Living Wicca...the basics

This is a book I highly recommend for anybody interested in Wicca. Scott Cunningham, the author has a great way of explaining the basics, and that is just what this book is, the basics. The underlying theme of being Wiccan/Pagan is the saying "Do no harm".
I'm sure you have all heard the different ways Wiccans and Pagans are described, both self and otherwise. "White Witch" or he's into the "dark magic". Or you see magic spelled magick, or majick. I don't get into all of that, it's too superficial...but there are many in the pagan community who do. There is no real thing as a black witch or a white witch, unless you're racist and are talking about skin color.
A true wiccan (or pagan, I use these terms interchangably) is a 'white witch', so to speak. The term "do no harm" is just that, you do no harm. And when you're a practicing wiccan, this is a biggie. Putting a binding spell on another person, without their permission, is harmful, especially to yourself. Even spellcrafting to help out a friend, when they are unaware (unless the situation is dire) is harmful. We imagine 'do no harm' to mean not physically harming another, but that is simply the very basic element to it.
If you want to read the full version, you can go here: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5888676587762917324.
There are so many different types of wiccans/pagans that I can't even keep them straight. Many christians (catholics, jews, etc.) think that wiccans/pagans 'worship' satan/thedevil/lucifer. THAT is so far beyond the truth...it makes me shake my head. The level of ignorance in the world regarding wiccans is astounding. We do not believe in satan. Most of us don't even believe he exists. I certainly don't. I think it is perpetrated by the mass religions, driving people to church out of fear and anxiety. And it works. Why do people believe in God? Well the other option is unthinkable!
Some wiccans/pagans believe in 1 God and 1 Goddess (that will be another post, another time!), while others (like me) believe in MANY Gods and Goddesses...much like Greek mythology...and many of them come from the Greeks.
Here are some basic wiccan beliefs/facts (remember...these are mine...not all pagans/wiccans believe as I do):
The earth is a living being, and is female. Hence we call her Mother Earth.
The moon is a living female as well. The sun is male.
The earth/sun/moon are all in a cycle of balance. Nothing can give or take too long without being unbalanced. The sun balances the moon and vice versa via us having day and night time. The male and female forms are just that, balance. Men and women are different for that same reason!
Most pagans and wiccans, when asked, will tell you that if they worship anything, it is the mother. Even if you live surrounded by concrete, it is easy to worship her. The single tree at the end of a street, a community park, or even a plant in your windowsill can be enough for a wiccan to sit and appreciate all that we have, all that mother earth has given us.

Now I know I said before that pagans do not believe in satan, and that is not ENTIRELY true. There are a few that follow Anton Levey (not I!), and certainly have their own level of beliefs. A huge difference is how they wear their pentacle (or pentagram). Take a look at these two pictures:


Tne second one is the inverted pentacle, the other is normal. Do you see the difference? One is pointed up, the other is pointed down. To understand the difference, let me explain what each point means. On the pentacle, there are 5 points, with 4 pointing out and one pointing either up or down. The four are easily described as the basic elements...earth, air, fire and water...with the 5th one representing the spirit.
Wiccan's wear theirs with the spirit pointing upwards. This represents that our souls are above material possessions, and also that there is a power higher than us.
Others, usually Levey followers, wear theirs with their spirit pointing down, putting materials above themselves. This means that they have a high regard for things, and money, and what power they have over these things. It also means a big thing: that they are their OWN god, they are in charge of their own destinies, and that their power is just as strong as the God and the Goddess (and some don't believe in them as well).

It just goes to show that in every religion or faith based system...there are major differences. Because people are different. Unfortunately Levey followers are not helping to show what paganism is really all about.

Anyway...I just figured that if I was going to blog about this, that I would at least give some basics as to what paganism/wicca is all about. I know I only touched on very little, and will be happy to answer any questions you might have. I hope to get other wiccans I know to join in a little, to help give their perspective, though this is my blog :) and my opinions.

Recommended readings:
Living Wicca: A further guide for the solitary practitioner by Scott Cunningham.
To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generational Witchcraft by Silver RavenWolf
(another great author, she has tons of books out, and they're easy to read).

If you want to know more about Anton Levey....
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Pentacle_on_white.svg/341px-Pentacle_on_white.svg.png

you can also look up Aleister Crowley, who was a big figure in pagan movements...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley

I like neither man. Just so you know.

Until next time,

Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again.

(a form of hello, goodbye and hope to see you again...we pagans never really say 'goodbye'...we believe in the afterlife!)