Posts tagged with “Pagan”
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A Witch Name, or Not?

I posted a reply to a young person asking about a Witch name, in Reddit.

If you want another name why not use Rainbow which has meaning for you? Is there some reason you think you can't call yourself Rainbow? I don't use another name for myself. I choose who I talk to about my feelings/ beliefs and my family aren't concerned about any of it. So I don't need to hide my identity. I think having a witch name is building a character rather than becoming someone who is a Witch. But, that's just my feelings. Call yourself Rainbow, and go boldly forth, learn all you can. :)

Also, about finding people with your same interests in your area - likely they exist but are quiet/ cautious about it, just the same as you are. Slip something into conversation with people you have something in common with, people your own age, people with similar hobbies, etc. Show some curiosity about crystals, tarot, etc and find others who are also curious.

I really do believe there should be no Witch names. It does seem to make everything like some fantasy or game instead of reality.

I have been given a hard time by some Christians online, but they were not people I knew or kept any interest in. There may be some people who do need to hide their beliefs, even now. Some who live in a heavily Christian dominated location may want to avoid all the conflict and upset and keep their views to themselves. That is understandable. No one loves being nagged or worse.

But, if you don't need to hide your beliefs, why choose to hide your identity? Can't you be a Witch without obscuring it in some way. Aren't you happy to use your own name and call yourself a Witch? If not, why not. That's something to spend time thinking about. It could be you haven't found the right path for yourself yet. Look into other beliefs and variations of Pagan beliefs and ideas. Find something, a niche, group, or culture, that fits you and makes you feel good. Ontario Witch I made this as a logo today. I'd like to make the Ontario trillium green, a darkish green. I might figure out how to do that sometime.

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Pantheism does not involve a belief in deities, spirits or any…

Pantheism does not involve a belief in deities, spirits or any supernatural powers. Instead, Pantheists believe that what is divine is right here on earth; in fact, it is earth. Pantheism's central tenet is that the universe, the earth, and nature are divine and so they should be treated as sacred.

Today, with the destruction of the biosphere, the over-consumption of natural resources and the need for an ecologically valid ethical system, Pantheism is placed in a new position. What would the world be like if we all loved the earth as much as Pantheists do?

Pantheism is an ancient religion that developed well before Buddhism or Taoism; not only does it care for nature, but it holds that the earth is the most sacred order there is. Pantheism is not an exclusive religion in that most of the time it is not in a category of its own. Many Taoists and Buddhists, Pagans and ecologists, are Pantheists. The average environmentalist may also be a Pantheist and not even realize it.

In a Perfect World We'd All be Pantheists - Posted by Laura Gallo, McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Originally published in April 2003.

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“It makes no difference how long ago someone died. We are their living…

“It makes no difference how long ago someone died. We are their living relatives.” – Emma Restall Orr

I read a post by Anna the Imp, Sacred Ancestors. This is an issue I have thought about before. Mainly, is it ok (morally correct) to move, display or physically analyze historical dead bodies. At what point does respect for the dead come into scientific research?

Honouring the Ancient Dead a British initiative that advocates respect for what are commonly called ‘human remains’ and their related funereal artefacts.

This is what Ana wrote:

There was a story in the Telegraph and the Guardian yesterday concerning the display of ancient human remains in museums. They report the findings of a new book by Dr Tiffany Jones that museums are removing or partially covering mummies, skeletons and other human remains for fear of protests by neo-pagan organisations, the chief among which seems to be Honouring the Ancient Dead (HAD), an advocacy group founded by Emma Restall Orr, a neo-druid, poet and author.

There is certainly considerable sensitivity over this issue, particularly when some of the remains in question were removed from traditional burial grounds without consultation, something that might be defined as anthropological imperialism, a corollary of political imperialism. Many of these artefacts have subsequently been returned to the rightful communities

But is it right to be equally concerned over remains such as mummies and bog bodies, where no cultural or tribal continuity can be established? The examination of such things is, after all, an essential part of archaeological research, helping to establish a better understanding of the past, of past lives and past cultures.

