~ Dream 101 ~ Types of Dreams

Daydreams

Daydreaming is classified as a level of consciousness between sleep and wakefulness. Studies show that you have the tendency to daydream an average of 70-120 minutes a day. It occurs during waking hours when you let your imagination carry you away. As your mind begins to wander and your level of awareness decreases, you lose yourself in your imagined scenario and fantasy.

False Awakening Dreams
Have you ever thought you have waken up and gone about your daily morning routine: getting up, brushing your teeth, eating breakfast and going to work, only to wake up "again" and realize that what just happened is just a dream. That sensation is referred to as a false awakening.



Image :http://pinterest.com/pin/554013191630842510/ 



Lucid Dreams
Lucid dreams occur when you realize you are dreaming. "Wait a second. This is only a dream!" Most dreamers wake themselves up once they realize that they are dreaming. Other dreamers have cultivated the skill to remain in the lucid state of dreaming. They become an active participant in their own dreams, making decisions in their dreams and influencing the dream's outcome without awakening.

Nightmares
A nightmare is a disturbing dream that causes you to wake up feeling anxious and frightened. Nightmares may be a response to real life trauma and situations. These type of nightmares fall under a special category called Post-traumatic Stress Nightmare (PSN). Nightmares may also occur because you have ignored or refused to accept a particular life situation. Research shows that most people who have regular nightmares have a family history of psychiatric problems, are involved in a rocky relationship or have had bad drug experiences. These people may have also contemplated suicide. Nightmares are an indication of a fear that needs to be acknowledged and confronted. It is a way for the subconscious to wake up and take notice. "Pay attention!"

Recurring Dreams
Recurring dreams repeat themselves with little variation in story or theme. These dreams may be positive, but most often they are nightmarish in content. Dreams may recur because a conflict depicted in the dream remains unresolved or ignored. Once you find a resolution to the problem, your recurring dreams will cease.  

 



Sebastian Luczywo

Healing Dreams
Healing dreams serve as messages for the dreamer in regards to their health. The Ancient Greeks called these dreams "prodromic". Many dream experts believe that dreams can help in avoiding potential health problems and healing when you are ill or when you are grieving. Research shows that asthma and migraine sufferers have certain types of dreams before an attack. Your bodies are able to communicate to your mind through dreams. The dreams can "tell" you that something is not quite right with your bodies even before any physical symptoms show up. Dreams of this nature may be telling the dreamer that he or she needs to go to the dentist or doctor. If you can understand the language of dreams, your dreams will serve as an invaluable early warning system. They can help inform, advise and heal.  

 

 

Prophetic Dreams
Prophetic dreams, also referred to as precognitive or psychic dreams, are dreams that seemingly foretell the future. One rational theory to explain this phenomenon is that your dreaming mind is able to piece together bits of information and observation that you may normally overlook or that you do not seriously consider. In other words, your unconscious mind knows what is coming before you consciously piece together the same information.

Signal Dreams
Signal dreams help you how to solve problems or make decisions in your waking life.  

 Epic Dreams
Epic dreams (also referred to as Great Dreams, Cosmic Dreams or Numinous Dreams) are so huge, so compelling, and so vivid that you cannot ignore them. The details of such dreams remain with you for years, as if you just dreamt it last night. These dreams possess much beauty and contain many archetypal symbology. When you wake up from such a dream, you feel that you have discovered something profound or amazing about yourself or about the world. It feels like a life-changing experience.   

 

Dominique Appia "Entre les Trous de la Memoire"

Progressive Dreams
Progressive dreams occur when you have a sequence of dreams that continue over a period of nights. The dream continues where you left off the previous night. Such dreams are problem-solving dreams and help to explore different options and various approaches to a problem, situation or relationship.

Mutual Dreams
Mutual dreams are described as such when two people have the same dream. Mutual dreams may be planned, meaning that two people actively work toward achieving one dream scenario or goal. It is a way to improve communication and build trust. Mutual dreams can also be spontaneous. You find out that a friend, a significant other, faraway relative, or someone has had the same dream on the same night as you. Not much study has gone into the phenomenon of mutual dreams, but there is a very strong bond that exists between these two people. 

 

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From http://www.dreammoods.com/dreaminformation/dreamtypes/ (its a cut n paste job!)

 

~ Dreaming with Crystals ~

 

If you want to have clearer dreams, messages from the your higher source or dream guides, or work with a particular crystal to become more in tune with its energies, place a crystal under your pillow while you are sleeping.

 

 

Before you go to bed, hold the crystal in your left hand (which connects to your subconscious) and ask it to bring you dreams that will help you discover your higher path in life or that clarify whatever issue is most at hand in your life. If you are confused about a work situation, ask  your spirit guides to bring you a dream that will clarify the path of highest good. If you are worried about disagreements with a loved one, ask for a dream that will clarify the best direction to take for harmony with your loved one. 

Image from: http://favim.com/image/489705/

For guidance on really pressing emotional, spiritual and material situations, ask for clarity and insight from your spirit, angel or animal guides; the stone will act as a conduit to bring their higher wisdoms to you. Good crystals to use are clear quartz, amethyst, azurite, sodalite, moldavite, and zincite.




Featured on Wild Witch
Information taken from http://www.energy-healing-info.com/crystal-healing-dreams.html - though I've added and re-worked the text a bit...

Lakshmi - Hindu Goddess of Abundance and Properity

On the 11 April, I found the Prosperity Project featuring a Lakshmi mantra. I knew nothing about Lakshmi.... :) This is what I wrote on Serendipitous Zenefertiti...

