Message Board

Going it alone..to begin

morningmist — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:02:11 GMT

I am reading through this website and some other Wicca websites but often I find I can sit and read a book quicker than looking at webpages. This is because this screen can, at times , bother my eyes.
So the very first book I am just beginning to read is by Scott Cunningham called Wicca A guide for the Solitary Practioner. I would like to know what others here think of someone learning of Wicca and themselves within this alone, by themselves? Is it possible to be a lone practioner ?
Thank you for any opinions .
morning mist

Forum: Wicca and Religious Witchcraft

Hello

Anthony — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:57:46 GMT

Boo, Anyone kicking around?

Forum: Other Paths of Paganism

Responses from the Witchvox Community on my latest Published Article.

Paul — Thur, 22 Jan 2009 02:48:43 GMT

I Don't know if this is Kosher or Appropriate or not, but I'm going to pretend it is

My latest Article I wrote finally got published this week on witchvox (even though I wrote it originally like 6 months ago, lol.)

It can be found here: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usoh&c=words&id=12818 An Open Letter to the (Eclectic) Pagan Community

Now what I am about to do is share some of the e-mails I've gotten so far, some are supportive, and some well....let's just say I loves me some hate mail. Though, I think it's sad that I'd get hate mail for simply making a common sense post. Granted not everyone who disagreed with me did so in hate mail style some were polite in stating their disagreement and politely telling me why.

Without and more delay here are some of the messages I've gotten for writing my article:

replying to your article on witchvox

Dear Hakan Geir,
My name is Claire and I happened to read your article on Witchvox.com. First I'd like to compliment you on your writing skills. I can tell you enjoy writing and it really shows. I also appreciate your open-mindedness and the respect that you showed the ecclectic wiccan community on witchvox.
However, there was one thing in your article that was not accurate that I thought maybe you'd like to know about. Now, let me first mention i am not a
"Christian- Wiccan" or anything near it. I blend dianic wicca and shamanism with no influence from christian teachings. I completely understand why the term christian-wiccan could be confusing and even a pet peev for some.
The part on your article i wanted to comment on was the part where you said you believed that you had to be 18 years of age to be a wiccan due to the age of consent and becuase of initiation by a high priest/priestess. One does not have to be initiated to be a wiccan and one does not have to be initiated by a high pristess/priest to be initiated. I was raised wiccan by my mother and did a self dedication/initiation. I belong to no coven. If this was true that i had to be initiated by a high priest/priestess which would mean i would be a member of a coven in order to be a wiccan..this would mean that even though i have been raised this way my entire life and have known no other way that i'm not truly a wiccan. I have to admit, it is a controversial subject. Some traditions of wicca are not so laid back about the topic of initiation as i am. But low magick (as apposed to high magick which is the O.T.O, , the golden dawn, and other traditions influenced by the Kabala) tends to
be much more laid back. Scott Cunningham, who i'm sure you've probably heard of, he's one of the most popular (and by far my favorite wiccan author) has a lot of good things to say about this topic in his book Wicca: a further guide for the solitary practitioner.
I hope you realize i didn't send you this email as an attack or anything even close. You seem very educated and open-minded and sincerely dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. This is why i sent this email to you. So thar i could let you know that there are Wiccan traditionds out there who are much more open and accepting about the title of Wiccan regarding age and initiation/dedication rites. I wish you the best of luck on your spiritual path. Blessed be,
Claire

Huh?

I am incredibly confused by your remarks. You continuously state your disclaimer regarding your hands-off stance towards "attacking" people's right to a path, yet you immediately denounce their right to their path. You state that someone cannot mix religious idealogues, yet you do. Your essay slices at the labels used by hundreds of pagans, wiccans and witches, yet you use the same terminology as they would. Do not call yourself eclectic, though I do the same thing; Do not call yourself a Christian Wiccan, though I follow something similar.

Huh?

Your entire essay is a tautological argument that says more about what you believe in, rather then what you are denouncing.

