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Here is your Introductry lesson on Wicca, Your test Will be available to work on in 1 week but not due until Jan 17th, if you feel you are ready to move on before this please dont hesitate to let me know.
Blessings
~AmythestMoon of Avalon
Etymology: Middle English wicche, from Old English wicca, masculine,
wizard & wicce, feminine, witch; akin to Middle High German wicken
to bewitch, Old English wigle divination, and perhaps to Old High German
wIh holy -- more at VICTIM
1 : one that is credited with usually
malignant supernatural powers; especially : a woman practicing usually
black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar : SORCERESS
-- compare WARLOCK
2 : an ugly old woman : HAG
3 : a charming or alluring girl or woman
4 : a practitioner of Wicca
5 : WITCH OF AGNESI
- witch·like /'wich-"lIk/ adjective
- witchy /'wi-chE/ adjective
Main Entry: witch.craft
Pronunciation: 'wich-"kraft
Function: noun
1 a : the use of sorcery or magic b : communication with the devil or with a familiar
2 : an irresistible influence or fascination
3 : WICCA
As
you can see, Websters, and the public in general, doesn't have a very
high opinion of witches or their craft. You are willingly offering to
step into the territory of being called 'evil' and linked to Satan.
People once burnt witches at the stake and accused us of roasting and
eating small children! Are you sure you truly want to walk that path?
The history of witchcraft and Wicca is a long one and has been much
maligned over the years. Originally a witch was one of the most
respected people in the surrounding area. She was who you went to if you
were sick or if you needed help or advice. Witches were the wise ones
in society; herbalists, healers and mid-wives; their knowledge and
skills were revered. Obviously something changed over time however that
is for later lessons should you decide to continue. At the moment you
have quite enough to decide and think about.
One of the first
things you will notice about studying any witchcraft path is loneliness.
The plain fact of the matter is that even as alternative religions are
growing religious intolerance is staying the same. This is especially
true of the pagan religions that have wrongly been associated with
Satan. You are basically placing yourself in the position of being a
minority in your community and subject to all the same scrutiny and
prejudice as any other minority. Are you prepared to keep your beliefs
secret from even your family and close friends if necessary? How does
the thought of celebrating each and every religious holiday alone and in
secret make you feel? How will you handle not having anyone to
celebrate the highs with or to lean on during the low times? Most of
all, if you decide to come out of the 'broom' closet are you prepared
for possible ridicule, for people calling you 'evil', maybe loosing
friends, the respect of family, even your job?
Yes, those things
and more have happened to people following pagan paths. In larger areas
perhaps you can find a community in your area or you have a friend who's
'into that stuff'. Is the community open for you to join? Not every
group of witches or Wiccans will consider new members. What happens if
they do accept you as a member but you don’t agree with their particular
version or belief? There are also online communities such as Ainsling’s
Realm and many others on the web; both free and by subscription. Many
people find this a good route and are comfortable with online rituals
and friendships. When handled with caution like any online relationship
this can be a wonderfully rewarding experience and even ease the
feelings of separation from the rest of the world. Online communities
are an excellent way to study different aspects of each type of
witchcraft or Wicca to help you define exactly what your path is. Again
here the question is in your version spirituality. Are the groups you
have access to similar in belief or accepting of differences or do they
insist on one set way to practice and study? You could always start your
own group in person or on the web although this too can have its
drawbacks. Many groups operate successfully learning together but there
are those that develop difficulties and you need to consider this. If
you start your own group will you automatically be considered the
'leader' even though you have no more knowledge than the others and
would you be comfortable in that role? Will the other members be
compatible and keep arguing and back biting to a minimum? If all of this
sounds like just too much trouble rest assured that you can also choose
to practice your beliefs on your own, just you, and still be considered
perfectly in accordance with your versions of Wicca.
You'll also
notice that there is a presumption that anyone who calls themselves a
witch is Wiccan. While the terms have become accepted to mean the same
thing they should no longer be confused with one another. Magick and
energy manipulation is not limited to just Wiccans so that people may
consider themselves to be witches and not follow the Wicca path. This is
another question you must consider before starting on the path you have
chosen. Exactly what do you mean when you say 'Wicca'? For you is this
being a follower of Wiccan spirituality or the energy manipulation that
comes under the heading of witch craft?
Main Entry: Wic.ca
Pronunciation: 'wi-ka
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Old English wicca wizard -- more at WITCH
:
a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western
Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power (as magic) and
of both male and female deities who inhere in nature, and that
emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles
- Wiccan /'wi-k&n/ adjective or noun
Wiccans
behave by certain definite rules; mostly the Wiccan Rede and the Rule
of Three, although not always and the beliefs you and the people you
study with hold should be considered with care. Is your interest in
witchcraft based on spells you can do or the idea that it will give you
power over people? Or do you feel that magic is more of a last resort
and to be used sparingly? Why do you feel you are drawn to this study
considering the problems you may encounter? All these questions aren't
made to make you feel your reasons and beliefs need to be carved in
stone or even completely formed. You'll find that if you continue along
this path you may come to many forks in it that will change the way you
feel now. You also don't need to want to be Wiccan to study the religion
or complete this course or to practice witch craft. Many people simply
enjoy learning or find it brings depth to their own beliefs. Whatever
your reason, the questions in this lesson will help you to understand
more about yourself and how you wish to grow. Keep your answers to them
as they will be needed for future lessons and, as you grow and learn
you’ll find it interesting to read your entries and see how you have
grown and changed.
