Pagan Corner

[Vixandra]

Salutations

I'm a Pagen studying Wicca.
Also studying the Qabalah to help me with my Tarot. Read Runes as well- though mainly to clarify a card reading if I feel it needs it.
Merry met all.

 

[Vixandra]

Got to love double posts...

 

[Image]

If you all would put in a kind word in your workings tonight for my knee (left side cartilage) and ankle (left side tendons) I would be grateful.

Since you asked... I'll cut some rosemary in the garden and bring it with me when I go down to my circle tonight. I'll enchant it specifically for you and bury it in the woods. It's kind of funny but I guess I'll just focus on your AV as an image. It will be enough...

Did you hurt yourself?

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Quick question

How does one begin to incorporate 3 different belief systems into a family circle for this upcoming Samhain? I practice Celtic Shamanism, my best friend is Faery Wicce, and i even have some Nocturnal Wiccans planning on attending. Anyone have any GOOD ideas on how to incorporate all of these into a circle? Thank you in advance.

pet

 

[Image]

Re: Quick question

How does one begin to incorporate 3 different belief systems into a family circle for this upcoming Samhain? I practice Celtic Shamanism, my best friend is Faery Wicce, and i even have some Nocturnal Wiccans planning on attending. Anyone have any GOOD ideas on how to incorporate all of these into a circle? Thank you in advance.

pet

Hi pet... I usually meet with a very diverse group of people. The entire wheel of the year has been spent together. We are all solitaries and while most of us gravitate towards the Celtic, there are Nordic Druids, Native American and others. We've always had wonderful celebrations, each of us bringing our own flavor to the ritual. The Quarters are called in different traditions depending on who's doing the calling and we've not had any problems mixing the energies. Deities are invoked in a similar way but we don't mix the pantheons. No one minds as we know all Gods are one.

Samhain is a time when we honor our ancestors and we all have them whether they were Celtic, Nordic, etc. I personally love the diversity. This year the theme is the myth of Persephone/Kore, Demeter and Hades.

What is a Nocturnal Wiccan? I've not heard that expression...

I'd love to hear what you come up with for your Circle

 

[Bent]

Tonight is a night for cleansing & purification for me. I am so looking forward to Samhain

 

[Image]

It is a perfect night for ritual... Autumn, to me, has always been one of the most magickal times of the year. One of those 'twixt or 'tween times. The forest is so noisy with all the leaves on the ground and the creatures (seen and unseen) getting ready for winter.

Tonight I'll be celebrating the Goddess in Her fullness, as Mother but
with the accent more towards Her Croniness...

Also, a healing for PS...

And I'll be consecrating and empowering a most special tool I was gifted with recently.

Here is what I wrote especially for this occasion. It is extremely intimate between The High Priest & High Priestess and was meant that way... If you like it and want to use it, no problem... I believe in sharing


CONSECRATION & EMPOWERMENT of CHALICE FOR JOINT USE


PLACE – Circle in Gnome Village
TIME – Dusk
DRESS - Skyclad
MOON PHASE – Full
INCENSE – Myrrh
Gender – Feminine
Planet – Moon
Element – Water
Powers – Protection, purification, exorcism, spirituality
INCENSE – Frankincense
Gender – Male
Planet – Sun
Element – Fire
Powers – When burned releases high vibrations, purification, consecration

ALTAR SET-UP

EARTH – Flat stone with Salt and rosemary needles
Green Candle in North

AIR – Incense on Charcoal in bowl
Yellow Candle in East

FIRE – Red Candle in South

WATER – Holy water in Bowl
Blue Candle in West

GOD CANDLE (gold) - To the right
GODDESS CANDLE (silver)– to the left
CHALICE IN CENTER/ WAND to it’s right
WINE & CAKES

SELF PURIFICATION - Outside circle and before entering space the two participants wash each other from crown to feet with water scented with Jasmine

Enter and physically sweep circle area with besom

PRIESTESS LIGHTS CANDLES AND INCENSE/BLESSES SALT/MAKES HOLY WATER

Elevates water

“Behold the water – giver of life
Blessings be upon this creature of water
That all it’s impurities be cast out and only good enter therein

