Witchvox Article

Author: Talma Stormphoenix
Posted: October 14th. 2001
Times Viewed: 6,377

One of this month's topics is Wicca 101 and the complaints about all the books that are about it. The thing is if you're going to complain about something then you have to know what's wrong with it. So let's start at the beginning. What is Wicca 101 and what does it cover. I'm sure everyone knows but just humor me on this and lets get a basic run down of just what Wicca 101 is.

Some of the things you get in some books a smattering of Witch history. You know, the cavemen doing their rituals to ensure the success of the hunt and there is very often a discussion of the burning times. The why behind the Witch burnings and tortures not just the when and who. There is also a discussion about the clothes that you can/need to wear or not wear (depending on the trad) along with a discussion on jewelry that can be worn and what can't (watches). Another big part of Wicca 101 are your color correspondences. This covers what color your clothing (if you're wearing any) should be and also the colors of candles and other stuff. We can't forget the gems because of their vibrational properties and what they are best used for. Herbs can be one of the healing Witch's best tools. You could go buy them but what about growing them yourself? (hey don't worry if you don't have a green thumb just go to the store!) Proper meditation techniques have to include opening up your chakras (of course). And we can't forget our divination tools and techniques.

There are so many tools to choose from here I could possibly list them all but as we all know some of the best known are the tarot, runes, numerology, palmistry, tea leaves I ching and scrying. That last one includes crystal balls and fire, not necessarily together. We can't forget sacred space. The place you do ritual can be conductive or destructive to your magickal work so it's important to have peace and quiet so you won't be disturbed. Dedications, rituals and circle casting, this could be considered the core of magickal teaching. First you dedicate yourself to the God and/or Goddess then you design your ritual and cast your circle to do ritual. Oh yeah did you pick your pantheon yet? I'm just kidding. As you can see there are many things that are included in Wicca 101 and if you're like me you have a couple Wicca 101 books and could back in ten minutes to tell me what all I forgot but I'm hoping you see the point I'm trying to make. If Wicca 101 covers so much what on Gaia's green earth could Wicca 201 cover and who would be experienced enough to write the books?!

The answer is this. The books are already here and written but there are people who are just looking for an easy ride up the Wiccan education ladder. (groaning from the gallery) What, did you think there was some magickal secret that I had? I'm sorry you feel like you got ripped off but if that's the way you feel then I'm sorry but it's going to get a whole lot worse for you.

This is how I see it. Wicca 201 is here and has been here. There are folks out there who are already doing Wicca 201 and just haven't realized it yet. There are others that just want to to jump to the end of the book so to speak so they can talk about what they know to anyone and everyone who will listen. They want to read these books and not do the work that goes into doing magick. The one's who are trying to get a quick fix are in for a rude awakening because if you thought Wicca 101 was hard you ain't seen nothing yet! Now don't get upset and start jumping up and down in your seat now. Hear me out and I'll explain just why Wicca 201 is already here.

We've just taken a glance at some of what makes Wicca 101 so it should really be obvious as to what Wicca 201 is. Okay, if Wicca 101 is like a basic introduction to everything it's like going to a clothing store and finding the clothes that fit you and look the best. You and your best friends could go out to find a new outfit to wear to the club on Friday but just because you picked out the lime green hip huggers with silver glitter and a matching top doesn't mean that they're going to get the same thing. Friend A may not feel that the color just isn't her and she opts for the pink one with the gold The second friend looks doesn't go for either. She goes for the basic little black dress. Wicca 101 is the club but the outfits are Wicca 201.

Everyone starts out with basically the same education of magick. You find out just what's out there and as you learn you find yourself drifting toward certain subjects that appeal to you. You say 'Hey I like gardening so I'll be great at using herbs' but your best friend kills anything green she touches or maybe you were curious and bought a tarot deck and became very good at using it other folks go for the Runes as their tool of choice. The thing is most people have already delved into Wicca 201. All Wicca 201 is are the advanced studies of whatever has become your study of choice. I love the tarot. I have been doing it for almost seven years but if you asked me to use runes I'm going to need the book! I also have a love of plants and am slowly moving into herbs and other plants so my newest books is Cunninghams's encyclopedia of herbs but I know I won't be stopping there. I live in the northeast and luckily I live near a park that's big enough support a nice array of wild life big (mule and white tail deer) and small (moles, squirrels etc.) This is Wicca 201. Working to perfect your skills and come closer to finding deity however you view it.

Talma StormPhoenix

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