Live Wicca
Neo-Pagan Witchcraft is not a part-time religion.You can not live a life filled with theft, negative magic, and worse, and then every Samhain come and profess to the world your status as a Witch or Wiccan. People will probably believe you, but just because you call yourself a Witch does not make you one - unless you try to live every moment of your life true to your path. One thing that is beneficial about Neo-Pagan Witchcraft being a fairly young religion (in the sense that it is being presented to you here) is that, except for the fad phenomenon, Witchcraft has not been so commonplace as to cause an almost desensitization among its followers. More widespread and common religions, such as Christianity, that have been unquestionably passed down generation to generation have become diluted in purpose.Thus, you have some people who would only resort to praying if someone had a gun to their head, or only put on a Christian persona at Christmas or Easter.This is not to say that all Christians are like this, for they certainly aren't, nor that other religions are not having the same problem (or at least have the potential to have it).This was merely an example. Anyway, in these cases, a religion has become so normal as to lose meaning. By contrast, most Wiccans have searched for something, whether outwardly looking for publications or covens, or inwardly. When they find Witchcraft, they live it.

What I believe, and I think many others would agree, is that the only valid way to be Witch is to be a Witch. It does not rely on how many candles you burn, how many public places you wear your pentacle, how many Tarot readings you've conducted, or even how many books on Witchcraft you've read. As a matter of fact, many are Witches without labels. However, because they honor the Earth, respect their fellow existing beings, opt to heal rather than harm in problem solving and life, and see the world through creative and wondering eyes, they would have more than a proper right to call themselves such if they chose. These are the people who, upon finding their already earned title, remark how Paganism "is like coming home", and discover that, "I've always been of this religion, I just didn't know it had a name." If you're blessed with the ability to live life openly as a Witch like our older and more independent counterparts, and especially if you aren't - focus on living your path.

Experience a Mystery
While reading many publications, going to Pagan festivals, and joining a coven can provide wonderful experiences, they are not necessary to being Wiccan. The most beautiful and meaningful aspects of our religion can only be experienced between you and the Gods.These are called the Mysteries, and they cannot be taught. The Mysteries are intensily personal encounters that can make you aware of the profound and sacred in all and everyday life. The Mysteries are the true roots of our path, their lessons unite us all, even though thay can be very diverse. They are our actual initiators. This is probably why it is so hard to completely sum up religions based on the Mysteries.

To an outsider, our beliefs can seem almost contradictory in some instances, however, once you experience a Mystery, things begin to make sense.They allow a truly deep spiritual understanding of our beliefs. Don't be discouraged if you feel as if you haven't already experienced a Mystery.The Mysteries are really not things you can prepare for. You can not make up a ritual or go into trance to induce one, but they can be used to celebrate what you've learned from a Mystery or thank the Gods for helping you in your discovery of one.

For most people, Mysteries are learned through the observation of Nature.One day at lunch you could be eating an apple and suddenly realize how all life is connected.You may have had this belief before on an intellectual basis, but by experiencing how your senses percieved that apple it somehow makes you more alive to that belief. I'm not going to attempt to dissect a Mystery for a few reasons; for one it's impossible, secondly I don't want to limit your potential experiences, and thirdly trying to explain it ( if it were possible!) would rob it of it's Mystery status.
       While unfortunately I cannot tell you when and where and how to experience a Mystery, I have a few tips that may help you:

• Don't be over-anxious! By searching for something too hard, you may be passing over points that you missed in your frantic desire. In the case of Mysteries always remember,"when the student is ready, the teacher will appear". Try to pay a little more attention to the world around you, but don't overdo it :)
• Meditate often. It seems that Mysteries are more apt to occur when the Left Brain (the conscious, logic based half) is more occupied by repetitive sound or vision, leaving the Right Brain (the unconscious, creativity based half) free to exercise its creative and psychic work. Also, the relaxation meditation brings leaves you more sensitive to the world, and to potential Mysteries.
• Be in Nature more often. While you cannot stage a Mystery, you have a much higher likelyhood of experiencing one by a lake or in the forest than while playing video games or watching TV.
• Pray to the Goddess and God for help in being more open to the Mysteries. In a sense, acknowledge to the Gods and yourself that you want to experience one and then forget your request.Yes, I said forget your request, this goes right along with not being over-anxious. By praying, you have set up dominoes in the spiritual world, and when the time is right the dominoes will fall. If you are sincere in your request, I do not doubt that they will answer you. But, don't always expect a response in a preconceived manner - trust in Divinity, They know what They're doing! Also, trust in yourself. Everyone is capable of experiencing the Mysteries, it's just that now people can be so occupied by petty things that they virtually cut themselves off from them. This can, of course, be remedied!

Do Things That Have Importance in Wicca, But May Not Be Directly Associated With It

This is a very broad area that encompasses many things, and while they may not be strictly Wiccan or Pagan in nature, they can help in your understanding and love of it. They allow you to be Wiccan but can serve as some security and consolence for those not able to be outwardly recognized as such. Here are but a few from a wide array of options:

• Commune with Nature: This can be as simple as taking a walk in your local park, or sitting in your backyard. Ours is, of course, a Nature religion! To start off, explore the area with your basic five senses and then go from there.
• Study: Much emphasis in the Pagan community is put on knowledge, which is a wonderful thing because you can never stop learning and you can always get better at something. Some good topics to start out with might be: Various pantheons and mythology, meditiaion, other religions, a specific form of divination, an ancient culture (or even a modern one), healing methods, herbs, minerals, symbolism, shamanism, poetry, the list is endless.
• Get a Houseplant: Yes, I'm serious! It can help you get acquainted with earth and (obviously) plant energies. You can watch how it changes through its cycles, learn how it grows, and appreciate other forms of life. If you've got a black thumb, like myself, there are always cacti and other succulents.

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