MORRIGAN:

MERRY MEET AND WELCOME TO WICCA 101!

TONIGHT WE WILL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR A Q & A ON WICCA

ALL RULES AND ETTIQUETE APPLY

Please keep all greetings, farewells and side conversations in IM during class...

I WILL WARD THE DOOR LEAVING YOU ALL FREE TO GATHER AND DISPERSE INFORMATION {g}

raenanwinde:

what's tonight's class on?

psycowitch:

open forum question and answer rae

Spiderdust:

::raises hand:: I have a question that should start off the night...

MORRIGAN:

Spider, what is your question?

Spiderdust:

What is the main focus of Wicca?

Nestor:

I would say Spiderdust that the main focus of Wicca and Paganism is the worship and understanding of the Gods

Clotho:

Depends on who you ask

psycowitch:

i think the main focus of Wicca is to live life to the fullest

J Kinslayer:

{{{has a question

snowchild:

{raises hand} me next

Clotho:

Live with joy

J Kinslayer:

::looks at snow:: You can go

Red Deer:

To live in harmony with the world around us

snowchild:

when someone has a really strong shield on you that you can't get off what do you do?

Boudica:

Wicca centers around nature and reverence for nature, the god and the goddess..... there is an acceptance of magic and the mysteries of nature

granba:

{------raising hand pensively

Spiderdust:

thanks, everyone...

MORRIGAN:

OK let's try to keep the questions down to one at a time...

MORRIGAN:

wait until the last one has been answered before posing your own please

snowchild:

sorry about that

Clotho:

no one can put a shield on you unless you allow it

snowchild:

umm..... I don't agree, someone did that

Nestor:

and please remember the system is slower than even my typing tonight

J Kinslayer:

{{{{{raises hand

psycowitch:

did they put the shield on you with your permission at first snow

snowchild:

no

Clotho:

Then you should use the shields engird to destroy it

granba:

WHAT IS A SHIELD (asks the dumb little Christian in the 40th row)

raenanwinde:

I'd like to know too...

snowchild:

i guess there's a lot to the story

snowchild:

i can e-mail it to anyone that wants to try and help

granba:

is a shield where you feel "bound" ?

granba:

or trapped?

snowchild:

an energy field around you

J Kinslayer:

{{{{raises hand and waves it in the air rapidly

Boudica:

Snow, that takes more than we have time to discuss here..... maybe you can post it and we can answer that more fully elsewhere

snowchild:

nobody wants the story?

granba:

energy can be used..... tune into it and redirect it

MORRIGAN:

A shield is something that you can surround yourself with for protection

Clotho:

too many questions tonight

raenanwinde:

Maybe I can help.....

granba:

thank you host

shewolffe:

shield is much like that of an aura, ethereal energy

granba:

then how does someone else put a shield on you?

shewolffe:

through mental transference, in alpha

Boudica:

Granba, IMHO, no one can unless you allow it.....

granba:

aha then tune into it and redirect it bounce it back

Boudica:

next question

granba:

oh my i have not been a good guest..... i shall leave and return some other time..... i'm sorry

kestrel:

I have a question...

Boudica:

go ahead kestrel

raenanwinde:

what was the question?

kestrel:

My question about hand-fasting... My boyfriend and I would like to be hand-fasted, but I am having a hard time finding anything about it...

shewolffe:

what state are you from kestrel?

kestrel:

Or anyone to ask about it...

MORRIGAN:

you are both solitary then Kestrel?

kestrel:

IA

kestrel:

yes Chat

MORRIGAN:

{g} is it possible to go to a coven for something of this nature, or do you have to be a member?

Clotho:

My boyfriend and I made ours up we invited good friends

Boudica:

hey Nestor, any thoughts

kestrel:

I wondered about that too Chat, but I haven't been able to find anyone in a coven to learn more about it...

shewolffe:

Ma has several locations here that perform handfasting ceremonies perhaps if you leave me and e-mail i can forward you more info and locations statewide in you area

Poizon Ivy:

there is a ceremony in a book called 'Wicca craft for families'

MORRIGAN:

have you tried the Pagan Network kestrel?

kestrel:

No, not yet... I had no idea where to even begin looking...

psycowitch:

since handfasting is just stating before the goddess and god your love and intentions i think it could be adapted from a initiation ceremony

Clotho:

Your handfasting should be what you and your boyfriend want

Annwyn:

You need also to decide if you want only a commitment ceremony or want it to be legally binding

Nestor:

well most covens usually work within their own traditions Boudica so I think that perhaps one from Pagan Networks would do fine Boudica

Annwyn:

Some states..... PA is one..... does not require a licensed clergy

kestrel:

We only wanted a commitment ceremony...

