Wiccan FAQ - ?????? PROFIT

******** THIS s**t IS HILARIOUS INNIT

STEP 1: CALL YOURSELF WICCAN	11.7%	[ 259 ]
STEP 2: BUY STRANGE CLOTHES	6.3%	[ 139 ]
STEP 3: WHINE ABOUT HOW OPPRESSED YOU ARE	10.7%	[ 237 ]
STEP 4: ????????	37.7%	[ 836 ]
STEP 5: PROFIT!	33.6%	[ 744 ]
Total Votes:			[ 2215 ]

[A Soporific]

Phoenixfire Lune Soleil

A Soporific

Or tell them "You don't want to know what that means" at the end, if you really want them to look it up, I mean.

That would save them so much trouble and confusion in life lol
Specially if they decide to research it, and stumble on forums like this. Save them so much debate and confusion razz

Aww...

But it'd ben funny...

[maenad nuri]

Starlock, you could always tell them what you are "a starlochian". ^.^

In any case, I think my subconcious is turning me into a hippie witch. I seemed to have gain a love for patucholi, where I never had one before

[Phoenixfire Lune Soleil]

Rookherst[KOS]

At least you don't have people trying to correct you.

Person A: Whats your religion?
Me: I'm Gnostic.
Person A: Agnostic you mean?
Me: No stare

Hehehehe x]

[Henry Dorsett Case]

A Soporific

Pelta

Rookherst[KOS]

At least you don't have people trying to correct you.

Actually...

Person A: "I'm wiccan!"
M&R: *dogpile* xd

If I had to characterize it, I would have to say that it more resembles pole vaulting at a track meet that's pressed for time.

Pole vaulting? You mean this isn't a javelin?

[Phoenixfire Lune Soleil]

A Soporific

Phoenixfire Lune Soleil

A Soporific

Or tell them "You don't want to know what that means" at the end, if you really want them to look it up, I mean.

That would save them so much trouble and confusion in life lol
Specially if they decide to research it, and stumble on forums like this. Save them so much debate and confusion razz

Aww...

But it'd ben funny...

True xD hehehe I can just imagine it, that's cruel and unusual biggrin

[A Soporific]

Henry Dorsett Case

A Soporific

Pelta

Rookherst[KOS]

At least you don't have people trying to correct you.

Actually...

Person A: "I'm wiccan!"
M&R: *dogpile* xd

If I had to characterize it, I would have to say that it more resembles pole vaulting at a track meet that's pressed for time.

Pole vaulting? You mean this isn't a javelin?

Actually, I was reminded of a Venture Brothers Episode where that Sweedish-looking guy who kills people pole-vaulted over a wall. It was pretty greusome, he stuck the end of the stick in that guy's mouthe....

[Kalyani Srijoi]

Starlock

Kalyani Srijoi

I find it awfully strange how people are so willing to embrace the Lady's role as a Mother, so willing to embrace the Lord's role as her Consort, and yet so incredibly resistant to associating them with fertility.

I agree that the core focus is upon the Lord and Lady and their relationship, and I think that fertility is essential to that dynamic.

I don't think it would be outrageous to call those people 'non-Wiccan' even by your own standards. This isn't even a question of orthodoxy vs. orthopraxy - if they take fertility out, they aren't even worshipping the same deities. It's like taking the 'love everyone' part out of Jesus.

It *is* odd that individuals would overlook the fertility aspect, but then some of those drawn to Wicca are drawn to it for reasons other than the ditheistic deity system. I think individual practitioners would be allocated some leeway in terms of how much they emphasize the fertility motifs over other motifs in their personal practice, but it still aught to be there.

Eh. I can actually agree with you on this particular point. Personally, I'm partial towards a more traditional interpretation, but once you start dealing with more vague philosophical concepts like how much something is emphasized, I'm fairly liberal.

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Hell, fertility is there even if you're practicing a generalized Nature-based system, nevermind Wicca which breaks everything down into male and female. One of the stiffer lines I draw is that if you take the Lord and Lady out of Wicca, you aught to be using a different label. Too many of their religious themes (fertility being one of them) stem from their relationship to remove them and still call it Wicca.

