Celtic Druidry

I went to the Celtic Festival yesterday with Rose (Bello's Mom) and it was so awesome.

***NOTE - Shoulda been home working on an essay but Bad Bella totally blew it off.***

Sometimes you just gotta have fun first.

The music was great and we were surprised to see Celtic Spring playing the wonderful music that they performed for all of America on America's Got Talent. What a bunch of talented kids and so entertaining.

Rose and I saw all the booths and we ran into one from the local bookstore. They had a bunch of books on the pagan faiths and I found one of The Druids. I was a little skeptical at first because there is relatively no information or documentation on the Druids; just speculation. However, when I checked this guys bibliography, it was phenomenal. I felt at the right place at the right time and I couldn't be happier.

It felt nice to be able to where my pentagram necklace and my cloak and not be looked at as if I were a devil worshipper because most religions are misinformed about the pentagram and pagans. I wonder if other religions that celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc. know that those pagan holidays were adopted by the Christians to make it easier for the pagans to convert?

Oh well, it doesn't really matter because whatever faith we practice (or not) we feel it's right for us. We have our bad pagans, christians, catholics, mormons.....and we have our good pagans, christians, catholics, mormons.....who believe in the freedom of religion.

Just don't ever call my religion the Occult - I might have to cast a spell on you.

Happy Halloween!

Or as I would say Happy Samhain!

I hope you keep your children safe and watch out for predators. I suggest that those of you with small children, look up the site for your local child predator list and find out where the predators are in your area so that you can be sure to keep your children away. If you know of a predator in your area and you notice that they have their front porch light on or decorations tonight, notify your local police so that they can be sure that predator does not attract any children.

To all my pagan friends - Happy New Year! May your wishes of November's Eve come true and may you remember well your loved ones who have passed on.

Don't Proselytize

In light of my post on Wednesday, I wanted to make clear that I have no disrespect towards any religion and I certainly don't want anyone feeling that I would never accept their beleifs. I was trying to find the right words to communicate with you and I was having a hard time because I tend to be harsh with defending what I feel is right. Eventually, I found a perfect article written by Terri Paajanen whom I beleive is an excellent communicator for the Pagan and Wiccan ways. I have followed my religion for 17 years now; I did not learn from the internet or covens, I learned by researching in libraries and choosing my own tradition. I mix quite a few religions, mostly Wicca, but I don't follow anything in particular. Trying to explain this is not easy however, Ms. Paajanen took the words right out of my mouth:

In case you're not familiar with the term, proselytize means to try to convert other people to your religion. Not only is this practice acceptable to those in other religions, it's actively pursued by some. This article explains why this is not done by pagans, and includes some of my own opinions on the matter.

No matter what most pagans may feel about some other religions and their behaviours, it's generally accepted that all religions are valid paths of spirituality. To try and change someone's religious views, implies that one religion is better than another. There is no limit to the number of ways to connect with the Divine. Which path a person chooses is between them and the Gods.

Now, there is a difference between proselytizing and sharing information. Answering questions for someone who is seeking some spiritual answers is not the same as trying to convert them. Because Wicca, witchcraft and other forms of paganism have gotten so much bad press over the last few hundred years, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Trying to ensure that new pagans have access to accurate information isn't the same as trying to convert people to paganism.

One form of proselytization that I have strong feelings against is Christian missionary work. Well-meaning Christians who travel all around the world, to teach the natives about God. In their efforts to bring 'civilization' to these people, they destroy the native religions and cultures. I makes me sad to think how many people lost their own religions, because another was forced upon them.

Be happy that you have found a spiritual path that suits you, and share information about it when other are interested, but don't try to tell others that your path is better than theirs. It's not.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Now you know a little more about me.

I AM NOT EVIL

It is time that I get all religious on you. Why? Because I can.

I read an article about a Christian woman who feels that the Harry Potter books should be banned from schools because it encourages children to seek interests regarding the Wicca religion which is evil.

I cannot tell you how upset, angry, appalled and just outright pissed off I become when I read that some pompous imbecile makes a judgment against a religion that they know nothing about. They hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe. That is their right but when you start to incorporate lies about one’s religion, it becomes a personal attack on me.

I know my blog friends would never pass judgment on me so this goes out to those who are narrow-minded.

PAGANISM OR WICCA IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SATAN OR ANY OTHER DEVIL WORSHIPPING CULT.

Is there anything about that FACT that you don’t understand? Again, let me drill it into your head:

PAGANSIM + WICCA ≠ SATAN

Does that make sense to you?

Another issue to address is that when someone claims they are pagan or wiccan and practices a dark art; THEY ARE NOT CONSIDRED PAGAN OR WICCAN. We, who practice this religion, do not consider ANYONE who relates themselves to a dark art to be associated with our religion.

Now, let me give you a little lesson on my religion. I love my religion so much. I love casting spells, burning my candles and incense and sending a prayer to those who need safety, food or homes. I love sending warm thoughts to my family of how much I love them and how much I feel blessed to be apart of their lives. I love being out in Mother Nature experiencing her Earth and what she has to offer. I don’t litter, I conserve energy and gas, I pick up loose trash and I do my best to cause as little pollution as possible to protect our beloved land. When I cast and do my spells, I do not wish bad luck upon people and I do not use evil in my tradition.

As the Wiccan Rede says:

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

I can easily point out the blood and lives shed in the name of your religion. And you have the nerve to call me evil?

By the way – our star of the pentagram points up, not down.