Everyone should know, weither mono. or poly., many Wiccans claim to be witches - following ancient magickal traditions.
Most Wiccans also believe in The Horned god, a said consort or literal son/other half of the goddess. Some may not - but most do!!!
" That's a good question, " the wise man said to the child.
The goddess of Wicca represents darker/hidden love, the moon, secrets, desires, nature. On the other hand, The Horned god is viewed as .... the lord of death, mercy, lust and the protector of animals ( because of his relation with Pan ). Like the Goddess, he gors by many other names. He is not a negative or cruel god. He carries us safetly through the transition of death, and other transitions. The Horned God represents the sun and needed growth, because without death new life can never be born. Death to most Wiccans means transition ... it's a good thing because it allows one to be able to move on either by reincarnation or excelling in the netherworld ( the outer plane of existance ... not like hell, at all. ) When one achieves glory ( high rank ), then one gets to supposidly stay in the netherworld. The netherworld also goes by many names - Avalon, the otherworld, Tyr-na-nog, etc., etc.
Wiccans try not to harm other things in every way possible. Point being, they do not sacrifice animals ( well, unless they are into saying a pass-on spell before killing a deer that is meant to be eaten. ) I have got to say that atleast half of the Wiccans I meet are vegetarians, and those I have met eventually converted me into a life without eating animal flesh. Wiccans usually follow the important part of the Wiccan rede which is, " Ye harm none, do as ye will. " Some Wiccans really take this to extremes! Most Wiccans see this as ye harm none mentally and physically. I personally do not carry the rule onto mental harm, because sometimes it is not realistic. Some skinny people are harmed seeing me eat a candy bar - too bad! Some people are harmed by not seeing me at their Catholic church when they invite me - too bad! When it interferes in my personal happiness and freedoms, I will draw the line. And in Wicca you can draw a line, because as long as you try to not harm others in a drastic manner, you can believe in many different things and still be Wiccan.
Some people are , " neo Wiccans " because they haven't evolved into the traditionalist side of Wicca yet. They believe that they can add to ( be eclectic ) or change the traditionalist's ways or make up their own stuff. Some do not follow the rede or even the tenants of it including any of the same ideas. The traditionalist or, " Elder " Wiccans try to reclaim the past as a way of practice. In my opinion, neo Wiccans need to learn that sometimes you have to take a few steps back before one can take those steps forward.
Like Christianity, there are different sects of Wicca. Celtic-Wicca, Saxon Wicca, Gardenian Wicca, Norse Wicca,
- A different option, brought to you by the world famous author Raven Grimassi!
..... and there's many other sects as well.
Usually, most Wiccans and even a lot of pagans follow these basic ancient holidays:
October 31st - Samhain - represents change, when the veil is thinnest between the netherworld and this world.
February 2nd - Imbolc or Candlmas - represents purification, rejuvination, cleansing.
April 30th - Beltane - represents unification, sex, when the divine forces merge, love which causes life.
August 1 - Lammas - maturity of growth - the Goddess.
For more info call Llewellyn Publishing at 1-800 THE MOON and ask for their New Worlds catalog!
Or ... get these books at our commercial website :
Earth Magic by : Marion Weinstein ( awesome book ) - tells all you want to know about Wicca and the craft, including Moon and shadow magic.
Spellcraft ( published by Barrons Books ) - this spell book is in full blown color, with emergency spells in sealed pages. Black hardbound, tied w/ a ribbon! Sweet!
Why Conformity Sucks In Christianity and in Wicca
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