Let me start this quick piece of information with a thought for you. Learning about Wicca is life changing. You don't just learn how to "do" Wicca, you learn how to "be" Wiccan. For a more detailed understanding of what I mean I'd encourage you to read this infoCircle Article called "How Long does it Take to learn Wicca?".

Learning as a solitary by reading books is a great way to have a relaxed, tailor made way of learning but books don't always answer your questions, you're never sure about the credibility of the author, it can be expensive and you don't get to learn about and experience the beauty of group ritual.

Learning via an online group has its benefits and downfalls as well. With a virtual group you generally get more support, you can study at any time of day or night and usually help is only a click away. However, you can never be quite certain of the credibility of your online teacher and like learning from books, you don't get to experience group rituals. The Oak and Mistletoe School has a new way of teaching online with podcasted guided visualisations, video/audio and chat room meetings with tutors and lots of activities so it's a step away from solitary learning and a leap toward learning with a group.

Learning from a face to face group is usually the preferred training method for most Wiccans. Oak and Mistletoe sometimes runs a face to face teaching program each year.  You get to physically meet real people, who can usually teach you real skills. You get the benefit of group support and you can feel a legitimate member of a Wiccan community. However, whenever you approach a potential teacher or group, always ask a few questions to make sure the group and the teacher are legitimate and will meet your needs. Please email Amethyst for more information about any forthcoming programs.

Finding the right teacher

Finding a Wiccan teacher isn't easy. You need to find someone who has been practicing Wicca for quite some time, has experience teaching others about Wicca and has a sound reputation within the Wiccan community. When you've located a teacher make sure you ask them lots of questions including;

What skills and experience do you have in teaching?

What is your experience with Wicca?

What tradition of Wicca do you follow and teach?

How many people are in your group?

How long have you been teaching?

What reputation if any do you have within the broader Wiccan community?

How long does your training last?

Do you initiate learners on demand or after discussion?