Another question to pagans ONLY...?

Question

Hello.

I am trying to learn more about the Pagan/Wiccan religion. I am very new at this, so forgive me if I am ignorant. I understand that wiccans worshop the God and the Godess. Who are the God and Godess and what do they represent? Am I right in thinking that the Godess refers to nature?

Also, I have noticed that, when writing spells, 'early modern English' is popular (thee, thou, hast etc). Is this necessary? Can modern English be used?

What is the difference between Paganism and Wicca? I understand that Paganism refers to religions/beliefs separate from the standard abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Is Wicca a Pagan religion? What other Pagan religions are there?

Do you have sacred places?

How do you cope with persecution?

What is the origin of the three-fold rule? Why not a five-fold rule (when there are five elements)?

Again, I apologise for my ignorance and request that ONLY Pagans/Wiccans answer. I do not want condemnation here!

Answer 1

I'll direct you to this site first:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

for a relatively objective (non-Wiccan) overview of what Wiccans do and believe.

Now, to your questions.

1) Wiccans honor Deity as both male and female, God and Goddess -- or at the very least as Goddess. We believe that the universe is the body of God/dess, and therefore that all things contain Divine energy and that the world itself is sacred. Some Wiccans are polytheists (many God/desses); others are duotheists (God and Goddess, of whom all other Gods and Goddesses are simply aspects); others are monotheists (God and Goddess Themselves are simply aspects of an unknowable Source).

The Goddess represents the ultimate feminine principle, and is often symbolized by earth, water, and the moon. The God is the ultimate masculine principle, and is often symbolized by air, fire, and the sun. They also represent all the energies in the universe that are... well, "opposing" isn't quite the right term -- "complementary" is closer, in the sense that yin and yang are complementary in Eastern philosophies.

To say that the Goddess is nature is an oversimplification. It's more accurate to say that Wiccans honor the Divine as manifest in nature, at least in the form of Wicca I was taught. Some Wiccans are pantheists (the universe is the body of God/dess); others are panentheists (the universe is permeated with Divine energy, but God/dess also has an existence above and beyond the observable universe).

2) Some Wiccans prefer to write spells in "old English" (or some approximation thereof) in order to differentiate spells from mundane speech. I personally find it useful -- it puts me in a frame of mind different from the everyday, and it sounds beautiful as well. But you can write spells in modern English just as easily and effectively.

3) Paganism -- or more accurately, NeoPaganism, as opposed to classical Paganism -- is the umbrella term for a variety of earth-centered religions. Wicca is one reliigion within that group.

The term Paganism is also used to refer to any non-Abrahamic religion, and Wicca certainly counts as that as well.

Other Pagan religions include Asatru, Druidism, and various forms of Goddess worship.

4) Wiccans create sacred space where and as needed by "casting circle", or creating an energy sphere that functions as a temple space for the duration of the rite. For this reason, almost any space can be used for worship. However, Wiccans generally prefer to worship outdoors, in order to be immersed in the Divine aas manifest in nature.

5) Persecution is difficult. Many Wiccans respond with attempts to educate those who try to persecute them. Others simply keep their religion a secret. That choice is left up to the individual Wiccan or coven.

6) I'm not sure of the origin of the Rule of Three -- good question! And "three" is often seen as an arbitrary number; some Wiccans believe that the return is more like ten-fold, but the point remains that whatever you do will have consequences above and beyond an "equal and opposite reaction".

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

You can be both a Wiccan and a witch, these two words are not the same One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.

Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "Pagan" as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.

Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I'm still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches.
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You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".

Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion, therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock.

Answer 3

Ok, I'm not wiccan, but I'll answer what I can here. That said, I do not worship a blanket Goddess and God, but many individual dieties.

As far as I'm concerned, you should write in whatever language means the most to you. For a lot of people, thats early-modern english because of its association with religion in general, but if you'd rather write spells in modern English, or French or Latin or whatever, I don't believe the language makes any difference.

Wicca is a specific branch of paganism that worships a Goddess and a God, paganism is all polytheistic, Earth centered religions, although Hinduism is generally not considered pagan. Other pagan religions include Asatru... I'm at a loss for anything else off the top of my head.

I do not have specific sacred spaces, but I have places I go, and once I am there and in a certain state of mind, for all I'm concerned, they're sacred. For example, there's a spot in the woods I like to go to. When I'm not there, its just a spot in the woods, though.

I don't get that much persecution because I'm very careful about who I tell that I'm pagan. When I do experience it, I either explain to the person, or if I cannot, I let it roll off because they're just being narrowminded, and thats their problem not mine.

There are several variations of the three-fold law. I think the idea matters more than the number. I do not know the origin.

You ask some really good questions! Good luck in your studies, and if you have more questions or just want to chat, feel free to message me.

Answer 4

The God and Goddess are the universal feminine and masculine balance. There are many Gods that are meant to represent different aspects of nature also. As for spells, well I would not concentrate on that unless you are magical Wiccan or Pagan, but obviously spells can be written which ever way you chose, English or otherwise.

