Tuesday, 05 August 2008
-
Wiccan Beginners (A colabaration of articles I found)
So here are a few things I stumbled across in my emails, I did not write these, I give all credit to the authors, and such.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.
Mine was on the shore of a remote high cascade mountain lake here in Oregon. The dancing light of the campfire on the trees, a full moon reflecting off the snow pack fed waters of the lake all combined with the energy of surrounding nature. This setting was ideal for me but something completely different might be right for you.
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. The Suggested Reading Section of our on-line catalog offer some excellent resources to help you understand these basic concepts.
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.
Blessed Be and may your path be Bright!
Herne
Suggested reading list:
http://wicca.com/celtic/catalog/books/suggested.htmA CLARIFICATION REGARDING SPELLWORK
In our last newsletter we said, "Those who are drawn to these paths because they want to cast spells, control others or command the forces of nature, are seeking the Old Ways for all the wrong reasons." One reader responded saying "I choose to involve myself in these practices because they have enriched my quality of life. By no means do I feel that ... I am seeking the old ways for all the wrong reasons."We did not intend to imply that practicing magic and spellwork is wrong. However, if someone decides they want to be a witch because they've watched television programs or movies where the focus is on controlling other people's actions and feelings, this is NOT a good reason to get involved. Whenever you send out negative energy to others, whether it's words, thoughts or feelings, the universe will work to bring negative energy back into your own life. This is known as the Threefold Law or Law of Attraction. Luckily the opposite is also true. If you think, speak and feel positive energy, the universe begins to draw circumstances, people and events that will bring more positive things into your life.
It really doesn't matter who you are, where you are, or what path you follow. Ultimately your life experiences will be formed by this powerful universal law through your words, thoughts and feelings. Any spellwork or magic you practice will always involve the Threefold Law or Law of Attraction. Do your best to connect with nature and those around you in a positive way, and allow the Universe to work its magic in your life!
WHAT ARE THE BEST FIRST STEPS FOR NEW WICCANS?
Before we suggest any first steps to take on a path towards Witchcraft or Wicca, we'd like to comment on BECOMING a Witch or Wiccan. Many seem to think there is something they must DO before they can be considered a true follower of an ancient path. I personally believe that an initiation or ritual does not make someone a Wiccan any more than simply going to church or getting baptized makes someone a Christian. These are actions that confirm and strengthen your belief, but in my humble opinion, it's what you BELIEVE in your heart that makes you a true follower of the path you choose.
Individuals who come to our site and read about the Wiccan beliefs and practices, often share with us that they feel as if they've "come home" or finally found a name for what they've always believed. If you know in your heart that the teachings of a path are true, and you've been living a life that embraces those beliefs, you are already ON that path, and we feel this makes you a brother or sister of the faith. However, if you're not clear about what is being taught or whether the teachings are right for you, we suggest you take the time to research and learn more about them BEFORE taking any other steps. If you haven't read it yet, you'll find a great article written by Herne, about How to Become a Wiccan or Witch at: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/howto.htm
Actually, 4 out of 5 readers who emailed us their suggestions, said that the FIRST step is always READ, READ, READ! There are many directions to wander, and the more you read, the more likely you'll be to find a special path that is perfect for YOU. Books are an obvious place to start, but you can also find a wealth of information online. There are hundreds of pages to read at wicca.com and if you manage to get through all of them, you can visit our message boards for information on virtually any topic you wish to explore. http://wicca.com/celtic/forums
You may find the many rituals and practices confusing, because each book or article you read seems to tell you to do something different. Which is right? What's the best way for you to go? Most often it's what feels right to you ... whatever you are comfortable doing. The important thing to remember is that you are simply honoring the earth and celebrating the bond between yourself and the Divine spirit found in all things. If your activities are not fun, and/or done with a joyful heart, you may want to make some changes. We'll be writing more about rituals and celebrations in the next newsletter.
The second most popular step suggested for a beginner was to start a journal or Book of Shadows. This is a wonderful tool for those new to Wicca or Witchcraft, as it can help you define your understanding of your new path and ultimately design a dedication/self-initiation ritual that is perfect for you. There are no right or wrong entries, as you are just recording your thoughts and experiences. Tips on what to include in it can be found in the article mentioned above. Your journal can be a bound blank book or a simple 3-ring notebook, which ever you prefer.
Finally, once you're certain that this is the lifestyle you wish to follow, you will undoubtedly wish to share a fellowship with others who are similar in mind and spirit. This is a natural desire that can lead to increased fun and learning. Just remember that your primary guidance should always come from within. Seeking a teacher can be beneficial, but the most important thing is to listen to your Little Voice, Gut Feeling, Spirit Twin, Guardian Angel, or whatever you choose to call it. Most of us have found that this inner voice is rarely wrong and you "WILL" know when someone or something is not right for you. The link below will take you to an article with tips on how you can find a teacher and avoid being drawn into a group that's not right for you. http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/teacher.htm
As for suggested reading, three of our most popular titles for beginners are: The Truth About Witchcraft Today (only $4.99 in our online bookstore), Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin, and Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. Any books by Cunningham are great for beginners as they are clearly written and cover the basics very well. We are currently working on an updated list of suggested titles that we hope to have online next month.
