Wicca - Tradition which one are you

[Ankesanmun]

I have noticed that among you there are many 'witches'. I myself could be called a witch. I am initiated member of a Coven and High Priestess of a Temple. As you have now all gathered form my posts I am Egyptian inclinded. I am the High Priestess of Sekhmet.

I would love for those mentioned to tell me a little more about yourselfs, which coven you belong to if you indeed follow the path of the coven member, or if you are solitary, what tradition you follow if you follow any and if not are you eclectic.

[Blackjaguarkat]

I'm a solitary practinor. I'm eclectic also. I follow the Egyptian Pantheon and worship Bast. I'm currently teaching myself to write in hyroglphys, which is harder than hell. The book I am useing is "How to read Egyptian Hieroglyphs" by Mark Collier and Bill Manley. It's a very good book. Anyways back on subject, I also worship Isis. I also pay homage to the Jaguar god of the Mayans. I have had several dreams of the Jaguar god in them. I would love to learn about Sekhmet from you. :wavey:

[Ben]

I myself am an eclectic witch, who follows the Earth Mother & the Sky Father (or Gaia & the Horned God) . I follow primarily a mixture of wicca & shamanism. As my wife is a kitchen witch, I'm influenced by that as well.

[LV426]

Wicca, although the old word for witchcraft has now been turned into a particular religious practice. They have defined rituals, spells, and other practices that they adhere to as well as a written creed and guideline. So when you tell someone you are wiccan, a witch, and specialize in Egyptian practices, technically you are incorrect. Another note is that Egyptian religion is rather removed from witchcraft, especially european witchcraft from which wicca was taken from.

Now you can easily say that you follow egyptian traditions and customs, and religious creeds but their is a hierarchy that took place in the egyptian religion and not everyone could be a priestess or a high priestess. I don't mind you exxpressing your believes in a particular religion but to claim that you are a high priestess of a currently unpracticed religion is rather absurd. Without other people to participate in the rituals and religion there is no way to acend to the rank of a high priestess and it takes more than 5 or 6 people to do so. Self proclaimed High Priestesses are rather like self proclaimed experts, they blow smoke up other people's asses to make themselves look important.


Also one little point among all of the eclectic practitioners out there, if you can't spell, your incantations will blow up in your face.

[DarkWolf]

Once again, I'm in full agreement with LycanthropicHowl.

[Tempest]

I am an eclectic Shamanic Wiccan.
Wicca, although the old word for witchcraft has now been turned into a particular religious practice.
Actually, wicca or wicce is taken from the Old English word meaning "wise one." Witchcraft is not a religion. It doesn't recognize any particular deity and doesn't have an organized system of belief. Wicca does. Witchcraft is a practice. Wicca is a religion.

Without other people to participate in the rituals and religion there is no way to acend to the rank of a high priestess and it takes more than 5 or 6 people to do so. Self proclaimed High Priestesses are rather like self proclaimed experts, they blow smoke up other people's asses to make themselves look important.
High Priests and Priestesses are not Wiccan experts. Sure, some may claim they are, but that has nothing to do with the religion. It has to do with the person. A High Priest/ess does not have to be recognized by anyone else. Nor does s/he have to be proclaimed one by another person. It is only to show that s/he has studied Wiccan beliefs and has become one with the God and Goddess. Since when do you need someone else to agree that you have studied and are one?

Also one little point among all of the eclectic practitioners out there, if you can't spell your incantations will blow up in your face.
If you are going to be so picky about spelling, you should proofread your own posts.

[DarkWolf]

Gaia & the Horned God

I didn't see this, so sorry for double-post, it's just easier.

Gaia and the Horned God? Uranus wasn't a horned God, he was Titan of the Sky. Gaia and Uranus were mother and father of Chronus and the titans, and she was also the mother to the Cyclops who later helped Zeus and fashioned the lightning bolt.

Greek Mythology: look it up.

[Hellcat]

I am an eclectic Shamanic Wiccan.


I am an eccentric shambolic Toucan ;)

Sorry I couldn't help myself! No offence intended, it was a comment born of ignorance. Could you please fill me in on the eclectic bit here, what the hell does that mean?

[LV426]

High Priests and Priestesses are not Wiccan experts. Sure, some may claim they are, but that has nothing to do with the religion. It has to do with the person. A High Priest/ess does not have to be recognized by anyone else. Nor does s/he have to be proclaimed one by another person. It is only to show that s/he has studied Wiccan beliefs and has become one with the God and Goddess. Since when do you need someone else to agree that you have studied and are one?


If you are going to be so picky about spelling, you should proofread your own posts.
First off if you had read her post she said she was an egyptian high priestess of Sekhmet. Now there are rituals that have to be followed to become such. She isn't wiccan and she doesn't practice witchcraft she said she was a highpriestess of Sekhmet. Self procaimed I might add because the priestesses and priests of sekhmet had to undergo certain rituals and rites in order to ascend in level from an initiate to a priestess and then high priestess which can only be bestowed by another High Priestess as she resigns.

Now I never said that witchcraft was a religion, I said that Wicca has become a stylized religion. Maybe you need to learn to read.

And as for spelling, I have very few spelling errors in my posts and most of those are actually typographical errors and not actual spelling errors. I proofread my posts but occassionally one slips by, however there are others here who continuously misspell words and have no clue that they are wrong. It isn't a typo it is illiteracy.

[McKitty]

I'm of no religion nor am I of a coven or anything of that kind. I follow my own path and ask the deities that at that moment in time will help me in the path I'm currently going down.

I can't call myself Wiccan or a Witch because I don't use spells, I use more of meditation and chants and herbs (I've studied greatly in the usage of plants and would not do anything stupid to harm myself, so I hope to kill that arguement now, I am not an expert, but I'm not a novice as well and NO I do not ingest anything) so to say I'm a witch ....no. I'd rather call myself a Hedgewoman or something in that line.

And for those who do know of my cultural background, yes, I AM Jewish and no, you do not have to be religious to be Jewish.

[DarkWolf]

I am an eccentric shambolic Toucan ;)

Sorry I couldn't help myself! No offence intended, it was a comment born of ignorance. Could you please fill me in on the eclectic bit here, what the hell does that mean?
Eclectic, it means you take out specific elements from other areas of the same subject and use that to form a collection which you stick to.

[Ankesanmun]

Wicca is a blanket term for many other paths and that is why we can say that All witches are wiccans but not all wiccans are witches. In many cases you will have people refering to themselves as Wiccan because they see the "witch" as derogatory even the word pagan is looked upon the same fasion. Now the word Pagan comes form two Latin words which are "Pagani" meaning country side or "Pagus" meaning rural.

