I'm Wiccan. Ask Me Anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A relative close to me had a bout with a mental illness, and then turned Wiccan. Any insight into why?

Not the OP, but someone with a family member who is a practicing pagan (not Wiccan and not really sure what "denomination" he'd idebtify with). What I've observed is that his community places a premium on acceptance, being welcoming and making an effort to understand people's perspectives. I've noticed the same of progressive political organizations - they seem to attract a lot of unstable personalities because of blanket acceptance. I'm not commenting on the wisdom of those policies).

It's worth noting that many mentally ill people identify with lots of religions, that many delusions take on religious "flavors" and that historically, mental illness and religious experiences have been confused not infrequently. Was Joan of Arc schizophrenic? Was Moses? These people both purported to have specific conversations with their Creator and professed to know His will. Joan of Arc was burned for a witch as a result. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A relative close to me had a bout with a mental illness, and then turned Wiccan. Any insight into why?

I have no idea. I do not think that there is any correlation having a mental illness and being Wiccan. We welcome people from all walks of life and strive to be inclusive. Most of us have personal experience with the stigmas against part of who we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A relative close to me had a bout with a mental illness, and then turned Wiccan. Any insight into why?

Not the OP, but someone with a family member who is a practicing pagan (not Wiccan and not really sure what "denomination" he'd idebtify with). What I've observed is that his community places a premium on acceptance, being welcoming and making an effort to understand people's perspectives. I've noticed the same of progressive political organizations - they seem to attract a lot of unstable personalities because of blanket acceptance. I'm not commenting on the wisdom of those policies).

It's worth noting that many mentally ill people identify with lots of religions, that many delusions take on religious "flavors" and that historically, mental illness and religious experiences have been confused not infrequently. Was Joan of Arc schizophrenic? Was Moses? These people both purported to have specific conversations with their Creator and professed to know His will. Joan of Arc was burned for a witch as a result. Just a thought.

OP here, and that's exactly right. What a great insight you have, and your family member is so lucky to have you in his life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A relative close to me had a bout with a mental illness, and then turned Wiccan. Any insight into why?

Not the OP, but someone with a family member who is a practicing pagan (not Wiccan and not really sure what "denomination" he'd idebtify with). What I've observed is that his community places a premium on acceptance, being welcoming and making an effort to understand people's perspectives. I've noticed the same of progressive political organizations - they seem to attract a lot of unstable personalities because of blanket acceptance. I'm not commenting on the wisdom of those policies).

It's worth noting that many mentally ill people identify with lots of religions, that many delusions take on religious "flavors" and that historically, mental illness and religious experiences have been confused not infrequently. Was Joan of Arc schizophrenic? Was Moses? These people both purported to have specific conversations with their Creator and professed to know His will. Joan of Arc was burned for a witch as a result. Just a thought.

OP here, and that's exactly right. What a great insight you have, and your family member is so lucky to have you in his life.

Thanks! He's a great guy. It's possible you've read his blog!

Thanks for this thread. I get depressed sometimes living in DC because it's such a straight-laced town overall. Reading things like this reminds me that that's my perception and not necessarily an accurate one. Blessed be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you consider yourself a witch? Are you aware of pantheism (nature is like God) and if so, how does Wicca compare or contrast to pantheism?

I do indeed consider myself a witch.

I'm very familiar with panthesim. I consider earth based religions to all be Pagan in nature, and Wicca, Druidity, panthesism, etc to be offshoots of the Pagan belief system. They are similar and related, though not identical.

The big difference between pantheism and Wicca, as I understand it, is that pantheism does not believe in a true Divine Power the way that Wiccans believe in the Goddess and God.

[Anonymous]

This is really interesting...I'm UU and we have groups that practice paganism but Ive never been able to locate a Wiccan to ask questions...so thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

Are prayers not said with the end goal in mind to chance a specific circumstance? I cast spells for healing, insight, happiness, peace.

I believe in a Goddess and a God, two forms of one cosmic higher power.

[Anonymous]

What sort of lubricant do you use during Black Mass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

Are prayers not said with the end goal in mind to chance a specific circumstance? I cast spells for healing, insight, happiness, peace.

I believe in a Goddess and a God, two forms of one cosmic higher power.

Not in the context I mean. For instance, you cast a spell for a guy to fall in love with you. After the spell, the action immediately follows. Same as the insight you "prayed" for on behalf of your friend. I'm Christian and our prayers are not meant in the same "instantaneous" context. In fact, the prayer is more for God's favor and not necessarily that, because we prayed, it will be answered. Spells seem to suggest a "just ask and it shall be" sort of vibe. Maybe I'm wrong?

