My name is Amber and I have fully adopted the Wiccan religion. Unfortunately, I'm a little lost as to how to worship. I've also been told that Wicca a a neon religion that was made in someones basement and that if I told the Pagan community I was Wiccan I wouldn't get any respect. I'm really trying to find the right path of Wicca but I'm so very confused. Can anyone help me?
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Re: New Pagan
Hi Amber. First of all, what anyone else thinks is of little consequence. It's about what feels right to you. I've been studying Wicca for a few years, so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask! It's a bit broad of a topic to just start spewing off information. I can PM you of you want more private conversation, as well. Everyone here will be very helpful I'm sure!
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Re: New Pagan
Originally posted by Eclipse View PostMy name is Amber and I have fully adopted the Wiccan religion. Unfortunately, I'm a little lost as to how to worship.
I've also been told that Wicca a a neon religion that was made in someones basement and that if I told the Pagan community I was Wiccan I wouldn't get any respect.
I'm really trying to find the right path of Wicca but I'm so very confused. Can anyone help me?
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Re: New Pagan
Made in someone's basement? Hardly. It's really a culmination of the works of many many people over hundreds of years, and eventually by the late 1800s through the mid 1900s it grew. Wicca itself was founded by Gerald Gardner and his coven. And no, it is not some ancient religion that's been around for thousands of years or something; that's an idea that was very very widely used among Mason-esque initiatory societies, and in some respects, Gardnerian Wiccan can be related to that. It doesn't make the religion any less legit, obviously, because whatever works, works.
If you need more information about history, I'd highly suggest reading The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton.
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Re: New Pagan
Thanks everyone for being so helpful. Gardenia, I suppose I may have phrased that wrong. What I meant was I have started following the Wiccan way of life. The principles, as it were. Toxi, I'm not even sure what I know about being Wiccan. Every book or website or person I talk to almost completely contradicts what I thought I had previously learned. I've heard phrases like "Gray Witch", "White Witch", "Moon Child"(which I have been called, although I don't know the meaning). From everything I've gathered I know I prefer the Celtic background of Wicca, though I don't know which which branch of the religion it is. I worship the Mother Goddess, of course.
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Thane
- Mar 2013
- 896
- Celtic/Germanic Polytheism
- Ontario, Canada.
- Come join the murder, Come fly with black, We'll give you freedom, From the human trap.
Re: New Pagan
Originally posted by Eclipse View PostI'm a little lost as to how to worship.Originally posted by Eclipse View PostI worship the Mother Goddess, of course.
Also to comment on no respect for Wiccans and Basement foundings. Both very wrong, very. I respect wiccans.White and Red 'till I'm cold and dead.
sigpicIn Days of yore,
From Britain's shore
Wolfe the dauntless hero came
And planted firm Britannia's flag
On Canada's fair domain.
Here may it wave,
Our boast, our pride
And joined in love together,
The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,
The Maple Leaf Forever.
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Re: New Pagan
Originally posted by Eclipse View PostGardenia, I suppose I may have phrased that wrong. What I meant was I have started following the Wiccan way of life. The principles, as it were.
I'm not even sure what I know about being Wiccan. Every book or website or person I talk to almost completely contradicts what I thought I had previously learned. I've heard phrases like "Gray Witch", "White Witch", "Moon Child"(which I have been called, although I don't know the meaning).
The second thing to keep in mind is that, unfortunately, there is a LOT of bad information on Wicca out there. To be frank, often when I see a source using terms like white witch, or whatever? They very frequently are not great sources...
This is why I'm curious about what books you've been reading, because sometimes the confusion comes from just having bad sources.
From everything I've gathered I know I prefer the Celtic background of Wicca, though I don't know which which branch of the religion it is. I worship the Mother Goddess, of course.
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Re: New Pagan
The best way to get an idea of where Wicca came from and what it was when it first emerged, imo, would be to go back to the books written by those who founded it in the 50's and 60's. Gardner and Buckland are the ones that come immediately to mind, but I'm not too up to date on my Wicca so I'm sure there are others people can suggest. I'd also recommend Scott Cunningham's work, they're a bit more modern (relatively speaking, late 80's early 90's), but still in touch with that original current of Wiccan tradition instead of going completely out beyond the pale like a lot of stuff published about Wicca in the last 20 or 30 years. And most importantly, they're written for solo worship, whereas the earlier stuff was mostly written for groups, so they should help you figure out how to incorporate worship and practice into your life.
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Re: New Pagan
Doc, I pray to the Goddess as if I were talking to her. But, any kind of specific prayers and rituals that go into it are unknown to me. So, yes I worship Her and revere Her but is there more to it?
