Wiccans on Gaia

How do you feel about Wiccans and Witches?

I am a Wiccan/Witch	33.5%	[ 1905 ]
I respect their beliefs	37.9%	[ 2158 ]
I'm not sure about them	5.2%	[ 295 ]
I don't know much about them	14.4%	[ 817 ]
I do not respect their beliefs	3.5%	[ 201 ]
I am strongly against them	5.6%	[ 316 ]
Total Votes:			[ 5692 ]

[Tanith Aven]

I'm Tanith and I haven't been studying Wicca long. I used to be Christian until I stopped believing in it. Then quite a few months ago I was in a book store and a book on Wicca caught my eye. After that I began studying and some aspects, I have to say, made a lot more sense to me.

I'm actually quite glad this thread is here as where I live everyone is quite religious in the sense of Christianity. It's quite hard for me to find Wiccans/Pagans to talk to about my views and ask for answers.

I do happen to have a slight problem with Meditating. I can do it, or at least I believe I can do it but for some reason whenever I take the time to Meditate I get distracted. Not nessecarily by a noise but something nagging at the back of my mind that makes it hard for me to concentrate on my breathing.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Blessed be,

Tanith.

[Vertigo_Kiwi]

in the flicker.

Unfortunately, this answer is only valid if you disregard Gerald Gardner entirely. He is considered the creator of Wicca, and he wrote the rules (yes, RULES).

Eclectic Wicca, as far as I know, has no ties to Gardner, and the really traditional types i've spoken to about Eclecticism tell me they don't consider it valid at all.

What I am seeing currently (and I am by no means an expert, but I only talk about things I actually know something about) is a trend that phases out Gardner's writings and puts Wicca more into Eclecticism; however, that was not how it was intended.

I have no problem with Eclecticism, but to say that Wicca itself has no rules is false. The main reason I'm not Wiccan is because of all the rules (there are a lot of them). I feel like if i'm going to be a part of something, i'm going to do it by the book, but that's me.

I'm the same way, I stopped looking into the Wiccan faith because I didn't want to follow all the rules. But, I believe that all Wiccans should follow those rules because the creator came up with it. I always found it strange that most Wiccans don't really bother with reading the books of Gerald Gardner, when they should be studying his stuff.

[Larien Moon]

I'm just a simple kitchen witch...and ghost whisperer. ^_^ I make remedies through food and tea. I also make special poupouri (if that's how you spell it). I have looked into worshipping a deity, but i can't find right one/enough info on one. I am, however, found of Artemis, I love her strong, confident appearance, but her gentle, protecting, nurturing nature. smile

[Briar Rosethorn]

I'm a little sad... no one said goodnight to me last night. crying

Personally, I think all forms of Wicca are quite valid. I believe that Wicca is all about becoming closer with Deity (or God and Goddess as most Wiccans would refer to them) while finding a gentle balance that works with your lifestyle.

After all, I don't think religion is a thing that should restrict you from living your life the way you want to, but I think that having the guidelines of a religion helps one to live their life the way they'd like to. Therefore, if you're a Wiccan who does not go exactly by-the-book (as most Wiccans don't) then that's perfectly okay as long as you believe in the important stuff.

in the flicker, you may choose to be a very strict, by-the-book person who follows a faith rigorously, which is perfectly fine as well, because that's the way you want to live your life and it suits your lifestyle, but to say that Gardnerian Wicca is the only form of Wicca seems in my experience to be inaccurate. I call myself an Ecclectic Witch and I observe the Sabbats and believe in the Lord and Lady and celebrate the natural cycles and patterns of the earth, I just do it my own way with things that I've found work well for me, which I believe is perfectly valid as well and does not make me any less of a Wiccan than anyone who practises a more orthodox branch.

Welcome, Tanith! biggrin I'm glad you came to visit us. Well, I used to have the same problem. I don't meditate as much as I should anymore but what I've found is really effective is when you put on a tape or CD of natural sounds (waves crashing, forest tress rustling, animal sounds, etc.) Try focusing all your energy and thoughts into those natural sounds and breathe slowly in time with them. It helps me immensely.

