Faith

Witchy Comments

Faith is the Dark Moon
Unseen in the night
We know it is present
Yet long for the light.
 
Faith is the wind
That whispers around us.
 
We cannot touch it
And must take it on trust.
 
Faith is the soft voice
of the Goddess of Old
Who warms us in the winter
And wards off the cold.
 
Let my heart feel the warmth
Let my soul hear Her voice
Let me find faith in the darkness
And my spirit rejoice.
 

So Mote It Be.

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Wishing You A Very Happy & Blessed Thursday, dear brothers & sisters!

Have a Good, Great Day Images
Good Morning WOTC! Well it is almost lunch time, so what’s for lunch? Something good, I am on my way. I wanted to apologize for no daily posts today. We started out with the intentions of doing them as usual. But good intentions occasionally go down the toilet, as ours did today.

I always listen to the News every morning as everyone knows. Our local forecast calls for some severe storms forming right over the top of us today. Said some of the storms could contain tornadoes. We also live in tornado alley, so please keep us in your prayers today. Since listening to the weather, I decided I would get up early and go get some of my prescriptions. I called them in. About fifteen minutes later, the pharmacy was calling me back. Problem with the insurance. I straightened that out which took about 15 minutes. Still had time to run to town. Got ready, went outside to start the truck and let it warm up. While the truck was warming up, dumbass me decides to pick up some garbage the wind had blew over here. I made the fatal mistake of stepping in the wrong spot. Before I knew it, my left leg had sunk down to my knee in mud. I could not pull my leg out to save me. The bad thing was it was still sinking and by that time I was screaming. Thank goodness, my neighbor heard me and came running. I grabbed a hold of the foundation to stop sinking. My neighbor carefully weaved his way through the mud. He finally got to me and he started sinking too. The next thing I knew he had grabbed a hold of me and ripped me out of the mud and over his head. I landed on the walkway and he grabbed my hand a I helped him out. He wanted to know what the hell I was doing in the mud. I told him I didn’t know it was mud till I stepped there. I guess I could have really been an ungrateful ass hole and told him, “I was picking up your garbage.” But I didn’t. He saved me from quick mud (get it, instead of quicksand, we have quick mud, not funny, it stinks worse than a skunk!).

It was amazing though, I didn’t change clothes or nothing. I just sit down on the steps and wiped my shoe and sock off. My pants did not get a lick of mud on them. As I was going down, my pants leg was pushed up by the ground. My leg was muddy but with the pants leg down, you couldn’t tell anything had happened. Weird, I know. So now I am wiped off and getting in the truck. Well guess what’s sunk next? Yes, you guessed it, the truck. By this time, I am going, “Goddess what have I done today?” The truck was marred up to the middle bolt on both back tires. I gentle eased up enough to get some traction. Then I put the truck in four-wheel drive and put her in reverse, off we went. Needless to say, it looks like I have been mudding in my yard. Oh, what fun! NOT!

After all that adventure at the house, Kiki and I were off. I should mention she hates it when I put the truck in four-wheel drive. Why I don’t know, she just does. So she finally calmed down from that. But before she did, she was sitting in my lap fogging up the window. I would wipe and she would fog it up again. I finally said the heck with it and rolled the window down a little were I could see. We made it to town and got everything done we had to do. The funny thing, it sprinkled all the way to town and back. Now it is not doing a darn thing. That figures doesn’t.

I forgot something totally hilarious. I think everyone knows we are located about 5 miles from an uranium enrichment plant. They are in the process of closing it down. Eventually it will be totally empty. We found out the other day, they aren’t leaving any guards there at all. That is just peachy! No telling what kind of crap will be left there. Anyway, in the mail today, we got a letter from USEC that is the plant I am talking about. I had to do a double take on that one. I opened it and I know I shouldn’t have, but I just started laughing my ass off. I guess it was just the topper on the kind of morning I had had.  I scanned over the letter real quick. It informed us of no security for the plant but rest assured the security system will still be operational. OK! Now on the next piece of paper was what to do if the sirens go off. That’s it we are all going to die. They have sirens all over the place. But if the place blows, we won’t be able to take a step. We  will be dead. The kill radius on this plant is huge. We first moved out here, my son and I would go fishing at the game reserve which is on part of the plant property. We didn’t eat anything we caught, rumor had it they all glowed in the dark, lol! Anyway, my son saw one of those signs and asked me, “what should we do if they sounded?” I have always been honest with my children. I told him, “kiss your ass good-bye.” I know we could move but we would have near as much fun as we are now.

