Books

It is best to start with books by authors who actually practice British Traditional Wicca. There are the “old classics” by Stuart and Janet Farrar, Doreen Valiente, Vivianne Crowley, Margot Adler, and Frederic Lamond, as well as newer works by Deborah Lipp, Yvonne Aburrow, and Thorn Mooney. “The Spiral Dance: by Starhawk and “Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” by Scott Cunningham are also good books, though are more about “eclectic Wicca” than British Traditional Wicca.

You might have to order these books online. Most book stores focus on books that are recently published and likely to sell, and many of the old classics on Wicca are just not on the shelves any more, except perhaps at a store that specializes in occult or new age titles. That said, if there is such a shop in your area, it would be good to support it.

Web sites:

There are a number of online resources as well, with widely varying degrees of quality. Recommended sites are:

Meditation and Prayer: Learning from the Gods

Meditation and prayer are about connecting with the Goddess and the God, however you conceive Them, and you do not need to join a coven or be initiated to do so. This can be as simple as finding a peaceful place (indoors or outdoors), lighting a candle and incense if you are so inclined (or just breathing the natural incense of an outdoor space) and getting comfortable. Take a few deep breaths to steady and relax your mind and body. Open yourself up to Lady's love, feel Her power and compassion flowing into you. Make Her aware of whatever it is that you wish, ask questions, seek guidance. Relax your mind so that it is open to new ideas and impressions, pay attention to the feelings that come with them. Then thank Her, radiating her power and love to the world about you. Some people will want to leave a small offering or libation; it is up to you.

This can be done just as easily with the God as with the Goddess, or any deity you feel a connection with. The simple joy of Their company is a perfectly valid request. You can pray for guidance on your path, to bring you in contact with any books or people who can help you on your way, or for inspiration in making your own personal rituals. Also, trust your instincts, see what draws you.

You can also work on being more attuned and mindful of nature in your area. Observe the cycle of the seasons, eat local produce as much as possible to get a better sense of what is coming into season, tune in to the divine in nature and the way the energies change as the year progresses. Pay attention to the cycles of the moon, note the full and new moon, feel the changes with the waxing and waning cycles.

Learning from other people

At some point you might want to connect with like-minded people, even if their path is not quite the same as your own. Make some contact with your local pagan community, if there is one. If you are in the Ottawa area, you can check out the following:

You can also connect with online communities such as the ones below:

Warning: Unfortunately there are people in the larger Pagan community who pose as “teachers” (High Priests/esses, Shamans, Elders, etc.,) who are, shall we say, more interested in their own gratification than the spiritual growth of their “students”. In particular, here are some warning signs: