Merrie Meet
Whilst trawling through the pages of the website I walked into this short posting by Summerfey and it struck a chord, because I have been asked this question many times "Are Wiccan and Witch not the same?" Summerfey answers that point very eloquently in her short description - which is quoted here
You can be both a Wiccan and a Witch, these two words are not the same.
One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangeably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.
Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I'm still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches. You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".
Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion; therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock
.
Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "Pagan" as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.
I hope that this proves useful
Until the next time
Love and Light to all and
Blessed Be
Merlin
Friday, 25 September 2009
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
22nd September Musing
Merrie Meet, good friends
Today is the day I am choosing to celebrate Mabon (the Autumn Equinox), the time when day and night are split into equal parts. Lady Moon moves from her third quarter, in Gemini, into her fourth quarter in Cancer. It is a time of balance and equilibrium and the festival is all about abundance, a key part of which is sharing. The giving and accepting of abundance promotes even more abundance for both giver and receiver.
Warm coloured clothing is favourite, red, orange,maroon, deep gold, russet, brown and dark violet and these colours can also be echoed in table decorations along with seasonal items such as pine cones, apples, horns of plenty. It is also a nice touch to place a set of balance scales filled with wild acorns, grapes and autumnal leaves asa a centrepiece.
The time of year can also be reflected in your choice of menu - nuts, onions, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, berries, apples, garlic, cider, fruit wine, bread, roast beef, chicken and cheese are all symbolic of the season.
The festival is sacred to Ceridwen, a Goddess of Autumn and in Druidic terms honour is placed upon the Green Man. One can offer gifts of blessed water or wine to a favourite tree, and of course not forget the nature fairies and others by leaving them a thimble filled with wine and some berries or nuts.
Together with thoughts of balance, this time is great for starting a winter project and traditionally this would be considered the time to begin making quilts. It is an ideal time to give thanks for friends and family, the food on the table, the clothes that we wear, the work we perform and the goodness in our lives - but it is a good idea to be specific in naming these thoughts.
On an entirely different subject, over the past 2 days I have been reading JK Rowling's "Tales of Beedle the Bard" and the first two tales - "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" and the "Fountain of Fair Fortune" both carry terrific messages underneath what are very pleasant short stories. Unfortunately because of copyright issues I am unable to reproduce these tales on this page, but I would certainly recommend to anyone who reads my Musings to invest in a copy and retell these tales to their young and not so young, and furthermore take particular note themselves to see if they are applying the lessons in their own lives.
So I will now take my leave, wish you a fantastic Mabon, and ask that the Goddess hold you in her care until we meet again.
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Today is the day I am choosing to celebrate Mabon (the Autumn Equinox), the time when day and night are split into equal parts. Lady Moon moves from her third quarter, in Gemini, into her fourth quarter in Cancer. It is a time of balance and equilibrium and the festival is all about abundance, a key part of which is sharing. The giving and accepting of abundance promotes even more abundance for both giver and receiver.
Warm coloured clothing is favourite, red, orange,maroon, deep gold, russet, brown and dark violet and these colours can also be echoed in table decorations along with seasonal items such as pine cones, apples, horns of plenty. It is also a nice touch to place a set of balance scales filled with wild acorns, grapes and autumnal leaves asa a centrepiece.
The time of year can also be reflected in your choice of menu - nuts, onions, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, berries, apples, garlic, cider, fruit wine, bread, roast beef, chicken and cheese are all symbolic of the season.
The festival is sacred to Ceridwen, a Goddess of Autumn and in Druidic terms honour is placed upon the Green Man. One can offer gifts of blessed water or wine to a favourite tree, and of course not forget the nature fairies and others by leaving them a thimble filled with wine and some berries or nuts.
Together with thoughts of balance, this time is great for starting a winter project and traditionally this would be considered the time to begin making quilts. It is an ideal time to give thanks for friends and family, the food on the table, the clothes that we wear, the work we perform and the goodness in our lives - but it is a good idea to be specific in naming these thoughts.
On an entirely different subject, over the past 2 days I have been reading JK Rowling's "Tales of Beedle the Bard" and the first two tales - "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" and the "Fountain of Fair Fortune" both carry terrific messages underneath what are very pleasant short stories. Unfortunately because of copyright issues I am unable to reproduce these tales on this page, but I would certainly recommend to anyone who reads my Musings to invest in a copy and retell these tales to their young and not so young, and furthermore take particular note themselves to see if they are applying the lessons in their own lives.
So I will now take my leave, wish you a fantastic Mabon, and ask that the Goddess hold you in her care until we meet again.
