Confused

[0_apathetic_0]

I'm confused. I've been interested in wicca for years now, and I want to be a true wiccan, but i find it hard to. I feel like this is the right path for me, I just dont know how to go about getting on it completely. Any suggestions?

[Kaylara]

What do you mean by "true Wiccan"?

[blueangel]

Maybe you would be more comfortable being electic? that way you can take all the parts you are comfortable with. I think it's best to be comfortable rather than trying to conform to what you want to believe.

[Storm Dancer]

I'm not sure I understand what it is you're having problems with. Are you just starting to practice but finding that it doesn't feel quite right? I found that many of my views changes when I stated practicing. I had made up my mind that this was how I was going to practice, but when I tried it things just didn't feel right at all. I had to try different ways of doing things to find out what worked for me. But your problem might be something completely different. :hrmm:

Why don't you try explaining a bit more, and I'm sure someone will be able help you. :chatty:

Storm

[LadyTrinity]

I'm confused. I've been interested in wicca for years now, and I want to be a true wiccan, but i find it hard to. I feel like this is the right path for me, I just dont know how to go about getting on it completely. Any suggestions?


it comes naturally. Read some books.

[Shanti]

No the domestic cat has no place out side off leash. It is not safe for them or wildlife,

That is FACT. If its so OK, why is the person on the other thread crying about the cat hit by a car?

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

No the domestic cat has no place out side off leash. It is not safe for them or wildlife,

That is FACT. If its so OK, why is the person on the other thread crying about the cat hit by a car?

Shanti, did you meant to post this in another thread perhaps?

[Caliburn]

try reading up first, definatly, knowledge is power. If possible, try to contact a trustworthy local witch on witchvox. It takes alot of patience, but thats the true tets of your faith!

[sincerebliss]

Read, read, read. There is ALWAYS something to learn!!!! :dancy:

[Romani Vixen]

Well.. this is a great place to start to get your bearings... and reading tons of books!!! lol

What books have you read so far?

[0_apathetic_0]

well i have read a lot of books, so i can't remember all of the titles, but i guess i'm finding it hard to stay on the path. i've tried lots of spells also, premade ones, not my own, and they don't seem to be working for me at all.

and to kaylara, what i mean by true wiccan is just someone devoted to being wiccan and sticking to it, making it their life.

and to blueangle, what is "electic"?

[Phae Talon]

well i have read a lot of books, so i can't remember all of the titles, but i guess i'm finding it hard to stay on the path. i've tried lots of spells also, premade ones, not my own, and they don't seem to be working for me at all.

Well, writing down a couple of the titles will help us to recommend some others. But, if you feel yourself straying then maybe Wicca isn't for you after all. Perhaps you should spend some time meditating on why you want to stay Wiccan.

--Phae

[Rain Gnosis]

Ok, what is hard about "staying" on the path exactly? I'm not sure what you mean.

I'm guessing you haven't studied spellwork in depth, because you mention using pre-made spells that don't work. See, if you learn about spellwork, you'll learn pre-made spells likely won't work, because they are made by someone else using someone else's correspondences and thoughts. You have to modify those spells to work for you. For instance, if you find a friendship spell that uses lemons and sunflowers and the colour yellow, but to *you* pink means friendship, if you still use yellow, the spell won't work at all. The point is to write a spell for yourself using the ingredients that in your heart relate to your purpose.

Further, spells rely on some basic techniques. Have you got meditation down pat? Are you good at grounding, centering, visualizing, and raising energy? Have you got a good format for narrowing down the focus of your spell, finding correspondences, and choosing when to do the spell?

Also, Wicca isn't about spellwork. Sure, a lot of Wiccans *do* spells, but you haven't talked much about the major aspects of Wicca. For instance, how do you celebrate Sabbats, and Esbats?

Do you meditate regularly? Do you know some form of divination? Astrology? Herbcraft? Do you do yoga? How do you actively try to bring Wicca and magic into your daily life? Explaining that stuff might make it easier for us to help you out.

(edited to add a paragraph break for clarification)

[Phae Talon]

Ok, what is hard about "staying" on the path exactly? I'm not sure what you mean.