If you look at the Teutonic branch of wicca you will find that they prefer to call themselves "Heathens" instead of pagan. Now the word heathen is taken form the heath as it was in old days most things where done around the heath or hearth.

Wicca is truly very diverse. Yet there is a strand of recognition through all religions which make them connect in one way or the other.

[Ankesanmun]

LycanthropicHowl - You know, ever since I came to this board you have been out to demean my posts regardless of what is said in them.

I will have you know that the Kemetic faith is alive and well and being practiced by many. if you read what I said in my opening statement, which I will now have to explain in detail, I am a member of a Coven now let us explore this shall we: A Coven is a group of people that have come together to celebrate which ever practice of faith they belong to therefore we will call the coven (eclectic). I am a member of this coven. Also I am a practitioner of the Kemetic faith. I have gone through all the initiation procedures which has been done by the members of the faith (Kemetic). I really do not know where you fall out but I can see that you know little to nothing about witchcraft, or paganism.

I will point out that I am a teacher in the coven and my knowledge on the pagan front is rather extensive and the last time I checked the post was meant for those who actually practice. This post was not opened for discrimination. And before you start pointing out how we are inferior regarding your "extensive knowledge" and wise comments pls make sure that you have at least 13 years of study behind you.

If you do not know enough of the a subject pls refrain form adding your opinion. There are many topics that I do not know enough of to form an opinion and therefore I keep my mouth shut. You, I would say suffer from foot in mouth disease, you open your mouth to replace the one foot with the other.

[kat]

Ankesanmun, don't worry yourself. She doesn't focus only on you. She's like that with everyone's postings. If she sees something wrong or inane, she's going to respond to it.

[Ender]

If you don't give her misspelling fodder, she's not to bad. :D

[MorganaFang]

Touchy touchy subject, I consider myself one of the oldest meaning of wicca. Acknowledging one's own death before all the cycles have passed.
I also believe in the great spirit but not in sense of most wiccan practices. Hence I no longer consider my self a wiccan from that stand point. Simply because I choose to believe that gender is irrelivant with a devine spirit. However, it was the creation of gender (the spilting of the spirit) that caused chaos that caused our birth. So the great spirit resides in us all. blah blah... Sounds a little like Final fantasy but it is what makes sense to me so :P :rolleyes:

[LV426]

LycanthropicHowl - You know, ever since I came to this board you have been out to demean my posts regardless of what is said in them.

I will have you know that the Kemetic faith is alive and well and being practiced by many. if you read what I said in my opening statement, which I will now have to explain in detail, I am a member of a Coven now let us explore this shall we: A Coven is a group of people that have come together to celebrate which ever practice of faith they belong to therefore we will call the coven (eclectic). I am a member of this coven. Also I am a practitioner of the Kemetic faith. I have gone through all the initiation procedures which has been done by the members of the faith (Kemetic). I really do not know where you fall out but I can see that you know little to nothing about witchcraft, or paganism.

I will point out that I am a teacher in the coven and my knowledge on the pagan front is rather extensive and the last time I checked the post was meant for those who actually practice. This post was not opened for discrimination. And before you start pointing out how we are inferior regarding your "extensive knowledge" and wise comments pls make sure that you have at least 13 years of study behind you.

If you do not know enough of the a subject pls refrain form adding your opinion. There are many topics that I do not know enough of to form an opinion and therefore I keep my mouth shut. You, I would say suffer from foot in mouth disease, you open your mouth to replace the one foot with the other.
And you are still the self proclaimed High Priestess of nothing.

Now then let us explore this blanket term of Wicca and Witchcraft. I would have done this sooner but I had to go into work.

We'll start with the word Wicca. It's an old english word that meant wise woman or sage, as stated before, but then became the word for witch, wizard or sorceror. Now the wise old women that were termed witches were usually herbalists and the poor man's apothecary. They were usually in rural areas and they lived alone and grew or gathered herbs and plants to distribute medicine, perform midwifery, or tend to the sick and infirm. Eventually as christianity moved into the picture some of these witches were seen as evil and makers of spells and curses. And so the old women began to practice their ways in secret. They were naturalists, and keepers of the forests in some cases. People would seek their help in times of need but mostly these practioners became feared and associated with black magic. A fear which has carried over into today's times.

Now currently Wicca is a form of religion. It was developed by Gerald B. Gardner after he supposedly discovered a Book of Shadows used by an early coven of witches and wise-women. He claimed that it was missing parts and that there were many gaps and so he filled in the banks by utilizing his discoveries of the early practitioners. So today there is no real record of the exact practices of the early witches and wizzards, there is only the somehwat restored version that Mr. Gardner and later Margaret Murray and Richard Graves, assembled together from their studies in the early practices of pagans in Europe.

In 1951 Gardener declared himself a witch publicly and only because at that time the anti-witchcraft laws of Britain had been repealed. Gardener began to gather a group of friends and students into the first publicly known coven and so wicca was officially born as a religion.

In 1962 two of his students emmigrated to the United States and set up their own coven and began teaching wicca according to Gardner. With the publishing of Gardners discoveries and teachings more and more covens and practitioners began to show and before long witchcraft and wicca was becoming an almost household name. In some cases it was not a good household name. It was opposed most vehemently by the catholic church and most christian denominations. It was called satanic worship, and demon calling.

In 1975 a great breakthrough was accomplished in the form of The Covenant of the Goddess. CoG was formed officially and registered as a church which gained them the rights and legalities bestowed upon other churches and religions. It was recognized as incoporporated in California and is registered with the IRS. As of yet CoG is the largest single public Wiccan organization and they offer more than just structural wiccan practices but accept all pagans and any other denominations within their doors.

Wiccan's do not have complex structures of rituals but base it mostly on personal beliefs and individuality. There are some basic rituals that are more to acclimate one to the observances and rites of the religion. Usually the wiccans recognize the goddess and the hornedgod as equal and opposite entities. They are more nature oriented and harmony is their main goal. Most Wiccan groups also practice magic, by which they mean the direction and use of "psychic energy," those natural but invisible forces which surround all living things. Some members spell the word "magick," to distinguish it from sleight of hand entertainments. Wiccans employ such means as dance, chant, creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and direct psychic energy for the purpose of healing, protecting and aiding members in various endeavors.

Wiccans possess a certain morality or code of ethics in the Wiccan Rede. This is an all encompassing belief that serves much like the 10 commandments of christians but is much simpler. "An it harm none" is the main focus of everything that a wiccan does. However some recent modifications have been made to this rede to be "An it harm none needlessly". Even wiccans realize that some harm is needed for survival.

It needs to be stated that according to these beliefs not all wiccans are witches, and certainly not all witches are wiccan.


Let us move on to witchcraft.

