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ladyj's blog: "My Work of Bordem"

created on 08/20/2010  |  http://fubar.com/my-work-of-bordem/b335427

Wicca Religion

Do you know any Wiccans? If so do you know anything about their religion? Do you already have preconceived ideas on them? This may help clear some things up on them. Wicca is not evil and you may be surprised at what you discover here.

Wicca is a Neopagan religion and is now the form of modern witchcraft. Often referred to as "witchcraft" or "the craft" by followers, who are known as "wiccans" or "witches". The origins of Wicca is disputed in England in the early 20th century. How ever it was first popularized in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner. At the time is was called "witch cult" and "witchcraft", the followers then were called "the wica". In the 1960s the religious name was normalized to Wicca. This religion is typically a duotheistic religion, meaning at least two gods. Wiccan's worship a Goddess and a God, viewed traditionally as the "Triple Goddess" and "Horned God".

The worship of the "Triple Goddess" in the Wiccan belief is a practice that dates back to the mid-twentieth century in England. In this practice they see sexuality, pregnancy, breastfeeding as well as other female reproductive processes as ways to embody their Goddess, thus making the physical body sacred. The "Triple Goddess" consist of the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone, each of which has their own representation. The Maiden represents enchantment, inception, expansion, the promise of new beginnings, birth, youth as well as youthful enthusiasm. The Maiden is represented by the waxing moon. The Mother represents ripeness, fertility, sexuality, fulfillment, stability, power and life. She is represented by the full moon. The Crone represents wisdom, repose, death and endings. She is represented by the waning moon.

The "Horned God" is the male counter part to the "Triple Goddess". He is seen as equal and opposite to her. The "Horned God" can be represented in many different ways. Some of his representations may be the Sun God, the Sacrificed God or the Vegetation God. Wiccans see him as the personification of the life force energy in animals and the wild. The also associate him with the wilderness, virility and the hunt. In the Wiccan belief's the "Horned God" impregnates the Goddess, he then dies during the autumn and winter months, he is then reborn by the Goddess in the spring.

Wicca also involves the practice of magic and rituals, largely influenced by the ceremonial magic of previos centuries. This is often in conjunction with the liberal code of morality, or as some know it the Wiccan Rede. The Wiccan Rede states, "Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, An it harm none do what ye will" (published form of the couplet, quoted from Doreen Valiente in 1964). Keep in mind that not all "witches" follow the Wiccan Rede. Wiccan's also have seasonally based festivals, or as some know them Sabbats. Sabbats usually happen eight times a year. They represent the annual cycle of the Earth's seasons. The term sabbat originated from the Arbahamic faiths and is of Hebrew origin. The festivals themseles have historical origins in both the Celtic and the Germanic pre-Christian feasts. The Wheel of the Year in modern day use is a combination of the two cultures' solstice and equinox celebrations. The wheel represnts the passing of time, or the progression of birth, life, decline and death. Wiccans also view this cycle as the echoing of life, death and rebirth of the Horned God as well as the fertility of their Goddess. In the cyle four of the sabbats fall on the solstices or equinoxes, making them known as "quarter days" or "Lesser Sabbats". The remaing four fall midway beter the "Lesser Sabbats". These are commonly known as "cross-quarter days", "fire festivals" or "Greater Sabbats". The "Lesser Sabbats" get there names from the Germanic festivals, the "Greater Sabbats" on the other hand, are inspired by the Gaelic fire festavals. Keep in mind that not all Pagan groups celebrate the same way, as with any religion. The eight Sabbats are as followed, Samhain, Midwinter, Candlemas, Vernal Equinox, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, and autumnal.

Samhain may also be known as All Hallow's Eve, Last Blood Harvest, Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead or Nos Galan Gaeaf. Samhain is pronounced Sowain and is thought by most Wiccans as the most important of the for "Greater Sabbats". Generally on October 31 and in the Northern Hemisphere, it starts at sundown. Some Wiccans see this Sabbat as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on. This often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of their faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have passed on. In many rituals, the spirits of their departed are invited to attend the festivities. Samhain is a festival of darkness and is balanced at the other end of the wheel by the spring festival of Beltane.