In addition, if a stranger walks up to you, with no clue as to your background, and asks you your religion, what would you say? For example, as I do not know your entire path of choice, would you expect someone, in turn, to say: I am a Shamanic-Egyptian-Celtic-genetically Nordic-with a little Fae thrown in-kind of respect the gnostic beliefs-work more with animal totem-trying to get into the minerals-tarot divination-quantum mystic-Herbalistic-Holistic-naturopathic Wiccan ? Or just say Wiccan?

Pagan, Witch and Wiccan are umbrella terms that hold underneath a vast number of traditions and beliefs that demonstrate the ability for people, though different in many ways, to find their path, whatever it may entail. And, by that right , and the right of each person to believe what they will "an' it harm none", to call their path what they will; whether it be long, drawn out, or as short and simple as Wiccan.

You, as well as everyone else, have the right to voice their opinion, no matter how derisive and frivolous it may seem to others. But you should also have the knowledge, the respect, and awareness of this path, of all these paths, to know that labels are just that, labels. They don't do near enough justice to demonstrate the wealth of wisdom and experience gained through walking of one's path...now if you know the proper term that can encompass all of this in a simple, clear way, please inform the rest of us, cause Wicca, Witch, Pagan is what we have to work with right now...and the adjectives and modifiers are game to those who wish to play.

NOTE: The sender of this email does not have a profile at Witchvox for us to point you to.

Thank You

Many Blessings!

There are many people in the Trad communities that would applaud you for this insightful and to the point essay!

BRAVO!!!!

Many Blessings

Lyn

NOTE: The sender of this email does not have a profile at Witchvox for us to point you to.

Your Essay on Path Names:

I enjoyed reading your essay... I think that it speaks truth in that we do need to take the time to realy understand what it is we believe and what to call it. I am also happy to see that the're still people out there that have a mind to dig a little deeper into themselves and seek the truth rather then just take someone elses off the shelf and ride it till it falls apart.

"If you cant live it, breath it, and take it out doors than your faith needs work or just rethinking..." X Michael Prokopec

P.S. Have a Blessed Day and thank you for being a good example for people to try to emulate, your openmindedness is a great trait.

NOTE: The sender of this email does not have a profile at Witchvox for us to point you to.

article

i read your article today, wednesday, and i can see where youre coming from.youre the first person ive met working from the gnostic point of view, and thats something interesting.i have one thing thats sort of bothering me.a christian working with pagan gods?NOT!you cant straddle the line, youre either one or the other, there is really no middle line.its not insulting, or anything like that, its just something i believe and something ive seen in the past twenty odd years, it just dont work out. imagine calling upon jesus and budda in the same circle.kind of doesnt work.get where im going with this?hope you dont take that too personally, its not meant that way, but enjoyed the articlel nevertheless and i do hope you email me back..just dont melt the screen when you do. bye

NOTE: The sender of this email does not have a profile at Witchvox for us to point you to.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Anyone here have any published material either in Magazines, Books? or Websites? If so, have you ever received negative feedback/hate mail for your articles? What was your favorite "hate" message that is dear to your heart? what is your favorite "positive" note that is near and dear to you? How do you respond to negative feedback? why is is no matter how diplomatic you try to make your writing be someone still takes it as an attack? And why do some people take your writings so personally? - "published" writers/bloggers/authors sock it to me :-D I humbly await your responses.

Forum: Pagan Publishing

Google Page 1!

Luthaneal — Thur, 15 Jan 2009 16:08:23 GMT

I just had a check and Wicca Explained has made it onto page one of Google.

Typing "Wicca Explained" into their search engine brings us up around result seven on page one, so I would say its a good start.

Unfortunately the site is still lagging back in a search for "Wicca", but still, it's progress.

Forum: General Chat

Oak, Ash, and Thorn Tradition

Lark — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:47:12 GMT

I thought I would share a bit of my own Tradition, the one in which I personally trained and still work.

