Wicca's topics - tribe.net

Booking it

Dee — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:19:54 GMT

Whos reading what these days? Is your book good?bad?Same old Same old.....

posted in Wicca - 12 replies

witch school?

Sarah — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:44:44 GMT

As unsure as I am as to how I found it, I'm curious. I found a link to witchschool.com, and I am interested on everyone's opinion. Is there some relevance to this? Is it commercialized gain full of crap?

posted in Wicca - 9 replies

Hans Reiser Pagan???

CrossSidhe — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:37:44 GMT

Now that the case and he told the police where be buried his wife. The media is now showing Hans Reiser's personal life. One interesting thing they keep showing is his wedding. In the 3 sec video clip. It shows the Reisers in a Pagan Style Handfesting in a Labyrinth used by may Pagan in the SF Bay Area. The media also went as far as saying it was a "non-traditional wedding" and his best friend came in drag.

I am surprised that the media did not trumped up the "non-traditional" wedding and linking it to the occults.

Cross

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Litha

Vikinggirl — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:46:56 GMT

So what are you doing with Litha?

On solstice evening I’m going to stonehenge. And then during the day to Avebury stone circle. Together with my HPS and a bunch of witches from Scotland.
Very neat.

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

Rituals/Ceremonies honoring the dead

Jennifer — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:15:59 GMT

My brother passed yesterday. An Army Ranger, he was on deployment in Afghanistan. I want to do something, to honor him, his life, and the sacrifices he has willingly made but am at a loss in finding a ceremony I can perform as a solitary witch. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you...
Jen

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

Fear of spiders

Pandora — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:58:24 GMT

Hi, I still am totally creeped out about spiders. While I beleive the animals we are drawn to are our totem animals I have the feeling that the ones we are most afraid of or repelled by are a kind of totem animal too with something to teach us. I found one that is black with a white stripe on it's back. Makes me wonder if it's dangerous or not. I don't like the idea of them crawling on me and I still don't like the idea of them being in my apartment. I itch just writing about it! What do you all think about the animals we fear being a totem animal?

posted in Wicca - 12 replies

Celtic Designs

The_Dark_Knight — Sat, 24 May 2008 18:18:18 GMT

Celtic designs

I am looking for some Celtic designs for a series of tattoos

Celtic Cat, a wolf and raven

I have several versions yet since these are forever, I want to see more Ideas…
Any help would be appreciated

David
The Dark Knight

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

ordering supplies

Dizzy D — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:01:19 GMT

Do you order your supplies on line? Which websites do you prefer and have you ever had a bad experience with one?

posted in Wicca - 4 replies

The Return of Spring

Renard — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:27:28 GMT

A Longtime Lover Returns...

The earth again moves beneath my feet.
My longtime lover, returns to me once again
In an endless cycle of fertility and form

She writhes beneath me.... undulating in surges of energy
Chemical processes are brought to life
Starches begin to accept the call to transform into energy

The underground drums to her tune
Growing stronger... beating louder
She cries out and a patch of crocuses appear

She lives as always... but now in a state of awakening
Her energy growing... expanding... reaching out as each day passes...
Her desire is still sluggish yet the first whispers of grass emerge into the world of form.

Soon she will begin to pulse as her magick develops
The trees begin to swell and anticipate their annual birthing push from below
As her energy begins to build and her desire to create life and form grows

Unleashed she will once again yield some of her mysteries
As she makes new bodies for trillions upon trillions of plants
As spring migrates through another year in an endless cycle.

Plants emerge from the sacred earth and begin to harness the sun and grow
For soon she will be in full explosion mode
And they must be ready

Before long... all of nature will once again line up and help her bring about this new and unique Spring
Ants and bees and birds will all cooperate in a courtship of infinite powers
A vast eruption of flowers will emerge...her love expressed once again in a unique and ever changing landscape

Her palette paints for all to see a worldwide mural of changing colors and scents
The flowers become seeds that guarantee a continuing reality
And creates a smorgasbord of food for all that crawl and fly and walk in the woods

The skies fill with a symphony of sound from the life that comes forth from the land.
She will wallow in the trough of conception and nurturing
And all that know her will tremble at the power of her love

Spring Returns....

Blessed Be...
Renard

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

Pagan Vendors: Cross's Thoughts

CrossSidhe — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:20:01 GMT

In my 37 years of living I h ave seen many trend in our religion. I have seen our religion turn form a hush hush thing to being featured in movies. I have been in various Pagan groups and seen the Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

One thing I have seen come and go are Pagan vendors. Now, I remember the times before the internet where the only place to buy Pagan supplies was at your Ye O' Occult Shop. Living all my life in the San Francisco Bay Area I have seen many come and go. One trend I do see in these shops. The stores who's owners are very connected in the Community tend to stay in business. They are usually run and operated by very respects members of the community. They usually cater to all Religions (Pagan and non-Pagan) who uses magic, herbs, candles, and incests. Back in the old days this was the first stop in your journey in becoming a Pagan/Witch.

There are many reason why some of these stores do not make it. I find the biggest reason is lack of networking. Owners who only belong to one Pagan group or none at all has a recipe for disaster. It is hard to advertise in mainstream media. Usually the opening of a new story is/was by word of mouth.

I has a friend who opened up a shop in the East Bay. She was a member of my old groups Fellowship of the Spiral Path. I helped her advertise by making her flyers. Some of the members of our group went to her story. The rest of the Pagan community at large did not even know about it. Instead, they kept on going to a well established store in Oakland called Ancient Ways. Ancient Ways on the other had held festivals, classes, and went to all the Pagan events in the area. They really got the word out to the community. Plus the own is a well respected member of community.

Another problem that I have seen is that the store is way too "womyn" orientated. For many men this is a big turn off and they will not patronize the store. Then again some females feel a heavy handed feminist store is not very attractive either. I mean I have seen stores where they will not give any service to men in general. This is very illegal but it happens.

Now I am not saying that all feminist Pagan stores will go down in flames. The ones I see who stay in business again are owned and operated by very well respected and known members of their community. Also, they really try to get the word out any way they can.

Besides lack of networking my friends shop had trouble with the city. Her shop was in Albany, Ca. Yes the East Bay is very open minded and liberal. Yet NIMBY runs very deep. So the city tried and did shut her down. They sent health inspectors to building inspectors. The cities fire marshal came and cited her for have an open flame (candles on alters). She asked if the Catholic Church was cited too. The Fire Marshal said "No" for they are a religion and your are not. Being shut down by the city is very common. Especially if they still have anti fortune telling, occult, and witchcraft laws on the books.

As Pagan periodicals increased in the 1990's so did Pagan Supply Mail Orders. Some Pagan vendors with a little cash flow actually advertise in various Pagan periodicals. For a small fee they would send your a catalog. These catalog ranged from a small hand written booklet to full color catalogs. One even had Cher as a model!!! YES CHER. Lot of these vendors come and go for various reasons. One of their biggest problems was bouncing checks. We all heard of the old joke, "Pagans = Poor". Well it was very true then. Some business had to close because they received too many out of state bounced checks. For this reason many local Pagan shops today will not accept checks. Especially is you are buying ritual items for prosperity spells.

On a side note. I never had a problem with a mail order Pagan vendor. Nor did anyone at the time. Then again the community was very very small and selective. It was not like any Joe Pagan comes along and open up a shop and sell you crap. We were still few.

Now we have the internet. Anyone from anywhere can sell your crap. Some e-vendors are legit some are not. I really have not heard of a problem with any vendor until the invention of the internet. Now here is some food for thought.

Here in Sonoma County in California I have met various members of the local communities. There is one community that comes into mind. Many members of this particular community try to form Pagan Groups, start life coaching service (with no credentials or degree), and try to run e-businesses. Now some do run very legit business selling high quality herbs. However, some try running full line Pagan e-stores. The problem is that some of these people do not have homes. They are transient or couch hoppers. They just get or steal pics and/or pages from somewhere and make it their own. When they get an order they will buy it online elsewhere and resell it to you. Worse yet will not fill your order. If they will take your money... I honestly do not know. It does make me wonder.

My Thoughts

Cross Sidhe

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

LOOKING FOR WICCAN GROUPS, GET TOGETHERS, EVENTS IN THE LOS ANGELES/HOLLYWOOD AREA!

Thorn — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:36:01 GMT

Anybody know of any cool happenings in LA?

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

SunFest 08

schellin9 — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:55:39 GMT

June 19-22
SUNFEST—THROUGH THE AGES WITH THE NORSE: presented by Other Worlds of Wonder. This festival will be held near Lincoln City Oregon on the Selitz River. Come join us in celebration of the Summer Solstice. Event includes: A Solstice Ritual, Drumming, Dancing, Bon Fires, Workshops, Family Activities, and Merchants Village. We will be camping where it feels as though the Mother is holding you in her hands. Adults $60, less for children based on age. Please visit www.owow.org for further information and registration. This event helps to raise funds to purchase Pagan Land. OWOW is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

energies

Lisa — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:36:45 GMT

I have been awoken to write and so it seems write i must.

