I'm Wiccan. Ask Me Anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Where does he come from? What has he done? Is he the Creator?

[Anonymous]

I think spells send that vibe to people whose only exposure to this sort of thing is what they see in movies or observe theatrical young adults doing. The rituals my Wiccan friends have performed are not dramatically different in intent than the part of a Christian service where people extend prayers to community members who need them for whatever reasons. Think of them as targeted prayers, with ritualistic objects, gestures and words. Such things exist in many religious sects, in my experience.

Anyone who has attended a yoga class has participated in that spiritual ritual, for example. I don't think that many of the OP's workings would be unfamiliar to most religious people in "vibe" and intent, even if the props and words are unfamiliar.

- PP with Pagan rekative, still enjoying thus thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

No. Not if you're referring to the Christian God.

I'm not sure there is an answer OP can give that will satisfy you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

No. Not if you're referring to the Christian God.

I'm not sure there is an answer OP can give that will satisfy you.

Perhaps let OP be the judge of that?

I think my question is fair. If OP believes in God, I'd like to know what that means. I can tell you as a Christian, Jews can tell you, so can Muslims. It would be interesting to hear OP's take as a Wiccan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Where does he come from? What has he done? Is he the Creator?

In simplistic terms, I'm polytheistic. God is one part of the Creator, the diving being who created all of Earth's creations. He is the lord of the hunter and the hunted and protects the spirits of the vegetation in nature. He's lord of the light and the sun is used to represent him, but because of the great cosmic balance he is also lord of darkness and shadows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think spells send that vibe to people whose only exposure to this sort of thing is what they see in movies or observe theatrical young adults doing. The rituals my Wiccan friends have performed are not dramatically different in intent than the part of a Christian service where people extend prayers to community members who need them for whatever reasons. Think of them as targeted prayers, with ritualistic objects, gestures and words. Such things exist in many religious sects, in my experience.

Anyone who has attended a yoga class has participated in that spiritual ritual, for example. I don't think that many of the OP's workings would be unfamiliar to most religious people in "vibe" and intent, even if the props and words are unfamiliar.

- PP with Pagan rekative, still enjoying thus thread

That is exactly right and what a great way to put it! Thank you for this explanation. May I please use it in the future?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Where does he come from? What has he done? Is he the Creator?

In simplistic terms, I'm polytheistic. God is one part of the Creator, the diving being who created all of Earth's creations. He is the lord of the hunter and the hunted and protects the spirits of the vegetation in nature. He's lord of the light and the sun is used to represent him, but because of the great cosmic balance he is also lord of darkness and shadows.

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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?

No. Not if you're referring to the Christian God.

I'm not sure there is an answer OP can give that will satisfy you.

I'm not PP but I think I understand the question (I hope the snark directed at the Chrisrtian is beneath you). PP is asking about the Wiccan gods' traits and powers.

For example, did the Wiccan gods create earth and living beings? Or do the Wiccan gods have a role that is more about bringing about the natural change of seasons, fertility, an abundant harvest, and so on?

Do the Wiccan gods have a role in reincarnation or in determining when someone dies/goes to the underground?

When something bad happens, was it the will of a Wiccan God or a normal event of nature? What is the explanation for a bad harvest - is it that the Wiccan gods don't control the weather? That is, are the Wiccan gods omnipotent?

Do Wiccan gods grant OP's prayers, or determine whether her spells are effective?

[Anonymous]

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

I'm not beholden to the Christian commandments because I am not a Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

I'm not beholden to the Christian commandments because I am not a Christian.

Different PP here. That's fair enough. I think the question is, are you

1. monotheistic, in terms of the God and goddess being different aspects of one universal, godly power,

Or

2. polytheistic, because the Wiccan God and goddess are seperate beings. If that's the case, what are their different attributes? I imagine a Zeus/Hera analogy is completely wrong. In what attributes do these gods differ?

[Anonymous]

I'm not PP but I think I understand the question (I hope the snark directed at the Chrisrtian is beneath you). PP is asking about the Wiccan gods' traits and powers.

For example, did the Wiccan gods create earth and living beings? Or do the Wiccan gods have a role that is more about bringing about the natural change of seasons, fertility, an abundant harvest, and so on?

Do the Wiccan gods have a role in reincarnation or in determining when someone dies/goes to the underground?

When something bad happens, was it the will of a Wiccan God or a normal event of nature? What is the explanation for a bad harvest - is it that the Wiccan gods don't control the weather? That is, are the Wiccan gods omnipotent?

Do Wiccan gods grant OP's prayers, or determine whether her spells are effective?

Yes, the gods created the world. Here's a link to a great creation story from a Wiccan point of view: http://triple-goddess.blogspot.com/2011/09/wiccan-creation-story.html

Through their creation, they gave every living thing a spirit and their role is to protect and nurture those spirits through the ways that you mentioned.

How one is reincarnated is based mainly on the acts that they committed in the previous life, and each go around is tailored by the Creator to teach us valuable lessons that we did not yet know.

The gods are omnipresent, but not omnipotent. When sometime bad happens, it's chalked up to the fact that bad things must happen to counteract the good things that happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

I'm not beholden to the Christian commandments because I am not a Christian.

Different PP here. That's fair enough. I think the question is, are you

1. monotheistic, in terms of the God and goddess being different aspects of one universal, godly power,

Or

2. polytheistic, because the Wiccan God and goddess are seperate beings. If that's the case, what are their different attributes? I imagine a Zeus/Hera analogy is completely wrong. In what attributes do these gods differ?

That's a really gray area and a tough semantic question to answer. I believe in one higher power that has two faces, so take that as you will.

The Goddess is the moon. She represents fertility and her three forms, the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone, represent the stages of life. She is associated with birth and life.
The God is the sun. He represents masculinity and is associated with nature and death and rebirth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

I'm not beholden to the Christian commandments because I am not a Christian.

Yes, but this commandment is OT, so not Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

I'm not beholden to the Christian commandments because I am not a Christian.

Yes, but this commandment is OT, so not Christian.

I'm not of an Abrahamic religion so I am not beholden to this commandment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you believe in God (in the Creator sense), I can't see how you're polytheistic. Only because those who believe in God (the Creator) follow the "worship no other gods" commandment. How does that vibe with your belief in goddesses, etc?

I'm not beholden to the Christian commandments because I am not a Christian.

Different PP here. That's fair enough. I think the question is, are you

1. monotheistic, in terms of the God and goddess being different aspects of one universal, godly power,

Or

2. polytheistic, because the Wiccan God and goddess are seperate beings. If that's the case, what are their different attributes? I imagine a Zeus/Hera analogy is completely wrong. In what attributes do these gods differ?

That's a really gray area and a tough semantic question to answer. I believe in one higher power that has two faces, so take that as you will.

The Goddess is the moon. She represents fertility and her three forms, the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone, represent the stages of life. She is associated with birth and life.
The God is the sun. He represents masculinity and is associated with nature and death and rebirth.

It sounds like you don't believe in many gods, but rather two (a female counterpart to the Christian "God").

Question: who do Wiccans credit with creating living things? Do you believe in the theory of evolution? What is your stance on heaven/hell?