Our roots actually go back to Southern California in the late 1960's. A young man from the Los Angeles area who went by the magical name of Valcor studied there with a couple with whom he worked. The husband was a ceremonial magician and the wife was possibly Wiccan, or at least followed a path of religious Witchcraft.

In about 1969 Valcor decided that he needed to be moving on and he hopped a freight train heading east and ended up in New Orleans. He worked with several groups in New Orleans until he eventually formed his own group SouthShire Tradition in the very early 1970's. One of the first High Priestesses of SouthShire was a member of EarthSpirit Community with roots going back to the Long Island Coven. In many ways she was the Doreen Valiente of our Trad as she was truly instrumental in developing our liturgy and ritual format.

By the late 1970's SouthShire had grown tremendously with a large coven in New Orleans, one in Biloxi, and another in Shreveport. Fox, who was the HPS that taught me, had been a student of Valcor's, and she became HPS of the Biloxi group, Far Meadows Coven, in the early 1980's.

Then some of the SouthShire folk moved up to Nashville around 1985. They hadn't planned on starting an open coven. It was to be just the five of them who were going to work together...but it didn't work out that way. People sought them out and wanted to be taught. And the Oak, Ash, and Thorn Coven..and then Tradition was born.

Oak, Ash, and Thorn, or OATh as we refer to it, was specifically designed to be a Trad aimed at training "caring, competent Wiccan clergy". There was always a high standard of teaching, research, and scholarship in the training program. Fox set high standards for initiation. You not only had to prove that you had read the material in the books..but that you could also demonstrate competency in all areas of practice before an initiation would be granted.

My husband and I joined OATh in 1990, and we received our 3rd Degree from them at Samhain in 1996. We founded Tangled Moon Coven at Yule 1996 and continued to lead the coven until Litha 2008.

In 2001 Fox decided that it was time for her to step down as HPS of OATh and handed the hat of HPS of the Trad to me. Fox has since moved to Oregon but we chat regularly and she is always there when I need advice or just a sounding board for things.

I had the chance to meet Valcor a few years ago. He still reads cards in Jackson Square and he still has a small group going. But the heyday of SouthShire is long past, and Valcor's health issues mean that he has become far less active in the New Orleans Pagan scene.

On the other hand, OATh is healthy and growing. We will hived a second coven shortly after Litha and we also have a coven in Germany, and a large training circle working towards coven status in Michigan.

-Lark-

Forum: Wicca and Religious Witchcraft

Group/Circle Advice

Teresa — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:29:44 GMT

I hope I am putting this in the right section. lol

I came across The Church of the Ancient Paths, located in Rochester NY, on Witchvox.com. They are the "daughter church" of The Church of the Sacred Earth.

Church of Ancient Paths

I was wondering if anyone can tell me their opinions on this group before I contact them myself. I like the fact that they are family oriented and have open circles and workshops. They mention on one of their pages that rates are negotiable. I'm assuming that it is like paying dues, is this common? I just don't want to get into anything that I should stay away from. Thanks

Forum: Newbie Help Fourm

"Public " Books of Shadows

Gerald — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:18:21 GMT

The Wiccan Book of Shadows is a oath bound issue. No matter if you are a Gardnerian, Alexandrian, or Central Valley, the Book of Shadows is to be kept away from the uninitiated.

What about the supposed Books of Shadows on the internet? Should someone who is interested in Wicca look at them? Should a person who is of the Wica have these "Books of Shadows" on their public webpages?

The Wiccans I know do not even confirm or deny that these books are real or not. Because if they are real the person who has originally put them up is an oath breaker or they are fake.

Recently someone tried to offer my spouse a Kingstone Book of Shadows. This person said they were a Kingstone initiate who was offering to initiate my spouse. After a bit of searching we find out that this person got the book from a legitimate Kingstone person who was dieing in hospice. This person was one of the care givers there and took the book after the initiated died. My spouse contacted one of the main Kingstone Priestess to inform her of what was going on. We then cut off contact with this person who offered my spouse the book. Was this the right thing to do?