The council of Wise Boys are in my ear.

A lot of differing thoughts in the raihn brain about thought forms, forming and shaping energies and the corner of my lounge room that always seems dusty.

I have always been told that energy was just that- never good nor bad, just energy- the same for everyone and everything , everywhere, and that it was merely our own personal reaction to energy that made it what we defined as pos or neg.

Super council guide Castor has taken me even further on this of late, however it has been a lot to absorb and even now i feel i have only gripped the edge of this amazing topic.

In point form because i love point form, here goes- as always with me, the more you question, the more i know so please ask me about this/or give some feed back and i will do what i can to further enlighten ( a grand word and not exactly what i meant but it is very early! )

we hear people speak of positive energies and negative energies but what are they really ?
everyone has energy- the energy we have is universal life force energy, in that all are created the same, equal and yet it is how that energy reacts when mixed with other aspects of the mundane world that creates the positive and negative
energy reacting with energy alone is the same as say, salt being put with salt- no different
energy reacting with energy with thoughts ,emotions,physical sensations and free will added to the mix is a different thing all together- no longer is salt just salt- you have added various herbs and spices- you now have something completely different and it is this newly created 'energy variance' that now takes on the traits of positive or negative.
still with me ? good
so, it is this energy variance that we call 'relationships,situations, responses and entities'.
it is this mix of energy and herbs and spices that becomes ' another thing all together'
for example- I am me, Lisa and i am propelled, fueled by universal life force energy as is my daughter Prue. We both share the same energy, it is common to both of us- however- we also share an amazing array of thoughts, feelings and emotions that come with being mother and daughter and that come with being individuals with free will, and it is these thoughts, feelings and emotions that when mixed with our combined energies, form what we know as our relationship.
relationships ( and not just human to human) are the result of energy and emotion and it is this combined fusion that takes on an almost energy of its own and becomes what we term as positive or negative.
relationships ( and by this i mean, the results of how you how you relate) are energy variances unto themselves and thrive if fed or dwindle and fade if denied.
ok
so when someone says that you or your home or a work situation with you is negative energy, what they really are saying is that the human emotions, thoughts, feelings that have been bought into that energy have been negative or positive and this then becomes a separate issue.
you hear of people who feel 'haunted' by a negative energy of kinds- it is not the energy that haunts them but the result of that energy mixed with the emotions and thoughts it contained.
so.............................relationships become separate 'created' entities- it is this separate created entity that 'takes on a life of its own' so to speak depending on how we nurture or neglect it.
i am just me as Prue is just Prue and yet our relationship is not just the result of a combination of just our two energies. There is a whole lot of other stuff added there that gives our relationship with each other a force of its own- long after i am gone and my energy is gone, our relationship will live on because we have created it and given it life- we have added the herbs and spices to the salt.
the same can be seen in negative relationship- using me again- i am just me and my Rose Quartz crystal is just itself- we are both comprised of the same universal life force energy and yet it how we flavour that energy on a mundane level that creates the relationship we have with it.
I could love that crystal and use it for healing purposes thus creating a positive relationship with it that is separate to both of us or I could throw it at a passing car and break a windshield thus creating a negative relationship with it.
I am imagining you are pretty confused because as clear as this is in my mind i am having trouble getting it down in writing.

bottom line is that we are constantly creating new 'entities' or 'energy variances' and it is these new forms of our combined energies and mundane aspects, that take on aspects of positive or negative, not our original life force energy.

If we hate someone, it is not because they ( or we) have a negative energy- it is because the result of our energy and theirs plus the mundane aspects of life ( thoughts feelings etc) have created or formed a negative entity.

remember that relationships with anything are separate to you and not just you alone.

you can not change energy but you can certainly shape and mould it- form it into different shapes.

i am certain i have confused you enough.

i know what i mean.

its why we live in fear even though the person who abused us has passed over- the relationship we created with them is still being fed with our fear and so continues to live to haunt us.

how to control this- watch where you give your energy and if a situation, purpose does not suit your higher good, withdraw your energy from it- Don't feed it. if you have created a negative situation with someone then by withdrawing your input may not 'kill' it but it will certainly lessen it/weaken it and the impact it has on you.

ask me questions and please remember i am in the early stages with this.

Castor is a bossy guide but I am grateful for his continued direction and teaching.

A wise boy supreme- hold the olives

I am off to fold towels which can be positive and negative experience depending on what spices and herbs i add to it.

sigh...............................

i crack myself up...................

hoochers on a friday

Lisa
www.raihndrops.blogspot.com

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

Watch out for fraudulant pagan store: Cybermoon.com

slechleiter — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:34:15 GMT

I decided to go online and order a few items from Cybermoon.com- well maybe more than a few items almost $200 worth on March 23rd, was told my order would ship out that week and they took my money, I had ordered a kit and they said: "As soon as the boxes come in, we will ship kits. We are expecting our boxes to arrive literally any day."

I waited 2 weeks and got nothing, emailed again got an email saying:

+++

Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 3:27 AM
Greetings!

Thank you for letting us know your order failed to arrive. We will check
with the warehouse and, if your order hasn't already shipped, make sure it
gets out asap. If you ordered more than one item, please be aware your
order may arrive in more than one package.

If your order included runes, please remember that runes are not made until
they are ordered. That way, you receive runes that were made just for you.

If your order included an altar kit, please be aware that the boxes for the
altar kits are late arriving. We are expecting the boxes literally any day
and will ship the kits as soon as the boxes arrive. We haven't forgotten
about you.

Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Blessings
Beth
****************************
CyberMoon Emporium
cybermoonemporium.com

****************************

Within 5 days of that email I got about $35 worth of my order, still missing arround $120 worth of product, not to count the $20 shipping fee. On top of that the OLOTA Anna Riva Oil that they sent me smells like nothing but Johnson & Johnson baby oil.

I have emailed and phoned them almost every day since and have not had once response. The 1 month anniversary of my order was the day that I promised them I'd go online and start spreading the word on what a horrible, fraudlant company they are.

I should have done my homework first though. Below is a list of complaints I found from others on:
www.complaintsboard.com/

Cybermoon Emporium (complaint)
Posted: 2008-03-08 by Keitha Shrremetis [send email]
Item order not received!
Ring was ordered on February 2, 2008. I have tried to contact at phone # 404-348-4477 as I had order the wrong ring size. But to this day I have not heard from them. I have left quiet a few messages and have tried to e-mail them, to no prevail. I will be contacting my credit card com, to ask...

cybermoon (complaint)
Posted: 2007-08-29 by jeanmarie Blache [send email]
Order never delivered
I placed an order in June 2007 for a charmed altar kit as a gift for a friend. My credit card was charged and no product was received. I have tried to contact CyberMoon but have gotten nowhere. Someone help resolve this matter. I am a single parent of two young daughters and can not afford to...

CyberMoon.com (complaint)
Posted: 2007-03-21 by Francine Conti [send email]
No product delivered!
I placed an order with CyberMoon.com on 2-1-07. I have called 2 XS and never received a call back and emailed them 4'XS with one email generating that their computers were down on 3-9-07. Still to this date no product delivered. I have asked them to credit my card back and cancel my order......

CyberMoon.com (complaint)
Posted: 2008-02-23 by Christina [send email]
ordered and paid online product never delivered
My mother placed an order with Cybermoon. com in Aug 2007 and never recieved the product, I ordered in Nov 2007 not knowing and still have not recieved any product either. Both her and I have left repeated emails and voicemails with no response to date. The entire websit is just a fraud, Both...

Consider yourself warned. If anyone knows who these ppl are or a better way to contact them and actually get some customer service please let me know!

Stephanie

posted in Wicca - 7 replies

Short Documentry of the Burning Time - A Must See

CrossSidhe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:55:24 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU

Cross

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Beltaine In the Grove Deadline to Register April 10, 2008

Seanachai — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:41:30 GMT

Merry Meet! Time is running out, but there is still space available to register for Beltaine In The Grove! Registration closes on April 10, 2008. If you have checked out our website, www.beltaineinthegrove.org thanks for your interest! If not, check out what we have going on for Beltaine. The festival is on private property in the Columbia River Gorge area- about 2 hours east of Portland (OR). We will be camping, having workshops that include Practical Magic Correspondences, Astrology, Archery, Belly Dancing and more. There will be a Maypole with Dancing and choosing a new May Queen along with a fantastic Main Fire and Tantric Temple too!
FYI If you have registered as a USER at our site and plan to join us, be sure you REGISTER for this year’s festival as well- alas it is a two step process- but will be streamlined next year. Any questions, please let me know. I can be emailed directly at Seanachai@beltaineinthegrove.org.
Merry Part,
Seanachai of The Oak Cauldron

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Manhood, and the masculine divine

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:19:00 GMT

Thoughts?
What are some good masculine deities? and what makes them good and why?
which MAle God best represents, ( to you) all the best qualities of Manhood?Why? and what are HIs qualities that make Him this way?

