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Wicca for Teens
It has been brought to our attention that there are some members of the public claiming to be either Outreach Workers for Could it be Magic and The Wiccan Institute, or claiming to be working under our guidance and with our blessing. This is not so. The Wiccan Institute has no outreach workers and do not authorise individuals to offer classes or courses in their own homes under our supervision.
It is sad, but there will always be unscrupulous individuals who will see the Craft as a way of profiting and promoting their own cause. This is something that we do not endorse or encourage in any way. The Wiccan Rede and the Law of Threefold Return do not allow for any with a conscience to operate in this way.
All of our courses and moots are held within our own premises in the heart of Stratford upon Avon, or be email/post. Should someone approach you claiming to be from us please check with us before going anywhere with them. Do not agree to hand over any monies to these people. If you have any doubts, please feel free to check with us first. Remember - there is no such thing as a stupid question, apart from the ones that you don't ask - and we are always happy to help with any advice beacuse the reputation and wellbeing of the Craft is of the utmost importance to us.
There are unfortunately some unscrupulous people out there who are not followers of the true path in the Craft. This means that some might have ulterior motives for teaching you. If in doubt, ask someone to accompany you but most of all, bear the following in mind:
All bona fide Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede: An it harm none, do as thou wilt. What this means is, if they are doing or suggesting something that involves anything to do with pain, sex or humiliation don’t do it!
Never accompany anyone alone to a secluded place.
Never trust anyone who offers initiation.
If it doesn’t feel right don’t do it!
The Wiccan Institute does not offer teaching to anyone under the age of 16, and will only allow minors to attend ceremonies if accompanied by their parents or guardians. We welcome feedback/questions and visits from any concerned parent/guardian who might be worried about the involvement of their dependants in the Craft.
Those guilty of this deception (and we make no bones that this is exactly what it is) should rest assured that the law of the land is as effective as Magical Law when invoked.
The Nature of Magic
Magical power originates in the subconscious mind. Scientists have done a lot of research on the split brain nature of humans and have managed to prove that there really are two people inside each and every one of us. It is a proven fact that the right side and the left side have completely different functions and that we only use a tiny part of the brains capabilities.
The left side of the brain (or left brain as we should call it) deals with language, ideas and analysis. The right side (or right brain) deals with intuition and recognition. The left is the scientist and the right the artist. They are connected by nerve fibres and if separated can create some odd responses….
The left brain governs the right hand side of the body and the right brain governs the left.. The left is also the “I” or the ego, and the right is the “Id” or the unconscious. So far so simple, however, there is also the cerebellum or “The Old Brain” which some psychologists says is the home of paranormal experiences. It is worth noting at this stage though that under hypnosis, it appears as though the left brain has been put to sleep and the right brain is brought to the fore – not the cerebellum.
In magic, we try to stimulate parts of the right brain and the cerebellum using Alpha or meditative techniques and by using universal symbols and acts of morphic resonance as an impetus. Since the left brain is precise rather than forceful and the right brain is forceful but lacks preciseness we have to teach them to work together.
Acts of morphic resonance (the repetition of phrases or actions by hundreds and thousands of people over countless years) and magical exercises can help you to teach the right brain to discipline its force. Remember, the right brain reacts to imagination not precise ideas so the need for creative visualisation is really important here.
Magic is the result of an effect that has no observable cause but is never the less the result of a subtle movement of natural energies to bring about change. It is not supernatural!! Whatever exists is entirely natural, and therefore any act of magic is an entirely natural act.
When mankind evolved to the point of being able to think in concepts it moved his position in the food chain away from those beings that thought purely by instinct. This evolution brought about a “self-consciousness” rather than a “brute-consciousness”. These differences do not mean that only mankind has the power of thought – nature proves that all living things can think, albeit for the most part instinctively rather than conceptually.