Historically witchcraft was not a religion. It was a practice somewhat like that of science. Spells and potions, conjurings, exploration of the world around you and seeking to control it and make nature and the outer spheres do your bidding. Sounds a bit like science doesn't it. Witchcraft was not just for witches but sorcerors and wizards, and warlocks. There was no evil intent although I do believe that many of the spells and incantations were born of greed and the desire for power. Witchcraft was just a human conducting experiments and attempting to force his or her will upon the natural environment to cause favorable or unfavorable reactions upon individuals or the world around them. Misunderstanding led to many of these early scientists to be thought of as evil, satanic, and demon worshippers. These practitioners of witchcraft usually stayed away from people in order to concentrate more on their goals. they made discoveries that were startling and frightening to the common folk. These witches, warlocks, sorcerors, and magicians used their talents to better their lives or those around them and although some used chicanery on the less informed folk they were hardly evil demon worshipping monsters.

Today Witchcraft (with the capital W) has become somewhat of a religion. There is no formal structure or defined pantheon of gods and goddesses for their worship, there is no coven to be called to perform rituals on every pagan holiday (unless one chooses to join or develop one), and there are no creeds to follow. Witchcraft today is comprised of individuals which do not follow the wiccan ways of religion but choose an alternate path that suits themselves. They can still be called witches, warlocks, and sorcerors, but there is no definition to their beliefs. The beliefs are personal for each individual and the spells and incantations and rites are either passed on through other witches or simply devised by the practitioner of thw Witchcraft.

Basically wiccans, witches, and others, are considered pagans.

Pagans are considered those who are not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion. (Multi god)

I would continue but I have to actually do some work so I shall add more later.

[Ender]

?* - Learn to puncuate :p

[MorganaFang]

?* - Learn to puncuate :p

puncuate?

[Tempest]

Maybe you need to learn to read.
If I didn't know how to read I wouldn't be here, would I?

And as for spelling, I have very few spelling errors in my posts and most of those are actually typographical errors and not actual spelling errors. I proofread my posts but occassionally one slips by, however there are others here who continuously misspell words and have no clue that they are wrong. It isn't a typo it is illiteracy.
Understood. However, I do not think is is your place to decide who doesn't know how to spell and who doesn't know how to type.

Wicca is a blanket term for many other paths and that is why we can say that All witches are wiccans but not all wiccans are witches...I will point out that I am a teacher in the coven and my knowledge on the pagan front is rather extensive...
We do not say this. We say, Not all Wiccans are witches, and not all witches are Wiccans. It's like a Ven diagram. Witches on one side, Wiccans on the other. They cross in the middle. The middle is Wiccan witches. You can be a Jewish witch, a Christain witch, an atheist witch. You can also be a Wiccan witch. But you don't have to be. Apparently you have not studied as in depth as you claim to, since a 15-year-old just out-smarted you.

[MorganaFang]

We do not say this. We say, Not all Wiccans are witches, and not all witches are Wiccans.
So far that has been the closest to right if there can even be a "right" in this conversation.

I'm not qualified philosopher and I've only been studying wicca for nearly ten years. Which is considerably weird to many because I'm only 18. In other words for some of you that may make my opinions on the matter invalid because I was looking at wicca with a very juvenile eye at the age of 8. Ok, whatever I won't argue simply because this is the internet and it is hard to prove or disproove anything. In ways of religion and spirituality it can be even harder simply because there can be no one right unless one person truly believes there is. Course that isn't the case for everyone. One believes one thing is true and another believes there isn't anything. Basically what I'm trying to get at is wicca, witches, priets, prietess and gods are all what YOU (the individual) make if out to be.

To take everything literally, no there isn't a real egyptian sanction of wicca because wicca is a Eurasian term and that originally wicca had nothing to do with being a witch thats something that ghost stories made it out to be because originally wicca was a term used for old women who went beyond their all their cycles and served no other person than to be a wise council to other women. Wicca turned into witch because in the male world old women were undesirable and always had "advice" for younger women that weren't favorable to men. So men branded wicca as evil.

But then again I've only read this in books and heard about it through stories from old women. I was never there I wouldn't know if any of this is true. I just believe it is because it makes the most sense to me.

[Hellcat]

We do not say this. We say, Not all Wiccans are witches, and not all witches are Wiccans. It's like a Ven diagram. Witches on one side, Wiccans on the other. They cross in the middle. The middle is Wiccan witches. You can be a Jewish witch, a Christain witch, an atheist witch. You can also be a Wiccan witch. But you don't have to be. Apparently you have not studied as in depth as you claim to, since a 15-year-old just out-smarted you.

Yeah i agree with the 'not all witches are Wiccans' (and vice versa thing) to say that all witches are Wiccans is like saying that all trust worthy people are Christians. A Christian once told me I was more christian than most christian, because I was trust worthy. I found this extremly insulting. I'm sure my witch friend wouldn't be too happy to be refered to as Wiccan, when she follows the belief of 1 asexual god. Me, I don't believe in God or Godess, I believe in Nature. Some might prefer to call it mother nature and thus some form of godess- to me it's not an intellictual entity that created existence, it was some incredible, highly improbable phenomenon- like the chances of one thousand monkeys (or whatever) sat in front of a type writer- One day one of them will type out a Shakespeare piece

[Ben]

I didn't see this, so sorry for double-post, it's just easier.

Gaia and the Horned God? Uranus wasn't a horned God, he was Titan of the Sky. Gaia and Uranus were mother and father of Chronus and the titans, and she was also the mother to the Cyclops who later helped Zeus and fashioned the lightning bolt.

Greek Mythology: look it up.

Dark Wolf,
I know who Uranus is...that's why I didn't name him. I'm sure, that I've read more mythology, and for longer then you have. Gaia's name now crosses many belief structures and has come to represent the Earth Goddess who gives birth to & marries the Horned God/Sky Father/Sun God.

Maybe this will clarify things, by not using names (which really aren't that important). I believe in a dualistic religion, with male & female divinity. There is an Earth Goddess who gives birth too and marries the Celestial Father. The Celestial Father is sacrificed and reigns in the land of the dead until his rebirth at Yule. Thus the cycle of birth, death, rebirth.

[Darth Cluich]

I'm sure, that I've read more mythology, and for longer then you have.


Oooooh...Ben's read more books than you have, DW. Too bad he can't process the information properly...

[DarkWolf]

Dark Wolf,
I know who Uranus is...that's why I didn't name him. I'm sure, that I've read more mythology, and for longer then you have. Gaia's name now crosses many belief structures and has come to represent the Earth Goddess who gives birth to & marries the Horned God/Sky Father/Sun God.