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

An Inconvenient Truth Presentation

WizardsAura — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:16:58 GMT

Other Worlds of Wonder Sponsors
An Inconvenient Truth Presentation
By Official Presenter Ezra Eckmeyer
Sunday, March 23rd @1 P.M.
Multnomah County Library, Midland Branch
805 S.E. 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Raise your awareness, and discuss strategies each of us can be involved in to address global warming.

This is a fund raiser for Pagan Land
Donations gladly accepted
Questions owoworg@hotmail.com or visit www.owow.org
OWOW is a federally recognized 501c3

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

wickerman burning - a new burn in south central PA

~em — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:28:12 GMT

www.wickermanburning.org

I wanted to let everyone know about a new burn, and I am part of the planning team for it, so my opinion is biased!

The burn is "Wicker Man," to be held Thursday through Monday, Memorial Day weekend; and we have a setup weekend, the weekend before. We are trying to lay the groundwork that will grow into a full-on burn, with an amazing site, roads for art cars, a $4,000 art grant budget and plans for a stupendous effigy.

We will be using Four Quarters as our site, which has the rep as one of the most edgy and progressive non-profit camps on the east coast. They have given us their full support for Wicker Man. Four Quarters has a piped water system, hot showers, flush toilets and of course port-a-potties. Buried power lines for their bio-fueled camp generator, a covered stage and three swimming holes. Lots of camping under tall trees and out in the sun too. And 2 miles of gravelled roads. Four Quarters is located 100 miles west of DC and Baltimore, just off I-68.

We want to develop a burn that is art focused and will support big art. And one that has a vision of the future of burns that is sustainable, ecologically responsible and leaves behind a small foot print. Thus "Wicker Man;" the old celebration of the Green Man and Green energy. We already have over 20 theme camps and art projects registered, and we are just beginning our announcements. We plan to have three "Theme Towns." "Sound Town," where we can run sound all night long, like the Gaian MInd psytrance festival held at Four Quarters. "Sin City" down along the river, a cure for what ever ails you. And "Center Circle," a place for nature and spirit; held inside the amazing stone circle at Four Quarters. (Yes, there is a circle of standing stones and they are BIG!)

And then there is the Man. Planned at 35 feet high our man stands on a round Temple to the Spirit of Fire, a big enough room that you can enter and place your own art and offerings to the burn. The roof of the temple is a deck upon which stands the Man, and people can stand too.. His belly is the Upper Temple, with room for just one person at a time. Each of his arms will hold a flaming fire pot, and we hope, will move as he burns. This is a huge project and we are looking to get as many people involved in his construction as possible. Ground breaking for the Man is Friday, May 9th, and then the next two weekends until he burns.

I could go on and on, but our web site is up, with the first design drawings for the Man, pictures of art grant projects and theme camps. We have a list serve / forum too. So visit the web site at wickermanburning.org for much more info.

"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust,
Wicker Man Burning, In Fire We Trust."

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Beltaine In The Grove Registration Now Open!- A new NW area Festival!

Seanachai — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:25:21 GMT

Merry Meet! Anyone whom is interested in a fun, magical ritual and camping festival for Beltaine, check out our site, www.beltaineinthegrove.org.
We are a small group of family and friends whom have been working magically speaking for a number of years and have wanted to do our own Beltaine, and now we are. We would love to have others join us and meet more of our community at large. This is a traditional Beltaine with dancing the may pole, a May Queen and May King- with all the trappings and cavorting that entails! As this is a new festival we need more musicians, drummers, dancers, fire eaters, contortionists, and anyone else whom wants to join. This is also "family" oriented where children may come (with a parent/ guardian), but the celebration at the Main Fire, Bardic Circle and Tantric Temple can go on through the night! We welcome all faith/ religious backgrounds, gender assignations, sexual orientations and any other category you may identify with, so long as you are respectful of others. Questions? Interested? Check it all out at www.beltaineinthegrove.org.
Merry Part,
Seanachai of The Oak Cauldron

posted in Wicca - 8 replies

Pan-Gaia

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:09:57 GMT

I have been reading this quarterly mag off and on for a couple of years now and I like it, but I would like some other opinions from the rest of you, K?

posted in Wicca - 2 replies

Temple of the Green Cauldron

Kam — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:16:21 GMT

Hi everyone!

Thought I would let you know that Nanaimo's Temple of the Green Cauldron has a new web address:

http://www.greencauldron.org

Blessings!

Kam.

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Online Wiccan/Pagan Supply Store

Joseph — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:42:38 GMT

Greetings everyone,
I am new to Tribes but would like to announce that I am an owner of a wiccan/pagan supplies store. If anyone is interested in taking a look around our store url is http://www.moonslightmagic.com. We have over 2000 different products and items online. We offer secure shopping by credit card/paypal/and check or money order.
I know it can be hard finding things for the craft, but if we don't have we can certainly try to get it for you. thank you for your time, and i'm glad to be a part of this community :)

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Your definition of a Witch

Maya — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:35:09 GMT

I am curious at to what peoples definition of a witch is.

In darkness and light

Maya

posted in Wicca - 5 replies

burnt out on Wicca?

Maria — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:29:34 GMT

I've been quietly lurking and checking out the posts here and wanted to pose
a query to you all...I discovered Wicca 12 years ago through a college friend and it
changed my life, giving me comfort and acceptance
of being a woman and strength to achieve many goals. I went to a Wiccan
meeting group once a week that eventually spun off some wonderful friendships,
unfortunately some that I'm no longer in communication with. Most of that
group has kind of gone off the deep end in terms of being cult-ish and doomsday
prophecy stuff. I've also had arguments with my very best friend that almost ruined
our friendship about being poly (she is and I'm not) and with different pagan people
saying that "If you're not poly you're not pagan" Quite frankly, I've see so many
people get involved in the poly thing and it almost always
turns into a mess.. now that I'm married and in a committed
relationship to hear that theme in the community, rubs me the wrong way.
I've spent so much time in Salem, MA that the whole flaming pentacle/cloak wearing/
black cat and moon thing makes me shudder. I've spent the past 7 years building
my mehndi business and taking control of my life that some in the community have
said "I've sold out" and I'm not spiritual or eco-conscious anymore because I'm more focused on my
business. Frankly, I realized that the people that I
spent too much time with had communal goals within the group that did not allow
me to fulfill my individual goals. I've also met many pagans that turned me off to the religion
because they were irresponsible and used the fact that they were pagan to be
irresponsible..ever hear of "pagan standard time"??
So, I'm not trying to be a downer here. I know there are many people that
walk the walk and are role models for just being outstanding citizens, not just pagans.
I'm blessed to have several still within my group of friends. But I feel
like I'm done with Wicca. I see a pentacle and it does'nt have the same meaning for
me it once did. I see a goddess statue and while I admire it for its beauty
it does'nt hit me like it used to. Sort of like watching your favorite movie
100 times, after the 34th performance it loses its oomph. I don't want to
lean on my pagan friends to get my fire started again, if that's even the
direction I want to go towards, I've found through my research into
Indian and Middle Eastern cultures via my henna business a lot of
profound wisdom that speaks to me but not like Wicca did.
Has anyone else out there experienced pagan burnout or just religious burnout
in general??
Respectfully Submitted,
Maria

posted in Wicca - 28 replies

My Way To Obtain Visions And Communicating With Spirits

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:16:50 GMT

Hello everybody

I have the urge to write some things that I have used and am still using, so to share it with all you wizards out here. It is a method that is still evolving, new techniques get woven in anytime I talk to someone with the same interests, when I read new things, or when I contact directly with the spirits. I’ll write it in a practice-form.

So here is the method I use to get into trance and obtain visions. I hope you will read, use and spread these words for good purposes.

Step 1 - Relaxing

So the first thing, for optimal success, you have to be totally relaxed. You can reach relaxedness through many ways. Relaxing plants, relaxing music or meditation. I personally prefer meditation because it keeps your visions pure and uninfluenced by intent of a musician or blurred by plants. There is no reason not for you to use it though, there is no right or wrong. It is best to look what works best for you to get in a totally relaxed state of mind.

