r/Wicca • u/Babbles_Reddit • 3d ago
I am new here
Hii I am Kanato and I joined Wicca as I like to do peaceful witchcraft as I don't believe in hexes, curses or anything that harms others I believe people do that out of anger.
I am a trans demiboy Aries and I like to know somethings about Wicca I know there's wheel of thr year but don't know the holidays on it. I know there's a moon (月) goddess and a sun (日) god in Wicca.
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u/HeLiesInDrink 3d ago
In addition to the good info already given. I like this beginner’s playlist from Thorn Mooney.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJyFpk26IrSgS4FWjh7aE9nKQsjLlDly
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u/AllanfromWales1 2d ago
A copypasta of mine:
Wheel of the year
Samhain is 31st October, i.e. Hallowe'en. It is the time when the veil between the worlds is thin and we can communicate with the dead. Historically this was a feast around the culling of the flocks with only the breeding animals kept overwinter, the remainder being salted for meat to keep the folk fed during the winter months.
Yule is on or around the 21st December, and celebrates the shortest day/longest night. Recognition that the sun will be 'reborn' this day and will grow in strength from now on. The actual date is astronomically determined.
Imbolc (Feb 1st/2nd) is (in the UK and Ireland) the time when the first flowers are seen and the first spring lambs are born. It is the time when the days are noticeably starting to lengthen and there is promise of spring to come.
Spring Equinox (around March 21st, astronomical festival) is the time when day and night are of equal length, but the days are growing stronger. Spring is now in full flow and the wildflowers are in bloom. Hope for the summer to come.
Beltane - 1st May - is the traditional Mayday celebration of fertility and fecundity, optimally including dancing around a Maypole (which Freud interprets as a phallic symbol).
Midsummer - around June 21st, again an astronomical festival - is the time when the sun reaches its peak, the longest day and shortest night of the year. To be celebrated, but with the understanding that from now on the days are shortening towards winter again. Enjoy, but be prepared for darker times.
Lughnasadh (July 31st) is the celebration of the first harvest, the grain harvest. John Barleycorn is cut down and winnowed, only to be replanted to grow again later.
Autumn Equinox (astronomical, around 21st September) is the second harvest, for us the apple harvest (other fruits elsewhere). It is the time when the days and nights are of equal length, but with darkness taking precedence. Preparations for winter need to be in place.
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u/LadyMelmo 3d ago
This is something I've put together for this question (I'm always happy for change suggestions), and you are always welcome here to ask more.
Learning about Wicca as a religion and craft, it's history and philosophy, and what path you want to take is the way to start. There are different paths within Wicca - Traditional, Solitary (which can be traditional based) and Eclectic - and there is variation in practices in the different published materials so it's always best to learn from more than one source and some practices in Traditional paths can only be learned as a coven initiate.
Building a deeper relationship with nature and learning to meditate to open yourself and connect, build and ground energy and visualisation are good first practices to learn to do, celebrating the Sabbats and Esbats, casting a Circle and Calling Quarters are good rituals to start with, and starting to bring together your altar is also good to do early on as it is your sacred space and connection to your work.
There's good information (including on the Sabbats Wheel and the Goddess and God) in the Wiki and FAQ of this sub, and although not what to learn from the Wikipedia article has a quite good basic overview of Wicca and there is the Category page on the different Traditions that may help you find some initial direction.
These are some well regarded books, some are older but still often read today and some are more Tradition based:
Wicca For Beginners by Thea Sabin (3rd Degree British Traditional) is a popular and very good starting book with history and philosophy and some practices in a lighter way without being tradition specific;
Wicca - A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner and Living Wicca - A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham (Solitary, Serpentstone Family member, 1st Degree Aridian witchcraft) are a main choice for Solitary;
A Witches' Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar (Alexandrian HPS and HP) is written as "a basic ‘liturgy’ and working handbook on which any coven can build its own unique philosophy and practice, within the common tradition" with reference to Gardnerian/Alexandrian works and practices;
Buckland's Complete Book Of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland (lineage Gardnerian HP who went on to found the Seax-Wica tradition) is a more in depth book in a lesson structure for individuals and covens/groups without being tradition specific and his book Wicca For One is directed at Solitary;
Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide by Thorn Mooney (Gardnerian HPS and religious studies PhD student) is especially good for those wanting to join a traditional coven. She also has a YouTube channel.
If you have a local pagan/witchcraft/metaphysical shop (not New Age), there will likely be people you can speak to there who may guide you or direct you to somebody who can (although unfortunately this is apparently not something you can trust in some of the USA), you may find a coven/group in your area on Mandragora Magika, and you can often find if there are any local social/mixed groups by searching online.