Maybe this will clarify things, by not using names (which really aren't that important). I believe in a dualistic religion, with male & female divinity. There is an Earth Goddess who gives birth too and marries the Celestial Father. The Celestial Father is sacrificed and reigns in the land of the dead until his rebirth at Yule. Thus the cycle of birth, death, rebirth.
I strongly doubt you have read more, and as Cluich has said, maybe you have, but you obviously fail to read/process information properly.

Gaia/Gaea/Ge came from Greek Mythology first, one of the three Goddesses of Greek Mythology who were worshipped by Witches. Originally, Gaia bore, and married, Uranus the Titan of the Sky. Through him bore Titans. One titan being Cronus who later defeated Uranus and became the King of Titans: ruler of all. Zeus later defeated him.. blah blah blah...

Gaia is from Greek Mythology, started from it, and is the only "true" version of the Gaia variations. I don't care about later traditions, they're mostly rewrites and a story rewritten too many times eventually starts deviating from the original story.

Gaia did not bear a Horned God, or a Sky God. She bore a Sky Titan: there's a difference. If you had read more on it than me, you should know that.

If using as a metaphor, get the metaphor right.

[McKitty]

You know, I could have sworn Gaia wedded Neptune after Uranus tossed his 'deformed children' (the hundred-armed gods and the cyclops) into Tartarus and Nepture was his replacement after Cronus killed Uranus. And when Poesidon (spelling is off, I know) became 'of age', Neptune stepped down and allowed our favorite Sea God to rule. :shrug: But I could be wrong.

Ben, no one here really gives a rat's butt if you've read more books. I've studied mythology since the tender age of five ((called bedtime stories read by my Granny)) and Darkwolf's had some information that's been entirely new to me, as I'm sure some of my stuff is new and unknown to him. Grow up, build a bridge, and get over it.

[DarkWolf]

You know, I could have sworn Gaia wedded Neptune after Uranus tossed his 'deformed children' (the hundred-armed gods and the cyclops) into Tartarus and Nepture was his replacement after Cronus killed Uranus. And when Poesidon (spelling is off, I know) became 'of age', Neptune stepped down and allowed our favorite Sea God to rule. But I could be wrong.

First I've heard. Maybe that's the roman version? The Romans basically stole Greek Mythology Deities and changed their names. Ares to Mars, Aphrodite to Venus, Zeus to Jupiter/Jove, Hera to Juno, Hades to Pluto, Poseidon to Neptune, Hermes to Mercury, Artemis to Diana, even Hercules to Heracles. I think, and this is only my assumption, that back then when Rome was often getting foreigners visiting freely, some practiced their beliefs but to avoid any prejudice they altered those beliefs to become "Roman" (possibly the origin of the saying: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'). Still it is just a theory.

Anyway, for any interested this is basically the story of how Gods came about. For more discussion on this I suggest making a new thread or PMing me:

Although worshipped as a Goddess, the deity Gaia was originally a Titan: the embodiment of certain things. Titans had no human form, only a monstrous animal form and the form of their dominion: The Moon, the Ocean, the Mountains, the Elements... were all titans. Two powerful titans: Earth and Sky mixed together to form this Race. Earth also later formed the race of Cyclops: giant beasts with only one eye.

One titan born was Chronos, a fearsome titan of time who wielded a great sickle with which to cut the sky itself. With this weapon and his dominion of Time Chronos appointed himself ruler. However, Sky later declared that a child born of Chronos shall repeat history: defeat the father and claim rule. Chronos scoffed at this, but as he slept he was visited by the Fates in his dreams which said the same thing. When his wife announced she would soon bear child, Chronos feared for his throne. When the child was born, he swallowed it whole. In total he swallowed five children. When his wife was pregnant again, she bore the child in secret, not wishing to lose another, and hid the son, Zeus, with the Muses, deities ruling over the arts that would later be bestowed to mankind. When Chronos demanded his newest son to swallow, his wife bundled a large rock and handed it to Chronos. In haste Chronos swallowed the bundle, thinking it was his son.

As the years rolled by Zeus soon became an adult, educated by the Muses. He sought to avenge his five siblings. There was also something different about Zeus: He wasn't a Titan. Instead he was a God, a human-like creature. He visited his mother and she gave him Chronos's sickle. As Chronos returned home, Zeus sprung his attack, striking Chronos and opening up his belly. From this bellow their fell the rock he had swallowed, which landed at Delphi and became a tourist attraction in the modern age. Also out of Chronos's belly came two men and three women: the adult forms of Zeus's five siblings. They too were Gods.

The Gods declared war on the Titans, for all titans held anger and dominance over the lands. The Cyclops race also aided the Gods, and fashioned for Zeus the lightning bolt which became Zeus's trademark offence. The war waged for many years before the Gods finally won. Knowing the Titans could not be killed: they were Immortal, and knowing no prison of Earth could keep them for too long, Zeus locked the Titans away in Tartarus: the Land of the Dead.

With this victory in hand, Zeus divided the land between him and his two brothers. Zeus ruled the skies and the earth, and Poseidon became the ruler of the seas. Hades was appointed ruler of Tartarus.

Not all Titans fought in the war, one such titan was Prometheus, the most important figure in Greek Mythology as he was the creator of mankind. The story of him I mentioned in the "for all you Christians" thread.

Fascinating, eh? :) I love Greek Mythology, mostly the deities and creatures.

Speaking of Greek Mythology and witches, Hecate is prominent figure in witchcraft and was a Greek goddess. She wasn't the nicest of the three though, and minions of hers were called Empusai, female vampiric creatures that would, on her command, rise from Tartarus to devour men in the fields.

Great mythology and a great language I think... I should have been greek not boring british.

[Hellcat]

Dark Wolf,
I know who Uranus is...that's why I didn't name him. I'm sure, that I've read more mythology, and for longer then you have. Gaia's name now crosses many belief structures and has come to represent the Earth Goddess who gives birth to & marries the Horned God/Sky Father/Sun God.

Maybe this will clarify things, by not using names (which really aren't that important). I believe in a dualistic religion, with male & female divinity. There is an Earth Goddess who gives birth too and marries the Celestial Father. The Celestial Father is sacrificed and reigns in the land of the dead until his rebirth at Yule. Thus the cycle of birth, death, rebirth.


Yeah, lets all count the books we've all read on mythology- he/she who has read the most will be champion mythology reader and will win a trophy- unfortunately, the title of the 'most educated person on the subject' will have to be given to the most educated person on the subject- NOT to the person who has read the most books about it.

Lemme see now- I've read 2 books on Mythology (but I skipped several pages because Gods bore me and I wanted mythology that involved unicorns, peguses and dragons..also the books didn't have pictures ;) )

[Sorrowsong]

I have noticed that among you there are many 'witches'. I myself could be called a witch. I am initiated member of a Coven and High Priestess of a Temple. As you have now all gathered form my posts I am Egyptian inclinded. I am the High Priestess of Sekhmet.

