Post by theoccultchrist on Jun 18, 2007 17:42:27 GMT -5
Okay this is my newest rant, grumble,rumble. and I wanted to share and get opinions from the Pagan Mystic Crew.
Okay there was a post this morning I found on the Pagan Circle (Read: Pagan Circus) Group on myspace where a 15 year old girl..is new to studying and wanted to try to find out more.
She said:
A Perfect legitiment question. to which the normal responses were offered.
Response #1: A eclectic witch is a witch that pulls from many different faiths, paths or practices.
And no, you cannot be an eclectic witch and be Wiccan. For one, not all witches are Wiccan. Second, Wicca is an initiatory mystery religion. It requires initiation and training in a lienaged coven. The word Wiccan is a title used to refer to an initiated priest of the religion of Wicca. Wicca has unique tenants, theology and ritual mechanics as well as it's own Gods, the names of which are oathbound.
Response #2: What exactly is an ecletic witch? Someone who practices witchcraft learned and compiled from a variety of sources and traditions. The ecclectic is not orthodox in any tradition, nor are they exlusively any tradition, their practice is highly customised to suit the practitioner.
And could you be one and also be wiccan? Specifically speaking, yes, one could be initiated into Wicca and still practice the witchcraft of other traditions... Wicca is a religion, Witchcraft is a practice, a skill, a craft.
Response #3: You can practice the published, outer-court teachings of Wicca, and the faith and spellwork may certainly "work" for you whether or not you are initiated. However, Wicca is an initiatory mystery religion, and it does require initiation through a lineaged coven. The published materials are about Wicca, but they aren't the entirety of Wicca, and they don't reveal or even really allude to the inner Mysteries. The Wiccan Mysteries are experiential; they must be understood through ritual experience, and can't be communicated any other way. So, if it isn't a lineaged tradition, it may be derived from Wicca, but it isn't technically the same as the religion of Wicca.
and Various Other Responses.
After reading the ones about you have to be initated into a Lineaged Coven and blah blah blah blah blahedy blah. I came up with this long thought out response ( And Now I want to share with you all and get your opinions on what I had to say. Thanks. and Namaste~):
MY RESPONSE:
They'll probably Ban me now.
*Shrugs*
But I had to get that off of my chest.
Any Questions? Thoughts? Opinions? Agreement? Disagreement? on what I said Share it here.
Namaste~
And;
Blessed be!
-Paul
Okay there was a post this morning I found on the Pagan Circle (Read: Pagan Circus) Group on myspace where a 15 year old girl..is new to studying and wanted to try to find out more.
She said:
What exactly is an ecletic witch?And could you be one and also be wiccan?
I'm learner more about the craft everyday and i feel confident that i'm slowly finding my path. I know the craft is for me but lately i've learned there are different types of witches and the word ecletic came up.
A Perfect legitiment question. to which the normal responses were offered.
Response #1: A eclectic witch is a witch that pulls from many different faiths, paths or practices.
And no, you cannot be an eclectic witch and be Wiccan. For one, not all witches are Wiccan. Second, Wicca is an initiatory mystery religion. It requires initiation and training in a lienaged coven. The word Wiccan is a title used to refer to an initiated priest of the religion of Wicca. Wicca has unique tenants, theology and ritual mechanics as well as it's own Gods, the names of which are oathbound.
Response #2: What exactly is an ecletic witch? Someone who practices witchcraft learned and compiled from a variety of sources and traditions. The ecclectic is not orthodox in any tradition, nor are they exlusively any tradition, their practice is highly customised to suit the practitioner.
And could you be one and also be wiccan? Specifically speaking, yes, one could be initiated into Wicca and still practice the witchcraft of other traditions... Wicca is a religion, Witchcraft is a practice, a skill, a craft.
Response #3: You can practice the published, outer-court teachings of Wicca, and the faith and spellwork may certainly "work" for you whether or not you are initiated. However, Wicca is an initiatory mystery religion, and it does require initiation through a lineaged coven. The published materials are about Wicca, but they aren't the entirety of Wicca, and they don't reveal or even really allude to the inner Mysteries. The Wiccan Mysteries are experiential; they must be understood through ritual experience, and can't be communicated any other way. So, if it isn't a lineaged tradition, it may be derived from Wicca, but it isn't technically the same as the religion of Wicca.
and Various Other Responses.
After reading the ones about you have to be initated into a Lineaged Coven and blah blah blah blah blahedy blah. I came up with this long thought out response ( And Now I want to share with you all and get your opinions on what I had to say. Thanks. and Namaste~):
MY RESPONSE:
I was part of a coven for a brief time and I must say there are no "Special Teachings" that are handed down to you that you must learn. this whole outter-court inner-court thing is malarchy in my own personal experiences. but who knows maybe I didnt have the proper experiences?[/blockquote]
but as far as the theology and things. I was taught virtually the same thing as is out in published materials.
The only thing that was "Special" to the Coven was certain coven information and rites and whatnot. that was the only thing that was "oathbound" and not to reveal the happenings of the coven..what we did at our meetings..certian rituals...if people asked us for healing work and we did it..and the person inquired about it..we were only to tell them that yes we did healing work on their behalf but we were not to go into the specifis of what actually happened in the ritual. Stuff like that.
That was the only "Oathbound" Stuff. But the Relgious theology of it all...no there was no "secret" Inner-court information.
I believe that the religion of Wicca has evolved tremendously since Gardner first made it public.
We have prolific Authors like Scott Cunningham, Raymond Buckland, and Christopher Penczac.
There is a saying that only a Witch (SIC) can make a Witch. Well who made the "FIRST" Witch?
I believe the Gods are there and accessible to anyone who calls upon them.
This is what my beef is with Churches and Covens and whatnot. Yes they are good for fellowship and focusing...but No One holds Monopoly on Communication with the divine. that power resides in each and everyone of us and no one could ever take that away from us.
If someone wants to practice Wicca or anyother religion then I say go for it. Study as much as you can...find as much information as you can...talk to the gods on a regular basis. and let no human-made organization or affiliation tell you what you can and cannot do. your spirituality is between you and the gods. Not you and a man-made Religious organization Church/Coven/Grove Ect.
I know I'll probably catch flack for this post but it is my opinions.
Wicca may have started out as a super secret mystery tradition....but it has since evolved into an inclusive way for all people to worship...
in short..someone "forgot" The Secrets..a long time ago..and opened it up for all.
yes there are people who still think they have the "Secrets" and good for them.
I respect all peoples chosen paths. But its when they try to force their opinions on others that it really makes me mad.
Keep in mind Im not trying to force my opinion on anyone..I am simply sharing what I think..you are all welcomed to disagree with me and question me all you want.
In short I believe people can practice whatever they want..and do not need another humans approval before doing so. It is between the Gods and that specific person ..what goes on...the gods have been around since before time and will be there long after...I think they can take care of themselves...and if they do not like what someone is doing..theyt are fully capable of making that person aware.
Thank you for listening to my ramblings.
Namaste~
And Blessed Be!
They'll probably Ban me now.
*Shrugs*
But I had to get that off of my chest.
Any Questions? Thoughts? Opinions? Agreement? Disagreement? on what I said Share it here.
Namaste~
And;
Blessed be!
-Paul