Well back to the site, Mystie is going to be posting some spells later on (if we don’t get blowed away). I am going to check out some stuff Word Press has give us. They gave us thousands of plug-ins to use on this site. They did that Monday and I saved the link but haven’t had time to check out what we now have access too. I do know one is a radio player and there is also a news ticker that runs all the time. Might be some pretty cool stuff who knows? I am also going to do some Pinning on Pinterest. Pinterest has a widget that you can put on your web site. It lets your friends see what you are pinning. But we can’t use it, it is javascript. Word Press won’t let you use Java because they say it is so each to be hacked. I was sort of disappointed because it was a cool widget. Oh, well, life goes on……

I guess I need to start updating ya’ll every day. That way I would talk your ears off. Who am I kidding, I still would, lol! I was very serious about you keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Before anything was built on this property a tornado came right straight through here. The people around here told us if we had been here we would have probably been killed. It tore this area up pretty good. And all the bad weather we have had around here recently it does make me nervous. So please, not only keep us in your prayers but our area also. We have all seen enough disaster and destruction, we don’t need any more.

Well now you are officially caught up, Mystie will here later on. I am checking out our new toys from Word Press and then doing a little Pinning. I don’t know if I told you I keep the Pinning going because we get new members from there. It is an excellent source of advertisement for us. Now I am going to hush and get busy. I hope everyone has a very blessed and happy Thursday. We will see you tomorrow. Till then…….

Luv & Hugs,

Lady A

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Honor Your Household Spirits

Witchy Comments & Graphics

HONOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD SPIRITS

When presenting your house spirits with offerings of incense,
candles or what not you can say this little chant:
“Wraith of the house, Take heart and live,
To every chamber This light I give,
To every corner This breath I send
Approve and favor my willing hand.”

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The Witches Magick for February 18th – Full Moon Cleansing Rite

Witchy Comments & Graphics

The Witches Magick for February 18th – Full Moon Cleansing Rite

Special tools:

Cauldron filled with salt water

Do Your Altar Devotion

Cast the circle. Invocate the Goddess

I greet the Lady and call upon thee Mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness.
I ask you, Mother, to descend upon my circle and reside within me, thy priest/ess.

Invocation of the God

I call upon thee O Great Father, Sun and Consort of the Mother ,who brings her light and warmth. Come forth Mighty Horned One. Live now within the body of this thy priest/ess.

Cleansing

Anoint forehead with salt water

“I cleanse my thoughts that they might be pure and honest –
grant that they always be pleasing to the God and Goddess.”

Anoint throat

“I cleanse my voice that all that I say might be for good and naught for ill or harm.”

Anoint heart

“I cleanse my heart that it might be open, giving and full of light. Grant that I might give
freely of my love and care to others.”

Anoint hands

“I cleanse my hands that I might use them for workings of good, to help and never to harm.”

Anoint feet

“I cleanse my feet that they might take me far in life, that my journeys may be filled with love,
light, peace and the joy of the Goddess and God.”

Meditation for a time.

Cakes and Wine (eating bread and drinking wine or juice to restore energies spent during ritual)

Release the circle, thank the God and Goddess.

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Today’s Tarot Card for Feb. 12th is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Wednesday, Feb 12th, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

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February 3 – Daily Feast

February 3 – Daily Feast

These are no longer ordinary times, and many circumstances we thought would never change, are changing. The innocent times, the good natured humor of life has been covered over with suggestive jokes empty of meaning. The ground is shifting under our feet and we are having to learn to walk a new way. Few things are permanent. We are born of change, but we still have to keep a commonsense attitude or we can lose our footing. We need to prove, long before we accept something as fact, that it is true. If it is right, it can be proved. Much is a mystery to us. But to the Tsilagi – Cherokee – silence is golden. We speak little and listen long. Words are important in songs and in ceremonies – and in general conversation as well. It is wise to save words and use them only when they can be effective.

~ Good works do not last long until they amount to something. ~

CHIEF JOSEPH

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – St. Paul’s Eve

Celtic Comments & Graphics
Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – St. Paul’s Eve

St. Paul’s Eve

It was at this time that St. Paul was converted from a Roman persecutor to a member of the Christian faith. Due to the profound atmospheric conditions at the time, St. Paul’s Eve became a time of great importance, and a weather omen for the coming year:

“If the day of St Paul’s proves clear,
Then shall betide a happy year.
If it chance to snow or rain,
Then shall be dear all kinds of grain.
But if high winds shall be aloft,
Wars shall vex this realm full oft.
And if thick mists make dark this sky,
Born beasts and fowl this year shall die.”

