We have listed a learning program for Wicca further down on this page. First however, here are some questions from students, accompanied by some interesting answers.
Got a question about WICCA that you'd like ALOT of answers to ? Send it to us, and we will post it RIGHT HERE ! Got an aswer to a question posted here ? We'd love to hear it, and perhaps post it (at our disgression). We'll give you our answers to your questions, PLUS we will post other answers from people all around the world that care to respond ! In the SUBJECT line, please write "POST INTRO QUESTION" E_MAIL it from here if you wish. Please note that we will edit vulgar comments, and reserve the right not to post your entry depending upon content. No question is a dumb question !
Justin Huerkamp writes:
I have a question about Paganism. Is Paganism to Wicca as Christian is to Catholic? That is what I have read at many links. I have also read that there is Paganism, which, I think I am understanding, is like Catholic is to Christian. I'm confused on this matter. Could ya'll please explain this to me?
Drakos of Outer Gate replies:
Wicca is one part of Paganism. I don't think I would say like Christain to Catholic, because Catholic was first and all others are remakes. Although the Catholic faith has changed too, and some of the splinter groups tried to hold the original idea... Paganism on the other hand was never a unified thing. The Norse had their belief, the Egyptians theirs, the Celts others. They didn't really consider the others "brother Pagans". The resurgence in the old ways have shown great similarity in religion, and we Pagans need all the support we can get in the face of a Christian majority who thinks we serve their "satan" and don't want to realize the truth. Wicca is more of a generic grouping of magical use, largely based on the Celts and the writings of Gerald Gardner.
Marty asked:
I have a question regarding the Goddess/God... I am reading the recommended
material as suggested. I am confused - is the Goddess/God actual entities
or are they just a visualization of nature? As Wiccans are we saying that
nature wouldn't exist unless the Goddess/God allowed it or that "they"
CREATED nature/ the world?
If you have time to clarify this I would really appreciate it.
Drakos of Outer Gate replied:
Marty, The Gods are very real! We are not just playing about, we honor the
very real beings that have reached levels much above ours. In every
Mythology I am aware of the Gods created the world. Wicca focuses on the
male/ female energy, or God/ Goddess, however be aware that the Gods them
selves are also real. They are not just imaginations of men attributed to
polar energy. More reading of history and mythology will help you attune to
the true Gods' power.
Storyteller also replied to Marty:
The God and Goddess are part of the "mythology" that goes with this
particular religion. They are a means of bonding to, understanding, and
celebrating the world around you and perhaps going beyond it. If you
weren't Wiccan - the world would still exist, nature would still exist.
It would still exist if I weren't Wiccan!
There is one source of divine energy. This source of divine energy
created everything. This source is beyond my comprehension as I exist on
this plane, even though I too am a part of this source.
There are various paths available to Mankind, which Mankind has created
to understand the world around him or give himself standards to live by
and to allow himself to connect with this source of divine energy -
hence the term " All paths lead to one God."
As an individual I can relate to this source only in terms of what I
know or can perceive. I have chosen the path that holds the most value
to me - Wicca. I can connect to the source through the God & Goddess.
They are different aspects of the source. They represent all that I can
see or perceive around me in nature:
I. The cycles of nature -
A. day & night
B. the wheel of the year (seasons)
C. birth, life, death & rebirth (cycle of life)
D. the cycle of the moon
E. and many more...
II. The duality of nature -
A. male & female
B. light & dark
C. good & bad
D. right & wrong
E. life & death
F. earth & sky
G. and many more...
As I honor the God & Goddess I honor ALL - from the smallest atom to
the universe itself; I honor myself, the source of all life, the source
of divine energy, the earth and all life on the earth (it's difficult to
express how all encompassing it is). I don't think I can be more
connected than that!
Pfynn replied to Marty with this:
The Goddess and God are whatever you make of Them. They can be both
the gifts of Nature so often taken for granted, (i.e. blue skies, a
gentle breeze, warm rains, etc.) and They can be visualized as actual
figures, or entities as you referred to Them. In a sense, They are
both. The Goddess and God are all around us, and we carry some of Them
within us. Whatever feels right and true to you; They will be there
within and around you.
