Coming This Week...

... my first blog giveaway! I'm pretty excited. And no, its not for something witchy or crafty- not this time. It's for a beauty product that I really like!

And things change.

I've decided to leave that paranormal group this morning. It was dumb of me to stay anyway, I guess.

 

I just re-read my little ranty blog entry and evidently I was pissed and needed to vent. I'm not pissed any more, nor do I remember being that pissed, but it kind of lets me know that I made the right decision.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I can't still have the interest, or investigate on my own, just that that specific group wasn't a good fit for me, at least not right now. There are several reasons why it was a good idea for me to leave- I should have looked at them as indicators or signs, rather than challenges to be overcome. ‘Cause seriously, sometimes it’s really difficult to discern between the two. The group is great, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a paranormal group, but evidently it wasn’t for me right now. I think the post that the director/leader posted this morning was the clue by four I needed.

 

It’s a bummer, because I was really looking forward to investigating with like minded people, and helping families in need. But, this is good on several fronts. I’ll have more time to spend with the hubby, and plan on peeling him away from WoW more often to go places on the weekends, which I know we’ll both enjoy. I’ll have more time to be a better leader in my coven, and more time to focus on some witchy projects. I’ll also have time to craft jewelry more often. This year is going to be about me.

 

Some resolutions for 2010

• I’m going to craft only when I feel like it- not when I feel like I should.
• I’m going to start a daily practice.
• I’m going to run my crafty selling as a *side* thing for fun! Not for the fame, fortune and money, but because I enjoy it. When I stop enjoying it, I’ll stop.
• I’m going to be okay with the natural cycle of enthusiasm- sometimes I will feel sick of participating in anything. I‘ll know I need to ride it out.
• I’m going to eat more vegetables, and find a fun way to exercise.
• I’m going to stop feeling like I *should* do this or that, and instead do things I want to do. Watch more TV. Meditate more, or whatever!

 

10 Things to Learn Before Calling Yourself Wiccan on a Public Forum

If you call yourself Wiccan on a forum, in a chatroom, on a message board, etc... here are 10 things you probably will want to learn/know. If you are speaking with those who have read at least a book or two on the craft, they will expect you to know at least a little about the religion since you are claiming to be a practitioner. If you don't care whether or not another craft practitioner takes you seriously, then feel free to completely ignore this post. Be aware that this is my opinion. :)

1. Know that Wicca isn’t ancient- it’s only been around about 50 years or so.
2. Learn what the word tradition (trad) means- and that if you don’t know what it means- you are probably eclectic.
3. Learn what a pantheon is.
4. Learn the difference between Wicca and witchcraft… and Paganism.
5. Know enough about Salem Witch Trials to *at least* know that witches weren’t burned there.
6. Wicca isn’t about spells. Well, not entirely. Talk to other Wiccans established in their practices to find out what their main goal is. Answers, of course, will vary.
7. Wicca is the religion, Wiccan is the practitioner.
8. Know that Wicca does not equal Goth. Nor does it equal Hippie. All kinds of people practice Wicca.
9. Learn that polarity means Goddess AND God.
10. Know that money doesn’t buy you a degree or experience in Wicca. Neither does age, or how many years one says they've spent learning the Craft. There is no shortcut.
11. People lie (especially on the interwebz). I can say that I've spent 60 years practicing an ancient tyme craft of the ancient cavepeople. That doesn't mean it's true. Use your common sense.
12. The word "rede" means advice. It doesn't mean law. The Wiccan Rede is advice- not Wiccan "law."

Okay, so that was eleven. I know... but that last one I came up with as I was editing the post.
And I added #12.

TMP Post: Thursday, July 07, 2005

For the record, I don't hate teachers at all. This one isn't all that funny. But it amused me this morning.


maas_1432001: i am m29 form india
ivyfyre: Congratulations.
maas_1432001: ur form?
ivyfyre: Form?
ivyfyre: 1050 EZ?
maas_1432001: thnx
ivyfyre: Is that the right form?
ivyfyre: I always screw up my tax return.
ivyfyre: Are you from the IRS?
maas_1432001: no
maas_1432001: i am from india
ivyfyre: Oh.
ivyfyre: Then why did you ask about my form?
maas_1432001: ya
ivyfyre: Yeah.
maas_1432001: just
maas_1432001: ur doing job?
ivyfyre: Only if my job requres sleeping.
ivyfyre: Do you like to sleep?
maas_1432001: y not
ivyfyre: why?
maas_1432001: but i am woking as a teacher
ivyfyre: I hate teachers

Clue by Four, Please?

