Spiritual Discussion

[NoIDidn't]

I think I'm the only pagan on here (well, perhaps the only one who's out of the broom closet, so to speak ), so if anyone has any INTELLIGENT or GENUINE questions about Celtic witchcraft, please ask.

 

(Note - I am NOT a "wiccan". Among true witches, wicca is considered either pagan "lite" or, some diehards regard it to be as inane as Scientology).

 

I used to work with a wiccan. I actually didn't know there was a difference between wiccan and pagan. Showing my ignorance here.

 

What I don't understand is witchcraft in general. I learned from my co-worker that it doesn't involve casting spells and the other things that we've been taught by after school specials.

 

Is it more like the Law of Attraction type positive thinking and affirmation type spells? Or am I WAAAAY off?

 

I'm probably way off, as I know nothing concrete about being pagan.

[Ariadne]

Hi guys,

 

I wanted to post this other link in case some people may be interested.

 

Some of you may be familiar with Eckhart Tolle. He is a spiritual teacher from Germany residing in Canada.

 

(He happens to be at the top of the list of gurus I posted before)

 

He became very popular once Oprah promoted his book "A New Earth" in her show.

 

Given the acceptance of the public and success of his book, she decided to do a webcast with him for several weeks where people would call from all over the world asking him questions.

 

You can watch it: here

[Jilly Bean]

I used to work with a wiccan. I actually didn't know there was a difference between wiccan and pagan. Showing my ignorance here.

 

What I don't understand is witchcraft in general. I learned from my co-worker that it doesn't involve casting spells and the other things that we've been taught by after school specials.

 

Is it more like the Law of Attraction type positive thinking and affirmation type spells? Or am I WAAAAY off?

 

I'm probably way off, as I know nothing concrete about being pagan.

 

 

Paganism, aka witchcraft, is a nature-based, multi-deity religion. It is the oldest religion of the earth, and it is very easy to see where Judaism and Christianity formed many of their holidays, rituals, and beliefs.

 

Quite simply, we believe in honoring and revering nature and the elements.

 

Whereas Judeo-Christianity has one god, we have the God (the sun) and the Goddess (the moon) as our two main ruling deities.

 

We most definitely do spell casting, but it is not like the law of attraction stuff. We use a lot of different things in order to divine, or perform magick (like spell casting). Such as candles, herbs, tarot, astrology, meditation, etc. Most witches possess a certain and varying degree of psychic ability, and others may also be mediums, meaning they can channel spirits from the other side. All have their own spirit guides. Really, most of what we perform magically involves a lot of meditation and all of the ancillary materials just help us further focus our thoughts.

 

You are right about one thing, and that is that all witches believe in what we call the Rule of Three - that whatever you put out there, positive or negative, will come back to you three times multiplied. We also believe that anything we do - any type of magick, can never be manipulative nor harmful. We don't spend our days sending out negativity or putting curses and hexes on people.

 

For example, I will have (new) friends ask me to cast a spell to make something bad happen to a co-worker they don't like. Well, I won't do that, but I WILL cast a spell to increase their understanding of each other. That's how we roll...

 

"wicca" formed in the 50's, as in 1950's, so many Celtic Pagans consider it to be like Scientology. Just something new that became cool and trendy, and only utilizes the top layer of a very rooted religion.

 

A lot of people when they hear witchcraft, think it's satanism (which is black magic, as opposed to paganism, which is white magick), which does involve live sacrifices, group sexual rituals and initiations, and basically adopts an extreme hedonistic, vengeful way of life.

 

I get that a lot when I tell people I am pagan, which I don't often, because most people react badly to it. lol. They will say, "oh? you're a witch? are you going to turn me into a toad?" sigh. Yeah, right after I put the wart on my nose and put the magpie on my shoulder.

 

Thanks for asking.

[NoIDidn't]

I get that a lot when I tell people I am pagan, which I don't often, because most people react badly to it. lol. They will say, "oh? you're a witch? are you going to turn me into a toad?" sigh. Yeah, right after I put the wart on my nose and put the magpie on my shoulder.

 

 

Thanks!

 

I didn't ask my co-worker much about her practices because I think she said she was new to it.

 

I think the word "witch" has such negative connotations to it. I cringe just thinking it as I type.

