(^114) A Wiccan Bible
Section Introduction
This is the second of the three-fold Path of Wicca.
This is approximately the place where most folk who become interested in Wicca
stop. Either they become bored or they just do not find the information necessary to
further their exploration. This is sad. Sad too is the idea that Wicca can be practiced as
a solitary practitioner. Now, that does not mean that we must all practice with covens
or households, but the idea that one would celebrate the holidays alone is not what is
intended by the term ‘Solitary Practitioner.’
If Wicca is the celebration of life, and if the celebration of life is more important
than the rituals themselves, then we see that one is never a solitary when one has kith
and kin, even when that kith and kin is not Wiccan. Of course, one will yearn for like
minds, folk to do all the ‘really, really Wiccan’ things that we do in ritual. But that does
not necessitate joining a coven. In fact, if you hear someone using the word coven but
not putting the word training in front of that word, then you stand a very good chance
of meeting up with folk who are playing Wicca rather than being Wiccan. While there
are very sincere covens, the fact of the matter is that Wicca is a family religion and if
that coven is not either family (meaning kith and kin) or training one in matters of
family, then it is a farce which only fains belonging to the Wiccan community. It is my
sincere hope that legitimate covens do not take offense to this statement but instead
embrace it and recognize that the actions of the insincere are greatly damaging your
good name.
By our very nature, we need community. The rituals of Wicca are created to pro-
mote that community. So while you might consider yourself a ‘Solitary Wiccan’, please
do not think that term means ‘Isolationist Wiccan.’ In other words, get out of the house!
Find a local Pagan bookstore and ask about groups in your area. If you still cannot find
them, write one of the addresses in LIber ab Gens, or come visit the online community
that I host at http://www.PaganNation.com. There you will find people from all walks of life
that are not only willing to talk and chat with you, but who are also willing to put a
wealth of information at your fingertips. You need only ask.
Section Two begins with the Rite of Handfasting and then moves on to a discussion
of the eight Sabbats, Esbats, and the ancient Pagan holidays on which they were based.
I have presented this information in this order because I see the natural progression of
Initiation/ascension in three steps. The first is the Rite of Name, the second is the Rite
of Handfasting, and the third...you will have to wait and see.
It is that natural order which I believe is the building of so called ‘covens.’ I know
you have probably seen coven calls posted at Pagan stores or received one as a part of
some Pagan spam effort. Today there is a coven on just about every city block. But in
those covens is rarely seen the deep connections that Wicca promises. In an effort not
to step on toes, I have been gradually using the term ‘household’ rather than coven.
The first chapter of this section explains why I feel this way and the following chapters
explore the many things these households or covens might celebrate together.
n WB Section Two.p65 114 7/11/2003, 5:51 PM
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