Mind is therefore implicit in all things and matter is only the physical manifestation of that reality. It would seem therefore that there is only one life energy force that everything shares. The aim of magic is to link this life energy force with the unconscious mind. All thing created by man are physical manifestations of what were once ideas or thoughts. Consider what thought is… it cannot be destroyed and will always exist, even if as a subconscious memory. Thoughts are real things. We have two requirements to successfully practice magic the first is the development of the both sides of the brain, and the second is the awareness of what we can do.
The ultimate purpose of magic is a better understanding of the universe and a closer connection with your own creative force, by whatever name you choose to call it.
Becoming a Witch
Being a Wiccan is 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 that the philosophies of how Wicca and Witchcraft view nature, and the universal creative energy 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.
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 Witchcraft can you decide if the old ways are the right path for you.
So now you know the basics and you have decided this is something that fits into your belief system. In a notebook or journal, begin writing down some reasons why 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 eventually become your Book of Shadows. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. It’s not a test, only a way to help you define your path.
I haven’t mentioned anything about spells or ritual yet, because you need to complete the first two steps before you think about working with magic. Magic is not hocus-pocus, it’s not bending the natural order of things to fit your needs. If that is what you are looking for, you might as well be somewhere else. We Witches have had enough bad press over the past few centuries and are working hard to turn those misconceptions around. We certainly do not need people running around claiming to put spells and hexes on people because they cannot face reality or are not willing to work for what they want. Besides, if this is the type of person you are, you probably do not need anymore bad karma coning back than what you already have.
Magic is simply raising and channelling energy that is found in yourself, in nature and in the Divine to achieve a desired result. Before you begin working with magick, you need to understand what it is, where it comes from and the ethics involved in magickal workings. The main ethical tenet to remember is the main point of the Witches Rede: And it harm none.
You also need to understand the basic structure of rituals. Casting circles, calling quarters, invoking the Goddess and God, raising and directing energy, grounding and centring and closing the circle.
At this point you will need to do more reading. Read books, web pages or anything else you can find about magic and spellwork. Once you understand the basic concepts, you can begin to think about casting your own spells and designing your own rituals. But, if you have any questions now really is the time to ask remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question!
Begin working with meditation and visualisation exercises to increase your concentration. The ability to focus and visualise will greatly increase the power of your magic. Breathing exercises will help you focus also, so spend time on them.
Now you can begin some basic spellwork. I’d suggest starting with a full or new moon ritual, but of course you do whatever feels most comfortable to you. Of course you can use word-for-word spells or rituals found in books or posted on web pages if they feel right. Generally those spells were written as guidelines and should be used as such, when creating your own rituals. At first though it can be difficult to come up with your own and that is natural. In time you will find the words and inspiration coming easily. If everything still feels right, and if you still feel like witchcraft is the path for you after all this studying, now is the time to perform a self-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 it means you are dedicating yourself to the Craft and telling yourself and the Divine that this is the path you wish to pursue. Mine was in the fast flowing waters of the river Tavy in Devon one summer evening, a full moon reflecting off the waters of the river combined with the energy of surrounding old growth covered mountains made it ideal for me Something completely different might be right for you.
At this time you can explore the option of joining a coven or a group of some sort, if that is what you desire. Many choose to never join an organised group and this is fine. A solitary Witch is just as much a Witch as a coven Witch. I sought out an Alexandrian coven where I was duly taught and initiated into the Alexandrian branch of the craft. But even if you do not join a group, you might want to consider finding other Witches to circle with occasionally. It’s always good to get other perspectives and hear other ideas.
Many covens require a year and a day of study before initiating new members. This time frame gives you time to explore the religion and decide if it is the right path for you. It also allows you to experience one full rotation of the Wheel of the Year.
You can initiate yourself or you can find another Witch to initiate you. Do not ever let anyone tell you that you have to be initiated by a third-degree Witch in order to become a true Witch. Self-initiated Witches are just as valid as those who were initiated into a coven or by another Witch. 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. After all, following the path that brings you closer to nature and the Divine is the whole premise of the following this path.
Whether you came here because you already follow the old path, or are simply curious and wish to understand our ways, Blessed Be! and may your path be Bright.
