So you’ve decided to go and find a teacher, good on ya! Now comes the hard part, actually finding an ethical teacher who’s got enough experience in “doing” Wicca and not just knowledge “about” Wicca, who can actually teach properly and finally who’s willing to teach you!   

In another edition, I’ll talk about how you can find a teacher but this time, let’s focus on some questions to consider when you do locate a potential teacher. The first thing to realise though is that just because you think they’re the right teacher for you, they may not think you’re the right student for them. Learning Wicca from a teacher is a two way street and it involves having a mutual relationship of respect and trust.  Sometimes we just don’t “click” with people and although your potential teacher may sound perfect for you, they may not feel the same way about you. The trick here is simply to get over it and go and find another teacher instead. 

But what questions do you ask of a possible teacher? How do you know they’re right for you? How do you make a judgement about their ethics, experience and teaching ability? Let’s take a look.  

First up, good teachers are in demand so while there are good teachers who don’t have lots of students, there are even more good teachers who have a sound, stable and loyal group of students. Find out how many students the teacher has and how long those students have been with them. Ask them lots of questions about their students and their teaching like; 

• What’s the maximum number of students you teach at a time?
• How do you teach those students?
• How long is your teaching program?
• What is the teaching curriculum for your students?
• Does your teaching cost anything and if so why and how much?
• How often are lessons?
• Where are lessons?
• What happens if a student has to miss a lesson?
• What’s your protocol if a student is disruptive or simply doesn’t fit in?
• How do you make sure that each student is learning as much as they need to?
• How did they learn about Wicca and when?

Obviously you’d want to know allot about the group as well before you commit to each other because the group approach is fundamental to a good fit between you and them. Think about your own needs first. Do you want to learn from the traditional viewpoint of a Gardnerian or Alexandrian group or would you prefer the flexibility of a more eclectic approach? Have you examined your own beliefs so that you can talk them through with the potential teacher to see if your ideas gel with theirs? Does your history of religious upbringing leave you feeling a little damaged and does a potential teacher need to know this? Do you have a measured and deliberate stand on whether you do rituals nude or clothed? Do you have any allergies or illnesses which might impact on your learning and later ritual work such as aversions to incense or perhaps even a choice not to drink alcohol which might mean you need to ask about how you’d participate in the Cakes and Ale rituals? It’s really important that you think through your needs so that these are met when you finally find a good teacher. 

More questions for your teacher too around simple things such as; 

• What are their expectations on initiation or dedication?
• Can you participate in Esbats before you commit to Wicca?
• Does the group have an affiliation with a broader body of Wiccans and if so who and what are their credentials?
• What contribution does your teacher and group provide to their local Wiccan community?
• Why did they choose to teach and what experience/expertise do they have to do so?
• Does the group have a Code of Ethics or a set of bylaws or anything?
• How does the group share responsibilities like contributing candles, ceremonial wine, taking care of any group funds and so on?
• Do you get to write rituals or only participate in rituals?
• Is casting the circle and leading rituals shared throughout the group or are these always conducted by the group leader?
• What happens if you want to leave the group?
• Does the group share rituals with any other group and how is this managed?

So many questions, so little time! But, it is important to really prepare and be honest with yourself and your potential teacher before you commit to a teaching program. If it all goes according to plan, you’ll be developing a deep and loyal relationship with the teacher and the group and it’s important to start this off on the right foot first.