Witches Weekly

September 4th 2008
Your Most Important Role

I’ve been getting some emails asking where Witches Weekly has gone. Honestly there wasn’t much participation, so it had become less of a priority. But I’ve decided to start it up again, and hopefully get things rolling again. I may bring another person on board to help with weekly questions if there are any volunteers.

This weeks question:
“Where in your list of roles do you place your role of a pagan? By roles I mean, mother, brother, daughter, son, worker, democrat, american, lover, caretaker, etc. We all have a lot of different roles we play and usually they all fall into an order of importance. Is being a “pagan” at the top, or is it somewhere in the middle?”

Being Pagan is at the top of the list because it is just what I am. I try to be the best one I can too!

Witches Weekly

April 1st 2008
Environment

Do you feel that pagans/neo-pagans as a whole have a responsibility to the environment? Do you incorporate eco-conscious decisions in your spiritual work? Or do you feel that the two subjects should remain separate and have no interest in the environment as a whole?

Yes, I think we do. As a Earth loving Pagan, I try to do my best to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever I can. I think that any Pagan would feel the same. We love the Earth and want to do everything we can to protect Her.

As for eco-conscious decisions for my spiritual work, yes. I do incorporate them. I try to do my part to be as eco-friendly as I can!

Witches Weekly

Favorite Pagan Blog

January 3rd 2008

What is your favorite pagan blog? Tell us how you found it and why you’d recommend it to others?

I haven't read many pagan blogs, so I don't have a favorite. I would love to read some though. If you think I'd like your blog, just reply and I'll check it out. I love to read what other pagans have to say!

Witches Weekly

October 10th 2007

Promote Witches Weekly

Why do you participate in Witches Weekly? Do you feel that it benefits your blog in any way? Do you feel others could benefit from participating in Witches Weekly?

I participate because I enjoy answering the questions. I also enjoy reading other people's answers. I feel anyone with a Pagan based blog could benefit from participating. I've noticed that I tend to get more reader responses to my Witches Weekly posts! :)

Witches Weekly

September 23rd 2007

Pagan Pride Day

What is your opinion concerning Pagan Pride Days? Do you feel they benefit our path or do they serve no purpose? Do you feel they create negative publicity? Have you ever participated in one, and if so, what was the experience like?

I think Pagan Pride Day is a good idea. It lets people see that we aren't a bunch of crazed baby killing, blood drinking, satan worshippers! Of course, no matter what you say or do, there will always be those that will have the wrong idea about those of us who follow the Old Ways.

I've never participated in one as of yet, but I hope to in the future. I haven't found any near enough to my home to participate, but I will in the future.

Witches Weekly

First Group/Fellow Pagan

September 10th 2007

What was your first experience like meeting a group of pagans, whether it’s at a festival, a local group organization etc. If you’ve never been to another group, talk about the first “pagan” you’ve met, how you met them, and the experience.

I realize pagan is not always a suitable word for everyone to describe their path or faith. But it’s a universally recognized term and just makes it easier when trying to target a specific audience.

"The first time I met any fellow Pagans was at the local herb shop. Through the owners, I was able to find others in the area that I didn't know about. We had a meetup group for a while, but it closed due to fund issues. Someday, I hope another person will start a local group. I would, but I can't afford the dues."

"In any case, it was nice meeting local pagans."

Witches Weekly

September 1st 2007

Daily Piety

Do you have a ritual/meditation/affirmation that you do daily? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?

I don't have anything specific that I do everyday. Before I go to bed, I always remember to say thanks to Goddess mother and God father before going to sleep.

Witches Weekly

Do you have a patron deity?

July 8th 2007

What deity has the most influence in your life? Do you not pray to a specific deity? If so, explain your beliefs.

So far I don't. I work with specific deities for a particular circumstances. Lately though, I've been drawn to Bast ( I have a statue of her on my mini altar) and Anubis. I've also always felt close to Pan. I am working toward learning as much about the deities as I can so that I can decide on my patrons. I may never settle down to just one or two, I like being about to attune myself to many. They are all wonderful in their own ways.

Witches Weekly

June 30th 2007

Magic

What are your thoughts on “Magic” in general? What do you believe that it is? Do you believe in it at all? Do you consider it a form of prayer? Do you practice it?Of course I believe in magick! I have wielded it into the world on several occasions. Magick, to me, is inside the person wielding it. Tools, are nice, but are never really necessary the magick comes from within. Of course, I don't think it should be used for every little thing. Magick is something that should be used only when there is a great need for it. I haven't wielded a lot of magick, because I don't do it for fun or games, I do it for need.

Witches Weekly

Veteran Memorial

May 28th 2007

Now that the pentacle has been approved to be placed on Veteran memorials, do you feel that other symbols of different pagan faiths (the druid sigil, thor’s hammer, etc) are as equally important to fight for?

I think that anyone who served their country in any capacity should be able to have anything they want on their tombstones. Veterans give us our freedom, shouldn't we give them religious freedom in return?

Witches Weekly

April 10th 2007

Retro August 2004: What is Sacred to you?
A retro post from August 2004:

What is one item that is sacred to you? (Can be anything, tool, amulet, object, etc)

What holidays or time of year do you consider most sacred to you personally?

Describe your sacred space (can be anywhere, indoors, outdoors, etc):

My most sacred item is the Pentacle that I wear everyday. I feel naked and unprotected if I am not wearing it. When I had a allergic rash on my neck in the past, I put the pentacle on a bracelet and wore it until my neck cleared up.

My favorite time of the year is Fall and that brings in Halloween / Samhain. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year. Before I was Wiccan, my favorite holiday was always Halloween. Now I get to celebrate both.