Elevates Salt

“Behold the Salt – preserver of life
Blessings be upon this creature of Salt
That all it’s impurities be cast out and only good enter therein

Mixes salt and water stirs deosil 3x

“Behold the wedding of this water and earth
Blessings be upon their union
May all things touched by this water be cleansed of their impurities and only good enter therein
This I ask for the greater glory of The Almighty
My Lady & My Lord
And in the name of the lesser Spirits of
The Earth , The Air, The Fire and The Water

PRIEST CASTS CIRCLE – uses wand beginning in North at altar

PRIESTESS carries salt and water round to cleanse space
PRIEST carries incense and flame round to cleanse space

QUARTERS – Priest calls East & South/Priestess calls West & North

Element of Air
Ancient Spirits of the East
My Kith and Kin of the Clouds
I call to you!

Bring with you the winds of clarity to sweep confusion from our minds… let your gentle whispering breeze blow through our imaginations

Powers of Air, join with us now!

Element of Fire
Ancient Spirits of the South
My Kith and Kin of the Flames
I call to you!

Bring us the spark to inspire our passions and ignite our most burning desires
For without you we would not be

Powers of Fire, join with us now!

Element of Water
Ancient Spirits of the West
My Kith and Kin of the Waves
I call to you!

Help guide us in our dreams and meditations… Surround us with your cool, flowing essence

Powers of Water, join with us now!

Element of Earth
Ancient Spirits of the North
My Kith and Kin of the deepest Greenwood
Come to us!

Bring us the balance and wisdom of your ancient forests… wrap us in a blanket of your rich, fertile soil. Hold us close to your breast, Mother

Powers of Earth, join with us now!

INVOCATION TO GODDESS – (spoken by Priestess)

Mother, Lady… hear my call! I bid thee welcome from the valleys! I bid thee welcome from my being!
Come in Wisdom, come in knowledge!
Come in Mystery! Come in Magick!
Come for the sake of the creator, come for the sake of us all,
That we may open our eyes to the wonder and glory of it all!

Maiden, Mother, Crone
Know we are your own
Assist our journey through darkness
Until we shine of our own…

Great Goddess!
Bless this circle and your children who stand before you….


INVOCATION TO GOD – (spoken by Priest)

Great One, Lord… Hear my call! I bid thee welcome from the Heavens! I bid thee welcome from my heart!
Come in Peace! Come in compassion!
Come in truth! Come in Love!
Come for the sake of creation!
Come for the sake of us all,
That we may open our eyes to the glory and wonder of it all!

Lord, Teacher, Master
Know we are your own
Touch us with your brilliance
Ignite the creative force!

Great Spirit, Lord of the Wood!
Bless this circle and your children who stand before you…


HP & HPS both pick up and hold Chalice with at least one hand the entire time

HPS: Before these assembled spirits I bring this chalice to be dedicated to the service of the Lady & the Lord

TOGETHER - We consecrate you in the name of Earth. May you be charged with the powers of stone and bone to serve us well in the North; between the worlds, in all the worlds.
(Uses salt from the Earth bowl…)

* We consecrate you in the name of Air. May you be charged with the powers of wind and wing to serve us well in the East; between the worlds, in all the worlds
(Pass through incense smoke 3x and breathe upon the chalice as though giving it life)

* We consecrate you in the name of Fire. May you be charged with the powers of the sun and stars to serve us well in the South; between the worlds, in all the worlds
(Pass over candle flame 3x)

* We consecrate you in the name of Water. May you be charged with the powers of the greening rains and the running streams to serve us well in the West; between the worlds, in all the worlds
(Wash with holy water)

Raise chalice to sky*

* We consecrate you in the name of Spirit. May you be charged from the center of all, above and below, within and without to serve us well between the worlds, in all the worlds