Of course, of course.

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Unless you're one of those people who still tends to use the terms Wicca and Witchcraft as synonyms. Then the picture becomes... er... considerably more complicated. xd

Well, that's a nice way to say it. xd

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By the way, I absolutely loved your rainbow avatar!!

It was pretty awesome, no? I needed the damn schoolgirl, though. IT'S JUST TOO GOOD.

[Kalyani Srijoi]

Nadreth

Eeek - I always manage to start something when I post.

sweatdrop Well I can't actually reply to everyone. But what I was trying to say (and I apoligise if this is not what you were talking about before-hand) is that religions and the ways to practice them are as varied as people are. That while you may believe one thing and it is absolutely true for you, it is likely that someone in precisely the same religion believes something different about the same subject. Both opinions are of equal value.

My point over-all was that Gardnerian is of equal value to for example an Eclectic Wiccan path.

So yes prehaps Gardner said that things were a certain way. But since when was one person always right? Since when did religions stop evolving as time moves on? Wicca is about allowing the change that comes naturally - it's about understanding the natural course of things. Trying to hold things in one way does not allow for growth.

Gardnerian is of value - it is valid - but not more-so then any other way to follow Wicca.

Finally as to the point made by Kalyani Srijoi - yes Wicca is about practice. However, if the practice is radically different from tradictional practice, but still is about nature, following the rede, and the God and Goddess is it not Wicca?

So what I am saying is that there isn't one way - traditional isn't always right, and traditional isn't the only Wiccan path. So when someone comes to me with a 'radical' idea - I think I'll listen, because if I don't am I not counted the true fool in the situation?

No, I don't think you're getting what I mean.

When Gardner talked about members of the order known as 'Wicca,' he was talking about initiated priests and priestesses. He wasn't talking about a religion in the sense that you are used to thinking of it - what he was talking about was more like a priestly order. Therefore, when people who are not of that priestly order call themselves 'Wiccan,' they are wrong.

Let me give you an example. A bishop is an initiated priest within the Catholic church. In order to become a bishop, you have to jump through a number of hoops, go through seminary, become a priest and then become ordained as a bishop. Being a Catholic does not make you a bishop. When you say "if the practice is radically different from tradictional practice, but still is about nature, following the rede, and the God and Goddess is it not Wicca?" That's kind of like saying, "Well, I believe that Jesus Christ is my savior, I strive to treat all men with love and compassion, and I believe in the authority of the Catholic Church - am I not a bishop?"

Again, nobody is saying that the followers of eclectic paths are following false religions, but those religions aren't Wicca, just like followers of Catholicism aren't necessarily bishops. Dig?

[Starlock]

Sovereign of Darkness

Starlock

Phoenixfire Lune Soleil

I admit to having used "Wiccan" in conversation when people ask about me, for the simple reason that most people have some vague knowledge of Wicca. I never have considered myself Wiccan, however. Usually though, I'd say something like "it's similar to Wicca" so as not to cause too much confusion.
These days I just keep it all to myself. Partly because I still don't know how to define myself yet. I would say Traditional Witch, but then I'm still only starting out on the path, and do not consider myself worthy of the title yet.

Yeah, I hear you. I don't self-identify as Wiccan, but I've had OTHER people identify me as Wiccan. Usually I correct them and say, "Er... well, I don't really consider myself Wiccan . . ." Then the follow up question is "well, what are you?" and there isn't any single word that I could use that the average person would 'get' ya know? Usually I end up using the woefully inadequate label "Neopagan" but most people don't have a clue what that means either. xd

You could always just tell them what you really are and walk away. If they're so interested in someone elses personal beliefs, they could always look it up.

Ugh, if only it *was* that simple. Neopaganism is as at times as inadequately defined as Wicca and Witch are. What I believe... probably what many of us here believe, can't simply be looked up. xd I know what *I* usually mean when I say "Neopagan" but I guarentee that others aren't probably thinking exactly the same thing.

Fairly, though, other religions have the same problem. What does it mean to be "Christian" or "Jewish" or "Buddhist" either? Religion is just too complex to be distilled down into a single all-encompassing label. It can tell you some very general things, maybe, but spirituality tends to be personally tailored.

