XII 10 Beginner Mistakes

10 Beginner Mistakes

You've made them, I've made them, we've all seen them.. the dreaded 'beginner

fluffy bunny mistakes'. These are the common mistakes that all beginners make at

some point and other Wiccans groan at. These are the pitfalls that we have all

fallen into at least once (or twice) during the learning curve. And this isn't

your 'mispronunciations during ritual' pitfalls, either. Some of these are

merely annoying to others, and some have serious implications. Most will make

you grin abashedly in a year or so. :)

Not that I'm saying that you shouldn't make these mistakes at least once. It's a

great learning experience to suddenly realize that you've recently been acting,

well... a little strange. That maybe the reason people stare at you isn't

because you wear a Pentacle; it's because it's three inches across. And don't

feel too embarrassed, I've done most of these myself at one point or another. ;) 

Pitfall #1: 'I Read it in this Book...'

One of the first important things to learn is to not believe everything you

read. Just because it's in print doesn't necessarily mean it's true. Be a

critical reader. Don't even believe me, I'm just one person and I make lots of

mistakes, too. Get opposing opinions and figure out what You believe. Goddess,

if you only saw how many times I've stared horrified at my monitor at a beginner

website with all the wrong information. Please be a critical reader.

 

Pitfall #2: Overenthusiasm

Enthusiasm is great... it's wonderful! Enjoy this time of awareness, of

excitement and the golden aura of everything! But also be careful of

overenthusiasm. While it is possible you were Wiccan in your last lifetime, it

is very unlikely that you've been a Witch since the beginning of time or that

your cat was indeed an attendant in a Temple to Isis. You grandmother probably

didn't initiate you at age 5, and you probably didn't inherit all the knowledge

of your now Wiccan ancestors. I'm not trying to step on your beliefs or hurt

your feelings, but please be reasonable. There are over 6 Billion people on this

planet, and very few Witches in the last few centuries; what makes you think you

are a reincarnated Witch? Like I said, it is quite possible, but it's not the

point. Whether you were or weren't has no bearing on who you are now. You will

never again be the person you are RIGHT NOW; what better person can you be? As

the saying goes: 'What you cannot find within, you will never find without'.

 

Another issue to be aware of is being really excited about Wicca. This is

wonderful, and I'm glad you feel proud of your decision to study Wicca. But

daring people to disagree with you so you can tell them What Wicca Really Is is

not the way to go. In fact, this is barely disguised prosthletizing, and this is

something we just don't do. You will need to learn to depend on yourself, and

sometimes others will just never understand. That's their right, and it's not

your job to try and change their mind. The Christian standing in front of you

never burned anyone at the stake and probably never will. They're not out to get

you, and if they wanted to be Wiccan, they would be. Remember that the

Witchcraft of the Burning Times is not the Wicca of today. Don't tell people

what the Wiccan way is really about - show them by your own wisdom and maturity.

 

Pitfall #3: 'Wicca is as Wicca does'

Wicca has nothing to do with Tarot Cards, Séances, Dowsing, Pendulums, Psychic

Fairs, and especially Ouija boards. A new moon ritual does not involve calling

up Fluffy or Uncle Bob from the grave. I don't know any Wiccans who use Ouija

boards and frankly the things concern me. I've never attended or heard of

a 'Wiccan Séance'. 

That being said, there are things here that Wiccans may like to do. I use the

Tarot to advise me when I need perspective in my life. I do free readings for

those who need it. I sometimes use a pendulum; I am learning about Runes. I may

learn other forms of Divination in future. I don't charge money for Tarot

readings if the person needs it, and you probably won't find me exhibiting at

any psychic fairs. 

None of these things have anything to do with Wicca. If you dream of something

that comes to pass, it's not because you're Wiccan; it's because you are a

sensitive human being. Smelling snow on the wind and celebrating the return of

spring - this is Wicca. Sensing vibrations through a pendulum - this is not

Wicca. This is something a Wiccan person may, or may not, have interest in.

Wicca is a set of beliefs and a way of living; it is not fortune telling or the

tools thereof. 

 

Pitfall #4: Degrees and Titles

Dedicant, Initiate, 2nd Degree, High Priestess... how do I get these titles?

