Walking the Path

Ahoy!

So, I’ve neglected you all. :( I feel bad. So let’s play a game- first person to submit to my ask box something they’d like to learn/have discussed (magic/witchcraft/wicca related, please), I’ll do! :)

Have a good weekend! 

Got new things today! :)

Went on an excursion with my girlfriend, and got: 

• new colored candles
• smudge stick
• mini bell
• Sabbat Almanc
• Green Witch Grimoire
• Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac

I’m excited. :D

Morning, followers! [Urgent]

So, the SOPA bill talks begin today. If you don’t know what that is, click the little sticky link at the top of your dashboard that says ‘Stop the Law that Will Censor the Internet!’. Basically, they want to make using any type of copyrighted material illegal- even in a non-commercial, fan-based sense. 

This goes for excerpts from books, karaoke videos, screen caps of your favorite TV shows, and movies; as well as pretty much anything else that isn’t your original content. This could severely damage our right to free speech and expression, and would inevitably be the end of sites like Tumblr, Youtube, Facebook, DeviantART (yes, no fan-art either!) and other sites. 

Use the link above to TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NO. Put in your phone number, it calls you, and you hear a message from the Tumblr founder first, and then it connects you to your rep’s office. 

Take action, people. ESPECIALLY if you’re over 18! If you’re not, talk to your parents. Tell them that YOUR freedom to speech that they’ve raised you to believe in (and possibly fought for) is in jeopardy because of a few rich folks who want to make more money and imprison kids for having fun. 

More Wicca-related things tonight! I promise!

Blessed be,

Steve

The Difference Between Pagan and Wiccan (my take).

So, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts around these parts about people using ‘pagan’ and ‘wiccan’ interchangeably. Please, please, please realize, this isn’t always true!

The definition of pagan is technically one who is polytheistic (believes in multiple deities). A lot of times, pagan is defined as anyone who isn’t a christian, jew, or muslim. I’m not going to argue semantics, here. A pagan may or may not be a witch, and may or may not practice magic. That pagan may be a Wiccan, may be a druid, or may not have any structured belief system that they take part in. As long as they believe in more than one deity, they are pretty much pagan. That is the generalized term.

Wicca is a denomination of Paganism, if you want to get technical. Wiccans [usually] believe in more than one deities (sometimes a dozen!), sometimes practice magic, and may take stock from druidry, and different parts of non-Wiccan witchcraft. Loosely, think of Wicca to Pagan as you would Baptist to Christian. In example:

The Wiccan is Pagan, but the Pagan isn’t necessarily Wiccan. 

The Baptist is Christian, but the Christian isn’t necessarily Baptist.

And even inside Wicca, there are different ‘trees’ if you will- a specific tradition of beliefs that one follows. There is Caledonii, Celtic, Gardenarian, Alexandrian, Dianic, and others. And then there are those who are just ‘Wiccan’ witches. They may, like myself, pull from multiple traditions to shape their Path. And the lovely thing about Wicca, is that is okay. And then there are those who may follow a specific Pantheon- Celtic, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Norse, etc. The different traditions in Wicca are only that- traditions; practices adopted by a certain group/coven, passed down over decades or centuries. 

Not all pagans necessarily practice magic, or believe in the same deities. In the same, not all pagans identify with the pentacle. I would venture to say that a good percentage do, but not every single ones. 

This is just my take on the whole situation- there might be more that I didn’t explain, or there might be different opinions on it. But those who I’ve talked to, and those in my group seem to have the same, or a similar viewpoint on the topic.

Now it is your turn! What branch of Wicca/Paganism do you follow? If none, what do you believe in connection with those systems?

Blessed be!

-steve

G’day followers! :)

Already had two question submissions and EIGHT NINE FOLLOWERS! Thanks so much for support. 

Nothing to report today, though I’ve got a group meeting tonight, which I’m pretty excited about. I love having Wiccan friends, especially around my age! Not that I don’t appreciate my older friends, but sometimes its just nice to converse with peers who are like-minded.

Feel free to submit suggestions and questions!

Blessed be! )O(

twisting-ways asked: I must ask: Have you been initiated into a Gardnerian coven and if not how do you incorporate any Gardnerian practices into your own witching path, since Wica is an oathbound tradition as set down by Gerald Gardner the founder?

