Riyon
Seeker
Don't let today's disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow's dreams.
Posts: 26
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Post by Riyon on May 20, 2006 21:05:21 GMT -5
I don't really like to call myself a witch. Just because the word "witch" has become something that it is not. Modern society has corrupted the word. It is now looked upon as a bad thing. Casting spells against people. Flying on a broomstick. Sacrifices. It's all unnerving. So I call myself a pagan. Which is enough to get ridiculed by society, but vauge enough for me to explain my viewpoints before being called evil. To the pagan society, I'm wiccan. Still upon my path.
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Post by raeven on May 20, 2006 23:55:20 GMT -5
I don't generally call myself a witch unless I am in the company of mature openminded people. I live in the bible belt and while it is getting better, I still have to be careful of what I say in front of whom or I might get my house burnt down lol.
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Post by stormcat on May 21, 2006 13:46:21 GMT -5
I have no particular desire to be shelved in the Wicca catagory. Nor do I find it offensive to be called a Witch. It's only a cape I wear to fend off obtrusive people. We wear many "capes" while we're here. What is important is how we view ourselves, and practice within the Rede. Bright Blessing to all.>^..^<
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Post by nevyn on May 25, 2006 6:56:20 GMT -5
I haven't really defined myself to the point of titles until recently. I followed both the Wiccan Path (no witchcraft, it's more of the religion for me) and I kept my beliefs from childhood. I was under the (erroneous) idea that you could not have both. But recently (mainly after I met someone on line who carried the same mixture of beliefs as I who had started her own Wiccan coven and then incorporated the Catholic beliefs as well) I feel comfortable using the title Roman Wiccan. If someone asks me if that means I'm a Witch, I explain that I was always a witch, but that was an attitude, not a religion! I believe that we all worship the same higher power, we just choose different names and ways to do said worship. God/Goddess doesn't care what we call them, (or ourselves) as long as we call them!
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Post by yourlilraven on May 25, 2006 14:47:11 GMT -5
I may be on the oddball side but I think the word "wiccan" is more harmful now adays then the word witch. I call myself a witch because of the crosswise emotions with other words like emo and goth.but albeit a word is just a word. I call myself a witch because I do not hide the fact of my practice for my life is my study I've tattooed it to my body and I would die for it.
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Post by Senbecc on May 25, 2006 14:58:17 GMT -5
I may be on the oddball side but I think the word "wiccan" is more harmful now adays then the word witch. I call myself a witch because of the crosswise emotions with other words like emo and goth.but albeit a word is just a word. I call myself a witch because I do not hide the fact of my practice for my life is my study I've tattooed it to my body and I would die for it. I don't think its "odd ball" at all. In many ways your right. With all the "vampires" and "werewolves" these day claiming "wicca" as their source of immortality it has certaily grown into a negitive light as well.
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Post by Sojrn on May 26, 2006 19:03:51 GMT -5
It is the right of all to think, feel and seek as they wish. But the end result is not always complacent.
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Post by Senbecc on May 27, 2006 10:00:16 GMT -5
It is the right of all to think, feel and seek as they wish. But the end result is not always complacent. But it isn't their right to claim a serious path that they know little or nothing about IMO. Now of course I don't fall for the whole Wicca=Gardnerian crap either...If that were the case then why would they even need to classify it as Gardnerian? However it is a VERY serious course of study, what ever path of Wicca is followed, which requires it's Initiates and dedicates to study a year and a day before they can claim the title...No matter how serious they are.
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Post by Sojrn on May 27, 2006 10:43:09 GMT -5
Senbecc,
We can debate but IMO it will not abate. I agree with you about "knowing little" but then this type of behavior falls into other facets of life too. How do you suppose the "community" combat it? We do have young people on this board that seem to have their heads on straight about the seriousness of study in their chosen path and it's refreshing to say the least. But unfortunatley the "craft" (and I use this term loosely) has enough problems pursuing an "acceptance" amongst the general population rather than ego ignorance amoung SOME youth ranks. Unless we can lock these "kids" in their rooms until they are 30 (LOL), we'll have to grin and bear it.
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Post by Senbecc on May 28, 2006 20:53:58 GMT -5
Senbecc, We can debate but IMO it will not abate. I agree with you about "knowing little" but then this type of behavior falls into other facets of life too. How do you suppose the "community" combat it? We do have young people on this board that seem to have their heads on straight about the seriousness of study in their chosen path and it's refreshing to say the least. But unfortunatley the "craft" (and I use this term loosely) has enough problems pursuing an "acceptance" amongst the general population rather than ego ignorance amoung SOME youth ranks. Unless we can lock these "kids" in their rooms until they are 30 (LOL), we'll have to grin and bear it. The only problem I have is when they claim the title and then make no effort to give it a serious study. Thus far we seem to be pretty lucky in that we haven't amassed any of these who think they can fly, grown fangs, transform into animals just because the moon is full etc. Just because they claim to be Wiccan, simply because they think it to be some supernatural condition, doesn't mean we should pat them on the head and tell them to have fun IMO. Now there is a huge difference between setting them straight on what the requirements for a magical path are, and completely ripping their spiritual core from the fibers of their being. This is never excusable IMO, but to offer them an alternative view point and gently point them in a more positive direction.
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