| Becoming a Witch |
I am often asked how one becomes a witch. Do you find someone who
is a witch and they make you one? Or are you a witch just by saying you are?
Can you make yourself a witch?
The process of becoming a witch doesn't happen overnight. It is a life change,
a new path upon the journey of your life. It takes consideration, study and work.
If you have previously followed a mainstream religion, you may have things that
take time to let go, and new things that take time to absorb. I have heard many
people say it is often hard, coming from a life of Christianity, to feel comfortable
praying to the Goddess. All new things take time, but if you are serious upon
this path, you will find your way. The Gods call Their own home to Them.
No matter how you have came about finding the Wica, here you are. So where do you go? It
depends on where you want to end up. If you are searching for mainstream Wicca (Eclectic
Wicca) then begin in the book store. For a novice, books are like the air you breathe. You
must have them, or access to them in some way. If you cannot afford, or do not feel safe
having books, the Internet could provide you with an outlet for learning, used with a bit of
skepticism to keep yourself from being overloaded.
In both books and on the Internet you will find a variety of inform that could help guide you
upon your new path. Of course, as with anything else, there is good information and bad
information. Avoid any kind of book, or Internet site, that speaks of controlling another
person, harming them, doing love spells on a specific person, 'Learn Wicca in 5 easy steps',
charges large fees for what they are sending you, etc. These books/sites will not fulfill your
need for knowledge in the Craft and will only serve to confuse you.
If you are searching for Traditional Wicca (Wica, BTW), then first do a bit of research.
Traditional Wicca is an initiatory priesthood and it's best to do a little reading before
jumping in headlong. A great place to begin is the Amber and Jet yahoo group. Here you
will be able to chat with initiates of the various traditions of Wica and possibly meet a
teacher. A teacher is an absolute must for BTW. Books and certain websites like this one
may also be beneficial to your understanding of the different traditions present in BTW.
Check out our Traditional Resources section for more information.
Once you have done a bit of initial research and feel the pull towards Wicca the next step is
to find a teacher. If you have access to a teacher, in my opinion this is the best course of
action even for a person wishing to study mainstream, eclectic ways. A teacher is an
absolute must for Traditional Wica. A teacher or a coven can often be found if there is a new
age book store in your community. Also, the Witches Voice is a site that offers networking
in every state of the US and many countries around the world. It has grown extremely large
over the past few years and is a valuable resource in the Craft community.
IF YOU ARE SEEKING TRADITIONAL WICA, you must find a valid and lineaged
teacher within the tradition you are wanting to train in. Sadly, it has become very important
to warn potential seekers of the need to verify credentials. Please beware charlatans
seeking to pass off false lineage and information, drawing in unsuspecting seekers along the
way. ASK FOR CREDENTIALS. OBTAIN A VOUCH. A lineaged teacher will expect
you to ask them how to verify their claims, and if they get offended at your asking then
WALK AWAY. Again, Amber and Jet can be an invaluable resources for obtaining a vouch
for your teacher.
Even if you are not seeking Traditional Wica, having a teacher can offer so much to you
when you are beginning. There will be things you come across that you have a hard time
understanding and need clarification. If you have a teacher, they are just a phone call or
email away. If you do not, you must try to decipher things on your own, and may not come to
the correct end on them. If you do not have a teacher, again, the Internet is the next best
place to look. There are cyber study groups, and online/email classes now available to
people that can be a valuable resource to a novice. If you go to Yahoo Groups and do a
search, you will find several cybers that could fit your purpose.
If you are only looking for a 'how to' on casting spells, then the Craft is not for you. Wicca is
a serious religion. Keep moving and play elsewhere.
A couple of things need to be said about beginning this path, in light of recent attitudes
about the Craft. Here lately it seems that you have a people who, after reading a few books,
feel as if they can call themselves a master of the Art. They throw on a title like Lady/Lord,
or HP/s, add some black clothes, a pentacle the size of a hubcap, and they are ready to go.
This is not what the Craft is about. If you have spent years following a particular path, have
worked hard for the spiritual lessons that have been presented to you, and through this have
attained the title and rank, then by all means use it. But think of how you would feel if, after
all that, you have a newbie with 6 months and 5 books under their belt walking about calling
themselves Lady Starry Ski or Lord Thunderbutt. It is very offensive. Just like your parents
told you when you were growing up (or maybe you still are) 'don't rush things, it will all come
to you in the end, and be sweeter for the waiting'. This is true with the Craft. Using titles,
putting on airs, and in general acting high and mighty are not going to make you any more
spiritual. And that is what this path is about. What it will do is alienate you from people
whom you may actually want to meet and get to know! All of this being said the way to
become a witch is through study and dedication. Gather all of the information you can. Then
go outside in nature and commune with the Goddess and God. Listen to the trees and the
wind and the rush of the water, for this is the witch's world.