Sabrina wrote:
I have a couple of questions that I hope that you can answer for me.
1. My friends and I wish to form a circle, but are unsure where to
start. Could you tell us some of the things that we require for us to do
so. What candels, tools, moonphase, whatever is necessary.
2. In the movie "(name of movie witheld)",(a controversial movie about wiccans and/or wiccan-wannabees) I saw severl books that seemed interesting.
Such as the diary and the book the shopkeeper sold to Sarah, one of the
main characters. I am wondering do such books exist?
3. And my last question, how do you go about picking a craft name?
I would be grateful for an answer of any kind, and I anticipate your
reply. Thanks so much for your time.
Response from Drakos of Outer Gate:
Sabrina, The first thing you should do before even trying to form a coven
is get the books mentioned on this page and READ them! Study them, make
sure you understand what you are doing BEFORE you do anything. Even in the
movie the kids got books and studied them before trying to cast a circle.
(and look what happened to them!)
As for the books they were reading, I didn't really pay much attention to
that. If you have the names, I can answer better. I do recall a book on
candle magic, and yes, it does exist, actually several do.
As for choosing a Craft name, only you can aswer that. It is a personnal
thing. Find a name that YOU feel fits you.
A Bard also replied to Sabrina:
1)Any information regarding tools, candles, moon phase, etc. would depend
on the purpose of the circle - full moon, new moon, which sabbat, a
particular magickal purpose. There are many books explaining the how
to's available at local bookstores. I personally find Scott Cunnigham's
books particularly easy to follow.
2)I don't recall what books were in the movie - sorry. But, if they
mentioned the name of the book or the author and the book actually
exists, your local bookstore has the info on computer & can get a copy
for you.
3) It would be a name that has special meaning to you. Something you
learned through meditation, dreams or numerology are common ways to pick
a craft name. I was lucky enough to have my parents give me a magical
name with a magickal meaning, so I was able to skip that process.
Pfynn says this to Sabrina:
(1) Tools and such are not really nessecary in forming a circle, but they tend to make the mood a bit more magickal for the conscious mind. Tools don't need to be very expensive; taper candles from the drug store work just fine! I would recommend reading, or at least looking over the following: "Wicca- A guide for the Solitary Practioner" by Scott Cunningham (Though you and your friends wish to work together, this book explains all the 'basics' like tools, Sabbats and Esbats, circle casting ,etc. and would benefit each of you on an individual basis.) "The Complete Guide to Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland, and "Celtic Magic" By DJ. Conway. These will give you many options to choose from. Other things you may wish to use would be almanacs; Llewllyn Publications offers many of these, and also a Wiccan calender, which I myself use. These can be found in almost any large bookstore, usually under "New Age." As far as timing is concerned, whatever feels right for you and your f!
riends is the best time to hold a gathering; you needn't always wait for a full moon to reverance the Lady and the Lord, or Nature, they may be worshipped anytime!
(2)The diary in the movie is nothing more than a hardbound book filled with blank pages, and can be found in book and stationary stores. It is often referred to as a "Book of Shadows" or "Mirror journal." (I use a large three ring binder, in which I decorated and designed my own cover.) The books in the movie, I think, were mainly "Props". Many books exist on the Craft, and you would be best to start with the books listed above, to give you an overall idea. A bit of advice: don't hold too much knowledge from movies. Hollywood tends to galmourize the darker 'myths' of Paganism and Wicca, and is part of the reason why we are not readily 'acceptable' in society's mainstream.
(3) This is a personal choice, and may change as you progress upon your path. It can be the name of an animal or plant , or a deity name that feels right to you. Numerolgy can play apart in choosing a name; Raymond Buckalnd's book explains this. But it isn't always true for everyone. A name can present itself to you at anytime. It can be something that inspires you, or something that you make up on your own.
Elizabeth asks:
I have a question about charging. Do you have to touch the
object to have it be charged?
Owl of Outer Gate Replied:
Not physically.
Drakos and Morgan combined their response as:
Here's our 2 cents worth on charging...