That is what you are looking for, a relaxed state of mind and a relaxed feeling of the body. So there are no tense muscles or thoughts that are popping up. You are a lake and there are no dimples in the water. You might have had this feeling before, a feeling of total tranquillity. Remember the moment and try reaching that point again. You might remember it from the feeling after a long workout, after a day of hard work and little sleep or a vacation you had where you were totally relaxed. Empty your head and feel totally relaxed. You can sit down or lie on your bed. There should be no tension in your body. Create a perfect surrounding with some scents, music, whatever works.

What I do is:
I lie down as relaxed as possible, with my arms next to my body, my legs slightly apart and my head slightly lifted with a little pillow. I make sure there is nothing that might interfere with my relaxedness, no tight clothes, no watches.
Then I tense up all my muscles one by one, feet first. Then lower legs, upper legs etc… to the neck and face, then back to the arms, hands, fingers, then back to the neck, face and then back again to the feet. This tensing makes you aware of your body, everything is there, make sure you don’t miss out any muscle, feel the energy in each of them and how they work. When you know what you can tense up, you can relax it even further, repeating this a couple of times, as long as it takes. This relaxes the body.

To relax the mind I use my mind and breathing, it will be overlapping the actual trance itself. Anyone who has studied meditation should have some knowledge of this already. The basic idea is: Think of nothing, literally. Be very conscious of your breathing. Breathing is as natural as a heart beating, but when controlled, you can influence the calmness of you mind. You can reach a total state of tranquillity. When practicing you might find some thoughts popping up, discard them, when they keep coming back, write them down. The state you are looking for is one of total concentration, awareness and relaxedness. So you are aware of the state you are in, at the same time you are totally relaxed and have control over your thought process. This takes time to practice, but with concentration you can reach it even the first time you try.

Step 2 - Breathing and forgetting

So when you lie down totally relaxed, did the muscle-exercise and have started breathing it is time to get into trance. You take three deep, long breaths, then repeat your regular breathing ten times. Three deep, ten normal, three deep, ten normal. When doing this you will notice the reaction of your body on the breathing. Repeat this 20 to 30 times. Then change the breathing to three deep long breaths and twenty deep fast breaths. Three long, twenty fast, three long twenty fast. Repeat this 10 to 20 times then return to normal breathing. All the time while doing this practice, think of nothing and keep your concentration solely on the breathing, nothing is in the way, only breathing. You will find you don’t really notice your arms lying next to you, you don’t remember which way your legs are lying. You might not remember how your head is connected to your body. You will slowly forget that you have a body, you are fully aware of your breathing your concentration and you calmness. That is the state you are looking for. Totally disconnecting from the body, only pure thought and vision.

Step 3 – Disconnecting and dissolving

At that moment imagine you are made from energy, and that there is energy all around you. Everything on atomic level, vibrates and moves all around, feel yourself vibrating and everything vibrating around you. The air, the furniture, the room, the house, the land, the world, the universe. Realize you are one with all this energy and imagine leaving your body. You are dissolving into a source of infinite energy. Imagine you are vibrating and vibrate out of this physicality and you mind’s energy is become whole with the energy all around. When doing this be very aware of the crown of you head, your crown chakra. From there you will leave your body.

Step 4 - Obtaining visions.

Step four is actually done all along during step one, two and three. At every moment of the practice, you should be aware of four things. Your breathing, your crown, and the lights that form on the inside of your eyelids. These three things should be connected, you will notice that during the different kinds of breathing, the lights will also take on different shapes and forms. At the moment of forgetting your body, the lights will take on more familiar forms and will change more rapidly and seem to dance on the way of your intent and your thought. When you have dissolved into the energy, you will notice that you have control, and can make shapes if you want to, you can go to places where you want, you can let yourself go float around, or you can search for condensed knots of energy with an own will, entities and spirits.
When visions begin to blur, take a few deep breaths and a few fast ones. I found looking up also helps. Putting pressure on you eyes, or sucking them in keeps visions stimulating. Keep the focus and the concentration all the time during the travel. At that moment you can do whatever you like, it’s a realm of pure energy, thought and ideas. From there you can travel to other places, look into other peoples minds, do body-work, you can do a lot of things.
You can obtain visions, call on dead people or spirits.

When you are done, don’t get up directly, slowly breath, tensing up every muscle again and slowly let yourself glide back again into the physical realm.

In this way I have met different spirits, and entities some wanted to scare me, others handed me gifts of light. I have had conversations with my dead grandfather and my deceased stepmother. There are many stories from the other side.

Step 5 – Communicating with spirits.

When in this trance it is possible to look for spirits, but you will notice that they also come to you uninvited. There are weak spirits, wise spirits that can teach you about certain subjects, also spirits that might tempt you, there are many different forces on the other side.
The communication is purely through intent, you will find that you will hear words be spoken, different spirits speak in different tongues or in different languages, sometimes the language you speak. But the most of the communication is done without actual sound, you hear with your eyes, you see and interpret, as do they.

Step 6 – Precautions and stuff you can use.

Ha, this actually should be step one. But hell.

It is best to work in complete darkness to let the visions be pure, sometimes only closing your eyes is not dark enough, even a little moonlight can creep in between or through your eyelids. So cover you eyes up with a towel or a Mindfold http://www.azarius.net/smartshop/fun_stuff/Gadgets/mindfold/ , that will allow you to look in complete darkness with your eyes open.

Have some objects near that are powerful to you, that give you strength to not be overcome by darker spirits or feelings you might have. Let love be a main reason to enter these realms and there is nothing that can harm you. When you want to perform black magic you will almost definitely come in contact with some great, powerful deceivers from the other side, if you have a strong willpower you can keep control but I won’t recommend doing stuff like that. They are capable of becoming a part of you, they can ask something in return for a favour, something of great spiritual value.

It is possible to take mushrooms to enhance the visions, I found this work very well with even a very small dose. But it does make things more chaotic, practice will make it better to handle with though.

So..
I thought it would be cool to spread this text so people can add techniques to it, if you want it send me a message and I will mail it to you, you add some text in a different colour then mail it back. Then I will put everybody’s input into it and send it back again to everyone who participated.
Or just add in the thread if you want.

Good idea?

Peace Love and Nakedness

Geert

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Communicating with spirits

Katy — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:12:59 GMT

Hey everyone I need some help. One of my cats tends to stare at the ceiling a lot and today he sat on the edge of the couch and kept meowing and kept moving his head around as if he was watching something move around on the ceiling. I couldn't see anything, no shadows, no spiders, nothing.

Does anyone have any idea of what it could be?

If its a spirit, how do I communicate with it to find out what it wants and how to get it out of my house?

posted in Wicca - 5 replies

Something Smells

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:49:03 GMT

Hi everybody,

I'm new to this tribe, and this is my first thread here.
I'm very interesting how all of you use your noses.

Is it not amazing that certain smells can bring you you back to certain points of time in your youth. A brand of toiletcleaner the janitor used in kindergarten, fresh bread, cut grass...etc. etc.

Oh boy and, how some smells can bring you to new hights.
I like my nose and I use it whenever I can.
I like to fill my home with smells as well, nice ones that is.
I also use smells during my practice.

I have just ordered some new smells from a website.
Peruvian Incienso Resin, Peruvian Myrrh Incense and Peruvian Copal incense. I'm very curious of these smells.

Now my favorites are

Satya Super Hit, Incense Sticks
Satya Aastha, Incense Sticks
Nag Champa, Incense Sticks
These are very inviting smells.

Palo Santo, Cut wood.
This is amazing, it just cleans the whole atmosphere of any negativity.

I just obtained these herbs and woods which I found interesting.
Osha Root, very earth-bound smell but it brings me to a whole new level of relaxedness.
Kinnick Kinnick, A mixture of herbs for smoking, I burnt some on a plate and I got tired immediately after smelling. I lay down and felt very connected with my surroundings.

I'm always looking for new stuff.
So do you have anything I can smell? Mmm..
Any joyful, inviting, spiritual, smells I can stick my nose in?

Peace, Love and Nakedness

Geert

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

Gay Witchcraft and sex magic workshops in the Celitc land of Wales, the true spiritual home of the Craft

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:23:34 GMT

Hi folks and Merry Meet from the Celitc spiritual home of the craft-Wales. I'm not sure whether anyone would find my workshops here in Wales at the HomoMoot (Copyright 2007) of interest. They are held one a month. The website has more information www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot

Blessed be.
Julian.

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Colloidal silver

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:16:24 GMT

its silver suspended in water!! awesome stuff, its just like water but with molecules of silver all through it, makes for amazing scrying water for your bowl, a wonderful potion for cleansing, holds moon energies like nobodies business, and its GOOD for you, though dont drink too much.Its best kept in DARK DARK glass bottles or in , of course, silver bottles, so the sunlight doesnt hit it. GOOD STUFF!! you can pick it up in most health food stores, though it IS pretty expensive. i used to use this stuff for my cleansing potion, and for storing moon energies, for my scrying bowl, and all kinds of things. mm, i miss making potions.

posted in Wicca - 8 replies

Pagan and Dating

CrossSidhe — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:17:45 GMT

Do you find it hard to meet someone because you are Pagan? That you find person you date is turned off because of your beliefs?

