The Tolerance Of Paganism

Some weeks ago I finished reading passage from a book called, "The Tolerance of Hinduism"; it explained how the religion does not fear any other, and accepts as unique and divine even those who oppose them. Only the weak try to impose their religious views, in the end, divinity is divinity, not by name, not by culture, but by nature.

Us pagans and wiccans, always try to believe in the truth of tolerance that is taught within our principles. But, I think we forget. Why do we argue with the rest, but not silence and let those who waste their breath waste it? Why hate the mere mention of Christ? The resentment that has grown within most of us, has lead us to believe that we are tolerant but not "christian tolerant".

I cannot but mention the times I have seen a bash after the other, of the Christian faith. And the facts may be so, but we must overcome this. Those who think they are victims remain victims. It is time my brothers and sisters, that we look deep inside, deep inside to understand that not everyone is free of thought. How is it that you say, not everyone is free of thought? Don't we all have free will?

Yes indeed, but let me explain; a heard of sheep's has the ability to think and be free, but do they think? Are they free? And so people, are overwhelmed by a system that surrounds every aspect of their lives; will they differ? After all things have always been this way.

So if we think, let us not become like them who bawl at the mere sight of change.

Let peace and Tolerance reign supreme, so we can demonstrate we are not a bunch of rebellious lunatics, we are not afraid, we are peaceful, as the Goddess loves, so let us love back. It is hard, hard indeed.

A Tale of Fortitude and Survival

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously
for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up
anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his
neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to
shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and
cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was
astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the
donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up on
the dirt. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the
animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was
amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

  And the moral is....
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting
out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a
stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never
giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

  Remember the Gods help he who helps himself. Strive!

Wiccan/ Pagan Terms and Definition 3

wand- a rod or staff that is prepared so that it may be used for magickal and spiritual purposes.

warlock- a term coined in the Burning Times . It was used to denote a traitor to the Craft, or one who had betrayed the followers of the Old Religion. It's origin is Scottish. Because of the negative connotations, it is not used by most Wiccans today.

invocation- The ritual "calling-in" of an entity (or energies) higher than human, either for communication with the caller through a medium or by visible manifestation or else to enter into a human body as in the Drawing Down the Moon. In some traditions, a Prayer.

lammas- August 1st. Witch Festival. The Old Celtic name for this festival is Lughnassadh. It is the Festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the 3 harvests. This festival also marks the change of the Threefold Goddess energies from that of Mother to Crone.

maiden- An appointment held by one of the women of the coven. She is virtually the assistant High Priestess. This term is also the descriptive term used to describe the first of the aspects of the Threefold Goddess Energies (Maiden, Mother, and Crone). It is traditionally associated with the Waxing Moon, and the period from Imbolc (Candlemas) to Beltane (May eve) where the energies are those of initiating, beginning, and creation.

old religion- another name for the Craft.

paganing/ wiccaning- Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the Gods.

pentacle- a disc shaped talisman; in particular, the metal disc which represents the earth element among the witch's working tools.

pentagram- The five-pointed star. With a single point uppermost, it represents the human being. Inverted, with two points uppermost, it can have Satanist associations; but not necessarily. Some traditions of Wicca use the inverted pentagram to signify an initiate of the second degree.

quarters- The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal circle or other ritual area. (See also "Watchtowers")

rede- rule or law.

sabbath- one of the Eight festivals or high holy days of Wicca.

salamander- an entity that dwells in the realm of Fire.

samhain- The festival of remembrance for the dead, held on the eve of Nov. 1st. It is the last of the three harvests. This festival also marks the transition of rulership of the "Wheel of the Year from that of the Goddess to that of the God.

scrying- divination, usually using such methods as crystal gazing, or divination via incense smoke, or water as opposed to tarot or other manipulative means.

spell- a prayer, or verbal direction of magickal energies toward the accomplishment of some goal.

summoner- The male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. He is the assistant High Priest.

sylph- an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Air or is associated with the AIR Element.

tradition- any of the various "sects" of Wicca such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Georgian, Seax, etc.

undine- an "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Water or is associated with the WATER Element.

