Post by wbnsunshine on Nov 12, 2013 12:43:59 GMT -6
How to Become a Wiccan or Witch
Being a Wiccan or Witch is generally not something you are born as or just wake up one morning and decide to become. More often than not, you come across it by accident unless you were raised that way. Many find the philosophies of how Wicca and Witchcraft view nature are the same as the one's they currently hold. They just didn't know there was a specific belief system that shared the same views.
As Silver RavenWolf accurately stated in her book To Ride A Silver Broomstick. "The Charge comes to each of us in a different manner. It is that moment in our lives when we feel the Magick of the Universe for the very first time coursing through us... and we know beyond all real and imagined shadows that this calling to the mysteries is indeed there. That it is truly there, and not a whimsical flight from reality."
If you are one who has seen striking similarities between what you believe and have found here, there are generally accepted ways to increase your awareness and find communion with others who feel the same. The following are the steps I would recommend to any one who wishes to learn more.
Read everything you can get your hands on that will tell you more about the beliefs of Wicca and Witchcraft. Only by learning as much as you can about the basic beliefs and tenets of this path can you decide if the old way's are right for you.
While doing this, you will begin to form associations and hopefully find correspondances within yourself. Note these feelings in a journal or diary. Write down the reasons you think Witchcraft is your path. What does being a Witch mean to you? What do you hope to achieve and learn? What do you fear about following this path? How do you see the Goddess and God? What does the Divine mean to you? Be absolutely honest with yourself here, this is a private book and nobody else will ever read it. This notebook will help you design your dedication/self-initiation ritual and eventually evolve into your Book of Shadows.
There are no right or wrong answers and it is not a test. It is only a way to help you define your understanding of this path.
Most importantly, listen to your inner voice. It is usually very good council and will not lead you astray. If something you read, hear or are told does not feel right, then it usually isn't right for you. If everything still feels right and you are sure Witchcraft is the path for you wish to follow after all this studying, now is the time to perform a dedication ritual.
This ritual should be yours and yours alone. Design it however you want to and in a way that will be most meaningful to you. A dedication ritual means exactly what it sounds like. You are dedicating yourself to the Craft and making the decision to live life in closer harmony and balance with the earth and nature. You are making a commitment to yourself and the Divine.
I haven't mentioned anything about spells because you need to complete the first two steps before you even think about working with spells.
Before you begin working with magick, you need to understand what it is, where it comes from and the ethics involved. You will also need to learn and understand the basic structure of rituals, Casting circles, calling quarters, invoking the Goddess and God, raising and directing energy, grounding, centering and closing the circle.
Magick is raising and channeling the energy found in yourself, nature and in the Divine. A Witch combines this energy with their focused efforts. It takes dedication, effort, energy and hard work to achieve a desired result. The main ethical tenet to always remember is the point of the Witches Rede:
"An It Harm None."
Magick is not Hollywood hocus-pocus. It is not bending the natural order of things to fit your needs or desires. If that is what you are looking for, you are in the wrong place.
Witches have had enough bad press over the past few centuries and are working hard to turn those misconceptions around. We do not need people running around claiming to put spells and hexes on people because they cannot face reality, are not willing to work for what they want or are looking for an easy solution to their problems. Magick doesn't work that way...
All your reading and study will help you prepare for this.
You will also find that meditation and visualization exercises will increase your concentration. The ability to focus and visualize will greatly increase the power of your magick. Breathing exercises will help you focus as well so spend time on them.
If you are interested in joining a Coven, most will require the traditional year and a day of study before initiating new members. This gives you time to explore the religion and decide if it is the right path for you as well as giving you and the Coven members time to get to know one another. Covens are generally very selective and rightfully so. There are many out there who seek this path for all the wrong reasons.