Actually, unless you are part of an established tradition, don't count on the

titles themselves meaning much. I was dedicated as a solitary by an eclectic

coven 3 months after I heard of Wicca and dedicant I have ever remained (as of

this writing). Oh, if I wanted I could initiate myself as a solitary; hell, I

could initiate myself a 3rd degree Master of Bubblegum Wicca if I really felt

like it. But that would get me nothing and nowhere, fast. As a solitary, a

Dedication is a good place to start. You can do it by yourself, and you never

need be initiated. Remember, it is the Gods alone who initiate. I've seen

'covens' of three people where the '3rd Degree High Priestess' was chosen

because she had been studying for a few more months. This degree is meaningless

and you are doing yourself, and the Craft, a disservice by using it. In the

absence of an 'official' system of degrees, a title is only as good as it's

wearer. You can call yourself a High Priestess until you are blue in the face,

it still doesn't mean squat unless you actually are. Generally, it takes a year

or two of hard work to earn initiation. 2nd Degree is much harder and may never

be reached. 3rd Degree – good luck. My advice, as always, is to be yourself.

Don't claim to be something you are not, because others will know. Be proud of

who you really are. 

 

Pitfall #5: Spells

Spells are cool. Spells involve cool words and candles and powers and energy,

and you can make things happen. 

This is true; spells do involve all these things and more. But be aware that

spells are generally a last-resort 'I don't know how to deal with this' action.

It's not that spells are bad or wrong; it's just you don't have to tinker with

every aspect of life. In my 3 years of studying Wicca, I've done maybe 10 spells

maximum, and none of them recently. Why? I don't need to right now. I have four

walls and a roof, I eat, I work, I have transportation and I can pay my bills. I

have family, friends and health. None of my friends are in any immediate need

that I know of. I am truly a blessed person. If I have a financial crisis I will

get another job. If I have a health crisis I will see a doctor. If my car breaks

down I will take it to a mechanic. If I decide I have been single long enough I

will go out and meet people. If, however, the car is unreparable, I will really

have a problem and then may consider a spell. And the spell will not come from a

book or a website or a friend. I will do whatever is meaningful for me at the

time. Whether I chant, meditate, or dance around a big green candle doesn't

matter worth a damn. It doesn't really matter whether I do it at new moon or

full moon or midmorning or the hour of Saturn while Mercury is in the right

house and the moon isn't void of course. It doesn't matter if I call the

elements or the watchtowers or the elementals. It doesn't really matter if I

call Mercury or Hecate. It doesn't matter if I do it robed, disrobed or painted

yellow and purple polkadots. It doesn't matter if I do it standing on my head.

It doesn't matter if I do it in English or Japanese or pig latin. No spell has

power. You are the power, and you must respond to need when need arises. How

could someone else's 'spells' express the meaning of your situation? Writing

your own rituals and doing your own magick makes far more sense.

  

Pitfall #6: Coming Out of the Closet

Now, you're studying Wicca, you've picked up a Ravenwolf or a Cunningham and

visited the 'Voice. You're doing rituals and actually starting to get the hang

of this. What now? Tell the world!! ... Whoa there, hold on! Think about this.

The closet is there for a reason; let's look at this for a minute. 

In Africa, today, now, in the next few hours, someone may be brutally murdered

because they were accused of Witchcraft. Whether or not they are or aren't

doesn't matter. Just an accusation. This culture exists a mere plane ride away. 

In America, today, now, in the next few hours, someone may lose their children

because a social worker was misinformed. Children have been taken from their

parents because a 'child welfare' worker believed they will be sacrificed at

Samhain. This culture exists next door to your neighborhood. 

In Canada, today, now, in the next few hours, someone may be forced into a

mental institution for practicing Wicca. Some institutions believe that

practicing modern Witchcraft is a sign of mental distress or social

maladjustment. This has happened in my hometown. 

In North America, today and now, someone is losing a job for being Pagan;

someone is losing a friend. Someone is polishing a gun and muttering about the

'baby killers'. Someone is holding community action meetings to deal with the

'Wiccan threat'. 

As you now begin to feel that cold sinking feeling near your gut, do you begin

to see why there is a closet to be 'in'? This is frightening, absolutely. But is

is also one of the first lessons Wicca has to teach us: 'To Know, to Dare, to

Will, to be Silent'. If you choose to come out of the closet, things in your

life will change, and perhaps not the way you intend. Are you prepared for this?

 I say these things because I care, and I want you to understand what this is

about. I know people who have been harassed by students and teachers at school.

I get hate mail. I follow the news. Is this something you feel prepared to

handle? 

Now for the good news: on the whole, on a daily basis, my experience has led me

to understand that it's not usually that bad. Most of my friends have been

wonderfully supportive. Professors have never given me a hard time. Employers

have been very tolerant. I've had religious friends- Christian and Muslim and

Buddhist, none of which had any interest in Wicca, but who were very tolerant.