Good question! This actually leads me to feel the need to clarify- I am not in a Gardenarian coven. However, I use a few basic Gardenarian principles in my Path, especially; “The basic principle of acting “with harm to none” is mentioned repeatedly in the Ordains, a body of traditional guidelines for behavior both within the coven and within the larger human community.” Also, Gardner’s belief was that you could not be a witch alone- meaning you shouldn’t abandon your working life, academics, or social existence due to spiritual growth, which is where he differed from other Wiccan traditions. And finally, I don’t like to put a label on my Path, as I take from other paths, what I feel is right or proper. The best way to characterize it, though, is as ‘British Traditional’, being that I largely combine practices of Celtic witchcraft with many of the Gardenarian ethics. However, now that I think about it, I would imagine I would be better to include Alexandrian Wicca, as they are more eclectic and liberal in practice. Like I said, I don’t like to put a label on my Path unless absolutely necessary. When you get into specific labels, you begin to pigeonhole yourself, which is one of my main problems with mainstream, organized religion such as Christianity or Islam. Good question, though, I really appreciate it. 

Anonymous asked: I don't know what spells or charms are. A lot of people think of spells as "hocus pocus" type wording. Obviously I'm not insinuating that or saying thats what you do. SO, what exactly is a spell or charm?

A spell may have different meanings to different people. Generally, a spell is a ‘mini-ritual’ of sorts, done within a cast ‘sacred’ circle. A spell could be as simple as an incantation spoken while focusing on a deity or energy; or as elaborate as using implements such as herbs, candles, visual representations, or the elements. The purpose of a spell is to describe your intent, focus your energy, and use either your focus or your focus combined with your corresponding implements (for instance, sage is used often to banish negative energy and to protect a space) to send your will into the cosmos, and have your intent cause the change you are focusing on. The best equivalent I can give is that it is similar in nature to a Christian’s prayer to their god- focusing on their intent, and sending that message and intent to him to have him do it. The difference is that magick is usually more in-tune with nature, and witches don’t rely on the god and goddess to do everything for them, but to empower the caster with the necessary energy, strength, wisdom, etc., to have their will be done. Hope it helps!

Merry meet, friends!

So, I decided to spearhead this a bit early- welcome to my chronicle of my walk along the Path (as I like to refer to Wiccan spirituality and the practice of magick and witchcraft). The Path can refer to many different traditions or ‘divisions’ of Wicca or just witchery in general (one does not have to be Wiccan to be a witch). 

A bit about me: I’m 24, have been studying the craft for 10 years, collectively practicing for about 4 of those 10. I recently, however, made it public that I am in fact, Wiccan (and a witch), and came all out of the ‘broom closet’ so to speak. I’m eccentric and eclectic (as my friends tell me) and I’ve got just as many flaws and issues as the next guy. My interests are all over the spectrum- from video games to hiking to medieval and Celtic traditions. I’m quite the geek, or at least I like to think I am. I’ve got a wonderful girlfriend of nearly two years whom I love very much, some of the best friends in existence and a great family unit (my family is huge!).

My Wiccan path is best described as British Traditional- a mix of Celtic traditions and Gardenarian practices (note- I am not a member, nor have I ever been initiated as a Gardenarian coven, I simply pull certain practices from Gardenarian Wicca) as well as Alexandrian; though, I don’t limit myself there. I call upon multiple pantheons and use practices and methods demonstrated by many different groups throughout history. I believe the everyone in the world, past and present are all united each moment into the future. 

One thing to know about me: I’m basically transparent. (Not physically see-through). By transparent, I mean, I’ve nothing to hide. I’m a very friendly person (though not exceedingly trusting), and have no problem talking to pretty much anyone- as long as you don’t come spewing hate and vitriol at me. I’ve got a serious problem with closed-minds who won’t accept alternate ideas’ existence, and I’m not afraid to say it. Note: If you come at me, acting crazy and being hateful, I do not have a problem putting you in your place. I’ve got too much good in my life right now, and I’m on the path to balancing the bad, and I don’t have the time nor the want to allow someone to cloud my energy with their negativity. If you want to debate, fine, but keep it civil.

I answer all questions, craft-related and otherwise (though, try to keep personal questions on my personal blog, http://istevesmash.tumblr.com). 

I hope you all enjoy this blog, and can find something useful here! (Be sure to see the description at the top, I will have links to tagged posts!)

Blessed be, and stay frosty,

Steve )O(