More Wicca/Pagan Terms and Definitions 2

Sacred-worthy veneration. Could be for a deity, in our case, also nature.

Role Playing- A common use in rituals to act out certain ceremonial scenes.

Seer- A person that can see what is hidden, diviner.

Subjective- reality as a perception, and not a mandatory law.

Sutra- Book, or collection of sayings, scripts.

Symbol- a sign with a meaning.

Altar- a spot used solely for magickal or religious purposes.

Wicca- neo-pagan religion, that represents the worship, love for life and nature; and the ancient deities of paganism.

Bane- a negative force or energy.

Besom- term used to name a witch's sacred broom used for cleansing, and purifying a sacred space, or altar.

Magick Hoard- a collection of notes, and writings that can form a book.

Book of Shadows- Witch's book where all magickal dates, aspects, formulas, thoughts and spells are described, and dated.

Magician- a person that performs magick tricks.

Mague- sophisticated word, for people who perform higher forms, of magick, such as ceremonial.

Witch- a person attuned to nature, who uses it's energies to create a desired change.

Invocation- Calling forth.

Wiccan/ Pagan Terms and Definition 1

Energy- force within ourselves, and everything.

Familiar- animal ally that helps you in spell work.

Chakras-seven energy points of your body that form a road that connects them. So if one is closed, you cannot use the others appropriately.

Duality- The double form or force that is in everything. No good without bad, no Godess without God. No male without female, etc.

Deity- a God or Goddess.

Neo-Pagan- the pagan movement that has emerged to reconstruct pagan beliefs, applying them to modern life, such as Wicca.

Meditation- The act of relaxing the body and reflecting, using different forms such as silence, mantras, etc.

Reincarnation- religious belief, in which the soul is reborn in flesh many times in order to reach ultimate wisdom.

Sigil- a sign or symbol used in magical practices.

Magick- pagans and most magues write magic with a "k" to differentiate true occult work, with fake one.

SpellCrafting/ Magick- the condition of creating a wanted or effect change.

Skyclad- act of performing magick, or rituals in the nude.

Warlock- is not a pagan or witch term to name a boy male, it means traitor, and is never to be used.

Wicca 1

I. First Philosophy

In order to understand why the first phase is called, FIRST PHILOSOPHY, you have to understand what a philosophy is;

The science that deals with the essence, characteristics, causes and effects of things.



A perfect word to use for your first class, because it is exactly the essence of Wicca on an external level, its essence lies purely on your individual practice and experience, you will understand when you further you knowledge.



- Wicca is a religion, it is a way of life, it is a way of thought, it is many things, and everything to others.
- Any body from any social class, sex, age, ethnic group, size, etc; can be wiccan.


MY DEFINITION OF WICCA

Wicca is a neo- pagan religion, it includes in its belief the practice of magick, the honour and exaltation of nature, its energies, all living things and deities.


THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE

One of the most basic beliefs of Wicca and Paganism, is that life IS sacred. Thus we must and Do respect everything that exists.
-Rocks, Earth
-Insects, Animals
-Plants, Water, Winds
-Everything form the skies to the planets (just to name a few)

To begin your training you must learn and understand the natural cycles of the land, and the magick that lies within them. Because all is in itself a magickal manifestation, and this is something you must truly breathe in and believe as a wiccan.



Excersice .


Though this class might not be what you expected, time is the important nurture of learning. If you were expecting to be casting from day one, then probably you should rethink your position as a learner wiccae, are you really into wicca or spellcrafting?

-Make a summary of this section in your magick hoard (notebook), include anything that caught your attention, even if you already knew it, copy.

-For this week you will go outside, preferably to a nature spot, but if this is not possible, a backyard maybe? You are entering a new stage in your life, you are gaining new knowledge.

Respectfully enter the natural surroundings, stop and look around, become aware of everything, admire. The green life of the trees, the breathing of the soil on your feet, the birds, everything. Feel the energy, feel different, feel the power, and magick around you.

