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Artistic Genocide
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:32 am

The Official Introduction Thread!

Welcome, Welcome!

This is the official introduction thread for this guild! Instead of scattering your intros all over the main forum, come and post them here!

To make it less confusing, already existing members will be asked to re-post their intros in this thread so that we have a concise collect of introductions from everyone.

Also, I will follow in the fashion as another guild I am apart of and I would like to ask all crew members to make a post, so That I may put it in this first post so new members know who it is that is in charge around here! wink

-Captain

Artistic Genocide

Hello everyone!

I'm Artistic Genocide, the new guild captain!
I'm 19 years old, turning 20 in December.
I'm currently attending a university, and will be returning there this fall for my sophomore year. My major is English, (British/English/European literature) and my minor is secondary education.
I've gonna down a terribly twisty path with it comes to my faith. Currently, I'm a Hellenic Polytheist, but I wasn't always. First I had to go through what now seems like a mandatory fluff stage, were I thought I was a Wiccan. Anyone who told me differently would get the generic response of me sticking my fingers in my ears and going "lalalalala! I can't hear you and your logic!"

Needless to say, once I stumbled upon some of the regs in the Wiccan FAQ thread I was torn inside and out, but I saw the light. I new I wasn't wiccan, at that point. Which was both a blessing and a curse. It helped me realize what wicca really was, and that what I was practicing wasn't even right for me to begin with. I was left confused, though. What was right for me? I needed something Structured. And that's when I found Hellenic Reconstructionism. It's an orthopraxic reconstruction faith that surrounds the practices of the ancient Greeks. I wouldn't say everything within my faith is strictly reconstructionist, as I do pull certain things/beliefs from outside Hellenic views/beliefs. So, I'm not a pure reconstructionist, but I'm very happy with where I belong.

-Crew

Ziekara

Hello everyone!

I'm 21 and an eclectic neo-pagan witch. I've been following a pagan path since the time I was around 12 or 13.

Currently I'm a college student double majoring in Anthropology and Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese language and culture. I live with my fiance, 3 rabbits and golden retriever.

If there's anything else you'd like to know about me, feel free to ask smile

-Crew

MercyWild

Mercy Wild
29
Solitary Eclectic Neo Pagan/Hedge Witch
Been studying and practicing for over 10 years
Stay at home mom. Wife to a disabled Army Vet. Student ( I just recently went back to school to become a certified nurse midwife.)
I have a circle of pagan friends, we work together on occasion.

-Crew

Calelith

As you were, I was

Username:
Calelith

Desirable nickname:
Cale

Path:
Currently just a generic Eclectic Neo-Pagan

Any additional information:
- 25 years old
- Single father to a 3 year old boy
- I'm the mean one twisted

As I am, you will be

-Crew

Renkon Root

This pickled vegetable...

Well hello there. I stumbled upon this little guild of yours after one of my friends joined.

I had been studying witchcraft off and on for about six years but never actually practiced it. It was more of a passive interest of mine. However, recently I have started combining witchcraft with my martial arts. I practice Kappoujutsu which at a variation of Daken-taijutsu. The discipline a focus necessary for higher level martial arts is very similar to the discipline and focus needed for "magic" (* magic is in quote here because it's an ambiguous term and carries very little meaning for me).

I do not invoke, worship or in any other way use deities in my craft, I find bringing a god (or god-like entity) into your practice over complicates things and is more trouble than its worth. (It also seems to be a rather pompous thing to do. I'm sure gods have betting things to do with their time than bless your herb garden.)

I think that's about all you need to know about me. (Not that anyone ever reads these things anyway.)

Oh yeah!
And I prefer to be called "Ren" (unless I don't like you).

... could kick your a** !!

-Crew

Little Batwing

I'm a 23-year-old college student, amateur writer, and artist. I like music, animals, environmentalism, art, literature, gaming, astrology, astronomy, my family, my boyfriend, my pets, and my friends.
I consider myself an 'Earth Witch', by which I mean that I'm an environmentalist magic-user who works primarily with nature spirits. I could also be considered an Eclectic Neo-Pagan, since I also work with various deities on occasion.
As far as personality goes, I tend to be rather solitary and introverted, but friendly. I like helping people and I'm good at giving advice. I'm usually a very easygoing, down-to-earth and patient sort of person, but I can become a snarky b***h under negative circumstances. My astrological sign is Leo, and my Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit. I'm at the guild pretty often, so I'm sure most of you have seen me around, but for those of you who are new, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.

-Crew

rmcdra

I guess I better introduce myself.

I'm rmcdra (Robbie to my friends). I'm a Christian Gnostic (or would it be Gnostic Christian). I found myself on my path after trying to leave Christianity due to misrepresentations and poor teachings and eventually being called back. I serve as an Elder for Alpha & Omega: Christian Gnostic Church. I'm pretty well versed in esoteric Christianity and the Gnostic tradition though I am by no means an expert.