ARE WITCHES/WICCANS REQUIRED TO DO RITUALS & SPELLS?
We often get email from visitors who don't feel like a true Wiccan or Witch because they haven't done a dedication ritual, or they don't take part in the traditional Pagan holidays that honor the changing seasons. In the past, if you wanted to enter Wicca, you had to know someone who had already been initiated (usually a coven member) to receive initiation. But times have changed, and today, anyone, anywhere in the world can practice Wicca.
While it's customary to dedicate yourself to the Goddess and God when you begin a new spiritual journey, a formal ritual is just an outward confirmation of your beliefs, and does not in itself make you a Wiccan or Witch. That will come with time and devotion. If you've been studying the Old Ways and already hold a reverence for nature and feel a connection to our Mother Earth, you are headed in the right direction! For those who are worried about making a mistake or not doing an initiation or ritual right, you can take comfort in a statement from the best selling book "Wicca" where Scott Cunningham writes: I've read and heard numerous stories of women and men who, drawn to Wicca but lacking access to covens or books, lit a candle, drank a little wine, and told the Gods (or Goddess) of their intentions. That is perhaps the best sort of dedication ritual: simple and from the heart."
If you want to join a Coven, you may be required to take part in a special initiation or dedication ritual, in the same way that a Church might require a baptism before accepting a new member. The ceremony will vary from Coven to Coven, and while some may feel their tradition is the only true one, there is no single "right" way to do an initiation. Again, the dedication or initiation ritual is simply an outward way to express your inward decision to walk a new spiritual path.
As for celebrating the Pagan holidays and cycles of the moon, the main focus should be on seasonal activities and having fun! If your rituals seem empty because you simply memorize words and perform activities that have no meaning to you, there is not much benefit in doing them. One reader wrote " I do not need a special altar or a special color candle for special occasions. All I need is to be outside, concentrate on a flower, or star, or moon, or the warmth of the sun, or the cool earth, or listen to some rippling water to feel connected to the earth and all that grows and lives." This person is doing what feels right and keeping things simple. It's up to you whether you celebrate the seasons or not. If you do, choose activities, rituals and/or foods that make each occasion enjoyable.
Finally, in regard to spellwork, a spell could be described as a magical ritual. Magic is the practice of moving natural energies to effect needed change in our lives and the world around us. The majority of Wiccans I know tell me they do not practice spellwork or magic, so it is certainly NOT a requirement! This is a very important topic, and one I will be covering in depth later this month.
RICH WITCH - POOR WITCH: CAN YOU AFFORD TO PRACTICE MAGIC?
The following email excerpt expresses a common concern of those who are just starting out:
"I am very low on cash and cannot afford the proper tools ... I feel that my financial status holds me back from fulfilling my destiny of becoming a true Wiccan."
Below are comments from just a few of the many emails we received in response to this topic:
"Regarding the cost of tools, I purchase my candles at either the dollar store or the thrift store. My athame is an old knife. My goddess figure is made of sculpy (a clay you can shape and then bake in your oven at home). My goblet is an old wine glass. My wand is made from a piece of copper pipe, a crystal my boyfriend gave me, and some pieces of fake leather, all glued together with superglue. ... I doubt I have $10 invested. It doesn't really matter what you use. The fact that it is blessed and the manner with which you use it is what's important".
"I need no wand when my index finger serves the purpose just as well. ... For me, intent is the main thing and costs me nothing"
"I would say to any of your readers struggling with not having the funds to buy manufactured magick tools that I have used make-shift supplies with better success than I ever got from something made by another person. I feel that when you literally put energy into making something, that energy stays with the object."
"Being a 'poor' witch is not just a fun challenge, but opens the mind and creativity, and that is what being a witch is all about - intent - and there is not much you need that you cannot find around you, or that cannot be substituted by something equally effective".
"Tools can add more excitement or allure to your ritual/spell. And this could make the experience more enchanting. But the most important thing to remember - YOU are the most important tool!"
You might want to think about your magical tools the same way you think about your clothing. Putting on new designer clothes can make you FEEL better about yourself and boost your confidence as you head out into the world. The clothing you choose to wear might even help you get a new job or catch the attention of someone special. What you wear CAN actually influence the outcome of the events in your life. But does that make your clothes magical? Are you powerless to create the life you want if you don't have expensive clothes? Yes, the right clothes can help, but it's what's inside that REALLY makes things happen.
If you don't have money to buy the tools you want, make the best of what you have. Be creative and find new ways to make old things work. If you can't buy books, check them out from a library or log on to the Internet for endless hours of reading. I believe the richest, most powerful witches in this world are not the ones with the most money or the best tools ... the richest ones are those who can allow the Divine magic to flow through their lives without any tools at all!
"The true definition of magic... does not center around spells or incantations, or the mysterious waving of arms... As it is recorded in the Blue Book of our forefathers, true Magic is 'The art and science of changing states of mind at will.' And as we have learned by experience, action follows thought."
From The 21 Lessons of Merlyn, A study in Druid Magic & Lore by Douglas Monroe:
This is the end of the colabaration for now
-
recommend
- recs 0
-
email
- sent 0
- like
Post a Comment