Introduction to Wicca

This eight session class is designed to familiarize students with the history, philosophy, symbology and practice of Wicca. Beginning on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 we will meet for one and a half hour session on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30. Fees are $45 payable in cash for the entire nine weeks and will be collected on the first night. Bring a notepad and pen. You will keep a journal and I will collect portions of it from time to time in order to help further develop your thinking and spirituality. Required reading: The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. Contact Grove of Gaia for location.

Course is outlined as follows:

I. 1/6 - Introduction; Discussion of Ethics: (Chapters 1 & 2)

What do we know about the Craft? How do we know it? What attracted you to take a class like this? What do you hope to do with the knowledge that you’ll take out of here?

Learn about the three-fold law. The Wiccan Rede. The ramifications of bindings, and hexings. Doing magick for good or bane. Understand the difference between black, white and gray magick.

II. 1/13 - Magickal Symbology:  (Table of Correspondences)

Table of correspondence provided for all. Connections between the directions, elements, planets, sun and moon, herbs, astrology, goddesses, metals, times of day, etc.

Determining your own private symbologies for love, prosperity, spiritual or personal growth, etc.

Meditation—Flora’s guided visualization of the Four Quarters.

III. 1/20 - High Magick: Multidimensionality: (Chapters 3 & 4)

Considering the interconnectedness of all consciousness. Understanding the multiplicity which is our being. In meditations or pathworkings, an act of imaginations allows us to traverse the universe. We awaken the imagination when we do magick. Further ethical considerations.

Meditation-- Dear Little Cloud.

IV. 1/27 - Elemental and Natural Magick: (Chapters 5 & 8)

The Earth Goddess. Calling in the elemental energies. Reviewing the significance of the quarters. Working with air, fire, water and earth. Understanding the correspondences for particular workings.

Ritual. Keeping sacred space. Setting up your altar. Purification and anointment. Music for ritual: recorded and live. Drumming and bells. Dance and singing. Chanting. Raising energy. The cone of power. Grounding.

V. 2/3 - The Agrarian Mysteries: The Wheel of the Year: (Chapters 6 & 12)

Understand the nature of the sabbats or Wiccan seasonal holidays. Seasonal ritual magick. Forms of the Goddess. History of Wicca as an indigenous early European religion. Multiculturalism of the Goddess. Moving toward a new earth religion. Celebration. Cakes and ale.

VI. 2/10 - The Lunar Mysteries: (Chapters 10 & 11, pp. 92-93)

The esbats or lunar celebrations. The moon as Goddess. Full Moon ritual. The moon’s effect on oceans and on magick. Drawing down the moon. The Charge of the Goddess. Lunations for particular workings. Dark moon ritual. Waxing moon ritual. Candle magick. Initiation.

VII. 2/17 - Practical Magick: (Chapter 7)

Understanding the witches’ tools: the athame, wand, pentacle and cup. Consecration of tools. Working hands-on with herbs, oils, candles and incense. Using intent to charge a charm. Candle and talismanic magick. Waxing and full moon workings.

VIII. 2/24 - Scrying and Divination: (Chapter 9)

Some methods of divination. Elemental readings. Fire, water, and earth readings. Crystal, water, candle and mirror gazing. Tarot. Runes. Scrying to determine magickal working conditions. Trusting intuition, the higher self. Reading for others. Facing the shadow. Trance. Dark moon workings.

IX. 3/3 - The Healing Temple Ritual:

We all gather to create sacred space, and build our own magickal, healing temple.

Grove of Gaia is a College of Wicca that is teaching and learning based and is led by Wiccan High Priestess, Lady Annabelle. Students learn through training in the Wiccan Way, including reading and discussion, experiential practices, and through the deep growth of their magickal selves.

Grove of Gaia Works in Love for All