—Erra Pater, 1694

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Love Is The Law


Witchy Comments & Graphics

Love Is The Law

Do what thou wilt is the Whole of the Law The time of The Will Bursts forth Now, in the Spring Implacable bud!

Let your Love burst forth and blossom freely Thunder of roses Unfettered by harsh will Love willed to be Free

To soar with on Her Wings into New Heavens Over pure New Earths Love is Will purified Love is Her own Law!

Sun is born again in primitive Light With Arian Force In the Spring House of Mars New Life Exploding

From cold Winter’s Icy dark Womb Gives force to our Wills Time of re-SOL-ution We are born again

Juices of Spring wash us from Winter Womb As Spring buds push out We drop from Her belly Like damp, new born colts

This is the time to re-SOL-ve our new lives With Nature’s Forces Supporting and healing As Old Winter dies

Today’s Tarot Card for December 9th is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Monday, Dec 9th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

Today’s Tarot Card for November 19th is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Tuesday, Nov 19th, 2013

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

Today’s Tarot for October 30th is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Wednesday, Oct 30th, 2013

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 25

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 25

“What does it matter how long I pray, so long as my prayers are answered?”

–Sitting Bull, HUNKPAPA LAKOTA

Too often we worry about the words we use in prayer. We focus on the words. What really counts is the spirit and intent behind our words. It is the spirit and intent that the Creator responds to. He reads and listens to our heart. Prayer isn’t only when we fold our hands and pray. Prayer is when we talk to the Creator even when we are walking down a path or sitting on a hill or walking in the mountains. The Elders say, walk in prayer. We should be willing to talk with the Great One.

Great Spirit, today I will pray to You all day. Listen to my heart.

Are You a Pagan Individual?

Are You a Pagan Individual?

Author:   Crick   

When one looks about the Neo Pagan community, one common factor that stands out is the constant jockeying of certain individuals/groups to be the learning curve for all other pagans. To my mind this is an attempt to validate ones personal insecurities. For as pagans we should be individuals who are comfortable in the way that we seek our spiritual path.

One cannot be true to and thus accepting of others if we are not true to ourselves first. This is a tenet that separates the individualism of paganism in general and witchcraft in particular, from the tenets of organized religion.

It is interesting to note though that such behavior is unique to Neo Paganism. Not all of those who contributed to the origins of Christianity believe in the concept of “Jesus” as he is portrayed by the organized religions of today.

For instance, the Mandaeans are followers of John the Baptist. They are a people called “Mughtasilah”, which translates as, “Those Who Wash themselves”. They are considered to be the “Children of the Books”, and as such, are said to be “holders of the Word of God.” And though they are hostile to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, (Mandaeans regard Christianity and rabbinical Judaism as false religions that, along with the negative influence and/or alignment of planets and stars, impede the soul’s release from bondage.

With the arrival of Islam in Iraq, in 636 CE, the Mandeans were seen as the third “people of the book”, and were thought to be the mysterious Sabians of the Koran. But the Mandeans still encountered a difficult relationship with Islam, and Muhammad is in their writings called the demon “Bizbat”.

The Mandaeans themselves subscribe to the belief that Judas Thomas was Jesus’ twin brother and that it was actually Judas Thomas who was crucified on the cross and that Jesus then lived out his life as his brother Thomas to avoid persecution for his attempted role as the alleged messiah. To support this belief, the early church father “Irenaeus” wrote around 150 CE that Jesus remained on earth as a teacher for some twenty years after his crucifixion, and that John the Apostle served as a conduit for these teachings.

The Mandaeans are an ancient form of Christian Gnosticism, which practices initiation, ecstasy and various rituals that have been said to resemble those of the Freemasons. They very frequently practice baptism in running water and a sort of “confirmation”, is given to the dying. They repudiate idolatry and circumcision, while celibacy is absolutely forbidden. They practice a moral code of charity and goodwill.”

They hold to a planetary influence on the hours, much like Solomon and others of his kind did and they have a seven-day induction of priests, which is similar to the Sabians. Their year consists of twelve months of thirty days each, followed by five auspicious days of epact. At the New Year they keep vigil for the spirits of light to return from congratulating the Supreme Being for creation.

