“You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self.
Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them.”

~ Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull ~


Thursday, February 10, 2011

I am not an idiot . . .

You've seen them in the bookstores. Those yellow and black or orange books that declare you are an idiot and apparently you need a book to tell you so. I jest of course, but why on Earth couldn't they have named them 'The Complete GENIUS'S Guide to . . .' After all, you're buying a book because you don't know everything there is to know about a subject (or you're just looking for some entertainment) and are therefore buying the book to expand your knowledge. Seems pretty smart to me . . . I'm just saying . . .

Feeling better for having gotten that off my chest, I now turn to the real reason for this post . . . a new book I'm reading called, you guessed it, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft. This book is full of great information and whys and what-fors. It covers all the basics like the history of Wicca and Witchcraft, the Wiccan Rede, rituals, Sabbats and esbats and then gets into what magick is and how use it, what supplies are needed, working with crystals, stones, herbs and essential oils.

This book is fantastic for a beginner just setting out on the path and also for someone who's been walking the path for awhile, but for one reason or another has become stuck. What I like best about the book is the inclusion of a Year-and-a-Day study. I've often read that phrase in other books but could never find a source for going about studying for the year-and-a-day. This book has it! It gives short descriptions on different aspects of Wicca which you can expand upon depending on your preferences. It is laid out according to the Wheel of the Year, so you'll be studying on aspects related to Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Since we've already waved goodbye to Imbolc and traditionally the best time for new beginnings, there's no time like the present! Personally, I'm going to begin my study at the next New Moon which is Friday, March 4th - a great time for starting new projects and making new plans. That will give me enough time to read the book and prepare myself for going back to school!

So while I've been on the Wiccan path for some time now, have read some great books, done loads of internet research, have set up my Book of Shadows, done ritual and celebrate the God and Goddess, I feel a new surge of excitement in having a clearly defined course of study. One that I can grasp and make my own in whatever way rings true for me. Yay!

I leave you today with a picture of my two little fellows looking out the window . . . the snow is so high I don't think they can really see anything, although they're determined . . .


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9 comments:

Faerie Sage said...

I love studying and learning new things! Good for you, enjoy your studies and share some of what you learn!
Blessings

Cameron said...

I have the Dummy versions of both Wicca and crafting for Wiccan spells, seasonal celebrations, etc.... Very informative, indeed!

I don't practice, but I love the idea of being more atuned with the cyclical nature of our lives and planet...of keeping a book of shadows....and drawing strength from the abundance of good all around us...

March 4th is the perfect day...march forth!!!

Anonymous said...

I had a dummy book for pagans. It actually had a really nice solitary dedication spell I did years ago.

Aisha @The Bewitching Bibliophile said...

i actually love those books they have a great one for women's spirituality and celtic paganism. i too am on my year and a day for the wiccan path as I am pagan mostly and an eclectic witch, its always good to learn something new, Good luck and have fun
be blessed

Terri said...

Isn't it wonderful that there are books out there on all subjects one would like to expand on? Thank you for mentioning March 4th, I think that would be a fine time for me as well to begin a new project that has been on my heart.
I love the picture of your little ones looking out the window hopefully....wishing....
How sweet they look!
Hugs,
Terri

Anonymous said...

That's really great. I believe I've seen that book but never looked into it. I might have to now! I'm still just starting out my path. Good luck with your study!

Ketutar said...

Well... the name of the book series is not to imply YOU are an idiot, but that the book is so simple and good that even a complete idiot would have an idea, a grip, an understanding of the subject after reading the book.
But - what's wrong in being an idiot? Why oh why should we all have an IQ of 200+? I wouldn't mind being the village idiot and the Holy Fool ;-) I don't mind admitting there's a lot of things in this world I know nothing about, asking questions and looking around with the eyes of wonder :-)

Sandy said...

Isn't it funny how these books often are the best? The Dummies Guide to grieving was so very helpful when I needed it and quickly became one of my favourites. I'm off to go look up whether there's an idiots guide to mental illness since it seems to be prevalent in my life.

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