Christians have pagan DNA
Long ago, when the Old Religion was the Only Religion, the moral and ethical basis of Wicca and Paganism was taught during infancy and childhood, and everyone understood their ethical obligations to the world around them.
With the rise of Patriarchal Religions, ethics and morals were gradually replaced by an increasingly complex code of behaviour. Laws and rules to govern every aspect of life were written down and every letter of the law was strictly adhered to. Lists of ‘do’ and ‘do not’ appeared until people lost all sense of the reasoning behind the laws, and obedience became the highest virtue. At last, the law became everything, to be followed blindly; and most people conformed either to the ‘anything not strictly forbidden is allowed’ camp, or the ‘anything not specifically allowed is forbidden’ camp depending on their own temperament and that of their society.
Anyone who erred in following the code either asked for forgiveness from God, which he granted instantly and completely through his divine mercy; or asked for forgiveness from God, performed the penance his priests required of them, and then were granted forgiveness instantly and completely.
In either case it was God that had to be appealed to, because it was His Law that had been broken.
There are no grey areas here, no moral dilemmas, just right and wrong simple and clear cut. There are no natural consequences for your actions, no personal responsibility for any outcome, no reasoning, no thinking of any kind required; in short no ethics at all, just a list of things to be memorised, and a simple formula of repentance and forgiveness if you forget or decide to skip one.
How simple. How easy. You can see why it caught on. It’s how most of us were raised. But there must be something about it that you don’t like, or you would not be reading this article.
Don’t think for a moment, though, that ours is the easier path. On this road, you are required to have your brain with you at all times!
Within Wicca we have no written laws to follow, no codes, no repentance and forgiveness. You may have already encountered the ‘do as you will’ bit, and applied it to some areas of your life. But what if it creates a moral issue?
In the patriarchal society within which most of us live there is always someone or somewhere to turn to - someone who will explain or who will answer questions thus allowing you to experience the heady feelings associated with true freedom.
This is fine, as long as everyone who is seeking has access to a teacher; an actual flesh-and-blood person to have conversations and long discussions with; someone who is an experienced counsellor and practitioner of our Art. Then ethical codes could be discussed, problems could be presented for solving, practice cases could come up, and all of this stuff could be explored and guidance given right along with everything else that makes up our Craft.
But more and more students are learning from books or the internet alone, unable to find a teacher or even to find out how to find one. Many of the books available seem to concentrate on the ‘how to’ instead of the ‘why would you?’ or even ‘should you?’ behind the Craft, while most of the internet sites are more interested in the darker aspects without regard to any moral or ethical sense.
Everything that you do, or don’t do, has consequences that ripple through the world like a pebble dropped into a pond, and you are responsible for them!
There is no instant repentance and forgiveness. The three-fold law is a law like gravity, not a statute. Everything you do, either for good or ill, will come back to you three times. And if you choose to ignore this, or are ignorant of it, or just plain make a mistake, and harm someone the only way to avoid getting three times as much harm back is to run right out and fix it! You have to help them three times as much as you harmed them, as quickly as possible.
Far from acting with complete moral licence, an experienced Witch should be one of the most moral creatures on the planet.
So, for all of you who are earnestly seeking and have no one to teach you, for all who long to be the best you that you can possibly become, for all who are seeking to win through to the light, and all who are trying to find the balance point, ‘listen, and learn to find the wisdom hidden within.’
We are the Wicca, Witches, the secret children of the Goddess. We are a very ancient religion. Some say that our name means ‘wise ones’. Others say it means ‘to bend’. What it once meant is no longer important, for now it means both of those things, and many more besides.
In the dawn times, when mankind was young, we all worshipped the Mother, and Her consort, the Horned God of Fertility and the Hunt. We were simple people then, hunters and gatherers, and we lived in harmony with the earth.
But all things change, and we, too, changed. We learned to work with our Mother to bring forth the food we needed when and where we needed it we invented agriculture.
As the long ages passed, few still clung to the old ways, and learned the old skills. These were called Priestesses, or Witches, or Wise Ones, and they were feared, for their knowledge and their power.
