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Wicca FAQ's
What does R.E.A.C.H. 4 Rainbows stand for?
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What does R.E.A.C.H. 4 Rainbows stand for?
Reconnecting REACH 4 Rainbows seeks to bridge the gap between individual family and community creating opportunities for children and adults to adventurously explore links between the natural environment, creative expression, cultural diversity and our own healing and well being as humans on planet Earth.
What is a pagan, Wiccian, Witch? Contrary to what those who choose to persecute or lie about us wish to believe, Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of thinking and life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists. Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow. It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between. It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earths nature and being humbled in reverence. When we are in the temple of the Lord and Lady, we are not prone to the arrogance of human technology as they touch our souls. To be a Witch is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver, and a protector of all things. If this path is yours, may you walk it with honor, light and integrity. Wicca is a belief system and way of life based upon the reconstruction of pre-Christian traditions originating in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. While much of the information of how our ancestors lived, worshiped and believed has been lost due to the efforts of the medieval church to wipe our existence from history, we try to reconstruct those beliefs to the best of our ability with the information that is available. Thanks to archaeological discoveries, we now have basis to believe that the origins of our belief system can be traced even further back to the Paleolithic peoples who worshipped a Hunter God and a Fertility Goddess. With the discovery of these cave paintings, estimated to be around 30,000 years old, depicting a man with the head of a stag, and a pregnant woman standing in a circle with eleven other people, it can reasonably be assumed that Witchcraft is one of the oldest belief systems known in the world toady. These archetypes are clearly recognized by Wiccan as our view of the Goddess and God aspect of the supreme creative force and predate Christianity by roughly 28,000 years making it a mere toddler in the spectrum of time as we know it. Witchcraft in ancient history was known as "The Craft of the Wise" because most who followed the path were in tune with the forces of nature, had a knowledge of Herbs and medicines, gave council and were valuable parts of the village and community as Shamanic healers and leaders. They understood that mankind is not superior to nature, the earth and its creatures but instead we are simply one of the many parts, both seen and unseen that combine to make the whole. As Chief Seattle said; "We do not own the earth, we are part of it." These wise people understood that what we take or use, we must return in kind to maintain balance and equilibrium. Clearly, modern man with all his applied learning and technology has forgotten this. Subsequently, we currently face ecological disaster and eventual extinction because of our hunger for power and a few pieces of gold. For the past several hundred years, the image of the Witch has been mistakenly associated with evil, heathenism, and unrighteousness. In my humble opinion, these misconceptions have their origin in a couple of different places. To begin, the medieval church of the 15th through 18th centuries created these myths to convert the followers of the old nature based religions to the churches way of thinking. By making the Witch into a diabolical character and turning the old religious deities into devils and demons, the missionaries were able to attach fear to these beliefs which aided in the conversion process. Secondly, as medical science began to surface, the men who were engaged in these initial studies had a very poor understanding of female physiology, especially in the area of a women's monthly cycles. The unknowns in this area played very well with the early churches agenda lending credence to the Witch Hunters claims and authority. The fledgling medical professions also stood to benefit greatly from this because it took the power of the women healers away giving it to the male physicians transferring the respect and power to them. Unfortunately these misinformed fears and superstitions have carried forward through the centuries and remain to this day. This is why many who follow these nature oriented beliefs have adopted the name of Wicca over its true name of Witchcraft to escape the persecution, harassment and misinformation associated with the name of Witchcraft and Witch not to mention the bad publicity the press and Hollywood has given us simply to generate a profit.