Blessings
~AmythestMoon of Avalon
Etymology: Middle English wicche, from Old English wicca, masculine,
wizard & wicce, feminine, witch; akin to Middle High German wicken
to bewitch, Old English wigle divination, and perhaps to Old High German
wIh holy -- more at VICTIM
1 : one that is credited with usually
malignant supernatural powers; especially : a woman practicing usually
black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar : SORCERESS
-- compare WARLOCK
2 : an ugly old woman : HAG
3 : a charming or alluring girl or woman
4 : a practitioner of Wicca
5 : WITCH OF AGNESI
- witch·like /'wich-"lIk/ adjective
- witchy /'wi-chE/ adjective
Main Entry: witch.craft
Pronunciation: 'wich-"kraft
Function: noun
1 a : the use of sorcery or magic b : communication with the devil or with a familiar
2 : an irresistible influence or fascination
3 : WICCA
As
you can see, Websters, and the public in general, doesn't have a very
high opinion of witches or their craft. You are willingly offering to
step into the territory of being called 'evil' and linked to Satan.
People once burnt witches at the stake and accused us of roasting and
eating small children! Are you sure you truly want to walk that path?
The history of witchcraft and Wicca is a long one and has been much
maligned over the years. Originally a witch was one of the most
respected people in the surrounding area. She was who you went to if you
were sick or if you needed help or advice. Witches were the wise ones
in society; herbalists, healers and mid-wives; their knowledge and
skills were revered. Obviously something changed over time however that
is for later lessons should you decide to continue. At the moment you
have quite enough to decide and think about.
One of the first
things you will notice about studying any witchcraft path is loneliness.
The plain fact of the matter is that even as alternative religions are
growing religious intolerance is staying the same. This is especially
true of the pagan religions that have wrongly been associated with
Satan. You are basically placing yourself in the position of being a
minority in your community and subject to all the same scrutiny and
prejudice as any other minority. Are you prepared to keep your beliefs
secret from even your family and close friends if necessary? How does
the thought of celebrating each and every religious holiday alone and in
secret make you feel? How will you handle not having anyone to
celebrate the highs with or to lean on during the low times? Most of
all, if you decide to come out of the 'broom' closet are you prepared
for possible ridicule, for people calling you 'evil', maybe loosing
friends, the respect of family, even your job?
Yes, those things
and more have happened to people following pagan paths. In larger areas
perhaps you can find a community in your area or you have a friend who's
'into that stuff'. Is the community open for you to join? Not every
group of witches or Wiccans will consider new members. What happens if
they do accept you as a member but you don’t agree with their particular
version or belief? There are also online communities such as Ainsling’s
Realm and many others on the web; both free and by subscription. Many
people find this a good route and are comfortable with online rituals
and friendships. When handled with caution like any online relationship
this can be a wonderfully rewarding experience and even ease the
feelings of separation from the rest of the world. Online communities
are an excellent way to study different aspects of each type of
witchcraft or Wicca to help you define exactly what your path is. Again
here the question is in your version spirituality. Are the groups you
have access to similar in belief or accepting of differences or do they
insist on one set way to practice and study? You could always start your
own group in person or on the web although this too can have its
drawbacks. Many groups operate successfully learning together but there
are those that develop difficulties and you need to consider this. If
you start your own group will you automatically be considered the
'leader' even though you have no more knowledge than the others and
would you be comfortable in that role? Will the other members be
compatible and keep arguing and back biting to a minimum? If all of this
sounds like just too much trouble rest assured that you can also choose
to practice your beliefs on your own, just you, and still be considered
perfectly in accordance with your versions of Wicca.
You'll also
notice that there is a presumption that anyone who calls themselves a
witch is Wiccan. While the terms have become accepted to mean the same
thing they should no longer be confused with one another. Magick and
energy manipulation is not limited to just Wiccans so that people may
consider themselves to be witches and not follow the Wicca path. This is
another question you must consider before starting on the path you have
chosen. Exactly what do you mean when you say 'Wicca'? For you is this
being a follower of Wiccan spirituality or the energy manipulation that
comes under the heading of witch craft?
Main Entry: Wic.ca
Pronunciation: 'wi-ka
Function: noun
Etymology: probably from Old English wicca wizard -- more at WITCH
:
a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western
Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power (as magic) and
of both male and female deities who inhere in nature, and that
emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles
- Wiccan /'wi-k&n/ adjective or noun
Wiccans
behave by certain definite rules; mostly the Wiccan Rede and the Rule
of Three, although not always and the beliefs you and the people you
study with hold should be considered with care. Is your interest in
witchcraft based on spells you can do or the idea that it will give you
power over people? Or do you feel that magic is more of a last resort
and to be used sparingly? Why do you feel you are drawn to this study
considering the problems you may encounter? All these questions aren't
made to make you feel your reasons and beliefs need to be carved in
stone or even completely formed. You'll find that if you continue along
this path you may come to many forks in it that will change the way you
feel now. You also don't need to want to be Wiccan to study the religion
or complete this course or to practice witch craft. Many people simply
enjoy learning or find it brings depth to their own beliefs. Whatever
your reason, the questions in this lesson will help you to understand
more about yourself and how you wish to grow. Keep your answers to them
as they will be needed for future lessons and, as you grow and learn
you’ll find it interesting to read your entries and see how you have
grown and changed.