Elizabeth, I don't know what or why you are charging, but here goes. First
we must agree on what charging is. I will assume that you mean to infuse
something with a focused energy pattern, either to store the energy or to
have the object focused on one particular purpose. A crystal could store
energy to be used later, or your Athame could be focused to conduct energy,
for example. To charge the item you would have to gather into yourself the
energy, then direct it to the object. You would not have to physically
touch the item, but you must at least Astrally touch it to transfer the
energy. Physical contact makes the whole process much easier.
And Tony says this :
No you don`t have to touch an object to charge it..there are various ways
you can charge an object, here are a few:
1. Place the object inside a pyramid.
2. Place the object inside a copper ring 10 ga. or bigger the better and
place in the sun or full moon.
3. Place object on a quartz cluster and place in sun or full moon, better
with copper ring around the cluster.
3. Place the object in a center of of magickal circle where alot of work has
been done, leave there for at least 24 hr.
Mino says this:
So Elizabeth, you see that you have many options. How complicated or involved you make of this process is entirely up to you. It all depends on what it takes for YOUR mind to connect with the object, and 'sanctify' it so to speak for its intended purpose. When I began my own practice of the Craft of the Wise, I first made sure that the object was clean. I would then show the object to the East by passing it through the AIR. Next, I would show it to the North by sprinkling it with dirt or sink it into the EARTH. I continued with the West by either (depending upon the object to be charged) submerging it in WATER or sprinkling it. Then I would pass the object through a flame (FIRE) in showing it to the South. Upon completion of the elements, I would hold it high over-head and say, "Lord and Lady, this is my _________(object). I will use it for/to ________(state purpose). I concecrate it in your names that it may be used as I will. So mote it be." I would then place it upon my altar in front of me, and focus my energies into it by using my imagination to experience it with the five senses.
I can now do this much easier, because I have done that ritual many times and have a clear vision in my head of how it works. Now, all I need to do is place it in the moonlight, and it is just as effective. Sunlight works too. If neither are available, all I need to do is focus upon it while it is on my altar. So you see Elizabeth, it's all according to your mind-set. What is important is how you personally view the object.
Flori asks:
I just read your instructions on how to learn about wicca and I was
wondering if you could sugest anything to help me. I was brought up
Jewish and my family is really conservative. I, for my whole life, have
had different ideas about religion then my family. I am a teenager now
and I am soul searching and I felt alone in my beliefs until I saw the
movie The Craft. I didn't believe the all the thing but I love the
chanting and the idea of he "craft". I thought that it was made up
until I heard about wicca. My problem is that I seriously want to learn
and speek to others but it is hard to learn when you have my perents.
I want to buy books but my mother won't let me buy them and if I bought
them with my friend they would think I'm crazy. My question is, can I
learn withcraft and wicca without being disowned and can I find someone
to help me?
Owl replies to Flori
Believe it or not been there, done that...35 years ago. They (my parents
kept hiding or discarding my one book) until a friend of my mom's gave me
her collection of magic books. I really did have to wait until I was on my
own to reaally get into my passion, witchcraft. In the meantime there are
some good novels and books which you can read which may not offend your
family. For instance any book on mythology, The Illiad and The Odessey.
Great stuff. The Mary Stewart books about King Arthur, The Wizard of Oz,
The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings by Tolkein, Le Mort D'Arthur, The White
Goddess by Robert Graves, The Wasteland by TS Elliot, the Carlos
Castendas books (classical anthropological works), The Bhagavad Gita, The
Mists of Avalon and The Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradly. There are
many books you can read which will give you a good basis on which to later
expand and understand. The library is a good place to find these books.
Also everyone can meditate. Just go to that quiet blank space and let the
images appear. Be aware of nature, how do the phases of the moon effect
you and others? Keep a journal (make sure the contents would not get you
in trouble if found and read). Record your dreams. Take Yoga. learn
about good health. There are many things you can do to prepare yourself
for the discipline and responsibility of magic.
Drakos responds to Flori:
You need to sit your parents down and explain your feelings. No excuses!
