Wicca is such a personal religion that I can't tell people what they need to study. I think there are so many "Wicca 101" websites and books out there for that very reason. Writers can tell you some of the basics, but part of moving from a Beginner to an Intermediate or Advanced level depends on the person and how you get your personal experience. I've done my best to say, "This is what worked for me, so give it a shot," but I know there are some areas where I am no help. To the beginner, all I can really say is to read everything you can get your hands on.

Anyone who is interested in Wicca should have a grasp of the basic knowledge: The history behind the religion (yes, it is only a bit over 50 years old), the Rede, the Three-Fold Law, the Sabbats, the Esbats, symbolism of the tools, basic ritual knowledge, mythology and cultures, etc. You can find a lot of that information and more right here on this site. You may also want to study some areas that are not really Wicca-specific, such as meditation, astrology, tarot (and other forms of divination), numerology, and various forms of healing. At a beginner stage, you should take in as much information on as many different subjects as you possibly can, no matter how simple or superficial it may seem at first.

Don't worry too much about knowing everything there is to know when you first begin. There is no race to see how much you can learn in the shortest amount of time. We are all always learning, and it wouldn't be any fun later on if you become stuck on not being able to learn anything new. That's what being "Intermediate" and "Advanced" is all about.

How do you know when you get to a "higher" level? No one can really tell you. You'll have to make that decision on your own. Chances are, though, that if you think you're advanced after only reading five books (I had some girls say that to me one time in a bookstore!) you really need to slow down, take a step back, and think about how much you really *know*. At a beginner level, knowledge is easy to acquire. Anyone can do it. Advancement takes place when you are actually using that knowledge.

I tend to think of being an Intermediate when you are finally reaching beyond the basic books. Sure, you can always pick up another basic book. I like to do that from time to time to see if there are any new ideas or to get a new perspective from a different author. I think reading a 101 book again is like a refresher course and allows you to pick up things you may have missed the first time around. At this point, though, you should also focus on certain topics that interest you and delve deeper than the "_____ for Dummies" books. If you are interested in mythology but not in healing practices, start looking up books about particular cultures and their beliefs, but only reference the beginner Alternative Medicine books when you want something different to read. If you prefer the other way around, pick up books specifically on Reiki, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy and leave your mythology studies to Edith Hamilton. Start sorting through your interests, and consider what abilities you have or would like to have.

Here are some ideas to move from Beginner to Intermediate:
1) Start writing and performing your own devotions and rituals. You can piece them together from various sources, but make them more personal.
2) Think of what tools you have and if you need any others. Make them if you need them, or put away the ones that you have if you decide that you no longer wish to use them. Yes, it is okay to put away all your tools and not pick them up again...you are the most important tool.
3) Break down your studies to make them more specific, and choose certain subtopics to study for a period at a time. For example, instead of studying general divination, practice scrying with a mirror only. You may decide later that using a pendulum is better for you, but take it step by step.

But how about going from Intermediate to Advanced? I think that you are "Advanced" when you actually master certain techniques, have both the book knowledge and personal experience to teach them, and you have the maturity to know that there will always be someone better and worse than you at everything. It's also important to remember that even someone who is an "Advanced Bard" and has the ability to write and conduct rituals using music and words (both poetry and prose) can also be an "Intermediate Magician" and "Beginning Healer" at the same time. However, just because you are advanced in one area does not mean you are beyond learning. In the case of our Bard, he could really be an Intermediate as far as his general studies are concerned, but we'd look up to him for advice when it comes to creating a new ritual.

So create a goal that you would like to attain in your Pagan practices. Ask yourself what your interests are, what knowledge and experience you have, and what you still need to learn to attain that goal. Imagine a person who holds the position you'd like to see yourself in over the next few years. (And I'm serious here...think in terms of YEARS, not "in a month when I read one book that covers everything.") What is the difference in the levels between your present position and that person? If your goal is to become a Wiccan High Priestess, brainstorm what skills and abilities a High Priestess needs to successfully lead a coven. She not only needs to know the hows and whys of ritual, but she also needs to be able to lead a group, council members, and solve any potential problems that might arise in the group. But be aware that groups can't function with all "leaders" and no supporting members. Maybe you'd like to become a bard. You may be able to keep a steady rhythm and strum a few bars on a guitar, but you may also consider taking music lessons, classes on effective poetry and prose, dance, and even a few possible drama classes that emphasize ad libbing material.

Other possible arts that you might prefer to specialize in are divinatory arts, crafts (such as smithcrafting, tools, metalworking, sewing, candlemaking, etc.), healing arts, psychic studies, fascination (altering the conscious in natural ways), or plant and animal studies. Or to put it all in a familiar perspective, think of all the different things you have to study in college just to get a Bachelor's Degree. What would you major in to become a Pagan PhD? What "classes" would you take? What topics would you study? You'd not only need the most modern information, but you'd want to know a history of your topic. You will probably study other topics at the same time, and relate them together to create a fuller perspective of your level of advancement.

Finally, consider what a college professor must go through...not only does she teach a class, but she also probably has written a book or two, continues researching her subject, and applies it to the outside world. She is also still learning. When you can do the same with your Pagan studies, you have bridged the gap between Intermediate and Advanced. But actions speak louder than words! When you have reached that point, believe me, you won't have to tell anyone how advanced you are. You may probably still think you're at an intermediate level. Other people will be the first to tell you that they look up to you, and that some day they want to be in your position. In the meantime they'll ask, "Will you teach me?" Your response will depend on how you feel, but congratulations will be in order...you're beyond being a beginner!