Not to step on anyone's toes here ... it quite easy to be distracted by the modern world ... you start worrying more about your job and shopping and money, and less and less you think about your Sabbats and learning your craft, and all that ... it happens to everyone at some point ... I think that is what she is referring to ... though, I may be wrong.



Also, Wicca isn't about spellwork. Sure, a lot of Wiccans *do* spells, but you haven't talked much about the major aspects of Wicca. For instance, how do you celebrate Sabbats, and Esbats? Do you meditate regularly? Do you know some form of divination? Astrology? Herbcraft? Do you do yoga? How do you actively try to bring Wicca and magic into your daily life? Explaining that stuff might make it easier for us to help you out.

What exactly does yoga have to do with Wicca?

Not all Wiccans are gifted with divination, either ... I know a great many who can't seem to get ANY of the standard methods to work for them. I also know a few who can't seem to meditate to save their lives ... does that mean that they can't practice magick? Of course not ... not all magick about visualization ... that is why Wicca has so many tools and physical aspects to ritual and spells. It is to help those who can't do it all in their heads (ie chanting, singing, dancing ... these are all physical ways of raising energy).

Not to say that one shouldn't TRY to meditate ... but there are times when you have so many things going on, that it just doesn't seem to work for you.

As I said, I think that what she is having problems with is bringing Wicca and magick into her everyday life ... this can be very difficult especially if you are in the broomcloest.

That's my two cents ... take it for what it is worth.

--Phae

[Storm Dancer]

I agree with Rain Gnosis, spellwork takes a lot of studying. And pre-made spells usually don't work at all. By the way, how and why do you believe spells and magic work?

An eclectic witch or an eclectic Wiccan takes inspiration from different paths or even different religions, and creates their own system of beliefs and way of practicing. I'm an eclectic witch, and it's hard work piecing together my own path but definitely worth it.

Why don't you also read a bit about different paths, the path forum on this community is a great place to start. You might discover that you want to bring magic into your life in a different way than the Wiccan way. (Or something like that, my English isn't very good today :wth: )

Storm

[Shanti]

Shanti, did you meant to post this in another thread perhaps?
Sure did sorry. I wonder what I posted in the other thread...:wtf:

[DebLipp]

There are basically two possibilities here. Either Wicca isn't the right path for you, or you are having trouble making commitments. I suspect the latter; I suspect you really connect to Wicca but you're having trouble making yourself stick to it, behave with self-discipline, and work hard.

Wicca can't give commitment to you. All it can do is be an avenue for you to create and express commitment. The rest is up to you.

[Rain Gnosis]

What exactly does yoga have to do with Wicca?

What exactly does yoga *not* have to do with Wicca? I was naming off many common practices of Wiccans, yoga being one of them. If you're interested, there's a more exhaustive list over in the Author's Circle in Deb Lipp's forum of practices that many Wiccans study. If someone's having trouble keeping spirituality in their daily life, which is what I interpreted someone to be talking about, I suggest considering some of the many ways one can do so.

Edit - there, I've added a break in the paragraph, maybe that's clearer then?


does that mean that they can't practice magick? Of course not ...

No one said anyone couldn't practice magic.

[Phae Talon]

What exactly does yoga *not* have to do with Wicca?

Yoga has NOTHING at all to do with Wicca. A lot of Wiccans drive a car, but that doesn't mean that cars have anything to do with Wicca either.


No one said anyone couldn't practice magic

Perhaps I misread what you wrote, but it sounded to me like you were saying that meditation was essential to spellwork, and I was saying that that isn't necessarily so.

--Phae

[DebLipp]

Yoga has NOTHING at all to do with Wicca. A lot of Wiccans drive a car, but that doesn't mean that cars have anything to do with Wicca either.



Perhaps I misread what you wrote, but it sounded to me like you were saying that meditation was essential to spellwork, and I was saying that that isn't necessarily so.

--Phae

Effective spellwork requires a focused mind. Meditation and yoga are techniques that help train the mind in focusing. They aren't required, but they're a good idea.

[0_apathetic_0]

i do find it hard to stick with it, because of all the distractions of modern life. and i am also still in the broomcloset lol. my mother despises wicca. she thinks it's satanistic, and won't let me be part of it at all, which does not help. and that also means i cannot practice regularly to become better at being a wiccan, or go to any sabbat or esbat celebrations. i do what i can.

i am not very good at meditation. and i see how pre-made spells dont work, thank you for clearing up why Rain Gnosis :).

as for what i do already, as i said i am not good at meditating because i become easily destracted, but i am good at tarot readings, and i am trying to bring wicca more and more into my daily life.

