Paying for an Education

Question of the Week #8 - Paying for an Education

So why shouldn't you be charged for Wicca? Is there anything about Wicca that comes for free? Or do you have to pay for it in some way or another all along the way? So let us say that the lessons are free will they still have the same value to you?

Money is what makes the world go around on so many different levels. Does it make our faith go around as well?

First off I'm not Wiccan. I did study Wicca when I first started down this path but that hardly qualifies me beyond my own opinions. In another post I stated that I feel Wicca should remain coven based. If Wicca stayed coven based the whole question of charging for money takes on a new light; one covered in greed.

If a supplicant is learning Wicca; from the prospective coven, charging for the teachings becomes nothing more than exploitation. Now, I'm not talking about charging for supplies. Those costs incurred must come out of someones pocket, often the students. Those charges are reasonable. A responsible student should expect that all teachings have a cost of some sort.

The coven is much more than a Church or a fellowship circle but more of a family. Charging my family for teaching them how to do something that I know well just feels wrong. It's not in support of the family to do so. In fact it can hold back the family by using money as the criteria for teaching.

Outside of the coven, charging for teachings start to make a little bit of sense. It is still tainted with greed but a more acceptable form. Time and supplies cost. Teachers are plentiful and credentials questionable. The buyer; in this case the prospective student, must be ware. At best these teachings would be the basics; not the mysteries and not tradition specific teachings. At the worst, the teachings could be harmful.

By paying for lessons, you are affirming a lack of loyalty. You have no loyalty to the teacher beyond paying for the next lesson. The teacher has no loyalty to provide an unpaid for lesson much less offer another lesson. It's much like attend collage, where one pays for the parchment. Knowledge isn't necessarily transmitted just because you paid for the lesson.

It is an Outer Court thing to charge for teachings. It does not touch on the heart of Wicca.





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Question of the Week #7 - Life and Death

Question of the Week #7 - Life and Death

He decide to step up and face his death in a noble fashion defending his people. Have we lost this option [Euthanasia] in the modern world? .......

As a pagan how do you feel about it? Should we have more control? Should we take more control over the last part of our life? If as pagans we believe in Reincarnation should maybe Euthanasia not be an option for us since we believe that we will just come back again for another life. Is it to easy of an out for us?

This question has been particularly hard for me. I've lost a few loved ones in my life, my mother and my husband's brother. Both died far to young and left behind many who dearly loved them. I've had to step back a bit and let the question percolate.

For Pagans, the question of death is multifaceted. There are so many different ways to view and approach death in a religious sense. I don't believe that my views about death are particularly Pagan rather than being my own. Perhaps it's my age that shows in my attitudes towards death and more importantly my own mortality. Or maybe it's my facing the facts that I've survived life threatening medical conditions and confronted my own mortality. Either way, it's not death that needs to be noble but life and one well lived at that. Somewhere I've read that one ought to aim at living well and when death comes, go sliding in towards home plate, body all used up and saying "What a ride!" I like that idea.

That's how I want my death to be, with a smile on my face and have had enjoyed every possible minute alive. Knowing what my ideal is makes it easier for me to keep focused rather than get swept away by the whole medicalised process and make better informed decisions. I know there comes a point where the medical industry can no longer help but hinders instead. One can not save the dying. The point of where that is differs with each person. And there needs to be a process of letting go, of letting go of attachment, of the body, of life, of fear, of sorrow and allow acceptance of the process of death.

I really think that this society, Western society has become so frightened of death that most of us can not accept it, neither for themselves or for their loved ones. Too much unhealthy unrealistic obsession with life has caused us to lose control of death. Or maybe it's the first time in human history that a natural death of old age, illnesses and so forth are outnumbering sudden deaths. Perhaps this slower path to death has naturally raised the alarms, so we attempt to prolong life.

Death and life are cyclic process and for some Pagans, reincarnation is a part of it. I don't think society will tank if a majority of it's members supported reincarnation and ethical euthanasia.

Some of us will never go quietly into that dark night. Some of us can not imagine anything but fighting unto the bitter end. And then there are those who don't have that spirit to fight and view the inevitable with calm. Both should be allowed to approach death with the philosophy their choice.


After a wrong click of the mouse this whole post vanished into cyberbits. It's resurrection can be attributed to the best browser I've ever used. Mozilla Firefox. Right now I'm beyond thankful.

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Please Forward .. Please Take the National Pagan Census

Would you please help get the word out?

This is an international survey of the pagan population, and it is a VERY exhaustive and well-constructed analysis.
Feel free to repost it to any and all groups you are on, and definitely take part in the survey if you can.
These are reputable people doing the study.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WYCq4kaxG_2bYrJ8xnemeR3A_3d_3d


Voices from the pagan census: a national survey of witches and neo-pagans
By Helen A. Berger, Evan A. Leach, Leigh S. Shaffer


Book overview
Keenly anticipated by the academic and Neo-Pagan communities, the results of the census provide the most in-depth information about the group yet assembled. Comparing Neo-Pagans with American society at large, Berger, Leach, and Shaffer show that although the two groups share certain statistical characteristics, there are differences as well. The scholars also identify variations within the Neo-Pagan population, including those related to geography and to the movement's multiple spiritual paths.

This came across one of my groups yesterday. I took the survey and it's very interesting. It felt like the researchers are trying to figure out what side of the political spectrum most Pagans are on.

Editing to add: 2:33pm 9/08/09

Just saw a notice from a CUUPS group talking about this survey. Turns out that the WildHunt Blog has post on this. ► Look Here.

Autumn's Twilight A collection of poems.

I've started a new blog; Autumn's Twilight. It's a collection of poems that I've written over the years plus whatever new ones percolate out of my brain.


Two months ago, I was able to get out of storage my old handwritten poems and I've been slowly typing most of them up and posting them. I've got about two hundred poems to go through and post . But the biggest change this new site has on this blog, poems will no longer be a feature here. All of my poetry will be posted on Autumn's Twilight. So please, stop on by and take a look.

We need Lunar One.

Between reading Stranger in a Strange Land and watching the History Channels' show That's Impossible: Death Rays & Energy Weapons last night; I came to the conclusion that we need Lunar One. We must have Lunar One.

In Si-Fi terms, Lunar One is the Moon base. It's the first outpost we should build and it's the first major step off the planet towards Mars. And I think the technology is just about ready to make Lunar One a reality. The last frontier is outer space and our solar system. I really want to see society push for expansion. I really want us to get to Mars.

Scientists have been working for decades now trying to work out the problems on the technology. Now we need a proving ground, to show the world that we are ready to jump off world. That is where Lunar One comes in. It close enough to provide possible rescue and far enough to truly be on it's own. It will be the first step to human colonization of Mars.

We need Lunar One.

But....., Do fish count as pets?

Question of the Week #6 - Pets and Circle

This week the question is about what we do with our pets for ritual. And I'm at a marked disadvantage with this question; I don't have any pets. But..., do fish count as pets?

Long long ago I used to be a cat lover. I admired their intellect, their individually and they need to be petted, but I wasn't willing to be a top notch owner. I just hated changing the litter pan and ugggh...giving them their flea baths and oh, all the other things that needed to be done that cost time and money. For me having a pet wasn't fun and it showed.

Why am I telling you this? Because if I ever have another cat or some other creature, chances are I'm not going to want animals out and about while I'm trying to reach the Gods. I could analyze this to death and come up with all sorts of reasons. Maybe I'm just a perfectionist, maybe I'm a little controlling, maybe I really don't like to trip over animals, maybe I just think animals don't belong in worship...unless it's a seeing eye dog that's helping you walk the circle.

I'm not a devote to Bast, that Great Lady of the Nile and of Cats. That Great Lady will swamp you down with cats. Maybe that's the whole reason after all.




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Daily Practices

Question of the Week - Question # 5

So what are your Daily Practices? Why have you chosen to make them such an important part of your life? Finally how did you go about turning them from just something that you did and making them a regular daily practice?

I don't have many daily practices. I have quiet a few still on my struggling to incorporate list. When I started down this road, I think I tried too much all at once and boy did I fall hard. Eventually I slowed down and started doing things that felt natural to me. Over time my habits have changed and even my dailies have changed too. Nowadays I take a few minutes every day to stop and reflect in front of my altar. Every evening I stop and pray and kiss my altar stones. For me, at this point in my life it is enough. I'm a stay at home mom of a two year old and a two month old and it's enough.

