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Study
Abroad! |
You can try to look up other Pagans in your area by checking Pagan Profiles or The Witches Voice Witches of the World section. I plan to stay solitary, but you never know when you need contacts to help you find items or information. A person in town may also be willing to show you around and help you out while you're there. Whether you plan to go it alone or work with others, you'll have to plan for your trip.
The first thing that popped into mind was, "How am I going to bring all my ritual supplies with me when I need a year's worth of clothing?" Obviously I can't bring a besom, chalice, athame, sword, and other bulky or semi-illegal objects with me on the plane. (I'm not even going to think about *bringing* herbs or incense with me! Sure, let's just set the drug-sniffing dogs on my sage smudge stick!) So the first goal is to think of the things you feel are necessary and absolutely cannot be left at home or bought there.
My wand may or may not come with me, depending on if I want to risk damaging it. I have yet to decide. I know I can cast a circle as easily with my finger, but my wand is extremely special to me. My Book of Shadows will come with me because I'd like to have my personal rituals and I'm not bringing my computer. I could put them on a disk and print them out at my school when I get there, but I don't know the computer status there. I may bring one or two books...probably Ed Fitch's Grimoire of Shadows for its exercises and Margot Adler's Drawing Down the Moon as I think this will be a good time to get some extra reading in. Beyond that, all I need is my "travel circle pouch." (See below)
Next we think about the things that can be found where you will be going and purchase them when you get there. Candles should be found easily, so you shouldn't have to bring any with you. I'm thinking about bringing my one pillar candle, but no more. (It's about 3 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall, but will pack easily.) Salt will be bought when I get there, but I will probably...um..."pirate" a few salt packets from a fast food restaurant before I leave for that time period before I can get to a store. I'll have a tap for water, and may collect rain if I feel so inclined. Bowls and cups should be there for use as a chalice and a cauldron. A paper plate can be fashioned into another pentacle, like the first one I made. I may get a cheap cigarette lighter for lighting the candles, and I'll keep my eye out for incense. In the meantime, I will substitute a pile of feathers or make a powder to sprinkle around to represent air.
There are things you should absolutely not bring on this trip, due to hazards or limitations. For me that means no blades. You can count those out because of airport security. No besom. That would be too bulky and I have to haul two suitcases and a carry-on on my own anyway. No chalices or glass votive holders. The last thing I need is shards of glass in my suitcases when I'm reaching in blindly to get my passport. No cauldron. (Cast iron in an already-heavy suitcase? I don't think so!) Also, it's against the law to bring matches onto planes.
So ultimately, I plan to spend my time abroad like this: To continue reading and studying Wicca, I will have one book on history and one book with exercises, and I will still have access to the Internet at my school. I will keep to my "normal" rituals for the year by using my Book of Shadows. I will set up my circle by using my "travel circle" (once again, see below) and add to it with common items that can be purchased there. If I don't bring my wand, I can make a new one for temporary use, and give it back to the Earth when I leave. I will be practicing solitary while there for my personal desire. Adjust these plans according to your needs, location, and personal taste. Good luck on your journey!
A TRAVELLING CIRCLE
I tend to bring my "travelling circle" with me to crew regattas since we always manage to have a regatta Samhain weekend. It is simply a small pouch with a few items that I like to set up for a quick circle. They are small, easily replaceable, tuck into a corner of a bag very easily, and are easy to make:
First find a pouch that you like. It doesn't have to be ornate or fancy, but something a little stronger and durable than a Ziploc sandwich bag is best. I use a pouch that came with a shower gel/lotion gift pack.
Next, think of what represents the Quarters to you. You can use stones for each quarter, pictures of animals or scenery, objects of importance...whatever you find appealing. For the East you can use feathers, pictures of birds, butterflies, or clouds, a faerie charm, a light colored stone, etc. For the South, pictures of volcanoes, lizards, or dragons, charms, a piece of obsidian or basalt, or a match. For the West, seashells are good, as are images of dolphins and merpeople, or stones you find at the beach or at a lake. For the North, pictures of the Grand Canyon, gnomes, land animals, small stones, or some salt is ideal.
I use salt packets from restaurants to sprinkle around my area to consecrate it. I also keep a cigarette lighter or book of matches in there. (In case you smoke, you may want to get a separate one specifically for this pouch or else you might wind up always looking for a lighter. Resist the temptation to use it for other purposes so it doesn't get lost and leave you without.) Sometimes I keep a small vial of essential oil in there, and even a tea light candle when I feel the urge. If you want some kind of wand, make one palm-sized or small enough to fit in the pouch. I have also seen "wand necklaces" in some on-line catalogues. (See the Where to shop page.)
If your pouch is big enough, you can even put a tarot deck in there. I also have a crystal ball that I sometimes bring, but it has its own box, so I don't have to worry about putting it into the pouch.
Having a small pouch in which you can tote around your circle makes things a lot easier than having to bring every item in your cabinet. My crew team always got a kick out of when I would set up circle and read tarot for them at regattas. Having a travelling circle is definitely a convenience!
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WICCA INFORMATION
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Even in another country, you may find some other Pagans. When I was in Paris, I was e-mailing with two others studying abroad in other French cities, plus one girl in Brazil. If you're going to a country that has a different native language, research common "New Age" terms like "witchcraft," "astrology" and "psychic" and keep your ears peeled for those words in the media. Doing the reasearch ahead of time will help you with the legwork in the country you visit. In the meantime, here are some books that might help you with your search for other Pagans abroad:
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