I would love for those mentioned to tell me a little more about yourselfs, which coven you belong to if you indeed follow the path of the coven member, or if you are solitary, what tradition you follow if you follow any and if not are you eclectic.

Man, it still amuses me how people get so off topic on these things. Everytime I see someone asking a question like this, there's some explosive debate following. Blah, I don't really believe there are exact black and white facts about how each religion is, regardless to however old or new they are. People have different views, that's just the way it is. It's a waste of time to argue over whose religion is right, although I still find it entertaining to watch. It's a sadistic habit of mine to watch somebody lose in these arguments. And now that I've said that, I will have people attacking me for it. :buttrock:

And without further adieu, I will satisfy Ankesanmun's curiousity! After dropping the christian religion(and becoming slightly anti-christian... no, I don't burn bibles.) I searched for other religions. I went from being a satanist, to wiccan, to agnostic, to athiest, then just picking and choosing different ideas I liked from each religion and sticking with them. I don't trust deities, so I consider myself an athiest in that aspect. However, I do believe in familiars, and I occasionally practice witchcraft. I hesitate to label myself a witch, for I am far from being an expert in that area, if there is even such a thing. I trust in Nature, however. Though I don't think it is some 'spiritual thing that is inside of everything', but just what you see when you enter a non-human-made environment, what you feel. I could go on forever about this, but I'm just too lazy to.

[Ankesanmun]

Man, it still amuses me how people get so off topic on these things. Everytime I see someone asking a question like this, there's some explosive debate following. Blah, I don't really believe there are exact black and white facts about how each religion is, regardless to however old or new they are. People have different views, that's just the way it is. It's a waste of time to argue over whose religion is right, although I still find it entertaining to watch. It's a sadistic habit of mine to watch somebody lose in these arguments. And now that I've said that, I will have people attacking me for it. :buttrock:

And without further adieu, I will satisfy Ankesanmun's curiousity! After dropping the christian religion(and becoming slightly anti-christian... no, I don't burn bibles.) I searched for other religions. I went from being a satanist, to wiccan, to agnostic, to athiest, then just picking and choosing different ideas I liked from each religion and sticking with them. I don't trust deities, so I consider myself an athiest in that aspect. However, I do believe in familiars, and I occasionally practice witchcraft. I hesitate to label myself a witch, for I am far from being an expert in that area, if there is even such a thing. I trust in Nature, however. Though I don't think it is some 'spiritual thing that is inside of everything', but just what you see when you enter a non-human-made environment, what you feel. I could go on forever about this, but I'm just too lazy to.

Well finaly there is someone and a few others who spared me the right and the wrong of my believe system. Well taking what you feel is right for you does work for some people. Ultimatly you have to find what works for you.
;)

[Kirin Fenrir]

I'd just like to mention that I'm the ordained High Preist of the Kirinites, a earth based religion started in the early 80's by our heavenly celestrial dietys, Lady Gaia and Captain Planet. I've studied the art of Kirinism for about 10 years now, and I assure you of my vast cartoo...I mean, literary knowledge on the subject.

Please allow me to lead you in our holy prayer.

Captain Planet, he's our hero
Gonna take pollution down to zero.
Merry meet, and blessed be,
Amen

:rolleyes:

[Hellcat]

I'd just like to mention that I'm the ordained High Preist of the Kirinites, a earth based religion started in the early 80's by our heavenly celestrial dietys, Lady Gaia and Captain Planet. I've studied the art of Kirinism for about 10 years now, and I assure you of my vast cartoo...I mean, literary knowledge on the subject.

Please allow me to lead you in our holy prayer.

Captain Planet, he's our hero
Gonna take pollution down to zero.
Merry meet, and blessed be,
Amen

:rolleyes:

You forgot to mention the thundercats and that sadistic bastard Mumra

[Kirin Fenrir]

You blasphemer! Planeteers, quickly!


Fire!
Earth!
Wind!
Water!
Heart!

CAPTAIN PLANET!

[Darth Cluich]

You forgot to mention the thundercats and that sadistic bastard Mumra

ALL MUST BOW DOWN BEFORE MUMRA, THE EVER-LIVING!!! :notworthy

[Ankesanmun]

Could we pls stick to the topic.

Thank you

[blueeyes]

It's not out of topic for someone to use satire. They are attempting to show you what you sound like to them. Take a third person stance and look at what you're saying, and you'll see what they mean.

The main issue here, despite what you'd think, is not the sanctity of your or any religion. We're all intelligent enough to know that we know nothing about the truth of religion. So far, JRL hasn't come down and said that you will burn in hell, while no one has given an essay on the 'errors of your ways'.
The issue is that you seem to have a deal of less-than-accurate information about your religion. At best, the arguement for your defense is inaccuracy of your words, which doesn't say anything for your intelligence. To be vague is to leave your guard down. Most of the time it seems more that you only act from common, everyday, bastardized versions of myths. Like a werewolf who runs on Hollywood physics, you sound like smoke and mirrors and fake fur to someone who has read the books. There, DarkWolf and LycanthropicHowl have an advantage; simply due to the processes of time and good memories, they can tell if you are reciting from something you don't quite remember or making something up. To them, and likely to any other expert, you seem like nothing more than a teenager trying to get attention through an obviously abstract topic.
Either read LycanthropicHowl's "History of Misunderstanding" and think if your actions are anything other than reactionary in respect to your previous beliefs, or make sure your information is as accurate as can be before posting it or don't post it.

[Kirin Fenrir]

Blueeyes has taken the words from my mouth. In short, you are not a high priestess because you say you are, otherwise we all could be.

[Wraywolf]

Really? I wanna be a high priestess too! Do I get any of those sparkly gowns and staves and neck jewelry??

All bow before Wray, the mighty High Priestess with extremely hairy legs!

[Hellcat]

ALL MUST BOW DOWN BEFORE MUMRA, THE EVER-LIVING!!! :notworthy


No way am I gonna worship YOUR mummy, Skeletor is the greater (sadistic) God, MWHAHAHAHA bow down ye all in the direction of castle Grey Skull, Hail the Mighty Skeleton and the bringer of Doomed schemes, sacrifice that balsphemis He-Man (and Captain Planet, with all his pathetic little followers) on the altar of bones MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Hellcat]

Really? I wanna be a high priestess too! Do I get any of those sparkly gowns and staves and neck jewelry??

All bow before Wray, the mighty High Priestess with extremely hairy legs!


Hail Wray, the self proclaimed Hairy High priestess of wolfbuttism, gather ye all and bless her..er his furry toes, sniff his furry butt (but not to much, s/he might start liking it :D)

[Ankesanmun]

It's not out of topic for someone to use satire. They are attempting to show you what you sound like to them. Take a third person stance and look at what you're saying, and you'll see what they mean.

