Post by WitchBoy on May 23, 2002 6:07:14 GMT -5
There is no set rules or recipes for becoming a Wiccan/Witch. Each person must find his or her own path and place in the decision of this. I know that this is not what you want to hear. You want a set step-by-step process but, I am sorry, it just doesn't work that way. Actually, Wicca prides itself on not being a structured and formalized religion. This is why we have survived for so long. We can do what we like and to the best that it feels right to us. As long as we follow the Rede and the Law of Three. But I will try to give you some steps here to at least ease your frustration.
Think, really think about what it is you want to become and what you want from this new religion that you have found. Think of the pros and cons, do you want to impress others or are you really wanting to be part of a religion that makes you an actual part of it and not just a witness to it. Decide Very Carefully!
Read as much as you can about Wicca and Witchcraft. You can be a Witch w/o being a Wiccan but you CANNOT be a Wiccan w/o being a Witch! (Some people can argue this last statement until they're blue in the face, but it's how I feel). Although you do not have to call yourself a Witch if you are uncomfortable with the entire stigma that goes with the name. Personally, I do not see any reason to be ashamed of being a "Witch".
If you decide to follow the "Old Ways" of the Craft (Wicca/Witchcraft), Decide upon a way to let the God and Goddess know in some personal/Formal way. This is your "Dedication" and it can be as formal as some ritual that you find in a book that appeals to you or it may be some private ceremony that you do on your own. What is important here is that it is something VERY personal and Formal in which you will not forget and that it will forever have deep personal meaning to you!
Again, Study! Study! Study! Take 1 year and 1 day (the traditional time between dedication and 1st initiation) to totally immerse yourself in the knowledge of Wicca/Witchcraft. I cannot stress this on enough! To study is to know and quite frankly, if you don't know it you can't do it! Practice what you believe! Study! Some books I suggest to get started are:
"The Truth About Witchcraft Today" by Scott Cunningham (all of his books are good).
"To Ride A Silver Broomstick" by Silver Raven Wolf (all of her books are good too).
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" by Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason.
These books should be at your local bookseller or even here on the web. I have many more books listed on another page in my site that you may want to check out.
Studying not only includes book knowledge but you must GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE IT! Go out into nature and PAY ATTENTION! Listen, Breath, Look, Touch! Be one with what is around you and really experience it! This is a "hands on" religion, do not just be an observer...Do It! Get information on the Internet (like now. Ha Ha!), Go to the ocean, lake, forest, local parks, zoo, aquarium, or any place that has to do with nature, animals, spirituality, philosophy, and the like.
When you have reached that 1 year and 1 day mark (or at least that time) decide on what kind of initiation you wish to perform and do so. At this point, if you want, seek out an actual Coven or teacher if you do not wish to practice as a "solitary" Wiccan/Witch. The choice is totally yours!
Think, really think about what it is you want to become and what you want from this new religion that you have found. Think of the pros and cons, do you want to impress others or are you really wanting to be part of a religion that makes you an actual part of it and not just a witness to it. Decide Very Carefully!
Read as much as you can about Wicca and Witchcraft. You can be a Witch w/o being a Wiccan but you CANNOT be a Wiccan w/o being a Witch! (Some people can argue this last statement until they're blue in the face, but it's how I feel). Although you do not have to call yourself a Witch if you are uncomfortable with the entire stigma that goes with the name. Personally, I do not see any reason to be ashamed of being a "Witch".
If you decide to follow the "Old Ways" of the Craft (Wicca/Witchcraft), Decide upon a way to let the God and Goddess know in some personal/Formal way. This is your "Dedication" and it can be as formal as some ritual that you find in a book that appeals to you or it may be some private ceremony that you do on your own. What is important here is that it is something VERY personal and Formal in which you will not forget and that it will forever have deep personal meaning to you!
Again, Study! Study! Study! Take 1 year and 1 day (the traditional time between dedication and 1st initiation) to totally immerse yourself in the knowledge of Wicca/Witchcraft. I cannot stress this on enough! To study is to know and quite frankly, if you don't know it you can't do it! Practice what you believe! Study! Some books I suggest to get started are:
"The Truth About Witchcraft Today" by Scott Cunningham (all of his books are good).
"To Ride A Silver Broomstick" by Silver Raven Wolf (all of her books are good too).
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" by Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason.
These books should be at your local bookseller or even here on the web. I have many more books listed on another page in my site that you may want to check out.
Studying not only includes book knowledge but you must GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE IT! Go out into nature and PAY ATTENTION! Listen, Breath, Look, Touch! Be one with what is around you and really experience it! This is a "hands on" religion, do not just be an observer...Do It! Get information on the Internet (like now. Ha Ha!), Go to the ocean, lake, forest, local parks, zoo, aquarium, or any place that has to do with nature, animals, spirituality, philosophy, and the like.
When you have reached that 1 year and 1 day mark (or at least that time) decide on what kind of initiation you wish to perform and do so. At this point, if you want, seek out an actual Coven or teacher if you do not wish to practice as a "solitary" Wiccan/Witch. The choice is totally yours!