Top 10 Wicca Books for Beginners
Teresa Conner
This list below is the top ten books (in random order)
Books are second best to learning first-hand with a teacher, but due to the rising popularity of Wicca, many publishers are publishing anything and everything. It's very difficult to decipher the rubbish from the good stuff. Either they are full of inaccurate information or so simple they aren't handy at all.
10. Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft by Ann Moura. Ann Moura does a wonderful job of exploring the fundamentals of the Wiccan religion and providing magical training for the independent witch. She supplies step-by-step instructions on tons of techniques and explains the basic rules of conduct with simplicity and flare. Anything by Ann Moura is greatly recommended by me. (This book is the first of a 3-book series, so be sure to check out the rest if you enjoy this one.)
09. Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation by Silver Ravenwolf. While there is a lot of hate out there for Silver's work, I am one of those who can look past the fluff and see the underlining meaning and for that I happen to like her work. Yes, 90% of it is written with teens in mind but a lot of Wiccans start out around that age, so it's good to have something a little more geared towards their level. With that being said, there's still a lot in here that will be insanely useful to older beginners. I continue to refer to this book on a regular basis. Just take what you need and overlook the rest, and that's good advice for any book.
08. The Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi. I found this book a breath of fresh air. Raven has a unique and interesting way of making Wicca bright and new. Any of his books would be good for seekers of the Wiccan way, but what makes this book so special is that it's about the spirituality of Witchcraft, not just another how-to and/or spells because Witchcraft is so much more than that.
07. Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler. Margot was the first to chronicle in detail the emergence of Paganism in the United States and this book is her finished product of that endeavor. Every pagan, young and old, should read this book. It's definitely on the studious side and may take some time to work through, but it's well worth the work.
06.The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. I am a firm believer that every practitioner needs a great encyclopedia of our religion's history and Rosemary Guiley delivers. While I believe this to be the best out there, if your opinion differs (or if you, like me, would rather have more than one), other suggestions are The Witch Book by Raymond Buckland or The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes. Both of those are highly recommended by me as well.
05. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland. While this is a book that I believe we should all read as Wiccans, it's one that I find myself taking what I need and forgetting the rest. I admire Buckland immensely, but he does seem to be a stickler on doing things by the book while I believe in adapting things. So, I suggest reading the book because he is the reason we have Wicca in America, and use only what you need. Hey, perhaps you'll even like his way of doing things.
04. True Magick: A Beginner's Guide by Amber K. If it had not been for the magnificent new edition of this book released late 2006, I would not have added it on the list. The first edition was horribly simple and short and seemed more like a pamphlet than a book. The new edition, however, is fantastic and pleasantly plump! Amber K does a great job of explaining many of the facets of Wicca.
03. Wicca & Witchcraft for Dummies by Diane Smith. I am sure I will get some eyes rolling with this one being on the list, but I happened to find it one of the best resources on Wicca. Many think because it's a "For Dummies" book that it's full of rubbish, but they couldn't be further from the truth. This book skips all the complicated nonsense and puts Wicca in terms that are not confusing and straightforward. I find this book highly informative and I actually know many pagans who use the "For Dummies" and "Complete Idiots Guide" for an array of occult subjects because they are so good at cutting out the BS and getting down to business.
02. Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. This wonderful book expands on the fantastic basis built in his first book on Wicca. Neither of these should be missed. Classics!
01. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. Scott Cunningham's book are staples of the Wiccan religion and should all be read, but his books for Solitaries most of all as he was the first to write material geared towards solo practitioners.
Also, a good idea would be a find a really good Almanac or Calendar to help keep up with Sabbats and Moon Phases as well. I would suggest Llewellyn's Wicca Almanac, Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook or The Wicca Book of Days by Sheena Morgan; all of these are fantastic and I've used them for many years now. Another great idea is also have an index on the world's deities as well. Two recommendations for that are The Encyclopedia of Gods by Michael Jordan and The Magick of the Gods and Goddesses by D.J. Conway
Any of the books listed above, can be found on Amazon.com. Happy Learning! Blessed Be!
