The path of Wicca is one filled with excitement, mystery, and wonder. If you’re seeking to become a Wiccan or learn more about what a Wiccan does and believes, you’ve come to the right place! This article is meant to be a complete, in-depth guide for introducing you to the world of Wicca.
How to Get Started in Wicca
Getting started in the world of Wicca doesn’t have to be a complicated affair. It simply begins with a desire to learn more about the craft. Memorizing spells, buying supplies, and performing initiation rites—all that comes later. The first steps on the path of Wicca involve keeping an open mind and having a thirst for knowledge.
Becoming a witch is more about cultivating a spiritual mindset and embracing the magick of the world, rather than doing and saying specific things.
Creating Your Book of Shadows
One formal thing I would suggest you do to get started in Wicca is begin a Book of Shadows. This is one of the most important supplies a Wiccan has in her possession.
Put simply, it’s a place where a witch keeps everything she learns—spells, correspondences, spiritual insights, nagging questions, and anything else deemed important. The Book of Shadows is a deeply personal, living document that charts your journey through the craft.
Your Book of Shadows can be a traditional journal or notebook, or you can create one digitally—what’s important is that you have a place where you can jot down everything you learn in your study of Wicca.
Using Your Book of Shadows
How you structure and organize your Book of Shadows is up to you. Some witches prefer to write everything down in chronological order as they learn. Others break theirs up into different sections—one area for spells, one area for gods and goddesses, etc. Everything about your Book of Shadows should be a unique representation of yourself.
Ultimately, getting started in Wicca is all about marching to the beat of your own drum and searching for truth, wherever the path may lead you. There are no vows to take, there are no commandments to obey—there’s simply the magick of the universe waiting to be discovered!
Wicca vs. Witch vs. Pagan
When you’re just beginning the study of Wicca, it can be easy to get tripped up by the terminology. There’s no need to be embarrassed by it—we all go through the “what in the world are they talking about?” phase.
One of the biggest sources of confusion is the distinction between a Wiccan, a witch, and a pagan. These three terms are very closely related, and it can be challenging to keep them straight.
Wiccan
A Wiccan is simply a person who practices the religion of Wicca. This religion was developed by British occultist Gerald Gardner and is considered a distinct branch of witchcraft. While it might be the most well-known branch of witchcraft, it is not synonymous with witchcraft in general. Wiccans may incorporate other belief systems into their personal practices, but some teachings within witchcraft are considered exclusively Wiccan.
Witch
This term refers to anyone who practices any branch of witchcraft. All Wiccans can be considered witches, but the reverse is not true—all witches are not Wiccans. For our purposes, a witch is anyone who believes in and works with the power of magick.
Pagan
Paganism is a broad umbrella term for religious practices that developed in the folk religions of rural areas (particularly in Europe). Originally, the word “pagan” was used as an insult by Christians of the ancient Roman Empire towards those who continued to worship their traditional gods and goddesses instead of the Christian God. Over time, people began to self-identify with the term pagan, and it’s rarely used as an insult anymore.
Keeping the Terms Straight
If you’ve been keeping track so far, you should have been able to deduce the following:
- All Wiccans are witches.
- Some witches are Wiccans.
- All Wiccans are pagans.
- Some witches are pagans.
- Some pagans are Wiccans or witches.
For example, a witch who only works with the traditional deities of ancient Egypt would not be considered a pagan because that pantheon does not come from a folk religion. On the other hand, if someone worshipped the traditional gods of the British Isles, they would be considered a pagan but not necessarily a witch if they didn’t utilize magick in their religious practices.
These are very nuanced distinctions, but it’s okay to mix them up or use them interchangeably. You’ll rarely encounter a Wiccan, witch, or pagan who will berate you for innocently using the wrong word.
Core Beliefs of Wicca
It can be hard to pin down any beliefs that all Wiccans share. This is mostly because diversity of thought and practice are hallmarks of the religion.
The Wiccan Rede
However, if there’s one belief that unites all of Wicca, it’s the Wiccan Rede. This statement, though it looks deceptively short and simple, contains deep philosophical and moral insight:
“An it harm none, do what ye will.”
For those who aren’t well-versed in Old English, this can be rephrased as “Do what you will, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone.” This idea is similar to the ever-popular Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Witches and Wiccans love their independence, and this probably has a lot to do with the fact that, historically, we haven’t been treated well. Finding your own path and discovering your own truth are important aspects of the Wiccan experience. However, compassion for all forms of life informs our practice too, and the Wiccan Rede brings these conflicting ideas into harmony.
The Rule of Three
Another common belief in Wicca is the Rule of Three. This is the idea that the energy we put into the world will come back to us threefold. This is slightly different from the Wiccan Rede but is consistent with it. If you promote peace and prosperity in your witchcraft, you should expect that good energy to return to you. Conversely, negativity will also find its way back to you.
It’s important not to get too hung up on the “three” portion of the Rule of Three, though. Just because you do one good deed doesn’t mean you should expect three to come your way! It’s more of a reminder that karma exists, and you can’t escape the consequences of your actions.
Wiccan Deities
Wicca has two primary deities that hold special significance: the Triple Goddess and the Horned God.
The Triple Goddess
The Triple Goddess is often depicted as the three phases of the moon—Maiden, Mother, and Crone—representing different stages of womanhood and spiritual energy.
- The Maiden is a symbol of purity and new beginnings. She embodies freshness and vitality and is celebrated during the spring equinox.
- The Mother represents fertility and protection. She embodies nurturing energy and is sought for guidance in family matters.
- The Crone symbolizes wisdom and experience. She is revered for the knowledge that comes with age and is often celebrated for her power in the autumn.
The Horned God
The Horned God represents the male nature deity within Wicca. He is commonly depicted as having the antlers of a stag and embodies harmony with nature and the wild. Often associated with the ancient god Cernunnos, he is a symbol of strength and fertility, and his worship underscores the importance of the natural world.
It’s crucial to understand that the Horned God is not synonymous with the Christian Devil. He is a deity that predates Christianity and represents life and nature, not malevolence.
Embarking on the journey of Wicca is an exciting adventure filled with self-discovery and spiritual growth. Embrace the mysteries, learn from your experiences, and enjoy the magick that surrounds you!
