Everything Under the Moon

Hi all.

As some of you know, I am new to Wicca/Witchcraft. I have just started purchasing some basic tools etc for my altar. I have bought an Athame, A small table top broom, incense, and a pentacle necklace.

I am not sure I am ready to wear the pentacle as of yet because I feel too much of a newbie and wonder if I have earned the right if that makes sense?

I haven't done any spells as of yet and have not performed an initiation ceremony and feel stuck in a bit of a rut.

I hope to buy a wand shortly and some more candles for future spell-work. So basically, I feel like I am on the right path but just don't have much confidence at present.

Just wondered what you good people thought?

Blessed be.

When it feels right you'll wear it when you know why you want to. A piece of jewelry doesn't make or break a commitment to a path. You don't have to wear a pentacle or use tools at all for your path to be real.

Thank you so much and they made so much sense. I am carrying it in my pocket at present just to feel close to it whilst thinking of the symbol of the pentacle.

It's weird as I feel like I don't know whether I should do an initiation ceremony or do a spell to start me off.

I feel like I need to buy a wand and a cauldron or maybe I am thinking too much on this as just go with the flow.

In my opinion, the wand and other tools are an extension of your inner self. The wand represents the authority of your Will, the athame represents the power of your Will, candles are the light of the Mind, etc.

So technically, there could be a practicing witch without any tools or trinkets (but, they do make it easier sometimes )

Personally, I would recommend you do an initiation ceremony to start yourself off.

Many thanks and do you know of any suitable initiation ceremonies I could do?

It's your self-dedication to a path so make a statement on your honor as your own expression of your intention. So start by writing out your intention, and what time frame you are committing to...like a year & a day study for example.

Think of pledges sworn to by various professions. First the person identifies themself. They state what it is they pledge & close with a request for guidance from the Powers before whom the pledge is made (it equates to the "so help me God" phrase).

Maybe you could bless that pentacle and as a sign of your commitment you'd put it on after your statement has been spoken.

A fledgling isn't expected to have tools yet or know how to cast a circle, but they can make a food & drink thanksgiving offering. You would eat 1/2 then place the rest onto the ground as thanks offering to Earth.

I give an example in "getting started" topic under the WC & Wicca 101 section. It includes pledge, selecting a date & location, making the witch's measure & blessing it or some talisman/pendant.

http://everythingunderthemoon.net/forum ... 34769.html

That sounds perfect. Thank you so much.

On a more mundane note, if you plan on wearing it where others can see it, you might want to be prepared to answer questions about it - what it symbolizes, some of the history behind it and the other faiths that have used it, what Wicca is, Wicca vs witchcraft vs paganism, etc. And of course, some will make rude assumptions/comments about you... Or, some will think you're Jewish... and often follow that up with some rude comments... Might be no one ever says a word about it to you, don't mean to scare you off wearing it, but some folks still don't look well on such things.

Now if you're wearing it under clothes, you can forget all that aspect of it, and simply wear it when you think it's right to do so.

Thanks Siona. I will be fully prepared in that case

More often I have had people think I am a devil worshiper, so be prepared to explain that away too.
Bb, FF

I have had people tell me I'm not going to heaven, that I'm a devil worshipper, that my tattoos are an evil abomination. My largest tattoo features a cat wearing a pentacle necklace. I had the pentacle placed when I was being stalked 20 some years ago. After my beautiful gray and white kitty, Mouse, passed suddenly, I had her added to the tat. She's in a tree, with a full moon and clouds behind her. If I can manage a picture that doesn't show too much skin, I will try to share it. I just don't want to step over the pg13 boundaries due to its location.

When I'd been politely asked in the grocery check-out what my pentacle meant, I referenced the 5 points of the star as the elements that make up life. I'd looked around & folks in lines on both sides of me were listening. Ulp. People are interested. Gee, I never thought of a tattoo...hmm.

SpiritTalker wrote:When I'd been politely asked in the grocery check-out what my pentacle meant, I referenced the 5 points of the star as the elements that make up life. I'd looked around & folks in lines on both sides of me were listening. Ulp. People are interested. Gee, I never thought of a tattoo...hmm.

I think there will always be mixed reactions as some people are more open than others. A lot of people are scared of what they do not know or understand. Great that the people around were interested when you explained

SnowCat wrote:I have had people tell me I'm not going to heaven, that I'm a devil worshipper, that my tattoos are an evil abomination. My largest tattoo features a cat wearing a pentacle necklace. I had the pentacle placed when I was being stalked 20 some years ago. After my beautiful gray and white kitty, Mouse, passed suddenly, I had her added to the tat. She's in a tree, with a full moon and clouds behind her. If I can manage a picture that doesn't show too much skin, I will try to share it. I just don't want to step over the pg13 boundaries due to its location.

That sounds like a great tattoo and often thought about getting a cat tattoo myself.

firebirdflys wrote:More often I have had people think I am a devil worshiper, so be prepared to explain that away too.
Bb, FF

Yeah, I should have been clearer, but that's what I meant about rude assumptions/comments. I mean, rude because it's never, oh hey, a Satanist, cool, nice to meet you! It's always ahhh, Satanist, you eat babies and kill cats! And whatever other weird stuff people get in their heads. (Do try not to throw the actual Satanists under the bus when explaining the pentacle, heh.) A lot of people see pentacle and think Satanist, besides the fact that it's been used by many groups, Christians included. So that's something to expect to have to deal with at some point. And like I said, no harm in wearing it under your clothes. Sometimes it's nice to have a reminder of your path that's just for you.