Buds of Knowledge and Wisdom
I call this section "Acorns & Oak Leaves" because the oak was considered the king of the trees by the Celts and the acorn was a fruit of knowledge.
Here you will find many bits and pieces that I have found in the last 15 or so years I have been learning about Wicca and other subjects I find interesting.
It is my hope that, that something here will spark interest in others, or perhaps help them to see some things in a different light. I don't what to change peoples' minds, only give them something to think about. And so I begin to plant my acorns.
I have been learning about Wicca for at least 15 years. I say learning because you can never stop learning. The moment you think you know it all, is the moment you stop knowing, and growing.The words and writing that follow are in no special order, just bits of wisdom I've found and believe. I will try to keep to the subjects as they come along, but I make no promises. Read and enjoy, all I ask is that you come to my Oak with an open mind, and without prejudgement.
Here are some wise words from a group of very wise men:
"Witch Hunt"
Rush
(Geddy Lee,Alex Lifeson,Neil Peart)
("Moving Pictures" cd)
The night is black
Without a moon.
The air is thick and still.
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill.
Features distorted in the flickering light,
The faces are twisted and grotesque.
Silent and stern in the sweltering night,
The mob moves like demons possesed.
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right,
Confident their ways are best.
The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will.
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill.
They say there are strangers who threaten us,
Our immigrants and infidels.
They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theaters and bookstore shelves.
Those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves.
Quick to judge,
Quick to anger,
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear walk hand in hand...
Principles of Wiccan Belief
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of
life forces marked by the phases of the moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological blance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called supernatural, but we see it as lying within that which is naturallypotential to all.
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes,ect.-and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft-the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch-but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way," and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the orgins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well being.
These thriteen principles were adopted by the council of American Witches, in April, 1974.
The one rule, law, that for me sums up Wicca and how its followers live shall we say is the "Wiccan Rede" which in its shorter form says; "And it harm none, do what you will." what follows is a longer version that I have found.
REDE OF THE WICCA
1. Bide the Wiccan laws you must
in perfect love and perfect trust.
2. Live and let live-
fairly take and fairly give.
3. Cast the circle three times about
to keep all evil spirits out.
4. To bind the spell every time,
let the spell be spoke in rhyme.
5. Soft of eye,and light of touch-
speak little and listen much.
6. Deosil go by the waxing Moon-
sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
7. Widdershins go when the Moon does wane,
and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfbane.
8. When the Lady's Moon is new,
kiss the hand to Her times two.
9. When the Moon rides at Her peak
then your heart's desire seek.
10. Heed the Northwind's mighty gale-
lock the door and drop the sail.
11. When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12. When the wind blows from the East,
expect the new and set the feast.
13. When the West wind blows over thee,
departed spirits restless be.
14. Nine woods in the cauldron go-
burn them guick and burn them slow.
15. Elder is the Lady's tree-
burn it not or cursed you'll be.
16. When the Wheel begins to turn-
let the Beltane fires burn.
17. When the Wheel has turned a Yule,
light the log and let Pan rule.
18. Heed you flower, bush and tree-
by the Lady blessed be.
19. When the rippling waters go
cast a stone and the truth You'll know.
20. When you have need,
hearken not to other's greed.
21. With the fool no season spend
or be counted as his friend.
22. Merry meet and merry part-
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
23. Mind the threefold law you should-
three times bad and three times good.
24. When misfortune is now,
wear the blue star on your brow.
25. True in love ever be
unless your lover's false to thee.
26. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill-
And it harm none, do what you will.
13 Goals of a Witch
1. Know yourself
2. Know Your Craft (Wicca)
3. Learn
4. Apply Knowledge with Wisdom
5. Achieve Balance
6. Keep your words in good order
7. Keep your thoughts in good order
8. Celebrate Life
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth
10. Breath and eat correstly
11. Exercise the body
12. Meditate
13. Honor the Goddess and God
The Law of the Power
1. The Power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure or control others. But if need rises, the Power shall be used to Protect your life and the lives of others.
2. The Power is used only as need dictates.
3. The Power can be used for your own gain, as long as by doing so you harm none.
4. It is unwise to accept money for the use of the Power, for it quickly controls its taker. Be not as those of other religions.
5. Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens the Mysteries of Wicca and Magic.
