What do you considered to be "Advanced"?

[Sparkles]

*smile* The funny thing is that when I look back at what I have learned already, I feel worthy of that "advanced" title; but when I look forward at what I have yet to comprehend, I feel like a beginner all over again.

I agree with the traits stated elsewhere in this thread regarding moving beyond books toward either teaching others or forging new paths, or both. But I hope the day never comes that I look forward and **not** feel like a new student who is just beginning to absorb unknown and exciting concepts.

S

[MoonChild78]

Originally Posted by Shanti

Advanced in your work/path/spirituality IMO means you close the books and start exploring and living your own path and talents.

I really like this response!! Thanks!! And don't worry about what term I classified myself as... it's all just words anyways!!

[Winter_Witch]

Originally Posted by Windsmith

Or, for those of us who are book-addicted, when you close the books in the "New Age" section of the bookstore and open the ones from "Cookbooks," "Gardening," "Bicycle Repair" "Renaissance Art," or wherever else your path is drawing you!

This is where I'm at. I keep reading through the New Age stuff and am only going around in circles because I've been there and done that stuff.

Now I need to read up more on herbs and rocks/gems. I wish I could do gardening, but we live in an apartment. There's a sunroom but only enough room for so many pots.

[seawitch artist]

I think the term 'advanced Paganism' is highly debatable, you'll get more than one answer for sure.
Perhaps it's to have great knowledge of many paths, because Paganism is not a single path but a group of many.
But lets say your a Witch, alone, and you are finding new ways and forces to make magick work, there is no higher Magick than Magick that works.
Now lets say your in a coven, a Wiccan one as I am now...theres lots of theory to be learned....no secret there, when your ready to be a High Priest/ess surely you are advanced, as you are now a teacher and a leader.
I for one would never decline to use the dark side if it was , in my opinion, needed.
Sometimes YOU are the platform from which Karma will be delivered to someone deserving it.
'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing' .. Edmund Burke.
Sometimes we need to be made of stern stuff, and the advanced will know when that is.

[indigo rain]

advanced wicca is the path you're on when you stop having to look things up, second guess yourself, and when you can create something new from the stuff you've learned.

when you begin to think of new ideas/concepts on your own, that's when you're thinking/understanding instead of reading/absorbing, which to me, is the beginner stage.

[Lupabitch]

I really dislike reverse book snobbery. Your relationship to books isn't the sole defining characteristic of your experience. There are advanced texts out there that can be of great help to those who are past the basics, but they're not written along the same formula as 101 texts. And yes, you can still find some of these at your local pagan/occult/etc. book store, not just the non-pagan-specific sections.

As to what makes a person advanced? It's when they can create their own path out of whatever they find most useful, be that books or tools or networking with other people or trial and error or any combination of the above. If you have degrees, but you're just doing what you've been told is expected of you, you're missing out on a lot.

[Caelestis ♥ Raven]

I think we are always growing and should be open to learning and exploring deeper.

Part of it is when you have the understanding of the basic ideas and can incorporate them into your own thoughts and views and expand on them. As others have said, closing the books and start looking within yourself. Though perhaps not so literally as books are awesome lol When you can begin to define things for yourself.

I also think being advanced is having the confidence to trust yourself. Your own thoughts, ideas and beliefs are important and valuable. That usually seems to be the biggest issue of someone who is still a beginner and someone I would see as more advanced.

[brymble]

Originally Posted by MoonChild78

So, this makes me wonder...

What is considered to be advanced Wicca?!

I'm sorry? I wasn't aware there was any sort of a contest. Are you asking when you get to fight the boss and level up?

You know, by listing all your "qualifications" before asking the question, it kind of gives the impression, to me, anyway, that you're not so much interested in knowing what is advanced Wicca than you are in having someone confirm for you that you are "advanced" because you've done X,Y and Z.

Generally speaking, from my own experience, if one has to ask whether or not one is "advanced", and if it really means that much to one that other people acknowledge or give permission for one's "advancement", then one usually isn't.

[dr_zeus440]

Originally Posted by indigo rain

when you can create something new from the stuff you've learned.

I like this.

[Chicory_Witch]

Ability, practice, wisdom. Doing and knowing without the need for the approval or check of others.

Summoning forth the Great Cthulhu! (jk)