[Rain Gnosis]

Yoga has NOTHING at all to do with Wicca. A lot of Wiccans drive a car, but that doesn't mean that cars have anything to do with Wicca either.

Whereas a car isn't a spiritual or magical practice that helps many Wiccans greatly when it comes to focus and magical work. As you can see, the application is quite different. Many Wiccans do yoga - if you don't, that's cool, but many do, and it's something I think is a good idea.


Perhaps I misread what you wrote, but it sounded to me like you were saying that meditation was essential to spellwork, and I was saying that that isn't necessarily so.

Yep, I mustn't have written it clearly.

[Rain Gnosis]

i do find it hard to stick with it, because of all the distractions of modern life. and i am also still in the broomcloset lol. my mother despises wicca. she thinks it's satanistic, and won't let me be part of it at all, which does not help.

*nods* Sounds tough! There are some ways to bring it into your life without it being obvious to others though. You could keep trying on the meditation thing (sometimes it's hard to get the hang of), you could do yoga (your mom wouldn't think that's Satanic right?), you could do a lot of energy work without her even seeing. For instance, you could learn about your chakras and how to work with them. You could pray silently in your own mind before you eat, when you get up, and when you go to bed. You could just notice when it's a full moon on your calendar and sit in your room and talk to the goddess.

You could enjoy some sabbat related treats without anyone even knowing - for instance at our Ostara most people are celebrating Easter, but a lot of the symbolism such as bunnies and eggs and flowers is the same. So you could still decorate your room with those things, and no would be the wiser. Same with Yule; you could decorate your room with Christmas stuff. Our Lughnassah runs with Thanksgiving, so you could decorate with Thanksgiving stuff.

Don't worry about candles and wands and incense and all the "stuff" that you might not want at home in case your mom finds it. You don't *need* that stuff to be Wiccan.

[Rain Gnosis]

Oh and by the way, don't think you have to be 24/7 focused on Wicca to be considered "true Wiccan". Everyone is busy with other things, like work and school, friends and significant others, family, etc. You don't have to do a ritual every sabbat or a spell every esbat or anything like that to be Wiccan. It's not so much about doing things on that date or having this tool, or anything like that, but what you believe.

[Arinya]

I feel for you. I was in the broomcloset with my family until I moved out last year having finally obtained the freedom of being 18 and out of high school. I am still in the broomcloset to them because I simply see no reason to tell them something they aren't going to ask about anyway.

The best advice I have to offer is about the same as Rain's advice in doing things that are obviously spiritual or Wiccan. However, I am curious, how old are you? If you only have a few years left under parantal rule (and I suspect you only have a few left) you can consider this a test of your faith. Be strong and be willing to let your spirituality evolve and adapt to the sitution you are put in. I came out stronger because of it, and I'm sure you will too.

[Phae Talon]

Effective spellwork requires a focused mind. Meditation and yoga are techniques that help train the mind in focusing. They aren't required, but they're a good idea.

I know that meditation is a good idea ... but, I still don't see how yoga has much of anything at all to do with Wicca. Yoga does a great deal more than focus your mind, and there are plenty of other techniques that do the very same thing (Tai Chi, Tantra ... etc), but I wouldn't say that those are a part of Wicca either.

Wicca has its own methods for focus ... I don't think it is neccessary to borrow from another spiritual practice. If you want to ... go for it, but I still don't see it as a part of Wiccan practice.

--Phae

[Phae Talon]

Whereas a car isn't a spiritual or magical practice that helps many Wiccans greatly when it comes to focus and magical work. As you can see, the application is quite different. Many Wiccans do yoga - if you don't, that's cool, but many do, and it's something I think is a good idea.

That, is a matter of opinion ... a great many of the men that I know are never more focussed, relaxed or clearer than when they are out on the highway driving their car. Driving long distances quite easily puts me into a trance state ... especially when there is no music. So, you can see that they actually are quite similar.