Perhaps they will be supportive, perhaps not, either way they will know
what you think. I don't know how old you are, it could be that you will
have to wait until you are on your own to follow what you believe. You can
find books at the library, You might find other Wiccans to learn from. You
can't expect your parents to be supportive at all if you sneak around about
it, nor should you follow anyone who says you should.
Cole tells Flori...
Flori:
The first thing that you have to do is find a good time to sit your parents down and talk to them about this. You have to be prepared to accept the fact that they will most likely take this personally, at first. See, as much as your beliefs are a part of you, the same goes for your parents; try to get across to them that you are not rejecting them, their years worth of parenting, or their beliefs. You may not have the same opinions, but do not jump on their religious choices, or you will have shot yourself in the foot.
The next thing that you have to do is have a look at where your beliefs do lie. As far as Wicca goes, the books listed as Wicca101 on The Outer Gate's page are excellent. Read these through before you run off thinking that this is like "The Craft" (movie). Shows like that do more harm than good when it comes to an understanding of Pagan beliefs, strong women, etc. Don't accept Hollywood as gospel, so to speak:)
You stated that your family is Jewish. Perhaps you might like to include some study of Lillith, Eve, and The Shekina. Before the masculinization of Middle Eastern religions, these feminine counterparts were worshipped as much as, if not more, than their male complements. Your parents may not appreciate your jump into Wicca, but they might be more understanding if there were elements of their own beliefs in there. Another avenue to consider is the Qaballah, which many Witches study, but which comes from the Jewish Tradition. If you choose to follow an eclectic path, then working anything that you want into your path is a simple task.
Gryver sent us this question:
I have a very personal question that may offend some people or may not,
because I don't know. Mayhaps it's just stupid. The question is, can you
practice the art of witchcraft without practicing the religion of wiccan?
Can you practice another religion, and yet still have contact with magickal
forces? If not, then, why is contact with forces that are in everything
limited to only those who believe in a specific god/goddess? I appreciate
any reply given. Gyver
Drakenheim's Dracos answers Gyver:
Witchcraft being the 'craft of witches', that includes Astrology,
herbalism, weather prediction and plant and animal knowledge which is also
practiced by people who don't even believe in Gods. Now on to the Magic,
all magic comes from within. The rituals are designed to focus the
magicians intent, to cause change. You don't have to be Wiccan to practice
magic, all early cultures had magic, even the Catholics have a form of
magic, (turning wine and crackers into blood and flesh) and the Baptists,
(washing away a persons 'sins')
The God names are amplifiers to the power within, as one worships a God one
believes that they have the 'right' top call on the power. If the magician
did not believe, the magic would fail. The power must come from within
first. The question of why that certain power is limited to the followers
of a certain God/dess, either it's not, or it's because that is what you
believe, both are true.
Crystal asks these questions:
I would like to know how I can start practicing. Where do I find people to talk with who can give me some more knowledge? Where do I find stores that carry the supplies I need? I have a friend who is very interested as well, what would be the best way for us to work together?
Mino responds to Crystal:
Crystal, I suggest that you and your friend read over our program further down the page. The books that we suggest aptly provide working knowledge of practicing the Craft of the Wise. Tools are incedental. You may find that through reading these books, the necessity of "tools" may be less than what you anticipated. In fact, it is possible to practice wicca with no tools at all ! You customize your practice to your own liking, and base your practice upon the credo of Harm None.
Dracos of Dragonheim replies:
To crystal,
you can find pagans just about everywhere, look
for the pentacle, some people just wear them to be cool, but most are real.
look for bookstores that are 'new age', 'occult', or 'pagan'. the books
recommended are a good start.
Now, continue to the learning process, or go HERE for more Q's and A's !
Learning the Craft of the Wise
Wicca is a way of life through paganism. It is an APPLICATION of knowledge. Wisdom is achieved through the experience gained from
the APPLICATION. Mere study does not make one a witch, or even a pagan ! You become what you do. <--- a very hard lesson for some !
A studious approach to wicca IS necessary, however the subject is studied through ritual application. A ritual is a defined set of
motions/actions which solicits resultant transformations. A ritual can be defined by the simplicity of brushing your teeth. It is not a
difficult concept, yet it can be made difficult if you so desire.