What Witchcraft is: We acknowledge the cycles of nature, the lunar phases and the seasons to celebrate our spirituality and to worship the divine. It is a belief system that allows the Witch to work with, not in supplication to deities with the intent of living in harmony and achieving balance with all things. The spells that we do involve healing, love, harmony, wisdom and creativity. The potions that we stir might be a headache remedy, a cold tonic, or an herbal flea bath for our pets. We strive to gain knowledge of and use the natural remedies placed on this earth by the divine for our benefit instead of using synthetic drugs unless absolutely necessary. Wiccan believe that the spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things. In the trees, rain, flowers, the sea, in each other and all of natures creatures. This means that we must treat "all things" of the Earth as aspects of the divine. We attempt to honor and respect life in all its many manifestations both seen and unseen. Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth. We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water which combine to manifest all creation. From these four elements we obtain insight to the rhythms of nature and understand they are also the rhythms of our own lives. Because Witches have been persecuted for so many centuries, we believe in religious freedom first! We do not look at our path as the only way to achieve spirituality, but as one path among many to the same end. We are not a missionary religion out to convert new members to think the same as we do. We are willing to share our experience and knowledge with those who seek our wisdom and perspective however. We believe that anyone who is meant for this path will find it through their own search as the Goddess speaks to each of us in her time and way. Wiccan practice tolerance and acceptance toward all other religions as long as those faiths do not persecute others or violate the tenant of "Harm None." What Witchcraft is not: Witchcraft or Wicca is not a cult. We do not proclaim ourselves to be spokespersons for the divine or try to get others to follow us as their leaders. We do not worship Satan or consort with Demons. Satan is a Christian creation and they can keep him. We do not need a paranoid creation of supreme evil and eternal damnation to scare us into doing the right thing and helping others. We choose to do the right thing and love our brothers and sisters because it IS the right thing and it feels good to do it. I suppose it is a maturity thing. We do not sacrifice animals or humans because that would violate our basic tenant of "Harm None." Anyone who does and claims to be a Wiccan or a Witch is lying. We have no need to steal or control the life force of another to achieve mystical or supernatural powers. We draw our energy from within, our personal relationship with the divine and nature. We do not use the forces of nature or the universe to hex or cast spells on others. Again, "Harm None" is the whole of the law. Witches have a very strict belief in the Law of Three which states that whatever we send out into our world shall return to us three fold either good or bane. With this in mind, a "True Witch" would hesitate in doing magick to harm or manipulate another because that boomerang we throw will eventually come back to us much larger and harder then when we threw it. This is not to say that Witches are perfect, we are human too just like everyone else and make mistakes and errors in judgment. Just as there are parents who love and nurture their children, there are parents who abuse their children. As there are many who devote their lives to giving and helping mankind, likewise there are those who devote their lives to taking advantage of and using people for their own gain. Unfortunately the same flaws in human nature applies to witches too. Most of us continually strive to consider all potential outcomes of our thoughts and actions pausing to seriously consider the consequences before undertaking a ritual, spell or rite that could go astray. It is when we follow the path with the love of the Goddess in our hearts and adhere to the basic tenant of the Reed that our works are beneficial and we achieve harmony and balance with all things. The heart of Wicca is not something summed up into a few short words and can often take on different meaning to each since the Lord and Lady touch us in different ways. To gain a fuller understanding of the Craft, I urge you to search online or in books for yourself to see if this path is for you. Through the wisdom and words set down through the ages, you will find that you are able to understand the basis of our beliefs and how they may apply to you. Your inner voice will also quickly let you know if the intent of what you are reading is for superficial purposes to benefit self instead of working to benefit the whole. Remember to read with your heart, for it is when you see life and the world with your heart and spirit that you truly gain an understanding of what Wicca is.
The Three-Fold Law is the belief and principle on which magick is used. This law relates to the use of power and energy, for when used, power is returned to the sender, three times the level it was sent out.
What God/s do pagans believe in? Pagans understand Deity to be manifest within nature and recognise Divinity as taking many forms, finding expression in Goddesses as well as Gods. Goddess worship is one of the primary characteristics of Paganism. Pagans believe that nature is sacred and that the natural cycles of birth, growth and death observed in the world around us carry profoundly spiritual meanings. Human beings are seen as part of nature, woven into the great web of life along with other animals, trees, stones, plants and everything else that is of this earth. Most Pagans believe in some form of reincarnation, viewing death as a transition within a continuing process of existence.
What is the difference between spirituallity and religion?
What are spirit guides/totems/angels What you should know about contacting your spirit guides. You most certainly already have contact with your guides. You may not be aware of this on a physical plane but you may well be aware of contact via altered states of hazy awareness. You could experience contact through dreams and that sort of half way stage between sleep and wakefulness. Your subconscious and indeed your super-conscious will make contact with your spirit guides even though you may not be aware of this. One of the main obstacles in making contact with your spirit guides through meditation is the effect of the logical mind stepping in A common feeling when making contact for the first time is thinking it was all imagination or wishful thinking. Keep going and stop doubting will help you develop a strong positive relationship with your spirit guides. Don't accept everything that your guides say and be aware of your personal 'baggage'. Guides may tell us stuff we would rather not face up to. Your guides may take you to a landscape of your choosing or theirs where you become pure energy as they are. Once there guides can do healing work and relay to us things we need to know in our earthly life.
How do you find a spiritguide? The Guardian, or as has been referred to by orthodox religions as the Guardian Angel is, in most cases, the most important spirit looking after us. They are often understood to be the most enlightened spirit helping us as an individual, as compared to more highly evolved spirits who help groups, countries, planets etc. Guardians are responsible for the overall spiritual guidance we get, and are usually with us for the whole of our physical life. The Guardian has access to the "akashic record" or what is sometimes called the "Book of Life", and is often the one to remind us of our past lives. Another job they have is to help protect us when we intentionally, or unintentionally, leave our bodies (OOB, Astral Travel etc). They will be there to help us get to the spirit dimension when we die. Guides. These are spirits of like spiritual age to ourselves, working on the principle of "like attracts like". They are usually not with us all the time. They come when we are "receptive", or when they feel that their attempt at guiding us might help. They, like the Guardian, often have a love link with us. Knowing us in this and/or a previous life/lives as a brother, sister, wife, etc. Helpers. These people are like guides, but often they are interested in some facet of our life rather than ourselves particularly. For example, if we are a carpenter, and a spirit who was a carpenter is aware that we are doing this, then he/she may take an interest in what we are doing. Doorkeeper. If we do a form of mediumship (channeling) that involves us getting in and out of our physical bodies then a spirit is often appointed to help us get in and out safely and to stop other spirits taking over our physical bodies ("possession"). Totems:A totem is any entity which watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, clan or tribe Angels:People from many times and cultures (even those who are not Christian, Jewish, Mormon, or Moslem) insist that angels have a task : that of protecting people. Angels are a very different thing from 'spirit guides'. Angels don't try to run your life, they just do their assigned task and then fade into the background, and beyond
How do you find a totem guide?? An Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward. You can have several animal guides through out your life. Sometimes an animal guide will come into your life for a short period of time, and then be replaced by another depending on the journey or direction you are headed toward. Your guide will instruct and protect you as you learn how to navigate through your spiritual and physical life. When you find an animal that speaks strongly to you or feel you must draw more deeply into your life, you might fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it's welcome in your space. Animal guides can help you get back to your Earthly roots, and reconnect with nature by reminding you that we are all interconnected. To first do this you need to know what your Animal Totem is.
If you don't know what your Animal Totem is there are several questions you can ask yourself. All of the questions below are designed to get you thinking about a prominent animal in your life. There are no right or wrong answers. Only you can truly know which Animal Totem(S) are right for your journey.
Since we are drawn to that which resonates with us, what animal, bird, or insect are you drawn to? Can anyone do a spirit journey? Quote from Chief Noel Starblanket: Yes anyone may do a spirit journey according to chief Starblanket's definition. Each time we choose to further out way on our chosen path it is in a sense a spirit journey for us..we grow in our beliefs, out knowledge, and in honor and respect for all of the universe.
That is a tough question...I know wiccans who know say yes, and there are several of us who say no. Christian bibles say that witchcraft is a sin..Exodus 22:18 says that a woman who practices sorcery(witchcraft) to be put to death for being evil. They equate wicca with Satan(while we do admit dark exists for the balance of light, I feel to name it is to give it more prominence than it deserves), so how can one walk a Christian path that believes that a wiccan path is evil? You can't is the correct answer.
No. There are many Witches who are not Wiccans. Some are Pagans, but some consider themselves something else entirely. Just to make sure everyone�s on the same page, let�s clear up one thing right off the bat: not all Pagans are Wiccans. The term �pagan� (derived from the Latin paganus, which translates roughly to �hick from the sticks�) was originally used to describe people who lived in rural areas. As time progressed and Christianity spread, those same country folk were often the last holdouts clinging to their old religions. Thus, �pagan� came to mean people who didn�t worship the god of Abraham. In the 1950s, Gerald Gardner brought Wicca to the public, and many contemporary Pagans embraced the practice. Although Wicca itself was founded by Gardner, he based it upon old traditions. However, a lot of Witches and Pagans were perfectly happy to continue practicing their own spiritual path without converting to Wicca.
Therefore, �Pagan� is an umbrella term that includes many different spiritual belief systems � Wicca is just one of many.
Think of it this way:
Absolutely. Native Americans are very aware of their connection to Mother Earth and Father Sky, their native lore and stories show this extremely well. While their prayers may not be as some a Christian may voice,the intent is the same..thanking the Creator for all bounty received. What is the difference between spirituality and religion?Religion originates in an attempt to represent and order beliefs, feelings, imaginings and actions that arise in response to direct experience of the sacred and the spiritual. As this attempt expands in its formulation and elaboration, it becomes a process that creates meaning for itself on a sustaining basis, in terms of both its originating experiences and its own continuing responses...that being said it is more of a commitment and order like doctrine that defines religion for most. Spirituality is more of the way one expresses the faith one chooses. Devoted more to metaphysical things, a renewal of spirit and how one interacts to ones environment and others. Can a Christian be Wiccan? That is a tough question...I know wiccans who know say yes, and there are several of us who say no. Christian bibles say that witchcraft is a sin..Exodus 22:18 says that a woman who practices sorcery(witchcraft) to be put to death for being evil. They equate wicca with Satan(while we do admit dark exists for the balance of light, I feel to name it is to give it more prominence than it deserves), so how can one walk a Christian path that believes that a wiccan path is evil? You can't is the correct answer. Karma is the law of cause and effect. The principle is similar to that expressed by the Christian verse, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." The word karma means action and it's used as short-hand for the idea that every action you take causes a reaction in the future. Positive, caring actions will bring positive results back to you, whereas negative, hurtful actions will result in your suffering.
Reincarnation is the belief that when one dies, one's body decomposes, but the soul is reborn in another body. It is the belief that one has lived before and will live again in another body after death. The bodies one passes in and out of need not be human
No, that is a Christian concept. The Norse do have a realm ruled by Lokis daughter Hel but that is the closest thing to it.
Some may...but some also believe we keep coming back until we learn all we need to learn, until we can go to summerland
What is Black Magic or the Left Hand Path? Magick is light or dark according to the intent of the practitioner, however there is a left hand path for those not strictly in a wiccan path:Satanism is not a white light religion; it is a religion of the flesh, the mundane, the carnal - all of which are ruled by Satan, the personification of the Left Hand Path"
The Satanic Bible, Book Of Lucifer 3:paragraph 30
The term 'Left-Hand Path' has become an umbrella term of self-designation used by certain contemporary ritual magicians and is usually taken to incorporate practitioners of Thelemic magick (beginning with Aleister Crowley), Tantrik magick, and Chaos Magick (inspired by both Crowley and the magickal techniques devised by the occult artist Austin O. Spare, 1886-1956). The notion of the Left-Hand Path is derived from the Tantric term vama-marga ('left-path'), I.e., the Left-Hand Path in Tantrism. [...] Its usage represents a deliberate attempt by Left-Hand Path magicians to transcend the outmoded and value-laden dichotomy of 'black' versus 'white' magic [...] because it is held to reflect the 'moronic oversimplicity of the Judeo-Xtian distinction between good and evil'"
Why is it called the Left Hand Path? The source can be traced to the Bible when it speaks of the left hand of God it is pointing out the the dark path. Can be traced to Lucifer before he was cast out, He was the left hand of God.
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