When the new gods came into the land, and won the loyalty of the people by force and deceit, or by true acts of gentleness and loving kindness (for a good man may be found anywhere and every religion contains some truth) then the Gods of the old religion became the Saints and the Devils of the new.
For many years we lived together in harmony, but then the burning times began.
During those times, great change was upon the land, and a new light of reason dawned. Many in the ruling classes lost their power, and all who were handy targets the poor, women, and people whose colour or philosophy did not coincide with the new ruling classes were used to vent the anger and uncertainty of all the world.
Many were tortured, and countless thousands were killed and we of the old religion hid for our lives; and were heard of no more, until people thought we were a myth; a tale to frighten naughty children.
Then the laws against us were repealed for why outlaw a fairy tale? And in a new climate of tolerance, some are stepping forth again; to separate the facts from the fiction, and explain to all the world that we are simple people; who desire nothing more than to grow and learn in peace to honour our Mother, the Earth, and to worship the Gods we cherish in the fashion we choose.
We are a polytheistic religion; we worship the Mother, whom we call the Lady, and her Consort, the Lord, as we have since the dawn of time. There are many aspects of the Lord and Lady, and we celebrate Their rituals using many names.
Our circles are rich with chants and legends. Many are as old as the rocky hills. Many are as new as the spring rain. For just as the world grows and changes, with cycles repeating themselves year by year, so our religion grows and changes, and yet the patterns and rhythms repeat themselves again and again.
We do not perform sacrifices on Her altar, for She does not delight in the shedding of blood, but in joy and living. All acts of beauty and love are sacred to Her, and we rejoice in the celebration of life.
We are reverent, but seldom solemn. We glory in laughter, and enjoy our worship.
There are three degrees of initiation in our tradition of the Craft. Witches of the third degree learn to step outside the patterns of the world, and mould them. Much of their time is spent teaching and counselling. (Folk will seek them out, whether they advertise or not. We joke that we walk around with ‘Priestess’ or ‘Priest’ stamped on our foreheads slightly less ascetically pleasing than dressing in black with a dog collar perhaps, but the same result never the less.)
We are a religion of Priestesses and Priests, and all Initiates are Priest or Priestess. As such, any Initiate may cast a circle for themself, or for a partner, for work or for prayer, or for a Pagan group, to teach and instruct them, and lead them in worship.
If you have questions about the Craft, would like to know more or are earnestly seeking the path, please contact us.
Blessed Be!
Are you in the Broom Closet?
Pagans have been in the "broom closet" for centuries. To this day, many are still afraid to publicly admit their spirituality. Why? When asked some fear reprisal from ex-spouses, or landlords, or employers. Individually, Pagans have many valid fears about being exposed. When Gerald Gardner published his works, it was with the belief that his was the last coven remaining in the world.
For the last fifty odd years, Wiccans and Pagans have established local groups around the world. Some of these groups remain in the shadows of society because of the fear that open disclosure will cause hardship for its members. Individual members are at risk of possible hardship if exposed singly, but as part of a larger group, the individual can openly express their spiritual beliefs with less worry of being singled out. After all, there is safety in numbers.
The Wiccan and Pagan community, from the local level all the way up to the global level, is a living entity. It has taken on a life of its own far beyond anything Gerald Gardner or anyone else could have imagined, yet we often cower in the shadows, afraid that if we come out, the Burning Times might return. It is time now for the separate communities and organisations to grow together, into a larger, more robust community. This is not to say that the local communities should not remain as vibrant groups, or that any larger organisation should hold sway over them, but that as a larger community we would carry more weight.
As with all such growth, there are bound to be growing pains. I can see where some will see this as an attempt to put one or more persons in a position of authority over the various communities. I can also see where some might try to do just that. Wiccans and Pagans take pride in the fact that they belong to an unstructured spirituality. There is no way either the Wiccan or Pagan population at large would allow itself to be coerced into giving an individual or group, power over the rest. There will never be a "Grand High Witch of England” – nor should there be!. However, the benefit of structure would be that Wiccans and Pagans would be able to show a unified face to the world. Or at least show the world that we are everywhere, and there are more of us than anyone thought.