Cross

posted in Wicca - 11 replies

Only TRUE Believers of Wicca/Paganism Celebrat Christmas...

CrossSidhe — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 04:01:23 GMT

Come on...

Think about it...

Ever heard of a Pagan/Wiccan missing out on all the free food and gifts?

=:)

C-

posted in Wicca - 10 replies

ISO a Copal Oil Supplier...

MacMorrighan — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:01:10 GMT

Hey guys, I have recently jotted down some personal notes for creating an Uncrossing Oil; however, I require some Copal Oil, but my supplier doesn't have any. In fact, she says she's never even seen any, before. But, I'm sure I've seen it, so I know is must be extent.

So...I was wondering if anyone, here, might know of a supplier that's sells Copal Oil (if not some sort of liquid copal-based botanical!). I really don't want to use Frankincense as a substitute, because the energies would be entirely different for these purposes, given that copal is employed in Mexico as an apotropaic substance, particularly when fighting Witchcraft.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Wicca - 2 replies

Hans Holzer

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:24:30 GMT

Just purchased "Witches, True Encounters With Wicca, Wizards, Covens, Cults, and Magick".What are some veiws of this man and his works? Was it worth the purchase?

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

Creation

Vikinggirl — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:11:38 GMT

What do you believe how it all started? The world, the Gods...
Do you have a creation story?

posted in Wicca - 8 replies

Xmas cards

Vikinggirl — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:25:01 GMT

Do you sent them?
Or maybe are you creative and make your own Yule cards?
Maybe you don't sent any because you are against commercial sentimental crap.
What is your opinion on this....

Happy Holidays!

Lets get "you" ...back into Yule....
( hehehe)

posted in Wicca - 9 replies

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan

Nabarz — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:59:59 GMT

Hi,

Just joined the tribe! I have been working with goddess Morrigan for several years and recently published a short book 9see below) with some of the knowledge gained from working with Her.

As I am new here I have included a short intro too.

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan.

A dialectic play

New book launched, now available at:
www.lulu.com/content/1728442

In this short collection of dialectic plays, Payam Nabarz uses the Greek teaching method of ‘Socratic Dialogue’ or the Irish Druids ‘Colloquy’ to take a down–to-earth look at contemporary spirituality. In an easy to read and no-nonsense fashion he explores multi-faceted mystical paths with references to popular cultural icons, making this an accessible read for all seekers.

This is a divine comedy that both enlightens you and has you rolling on floor with laughter. If you enjoy the works of Terry Pratchett, The Mighty Boosh or Mulla Nasreddin, this dialectic play will be an enjoyable addition to your collection. This is the tale of the magical journeys and adventures of a neophyte called Corax, and his initiator the Goddess Morrigan. The Celtic Goddess Morrigan is the Goddess of war, death, rebirth, change and justice - this is far more than Corax expected at his initiation!

Content:
Act I: Lammas.
Act II: The Autumnal Equinox.
Act III: Samhain.
Act IV: The Winter Solstice- Alban Arthan: the birth of the sun.
Act V: A Kali Puja: a magickal workshop.
Act VI: Imbolc.
Act VII: The Dance of Death.
Act VIII: Beltane 4play.
Act IX: An eclectic pagan’s near-death experience.
Act X: Beltane.
Act XI: Justice for Rollright Stones.
Act XII: Living like the pagan ancestors.
Act XIII: The Towers of Silence.
Act XIV: The Magi’s gifts.

Payam Nabarz is author of ‘The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World’ (Inner Traditions, 2005), and ‘The Persian Mar Nameh: The Zoroastrian Book of the Snake Omens & Calendar’ (Twin Serpents, 2006). He is the editor of the ‘Mithras Reader: an academic and religious journal of Greek, Roman and Persian Studies’ (Twin Serpents, 2006). FFI www.myspace.com/nabarz

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan is available from:
www.lulu.com/content/1728442

Paperback book Price: £8.88.
or Download Price : £6.66.

Printed: 53 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-colour exterior ink.

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Cord

CrossSidhe — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:17:12 GMT

Do you have a cord? I am finding more and more Pagans not having a cord. Worse yet... they don't even know what one is. I have mentioned to people that I am "corded". They are like... "WTF?!?!?!?".

What color is your cord?

Mystery Circle: Lavender, Burgundy, and Purple.

Circle at the Crossroads: Black, Purple, and Blue.

Cross Sidhe

posted in Wicca - 5 replies

Update on holiday pentacle display

Vikinggirl — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:53:39 GMT

Update: The Holiday Pentacle

It looks like the press missed a beat here. At the end of November, a Wiccan was granted permission to erect a Pentacle display next to a controversial Nativity display in Olean, NY. I was very excited by this prospect, but the next day the Wiccan in question backed down from erecting the display.

"April Garlow said she won't erect the Wiccan symbol. Garlow made the request after being outraged that the mayor allowed a group to place a nativity scene, a Christian symbol, on the municipal building's lawn. "I couldn't believe they would put it on public property. I'm a homeowner in Olean, I pay taxes," Garlow said ... Garlow has said she will not place her Wiccan symbol at the building because of the possibility of lawsuits from outside organizations. Carucci said the offer remains for her and anyone else wishing to display their religious symbols."

But it seems that Garlow changed her mind, and took Carucci up on his offer, erecting a Pentacle next to the Nativity display last weekend. This development didn't make it to the news-wires, but news has been made again now that the display was destroyed by vandals.

The vandalized Pentacle display.

"Police are investigating vandalism aimed at a symbol of the Wiccan religion set up next to a Nativity scene in front of city hall. Officials in this city 60 miles south of Buffalo say someone in a pickup truck backed over the Wiccan pentacle around 10:15 p.m. Monday, then sped off. The pentacle, a pentagram within a circle, was placed last weekend near the Nativity scene Olean Mayor David Carucci allowed to be set up outside city hall last month."

Looks like some Christians aren't as committed to religion in the public square as they claim. I hope the culprit is caught and made to personally restore the symbol, and I hope that every Pagan and Heathen in the Olean area comes forward to erect their own Winter-themed displays. Let the Nativity exist in a sea of religious imagery, or remove it from public property.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holiday Display Vandalized in Olean

Updated: Dec 11, 2007 09:09 AM EST

Olean, NY, December 11, 2007) - - Police in Olean are investigating the vandalism of a holiday display.
Police say someone opposed to a Wiccan pentacle decided to express his or her opinion by running it down Monday night and then sped off into the night.
Olean Mayor David Carucci says the vandalism happened around 10:15 last night.
"Someone has backed up over the curb and run over the pentacle," Carucci told News 4.
Carucci is quick to criticize the action, and is hopeful police will soon find the person responsible.
Police, meanwhile, are treating it as a hate crime.
"We're going to be treating this as a hate crime," said Olean Police Chief Terry Schnell. "This has gone far too long, this is getting ridiculous."
The pentacle stood only a few feet away from a nativity scene that sparked a public debate about the separation of church and state.
The owner of the pentacle, April Garlow, says as long as the nativity scene remains on public ground in front of Olean city hall, so too shall the symbol of her Wiccan faith.
She's disappointed, though, that an attempt to acknowledge different religious beliefs has apparently divided her community even further.
"This is supposed to be the season of peace and goodwill towards men and I don't see any of that," said Garlow.
Olean police say the person responsible for crashing into the pentacle drove away in a black Ford pickup, and they're asking anyone with information to call them.
The number for the Olean Police Department is 716-376-5678.

http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=7479158

posted in Wicca - 2 replies

why do so many covens fall apart so fast?

Wanderingwolf — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:38:21 GMT

when i was active in the wiccan community , a period of about 12 years, i must ahve seen about 2 dozen covens being formed and then fall apart, no one coven lasted for more than four years, they varied in style trad, number of people from a handful to more than 13, male and femal ratios varied just as much, new members balanced by the old, elders and such varied as well, i could find no one recipe for hollding it together. inevitably, it was simlply petty dramas and jealousies, egos and power trips that destroyed them all. does anyone have any idea how/why this alwyas seems to happen? and please, not just " thats the way some people are". why does this happen so often? it always looked to me like people cant allow others to grow at their own expense, even when that growth will ultimately benefit everyone in the coven, its selfish petty whims, the things we strive to teach our children against! why cant adults do better?

posted in Wicca - 28 replies

True/Serious Believers in Wicca/Paganism???

CrossSidhe — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:45:24 GMT

Do you ever had grit your teeth and have to say "True/Serious Believers in Wicca/Paganism" to someone???

