intangible oddities




©Robin Wood. Used with permission
The Great Rite Note: If you plan on proselytizing, or trying to convert me, please read this before sending me email. It will save you much effort, and save me from having to delete an email. Thanks. :)

Just for informative purposes: I am a second degree priestess and witch in the Neo-Celtic tradition, and belong to Rosewood Coven. I have been a student of Wicca since 1990, a devotee of the Goddess since at least several years before then, actively practicing sporadically from 1990-1997, and on a regular basis since then.

The nature of the web being what it is, I can't assume that everyone who comes to visit my pages has an immediate understanding of all the things I talk about or am interested in, most especially Wicca. Even those who have an inkling as to what it is may not know the full story (if there can truly be such a thing, the nature of the universe being what it is ;)), and might appreciate a better understanding. For those of you who do know what Wicca is about, well, perhaps you may appreciate another viewpoint and naturally you may also wish to skip this part of my page.

So, what is Wicca?

In the most general terms, Wicca is a nature-based religion that reveres Deity (God and Goddess, for some folks more of one than the other) as being manifest in all things and everyone. Some folks also call it Witchcraft (with or without the capital letter), but I believe there is a slight difference: Wiccans may practice witchcraft - that being the act (craft) of using one's will to bend or shape energy according to one's need in harmony (hopefully!) with the universe - but not all witches may be Wiccan. Most are, however, although I would recommend guarding against assuming. The Witches' Voice [see below] has some excellent reference material for those wanting to explore the basics of Wicca here.

What do Wiccans believe?

This is as varied as snowflakes in a blizzard, but our core beliefs include:
1. What we call the Wiccan Rede, but paraphrased is very similar to the Golden Rule - "An thou harm none, do what thou will."
2. The Threefold Law of Return - that which you send out into the world (universe), for good or ill, will return to you thrice or threefold. [I'm not sure if I believe in specifically 'three times' anymore, but it does relate well to the scientific laws of cause and effect.]
3. Attempting to live in harmony with the earth and its seasons, as it is the earth, our Mother, which sustains and nourishes us.
4. Recognizing and even rejoicing in the fact that there is no one way in which to gain a personal relationship with the Divine, or live, or love. Diversity simply enhances our enjoyment of life.
5. Recognizing and respecting that there are more worlds and states of being than our waking, conscious physical reality, and attempting to learn how to operate within these alternate frameworks in order to enhance and appreciate life in consensual reality.

I have a lot more to say on these subjects. Writing them down and adding them here, however, will take a while. So far, at least, I can tell you what I personally believe.

Looking for some pagan graphics? Step on in, maybe I've got something you'd like to use. :)


Here's some other great links for educating and/or being amused with until I can get more stuff up here.

The Witches' Voice - The premier website for news, reviews, webweaving, discussions and more. Check it out; you won't be disappointed. I suggest bookmarking it and coming back to it often.

Jaz's Pagan Page - An excellent site that is frequently linked to by others, so you know it's got to be good. Many goodies to be found.

Isaac Bonewits's Home Page - Pretty self-explanatory, hehe. And, as one might expect, chock-full of information, reviews, and links (heavy on the info ;)).

Wicca Radio Network - Pagan/Druidic/Wiccan music, heard on your computer via Real Audio!

Alternative Religions Education Network - Providing education about Wicca, witchcraft and paganism to the community at large and devoted to upholding our rights.

Starhawk's Home Page - Web site for the Wiccan and feminist writer Starhawk, whose book "The Spiral Dance" has helped me (among others within the Craft I've talked to) realize my calling.

Robin Wood - Graphics, lessons, and Goddess knows how many other things on her site ... you simply have to explore for yourself. The creator of the Robin Wood Tarot.

fight the fear