A Pagan is a person not belonging to one of the world's main religions and can refer to irreligious as well as those who follow less well know religious such as Wicca. Paganism is the practice of being a Pagan. However I question whether we can rightly say Wicca is a Pagan religion, I would say it is more of Heathen religion. A Heathen is a person that follows a religion but it isn't established; like Wicca. Wicca may have a large following but there are so may sects with differing views and opinions even some rejecting there being both a God and Goddess figure. Also, there are no set holy/religious books of Wicca, just random authors making things up, in some cases, as they go along. Also there is no set clergy in a lot of sects. So to be specific Wicca is a Heathen religion.

Remembering that a religion is set rites and practices coupled with the worship/reverence of God(s) or impersonal Higher Being(s). Now there are lots of Heathen/Pagan religions, I myself follow a Heathen religion (not Wicca) and have studied Paganisn/Heathenry in their many forms. For example, the Druids who have existed for many a century have their own religion. All the Earth is sacred to The Gods, but a garden, balcony or even park can made sacred. I personally pray and worship a lot at home with my family, we also spend a lot of time at The Temple, and I have statuettes and carvings of The Gods in and around my home.

As for persecution.... why victimize yourself? If you're going to shout from the rooftops "I am a Wiccan and I dance skyclad(naked) around a hearth to worship my Goddess." wouldn't you expect a funny or in some unfortunate cases reaction? The only people who need to know your beliefs and practices are The Gods and no one else. I have read stories of Wiccans practicing in public parks and police were called because apparently people complained that they were sacrificing babies! People in this day and age ought to know that people are afraid of what they don't know or understand so being discreet is just nesscessary. I'm not saying I'm not proud to declare my beliefs, but if ignorant people are around being the better person is what has to be done.

The threefold rule most probably comes from the idea of things "coming in threes," e.g. good things always come in threes as does the bad. Some may argue that it is Christian in origin, (the Holy Trinity; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit), but there are a lot of earlier religions that held importance on the number three. In my religion we worship Three Golden Goddesses (as well as other Gods) and three is important to us because there is a balance in three; beginning middle and end, mind body spirit, past present future etc. The elements are different because they refer to the physical whereas the threefold, can of course influence the physical, yet it also plays a part in what is beyond the physical.

You are not ignorant, you only seek knowledge and I very much hope to have been of some use to you.

The Gods Blessings

Answer 5

Wicca is one of many Pagan religions. Not all Pagans are Wiccans.

You also have Ásatrú, Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, Dievturiba, Hellenic polytheism, Kemetic polytheism, Romuva, Stregheria, Santería, Vodou, etc..

Now to answer some of your other questions. No the Gods can understand modern English it isn't necessary to use Old English.

Personally I don't follow the three-fold rule. I do believe that your actions effect your Örlög as well as the Wyrd. So your actions do have consequences.

Answer 6

[Middle English, from Late Latin pāgānus, from Latin, country-dweller, civilian, from pāgus, country, rural district; see pag- in Indo-European roots.]

Oh my goodness, we're rednecks... that's -not- what it's referencing, it's referencing that our Divinity is in the Fields and Mountains that It created rather than a box that mankind has mad for it.

Anyway. All Wiccans are Pagans, but not all Pagans are Wiccans, kinda like all poodles are dogs....

I'm not Wiccan, but I am Nondenominational Pagan, and I don't do a lot (barely any) of spellwork, so I can't help too much along those lines, but I'll help where I can.

God and Goddess represent the male and female aspects of Divinity (I believe Divinity is gender-neutral, myself). Goddess represents growth, creation and creativity, generousity, etc. God being male represents the more "aggressive" aspects of the universe around us, destruction, anger, dominance, etc. This is -not- to say that the God is evil. These things are actually necessary. But there must be a balance.
Some simply stick to generic God/Goddess, others find a God/Goddess that "speaks" to them. Are you drawn to Greek/Roman/Norse/Egyptian or any other mythology? You've found your Dieties.

I personally draw from many traditions, not only the traditional "pagan" religions, but also from the "big three", aka christianity, islam, and judaism. The eastern philosophies also fit quite well into my belief structure, and the more I learn about -any- religion, the more my beliefs grow.

Do I have sacred places? Of course. There are many that I know that I will probably never get to see, but even right here around me. I see Divinity in It's Creations, a good day of Praise can involve a walk in the woods, a trip to the beach, a day in a kayak, anywhere I can forget about the blights we put on this planet for a while. (Even the back yard will do for me.)

How do I cope with persecution? Someone tells me I'm going to hell, I let them know that they're on my list of people who's faces I will laugh in when I make it to Heaven. I don't force my beliefs down other's throats. I don't take it when others try to force their beliefs down mine. I am open to Divinity, and have been known to talk about It's nature with people of differing views for -HOURS- on end. I am fine with this as long as there is no condemnation or contempt. I don't overtly advertise my beliefs, no pentacles here, the necklace my brother got me a few years ago with leaves on it fits me a bit better, but for the most part, even my friends who do advertise don't run into a lot of persecution.

