I came to study Wicca after having read extensively on the subject. I’m from Rancagua, and I found a place called “Escuela de Brujas de la Luz” at Casa Berkana, a space that presented itself as an institution with teachers and courses aligned with pagan knowledge.
Its directors identified themselves as pagans and initiates of Eclectic Wicca, although that point always remained somewhat unclear.
I remember that one of the first classes, on the history of magic, was taught by someone with deep knowledge; up to that point, everything seemed consistent. However, over time, a significant gap began to emerge: many of the teachers were not truly prepared. When asked specific questions, they would often postpone the answers to the next class, but when the time came, those answers never arrived.
Eventually, I realized that this was not truly a Wiccan formation, but rather a mix of content lacking a clear direction or coherence with neopaganism. For example, there were classes on “Mapuche magic” taught by individuals who were not part of that culture. Considering that Mapuche practices and knowledge belong to their own community and are generally not open, this approach was, at the very least, questionable. It was never clear how that related to Wicca.
Another issue was the lack of transparency regarding the directors’ training. It was mentioned that they had studied at “a school in Northern Europe,” but it was never specified which one, with whom, or for how long. This ambiguity ultimately raised more doubts than certainty.
In the end, I obtained the title of “High Priestess,” but over time I understood that it was an internal certification with little recognition outside that group. Upon engaging with other spaces and schools, I found that this institution was not well regarded within the national Wiccan community, precisely due to the lack of rigor in its practices and teachings.
In retrospect, the experience left me with more questions than actual formation.