[Tanith Aven]

You didn't get a Goodnight so how about a Good day instead. smile

Thank you, I never thought of that.

I'm very proud of myself at the moment I just finished making my own dream catcher and am about to start copying up my BOS into a decent book than my present one.

[Briar Rosethorn]

Thank you! I don't feel so sad anymore. biggrin

No problem. Let me know if it works for you. I'm always glad to help.

That's great! I bought a BOS and a Spell Book a while back for $100.00 total! gonk They were like $50.00 each but the covers were ceramic with intricate engravings and such so I was a sucker and bought them. I love them and they look pretty on my altar! They even have decorated pens you can tie to them and look really good.

Usually, I don't fall victim to people trying to sell overpriced and unnecessary Wiccan supplies just for profit but my old books were falling apart and they were really nice so I gave in, lol.

So, how are you? I'm sleepy and cold. I just woke up and my basement is freezing because our wood stove has a cracked pipe and we can't use it. sad

[Miss Terrah]

I might try my hand at making my own Book of Shadows when I get out of the dorms and into my own apartment. One of the books I got recently. "A Witch's Grimoire", has instructions on how to make your own paper and all the steps to turn everything into a book. It looks like fun, and that way it'd definitely be personalized. If you (or anyone) wants to see the instructions, I can scan them for you (or you can go get the book, it's by Judy Ann Nock, and it's amazing). smile

[Vertigo_Kiwi]

Proud_Witch

I'm a little sad... no one said goodnight to me last night. crying

Personally, I think all forms of Wicca are quite valid. I believe that Wicca is all about becoming closer with Deity (or God and Goddess as most Wiccans would refer to them) while finding a gentle balance that works with your lifestyle.

After all, I don't think religion is a thing that should restrict you from living your life the way you want to, but I think that having the guidelines of a religion helps one to live their life the way they'd like to. Therefore, if you're a Wiccan who does not go exactly by-the-book (as most Wiccans don't) then that's perfectly okay as long as you believe in the important stuff.

in the flicker, you may choose to be a very strict, by-the-book person who follows a faith rigorously, which is perfectly fine as well, because that's the way you want to live your life and it suits your lifestyle, but to say that Gardnerian Wicca is the only form of Wicca seems in my experience to be inaccurate. I call myself an Ecclectic Witch and I observe the Sabbats and believe in the Lord and Lady and celebrate the natural cycles and patterns of the earth, I just do it my own way with things that I've found work well for me, which I believe is perfectly valid as well and does not make me any less of a Wiccan than anyone who practises a more orthodox branch.

From an outsider of the faith, it just doesn't make sense to me. I'm not saying it isn't valid, I just don't understand it. To me it would be like a Christian who doesn't follow the Bible. I'm just left wondering what the creator of Wicca would think about present-day Wiccans who are nothing like what he created. If it's something different, should it still have the same name? So, I don't know. But, that's also why I branched away from Wicca. (and I found the Kemetic path)

[Tanith Aven]

I will indeed.

I'm a sucker for making things out of old junk I find around the house and elsewhere. But the book I'm using for BOS at present is falling apart and it was only meant to be a rough book anyway until I found/made one. I made it out of an old hardback notebook I found in the attic and I've put a cover over it and I think it will do quite nicely. Granted I had to tare a few pages out because they had writing on but re-make, re-use, recycle - that's me.

My dream diary is one of the only things I bought instead of made. But it's made out of recycled paper so I'm quite pleased with myself.

I'm good thank you. I've been sitting in my room all day studying and looking around the net for anywhere that may have some usefel information.

That's not good. Wrap up in a warm blanket and drink hot cocoa. smile It always helps when your cold. Over the weekends it's me, my desk, my blanket, an insence stick, several cups of hot cocoa and anything else I need like my BOS and a pen.

