~ The Dream Dictionary ~

Featured on Wild Witch

You can also start creating your very own dream dictionary.... it's simple! I started mine with one of those old fashioned index style books - you know, the ones with the tabs for each letter. You may need to get a larger one though - an A4 sized book would be good.

You can buy them anywhere (I think! Its been a while since I bought one!) .. and cover it yourself, make it more personal. Another idea is an A4 binder, with tab inserts for each letter... then you could make an A4 page for each dream symbol - which would be easier to add to as you go along... this is a good idea. Think I will do that again!

Dream interpretation books are great - really handy -  but we all have different dream experiences, and symbols will mean different things to each of us, depending on how lives, environment and how we perceive and understand the conscious and unconscious world around us :)

Check out this Dream Dictionary to get ideas on what particular dream symbols could mean to you.

So get yourself ANOTHER book! Or folder :) And keep it near your dream journal - and explore those symbols that keep coming up :)

http://alomfejto-jovendomondo.network.hu/kepek/alomkepek_festmenyek/alomkep-010

~ Paganesque Dream Series ~ Dreaming 101 ~

In your dreams...  The Dream Journal

You don't need to be a dream expert to start analysing your dreams, delving into your own inner mysteries... all you need is paper and a pen :)

Start tomorrow. The next day.. as soon as you wake up (easier for some than others!). Write down anything you remember from your dreams the night before. Even if they are only fragments... you will find that the more you do it, the easier it will be to remember.

http://palnk.deviantart.com/art/Dreams-Dreams-145627115

As you write, use the present tense. Use the date from the day before and give your dream a title. This can be very interesting when you read through the index you write at the back of the book! Also try writing on every second page, so that you can scribble notes that you find relevant to your dream, on the same 'page'.

You can use any type of book you want to write your dream journal. I use one that is lined on one side and blank on the other. The blank page is good for drawing pictures, dream maps, dreamscapes and random scribble as you read, re read and read your dreams again. You are also better off writing in your journal - its more personal than a computer program.

In the back of the book, you should start an index, with the date (of the night you had the dream), the Dream Title, and the pages it is on - which means you will need to number your pages!

Frankie Lynn Emporium

The benefits of a dream journal:
 * It helps you to recall and remember your dreams
 * You can find patterns in your dreams - and will start to notice particular dreamscapes
 * It will help you make your own dream dictionary
 * Can be used for inspiration - for creative writing - stories, poetry.. even spells!
 * You might find answers to those peculiar Deja Vu situations
 * Could also provide examples or clues to dream divination (Now when/where did I dream that before?)


Tips on using your Dream Journal

1. Choose the right book – write your dreams on the right page (or even pages) of the book and keep the other side (odd pages) for drawing maps, notes and associations.

2. Keep your journal private – in a safe place under lock and key! You need to feel free to write whatever you want in there

3. Make a date with your journal – closest to first thing in the morning is the best, while your dream is still fresh.

4. Date your reports – the exact time you wake up could be significant to world events, friends dreams or situations inspired by synchronicity.

5. Give your dreams titles – use the first thing that comes to mind – can provide interesting perspectives on the dream, and allows you to watch for running themes.

6. Note your feelings and immediate sensations or associations – if you think a dream is about someone in particular, but they do not appear in the dream, write that down! It may make more sense later. Also take note of significant events or what occupied your mind the day before – your dream might have been a clue of what was to come or an answer to a problem

7. Index your dreams – this helps you find that dream quickly and also helps to track running themes, or when certain dreams are likely to occur.

8. Note recurring themes and locales – are you always visiting the same places in your


Image found : http://www.fotolog.com/
chikilin_eaaa/51337407/

dreams (Dreamscapes) or doing the same thing in your dreams.. eg catching a train or flying?

9. Log correspondences between dreams and waking events – go back through your journals every once in a while and see if your dreams are foreshadowing future events. You could add clippings, letters or mementos to your journal.

