so what is all this about witches not actually being burnt, then?

[FillyjonkTheQuarkSlayer]

just out of curiosity?

oh & "the book a witch alone" by marion green is a good read on the subject.

WOW SG it has indeed lol

have move from sunny scunny now to lancashire right by the sea its brill

My daughter's a goddess, according to the sprial site! Can't disagree with that...

'A Witch Alone' is a fantastic book, but I like all of Marion Green's stuff.

You know me Meg, crap at emails so I just don't keep up with folk. I am jealous of you near the sea, would love it. Then again I want to be deep in the country - or a wood - or a circle!

Anywhere other than stuck in a town (sulk sulk). I have to make do with my herb patch and little bit of sanctuary at the bottom of the garden.

There is a little bit of witch in all of us FJ

Sg's definition of a Witch ties in with what my friend gives, and he's some big wig (can't find his business card atm) in the Pagan Federation. he's a witch in every cliched way you can imagine- 6' 4, long grey hair, leather jaclet in his erm, later years....... and also one of the nicest chap you can imagine. He was hoping to do the same degree as me, but he can't atm for health reasons.

I also attend Uni with a former Witch who is far less pleasant: for him its about scaring people and I think he gets a ritualistic buzz from it all.

From what I've read (not nearly enough) it seems to be belief system that has learned a lot from the planet, and I wonder about how things- especially the environ,ment- would have turned out (better I suspect) if the more mainstream religions hadn't become so popular, with the supremacy of humanity, and God given rights to the planet that they involve.

awww SG

I know exactly what you mean about keeping in touch flower LOL

If you ever fancy a going to one of the witchfests PLEASE let me know I won't go alone am too shy.

Marion Green is cracking. Did the scott cunningham read but wsn't too impressed. I have another one also canny remeber her name now but it was about green witchcraft absolutley spot on

My dh says I'm a witch, but that's a different issue!

I do remember a whole thread on Mumsnet explaining witches and so on, I can't remember any of the names involved now (shit at remembering) but there were quite a few Mumsnetters and they explained everything very well. There was one in particular and I wish to goodness I could remember her name!

Was it Snugs by any chance Rhuby?

YES!!!!!! That was her! Where is she?

Not keen on Scott Cunningham. Rae Beth is good.

its the kind of approach to life i love, i love the balance and rhythm, the slow, thoughtful approach, and honouring the power of the feminine is why I gave my daughter a goddess's name.

But if I am honest, my gut feeling is against belief in a higher being. I think, for me, to hold such a belief would detract from me taking responsbility for my own life. (I'm not speaking for anyone else at all, thats not even very slightly a dig) So i love the product of this belief but would be a hypocrite if I pretended to hold the belief itself.

Its very pleasent and interesting though...

Don't bring that up again or I may be forced to kill you Tamba

Dont worry am just sniggering quietly to myself

The higher belief thing is hard to explain and get your head around.

I call it God and Goddess because that gives me something to focus on and the balance, like you say.

Laugh too much and you might need Snugs

PMSL

You were snugs? Why didn't you ever say so? Don't you know that I can't keep up with name changes? You never once let on! I would have seen you in a whole new light if I'd have known you were snugs!

Was ages ago that I changed. Thought most people knew - at least those around at the time.

Sorrrryyyyy.

So you should be! Huh! I would have been MUCH nicer to you if I'd have known!

I loved the name Snugs I remember that there was stuff going on in your life though that led to the name change :(

I'm another witch here (M&S I went to the big Croydon witchfest a few years ago - I remember buying a 6-9 moons old babygro for DD, and she's 3 now.... Loved it, but had panic attacks with the amount of people, so am wary of going again :( )

For me it is mainly following nature. I'm not too sure about "higher powers" - I believe in deity (sort of big swirly entities for me - one masculine, one feminine), but that we are all made out of bits of them anyway, so sort of all on an equal playing field - they are sort of a purer form of us (does that make sense or am I talking gibberish???). It has been some time since I have properly celebrated Sabbats - life always seems to get in the way more when its not a "popular" religion, so no bank holidays etc. I do try to do Ostara with DD though , and Samhain and Yule... I'm guess I'm like lots of Christians - Christmas and Easter and forget the ones chucked in the middle . But I believe that I follow my own beliefs in my own way each day, and Sabbats are an added way to celebrate, but not essential.

its not unlike quantum physics, really.

though thats about small swirly things.

pmsl