You've made them, I've made them, we've all seen them.. the dreaded 'beginner fluffy bunny mistakes'. These are the common mistakes that all beginners make at some point and other Wiccans groan at. These are the pitfalls that we have all fallen into at least once (or twice) during the learning curve. And this isn't your 'mispronunciations during ritual' pitfalls, either. Some of these are merely annoying to others, and some have serious implications. Most will make you grin abashedly in a year or so. :)

Making mistakes is a great learning experience to suddenly realize that you've recently been acting, well... a little strange. That maybe the reason people stare at you isn't because you wear a Pentacle; it's because it's three inches across. And don't feel too embarrassed, everyone has probably done some or most of these at one point or another. ;)

Pitfall #1: 'I Read it ...'

Not everyone holds the same views on the same subject. This has been proven time and again over the years. Every coin has two sides to it. Therefor the person who wrote the book you are reading may have the opposite side of the “coin” as you have while reading it. Be discerning. If it sounds not right for You, then it isn’t. If you find the information to be innacurate or suspect or contradictory of everything else you have read or seen then perhaps a bit more research before making a decision on the matter would be called for. The biggest thing to keep in the forefront of your mind is that just because it’s been put up in print does not mean it’s the truth. Be critical, be discerning and keep in mind to take all with a grain of salt for what is written for the most part is the author’s Opinion. If you don’t agree with what is written or it feels wrong.. then think about that and try to figure out the why’s and so on that you feel that way. Once you know that you can tell whether or not it is what it really is.

Pitfall #2: Over enthusiasm

Now that you have found Wicca/Paganism you want to share it with everyone… tell them all about this great thing you have found and convince them that it is the best for everyone. You start searching for the past… was your grandmother a witch.. did you descend from someone burned in the witch trials…. Do you feel that you have always been a Witch/Wicca as far back, all through your lives, till the beginning of it all? Do you attempt to convince those around you that you were practicing wicca without knowing it since you were 4 when your grandmother taught you and initiated you? Enthusiasm is wonderful and will help you learn for if you are enthusiastic about a topic you are more apt to want to learn more and more about it. Just keep in mind that while your past lives are of importance in some regards. It’s who you are now, what you do now and what you accomplish now that matters most. What is done is done and cannot be changed. What can be changed is what happens right Now and in the Future. So take that wonderful, joyful enthusiasm and temper it with the knowledge that you need to study, enjoy and learn and that this path will lead you for a lifetime. You will never again be the person you once were nor will you ever again be the person you are now. As the saying goes: 'What you cannot find within, you will never find without'.

Be aware as well that the pride and excitement you feel about being Wicca will not gaurantee that your friends, family, co-workers, boss, neighbors and so on will feel the same way. People will disagree with you. But daring people to disagree in the hopes that you might be able to tell them What Wicca Really Means, is not the way to go. This is the road you have chosen to follow and that does not mean that others will always understand or ever understand. It is their right not to and it’s not your job to try and change them. If they choose to follow your footsteps or show interest then by all means help them out. But don’t try to convert them please. Do not hold grudges for the Christian that lives next door to you did not burn anyone at the stake or persecut them, and the witchcraft of the Burning Times is much different from the Wicca we practice today.. for the most part. Do not attempt to just tell people what the Wiccan Way really is about…. Show them through your deeds, wisdom and maturity.

Pitfall #3: 'Wicca is as Wicca does'

Wiccan is not Phychic Fairs, Ouija Boards, Tarot Cards, Seances, Palm Reading, Tea Leaf reading and so on. A sabbat ritual does not involve calling upon those who have crossed over… Uncle Joe will not be called on the New Moon. Most Wiccans won’t touch a Ouija Board… and to be honest those things concern me. Over the years I have run across them on numerous occasions (friends who like to play at those sorts of things) and frankly I would recommend that you stay as far away from them as possible. I’ve never heard of a Wiccan Séance.

Now, having said all that …… These mediums can be useful and enjoyable. Tarots may be used to advise yourself, find a new perspective or help relieve doubts. Runes are fun and can be very useful. Other forms of divination are fun to use and can and will help you grow. I have done many tarot readings for friends who were in need. Those who needed to know if they were on the right path. A little bit of confirmation so to speak. I do not charge for these as I do them for their well being not to get rich. I’ve developed a talent for being able to do tarot readings online which is fun in and of itself but difficult to do.

None of these things however, have to do with Wicca. Dreaming of something that comes to pass is not because you are Wiccan but because you are sensitive to the universe surrounding you. Sensing an oncoming storm, celebrating the return of spring or the harvest coming in, feeling in tune with the moon phases and the earth around you ….. these are all a part of Wicca. Using divination tools such as a pendulum, tarot cards and so on is not Wiccan. This is something that a Wiccan can choose to do. Wicca is a set of beliefs and a way of living not the telling of fortunes or the tools used therein.

