For Beginners

It's hard beginning a quest for who you are, what you believe, and finding the path that you were meant to be on. It's even harder when you're young and do not have the resources.

The following is an Article that was sent to me via email. I am including this on my site, because I feel that it really good so enjoy.

The following is written by my daughter, Lanie, to help you find your way.

I began searching for answers at 29. I'm not even sure how it started. I was on a lot of drugs and one day I was sitting on my porch and it dawned on me that I was out of control. I can remember thinking I needed help! I didn't know where to turn or who to ask. Then the Archangel Michael came to me. That was the day I started reading everything I could find on Wicca and other alternative religions. I asked my mother question after question. It's sometimes hard to understand what people are trying to tell you without going through the motions yourself. The one mistake I made was trying to read more into it than what it was. I guess I expected this blueprint laid out in a form, like the Bible is to Christians. It's just not that way. The one book I read and highly recommend is Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. She has many good books and I own them all. This particular book is primarily geared towards teens, but I found it helpful in fully understanding what Wicca was all about. Beliefs vary from person to person. To me there isn't just one right way and all the rest are wrong. I was raised with a Pagan mother, but a Christian grandmother. I have to admit that it wasn't a big secret that I thought my mom was a flake. It's ironic how it came full circle. I haven't given up all the things I was taught by my grandmother. As time goes by, you'll begin to choose what things you are comfortable with and what things you aren't.

One of the practices of many Wiccans is calling upon the ancestors. This is something I am not comfortable with. I'm not saying it's wrong, it's just something I am not comfortable with. I find working with angels is where I am most comfortable. And most parents are comfortable with this as well (for those who have this problems). Having basic materials can be difficult for the beginner as well. The one thing I learned the hard way is that you don't have to have everything!! You'd be surprised what you can use to represent the elements. I'll give you an example of a discreet altar layout:

Your dresser or desk can serve as your altar.

The element of Air is usually represented by incense, however, a feather can serve the same purpose.

The element of Earth can be dirt, sand, rocks, salt, etc.

The element of Fire can be a candle, something red, a picture of a flame, a lantern, and so forth.

The element of Water can be a seashell, a small dish of water, a statue of a fish or even a mermaid figurine. The point is to use what you have and what that object represents to you. My altar is the top of my entertainment center. I do have incense for air, a candle for fire, an angel salt shaker filled with salt for the Earth, and a small genie bottle for water. I have an angel statue to represent the Goddess. Here and there I have knick-knacks that mean something to me; a dragon; a unicorn; an angel globe, etc. No one has to know it's an altar. To the outside world it can look like a collection of things you like. I have found it better to keep my altar this way because, like my mother, we live in the rural south and this keeps unwanted conversation about my religion down to a minimum.

I would like to say this to the teens that are reading this though. If you think that Wicca is like the TV show Charmed , you might just as well give it up. Don't misunderstand me, I like the show and watch it myself. But Wicca is not just about casting spells to get what you want or fighting demons who've come to stop you. The movie "The Craft" is another bad example of what Wicca is all about. A true Witch doesn't do anything deliberately to hurt themselves or anyone else. You can't "twitch your nose" and make things disappear, or clean the house with a sweep of your hand. Don't I wish! It just doesn't work that way. The Craft is about getting in touch with your own Spirituality, learning from it, and using your own desires and feelings to channel energies to help you or others (with permission). Those things that we want will manifest, but not in a puff of smoke, rather the way will be provided for us to obtain or earn them. The key is to remember "So long as it harm none" and we do not use our energies or other tactics to control and manipulate others.

I will be back with more, but in the meantime, study and seek that which is in your own heart.

i'm always looking for additions, places to explore and to expand my mind and those of my visitors. If you have a page you'd like to see included here please