I read somewhere, a very long time ago, that anybody that became Wiccan and then strayed from the path, i.e. went to another religion, then came back to Wicca had to give a blood vow offering to the Goddess that they would never stray again. Has anybody ever heard this? Is it true?
2007-01-29 18:34:51 · 8 answers · asked by Becca 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, but no one does that anymore, although we do still have initiations at sword point. I guess since it's been published I can reveal it. A person is hoodwinked and lead to the circle. At one point in the ceremony the HP holds a sword to the Neophyte's chest and reminds him/her to take the oath seriously because it would be better to have the sword thrust through his/her chest than betray the coven. Although even today, usually a small amount of blood is spilt during the initiation (just a drop or two).
There is also a warning in the old Coven laws in the Gardnerian BoS about Wiccans leaving to become Cowans.
"And if any break these laws, even under torture, The Curse of the Goddess shall be upon them, so they never reborn on earth, And may they remain where they belong, in the Hell of the Christians."
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/gbos38.htm [look under "C"]
This is why I tell people it's not a game! I know a lot of fluffies just peed their pants reading that! LOL
BB
2007-01-30 10:56:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of such a thing, but then again, I'm not involved with Gardnerian, Alexandrian, or any other lineage based form of Wicca. There is value in this sort of psychodrama and a great deal of energy is to be found in offering one's own blood, but the vow of belief in a dogma strikes me as dishonest. If this story of a blood vow is true, it probably belongs to a time when Witchcraft and Paganism were actionable offenses and not merely something that will occasionally get you a funny look and a talking to from bible-thumping relatives.
All the best,
Lazarus
2007-01-30 02:44:39 · answer #2 · answered by The Man Comes Around 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard that.
Q: Do you do blood sacrifice?
A: Goddess NO! The nature of sacrifice is to give up something of one's own in order to gain something more important. Wiccans believe in the sanctity of all life. Most pagans believe that animals are part of the same natural cycle of life as humans are. Witches have long been associated with animal companions known as "familiars."
2007-01-30 09:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by AmyB 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard about it before, and I'm sure it is probably just something that someone made up. It would probably be useful if you are dealing with a person that comes and goes all the time and you need to help them make up their mind by raising the stakes a bit.
2007-01-30 03:11:40 · answer #4 · answered by Rabble Rouser 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm Wiccan and I have never once heard of this or read it anywhere. I don't believe the Goddess wants you to inflict harm upon yourself in that manner.
2007-01-30 02:43:47 · answer #5 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard of anything like that. Everything I've been taught has cautioned against any kind of blood shed in a ritual.
If you really want to do that, I'd suggest that you take it metaphorically (that is, without real blood).
2007-01-30 02:46:59 · answer #6 · answered by thesnakegoddess 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard this, it sounds crazy to me. I can't imagine actually leaving Wicca, but I can imagine having to do some "blood ritual" to come back even less.
2007-01-30 02:41:21 · answer #7 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"The sacrifice that We enjoy most is one of seeing karmic harmony and life being lived well, not the taking of life, nor the letting of blood.
Therefore, you shall burn no sacrifice of blood nor creature unto Us, nor offer sacrifice of blood or life".
The only 'blood vow' I know of is the marriage affirmation:
"blood of my blood, bone of my bone, I give you my body that we two may be one, I give you my spirit till our lives shall be done"
2007-01-30 03:39:33 · answer #8 · answered by Yarnlady_needsyarn 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