Three-fold rule simply states that any energies you direct into the world will come back to you three times worse or better. This is basically a reminder that if you do bad, worse comes to you, you do good, better comes to you. Remember this and your Wiccan Rede:

Bide the Wiccan law ye must
In perfect love and perfect trust
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill
An it harm none, do what ye will.

What ye send forth comes back to thee
So ever mind the Law of Three
Follow this with Mind and Heart
Merry ye meet, and merry ye part


(Btw, the early modern english stuff.... I can take it or leave it, Divinity knows what you mean, but sometimes it -does- sound better.)

That's all for this novella

Blessed be.

Answer 7

HI, I'm going to number your questions to answer them more easily.

1. Wiccans base their belief on polarity. That polarity is based on many things that can be classified as light and dark, above and below, etc. Most of all the Polarity of God and Goddess is recognized as the personification of all parts of Nature. This is allegorical from some and literal for others.

2. Both God and Goddess reflect the elements of Nature which Wiccans break down into 5 major categories. Earth and Water are Feminine and receptive, Fire and Air are Masculine and projective, the Fifth Element is Spirit and encompasses all aspects of Nature and Society and Everything.

3. I think that using old English in spells is pretentious. The energy behind the spell is what is important. Tools like chants, candles and incense are meant to focus and group energy. Some people don't speak during ritual, some use old english, some their native toungue, others use old languages like Greek, Arabic, African Languages or Latin for example. This is all about what you are comfortable with and how you are able to focus your energy the best.

4. Paganism encompasses Wicca and the indigenous religions of Europe along with other regions. You are correct that Paganism encompasses the non Abrahamic religions, but there are Pagan religions that are based on other Abrahamic teachings that are rejected by the mainstream Abrahamic societies. Such as Gnostic Christianity, Kabballa, Thelema, Santeria etc.

5. Other than the above mentioned, Pagan religions include, Native American Shamanism, Druidism, Asatru, Stregheria, Voodoo, African Indigenous Religions, Greek Reconstructionists and Traditionalists, Heathens, and others.

6. Most Wiccans have sacred places that they perform rituals. It's not necessary, but it helps most with their energy focus and concentration. For most, this might be a field or forest if available. For those who don't have access or prefer indoor magick, an altar is the norm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWZGMb3zSJo

7. Coping with persecution. Well, many people have misconceptions of Wicca. I try not to listen to those people who aren't willing to listen, I don't answer questions about my religon unless I am asked. I don't tell people I'm Wiccan unless they ask. That helps. When it comes to Wiccans in the political arena, I vote mostly for democrats because I want to keep our religious freedom. Many conservatives want to take away the rights of Wiccans to worship in the US especially on military bases. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYLfBCJ3e4w

For my personal experiences, check out my you tube page, I've got three of them.

7. Three is the number of the Goddess and therefore the number of the world. Worldly things happen in threes. The Law of Reciprocity as I refer to it, means that each action has a reaction that is three fold. Some Wiccans see the three as symbolizing the world and don't take it as a literal three times, others take it literally. I am one of those people who take it literally. Why is three the number of the Goddess? The Goddess has three parts; Maiden, Mother and Crone as they are commonly called. The three stages of a womans life are marked by her menstrual cycle, hence the connection also to the three stages of the moon cycle (the word menstrual comes from the same root word as moon and they run on the same 28 day cycle), they are Waxing, Waning and Full.

If there are any other questions, feel free to contact me through my profile.

Answer 8

Two books for you:

Margot Adler, "Drawing Down the Moon"
Starhawk, "The Spiral Dance"

Should begin to answer a lot of your questions.

And just to put in a plug for the flavor of paganism I really like:

Diana Paxson, "Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism"

Answer 9

Use to be wiccan so you know you will get a bible belt answer, but my understanding of the God and the goddess was that you could worship as many of them as you wanted to, and the they do refer to nature and the power comes from nature. But I now know it came from satan. I am a poet, so I use to poetcally write my own spells. Paganism is wicca like hinduism and buddism. Wiccans consider themsleves religous people, but as a christian, I do not consider them a religion because of what the Bible says. They have covens, and can be ordained witches, I did niether. I never suffered persecution by humans, I suffered persecution by demons. Its called a THREE fold rule because it will come back to you three times as bad. I do not know the orgin. I only know it works! If you cast a spell and it comes back to you, it will come back three times as bad.

Answer 10

Well im definetly not a pagan.

The word pagan comes from a Latin word that means Vilager. Or hillbilly. Someone that lives in the country and is uneducated. I love it when pagans call themselves pagans. I have to smile a little because it would be like going down to the south into a redneck area and someone that lives there saying " im uneducated and backwards"