--Phae

[DebLipp]

I know that meditation is a good idea ... but, I still don't see how yoga has much of anything at all to do with Wicca. Yoga does a great deal more than focus your mind, and there are plenty of other techniques that do the very same thing (Tai Chi, Tantra ... etc), but I wouldn't say that those are a part of Wicca either.

Wicca has its own methods for focus ... I don't think it is neccessary to borrow from another spiritual practice. If you want to ... go for it, but I still don't see it as a part of Wiccan practice.

--Phae

I never said that yoga was part of Wiccan practice, I said it was a good idea. Tai Chi could be good also.

Why is it necessary to stick strictly to Wicca? Part of what Wicca teaches us is that we're all interconnected. So why can't we work other systems if they are compatible and help to improve our Wiccan practice?


Wicca has its own methods for focus ... I don't think it is neccessary to borrow from another spiritual practice. So what, specifically, would you recommend in this case that is strictly Wiccan?

[Phae Talon]

Why is it necessary to stick strictly to Wicca? Part of what Wicca teaches us is that we're all interconnected. So why can't we work other systems if they are compatible and help to improve our Wiccan practice?

Well, firstly, I didn't say that it was ... I said if you want to ... go for it, but it isn't necessary to borrow from other cultures when your own will work just fine.


So what, specifically, would you recommend in this case that is strictly Wiccan?

I have already given examples of Wiccan ways that will help you to focus ... full blown full moon and new moon rituals with all the tools and the chanting and the singing and the dancing ... all of those things are designed to help you to focus your mind and aid your spellwork. For most Wiccans that I know, those things are a pretty integral part of their practice ... that is why I don't see the need for borrowing techniques ... is that more clear?

--Phae

[DebLipp]

Well, firstly, I didn't say that it was ... I said if you want to ... go for it, but it isn't necessary to borrow from other cultures when your own will work just fine.


I have already given examples of Wiccan ways that will help you to focus ... full blown full moon and new moon rituals with all the tools and the chanting and the singing and the dancing ... all of those things are designed to help you to focus your mind and aid your spellwork. For most Wiccans that I know, those things are a pretty integral part of their practice ... that is why I don't see the need for borrowing techniques ... is that more clear?

--Phae

I hear what you're saying. I think you're incorrect to say that "it isn't necessary to borrow from other cultures" inasmuch as Wicca is ALREADY borrowing from multiple cultures. But that's cool, if you want to stick with a strict Wiccan system, it works. But we're conversing with a young lady who is struggling with her practice so approaching the issue from different angles can be effective.

Again, whatever works.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Our Lughnassah runs with Thanksgiving, so you could decorate with Thanksgiving stuff.

I'm assuming here you are referring to the Canadian Thanksgiving, because here in the States the two dates aren't even close, as Lùnasdl is in August and Thanksgiving falls in the end of November.

[Rain Gnosis]

I'm assuming here you are referring to the Canadian Thanksgiving, because here in the States the two dates aren't even close, as Lùnasdl is in August and Thanksgiving falls in the end of November.

Actually, even Canada's Thanksgiving is the second week of October. Sorry, haven't been Wiccan for awhile and I goofed :)

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Actually, even Canada's Thanksgiving is the second week of October. Sorry, haven't been Wiccan for awhile and I goofed :)

:T Don't ya love when that sorta thing happens.

[0_apathetic_0]

I am 16, and turning 17 in September, so its only about a year or so before i am on my own and i can become more serious and out in the open about my beliefs.

Everything you are all saying is so helpful to me. Thank you so much :D.

I've pretty much been on my own when it comes to my beliefs where I'm from because i have no friends that are into Wicca and no one to consult with if i need help in anything other than books.

[DebLipp]

I've pretty much been on my own when it comes to my beliefs where I'm from because i have no friends that are into Wicca and no one to consult with if i need help in anything other than books.
Well, now you have us. :)

[0_apathetic_0]

:) Thank You!

[Phae Talon]

But we're conversing with a young lady who is struggling with her practice so approaching the issue from different angles can be effective.

I agree ... I just wanted to make my position clear :)

--Phae

[charmedkisses1]

Believe you me, it can definitely be overwhelming! (if you let it) Take it slow, read a book, and be yourself. :jamsessio

[0_apathetic_0]

It has been overwhelming. But I feel like I'm in the right place for support now, and that means alot. Thank you everyone