First ceremony...

[celticfire]

i'm going to my first ceremony/celebration tonight...and i'm so terribly nervous.:( i'm very much a solitary, but i told my brother that i would go with him since his best friends mothers coven is having a celebration for gays/lesbians.

i'm not really new to wicca itself, but i've done very little on my own...but i enjoy my solitarity because that allows me the freedom to be cautious...and i am.LOL but now i am going to this, and i'm so worried and cannot stand all the negative energy about it.

i know i shouldn't be so worried...and that others won't look down on me for being new to actually practicing (i've studied wicca for years before doing anything at all). i have no idea what to expect though...and that scares me.

sorry to ramble...just really nervous.LOL

[RubyRose]

Aww :hugz: You'll be fine.

[Kiya]

Go with an open heart and mind, be courteous and friendly and you'll do just fine! Let us know how it goes!

[Morr]

good luck :)

[Jenett]

You'll do great!

As far as not knowing what to do - ask your brother/best friend's mother if there's someone who can explain what'll happen, and any common ettiquette things you might want to know.

Generally if people are doing rituals at which guests are welcome, they expect to do a little explaining. I often do this for new students for the group I work with, and it's really easy.

A couple of quick hints:

* Let someone involved in running the ritual know that you've not done group work before. That way, they can give you a little extra help if you need it, and it may be useful for the people running the ritual to know (in terms of helping with energy flow, things like that) depending on what they're doing.

* Ask if they can point out someone who's involved with the group, but who maybe doesn't have a large specific ritual role for you to watch. That way, you can see what to do without feeling completely lost. (Maybe your brother's best friend's mother, if she doesn't have other stuff she's doing?)

* Really, as long as you're quiet when that's appropriate and respectful and don't get in the way (keep an eye out for if someone may need to get behind you to do something, for example) you'll be fine.

The rude stuff you want to avoid includes:
* talking about other stuff during ritual (sometimes a little quiet chatting is ok, but it should be appropriate to the ritual purpose if it happens.)
* Don't touch stuff on altars or someone's jewelry or tools without asking first.
* Don't leave the circle without being cut out, unless someone tells you otherwise (if they have a number of guests, they may have someone specific they want you to ask who can help you, or a specific process.)

Pretty basic stuff - the kind of things you'd do if you were visiting someone's home for the first time, really, and you wanted to make a good impression.

[celticfire]

thank you all for your guidance. and jenett, i truly appreciate your list of ettiquette(s).

bb

[Kitfox]

Good luck, don't worry. There's not going to be lightening strike smiting if you do something "wrong". People tend to be very accomodating for people who are new to group work. Just have fun!

[celticfire]

ooohhhh...i'm still on a high. i feel ecstatic!;) that was an amazing experience...not overly formal, but sincere and warm and aahhhh...there are no more words.

now that doesn't mean i'm ready to join a coven per say...but it felt so wonderful to be with others walking a similar path.

thank you all for your wonderful and kind words.