10. Note overlaps between your dreams and those of other people. Your dream might hold the key to the interpretation of someone else’s. You may even identify interactive dreams you share with someone or a common dreamscape.

11. Have fun! Decorate your journal. Love your Journal. Add drawings, pictures, photos, postcards and sayings or poetry that evoke dreams or reflect your moods. Track your dreams with dream dictionaries of symbols. You could try using your dreams to write stories, or try recasting them as poetry. Don’t let your inner critics stop you while you do this  




featured on Wild Witch

 

 

 

Wild Witch Academy

Hello!

I have been busy this last 6 months, and never here. All my blogs have suffered! I've been trying to be all things.. to myself, but also to all people. Doesn't quite work, but that has never stopped me before.

I wanted to write a quick note about The Wild Witch Academy. If there was anything ever clearly serendipitous in my life, there was this group of wonderful people I fell into a clique with. When I finished Uni in November last year, I was all set to write my epic novel (I have a great idea!) so I was doing some planning on the characters and plot lines and decided that one of them would be a witch. I'm not sure what happened next, but I ended up in an online Witch School - for a year and a day. That is what they call the tradtional period of time it takes to learn and study the Path, and to become an initiate. That's how I understand it anyway.

This Witch School had good intentions. There were a group of teachers who would give us daily lessons, we would complete assignments and learn the beginning of all there is to know. Unfortunately this school had over 800 students and on the first day spectacularly imploded. The drama was fantastic. I left after a couple of weeks cos it was just too much. There was paranoia, controlling people and guilt trips. Secrecy and planning. This was not what I wanted.

The awesome thing that came out of this group was my study group -  where more than 20 people from across the globe fell into a synchronous excitement of learning and finding our own paths to spirituality. It was truely bizarre.

So that is how I found Moonsong Rain. She is the founder of Wild Witch. I cannot describe her adequately on paper. She is a mentor to me, and a friend. A sister. A confidant. No matter what happens, we will always have Wild Witch.

Along with Scarlett Meadow, her 'twinny', Moonsong has created the Wild Witch Academy. It is through this Academy that I have grown spiritually and exponentially on my own path over the last 6 months. I'm still somewhat in the Broom Closet.. hard to believe, I know. But I feel like my soul has remembered a part of itself, my soul has again become connected with the Universe, and even though I have my ups and downs I accept that my soul is here to enjoy them.

I started out thinking, "Oh I'm going to be a Wiccan".. but the ritual stuff is not really for me at this point. I easily feel like a Pagan - an earth loving, nature worshipping and (now) tree hugging spirituality in tune with the Universal Energies that abound. Well that's how I see it. I've read and read and read as much as I can.. I'm ready to share here because I feel confident that I am starting to get the idea.

There are so many online schools teaching the principles of Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism in general. My first advice would be to read everything on the topic you can get your hands on. There are free schools and paid schools. What is right for one person is not as right for another. Follow your instincts.

Wild Witch Academy is not free, but as far as online courses go, I think it's cheap. I've sampled some of the other free ones, and I believe Wild Witch is better. I'm allowed to! Check it out if you want to :) The link is http://www.wildwitchacademy.com. You can also find out more about the Academy by checking out Wild Witch or The Wild Witch Academy.

I am a new admin on the FB/WildWitch page... a community education site that provides information on Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism. I will not share what other's have posted there, but I will share the posts I write on here - so you can have a collection of the stuff I have studied. Being an admin has really motivated me to make summaries of stuff and find out stuff and like stuff and stuff ;p I hope you like what you see. Feel free to give us feedback.

Ok, I've rambled enough for now. Happy reading!

Hi!

Thanks for visiting :)

I have big plans for this blog, and at the moment, not much time to fulfil them :) Don't despair, I will post on my FB/SerendipitousZenefertiti when I have updated this blog.

You can check out my other blog, which has a bit more on it :)

The Confessions of Zenefertiti

And now for a message... From Zenefertiti Treehugger xxxxxxxxxxx 

Finding a Pagan path...