I'm here basically because some of my friends are in this guild and I have an interest in developing my own witchcraft tradition.

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:37 am

Hello everyone!

I'm 21 and an eclectic neo-pagan witch. I've been following a pagan path since the time I was around 12 or 13.

Currently I'm a college student double majoring in Anthropology and Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese language and culture. I live with my fiance, 3 rabbits and golden retriever.

If there's anything else you'd like to know about me, feel free to ask smile

Ziekara
Crew

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Banriona

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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:40 am

Hello people. Im 16 and im not anything currently. Basically i didnt think that christianity was right for me so Im looking around and i became interested in eclectic neo paganism and i just wanted to learn about this since i have several pagan friends.

So yea...hi. XD

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:05 pm

Mercy Wild
29
Solitary Eclectic Neo Pagan/Hedge Witch
Been studying and practicing for over 10 years
Stay at home mom. Wife to a disabled Army Vet. Student ( I just recently went back to school to become a certified nurse midwife.)
I have a circle of pagan friends, we work together on occasion.

MercyWild
Crew

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violet_crane

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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:56 pm

Hello everyone!
My name is Aamir but most of my rl friends call me Raven (mostly due to my love of birds and their initial inability to remember my name xD), but you can call me whatever. I've been researching paganism (mostly what I thought was wicca) since I was 15 but it wasn't until a year later that I finally decided to get involved myself. I was raised christian but I never felt any connection with the religion. It was sort of like I was just along for the ride. Go to church on Sunday, pray, sing, listen, pray again and go home. I was just showing up and leaving. Not only that but I didn't agree with a lot of it and the way that a lot of Christians spoke so horribly of people of other faiths. Even at a young age I was discouraged by how women were supposed to be according to the bible. So yeah, there was about a 2-3 year period of finding myself spiritually. Chart --->

Christian-->Nothing-->Agnostic-->Atheist-->Agnostic--->Neo

So anywho. I've been given and have bought a bunch of books and have sort of took bits and pieces from what I've read. I'm not sure exactly what sect of Paganism I fit into but I don't really feel the need to label myself at this point. So yeah. I'm 17 now and have met and became good friends with a priest that lives nearby whom I've recently asked if he was interesting in a student (hint hint). He said that he's been thinking about it more and more lately. I still don't know as much as I'd like to but I'll probably always feel that way. I love doing spells and energy work, they give me such an exhilarating and foreign feeling. I don't honestly see myself straying away from Paganism anytime soon. :3

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:03 pm

As you were, I was

Username:
Calelith

Desirable nickname:
Cale

Path:
Currently just a generic Eclectic Neo-Pagan

Any additional information:
- 25 years old
- Single father to a 3 year old boy
- I'm the mean one twisted

As I am, you will be

Calelith

Apocalyptic Rogue

41,915 Points

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Renkon Root
Crew

Versatile Receiver

17,575 Points

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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:17 pm

This pickled vegetable...

Well hello there. I stumbled upon this little guild of yours after one of my friends joined.

I had been studying witchcraft off and on for about six years but never actually practiced it. It was more of a passive interest of mine. However, recently I have started combining witchcraft with my martial arts. I practice Kappoujutsu which at a variation of Daken-taijutsu. The discipline a focus necessary for higher level martial arts is very similar to the discipline and focus needed for "magic" (* magic is in quote here because it's an ambiguous term and carries very little meaning for me).

I do not invoke, worship or in any other way use deities in my craft, I find bringing a god (or god-like entity) into your practice over complicates things and is more trouble than its worth. (It also seems to be a rather pompous thing to do. I'm sure gods have betting things to do with their time than bless your herb garden.)

I think that's about all you need to know about me. (Not that anyone ever reads these things anyway.)

Oh yeah!
And I prefer to be called "Ren" (unless I don't like you).

... could kick your a** !!

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:05 am

Ohayo Gozaimasu (studying Japanese slowly :p...), I am 16, a Wiccan-Christian.
I am an Air by nature but have some Water characteristics.
My biggest planetary influence is Venus.
I have studied many things in my "short" life: Bushido, Wicca(i have never been told our coven's lineage), Kabbalah, Astrology, etc. I plan on posting much of what I have learned in a lesson style, so feel free to ask questions.

X_Guarded-by-Elohim_X

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Calelith

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:31 am

X_Guarded-by-Elohim_X

Ohayo Gozaimasu (studying Japanese slowly :p...), I am 16, a Wiccan-Christian.
I am an Air by nature but have some Water characteristics.
My biggest planetary influence is Venus.
I have studied many things in my "short" life: Bushido, Wicca(i have never been told our coven's lineage), Kabbalah, Astrology, etc. I plan on posting much of what I have learned in a lesson style, so feel free to ask questions.

As you were, I was

How can you be a Wiccan and only be 16 years old? Also you cannot be Wiccan and a Christian because it goes against both the Wiccan Laws and it goes against Christian Teachings.