Tonight, I went to a meeting of the paranormal group I'm a part of. We had a wonderful and very knowledgeable guest speaker. I took pages of notes and learned a lot. I had a nice time... was more comfortable, socially this time. I do struggle with awful social anxiety and this was the first time I came away from a meeting not weighing the idea of quitting due to my social anxiety. However, there were more cracks about witches/Pagans from an uneducated standpoint, and I'm thinking again that this might not be the group for me. Misconceptions that everyone share in (that I don't have a chance to change) make me completely uncomfortable. An offhand joke here or there during a lecture from a guest speaker- or even from other members during past meetings is making me increasingly uncomfortable.

Todays fare included talking about Santarians practicing at a local cemetary, and murmurs about that being scary shit- evidently they leave the carcasses of goats and shit there? Well, I've known of people who have practiced Santaria and animal sacrifice. According to my research, usually, the animal is honored and treated with dignity and respect, and given all kinds of happy things like tasty food, etc. Then it's humanely killed (way more humane than the chickens we eat) and part of the animal is consumed as a ritual, and then the rest of the animal is used as a sacrifice. They would never leave dead carcasses around- how disresepectful! Don't get me wrong, that path is definitely not for me- but there is a big difference between those who those who are Santarians, and those who practice a darker (or wannabe) flavor of something and call it Santaria. Same thing with Satanaism. There are plenty of people who practice LeVeyan Satanism- and it has nothing to do with the fallen angel Lucifer, or demons, that I've found in my research. No calling up of the dead. Neither is my flavor of spirituality- not even close, but I feel sad for the stereotypes and ignorance floating about out there.

Another comment was made about the show Paranormal State. One comment was in reference to Eilfie, the Pagan in the group. It was mentioned that she obviously didn't know what she was doing. "I mean, she's supposed to be a 'witch' or whatever, and her ritual ended with Amen? I mean, come ON!" I'm not saying she did the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram correctly. Not at all. But much of that ritual is based on ancient jewish/hebrew prayer. So, the word Amen is not out of context at all. There are varied flavors of Paganism- some are Wicca or witchcraft based, some are Norse/Celtic/Roman Pagan based, some are based of the mysticism of ancient cultures themselves like Kabbalah, or even some of the recon traditions. Some are ceremonial magic based. Some eclectic Pagans learn about these different paths and blend them together to create a practice that reflects their personal belief system. Its not all about Wicca or aversion to terminology.

I'm just over it. I can't interrupt a lecture to correct without sounding like an overreacting douche. I can't say that I'm offended without seeming like a oversensitive whiner. The strange thing is that I AM offended. Do you know how difficult it is to offend me? Seriously. I've been told I'm going to hell, I've been told that I should become Christian, that people will pray for my hellbound soul, people mistake my pent for a star of david, I've had the cops called on my covens circles, and I was never really offended. I guess I was okay with all of that (and more) because I know that these people have the best intentions. I guess the difference here is that it's just funny to people. Something for people to be afraid of, or laugh about, instead of wanting to learn the truth about it. Or caring about it.

I guess I'm just spoiled because I surround myself with positive and tolerant people. Those who are ignorant, I have a chance to educate. Even the hardcore Christian friends of mine know that I'm nice, have a good heart, and believe that positive paths are the way to a good life and afterlife. I answer any questions they have, and explain my path. I am blessed to be surrounded by such people. My family, friends, co-workers, coven sisters (CTM), social witchy sisters (SCSW), and my other witchy friends who invite me to their open circles. This includes their significant others, and their friends and Pagan family. I see myself as a good person, with a kind heart and good intentions. Usually. ;) I'm blessed to have friends and family that see past the pentacle and seemingly "weird" religion to see that I'm just like everyone else.

I'm just not used to being around such oblivious ignorance. I don't blame them, either. It's not like I dislike anyone, or anything- ignorance isn't an awful thing by itself- its not their fault... I'm just kinda shocked that it's getting to me. I really like everyone- its a great group, and that's why I'm still sticking around. I want to continue in this paranormal group really badly. The founder is doing an AMAZING job. Seriously. I'm in awe of her organization skills (and those who know me know that I know organizing- LOL), and it makes me want to participate so bad. But when I come away every time feeling upset, it makes me think that maybe this group isn't for me. But who am I to tell people to change? I wouldn't want people walking on eggshells around me, or worrying if I might be offended. Gah-that makes me anxious thinking about it. Right now, it seems lose-lose to me.

I need to realize that not everyone will be comfortable with the idea of Paganism/Wicca/witchcraft- I'm not used to that. I don't know- I really feel drawn to this group. Maybe I have some life lesson to learn within this situation- just waiting for Brighid's clue by four. I'm sure it's on its way.

How to Find your Magickal Name

People have magickal names for a few reasons.

