Topics of Study for a Wiccan

[DebLipp]

When I started studying Wicca, there was an enormous amount I was expected to learn. Student Wiccans were expected to study extensively on their own. In addition to developing cursory knowledge in many areas, we were expected to specialize in one or a few. As a teacher, I consider specialization something that should come a little later, just as you don’t choose a college major your freshman year.

I thought I would try to compile a list of topic areas in which we were expected to develop some knowledge. See what you can add.

Oh, btw, this is above and beyond knowledge of Wicca, basic ritual techniques, circle casting, elemental knowledge, the holidays, the rules, and the history of Wicca itself, history of medieval witchcraft and the Inquisition, etc.

Magical Systems
Any student would be expected to at least recognize everything on this list and have some intelligence about it, and to have read at least 2 or 3 books on topics in this area. Every Wiccan was expected to have read Dion Fortune.
Goetia
Enochian; knowledge of John Dee
Ceremonial Lodge Magic, including Golden Dawn, Thelema
Theosophy and related offshoots
Knowledge of people such as Eliphas Levy, S.L. MacGregor Mathers, A.E. Waite, Aleister Crowley, Madame Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, Franz Hartmann
Dion Fortune’s work

Divination
Every Wiccan would be expected to have working, usable, useful knowledge of at least one divinatory system. Everyone would need at least passing familiarity with astrology and Tarot, even if they’re not the divinatory system actually used.
Tarot
Astrology
Runes
Scrying
Tea Leaf Reading
Palmistry
Handwriting Analysis

Myth and comparative religion
Knowledge of mythology including Greek, Norse, Irish, Welsh, Sumerian/Babylonian, Polynesian, and more.
Knowledge of comparative mythology such as Joseph Campbell’s work.
Knowledge of Pagan systems such as Native American, Hindu, Yoruban Diaspora, Druid, etc.
Knowledge of the history of monotheism and its relationship to Paganism, including, for example, Mary worship
Knowledge of Jungian material on myth and its relation to the psyche; as found in the works of Carl Jung, Robert Johnson, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Christine Downing, etc.
Knowledge of Goddess/Matriarchy theory. Today I would add knowledge of authors like Cynthia Eller who argue cogently against matriarchy theory.

Occult skills and Handcraft skills
Almost everyone developed some real expertise in at least one area, and knowledge of one or two more.
Herbalism
Healing, laying on of hands, energy work
Stones; magical gemology
Psychic arts
Aromatherapy
Incense making
Tool making (in my original group, we had a knife maker, a fletcher, homemade incense, a homemade altar, etc.)
More (I know I’m leaving a lot out here)

Meditative and Mind skills
Meditation, trance, visualization: These were required of everyone; anyone who couldn’t visualize couldn't make it as a Wiccan.
Chakra work
Silva Mind Control
NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) added per Rain Gnosis

That’s a start. I’ve a sneaking suspicion I’m leaving stuff out. Remember this list when us “old-timers” complain that young Wiccans lack knowledge!! And use it to guide your own studies, if you are so inclined.

[Kaylara]

Deblipp,
Absolutely awesome post!

Kaylara

[Ben Trismegistus]

Wow.

Deb, will you be my friend?

[luna rising]

Yeah, me too.

Thanks for that -- I am printing it out right now

[DebLipp]

Originally Posted by Ben Trismegistus

Wow.

Deb, will you be my friend?

You're killing me, here.

You know, this started because I was feeling kind of bad about myself, like I just don't know enough. Writing books, you get challenged on the most minute details of research. So I started wondering what it was I should know and came up with this list.

Lately, I'm re-reading Triumph of the Moon (too dense to take in all at once) and I am loving his chapter on "Finding a High Magic" which reviews the history of modern magic (I'm up to the Golden Dawn). I should re-read the chapter and take notes, it's wonderful.

[DebLipp]

Briar Rose, your dancing teeth man scares the sh!t outa me.

[Avalon]

This is an excellent list even if you aren't Wiccan...I'm not, and I can't wait to delve into the topics. Thanks for such a terrific resource, Deb!

[Rain Gnosis]

I'm not familiar with Silva Mind Control, but one newer topic I was thinking that is somewhat similar and might be added is Neurolinguistic Programming.

[Ben Trismegistus]

Originally Posted by DebLipp

You know, this started because I was feeling kind of bad about myself, like I just don't know enough. Writing books, you get challenged on the most minute details of research. So I started wondering what it was I should know and came up with this list.

*grin* Well, if you just don't know enough, then the rest of us are a bunch of f***ing morons, pardon my french.

FYI, the "dancing teeth" is a character from a Japanese children's show called Domo Kun.

[HerbGurl]

Thank you for this list Deb!
*goes off to Google.com, all excited at the prospect of new reseach topics and brain food*