 

Can you explain more about the spells? I really don't understand how one casts a spell. Is it like praying individually or in a group? I've been a part of group prayers that you would swear were some kind of party or group trance.

 

What is the point of the spells? The goals, I guess?

 

Sorry if my questions are silly. I really don't know much about Paganism.

[Jilly Bean]

Can you explain more about the spells? I really don't understand how one casts a spell. Is it like praying individually or in a group? I've been a part of group prayers that you would swear were some kind of party or group trance.

 

What is the point of the spells? The goals, I guess?

 

Sorry if my questions are silly. I really don't know much about Paganism.

 

Nope, not silly at all.

 

We can, and do, cast spells for anything you can imagine. For love, health, emotional healing, physical health, world peace, finding lost car keys - lol.

 

It's highly ritualistic. Many of us will time a specific spell to coincide with the skies. Meaning, that the moon phase (new - waxing - full - waning)and other planetary alignments can help, or hinder a certain spell. Moon energy and phases are extremely important in the Craft. As a simple example, banishing spells (like, getting rid of a broken heart, ridding oneself of a physical malady, etc.), are best to do when the moon is waning; when it is losing it's power. Conversely, it is best to do invoking spells, like bringing something new and positive into your life (new job, home, love, etc.) is best to do when the moon is waxing, or gaining strength. Additionally, the alignment of the planets changes every day and also have specific correspondences, so it's also something we like to be mindful of, as it will "help" things along.

 

Some spells can be cast simply by chanting the spell and lighting certain candles. Others are much more involved and complex, and require more items - like a feather, or incense, or certain stones/gems, herbs, etc., and can also be cast in the sacred space on an altar. The elements and their ruling deity will be called in to assist, spell(s) are performed, etc.

 

One thing I do a lot with spell casting (particularly on holidays), is to write on a piece of parchment something I want to invoke on one side, and then something I want to banish on the other. Then the paper is lit in the positive and negative candles on the altar, and burned to ash in a cauldron.

 

All just very symbolic, and what it really does, is help to focus and center our thoughts and therefore, our ability to do our magick.

 

This is all so over-simplified, but I hope it helps.

[NoIDidn't]

Nope, not silly at all.

 

We can, and do, cast spells for anything you can imagine. For love, health, emotional healing, physical health, world peace, finding lost car keys - lol.

 

My H has a relative that used to clean the homes of several Jewish families. One of the families had a special thing they did for lost things. They would fill a glass with water and put it on a table or countertop. Then they would place a knife over it, flat onto the cup. It was believed that whatever the direction the knife pointed, the lost thing was located in that direction.

 

It sounded silly, but its worked everytime I've used it.

 

I lose my car keys alot. LOL.

 

It's highly ritualistic. Many of us will time a specific spell to coincide with the skies. Meaning, that the moon phase (new - waxing - full - waning)and other planetary alignments can help, or hinder a certain spell. Moon energy and phases are extremely important in the Craft. As a simple example, banishing spells (like, getting rid of a broken heart, ridding oneself of a physical malady, etc.), are best to do when the moon is waning; when it is losing it's power. Conversely, it is best to do invoking spells, like bringing something new and positive into your life (new job, home, love, etc.) is best to do when the moon is waxing, or gaining strength. Additionally, the alignment of the planets changes every day and also have specific correspondences, so it's also something we like to be mindful of, as it will "help" things along.

 

Some spells can be cast simply by chanting the spell and lighting certain candles. Others are much more involved and complex, and require more items - like a feather, or incense, or certain stones/gems, herbs, etc., and can also be cast in the sacred space on an altar. The elements and their ruling deity will be called in to assist, spell(s) are performed, etc.

 

One thing I do a lot with spell casting (particularly on holidays), is to write on a piece of parchment something I want to invoke on one side, and then something I want to banish on the other. Then the paper is lit in the positive and negative candles on the altar, and burned to ash in a cauldron.

 

All just very symbolic, and what it really does, is help to focus and center our thoughts and therefore, our ability to do our magick.

 

This is all so over-simplified, but I hope it helps.