The learning process is as follows:
Define your beliefs
Refine your beliefs
Apply your beliefs in life You must realize that after your beliefs have been defined, you are now ready to re-open
your mind. Your beliefs will change over the years. This is completly natural !
First, get a notebook for your magickal studies. Start it out by listing all of your beliefs that pertain to religion. You will also want
to include any disbeliefs that you may be harboring as a result of a disappointing experience with a particular belief system. Be sure to
date this information.....don't forget this very important item ! This very first step may take some of you several months to complete.
Others may be more shallow in prior religious experience and accomplish this task in a few hours. Being thorough with this process is
very critical to your own development.
The next step is to obtain books on the subject of PRACTICE. There are now hundreds, maybe even thousands of books on the subject of wicca.
Some of them deal more with wiccan concept, while others are more 'instructional.'
Wicca comes from the heart. There is no book that tells us how to live. Many people have given up their ability to reason concerning religion, giving their minister that responsibility to do that for them. Wiccans trust nobody other than themselves to tell how life is to be lived. To begin, one needs to read about the concept of the craft from other practioners. Some authors you will agree with, and some not. The reader is given various applications of the craft along with historical references as to 'why' and 'how.' All information is useful, positive and negative. The student needs to find out where they fit into the cosmos.
Here are three book suggestions. Click on the book cover to purchase the book right here, or bookmark this page to order later. These books are relatively easy to find at most bookstores, and we are offering them through this page only for your convenience. Yes, we'll get a kick-back if you order them here, so that would be a nice gesture on your part...but it is up to you to GET THEM SOMEHOW.
Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham
Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolfe
There are other excellent introductory books, but the three suggestions above are the easiest to find. Obtain each of the books in
order. Read the first book through completly before trying any of the suggested rituals. If something appeals to you very strongly, then
experiment with it as Cunningham instructed the reader to do. After you have finished this book, move on to the second book by Buckland.
With this book, try everything that the author suggests, and don't read ahead until you have done the suggested work. When you have
finished the study of Bucklands work and have done all of the suggested practice, then move on to the final book by Silver. Read this
final book all the way through before attempting to do any of the suggestions unless you feel particularly drawn to doing it; as you did
with the first book.
Once you have completed these three books and have done the suggested PRACTICES that the authors provided you knowledge of, begin a new
section in your notebook entitled "SABBATS". Work through an entire year of these sabbats (a term that you will understand through the
reading), holding 'Rites' on these days designed through your own application of the knowledge gained from the books. Write brief outlines
of each sabbat as you perform it in your notebook along with the date. Also include any gained insights that may occur within your belief
system.
On the day after your final sabbat rite, return to your first notes about your beliefs. Write what you now believe. This completes your
year-and-a-day traditional learning period. From this point forward, your life will be different. You will be more attuned to the natural
movements and rhythem of the Earth. Your eyes will be opened more each day to occult truths thereby increasing your magickal abilities.
A word of advice here: don't keep your crystals with your cash. Money spells can be very damaging to your life experience. The best ritual
for getting cash is to get a job. Always remember, that when you draw something to yourself, you also draw the energies that surround the
object. Now answer this question in your own mind: What kind of energies surround money ? No, you won't go to hell if you must do a money
spell, so don't fear it if you find yourself doing it. Just keep in mind that the concept of hell is most generally associated in todays
world as a location of existence after death. It may very well exist right here, right now. Life is what you make it. Experience it with
your own natural abilities.....you'll discover many personal abilities on your wiccan path. <---- a way of life !
Here is the e-mail address again - mino@naplesnet.com
We at Outer Gate Wicca wish to help you. Don't hesitate to contact us with questions. Compose an introductory e-mail letter to us with your name, and tell us about YOU. Let us know
that you have started our suggested learning process. Continue to write us letters with your concerns, and we will answer them and provide support to you. In your e-mail letters to us,
make sure to put the words" Intro to Wicca" in the SUBJECT LINE. No question is a stupid question ! There is no limit to the amount of contact with us, but we respond at our own convenience.
Don't forget to visit our host
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