I do. Seems like more often these days. I do not like to do it but I have. I am finding it more and more people becoming "Pagans" or "Wiccan" because it is cute or nothing better to do. I have found some who do it because it is so "Goth". I also have found people who become Pagans to live out a fansty or use it as a basis for a LARP.

Cross

posted in Wicca - 43 replies

Shadow Witchcraft

chakkraa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:00:48 GMT

Would you like to know more about Shadow Witchcraft?

If so, please join my tribe

tribes.tribe.net/shadowcovenfamily

posted in Wicca - 4 replies

coven?

Julie — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:57:26 GMT

Does anyone know how to find a local coven? I had found an internet site that listed local covens but now I cant find it agian.

posted in Wicca - 4 replies

Names and Days question

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:41:54 GMT

Ineed a name of a god/goddess that protects from injustice, and a description and what to offer for sacrifice and what day and what way. ANyone got any ideas? im really needing this , dealin with a lot of injustice and blockheadedness from comanders that refuse to listen and only see black and white and discount any reasons that dont fit their viewpoint. I need a mothers defense of her child againstinjustice, someone that will FIGHT and MAKE things change. i need a kind loving goddess that will take up the defense of a man defending his wife-to-be and his child.

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

Potion-Crafting & Teaching Fees?!

MacMorrighan — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:13:08 GMT

Hmmm... Hey, does anyone here ever craft their own potion formulas anymore (either water-based or oil-vased)? Something I've noticed, which gives me cause for concern, is that I rarely--if ever!--read literature by contemporary Witches emphesizing the brewing of potions; nor are there many original potions on the 'Net (what there is, however, has merely been cribbed from other books!). This is why I am presently culling together various strands of research to teach a class on the subject of potion-crafting, as well as writing an exhaustive book on the topic! My only concern, of course, is deciding upon what to charge for the service of a class. Many Pagan classes by Witches I see advertised on-line command more than a few hundred dollars per/hour; even a local Reclaiming HPs that owns and opperates our local occult store charges such relatively extravagent fees. Yet, there's the fact that I'd feel both "weird" and a bit "bad" taking such sums of money from people even though it'd be a quality education (stuff they wouldn't necessarily be able to learn from most books available!). After all, I'm just a big ol' sawfty (not to mention I'm a Socialist at heart!). Moreover, I wouldn't want to make it prohibitively expensive--and unless I am mistaken, classes that command more than $100 would tend to do that, I think (unless I am mistaken).

Though, just put of curousity, if you do: Do you actually blend yourr own Potions? And, should you not (which is fine!): Would a class and/or in-depth book on the subject interest you?

Moreover, for such a course, what would be your expectations, just out of curiousity? Anything particular you would love to have touched upon in such a class if such a class were offered to you at your local Pagan venues (bearing in mind that this class will be offered, unless I am invited to teach elsewhere during a visit, to my own local Pagan peers).

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

posted in Wicca - 13 replies

Needing some homework help

Rowan — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:57:02 GMT

Greetings everyone!

I am currently in a doctorate program majoring in mythological studies and for one of my classes this quarter, I need to do a creative project revolving around a symbol (I won't go into much of it here, but if you are interested in more details about it just send me a note). For the project, I have decided to do a "photographic scavenger hunt" of sorts. The symbol I have decided to work with is the pentagram, pentacle or upright five-pointed star.

So, what do I need from you? The majority of the photographs that I am going to be using are the ones that I have taken, but I would like a more diverse group of photographs. The end product is going to be a little book and movie. What I am looking for are pictures of stars that you see around you in daily life... it could be in nature or something man-made. The more unusual the better, and feel free to get really close to the object in the photo. An example of one that I found was on the top of the Parmesan shakers at an Italian restaurant and a mural I saw on the side of a catholic church.

Anyway, if you would like to help me out, please let me know. I will give you my email address to send the photo too. I would also like you to please tell me what the object is, where the photo was taken and your full name so I can credit it to you.

Thanks a bunch!

- Rowan

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

Displaying A Broom

Ela — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:14:22 GMT

Does anyone know if it is wrong to hang a broom upside down (with the bushel at the top, handle aiming down)? This would be a way I can display it, without my cat gnawing on the straw ends. I am noticing that he is *extremely* fascinated with it, and I want to protect it :)

posted in Wicca - 13 replies

paganism then and now (then = "late antiquity")

cornel — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:55:14 GMT

Anyone familiar with the Paganism of late antiquity can't help but recognize the tremendous similarities to modern Paganism. Among those many similarities are:

(1) The prominent role of magic.
(2) Syncretic blending of traditions from a variety of cultures.
(3) The prominence of Great Goddesses.
(4) The centrality of Hermetic and Neoplatonic elements.

Unfortunately, some scholars have insisted that these features of late antique Paganism were somehow decidedly "un-Pagan". In particular it is claimed that all of these features appear only in late antiquity, representing a break with the "genuine" Paganism of the past. It is also usually implied or even explicitly claimed that these features are either borrowed from Christianity or somehow reflect the "influence" of Christainity.

Briefly here are a few pointers for anyone who wants to get to the truth of this matter - taking up each of the four points above:

(1) There is no clear bright line separating how "magic" is viewed in late antiquity and how it had been viewed earlier. Those who wish to give that impression do so by cherry picking sources that, if viewed in context, merely demonstrate a deeply ambivalent attitude - an attitude which continued into late antiquity. The same ambivalence was often felt toward the cults of Dionysos and Cybele, as well as to all "foreign" Gods, or cults that incorporated rites that were ecstatic, or even just loud (or that held nocturnal rituals).

The writings of Iamblichus as well as the Hermetica clearly portray a "spiritual" approach to magic that would be instantly recognizable to any modern day Wiccan. And there is nothing to indicate that Iamblichus or the Hermetic material had a completely "new" approach to magic that is unlike what can be found earlier. Plato's "Symposium" (Socrates' speech in particular) lays out the theoretical basis for a "philosophical magic" (or magical philosophy) of the kind found among late antique Theurgists and Hermeticists. Modern Ceremonial Magic can directly (and seamlessly) trace it's "theoretical basis" back to Plato's Symposium. It is unlikely that Plato himself invented this theoretical basis for magic - indeed he has Socrates attribute it to his teacher, the Prophetess Diotima.

(2) Pagan "universalism" is well attested in such writings as: Herodotus from the 5th century BC; Manetho (who confirms Herodotus' "correspondences" between Greek and Egyptian Gods) from the 3rd century BC; and Epictetus and Plutarch from the 1st century AD. According to two recent book length studies of Herodotus, his religious universalism was not atypical - and Herodotus certainly gives the impression that he assumed that his early classical Greek audience would agree with the general principle that all human beings worshipped the same Gods - just using different names and having different traditions and rituals. In addition one can find a clearly univeralizing approach even in Homer. The Greeks were "importing" foreign Gods at least by the 5th century BC (by which time the Athenians had already earned a reputation for being especially open to foreign religious influences) - and the Romans were strongly influenced by the religious ideas and practices of the Etruscans (non-Indo-Europeans) for probably as long as there was any such thing as "Romans" - not to mention the fact that by the end of the 1st century BC Roman religion had itself become thoroughly "Hellenized".

(3) The prominent worship of Great Goddesses is definitely not peculiar to late antiqity. The first mention of Isis is in the Pyramid Texts (2000 BC), and Herodotus refers to Her both as the Deity most revered by the Egyptians, and as one of only two Deities (the other being Osiris) worshipped by all Egyptians. The cult of Cybele was also very prominent and widespread long before late antiquity.

(4) The blurring of religion and philosophy was, in fact, a feature of "philosophy" from the very beginning. Late antique Platonism (so called "neo"Platonism) and Hermeticism simply represent a seamless continuation of that trend. The writings of the pre-Socratics were often decidely metaphysical, mystical and often downright spiritual and religious - much of it as mystical or religious as anything in Plotinus or even Iamblichus. As to Socrates himself, Xenohon insisted that he frequently consulted traditional oracles in addition to directly receiving and interpreting "Divine signs" himself. Much of Plato's writing is clearly and explicitly religious in nature. Much of Stoicism was blatantly "theological" in nature (the World Soul, for example) - and Stoic theology was often directly influenced by Plato's Timaeus. All of the major schools of philosophy (including the Epicureans) dealt with theories about the Gods and also the nature of the human soul - and they all (again including the Epicureans) matter-of-factly accepted the "reality" of Gods and souls.

(apologies for cross posting - I also posted this on the "Pagan Scholars" tribe)

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Eastern European Mythology & Paganism?

