Wicca newbie needs help!

[dollycakes]

Hi, I need a bit of guidance and help if possible. Not sure if there are any wiccan mumsnetters out there!

Anyway,
I saw a documentary recently about paganism and wicca and felt really drawn towards it. Would love to learn more and practice it, but I dont know where to start. What books are best and where does a beginner begin - iyswim!

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by it at the moment! Thanks x

Google is your friend

The Pagan Federation is a good place to start, or just google paganism and you'll have hundreds of thousands of results.

Another is www.witchcraft.org, they have great forums on there.

Many years ago, like you something sparked me to look into Paganism, I read and read lots about it,online. After researching I then found which path my paganism followed, in my exerience Wicca was too 'regemented' for me, but to be honest Paganism covers a wealth of different 'ways' it's just finding the one that fits you.

Good Luck

I'm with moonmother on this... Once you've looked into things a bit more, you may find that Wicca lacks a bit of the true depth you'll find in your own Pagan way. That sounds ridiculous but it's hard to put into words.

It may also be worth looking into the different types of Wicca/alternative ways as some may not be what you're looking for. There are some which I would steer well clear of but I'm sure you know this already.

'Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner' is a good book to start with.

And most libraries have one or two about the subject.

The internet is also a great starting point.. (but as with everything on-line, be careful..)
Good luck x

Also check out www.amazon.co.uk for books, you can also read other peoples' reviews on there so it is easier to see if a particular book would be for you.

Look for that stall on the market that sells candles/charms/joss sticks/necklaces and buy a magazine/book. They are really helpful. The pagan federation is on facebook so they can point you in the right direction of some people where you live, they meet up fairly regularly here, once a month (in the pub normally, I've not been yet but I might).

i looked out of curiosity having been drawn this way in the past. I had a really intense dream about a pagan meet up in a ye olde world pub. I'd forgoten about it til now. Maybe there was a reason for being drawn back? hmmm... i'm off to ponder.

Hi welcome to our world. As the others have said there are many Paths in Paganism, all leading to one Source.

I bought loads of books, as I'm lucky enough to visit Glastonbury reguarly and there are discount and second hand book shops where you can pick up some of the classic texts.

I follow the Goddess, and also feel drawn to the Wiccan way, spell-casting and herbal charms etc.

Bright Blessings EM x

A good if slightly dated book is 'Listening People, Speaking Earth' by Graham Harvey. It guves you the basics of many neo-pagan paths; wicca (coven-based & solitary), Druidry, Heathenism (Asatru), Goddess Spirituality...

The Pagan Federation is also a very good introduction and in their magazine you cna find out about pagan meets (moots), although often they are at pubs in the evenings so not exactly parent friendly.

You could also try pagan SNS sites.

If you're into environmentalism try Dragon Environmental Network, and if you Google Emma Restall Orr she has some interesting artciles on Wicca and Druidry.
Hope this helps

No huge amounts of advice, but thought I'd say hi, another Pagan here. Wicca is a bit to... um... fluffy for me. But otherwise, lots of different paths to follow

I suggest that before you go spending lots of money on books you should go along to your local moot (find one via the PF) and actually meet people and chat to them. There are many different flavours of paganism - it's a very individual matter - so try and get an idea of what attracts you before you splash the cash.

Agree with without, OP.

Oooh Kaloki, be you on the dark side of the moon?

Haha, nah. Just too much of a cynic to go with the more spiritual side. It's the nature aspect of Paganism that resounds with me.

I joined a Pagan/Wiccan forum once, and found I had to leave because I found a lot of the posts a bit too ridiculous and was struggling to avoid making snarky comments

Also, has anyone read the Spiral Dance? I had to get rid of it, it made me cringe too much.

Ah, I get you Kaloki.
Have heard of Spiral Dance, not read it though. The nature aspect of Paganism resonates with me too.

Healthy cynicism is good in the woo game, so the unicorns don't eat your brain.

Haha zombie unicorns??