I am the type than when I get a book that I am so excited about it, I just have to read it from front to back. I don't like having to stop to write notes and questions down. I just want to adsorb as much of it as I can without stopping. The reality is by doing I am enjoying it but I am not truly interacting with the book. I find interacting with the book that I am studying is quite important, maybe even more so with an Wicca text. That is how I came about deciding on a set of rules for my studies. I will tell you in great detail about what I do in hopes that even some part might help you.
I would first like to make a few personal statements. For starters this method is based of the many tips I received while taking a collage class over the summer. Also studying is the first step to really getting to know the God and Goddess, but not all studying is from a book. This method is just for studying books but I am working on perfecting other study methods. I am already finding you can study anything in this world just buy experiencing it. As Wiccans we need to touch, feel, and breath the nature around us. Where every we live we can find the Deitys in all things around us. I am working on becoming more aware of this myself. Another way we study as Wiccans is through prayer, rituals magic workings, and meditations. I am sure there are many more ways as we progress on our paths but I am quite new and this is all that has been revealed to me.
The First thing I do is I search the book. This isn't something I so in great detail. I simply just skim table of contents and look at pictures, as well as things in the appendix, and skim the index. The point is just to get a feel for the text. I find that this step slows me down and prepares my mind for the study. Any time I feel a lack of focus I might repeat this step as a means of easing in to studying.
The second thing I do Is start reading. While I read I do several things. I underline things I think to be main points that I want to revisit later, usually only a few words. My general rule for this is that no more than 10% Of the text should be highlight or underlined. I also will put question marks next to things I want to give further study or that I don't understand. I will but quotation marks around any phrases by author that really touch me. For this it is best to think of anything you might find if you were looking for daily quotes for your mirror book. I also might put happy faces, stars, and explanation marks by things I found rang partiality true to me or I simply just really like the subject. The last thing I may do in this stage I really try to minimize but some times I will get a thought, question, or get the need to write a really strong feeling down. When this occurs I will write in the margin. I write in short hand using as few words as possible as well as small as possible. Also if there is a few blank pages for notes in the book I will put these there if they are longer.
Now I use a journal or mirror book for this next step but you can have a notebook that you use just for your studies. What I do is I start at the first page of the book and go page by page. I will look at all the marks maybe read the whole sentence that is attached to the mark. I will right all my thoughts and feelings about it what ever comes to mind. The point is to break down all those things you thought important enough to mark up your book. To really give a in depth look at what the author is saying. What and how this applies to your spiritual relationship with the God and Goddess. Some times you may have only a few thoughts some times you could have pages to write and both are equally ok. I study a chapter or a few pages every night. I may stop when I get to one of those questions and make a in depth note about what I didn't understand. I may even note where I might find the answer if I can't find it right away. It doesn't matter how long it takes to do this part, the point is to take your time.
Last but not least is putting your new knowledge to work. If your studying herbs start making things with them. Don't be afraid to jump right in before your done studying the text. The key is to take everything at your own pace. I really love that I can be reading a new text while doing the written part of a study. I get a lot out of stopping and slowly analyzing my studies but I also desire to move forward on my path this method I use is perfect for that. It lets you to study and live it all at the same time.
Blessed be-
What is the main why you approach studying on your path?
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