As a teacher of Wicca, I realize that some things cannot be explained in words but must be experienced to be understood. This is why Wicca cannot be learned from a book, or through mail order. But only through open communication with each other, specifically the elders of the craft, can we learn that knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere. The Books of Shadows of our ancestors have, for the most part, been lost, burned or buried. Only through the wisdom of the generations can we hope to recover some magickal knowlege of the ancient past.

I understand that the burning times are not over, and that secrecy from the populace is indeed warranted. I am not suggesting we give free access to our BOS or publish our rituals, or discuss specific knowledge that is bestowed as we earn our degrees. But why must we segregate amongst ourselves at the expense of our spiritual growth? Isn't part of the beauty of Wicca the ability to bridge that gap, to communicate with each other and focus on the similarities between traditions, rather than the concept of "we know something you don't". By our "oathbound" secrets, politics, rules and sanctions, we are in fact denying each other the very fellowship that makes us, and our magick, stronger.

I welcome you, my sisters and brothers of the Craft, into our Circle. Enter in perfect love and perfect trust, and let our energies combine for the highest good.

Collectively, we have been acting out the fable of the blind men and the elephant,
each feeling a part of the animal and quarreling about who has true knowledge
of the beast.  We are now at an evolutionary point where we can begin to listen
to each other and start pooling our information instead of fighting as a response
to our fear at the initial differences we discover.

---from The Heart of the Fire, Cerridwen Fallingstar, 1990    Used by Permission