After the basics, now where do you? February 8, 2009
Posted by frootbat31 in coven, learning, tips, wicca.Tags: coven, divine, pagan, triple goddess, wicca
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In the study group of my coven, we often pick a book to share to follow along and discuss issues of our spiritual path. The bookshelves are stocked full with general books on the introduction to Witchcraft, or Wicca, or any number of pagan religions. Basics include how to cast circle, the seasonal holidays and lunar meetings to celebrate the gods, or cast spells. After the basics, where do you go with your spirituality?
In our coven, members find encouragement to explore their own path as they see fit, and bring it back to our group to share. One member may lean towards the Celtic traditions, while another prefers influences from Buddhism. Another member explores herbalism and growing things, while another explores their ability to do crafts.
Debate is welcome, and many members acknowledge they will be challenged with their knowledge. We don’t want members learning something that has no base or purpose. They need to understand the ‘why’ and cause of things too.
Learning is never ending. Once you understand the basics, now you must explore the ultimate question of who you are as a person, how to cope with what Life flings at you, and what goals do you place upon yourself? Some pagans find themselves answering the call to be a healer, or a craftsman, or perhaps they find answers from other spiritual paths.
Here is what I learned:
I learned that paganism focuses more on empowerment than power.
I learned that titles or degree I earn really doesn’t matter since religion is between me and the Divine, and no one else.
I learned that you don’t have to let Christianity or Satanism intimidate me, that its perfectly fine to accept and continue open discourse with both paths to gain better understanding.
I’ve learned that beyond books, you need to look to the natural world and how it works to learn more about myself.
I’ve learned my beliefs change over time, evolving with new experiences and this is all perfectly fine.
What do you think is paganisms (whatever path you follow) teach you?
Circles and cycles January 2, 2008
Posted by frootbat31 in esbat, sabbat.Tags: estbat., god, menstrual, moon, pagan, sabbat, seasonal, sun, triple goddess, year
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One thread of belief that is shared within most pagan spiritual paths is that the belief of circles and cycles of all living things intertwine with one another. This touches on many practices, and threads through myth and an interconnectedness with all things.
You can see cycles in the seasonal changes; of winter warming to spring, to the hot days of summer fading into the months of autumn back to winter again. You can see the same cycle in gardens and crops, with seeds coming to fruition, then turning back to seed to start over the cycle. Even the moon goes through her monthly changes, and the sun cyclestravels through the solar year. An endless wheel that keeps on turning.
The solar year is broken into eight major holidays known as Sabbats. Based on the Celtic year and that of seasonal changes and crops, the year ends and begins October 31st, a day named Samhain. Other holidays cycle through Yule, Imbolc, Oastara, Beltane, Midsummer (Litha), Lughnasadh, Mabon, and then back to Samhain. This ‘wheel of the year’ follows the life, death, and rebirth of the sun/harvest god.
The lunar cycles are celebrated in Circles called esbats. The Full moon wanes to the New moon, waxing to the Full once more. This is also revered as a feminine symbol. This comes to no surprise when a woman’s menstrual cycles matches the 28 day cycle. Without the artificial light, a woman’s cycle will match that of the moon, proving the connection is stronger than one might think. The very word ‘menstrual’ derives from the Latin ‘mensis’ meaning month which in turn means moon.
Crop cycles of planting to harvest are essential to the celebration of the holidays. The harvest/sun god(s) goes through Birth to his Death in the fall/winter, to Rebirth in the springtime. More often than not, however, the ‘crops’ have become metaphors to whatever goals are selected for the year. Success of these goals are symbolic of the harvest.
Even the sacred space the is evoked for Circles is created and dismissed in a cycle. The invoking of the Quarters/Elements/Directions, the god/ddesses, and doing one’s working, is then dismissed opposite to how the Circle was cast.
Beginning to ending…to beginning again.