SO MOTE IT BE

FIVE FOLD KISS (HP to HPS) HPS holds chalice between Her breasts

“Blessed be thy feet that have brought thee in these ways
Blessed be thy knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar
Blessed be thy womb for without which we would not be
Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty
(For the final kiss on the lips the chalice is placed between them and held with their hearts, all body points touching)
Blessed be thy lips that shall utter the sacred names


HP takes chalice elevating it

HP: Beautiful Goddess, Keeper of femininity, bless this chalice. Let it be as Thy cauldron, a vessel of productivity and a grail of wisdom. Let it be so bound that no harm may come of it to any being, rather let it be an instrument of understanding and harmony. To thy sacred self I dedicate this vessel, that it may long be of service to thee

Places chalice on altar – A newly consecrated tool must be used immediately


BLESSING OF WINE


HPS: “Great Mother, Lady and heart of the Earth bless this wine with your wisdom and compassion…
Pours wine into chalice, HP picks up and offers the first sip to HPS
HP: “May you never thirst my Lady”
HPS offers wine to HP: “May you never thirst my Lord”

BLESSING OF CAKES

HP: “Great Father, Lord and Heart of all things wild, bless these cakes with your strength and passion”…
HPS: “May you never hunger my Lord”
HP: “May you never hunger my Lady”

TOGETHER they tip chalice to the four directions, to the Fey … HPS :“ Wondrous creatures of the Elements, we offer you a portion of this wine, blessed of Water”

And the Cakes…. HP: “Wondrous creatures of the Elements, we offer you a portion of feasting cakes, blessed of Earth”

HPS pours a portion of wine onto the Earth; HP crumbles cake upon it
HP: “Lady & Lord, accept this gift of Wine and Cake…. Always bless us with your light

Shares wine in Chalice until it's gone, plays, sings. Great Rite is enacted

When ready...
THANK GOD & GODDESS

HPS: Great Goddess, we thank you for your attendance at these rites tonight. We will cherish your wisdom and insights, carrying them in our hearts forever and always…

HP: Great God, we thank you for your attendance at these rites tonight. We will cherish your strength and reasoning, carrying them in our hearts forever and always…


DISMISS QUARTERS


HPS: Element of Earth
Ancient spirits of the North
My Kith and Kin of the Greenwood
Thank you for joining with us at these rites tonight
Go back now from where you came
Until we meet again in light and in love

HPS: Element of Water
Ancient spirits of the West
My Kith and Kin of the oceans waves
Thank you for joining with us at these rites tonight
Go back now to the watery depths of which you came
Until we meet again in light and in love

HP: Element of Fire
Ancient Spirits of the South
My Kith and Kin of the Flames
Thank you for joining with us at these rites tonight
Go back now from where you came
Until we meet again in light and in love

HP: Element of Air
Ancient Spirits of The East
My Kith and Kin of the clouds
Thank you for joining with us at these rites tonight
Go back now from where you came
Until we meet again in light and in love

Close Circle by clapping three times

*LEAVE CHALICE ON ALTAR UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE FULL MOON OVERNIGHT*

 

[evesdream]

Heigh ho ! Who is there ?
No one but me, my dear.
Please come say, How do ?
The things I'll give to you.
By stroke as gentle as a feather
I'll catch a rainbow from the sky
And tie the ends together.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Yes, Image, I hurt myself about a month ago by falling down the heater vent (there's a thread about it somewhere) and I thought I'd be on my feet in a day or two.

Alas, I'm not as young and bounce-backable as I used to be, and/or I hurt myself more than I thought. But it is feeling much better today. Thanks.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Re: Re: Quick question

Hi pet... I usually meet with a very diverse group of people. The entire wheel of the year has been spent together. We are all solitaries and while most of us gravitate towards the Celtic, there are Nordic Druids, Native American and others. We've always had wonderful celebrations, each of us bringing our own flavor to the ritual. The Quarters are called in different traditions depending on who's doing the calling and we've not had any problems mixing the energies. Deities are invoked in a similar way but we don't mix the pantheons. No one minds as we know all Gods are one.

Samhain is a time when we honor our ancestors and we all have them whether they were Celtic, Nordic, etc. I personally love the diversity. This year the theme is the myth of Persephone/Kore, Demeter and Hades.

