So You Want To Be a Witch
On the message boards I frequent, and in our coven e-mail, I see numerous posts from people who have just heard about Wicca and Witchcraft and who are wanting to become Witches..and who are then saying they don't know a thing about it. While the growing interest in this path is a good thing, rushing headlong into something you don't know much about and which will change your life in may ways is not such a great idea. So let's stop a moment and consider some of the following issues...
First of all, WHY do you want to be a Witch? Is it because it is **kewl** to be spooky and to wear all that neat jewelry and to shock and amaze your friends and parents? That's not being a Witch, that's just playing dress up. My generation tripped our parents by dressing as Hippies, growing our hair long, and wearing love beads. Same thing, different clothes. Most of us grew out of that phase, and many former Hippies wear three-piece suits to their successful businesses these days. When people smirk and say it's just a phase you're going through are they right?
Are you doing it because it gives you a sense of your own power over others? Certainly there is power inherent in Witchcraft, and it can make your life better in many, many ways. But it is power that comes from within yourself and makes you a stronger person..it is not power over others through the use of fear or magic. If you are looking for a spiritual path that will help you grow into a better person, then explore this one more thoroughly. If not, you won't find your answers here.
Are you prepared to be shunned because you are "different"; or to lose your job, your friends, maybe even your home because you are a "Satanist"? Witches have nothing to do with Satan, but that is not what the public believes. Travelling this path can get very uncomfortable..are you ready for this?
Remember too that being a Witch is a two-way process. You get out of the Craft mostly as much as you are willing to put into it. The Goddess grants us many things, but in return she asks our service as well. If you aren't willing to do the work, then you will likely get little from the journey.
When we take on new students, one of the first things we have them do is the following exercise. Try this. Do it as honestly as you possibly can. It will give you a much better idea of what you want and where you are going.
Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns. Label one column "What I want from the Craft", and the other "What I bring to the Craft". Then start listing things as they come to mind. Again..be very very honest with yourself.. When you think you are done, put the paper away for a couple of weeks. Then take it out and consider what you have written. Add anything new that comes to mind, take off anything that doesn't seem right now. Then put it away again. Keep doing this until you are really satisfied that the list is as complete and accurate as you can make it. Then sit down with your list and think about what you have written, realizing that you have made a contract between yourself and the Gods. If the path still seems right..go for it..
Now take the paper and put it away for six months or so. Take it out then and see how much you have grown. At that point, you may want to redo the exercise to reflect your new goals and commitments.
One thing you will learn quickly on this path is that it is a learning and growing process which never ends. It is always a good idea to reassess where you are and where you want to go on a regular basis. That way you are unlikely to find that you have taken a wrong turning on your journey.
-Lark-
First of all, WHY do you want to be a Witch? Is it because it is **kewl** to be spooky and to wear all that neat jewelry and to shock and amaze your friends and parents? That's not being a Witch, that's just playing dress up. My generation tripped our parents by dressing as Hippies, growing our hair long, and wearing love beads. Same thing, different clothes. Most of us grew out of that phase, and many former Hippies wear three-piece suits to their successful businesses these days. When people smirk and say it's just a phase you're going through are they right?
Are you doing it because it gives you a sense of your own power over others? Certainly there is power inherent in Witchcraft, and it can make your life better in many, many ways. But it is power that comes from within yourself and makes you a stronger person..it is not power over others through the use of fear or magic. If you are looking for a spiritual path that will help you grow into a better person, then explore this one more thoroughly. If not, you won't find your answers here.
Are you prepared to be shunned because you are "different"; or to lose your job, your friends, maybe even your home because you are a "Satanist"? Witches have nothing to do with Satan, but that is not what the public believes. Travelling this path can get very uncomfortable..are you ready for this?
Remember too that being a Witch is a two-way process. You get out of the Craft mostly as much as you are willing to put into it. The Goddess grants us many things, but in return she asks our service as well. If you aren't willing to do the work, then you will likely get little from the journey.
When we take on new students, one of the first things we have them do is the following exercise. Try this. Do it as honestly as you possibly can. It will give you a much better idea of what you want and where you are going.
Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns. Label one column "What I want from the Craft", and the other "What I bring to the Craft". Then start listing things as they come to mind. Again..be very very honest with yourself.. When you think you are done, put the paper away for a couple of weeks. Then take it out and consider what you have written. Add anything new that comes to mind, take off anything that doesn't seem right now. Then put it away again. Keep doing this until you are really satisfied that the list is as complete and accurate as you can make it. Then sit down with your list and think about what you have written, realizing that you have made a contract between yourself and the Gods. If the path still seems right..go for it..
Now take the paper and put it away for six months or so. Take it out then and see how much you have grown. At that point, you may want to redo the exercise to reflect your new goals and commitments.
One thing you will learn quickly on this path is that it is a learning and growing process which never ends. It is always a good idea to reassess where you are and where you want to go on a regular basis. That way you are unlikely to find that you have taken a wrong turning on your journey.
-Lark-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Kenneth on -
so the piece of papaer could be the beggining of your own "B.O.S." ?
^^
Blessed Be
-
Permalink Reply by Lark on -
Yes, it absolutely could.
And it's an exercise that I recommend that my students repeat every now and again as they continue to practice just to make certain they're still on the right track.
-Lark-
-
Permalink Reply by MyValenwind on -
Even though I'm not new to the craft, I still find this really interesting. Thanks for posting! :)
-
Permalink Reply by faerychild on -
i think this is an excelent post Lark. i think alot of ppl new to the craft dont really know what they want from it, and arnt prepared to put the work in. they are generally attracted to the spell casting side of things and dont understand the concequences of their actions. obviously this isnt all ppl new to the craft, but a good few xxx
-
Permalink Reply by Amberhawk on -
This is an excellent way to start. Gonna post to move it back up so a few other new arrivals can see it.
-
Permalink Reply by Laughing Crow on -
Excellent idea. When I came to the Craft I myself had teachers and those who were the same as I. What I brought to the Craft and what I want out of it at first were entirely different. Bu8t it would make sense. I like this post.
-
Permalink Reply by Auroura Stormwatcher on -
This is a great post. We should try to keep it on the front page for the new ppl.
Merry Meet and Merry Part until we meet again. ~Auroura
-
Permalink Reply by Tracy on -
I too began this way. I was lucky to have ateacher with alot of the same wisdom as you,Lark. At every Samhain i do the exercise again, before i move on with the new year. Great Post as always. BB, Tracy
-
Permalink Reply by angel on -
i just wanted to say that i agree, i have always known that i thought differently from most, for me the earth and the elements ment so much more, im 50 now and although if feel wicca is right for me, its taken so long to come to this. i want to learn the wiccan way and need a teacher, i dont want to do spells and things yet , but feel the need to learn and make sure that all is right .in my area its so hard to find like minded people and sometimes u feel very alone. i hope one day to learn the craft from one who knows, so that i may give back something good.so u are right in wot u say it may take years , but i think it will b worth the wait. bright blessings to you.
-
Permalink Reply by Hawthorn on -
This is very wise advice. I had no teacher, in a sense, on my process into the craft and it was quite difficult I have since grow quite a lot from what I have truelly gained by my expirence and would truelly like others to be adivsed before they begin. Following your advice will be good for new comers. You are very wise LARK do not change wisdom is a great gift.
Blessed be.
-
Permalink Reply by threetruth on -
i just arrived on this site recently mainly because i am seeking people who think along my lines.
i not interesting in practising witchcraft as much as i want to practise a meaningful relationship with mother earth.
i understand that wiccan practise is in harmony with the earth.
aboriginals are true practisioners of the way to live in tune with mother earth.
when they talk of stories that have been passed on for thousands of years from their ancestors.
they know of all the herbal and plant based mixtures to treat many ailments including those of a spiritual nature.
you are correct in saying it is an ongoing and continious process of learning and understanding.
some like myself feel an intuitive connection-i feel like it started in my early youth.
truth travels thru the generations and finds those who are open to this spiritual flow.
Featured
Custom Search
Click Here To Advertise on WiccanTogether
About
© 2010 Created by Brian K
