Wicca

There are 13 posts tagged Wicca (this is page 1 of 3).

Be Creative and Wise While Harming None

On Facebook, Witches of Ontario, someone posted about their landlord not wanting them to practice Wicca/ Witchcraft in the home. The landlord was concerned about the spirits which might be attracted to the home. Yes, people do have rights and freedom of religion. Many people replied about that, some getting aggressive about it. However, there is truth to the landlord’s concerns. I do believe in the law of attraction, where what we do brings in/ attracts other elements, things, people which may not be a good thing – even when it was intending as a good thing.

Also, I really believe the landlord has a right to feel safe in their home (it is a shared home).

Why did most people posting not consider the landlord and, the Wiccan Rede about harming none? Has that been thrown out the window? Does it get in your way so just toss aside the fundamental belief in harming none? Very, very few people wrote about accommodating the landlord, respecting their rights, beliefs, or fears.

I wrote:

The landlord has a right to feel safe too. Why not practice outdoors? Keep a backpack with everything you need to be mobile and take it to a public park, the beach, etc. Pick up some rocks, leaves, whatever you find and add them to your altar. Be creative and wise while harming none.

I wrote a post about making a mobile altar. If you have a similar situation where you need to find another location consider going mobile. You have the benefit of being in the church of the great outdoors while practicing your beliefs and harming none.

Pagan, with a Capital P

Some people don’t even give Pagan, Wicca or Witch/ Witchcraft a capital letter any more. This bothers me.

Pagan is a title, a proper name for something, a title. When using English (the language is also title) we should capitalize the first letter of a word that is a title.

I know English language standards have slipped into non-importance for some people. But, I see this lack of capital letter from people who do make an effort at writing well and keeping the standards for communication in English with all the right punctuation, grammar and spelling. Sure, we all make mistakes. But, not putting a capital letter on a title is not like a spelling mistake or a typo you only make once and don’t happen to catch. It looks deliberate.

Has Pagan lost it’s place, it’s importance?

A Better Reply to Those Who Fear Paganism

We are always changing, evolving. Not only do we change ourselves as we get older and value things differently. But, we change our minds as new ideas come in and merge with our existing ideas. Six years ago (on this same day) I wrote a short reply I could give to anyone who felt afraid, distrustful, of Paganism.

“What makes your path better? You offer nothing but threats of harm and accuse me of sinning.”

I wouldn’t write or say that now. I’ve changed and I see things differently. I’m not so eager to change other people or push them to understand or accept anything.

I’d like to know why people fear Paganism, Witches, Wicca, etc? It matters less to me that anyone does fear it than to know and understand their reasons.

Most likely it is still about misunderstanding, a lack of knowledge, and prejudice from other sources who also don’t know or understand. But, that’s how things are. People have to choose something else and they aren’t likely to. It is easier to stay the same and go with the flow of popular opinion than poke your head up and take a chance on forming your own (different) opinion.

As a generic thing to say, to someone who fears Paganism, I would say: “It’s about nature, more than religion.”

I don’t think that will help them understand if they don’t really want to understand. But, its a simple statement, not aggressive or threatening. It doesn’t challenge their beliefs or ask them to change, or think too hard. I wouldn’t offer to explain more and I wouldn’t even want to convert them to anything.

If people ask for more information I could tell them about my feelings and thoughts. But, nothing too personal. Each person needs to figure life out for themselves. It’s not for me to teach or preach to anyone. Especially to people who probably don’t want to hear or listen. But, I have learned that people are more likely to stop and listen to a whisper, than a lot of loud yelling.

Consider that next time you talk to a non-believer.

 

Are You Sure You’re Pagan?

dark pentacleIs your Faith Misplaced?

One thing I seldom see in Pagan writing are posts about world news and current events from a Pagan perspective. (Unless the events actually relate directly to religion/ Paganism).

I also don’t see people talking about taking comfort in Paganism or Wicca or Witchcraft the way some other religions do. Is our religion a fair weather friend? Something we take out when we intend to, or want to, but other times it’s just not there.

These are the things I’ve been thinking about lately.

When you have a personal tragedy, do you turn to your Pagan beliefs for comfort?

I’ve seen people talk on and on about what they believe, defend it, teach it and promote it. But, is it still so personal to you that you could turn to your beliefs when you really do need something to believe in – not for a cause but for your own heart? You might perform a ritual because it’s the thing to do. But, is your heart really in it? Is this giving you real comfort? Or are you just doing what’s expected of you as a Pagan/ Wiccan/ Witch?

When did you last think of something in the news from a Pagan perspective? I don’t mean news about anything religious. When did you hear the news from the perspective of being Pagan and think to write about how this made you feel, as a Pagan?

Not all news is relevant to being a Pagan, yet, if you are a Pagan shouldn’t you see the news from the perspective of your beliefs rather than adding them in later?

Do you wear Pagan jewelry, collect Pagan tools and magical items? Does each one have real meaning to you or are they just part of your collection? Do you wear black because that’s what Witches do or because you actually like wearing black?

When you ‘Go Green’, do you stop and think about how you are helping the Earth or do you just recycle because that’s the right/ popular thing to do?

If you work with spells are you really taking into account “Harm’s none”? Or do you just like creating a spell because it makes you Pagan and special. Are you a Witch because spellcraft makes you feel special and important?

When someone talks about Pagans in a negative way do you need to spring up and rush to counter them? Why? It’s not for us to convert anyone and you are more likely to change their mind from your actions, not your words.

Do your Pagan beliefs reach right down to your soul? Are you satisfied with what you believe will happen when you die? Not about being gone and death itself, few would be satisfied to leave life. But, do you get comfort from the beliefs you have about what happens to your soul after your body dies?

Is being Pagan a fair weather friend for you or is it in everything you do and feel and believe? There’s no rule that says it has to be. Being Pagan is about making your own choices and decisions, finding your own values and ideals. Have you taken that to heart or are you following the popular path without really accepting it on that deep, personal level?

After reading this are you going to leave me a comment to prove how Pagan, Wiccan or Witch you are? Are you already listing your Pagan credentials, ready to type them all out? Stop and think about why you need to prove how Pagan you are.

Could you be Pagan and not tell anyone, ever? Could you be Pagan and not need to prove it to anyone?

Being Pagan, Wiccan or a Witch is a choice of religion, spirituality, beliefs and faith. Do you have faith in your choice?

Have you looked at enough of the other options? There are endless choices inside of Paganism itself. Find the one that really speaks to you, the one that reaches your heart and soul, the one you want to live and grow with. Don’t settle too easily for what looks shiny and new or popular.