The beginner Wicca can pick and choose from a wide variety of schools for Wicca. This is in contrast to years ago when the traditional way to learn Wicca was to join a coven and work with Wiccas to learn by their example. Today most people lead busy lives and may not have the time to devote to ongoing coven practices.
Online schools for Wicca make it easier for a beginner Wicca to gain an understanding of Wicca principles, redes, practices and rituals. Many online courses in The Craft are absolutely free. Not all of these courses are reputable, however, and beginners should be wary of those that charge hefty fees for inadequate instruction. Certain free courses are as good if not better than those you have to pay for!
Wicca is a growing belief system in America and it’s understandable that many people are becoming interested in schools for Wicca. It is important to find the right people to teach you The Craft. It might be difficult to sort through the virtual mine of information on the Internet, in books and from people you encounter.
To find the right schools for Wicca, beginners need to be critical and cautious. Networking with other Wiccas is an excellent way to find the right school for you. So which school or path of learning should you choose?
This largely depends on you. Think about what means the most to you in Wiccan practice. Do you want to be involved in healing for example? Once you have a focus for your Wiccan practice set about finding schools for Wicca that teach Wiccan practices that are in line with your personal goals as a witch. Stay away from any school that makes Wicca look “silly” for example using “witch” symbols like pointy hats and broom riding! Also make sure that Wicca ethics are a priority in the course material.
Never attend schools for Wicca or courses where spellwork entails getting revenge, making others fall in love with you or any other distortion of Wicca. Have a look at the content of the course. Does it sound credible? Does it distort the basic principles of Wicca that you have learned (presuming these are correct!). Find out whether the course is accredited or endorsed and by which authority. Is it a reputable authority?
Examine the Web sites of online schools for Wicca critically. Is the site attractive, and well set out? How much “real” information is available on the site? Is the site content well written and informative. Who is the site master? What are his/her credentials? Does it offer sample lessons to try out? What fees are involved?
Back to networking – talk to other Wiccas about the teachers or schools for Wicca that they have found to be reputable. Try to find others who have attended the schools you are considering. Ask them if they were satisfied. But of course, be aware of personal bias either way. Some Wiccans feel that charging a fee for teaching Wicca is unethical while others feel that this is reasonable.