Forum: Wicca and Religious Witchcraft

Introductions

Luthaneal — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:21:41 GMT

A space for new members to introduce themselves and tell everyone a little bit about who they are.

Forum: Wicca and Religious Witchcraft

Wiccan Traditions

Luthaneal — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:20:16 GMT

Well, we are up and open now and as expected there are already criticisms in the "opinions" area of the main site. However, they are certainly valid criticisms and points have been made which leads me to this discussion.

The question here is:

Should Seax, Northwind, Protean, and Central Valley Wicca actually be listed on Wicca Explained as Traditions of Wicca. Does their lineage support this? Do their practices support this?

I know questions would naturally be raised regarding the McFarland Dianics, but I personally am fine with including them, as I know that in Britain and Europe they are counted among the priesthood and that they share in the core Mystery practices of Wicca.

But do you all think?

Forum: Wicca and Religious Witchcraft

Some of my "Published" Pagan Works.

Paul — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:54:30 GMT

Okay, so they are works that have been published on Witchvox, I know just about anyone can get published there, lol Oh, well, I still figured it would be a good thing to add to the forum.

Now, as I am not a Wiccan, but instead a Generic Eclectic NeoPagan - that is what these articles are about.

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=&c=words&id=10624 0 Published on Witchvox On April 30th, 2006 0- I wrote it probably around Dec 05/Jan 06

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=&c=words&id=11146 Published on Witchvox On February 25th, 2007 -I'm not really sure when I first wrote it.

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=&c=passages&id=12976 - This is not really an article on Wicca or NeoPaganism, but certainly the theme of Spirituality is brought up - this was an article I wrote to commemorate the passage of my Grandmother back in November of this year, 2008.

http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vn_detail/dt_po.html?a=usoh&id=28441 - Again, not really a article, this is a Pagan Themed spiritual poem I wrote and submitted to witchvox on May 11th, 2007.

Look for a forthcoming article on Witchvox titled "An Open letter to The (Eclectic) Neo-Pagan Community" It's still in the editing and processing stage now.

Also, I know this is not really a place to plug this sort of thing, And I know it's not really considered a "published" work or works, but still, I encourage everyone if they are interested to check out my Myspace blog page here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=79843212 - I have quite a bit of content wrote on there as it pertains to NeoPagan Spirituality and Belief, and Spirituality and different religions in General - and is a pretty decent collection of my own personal thoughts and beliefs.

Thank you very much, and great job on the site guys! Wonderful resource, I hope it will be a beacon for years to come, for people interested in Traditional Wicca and General NeoPagan Practices.

I'd also like to add, that since writing some of those articles all those years ago, I have evolved in my practices, yet, I still think the original work is a spirit to my evolution as a Pagan, and can still help those new to their Path, because some of them may be where I am now.

I no longer call myself a "Christian Witch" Or anything like that, I now simply consider myself a Eclectic NeoPagan with a sort of "Universalist" tendency. I am inspired by Pagan Religions both from antiquity (Roman, Greek, Egyptian, etc. Mythology -) More Modern Religions such as Wicca, Though since I am not an Initiate what I know comes from the Solitary, Outer Court Wicca 101 style material, I also enjoy studying Heathenism and The Asatru religion. Yet, I am unique, as a Pagan in a sense. Because, I still try to study the teachings of Jesus, I am still found of him to this day, even if I have a problem with Christianity, I still value the teachings of Yeshua/ Jesus. However, I tend to have a more Gnostic leaning when it comes to studying those teachings. I am also inspired by the New-Age Community, and general Western Occultism. I perform magick, though it is usually ritual magick, Ala' the outer-court Wiccan information on circle casting etc. and I believe in the natural properties associated with herbs and stones and etc. I am Currently a Reiki I Practitioner, and would ultimately like to get a Master-Attunement when I am able to.

Forum: Pagan Publishing

Im Here

Mark_Sumpter — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:50:52 GMT

I like the forum and site Guys.

Forum: Technical Help