Wicca/Paganism

[DoctorShoe]

Bright blessings to all!

Wiccan here. Just wondering if there are any more of us around. :) I don't have a coven, and there doesn't seem to be too much opportunity for it in Ireland, even in the medium sized cities.

DP is not a Wiccan. I'm a hospital doctor. We enjoy Dr. Who and Star Trek. I was raised Catholic.

I have had a lovely Beltane. Didn't get to celebrate quite as soon as I'd have liked, due to work, but it was beautiful.

My sick orchid is budding, my Book of Shadows is growing... Thinking about a nice walk in the woods tomorrow afternoon.

Would love to hear from others. :) I have so many questions.

I don't know what indigo children are?
I would certainly like to know though.
My ancestors came from Wales and I know they were Romany gypsy.
It may sound silly but I have always felt an affinity to not only the country but the countryside and natural environment, I grow herbs and am interested in natural ingredients for medicine and cooking.
My upbringing has been totally different to this though and I know nothing of Paganism, Wicca, or witchcraft.

www.amagicalworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=9

I resonate with a lot of what is written here as do my children. My children introduced me to this. I brought them up to have a foot in both worlds and to make their own decisions and choices and not be swayed by the herd. I home educated them for a few years and the people we met and mixed with were very different from the world we mixed in before or now. (We are Welsh..)

I notice people keep mentioning "we are Welsh". Is this a euphemism? Or is there a significance with Wales and Paganism?

A meditation or spiritual development class is a good start and it helps if you have an open mind and don't poo poo the idea that there are fairies, angels, beings that live deep in the earth (not moles), trees and plants talk and can give you messages.

vivaxia I am with you 100%

I am a scientist. I have no belief or "faith"- that 10% is simply stuff that we have not yet labelled, like morphic resonance or global crystal condensation.

Maybe less witches were murdered in Wales so the tradition has survived more.

Or the Celtic fringe? I live in rural Scotland, traditional culture still exists, we have a huge Beltane festival, Halloween is massive.

Yes, perhaps more was able to survive, perhaps the Church had less influence too - probably a mix of a few things.

propelusagain, so do you believe the spells and rituals you perform harness powers entirely from within yourself (working on your subconscious) or that there are other 'forces', with which you are engaging with, which make the spells and rituals work?

Could some of you tell us more about spells? What are they? What do they involve? And, as bramble asks, what do you think is going on?

A spell is the same as a prayer. It can be a simple rhyme or lighting a candle and asking for what is needed. Placeing food offerings in a special place like at a river, an oak tree or a clearing in a Forrest. Its a way of convaying an intent to the universe.

I think a spell works both on the person 90% and that 10% of an unknown force/energy.

Spells also use everyday objects to help convay that intent such as a rose to a lover to strengthen a loving bond, marrigolds on a grave for remembiance or oat cake and honey for a good harviest. Colours, esseance oils for smells and candles have certain meanings so blue candle for healing in a spell asking for someone to get better after illness. Most spells are done in the same place and that space is protected by a circle of salt, sage, cryistals and other itams that promote positive energy and keep out negative energy. Before a spell a circle is cast so the spell only has good intentions.

So would you say that spells are rituals or habits to help focus the mind? Is belief in the 10% of magic necessary for the spells to work as a mind-focuser?

Do you believe that a blue candle actually helps an ill person get better, or is it a focus for sending positive wishes for their recovery? Would a green candle work as well?

Daisy, are the symbolic meanings which you ascribe to everyday objects personal or is there a common symbolic language amongst Pagans/ Wiccans? Do the meanings relate to some quality intrinsically present within the object? Is there any transference, can people or other events affect the power within an everyday object? How do you ascertain the nature of symbolic power of an object?

I'll be honest and say I don't know how it works for me, but it does.

Even healing spells for others.

It could be a transferred placebo effect, but it's a bloody good one!

Would you wear yellow to a funeral? Colours have universal meanings and most people know this, its the reason why Valentine cards are red for love. Would a green candle work yes but a blue would make it work better!

There are books or lists on the internet for the meaning of flowers and herbs some are just known. I think its the same for most Wicca's there are books on essences oils and aromotherapy and almost everything.

Can people or events affect the power within an everyday object? Yes that's why Crystals are cleaned before use and a work space is cleaned to get negative vibs out.

Black or white tends to have opposite meanings across different cultures, within superstition. Green is considered unlucky by some, lucky by some.

So do you think that there is some intrinsic universal truth within the symbolism or do you think it is cultural belief, itself, that holds the power, Daisy?

Would you wear yellow to a funeral? Colours have universal meanings and most people know this,

I would wear black, because I come from the West. So I think that it's cultural rather than a universal truth.

From my relatively extensive readings, the colour that means most to you will work best.

Some may even use red for a healing spell, associating blood with health.

I use white for most things, with success.

Vivacia I posted I am Welsh simply because toe poster I was talking to talked about her Welsh heritage.

I think its cultural as we learn our culture from our parents and family and friends. This is where as a baby we learn colours have meaning red hot blue cold etc. In wicca each person follows their own path and has the freedom to chose what works best for them and can change spells to suit their needs.

Doctor I feel healing spells and sending healing energy to someone works by harnessing the universal power and visualising healing light entering the recipients body.

Do any of you recognise yourself as an Indigo child?

Maybe it is, Milllli.

Don't think I'm an indigo child. Just an ordinary woman who happens to be a witch.