Where to Start?

This must be a question we all asked ourselves at the beginning of our journey on our paths. I understand that this is different for each one of us and maybe more relevant if learning on our own or if you have not been raised with the craft around you. So I am going to start with my story and how I am starting on my journey, both this time and the first time.

I grew up in a home without a set believe structure. Whenever I had a dogma type question I was never given what my elders thought, in fact I was told to find the answer for myself or was set down in front of a program or given a book that might hold the answers. This was the foundations that lead to me being drawn to this certain path. Than one day I found out that a close friend of mines mother was a Wiccan and around the same time that several others I knew where pagan of some sort or another. This mother gave me a book about being a solitary witch by Scott Cunningham, titled: Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner That was it my many years of trying and learning many different religions and never quite having all my answers were solved it called to me loud and clear. I was in my teens but as I got older some trauma form my past and a horrible relationship and motherhood happened come falling at me all at once and I broke. I lost my way, sadly lost my soul. I have been working quite hard at finding it again and I feel that I have found it again. Yet something still was missing. I sat down one day about to fall apart and let myself cry, as one of my kittens licked my tears away I found myself praying to the energy’s to be as I have always called the god and goddess when I am unsure of what I am seeking, or for any general use as I only call specific deities when I have a very clear goal in mind. I had not called out to them in many years and herd it a loud and clear from deep within and far outside me. This is what was said to me. “When was the last path you were on where you were whole? Come back to that, your soul is ready this time.” I knew at once that the voice was quiet right and here I am. This was my true path always has been. So once you get the calling and you know you’re headed in the right direction where do you go from there? I started by going online and buying that same book that showed me the way the first time and the sequel to it Living Wicca. I also started to work on my book of shadows. I have been going online and just looking at everything I can find on Wicca and the craft some of it I find quiet useful and right down right away. Some of it I book mark for later use. Even more often than not I just read it and put in my mind but do nothing with. Why?, because I am not called to do so. Now I would like to share with you my method for studying. I start by saying a prayer of sorts that is different each time but always I ask for guidance and the knowledge to see and know what information I need and that will be right for my path at this moment. After this I take a few breaths in and grab my note book and writing tool, I set to reading. I will start by searching something broad like what is Wicca? Or Wiccan lore? Or simply I search Wicca and scan through the list when I than I listen to my intuition on what to read or where to click, if in a bookstore I use the same method for what books to pick up. If the information screams at me I put it in my working book of shadows. The key is to allow the god and goddess or powers to be to guide your study and to trust yourself and your own instincts. I would also like to add that I will explain my book of shadows at a later date in time in case there is any confusion about what I mean about a working book of shadows it is more or less a rough draft not pretty but very practical for me. One last note when do basically the same thing when I am ready a book pray before I study than I read it from front to back right down anything I am called to do so. Other things I write down are any questions I have or things I want to look deeper into at a later date, as well as any thought that call to me as I am studying.

I hope some find this helpful if you have question just ask.

Blessed be!

What brought you to Wicca?

How do you study?