Introduction: Finding Power Without Tripping Over It
By Friday (formerly Volute/A. Minahan) Copyright © 2012 PaganPath.com
There are many Books of Shadows that have charts of correspondence tables to tell you when to work a spell, what color of candle to use for every situation, and which invocations to use. There is no need for this type of reiteration. Much of Craft writing and teaching discusses what technical knowledge is required to be a 'first, second or third degree initiate' or how to work a spell. However, these are simply presentations of technique. Without an understanding of what it takes to find, develop and use power, technique is just decoration. Decorating your house doesn't help if you never clean your house in the first place.There is power in Witchcraft. This power is a drawing card that attracts all kinds of people with all types of motives. Finding a book, a teacher, or a mentor that is clear and honest can be a challenging task. The quest for power can be an honorable one, but all too frequently there are people who claim to be a "Grand High Elder of the So & So Tradition" or say that they are a "Third Degree High Priest/ess of The High & Mighty Coven". Too many of these people have missed the point. In the quest for power, they have in turn created that which they may have been trying to escape in the first place. The only difference may be that this time they are at the top of the hierarchical pyramid.
Categorizations and labels in the Craft are numerous. There are now "non-Wiccan Witches", "Green Eclectic Kitchen Witches" and even "Ceremonial Magick Witches". It would be convenient to be able to describe our beliefs in a handful of words, but why place spirituality into little compartments? Following in the footsteps of others can often be an easier...
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Part I: Getting Away from the Program
By Friday (formerly Volute/A. Minahan) Copyright © 2012 PaganPath.com
Being born and raised in American society, or any society dominated by Christianity, will have effects on people's minds. Even when we question many of the tenants of the Christian faith, there are lingering doubts and thought patterns that remain. For example:Once upon a time, hehehe, there was a women-only ritual and study group (coven?). The women in this group had been through some trying situations, but each had emerged like a phoenix from the flame to find themselves reborn. Most of the situations were brought on by controlling, alcoholic, and insecure men. Once they had broken away from their codependent relationships, they completely rejected everything patriarchal and even all that involved males. They were so adamant about this, that when one of the women became pregnant with a son, she was no longer allowed in the circle for the duration of her pregnancy. The members of the group explained to me, "We cannot have any male energy contaminating this safe space". They would also not allow male animals in the residence during a circle, not even in another room.
These women, though quite well intentioned, and quite within their rights to do this, were following a very hierarchical dictate. This exclusive mind set, and idea of contamination, is often a Christian or modern societal program. Ok, so I know this sounds like the ravings of a paranoid lunatic, and it is NOT my intent to criticize the beliefs or methods of others, these are simply true life examples that help to demonstrate my point. Here are some more examples:
Throughout early Christian history, especially from 500-1600 AD, members of the church would go on pilgrimages to seek "holy objects" such as...
SOPA & PIPA
By Friday (formerly Volute/A. Minahan) Copyright © 2012 PaganPath.com
While we are on the topic of freedom, there is a very serious issue coming up for vote in the U.S. senate on Tuesday, January 24th. Please take some time to educate yourself about SOPA, what it is, why you should care, and find out how it affects you. (Click here to watch a video instead.) Now that you know more about it, do something about it.Click Here for the January 19, 2012 Update: Keep up the fight, we aren't done yet!PaganPath.com participated in the internet blackout on January 18...
Blocked Wiccan Websites
By Friday (formerly Volute/A. Minahan) Copyright © 2012 PaganPath.com
A a story to keep an eye on: This Tuesday, January 3: ACLU sues library in Missouri for blocking Wiccan websites. I have experienced similar blocking software at Burger King and several major wireless network "hot spots" provided by major companies and government organizations. This software actually blocks PaganPath.com, The Witches' Voice and Circle Sanctuary! Note that PaganPath.com is voluntarily rated and submitted to numerous family safe websites and software companies to ensure that it...
Welcome Back & Blessed Solstice!
By Friday (formerly Volute/A. Minahan) Copyright © 2012 PaganPath.com
PaganPath has been reborn! As of Yule 2011 (21 Dec @ 17:00 UT) the site re-opened with all of the software updated and stabilized. Much like a new property, the gardens are laid out and the house has been built.For the next few weeks, all of the archived materials from every previous incarnation of PaganPath.com, including the original 1996 "Volute's Witchy Site" will be populating all the areas of the site. This is very much like putting in furniture, planting the garden, and putting the...
Part VI: Worship
Part VI: Worship; or, giving yourself permission to connect with what moves you in whatever way you deem best What is being a real practitioner? As you know, guilt is self-defeating, so why include it in your spirituality? Some MORE examples: For a year, while living and working in a private residence,...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
Read morePart IV: Modern Use and Misuse of Deity
Part IV: Modern Use and Misuse of the Gods and Goddesses or Universal Energy A) Deity as Santa Clause- like the exercise for changing stop light, and like the girls in the movie "The Craft", There are some who will do a spell or other magical working at the drop of...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
Read morePart V: Finding your Specialty
The exercises you've done so far will help you determine what areas you are good at, and at what times you work best. It is not necessary to specialize, but if you desire to do so, then the more you practice the more you will know of ideas for areas...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
Read morePart VII: Be your own guru
Meditation can be your best teacher, but sitting in a knot half asleep sucks. Try guided visualizations to refresh your energy, make up your own. This may be more fulfilling than that OM chanting. Record everything in your journal/BOS 1) Meditation in a house, with a spouse? Visualize entering a house,...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
Read moreGetting it Together
It may seem slow, but the site is coming together behind the scenes quickly. Please check back regularly and refresh your pages or clear your cache to see the changes. In the meantime, please visit the Forum and connect with others or ask a question!
From Site Area: Site News
Read morePart II: Where is Power?
In Part I we talked about the self defeating programming that takes power from within you and gives it to things outside of yourself. (similar to Starhawk's "power over" ideas) The classic ideas of fate, destiny, and an all powerful god, as well as modern hierarchies in business and relationships,...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
Read morePart III: Deity
Part III: Deity; or more "Breaking away from hierarchy or patriarchy without hating" Ok, so you get the self-empowerment thing, and you've proven to yourself that you've got something going on spiritually, magically or otherwise. So WHAT IS IT??!!! Some Witches believe in Goddess and God and people-entities, like Jesus and...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
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End Note
Remember when you first started down your Witchy path? If you've become disillusioned because you've lost one too many battles in the anti-defamation and misinformation league, remember the enthusiasm you once had. Getting in touch with your original fiery spirit may keep motivated to change misconceptions about the Craft. With the...
From Site Area: Volute's Personal BoS
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