Love, Light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Tuesday 1st September Musing
As the calendar now turns into September I am prompted to think about the changing seasons of the year. The weather here in the South West of England has definitely taken on an Autumnal feel, the light has changed, the trees are already shedding their leaves, daylight hours are becoming shorter and daily temperatures are falling. Because of these changes I decided that I would look a little further into the forthcoming festival - Mabon and discovered the following article amongst the archive of iamawitch.com, the article is credited to summer fey,I hope that you find it interesting.
Historical Mabon
Mabon, the second of the great harvest festivals, is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox (between September 21-September 25). The Wheel has turned and for this single day the hours of daylight and darkness are once again equal. The air is cooler and the harvest of fruits and vegetables means that we are busy canning, pickling, drying and bottling the bounties of orchard and garden.
In modern times, September often means that children are returning to school. Life seems to slow down. This is often a time of reflection and re-establishment of routines that may have slipped during the heat of the summer. We pull out the boxes of winter clothing and realize how much our children have grown when clothing that fit them just a few months ago is far too short and tight.
Mabon is the Welsh name for a Celtic god who was stolen from his mother three days after his birth and locked away till he was a man. His name was Mabon, son of Modron, which translated means "Son, son of the Mother". Mabon was also known as the Son of Light. He was the god of liberation, harmony, music and unity.
The story has very ancient origins and much of it has been lost. The version which has come down to us tells of, Kyllwch, one of King Arthur's knights, finding and freeing Mabon as a step toward fulfilling one of the conditions for his betrothal to the fair Olwen. Through the intervention of the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon -- the ancient Celtic symbols of wisdom-- Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity and Kyllwch wins Olwen.
Mabon marks the end of the corn harvest which started with Lughnasadh. It is the time of the apple harvest. For our ancestors, apples were the fruit that sustained them through the winter. Apples themselves and the cider which was pressed from them were an important part of the diet.
Here are some suggestions for celebrating Mabon with your family:
Look for colored leaves. Collect fallen leaves and make a centerpiece or bouquet for your home. Save the leaves to burn in your Yule fire.
Visit an apple orchard and, if possible, pick your own apples.
Do a taste test of different kinds of apples.
Hang apples on a tree near your home. Watch the birds and other small animals who will enjoy your gift.
Make applesauce or apple pie.
Make an apple Doll.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this and even as the seasons change you all remember that we all make new friends along our journey but sometimes we forget the older and longer lasting friendships, why not take this time to make contact with people who mean a lot to you and just say "hello" - it will mean so much and yet is such a simple thing to do.
Until next time, love and light to all and Blessed Be
Merlin
Historical Mabon
Mabon, the second of the great harvest festivals, is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox (between September 21-September 25). The Wheel has turned and for this single day the hours of daylight and darkness are once again equal. The air is cooler and the harvest of fruits and vegetables means that we are busy canning, pickling, drying and bottling the bounties of orchard and garden.
In modern times, September often means that children are returning to school. Life seems to slow down. This is often a time of reflection and re-establishment of routines that may have slipped during the heat of the summer. We pull out the boxes of winter clothing and realize how much our children have grown when clothing that fit them just a few months ago is far too short and tight.
Mabon is the Welsh name for a Celtic god who was stolen from his mother three days after his birth and locked away till he was a man. His name was Mabon, son of Modron, which translated means "Son, son of the Mother". Mabon was also known as the Son of Light. He was the god of liberation, harmony, music and unity.
The story has very ancient origins and much of it has been lost. The version which has come down to us tells of, Kyllwch, one of King Arthur's knights, finding and freeing Mabon as a step toward fulfilling one of the conditions for his betrothal to the fair Olwen. Through the intervention of the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon -- the ancient Celtic symbols of wisdom-- Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity and Kyllwch wins Olwen.
Mabon marks the end of the corn harvest which started with Lughnasadh. It is the time of the apple harvest. For our ancestors, apples were the fruit that sustained them through the winter. Apples themselves and the cider which was pressed from them were an important part of the diet.
Here are some suggestions for celebrating Mabon with your family:
Look for colored leaves. Collect fallen leaves and make a centerpiece or bouquet for your home. Save the leaves to burn in your Yule fire.
Visit an apple orchard and, if possible, pick your own apples.
Do a taste test of different kinds of apples.
Hang apples on a tree near your home. Watch the birds and other small animals who will enjoy your gift.
Make applesauce or apple pie.
Make an apple Doll.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this and even as the seasons change you all remember that we all make new friends along our journey but sometimes we forget the older and longer lasting friendships, why not take this time to make contact with people who mean a lot to you and just say "hello" - it will mean so much and yet is such a simple thing to do.
Until next time, love and light to all and Blessed Be
Merlin
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