 

I'm good with the oversimplification. Really. I guess my next question goes a little deeper. Since my belief system doesn't give the Moon any power, its hard to figure why the phase of the Moon is helpful in spell casting. I know of the beliefs of the moon cycle with a woman's cycle, but that's all I have on the subject. LOL. That and ALL FOUR of my children were born very close to the Full Moon (something about the changes in tidal and barometric pressures - I live on a coast). LOL

 

Why is the phase of the moon so important?

[quankanne]

moon = natural power, is my guess. Esp. with it's gravitational effect on the earth (think of ocean tides, etc)

 

 

My H has a relative that used to clean the homes of several Jewish families. One of the families had a special thing they did for lost things. They would fill a glass with water and put it on a table or countertop. Then they would place a knife over it, flat onto the cup. It was believed that whatever the direction the knife pointed, the lost thing was located in that direction.

 

hey, St. Anthony is the Catholic go-to guy! My co-worker said her little Italian granny just loved loved loved Tony ... unless he didn't deliver as quickly as she thought he should, then he'd get banished to the freezer until he came through :laugh:

[dunstable]

As a child, I went to Methodist and Greek Orthodox services. I also attended a Methodist school for a few years. I believed in God until I was 11 or 12, when it suddenly dawned on me that there was no evidence for any supernatural beings. Since then I have been an atheist.

 

Despite being an atheist, I do like to attend the Greek Orthodox "anastasi" (resurrection) service at Easter -- for aesthetic enjoyment. I find it a beautiful and moving service. This reaches its climax at midnight with a candle light procession and the singing of the hymn Christos anesti (Christ is risen). Here are two beautiful renderings of the hymn:

 

I can't listen to this hymn without getting a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

 

Here's a cute version by small children:

 

After this hymn, the congregation turn and say to each other "Christos anesti" ("Christ is risen") to which the standard reply is "Alithia Christos anesti" ("Truly Christ is risen"). There is lot of shaking of hands and hugging and kissing as these greetings are exchanged. In many locations, fireworks are set off outside the church at this point. Many people then go off shortly after the climax at midnight to break the Lenten fast with a traditional meal -- a soup of goat or lamb offal called the magiritsa.

 

I also go now and again to Buddhist meetings because I enjoy the group meditation.

[TaraMaiden]

(. . .)

hey, St. Anthony is the Catholic go-to guy! My co-worker said her little Italian granny just loved loved loved Tony ... unless he didn't deliver as quickly as she thought he should, then he'd get banished to the freezer until he came through :laugh:

The French regularly call upon saint Thérèse de Lisieux to help them find lost items;

 

"Petite fleur,

a cette heure,

Montre moi

ton pouvoir!"

(Little flower, at this hour show me your power!)

 

And anybody who thinks vocal sat-nav is a modern idea, in the 1950's a Pontiac Chieftain Catalina had a recording triggered by the speedo going over 60mph which announced:

"This is St Christopher speaking - you're on your own now!"

[caramel c]

I am Catholic. I was raised Catholic, as both of my parents are. I struggled with faith during a few years back but recently it has become stronger and I call on it every day. I have developed a close relationship with God through prayer. Just this year I started reading the Bible, beginning with the book of Matthew, and just finished the book of John this week. I cannot even describe how it feels to read and reflect on these words, and find purpose from Jesus' teachings in my daily life. I am NO saint, I'm definitely not perfect, very far from judgemental, and in no way self-righteous, as some may conclude based on the above.

 

I simply decided to stop and listen and learn. It made sense, and I follow because I know it is right.

 

To sum it up, here is what I (and other Catholics) believe, as outlined in the profession of faith:

 

We believe in God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of [COLOR=#336699]heaven[/COLOR] and earth,

and all that is seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, [COLOR=#336699]Jesus[/COLOR] Christ,

the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true [COLOR=#336699]God[/COLOR] from true God,

begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he was born of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered, died, and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in fulfilment of the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the [COLOR=#336699]right[/COLOR] hand of the Father.

He [COLOR=#336699]will[/COLOR] come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and His kingdom [COLOR=#336699]will[/COLOR] have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son

he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

 

We believe in one holy [COLOR=#336699]catholic[/COLOR] and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one [COLOR=#336699]baptism[/COLOR] for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the [COLOR=#336699]life[/COLOR] of the world to come.

 

Amen