Imagine what would happen if every Wiccan, Pagan, and sympathetic person in Stratford upon Avon showed up in one place at the same time. They would pretty much take over the place they were at. Now imagine if every Wiccan, Pagan and sympathetic person in the Country, were to show up at the same place at the same time. They would be quite something, wouldn’t it? Pagans carry little political clout because we, for the most part, are afraid to come out of the broom closet. As individuals we are vulnerable. As a single country wide group Wiccans and Pagans would be a force to be reckoned with! Would all Pagans vote the same way? Doubtful at best, but just the idea that we might, could be enough to make some sit up and take notice.
So the question remains. Just what are we really afraid of? Are we not secure enough in our own beliefs to stand as a community and show the strength of our convictions? Do we not believe that our path, whatever it might be, is valid? Are we afraid that no one else will stand with us? Perhaps that is the reason. It's always easier to go with the crowd, than to be the odd one out. But then, by our very natures we are the odd ones out. If we weren't, we wouldn't have left the security of the faiths we were given, to follow the path of our hearts. It takes a certain amount of courage to buck the system. Why then does that courage fail us when it comes time to stand and be counted? Perhaps that which we seek to find without, must first be found within.
Those of us who are publicly out of the broom closet have a responsibility to protect those who are not yet able to show who they truly are. That is the duty of a community. I personally have no problem publicly stating what I believe, and educating those who will listen, about Wicca and the Pagan path. I do this in the hope that someday there will be enough people who have listened, that those of us still hidden will be able to come out into the sunlight without fear.
Those with the power will not make changes until they are left with no other option. We don't need to be disruptive or violent to create change. We simply have to stand as one and refuse to give up our power. We are much stronger than even we realize. As long as we hide in the shadows or split into separate organisations, we willingly give up our power to those who will take it. It is not until we organize, even if it's just enough to say, "Here we are, our numbers total this, and we vote as our hearts dictate." As long as we, as a group, hide in the shadows, we freely give up our power to others. By refusing to stand up and claim our right to choose our spiritual path, we allow others to hold power over us.
Only our fear holds us back. Those who would hold power over us, use this fear to keep us in our places. These people keep us in fear because we allow them to. Those who keep us in fear use the shadows just as much as we do. For in the shadows, it's easy for the truth to get lost, and lies to come forward. Once these people are pinned by the light of truth, the lies they excrete as a matter of course return to the shadows from where they were born. If everyone understood who we are, and what we do, there would be no need to hide. Anyone trying to spout tripe about Pagans being Satan worshipers would be seen for the frauds they are. It is only when we are out in the open that we can spread our wings, only out in the sunlight that we can be nurtured, only when we stand up as a group that the individual need fear no longer.
Words have power. Thoughts have form. As long as we believe that the Burning Times might return, they may. It's not until we stand united and say, "Never Again!" not as a mantra, but as a rallying cry, that we will finally be free of that fear. This sounds like a revolution, and a revolution it is. Not a war of violence, but a revolution of thought and idea. We work magic for Goddess' sake! Why are we afraid? Work the magic! Do you really think that if we all stand as one, there is any one or any thing that can stand against us? Lest this be taken out of context, I don't intend the overthrow of any government, religion or organisation, but creating an environment where our brothers and sisters can come out into the light without fear, should be easy enough.
If we all as Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, whatever we choose to call ourselves, if we all work together, toward the same goal of freedom from religious intolerance, it cannot fail to be. Protect your homes, protect your families, protect yourselves, cast your best protection charms and then as one, walk into the sunlight. The woman whose ex has suddenly become Fundamentalist, and uses her spirituality as a lever to gain custody of their kids, can do so only because in the shadows no one can see that she dances in her garden, and heals the small scrapes of the neighbours kids, and casts protection spells to keep her neighbourhood safe. Once people know that this is what Pagans do, she can then say, "Yes, I am a Pagan." without fear. The light of the sun nurtures her, and exposes the lies of her ex for the lies they truly are. Once exposed to the sunlight, the lies wither to dust.