EarthAngel M:

I ask this question with no intent of offense... Does this forum acknowledge, in any form, the existence of a Divine Creator to whom we all will be held accountable?

Annwyn:

Then virtually you are free to design both the ceremony

Nestor:

then kestrel you really don't need a 'handfasting' ceremony but perhaps a betrothal one instead

MORRIGAN:

let us finish with kestrel's question and then we will address Earthangel's

Annwyn:

You do know that you can Handfast for a specific time period..... such as year and a day

Annwyn:

or as you and your partner agree.....

kestrel:

No Annwyn, I didn't know that, I haven't been able to find any information about it at all...

Clotho:

My boyfriend and I feel that we are married

psycowitch:

how elaborate a ceremony are you wanting kestrel something just for the two of you or something to invite friends and family to

Annwyn:

exactly psycho

kestrel:

Clotho, you said that you and your boyfriend wrote your own ceremony and invited friends...

kestrel:

Just something for the two of us...

Clotho:

Yes we did and it was great

psycowitch:

it can be something as simple as during a full moon going to a grove and stating your purpose and feelings before the goddess kestrel

kestrel:

Did you have a ceremony as an example or did you just make one up...

Clotho:

We made it up

kestrel:

Thank you all for answering my question at least I know a bit more than I knew before...

Clotho:

All you need to do is stand before the Goddess and God and tell of your love

snowchild:

{raises hand slowly again}

Clotho:

Ask them to bless you and be with you always

psycowitch:

kestrel you might want to post on the bb asking others what they did for their handfastings and if they would share it with you

kestrel:

That is a good idea psycho I'll do that...

MORRIGAN:

I believe Earth Angel had a question..... Earth?

psycowitch:

that will give you something to work from to get what you want

EarthAngel M:

I wanted to know if this forum acknowledged the existence of a Divine Creator to whom we are held accountable?

raenanwinde:

Earth, I don't really think of my god\dess as judges.....

Nestor:

Wicca and paganism believes in the Gods (plural, both Gods and Goddess) as the creators and the maintainers of the Universe

Clotho:

I don't

Red Deer:

accountability is here and now

psycowitch:

i feel i am accountable for my actions in this life and the next one and the one after that and so on

Nestor:

it is therefore the balance of the Universe which They created who holds us accountable

Annwyn:

We take responsibility for our actions..... and do not expect to be forgiven or praised later

psycowitch:

i am accountable to myself and the world i live in

Clotho:

We mostly don't believe in the Christian concept of sin

Annwyn:

each responsible for self

Nestor:

but we must take sole responsibility for our actions

raenanwinde:

Unlike most of my Circle I don't believe in reincarnation, but I don't think I will be judged...

EarthAngel M:

Is there anything that makes us wonder about the organization of that in which we have chosen to worship if it is not the Creator?

Red Deer:

we already said the Lady and Lord ARE the Creators, EA

psycowitch:

earth that's another question snow had one she wanted to ask

MORRIGAN:

snow, you had a question?

RedStar:

May I interject?

Annwyn:

Calling snow

snowchild:

oh, i get to ask?

Clotho:

what happened to snow?

psycowitch:

yes snow ask your question

snowchild:

u know any good way to connect at the 3rd eye chakra to help in telepathic communication?

Clotho:

Not I

psycowitch:

nope snow

snowchild:

or just how to do telepathic communication?

MORRIGAN:

I'm not good at that one yet snow... sorry...

RedStar:

Snow.......

snowchild:

yes.....

Nestor:

snow --in your case I would strongly suggest that you work on removing 'the shields' which you said someone had put on you first before working the telepathic communications

RedStar:

Their are as many ways to connect with ones third eye.....

raenanwinde:

I don't know of any ways, per se, I've just always had the ability.....

psycowitch:

the only telepathic communications i do snow come natural between people i'm really really close to i don't know how it's done

RedStar:

for as many purposes.....

snowchild:

nes, my boyfriend gets through them

RedStar:

Most of us, have not had experience with true Telepathy.....

Boudica:

Snow, I do believe that Telepathy is a talent, not easily acquired by someone not born with it

RedStar:

all I can Suggest is to experiment, and figure a way it will work with you..... telepathy Is a talent ..... And a very rare one at that...