[Briar Rosethorn]

Quote:

From an outsider of the faith, it just doesn't make sense to me. I'm not saying it isn't valid, I just don't understand it. To me it would be like a Christian who doesn't follow the Bible. I'm just left wondering what the creator of Wicca would think about present-day Wiccans who are nothing like what he created. If it's something different, should it still have the same name? So, I don't know. But, that's also why I branched away from Wicca. (and I found the Kemetic path)

I can see your point of view. It is difficult to understand when there are so many different views on it out there but I feel that as long as you believe in "The Old Ways" (for lack of a better term. I know that's more of a Pagan term than a New-Age Wiccan term) then the little stuff really shouldn't matter. However, now we're getting into opinions and everyone's personal beliefs and opinions are respected here, as I outlined in my first post. smile

Quote:

I might try my hand at making my own Book of Shadows when I get out of the dorms and into my own apartment. One of the books I got recently. "A Witch's Grimoire", has instructions on how to make your own paper and all the steps to turn everything into a book. It looks like fun, and that way it'd definitely be personalized. If you (or anyone) wants to see the instructions, I can scan them for you (or you can go get the book, it's by Judy Ann Nock, and it's amazing). smile

I love Judy Ann Nock! I have her book, The Wiccan Year. I'd love to see the instructions, thank you.

Quote:

I will indeed.

I'm a sucker for making things out of old junk I find around the house and elsewhere. But the book I'm using for BOS at present is falling apart and it was only meant to be a rough book anyway until I found/made one. I made it out of an old hardback notebook I found in the attic and I've put a cover over it and I think it will do quite nicely. Granted I had to tare a few pages out because they had writing on but re-make, re-use, recycle - that's me.

My dream diary is one of the only things I bought instead of made. But it's made out of recycled paper so I'm quite pleased with myself.

I'm good thank you. I've been sitting in my room all day studying and looking around the net for anywhere that may have some usefel information.

That's not good. Wrap up in a warm blanket and drink hot cocoa. smile It always helps when your cold. Over the weekends it's me, my desk, my blanket, an insence stick, several cups of hot cocoa and anything else I need like my BOS and a pen.

Well, I have a warm blanket wrapped around me and I don't have hot cocoa. However, I've got LOTS of herbal tea. I think I'l go make some... and grab some cookies. razz

[Tanith Aven]

Sounds to me like an equally good idea.

The books I have at the moment are:

Enchanted - Titania's Book Of White Magic (Although I do not believe there is such a thing as white and dark magic just the light and dark intentions of the heart when the spell is cast.)

Zillions - Titania's Book Of Numerology

Titania's Book Of Hours - A Celebration Of The Witch's Year

The Book of Spells By Michael Johnstone

I also use various websites which are very useful.

[Briar Rosethorn]

I agree with you. I don't believe in "Black Witches" because if you're casting a spell with ill intentions, then you're not a Witch, you're just someone who is vindictive and not following the Wiccan faith at all. I call those people Warlocks (which literally means traitor).

Hmmm, let me grab my collection...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft by Denise Zimmermann & Katherine A. Gleason

The Wiccan Year: Spells, Rituals, Holiday Celebrations by Judy Ann Nock

Beginner's Guide to Tarot by Juliet Sharman-Burke

Wicca for One: The Path of Solitary Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott

The Women's Book of Healing: Auras, Chakras, Laying on of Hands, Gemstones and Colours by Diane Stein

[Tanith Aven]

I would call them that aswell.

Warlock means truth twister and betrayer. I like to be exact, what can I say?

Hmm... maybe I should try and get hold of some of those books.

[Rojo_Kitty]

I was a Wiccan a while back, because i was trying to learn about it...but then I did research and realized that the person who had been teaching me was teaching me everything wrong...so it kinda ended up chasing me away slightly..I do enjoy studyng about Wiccans and Pagans and what they believe in, I'm a Buddhist myself, but I just felt like posting. Also, after doing research, i realized that I did actaully enjoy Buddhism better, but I believe Wiccans and Pagans do have a very interesting religion, that I absolutely adorre reading about.

[zero03]

hi well i have no clue at all what wiccan means or what the belife is so i thought maybe yall could help, i like to know about other peoples religions