 

 

from http://amolife.com/image/nature/the-rainforest-mystery.html

I personally have no idea where I am heading.... some of these sound alluring, others sound.. just interesting. Here is a list of some of the various Pagan paths you may find yourself on. The info here is from Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Silver RavenWolf's To Ride a Silver Broomstick, the Wiccan Sisters Witches Academy and Wikipedia :)
I will definately add to this list as I go along...  and if you see anywhere I have made a mistake, then please let me know :) There is so much more information to be added, so please bear with me :)



Paganism

Paganism, as I understand it, is like a generic term for a whole collection of Earth loving, nature worshipping Paths where followers.. believers... attune themselves with the Universal energy. I don't believe there is one true path, or one way of doing things, and each tradition within Paganism has its own method to its madnesses. Madness is just sanity in a non-conventional way :)  Anyway, while the different branches of the Pagan tree may share beliefs and a common spirituality, they all have their own meaningful ways of connecting with the Divine Source.

I started out thinking I would end up Wiccan, that is the most mainstream pagan path in my opinion, and may serve to attract a lot of people initially to Paganism. If they are serious, they will learn more, explore more and really find the path that suits them. I'm still learning, so I cannot profess to where I will be in a year, in 5 or 10 years from now. I only hope I will be happy :)
 

Wicca

The new age version of the Old Relgion, worships the Goddess and the God, believe deity is within all of us and in everything that exists. They celebrate the change of seasons and cross quarter days as noted by the Wheel of the Year. Wiccans can operate in a coven or as solitarites, often specialise in divination, herbalism, astrology, reiki, crystal healing and talisman magic.

 

Druidism

A celtic-based form of paganism., based on nature and Celtic mythology. One of the important legends for Druids is that of Ceridwen and Taliesin. They symbolise the circle of life and death. Merlin is considered a famous Druid as well. (According to the DruidCraft Tarot book) . Druidism is seen as a male dominated religion, however it is not exclusive to males.

I think it would be interesting to compare Druidism and Dianic Wicca – for the polarities between ‘female’ and ‘male’ paganism…  maybe one day.

This card is from the DruidCraft Tarot Deck. I love it because it has such a woodsy Celtic feeling to it :)

 

Dianic Wicca

Known as the ‘feminist’ strand of Wicca, its origins traced back to Egyptologist Dr Margaret Murray in the 1920s. It encompasses a mixture of traditions revering the female aspect of spirituality, the Goddess and Diana as her incarnation. There are solitary practitioners and covens, female and male practitioners. It encourages female leadership, where a High Priestess must be present during coven rituals. Members practice skyclad or robed.

 
Asatru

This is also known as Teutonic or Nordic paganism. It incorporates Scandinavian mythology and values self-reliance. The deities they honour include Odin, Freya, and Thor. Norse Runes are one of the three major types of Rune surviving today. Members work robed, and the religion is strongly traditional. They cast circles, but don’t call quarters. They observe 4 solar fire festivals and other indigenous Norse traditions. Culturally includes people from England, Holland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

 
 

From http://blyssfulwitch.com/basics-crafting-theory-practice/

Shamanism

A solitary form of paganism, where spiritual practices include journeying to to other planes of existence through introspection, meditation and totem animals. Found in indigenous cultures from Siberia, Africa, South America, Australia (Aborigines) and Native Americans. My understanding of Shamanism comes from the books of Carlos Castaneda, about Dreaming and his apprenticeship with Don Juan the Yaqui Indian. They would take peyote to reach higher states of consciousness and communicate with energies within people and natural objects such as stones, sticks and other planes of existence. Medicine Men in South American cultures (possibly others) would get cures and treatments from shamanic states of perception.

Hedgewitchery

Also known as Kitchen Witches – who concentrate on the practical side of WitchCraft… a greener, more eclectic form of paganism. They are generally solitary, do not really bother with ceremonial practices, casting circles, but often practice herbalism, magic, cooking, arts, crafts and working with the Earth and the elements. Often take inspiration from farmers and their local communities. Some worship specific deities, others recognise a higher power.

