Ask a Wiccan! (salvation, souls, agnostic, God)

[FredNotBob]

Originally Posted by WHITEWOLF508

You can always tell the cool witches--their pentacle is a as bis as a dinner plate and they act very spooky..They would be jerks no matter what religion that they practiced

Wow...I had no idea that this thread would come back...I'd thought it long dead

What you say here is very true, but I especially wanted to address the point I've quoted above: among every religion, even Wicca, there are those that play at embracing a particular faith for petty or selfish reasons.

There are even some that choose a particular religion to seek sympathy, or even, in the most extreme cases, victims -- psychological, monetary or sexual.

It's hard to identify such 'Problem Pagans', but we do what we can to weed them out.

[WHITEWOLF508]

There is no point in trying to weed them out. They usually lose interest when their spellcraft does not work for them or the CHARMED repeats go off the air. They are not in it for the religion anyhow..just the cool factor..

The ones that scare me are the ones that are dead serious, go around getting initiated in various groups and try to take them over. They have a tendency to think that they know more than they do and open doors better left closed..They do not set adequate protection and call on forces that should be left asleep...you do not call the Morrigan to fight your traffic ticket..like using an Abomb to get rid of mice..

[Gematria]

Originally Posted by FredNotBob

In the fine traditions of 'Ask an Athiest!' and 'Ask a Jew'!, this is Ask a Wiccan!

I ask a question in respect as I don't hate Wiccans or Witches. Question: Will a rightsided five pointed star painted in red on someones front door prevent a Witch and their black cat from entering the dwelling?

[FredNotBob]

Originally Posted by Gematria

I ask a question in respect as I don't hate Wiccans or Witches. Question: Will a rightsided five pointed star painted in red on someones front door prevent a Witch and their black cat from entering the dwelling?

It'll make us roll our eyes, that's for sure!

To answer your question, painting a five-pointed star on someone's front door won't keep a Witch (or their cat) from entering a dwelling -- at least, not as well as would a good sturdy lock and a 'no tresspassing' sign!

Painting a red pentagram on your door is only likely to make your neighbors wonder about you -- if you don't want us in our home, a simple 'no' will do for the vast majority of us, though some of us might be slightly hurt at your apparent lack of hospitality.

Besides, it's *your home*. We may not be 'alergic' to a pentacle painted on a door, but we *are* quite concious about the fines and possible jailtime associated with trespassing charges...

Dare I ask why this question was raised? *lol*

[albion]

The Wiccan word rede comes from the old english Roedan It means to guide or direct. It encourages the right to practice your own spirituality.

The Wiccan rede Itself is only two lines.
Eight words the Wiccan rede fulfill,

An' In It harm none, do what ye will.

Not a bad credo to live by.

[esselcue]

Originally Posted by FredNotBob

Personally, I like the concept of 'cycles': nothing ever 'ends', it's all part of a larger circle.

This is very consistent with Buddhism

[esselcue]

Originally Posted by Badland wonder

I agree that there are many approaches to Wicca. One thing that always interests me is the common thread between Wicca, Native American philosophy, and yes, even Christianity.
Take Easter for example. The date for Easter Sunday is set by the equinox, followed by the first full moon, then Easter. All one celebration of the same thing...renewal. Wicca celebrates the equinox and the full moon. Native American have always given homage to the timing of the natural cycles. And Christians, call it Easter. There was a goddess Eostre that was celebrated at the same time of year in ancient times. Her totem was the hare, or bunny, who brought the eggs, a symbol of fertility, which spring is also a symbol of, which equates to renewal.

I have always wondered about the Easter Egg thing. George Carlin once questioned this, too...he was puzzled. "Jesus has risen! Quick! Hide the eggs!!!"

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by esselcue

I have always wondered about the Easter Egg thing. George Carlin once questioned this, too...he was puzzled. "Jesus has risen! Quick! Hide the eggs!!!"

Much of pagan symbolism for Ostra (Easter) comes form the Norse. The rabbit, always ready to mate, symbolized fertility and the day of celebration. But the norse farmer would bury fertile eggs in his field before planting to bring fertility to his crops.

[shymonkey]

i'm glad this thread popped back up. i have a question or two. for some reason i never thought of a man being a wiccan and from reading the threads find that there certainly are men wiccans. talk about being ignorant.
the other thing i was wondering about is that as a Catholic i know where to go to worship...not that i only worship in church. i do hope you know what i mean and if someone wants to become a Catholic we have a study process and rituals that are followed. what about becoming a wiccan?

[FredNotBob]

Originally Posted by shymonkey

i'm glad this thread popped back up. i have a question or two. for some reason i never thought of a man being a wiccan and from reading the threads find that there certainly are men wiccans. talk about being ignorant.
the other thing i was wondering about is that as a Catholic i know where to go to worship...not that i only worship in church. i do hope you know what i mean and if someone wants to become a Catholic we have a study process and rituals that are followed. what about becoming a wiccan?

There are two points of view on becoming Wiccan:

'Traditional' Wiccans (Gerdnerian, Alexandrian, etc.) sometimes claim that to be a Wiccan, you must be initiated, or at least follow one of those paths.

Solitaries, on the other hand (for the most part) feel that no such initiation is required, and that self-dedication is all that one needs.

As for becoming a High Priest/Priestess, that requires a great deal of study -- like most other religions, we won't let just *anyone* become a priest or priestess.

Typically, a year or so of study is required, usually with an ordained priest/ess, and the dedicant must be able to demonstrate an ability to conduct a ritual properly, know the history of Wicca and the various gods, and they must be able to lead effectively, without getting involved in intra-coven squabbles and politics.

Generally, Wicca doesn't have a set place of worship like a 'church' or a specifically-designated building. Rather, we 'cast a circle' to designate our sacred space, whereever we may be at the time.

A circle can be cast almost anywhere that won't be disrupted by traffic (either foot or vehicle), and as long as the circle is cast, that area will be sacred space.