The main issue here, despite what you'd think, is not the sanctity of your or any religion. We're all intelligent enough to know that we know nothing about the truth of religion. So far, JRL hasn't come down and said that you will burn in hell, while no one has given an essay on the 'errors of your ways'.
The issue is that you seem to have a deal of less-than-accurate information about your religion. At best, the arguement for your defense is inaccuracy of your words, which doesn't say anything for your intelligence. To be vague is to leave your guard down. Most of the time it seems more that you only act from common, everyday, bastardized versions of myths. Like a werewolf who runs on Hollywood physics, you sound like smoke and mirrors and fake fur to someone who has read the books. There, DarkWolf and LycanthropicHowl have an advantage; simply due to the processes of time and good memories, they can tell if you are reciting from something you don't quite remember or making something up. To them, and likely to any other expert, you seem like nothing more than a teenager trying to get attention through an obviously abstract topic.
Either read LycanthropicHowl's "History of Misunderstanding" and think if your actions are anything other than reactionary in respect to your previous beliefs, or make sure your information is as accurate as can be before posting it or don't post it.

Well I will take it form where it comes, and bite my tongue. As form my age I am 26. I find it strange that there are a few people who do act like they are divinity. The reason why I chose to come to this place, is I find it interesting and informative. Now I will tell you something about the first person. I showed someone from the Coven that I teach in, this site. And I have to qoute him on this "it is like a bunch of roleplayers for White Wolf has been let loose on the world..." I was shocked to here this form a fellow witch, I did not come here to be judged and nor did I come here to judge others, my belief system is very important to me. I do act as if my religion is the only way. This post was opened with in the view that I would like to find out about other peoples beliefs, I will not stand down on my position of authority to that which I claim to hold title on. I have been honest within all my dealings.

As I said my information is accumilated over 13 years worth of experience. I do belief that we do things a little diferent here in Southern Hemisphere, Even the eightfold wheel of the year is diffrent to yours. As a whole we belief in the unity of our diversity. That is why I used the slogan which we use "all wiccans are witches but not all witches are wiccan." To us Wicca is a blanket term for a variety of paths that ultimatly leads to The All.

I would also like to mention that I am not a werewolf/cat/dragon or what ever the diffrent animials are, I am a human being. I do support you in what ever it is that you are....

I have never once been dishonest when it comes to the boards, at every turn I have been shot down for everything that I have said. Yet I have made no derogetary remarks no matter how bizzare the infusing of human with animal sounded. I am saded by all this the welcome here has left a very bitter taste in my mouth, and the stay...

One would have thought that people, and I use that term very lightly here, would have been more open to anything due to societies low tolerance.

Well then there is only so much abuse and narccism that one can take...

Goodbye everyone I wish you all the best

Ankh Udja Senebty

Life, Health, Prosperity

[Kirin Fenrir]

nar·cis·sism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (närs-szm) also nar·cism (-szm)
n.

1. Excessive love or admiration of oneself. See Synonyms at conceit.

2. A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem.

3. Erotic pleasure derived from contemplation or admiration of one's own body or self, especially as a fixation on or a regression to an infantile stage of development.

4. The attribute of the human psyche charactized by admiration of oneself but within normal limits.


Now, who's what again? Every post you make, you try to tell us how great and knowledgable you are. Anyway, this is my last post here...I'm done with this thread.

[werewolf1087]

i have no real set religion like some of you do. i like to think of myself as wiccan because i beleive in divinity throgh self and especially through nature. I beleive in the elements of magick (earth fire water air and spirit) and in the God&Goddess. besides all this, i could be called agnostic because i'm not sure if it matters waht form of diety you worship because all are essentially the same. every religion (mono or polytheistic) is essentially the same. every polytheistis religion has multiple gods that work as one or that can all be commbined into a single diety. every monotheistic religion has one main god telling you to "love everyone like your own family" (screw that). i dont really fit into any religion, when my christian/ goth and wicca hating parents say grace, i pretend to and instead offer small amounts of Chi' (life energy) to the elements, the moon, the sun, and what i call "The Wolf". I try to give different names to the same god for different races because it makes slightly more sense to me that way. The Wolf represents (for werecreatures, duh) the forest, the hunt, the true animal within, and the mascarade we must keep up among humans.

[LupineShaman]

I am an eclectic solitary practitioner. I follow the old ways of the Norse and make praise to many Gods and Godesses, instead of just one God and Godess in traditional Wicca. I am aligned to the Hunter aspect and follow the warrior code. I have done heavy training in energy concentration and astral projection. I make little use of potions and words for spells, all is done through concentration of energies. My religion is not my whole life, but a major part of it.

[Stygian]

I have taken what is useful from many religions and many different writings. The Book of the Dead, Picatrix, Canons, Pao Poh-tze, the Sword of Moses, Sanctum Regnum, Booke of Secretes by Albertus Magnus, The Magick of Kirani, King of Persia by Cyranus,Magica de Spectris et apparitionibus Spiritu, Compendium Maleficarum, and recent works by Leek, Gardner, Conway...etc.

My father was a witch, as was his mother, this can be traced back through generations on our family tree and we have all followed our own paths. We have all tried to learn from the others mistakes.

So I would say without a doubt I am eclectic in my practices and study.

[Frostbeard]

and recent works by Leek, Gardner, Conway...etc..

Before I go on a rant, which Conway are you talking about? There are at least two authors that use that surname and write on magick of one type or another.

My father was a witch, as was his mother, this can be traced back through generations on our family tree and we have all followed our own paths. We have all tried to learn from the others mistakes.


How exactly do you trace something like that back through your geneology? I mean, I can understand gathering verbal tales, newspaper articles and the like going back maybe three or four generations if you're lucky, but beyond that...?

Also, what qualifies one as a witch in this regard? My grandfather was a dowser and his mother-in-law was an herbalist. Does that mean I'm at least a 4th generation witch?

[Lord Anubis]

I have noticed that among you there are many 'witches'. I myself could be called a witch. I am initiated member of a Coven and High Priestess of a Temple. As you have now all gathered form my posts I am Egyptian inclinded. I am the High Priestess of Sekhmet.

I would love for those mentioned to tell me a little more about yourselfs, which coven you belong to if you indeed follow the path of the coven member, or if you are solitary, what tradition you follow if you follow any and if not are you eclectic.
i follow my lord amun ra....

[Stygian]

Before I go on a rant, which Conway are you talking about? There are at least two authors that use that surname and write on magick of one type or another.




How exactly do you trace something like that back through your geneology? I mean, I can understand gathering verbal tales, newspaper articles and the like going back maybe three or four generations if you're lucky, but beyond that...?

