Witchvox Article

Author: MissElphie
Posted: August 9th. 2009
Times Viewed: 4,823

This article is mostly directed to solitary Wiccans, such as myself. And I hope it can help people. It doesn�t matter if it helps ten or a million. As long as it helps someone, I�m happy.

After deciding that Wicca is the path you want and that the Goddess and the God are the ones you wish to follow, your next step is practice your faith and all that it includes. As a teenager you might find several problems when attempting to practice Wicca, especially when it comes to space, materials, altar and permission. That�s what I want to address here.

But first let me make a little introduction. When I started practicing, I must admit, I never had any problems, since I have very understanding parents that accepted me right away. But I know a lot of people whose parents don�t accept this path and don�t want their children to practice it. And through them I learned some ways of �practicing while hidden�.

In case you�re wondering, �Should I hide it from them?� well, it will depend on you and your relationship with your parents. Remember that if you think �I can�t hide it from my parents� and after telling them, they say no, you should hold a few more years, study more, etc. You have a life ahead of you, there�s no need to rush things. But, if you do want to practice anyway or if they have let you, here are some tips:

Space

Well, space is always a hard thing to find, especially if you can�t do it outside. Well, don�t stress out if you don�t have a garden or some wooden area near you. Just do the ritual in your room or any division of the house you feel comfortable in. If you don�t have one, then think of relatives� houses, like your grandmother�s or similar that has an empty room for you to practice.

Tools

About tools, always keep in mind that you can do rituals without them. Yet if you do want them, there are many things you can do. Of course the first one is buying them, but they can get a little expensive. So if you don�t have enough money or you just don�t feel a �click� with that instrument (remember, you don�t pick an instrument. It picks you.) , just make your instrument. For example, you want a wand but you can�t buy it� Then make it.

Search for a tree which magickal characteristics fit your needs and you feel most connected to. Then find a tree like that, talk to it, make contact and ask for permission to take a branch (leave a little something as a thank you gift) . Then, with that branch, make your wand!

And for cauldrons use clay! For the athame use a letter-opener or a normal black handle knife. Solitary and Eclectic Wicca is all about adaptation.

All that matters is that you feel a connection with that tool. It doesn�t have to be pretty or like the ones you see on TV shows or esoteric shops. They just have to be good for you and make you feel comfortable with your practice.

Also, and this is for those wiccans that have family support, you could ask your father or mother to help you. For example, my wand was made with my grandfather�s help. He�s great at buildings things so he helped me out. You could do the same. Besides creating a bond with the instrument, you also create a tie with your relative.

But of course remember that if you do this, before using the tool in your rites, purify and consecrate it. This is very important. You don�t want another person�s energies, no matter how much you love them, on your magickal tool.

Ritual Materials (candles, incenses, oils, etc.)

These materials tend to be the easier to get. Candles and incenses can be found in any store, but if you look for a specific one you should try and find esoteric shops and order from there, they tend to have every kind of incense you need. Even though these are probably the easier materials to find and buy, they�re not always the easier to use. Candles and incense/oils leave smells and that can �blow your cover� and make your parents find out. Or, like in my case, might cause headaches on a relative (I have to be very careful with my incenses as my mom is very sensible to smells and the smoke gives her headaches) .

So, let�s imagine this:

You want to do rituals, but you need candles and incense. You can�t light up candles, because the smell would wake up your parents and make them find out your true religion. What to do?

Don�t light it up. Yes, you heard me; don�t light it up. Visualize the flame.

And the same thing for the incense. We don�t always have the chance to do things �by the book� but that�s why we�re eclectic! We need to adapt our practice to our life style and possibilities.

Altar

Now, every Wiccan wants an altar. But us teens have some difficulties on having one. First is having space to put it. We have our little space, which is usually our room, but we don�t have enough space to set a table and make an altar. So one advice I could give you is when you�re not sure where to put your altar, just put it on a shelf.

In case your parents don�t let you have a permanent altar, you can make a mobile one. How? Simple. Just make your altar before any ritual and after the ritual just put all things back in their place.

If you still want a little place where you can light up a candle and make connection with the Lady and Lord, you can just find a little corner in your room where no one would suspect and put the candle there. Remember, what counts in the end of the day is your intention and love for them. Not the way you have your altar, how many instruments you own or how many rituals you�ve done. Yes, this is all part of Wicca, an essential part, but Wicca isn�t all about rituals, it has to be lived. We have to live Wicca.

To experience the Mysteries, love and live with Nature, feel the elements and to feel the Lord and Lady. That�s Wicca.

Well, this is where my article ends. I�ve had lots of friends to whom these recommendations and methods were a great help and made it possible for them to practice Wicca.

I wanted to give out another suggestion. I know I can�t talk much because I�ve always had a supportive family in this matters but I�ve seen my fellow sisters and brothers of the Craft suffer from this. Don�t ever disrespect your family. They are you family and they love you. They might not understand you nor let you do what you want, but still always respect them. That�s what Wicca defends. Respect and Love to all Beings.

May the Lady and the Lord be always with you, helping you and guiding you throughout your path.

Blessed Be.

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MissElphie

Location: Braga, Portugal

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