A short rant

[Amethyst Rose]

I've always heard the phrase, "when the student is ready, the teacher will come", and it's always frustrated me.

I've belonged to a mailing list for many, many years, that has a lot of BTW's (Brtish Traditional Wiccans) on it, and over the years I have learned that the majority of BTWs don't consider someone Wiccan unless they have been initiated into a Trad.

It's taken a lot of work on my part, but over they years I have accepted that and even adopted the belief as my own, sort of. The only problem with this is that I've been practicing Wicca (as I know it), for almost 7 years and I got to considering myself Wiccan, when I guess what I really am is Pagan with Wiccan beliefs (because I'm not initiated). So I really want to be initiated into a Trad so I can learn all there is to learn...oathbound stuff included. Finding a teacher (or one finding me), however, seems to be impossible to me.

I did have someone who I've known for almost as many years as I've been practicing, and he's been good for bouncing ideas off of, and for teaching me how to do some things (He's Pagan -- used to be a cerimonial (sp?) witch). However, recently he's told me that he can't work with me anymore, because he doesn't want our relationship to get any closer than it is, he feels things for me and doesn't want to interfere in my marriage.

Thats all and great for him, but I'm a little miffed that the only "teacher" presence I've ever had in the craft feels that he can't teach me anymore because of his feelings.

I really have no idea why I'm writing this, beyond the fact that every time the whole Initiated vs non-initiated wiccan topic is brought up on my mailing list, I end up feeling like I've been left out of something I really want to be let in on.

Sigh...anyway.....sorry for wasting bandwidth...

[Old Witch]

Well, IMHO, It's the trads loss for not accepting you. I hope you will find a teacher that will make your initiation easier......

[Jenett]

I can sort of see the comfort-level thing there- teaching can be really emotionally intimate, and if that would cross comfort boundaries for someone, it's perfectly fair to say so.

However, why don't you ask him if he can help you find another teacher? Or why not ask on the list how you could go about finding someone? Both resources could probably at least *partially* help you out, even if you have to do a fair bit of legwork on your own as far as making contacts.

Both of these things are pretty normal expectations for teachers that I've met - they expect they'll get a fair number of requests, and they probably know better than you do of some specific resources in your area or for kinds of interests.

There's also always Witchvox as far as listings ( the networking index is at http://witchvox.com/xwotw.html ) - though, of course, be sure to evaluate groups or teachers carefully to make sure they know what they're doing, and that they're doing the kind of things you want to learn. That's how I found the group I've just requested initiation with (I've been working with them for a year+ as a Dedicant) and it's worked out very well for me.

[Stacy]

Amethyst Rose thank you for sharing that with us.. and NO you didn't wast bandwith with your post..

Maybe he just needs some time to gather his thoughts.. I wouldn't close that whole story immediatelly.. It's hard to say that he might "get over it" cause I don't think that's possible..

But, maybe he will be able to learn how to control his emotions and still stay in contact with you..

:sunny: