How can I learn about Wicca before it was polluted by other irrelevant things?

Merry Meet Stephanie,

Wicca is first and foremost a spiritual belief system that focuses on the duality of the divine powers (aka a Goddess and God). So your search for spiritual fulfillment should begin there.

Astrology, Herbalism, Stones and such are intricate parts to Wicca. Wicca is set up to incorporate the use of the Stars and Planets (Astrology) in order to keep track of the seasons and the powers of those seasons. Herbalism is a part of all religious paths that incorporate nature into its practice, Wicca is not alone nor do Wiccans own the monopoly on the idea. So feel free to use the concept of using plants natural healing as well as magickal properties in your practice.

In all reality it’s by what name you wish to use something. Energy Vibrations by any name is still energy. As an example the word “Reiki” is derived from two Japanese words: rei which means universal or divine, and ki which means life force or life energy. Even the word Chakra is a Sanskrit word that literally means “wheel.” It is used to help describe energy centers along a meridian in the body. Neither Reiki nor the Chakras are a common practice in Wicca, but many Wiccans do incorporate them into their practice. Many Wiccans choose to simply call working with energy vibrations energy work. Using names from other cultures or practices simply help to explain things to those individuals not familiar with Wicca but are familiar with what Reiki is or what the Chakras are.

A deeper research on western concepts of “The Law of Return” and “Reincarnation” will help to give you a better understanding of whether to use the concepts in your practice of Wicca.

No one can really tell you what to believe or not to believe, it’s your choice. But please do understand that there are core beliefs and practices that do make up the religious practice of Wicca. By understanding the core beliefs and practices of Wicca you begin to understand what Wicca is, what Wiccans do, and how Wicca relates to us and our world.

I would also like to add one last comment for you to read. Many people will offer you links to various web sites or e-resources. I recommend that if you are sincerely wishing to grow in Wicca to avoid certain groups or sites that promote negativity by insulting or attacking others or stirring up trouble, as well as individuals that contradict what they say. They will only slow you down or even cause obstacles in your walk that could stunt your growth in Wicca as well as hurt your inner spirituality.

I hope that I have helped some. Wish you the best in your journey.

Blessed Be

Nyjh

1

Wait a year, join a Gardnerian coven. You can read Gardners books and get some of it, you can join a different tradition, but that will be colored by the additions that made it a *different tradition*. Gardner's coven is pretty much accepted as the origin of what became Wicca (Traditional Wicca anyway) so that's the best place to get the unsullied content.

It's not about beliefs though. It's more about action. Most people who think that religion is about what you believe are surprised when they find out that being a Priest/ess of the Old Religion is about what you do.

If you think one thing is *really true* then Wicca is probably not for you after all.

Sure, there are certain core practices & tenets of Wicca... but Wicca isn't a dogmatic religion and individuals and covens operate autonomously, which leads to great diversity.

If you're looking for dogma-- like scripture, or rules/commandments, you're not going to find it in Wicca.

If you really want to know what Wicca is at the bare core, strip away everything about Witchcraft, spells, astrology, familiars, elements, tarot, runes, divination, spirits, crystals, fairies, etc.; sure, Wicca does not prohibit any of these beliefs or practices, but that doesn't make them Wicca. Not all Wiccans even believe in such things. If Wicca is the pizza, these things are all the toppings.

The real bread and cheese of the pizza, at it's very core, Wicca is about how we worship our Gods and how we live our lives. It's that simple, and yet that complex.

If you're not looking for that... then Wicca isn't what you're looking for.

I agree that wicca.cnbeyer.com is a really good site, but it's not enough-- check out the recommended reading list and begin going through it.

And if you really want to know what Wicca originally was, then try reading the books written by Gerald Gardner, Wicca's founder. Though he called it Witchcraft then... this was before the "old religion" theories of Margaret Murray were debunked. Another author you want to look out for that had a big role in shaping Wicca is Doreen Valiente.

Wicca isn't Native American, by the way. It's a 70 year old religion that originated in the UK. There is an American Wiccan trad that combines Native American with Wiccan beliefs, but please know this is fairly recent invention, not original to Wicca.

There is no such thing as "Native American beliefs" of Wicca because Wicca is a 70 year old British religion.

However, you know we have books written by people who WERE THERE 70 years ago, right? And there are a lot of students of students out there who've met or known people who were there at the start...our religion started in the lifetime of a lot of people...there are a lot of people still alive that are over 70, and there are 2nd and 3rd generation Wiccans who learned directly from students of Gardner's.

I strongly suggest picking one tradition of Wicca to learn from at a time. It might be hard if you're filling up your mental shopping cart with unrelated materials, but if you pick one tradition at a time to learn from you should be fine.

It also sounds like you have some huge issues with Christianity to work though. Having trouble with Christianity is not reason enough to be Wiccan.

I will tell you that when I meet prospective students there are a few key phrases I expect to hear right at the beginning, you can think of them as a code if you want (I think that's a silly way to look at it) but I don't see anything like it in your post- I see you talking about what religion you SHOULD NOT be, but not what makes Wicca and you a good fit... Why have you picked Wicca, specifically? (You don't need to answer that for me, but it's something you should be able to answer for you.)

Wicca is a hyphenate faith system... there are many variations... I suggest returning to the Nordic, Russian and British roots for at least the Northern European common history.

As an Aussie I am mainly interested in our Aboriginal paganism regarding the 'dream time'.

Your best bet is to read all the books you can by Gerald Gardner. Can't go wrong reading about Wicca from it's creator

FYI: Wicca has nothing to do with Native teachings. Most of what you hear that **sounds** like anything relating to Native Americanism is popular tripe, not the real thing

Wicca is, in my eyes. is mostly Plagarized from the Golden Dawn systems... Traditional witchcraft is different to Wicca...I think thats what your interested in.... Gardner took most of the Golden Dawn system, and turned it into a witchcraft based system... Note I'm not saying that there is no "goddess" Thats down to personal belief, I personally believe all deities are seperate. But then thats just me. I'm attacking the religion, not the belief/Spirituality of it if you understand. Like one might attack a Sunday christian, but be fine with the other one next to you who is actually faithful to a god over a church...

If your interested, We have a FREE course on traditional witchcraft... New but active... We can teach you about Traditional witchcraft BEFORE gardner took over with Wicca. The teacher of the the course teaches Native american and Mexican traditions...

discussionsofmagicko.forumotion.co.uk

Hope to see you on site, :)

Real Native American beliefs have absolutely no resemblance to anything associated with Wicca.

You can try a history book on wicca, or just an encyclopedia article.