I still want to pray the Five daily. I still want to do yoga, and deep meditation. I still want to journal and explore my dreams, walk in the woods and contemplate on the deepness of everything. But I don't have that kind of time or freedom. I have duties, sacred duties of motherhood. For me, I am walking in Gaia's footsteps by taking care of my children each and every day. By giving them myself, wholly and without regret for all the things I could be doing.

My biggest daily practice is loving my family, each and every morning, noon and night.
For me, it is enough.





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Keep Wicca Traditional, Keep Wicca Coven Based

I'm Pagan, not Wiccan and like most of us in the US, Wicca is what I cut my milk teeth on in Paganism. Even though I'm not Wiccan, it still influences me and I stay abreast of the issues within the Wiccan community at large.

I am for keeping Wicca Traditional. But Wicca is sorely misunderstood even among those who practice it. Wicca has an equal duality; being a magical lodge and a religion at the same time. One nestled within the other. It is a beautiful dance, as one can not exist without the other. Both are needed and both serve a purpose.

When I hear that someone is Wiccan, I'm often guilty of assuming that they are the book raised, eclectic based, solitary variety. This is the general makeup of Outer Court Wiccans otherwise know as a insta-wicca, fluffy bunnies, "I read a book (or two) Wicca", the derided Eclectic Wiccan, Solitary Wiccan and any number of other slurs and labels. Most are just beginners and are still learning and don't deserve the accusation of "ruining Wicca" nor the labels that gets attached. This isn't all that Wicca is nor all that Wicca can be. The Outer Court is just the starting point.

The Outer Court is a great stage to grown and learn. Those who are dedicated to learning are those who are desired for the Inner Court, a coven, the magical lodge, even if they never choose to do so. But learning is the goal and it shows they are truly dedicated to Wicca, the religion. It is in the Outer Court where a seeker can determine if Wicca if for them.

The Outer Court serves a unique purpose. It acts as a filter, sifting out the rough diamonds from among common stones. In a Coven, it is necessary to have individuals that are functional, dedicated, disciplined, mentally and emotional stable. It is necessary to maintain a functional Coven, to practice magic smoothly and to maintain social cohesion among it's members. The Outer Court is a vast pool from which to pull the appropriate candidates for the Inner Court.

I have no problem with the Outer Court calling themselves Wiccan. It does not take away anything from the Inner Court. Do not the laws say to stay hidden? How else is best to hide but within a large Outer Court? But I do prefer to see covens stay traditional, with initiation, dedication and training. This is where tradition counts the most.

The Inner Court is coven based Wicca and it is a magical lodge. As such an apprenticeship (a year and a day), makes sense as it teaches a practice rather than a belief. This is where the mysteries are preserved and are passed down. This is where consistency is needed. It is for this reason, tradition trumps eclecticism. Tradition offers stability. Every religion eventually forms a stable base in a bid for longevity. In a religion that's based on magic, stability is desirable even necessary to maintain perspective and to sustain magical growth. It is the Inner Court; the covens, that is the driving core to Wicca.

If I really wanted to I could claim to be Wiccan, but it would be nothing more than Outer Court, surface gloss only. I celebrate the eight Sabats and occasional Esbats in public ritual. And I celebrate the Sabats with ritual based on generic Wiccan format. I am also well aware of Wiccan mythology and magical practices.

But I don't consider myself Wiccan because of several issues. I have no desire to be a part of a coven. I don't see the Gods as a singular duality. I find that I prefer to keep magic and religion separate. I don't have a desire to learn and collect magical "crafts." I've been relying on UPG to long to abandon it now. So am I really Wiccan? No. What I am, is honest. I could not call myself a Wiccan as I was not called to pursue the Inner Court nor do I believe or mesh with the practices.

But for those seekers who grabbed the first label that came floating by, Wicca isn't a bad one to grab. There is so much to be learned. And for me all the talk about keeping Wicca traditional isn't about keeping lineages, having a initiation instead of a self dedication or weither one is a Gardnerian or an Alexandrian or even a Dianic. It's about keeping the covens alive, maintaining the mysteries, caring for the greater community and honouring the elders who have walked the path before us. The covens are the heart of Wicca. Without them, Wicca is no more than a leaf blown around in the wind.