The Year of Wiccan Practice is a concept that revolves around the idea of dedicating an entire year to deepening one's understanding and involvement in the Wiccan spiritual path. It is an opportunity for practitioners to immerse themselves in Wiccan teachings, rituals, and practices to enhance their spiritual growth and connection with the divine. **The main goal of the Year of Wiccan Practice is to create a solid foundation from which practitioners can continue their spiritual journey with a greater sense of knowledge, experience, and confidence.** It is a time to explore the various aspects of Wiccan beliefs, such as the worship of the Goddess and God, the celebration of the Wheel of the Year, and the use of magic in spellwork and rituals. Throughout the year, practitioners can engage in a variety of activities designed to deepen their understanding and connection to Wicca. This may include reading books on Wiccan history, philosophy, and mythology, participating in online or in-person courses and workshops, attending Wiccan festivals and gatherings, and actively practicing rituals and spellcraft.
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Driving away from the event, we saw a double-arched rainbow, one of the most vibrant rainbows I d ever seen a divine spark of alignment and reminder that everything is in order. Then I set her down and she walked over to a jade plant that some neighbors and I recently migrated to a bigger pot, leaned over, and took a big, satisfied whiff.
This may include reading books on Wiccan history, philosophy, and mythology, participating in online or in-person courses and workshops, attending Wiccan festivals and gatherings, and actively practicing rituals and spellcraft. By dedicating an entire year to Wiccan practice, individuals have the opportunity to truly embody and integrate these teachings into their daily lives. They can explore different branches of Wicca, such as Traditional Wicca, Eclectic Wicca, or Kitchen Witchcraft, and discover which path resonates most with them.
Reuniting with Awe
She’s just started walking. She toddles towards the waist-high, wooden gate near our home and opens it. She walks a few steps out, visibly bouncing with the delight of freedom, then quickly swivels around to make sure that I’m following. She’s just started talking. She looked up at the moon on Sunday and pointed. I said “moon,” not expecting anything, and then she said “moon” like it was the most natural thing in the world. She’s just starting to use a spoon, all on her own. Last night she scooped haphazard little bits of cottage cheese into her mouth and then clapped for herself between each and every bite.
I’m learning so much from watching her. About being proud. About noticing. About all the senses that I take for granted. She was in the bathtub the other day splashing around when all of the sudden she froze, brought one tiny pointer finger to her lips, and said, “Dog.” Amid all the urban chaos, she heard her very favorite creature — a dog — making itself known. She makes me feel like I’m probably accessing only a quarter of the sensory experience available to me on a regular basis.
I’m also learning about awe. The other day I brought her over to this obscenely beautiful jasmine vine that has grown bushy and fragrant near our mailboxes. I picked her up and we put our noses right up to the petite white flowers and took in the scent. Then I set her down and she walked over to a jade plant that some neighbors and I recently migrated to a bigger pot, leaned over, and took a big, satisfied whiff. Jade plants, of course, are many things, but they are not fragrant. And yet, if you’d seen her there — neck craned, eyes closed — you would have assumed that she was smelling the most potent thing in the world.
Maybe she doesn’t really get what smell is yet. But after I let out a surprised giggle, I realized that there was something so moving about a little human smelling a jade plant. She has no reason not to expect it to smell wonderful. She has no reason not to expect everything to be wonderful.
Part of becoming an adult is learning how to lower your expectations — of your loved ones, of yourself, of particularly charged moments (Your wedding day! New Year’s Eve! That long-awaited vacation!). There’s such wisdom in that. As I have written before in this space, I am constantly working on my friend Arnold’s advice to “expect less and love more.”
And yet, the paradox is that there’s something that sort of transcends maturity about being open to the potential pleasure of every single moment. Maya is free of specific expectations, so she approaches the world with only one giant, indiscriminate expectation: delight me.
Keys go in mailboxes and miniature doors open to reveal pieces of paper inside, left there by a friendly person in a funny outfit? Fascinating! Dominoes can be sorted into various sizes of beautifully colored baskets in whichever way I want? Sign me up! Lotion is a white substance that comes out of a metal tube and you can rub it on someone’s hand and it disappears and they feel soft? Holy moly!