Funny, when I started 6 months ago, I thought this would be the last place I would end up.. and am still not sure - I don't have a herb garden and the kitchen has connotations of housework for me. But Hedge Witchery sort of makes sense. When I know more and understand it better, I will explain why.

 

Gardnerian

Founded by Gerald Gardiner, the ‘creator’ of modern Wicca, based on a variety of magical and esoteric practices and lore. Strongly traditional, structured and ritualistic. Members belong to secretive covens, train in the three degree systems and take oaths of secrecy. Rituals are generally done skyclad. An influential person in Gardnerian Wicca was Doreen Valiente, who wrote most of the rituals. Interestingly, Alex and Maxine Sanders (of Alexandrian Wicca) and Raymond and Rosemary Buckland (of Saxon Wicca) were both originally trained in the Gardnerian tradition, but then ‘created’ their own.

Alexandrian

Founded by Alex Sanders, named after the ancient library of Alexandria. It is a very similar offshoot of Gardnerian, but more relaxed, suited to the interests of hippies in the 1960s-70s. It is more eclectic than Gardnerian, with a variety of Pantheons honoured by its’ members. It also incorporates kabbalah, ceremonial and Enochian magic. They celebrate the Esbats and usually only go skyclad for initiations.




From http://sacredmistsblog.com/the-celtic-tradition-of-witches-and-wiccans

 

Celtic

Based on pre-Christian practices in British Isles and Europe, honouring and working with Earth and Nature – and strong in religious aspects. A lot of the knowledge has been lost – but modern forms of Celtic wicca are often mixed with Alexandrian or Gardnerian and Druidic elements. The religion is adapted to the seasons, the interests and spiritual beliefs of coven members. There are many gods and goddess in the Celtic pantheon, which I will post another time and place the link here :)  

The Feri Tradition

Founded by:  By poet Victor Anderson and his wife Cora

Where and When it was founded: Victor began teaching it in the 1940s one on one, then formed a coven in California in the 1960s.

Where it is based: I would guess its still based in the US (no specific info found right now) – but with the advent of online wicca – it could be incorporated into solitary traditions universally.

Where it currently operates: as above.

What its systems are:

• The Three Souls – they believe that 3 souls make up the structure of humans and should be brought into communication with eachother to facilitate self awareness and knowledge of the God and Goddess.
• The Talking-Self – rational consciousness
• The ‘Fetch’ – where dreams and desires come from – the subconscious
• The God-Self – the Higher Self
• The Iron Pentacle – a ymbolic and energetic tool used to realign and purify the practitioner. The five points are Sex, Pride, Self, Power and Passion.
• The Pearl Pentacle – when the points of the Iron Pentacle are present, the pearls appear on the pentacle and the human evolves. Sex becomes Love, Self becomes Knowledge, Power becomes Liberty, Passion becomes Wisdom.
• The Black Heart of Innocence – a state of being when all souls are aligned. Likened to primal sexuality.

The deities:

• The Star Goddess – the androgynous point of all creation, primal darkness of deep space, the Absolute.
• The Divine Twins – The consorts to the Star Goddess in any coupling form – represent duality.
• The Peacock God – The result of the union of the Star Goddess and the Divine Twins. Holding all duality within himself.
• The Feri Guardians – Similar to the watchtowers in Wicca, they guard and represent north, south, east, west, above, below, center.

Degree system:

Currently a schism between traditional and progressive Feri traditionalists – teaching the public for publics sake – for pay vs teaching one on one. No mention of degree system here.

Publications:

The most famous is the Spiral Dance by Starhawk. There are a number of other titles by Victor and Cora Andersen, and a few other authors.

 


Picture from http://viverpuramagia.blogspot.com.au/2011_09_01_archive.html, 02/06/2013

 

Seax – Wicca

Founded by:  Raymond Buckland.

