daily wiccan book of shadows excerpts

[falcon9]

'Author Gary Cantrell speaks from personal experience with Wiccans of all ages and degrees of physical ability, bringing you an earnest examination of modern Wiccan beliefs and a practical guide to the Craft of the Wise.'

"Excerpt from Wiccan Beliefs & Practices: With Rituals for Solitaries & Covens:
 
Before starting down this rather detailed road of definitions, let me be perfectly clear and state that virtually any definition one can attach to the words witch, witchcraft, or Wicca is in many ways dependent on the person making that definition. My own experience has taught me that if you were to ask one dozen people who claim to be Wiccans exactly what that word means, you would probably get at least a half-dozen different answers, and each answer could probably be tied to some acceptable reference source.

This seeming discrepancy is not due to any attempt to mask the truth or to a lack of information among Wiccan practitioners, but is due in large part to the fact that our Craft is growing and diverging today at a phenomenal rate. Many of the newer Wiccan Paths, sometimes referred to as Neo-Wiccan, have evolved with their own definitions or interpretations of these basic words. Their definition of Wicca may not always coincide with that held by the older Anglo-centered, British Traditional forms of Wicca that originated in the United Kingdom.

There are many Traditions of the Old Religion and many Paths within each Tradition. They each differ sufficiently to make even some basic definitions somewhat open to the interpretation of the practitioner.  

Read as many sources as you can, do as much research as you can, and do not regard any one source as presenting the pure and unimpeachable truth over all others."

--exerpted from http://herbalmusings.com/wiccan-beliefs-practices.htm

[falcon9]

Regarding "halloween" or, more accurately Samhain; actually it refers to the daylight portion of the holiday in the original pagan usage, on November 1st. Around the eighth century or so, the Catholic Church decided to use November 1st as All Saints Day in order to subsume the pagan celebration and thus co-opt it. All Saints’ became the festival to honor any saint who didn’t already have a day of his or her own. The mass which was said on All Saints’ was called "Allhallowmas" – the mass of all those who are hallowed. The night before naturally became known as All Hallows Eve, and eventually morphed into what we call Halloween. 

This attempt at assimulation was not entirely successful as many ignorant xtians continue to hold the notion that samhain is a "devil's holiday".

[Cuppycake]

dont think we need wiccan anything posted at all

I don't think we need your opinion at all. Ever.

Such xtian bigotry is a damned shame.  What if someone suggested that xtian nonsense didn't need to be posted at all?

Well xtian  shouldn't be posted in my honest opinion so it would bother me a bit. ;p

[falcon9]

dont think we need wiccan anything posted at all

I don't think we need your opinion at all. Ever.

Such xtian bigotry is a damned shame.  What if someone suggested that xtian nonsense didn't need to be posted at all?

Well xtian  shouldn't be posted in my honest opinion so it would[n't] bother me a bit. ;p

However, by openly posting unsupported religious beliefs, the xtians removed all doubt that these were held in the blindness of their minds.

[jcribb16]

dont think we need wiccan anything posted at all

I don't think we need your opinion at all. Ever.

However, isn't it nice that everyone, including that poster, and including you, are free to express their opinions? 

[jcribb16]

dont think we need wiccan anything posted at all

I don't think we need your opinion at all. Ever.

Such xtian bigotry is a damned shame.  What if someone suggested that xtian nonsense didn't need to be posted at all?

Well xtian  shouldn't be posted in my honest opinion so it would bother me a bit. ;p

Isn't it nice that everyone has the opportunity and freedom to express their views on subjects such as Christianity and Wiccan, both?  People may not like one or the other, but they shouldn't be blocked or not allowed to post just because someone doesn't agree with or like their choice.  Opinions are allowed to be expressed, as well - thank goodness opinions are not acted upon by leaders or our lives would be total chaos and destruction.

[falcon9]

However, isn't it nice that everyone, including that poster, and including you, are free to express their opinions? 

There's a qualitive difference between an empty religious opinion, (one which lacks substantive evidentiary basis), and a reasoned conclusion which is based upon substantive evidence, (informed "opinion").

[jcribb16]

However, isn't it nice that everyone, including that poster, and including you, are free to express their opinions? 

There's a qualitive difference between an empty religious opinion, (one which lacks substantive evidentiary basis), and a reasoned conclusion which is based upon substantive evidence, (informed "opinion").

That has nothing to do with what I was saying in response to what she said.  Period.  Please leave the hated bias of "religious" out of that because that was not what I was speaking of to her.

[falcon9]

However, isn't it nice that everyone, including that poster, and including you, are free to express their opinions? 

There's a qualitive difference between an empty religious opinion, (one which lacks substantive evidentiary basis), and a reasoned conclusion which is based upon substantive evidence, (informed "opinion").

That has nothing to do with what I was saying in response to what she said.  Period

On the contrary, she expressed a specious religious opinion which lacks substantive basis so, the remark was contextual, no matter what your inherent religious bias spouts.

Please leave the hated bias of "religious" out of that because that was not what I was speaking of to her.

Apparently, you are unfamiliar with context.  In this instance, that context was and is wicca, xtianity and the "freedom" to express opinions, (whether empty or substantiated), regarding either.

[falcon9]

De-Baptism Ceremony:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/08/04/scenes-from-an-atheist-de-baptism-ceremony/

Although touted as an "atheist de-baptismal ceremony", this ritual can be performed by anyone, (and is being done increasingly in Europe and America).  Back in the day, many pagans would be overtly "converted" to xtianity at the point of a sword but, covertly retain pagan practices which preceded xtianity, (even as the concept of "baptism" was a xtian rip-off of a pagan Mithras practice which occurred nearly a century before there was such a thing as the xtian cult, many pagans conducted "de-baptising" rituals to remove the imposed xtian taint).