Pitfall #4: Degrees and Titles

If you are becoming a Wiccan in order to possess a neat title such as Dedicant, Initiate, 2^nd Degree, High Priestess … then you should take another look at why you are joining. Actually, unless you are part of an established tradition, the titles themselves don’t count for meaning much. For a Solitary, a Dedication is a good place to start. You can do it by yourself and you never need be initiated. Remember, it’s the Gods and Goddesses alone who initiate. There have been some covens out there who’s 3^rd degree High Priestess was chosen only because she had a few more months of studying. If you want to you can initiate yourself as a 3^rd degree High Priestess of Fluffy Bunnies if you really feel like it but it would get you nothing and get you no where fast.

In the absence of an “official” system of degrees, a title is only as good as it’s wearer. You can call yourself a High Priestess/Priest until you are blue in the face and grey in the hair but it still means squat unless you actually are one. Generally it takes a year or two of hard work to earn initiation. 2^nd degree is much harder, much more to learn and find out and you may never reach it. 3^rd degree… well good luck that is very hard to attain.

My advice to you is to be yourself. Do not claim something you are not for others will know. Be who you are and be proud of what you really are.

Pitfall #5: Spells

Spells are cool and can be fun. Spells can involve cool words and candles and powers and energy, and you can make things happen. You can do flashy things, dress however you want, chant out loud at the top of your voice and so on.

However, …..

While all this is true …. be aware that spells are generally a last-resort 'I don't know how to deal with this' action. There is nothing wrong with using a spell however you don’t need it for every aspect of your life. If you have no need …. Have four walls and a roof, food on the table, transportation, and the ability to pay your bills then there is no need. If you have a financial crisis you can always get another job, if you have a health crisis you can see a doctor. If your car breaks down you can take it to a mechanic. If you are single long enough then go out and meet people. However, say your car is unrepairable, then you have a real problem and it may be time to work a spell. The spell shouldn’t come from a book, a website or a friend. Do what is meaninful to You at the time. It doesn’t matter if you chant, meditate, dance around a candle. It doesn’t really matter if you do it at the new moon, full moon or mid-morning or at the hour of Saturn while Mercury is in the right house and the moon isn’t void. It doesn’t matter if you call the corners, cast the circle, call the watchtowers or the elementals. It doesn’t matter if you call upon the Gods or Goddesses by whatever name and it doesn’t matter what you are wearing. It won’t matter if you are standing on your head or speaking in gibberish. What does matter is that you realize the spell isn’t the power… You are. A spell is simply a conduit for you to send your power and energies out from you. You must do what feels right for you at the time and for the need. So …. How could someone else’s spell express the meaning of your situation? Writing your own rituals and doing your own magick makes it far more meaningful and makes much more sense. You are the only one who can ask the Higher Powers for what you need for you are the only one who knows what that need is.

Pitfall #6: Coming Out of the Closet

Now, you're studying Wicca, you've picked up several books on it and visited the Voice or another webpage. You have begun doing rituals and are actually starting to get the hang of this. What now? Tell the world!! ... Whoa there, hold on! Think about this. The closet is there for a reason.

Ah the Closet… what a place… either you are in or you are out.. or you are somewhere in between. Before you jump out with the bells and whistles and fireworks stop for a minute and think on a few things.

In Africa, today, now, in the next few hours, someone may be brutally murdered because they were accused of Witchcraft. Whether or not they are or aren't doesn't matter. Just an accusation. This culture exists a mere plane ride away.

In America, today, now, in the next few hours, someone may lose their children because a social worker was misinformed. Children have been taken from their parents because a 'child welfare' worker believed they will be sacrificed at Samhain. This culture exists next door to your neighbourhood.

In Canada, today, now, in the next few hours, someone may be forced into a mental institution for practicing Wicca. Some institutions believe that practicing modern Witchcraft is a sign of mental distress or social maladjustment. This has happened in my hometown.

In North America, today and now, someone is losing a job for being Pagan; someone is losing a friend. Someone is polishing a gun and muttering about the 'baby killers'. Someone is holding community action meetings to deal with the 'Wiccan threat'.

As you now begin to feel that cold sinking feeling near your gut, do you begin to see why there is a closet to be 'in'? This is frightening, absolutely. But is is also one of the first lessons Wicca has to teach us: 'To Know, to Dare, to Will, to be Silent'. If you choose to come out of the closet, things in your life will change, and perhaps not the way you intend. Are you prepared for this?

These things are said because you still need to have your feet planted firmly upon the ground while your heads are in the clouds so to speak. People have been harassed by students and teachers in school, hate mail is sent, people get fired or derided. Is this something you feel that you are prepared to handle? They are things to take into consideration before you jump out of that closet yelling that you are a Wiccan.

Now for the good news: on the whole, on a daily basis, experience has shown that it's not usually that bad. Many Wiccans have had family that have been wonderfully supportive. Even religious friends- Christian and Muslim and Buddhist, none of which had any interest in Wicca, can be very tolerant.