Beltane may also be known as Beltaine, May Day, Gwyl Galan Mai. This is another of the "Great Sabbats". This holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, for example wiccans may use bonfires. This bears more of a relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both is which in its significance, focusing on fertility, and its rituals, like maypole dancing. Some wiccans, although not all, may celebrate "High Beltaine", this is done by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady, also known as their "Triple Goddess" and their "Horn God".
Midwinter may also be called Yule, Cuidle, Alban Arthan, Winter Rite, Mothers Night, Gwyl Galan Gaeaf. Most Wiccan traditions celebrate this holiday as the rebirth of the Great God. The Great God is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. The way this Sabbat is celebrated varies by coven or individual practitioner, for example, some have private ceremonies at home, where as others hold coven celebrations.

Candlemas you may know as Imbolc, Oimelc, Brigit, Brigid's Day, Brigantia, or as Gwyl Ganol y Gwanwyn. This is also one of the "Greater Sabbats", it is celebrated on febuary first and second. Candlemas is the traditional time for initiations, among the Dianic Wiccans. Although among the reclaiming-style Wiccans, candlemas is considered a traditional time for rededication and pledges for the coming year.

Midsummer may also be known as Litha, Samradh, Alban Hefin, Aerra Litha or Gwyl Ganol yr Haf. This holiday is also one of the "Greater Sabbats" and is thought of as the turning point in which summer reaches its height and the sun shines the longest. In the Wiccan sabbats Midsummer is proceded by the Beltane, and by the Lammas. This festival is sometimes called Litha, which means geltle or navigable. Midsummer corresponds to June and July, and is sometimes thought of as Litha because in both these months the breezes are gental.

You may know Lammas as Lughnasadh, First Harvestm Bread Harvest, Festival of First Fruits, or Gwyl Galan Awst. This festival is the first of the three autum harvest festivals. The other two are Autum equinox and Samhain. Some mark the holiday by baking a figure of the God the bread, then symbolically sacrificing and eating it. Keep in mind that these celebrations are not based on Celtic culture, despite common use of the Celtic name Lughnasadh. The Celtic name seems to have been a late adoption by Wiccans, In early versions of Wiccan literature the festival is referred to as "August Eve". The word Lammas implies an agrarian-based festival and feast. As a thanksgiving for grain and bread, which symbollizes the first fruits of the harvest. Some Wiccans may incorporate elments from either festival.

Autumnal Equinox Sabbat may also be known as Mabon, Foghar, Alban Elfed, Haevest Home, Second Harvest, Fruit Harvest, Wine Harveast or Gwyl Ganol yr Hydref. This Sabbat occurs in the Nothern hemisohere anywhere between September 21 to the 24. In the Southern hemisphere it occurs anywhere betweeen March 18 to the 22. This festival is a thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth. It is also a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of their Goddess and God during the winter months. Autumnal Equinox is the second harvest of the three harvest festivals, it is preceded by Lammas and Samhain.

So as you can see Wicca is just like any other religion. Wiccans have holidays, Gods, and beliefs. Do all religions not have these? With what you have read here, maybe your minds have been opened. Take a chance and get to know some Wiccans, they may surprise you with what they know about your beliefs. Remember, do not judge others, for you are not God, and as always, do unto others as you would have done to you.

The Whispered Voice

She dropped down to her knees,
hands fisted in the grass.
Sobbing out in heartache,
silently screaming "why god why?!?"

Off in the distance,
comes a whispered reply,
"My child its a trial,
trust in me your safe and sound"

She sits back and wonders,
where everyone has gone.
She ask her self aloud,
"why am I all alone?"

Again off in the distance,
comes to her a whispered reply.
"My child you are never alone,
I will forever be at your side."

She closes her eyes,
and words a silent plea.
"Why now lord,
why him and not me?"

The voice still gental,
comes whispering through.
"Because my child,
your payment isnt due."

She lays her head to rest,
drifting off to sleep.
Hearing the last of the voice,
whispered in the breeze.

"Rest for now my child,
remember your never alone.
I am always with you,
through the love in your home."

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