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What most people forget is that the Craft is first and foremost a religion. A path of the
Craft. Sure, anyone can "do stuff" if they know how, but most are just stumbling
around in the dark not really understanding how they made something work. Magick
is like a loaded gun, but vastly more dangerous in the wrong hands, because many
seem to just want to "do spells" for the sake of doing them. Most of our services are
geared towards worship, not working, unless there is a real need. It is then that we go
to work and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. The craft is not about spells, or divination, or
healing, or the thousands of things that it encompasses. It is a path to self-discovery
and enlightenment, but where can you read a book that will tell you that? NO
WHERE! Self-discovery is out, spells are in! The ironic part is that without the
self-discovery, training, and discipline, the spells only work by accident. Most never
really get it.
Craft. Sure, anyone can "do stuff" if they know how, but most are just stumbling
around in the dark not really understanding how they made something work. Magick
is like a loaded gun, but vastly more dangerous in the wrong hands, because many
seem to just want to "do spells" for the sake of doing them. Most of our services are
geared towards worship, not working, unless there is a real need. It is then that we go
to work and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. The craft is not about spells, or divination, or
healing, or the thousands of things that it encompasses. It is a path to self-discovery
and enlightenment, but where can you read a book that will tell you that? NO
WHERE! Self-discovery is out, spells are in! The ironic part is that without the
self-discovery, training, and discipline, the spells only work by accident. Most never
really get it.
WHAT IS A PENTAGRAM ?
Influences of our daily lives....
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dormarth,
Whenever I ask a question to people in a chat room, they make me feel so ignorant and that I shouldn't even bother
asking anything. They just try to blow me off with answers like "Just go with the flow" or "It's how you feel inside," but
never an answer for my question.
Whenever I ask a question to people in a chat room, they make me feel so ignorant and that I shouldn't even bother
asking anything. They just try to blow me off with answers like "Just go with the flow" or "It's how you feel inside," but
never an answer for my question.
Answer: I do not do chat rooms, so I cannot speak from experience. I can say from what little bit I have seen from
websites, web pages, and in associating with people, is that most folks out there are trying to learn things from each
other. Though there are some very knowledgeable people out there more than willing to act as guides and
teachers, for the most part, few of those who set themselves up as "experts" actually know very little of anything of
real value. Additionally, their egos will not allow them to admit this to themselves or anyone else for that matter.
When faced with a question they cannot answer, they just try to blow it off or change the subject while attempting to
adopt a superior attitude. What they are really doing is searching for answers just like you are. I do not have all the
answers... no one does... but I will be happy to answer your questions from my perspective, if I can.
websites, web pages, and in associating with people, is that most folks out there are trying to learn things from each
other. Though there are some very knowledgeable people out there more than willing to act as guides and
teachers, for the most part, few of those who set themselves up as "experts" actually know very little of anything of
real value. Additionally, their egos will not allow them to admit this to themselves or anyone else for that matter.
When faced with a question they cannot answer, they just try to blow it off or change the subject while attempting to
adopt a superior attitude. What they are really doing is searching for answers just like you are. I do not have all the
answers... no one does... but I will be happy to answer your questions from my perspective, if I can.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WICCA AND WITCHCRAFT?
DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO DO MAGICK SPELLS OR CASTINGS AT EVERY MEETING OR RITUAL?
The Pentagram is an Ancient symbol that has been traced back to the
Ancient City of UR in what used to be known as Summeria. To Witches,
it represents the four elements of creation - FIRE, WATER, AIR,
EARTH - being ruled by the Divine Spirit encountered in all of us. It is
sometimes called 'The Never Ending Knot" as it can be drawn by
merging with the beginning. When encompassed by the circle, it means
a continuous cycle without ending or beginning. The five-pointed star
pattern can be found in many places in nature, such as in the core of an
apple cut crossways through the center and in many flower blossoms, if
you look closely at them. The Pentagram also represents the
Microcosm, as when drawn upright, it bears a resemblance to a human
figure standing with arms and legs outstretched. In old occult
philosophy, man was considered as being a smaller reflection of (and
thus containing all the attributes) the Greater Universe, or Macrocosm.
The most commonly used pentagram in occult circles is what is known
as "The Pentagram of Earth," which is drawn beginning at the topmost
point, down to the lower left point (representing the Divine descending
into the lowest and simplest forms of matter), then up and across the
middle right-hand point (representing the evolution of life to higher
forms, including man), then across the middle left-hand point
(representing man-kinds earthly progression), then down to the lower
right-hand point (representing the destruction of the ego and casting off
of the material concerns), and finally back up to the top most point
(representing man's ascent to rejoin with the Divine Source from
whence we all came.)
Ancient City of UR in what used to be known as Summeria. To Witches,
it represents the four elements of creation - FIRE, WATER, AIR,
EARTH - being ruled by the Divine Spirit encountered in all of us. It is
sometimes called 'The Never Ending Knot" as it can be drawn by
merging with the beginning. When encompassed by the circle, it means
a continuous cycle without ending or beginning. The five-pointed star
pattern can be found in many places in nature, such as in the core of an
apple cut crossways through the center and in many flower blossoms, if
you look closely at them. The Pentagram also represents the
Microcosm, as when drawn upright, it bears a resemblance to a human
figure standing with arms and legs outstretched. In old occult
philosophy, man was considered as being a smaller reflection of (and
thus containing all the attributes) the Greater Universe, or Macrocosm.