The mundane becomes miraculous through the eyes of my 16-month-old daughter. She’s rarely disappointed, and when she is, she simply moves on to the next miracle waiting in a kitchen drawer or nestled in the soil in the garden beds. As she marvels, I’m marveling anew. You know what? Lotion is kind of amazing when you pause to think about it. The postal system does sort of knock my socks off. And dominoes? They’re so pleasing when you hold them in your hand — the cold weight of them, those little black indented dots. We’ve discovered they spin on the concrete floor and make a great noise when Papa propels them from his mouth across the room.
Before Maya was born, I once asked my husband, John, what he was most excited about and he surprised me by answering, “I can’t wait to take slow walks with her.” This is a guy who runs marathons and prides himself on responding to emails at lightning speed. He doesn’t do slow.
But he already knew that part of the gift of having a child is rediscovering discovery, of reuniting with awe. It’s perhaps my second favorite part of parenting, second only to the slow, mind-blowing, heartsploding reveal of who our tiniest teacher is.
Contributors
Courtney E. Martin was a columnist for On Being. Her newest book, The New Better Off: Reinventing the American Dream, explores how people are redefining the American dream (think more fulfillment, community, and fun, less debt, status, and stuff). Courtney is the co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network and a strategist for the TED Prize. She is also co-founder and partner at Valenti Martin Media and FRESH Speakers Bureau, and editor emeritus at Feministing.com.
One of my favorite concepts is awe-hunting. I learned this from the incredible Jane Clapp. She is a mentor of mine who is a trauma-informed coach, healer, professor, and somatic expert. She planted this idea in me a couple of years ago in a workshop I attended. It doesn’t need to be rainbows, but that is what I have been awe-hunting for the past year or so. Previously it was butterflies; before that, it was dragonflies, and before that, it was just patterns in nature like the Fibonacci spiral. You might already do this but don’t have a term for it; it is a natural thing children do!
The Year of Wiccan Practice also provides an opportunity for practitioners to deepen their connection with the natural world. Wiccans often have a strong affinity for nature, and this year-long dedication allows individuals to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and appreciation for the Earth and its cycles. Additionally, the Year of Wiccan Practice can serve as a time for personal reflection and growth. Practitioners may use this year to explore their own spiritual beliefs, values, and intentions, and to identify areas for personal growth and development. Overall, the Year of Wiccan Practice is a transformative journey that allows individuals to dive deep into the beautiful and rich tradition of Wicca. It provides a foundation for lifelong learning and growth, fostering a deeper connection to the divine and the natural world..
Reviews for "Wicca and Feminism: Empowering Women through Craft and Ritual"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Year of Wiccan Practice" to be extremely disappointing. The book promised to provide a comprehensive guide to Wiccan practices, but it fell incredibly short. The information provided was scarce and lacked depth. It felt more like a superficial overview rather than a proper guide. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested through the book. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is serious about learning and practicing Wicca.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
While "Year of Wiccan Practice" had some good intentions, it ultimately failed to deliver. The book attempted to cover a wide range of topics related to Wicca, but it lacked coherence and structure. It jumped from one topic to another without proper transitions, making it confusing and hard to follow. Moreover, the author's writing style was convoluted, making it a chore to read. I was hoping for a guide that would provide clear instructions and explanations, but this book left me feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. I would suggest looking for other resources for a more organized and comprehensive understanding of Wiccan practices.
3. Megan - 2 stars
As someone who was interested in delving into Wiccan practices, I was disappointed with "Year of Wiccan Practice." The book seemed quite outdated and failed to keep up with the modern approach to Wicca. It relied heavily on outdated rituals and traditions without providing enough context or explanations. I would have appreciated a more contemporary perspective and practical advice on how to incorporate Wiccan practices into daily life. The lack of clear visuals or illustrations also made it difficult to understand certain concepts. Overall, this book fell short of my expectations and left me wanting more up-to-date and practical information.
4. David - 1 star
I was left utterly unsatisfied after reading "Year of Wiccan Practice." The information presented was very basic and could easily be found online for free. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors and typos throughout the book, which made it seem poorly edited and unprofessional. The book lacked depth and failed to address some of the more complex aspects of Wiccan practice. Overall, I believe there are much better resources available for those interested in exploring Wiccan practices, and I would recommend looking elsewhere for a more informative and well-crafted guide.