Again, God in a Christian sense. If not, what "God"? Or perhaps it's god?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What sort of lubricant do you use during Black Mass?

The tears of virgins, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

Are prayers not said with the end goal in mind to chance a specific circumstance? I cast spells for healing, insight, happiness, peace.

I believe in a Goddess and a God, two forms of one cosmic higher power.

Not in the context I mean. For instance, you cast a spell for a guy to fall in love with you. After the spell, the action immediately follows. Same as the insight you "prayed" for on behalf of your friend. I'm Christian and our prayers are not meant in the same "instantaneous" context. In fact, the prayer is more for God's favor and not necessarily that, because we prayed, it will be answered. Spells seem to suggest a "just ask and it shall be" sort of vibe. Maybe I'm wrong?

Again, God in a Christian sense. If not, what "God"? Or perhaps it's god?

Not OP.. but if you look above you will see that she believes in a Goddess and a God. IIRC it's already been stated that it is not the Christian God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

Are prayers not said with the end goal in mind to chance a specific circumstance? I cast spells for healing, insight, happiness, peace.

I believe in a Goddess and a God, two forms of one cosmic higher power.

Not in the context I mean. For instance, you cast a spell for a guy to fall in love with you. After the spell, the action immediately follows. Same as the insight you "prayed" for on behalf of your friend. I'm Christian and our prayers are not meant in the same "instantaneous" context. In fact, the prayer is more for God's favor and not necessarily that, because we prayed, it will be answered. Spells seem to suggest a "just ask and it shall be" sort of vibe. Maybe I'm wrong?

Again, God in a Christian sense. If not, what "God"? Or perhaps it's god?

I've heard it said that magic is a command while prayer is a request, and I think that's the most apt way of putting it.

Spells are as powerful as the will you put into them, and they don't always immediately cause a complete change in the circumstance.

Going back to the example of my spell for insight for my friend, the actions that my spell did were go give a positive nudge to my friend's inner-consciousness that was having the difficult with making a decision. Just because I cast the spell, it was not guaranteed that she would immediately be able to make the decision. However, the result of the spell was a helping hand leading her towards the clarity to make the decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

Are prayers not said with the end goal in mind to chance a specific circumstance? I cast spells for healing, insight, happiness, peace.

I believe in a Goddess and a God, two forms of one cosmic higher power.

Not in the context I mean. For instance, you cast a spell for a guy to fall in love with you. After the spell, the action immediately follows. Same as the insight you "prayed" for on behalf of your friend. I'm Christian and our prayers are not meant in the same "instantaneous" context. In fact, the prayer is more for God's favor and not necessarily that, because we prayed, it will be answered. Spells seem to suggest a "just ask and it shall be" sort of vibe. Maybe I'm wrong?

Again, God in a Christian sense. If not, what "God"? Or perhaps it's god?

Not OP.. but if you look above you will see that she believes in a Goddess and a God. IIRC it's already been stated that it is not the Christian God.

That's correct. I don't believe in the Christian God. I believe in a God that is connected to his female counterpart, the Goddess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

From what I know (which admittedly is very little), spells are done to result in an action, not simply as a form of prayer. Is this just a movie thing?

You say you believe in God. Are we talking the Christian God?

Are prayers not said with the end goal in mind to chance a specific circumstance? I cast spells for healing, insight, happiness, peace.

I believe in a Goddess and a God, two forms of one cosmic higher power.

Not in the context I mean. For instance, you cast a spell for a guy to fall in love with you. After the spell, the action immediately follows. Same as the insight you "prayed" for on behalf of your friend. I'm Christian and our prayers are not meant in the same "instantaneous" context. In fact, the prayer is more for God's favor and not necessarily that, because we prayed, it will be answered. Spells seem to suggest a "just ask and it shall be" sort of vibe. Maybe I'm wrong?

Again, God in a Christian sense. If not, what "God"? Or perhaps it's god?

Not OP.. but if you look above you will see that she believes in a Goddess and a God. IIRC it's already been stated that it is not the Christian God.

Yes, but what "God"? Defined how? Even if most folks don't believe in God (in the Christian form), they acknowledge that version of God is who they don't believe in. I never really get an answer about what God folks believe in if not the Christian God.

Are we talking God, the Creator?