Our magic is strong. As we will, so mote it be! Our will determines our magic. As long as we remain in the shadows, and allow others to use the words Witch and Pagan as synonyms for devil worshipper, our magic remains simple parlour tricks. If we cannot use our will and our magic to bring sunlight into the shadows, then perhaps our magic isn't as strong as we think.
Our magic is strong! Until now, we have chosen not to bathe the shadow in sunlight for fear that we would expose individuals. Our magic is strong, and we have new magic. We have the magic of the Internet. We are no longer the simple community of a small town. Now, wherever we are, no matter how small the town, or how few we number in our local community, we are part of the global Pagan community. The Internet allows us to communicate with individuals and communities across the world. We become known, and can become part of those far-flung communities simply by becoming friends with those we communicate with. That is high magic!
If our magic is strong, we can protect ourselves, and our loved ones. Witches have been coming together as covens for centuries because groups have stronger magic than individuals. We all know in our hearts that there are more of us than anyone realizes. Yes, Christians as a whole probably outnumber Pagans in this country, but it's only those few in the vocal minority who we must stand against. On the whole, most Christians don't care if you're Wiccan, Pagan, Hindu, or a chair. They're simply too involved in their own lives to worry about the salvation of others in more than an abstract fashion.
Structure is essential, every coven or group has a priest and or priestess, if only for the length of the ritual. Structure is not the end, but the means. Communities already have structure, whether they admit it or not. Each has its unwritten laws. You do not "out" another. You do as the priest and priestess say during the ritual, whether you agree with it or not. If you cannot follow the priest or priestess, you go to the Gatekeeper, and ask to be let out. These are all elements of structure, and keep petty bickering to a minimum.
The same sort of structure must be maintained for a larger community. With more people comes more chaos, extraneous energies flying about simply because of the numbers involved, so structure must be formalized, even if by just writing it down. Structure is kept to a minimum by following the convention of the Wiccan Rede.
The community shall be a gathering place for Pagans and like-minded or sympathetic persons in the area.
The community shall be a rallying point for Pagans to be collectively counted, not as individuals but as part of the larger group.
The community shall give voice to those who feel they have no voice, both spiritually and politically.
It is not the goal of the community to become a political entity, but rather to educate both Pagans and the general populace of our potential as a political force when united as a single voice.
The community is not interested in creating an atmosphere conducive to power struggles or political games, nor is it an attempt to add structure to the Pagan Religious dynamic.
The community IS interested in creating an environment where Pagans can feel free to be themselves uninhibited, to come out of the shadows and into the light. Not the spotlight of individual recognition, unless they so choose, but the sunlight of warmth and nurturing growth.
The community speaks with a single voice, knowing that each individual is unique and will have opinions that while differing in detail agree in general principal.
The community encourages the individual to speak out, let their opinions be heard for the good of the community.
Above all, the community follows the Rede; "'an it harm none, do what thou wilt."
Again, these are ideas. They are to be taken as guidelines. For example, "The community speaks with a single voice, " simply means that the community only speaks AS the community where whatever the community is speaking of can be agreed to, in general principal. This isn't likely to happen too often, since if you ask ten Witches a question, you'll get 12 answers.
Another example, "The community shall give voice to those who feel they have no voice, both spiritually and politically." Doesn't mean that the community should be a political movement, but there may be issues that Pagans in general would take an interest in. It would be a way of getting the word out.
Above all else, if a certain situation doesn't seem to fall under any other guideline, we fall back to the Wiccan Rede, "'an it harm none, do what thou wilt."
We are quickly approaching the point where we as Wiccans and Pagans must make a choice. If we are to come out into the light, we must do so as a unified group. If we are to appear as a unified group, we must use a little more structure than we currently have. I don't think these ideas for structure are too outrageous, nor is the idea of presenting one's self as a Wiccan or Pagan without fear, too lofty. These are issues that we all as Wiccans and Pagans must take a serious look at.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.......
