Post by wbnsunshine on Nov 12, 2013 12:42:46 GMT -6
WHAT WE ARE:
We are not evil. We do not harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous people like some of you think we are.We are ordinary people just like you. We have families, jobs, hopes,and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what some of you think we are from watching telivision shows. "We are real" We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. you dont have to be afraid of us. We dont want to try to convert you so please dont try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you - To Live In Peace -. We are much more sililar to you than you think we are.
Wicca, or witchcraft is an earth religion - Linking with the life force of nature and the universe. We honor the Gods and Goddesses, including the triple Goddess of the waxing, full and waning moon. our religion is not a series of perceptions or beliefs Rather we believe that within ourselves we have the capacity to reach out and experience the mystery - That feeling of oneness of all life. There are many paths to spiritual growth. Wicca is a participatory revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of ones self and the universe. We believe there is much to learn by studying our past, through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry and music, through love and living in harmony with the earth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The holidays of the witches occur on what we refer to as the wheel of the year.
The Standard Holidays of the Wheel of the year are:
1. WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE- (On December 22)- Yule is the time of the greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice had been associated with the birth of a "Divine King" long before the rise of Christianity. Since the sun is considered to represent the Male Divinity in many Pagan Traditions, this time is celebrated as the "return of the sun god" where he is reborn of the goddess.
2. IMBOLC: (February 2)-The earliest whisperings of springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months.
3. SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA: (On March 21)- The first true day of springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length as the young God continues to mature and grow. We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise.
4. BELTANE: (April 30-May1)- The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love fo Her. This is a time of joyous reveling as the first flowers of summer are gathered in their Honor.
5. SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER: (On June 21)- The days of the first harvesting of herbs as the earth now begins to share her bounty. This time of the longest day is celebrated as a fire festival. The season between the planting and harvest, June is also the "Traditional" month for handfastings and weddings.
6. LUGHNASADH: (August 1)- The first harvest. Plants are "setting their seed" already for the next year as the cycle of nature continues. The sun (son) still burns brightly, but already the passing of the days begins to herald the coming of Autumn. The young animals are now almost full grown and our plans-planted with high expectations in the spring- are beginning to come to fruition.
7. AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON: (On September 21)-The second or continuing harvest. Now, as at Ostra, the days and nights are equal once again. Gardens are full bloom and heavy with natures bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which to come.
8. SAMHAIN: (October 31-Nov 1)- The last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that he will once again be reborn og the Goddess and the cycle will continue.This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of "seeing"(divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOOLS:
The Athame is a black handled knife or blade used during rituals for cutting herbs and stirring.
Sword- The sword is used as an authority for opening and closing the circle and as a grounding source for energy the wand or staff can also be used for this technique.
Chalice Cup- The Chalice is used as a representation of the female aspect water.
Cauldron- The Cauldron represents the gift of birth, death, and rebirth.
Broom- The broom is used to sweep away all negative energy.
Boleen- The boleen is used for cutting and carving candles.
Incense burner- This is used to hold the incense you are burning.
Book of Shadows- The "BOS" is the witches workbook, spellbook, and journal.
Other tools- Alter, Pentacle, Crystals, etc
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COORESPONDENCES:
Elemental Candle Correspondences-
North- Green
East- Yellow
South- Red
West- Blue
Directional Elemental Correspondences-
North- Earth
East- Air
South-Fire
West- Water
Magickal Correspondences fo Days of the Week-
Sunday- success, family, sibling relationships, career
Monday- intuition, dreams, psychism, child protection
Tuesday- conflict
Wednesday- communication, the arts, partnerships
Thursday- career, finances, wealth
Friday- love, passion, friendship
Saturday- banishing negativity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE THREE FOLD LAW:
Ever Mind The Rule Of Three
Three Times Your Acts Return To Thee
This Lesson Well, Thou Must Learn
Thou Only Gets What Thee Dost Earn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WICCAN CODE:
If no one is harmed by your action (either physically, emotionally, or spiritually), then do as you Will to do in Life in accordance with your Higher Self. Seek your identity and your purpose.
When someone does something good for you, then repay the kindness by doing something good for another person, so that the seed that was planted will bear fruit.
Keep your word and your oaths, when you give them.
Do not kill anything, except when food or protection are required.
Acknowledge and give due reverence to your gods, observing all of the sacred times and festivals.
Belittle no one's beliefs, but simply offer what it is you believe to be true.
Strive to live in peace with those who differ with you.
Strive to be aware of those around you and seek compassion within Yourself
Be true to your own understanding and strive to turn away from what is opposed within you.
Help others according to their need and according to your ability to give of yourself
Respect Nature and Strive to live in Harmony with Her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE NATURE OF OUR WAYS:
As often as possible, hold the rites in forests, by the seashore, on deserted mountaintops or near tranquil lakes. If this is impossible, a garden or some chamber shall suffice, if it is readied with fumes or Flowers.