MacMorrighan — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:13:51 GMT

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here might have, sitting on their personal Library shelves, any academic texts they could recommend to me dealing with the mythology and ancient paganism that was rampant throughout eastern Europe [eg. Croetia, Slovekia, Hungary]? I tell ya', researching Greek, Roman, Celtic and Egyptian deities is *so* much more simple! After all, I could rattle off a variety of contemporary scholars for each discipline. As an example, for Celtic (which is my specialty) I would most likely recommend James Mackillop, Miranda Green, and (my favorite) Prof. Daithi O hOgain. But, presently, I am researching Horned Gods and their respective, or generative, cults within their endemic culture. I hear that one Slavic Horned God is named Velos or Volos, but I can learn nothing about Him hrough any of *my* books, or Slavic mythology for that matter. Hmmm...I wonder if there is a Lithuanian Horned God? Or any Hearth-Goddesses and Cults throughout eastern Europe (I already known of Gabija/Gabieta, however)?

Take Care,
Wade

posted in Wicca - 5 replies

Contacting Idaho Pagans, Wiccans, Druids....

Shadar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:30:34 GMT

Well Met,
The Knights of the Stone have expanded from Yahoo domains to the Tribes!
This time we are trying to boil down our 'active' group to Idaho, more specificaly, south east Idaho. (check out our new tribe site at my profile as well as our home site and podcast!) We moved to Idaho last year and are now begining to rebuild our pagan lives as clergy and council, as well as planning on holding events. We already have begun our Pagans Night Out in Idaho Falls, ID, and by the new year hope to begin our monthly open discussions, and go on to include Sabbats by Spring.
For more information on us, check out our website : http://www.freewebs.com/knights-of-the-stone
Many Journeys,
Shadar

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Borabu - the great horn of the Fianna

Renard — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:19:21 GMT

The old ways flow through my blood. I am a fénnidi who stands opposed to the assault of earth religions by Christians and others who have led us to the stake and to the pit. For 2,000 years they have gilded their churches in gold and paid for it with the blood of the people they should be serving.

Today... more than ever before....we don't need their lost religions to tell us who we are.

Their time wanes and it is time for the witches and the druids and all of the earth religion people to awake again... to emerge from their rest and sleep and feel the power of the earth beneath their feet and the fire of spirit in their souls.

My voice is one in the wilderness... adrift on my friend the wind. I am a new way to honor the old way. My voice absorbs sounds from the earth... becoming an instrument whose music you can barely hear.... but cannot ignore. Within its melody is heard a distant horn... a horn of druid warriors long gone, yet not forgotten.

Borabu - the great horn of the Fianna...blows today across the globe... seeking those who would be oppressed no more. It is a time to honor the earth and take back our temples and churches.

Dord Fian

posted in Wicca - 2 replies

Poly or Monogamy

CrossSidhe — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:55:04 GMT

In my years in the Craft I have found more and more Pagans preferring Poly over Monogamy. I have also noticed that it is a regional thing as well. So... do you prefer Poly or Monogamy?

Cross 4.2

posted in Wicca - 30 replies

you might be a witch if

greydragonkeeperofthegate — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:21:33 GMT

I found this some where

1. When you're sworn in in court, you bring your own grimoire.
2. Painting yourself blue, spiking your hair, and dancing naked around a bonfire sounds like large amounts of fun.
3. When asked if you believe in God, you ask, "Which one?"
4. You know what "widdershins" means. You know when to apply it.
5. You think The Mists of Avalon should be a religious text. You use it as such.
6. You have friends who say they are elves. You believe them.
7. You commit blasphemy in the plural.
8. Upon dying, your first thought is, "Darn it, not AGAIN."
9. When you say "Mother Nature," you don't mean it in an anthropomorphic way.
10. You know that there are exceptions to the laws of physics. You've caused them.
11 The first thing your guests say is, "My, that's a nice...altar...you have there."
12. You understand the symbolism behind a maypole.
13. You've ever ended a phone call with "so mote it be."
14. Your children go around telling people that "the Goddess loves you."
15. On Halloween, you yell "Happy New Year!" at passers-by.
16. You know that Christmas trees were originally pagan symbols. That's why you bought one.
17. You have a frequent buyer card at the local antique bookstore. The proprietor of said bookstore picks out anything to do with the Celts and saves it for you.
18. You think Mercedes Lackey should be a cultural icon.
19. Gaia is NOT the lady on Captain Planet.
20. You have an entire spice cabinet and you don't cook. You know that laurel and bay leaves are the same thing.
21. In Religion 100, you were disappointed because they didn't cover YOUR gods.
22. You know that there is a right way and a wrong way to draw a pentacle. You can explain the difference.
23. You've spent the last year and a half looking for a familiar.
24. You talk to trees. They talk back.
25. You know dragons and fae exist. You've seen them.
26. You've been seen talking to cats. They talk back. You understand what they're saying.
27. You've seen "The Craft." You know where they were making stuff up in "The Craft." You have explained this to other people. You can do it better than they did it in "The Craft." You know it's a load of crap.
28. You're reading this page. You understand what it's talking about. You have more to add.

enjoy i did

posted in Wicca - 14 replies

The Goddess, "Samhain"!

MacMorrighan — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:47:02 GMT

Hey guys, for MANY years we Pagans have been castigating our newby kindred-souls by stating (and deflating the popular notion) that there was no such Deity as "Samhain", after whom the Sabbat was named. But, is this so? Well, I had always heard that there was never any God (in the masculine) named "Samhain". But, it turns out, that there is certain a Goddess that bears this name--The Morrighan! I ordered an academic article from a Celtic Studies publication (I forget the title of the Journal and article off the top of my head, as I've filed them away for the moment) wherein The Morrighan, during the Da Derga's Hostel tale--when asked who She is--utters off a string of names and epithets, including MNacha, Bodb, Nemain, as well as even "Samhain"--"Summer's End"!!! So....there ya' go! ;o)

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

Tiffany Aching

Vikinggirl — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:28:54 GMT

Yes, they are comedy books writen by Pratchett. But they are soooooooo good. Some people see the Avalon serie as "the best Pagan book(s)"
Well, I LOVE the wee free men/ Tiffany Aching books.
At the moment I am reading the last book in the serie and it surprices me every page how well it is written. He must have had very good inside information to come up with that.

Besides from all the fantasy stuff, it discribes witchraft very well. THAT is the sort of witch I feel connected with. Or maybe more like Granny ;-) hehe.

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

any

nicole — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:44:24 GMT

groups or covens in the metro phoenix ,tempe,mesa area

posted in Wicca - 2 replies

Witches Ball veteran ~ Come hear my songs!

willowlama — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:54:13 GMT

Hi Everyone! I was hoping to make some friends, re-connect with old friends too. Please come view my profile and hear my songs on the link provided! Peace Love and Music,

Willow ~ Telepathy

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

At Temple

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:36:09 GMT

I need to get some ideas bout arranging my temple. Any suggestions that u may have would be appreciated.

posted in Wicca - 5 replies

what the hell happened?

softerimagegrl — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:18:27 GMT

the last 2 times i went to a cemetary, i was attacked, though im not sure why. the first time i encountered watchers and someone draining me. last night i went to a different cemetary, now i have a deep bite mark on my shoulder. can anyone explain this to me?

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

need help with old topic

cadence — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:51:58 GMT

I was hoping someone here could help me.
I posted a topic maybe a year ago about a money spell & someone responded with a spell about writing on a dollar bill & putting it somewhere for a stranger to find. It was great. But I don't remember the details or which topic it was under. Can anyone help?

posted in Wicca - 6 replies

cleansing spells?

cadence — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:30:25 GMT

I was wondering if anyone had a SIMPLE cleansing spell to help bring in positive energy & cleanse the old?
I am a bit "rusty" in the Wicca ways.
Does anyone have a good book too they would recommend for someone like myself who has been "rusty" for a awhile? Refresher of sorts?

posted in Wicca - 0 replies

leaving a positive footprint

frank — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:14:25 GMT

Leaving A Positive Footprint
Blessing Space

Physical space acts like a sponge, absorbing the radiant of all who pass through it. And, more likely than not, the spaces we move through each day have seen many people come and go. We have no way of knowing whether the energy footprints left behind by those who preceded us will invigorate us or drain us. Yet we can control the energy footprint we leave behind for others. In blessing each space we enter, we orchestrate a subtle energy shift that affects not only our own experiences in that space but also the experiences of the individuals who will enter the space after us. While we may never see the effects our blessing has had, we can take comfort in the fact that we have provided grace for those that follow after us.

When you bless a room or an entire building, you leave a powerful message of love and light for all those who will come after you. Your blessings thus have myriad effects on the environments through which you pass. Old, stagnant energy is cleared, creating a vacuum into which fresh and invigorating energy can freely flow. The space is thus rendered harmonious and nourishing, and it becomes a hub from which positive feelings are transmitted. Intent is the key component of the blessings you leave in your physical wake. If your intent involves using your own consciousness as a tool for selflessly spreading grace, your blessings will never go awry. Whether you feel more comfortable performing a solo blessing or prefer to call upon your spirit guides for assistance, visualize each space you enter becoming free of toxins, chaos, and negativity as you speak your blessing. Then imagine the resultant emptiness being replaced by pure, healing white light and loving energy. Even a quic! k mindful thought of love can bless a space.