What is a Nocturnal Wiccan? I've not heard that expression...

I'd love to hear what you come up with for your Circle

Hello Image and thanks for your thoughts conmcerning my lil problem. Usually (depending on who leads the circle) the one who is having the get together tries to incorporate something for everyone. Usually, that person gets the blessing (or curse) of struggling with everyone's lil diversities. Mabon was my best friends rite BUT twas only the Celtic and Fae Wiccans...so quite easily done. Samhain is important to me...i lost my little sister in 1987 and this is always my rite to perform...but i have never had to deal with so many differing path walkers before!!!

As for Nocturnal Wicca. Basically, it is Wicca for those more attuned to the darker aspects of the Goddess and her Consort. I am learning about it from a friend (the better to expand my horizons doncha know?) Nocturnal Wicca is for those of us who are drawn to the night in all of it's aspects, and to darker gods and goddesses of yore. There are 2 really good beginner books out on it by Konstantinos. I just recently bought them both and have begun working with my friend and on the exercises contained within them.

When i finally get the rite in order, i will be sure to post it for you.
Many blessings on your path

pet

 

[Rhys]

I found this on the Llewellyn site...and thought I would share it.

Its from their spell a day page

Many people equate the sign of Libra with balance. But for many Witches its lesson is closer to psychologist Marion Woodman’s concept of “holding the tension of opposites.” Of course, this is difficult in a culture where duality reigns supreme. You are either good or evil, light or dark, one of us, or one of them. Yet, in identifying completely with one side and rejecting its opposite, we create an empty space where compassion should dwell. We waste vital energy in defending our position and sustaining our self-identification with one thing. We become rigid and unchangeable. As Witches, it is part of our duty to recognize our unknown self, to embrace our inner shadow, and live with the tension of opposites. Witches should learn to dance the eternal shadow dance, and know:
I am that, too.


By: Karri Allrich

 

[hurtme]

hmm, I always seem to find more interesting threads evrytime I visit...I just enver expected to find a thread on paganism...so anyways, I am Wiccan, and I have been for about 5 years...it doesn't seem that long, but I started when i was 17, so it has been a long time for me...

I wanted to give some imput on incorperating different types of religion into one ritual...I am solitary by choice, but on occasion I will participate in a circle if I am needed or invited, and comfortable with all the members of the group. through this I have had a chance to work with all different types of spirituality, from wicca, pagainsm, druidism, even to christianity. I was most hesitant with working with a christian, since I was raised in a strict xtian home, and because of it have some...reservations, about that particular religion So here is a wonderful method of incorperation that has worked so well for us in the past. Make a list of things you have in common with the other ppl...from that, write a common thread, chant, verse, whatever...use symbols that are common in all religions...then, have each person in the group write something of appropriate length, from their heart, from their own religious angle...then during the ritual, everyone takes turns reading what they have written, and at the end, the "leader" reads those verses that bind them all together. Its sounds kind of funny, but I swear it works, and it works well...it really helps to incorperate all the energies into one...and I am done rambling now...

 

[Image]

Greetings Hurtme... glad you found this thread.

I really like the ideas you posted. A circle that incorporates everyone's energy, I think, is so much more powerful than one or two people's. Too many times I have seen one person (or group) dominate. And while there is power in unification... I have seen also exclusivism in the very Wiccan groups who claim to be otherwise.

Welcome friend
Image

 

[Image]

I found this on the Llewellyn site...and thought I would share it.

Its from their spell a day page

Many people equate the sign of Libra with balance. But for many Witches its lesson is closer to psychologist Marion Woodman’s concept of “holding the tension of opposites.” Of course, this is difficult in a culture where duality reigns supreme. You are either good or evil, light or dark, one of us, or one of them. Yet, in identifying completely with one side and rejecting its opposite, we create an empty space where compassion should dwell. We waste vital energy in defending our position and sustaining our self-identification with one thing. We become rigid and unchangeable. As Witches, it is part of our duty to recognize our unknown self, to embrace our inner shadow, and live with the tension of opposites. Witches should learn to dance the eternal shadow dance, and know:
I am that, too.