MORRIGAN:

Next question?

Poizon Ivy:

we are all born with it but to different degrees

snowchild:

a good friend of mine can do it

Nestor:

well then either you have shields or you do not? and as Boudica said the level to which you can develop it is partly as matter of degree

Deprivation:

Do you meditate concentrating on the third eye?

snowchild:

see, the person who put them there liked my boyfriend

snowchild:

no

Thorsson:

Would anyone recommend any of the books out there on Wicca?

RedStar:

Snow did I not Warn you about this ..... In a personal E-mail.......

psycowitch:

i found to ride a silver broomstick to be a good entrance level book and drawing down the moon to be good for information about the craft

MORRIGAN:

Scott Cunningham, Silver RavenWolf, Margaret Adler, Starhawk, Raymond Buckland..... to name a few authors

Clotho:

Do we have a new question about books from Thor?

RedStar:

yet..... you still went ahead and let them do it to you....... GRRRRRR

Tarotmoon:

Silver's "to ride a silver broomstick" is a good start

RedStar:

As is any of the Cunningham's books.....

Boudica:

I like Wicca a Guide for the Solitary by Cunningham, and By oak ash and thorn by Conway

CuChulain:

anything by Jon Mathews

Nestor:

Thorsoon -- there are 2 that I would strongly recommend -- both by Janet and Stewart Farrar -- Eight Sabbats for Witches and A Witches' Way (combined in ppb as A Witches Bible Complete)

snowchild:

i didn't LET her do it, she just did

RedStar:

however, do not confine your education to just the Craft.....

kestrel:

I have been reading Silver Broomstick and I would definitely recommend it...

Clotho:

Bunches of books but not all good, Scott is good

MORRIGAN:

oh ya..... forgot the Farrars

RedStar:

their is a lot of hard core Science and Physics that go along with it as well...

Annwyn:

I still belong to the school to let your fingers do the walking. When at the store take your time and see also what finds YOU

MORRIGAN:

good point Annie

Deprivation:

How do you feel about Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft?

CuChulain:

dial a Wiccan????..... annwyn?

Red Deer:

you could buy a whole library of Caitlin & John Mathews

Annwyn:

LOL Cuch

psycowitch:

i've had very good luck with dial a wiccan cuch

Tarotmoon:

Buckland's is good, but a bit too technical for me

raenanwinde:

I don't like Buckland.....

CuChulain:

and it would be worth every dime or paco

Tarotmoon:

Yes, too much an encyclopedia

Clotho:

I don't like Buckland's book

Boudica:

There is some information in Buckland that is useful, but some is advanced and very Craft

Deprivation:

I've been reading it for some time now, and I find it quite accurate...

kestrel:

I found Buckland to be more geared for covens not solitary

Annwyn:

Strong Shamanistic approach..... the Mathews

Tarotmoon:

True Kestrel

CuChulain:

Buckland's wiccan coloring book?????

Clotho:

Buckland doesn't tell what Wicca is...

Boudica:

Buckland is Craft, not Wicca

Red Deer:

aye Annie..... much to my taste as I believe Religion began with Shamanism

raenanwinde:

I liked Cunningham's work.....

CuChulain:

connect the dot pentagrams???????

Nestor:

then try Ray's "Witchcraft from the Inside" --it has been re-published

Annwyn:

Vivienne Crowly offers good material also

Deprivation:

That's true, he does give some aspects of Wicca though...

Deprivation:

Just not many

Annwyn:

Remember too..... you cannot just READ..... you must DO

Deprivation:

of course

CuChulain:

and find!

Shiva Rama:

How do pagans view the use of Cannabis for ritual or religious purposes?

Clotho:

But read everything you can get your hands on

Deprivation:

yes

psycowitch:

i don't believe the use of any mind altering substance should be used during ritual shiva

psycowitch:

this includes imbibing in large amounts of alcohol

kestrel:

I agree psycho...

Boudica:

No drugs Shiva...

MORRIGAN:

Me too... breaks the concentration

Clotho:

ritual is mind altering enough

Nestor:

Cannabis is not part of the traditional religious ritual within the Craft , Shiva

raenanwinde:

true dat

CuChulain:

can i bring up a point???????

MORRIGAN:

have to agree with you there too Clotho

psycowitch:

OH NO bad sign everyone agreed on something {EG}

Shiva Rama:

No caffeine, aspirin or cough medicine?

