Wiccans/Witches/pagans/eclectics discussion

In this discussion we'll be able to ask each other questions. No one's question is stupid. If you want to know an anwser ask it.

"If you ask 12 Witches a question, you will get 13 answers."

Really. How?

Is that true?

I have many questions, I just don't know how to ask them.

I've heard it said that the only silly or stupid question is the one that was never asked. How do you ask? Start with, "How do I ..... " and fill in the blank. Or maybe, "Why does .... "

Well, How do I start my book of shadows??

im majorly confused

[ eff. i have no clue! ^o^ :] wrote: "Well, How do I start my book of shadows??

I don't really understand what confuses you. A Book of Shadows is your 'recipe book', or your 'diary'. You start by getting a book you are comfortable with, whether it's a blank book, a book designed to be a BoS, or even just a loose-leafed notebook (that's what I started with). If you want to put a prayer or a warning or even a threat at the beginning, do it immediately, before you begin to enter any other information. I never did that, because I didn't care who saw it or read it, and I intended to keep it VERY PRIVATE. Then you start with today as the first page. You can enter your magical thoughts or workings for each day, if you want. Or you can only write when you have done some magical work, in which case it will take much longer to 'fill' your BoS. That's what I did, only write when I'd actually done something magical. Or when I'd written a magical poem or prayer. Or when I found a spell or ritual I liked that I wanted to be sure to remember so I could do it. In time, I had to re-organize my BoS, with different notebooks for different subjects. By the time I stopped using the loose-leafed notebooks, I had filled 10 or 11 of them. Then, for a while, I tried to keep an electronic Book of Shadows, on my computer. That didn't feel right to me, so I stopped. Now I'm in the process of re-copying my original Books of Shadows into a LARGE sketchbook my witchy daughter bought for me. It will eventually contain everything that was in the loose-leafed notebooks, as well as everything in the electronic BoS. In the meantime, I continue to keep notes on various pages, here and there, to add at the end of the re-copying. This book will be passed down to my daughter when the time comes.

Did this help? Have I given you any assistance with your confusion? If not, tell me where you still need help, and I'll try harder. :) Be Blessed.

the loose leaf notebook is a great idea. so that you can rearrange it as you need to. make a list of things you want in it like mine has herbs, crystals, essential oils, chakras, and spells.

I just read about chakra healing. Have you ever tried to heal yourself that way? Do you think it worked?
Does the Book of Shadows have to be in a seperate book, because i haven't created my own yet but i write notes on the side of some of the books i read about wicca.

A Book of Shadows is a book of YOUR OWN thoughts and learning. It should be kept separate from the other books on your shelf. Just note the book you got the idea from and transcribe your margin notes into a notebook of your own.

Lily Rose wrote: "Does the Book of Shadows have to be in a seperate book, because i haven't created my own ye..."

yes. start writing your own notes into the notebook. I use postits in other books as i read, then go back and write my complete thoughts down later. There is a lot to chakra healing and im just new at it. I am a level 2 reiki practitioner though and have seen good results with that. it does work with the chakras indirectly

What is a reiki practitioner?

best to go to www.reiki.org to learn but a reiki practitioner learns to channel the universal energy chi o another being to assist in healing

I was told not to even think about starting my Book of Shadows until I knew what I was writing about. They told me starting it now without know much would be like starting to write a novel and not knowing how I want it to end.

So, Help! I don't even know what should be in the book and what shouldn't.

Just collect ideas that you like and want for future reference. You can always delete them later

I used a combination of both, and quotations from books as well. As you get older in the faith, your thoughts will outweigh everything else you put in there. :)

Use what ever sounds and feels good to you. A BOS is partly your journal of your spiritual journey. I personally keep a library of BOS. My primary one has all the facts Seasons holidays color associations chakras woods etc. The second is my recipe, spell book. Then I have several small journals as my learning diarys. One for each "class" I go through specific usually to an author or subject. One for energy work. One for journeying. Etc. For cost effectiveness I would suggest spiral bound notebooks or loose leaf binder for you.

Pagan refers to a person who has faith, but does not subscribe to any of the common religious theosophies of the world - Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Judaic, etc. All those who follow the 'new age' theosophies are considered Pagan, including Wiccans.

Ugh. I typed a whole book and it wouldn't upload

Pagan is Latin for country dweller. In the dawn of Christianity the city folk were first to convert. ThE country folk did not. As Christianity became the majority, pagan became a derogatory term for nonchristians. Those who did not follow "god" or Jesus. Wicca is a new age branch of paganism that was reborn in the 1970s.

From my understandings, I think that Wicca is a more specific religion. That wiccans practice the religon and hold ceremonies. And that pagans don't hold ceremonies and their beliefs are not as specific as Wiccans.

That's not completely true, Lily Rose. I'm not Wiccan, and I definitely practice my religion. I just don't do it the way the Wiccans do. I have different sabbats, and even though some of my sabbats fall on the same days as the Wiccan sabbats, I have different names for them. I perform rituals and ceremonies at sabbat, and at other times throughout my magical year. My beliefs are based upon my dedication and devotion to a goddess. Other streghe (that's the plural of strega - an Italian witch) that I know are also devoted and dedicated to a male god who is equal to the goddess. I am a Dianic strega, so there is no male deity in my pantheon.

