Witchvox - New Articles This Week
Finnegan Barwick [Valerie Voigt]
Sat, 06/05/2010 - 10:01pmBe it known that Finnegan Barwick has been initiated into the Gardnerian Tradition by Valerie and Terrence of Blackbirds Coven.Finnegan has been studying with Blackbirds for a year and a half, and had previously studied the Gardnerian Tradition with other teachers. As a member of Blackbirds Coven Outer Court, Tyler has shown proficiency in ritual, and has helped with the hosting and execution of .three public Sabbats for the local South San Francisco Bay Area Pagan community.
When Your Pet is More Than A Pet Familiars and Avatars [Bronwen Forbes]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmAs a prologue to this, you need to know that Herne has been my patron God since I was nine years old. You dont need to know, but youll probably figure out by reading this (if you havent already) that sometimes Im a little slow to notice the obvious.A few months after adopting my red and white beagle mix Herman, I was trying to sleep in one Saturday morning when I began to idly wonder, There are so many Goddesses with dogs as part of their symbolism. I wonder what Gods are associated
The Witch's Teat and Fluffy, the Evil Devil Poodle [Fire Lyte]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmBlack cats, warty toads, and a menagerie of creepy, slimy, crawly animals have all been accused of allying themselves with witches. The image of the witch with her pointed hat and magic broom just wouldnt be complete without Fluffy the magic talking cat taking a nap on the bristles as she flies through a full moon sky casting her spells on the unsuspecting public below. It is because of their connection to witches that many people are afraid of black cats, black dogs otherwise known as Grims,
Using the Mind to Perform Magick [Dracina]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmMany people think of magick as being a bunch of incantations, wand waving, candle lighting, rituals under the full moon. The truth of the matter is that an accomplished magick practitioner can submit a spell to the energies without any of these things. In preparing to do magick, one needs to find a connection with the energies around them. Everyone has the ability to make magick because the intuitive knowledge and instinctive ability to do so is already inherent in each of us. The mind o
How (and When) to Approach a Teacher [Fiona Morgan]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmLately, Ive been reading several books at once. Actually, I have a habit of doing this. It seems I just cant limit myself to a single volume; as soon as I find one that interests me, I see several others Id like to read, and I just cant wait. Im the proverbial kid in a candy store when I go to the library. Lately, all of the books that Im reading--one on mythology, one on psychology, one on occult symbolism--seem to touch somehow on the Biblical stories of creation and Adam and Eve.
To Advance ...Or To Go Within [Sarrestia]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmSeveral years ago I was on a mission to find what books, what outlets, existed that went into the Advanced arts of Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, etc. I didnt succeed very well, in fact, after several days of religious online searching and bookstore hopping I became rather disenchanted by the whole concept of advancement. I did learn, however, that I am not alone in this. Hundreds if not thousands of pagans that enter into our respective paths reach a point where the 101 books are not only redund
The Third Year: Reknewing Faith [Mazzy]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmListen to the words of the great mother * The phrase drifts through your mind.Symbols of faith abound in this holy place. Ribbons, secured on tree branches, flutter faintly in the whisper of wind that filters through the trees. Chimes and statues mingle with rusted charms and seashells. Those who had nothing more have left hairpins and bits of string. Checking your pockets, you can find nothing to leave here for your deity. There will be no hint of you, once you are gone.The si
Faith: A Measure of Courage [Phoenix Forestsong]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmTrials of faith are perhaps one of the most difficult and seemingly impossible to beat, truths of life. Do you believe because you want to? Do you believe because you need to? Do you believe because youre afraid not to? Do you believe firmly, and with utter conviction from the fiery furnace that is your soul, simply because you do?Being the over-analytical and opportunistically studious Witch that I am, combined with the convenient timing of a test of faith (Im an optimist) , I began t
Breathe In*~*Breathe Out [April Cricket]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmBreathe In.There are so many Avatars in this world, are we really being ourselves? Do you hide behind the fake fascia of a virtual world? Is your spirituality complete or is there something missing? It is refreshing to see the eyes of the world not as condemning of the pagan and yet we still tiptoe through the proverbial eggshells. This begs to ask the question: what is spirituality to you? Is it a systemic repetitive act of cloak, incense, candle and chanting? Do you really e
What I Believe [Mike]
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:35pmFirst I would like to say that I do not wish to convert anyone to my views. My purpose is to simply put down in black and white how I see the world. I am not trying to preach or collect followers, nor do I intend to offend or insult. I only write this with the intention of sharing my thoughts and opening communication between fellow Pagans. With that said, this is what I believe.I believe in a single, universal, cosmic life force- an all knowing, all being spiritual essence that is God.