Morgaine
is a witch and they make you one? Or are you a witch just by saying you are?
Can you make yourself a witch?
The process of becoming a witch doesn't happen overnight. It is a life change,
a new path upon the journey of your life. It takes consideration, study and work.
If you have previously followed a mainstream religion, you may have things that
take time to let go, and new things that take time to absorb. I have heard many
people say it is often hard, coming from a life of Christianity, to feel comfortable
praying to the Goddess. All new things take time, but if you are serious upon
this path, you will find your way. The Gods call Their own home to Them.
No matter how you have came about finding the Wica, here you are. So where do you go? It
depends on where you want to end up. If you are searching for mainstream Wicca (Eclectic
Wicca) then begin in the book store. For a novice, books are like the air you breathe. You
must have them, or access to them in some way. If you cannot afford, or do not feel safe
having books, the Internet could provide you with an outlet for learning, used with a bit of
skepticism to keep yourself from being overloaded.
In both books and on the Internet you will find a variety of inform that could help guide you
upon your new path. Of course, as with anything else, there is good information and bad
information. Avoid any kind of book, or Internet site, that speaks of controlling another
person, harming them, doing love spells on a specific person, 'Learn Wicca in 5 easy steps',
charges large fees for what they are sending you, etc. These books/sites will not fulfill your
need for knowledge in the Craft and will only serve to confuse you.
If you are searching for Traditional Wicca (Wica, BTW), then first do a bit of research.
Traditional Wicca is an initiatory priesthood and it's best to do a little reading before
jumping in headlong. A great place to begin is the Amber and Jet yahoo group. Here you
will be able to chat with initiates of the various traditions of Wica and possibly meet a
teacher. A teacher is an absolute must for BTW. Books and certain websites like this one
may also be beneficial to your understanding of the different traditions present in BTW.
Check out our Traditional Resources section for more information.
Once you have done a bit of initial research and feel the pull towards Wicca the next step is
to find a teacher. If you have access to a teacher, in my opinion this is the best course of
action even for a person wishing to study mainstream, eclectic ways. A teacher is an
absolute must for Traditional Wica. A teacher or a coven can often be found if there is a new
age book store in your community. Also, the Witches Voice is a site that offers networking
in every state of the US and many countries around the world. It has grown extremely large
over the past few years and is a valuable resource in the Craft community.
IF YOU ARE SEEKING TRADITIONAL WICA, you must find a valid and lineaged
teacher within the tradition you are wanting to train in. Sadly, it has become very important
to warn potential seekers of the need to verify credentials. Please beware charlatans
seeking to pass off false lineage and information, drawing in unsuspecting seekers along the
way. ASK FOR CREDENTIALS. OBTAIN A VOUCH. A lineaged teacher will expect
you to ask them how to verify their claims, and if they get offended at your asking then
WALK AWAY. Again, Amber and Jet can be an invaluable resources for obtaining a vouch
for your teacher.
Even if you are not seeking Traditional Wica, having a teacher can offer so much to you
when you are beginning. There will be things you come across that you have a hard time
understanding and need clarification. If you have a teacher, they are just a phone call or
email away. If you do not, you must try to decipher things on your own, and may not come to
the correct end on them. If you do not have a teacher, again, the Internet is the next best
place to look. There are cyber study groups, and online/email classes now available to
people that can be a valuable resource to a novice. If you go to Yahoo Groups and do a
search, you will find several cybers that could fit your purpose.
If you are only looking for a 'how to' on casting spells, then the Craft is not for you. Wicca is
a serious religion. Keep moving and play elsewhere.
A couple of things need to be said about beginning this path, in light of recent attitudes
about the Craft. Here lately it seems that you have a people who, after reading a few books,
feel as if they can call themselves a master of the Art. They throw on a title like Lady/Lord,
or HP/s, add some black clothes, a pentacle the size of a hubcap, and they are ready to go.
This is not what the Craft is about. If you have spent years following a particular path, have
worked hard for the spiritual lessons that have been presented to you, and through this have
attained the title and rank, then by all means use it. But think of how you would feel if, after
all that, you have a newbie with 6 months and 5 books under their belt walking about calling
themselves Lady Starry Ski or Lord Thunderbutt. It is very offensive. Just like your parents
told you when you were growing up (or maybe you still are) 'don't rush things, it will all come
to you in the end, and be sweeter for the waiting'. This is true with the Craft. Using titles,
putting on airs, and in general acting high and mighty are not going to make you any more
spiritual. And that is what this path is about. What it will do is alienate you from people
whom you may actually want to meet and get to know! All of this being said the way to
become a witch is through study and dedication. Gather all of the information you can. Then
go outside in nature and commune with the Goddess and God. Listen to the trees and the
wind and the rush of the water, for this is the witch's world.
Morgaine
