New to Wicca? Please read this!
Greetings:
I decided to write this open letter in the hopes that it may be of service to some of the young people I see asking questions about Witchcraft and Wicca. I do not wish to bore anyone with history and such, there are plenty of websites willing to do that for me. Many postings I see as well as chat room discussions concern me greatly, these are the ones that go something like:
My name is Cindy Adams, I am 15 years old and looking for someone to teach me Witchcraft. I live at 312 Big Oak Drive in Grand Rapids, Michigan.................................................Please! Do not give out personal information on the inter-net!!!
It's Dangerous! It's not Smart, and it's not necessary!
The inter-net is a wonderful place to gather information, but it is also filled with predators and vermin.
Here are some guidelines to learning about Witchcraft or Wicca:
1. No personal information to people you don't know.
2. Read, read everything you can, some of its crap, some of its fluff, and a little bit of it is true. With enough exposure and experience you will learn to know the difference.
3. Meet in public places, NEVER meet strange people in strange places. Don't trust folks you don't know!
4. Don't do anything you don't want to do, have enough courage to say no. There is a portion of Wicca that practices skyclad (naked), this is not for you, not now, maybe not ever. You are dealing with the Goddess after all, if she can't see you through your clothes, better find a new religion.
5. You do not have to take your clothes off to practice Wicca, you do not have to have sex to practice Wicca, sex magic does exist, but there is a time and place for everything, this is not it!
6. Religion is to make you feel whole and comfortable with your life, your friends, your family, and yourself. It should serve YOU, not make you a guilty and uncomfortable slave to it.
7. If you are under 18 no real Wiccan group, church, or coven is going to allow you to actively participate in ritual ceremonies without parental consent. This is not an insult to you and it is not meant to be. It is because even in this age of hopeful enlightenment great harm can come from those who are prejudiced by ignorance. It is for your protection as well as that of the group.
8. If there is one value that Wiccans hold more dear than any other, it would be the value of family. I was abused most of my young life by parents who said they loved me. It taught me something. My wife and children are the biggest blessing the Goddess has ever given any man. To often problems at home cause young people to get into Wicca to spite their family, this is not a valid reason! This is not the Wiccan way!
No matter what age you are we are always happy to help you in any way we can, you are welcome to submit any questions you may have, we will do our best to give you honest, intelligent answers.
My Very Best Blessings to You!
Rev. Bruce Richards HP, Church of the Circle