6. Ever remember that the Power is the sacred gift of the Goddess and God, and should never be misused or abused.
7. And this is the Law of the Power.
I found Wicca by accident, or it found me. It started with the movie "EXCALIBUR" and the figure of Merlin. Who was this person? Was he based on someone real? From Merlin I went To the Druids.Somehow Witches got caught up in the net with the Druids. I read, and read till my eyes blured, books by Ray Buckland, Scott Cunningham, Laurie Cabot, D.J. Conway. My son had to do a report on the Salem Witch Trials for school and he didn't have to go to the library except for pictures.
The more I read, the more it sounded like me. All the things that had made me feel or seem strange when in school, now made sense.It was like comming home after a long enforced absense. I did feel the things I did, and I wasn't crazy to believe that if unicorns and dragons didn't exist now, that didn't mean they never had. Although I do believe in them very much, and the Fae Folk. Maybe, just maybe, I did hear the trees scream when they were cut down. I don't hear it from old trees, just the healthy ones that people cut down. And I do believe that at death only the body dies. The spirit continues and is able to return to visit family and places it loved in life. Some never leave for whatever reason,not knowing they died, unfinished business, not wanting to leave loved ones. They can have as many reasons to stay as we could have not leave somewhere we'd rather not leave. Death is not an ending, but the start of another existence, a pause between lives to refresh the spirit and decide what to do next.
It wasn't odd to know things, or dream dreams that came true, or to sense things about people when you first meet.So much began to make sense. At first I learned alone, and told no one. People thought I was odd, but they'd thought that for years.As I learned more and felt more sure of myself I let little bits of it show. I knew this would be no easy path to follow from all I'd read. Not so much because of the path itself, but because of what people had been taught to think of it through the ages. The first thing I tell any one who asks about it, is if they're sure they can handle it. "Different" is one of the nicer words that will be used for you. My son was threatened with enternity in hell, neighbors have moved because of what I believe. It's not easy, but if you find that it fits you and brings you whatever was missing, then its worth it.
Wicca is a nature religion that holds all life sacred. We have no devil, some groups have a God and Goddess, some only a Goddess, but for us all She is our mother, ALL of us are her children.Everything we need for surival she supplies and it is up to us to care for Her as she cares for us.As we take so should we give. Everything we do will come back to us, and it effects more than just ourselves. Like a pebble tossed in a pool, the things we do, make ripples that effect other people and things. This is why we think before we act. The more good you do the more good that will follow for yourself and others, the more bad you do the more bad will follow. Any one with common sense would see that even for their own well being it would be best to do only good. If one is truly Wiccan and accepts the Rede as the rule, then there are no evil Wiccans. This is my own belife and I mean no disrespect to anyone with it. I know there are evil people in this world, only a fool would not know that. I mean only that to follow the true ideals of Wicca one would not want to do anything evil, could not if they lived by this rule.
For myself I would rather leave it to the Old Ones, or deflect anything negitive sent to me back to where it came.If there is some way I can stop an evil or negitive action without harm to anyone, that I will do .If the powers have granted me some knowledge to be of help, then I will use that knowledge.
As I learned more and more about the old ways, I've come to the conclusion that one is always at the begining of the journey when dealing with things spiritual. No matter how much You learn there is always more. This is a commitment you make with your heart and your head follows. No one path is right for everyone, and though a path be wrong for you, that does not make it wrong in total. No one has the right to choose how another should believe. In the end all gods are one,called by different names and worshipped in different ways, but all become THE ONE in the end. There are many path to the truth, and each of us must find the one best suited to ourselves.
Some have asked me to teach them what I know. To show them my path. I offer only to show them what I think and believe and leave the choosing up to them. My way may not work for another, but if it can help them to find the path they need for themselves then so be it. I have found that each person sees and seeks God in their own way and that is how it should be. No one should say "My way is the RIGHT way" or "The ONLY way". People should open their eyes to the differences in the world and its people and see the beauty there, and see that there really isn't that much of a difference when you get down to the root of it all.
WICCAN HOLIDAYS
Samhain (Sow-n)- October 31
This night marks the coming of winter and the death of the Horned God. It is also the Celtic Wiccan New Year. This is the night we honor our ancestors and others who have passed beyond the veil. A time of remembering and to be with them again if they wish. The veil between the worlds is thinnest at this time and those who have crossed are asked to join our celebration if they like.
Yule-December 21
Here we celebrate the rebirth of the God and the promise of life in the dead of winter. This is one of the old holidays adopted by the early christians. As the symbolic birthday of Christ, it became to them also a promise of life out of death.
Imbolc-February 1 or 2
The Goddess has recovered from the birth of the God now and this is a celebration of perfication and fertility. A time for new beginnings.
