| Wicca beginners have a long, exciting and eventful | | | | associated with witchcraft and many aspects of |
| journey ahead of them, - a path brimming with | | | | the Wiccan and witch's lives are very similar. The |
| greater knowledge and a new way of life. With so | | | | terms can be interchangeable. |
| much ahead it is no wonder that people can find | | | | The Wiccan Rede |
| themselves a little lost and overwhelmed. If you | | | | Wicca is a peaceful and gentle way of life that |
| are lucky enough to live near a group or coven | | | | encourages respect. For this reason selfish, |
| that you can join and be tutored by then you will | | | | manipulative or sinister intentions are very much |
| already be well on your way to your new lifestyle. | | | | frowned upon. A small minority of Wicca |
| However, for many Wicca beginners it is not as | | | | beginners take an interest because they seek |
| simple as that. Geography to loved ones' own | | | | power over others but will soon come across one |
| religious beliefs may prevent you from joining with | | | | of the very few rules, The Wiccan Rede - "An it |
| others and openly declaring your new course. | | | | harm none, do as ye will". This means you are |
| Yet you should never feel precluded from this | | | | largely free to practice as you please but |
| wonderful religion nor hindered in your ability to | | | | remember to embrace the earth's power for |
| follow it. There is a wealth of information out | | | | good rather than cause harm or hurt to others. |
| there to learn from and nothing should hold you | | | | This leads us to the 3 fold law which states that |
| back from learning to honour and become at one | | | | all that you do will come back to you 3 times as |
| with the world around you. But seeing as this is | | | | powerful. In other words, be careful what you |
| what often confuses the Wicca beginner in the | | | | wish for! |
| first place, here are some ideas and basic | | | | Will I need to worship any Gods or Goddesses? |
| explanations to get you started and whet your | | | | No but it is quite a significant part of the ideology |
| appetite for more! | | | | and history. They also need to be understood as |
| What Does Wicca Represent? | | | | part of the worship of male and female. Many |
| This is very personal thing and every Wiccan will | | | | Wiccans will dedicate themselves to a single deity |
| give you a different account of why they believe | | | | as they feel a strong affinity and can identify with |
| and what it has brought into their lives. Every | | | | particular characteristics. But any of the Gods and |
| Wiccan will have a love of the earth and its | | | | Goddesses can be called upon to assist you in |
| universal elements. Water, air, fire and earth will | | | | your work. As a Wicca beginner it may be useful |
| come to represent beauty, synergy and power | | | | to try including as many as possible into your |
| to every Wicca beginner. It is about recognizing, | | | | rituals to see of you feel a particular partiality. |
| channeling and connecting with the earth and its | | | | Will I have to perform spells? |
| rich offerings - the gifts of Mother Nature. You will | | | | No. Not all Wiccans believe in spell casting so you |
| move and change along with the seasons and all | | | | should not feel under pressure to do this. But if |
| of the associated festivals. Above all, Wicca is | | | | you do find that you do have an ability in this |
| about peace and joy. | | | | area however, you will find plenty of information |
| Why is it a religion? | | | | on spells for Wicca beginners until you get to the |
| While it is not a religion in the form than many | | | | stage where you are writing your own! |
| people perceive a religion should take, Wicca is a | | | | Is there scripture for me to abide by? |
| religion due to it having been derived from | | | | The only book that Wiccans work from is a Book |
| Paganism. It takes on similar symbolism, belief | | | | of Shadows and this is generally a very personal |
| systems and of course Gods and Goddesses. It is | | | | thing. A coven may have a joint one to work |
| not prescriptive like many religions are and Wicca | | | | from, but very commonly you will have your |
| will not tell you how to live your life but it does | | | | own. It is a place for you to write your spells, |
| help you to understand the world around you and | | | | keep notes and make observations. Whether or |
| make sense of the purpose of life. | | | | not there has even been a 'real' or ancient Book |
| What is the difference between Wicca and | | | | of Shadows, a central text to work from, is a |
| witchcraft? | | | | hotly debated topic. However, none has been |
| Occasionally you will find differing answers to this | | | | proven to exist. |
| question but as a Wicca beginner, the details of | | | | Whatever your reasons for being a Wicca |
| this shouldn't concern you too much. To most, | | | | beginner, I'm sure you will find your life as |
| Wicca is the religious part of the lifestyle and | | | | enriched and informed as any one of us who has |
| those who practice it refer to themselves as | | | | chosen this path for any number of reasons! You |
| Wicca or Wiccan rather than witch. They are | | | | will find that there are as many ways to live a |
| more likely to be part of a coven, or group, and | | | | Wiccan lifestyle as there are Wiccans so enjoy |
| follow more rules. However, the name Wicca was | | | | every day of your personal and spiritual journey. |
| introduced to distinguish it from the stigma | | | | |