Seek out wisdom in books, rare manuscripts and cryptic poems if you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs and in cries of wild birds. Listen to the whisperings of the wind and the roar of water if you would discover magic, for it is here that the old secrets are preserved.
Books contain words; Trees contain energies and wisdom books never dreamt of.
Ever remember that the Old Ways are constantly revealing themselves. Therefore be as the river willow that bends and sways with the wind. That which remains changeless shall outlive its spirit but that which evolves and grows will shine for centuries.
There can be no monopoly on wisdom. Therefor share what you will of our ways with others who seek them, but hide mystic lore from the eyes of those who would destroy, for to do otherwise increases their destruction.
Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say yours are greater in power or wisdom?
Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do shall return to you three fold, good or bane.
Be wary of one who would dominate you, who would control and manipulate your workings and reverences. True reverence for the Goddess and God occurs within. Look with Suspicion on anyone who would twist worship from for their own gain and glory, but welcome those priestesses and priests who are suffused with Love.
Honor all living things, for we are of the bird, the fish, the bee. Destroy not life save it be to preserve you own.
And this is the Nature of Our Way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethics
Wiccans basically believe in a "live and let live", non violent philosophy,
and tend to be tolerant of the beliefs and lifestyles of others. There is a basic
gentleness of spirit within most Wiccans and a striving toward peaceful
coexistence with those around them. Yet there is also a focus on themselves
and their personal needs and Wiccans do not generally "
turn the other cheek" when they are attacked. Wiccans avoid certain acts not so
much because they believe in some resulting punishment as they do out of
basic sense of right and wrong. It is wrong to steal, it is wrong to needlessly
take a life, it is wrong to intentionally hurt someone. The Popular text,
The Wiccan Rede best sums up the Wiccan Ethics;
The Rede says: "An as it harm none, do as ye will." Some
Wiccans interpret this to mean that a person can do anything they
wish as long as no one is harmed by it, and there by that person is free
of any karmic debt. This is not exactly the interpretation of the
Rede within the Mystery Teaching. To do as one wills to do actually
means to find one's purpose and to fulfill it. This is intended to
be for the benefit of the person but not to the detriment
of another person. In the work of the Neophyte to master his or
her physical senses and to pass into non attachment. Once the student has
risen about the desires and needs of the flesh, then he or she can view
the world with detachment and so discover their true Willor Purpose.
At this stage there is no greed, envy, or jealousy, and therefore the person
can act through knowledge of his or her own pure will, which then
naturally causes no harm to another because it is not centered on any
relationship, personal prestige or any personal gain within a society. It is
the true will of the divine nature within the person, acting in accord
with its purpose in this Lifetime.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are not evil. We do not harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous people like some of you think we are.We are ordinary people just like you. We have families, jobs, hopes,and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what some of you think we are from watching telivision shows. "We are real" We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. you dont have to be afraid of us. We dont want to try to convert you so please dont try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you - To Live In Peace -. We are much more sililar to you than you think we are.
Wicca, or witchcraft is an earth religion - Linking with the life force of nature and the universe. We honor the Gods and Goddesses, including the triple Goddess of the waxing, full and waning moon. our religion is not a series of perceptions or beliefs Rather we believe that within ourselves we have the capacity to reach out and experience the mystery - That feeling of oneness of all life. There are many paths to spiritual growth. Wicca is a participatory revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of ones self and the universe. We believe there is much to learn by studying our past, through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry and music, through love and living in harmony with the earth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The holidays of the witches occur on what we refer to as the wheel of the year.
The Standard Holidays of the Wheel of the year are:
1. WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE- (On December 22)- Yule is the time of the greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice had been associated with the birth of a "Divine King" long before the rise of Christianity. Since the sun is considered to represent the Male Divinity in many Pagan Traditions, this time is celebrated as the "return of the sun god" where he is reborn of the goddess.
2. IMBOLC: (February 2)-The earliest whisperings of springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months.
3. SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA: (On March 21)- The first true day of springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length as the young God continues to mature and grow. We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise.
4. BELTANE: (April 30-May1)- The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love fo Her. This is a time of joyous reveling as the first flowers of summer are gathered in their Honor.
5. SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER: (On June 21)- The days of the first harvesting of herbs as the earth now begins to share her bounty. This time of the longest day is celebrated as a fire festival. The season between the planting and harvest, June is also the "Traditional" month for handfastings and weddings.
6. LUGHNASADH: (August 1)- The first harvest. Plants are "setting their seed" already for the next year as the cycle of nature continues. The sun (son) still burns brightly, but already the passing of the days begins to herald the coming of Autumn. The young animals are now almost full grown and our plans-planted with high expectations in the spring- are beginning to come to fruition.
7. AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON: (On September 21)-The second or continuing harvest. Now, as at Ostra, the days and nights are equal once again. Gardens are full bloom and heavy with natures bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which to come.
8. SAMHAIN: (October 31-Nov 1)- The last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that he will once again be reborn og the Goddess and the cycle will continue.This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of "seeing"(divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOOLS:
The Athame is a black handled knife or blade used during rituals for cutting herbs and stirring.