Speaking personally I approach this question from two dimensions. As a scholar and as a historian I have to welcome anything that throws a greater light on the past, which I love. As a pagan, as an admirer of the ancient ways and ancient customs, I believe that we have to approach human remains, the remains of our ancestors, with a high degree of sensitivity. How could I possibly celebrate Samhain (Halloween) and not feel a link with the spirits of the dead, no matter how ancient?

Sensitivity, that’s the key word, to show things always in context, not to display the dead, many of whom were buried with reverence, simply to be gawped at as objects of idle curiosity. After all, how would you feel if your own ancestors were taken from consecrated ground and put on public display? Ah, but time, the removal of time, excuses such things, does it not? Perhaps, then again, perhaps not.

I've copied and posted Ana's thoughts because it's from an old blog which could disappear. I like what she wrote.

Myself, it makes me think about older photographs, movies or TV shows. Everyone is in black and white. So, we don't see them in colour, or think of them as being people who lived their lives in colour. They seem less real. Of course, logically, we know all those people lived in colour, just as we do now. But, it takes extra brain power to think of them as being people like ourselves, every day in colour, not someone from an old photograph or movie, lost in time.

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Magic and Science Through history, science and magic, like science and…

Magic and Science

Through history, science and magic, like science and religion, have at been at best strange bedfellows and at worst bitter enemies. The battle lines have been drawn with the twin swords of rationality and measurability. On one side of the line stand those things scientists claim we understand, like evolution and matter. On the other side lie the things that science does not want to or know how to explain, such as god and magic.

Somewhat ironically, while the majority of scientists do have religions beliefs, a large number of scientists (probably a majority, though we know of no studies on this) vehemently believe there is no such thing as magic. Some scientists (notably Carl Sagan) go so far as to castigate religion as well because of its ties to the mystical, magical, or supposedly inexplicable. This position seems in some ways more consistent, but neither one takes into account one important fact.

Science doesn't have all the answers. Almost every scientist will admit this, when you push them into the unexplored corners of their own specialty. Physicists don't know why they can't find a magnetic monopole. Biologists don't really know what happened in the evolution from apes to humans. Astrophysicists don't know whether the universe will expand forever or collapse back on itself. Psychologists haven't got a clue about how most of the things our brains do for us happen. We personally find it amazing, then, that so many scientists are happy to declare as a fact that there is no such thing as magic or god.

It's not just that everybody's a critic... suddenly everybody's an expert too, in a field that very few people have really spent any time studying. Fortunately, there are some exceptions, or we'd have nothing interesting to present on this page. Among people who consider themselves scientists (rather than philosophers, or theologists, for example), there are two particular groups who are delving into the real questions. And despite one coming from orthodox science and the other often disrespectfully being called "pseudoscience," they seem to be converging on some interesting common questions.

The two fields we're referring to here are cognitive science and parapsychology. An interesting third voice has recently come from the medical community, who often are forced to approach things from a perspective that is more pragmatic than scientific.

Cognitive science is generally interested in understanding how the human mind works, but seems to keep butting up against the question of consciousness. What makes us conscious? How does this perception of consciousness differ (or how is it similar to) our ordinary perceptive modes?

Parapsychology studies powers of the mind that seem to lie outside the normal sphere of physical influence. Telepathy, precognition, and telekinesis are the main areas of study. But lately parapsychologists have been asking questions about consciousness as well. How do states of consciousness affect parapsychological effects? How do consciousnesses interact when multiple individuals combine their efforts or oppose each other.

Medicine, in contrast, is largely interested in mechanisms for healing. Within this there is both a conventional and a mystical track. Conventional medicine accepts that the human mind has a capacity for enhancing the healing process, and even accepts that belief systems including religion and magic can offer a way to convince the mind to help heal the body. However, there is also a small group within the conventional medical community (and a much larger group outside conventional medicine) that believes that there can be direct magical effects by another individual on the healing process. Bill Moyers' book and PBS special Healing and the Mind provides a nice introduction to some of the issues. Dr. Larry Dossey has also written a number of books about the subject.

I'm not sure who originally posted this. The site it came from was among many submitted to the Wiccan Online Book of Shadows category at the Open Directory Project, now Curlie. I'm an editor there, the last standing editor in the Pagan category after all these years.