This type of blessing is cumulative and will grow each time you bestow it. Try blessing every home, business, and office you visit for an entire week and observing the effects of your goodwill. Your affirmative energy footprint will help brighten your day as you contemplate your blessing's future impact on your siblings in humanity and your environment.
blessed be
Frank

posted in Wicca - 3 replies

equinox

greydragonkeeperofthegate — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:15:46 GMT

*~*Mabon Incense*~*
Recipe by Scott Cunningham

2 parts Frankincense
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Cypress
1 part Juniper
1 part Pine
1/2 part Oakmoss (or a few drops Oakmoss bouquet)
1 pinch pulverized Oak leaf

Burn during Wiccan ceremonies on Mabon (the Autumnal
Equinox, circa September 21st), or at that time to attune
with the change of the seasons.

(This 'Mabon Incense' recipe is from "The Complete Book of
Incense, Oils & Brews" by Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn
Publications, 1989)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*~*Autumn Equinox Ritual Potpourri*~*
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

45 drops Honeysuckle Oil
1 cup Oak Moss
6 small Acorns
2 cups dried Oak Leaves
2 cups dried Honeysuckle
1 cup dried Passionflower
1 cup dried Rosebuds and Petals
1/2 cup dried Pine Needles
1 tablespoon Sage

Mix the honeysuckle oil with the oak moss and then add
the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store
in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

(This 'Autumn Equinox Ritual Potpourri' recipe is from "The
Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells,
Potions and Recipes" by Gerina Dunwich, a Citadel Press
Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Decorating items:

Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat Stalks, Cypress cones, Pine cones
Myrrh, Sage, Pine
Orange, Dark red, Yellow, Brown
Acorns, Pomegranates, Pine Cones, Baskets of fallen leaves
Breads, Corn, Cornbread, Beans, Squash, Apples, Roots (carrots, potatoes, onions), Cider

Mabon is the time to honor the Ancient Ones and the Spirit World. Traditional Pagan activities at this time include fermenting grapes to make wine and the decorating of graves. Also traditional is to wander wild places and forests, gathering seed pods and dried plants. Some of these can be used to decorate the home or altar.

Make a Indian Corn bundle to hang on your front door
Make a rattle from an empty gourd and some seeds.
Make a dried leaf mobile
How about a pine cone pyramid?
Weave some wheat into fun shapes

Tradition sees the Mabon Wreath as the primary symbol of this time of year, the remembrance of the wheel of the year, the wheel of life, and the promise of rebirth, both in the spring and in our next lives.

Or make a pretty fall bouquet of leaves, pine cones, corn and grapes to leave on a grave as a gift to the ancestors.

Grapes Gourds Dried Leaves Wine Pine Cones Rattles Vines Acorns Indian Corn Garland Wheat Sun Wheels Horns of Plenty (Cornicopia)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Celebrating Mabon
By Jill C. Yarnall

Altar and Home: It is appropriate to decorate your altar and home
with traditional Autumn colors of gold, orange, red, and brown.
Decorations might include pumpkins grouped on the doorstep, dried
flowers and wheat attractively arranged in a stone vase, Indian
corn hung from the front door, fall leaves scattered across the
altar, and baskets of apples.

Fresh Apple Candle Holders: Apples can be easily made into clever
candle holders by making a circular cut into the stem area and
hollowing out a space big enough to hold a votive candle. Place
the candle snugly in the hole and light. This decoration is
especially appropriate because apples are sacred to Pagans for the
pentacle shaped arrangement of the seeds inside. To see this for
yourself, slice an apple in half from side to side rather than from
top to bottom.

Mabon Thanksgiving Dinner: To remember and honor the harvest,
Mabon is designated as the Witches' Thanksgiving. Gather friends
and family on the Equinox for a harvest celebrations in grand
proportions. Serve roasted squash or turkey; mashed potatoes;
fresh whole grain bread; vegetables; corn bread stuffing; cranberry
sauce; pumpkin pie; hot spiced cider; and wine.

Gourd Rattle: It is easy and fun to make a dried gourd rattle.
Follow these easy instructions: allow the gourd to dry completely;
drill a hole in the area opposite the stem; pull out the fiberous
material inside with tweezers; fill with a few dried beans; glue in
a stick that fits the hole for a handle; and decorate if desired.
This instrument can then be used for ritual, private meditation, or
drumming circles.

Gourd Dipper: To make a gourd dipper, take a fresh gourd; slice
off an area to be left open for dipping; scrape the insides clean;
and allow to dry in a place protected from insects and high
humidity. The dipper can then be used for scooping grain, herbs,
seeds, incense, or other magickal items.

Hayrides: Organize or attend an old-fashioned hayride to honor
and celebrate the harvest.

Harvest Platter: Choose a large platter on which to form this
centerpiece. Arrange dried or silk leaves, pieces of wheat, nuts,
small Indian corn, small gourds, sugar pumpkins, and candles
together on the platter. This centerpiece can be lit before each
meal to remind all those gathered around the table that the final
harvest is near.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Depending on when the leaves turn in your area, beautiful multi-colored
leaves can be dipped in paraffin, to be used for decoration. Quickly dip
the leaves in melted paraffin, and put them on wax paper. When the
leaves are dry, you can put them in a huge decorative jar with a sigil of
protection carved lightly on some

enjoy lol E

posted in Wicca - 1 reply

John 3:16

CrossSidhe — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:33:10 GMT

HEY JOHN!!!

IT IS ALMOST 3:16!!!

YOU ARE GOING TO BE LATE!!!

Cross Sidhe

posted in Wicca - 10 replies

Serious Question: The Bone Man

CrossSidhe — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:37:00 GMT

Serious question people so no joke answers please.

On October 31 (does not matter is you celeberate Holloween or Samhain) you get a knock on your door. When you answer it you find the Bone Man standing in front of you. He asks to come into your home and for your hospitality.

The question is...

What will you do?

Cross Sidhe

posted in Wicca - 6 replies

PA fines midwife

Vikinggirl — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:58:32 GMT

If you care about women in Pennsylvania having the right to determine who has access to their reproductive organs, pass this around! Our bodies belong to us, not the medical establishment.

http://www.savehomebirth.com/home

In an unexpectedly aggressive move Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine began a campaign to end homebirth, a practice common among the Amish and Plain communities here in Lancaster County.

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -

SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

HOMEBIRTH MIDWIFE IS ORDERED TO CEASE AND DESIST BY THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICINE

The State Board of Medicine today ordered Diane Goslin, a Pennsylvania midwife who attends the homebirths of the Amish and Plain communities, to “cease and desist from the practice of medicine and midwifery.” Additionally, she was fined $11,000.

Goslin, a Certified Professional Midwife, who attended over 5,000 successful homebirths and trained many professional midwives, received her certification from NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) in 1998. Accordingly, she has received appropriate training and education, demonstrated competent midwifery skill levels as affirmed by peer-review and successfully passed nationally standardized examinations. Although 23 States grant midwifery licenses to midwives who achieve NARM certification, Pennsylvania does not.

While homebirth attended by a midwife has been a traditional practice within Pennsylvania Amish and Plain communities, this less costly practice has recently been under attack from the state medical board. The number of families choosing homebirth continues to increase as medical research demonstrates its safety and cost effectiveness.

The CDC recently released a report that shows national maternal mortality rates (Aug, 2007 National Health Statistics) are the highest they have been in decades. One of the factors, they say, is the rising Cesarean birth rate.

In an effort to achieve a safe and satisfying birth, women are beginning to choose homebirth as an option. "The system is broken," said Dr. Marsden Wagner, the former director of Women and Children's Health at the World Health Organization. "The United States has the second worst newborn mortality rate in the developed world, despite the fact that it's one of the most expensive maternity care systems."

In the UK, homebirth was recently adopted as an option for birthing women by the National Health Dept., which stated in 2006, "We are committed to offering all women the choice of how and where they give birth." In April 2007, The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (the UK equivalent to the US ACOG), released a joint statement with the Royal College of Midwives stating their support for home birth.

"A recommendation made by the Georgia Study Commission on Midwifery is applicable to Pennsylvania," said Ida Darragh, Director of NARM. "When a state has an underground network of health care providers, it needs to deal with the situation responsibly through regulation rather than prosecution."

Goslin's lawyers plan to appeal the Medical Board's decision.

http://www.abc27.com/news/stories/0107/391828.html

posted in Wicca - 1 reply