.: wiccan

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Embracing Witchcraft in our Times

Witchcraft at one time was practiced by witches, seers, shamans, charmers, pagans, gypsy's and more. These gifted people were legendary from Egypt to Rome. Witches have been part of many great moments in history since the time of shamanism. They gave counsel to Kings and used powerful spells to take down the unjust or cruel.

That is who witches were in the past, but what of the future? Is witchcraft a forgotten religion? Is being a witch relevant today?

Absolutely. Being Wiccan, Shaman or a Pagan in the world today is more relevant than ever. Overall, you'll find ecologically savvy men and women trying their best to bring awareness to the public to protect Gaia, our planet. NeoPagans of all faiths believe in equal rights, natural food sources, feminism, personal and social responsibility by all, respect for other faiths "that do no harm" and so much more.

Historically, witchcraft could be either maleficium, a "malevolent magick" or white "cunning magick" country folk used in the villages. Through history witchcraft was responsible for great and evil deeds. In Medieval Europe, the Church considered all witchcraft to be nothing more than superstition. But for a long time witches were not prosecuted until the late 15th century. During this chaotic time of bad politics and religious zealot, witchcraft was wrongly associated with Satanism.

More modern practitioners of witchcraft call their religion Wicca. Witchcraft and Wicca are very different. Wicca is a religion, and witchcraft is a magical practice. Wiccans are not all witches--some Wiccans have no interest in practical magic and it's workings. Also, many modern witches are not Wiccan.

Some consider Wicca a subset of witchcraft, and when Wiccans speak of practicing witchcraft, they are not speaking of maleficium or any ancient form of witchcraft. Witches today practice white magick that benefits society as a whole. The belief that "first you do no harm, do what ye will" is strong with the Wiccan and witches of our time.

Friday, June 4, 2010

The Pagan & The Pen

CH Scarlett is a wonderful author and owner of The Pagan & The Pen. This blog is so much more, as authors, artists and other talented people have pooled their experience. I've joined them and will be writing a monthly, maybe bimonthly column and adding more as time permits. I'm half Wiccan and half Gypsy, this intriguing blog explains the pagan lifestyle, holidays and offers ways to be at peace with yourself and the planet. This appeals to me on so many levels. I'm drawn to talented people; musicians, artisans and writers for their ability to see outside the box. To be able to see the world in a different perspective and not belittle anyone else for their beliefs. I hope you'll join me on June 20th where I'll be talking about the Summer Solstice that will happen on June 21st this year. I plan to participate in a celebration on Summer Solstice so the day before worked for me. See you there!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pagan meaning of the Summer Solstice

I've always been drawn to the moon as summer lovers are drawn to the sun. I prefer to walk in the twilight hours or night when a blanket of stars surround a full moon. To stand skyclad (au natural) on a beach or deep in the forest to commune with nature charges me with a snap of electric energy. My birthday is on July 18th, I'm a Cancer, the crab and find comfort in all things from the sea and sand. I've had the honor of joining Wiccan covens in the forest for ceremonies surrounding the natural celestial occurrences of mother earth. The one time I walk in the sunlight is during Litha.

Litha, or Midsummer, is one of the four solar festivals observed by many Wiccan and Pagan traditions on June 21st. Litha is an ancient Solar celebration when the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It is the longest day of the year and the point at which the sun seems to just hang there without moving – in fact, the word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.” Stone circles such as Stonehenge were oriented to highlight the rising of the sun on the day of the summer solstice.

Gypsy Omens

Animals

Cats & Dogs--If a black cat should cross your path it brings good luck. If the cat stops to look at you the luck will be greater, but if the cat spits at you it brings back luck. Dogs howling for no apparent reason brings news of death.

Spiders--spiders hold a deep fascination with gypsies and you should never kill a spider. If a spider should attach a filament of web upon you, the fates are about to make a change in your life.

Butterflies--A butterfly settling upon a young woman foretells a pregnancy; on an older woman it signifies a new baby in the family. On anyone else the butterfly foretells a time of celebration & frivolity.

Nature

The Moon--To see the new moon out of doors is very lucky. You should bow to her three times, then turn your money over three times; it will increase ninefold by the next new moon. Make a wish on the full moon, and of course you should always wish on a shooting star - but never tell your wish to another, or it loses its power and won't come true.

Gypsy Magick

The Gypsies say that the power of magick lies in four simple ingredients. The first of these is the desire/need of the practitioner. The stronger your desire for something to happen and the stronger your need for a thing, then the stronger is the power that you generate towards that goal. We can say, then, that the first ingredient (indeed the first necessity) for successful magick is will.

Along with the will for something to happen must go a certain amount of concentration, the second ingredient. It is no good doing anything, least of all magick, in a halfhearted manner. You must concentrate on what you are doing so that you can put that necessary will power into it.

There is no magick wand as described in children's fairy tales. There is no way you can wave a wand or utter a chant or spell, and FLASH! the thing is done. No; even magick takes time. Some spells can have effect within 24 hours, but most take longer. Some can take weeks, months, or even more. So the third ingredient is patience. Do the spell with the necessary will power, give it the required concentration; then be content to sit back and wait for it to have effect... and it will take effect.

The final ingredient is simply secrecy. Gypsies don't announce when they are doing magick, nor what exactly they are doing. They do it quietly, within the privacy of their vardos. So you, too, should keep secret what you are doing. By running around telling - perhaps bragging to - your friends, you are only weakening the power of what you have done.

~Raymond Buckland, Secrets of Gypsy Love Magick

Book of Shadows

SONG OF THE GODDESS

I am the Great Mother, worshiped by all creation and existent prior to their consciousness. I am the primal female force, boundless and eternal.

I am the chaste Goddess of the Moon, the Lady of all magic. The winds and moving leaves sing my name. I wear the crescent Moon upon my brow and my feet rest among the starry heavens. I am mysteries yet unsolved, a path newly set upon. I am a field untouched by the plow. Rejoince in me and know the fullness of youth.

I am the blessed Mother, the gracious Lady of the harvest. I am clothed with the deep, cool wonder of the Earth and the gold of the fields heavy with grain. By me the tides of the Earth are ruled; all things come to fruition according to my season. I am refuge and healing. I am the life-giving Mother, wondrously fertile.

Worship me as the Crone, tender of the unbroken cycle of death and rebirth. I am the wheel, the shadow of the Moon. I rule the tides of women and men and give release and renewal to weary souls. Though the darkness of death is my domain, the joy of birth is my gift.

I am the Goddess of the Moon, the Earth, the Seas. My names and strengths are manifold. I pour forth magic and power, peace and wisdom. I am the eternal Maiden, Mother of all, and Crone of darkness, and I send you blessings of limitless love.

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