Gnostic Paganism [Fenris Kin]
Sat, 05/29/2010 - 6:24amand quot;We do not know what God is. God himself doesn't know what He is because He is not anything. Literally God is not, because He transcends being. and quot; ~ John Scotus Erigena 840 ADWhats this then? Am I about to declare some sort of absolute truth? In the same mold as those I have been unable to commit to my entire life? No, I don't think so. It's just not that easy. I have tried on numerous occasions to choke down dogma for a couple of different faiths; ultimately however it always com
Denise and Ron [Valerie Voigt]
Sat, 05/29/2010 - 6:24amBe it known that Denise and Ron have been initiated into the Gardnerian Tradition by Valerie and Terrence of Blackbirds Coven.Denise and Ron have been studying with Blackbirds for a year and a half, and have extensive experience in other traditions. Among other paths, Denise has a background in Dianic Witchcraft. Both Denise and Ron have long experience in Native American studies.Denise and Ron are Grandparents and recently celebrated the birth of their latest grandson. Denise br
The Rise of Wicca and NeoPaganism in the United States [Govannon Thunderwolf]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmWicca is becoming the fastest growing religion in the United States. This statement was something I was hearing and reading more and more. Being a member of the Pagan community, I didnt really notice any of this growth happening. The more books and articles on the Internet that I read, the more I kept seeing this statement. The research into this declaration became my focus of interest. What fascinated me the most about this account was the fact that Wiccans and neo Pagans do not go around wi
Burning 'The Burning Times' [Zan Fraser]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmIt seems that there is a recent body of misinformation regarding the Burning Times making its way through the Wiccan/Pagan community, which amounts to a revisionist take on the Witches Holocaust. Being something of a debunking, this new school of thought asserts that the Burning Times is over-hyped and hysterically blown out of proportion. While as a rule, I am a huge fan of revisionist history, I find this development (which adds up to a sort of Burning Times denial-ism) a bit depressing
Wielding Magic, Smashing Patriarchy: Feminist Witchcraft as Social Resistance [Redjives]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmand quot;In high school, we called the tree under which we ate lunch The Goddess Tree. -- (K. Murray, personal communication, May 31, 2009) IntroductionBefore I sat down to write this paper, I undertook a spell to bring scholastic success. I cast a sacred circle, invoked the four cardinal directions and their associated elements, called upon the god and goddess and asked them to bless my books, pen, laptop, and blank computer paper on which I would ultimately print this paper by
Pagans Need to Stop Caring About What Other People Think [Clever Brian]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmIt is sound advice in every aspect of a healthy adults life: youll never be happy, satisfied, or even comfortable if you spend your whole life trying to please others. The only mind you can know, let alone change is your own. Life is short and the only way you can really make the best of it is under your own rules for your own reasons.I think that a lot of people explore religious alternatives for that very reason. If you are of a character that needs to believe in the Divine in some f
You Lied! Some Thoughts on Honesty and Pagan Practice [Bronwen Forbes]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmWhen I first began to formally study Paganism, it was drilled into my head over and over: A witch is only as good as his or her word. In other words, there is a direct relationship between the quality and effectiveness of your magick and how good you are at telling the truth and keeping promises.Which makes sense, when you think bout it, because say, for example, you are doing a working to find a new job and you promise Hestia that if you get a job you will volunteer so many hours a we
Rede, Return, and Responsibility [Phoenix Forestsong]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmAn It Harm None, Do What Ye Will. If I could get the font any larger I would. Remember this first and foremost and live by it. The Rede is one rule that all witches should memorize, understand, and incorporate into their lives. If it harms none then do what you Will. There are two parts to the Rede. The first, If it harms none, which means that if your actions will not bring harm, misfortune, or ill towards anyone including yourself, Then do what you Will. Notice that I cap
Strangers and Strange Worlds: A Call to Organized Pagan Altruism [Valerie]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmA few weeks ago, I attended a discussion at Faith House Manhattan hosted by Samir Selmanovic. The theme for this discussion, talk, and reading was the important spiritual role of the Stranger.Mr. Selmanovic used two biblical texts as the core of his discussion- In the Old Testament, chapter 18 of Genesis, in which Abraham, sitting in front of his tent, is visited by two angels who tell him that his elderly wife is to conceive. The second text he used was from the New Testament- the 3 Mag
Considering a Brick and Mortar Pagan Store? Here's the Info you Need to Succeed! [Treasach]
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 9:26pmYou don't have to re-invent the wheel to start your own pagan store! Pagan merchanting is like most other kinds, but with some very specific products and customers. You can indeed make your living by helping other pagans on their path, but avoid some of the major mistakes that fledgling storeowners make by knowing some of the perils and planning ahead.A Splash Overview - The Good News and the Bad News: Women have a much higher rate of success in small business than men. Some of th
