Question by STARR: Site and book that will help me learn more about Wicca?
I’ve recently become interested in Wicca. I’m thinking of converting since I never felt comfortable with being Christian. My great grand mother use to practice Wicca all the time. But I obviously can’t ask her about it since she is dead.
Is there any sites or books that will help me learn more about it? Prayers and such. Thank you!
Best answer:
Answer by MissDementia
Go to http://witchvox.com/ to start. It’s the largest and oldest Pagan/Wiccan/Heathen site on the net and has useful information and contact information for people of all the old faith paths. They also have a lot of recommendations for study and you can interact with others of the faith through the site.
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I’ve taught Witchcraft since 2005…I think the best books for delving into the subject are:
“The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation Solitary Witch” by Silver Ravenwolf, and
“The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells for Modern Problems” by Dixie Deerman and Steve Rasmussen. You can purchase both on Amazon.com
These books are really usefrul as you learn more and more, as they are packed with info – sort of like an encyclopaedia of facts and knowledge.
I urge you to use your common sense in your studies…If what you’re reading sounds like total nonsense, then ignore it. Listen to your own inner voice.
Happy Learning!
Our most recommended readings are:
Scott Cunningham: “Wicca: A guide for the solitary practitioner,”
Raymond Buckland: “Buckland’s complete book of Witchcraft,”
will get you started
)O(
Jessica mentioned Silver Ravenwolf as an author… not the best suggestion. Ravenwolf’s scholarship is shoddy, her ethics are questionable, her rituals are usually badly constructed, and she has a persecution streak a mile wide. The following essay explains the matter in more detail:
http://wicca.timerift.net/ravenwolf.shtml
The site http://www.witchvox.com is very large, but none of the material on it is quality controlled so there’s a lot of garbage there. For that reason I’d advise a newcomer to stay away from it, or at least use it with great caution.
Here’s a book review page to help you find good resources and steer clear of bad ones: http://wicca.timerift.net/books.shtml
Best of luck to you.
I would disagree with Jessica’s reading recommendations; in fact I’d advise beginners to steer clear of Ravenwolf altogether. And not to be disrespectful to Jessica, but to offer another point of view, if what you’re reading sounds like total nonsense, don’t ignore it. Maybe it’s right, it just doesn’t make sense to you. Rather, research it further… examine sources and look for evidence to back up any claims that don’t make sense.
Wicca.timerift.net is a great site with a good reading list.
I recommend looking for works by Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente specifically (some available online because they are public domain now), as Gardner founded Wicca and Valiente’s help was invaluable.
http://www.witchvox.com is a great place to read essays by various Pagans/Witches on a number of topics.
Merry Meet Starr,
If you are interested about learning more about Wicca and/or Witchcraft here are a few legitimate sources to glean knowledge from. First being Witchvox at http://www.witchvox.com/. Here you will gain knowledge through fellowship with other of like mind and knowledge through the countless articles posted. If this is not enough one could look into getting online training through the Sacred Mists at http://www.workingwitches.com/ or OZ Wicca at http://www.ozwicca.com/, both are pretty decent for learning the Craft on the Web though like any site they have some issues. Also if you are close enough to an active group that specializes in education and development like the SCWF try and join them even if it’s on a limited capacity.
If DVD’s are to your liking try Witchcraft Rebirth of the Old Religion by Raymond Buckland (DVD), Discovering Witchcraft by Janet and Stewart Farrar (DVD), Ancient Mysteries Witches by A&E (DVD), Craftwise Volume 1: Candle Magick by Peter Paddon (DVD), Craftwise Volume 2: Cord Magick by Peter Paddon (DVD), Wish on a Spell, Vo. 1 by Deborah Gray (DVD), Practical Magick DVD, The Craft (DVD).
If books are what you’re interested in I also suggest that you get your hands on Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin and/or The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan. Both of these books are very good reading and both will give you some deeper insight to the Craft and how it relates to you. Also you cannot go wrong with anything by Scott Cunningham.
If you are a teen, Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens by Ellen Dugan, and Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf is also good. But neither is completely accurate, but they will help you out. Also check out http://www.teenwitch.com/ for more information, it’s a pretty good site for base information.
Study as much as you need to before deciding that you are Wiccan. Find those near you who are reputable and knowledgeable. Also stay away from those who are playing Wicca if you are serious about the religion and the craft, they will only slow you down and/or mislead you. Also, read all the books you can the good ones as well as the bad ones. Ultimately, study, study and then study some more. Find all you can and definitely cross reference whenever possible, this way you can get the best out of all you learn.
Remember, you are the one that decides who’s a good or bad author not someone else because every author in my belief has something to offer, all you have to do is ignore the information that is not accurate and/or wrong. Oh and when the opportunity raises cross reference the information learned for accuracy.
I hope my blurp helps out.
Blessed Be
Nyjh
Links for more information:
http://www.cuew.org/whatiswicca.html
http://www.ozwicca.com/whatis.htm
http://bluemoonwicca.org/choices.html