They utter “Ask and find, speak and listen” like the Harranians, but then invoke a formal denial of the powers of the sun and moon contrary to the Sabians. Their calendar is solar while the Harranian one is luni-solar. And amongst the Mandaeans, women may own property, though divorce is not recognized, and a man may have as many wives as he desires.”

The Mandaeans take their name from “Manda” which means secret knowledge.” The Mandaean priests are called “Nasoreans”, as were the followers of Jesus. Within the Mandaean sect, a Nazarean is equated to the same status as an archbishop. During the first three centuries CE, there were certain Mandaean or Johannite sects, especially in the region of the Tigris-Euphrates basin, who honored John the Baptist, not Jesus, as their prophet.

One of these sects still exists to this day in areas of Iraq. According to their thinking, John the Baptist was “the true prophet”, while Jesus was a rebel, a heretic, who led men astray and whom betrayed secret doctrines.” According to the Mandeans, John the Baptist was Hibil-Ziwa. “Hibil-Ziwa was a Savior who entered the world of darkness and destroyed the evil spirits so that the faithful could obtain liberation before the end of the world.”

The Mandaeans tell of the founding of Jerusalem by a powerful and evil female Goddess named Ru Ha. For Jews, Muslims and Syriac-speaking Christians, Ru Ha, signifies the Holy Spirit who is mentioned in both the Quran and the Bible. She controlled the Seven Planets and worked evil on the Earth through several chosen men. They are Abraham, Moses, David and his son Solomon. Her greatest evil however, was realized through the actions of one man. At her temple in Jerusalem, a young priestess was selected to bear a “special offspring”. The name of this priestess was “Miriam”. The Christians call her Mary. She brought forth the “child of Ru Ha”, the “Imunel” (Immanuel) and he were in turn called, “Jesus”.

He was baptized by John and taught at length by him. In time he turned away from John’s teachings and led the people astray, the Mandaeans claim. The Mandaeans say that Mary is a “Daughter of Moses” and that Moses dwelt on Mt. Sinai.

One of the texts of the Mandeans tells a story about the flight of a group called “Nasoreans”, from areas that are today known as Jordan, to the Mesopotamian region, in the times of the Jewish wars following the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 CE. It is thought that they were driven out by Saul (Paul) himself.

The story goes that Paul arrived as the first Christian missionary in Corinth and in Ephesus, only to discover to his amazement that there were already churches established there. Upon making inquiries he discovered that they were the Church of John the Baptist. Paul believed that the Ephesians and Corinthians would, therefore, be delighted to discover that he represented Jesus Christ, the one prophesied to come after John.

However, contrary to his expectations, they had never heard of such a prophecy.” The following reference is found in the Christian bible: “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when [or after] you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ “John’s baptism, ” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:1-5

And so though there is an ongoing and determined effort by the three main Abrahamic religions to be seen as the learning curve for all other beliefs in the world, just as there are certain Neo Pagan individuals/groups who follow suit in regards to Paganism. As individuals it is our responsibility to dig beneath the surface of such popular and often misguided rhetoric, for the truth is that which serves the individual and not that of the masses.

As pagans, our spiritual journey is unique to each of us and cannot nor should not be defined by any one group of folks, regardless of such rhetoric…

Today’s Tarot Card for October 10th is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Thursday, Oct 10th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries

Today's Tarot Card for Sept. 20th is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Friday, Sep 20th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

 

Today's Tarot Card for Aug. 31 is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

Saturday, Aug 31st, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

Why We Should Agree to Disagree

Why We Should Agree to Disagree

Author: Elevander

I was wandering around on the Internet the other day and came across an article on Wicca and Christianity. As I began to read it, I felt as though someone had punched me physically in the stomach, such was the hatred and vehemence behind the words.

A large portion of it was dedicated to emphasizing how, according to the Bible, Witches are Satanists, heretics and sinners, i.e. children of the devil. We do not follow their texts and their God and so we are painted as being evil and wrong.

The author dismisses emails he had received from Wiccans informing him that we do not believe or have a place for a devil in our faith and pointing him towards websites such as witchvox.com for a clearer view of our faith, by stating that just because we do not acknowledge Satan does not mean that it is not he who leads us.

It is an example of the shining white of the Christian God; if we do not worship him then we must be completely dark and led by Satan. It is a comfort to me that the Lord and Lady are both light, dark and shades of grey, and so nothing I experience will ever be a mystery to them but rather a part of them.

Instead of becoming angry at the intolerance in the words, I found myself considering the similarities between the two faiths, rather than the differences. Wiccans believe that the divine is represented by both male and female, the God and Goddess who were created by The One.

