Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it's odd that people "shop" for a religion that most suits them and their beliefs? It seems odd to me, but I can't put my finger on the reason ...

I don't want to derail OPs thread, but I would suggest the reason this seems odd to you is because there is, in fact, an objective truth out there. But when people look only for a religion that conforms to their personal beliefs, they are not necessarily seeking what is actually true. Rather, they are seeking what they want to be true.

+1. Thank you for inserting this bit of sense into this discussion!

Anonymous wrote:Can Wiccan practice privately for a lifetime? Or does one have to meet up for say a baptism or yearly ceremony of some sort?

Wiccans can absolutely practice privately for a lifetime! Many do, and many like being surrounded by people who share their beliefs when they worship. There is no right or wrong way to practice as long as what you're doing works for you.

Can Wiccan practice privately for a lifetime? Or does one have to meet up for say a baptism or yearly ceremony of some sort?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you get to take time off from work for Wiccan holidays and special events?

I normally get Yule, or the Winter Solstice off, because of its proximity to Christmas but the other holidays I don't ask off for. I am leery of having to explain why to my boss. I've mentioned my religion in passing before and it didn't seem to bother her, but that's different than explicitly outing myself.

Atheists are a minority and religious folks distrust them and think they are immoral heathens. So I was going to ask about whether you were closeted.

I'm open about it if people ask and am very open and vocal with my friends or people I trust, but I generally don't volunteer the information.

Also, I'm not an atheist. I believe in a Goddess and a God.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you get to take time off from work for Wiccan holidays and special events?

I normally get Yule, or the Winter Solstice off, because of its proximity to Christmas but the other holidays I don't ask off for. I am leery of having to explain why to my boss. I've mentioned my religion in passing before and it didn't seem to bother her, but that's different than explicitly outing myself.

Atheists are a minority and religious folks distrust them and think they are immoral heathens. So I was going to ask about whether you were closeted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any books or documentaries on the Wiccan practice you'd like to share?

what type of spells do you casts? Do you have a special room in your home w/ herbs, plants, candles etc set up for your practice?

I haven't watched any of these, but I certainly will now that I know they exist: https://www.google.com/search?q=wicca+documentary&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I, and most Wiccans, have an alter that is the center of where we physically practice. My alter is under the window of my bedroom. Here are some examples of people's altars: goo.gl/tcNkAa

I cast protective spells on my loved ones to guard them from harmful energy, healing spells, spells for patience or understanding, fertility spells if people specifically ask. I know that some witches cast spells to get them love, power, money, etc, but I stay away from those.

Great Great thanks I'm looking at the first doc now. Will likely have more questions later. The second link isn't active.

Sorry about that! Let me try it again without shortening the link.

OP again: I've been watching this video and it's very informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkrgX6yeEk0

Anonymous wrote:Do you get to take time off from work for Wiccan holidays and special events?

I normally get Yule, or the Winter Solstice off, because of its proximity to Christmas but the other holidays I don't ask off for. I am leery of having to explain why to my boss. I've mentioned my religion in passing before and it didn't seem to bother her, but that's different than explicitly outing myself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any books or documentaries on the Wiccan practice you'd like to share?

what type of spells do you casts? Do you have a special room in your home w/ herbs, plants, candles etc set up for your practice?

I haven't watched any of these, but I certainly will now that I know they exist: https://www.google.com/search?q=wicca+documentary&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I, and most Wiccans, have an alter that is the center of where we physically practice. My alter is under the window of my bedroom. Here are some examples of people's altars: goo.gl/tcNkAa

I cast protective spells on my loved ones to guard them from harmful energy, healing spells, spells for patience or understanding, fertility spells if people specifically ask. I know that some witches cast spells to get them love, power, money, etc, but I stay away from those.

Great Great thanks I'm looking at the first doc now. Will likely have more questions later. The second link isn't active.

Sorry about that! Let me try it again without shortening the link.

Do you get to take time off from work for Wiccan holidays and special events?

Anonymous wrote:Are most of your friends also Wiccan?
Is there a spiritual leader that you follow? What is the title of a Wiccan spiritual leader?
What are your holidays? Solstice days, I imagine.

I have friends from all walks of life. My best friend is Buddhist.

Wiccans who practice in a coven had a hierarchy, of sorts, from the lowly first order priestesses or priests to the High Priestess. There's not really an overarching religious leader like the Pope.

The Wheel of the Year, our holiday calendar, based off of solstices and equinoxes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any books or documentaries on the Wiccan practice you'd like to share?

what type of spells do you casts? Do you have a special room in your home w/ herbs, plants, candles etc set up for your practice?

I haven't watched any of these, but I certainly will now that I know they exist: https://www.google.com/search?q=wicca+documentary&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I, and most Wiccans, have an alter that is the center of where we physically practice. My alter is under the window of my bedroom. Here are some examples of people's altars: goo.gl/tcNkAa

I cast protective spells on my loved ones to guard them from harmful energy, healing spells, spells for patience or understanding, fertility spells if people specifically ask. I know that some witches cast spells to get them love, power, money, etc, but I stay away from those.

Great Great thanks I'm looking at the first doc now. Will likely have more questions later. The second link isn't active.

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it's odd that people "shop" for a religion that most suits them and their beliefs? It seems odd to me, but I can't put my finger on the reason ...

I don't want to derail OPs thread, but I would suggest the reason this seems odd to you is because there is, in fact, an objective truth out there. But when people look only for a religion that conforms to their personal beliefs, they are not necessarily seeking what is actually true. Rather, they are seeking what they want to be true.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you aware of any public figures or celebrities who are Wiccan?

And, with all due respect and seriousness and general curiosity, is there a Wiccan "look" - do you wear certain clothing styles or colors or symbols?

Is Stevie Nicks Wicca? She claims she is spiritual, but...what do you think?

+1

Also, do Wiccans cast negative spells, too? I worked with a Wiccan. I swore she hated me.

We're not supposed to. The first rule of magick is to Do No Harm. We also believe in the Threefold rule, where everything we do (good or bad) comes back around to us (via karma) threefold which is a very strong motivator to not cast negative spells.

Wiccans are allowed to have emotions; just because she hated you doesn't mean she would take it out on you. If you're religious, do you pray to God that people you don't like have bad things happen to them?

Are most of your friends also Wiccan?
Is there a spiritual leader that you follow? What is the title of a Wiccan spiritual leader?
What are your holidays? Solstice days, I imagine.

Anonymous wrote:Are you aware of any public figures or celebrities who are Wiccan?

And, with all due respect and seriousness and general curiosity, is there a Wiccan "look" - do you wear certain clothing styles or colors or symbols?

Is Stevie Nicks Wicca? She claims she is spiritual, but...what do you think?

I'm not aware of any that are Wiccan, but I know that some celebrities say they are spiritual and there's a fair amount of celebrities who are Pagan: http://www.angelfire.com/ia/Geoff/famous.html

There's definitaly a stereotypical hippy look that I'm sure people envision: Long flowy skirts, fair trade shoes and shirts, long hair, flowers, peace signs. That's true of some Wiccans, sure, but most of us dress in our own individual aesthetic just like you do. The pentagram is the symbol of Wicca and some Wiccans wear necklaces or other jewelry depicting it or the triple moon symbol that represents the Mother Goddess (http://www.world-religions-professor.com/images/wicca_symbol_triplemoon.jpg)

Stevie Nicks has said herself that she doesn't identify with being Wiccan, so I am not going to assign her a label that she doesn't agree with.