Reading and Learning and Reading

I'm so grateful to have a library system that allows me to read a great list of Pagan/Wiccan books!  I recently received and read books by Dorothy Morrison and Raymond Buckland that I found incredibly helpful!  I've started keeping a list of things to include in my Book of Shadows.  Quotes, recipes, spells... yay!  I'm enjoying learning so much!

I've had a bit of a breakthrough with my Tarot deck, as well.  I did a reading for Hubby and instead of trying to remember the interpretations of the cards to tell me what his reading was, I let the cards tell me more.  I looked at them and went with my gut and didn't worry about the picture that was on the card, or whether the card was upside down or right side up or whatever.  And I felt a much stronger connection with the cards than I have until this point.  It was wonderful!

I knew people said I needed to let my intuition tell me what the cards were saying, but I didn't fully understand what they meant, and I figured I needed a foundation of meaning first.  But I get it now.  And I'm much more excited about reading now!  Hooray!

First, Faltering Steps

I am exploring Wicca as a spiritual path for myself.  I've only just begun my research and practice of it, and I know I have quite a lot of reading and research to do before I'll begin to feel comfortable with the practice.

I was raised in a Christian home, but over the years became increasingly unhappy with the patriarchal lack of explanation I received from the pulpit, so I'm on a new spiritual path.  This one is one of my own making.

I know many Wiccans believe one can't be Wiccan unless initiated by a coven, and perhaps I'll seek a coven to join once I've done quite a bit more research, but spirituality is a very personal thing, and--at least for now--I need to make my own way.

I recently bought and read Scott Cunningham's Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and Living Wicca: a Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.  I feel both were a good way to "get my feet wet" in the religion, though I can understand others' complaints that Cunningham's works are a bit "fluffy."  A great deal of Wicca has to do with balance, and I felt these books were unbalanced, favoring the light side of the religion.

My next stop is Raymond Buckland.  I have a couple of books from the library I should have soon, and I'll be going through those, as well.

I ordered a Robin Wood Tarot Deck for myself, as well.  Tarot has always fascinated me, so I ordered a deck and I've been doing at least one reading just about every day.  Hubby has let me read for him, as has my sister-in-law (who is also interested in Wicca).  I feel like I'm developing a connection with the cards already, and I'm starting to learn the interpretations of the cards.

I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm excited about the research and reading, and I'm ecstatic to be on a path that finally makes sense to me!

Blessed Be!