New to wicca!

[treeoflife1975]

Hi all, my name is Ramona and I have decided to become wiccan. My decision is based on my love of nature, and I have grown up feeling some kind of connection to nature and animals, like I can almost sense things about them, I don't know. Basically, I'm not interested in joining a coven, and would prefer to practice solitary. How do I start? Can y'

Comments

[treeoflife1975]

Yes I do.

[treeoflife1975]

Thanks for your advice. I am very interested in Greek and Roman mythology for some reason, and might read up on some of that.

[aquascorp86]

but isn't it true that the dieties can manifest in nature? Correct me if I'm wrong; I too am new :-)

Yes

[fogwolf]

In my opinion...

Actually you can look at it both ways...that the dieties manifest in nature or that the dieties are manifestations of nature.

Either way the dieties have personalities that are as important as their magical characteristics...as important as the facets of nature that they control. There may be....in fact there are...hundreds of dieties but which ones feels right..which ones speak to you...complete or compliment your view of the world. Reading the mythologies and the anthro texts are one way of getting to know the traits...to see which personalities call to you and to serve as a beginning meditative point.

Re: Yes

[fogwolf]

Sorry I forgot the most important part of my message.

Welcome to you.

Re: Yes

[aquascorp86]

Thank you for explaining that--that really helps me understand. I was wondering which diety I was supposed to worship, and was a little confused about which ones I was supposed to pray to, but it makes sense that you would study all of them and find the one that calls out to you or speaks to your views.

[fionnulaharp]

You should look into at least finding a teacher. There are many aspects to Wicca that you cannot learn without a teacher or a coven. Energy work can be explained by a book, but it really takes face-to-face teaching to really learn it. The same goes with grounding and centering.

Additionally, the information in the books on Wicca only scratches the surface. Most of the information is oathbound, which you would only learn from other Wiccans -- after initiation.

[miz_persnicket]

I have to disagree. I'm a solitary practitioner. I started doing energy work before I re-dedicated myself to the path of the Old ways.

It totally depends on what abilities you have naturally. I started to study reiki and other energy healing, but decided to discontinue because everything I was being taught, I was already doing.

[fionnulaharp]

I practice Reiki -- it gets more powerful as you move on. But Reiki isn't Wicca.

Wicca is not an old religion. It is not the "Old Ways." It is a modern religion made up of traditional witchcraft and other practices, such as things from Golden Dawn. Gardner also threw in some anthropology for good measure -- which anthropology has since been disproved. That does not keep it from being a perfectly legitimate working religion.

Wicca *can* be practiced as a solitary -- after initiation. It is, however, still an initiatory, mystery religion.

[miz_persnicket]

1. I am very aware Reiki isn't Wicca. I've done energy healing independantly from practicing, and now incorporate both for my close friends.

2. I know Wicca isn't an "old religion". However, the ROOTS of Wiccan lay in Paganism which is incredibly old.

3. I don't believe you MUST be part of a group to practice or get a good footing. Everyone is different. I've tried both and got nothing out of practicing with a group and since I've re-dedicated myself I practice alone. I find it much more rewarding in terms of writing all my own material and having more freedom, and also more control over the energies within the circle.

I'm not sure why you'd stress the importance of joining a group in a community called Solitary Wiccans...but please message me to continue the debate! I'm happy to talk to anyone, especially those who have ideas contrary to my own! I just don't want to hijack the thread any longer.

[tea_holic]

I would also suggest looking into other religions under the umbrella of Paganism. I started out looking into Wicca and realized it isn't my flavor. Doesn't mean that it isn't for you, obviously, but I often wished I had looked into more religions OTHER THAN earlier. Not a bad idea to feel around while you keep your general focus on Wicca and see where it takes you. =)

[ravensong]

I second this suggestion.

If you're interested in Wicca, research Paganism as well (Wicca is "denomination" of Paganism). I started in Wicca but found actual Paganism more my flavor.

[gravesparker]

I'm in line with Tea Holic - sort of an agnostic pagan / wiccan sympathizer [if that makes any sense whatsoever]... Basically when asked about my religiion, I tell people I'm Pagan. If they ask for further explanation, well, then they're in for an earful!!

The very rigid rituals and specific deity worship of the structured covens were definitely not for me. But I connected very deeply with the general guidelines of the faith: Harm None, Do What You Will & The Law of Three (what you send out comes back to thee) [Karma basically].

I live my life dedicated to such guidelines and express my faith in my own ways - particulary with incense and Tarot. I burn specific scents to envoke a certain energy or to remove a negative energy. And the Tarot is my way of connecting to the gods via my inner voice. I turn to it whenever I find myself perplexed by a curveball of life. :)

Well, now that I've replied in full novel fashion, WELCOME!
Bright Blessings.

[manderconda]

I'd love to hear said further explanation! If you don't mind me asking lol, it sounds very interesting! :)

[ravensong]

I second this, just because I'm curious :)

[miz_persnicket]

I am very similar to you!, sans the Tarot [I've not found a deck/decks that draw me to them completely].

Do you write your own material?