KittieRules asked this question on 4/1/2000:

I was just wondering how you actually become a Wiccan. I've been interested in it for sometime but I don't know exactly how to do the ceremonies so you actually be in it. Do you have to be 16? Does it have to be on a full moon? Do you have to join a coven? And what exactly do you need..how do you perform it. You know, everything. So that's my question.

minerva gave this response on 4/1/2000:

When I was in a coven, the elders were not accepting anyone under 18, not only for legal reasons (you know, if the parents find out and decide to sue, etc.), but also because at that age some people are not really sure if it is what they want, or what it all means, nor prepared to take on the responsibility of this lifestyle. But there's a lot of young solitary practitioners out there. And a lot of books to help them out.

The reason why the Full Moon is recommended is because the Moon intensifies our energies the same way it intensifies the tides, and the Full Moon is the time when it has the most power. However, if that is inconvenient, as long as the moon is waxing (that is, in the "growing" phase, from the New to the Full) it should be enough to give your new beginning the energy it needs.

No, you don't have to join a coven. Solitary practitioners get self-initiations (or self-dedications, or self-blessings) all the time and it is considered just as valid by the Wiccan community.

There are as many ways to perform it as there are Wiccans in the world. Since this religion is very individual, people modify the ceremonies and rituals to their personal taste. There is a book that I always recommend: "Pagan Ways: Finding your Spirituality in Nature" by Gwydion O'Hara. Each chapter describes a different aspect of the Wiccan religion, with exercises to attune oneself to Nature.

After that, the books "Wicca: A guide for the Solitary Practitioner" and "Living Wicca: A further guide for the Solitary Practitioner", both by Scott Cunningham, are also excellent to start with. Then, almost any book by Gerina Dunwich.

A very simple way to do it would be to spend a day communing with Nature. Take a walk on the beach, park, or any natural surroundings near your area that you are familiar with. Attune your Mind to the East in the early morning, your Will to the South at high noon, your Heart to the West at dusk, and your whole being to the North at night. If you wish you can take some time at the end of the day to "center" yourself, to put together the lessons learned during this day... to consider what it is about this path that calls to you, and to think about if you'll be able to stick to the rule of "harming none".

Remember that with great power comes great responsibilities... and risks. A lot of people don't understand what we do. People have been fired from their jobs, lost custody of their children... just for being different.

If you're still interested, these books will help. If you wish to continue discussing this further, let me know an email address I can write you to.

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