Where and When it was founded: The United States, 1973.

Where it is based: : I would guess its still based in the US (no specific info found right now) – but with the advent of online wicca – it could be incorporated into solitary traditions universally. It may have a following in Germanic Europe – as something that is influenced by Saxon mythology and lore.

Where it currently operates: as above.

What its systems are:

Covens are run democratically, with elected High Priests or Priestesses serving 13 full moons. No oath of secrecy. Rituals are open, robed or skyclad. Solitary or in a coven.

Raymond Buckland, in the Complete Book of Witchcraft, gives no indication that Seax Wicca as a different set of holidays or rituals to Wicca. Would require further research.

The deities: Woden and Freya, incarnations of the Horned God and Mother Goddess.

Degree system: Allows self-initiation into the tradition. No degree structure. 

Publications:  Raymond Buckland has written The Tree: The complete book of Saxon Witchcraft. Being the creator of Seax Wicca, this book would be its more important publication.  It was republished in 2005 as Bucklands Book of Saxon Witchcraft.

The Principles of Belief - from the American Council of Witches

Any quick google search will help you find these principles - they were written in the 1970s by the Council of Witches as a statement of belief, I guess. An attempt to explain that it isn't all doom and gloom and bubble bubble toil and trouble :)

They all seem to me to be fairly logical, an extension of what I have believed for years anyway. Except #1 :) That's new to me - I knew witches did something like that, but I don't know anything about the particular rites for example. Still don't, but that's the point of learning! 



http://wiccanhuntress.tripod.com/13principlesofwiccanbelief.html

 

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross-Quarters.
 
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment, we seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance, offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural," but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to us all.

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity - as masculine and feminine - and that this same Creative Power lives in all people and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practices and religious worship.

5. We recognize both outer and inner or psychological worlds - sometimes known as the Spiritual World, The Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc. - and we see in their interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater wisdom and knowledge, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themsleves in leadership. 

7. We see religion, magick and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it - a world-view and philosophy-of-life which we identify as Witchcraft, the Wiccan Way. 

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch, but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.

9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuance of evolution and development of consciousness that gives meaning to the Universe we know and to our personal role within it. 

10. Our only animosity toward Christianity or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the one true, right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others, and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief. 

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of various traditions. We are concerned only with our present and future. 

12. We do not accept the concept of "absolute evil" nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek our power through the suffering of other, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived through denial to another.

13. We seek within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

http://society6.com/product/Emerald-Forest-Council-Halloween-Witches_Print

On ya Broomstick!

There is so much infomation on Facestalk and the Internet about Paganism and Wicca.. sifting through it all is becoming meaningless.. as a newbie on her year and a day, I feel the need to simplify, man!

I've been reading Silver RavenWolf's To Ride a Silver Broomstick - which is an easy to read and thus accessible intro to Wicca. I like the book so far, I haven't come across the Christian-bashing I've read in the reviews, so maybe I'm dense, or I agree and am oblivious to it, or it's not there. Either way, I thought I would pose some questions for you whom are so inclined to have a little introspection and absorb everything you read.. and experience.

So join me on this journey! I won't be posting the content of her book, if you are really interested, you will buy it - I bought it from the bookdepository for about $15. Get yourself a notebook, or use your Book of Shadows.. I have been writing my answers in my Book of Serendipity.. :)

I'm going to refer to questions as Wiccapades - in a shameless venture of self-promotion..

Wiccapades is a blog I have to share what I have learnt.. it is very minimal now.. but I will add to it as I go along :)

Wiccapade #1
In your books, write an imaginary letter to Silver, your specific deity, the Universe or even to your future self. Tell your audience what you think a Witch is, how you would define WitchCraft, its representation in or acceptance by Society (including the media and your family and friends) and finish with a personal goal, be it material, physical, spiritual or emotional :)

You may suprise yourself!

