Wiccan Kindergarten

A couple of witches have condescendingly expressed to me their feeling that "they would only be prepared to teach Wiccan students at what they consider to be a High School or University level;" and, I must admit, sometimes it's hard for me not be hurt (or even downright defensive) at their criticism of beginners, and of those who teach the beginners.

For me, teaching is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

To be a part of each student's growing, their learning; the wonderful experience of having the whole class share their joy and excitement with one another as they finally realise that they are not alone.

The blossoming of each and every student as they realise they are not weird; that so many of us do see and hear, taste, smell and feel things on a deeper and more profound level than what they have been taught to expect is "the norm."

This is what always provides me with a deep and heartfelt validation But, you tell me: if there isn't a place to start, where one can ask any question without ever feeling stupid or ignorant, where one can laugh and allow themselves to be laughed with while learning in a relaxed atmosphere, how on Earth does one start learning anything? We start at the beginning, and we progress gently and companionably together.

Yup, you heard right. I teach Wicca 101 ~ and if you were signed up for the class the first night this is what you would hear: "Hello. My name is Maggie Frost. Thank you for choosing me as your teacher for Wicca 101. This is the introductory night to a long and hard course, your 'Basic Boot Camp for Witches.' After this orientation evening, there will be thirteen lessons and finally, IF YOU MAKE IT, a graduation exercise; at which you will be initiated as 1st degree witches."

"There will be many written exams and much experiential working. You will be expected to attend EVERY class, and to be here on time. If you arrive late, the doors will be locked, and you might as well go home. There will be homework after every lesson, and if you miss a class, there will be no catch-up provided. During the term of this course, we will be a closed teaching coven. Much will be expected of you, but great will be your reward if you have what it takes to see it through."

Now I'll bet you're saying "Good grief! This doesn't sound like any Kindergarten class that I have ever heard of. Is she implying someone could actually FLUNK Kindergarten?"

I figure if the students can hack it through the orientation evening speech and come back for the first lesson, they're gonna be O.K. Actually, once they get over the shock, they find they have more fun in class than they ever dreamed they could ~ after all, if learning can be a delightfully rewarding, interesting, and FUN time, it doesn't even seem like work!

Yes, this old crone does come on like an Army Drill Sergeant. That's simply because one of the most important basic skills a witch has to learn is the art of self-discipline, all founded on the Wiccan Rede..... "an it harm none, do as ye will."

So the first evening's class features a discussion of the Wiccan Rede, our Code of Conduct. We examine each of the thirteen principles and how they relate to daily living. Each student is encouraged to dig into the deeper levels of meaning in The Code, and we discuss how, by practicing these rules, their lives can be not only enriched, but freed up from so many non-essential stresses.

The students receive a thorough grounding in as many aspects of the craft as we can jam into the thirteen lessons. We start with some history of course; what are witches, what are our beliefs, where did we start, where are we now etc.

They learn about the quarters and the elements. The East, and how it relates to Spring, Air and breath; the South and it's correlation to Summer, Fire and passion; the West, the direction of Autumn, and the element of Water and emotion; and finally the North, the season of Winter, the deep richness of Earth, and the values of silence and meditation. The final fifth element, of course, is Spirit ~ that which pervades all, above and below ~ the essence of The Goddess and The God.

They are schooled in drama and ritual, posture and oral recitation, the tools of the trade and the furnishings of altars and sacred spaces. They become able to raise power and control it, as they learn how to control their minds to stillness or action, at their will. The group becomes a cohesive whole ~ a single entity composed of harmonised energies, which they learn how to focus for various exercises. They learn incantations and simple spells, and so very much more than space here will permit me to mention. Also, if time and weather allow, they are encouraged to participate in a fire-walking seminar, where they create their own reality at a most tangibly manifest level.

Although my role in all of these exercises is as a teacher, I feel that every student actually teaches me a great deal. Over the months of classes we do a lot of sharing, and all students become comfortable in the various roles of speaker, evaluator, storyteller, and compassionate listener. After graduation, they all seem to genuinely miss the evenings together, and many lasting friendships have grown between students (and me too).

I am a servant of The Goddess and The God. I find joy in the simple things of life. I am a happy soul, and I am privileged to teach Wicca 101 ~ the "Wiccan Kindergarten."

Blessed be. Maggie Frost.

By Maggie Frost