As I am, you will be

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:27 am

Quote:

How can you be a Wiccan and only be 16 years old? Also you cannot be Wiccan and a Christian because it goes against both the Wiccan Laws and it goes against Christian Teachings.

Acctually I have never found indication of it going against my Christian beliefs. I believe my abilities come through Christ and i have found more faith in Him through it. I was "adopted" by my coven and the one who introduced me to them is almost like a father to me (he is christian as well). But i would like to hear more about what you say about it going against Wiccan Law, I've never heard of that.

X_Guarded-by-Elohim_X

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Ziekara
Crew

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:55 am

X_Guarded-by-Elohim_X

Quote:

How can you be a Wiccan and only be 16 years old? Also you cannot be Wiccan and a Christian because it goes against both the Wiccan Laws and it goes against Christian Teachings.

Acctually I have never found indication of it going against my Christian beliefs. I believe my abilities come through Christ and i have found more faith in Him through it. I was "adopted" by my coven and the one who introduced me to them is almost like a father to me (he is christian as well). But i would like to hear more about what you say about it going against Wiccan Law, I've never heard of that.

Unfortunately there is a lot of very prevalent misinformation in the pagan community about Wicca and what it really is. The fact is, Wicca cannot be mixed with other religions at all, and cannot be taught to anyone under the age of 18. It's an oath bound fertility cult where you must be initiated into a coven that can be traced back to Gardner himself. The initiation involves sexual rituals to be preformed, (thus why you must be over the age of 18 ) and it must be done to learn the many secrets and mysteries of the religion. Without initiation into a liniaged coven, you are not Wiccan.

Unfortunately, many people slap the name Wicca onto neo-pagan religions, and many authors help to spread this misinformation (such as Cunningham, Buckland, and Silver Ravenwolf), and many people become confused and start calling themselves Wiccan when they couldn't be further from the truth. My guess by your description is that you are actually practicing a form of neo-pagan witchcraft.

I highly recommend you read this sticky thread. It has a lot of great information about what Wicca really is:

]http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=19391061

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:57 am

Hello,
I honestly have no preference for name,
I have no idea what i am either. I'm, more or less, floating around in one big melting pot of beliefs but, i am Interested in Neo Paganism.
I'm a senior in high school and taking classes at a community college as well. I plan to major in Pre Vet Med, and minor in religious studies. I'm always here to talk, and i love to learn. Pm me and i'm always in need of friends.

Falling Stars like Rain

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Calelith

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:04 am

X_Guarded-by-Elohim_X

Quote:

How can you be a Wiccan and only be 16 years old? Also you cannot be Wiccan and a Christian because it goes against both the Wiccan Laws and it goes against Christian Teachings.

Acctually I have never found indication of it going against my Christian beliefs. I believe my abilities come through Christ and i have found more faith in Him through it. I was "adopted" by my coven and the one who introduced me to them is almost like a father to me (he is christian as well). But i would like to hear more about what you say about it going against Wiccan Law, I've never heard of that.

As you were, I was

But you cannot worship another deity while worshiping the Lord, that's breaking one of the Commandments.

3 Do not have any other gods before me.

You cannot be 'adopted' into a Wiccan coven and I honestly doubt a Christian would become a Wiccan considering you cannot worship another deity while worshiping the Lord and Lady of the Lake. They, from what I've gathered (specifically the Lady/Goddess), aren't too forgiving if you worship another deity at the same time you're doing a ritual for the them. You can worship other deities, but you cannot be doing a ritual for say the Abrahamic God while doing a ritual for the Lord and Lady as well. It doesn't work like that.

With Wicca you must be cross-gender initiated into a coven that can trace their initiatory lineage back to Gerald Gardner (the founder of the religion). A male will initiate a woman and a women would initiate a male. You must also be at least 18 years of age (most covens now prefer the seeker to be 21) because of the sexual rituals involved during initiation as well the fact that the process is done skyclad or naked. That would be breaking two laws and Wiccans will not break any laws in order to initiate someone into Wicca.

The Wiccan Laws are the Ardanes. There are a 161 one of them and they can be found here, I suggest you read them and learn them. I also suggest you read and learn what Wicca really is, which can be found here.

As I am, you will be

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:52 am

Cale, it's "Isles". Lord and Lady of the Isles. I know you know this. xd Try to expunge Arthurian legend from your mind xd

I can't remember wtf I wrote the first time. DAMNIT GUYS. I've had two glasses of wine! I'm too apathetic to write something meaningful now!

OK SO. I'm a Heathen. And a Hedgewitch. My witchcraft is religious. In a sense. And I'm a hard polytheist, and I'm interested in Kemet and Hellenismos. And Slavic polytheism, because I know so little about it.

I'm 24 and I live in New Zealand and I'm trying to be nicer in general.

Sanguina Cruenta

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