Wicca is a subdivision of paganism. Just as Lutheran is a subdivision of Christianity.

I recently found this site. It talks about the Council of American Witches from 1973 and the principles they set. I found it interesting.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic...

Yes. It sums it up nicely. I wasn't aware the llewellen was part of it. I have many books published by them

I'm not sure where you live in Australia, but some places only have two seasons: wet and dry and this makes the Wheel of the Year a non-starter.

How you apply your festivals/celebrations is up to you, but it's probably best to learn the meaning/reasoning before applying it to your seasons.

Hmmm ... as Melbourne sometimes has all four seasons in one day, I guess it doesn't matter what you do. *LOL*

Interesting dilemma Never thought of that. We should put out a request for any pagans in the southern hemisphere

Rebecca. If you get back to pre Christian times. The wheel follows the seasons. Period. Yule is the end of the growing cycle. The shortest day of the year. Marking the change towards longer and warmer days. So for you I'm assuming June 21st would be your Yule. Forget the monthly calendar in relation. It's a nature based faith.

Well one of the first books i read about wicca talked about a "special ritual" to be, i guess considered a wiccan. I don't remember any of the details about it except it said you don't have to do it. You can choose not to depending on what you believe. I do remember you could do it with a coven or yourself. so i don't think it matters if you go "through a special ritual". Call yourself a wiccan as long as you follow the beliefs of wicca.

I'm in pretty much the same spot.

Yes you can be Wiccan. But it takes self dedication. You can do a solitary initiation. If you would like more info let me know. You can also email if you rather

So I read earlier this year that Wiccans do not believe there is a hell or devil but then i read lately that they can believe there is hell and a devil but "the devil is not within the religion" (not the exact words but really close). Just wondering what everyone's take on that.

I was asked to put the question up about a Wicca college/university. It came up in a conversation i had with one of my friends and they asked me to post it here to see what everyone else has to say on the idea/subject.
I personally thought it was a pretty cool idea. If they have Christian and Catholic Colleges why not Wiccan/Pagan. But on the other hand i doubt there would be a lot of students.

The devil is a Christian concept and therefore falls outside of Wicca. The devil can be a part of various witchcraft traditions, however.

I don't know of any Wicca who believe in hell; again a Christian concept.

As to a college for pagans: I doubt it would ever happen.

I doubt it would happen too. but it would be interesting. If it did happen it would be one of the smallest colleges ever created.

I need a book of shadows then. And half of my family is catholic. They forced me to go catholic, so now. Well, my mom influenced me in Wicca, so wich one, obviously, am I going with?

How do you find the right Tarot deck?

As far as tarot goes I'd suggest finding a New Agey bookstore in your area. They often have a large selection to chose from. Pick a deck that uses images that speak to you. If there's no store nearby there are great deals and selection on the web. If you are just beginning I'd recommend Rider-Waite. Most instructional books reference this deck. There are a few versions. I own four decks and let the person I'm reading for choose.

First, go to the Aeclectic website, which has samples of most tarot decks, both published, unpublished and in development (noted in their forums); look at the various sample cards online there first. Note which ones appeal to you, then go to a site which displays all the cards, not just samples (there is a thread in one of their forums that will point you to the right websites where full decks are displayed). From there, you should go to a real life store that sells tarot and oracle decks with samples for you to view and hold. You will know when you have the right deck in your hands.

If you don't have a store nearby, choose from the websites and buy, either from ebay, or the cheapest price you can, so that if you don't like a particular deck you can sell them on, or gift them to someone who would appreciate them more.

Nice site. Thanks for the link. Think I need another feck

Deck (silly tiny keyboard LOL )

I'm just starting, so thanks.

Laura. Do you live with your mom who is Wicca or who? Toucan use the catholic experience to your advantage later for debating religions study what you can. You book can be a notebook or 3ring binder or even on computer. Word document. Start by xopying the basics out of a book you read and like.

There is no dress code for being a pagan or witch. Dress how you feel comfortable. If you feel comfortable wearing a suit for work, then wear it. If you want to wear an elegant evening dress, then wear it.

I hear this alot but i don't completely understand it. Can someone please explain.
"so mote it be"

Simple translation: "So will it be", or in Star Trek parlance, "Make it so". In other words, it's a statement made to say it will happen.

Rebecca - may I suggest you seek professional help, especially if you have the urge to harm yourself. Speak to your doctor, school counsellor or find a local drop-in centre where they can refer you to a professional.

Rebecca how are you?

That's good. I was a bit worried and I am slow to check emails.

Hormones of being a teen to some extent

Hello Belle:

Try Ellen Evert Hopman's "Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore"; and
have a look at Google books, including authors such as T. F. Thiselton-Dyer.

Oh, Ellen is a member of Goodreads, so perhaps chat to her?