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.

Millili I think it's necessary that we have conspiracy theory, because the alternative is to risk totalitarianism - but I'm not convinced by much of it. In the same way, I'm no believer in homeopathy but I recognise that there might be a role for it, just as some herbs /colours /stones correspond with certain attributes or outcomes in my own practice.

Like others have said, I'm very disturbed by the homeopathy vs vaccine debate and I put my eggs firmly in the science basket when it comes to my own health! However I've read and heard fascinating research about the effect of prayer/meditation on health and illness outcomes.

I have also read a lot on the mind body connection and find it fascinating.

Very pleased to see this thread as I'm just returning to my spiritual practice after several years out from being active.

For those who are curious about Paganism, I'll explain my path.
If I have to pick a label for myself, it would be eclectic solitary, so I'm not a member of a coven. I've never been formally initiated.
I celebrate nature, and the seasons and the cycles of the moon and sun. I study the Tarot (it's a lifelong study IMO), I'm interested in the healing power of herbs and plants. (Not the same thing as homeopathy.) Magic is a part of my practice, but not a huge part. Moon phases are very important to my magic as are candles.
I don't do angels, or Indigo Children, or a lot of other 'New Age', but I have no issue with those who do.

I was born after 1979 and I'm dyslexic but I don't believe I'm a indigo child

Homeopathy is not herbalism. I agree with vaccinations and modern medician but also complementary healing as well. I think its important to keep an open mind. I also give blood as its a nice thing to do and when I do I think about healing energy going into my blood to help the receiver. It might not work but every little helps and it can't harm them. Its about the small things in life that make a big difference. Its about going out of my way to help others and the environment.

I love reading about everyone else's path as they are all different and I learn a lot from other people. I think other peoples take on it is so interesting and I now have a whole new reading list

I guess what I'm saying is I try to make it a way of living my life for the better and I'm still learning and changing.

Thank you Spiderlight

I am really enjoying this thread it is lovely to learn about something new and try and understand.
There is a lot of what people have said that resonates with me.

Likewise I have a dh and ds2 who believe in several conspiracy theories and whilst I don't always share their belief am glad they just don't accept everything and question events.

I like reading conspiracy theories but I prefer reading about other peoples paranormal experiences. I like watching TAPS on TV and would love to go stay at the Stanley Hotel where the shinning was based on. I'm not a medium and have only seen one ghost my whole life but I still find the subject interesting.

My sister (a lot older than me) took me to a spiritualist church meeting once and when the man (priest?) was talking to the spirits his aura was purple/indigo around his head and I have always found that interesting as its the colour and place of the 'third' eye location. Most other people are just white with bits of blue, yellow, green and pink.

Hello and welcome back to the path JoyVed In fact our paths sound very similar! I wish you a lot of joy and fulfilment in your return.

It is lovely to share and compare practice. I think the differences that Paganism allows are a key strength. We can all decide how best to develop our relationship with the Universe/Spirit/nature.

I have a couple of questions:

Can I ask everyone: do you do much work in circle? A lot of my practice happens in the everyday - but every now and then I will cast a circle specifically for meditation, or to make an offering, or to boost a working in time with the moon or whatever.

I'd also like to ask Propelusagain and DoctorShoe and any other fellow witchy-sciencey people: which came first in your life? I grew up with my path, then moved away when I got into my career, and then came back to it again slowly (still firmly in the broom closet work wise though)..

I have always been a rational thinker, even as a child I was interested in science ( my father was a physicist.

I started my craft at the same time I was studying at University for my degree in Chemistry.

I'm not sure what you mean by "work in circle" but I practice mindfulness without any preparation beyond sitting with purpose and an intent to stay awake. I considered getting a cushion specifically to help with this, decided against it, partly because I don't like clutter.

However, I do recognise rituals in other areas of my life. For example, I lift heavy weights, where good form is essential and the environment can be a bit intimidating. I've realised that I have some pretty strict habits, partly to give me structure and a "comfort zone" I guess.

