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.
