¤ Wiccan Club ¤

[RhythmicWolf]

Hey, evangeline! When it comes to finding a path, its best to just do things your own way for a while. Then you can worry about official names once you're comfortable with yourself.
I consider myself a semi-intermediate-beginner on the book knowledge of crystals. I know from what I've read, but not from personal experience.
I like to get physical books but for an online source:
http://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-en ... /carnelian
And my one all important tip is try to get as little "confusionite" as you can, unless you are prepared for unexpected energies and turmoil.

Edit.

The fantastic thing about Wicca is no one can tell you what to believe or how to practice, if you don't want them to. It's like like a buffet of magic and nature and lore. You may never find a Wiccan with a plate EXACTLY like your own.

Thank you very much for the reply!

that website is exactly the type of thing I was looking for earlier, thank you very much! I hope to make myself some index cards to keep around to remember different uses and info on each crystal c:

and yes, that is one of my favorite things about wicca; there are no set in stone rules. thats one thing that has always had me straying away from religion. just another reason i think wicca may be for me cx

also, to what you said about doing things my own way before naming it; im very interested in getting started, im just not exactly sure how? i read somewhere that casting a circle is a good way to determine if wicca is for you, but im not sure how true that reigns. I have a journal ready to use as a Book of Shadows, I'm just not sure where to start practice-wise c:

[mailboxEater]

The best way to get started I think, is a wand. Personally I've only used mine for meditation, but its a perfect place to start. You don't have to go right off the bat into using magic as spells. First learn how it works and why. Then meditate. Sounds lame. I've found though that you can't do anything without a good meditation. And research. Research everything. Lore, myths, writings, magic, recipes, the stars, the plants, the earth, philosophy, candles, crystals, poems, spells, cures, rituals, history, art, languages. And save anything that catches your eye.
So wand, meditate, and research. Your BoS is a great place to put your findings, but its a little more sacred than copy and pasting Web articles.

[RoyalInTheDark]

I'm explaining Wicca to my guy friend, thank goddess he knows his mythology or he'd really be lost with my talking about the three goddess and three gods I worship...

[SSQM]

So, I've got a question.

I've noticed that I have trouble picking one pantheon of Gods/Goddesses. Is that okay? I know it depends on tradition what is okay and what is not, but I'm still rather new and I need to pick up my studies again. Any help on this topic would be fantastic. Please and thank you! <3

[Mari_hadalittlelamb]

My parents have begun threatening me with church... They've decided that taking away my electronics for punishments isn't enough so now they've decided if I get in trouble I have to go to church with my grandmother... This is why I tried to hide my alter in my closet and kept all my other stuff in a shoe box.

This is just wrong. I hate it when family members do this to one of their own because they don't believe the same way they do. My mom does this to me all the time. She joked with my grandmother the other day at easter about how they should forcefully get me baptized...

What you need to do is not change. Let them know that no matter what, you are not going to budge on the issue. If they make you go to church with your grandmother, so be it. But do something that will make them regret it. I told my mom if she made me go to church with my grandmother again, that I would do it... but that I would be wearing my pentacle and would not partake in singing any hymns or doing any prayers. I haven't had to go to church with my grandmother in over a year.

We all need to let our families know that this sort of thing is wrong and it wont be tolerated. I for one am done with the discrimination I face on a daily basis because of what I believe. Sorry for the rant by the way. I am just so sick of seeing this sort of thing happen...

I personally understand what you're going through, I still am myself. I've now come to terms that I would never be able to come out of the broomcloset to anyone other than my mom(even though she still disagrees) and yes I agree with a post a page back (my apologies for I have forgotten your name). Our religion is more publicized than you think, in many stores like Spencers for example you see a lot of Pentacles and Triquetras which is honestly aiding in the thought that we're a negative belief (doesn't help much that they're sold next to pentagrams) nor does it help that many films slander us. But can we honestly change it?

We can't truly change someone's mindset, there will always be a prejudice (it's just human nature) but us on the religious scale when compared to the worlds most 5 religions, we're more of a club. And it angers yet amazes me how the past (Salem trials for instance) and child raising can affect our first impressions of people, but can we honestly change that? It's just down right ridiculous and stupid, that someone can so brutally judge someone based on how they act, what they listen to, how they dress. And it sickens me...but what I find is the problem is that we're kids.

