Why I Teach

The world needs witches. Witches need good information. Let's go...

Even though Modern Paganism is among America’s fastest growing religions, with adherents now numbering in the millions, we still remain an “alternative spiritual path.” The situation is made more complicated by what I call “The Rule of 100” — the fact that nothing is 100 percent true for 100 percent of pagans 100 percent of the time. You pose a question to 10 different Pagans you will get 20 different answers and all of them will be right and all of them will be wrong. We have no ultimate spiritual authority — no Pope, no Council, no governing body. We have no ultimate authoritative text — no Bible or Qur’an. Modern Paganism is an umbrella designation that covers a myriad of “earth centered” spiritual paths with origins in a number of Pre-Christian traditions. In short, it can be a very confusing mash up of historic pantheons, indigenous folklore from various times and cultures, and more modern inventions from magical and witchcraft traditions of the 19th and 20th Centuries.

With Modern Paganism as a spiritual space being so diverse, and so lacking in established hierarchy and dogma, it can be super intimidating for a lot of different reasons. For the more sensationalist among us, it appears to be an attractive place for toxic leaders who may or may not be looking to create a cult, but are definitely seeking to use our ways to attract followers who will feed their egos. I got into that more specifically in a blog I did here. Toxic leaders are a risk in the Craft and in Modern Paganism, but to focus on that too hard is to do a disservice to the vast array of leaders in the Modern Pagan movement with integrity and intelligence and compassion.

For most people, however, the biggest obstacle to embracing Modern Pagan culture is that it seems confusing and strange if it’s not something you’ve spent much time around. Those of use who have spent decades in the Craft and in the pagan community know that Modern Paganism is comprised of folks from all walks of life, with varying backgrounds. But if you are trying to learn about our community and you go to a Pagan Pride Day or to a local festival or an open circle at a local witch shop, there will be a lot of things you see and people you meet who will seem out of the mainstream. In most instances, that’s part of what folks are looking for. Most people who are seeking alternative spiritual paths are usually doing so because they find the mainstream unsatisfying.

But the fact that you are looking for a thing doesn’t mean you’re ready to receive it when you find it, or that it is prepared to meet you where you are. Like many “alternative” communities, the pagan and magical communities are often rife with jargon, customs, and etiquette that are so deeply important to us that we often find it difficult to make a space where someone can be welcomed who isn’t already in on the culture or part of one of the many subcultures that tend to inhabit the same spaces we do. That’s an “us” problem that we as pagans need to work on. But that’s another discussion for another time.

And while there is likely a practice or tradition among the thousands of available options that is right for you, connecting with it in the sea of potential teachers, books, websites, workshops, retreats and other sources of information is not exactly easy. The information age we live in offers us an overwhelming array of materials and platforms where you can seek information. Everything from books and periodicals to blogs and TikToks. The sheer volume and variety of content and content providers is stunning. Literally, you will be stunned into a state of paralysis if you try to take it all in.

And you would not be alone in this. When I talk to new seekers, invariably this is the number one reason they are seeking a class like the kind I offer. Trying to tackle the mountain of information themselves, without someone who is more familiar, is like trying to climb Everest without a guide from the Sherpa people of Tibet. You could do it, I suppose, but it's so much easier with a skilled person by your side.

In the end, this is why I teach.

I don't think I'm that much smarter or wiser than anyone else. My default response when someone tries to suck up to me by telling me how wise I am is to remind them that anything here that passes for wisdom comes from surviving my own stupidity. Therefore, if you think I am very wise, it’s only because I have first also been very, very stupid.

There are plenty of witches who know a lot more than me about the Craft and have way more experience. I've been studying and teaching Tarot for about 25 years, and doing witchcraft for about 15 years. While that's more than many, there are plenty with way more under their belt. I am not, nor should I be, anyone’s ultimate authority on anything.

So why do I teach Wicca & Witchcraft 101 classes? Because almost everyone benefits from access to some basic knowledge about where Wicca comes from, and the basics of how witchcraft, particularly Wiccan-based magic is practiced. Most folks benefit from a class that answers some basic questions about things like gods, tools, the elements, and basic construction of both spells and rituals. And a class format allows students to not just take in material, but ask questions about it and get answers from a real person who they know by name.

But what do I get out of the deal? First off, teaching challenges me to continually re-evaluate my understanding of my Craft. Each new roomful of students brings new questions, new ideas, new concerns that I might not have thought of before. Nothing keeps you on your toes more than curious students who want knowledge. Often my students have experiences that help to expand my knowledge base as well.

More importantly, nothing is more exciting than watching seekers' eyes light up as they start to clue in to the joys of the Craft. Students, particularly newer seekers who are encountering all this stuff for the first time, are thrilled to discover things, and that feeling reminds me that the Craft is exciting, it is about discovery, and I should never be so jaded that I forget that there is always more to discover, and discovery should be fun. Working with students brings that lesson home.

But the most important thing for me is that I'm serving the larger community. You see, the world needs witches. I believe that. In an age where our planet is buckling under the weight of climate change and all the ways we abuse the natural world that is our home, and where we desperately need love of life and respect for ourselves and our fellow humans, witches are vital. Our magic can help. It can heal. It can empower. It can make change, in big and small ways. Our Craft, when used as it should be, makes people's lives better. The world needs the best witches it can get. And if we are to have those witches, someone has to start teaching them.

My goal with every student is that they emerge from my 10 week basic class with a solid grounding in Wiccan style witchcraft, and they have enough confidence to be able to take the next step on their path, whatever that is. If a student takes my class and decides they never want to do Wiccan style Craft again, that's just fine. Knowing what you don't want is every bit as important to your path as discovering the thing you feel you want to do forever. If they decide they want to continue studies with me, and I agree, that's fantastic. But if they decide they need a different teacher more suited to their style and interests, that's fantastic too. And if they want to go it alone, and practice their own thing their own way, that’s awesome as well. This is your path, and you always have the right to walk it however you wish and not be gainsaid.

Why do 10 weeks? That's a long time and a big commitment to ask of someone. And to be fair, it's a big commitment for me, too. As much work as it is to sit through my class, developing the material and delivering it is just as much work. But I believe that if you are seeking in earnest, you deserve more than just a superficial discussion. If you are willing to put in the time and effort to go just a little bit deeper, then so am I. Admittedly, I often start off with more students on the first class than I do on the last. But it's not my job to deliver quantity, I feel my role is to build quality.

And if you've made it this far and you're thinking, "Maybe I want to take this class of yours," you are in luck! Through the generosity and hospitality of the Wyoming Valley CUUPS chapter, I will be offering an online version of Witchcraft and Wicca 101 over 10 weeks starting this Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Please refer to the Facebook event linked herein to get information on how to attend. All who seek with open minds and true hearts are welcome.

Hope to see you there. Blessed be, y'all.