AboutBayley Green Expertise I can answer questions about being a solitary witch, as well as the history of pagan religions and witchcraft, and the teenage perspective. I can also help you learn about a variety of divinitory and magical methods if you want an introduction.
Experience I've been a practicing solitary for almost 2 years now, and have been studying wicca for some years before that in an effort to make my decision. I've also taken a class on paganism, both historical and contemporary, and have informally taught several students. I specifically spend a lot of time with younger students, and so can provide a younger perspective.
Education/Credentials I'm a college student right now at the University of North Carolina: Greensboro.
Question Hi, I've been interested in Wicca for a few years now, but I've come across a lot of problems, mostly on my part. I have to use the internet as my main source of information, and that can be a bit confusing sometimes because there seem to be a lot of contradicting thoughts under the same topics.
But mainly, my problem is with being a teen and a solitary (not out of choice). I've read before that you should get as much information as you can and take from all of it the parts you feel are right, but I feel like I don't have the authority to decide what is right. And if I ever did meet with another Wiccan, whether they would find my ideas strange.
When I first found out about Wicca, the freedom of thought and the feeling of it amazed me and felt right, but I find myself giving up on Wicca sometimes (although I keep going back to it) because I don't believe in some aspects, such as a literal God or Goddess. I realised I could accept that there were both feminine and masculine aspects of the world. Also I don’t believe in reincarnation, but I accept that when you die you back into the earth and are reborn in some way as other things.... But I’ve found everywhere that those are the two biggest defining points of Wicca. I feel like I can't explain away every aspect of Wicca-- that I'm warping it beyond recognition... so I worry that Wicca isn't right for me, even though it feels right...
I’m under the impression that there is an umbrella of Paganism and that Wicca is a sect or something of paganism… but that there are different sects. I wonder if maybe one of these is better for me? Very similar to Wicca but not quite the same… so far I’ve been unable to find one, however.
I have so many questions and it’s so difficult to find people willing to answer them. I might be able to buy some books but I don’t know which have the right stuff in them.
I feel strong connections to the moon and night, and to nature.
I recently came to the conclusion that I would stop calling myself a Wiccan and just concentrate on herbs and stones and moon phases and oils and stuff, without the addition of God and Goddess or magick. I have an interest in magick but I feel like I need proof, and that because I need proof to believe, I’m not a good Wiccan.
I’m so confused, as you can see…. I was just hoping you might be able to give me some insight, websites or books or authors, names of pagan sects that you might think are right for me or simply advice…
Answer Merry meet,
Honestly, you have to do what's right for you. In recent years I dropped the label of "Wicca" due to having significant philosophical differences with other Wiccans I've met - it's OK to just consider yourself a "Pagan". There are other well-defined pagan sects (for example, the Aasatru); if one of them feels more right to you, go for it. But there's no need to join a given sect.