Is a Coven Right for you?
Perhaps you have just learned about Wicca and want the experience found in a group, or perhaps you have been practicing as a solitary and feel the need for some company. Belonging to a coven can be a wonderful experience, or it can be a terrible mistake. Before you go looking for a group to join, you should do some careful thinking about just what kind of group you would feel comfortable with. Here are some things you might want to consider:
What kind of tradition or flavour of Wicca appeals to you? This may involve some careful reading and research on your part to find out how the traditions differ. Are you into a more set ritual structure with a hierarchical flavour, if so, one of the Gardnerian or Alexandrian groups might fit your needs. If you are more laid back and don’t want a group with a rigid degree system, then some of the more eclectic groups might appeal to you. Would you prefer to be in women-only group, then perhaps a Dianic tradition would be better.
What is your feeling about being naked in front of others, even others of the opposite sex? Many, if not most, Gardnerian groups and some others practice “skyclad”. If this makes you uncomfortable, this might not be a good choice.
There are some groups which practice a symbolic Great Rite (representative of the sexual union of the God and Goddess which brings fertility to the Earth), while others practice an actual great rite with sexual relations between the Priest and Priestess. The actual rite may be done apart from the circle or in the circle itself. Some traditions require the Great Rite between student and initiator as part of the initiation process. How do you feel about this?
Do you prefer a small group of like-minded people in someone’s living room, or are your happy to be part of a larger group that is more open and may even hold public rituals?
So now you have found a group that you think might be the ticket for you. Here are some more questions to ask before you decide to join.
When does the group hold rituals? Some covens gather on the specific night of the full moon or holiday, while others acknowledge the concerns of the mundane world by holding celebrations on the weekend closest to the event. How does your work or school schedule match up? If work keeps you from going to ritual, or ritual makes you too sleepy to go to work the next day, you may as well look for another group.
What is the group’s feeling on the use of mind-altering substances, be it alcohol or other, perhaps illegal, drugs? Are they used in circle? Do you have the right to refuse to use them without pressure from the rest of the group? If they are used in circle, could being present when they are used jeopardize your job?
How do the members of the group treat each other outside of circle? Is the group simply a Go-To-Sabbat bunch of folks who go their own way during the rest of the week? Or are they friends outside of circle who are always available to each other in times of need? Ideally, a coven should function as a clan or extended family.
What is the position of the High Priest/ess in relationship to the rest of the circle? Are they the kind of leader who dictates to everyone what they will do and how they will act? Do they play favourites? Or do they listen to the concerns of others in the group and treat all fairly? Are they someone who is respected for their knowledge and spirituality, but equal with the others in the sight of the Gods? Remember that one of the signs of a cult is the all-powerful, all-knowing leader.
Does the High Priest/High Priestess have enough knowledge of what it is that they are doing to facilitate the functions of the group and to safely lead a magical working? If the rest of the group is just learning, it is very helpful to have at least one fully trained individual to show the way.
Do you feel welcome and safe in the group? When you stand in circle you bear with you the passwords, Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. If you cannot feel that way about those around you, especially in circle, you will eventually be unhappy if you stay with this group.
Being part of a close-knit coven can be a marvellous experience, but it can also be a disaster.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with solitary practice! It is far better to continue as a solitary than to join a group which does not help you advance along your spiritual path.
Cross or Pentacle
Jewellery is and always has been about making a statement. Whether as a fashion statement or a statement about beliefs, either is completely acceptable in the world of today.
What you have to remember is that not everyone who wears a cross is a Christian and not everyone who wears a pentacle or pentagram is a pagan or wiccan!
So is it okay for a pagan / wiccan to wear a cross? The short answer is: there is no short answer, it is really up to you. Personally, to me, the cross is a symbol of torture - after all, allegedly someone was nailed to it and then allowed to die a slow and painful death in order for redemption and forgiveness to be made available to those that asked for it!
However, it is only a symbol, a piece of jewellery, so if you like it, wear it!
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