Blessed Be and may your path be Bright!
sunshine
Being a Wiccan or Witch is generally not something you are born as or just wake up one morning and decide to become. More often than not, you come across it by accident unless you were raised that way. Many find the philosophies of how Wicca and Witchcraft view nature are the same as the one's they currently hold. They just didn't know there was a specific belief system that shared the same views.
As Silver RavenWolf accurately stated in her book To Ride A Silver Broomstick. "The Charge comes to each of us in a different manner. It is that moment in our lives when we feel the Magick of the Universe for the very first time coursing through us... and we know beyond all real and imagined shadows that this calling to the mysteries is indeed there. That it is truly there, and not a whimsical flight from reality."
If you are one who has seen striking similarities between what you believe and have found here, there are generally accepted ways to increase your awareness and find communion with others who feel the same. The following are the steps I would recommend to any one who wishes to learn more.
Read everything you can get your hands on that will tell you more about the beliefs of Wicca and Witchcraft. Only by learning as much as you can about the basic beliefs and tenets of this path can you decide if the old way's are right for you.
While doing this, you will begin to form associations and hopefully find correspondances within yourself. Note these feelings in a journal or diary. Write down the reasons you think Witchcraft is your path. What does being a Witch mean to you? What do you hope to achieve and learn? What do you fear about following this path? How do you see the Goddess and God? What does the Divine mean to you? Be absolutely honest with yourself here, this is a private book and nobody else will ever read it. This notebook will help you design your dedication/self-initiation ritual and eventually evolve into your Book of Shadows.
There are no right or wrong answers and it is not a test. It is only a way to help you define your understanding of this path.
Most importantly, listen to your inner voice. It is usually very good council and will not lead you astray. If something you read, hear or are told does not feel right, then it usually isn't right for you. If everything still feels right and you are sure Witchcraft is the path for you wish to follow after all this studying, now is the time to perform a dedication ritual.
This ritual should be yours and yours alone. Design it however you want to and in a way that will be most meaningful to you. A dedication ritual means exactly what it sounds like. You are dedicating yourself to the Craft and making the decision to live life in closer harmony and balance with the earth and nature. You are making a commitment to yourself and the Divine.
I haven't mentioned anything about spells because you need to complete the first two steps before you even think about working with spells.
Before you begin working with magick, you need to understand what it is, where it comes from and the ethics involved. You will also need to learn and understand the basic structure of rituals, Casting circles, calling quarters, invoking the Goddess and God, raising and directing energy, grounding, centering and closing the circle.
Magick is raising and channeling the energy found in yourself, nature and in the Divine. A Witch combines this energy with their focused efforts. It takes dedication, effort, energy and hard work to achieve a desired result. The main ethical tenet to always remember is the point of the Witches Rede:
"An It Harm None."
Magick is not Hollywood hocus-pocus. It is not bending the natural order of things to fit your needs or desires. If that is what you are looking for, you are in the wrong place.
Witches have had enough bad press over the past few centuries and are working hard to turn those misconceptions around. We do not need people running around claiming to put spells and hexes on people because they cannot face reality, are not willing to work for what they want or are looking for an easy solution to their problems. Magick doesn't work that way...
All your reading and study will help you prepare for this.
You will also find that meditation and visualization exercises will increase your concentration. The ability to focus and visualize will greatly increase the power of your magick. Breathing exercises will help you focus as well so spend time on them.
If you are interested in joining a Coven, most will require the traditional year and a day of study before initiating new members. This gives you time to explore the religion and decide if it is the right path for you as well as giving you and the Coven members time to get to know one another. Covens are generally very selective and rightfully so. There are many out there who seek this path for all the wrong reasons.
Top 10 Wicca Books for Beginners
Teresa Conner
This list below is the top ten books (in random order)
Books are second best to learning first-hand with a teacher, but due to the rising popularity of Wicca, many publishers are publishing anything and everything. It's very difficult to decipher the rubbish from the good stuff. Either they are full of inaccurate information or so simple they aren't handy at all.
10. Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft by Ann Moura. Ann Moura does a wonderful job of exploring the fundamentals of the Wiccan religion and providing magical training for the independent witch. She supplies step-by-step instructions on tons of techniques and explains the basic rules of conduct with simplicity and flare. Anything by Ann Moura is greatly recommended by me. (This book is the first of a 3-book series, so be sure to check out the rest if you enjoy this one.)
09. Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation by Silver Ravenwolf. While there is a lot of hate out there for Silver's work, I am one of those who can look past the fluff and see the underlining meaning and for that I happen to like her work. Yes, 90% of it is written with teens in mind but a lot of Wiccans start out around that age, so it's good to have something a little more geared towards their level. With that being said, there's still a lot in here that will be insanely useful to older beginners. I continue to refer to this book on a regular basis. Just take what you need and overlook the rest, and that's good advice for any book.
08. The Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi. I found this book a breath of fresh air. Raven has a unique and interesting way of making Wicca bright and new. Any of his books would be good for seekers of the Wiccan way, but what makes this book so special is that it's about the spirituality of Witchcraft, not just another how-to and/or spells because Witchcraft is so much more than that.
07. Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler. Margot was the first to chronicle in detail the emergence of Paganism in the United States and this book is her finished product of that endeavor. Every pagan, young and old, should read this book. It's definitely on the studious side and may take some time to work through, but it's well worth the work.
06.The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. I am a firm believer that every practitioner needs a great encyclopedia of our religion's history and Rosemary Guiley delivers. While I believe this to be the best out there, if your opinion differs (or if you, like me, would rather have more than one), other suggestions are The Witch Book by Raymond Buckland or The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes. Both of those are highly recommended by me as well.
05. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland. While this is a book that I believe we should all read as Wiccans, it's one that I find myself taking what I need and forgetting the rest. I admire Buckland immensely, but he does seem to be a stickler on doing things by the book while I believe in adapting things. So, I suggest reading the book because he is the reason we have Wicca in America, and use only what you need. Hey, perhaps you'll even like his way of doing things.
04. True Magick: A Beginner's Guide by Amber K. If it had not been for the magnificent new edition of this book released late 2006, I would not have added it on the list. The first edition was horribly simple and short and seemed more like a pamphlet than a book. The new edition, however, is fantastic and pleasantly plump! Amber K does a great job of explaining many of the facets of Wicca.
03. Wicca & Witchcraft for Dummies by Diane Smith. I am sure I will get some eyes rolling with this one being on the list, but I happened to find it one of the best resources on Wicca. Many think because it's a "For Dummies" book that it's full of rubbish, but they couldn't be further from the truth. This book skips all the complicated nonsense and puts Wicca in terms that are not confusing and straightforward. I find this book highly informative and I actually know many pagans who use the "For Dummies" and "Complete Idiots Guide" for an array of occult subjects because they are so good at cutting out the BS and getting down to business.
02. Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. This wonderful book expands on the fantastic basis built in his first book on Wicca. Neither of these should be missed. Classics!
01. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. Scott Cunningham's book are staples of the Wiccan religion and should all be read, but his books for Solitaries most of all as he was the first to write material geared towards solo practitioners.
Also, a good idea would be a find a really good Almanac or Calendar to help keep up with Sabbats and Moon Phases as well. I would suggest Llewellyn's Wicca Almanac, Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook or The Wicca Book of Days by Sheena Morgan; all of these are fantastic and I've used them for many years now. Another great idea is also have an index on the world's deities as well. Two recommendations for that are The Encyclopedia of Gods by Michael Jordan and The Magick of the Gods and Goddesses by D.J. Conway
Any of the books listed above, can be found on Amazon.com. Happy Learning! Blessed Be!
Blessed Be and may your path be Bright!
sunshine