You are more than welcome to post your short answers here, but I would suggest actually doing it for yourself - as a way or finding the Witch in You. You will learn more about yourself and your true journey if you don't feel the need to censor yourself :)

Much ♥ and Blessed Be!

Like a hug

Lessons from Bucklands

These are the answers I am giving to the lessons from Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, found in Appendix B. This is part of my year and a day studies. I decided to do this for myself, at my own pace :)

Lesson 1:The History and Philosphy of Witchcraft

1. The two most important deities revered by the Wo/Man were the Horned God and the Fertility Goddess, or the God and Goddess. The God represented the Hunt and was important for food whereas the Goddess represented fertility and abundance.

2. 'Sympathetic' magick is where the early pagans would do rituals that mimicked what they hoped would happen in real life - for example a man would wear horns and they would dance or enact a hunt which symbolise killing the beast. This was supposed to help it happen in reality. This is like the early manifestation of re-training or using the Id.

sympathetic magic is the belief that similar things have similar effects (like attracts like)



 This image found here :)

3. Pope Gregory built early churches on sacred pagan grounds, so that they wuld have to go there to worship.

the sites were rededicated to the Church and God.

4. Jack of the Green - is that another name for the Horned God, or Pan?

They were carvings representing the old God of Hunting and Nature. Robin of the woods.

5. The Witches Hammer was ..  and  .... was responsible for it.

Malleus Maleficarium was the main reference on how to discover witches and interrogate them during the Burning Times.

6. Margaret Murray was a Egyptologist/Anthropologist who advanced Witchcraft as a religion in the 1930s.

7. The last law against Witchcraft was repealed in England in the 1951.

http://pentalcleproject.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/a-pagan-history/

8. The first to speak up of the craft was Gerald Gardner in England and Raymond Buckland in America.

9. A witches only animosity against the christian church is its claim that it is the only way, the only religion that is 'right'.

and that it seeks to deny others freedom and supress other religions.

10. You do not have to belong to a coven to do a spell. Wicca is a broad religion that allows you to practice in a way that suits you.

The Wiccan Rede

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you. These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

 

 

An attempt to explain the Rede is here

History and Origin of Wicca

Ok, so some would like to believe that Wicca is THE Old Religion, surviving the 'Burning Times' and other Christian misdeeds. Margaret Murray was an Egyptologist who believed Wicca to be ancient etc but she has been largely disproved.This idea belongs to the anti-Christianity school of Wicca's origins.  I haven't read any of her books yet, but I've heard/read that Silver Ravenwolf is quite anti-christian.. and her books are supposed to be good introductions catered for teenagers.

The most accepted view is that it was started by Gerald Gardiner and Doreen Valiente in the 20th Century, but before the 1960s. Gardnerian Wicca is your traditional Wicca with covens and rituals and so on. It is said that Gardiner was influenced by Alistair Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, something I find interesting but know nothing about :)

Gerald Gardiner taken from10 things about Wicca that Wiccans should know

Over the last 60 or so years, different forms of Wicca have arisen, which will all be discussed in The Different Kinds of Wicca. Learning about these and finding what suits you is all part of the process, so deserves its own post :) The history of modern Wicca can be better understood in its' offshoots.

But some mentionable ones are Alexandrian, Dianic, Kitchen Witchery, Universal Eclectic, Druidry, Faery Wicca.. there are sooo many. It will be interesting having a look.

While it has come from a history of demonisation and disneyfication, Wicca is really something that while recently constructed, it is based on old pagan beliefs and the Earth herself. The energies of the Universe are revered and honoured. Even encouraged/directed/ put to use by Magick. 