Annwyn:

Shoot Cuch

MORRIGAN:

what is your point Cu?

psycowitch:

are those going to alter your mind Shiva if so don't use during ritual

Boudica:

Referring to Illicit drugs, Shiva

Shiva Rama:

I thought that some wise women or pagans were herbalists...

psycowitch:

herbalist does not mean the use of drugs for ritual shiva

MORRIGAN:

herbalist yes..... but for healing or helping..... pot smoking during ritual is self defeating

Shiva Rama:

OK just asked

Boudica:

yes, some of us are herbalists, but we don't use mind altering drugs

Shiva Rama:

never mind

Boudica:

go ahead Cu

psycowitch:

i altered my mind the good ole fashion way by reading

Boudica:

education is the best you can get altering a mind

Red Deer:

rofl, Boudica

Shiva Rama:

never mind folks

Nestor:

indeed Boudica

CuChulain:

It has been proven that beer was originally used in religious practices in Egypt.......

Shiva Rama:

Coptics I know but I digress

Thorsson:

Thanks for all the recommendations all...

LordCearnach:

Don't forget the "universal language", Boudica..... {s}

MORRIGAN:

welcome Thor

Nestor:

yes Cu and many other religious practices of the time as well but today Cannabis (which was the question) is not part of the traditional Wiccan rituals

MORRIGAN:

next question?

psycowitch:

is the casting of a circle necessary to a successful ritual

CuChulain:

Well whom is to say what is Trad and what is not

Red Deer:

That depends upon your definition of casting, psycho

Boudica:

Psycho, I feel so, even if it is a small, private circle

psycowitch:

the drawing of a circle in the physical sense

Boudica:

not always physical psycho, at least for me

Red Deer:

I meant if casting means the full ritual, with sacred objects, etc

shewolffe:

the circle denotes a sacred space for performing one's work

Red Deer:

A circle may be raised mentally, after one has practiced ritual enough

Nestor:

psycho --if you see the casting of the Circle as a re-enactment symbolically of the magical Universe (the World Between the Worlds) then it does play an important part in the success of the ritual

psycowitch:

i have a very hard time with the physical casting of a circle but no problem at all with a mental one

Nestor:

it is its own Creation story and at the same time you are creating a World Between the Worlds

Boudica:

in regards to place and space psycho?

Boudica:

or in the actual casting

psycowitch:

the actual casting to me it has no meaning but when i use my mind to form the circle and engulf me it feels natural

Boudica:

I know what you mean, it takes more mental concentration to do it mentally and is stronger and better cast..... more personal input..... and so more out of it?

MORRIGAN:

I thought the mental casting was the ultimate goal anyway... the physical was just a means to the mental in time... Am I wrong here?

Dreadwolf:

Sometimes..... Usually the physical actions overwrite and enforce the subconscious beliefs though

Nestor:

yes Dread

Red Deer:

I don't feel we ever leave the need for "real" ritual behind

MORRIGAN:

and real being the actual physical casting then?

Red Deer:

yes

Dreadwolf:

I don't know Red..... Once I have performed a ritual or spell many times I can have the same output with a word and a gesture as with an hour of meditation and ritual

Boudica:

See, and I don't feel that "real" ritual is necessarily physical ritual

Red Deer:

am not talking about A ritual or A spell..... I am addressing the human need for ritual

Nestor:

true Red Deer --I would suggest to those doing 'mental casting only' to have done it enough times in the physical to know what each and every movement feels like and the differences at

MORRIGAN:

I see what you mean now Red

Nestor:

each point in the energy and in the space to transfer it to the mental level

Red Deer:

and I believe that no matter how accomplished we become, we still need to perform real ritual with all the physical implements at times

MORRIGAN:

just for the sake of the ritual then Red?

