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So you want to be Wiccan. How do you go about this? Is it something you can become on your own or do you need to be initiated?
For many people just learning about the Old Ways, becoming Wiccan can be a confusing ordeal. Do you need to be initiated by an Elder or a coven? Can you become Wiccan on your own? Can anyone be Wiccan?
Most Wiccans will tell you that once you’ve decided to follow this path, you only need to accept yourself as Wiccan to be one. There are no actual conversion rituals within Wicca. You either are Wiccan, or you aren’t. Self-initiations, ritual affirmations, and coven initiations are just ways to further dedicate yourself to the God and Goddess. Despite there being no conversion rituals, many still feel the need to do something that declares their new chosen path.
Outward Methods of Becoming Wiccan
Public Declaration: The most common method of becoming Wiccan today is to publicly declare yourself as Wiccan. You can do this online under your magical name, or you can do it among family and close friends.
Full Moon Affirmation: Stand outside or at a window and look up at the full moon. Say, “I am a Witch” three times. This is a favorite confirmation method used by many who follow the Wiccan path. Some use this simple affirmation as yearly ritual to reconfirm that they are of the Wicca.
Coven Initiation: Wicca is a religion of constant change. Ten years ago, most Wiccans would have said that you need to be initiated into a coven to become Wiccan. While this no longer holds true, being initiated by a coven continues to be a highly sought after method of religious confirmation. Contact the heads of local and online covens and ask if they are willing to perform a Wicca initiation rite for you.
Elder Initiation: If you already know someone who is Wiccan, ask if he or she will initiate you into the Old Ways. This private ritual can be performed in person or online. It can be a long ritual that introduces you to the God and Goddess or it can be a short rite that blesses you on your new path.
A Year and a Day of Study
Once you are Wiccan, the next step is to study the ways of the your religion. Traditionally, this is called the year and a day. During this time, you begin studying the myths of ancient cultures, correspondences, the use and construction of rituals and spells, the magical uses of herbs, and symbols. Use your local libraries and contact any local colleges to find out if their libraries are opened to the public. Attend classes listed at your local New Age shop.
Above all else, explore your religion. Try to do things you’ve never done before, such as baking a loaf of bread, performing a simple purification ritual on your home or apartment, and meditation. Wicca is all about exploration and discovering your inner self. You’ll never know what you can do until you try.
The copyright of the article How To Become Wiccan in Paganism/Wicca is owned by Elizabeth Yetter. Permission to republish How To Become Wiccan in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Aug 28, 2008 4:47 PM
Guest :
What I really would like to know if there is anyone who can teach me the
Old Ways in person. I'm not very good at studying on my own. Are there any
schools in Michigan?
Oct 3, 2008 5:33 PM
Guest :
the easiest way to learn coming from me would have to be find someone
around who follows Wicca and ask them respectfully to teach you... i am the
high priest in my coven and i have had to teach many ppl
Oct 5, 2008 4:15 PM
Guest :
i feel the same way i am dadicated to wicca but i live in a place where it
is not acepted and if there are any in my comunity i can not find them so
do i really have to go to europe or another state to find a coven?
Nov 15, 2008 11:07 PM
Guest :
it is hard to find people but don,t give up i almost did and i found some
one who is teaching me i am doing a self dedication into wicca she is going
to help me with it so don,t give up its so worth it to be patient when you
are ready a teacher will come to you
Nov 19, 2008 3:23 PM
Guest :
this is a very useful site. the other ones i looked at didn't really help.
Dec 14, 2008 7:09 PM
Guest :
I am quite young and cam apon the book SImple Wicca.
i decided to
become Ecletic because they change traditions and i cannot get the money
right now to buy anything ecept red cord. Thi was very helpful!
Jan 2, 2009 9:28 AM
Guest :
I wish to become follow the Wiccan ways, however, I think my friends and
family would think me weird. I don't generally mind what people think of
me, but I would still like to appear sane. I don't care if they know I am
Wiccan, but I would rather not go searching for a proper teacher. Must I be
part of a coven?
Is there a good site to teach me the old
ways?
Blessed Be, Anon.
Jan 5, 2009 2:19 AM
Guest :
I have been going back and forth on this decision, and feel that I am ready
to dedicate myself. I have a person who is a HPS and would help me, but
I'm not sure if I want to become a part of the coven. I tend to stay home
more than to network, and most of my practice will be on behalf of my
family and friends, but that is because this is all I know right now. I
want to become a better person, and be more in tune with the universe and
myself. My family already know of this interest,(for many years). This is
a big step for me and I am very frightened. Any one out there who can talk
me through this very first phase of it. I need to know that I'm not going
to bale out if I get scared of the reallness of this, which I suppose will
come from my inner self and no one else, but still, I would like to start
forming a system of friends who know what it's like. Any experiences with
this phase will help me alot!
Feb 18, 2009 6:16 PM
Guest :
I am looking for someone who can help me or tell me a way to tell my family
memebrs that I am wiccan becasue I am very afraid that they will not accept
me becuase my family is made up of christians and catholics and i really
need some help...
Mar 4, 2009 8:06 PM
Guest :
i have been teaching myself about wicca and i have felt in my heart that it
is the correct way for me, but my family wont except me for what i chosen,
becqause they are chritains.... what should i do?
merryment and
blessed be
Mar 11, 2009 2:21 PM
Guest :
thanks for the information this site is very helpful i like it. i do feel
like its hard here with no help not a lot here to talk to about it. but
again thanks for this info anyone in my area let me know. I want to learn
more
Mar 27, 2009 8:30 AM
Guest :
Anyone looking for a Coven (in Michigan or elsewhere), should visit the
Witches' Voice Website (witchvox.com). There are literally hundreds of
Michigan Covens, Circles and Groves. Every February, for the past 15
years, the Magical Education Council (forerly the Magical Education Council
of Ann Arbor) has hosted a HUGE conference called ConVocation. The web
address is convocation.org.
Bright blessings,
Helen Pattskyn,
HPs Silver Skein Coven
(silverskeincoven.com)
Apr 11, 2009 8:03 PM
Guest :
my name is not important. I have since I was two known there was something
different about me. I did not seek the spiritual ways, but was able to
see spirits and accept nature by the time I was 4. I have been able to see
into peoples lives and hearts.I do not enjoy this, it has been gifted to me
and it was not until I was 12 I realized what it was. I was born sept 11,
1954 and it took me until now to understand what I was It has always been
and shall always be. I do not need initiation. I have always been.
Apr 20, 2009 5:31 PM
Guest :
hi i have just started reading about wicca.and love what it stands
for.loving mother earth.father sky.keeping moral codes. just being able to
be free of all the negative garbage i was taught as a kid.thank you for
having info.avaiable to me. it means a lot to me. wicca is a great way of
life. kim mccullar.am interested in becoming a wiccan witch.as i have
friends who are.that i relate to.
14 Comments
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