Also, what qualifies one as a witch in this regard? My grandfather was a dowser and his mother-in-law was an herbalist. Does that mean I'm at least a 4th generation witch?

I have no idea if you are a 4th generation witch or not, my genealogy however, has been traced back through centuries with a direct line to my 6th great-grandfather who was a medicine man for the Sac and Fox indians. His daughter, Talking Bird married a Dutch settler and some of his knowledge has been passed along the way. My great aunt ran a psychic shop in Crawfordsville, IN., My second great grandfather was known for communicating with the dead and was a "healer" I guess the term would be.

My mother and father are both witches, my grandmother is as well, my cousins, my sister, and an aunt.

To be completely honest, our genealogy can be traced back to the early 1500's... my family has kept in-depth records in several books. Some families do not keep such records of their history, some does not denote all.

There is even a distant relationship with the author of The Magus... Francis Barrett and an association with Henry Cornelius Agrippa. Both are documented by correspondences that are now in private museums.

And the Conway that I was referring to reading was D.J. Conway... author or Norse Magic, Celtic Magic and By Oak, Ash and Thorn, to name a few.

Feel free to rant now, I can always find time to prove you wrong if you want to argue about my family tree.

[Frostbeard]

I have no idea if you are a 4th generation witch or not,

That's kind of my point.

my genealogy however, has been traced back through centuries with a direct line to my 6th great-grandfather who was a medicine man for the Sac and Fox indians. His daughter, Talking Bird married a Dutch settler and some of his knowledge has been passed along the way. My great aunt ran a psychic shop in Crawfordsville, IN., My second great grandfather was known for communicating with the dead and was a "healer" I guess the term would be.
My mother and father are both witches, my grandmother is as well, my cousins, my sister, and an aunt.

None of which really matters, or answers my question. How do you know that your 6th great-grandfather was a medicine man, for example? What exactly is a witch, by your definition?

That's the most important part of the whole friggin' post, so I'll ask it again: What do you mean by "witch"?

And the Conway that I was referring to reading was D.J. Conway... author or Norse Magic, Celtic Magic and By Oak, Ash and Thorn, to name a few.

That's exactly the answer I was hoping I wouldn't get. What a terrible author she is. Norse Magic is just about the most poorly researched book I've seen, and it's actually NOTORIOUSLY bad amongst people who actually know a bit about traditional Germanic/Norse spae and seidh. It's like she takes this template she labels "Magic", which is really just generic Wicca, and staples it to any given pantheon in the hopes of selling a few more books.

I don't feel like getting into a flame war about it though, so let's just leave it at "I dislike her work and have no respect for her research methods".

Feel free to rant now, I can always find time to prove you wrong if you want to argue about my family tree.

I hardly think arguing about your ancestry would be worthwhile. That wasn't the point to begin with. What I'm interested in is why you think ancestry has anything to do with being a witch. You're not saying it explicitly, but there is a definite implied attitude of this sort in your posts.

[Stygian]

I have no idea whether your family is or not...

I don't.

I know almost nothing about your family, many dowsers are not considered to be a witch, or even to use witchcraft of any form, many herbalists are not consider to be witches because their religious views could still be among the straight and narrow.

I realize what a person does is not always indicative of their faith.

But, I have no idea what your definition of what a witch is to begin with. If you worship "pagan" gods in the christain viewpoint you are either a heathen or a witch. Even though in some regions of the world the worship of these gods are now state sanctioned.

As far as I have been shown and told, my family has worshipped many gods and goddesses for centuries and have been branded witches.

And this is a hat I am more than happy to wear.

Not to argue a moot point but I have never followed any of Conway's writings... I merely have read her works.

[Stygian]

None of which really matters, or answers my question. How do you know that your 6th great-grandfather was a medicine man

Again, my family has kept records.... book after book, document upon document, letter upon letter. Which states over and over again each member of my families name, his or her religious beliefs, their professions, if they were arrested, murdered,their birth date and their date of death since before the american revolution.

Some families, apparently yours, does not keep in-depth records of their lineage. Because if yours did, you would not be asking these questions to begin with.

If you want to find out about your family there are many resources I am sure you can use, sometimes church records, newspaper archives, government agencies, etc.

[Frostbeard]

I have no idea whether your family is or not...

I don't.

I know almost nothing about your family, many dowsers are not considered to be a witch, or even to use witchcraft of any form, many herbalists are not consider to be witches because their religious views could still be among the straight and narrow.

I think you missed the point of my post. I do not consider myself a witch. My ancestors did not consider themselves witches, at least not as far back as existing records go. I've seen many modern witches claim to be Xth generation witches on even less basis than what I presented, however. I was "testing the waters".

I realize what a person does is not always indicative of their faith.

On the contrary. There is no better indicator. My point was that one's ancestry doesn't necessarily imbue ability in a given field.

But, I have no idea what your definition of what a witch is to begin with. If you worship "pagan" gods in the christain viewpoint you are either a heathen or a witch. Even though in some regions of the world the worship of these gods are now state sanctioned.

I'm asking about YOUR definition of "witch". I know what *I* consider a witch to be, but I'm trying to understand where *YOU* are coming from. I'm trying to figure out what you mean by some of your statements, and the only way to do so is to figure out what you mean by the key words therein.

As far as I have been shown and told, my family has worshipped many gods and goddesses for centuries and have been branded witches.

While certainly possible, this seems unlikely. There's really no way to prove either way, however, so I'll take your word for it.

And this is a hat I am more than happy to wear.

Not to argue a moot point but I have never followed any of Conway's writings... I merely have read her works.

What was your impression of her works then? I ask, because you seemed to be putting her in some very good company in your original post.

[Frostbeard]

Again, my family has kept records.... book after book, document upon document, letter upon letter. Which states over and over again each member of my families name, his or her religious beliefs, their professions, if they were arrested, murdered,their birth date and their date of death since before the american revolution.

I think you're probably overstating matters. I find it EXTREMELY unlikely that you have detailed records on each family member going back more than a couple of generations. You realize that you have 128 6th great-grandfathers, right?

You said in your previous post that many of your ancestors were polytheists. You also mentioned the specific medicine man ancestor as well. You still haven't answered my question regarding him specifically - how do you know he was a medicine man? Was it a letter he wrote that has been passed down? A newspaper article about him? A sentencing report?

Some families, apparently yours, does not keep in-depth records of their lineage. Because if yours did, you would not be asking these questions to begin with.

If you want to find out about your family there are many resources I am sure you can use, sometimes church records, newspaper archives, government agencies, etc.

It's not some families, it's the vast majority of families. My family, however, does have decent records for SOME branches going back a couple hundred years. Other branches are entirely lost to the mists, however.