 

I'm broke. I will get through this... the New Moon is a great time for rituals for abundance - not just in monetary form, but the abundance of the universe.

While googling abundance I found the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of Prosperity and Abundance. The rital is to repeat 108 times, at sunrise, the following chant for 40 days.

"Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha"
... (pron- Om -Shreem-Maha-Luck-shmee-yay-namaha)

Translation:
“Om and salutations to She who provides abundance.”

Affirmations: “I am abundance,” “I live in an abundant universe,” "I have everything I need."

I'm going to try it.
And please, if I have it wrong, let me know. I don't know the first thing about a lot of things... and my mind is fairly open. The last thing I want to do is offend the Goddess Lakshmi!  

29 May 2013
I have been doing this for a couple of weeks now - still going for a few more. It has become my morning ritual, and I feel like I am noticing more of the abundance and prosperity the universe is bestowing upon me

I light a candle each for the Goddess and God, and then a green one for Lakshmi. I visualise some big bills being paid and smile and try my best to feel gratitude and happiness.. not easy when the kids are screaming in the other room!

I think putting these positive vibes out there is working - Im getting extra shifts at work, more payments from elsewhere and when we had $1 left till payday, and I was starting to worry about bread and petrol, my partner had a very small win on lotto (which is heaps till payday).

 

A great thing is, it takes 3 - 4 weeks to make a habit.. and now I am in the habit of waking up and sitting at my altar and honouring the Universe.. There are many mantras, meditations and the like that are open to me now. I used to tell myself it was too hard with the kids running around outside my bedroom door, but I am lucky they leave me alone for the most part :)

So it just goes to show, how powerful hope and positive thinking is. Even if all these things were going to happen anyway, they are still gifts from the Universe, only now, my eyes are open to them!
 

~ Dreaming 102 ~ Remembering and Recording your dreams



http://www.luciddreamtonighthowto.com/

In the beginning you may not remember anything, only fragments or an impression. Write it down anyway, even if all you write was that the dream was good or bad. It can be frustrating, or disheartening. Don’t be disillusioned…. the more you try to remember you dreams in the morning, the easier it will start to flow.

Start each day by writing what happened, or any words, images, people or feelings that come to mind. Sometimes during the day the dreams will come back to you in fragments, because something happens to remind you of something in your dream.

The following are some tips to ‘Catch your dreams’ – these are from Conscious Dreaming by Robert Moss. (Publisher Three Rivers Press, New York: 1996).
 

(c) h.koppdelaney

1. Clearly State Your Intention to yourself before going to bed.

For the more experienced, you can ask a question too. “I want to remember my dreams tonight”or“I ask for the guidance of the dream source” You can write your intention or question on a piece of paper and put it beside your bed or under your pillow. 

 

2.  Have your tools ready. Have your notepad, pen, paper, or even a tape recorder if you decide to use one next to your bed, ready for when you wake up in the morning.

3. Give yourself time to bring your dreams back.

If you are lucky, you can laze around in bed for 5 minutes, letting your dreams come back to you. You may not remember them at first. Write down whatever images are coming to mind. Try and wake naturally, if you have to use an alarm, it’s better not to use a radio – because then you are swamped with the outside world straight away. If you are new to dream work, you might want to try starting on the weekend.

Image: Dream Mirror, Dreams can come true by Hannah2Cyrus

4. Give yourself space

Try and record your dreams before you get out of bed. You may need to creep to the bathroom so you don’t disturb anyone! This is important when you wake up during the night from a dream… quickly write some words down before you fall back asleep.

5. Write your dreams down straight away

 

They really are fleeting, so you are better off writing them down before you think of anything else. More often than not if you go back to sleep thinking you will remember in the morning, you won’t! If you are pressed for time, or it is the middle of the night, even a few trigger words will help.

      

6. Start with trigger words

Places, names, numbers, objects, anything you remember. Often these will trigger memories of other dream sequences or help you remember more of your dream later.                                                                                   



http://irenelatham.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/writing-goals-vs-writing-dreams.html

7. Don’t censor your dreams.

 



Capture your dream as you remember it. Don’t edit, don’t leave anything out. Everything is relevant – even if it seems mundane, weird or trivial. It might not mean something now, but probably will later. Your dream source can be frank and confronting – but don’t stifle it!

 

 

 

8. Don’t interpret

 

It is sending you messages in ways you can understand. Your dream journal is a private book, meaningful to you and no one else’s business. Keep it away from prying eyes. Others may not like or understand its’ contents, but you shouldn’t censor it out of fear. Embrace it out of love!

9. Pay attention to your feelings.

When writing your dream, write it in the present tense, and write how you feel. This will give you a clue to how to interpret your dreams. Strong feelings indicate a sense of urgency. Pay attention to physical sensations too. Your guides could be trying to tell you something.

10. If you wake with no dream memories, relax.
You could try rolling around in bed for a bit. Some dreams come back when you are lying in the same position! Fancy That!

11. Put out the welcome mat
If you still can’t remember your dreams, try writing down what you are thinking and feeling- your thoughts and sensations are part of a dream hangover. If you write something down, you’re essentially putting out a welcome mat for your dream source to respond to your willingness to listen. Some women dream in cycles attuned with their menstrual cycle – with heightened dream recall or blacks during “that time of the month”.

12. Always do something with your dreams.
Keeping a dream journal is the first step. Sharing dream experiences with a partner, friend or group can be very enlightening and entertaining – especially when you do dream work or lucid dreaming together! ( I have never done this, but it sounds awesome)

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~ 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!