Nestor:

yes Red Deer

Annwyn:

the physical is there to reinforce the mental

Red Deer:

no chatty..... just for the sake of ourselves

Dreadwolf:

True Red..... there are certain ones..... the cleansing ones esp..... that I like to perform in full though I can do them without

Annwyn:

a signal

psycowitch:

the casting of the circle is the only thing i have real problem with it seems to break my concentration

shewolffe:

however one chooses it must be from within and sincere, that is the true essence behind the ritual, the instruments objects etc are merely focal points in projecting one's goal

shewolffe:

with or without a circle

LordCearnach:

Indeed, much like the need for 'metaphor' or 'archetype'..... there to stimulate the subconscious into conscious implementation..... digressing a bit..... {s}

Red Deer:

we never become more powerful than the web, and I would feel somewhat insolent should I never take the time, do the preparation and follow through with real physical rituals at times

shewolffe:

there are numerous ways to cast one's circle, be it with mental energy, an athame, or even sea salt

psycowitch:

it may have something to do with my being a Solitaire

Dreadwolf:

How do you usually go about casting the circle psycho?

shewolffe:

{-----------is also a solitaire

Dreadwolf:

{----------Solitaire

Tarotmoon:

{solitaire too

MORRIGAN:

{---Solitaire

Nestor:

each time and tool used, each movement, each word spoken, each visualization employed --must have a know meaning and understood or it is meaningless

Boudica:

{------ditto

LordCearnach:

It's been said that "practicality" is the "buzzword" when it comes to ritual mechanics....... those that must utilize certain tools to arrive an "appropriate" working area should do so.....

psycowitch:

i start by lighting four candles and placing them at compass points then i sit in the middle and bring a whirl of energy around

fireheart:

Although I can do most of my rituals mentally, I prefer to do most of them fully and physically... I seem to reach a higher degree of spiritual satisfaction this way

Wildswan:

Do you call the quarters psycho?

psycowitch:

no wild they are there

Dreadwolf:

And what do you do physically that disturbs your concentration

Wildswan:

Do you ask the elements to be there with you ?

psycowitch:

if i try to cast a circle the way it is said to do in the books it causes me to loose my lack of concentration by the time i'm done with it

RedStar:

Wild..... (speaking for self only).......

Tarotmoon:

I agree Psycho

RedStar:

their is usually no need to call the Quarters..... all the time...

psycowitch:

wild the elements are there i don't physically call them they come with the whirl

Dreadwolf:

especially if you work in the same space over time

MORRIGAN:

oh? then when do you need to call them?

RedStar:

I do it with Simple tools such as my stones, herbs and incenses...

Nestor:

ok psycho --what specific causes you to lose concentration and at what part in the ritual does this occur?

Wildswan:

I always have and it works for me

psycowitch:

right when i start making a circle with salt nestor and then making a door

Boudica:

Being earthbound myself, calling the elements has always been included in my circle casting ceremony

RedStar:

each one having its own particular realms of rulership, elemental influences and numerological significance.....

Nestor:

do you have all the lines memorized and all the actions practiced until they are part of you and flow automatically?

psycowitch:

that's the thing nestor it is not natural for me

Dreadwolf:

Before I moved I had a permanent circle set up that would awaken when I entered...

fireheart:

I also cast my circle and call all elements each time I do a ritual... I find this assists me in my concentration for the actual workings... It is all part of my ritual...

Dreadwolf:

But then again I had an agreement with the woods where I was located

shewolffe:

although dread wolf this could depend entirely on the nature or the ritual, i find that in not all instances is the earth bound quadrants necessary, sometimes i call upon, the Cosmos, or even animal spirit guides etc

RedStar:

I agree Shewolf..... .....

Dreadwolf:

yes..... the circle changes with the ritual to be performed

shewolffe:

psycho would have to take into consideration what her overall objective is in each case

RedStar:

where as most pagans seem to work in realms of three....... I can only work in realms of 9.....

shewolffe:

simple candle magic color/light etc

RedStar:

and multiples thereof...

Dreadwolf:

Sometimes strong protections are in order..... at other times they hamper the work

shewolffe:

there sounds as if there is TOO MUCH power within the room at the time for Psycho

shewolffe:

the auras and electrical interference all comes into play here

Dreadwolf:

1,2,3,4,5,7,22 for me {g}

RedStar:

it is those Damn Crystals in the puters..... LOL

Dreadwolf:

lol

shewolffe:

{S}

RedStar:

As I was saying though......... since I can only seem to function in multiples of 9..... I am also very limited in the types of things I can do... but the things I do....... work Very Very Very Well....... LOL

psycowitch:

i've never felt it to be too much she just what is natural

shewolffe:

yes true but if when you are loosing the concentration it may be slightly due to an outside disturbance which brings you into alertness too soon

RedStar:

Psycho....... I would have to say I agree with that as well..... one should always do what feels natural to them.....

psycowitch:

well thanks for the input gang i've got a lot to think about and try will let you know how it comes out

MORRIGAN:

{---logging off now... I'll post these logs soon, I promise