Ostara-March 21
Spring Equinox- The first day of spring. Earth Mother awakens and Father Sun grows stronger and warmer. Easter is from the name Ostara and the Easter eggs of today are an old symbol of fertility and new life, the hare sacred to the Mother.
Beltane-May 1
The young God becomes a man and joins with the Goddess, producing the bounty of nature. The two are one, and the power behind the All.
Mid-summer-June 21
Nature's power is at it's highest point. Celebrate the pure joy of life and all that the Old Ones give us as their children.
Lughnasadh-August 1
The first harvest of the year, of grains and fruit. The God weakens with the harvest. A thanks giving celebration for the bounty we have been given.
Mabon-September 21
The second harvest. The last fruits are taken in and the warmth lessens each day. As the days grow shorter and the warmth grows less, the God prepares to die.
The God will die at Samhain and the cycle will begin again.
Each celebration is based on one of the many faces of Nature as it passes through the cold dark winter to the warm spring, to bright summer, then to the cooler autumn and back to the cold of winter. We celebrate and honor that which gives us life and reminds us to be thankful to the Old Ones for all that we have, our lives included.
The following are lists I've found that may interest some. I call them "Trees of the Glade" ,"Flowers of the Glade" and Ladies of the Glade", and "Gems of the Glade".
"Trees of the Glade"
Alder - Foremost in Lineage, for Assurance.
Dogwood - Powerful Companion, for Compassion.
Birch - Lofty Dreamer, for High Mindedness.
Hazel - Seed of Wisdom, for Understanding.
Elm - Great Giver, for Generosity.
Chestnut - Proud Prince, for Regal Bearing.
Ash - Stouthearted, for Honesty.
Rowan - Mountian Lord, for Fairness in Judgement.
Thornyplum - Invincible Warrior, for Keeness of Discerment.
Apple - Gift 0f Gwydyn, for Reverence.
Oak - Mighty Monarch, for Benevolence.
Rose - Enchanter of the Wood, for Honor.
"Flowers of the Glade"
Acacla - Friendship
Lilac - white - Youthful Innocence Purple - First Emotion of Life
Alstromeria - Devotion
Lily of the Valley - Return to Happiness
Azalea - First Love
Narcissus - Self Love
Bachelor Buttons - Devotion, Hope, Love
Orchid - Belle of My Heart
Belles of Ireland - Good Luck
Pansy - Pleasant Thoughts
Buttercup - Riches
Pinks (red) - Ardent Love
Caladium - Great Joy & Delight
Queen Anne's Lace - Haven
Chrysanthemium - red - Love white - Truth
Ranunculus - Dazzled by Your Charms
Calla Lilies - Magnificent Beauty
Roses - Pink - Perfect Happiness white - I am Worthy of You Burgundy - Unconscious Love
Clematis - Mental Beauty
Smilax - Constancy
Daffodil - You are the Only One
Star of Bethlehem - Atonement
Dahlia - Elegance & Dignity Forever Yours
Stephanotis - Happiness in Marriage
Daisy - Innocense
Stock - Lasting Beauty
Flax - Sensitive to Your Kindness
Sweet Pea - Remember Me
Freesia - Innocense
Tulips - (red) - Decloration of Love
Larkspar - Fickleness
Violet - blue - Faithfulness, Loyalty white - Modesty
"Ladies of the Glade and Their Signs"
Aries - the Morrigan
Taurus - Hathor/Isis
Gemini - Devi (in her aspects of Parvati & Kali) (India)
Cancer - Ixchel (Native American, Mexico)
Leo - Sun Goddess of Arinna (Anntolia)
Virgo - Nu Kwa (Chinese)
Libra - Ishtar (Semitie)
Scorpio - Pele
Sagittarius - Artemis
Capricorn - Awehai (Native American of N. America)
Aquarius - Mawa (African)
Pisces - Nammu/Nina (Sumerian)
Gems in the Glade & Their Symbolic meanings
Agate - Bravery, Virility, Health, Peace
Amethyst - Humility
Aquamarine - Youth, Hope
Beryl - Married Love
Bloodstone - Understanding
Cat's Eye - Long Life
Diamond - Life itself, Eterneity, Innocence
Garnet - Loyality
Jade - Excellence
Jet - Mourning
Lapis Lazuli - Success
Moonstone - Tenderness, Love
Opal - Faithfulness
Pearl - Femininity, Chastity
Ruby - Passion, Power
Sapphire - Truth
Sardonyx - Honor, Vivaciousness
Topaz - Friendship
Turquoise - Courage
Zircon - Wisdom