Not everything that has passed has been written down and archived. Even when it has, such records are often lost to various misfortunes. Geneology is a kind of family hobby, so I know first hand that there isn't always anything to find.

My ancestry includes escaped slaves, adopted orphans and many others with disputable heritage. I'm proud to count them among my forebears, but their situations make it impossible to trace back further from them.

[Ves]

I'm intrigued by something with all these people that follow the ways of the Hekau (there's no Ancient Egyptian word for "Religion" so I'm replacing it with "Magical Powers" no offence is intended if I got that wrong).
What will you do when you die? How will you ensure the preservation of your body? Will you ask to be buried with Shabti and other stuff you may need? Have you memorised the Books of Going Forth?
In short do you believe in the Egyptian funerary rites?

(It might be worth pointing out at this stage I only really do the language at this point, the culture is something that I'm just absorbing as I go along).

[adalia]

Well I guess ill put in my little bit here. I'll be honest with you, I'm a bit new to it all considering I've been studying Wicca for a little over a year. But I will say that I'm leaning toward the Celtic tradition. That's what you meant for the answer of your question right? Lol. If not then sorry. The thing for me is, I find that each tradition has different things that focus my attention and that are what I believe in already. So for right now I dont actually have a tradition. I just have one that stands out above the rest is all. :)
*~*always*~*
adalia

[Marcius]

And as for spelling, I have very few spelling errors in my posts and most of those are actually typographical errors and not actual spelling errors. I proofread my posts but occassionally one slips by, however there are others here who continuously misspell words and have no clue that they are wrong. It isn't a typo it is illiteracy.

To be in able to spell does not mean that one is illiterate. It was only a few hundred years ago that some nob had the idea of
forming a standardized way of spelling. Before which you could spell however you bloody wanted to so long as the other reader got the drift. I personally believe that standardized spelling is a good thing because it ensures we get the drift, but in a place like this where we're more discussing than writting an english paper there are bound to be mis-spelled words. The only way to fix that would be adding a spell checker to the forum.

it's not an intellictual entity that created existence, it was some incredible, highly improbable phenomenon- like the chances of one thousand monkeys (or whatever) sat in front of a type writer- One day one of them will type out a Shakespeare piece

If you think about this logically it can make a dreat deal of sence or be very confusing.

If time does not exist because this great phenomina (monkies writting shakespeare) has not happened, then these monkies have all of the time in the world (ie. forever) to accidentally hit the right keys in the right order.

this means that eventually in the timeless time that such a thing could happen and once it happened it would be viewed as the beginning, but before it happened there was an eternity of nothing.

Funky huh?

[LV426]

To be in able to spell does not mean that one is illiterate. It was only a few hundred years ago that some nob had the idea of
forming a standardized way of spelling. Before which you could spell however you bloody wanted to so long as the other reader got the drift. I personally believe that standardized spelling is a good thing because it ensures we get the drift, but in a place like this where we're more discussing than writting an english paper there are bound to be mis-spelled words. The only way to fix that would be adding a spell checker to the forum.


Or you could stop being lazy and check your spelling in either word or an online spell checker.

[Hellcat]

If you think about this logically it can make a dreat deal of sence or be very confusing.

If time does not exist because this great phenomina (monkies writting shakespeare) has not happened, then these monkies have all of the time in the world (ie. forever) to accidentally hit the right keys in the right order.

this means that eventually in the timeless time that such a thing could happen and once it happened it would be viewed as the beginning, but before it happened there was an eternity of nothing.

Funky huh?

yeah, if you look at it that way it does seem confusing, yet adequately philisophical, but most people would have the sense to view the logical version that makes more sense ie the "monkeys typing shakespeare" thing was an example of a great phenomena, and not a definition to my beliefs of nature

[Xzengrim]

Ok, look... the whole monkey-shakespeare thing is really just a figure of speech. I don't think it was ever meant to be accurately assessed in terms of scientific plausibility. But it IS possible. It means that out of 26 characters in the alphabet, if one is chosen at random until there are as many characters present as there are letters comprising all of Shakespeare's works, then there is a remote possibility that the works would be written by chance (IE: All of the correct letters would be chosen in the correct order). The assumptions are infinite time, infinite chances to try again, and the pressupposition that the choosing will continue unimpeded until something happens. It is also notable that the chances are even lower than what I just described, because the 26 characters of the alphabet do not include the spaces, periods, commas, and other characters that will be needed to make the writing unintelligable.

On that note, all it really took was ONE monkey with a pen. You just have to pick the right monkey. ...His name was will.

Aside from that, don't even get me started on wiccans.

[Ankesanmun]

I'm intrigued by something with all these people that follow the ways of the Hekau (there's no Ancient Egyptian word for "Religion" so I'm replacing it with "Magical Powers" no offence is intended if I got that wrong).
What will you do when you die? How will you ensure the preservation of your body? Will you ask to be buried with Shabti and other stuff you may need? Have you memorised the Books of Going Forth?
In short do you believe in the Egyptian funerary rites?

(It might be worth pointing out at this stage I only really do the language at this point, the culture is something that I'm just absorbing as I go along).


In the above mentioned post, the terminology that is most commonly used is Heka (Hekau - plural for Hekay are parctioners of said power)

I am in the process of studing the Pert Em Hru, but to remember all the litanies to Wasir is rather taxing.

[Cryptid Hunter]

Thor freaking rules.
My avatar is Mjolnir, his hammer.
While I don't perform any kinds of rituals, I tend to tell people that Asatru is the way to go.

And "Norse Magic", by DJ Conway (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0875421377/qid=1083857313/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xg l14/002-1320411-1139222?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), is toilet paper. For a good book on norse mythology, try "The Rites of Odin" by Ed Fitch (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0875422241/qid=1083857243/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xg l14/002-1320411-1139222?v=glance&s=books&n=507846).

I don't celebrate yule or samhain or anything like that, I'm not big on prayers or rituals that eventually become meaningless. I just live my life by the principle of WWTH? or rather, "Who Would Thor Hit?"

Peter Carrol's books on Chaosism have also shaped my view of the world pretty heavily.

[Knighthowler]

Cernunnos or Kernunnos is the name of the Horned god in the Celtic pantheon of gods and goddesses.

I am a pagan who aspires to be a hedge witch so I work with herbs and candles when I meditate
As for spells not working if you make spelling mistake, well the whole point of the craft in my eyes was to take control of you own life and take back power from the Church and the so called intellectuals.
It is the good intent and not the spelling that is important.
If anyone is interested I post the Wiccan rede

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

[Knighthowler]

Not everyone who comes here has English as there first language. I am from Romania
So maybe lycanthropichowl can translate the pelage of allegiance in to Romanian so I can cheque her spelling. :p

Cine se bagã între lupi trebuie sã urle.

He Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl.