Have you wondered if practicing the old ways can really thrive in this fast-paced, high-tech age?
I think about this often. Walking my sacred path, I was fortunate to find a mentor and learn the sacred path in the traditional way, one on one. But what about those seekers who can’t find a mentor to teach them the old ways face to face?
Wicca continues to grow in leaps and bounds. We’re seeing that there are not enough mentors to go around with the growing demand for knowledge about our Craft. So many seekers turn to the Internet for help.
Is a Cyber Mentor going to work as well as an In-person Mentor?
The Pros and Cons When Comparing a Cyber Mentor and an In-person Mentor:
| Cyber Mentor | |
| Pro | Con |
| Seeker can have access to the Cyber Mentor from anywhere in the world. | Mentor cannot see and feel how Seeker moves the energy. |
| Seeker has someone to go to for support. | Both Seeker and Mentor can only communicate through the Internet (or perhaps, occasionally by telephone). |
| Seeker may have a number of choices in terms of selecting an online mentor. | Mentor cannot experience how Seeker uses energy. |
| Mentor cannot be present while the Seeker conducts ritual and provide in-person safety during the learning process. | |
| In-person Mentor | |
| Pro | Con |
| Mentor is present and can give you an experiential understanding of Wicca. | Mentor may live far away, and meeting in-person may be quite difficult and time-consuming. |
| Mentor can physically sit with you and listen to your needs. | Mentor and Seeker may fall into personality clashes. Being present in-person may create an intense relationship. |
| Seeker has someone to go to for support. | Finding a compatible In-person Mentor may take much trial and error with related emotional ups and downs. |
| Mentor can read how Seeker processes energy. | |
| Mentor can lead you through meditations and can answer questions about the feelings that rise up during the process. | |
| Mentor can be there for Seeker’s safety in learning the finer points of the Craft. | |
Although, I prefer an In-person Mentor, I acknowledge that many Seekers are constrained by situations that require a Cyber Mentor. They may live in an area with no nearby mentors. They may have to hide while living where persecution makes it too dangerous to openly look for a mentor.
So Cyber Mentors come to be vital for many Wiccans’ learning and training.
Through my blog, I function as a Cyber Mentor. I share my experiences in learning the sacred path. There are a number of good websites/mentors out there. It’s often about finding someone who has a “voice” that really connects with your heart.
What would I suggest for those new to Wicca? Read to get insights from a number of credible people.
I have dyslexia so I’ve found that using an ereader and enlarging the type help a lot.
You can start with these books listed here:
- The Way of Four by Deborah Lipp
- When, Why….If by Robin Wood
- The Hidden Children of the Goddess: Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You by Moonwater SilverClaw
- Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal by Moonwater SilverClaw
- Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick by Moonwater SilverClaw
- Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft and Witchcraft from the Inside by Raymond Buckland
- The God of the Witches by Margaret Murray
- Aradia by Charles G. Leland
- The White Goddess by Robert Graves
- The Golden Bough by James George Frazer and Robert Fraser
- Witchcraft Today, Meaning of Witchcraft and a suggested novel called: High Magic’s Aid by Gerald Gardner
- ABC’s of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente
- What Witches Do and The 8 Sabbats by Janet & Stewart Ferrar
- Grimoire of Shadows by Ed Fitch
- Robin Wood Tarot by The Book by Robin Wood:
- The Sabbats by Edain McCoy
- The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan
Reading books like those above can help you on your first steps of your sacred Wiccan path.
Blessings,
Moonwater SilverClaw
For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:
Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal
And
The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book
And
GoddessHasYourBack.com 
How does someone normally go about finding an in-person mentor?
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Barbara,
Again,
If you are looking for mentors you may wish to read my post: http://thehiddenchildrenofthegoddess.com/2014/09/06/finding-the-right-wiccan-mentor-for-you/ first. This post gives you guidelines for how to get the right mentor for you.
I would also suggest you go to PantheaCon. There are many different practitioners of Paganism there including Wicca. You can then check each out and ask about the different Traditions (Trads) by the practitioners themselves. The site is at: https://pantheacon.com/wordpress/
I don’t know where you’re located either Barbara, but you too can also find local mentors at Covenant of the Goddess here: http://www.cog.org/
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Moonwater
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Thank you for sharing this! I live in a place where people see my triple goddess and think it’s a Satanic tattoo. Still? in 2014 people do this? It blows my mind. That is my most treasured tattoo and it’s absolutely beautiful! I got it so I could carry the symbol with me to places where my jewelry may not be appropriate, which is almost everywhere here. I have never had a mentor and have just followed the path my goddess leads me through my soul, but to have someone who really knows the things I long to know, well, you just opened a whole door of opportunity for me. My customers at my job and other people I’ve come across since I found my path 20 years ago are learning from me that we are really great people and not Satanists. I was raised a Christian and never felt it was right for me, but didn’t know there were other ways. I found my way when I was in my early 20’s after being a complete non-believer since nothing ever resonated in my soul as right for me, but I always felt there was something out there; I just didn’t know where to look. My son’s counselor told me to research until something clicked and that’s how I found our goddess. I’m spreading the acceptance and love one person at a time in this judgmental town and they are actually starting to see that we are not bad people! Thank you so much for this list, because sometimes I don’t have answers since there are no others like me here. You will probably hear from me a lot. 🙂 I hope you don’t mind.
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Cjohera,
Yes it is sad but true. Many people still do not understand our ways. I bet your tattoo is quite stunning.
I am so glad to see your helping our community to help others understand who we are. Thank you. Of course you are welcome to ask me other questions you have. And that is why I am here.
If you are looking for mentors you may wish to read my post: http://thehiddenchildrenofthegoddess.com/2014/09/06/finding-the-right-wiccan-mentor-for-you/ first. This post gives you guidelines for how to get the right mentor for you.
If you are looking for a mentor I would suggest going to PantheaCon. It is a Pagan conference that is in the San Francisco Bay Area in February. There are many different practitioners of Paganism there including Wicca. You can then check out and ask about the different Trads by the practitioners themselves. You can check out the site at: https://pantheacon.com/wordpress/ who knows, we may meet there if you go.
I don’t know where you’re located Cjohera, but you can also find local mentors at Covenant of the Goddess here: http://www.cog.org/
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Moonwater
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Thank you! I will definitely use those recources and I’m in the panhandle of Texas. Lol
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They have mentors there too. 🙂
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Really?! That really surprises me!
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There should be. Let me know what you find. 🙂
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I will!
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