I'm not that interested in repeating the specifics of the origin and history of Wicca, hence this post is tiny :)  But I've read a few intro chapters in places and they all say much the same thing. Don't forget, everything I write here is my interpretation. Read around and decide for yourself. My posts are organic.. they will change as I learn, I will adapt them and change them :) Its all part of the journey to my own rightness :)

Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchraft gives a nice intro to the history of Witchcraft - I like how the religio-magick of the early humans are detailed here - gives some credence to Murray's theories. Sounds logical. I find it interesting how the magic we know today came out of rituals for fertility and hunting. They were the most important keys to survival back then, and it's funny how now, centuries and centuries later, while we have taken care of that aspect of survival, humanity now needs love and magic on a different level for spiritual survival.

Scott Cunningham concentrates on the shamanic origins of Witchcraft, and seeing as his book was the first one I read as a bright eyed and bushy tailed 16 year old, I can see why it appealed to me. At that time I was really into lucid dreaming and Carlos Casteneda and Don Juan the Yaqui Indian. The main link here is the alternate states of consciousness - which ties nicely with distracting the Id with shiny things (rituals, tools, chanting) in order to get it to direct those creative energies towards personal and universal goals.

All the books I have come across have chapters on the history .. so you will not be lacking for general infomation there.

So what is Wicca then?

That I cannot answer. Or the answer is found in Earth herself. I can tell you that it is a religion where the individual has a spiritual relationship with Earth, Nature and their understandings of God, Goddess and the Divine Universal Energy. Some are in covens. Others are solitary. They follow the seasons, sun, moon, planets and intuition in celebrating and giving honour and respect to their deities, the elements and the Earth. Some work magick. Some don't. Some are awesome and crafty with Herbs and spells. Others aren't. What links all are the pagan beliefs that underlie the spiritual relationship.

We are of the Earth. We are all made of Stars.

A year and a day... In the beginning...

There is so much to learn in the Wiccan Religion. The point of this year and a day is to absorb the spirituality of it all, and decide if it is right for you. There is so much infomation on the internet and in books that I'm finding it hard to focus. I have documents all over the place and I haven't bought books for my Book of Serendipity* or my Wiccapades* so there is no structure, no order.

The Year and a Day organised through Facestalk fell through, and I have found myself in a small and lovely group of kindred spirits, and we have the fabulous Twin Moons to teach us the basics of what we should know. It has also made me look around for how I can find the infomation myself.

And then I remembered this blog :) This will help me keep everything organised as a nice summary of what I have learnt.





The Sign of the Triple Goddess

Well that is the intention anyway.

 

The whole thing about Wicca is that you are on a path to find your own spirituality - and if you follow the eclectic universal form- you get to take bits and pieces to suit your own style - a bit like me and religion really. I do find a dark side to this though - what about those self-serving types who can reason or rationalise everything they do, despite it being evil or simply to the detriment of others or themselves?

 

That is where the Wiccan Rede comes in - Do as you will, so long as you harm none. .. not quite the way they say it - but that is what it means :)

 

To find my way in Wicca - I'll start off by learning these things, in no particular order - but when the time feels right.. I will do it :)

 

                                                  History and Origin of Wicca

The Different Kinds of Wicca

The Deities, The Elements and other energies 

The Special Occasions in Wicca

Rituals and Spellcasting

The Tools of the Trade

Herbology

Astrology

Crystals and Gemstones

Tarot, Runes and other Divinatory devices

Dreams

Meditation and Positive Energy

 

 

These are all I can think of now. While the Book of Shadows is a personal journey through Wicca, this will be my base for learning. I find that if I have to condense it into one thing to be on here, I will actually collate all the info I have and condense it. And reference where I got it from :)

 

So let the journey begin!

 

*Both titles are pending, and hereby copyrighted - must look into Trademark :)

While I am here - let me share some of the sources from which I'll get infomation - it's all paraphrased in my own words, but I've based my ideas on the following -

• The Wiccan Sisters Facebook Group, in particular Moonsong Rain and Moonbeam Raven;
• Magicka School and their publication 'Wicca Revealed';
• Scott Cunningham- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner;
• Raymond Buckland - Complete Book of Witchcraft;
• Lady Sabrina - Exploring Wicca.

There will be more.. and I'll add them here when they are used :)