Wicca is a neo-pagan, earth-based religion. It is inspired by many ancient pagan traditions, mostly from the British Isles and northern Europe. This religion celebrates the cycle of life and of the seasons, as well as the divine spirit within each and every living thing. Life is cherished in this religion, and both the male and female aspects of existence and of the divine are revered. There is a strong tendency for Wiccans to place a high value on the environment because the diversity of life and the wild places on Earth are considered to be an expression of the God and the Goddess. Most Wiccans take part in a personal connection to the God and Goddess through ritual and “magick.” There are widely varying philosophies among Wiccans as to what exactly magick should entail, but it is often considered a way of bringing about change by allowing the power of the God and/or the Goddess to channel through you. The “law of three” governs what kind of change a person should try to bring about, stating that whatever you do in the world comes back to you three-fold. If you do good, then good will come back to you, if you do something negative, then negative energy will come back to you. Many Wiccans believe that human souls (as well as the spirits of other animals and plants) reincarnate by going through a cycle of life, death, and renewal that involves a rest in the “Summerland” just after death. The Summerland is a spiritual place of comfort and beauty that exists on another plane.

There is much diversity among Wiccans and most are very tolerant of others’ beliefs. Many Wiccans have a principle of never trying to convert anyone or proselytize about their beliefs, because they feel you must be called toward your own spiritual path.

Wiccans are struggling for understanding and the consideration that is due any law-abiding group. They are also joining the movement towards philosophical and religious tolerance. In this world of many differing cultures, beliefs, ideologies and paths to enlightenment, we must learn to accept that people can have different thoughts, different feelings, and different ways without harming each other or infringing upon each other’s rights. Wicca has a very important principle that could be very effective in helping this ideal come close to being realized: do what you wish, as long as you harm no-one.

Yes, this modern version of the last line in the Wiccan Rede is powerfully significant. I have heard it criticized because some people say it is impossible to go through life never hurting anyone – often you aren’t even aware of the ripple effect caused by your actions. That is very true, but this line in the Rede is a statement of an ideal. Life is rarely ideal, but we must strive in the direction of ideals if we are to function on any level beyond subsistence. The human race has come to an era where living by the rule of survival of the fittest would lead to complete destruction. We have to take a different approach. People throughout history have banded together to conquer and to wage war. Let us enter a new era and band together to create peace.

~Gillian Durham

Some Good Wiccy Music "Moon Cradle" from the album Parallel Dreams by Loreena McKinnet is a very powerful and meaningful piece of music that includes some Wiccan or otherwise Earth-based spiritual concepts and images. Some of the poetry is culturally Irish and isn't comprehensible to me, but the words are strangely compelling and I intend to find out what they mean in due time. On the other hand some of the images brought up an instant understanding in me the first time I heard them, even though they were unusual. "The Moon cradle's rocking and rocking Where a cloud and a cloud go by. Silently rocking and rocking The Moon cradle's out in the sky." This is such an insightful description of what the Moon actually does to the Earth. Its gravity pulls on the Earth unevenly throughout its orbit and, in essence, rocks it. But that is just the beginning of this beautiful metaphor! The image is of a mother, rocking her child's cradle...such a gentle and loving act. I can see the Moon as nurturing the Earth and all of the Earth's living things. Wiccans heartily believe in the power of the Moon, and so this concept would not seem strange to us. However, this concept also has science behind it. Studies on how the Earth was formed and how life developed on it have shown that the Earth would very likely not contain life if the Moon did not exist or if the Moon was a different size. This next quote is wonderfully poetic: "'Night's a good herd to the cattle,' he sings, 'She brings all things back'" I instantly recognized this as having some fundamental truth to it, even though in a literal, common thinking way it may not be true. There is a re-setting effect that night has on the world and on the human mind, and in some larger way that we do not understand, it may very well "bring things back." Wiccans typically embrace the night as being a neccessary and beautiful counterpart to the day. Certainly, "night" in this song could represent a natural force that has great power over all of us, and yet in some way cares for us even when we tend to be a little afraid of it. Perhaps we need not be, for if we truly understood the full nature of the night we might see that it is benign. Lastly, need I mention the haunting, atmospheric sound that many Loreena McKinnet songs posess? It gives the feeling that what you are about to hear is very deep, very serious, and very true - passed down through the ages. Her voice is clear and pure and seems to float on the wind. It's worth getting the whole album just as dressing for this song. ~Gillie