1-Write on your hoard what you felt when you first entered the Earth with this new perspective in mind.

Each day you will introduce yourself to the Natural World, as a seeker of the ancient knowledge of Wicca.

You can say something like this;

Nature, trees, wind, and skies. Woodlin creatures that roam nearby. Ancient powers I recognize your existence, I--------- am here with you asking for your blessing in natures way. Fill me with your energies , fill me with willingness to learn. Beautiful earth, help me be one and understand you.



2-Vocabulary.

(On your own, in google books, or pagan sites, you will write the found definitionsof the words below.

Neo-pagan

Wicca

Energy

Sacred

Witch

Deity

Hoard

Magician

Warlock

Todays Devotional- To Spring a God and Goddess

It seems like I have been having a busy week, dont know how many of you readers feel the same way, again the issue of time, and struggling to survive in this bloodthirsty work world. Maybe it doesnt seem like much, but while I was at work on the computer, I decided to recite a cute little chant. And allas, here I am, to inspire those who think they really dont have the time.

Spring, what newly breeds you bring forth?
Against the frosty remaining days
Dear God your youth doth show
To me the Goddess sings, dual the glow.

Think about it...I felt my concience pleased.

Wicca is Hip?

So, many true wiccans have seen this phenomenon occuring, somehow wicca is a popular trend, so my question is, who, what, when, where, why, how?

I dont know if many of you would agree with me, but something has to be done to promote the seriousness of our religion, and stop the mob of fashion statement followers. I feel sad when I see so many teenagers, who have literally no idea why, they are wiccan.

-Yeah Wicca is cool, you can do magic, and stuff-....So, thats it, magic is this all that calls to you? Slowly the foundations are being broken into mockery. And to hearing people say -WICCA IS IN-. So that means it will be out?

I am worried, for the reputation of the true, and of our loving ways, I know this is not fashion, or modernity.

So when did this obsurd craze begin. Somehow I analyze that its within the rebellions to look for an out to their taught traditions, but is Wicca really rebellion? It is being portrayed as such, the movement of rebelling goths, and emos, the belief of loonies.
I just hope that the wicca fever shortens, because I do not like the term -Hip, In- Wicca is not a fashion statement, it is not a crazy rebellious movement that has become popular amongst the rioting teens.

Wicca is serious, wicca is love, and peace, and yes it is gaining popularity, but should not be compared, as -In-, clothes are IN and OUT.

Personally I do not like the fake advertisement given to the religion, It makes us look as pathetic followers of a trend that somehow will soon end.


Wicca is so much more than a style, a religion is not a style. It is a doctrine, a guideline, for life, for thought.

Wicca 1.0

These are a series of lessons that I will post. I first began real serious teaching, when I joined various pagan websites, and found astonishment in the lack of knowledge most pagans have about, well, everything. And then, there were those who knew a bit, and those few who surpassed my own knowledge.

I am no know it all, but I am very strict when it comes religion.

Paganism is free as can be, but it also has its set of order, this is dedicated to my first big class, now I will have no difficulty getting the classes posted on time. I really enjoy being your guide, and how comfortable many of you have gotten with me. A special warm salute to you all.

All lessons will be posted by March 29th,2010. After you have joined, you can post your comments and concerns. I really hope this makes learning life easier for all of us. I am sorry class has been running slow, you cannot rush religion, but still, we have lessons to accomplish.

The class due date will be assigned when you contact me.

To all the wisdom of the Gods.

What you will find here.

I assure you there are no explicit adult content here, though, I understand fully, that all the contents will be read by adult minds. Please do not waste your time sending negative feedback, or posting insults about paganism, and the difference of religion chosen by other people.

This is a learning blog, all the information here can be both subjective, and not subjective.

Those interested in becoming active members of this blog can freely join, those who also wish to be active students can also join. I am not looking for followers, paganism does not do such things, but I will not deny the freedom of rightfully educating misconceptions.

In this page you will find:

Meditations
Debates and Essays about Controversial topics
Herbalism
Magick
Paganism
Astrological work
Divination
And much more