How to Follow Wicca Traditions

Wicca is a religion that encourages creativity. Because there are no scriptures, many traditions practice their own version of the religion. While they all share the basic principles of Wicca, they choose to honor nature in slightly different ways. Five well-known Wiccan traditions are Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic and Eclectic.

Instructions

1. Learn about the basic tenets of Wicca. All traditions adhere to the Wiccan Rede and Threefold Law. Reincarnation is generally accepted and Wiccans don't try to recruit others into their religion. The North Carolina Piedmont Church of Wicca has an excellent overview.

2. Look up covens in your area. Some traditions can't be done alone. The Witch Vox site allows you to search for other Wiccans in your town and many belong to covens. Talk to them about their initiation requirements, beliefs and practices.

3. Write about how you wish to connect with the goddess and god. Every tradition has its ritual system. Some emphasize religious practices while others place importance on magic. Knowing what's important to you helps you weed out inappropriate practices.

4. Decide what you're comfortable with when performing rituals. Many traditions practice at night and only outdoors. Some only worship the goddess and only admit women. Many covens have some kind of hierarchy where you have to perform certain activities to move through the levels.

5. Look into the possibility of practicing as a solitary Wiccan. This gives you the freedom to combine different traditions. You can practice wherever and whenever you like. You can give more weight to religious or magical practices as you please. Study the different traditions and work out what you prefer in your Book of Shadows.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the trouble to write everything down in your Book of Shadows. You need a place to record your spiritual journey.

• Don't expect Wiccans in covens to reveal the exact details of their practices. Many keep them secret to protect their traditions.