Keep in mind that there are various degrees of 'out'. At what point do you become out: Buying a book in the local store, telling family, telling friends, wearing a pentacle, telling co-workers, telling employers, writing to a newspaper, dancing naked down main street, leading a national campaign for Witches Rights? Where does 'out' start? One lesson Paganism has to teach us is how not to box yourself in with labels. What is the difference between an 'out' Wiccan and an 'in' one? Which one suits you best?

Pitfall #7: Balancing Facts and Emotions

Is it important to know what element goes in what corner? Yes. Is it important to know why, the historical basis and significance cross - referenced by culture? Probably not at the beginner level. Facts are important, but emotions are, too. Study the basics, they are vital. But leave lots and lots and lots of room for personal expression. Wicca is a learning process, and a lot of that learning will be about yourself. It's all about balance. If you find you are more worried about candle colours and places than you are about celebrating, then perhaps it is time for a readjustment.

Pitfall #8: Making a Website

Let's just try to ignore the fact that I'm writing this for, and you're reading this from, my personal Wiccan website. However, I’ve been studying and collecting info for the specific purposes of putting together this website for about 2 years now. I have read countless pages and many books. Some of these have been hokey, some had been fantastic and some have had the odd piece of gold among the slag. It’s learning to find the difference and the pieces in between. Creating and designing a webpage is a fairly extensive undertaking. Within this one you’ll find almost everything you’ll want.. at least to get started. One of the things that I had found while I was surfing and gathering info and seeing what else was out there was the fact that while many sites had small bits of info, and some contained some great info but there could have been more.. there were few I had found in which there was most of the info put together. Sites would have some of the basics, or info on herbs, or the goddesses etc. What I had decided to do was to try to put as much of it together all on one site for easy access.

However, as excited as you are about finding Wicca and I’m sure you wish to tell the world about this discovery you have made, Please sit down and think about this first. Do you have something significant to tell the world about Wicca that hasn’t already been said. If so, does it warrant an entire website to say it on? Perhaps something to consider is to write an article and submit it to one of the larger websites. A wider group of people will probably see it and you will not need to go through the whole routine. There are many good quality websites, Ezines and magazines/newsletters that will publish your article. Many of these you can find through search engines. At some point in the future once I have most of my information up on this site I will also be offering to host articles/short pages on this site with full credit for those who wrote them of course.

Now, if you are absolutely set upon creating your own page please keep in mind the following basic guidelines:

1. Please don't use the same gold spinning Pentacle that everyone else uses. Thankyou. :) In other words try to be original. Use some imagination and some creativity.

2. Do NOT use other people's pages without permission!!! No matter how large or small the site, no matter how known or unknown the author! Ask permission to use their information or one of their graphics or whatever. Do not just “steal” it. Most site owners/creators will be happy to let you have the info or graphic you need if you just ask. Be respectful.

3. Don't put the 'We Don't Worship the Devil' info on your main page. If it is your desire to have the info up, then please just link to it.

4. Spells. I can't tell you whether or not you should publish spells. Generally, though, people who know what they're doing write their own, and you are karmically responsible for those who don't. Spells are something which need to be individualized. They are personal so writing a spell for another is not a good idea nor will it always work the same way.

5. Graphic Mania. Believe me, adding a ton of beautiful graphics does not help you improve the image of Wicca or get your point across. In fact, by the time half the images have loaded, the visitor is long gone. Decent webpage design means less than 35 seconds of load - on 56k dial-up. Good webpage design means less than 20 seconds. Professional sites with high volume load in 10 seconds or less. If your site takes longer than 35 seconds from 'click' to 'done', your site needs to get nekked fast. (Hint: add up the file sizes of all the images and text on your page. If it's under 50k including images you're doing just fine). Keep it simple and clean. Add graphics if you wish but use a graphics editor to ensure the file sizes are small and if you are going to use graphics then try to be unique and different.

Pitfall #9: Ritual Tools

You don't need any Tools. Really. Tools will not help you be a 'better Wiccan', no matter how much money you spend. You will never be considered a 'serious Wiccan' by other 'serious Wiccans' just because you have the biggest/nicest athame. Do your rituals using no tools at all. Now you can begin to get some work done. If you absolutely want to have some of the typical ritual tools then look for the basics. Things that are simple and inexpensive. Make your own wand rather than buy one. But spending a lot of money is not nescessary.

Pitfall #10: Other Common Mistakes

Wicca is not more logical than other religions. We make as little sense as any other religion. In fact, it's quite possible we make even less sense. If you want a logical 'religion', try Atheism; it's the only one that can be even remotely 'proven'.

Finally, someone studying for 6 months can know and understand more than someone studying for 8 years. Don't count 'Years Studying' as a guide to knowledge and understanding. If you spend 6 months obsessively studying you will probably understand more than someone who has been 'studying' (read 3 books) in 8 years. Like degrees, be careful of titles and claims.