Although this blog will NOT be teaching Wicca or Druidry 101, if you’ve found your way to my little virtual grotto and are in need of some beginner advice, I don’t want you to leave empty handed.
My advice? Start where you can and jump right in with both feet. You’ll rarely make a wrong turn down the path, and the journey is really what’s important, not the map you use to get there.
Ok, so, yeah, how do you do that, right?
Step 1: Start a journal. Doesn’t matter if it’s a cheap marble composition book from the drug store, a fancy leather-bound tome, or a word processing file on your computer. It just needs to be something that you will feel comfortable scribbling in. Confession: I do prefer cheap notebooks from the drug store over the more expensive blank books. I just feel less pressure to get deep thoughts down when I haven’t invested a lot of money in it.
Step 2: Take some time to think about deity. What do you believe deity is? Are there many Gods? Is the divine force in everything? Your views will most likely evolve on this over time, and it’s fine to admit that you aren’t sure about any of that, but it’s important to have an idea of where you’re starting out. If you have a really hard time accepting the concept of a Goddess right now, you’re probably not going to get much out of a group that focuses primarily on Goddess worship. Or perhaps you will, if you’re looking to expand your horizons.
Step 3: What else turns you on? Do you want to find a group or work alone? Do you prefer an informal practice or something with a lot of formatted liturgy? Are you into astrology? Crystals? Herbs? Healing? Reiki? Is there a certain culture or deity you’re already fascinated by? Getting a handle on this stuff will help you take your first steps. If you want to work with a group, try to find one now. If you really want to work with crystals, you’ll want to seek out books and workshops on that. While I believe that any learning is valuable, there’s no sense taking time right now on topics you find less interesting.
A note on finding a group or teacher: Most people you will run across in paganism will be well-meaning, if not perhaps your cup of tea. But as we’re highly decentralized, there are folks out there who will use the identity of teacher, High Priest/ess, or group leader to prey on the innocent. Don’t be afraid to ask around about a potential group or teacher, trust your intuition, and check out this article about warning signs.
Step 4: Go forth! If you have a local pagan shop, ask the folks there if they know of any groups open to new seekers or upcoming events open to the public. Follow pagan accounts on social media (many authors and bloggers maintain social media with links to a lot of excellent content, workshops, and groups). See if there are any festivals or open public rituals in your area. Look for local networking groups. Make contacts and make friends, and see where that leads you. Buy a few books.
Step 5: Keep on keeping on. Read books, make commitments to your study. Start a routine practice… maybe that’s meditation (never a bad idea), or setting up a devotional altar to a deity, or lighting some candles on the full moon. Being a beginner might be a nervous time, but it’s also a very exciting time. You will never be here again, where everything is fresh and new and sparkly. Enjoy every bump in the road!
Oak and Clover 