(Well I'm a kid..I'm not sure about the rest of ya'll) it's because of this that this whole aspect of Children not knowing anything is formed. Adults don't want to TRULY listen because we're do young. There's also that fear of being (let's be honest ) "disowned". Kids now a days are just terrified to death because of this, I've read insane stories that can reason why children are scared to talk. (I honestly hope this is making some form of sense) but why do we get so defensive? Wouldn't you have a "adittude" if someone was technically calling you a devil-worshiper?

IN VAST CINCLUSION, My statement is all scattered and unorganized, I apologize for just ranting but I guess I gave you some form of points of argument? Ha..yeahhh... I hope all is well
Blessed be <3

[Mari_hadalittlelamb]

(in response to my earlier post) Some parts were somehow taken out!! I'm so sorry I can explain it tomorrow if you all would like.

So sorry <33

[Realtamoon]

So, I've got a question.

I've noticed that I have trouble picking one pantheon of Gods/Goddesses. Is that okay? I know it depends on tradition what is okay and what is not, but I'm still rather new and I need to pick up my studies again. Any help on this topic would be fantastic. Please and thank you! <3

Like Mailboxeater said earlier there is no one true pagan path. I honor all Gods and Goddesses but my last focus was Sesh Naga and Artemis, a Hindi snake deity and a Grecian goddess. I feel that we should learn all we can from those whom call to us. Study and practice as your heart and soul guide you. They rarely steer you wrong.

*Edit*

Being in the broom closet does suck, and in some places it's harder or more dangerous to be openly "different". Religious freedom is less prevalent, and even in places like the USA (where religious freedom is a constitutional right) you see people being persecuted for their beliefs. I hope you all, whether young or old, can find places and people url that can accept you and where you'll be safe as you are.

[Songa]

I think the most annoying thing about coming out of the broom closet and wearing a Pentacle all the time is the comments like. "Oh that's a cute little star." or "That little star is adorable." but that's just nit pick stuff.Though I did get this one lady on the city bus who said it over and over again to me.I do have to say though I worried a lot about it when I first started wearing my Pentacle publicly.If I was going out I would hide it under my shirt and only wear it openly at home but I took baby step and started wearing it out more publicly.I think what really helped me feel safe in a town in the bible belt is seeing a few other people wearing their Pentacles publicly.Don't get me wrong though there are times when I still worry about it...more so when people give me mean looks.But my mom has always told that I can't worry about what other people think so I try not to.It is hard when you're coming out of the broom closet to family and even harder to come out publicly about it.It's scary at first and it's ok to take baby steps with it but, along the way see if you can spot other people with a Pentacle and maybe just seeing them might help.I know just seeing others helped me.

I guess I should state this wasn't to the people who can't come due family/or others their close to but more to people who are able to come out of the broom closet.I thought I should state that before it gets mixed up.

[RoyalInTheDark]

I sorta, kinda, accidentally converted my good friend over to Wicca... He's been a long time atheist so it's quite entertaining to try to explain my choice of patron gods and goddesses to him. We even went to the mall and bought him a teeny tiny little pentacle that he can hide really easy from his super Catholic parents. I just wish I was better at explaining stuff to him because I honestly suck at explaining to him that you can really take whatever path you want with Wicca.

[SSQM]

I sorta, kinda, accidentally converted my good friend over to Wicca... He's been a long time atheist so it's quite entertaining to try to explain my choice of patron gods and goddesses to him. We even went to the mall and bought him a teeny tiny little pentacle that he can hide really easy from his super Catholic parents. I just wish I was better at explaining stuff to him because I honestly suck at explaining to him that you can really take whatever path you want with Wicca.

I completely understand not being able to explain things to people. My religion isn't the only thing I can't explain very well, I'm just not as good at it in general. I think the best way to help him learn is to point him in the direction of the nearest bookstore. That, and there are many online resources people on CS could point you to as well, if you ask nicely. And I wouldn't say you "accidentally converted" him. People find paths in all types of ways. It's not all about self-discovery. I'm sure whichever way the both of you go, you both sound very open and accepting and despite communication issues, you'll both be able to learn and grow. n.n