The most commonly used pentagram in occult circles is what is known
as "The Pentagram of Earth," which is drawn beginning at the topmost
point, down to the lower left point (representing the Divine descending
into the lowest and simplest forms of matter), then up and across the
middle right-hand point (representing the evolution of life to higher
forms, including man), then across the middle left-hand point
(representing man-kinds earthly progression), then down to the lower
right-hand point (representing the destruction of the ego and casting off
of the material concerns), and finally back up to the top most point
(representing man's ascent to rejoin with the Divine Source from
whence we all came.)
Answer: In order to really understand this one, you would need to know a bit of history. I do a much better
explanation on how the Craft evolved in Lesson I. In the old Anglo-Saxon, the word "wicca" referred to a male
and the word "wicce" referred to a female witch or WISE ONE. The word"wicce" has fallen into disuse, but "wicca"
survived and has come to mean the RELIGION of Witchcraft. This was before the days of people reading a few
books and then calling themselves Witches. These folks had no real training in the Craft, but began to initiate
themselves as Witches. The concept of self-initiations was dreamed up and promoted in the mid 1970s by the
publisher of Llewellyn Publications. This concept caught on and is here to stay. This caused a big stink in the
Wiccan community back then as pretty much all of the covens in the U.S. and Europe agreed on one thing (and
very little else)... "In order to become a Witch one must be taught by a Witch for a period of a year and a day,
then be initiated by a Witch." They felt that self initiations were an oxymoron because, as they pointed out, "If
one is not a Witch, how can one initiate one's self?" Well, I guess that they never thought about who initiated the
first Witch. Also, one does not have to be initiated in order to practice the religion of Wicca. So, to me, a Wiccan
is one who follows the religion of Wicca, not necessarily having any "proper" training in the Craft. Whereas a
Witch is a Wiccan who has had proper training and instruction from a true initiate and has become an initiate
themselves. Non-initiates are Neopytes (novices) and initiates are Priests and Priestesses. So, in a nutshell, to
me a Witch is an initiate, a Wiccan may or may not be.
explanation on how the Craft evolved in Lesson I. In the old Anglo-Saxon, the word "wicca" referred to a male
and the word "wicce" referred to a female witch or WISE ONE. The word"wicce" has fallen into disuse, but "wicca"
survived and has come to mean the RELIGION of Witchcraft. This was before the days of people reading a few
books and then calling themselves Witches. These folks had no real training in the Craft, but began to initiate
themselves as Witches. The concept of self-initiations was dreamed up and promoted in the mid 1970s by the
publisher of Llewellyn Publications. This concept caught on and is here to stay. This caused a big stink in the
Wiccan community back then as pretty much all of the covens in the U.S. and Europe agreed on one thing (and
very little else)... "In order to become a Witch one must be taught by a Witch for a period of a year and a day,
then be initiated by a Witch." They felt that self initiations were an oxymoron because, as they pointed out, "If
one is not a Witch, how can one initiate one's self?" Well, I guess that they never thought about who initiated the
first Witch. Also, one does not have to be initiated in order to practice the religion of Wicca. So, to me, a Wiccan
is one who follows the religion of Wicca, not necessarily having any "proper" training in the Craft. Whereas a
Witch is a Wiccan who has had proper training and instruction from a true initiate and has become an initiate
themselves. Non-initiates are Neopytes (novices) and initiates are Priests and Priestesses. So, in a nutshell, to
me a Witch is an initiate, a Wiccan may or may not be.
Answer: NO! Wicca is first and foremost a religion. A spiritual path of enlightenment. Magick, divinations, herb
lore, and the other occult fields, are encompassed by the Craft. Most rituals are (or should be) dedicated toward
the worship of the Lord and Lady, and the acknowledgment of the natural rhythms. Magick is (or should be) only
done when there is a real need. The modern book-witch who seeks the Craft because "it's cool," is only
interested in spell casting. They just have iffy results at best, as they are more concerned with trying to impress
each other with all of the "wonders" and miraculous" things they have been able to do. Funny thing is no one
else ever actually notices anything wondrous or miraculous happening.
lore, and the other occult fields, are encompassed by the Craft. Most rituals are (or should be) dedicated toward
the worship of the Lord and Lady, and the acknowledgment of the natural rhythms. Magick is (or should be) only
done when there is a real need. The modern book-witch who seeks the Craft because "it's cool," is only
interested in spell casting. They just have iffy results at best, as they are more concerned with trying to impress
each other with all of the "wonders" and miraculous" things they have been able to do. Funny thing is no one
else ever actually notices anything wondrous or miraculous happening.
HOW LONG DOES ONE HAVE TO STUDY IN ORDER TO BECOME PAGAN?
Answer: One does not have to study at all to be a Pagan. If you wish to be a Pagan, then you are! Paganism
encompasses many, many branches. But basically, very few belong to any of the mainstream religions. All are
concerned about the environment, living in harmony with nature, and getting re-attuned with the natural rhythms.
encompasses many, many branches. But basically, very few belong to any of the mainstream religions. All are
concerned about the environment, living in harmony with nature, and getting re-attuned with the natural rhythms.
Comments, suggestions, lesson information, student artwork/writings submissions?
Email:temple@ladyishtar.org
Email:temple@ladyishtar.org