Thanks propelusagain
Vivacia I can totally relate to the heavy lifting scenario. The controlled focus and intention must be enormous. I practice yoga (not the same, I know) and if I'm not in the 'zone' it all goes wrong, I can't do it at all, I fall over, my breathing goes wrong etc etc etc. And a big fat yes to mindfulness, I'm currently doing some research on that in my job!

Casting a circle is a fairly common part of ritual magic. Wiccans imagine a circle around them before working many spells, or to raise energy during a coven meeting or celebration of a holiday. I think (but am not sure) that it acts as a sacred space: the idea is that the magic is not tainted by the everyday, and so that harmful entities, thoughts and so on can be kept out. Then the spell is worked and the circle is formally closed.

Traditional witches call this a compass rather than a circle, I think. For them it represents more of a place which connects the witch to the old magic and the ones (witches) who have gone before. It's not a sacred space as such, because traditional witches believe that everyday places are sacred. But its a place where you can focus your intent and stop it from escaping away from the ritual. You're literally 'in the zone', in a place between times which acts as a world between the worlds.

Anyway, witches sometimes call the elements (north/earth, east/air, south/fire, and west/water) at each point on the compass/circle, and associate each of these with a particular ritual item (salt or a stone = north, incense/smoke = east, candle = south and a chalice of water = west). The elements, or spirits thereof are invoked at each point and asked to lend their energy to the spell. That said, witches differ as to whether they believe that certain spirits/energies/whatever truly exist and are associated with the elements.

Recently I've come to rely a lot less on circle-casting - but sometimes I imagine going through the process when I meditate, again as a way of focusing intention.

Interesting, I do weight training and yoga too.

I used to do everything in circle, but as time has gone on I've become less formal and disciplined in my approach - not sure whether or not this is a good thing though.

I'm a scientist by training too and for me science came first, but both came out of a love of nature and fascination with life and its sheer mind-boggling complexity and unlikelihood. One of my biggest spiritual epiphanies came while studying the physiology of the kidney! I'm fascinated with quantum physics and would love to have a better understanding of how it relates to magic - I read Lynne McTaggart's 'The Field' a few years back and was fascinated by it, although my knowledge of physics isn't good enough to read it particularly critically.

I love my circle! I meditate, offer, cast spells, send thoughts or blessings.

I have always been fascinated by witchcraft, but I did medicine first.

And lols at kidney physiology.

All that made me want to do was change career. Although GI physiology has certain similarities (very ion based) and I loved that.

I meditate and within that space I practice my affirmations and send out healing and ask for things I want. Im definitely into the metaphysical side of it all woven in with Paganism and the odd spell. Im not a scientist though :)

You don't need to be a scientist for our love, Milllli.

I'm not a scientist. I only went to Uni to prove I was OK even if I was dyslexic!! I got a BA hons Business studies degree with the dream of owning my own candle shop in Devon one day

That or a wiccan hyper/supermarket all your witchy needs under one roof at low low prices

And then life happened

Witchy when I first began I would cast circles very often. But over the years I cast less and less, usually only on Sabbats and some spell work.

I'm planning a ritual for next Monday to help me back on my path to becoming more active - it's a New Moon and for me that's a great time for a new beginning.

DaisyStarLight I love the idea of a witchy supermarket! Funny how life does get in the way. Have you seen all the witchy stuff for sale on Etsy? I could spend a fortune there..

Thanks everyone for answering my circle curiosity. I think it's time I spent more time in circle again..

Etsy is fab I spend most nights making wish lists

My idea was to convert a barn and have candles and other itams in old apply boxes and glass itams on shelves. Invite people to hold stalls and showcase their art. Then invite people to provide different services like Riki and other healing all in the one location. Then after its closes have a room in the back for meet ups of pagan and wicca groups and self help/support groups. Its was going to be lovly I would help local people and artists and be a big part of the community

Now I'm thinking of going on a candle making course and selling online!!!

Do it Daisy Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Not sure if it's allowed but could you advertise individual candles made to order with white magic spells added??

Daisy that sounds great.

I love this thread. I was ready to be flamed but it's so positive.

Brightest blessings to the lot of you.