A popular school of thought is that all Goddesses are one; different aspects of the female divine that can be found in every pantheon, the same applies to the God and the male divine. This could be interpreted as there being one God.

The concept of a Goddess places the first stumbling block, and yet Christianity does have a female figurehead in the form of the Virgin Mother (notably Catholicism in which Mary can be revered even more than Jesus, especially by the women).

Ignoring the inherent dehumanization of her title, Mary the Virgin Mother does provide a female influence even if her importance in relation to the Christian God is generally iniquitous within the texts and their followers.

It may be suggested that, similar to the Triple Goddess, the Christian God is considered to have three aspects, which make up the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, although Christians have said that this is not the case and that the three are One together, rather than being three separate aspects of the One.

This is rather confusing as they are mentioned separately by name in the new testament and yet the old testament uses the term ‘God/Lord’ throughout, suggesting that the two options are synonymous like the Goddess, whose three aspects can be spoken to separately or as one; but all are the Goddess.

I see more similarities on a moral level, the Bible containing parables and passages about the way you should treat your fellow man.

The Bible contains the story of Moses and the 10 commandments – the Christian ‘laws’ if you will, such as “Thou shalt not steal…commit murder…adultery, etc.

We Wiccans have one law ‘An’ it harm none, do as thou wilt’. It seems to me that this encompasses the 10 commandments and more besides, but without all the negative commands such as ‘Put to death any woman who practices magic’ (Exodus 22:18).

Are the two faiths really all that different?

I mean obviously there are differences in outlook as Wiccans do not seek to recruit others or disparage their paths as each person’s path is their own, but surely it is how people behave towards each other that is most important, not the fine details of exactly what they believe?

A point was made that Wiccans have no place or need for forgiveness within our faith and so no concept of sin. I personally believe this to be untrue, anything which goes against the Rede is wrong and therefore could be considered a ‘sin’, it is just that we do not need to ask forgiveness from a perfect God, but rather seek understanding and forgiveness from a divine that is both darkness and light and therefore a divine that understands.

As we are a part of the divine, we must also be able to forgive ourselves our mistakes and make conscious efforts to learn from them, so that they may not repeat themselves.

I suppose a concise way of looking at it would be that Wiccans try to make up for our mistakes while we are alive, and so learn lessons, rather than pay for them and be punished once we have died.

Perhaps what I will say next will seem simplistic, but if everyone made the effort to see common areas rather than differences we may all be better off and happier in ourselves.

Even if this means placing importance on different (and possibly more constructive) parts of the Bible teachings such as “Love thy neighbor as thy brother”, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” and “Judge not, lest ye be judged” (‘Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to ye again’ Ibid 7:1-2).

There are more cultures, faiths and origins in today’s society than we can count and yet intolerance and prejudice has not been diminished.

With the growing unrest and suspicion due to the ongoing wars and the media panic over terrorism where everyone is a potential enemy, tolerance needs all the help it can get – even if it means that those who walk in peace must agree to disagree in order to concentrate on the wider issues.

Footnotes:
– Christians Don’t Understand Wicca? David J Stewart

– The Holy Bible

August 13 – Daily Feast

August 13 – Daily Feast

There are right things to say and right ways of saying them, but many times we hit on a touchy subject because we were talking when we should have been listening. A casual remark that doesn’t mean much to us can strike a nerve in someone else. Even when we disregard other people’s feelings by saying they are too sensitive – it may be that we are too, in ge ya at hv na – careless or callous. Over the years we may learn how to make friends and how to keep them – and most of it is done by controlling our tongues. No matter how close we are to someone, it does not give us the right to say anything we choose.

~ You must not hurt anybody or do harm to anyone. ~

WOVOKA

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Your Animal Spirit for August 13th is Green Man

Your Animal Spirit for Today
August 13, 2013

Green Man

Green Man peers out of the foliage to remind you that not all of life’s mysteries have logical solutions. Be open to magical opportunities, spirit allies, and unconventional paths. Get out into the wilderness, ground yourself in meditation, and listen for Green Man’s wisdom. You may just catch sight of him eyeing you in his leafy camouflage.

Spell to Rid Yourself of a Nuisance Spirit

Spell to Rid Yourself of a Nuisance Spirit

Say “What is dark be filled with light, remove this spirit from my sight.”
Before starting place your hand before you, and start the flow of power out of your hand and then say the words, letting the envisioned blue-white light from your power hand fill the room or house or any other place that you might be.