Sword- The sword is used as an authority for opening and closing the circle and as a grounding source for energy the wand or staff can also be used for this technique.
Chalice Cup- The Chalice is used as a representation of the female aspect water.
Cauldron- The Cauldron represents the gift of birth, death, and rebirth.
Broom- The broom is used to sweep away all negative energy.
Boleen- The boleen is used for cutting and carving candles.
Incense burner- This is used to hold the incense you are burning.
Book of Shadows- The "BOS" is the witches workbook, spellbook, and journal.
Other tools- Alter, Pentacle, Crystals, etc
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COORESPONDENCES:
Elemental Candle Correspondences-
North- Green
East- Yellow
South- Red
West- Blue
Directional Elemental Correspondences-
North- Earth
East- Air
South-Fire
West- Water
Magickal Correspondences fo Days of the Week-
Sunday- success, family, sibling relationships, career
Monday- intuition, dreams, psychism, child protection
Tuesday- conflict
Wednesday- communication, the arts, partnerships
Thursday- career, finances, wealth
Friday- love, passion, friendship
Saturday- banishing negativity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE THREE FOLD LAW:
Ever Mind The Rule Of Three
Three Times Your Acts Return To Thee
This Lesson Well, Thou Must Learn
Thou Only Gets What Thee Dost Earn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WICCAN CODE:
If no one is harmed by your action (either physically, emotionally, or spiritually), then do as you Will to do in Life in accordance with your Higher Self. Seek your identity and your purpose.
When someone does something good for you, then repay the kindness by doing something good for another person, so that the seed that was planted will bear fruit.
Keep your word and your oaths, when you give them.
Do not kill anything, except when food or protection are required.
Acknowledge and give due reverence to your gods, observing all of the sacred times and festivals.
Belittle no one's beliefs, but simply offer what it is you believe to be true.
Strive to live in peace with those who differ with you.
Strive to be aware of those around you and seek compassion within Yourself
Be true to your own understanding and strive to turn away from what is opposed within you.
Help others according to their need and according to your ability to give of yourself
Respect Nature and Strive to live in Harmony with Her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE NATURE OF OUR WAYS:
As often as possible, hold the rites in forests, by the seashore, on deserted mountaintops or near tranquil lakes. If this is impossible, a garden or some chamber shall suffice, if it is readied with fumes or Flowers.
Seek out wisdom in books, rare manuscripts and cryptic poems if you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs and in cries of wild birds. Listen to the whisperings of the wind and the roar of water if you would discover magic, for it is here that the old secrets are preserved.
Books contain words; Trees contain energies and wisdom books never dreamt of.
Ever remember that the Old Ways are constantly revealing themselves. Therefore be as the river willow that bends and sways with the wind. That which remains changeless shall outlive its spirit but that which evolves and grows will shine for centuries.
There can be no monopoly on wisdom. Therefor share what you will of our ways with others who seek them, but hide mystic lore from the eyes of those who would destroy, for to do otherwise increases their destruction.
Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say yours are greater in power or wisdom?
Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do shall return to you three fold, good or bane.
Be wary of one who would dominate you, who would control and manipulate your workings and reverences. True reverence for the Goddess and God occurs within. Look with Suspicion on anyone who would twist worship from for their own gain and glory, but welcome those priestesses and priests who are suffused with Love.
Honor all living things, for we are of the bird, the fish, the bee. Destroy not life save it be to preserve you own.
And this is the Nature of Our Way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethics
Wiccans basically believe in a "live and let live", non violent philosophy,
and tend to be tolerant of the beliefs and lifestyles of others. There is a basic
gentleness of spirit within most Wiccans and a striving toward peaceful
coexistence with those around them. Yet there is also a focus on themselves
and their personal needs and Wiccans do not generally "
turn the other cheek" when they are attacked. Wiccans avoid certain acts not so
much because they believe in some resulting punishment as they do out of
basic sense of right and wrong. It is wrong to steal, it is wrong to needlessly
take a life, it is wrong to intentionally hurt someone. The Popular text,
The Wiccan Rede best sums up the Wiccan Ethics;
The Rede says: "An as it harm none, do as ye will." Some
Wiccans interpret this to mean that a person can do anything they
wish as long as no one is harmed by it, and there by that person is free
of any karmic debt. This is not exactly the interpretation of the
Rede within the Mystery Teaching. To do as one wills to do actually
means to find one's purpose and to fulfill it. This is intended to
be for the benefit of the person but not to the detriment
of another person. In the work of the Neophyte to master his or
her physical senses and to pass into non attachment. Once the student has
risen about the desires and needs of the flesh, then he or she can view
the world with detachment and so discover their true Willor Purpose.
At this stage there is no greed, envy, or jealousy, and therefore the person
can act through knowledge of his or her own pure will, which then
naturally causes no harm to another because it is not centered on any
relationship, personal prestige or any personal gain within a society. It is
the true will of the divine nature within the person, acting in accord
with its purpose in this Lifetime.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
