Converting to Wicca

Converting to Wicca is not exactly like converting to other religions. Since Wicca is not an organized religion, there is no governing body or church to contact and no paperwork or certification necessary to officially declare one a Wiccan. The conversion to Wicca is primarily a self-led, internal conversion.

Things You'll Need

• Books about Wicca
• Notebook or journal
• Guided meditation tapes

Instructions

1. Read everything you can about Wicca. The source is always a good place to begin, so find books written by Wicca’s founder, Gerald Gardner, such as “Witchcraft Today” or “Meaning of Witchcraft.” Other respected authors to seek out are Scott Cunningham, Starhawk and Doreen Valiente, who had a large hand in helping Gardner reconstruct the Northern European Pagan religions and practices of witchcraft that are Wicca’s roots.

2. Start a journal. Take notes on what you read as well as your thoughts, questions, experiences, dreams and anything else you might find significant in your spiritual journey. Wiccans commonly call this type of journal a “Book of Shadows,” in which they may also keep track of everything from ritual formats to their favorite incense blends to holiday food recipes.

3. Meditate regularly. Meditation helps you discipline your mind and focus your concentration, which are essential to Wiccan practice. If you have not meditated before, or have trouble concentrating when you begin, use guided meditation CDs to help you learn.

4. Attune with God and Goddess. Wicca is first and foremost a religion, and forging a relationship with the divine is the foundation of religious practices. How you personally view God and Goddess is up to you; Wiccans commonly believe that all gods and goddesses ever dreamed up by man in mythology, literature and art are merely man’s personifications of the higher power. Meditate on God and Goddess and how you view them. Pray to them. Sense their presence in everything you do.

5. Erect an altar. This can be as simple as two candles to represent God and Goddess and an incense burner. Go to your altar regularly for prayers and meditation. Leave a bowl there for offerings if you like, and make libations of honey, milk, herbs, flowers, poetry or drawings.

6. Attune with nature. Wiccans believe the divine manifests itself in all of nature. An important part of Wiccan growth is communing with nature, learning to be aware of it at all times. Celebrate the Wiccan Wheel of the year, or the eight Wiccan holidays that celebrate the cycles of nature and how they relate to our lives.

7. Find a group to join. Covens are closed groups that require membership and initiation to join. Covens provide a Wiccan with a close-knit group of trusted friends to practice religion with and learn under the guidance of more experienced Wiccan.

Tips & Warnings

• Some groups are more informal and open to everyone, where Wiccans can meet to discuss spiritual issues, meditate together or celebrate holy days together. This is a great way for people who are seeking a coven to join, or for those who prefer not to join one at all, to meet other Wiccans and come together as a community.

Resources

• Wicca for the Rest of Us