By: Karri Allrich

Rhys, you always have an insightful post to share here...

And if I may.... DUALITY SUCKS! (i wanna bumper sticker and giant magnets )

Dance with me Rhys....

 

[hurtme]

lol...thanks...I tend to make rambling points, since it is often times hard for me to put into words how things work...sometimes they just do, and I am a big believer in just letting things flow...I have found that much as I hate to admit it, my mother was right, and most things do have a way of sorting themselves out in the end...

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Ahh...another person with an awesome idea!! Thank you very much, hurtme. I had decided to try and do something like what you suggested after hearing from Image on my problem. My best friend and i have set up a meeting with those who will be calling the quadrants. We have all ready decided to use basic correspondances for the colors as well as an old circle casting that i wrote specifically for my very first Samhain (1996).

So far, so good!! Anyway, have a good one...
and bright blessings upon you...
pet

 

[hurtme]

sounds good, hope things work out for the best...

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

At a very lovely open circle I went to this spring they had painted out on a large piece of canvas their pentagram. It was about twenty feet by twenty feet and tent canvas so quite sturdy.

The sponsor group carries it around from site to site so they can have indoor and outdoor rites with a clearly marked pentagram every time.

For some reason this popped to mind, so thought I'd toss it out there.

 

[curious2c]

I have had an interesting two weeks at work this time...in so many ways. Samhain approaches and I can't wait.

Heh...seems to be an 'I' post.

Um...well, one certain Pagan is planning on a certain ceremony this Samhain. Self-initatory...initiatory...ini...well they are going to dedicate themselves anyway.

I hope that everything goes right...kind of...nervous about the whole thing.

Anyway...merry meet one and all!

 

[Image]

I have had an interesting two weeks at work this time...in so many ways. Samhain approaches and I can't wait.

Heh...seems to be an 'I' post.

Um...well, one certain Pagan is planning on a certain ceremony this Samhain. Self-initatory...initiatory...ini...well they are going to dedicate themselves anyway.

I hope that everything goes right...kind of...nervous about the whole thing.

Anyway...merry meet one and all!

I know you are ready for this... may I contribute a blessing to your dedication? I know how personal and intimate this is... but if I could I would love to be a small part... bonds are made through all kinds of contact, yes?

 

[curious2c]

I know you are ready for this... may I contribute a blessing to your dedication? I know how personal and intimate this is... but if I could I would love to be a small part... bonds are made through all kinds of contact, yes?

Yes. I do appreciate your thoughts and blessing on my most special night coming. You have been a great help to me in my learning and finding my path Image.

I have found many here to be quite helpful, I hope that I just get it all...well...right. I know I am moving in the correct path and it all feels right...in my heart anyway...my practice may be a bit...um...heh...lacking...but I think the Goddess/Gods will understand. Hopefully I will have assistance from those on the other side too.

 

[Image]

You've already got the most important part right my friend... Don't worry about the logistics

 

[ExistentialLuv]

I just had to share this with all of you . Hope you get a big laugh from it like I did.Probabl not though.

I told my mom PJ and I are going to a witchs meetup on the 27th of this month. She says "Thats nice darlin, just do not get involved in something that is going to have you running naked through the woods under the moon on Halloween".

I laughed and told her "To late mom, I have been doing that for years, it is one of my yearly rituals. By the way mom, you forgot to mention the howling ."

She is so cool, She just laughed at me and says " You're such a silly girl." I am not sure if she took me seriously or not.

 

[Image]

Ahhh.... Running naked, howling through the woods!!!! I am so looking forward to it

 

[hrnylildvl]

I've always wondered.

I have always been facinated by "Earth" religions. (damn I can't spell tonight) I am what is commonly known as a "black sheep" of my family. I don't conform. But the religions that follow mutual respect for nature and the cosmos have always intrigued me. Although I have never "followed" one. Sorry, I'm rambling. so I guess I'll stop my reply now