Witches don't believe in hell, or devils or satan, none of that Christian stuff of nightmares. (Note: I'm sure there is someone who is thinking even now... "that's not true, I believe in devils, imps and the like". In my opinion, that's your choice but most Witches wouldn't agree).

Anyway, if Witches don't believe in Christian baddies, is there anything evil that we do belive in? Or is everything all light and good and pure with the world?

No, we do believe there are consequences to your actions and choices. There is the three fold law, there is karma and there is the Wiccan Rede. But, that doesn't really answer the question, does it?

I do believe there are bad things out there. I don't trust that everything around us is goodness and light. But, I tend to seldom think about anything negative in that way. It's not a focus in my day to day doings. If you don't dwell on evil (whatever word you would call it) it won't notice you either.

To me even talking about evil sounds a bit looney toon. In the end, people make choices and that is what brings consequences to themselves and the rest of the planet/ people. The evil comes from ourselves, not so much from an outside source. Yes, I think there is an outside source but it's only as strong as we ourselves make it.

Each day is a new day and you have to choose who you will be, what you will believe in and what you will do.

First of all, I'm going to change the name of this newsletter. My personal Pagan-ness is that of Witch and Wiccan. So, as they say, write what you know. That doesn't mean this will become a guide to spells for turning people into frogs, etc. Of course not, I don't even dignify that with an answer. I hope to find ideas and links that will interest people with a range broader than Witchery. I think we should have enough range to keep up with any new ideas, agreeing with them doesn't matter. You don't have to agree with everything you read you just have to keep reading and forming opinions as you go.

Anyway, that's the news for the newsletter. I've been an irregular publisher lately. A lot of things are happening at once for me. But, if you miss me you can always let me know on the Pagan messageboards at BackWash. If you have a site to promote submit the link to BackWash or just email it to me. (My email should be back up soon, I was hoping this week but no sign of life yet).

That's about it for now. Kind of short, no revolutionary ideas or anything of huge interest this time. Take care,

Laura

Staying safe, in your own safe little world. Is that where you are? Many of us choose our adventures, how far we will go depends on where we have our safety nets.

For instance, have you told anyone you're Pagan? Have you told your family, friends, co-workers, boss? I'm not suggesting you rush out and do it. I'm certainly not daring you to tell them either. It's a personal thing. Being Pagan is a personal thing in itself. A personal choice and something just for you.

It should not, however, be some dark secret. Something deep, dangerous and naughty. That's not what Paganism should be. It's not something you should have to hide from your family. Being Pagan is about caring for life, the Earth and old traditions. How can they really object to that? Still, you can find the safety zone. You can let them know you're into nature, environmental issues and historical traditions. You can be Pagan without saying the word Pagan to them.

People don't always get that. They think they have to hide being Pagan because others won't like it or will be shocked by it. They turn it into a deep, dark secret. By doing that they make it become something dark, secret. No wonder so many people still think of Pagans as devil worshippers.

You have the power to find where your safe world is, set the boundaries and set the record straight if you choose to. Let people know you're Pagan, if you can or if you choose to. But, don't make it some dark mystery. Don't let them find an altar, a book or a pentacle in your room without explanation. If you make being Pagan something to be ashamed of or fear you hurt all of us.

Instead be proud of who you are and be as honest about it as you can. For me, the only person I couldn't talk to about being Pagan was my Grandmother. It scared her. She couldn't think of it as anything but dangerous for me. She didn't understand that it's not something dark, but something light. She didn't know what I made of being Pagan, for me. She only knew the stereotypes she had heard all her life.

Let's play word association.

Magick?...

Life's energy. Sparkle. Power. Fantasy. The art of the wise. A gift from the angels. The air I breathe. Acts of will. Directed Energy. Something science can't explain. Medicine. Science of the mind. Nature and the elements.

How do you label magic/k? What does it mean for you? Could you put it all into a haiku? Just curious.

Originally posted to 'BackWash: Where the Wild Things Are' newsletter, April, 3, 2003.

I've strongly felt that the Wiccan Rede defines the rules. With a few simple words, everything important is said. I've never thought it was open to many shades of grey, but people tend to find what they look for when they want to bend the rules. Sometimes the rules have been bent like cooked spaghetti. As soon as you have to ask "what does harm mean" you're drifting into grey. Harm is harm.

Of course, I have encountered my own shade of grey when it comes to killing bugs. Not that I use magick to kill bugs, but if you are a true Witch you shouldn't be causing harm, right? Bug killing is pretty harmful to the bugs. But, I finally decided if the bugs invade my space they must die for it. However, I will not kill them outside, that's their space. Grey, but it works. Not quite what the black and white Rede would agree with but I can live with that bit of grey.

Anyway, this week this quote in a quiz was interesting and has given me something to think about.

"Nature is neither black nor white. Nature is. As am I." From the Paradox Discovered website.

It makes sense and yet... The philosophy of the Rede also makes sense, a lot of sense. The idea of karma (and reincarnation in a sense) has always seemed based on the Rede. If you bring harm to others you will see it come back to you, eventually. I don't see the Rede as a threat though. It wasn't created to be the Pagan version of hell. Still, it's very black and white.

Nature is made of colours, more than just grey for sure. Nature is also hard and based on survival as much as it is on life and nurturing. Should the Rede be more flexible? Can it afford to be flexible? How far can it bend before it becomes irrelevant? Or has it always been irrelevant? After all, being Pagan is about nature, not human history. The Rede however, is man made, not something taken from nature.

Very interesting, something you could debate and philosophize about for a very long time.

Originally posted to 'BackWash: Where the Wild Things Are' newsletter, March, 16, 2003.