 Keep in mind that there are various degrees of 'out'. At what point do you

become out: Buying a book in the local store, telling family, telling friends,

wearing a pentacle, telling co-workers, telling employers, writing to a

newspaper, dancing naked down main street, leading a national campaign for

Witches Rights? Where does 'out' start? One lesson Paganism has to teach us is

how not to box yourself in with labels. What is the difference between an 'out'

Wiccan and an 'in' one? Which one suits you best? 

 

Pitfall #7: Balancing Facts and Emotions

Is it important to know what element goes in what corner? Yes. Is it important

to know why, the historical basis and significance cross-referenced by culture?

Probably not at the beginner level. Facts are important, but emotions are, too.

Study the basics, they are vital. But leave lots and lots and lots of room for

personal expression. Wicca is a learning process, and a lot of that learning

will be about yourself. It's all about balance. If you find you are more worried

about candle colors and places than you are about celebrating, then perhaps it

is time for a readjustment. 

 

Pitfall #8: Making a Website

(hehe... let's just try to ignore the fact that I'm writing this for, and you're

reading this from, my personal Wiccan website. Let's also try to forget that I

started this site 'before I was ready' a mere year and a half after I first

picked up a book. Hey, I told you I've made most of these mistakes at least

once. ;) 

Anyways, we know you're excited about finding Wicca, and you want to tell the

world about this wonderful discovery you've made. But please, PLEASE sit down

and think about this first. Is there anything you can tell the world about Wicca

that hasn't already been said a hundred times (or more)? And if so, does it

warrant an entire website to say it? If not, instead of creating an entire

website by yourself, why not write a page to say what you have to say and

publish it to a larger website? You will reach a much wider audience while not

having to go through the 'We don't Worship the Devil' routine. Believe me, both

you and every other beginner already knows this, otherwise you wouldn't be

studying Wicca, right? Non-seekers also know this by the time they get to your

site. Offering up 'What Wicca is' as a main page only causes visitors to skip

what they already know, and possibly your entire site. There are many quality

websites, Ezines and magazines/newsletters that will publish your article; you

should be able to find them easily at a search engine. If you truly do have to

create a site, please at least read these guidelines first. 

1. Please don't use the same gold spinning Pentacle that everyone else uses.

Thank you. :)

 2. Do NOT use other people's pages without permission!!! No matter how large or

small the site, no matter how known or unknown the author! I've seen said yellow

spinning Pentacle used as a background for a Witches Voice page done in yellow

text. When I told them (and generally someone will), we both agreed it was the

most hideous thing we'd ever seen. Not only did this person steal the page and

the graphic, but even the code was ripped from the Voice. Please be respectful

and tasteful.

 3. Don't put the 'We Don't Worship the Devil' info on your main page. If it has

to be there, please just link to it. Don't make me and other people have to read

this stuff which we so obviously know. Write for Wiccans, or write for non-

Wiccans, but please choose your audience. 

4. Spells. I can't tell you whether or not you should publish spells. Generally,

though, people who know what they're doing write their own, and you are

karmically responsible for those who don't.

 5. Graphic Mania. Believe me, adding a ton of beautiful graphics does not help

you improve the image of Wicca or get your point across. In fact, by the time

half the images have loaded, the visitor is long gone. Decent webpage design

means less than 35 seconds of load – on 56k dial-up. Good webpage design means

less than 20 seconds. Professional sites with high volume load in 10 seconds or

less. If your site takes longer than 35 seconds from 'click' to 'done', your

site needs to get nekked fast. (Hint: add up the file sizes of all the images

and text on your page. If it's under 50k including images you're doing just

fine).

  

Pitfall #9: Ritual Tools

You don't need any Tools. Really. Tools will not help you be a 'better Wiccan',

no matter how much money you spend. You will never be considered a 'serious

Wiccan' by other 'serious Wiccans' just because you have the biggest/nicest

athame. Do your rituals using no tools at all. Now you can begin to get some

work done. 

 

Pitfall #10: Other Common Mistakes

Wicca is not more logical than other religions. We make as little sense as any

other religion. In fact, it's quite possible we make even less sense. If you

want a logical 'religion', try Atheism; it's the only one that can be even

remotely 'proven'.

 

Finally, someone studying for 6 months can know and understand more than someone

studying for 8 years. Don't count 'Years Studying' as a guide to knowledge and

understanding. If you spend 6 months obsessively studying you will probably

understand more than someone who has been 'studying' (read 30 books, way to excessive) in 8

years. Like degrees, be careful of titles and claims.