Unified Diversity
by: Magus Silverwolf (slvrwolfpa@hotmail.com)

If there is one thing that most pagans will agree on, it is that Paganism is a very diverse religion. As one of the largest growing religions in today's world, Paganism encompasses many different individual belief systems. Wicca, Ceremonial Magick, Shamanic Beliefs, among others are all forms of Paganism, much like Baptist, Methodist, Pentacostal, and others are all forms of Christianity. Thus it can be truly said that Paganism is a very diverse religion.

Diversity offers many positive aspects, but at the same time in can also have numerous negative effects. Being diverse Paganism accepts practitioners from many different spiritual beliefs, without limiting them to a set doctrine. And this diversity, which translates into freedom, has been a drawing point for many people seeking their own spiritual path. Unfortunately, since Paganism is so diverse it's growth has been hindered both politically and socially. Also the outcry of pagan groups, due to discrimination or injustice, is often given less recognition, then would be given to a larger group, by the powers that be. As a wise man once said, " There is strength in numbers", thus our diversity limits our strength, which is definitely a negative effect.

Many groups like Witches Voice and the Alternative Religion Education Network (AREN) have begun to bridge the gap, by providing networking and services to pagans nationwide. Also on the local level groups, like the Delaware Valley Pagan Network (DVPN), have been started as a way for pagans to meet and network with one another locally. Not to mention that many pagans gathered this year for Pagan Pride Day, at events that were organized regionally throughout the nation. Plus the internet has served as a tool for pagans to meet one another, network and fellowship, with new websites being launched everyday.

Still there is much needed work to be done, before Paganism can take it's place amongst the recognized and accepted religions of this country. Society, local municipalities, state legislative bodies and even federal government must all be educated as to our religious beliefs. The falsehood that all pagans worship the devil, sacrifice animals, and perform all types of immoral acts, must be nullified. Discrimination and injustice when ever encountered must be fought through legal means, and legislation must be passed protecting our religious freedom. Lastly the prejudice and segregation between the various forms of Paganism must come to an end. Alot of work is yet to be done, and each and every pagan can help in this process.

Now obviously this process is going to take time and effort, which may not come to fruition for years to come. But just because the job is long and hard is not a reason to not do it, but rather a requirement that we begin as soon as possible. Many of you may say, "How do we begin?", "What can I do?", or "I am only one person.", to you I offer the concept of Unified Diversity. Falling back on the principle that there is strength in numbers I suggest that we as pagans must unite with one another. We must drop our differences and nurture our similarities, we must reach out to one another, to fellowship, to extend a hand in friendship, and accept one another for what we all are, pagans. For it is only in unity that Paganism as a religion can ever hope to succeed in this process.

Unified Diversity goes way beyond the individual pagan, or even local groups, it must extend to a national level, with associations and coalitions. We must come together as a Pagan Community, consisting of numerous interwoven groups, circles and covens, all working in unison toward a higher goal. As pagans many of us are also attorneys, scholars, activists, authors, educators, and bureaucrats, each of which need to be actively involved in this process. We all must get together to discuss ideas, share insights, offer advice and opinions, and ban together as a community would do. In my lifetime I would like to see a Pagan Coalition, made up of representatives from all across the country, organizing to get laws passed through Congress, to protect our religious freedoms and end the discrimination and prosecution that exists today.