My sacred space is put up and down when needed. I put out my altar and all the things on it. I also have a permanent seasonal altar in my house, plus a mini altar on my nightstand with crystals, a cauldron, rocks, a candle, a statue of Bast, and a few other things.

One wall of my room is my "Witchy wall" :p I have some Wiccan art, a pentacle dream catcher, and other things. I also have my little bookshelf containing my Wiccan books there. This is next to my trunk where I keep my extra supplies. My besom sits in the corner of this wall.

Witches Weekly

March 13th 2007

Your Family
Do you have any other pagan members of your family? Is there any significant pagan-oriented history of your ancestors and family? If neither of the above apply, what do you hope to leave behind for the next generation concerning your path and knowledge?

Unfortunately, none of my family members are Pagan. Most are Christian. I haven' t shared my path with any of them. I do consider my friends as family, and most of my friends do know. Quite a few of my friends are Pagan / Wiccan / Druid / Buddist / etc. I have many friends of various paths. ^_^

Witches Weekly

Essential Tools

What tools do you feel are essential when performing rituals? (Give the reasoning behind each tool and what it means for your ritual)

My hands are the most important tools. They are the ones that lay my ritual tools out and use them. I use a wand instead of an athame, but lately, I've felt drawn to athames. I will probably get one when I find 'the one'. I also have salt and water on my altar that I mix together to cleanse the perimeter of the circle, an altar pentacle for earth and grounding. I usually put the 'cakes' on this during my circle.

I have incense, and candles for the Goddess and the God. I have a bell, a glass for 'wine' (I use juice!), My cauldron is also a big part of my altar. I use it on the esbats with a candle in it. I light it for Full Moon and leave it unlit for New Moon. I also use my cauldron when doing any kind of spellwork that involves burning. I set the item or items in the cauldron to burn out.

I sometimes use other candles for my altar depending on the Sabbat. I decorate with natural items that relate to the time of the year / Sabbat I'm celebrating. I have four quarter candles that I light at the east, south, west, and north of my circle. My Book of Shadows is usually on or beside of my altar as I write any spells or special things in it before hand.

This was sort of a long rambling account, but that is what I use. I have many tools, but the main tool is myself. The magick comes from within the Witch and while I enjoy having my tools, I don't really need them.

Witches Weekly

Science

Does science play a role in your spiritual beliefs? Does it compliment or contradict, and in what ways?

Science doesn't really play any role in my spiritual beliefs.

Witches Weekly

Spiritual Hygiene

Donated by: Elerah

Do you have a spiritual hygiene routine? (smudging, etc) What significance does this play in your spirituality, and how often do you use it?

I always try to take a cleansing bath before circle or ritual. I also use incense to smudge when I feel a need for it in my house and area.

Witches Weekly

Environment

December 27th 2006

Do you feel that environmental awareness is a crucial part of the pagan path?

Definitely. I think that since Pagans have such a huge respect for the Earth and it's resources, they are more aware of ways to help protect it. I try to recycle anything that I can. I try to reduce, reuse and recycle anything I can.

Witches Weekly

The Start

When did you first realize that the pagan path was for you?

I've always been intrigued by the 'alternative path'. I was raised in a Christian home and went to Christian schools all my life. I graduated from a Christian highschool. Even back then I felt drawn to Witchcraft. At the time, I didn't even know there was a religion called Wicca.

When in the New Age section of my bookstore in September of 2004 I saw a book that intrigued me. It was called, Wicca For One by Raymond Buckland. I looked at , and put it back. After I left, I thought about nothing but going back and getting that book. I finally went back (about a week later), bought it, and read it cover to cover. I realized that Wicca was definately for me.

I bought more books, researched online and read everything I could get my hands on. I did my self-dedication / initiation on December 10, 2004. This coming Sunday I will have been a practicing Wiccan for two years! I'm so excited!

I still read everything I can get my hands on and study all the time. I enjoy learning anything and everything regarding my path.

Witches Weekly

Spiritual Mentor

Who has been a spiritual mentor for you during your path? If you do not have one (or even if you do), what motivates you to say on your spiritual path?

I don't have a spiritual mentor at the point on my path. I have learned a lot from reading books and just being in nature and learning from that. I have a few friends that are on this path and of course we all learn from each other.

I motivate myself to stay on my path. Anytime I can get out in nature, I feel so alive and attuned with the Goddess and God. I can't help but stay on my path!

Witches Weekly

Witches Weekly

October 8th 2006 Grimoire

This weeks question donated by: Sunfire

Do you keep an equivalent of a book of shadows? What format do you keep it in? (digital, paper), how often do you use it, and is it categorized in any way?

My Book of Shadows is basically in two parts. I have the actual book that is a beautiful journal with handmade paper. I write when I have circle, what I did at that circle, any magic performed at any time, etc. It's my sacred book.

The second part is a regular five subject notebook where I put all my lessons, and information. If I go through any Wicca book that has lessons, I use this book for that. I also put in references I find in books such as herbal, trees, runes, etc.

As some point, I plan to type both of them up and put them on the computer to have a back up electronic copy.

There you go, that is my BOS / Grimoire

Witches Weekly

Witches Weekly

What would you do if…

September 15th 2006

What is one thing relating to your spiritual path that you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t due to lack of money, time, etc. (Examples could be….creating your own altar room, going to visit a historical monument related to your spirituality, etc).

This is a good question! I'd love to go to Ireland to see the site of Bridgid's flame. I'd like to go to Salem to see the Witch trial museums and areas there. As for home, I'd like to re-do the room in which I have circle. I'd like to paint the walls in the different colors of the elements, or either paint them in a woodland theme. I'd like to permantely make that room a ritual / circle room. As of now, it's my circle room, but it's used for other things. I think it would be wonderful to totally dedicate that one room to my workings.