Seeing all of the posts about "oh I'm thinking about learning about Wicca, should I get a teacher?" or "help me LEEEARRRN!!!" are really frustrating and a waste of time. Some advice: Go Read a book already! You don't need to announce to this forum or any place on the internet that you are going to do something or learn something and get peoples approval before you do it!
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Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
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Time Lord Apostle
- Mar 2013
- 1541
- Christian, worships Yahweh and Jesus, but doesn't care if you don't.
- male
Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
some people want to test the waters first, or learn better from other people, or simply desire to not be alone in learning or to have someone to ask questions to. I don't think its so wrong to hope for a helping hand....
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Cat Freak
- Jul 2013
- 3337
- Kemetic reconstructionist, I guess... Solitary. devotee of Djehuty and Bast
- male
- In my reality
- Rawr
Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
I totaly agree with Malflick.
Learning something alone is really boring, in my opinion."Fair means that everybody gets what they need. And the only way to get that is to make it happen yourself."
Since I adore cats, I might write something strange or unusual in my comment.Cats are awesome!!! ^_^
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God in the baking
- Mar 2012
- 1163
- Theistic Satanism
- He/Him
- Poitiers, France
- Strength in Will, peace in well-being.
Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
This thread belongs to the rant section, in my opinion.
Check out my blog! The Daily Satanist
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Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
Picking up a book is great and all, but some people benefit from having a mentor or "learning buddy". Also, learning directly from people can be better than books, because books don't give you feedback and their direction is limited to whatever is contained within the pages. Having someone there to help you out gives you quicker feedback and (sometimes) better direction.
That said, I do wish that more newbies would at least do a basic Google search for new-to-paganism guides. There are several of them out there. It's far easier to help newbies along when they've done some of the initial legwork and can therefore ask more specific questions.Blog: http://thestarsafire.tumblr.com
Kuchi wa wazawai no moto (the mouth is the origin of disasters)
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Newbie
- Aug 2013
- 8
- Fictional Recon, Virtual Adept, Baltic-Influenced Heathen Buddhist
- male
- Portlandia
Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
Originally posted by Celliehwyn View PostSeeing all of the posts about "oh I'm thinking about learning about Wicca, should I get a teacher?" or "help me LEEEARRRN!!!" are really frustrating and a waste of time. Some advice: Go Read a book already! You don't need to announce to this forum or any place on the internet that you are going to do something or learn something and get peoples approval before you do it!
I'd rather someone get ahold of a good teacher IRL than read some of the popular books out there.
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Sr. Member
- Dec 2011
- 351
- Modern Constructionist Germanic Heathen with Shamanic Tendencies
- female
- West Coast Canada
- You know what it takes, so do it.
Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
Originally posted by Celliehwyn View PostSeeing all of the posts about "oh I'm thinking about learning about Wicca, should I get a teacher?" or "help me LEEEARRRN!!!" are really frustrating and a waste of time. Some advice: Go Read a book already! You don't need to announce to this forum or any place on the internet that you are going to do something or learn something and get peoples approval before you do it!
I love books. Books are an awesome place to start. But they are a lousy place to end. Why on earth would anyone think telling someone to read book rather than talking to those that have first hand experience is a good idea?
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Silver Member
- May 2013
- 2847
- Shamanic Practitioner & Green / Hedge Witch with Hellenic leanings
- West Virginia
- Can't never did nothing till it tried!
Re: Mentors/Groups/teachers in Paganism
Personally I think there are two separate issues here.
The notion of mentor or teacher usually has a pretty strict guide as to what it entails or suggests within most pagan / heathen pathways.. Specifically a person who accepts the role to train and guide either within a traditional lineage pathway such as BTW for instance. It may also suggest the role of a teacher to student within many of the individualized pathways such as many Shamanic type pathways. In both instances a student only taken on once the perspective student has proven a sincere desire and commitment to said training and the conditions by which it is given. Conditions set by the teacher or lineage as to what is expected as prerequisite knowledge and demonstration of a desire. Consider many that use the instance of a year and a day commit of personal study before the group will even consider them for training and acceptance into an initiation pathway.
The other perspective is more of a guide than a mentor / teacher in that one is available to answer questions, give suggestions and perhaps reveal aspects of their own pathway via whatever form they desire. No commitment by either perspective student or perspective teacher as to how long it shall last, what degree or level of commitment is demanded or expected of each party. No expectation of any prior level of knowledge coming into the exchange and response simply because one desires to do so. The degree of response also strictly determined by how far one wishes to answer or exchange their knowledge and experiences.
I tend to think the first example is a voluntary one with dedicated commitment and schedule of training between the two parties involved. The second more of a one sided voluntary commitment only to the extent the "Teacher" wishes to guide or help. As such one guide may simply offer suggested reading ideas, another might go further and actually speak in depth about said book, another perhaps even deeper and speak about the book and the spiritual / psychological impact / influence it had upon them. Yet no commitment or agreement exists between the two parties to do so.
But heck it's late the percusets are trying to kill the spinal pain tonight and perhaps none of this makes any sense except to my whacked out head.I'm Only Responsible For What I Say Not For What Or How You Understand!
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