I am sure that at one point in time Martin Luther King Jr., and a few friends sat down in his living room, discussing what possible action they could take to bring about needed changes in their lives. From that little meeting came forth all the ideals, marches, rallys, and protests, which finally did bring about the long overdue change that was needed. And even though Martin Luther King Jr., was not alive to see the change when it did finally happened, I'll bet that he never regretted the choice he made to stand up for what he believed in. Fortunately for us this country has come a long way since that time, technology now allows us to communicate with one another through the internet. Many laws have been passed since those days, protecting our right to assemble, to speak freely, and to petition the government for needed change. Our task at hand is not going to be an easy one, far from it, but I do believe that someday Paganism will take it's rightful place amongst the respected and accepted religions of this country. And I as a pagan am willing to stand up for what I believe in, will you not join me?

Peace and Blessings,

Magus Silverwolf
slvrwolfpa@hotmail.com

Book Review:

The Power of Ritual by Rachel Pollack

(review by Gillie)

For those who are relatively new to the study of ritual, this book could be very enlightening. Many people have a vague concept of ritual as being some outlandish and theatrical presentation involving animal sacrifices and possibly halucinogenic drug usage done for the purpose of conjuring evil spirits. This book tells the reader what ritual is, where it comes from, and how it is present and valuable in our lives.

Ritual is simply some behavior that is done at a specified time for the purpose of celebrating, bringing people together, giving thanks, or awakening and acknowledging our feelings of connection to important things in our lives.

This book is sometimes a tad melodramatic, putting ideas in very poetic terms and possibly making the author's ideas seem theatrical when the truth is that they are not. When we think of the rituals that are already in place in our lives, the idea of making a new ritual is easier to understand. There is nothing melodramatic about getting together and eating turkey with friends at Thanksgiving (for us Americans), there is nothing self-consciously symbolic in dressing up for Halloween, there is nothing grave and mystical about wearing your team colors to a ball game. Ritual is an instinctive human behavior that we all do without thinking. What Rachel Pollack is trying to get across is that you can create your own rituals or adopt them from various scources for your needs, and that more ritual in your life may help you adjust, deal with difficult issues, or accomplish things you never thought you could.

Here is a quote from the book:
"The world is filled with religious traditions, mythologies, and sacred practices. All of them offer their own special wisdom. Where once people battled over who was right and who was wrong, now many of us recognize that all traditions have something to offer on the path to spirituality. Along with this recognition comes a desire to learn from many different sources. Teachers, too, understand this. The best rituals arise from this blend of ancient and modern traditions."

Music Review:
"Moonlore" by Llewellyn

You know how when you boil vegetables too long they turn gray and lose all their flavor? Well, after the music in "Moonlore" was put on to cook, it must have been forgotten about. I found this music to be almost completely without character. To put it simply, it's overproduced. The sounds have been blended together and controlled into such smoothness that the music has a kind of airbrushed quality. All the grainy edges, fine lines, and stray hairs of the real animal have been smoothed away, leaving a generic creature that would be indistinguishable from any other.

If this was pop music that had been drained of it's soul, it would be called "musak." That term is based on the type of music that the Musak company puts out for businesses to play in elevators and departments stores to keep the shoppers sedated. We now use this term for any featureless music, the same way we use the word "kleenex" when referring to a common tissue.

I have heard people accuse all New Age music of being musak because it tends to be kind of quiet and meditative. However, when I listen to, for instance, "Summer" by George Winston, I feel transported to a beautiful, meaningful moment in some summer past where I was truly connected with myself and the world around me. A lot of New Age music does that sort of thing for me - sends me into a special reverie - not like kleenex, more like Puffs Cold Care with Aloe. "Moonlore" is kleenex.

My advice is that if you own a new age shop and wish to keep your customers bored and uninspired so they won't stay too long, grab a copy of "Moonlore."

~Gillie

Please E-mail me any comments, rebuttals, or reviews of your own that you would like to have published on this page! All opinions will be welcomed.

Gillie, Ok, that was really scathing! You must really have a pet peeve against pagan music that isn't excellent. There are different reasons for buying music - some you are going to read the lyric sheet and sing along and make tapes of it for all your friends, others you just put on during a party. I think Moonlore is good background music. ~Echo Gillie, Yeah...Loreena McKinnet. Her voice is like a church bell from far away. Thanks for your insights on Moon Cradle. ~S.L.