- its a name that is sometimes used only in ritual circle (more commonly, people who are out of the broom closet use it within the Pagan community, at meetups, coven meetings, online, etc)
- its a name used to disguise, if someone isn't out of the broom closet
- its a name that aids a person in getting into the ritual mindset


In some traditions, a teacher or priestess will give you your magickal name, but I think it's important that you choose your own (or it chooses you). There are several ways to choose a name.
One way is to use numerology. Take the numbers of your birthday at and add them up until you get one number. For example, 6/12/1980 would be 6+1+2+1+9+8+0 = 27, 2+7 = 9. This would be your birth number. Then, think of names that you like. Use a numerology table like the one found here (http://www.witchcrafts.net/zine/numerology.htm) and find the numbers associated with the letters in your ideas for names. Add the numbers up for each one, until you have a single digit. Try to match your birth number. If you go along this route, you can change the spelling of the name that you really want, until the numbers match up.
Another way is to find your name through asking the God/dess through meditation. In my opinion, this is the best way. Begin meditating with the intent of finding a name. Ask the God/dess for a name. S/he may even show you the symbolism around your new name. However, you probably want to make sure that you are okay with taking what s/he gives you. I used this for finding my magickal "last name" (there are LOTS of Ivys out there) and I wasn't too excited about the name "Rainriver," but she gave it to me, and showed me the symbolism, and kept it I did- for awhile at least.

Yet another way is to choose something that you are attracted to. Some people take the name of a god/dess, (personally, I don't think taking the name of a deity is the way to go, but that's just my opinion), some people choose a natural object, an animal, stone, etc. If you go this route, you may wanna stay away from the names that are generically associated with Witchcraft, like Raven, Stone, Moon, Silver, Willow. There are LOTS of people out there with these names. Unless you are really sure that that is what you want your name to be, then go with it.

These are just a few ways to find your magickal name, a jumping-off place to point you in the right direction. When you find your name, you'll know. It will resonate with you, deep inside, and you'll know you made the right decision!

Yule by Any Other Name

Webster’s Dictionary defines Yule as: the feast of the nativity of Jesus Christ. Many other dictionary sources cite similar definitions. So, at first glance, Yule doesn’t seem like it would be a holiday for Pagans to celebrate. After all, think of all the Christmas carols that speak of celebrating yuletide, and bringing Yule cheer!

However, Yule wasn’t always associated with Christmas, and the birth of Christ. Prior to the birth of Christ and the development of the Christian religion, many native peoples celebrated a winter holiday that occurred on or near the winter solstice. The winter solstice happens on or around December 21 (20-22) each year. The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year. Most ancient European peoples celebrated this holiday with festivals, each similar to one another, but very different.

The most well-known Pagan winter festival is the festival of Saturnalia- the birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The Romans celebrated this festival with friends and family in homes decked with laurel and holly. Evergreen boughs were brought into the home and decorated temples as a sign of the cycle of life. No criminals were executed during this time, and schools were closed, and the people rested. Good luck gifts were exchanged with friends and family, and the season was a time of goodwill. Parades and processions through the street were very common during Saturnalia.

In the area of Scandinavia, it would be dark for days during the winter months. During this darkness, scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to watch for any sign of the rising sun. Many people would light candles in their windows to help encourage the sun to return. Once the sun returned, the scouts would return to the villages with the good news. A great festival would be held. This festival would be called Yuletide and people would celebrate with bonfires and feast around the Yule log.

The people in the Mesopotamian area celebrated a new year’s festival around the Winter Solstice called Zagmuk. The peoples of Mesopotamia believed in many gods, but above all, they worshipped a chief god, Marduk. They believed that Marduk would do battle with the demons of chaos. During Zagmuk, the people planned to assist Marduk. According to tradition, during this 12 day festival, the King is supposed to die as a sacrifice, and return to fight alongside Marduk. However, instead of the king actually dying, the people would dress up a criminal and treat him as royalty for a day. Then, the criminal was slain, sparing the king, but yet aiding Marduk in his fight.

The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated their festival of Sacaea. Their festival was very similar to Zagmuk. One interesting highlight of Sacaea is that during the festival, masters and slaves would change places. Also celebrating a similar holiday were the Greeks, who made sacrifices to aid the God Kronos, who would be gearing up for battle against Zeus and his Titans.

For many years, Christmas was celebrated on various dates from December to April. In 350 CE, Pope Julius I decreed that the official date of Christ’s birth was December 25. Many scholars disagree, but since 350 CE, Christmas has been celebrated on that date. Even though most people no longer practice the ancient Pagan festivals, the winter traditions of olde are still evident and practiced each holiday season. Next time you see a Christmas tree, a pile of presents, or lit candles in a window, know that these traditions transcend centuries of celebrations.