I really believe in the science of Pagan and Wiccan ideas more than the religion. I even think the religion itself is based on a science, a psychological science about people being part of a group and creating explanations for things and believing in something together. No doubt there are lots of resources for this idea, other than myself. I'm quoting the above post because I don't often find others having much to say about Wicca/ Magic and science. Thank you to whoever posted it.

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Whatever Happened to Clio SilverLove?

Quotes found on a forgotten Pagan site by Clio SilverLove. I don't often find someone who thinks as I do about being or becoming Pagan and the issues about goddess/gods, spells, and etc. I'm quoting from this site because its no longer updated and very likely to disappear from its free web host. I like what Clio wrote and I wanted to keep it around.

Why You Will Never Find A Spell On My Site.

When asked for a spell, a person I met in a pagan chatroom said, "I would rather give someone a nuclear bomb than give a spell to a beginner and I would feel much safer."

At the time, I found it a bit funny and witty but later, after considering what he said, I had to agree with him. Some witches and/or pagans may disagree with me, and I acknowledge that they have the right to their own opinion, but I can't imagine giving someone a spell when I can never know how they will use it. I would not even give my best friend a spell not knowing how they will use it.

I am a firm believer that spells can be likened to prayers. It may be the Christianity in my background that makes me say that but to me spells are a way of asking the Goddess to do something for you in a specific way. My belief may not be others though. Some may use spells I have written to manipulate someone else or cause someone else's downfall for their own gain. I cannot take that responsibility. Besides, the outcome of a spell for me may be very different for someone else. When I "cast" a spell, I do it with a humble, beseeching heart that is devoted to my Goddess. I could not imagine giving my personal spells, my "prayers", to someone who may pervert them.

My dear friends, I do not mean to discourage you who are searching for the meaning of Wicca nor am I saying that you would do such a thing but to me, spells are very private things. Please bare me no ill will if you were searching for spells. I am sure that you will be able to find them somewhere else but before you think of casting a spell, learn the true meaning of the religion you are researching and are interested in. Strive to understand Wicca and its components. If you find a spell, study it piece by piece but do not think of casting it unless you are ready to take the responsibility for your actions.

Make sure the spell does not:

  1. Go against the Wiccan Rede (Harm none do as ye wilt).
  1. Result in the manipulation of someone else's free will.
  1. Compromise your own judgement, morals, and feelings about what is good and what is not.
  1. Require harming someone else or causing someone else to suffer.

There are more that should be on this list (^) but I do not have the space to write them all down.

If you have a more experienced person or group who you trust, ask them about their theories on casting someone else's spells or giving your spells to someone else and see what they say. Do not take my own rules as cast (pardon the pun) in stone. I invite and charge you to explore on your own to form your own theories on this subject. The glory of this religion is that it is based on a person's right to think for him or herself, SO THINK FOR YOURSELF. Learn, read, ask questions, and think for yourself and form your own conclusions.

Dear Fellow Seekers,

Merry Meet to you.

First, let me say I'm honored that you have decided to read my page. It means a lot to me to see that my page is read at all, so thank you very much.

Now, I recently received a letter from a Wiccan who was very angry at me for misrepresenting Wiccans. My response to this is the same as I put on my Yahoo! Group page: I am a Pagan who seeks the Goddess in my life but I'm not narrowed by choosing a specific path. I am not a Wiccan. I have no name for my "religion" other than Pagan.

I have started this page for those of us out there who are tired of having different Pagan sects throw their beliefs in our faces every time we search for answers and are seeking to reconnect to the Goddess in other ways. Wicca and other NeoPagan religions are fine religions and this page is not about hating on them. I respect those who follow that path but there are others out there as well. This page is for those who are searching, like me, for their own way to the Goddess.

I'm not trying to say that I'm better than anyone else, or that I represent anyone but myself. I'm not trying to misrepresent Wiccans, Witches, or anyone else. I'm just putting my own beliefs and thoughts on the screen and letting others decide what they will.

To the others whose are reading this, remember only this: "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." -- Buddha

May the Goddess (and the God) be with you.

Clio SilverLove*