Gardenia, I have the Wiccan Rede in my journal. I have found that the principles mentioned in the Rede are something that every Wiccan must adhere to and this is where their way of life and principles come from. If I'm wrong then please correct me. And yes, I have found myself leaning much more toward Celtic traditions and Gods/Goddesses.
Aeran, I was given one of Buckland's books as a gift when I first considered becoming Wiccan. I also have an autobiography by a woman named Rochelle Moore. She came highly recommended.
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Doc, I pray to the Goddess as if I were talking to her. But, any kind of specific prayers and rituals that go into it are unknown to me. So, yes I worship Her and revere Her but is there more to it?
Gardenia, I have the Wiccan Rede in my journal. I have found that the principles mentioned in the Rede are something that every Wiccan must adhere to and this is where their way of life and principles come from. If I'm wrong then please correct me. And yes, I have found myself leaning much more toward Celtic traditions and Gods/Goddesses.
Aeran, I was given one of Buckland's books as a gift when I first considered becoming Wiccan. I also have an autobiography by a woman named Rochelle Moore. She came highly recommended.
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Re: New Pagan
Originally posted by Eclipse View PostGardenia, I have the Wiccan Rede in my journal. I have found that the principles mentioned in the Rede are something that every Wiccan must adhere to and this is where their way of life and principles come from. If I'm wrong then please correct me.
And yes, I have found myself leaning much more toward Celtic traditions and Gods/Goddesses.
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Re: New Pagan
Ok, I understand what your saying. Is there anything a bit more focused for healers and guides? My fiance, Jared, has sad many times that Wicca is the perfect religion for me because of my almost innate desire to help people with. Whether it be in life or in health I always try to find a fix for things.
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Re: New Pagan
Originally posted by Eclipse View PostThanks everyone for being so helpful. Gardenia, I suppose I may have phrased that wrong. What I meant was I have started following the Wiccan way of life. The principles, as it were. Toxi, I'm not even sure what I know about being Wiccan. Every book or website or person I talk to almost completely contradicts what I thought I had previously learned. I've heard phrases like "Gray Witch", "White Witch", "Moon Child"(which I have been called, although I don't know the meaning). From everything I've gathered I know I prefer the Celtic background of Wicca, though I don't know which which branch of the religion it is. I worship the Mother Goddess, of course.
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Re: New Pagan
Originally posted by Eclipse View PostMy name is Amber and I have fully adopted the Wiccan religion. Unfortunately, I'm a little lost as to how to worship.
If you've fully adopted Wicca, you ought to have studied it, and ought to know what the typical ritual format is.
I've also been told that Wicca a a neon religion that was made in someones basement
and that if I told the Pagan community I was Wiccan I wouldn't get any respect.
I'm really trying to find the right path of Wicca but I'm so very confused.
Originally posted by toxicyarnglare View PostTo clarify, as far as I know the only inherently Celtic thing about Wicca is their 8 Sabbats, most of which were holidays celebrated by Celtic people's throughout the centuries.
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Re: New Pagan
Howdy Eclipse~
You are somewhat correct that there are people that don't respect Wiccans, but don't let other peoples opinions stop you from spiritual growth! (unless they're saying something like sacrificing the neighbor's pet pig is wrong. Then you might wanna listen) The biggest reason why there are people who are "anti-Wiccan" is because they are so many Wiccans who don't fully understand their religions background, history or principles. If you want to help yourself stay out from under fire, learn as much as you can about how Wicca came to be. Just because it's a "new" practice doesn't mean it isn't valid. I would hate to have scientist start throwing away new discoveries because they don't fit into older models and my spiritual practice is no different! Everyone is going to interpret everything in their own unique way and understanding.
A lot of people initially like to think they can grab a Wicca 101 book and it's going to spoon fed them the entire philosophy, technique, et al. Fortunately (and yes that is FORTUNATELY) there is NO book of definitive knowledge on the Craft or Wicca or any Paganism. Congratulations! Your sources for spiritual growth and development are unlimited as long as you allow it to be so.
One more note about Wiccans and the respect they deserve:
If it wasn't for the various Wiccan movements back in the 1950s and 1960s, pagans wouldn't have the opportunities they have today to have open forums (public and online), recognized religion, and the ability to tell other people about these beliefs. It isn't perfect yet and there are many places in the world where it still isn't accepted as well as it is in the west, but it's better than it could still be.
I would suggest you read Margot Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon", Thea Sabin's "Wicca for Beginners", and Scott Cunnigham's "Living Wicca" or "Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner". Remember to read all of them with an open mind. Throw out what feels like crap and embrace what feels right.
Good luck!
~Astrayus
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