not only are you in a club with people who have interests that are not in mainstream- Christianity, Islam, ect. the meetings can include wicca and paganism in general. Not only that, you can explore other religions as well, and get a supportive group whom wants to learn and grow beside you.
Also the best way to learn about wicca is to read up! Internet sites help but seriously, this is the sort of thing you have to do alone. I suggest getting your parents to drop you off at Barnes and Noble or Books a Million for a couple of hours and you go into their metaphysical/ pagan/ New Age section and read like a crazy person. Take a notepad along with you to jot some notes down.

There are some authors to avoid, eg Silver RavenWolf, and if you see a creepy book-cover and mentions the word "black" just ignore it, its just another book trying to make paganism seem mysterious and dark ect and get alot of money (Just for shock factor). It will carry alot of useless mumbo jumbo that is seriously offensive to those interested in wicca, or any paganism.
Try looking for books that look peaceful/ serene. But try also going on Amazon and look for wiccan books, read the reviews and try finding the books at the bookstore. Sometimes its just easier to be prepared when looking for books.

Another idea is look in your local newspaper, go under events section, and keep your eyes peeled for anything that relates to wicca or is pagan. Festivals/ craft shows/ meditation classes/ Unitarian Universalists meetings you will almost always find a wiccan or pagan to talk to.

Also tell your brother not to be such a jerk to you about your religious preferences. He should be supporting of your religion not trashing it. Since your out of the broom closet so to speak keep talking about wicca, once you stop talking about it with your family they will assume its a phase you went through and its over. But don't talk about it every 5 sec though! Just casually bring it up.

Another way to get informed about wicca is www.witchvox.com
If you haven't been there already, seriously check it out, I am always learning something new when I go there.

Being a teen and wanting to be wiccan or pagan can be tough. Especially if you want to own any pagan books or divination items. I know exactly what your going through, I am going through the same thing now, except I am a unitarian universalist pagan.
(E-mail me anytime if you want to chat :)

Best of luck on your journey!
)0(

Answer 2

Well you are on the computer, start doing searches on Wicca. That is how a lot of people get started. You could always search Yule and see what you can do on your own without the family.

www.witchvox.com is a great site to check out.

EDIT: My understanding is it's against the law in the US to teach anyone under the age of 18, if it's not your child (Wiccan wise). If you aren't willing to start reading on your own then you'll never make it. Teachers won't just give you your answers. The reason being the answers would be the teachers and not yours. So either take the adivce that has been offered by all of us meaning, read books, go to websites or wait until you're 18 and find a coven to study with. It's that simple. I hate to be so short with you but complaining about being told to read the books or website is showing a lack of true desire to learn.

Answer 3

Pick up the Scott Cunningham book that has already been mentioned, and stay FAR away from anything by Silver Ravenwolf.

The page you'll want to visit at Witchvox is:

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

It will help you to locate other Pagans in your area.

Also, read the following website completely:

http://wicca.timerift.net

It is full of good advice and has a helpful book reviews section.

Best of luck to you.

EDITED TO ADD: If you are only 15 and your parents do not approve of you following the Wiccan religion, I'm afraid that's pretty much that. No responsible Wiccan is going to help you deceive them or practice behind your parents' backs. You'll have to wait until you are 18 (or whatever the age of majority is in your part of the world), at which point you will be free(er) to take on Wicca if you are still interested.

In the meantime, I strongly suggest that you use the book review section at Wicca for the Rest of Us to see which books will give you a solid foundation in preparation for becoming a fully practicing Wiccan.

Answer 4

Oh, dear...how old are you? Most reputable teachers can't help you if your family is really against it--there are certain ethical constraints.

In the meantime, there are places you can go. Open Sesame has an open list for teens who want to talk to other teens--it's a good, safe site, and the moderators work very hard to keep it that way.

Are your parents actively against your path, or do they just not want to hear about it? If you think they won't burn your books, try to get a hold of a copy of Scott Cuningham's "Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner." (I'm assuming you're a solitary, since you say you don't know any other Wiccans.)

Finally--be strong. I know it's hard, but you can be who you are in your heart, despite your family's resistance. Hang out at New Age bookstores--you'll soon find someone to talk to. Explore on your own--spend time out of doors, keep a journal, go camping, raise a pet or a garden or even just a plant. You don't need an altar--the Goddess dwells in you, and She will always hear when you speak. If you learn to listen, you will hear Her answer.

That's probably all the advice it's safe to give here. Blessed be, and good luck.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who look down on wicca... Try going to your local occult store and picking up a copy of Scott Cunningham's Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner... it should help. And yes, there are a lot of people who have the same problem you do. Maybe you'll get lucky in that occult store and come across another wiccan with the same dilemma... and then you can talk to each other.

Answer 6

If you want to make sure you're learning everything, then here's a checklist off the top of my head:

deities
dogmas/ethics
magic
holidays/mythology
rituals

I know you said no sites, but about.com has a Wiccan/pagan section- and you can subscribe to emailed newsletters and "courses". I used to subscribe to some of them- the sabbat one, the magical herbs one, and some others. They are helpful, but if you do decide to sign up for some of them, make sure to take them with a grain of salt, as you should with all sources of information about Wicca. As many have said before, wicca.timerift.net is an excellent website as well.

Answer 7

If you find someone here willing to answer your question maybe start e-mailing them, trusting yourself is a big part of the spiritual journey, knowing yourself is even bigger as it let's you make decisions easier and with conviction.

Wicca encapsulates a lot of things, you may need to look into what interests you. Wicca is not just something you do on a Sunday, it can be seen as a lifestyle and personal path.

Answer 8

I know where you're coming from, my family is strictly set against wicca. I swear sometimes they will burn me at the post XD

But seriously, with the joking aside, it is very hard to learn wicca, have you tried contacting local covens? If not then it may be worth your while. But mostly, dont give up, there are others of us out there, learning, or learned.

Answer 9

ok you need to go to a book store and if that is not possible there are some websites. some have very good message boards too. you can talk to experienced witches and beginners.

www.witchvox.com
modernwicca.com
www.wiccanet.com
www.ecauldron.net
www.wicca.timerift.net

there are several out there. they teach a lot.

also you will never know everything, sweety. that is one of the five points: constant learning.

you will love this religion. just ignore anyone who is stupid enough to think it is evil or a game. ugh, some people just don't get it and they never will.

good luck learning

Answer 10

Merry Meet!

It's wonderful that you are interested in the craft and I would be happy to help you! but first i have to ask you a few questions. 1. How did you discover Wicca? 2. What do you know so far?
answer me back through email [e-mail] and ill help you out!

MM&BB
CiCi