[jsmith96]

This is meant for "falcon9" ...
As you can see I'm a newbie here and I just can't help but wonder if you an "oldbuddy" are good buds (friends from outside here) or possible co-owners,  due to the fact that YOU are allowed to post links to other sites... I thought for-sure this was NOT allowed. Could be he is also atheist and just don't give a ____ (you can fill in the blank) because you are one of the top (if not #1) posters here.
Also I must ask..... Does it burn YOUR tongue (or brain) to say or spell-out Christian and/or Christianity? Every-time I've read your post/reply's/threads it's always "x"ed out ?  Why is that ? You have (also) done it within the "Daily Bible Verse" thread and I find it very offensive that you write it that way !!!
Yes, We are all afforded our opinion... This is MINE... I guess I'll see if this gets me booted off FC. I'm sure hopin' not...
Till Then; 4 What Its Worth;


  ~~~Jerry~~~
P.S. Hope I didn't step on any toes "oldbuddy".

[falcon9]

This is meant for "falcon9" ...

In that case, you are specifically trolling this thread by 'calling an FC member out'.  If the ramifications of that currently escape you, they may become clearer in time.

As you can see I'm a newbie here and I just can't help but wonder if you an "oldbuddy" are good buds (friends from outside here) or possible co-owners,  due to the fact that YOU are allowed to post links to other sites... I thought for-sure this was NOT allowed.

Firstly, I have never met "oldbuddy" and we've had divergent viewpoints subsequent to my arrival years after he'd been a member of FC.  Secondly, posting external links which are not beneficial financially for the one posting the link are not specifically prohibited, (as opposed to links which would personally benefit the poster).  Additionally, such links have nothing to do with "oldbuddy" and connecting such as justification for your trolling post is specious, (without evidential merit).

Could be he is also atheist and just don't give a ____ (you can fill in the blank) ...

While I have no idea of what his religious beliefs, (if any), may be from what he's posted, once again it bears repeating that such irrelevancies do not support your trolling in this thread, (related to "wiccan" matters), nor any other thread trolled by a xtian, (that would be you).

... because you are one of the top (if not #1) posters here.

Posting levels are directly related to how much a member posts. Few posts mean a member doesn't write much; many posts would mean they do.  That's it, there are no other implications to a "newbie" level nor a "platinum" membership level, (which further invalidates your trolling here).

Also I must ask..... Does it burn YOUR tongue (or brain) to say or spell-out Christian and/or Christianity?

Of course not.  Is that intended to be some sort of xtian sarcasm or, are you fundamentally serious?
 

Every-time I've read your post/reply's/threads it's always "x"ed out ?  Why is that ?

Both "xtian" and "xtianity" are a xtian convention of abbreviation and carry no inherently positive or negative connotations.  Look up the origins of the abbreviations yourself, if this is doubted.

You have (also) done it within the "Daily Bible Verse" thread and I find it very offensive that you write it that way !!!

That's alright since I find the threads containing such incessant bible-thumping proselytizations to be even more offensive, (in that they promote belief systems which have formed the basis for the torture, coercion and murder of others who don't believe in varying brands of religious superstitions).  Should this be doubted, look up the inquistitions, crusades, Jones Town, or the Arab-Isreali wars for examples substantiating these contentions.  Compared to such attrocities, being offended by a xtian abbreviation is emphatically petty.

Yes, We are all afforded our opinion... This is MINE... I guess I'll see if this gets me booted off FC. I'm sure hopin' not...
Till Then; 4 What Its Worth; [/b]

Although your specious opinion is without evidentiary basis, (and therefore, empty), it won't get you "booted off FC" on that basis alone.  Trolling/'calling out' another FC member may earn yourself a temporary ban if Admin decides your remarks merit one. Being a "newbie" only gets a troll so far, after all.

[jcribb16]

Is wiccan something you have actually considered, or taken part in?  Or do you know someone who wants information in here and you are providing it for their benefit?  Do you feel any kind of negativity or curiosity, one way or the other towards it?  I'm just asking out of curiosity - thanks.

[falcon9]

Wica, ("wicca"), is a legally-recognised religion in the United States, (as is Setianism and Satanism).  As such, there are doubtless wiccans out there or, those interested/curious enough about the subject to warrant informational posts regarding it.  Though I've known those who self-declared as wiccans and researched the subject in some depth, I've never been one.  This does not preclude commentary or referencing source material in the subject matter.

Is wiccan something you have actually considered, or taken part in?  Or do you know someone who wants information in here and you are providing it for their benefit?  Do you feel any kind of negativity or curiosity, one way or the other towards it?  I'm just asking out of curiosity - thanks.

[jcribb16]

Wica, ("wicca"), is a legally-recognised religion in the United States, (as is Setianism and Satanism).  As such, there are doubtless wiccans out there or, those interested/curious enough about the subject to warrant informational posts regarding it.  Though I've known those who self-declared as wiccans and researched the subject in some depth, I've never been one.  This does not preclude commentary or referencing source material in the subject matter.

Is wiccan something you have actually considered, or taken part in?  Or do you know someone who wants information in here and you are providing it for their benefit?  Do you feel any kind of negativity or curiosity, one way or the other towards it?  I'm just asking out of curiosity - thanks.

I'm just curious out of so many, why and how this one is the one you chose to start with.