[Kireii_Naomi]

Okay, I first want to say I'm just looking to find myself and my path has led me to Wicca. So far I find no complaints from my heart so I plan to stick here until it's made it's complete decision.

Second, I live in Utah (land of Mormons!) and find it rather difficult to find...well alot of things. So I want to say I'm really really sorry if I act like a fluff bunny. I'm trying to find myself and where that essentially puts me.

Okay then! Fluffy disclaimer past, I have quite a few questions. i've been making a list as I read (I like lists...)

1. What on earth is Fnord? (sorry I may sound silly for asking).

2. Is there a list of dietes and their "native homelands"? And where are the Isles located specifically? This goes back to the discussion of finding it difficult to call upon a certain God or Goddess because of those within that region or the distance to the region of the God or Goddess for which you call.

3. How does one find if their Celtic bloodline is royal or in the Book of Gael? (not really Wiccan related but Cuchullain mentioned it and peaked my interest).

4. What does "Blessed Be" mean and why is it used in the context it is?

5. I would love more in depth history of the Lord and Lady.

Edit: it's gone now leave me alone. I'm here to learn about Wicca not get flamed.

Please bear with me, I'm a silly beginner who may ask, or already have asked, stupid questions.

[blindfaith^_^]

Kireii_Naomi

2. Is there a list of dietes and their "native homelands"? And where are the Isles located specifically? This goes back to the discussion of finding it difficult to call upon a certain God or Goddess because of those within that region or the distance to the region of the God or Goddess for which you call.

On this one I think I can be semi helpful. godchecker.com lets you look up God(s) based off of their homelands. Though the information give is very limited and you would need to do further research for more specifics. If someone talks about a God I've never heard of before this is usually a good very basic reference.

[Henry Dorsett Case]

Kireii_Naomi

1. What on earth is Fnord? (sorry I may sound silly for asking).

There is no fnord. Never has been a fnord. Never will be a fnord.

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5. I would love more in depth history of the Lord and Lady.

I'm not sure how much of that is oathbound in the religion.

But while we're on the topic of you being led to Wicca - how do you feel about being scourged (whipped)? Or having various body parts kissed in a ritual manner?

[Pelta]

Kireii_Naomi

2. Is there a list of dietes and their "native homelands"? And where are the Isles located specifically? This goes back to the discussion of finding it difficult to call upon a certain God or Goddess because of those within that region or the distance to the region of the God or Goddess for which you call.

I'm pretty sure Gardner meant the British Isles at the time of the creation of the religion. Though I'm not too sure how difficult it is to call on them from another land. I know the Irish pantheon is a little more connected to their soil.

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4. What does "Blessed Be" mean and why is it used in the context it is?

It means exactly what it says. Be blessed. Honestly, I think it sounds bloody stupid as a substitute for, "goodbye."

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ShadowSharrow and Cuchullain, you both seem to be from Ireland (which I've fallen in love with, or at least the Ireland I imagine) and you both seem to fit my descriptions of the stubborn, tempermental Irish. This is a compliment, btw. I love it and hope I can sneak it into my novel somewhere. (If I pissed you guys off with the comment let me know and I'll remove it. There's just nothing more unique to me than the Irish temperment. ^^)

Um... May I point out that the steriotyping of an entire nation of people is just not cool. There is no such thing as the "stubborn, temperamental Irish." You might as well say the, "fat, racist American." Both are completely untrue when taken in a wider context, and are unfair representations of the vast whole. In fact, I'm rather insulted you steriotyped the entire Irish personality in two words. I'm not exactly Irish, but I do live here. The place is not two-dimensional.

Besides, where did you get "your" description of the Irish? Have you ever even visited the place?

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Please bear with me, I'm a silly beginner who may ask, or already have asked, stupid questions.

Hey, stupid questions are alright as long as you learn from them.

[CuAnnan]

Kireii_Naomi

3. How does one find if their Celtic bloodline is royal or in the Book of Gael?

Generally, one looks for their surname in the book of the gael.
Remember, if your grandparents weren't Gaels, the chances are you're not either.