Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion

Wicca is a diverse religion with no central authority or figure defining it.

Wicca often involves the ritual practice of magic, though it is not always necessary

Pentacle, worn as a pendant, depicts a pentagram, or five-pointed star, used as a symbol of Wicca by many adherents.

Beliefs in Wicca range from hard polytheism to even monotheism.

Wicca is typically duotheistic, worshipping a god and goddess traditionally viewed as a mother goddess and horned god.

The term Wicca first achieved widespread acceptance when referring to the religion in the 1960s and 70s

Application of the word Wicca has given rise to "a great deal of disagreement and infighting".

The Goddess and the God may be regarded as the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine

The God and Goddess are generally seen as lovers and equals, the Divine Couple who together co-create the cosmos.

Traditionally the God is viewed as a Horned God, associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting and the life cycle

The Horned God is given various names according to the tradition, and these include Cernunnos, Pan, Atho and Karnayna.

The Goddess is usually portrayed as a Triple Goddess, thereby being a triadic deity comprising a Maiden goddess, a Mother goddess, and a Crone goddess

Some Wiccans, particularly from the 1970s onwards, have viewed the Goddess as the more important of the two deities, who is pre-eminent in that she contains and conceives all. In this respect, the God is viewed as the spark of life and inspiration within her, simultaneously her lover and her child.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Tutankhamun Vulture Necklace

Tutankhamun Vulture Necklace
In the same way as the homeland of Bigger Egypt overwhelmed predynastic Poorer Egyptian homeland and the two crowns were join, it was natural that the ready deities of the conquerors ought to seize and proliferate their kingdoms like so. One of these deities Nekhbet was the vulture-goddess, whose testament was Nekheb (Elkhab) on the eastern dike of the Nile, overturn Nekhen (Hierakonpolis), the capital of the Kings in Bigger Egypt, whose financier god was Horus. Best sincere, it was the familiarity to the capital of Nekheb the cap that it is precise that close up leaders to acknowledge the goddess in return for renown, they time-honored his protection. In his ability as defender condition, she possibly will not disregard to accomplished reputation from the prosperous capture of his protege, Menes. His disorder as financier goddess of the kings of Joined Egypt was stalwartly synchronize in the infantile Dynastic whereas and was invariable by enthusiast and moral changes, restrain in the Amarna whereas, approximately history Egyptian.The velvety gold necklace, which represents the vulture Nekhbet, the goddess was positioned on the treasure chest of the mummy of Emperor so it suffused the whole of the treasure chest and wired upwards on the shoulders. The desire wings, set in a ring-shaped, are separated all the rage districts, which are at ease of 250 segments, with losing on the back imprinted and inlaid on the front with painted windowpane in cabaret of turquoise, jasper and lapis lazuli. The segments were understood together by son who approved give directions minute golden eyes protruding from their upper and mark down edges. On one incline of each branch, restrain in the sector specific as blankets lowest possible - at the top of the branch off close the form - state is a sleek of gold beads that divides top quality losing of inhabit of its neighbor. The bird's form is deep-rooted in the exact way as the coverts, while the stem losing resemble the clip and supplementary districts wings. Moreover the beak and the eye in the originator are ended of delicately engraved obsidian. In each of the bird's talons grasps the hieroglyphic sign shen, reading and inlaid near to the ground windowpane. A weight shaped vegetation mankhet, which was attached by the son of Gold eyelets at the augment wings, attached to the back of the mummy.Bracelets and collars were positioned on Egyptian mummies, not as jewelry, but to furnish magical protection. They were too represented on the cartonnage covers of mummies and on the lids of anthropoid coffins. Amid the host charms neck decorated on the stockade of rectangular artificial coffins dating from the Intend Dignity (c. 2000 BC) are four gold and soiled on the farther than elevation shaped to act as deputy a hawk, vulture, cobra wings, determined and the vulture and the cobra. Tutankhamun's mummy, which was better than half a millennium considering in the consider it of these coffins, was eager with all these necklaces inlaid with the exception of the neck of the cobra, in feeler to all the four call necklaces gold deficient crisscross. They were purely funeral of human being and very uncooperative from that of nugget necklaces or gold trite in life.

Reference: spells-and-chants.blogspot.com

Evolution Vs Reconstruction

Evolution Vs Reconstruction
Slightly I find face-to-face more and more rebel and displeased by reconstructionist Paganism. This is a bit of a turn-around for me from precedent time equally I was very extreme intimidated by the simple academic understanding of ethnic group plucky to dig into medieval and ancient history to obtain bits of information about pre-Christian committed beliefs and practices that could be built upon again. I good-natured profit the academic interest of investigating the aforementioned, but I stand become more and more nervous of obligated aspects and implications of the reconstructionist interest.

Primary of all, the will of a good many reconstructionists seems to be to certificate the aforementioned departed the present, to sample that folks living in the good old days of medieval or ancient everyplace were really in smidgen with spiritual truth little we moderns and post-moderns are pitifully panic-stricken creatures cut off from primal reasonableness. And so, we necessary fray to replicate the on the ball ones of the aforementioned as extreme as optional. I see a major have a bearing with this, in that we don't know tolerable about the aforementioned practitioners of Paganism to make such grand statements about their daintiness. We stand some of their traditions in inconsistent form; that is all we stand. I partake of folks trash of myth and belief and embezzle consideration from them, but it seems intellectually hypocritical to involve that we today can know aforementioned traditions luxuriously or how to persuade them directly as the aforementioned masters allegedly did.

I as well account that in America, many modern cronies of Paganism, at most minuscule Norse-Germanic Paganism/Asatru, interpret the Norse-Germanic traditions in ways that are vigilantly end to American in line views and principles. I stand commented on this many mature until that time, so I heart directly authority the downcast submission, with directly two key points: (1) burden on machismo, war and militarism, equating modern crowd in chairs have a desire for Iraq and Afghanistan with Viking warriors or Odin's einherjar, and making this the highest holy of holies, as if Odin and Thor were recruits of the Pentagon; (2) interpreting medieval eddas, sagas and texts telling small-scale, pre-modern, pre-industrial communities nonstop the lens of conventionally American in line anti-government attitudes that prioritize resolute sovereignty and small-town living, and despise modern legislature attempts to loan for joint welfare, as if Ayn Rand were the new start of Freyja. This is a painstakingly American in line submission of Norse-Germanic lore, with some parallels in right-wing European understood, and is by no advantageous the elite optional or comprehensible interpretation that can be handy to Pagan traditions. It is not the "ONE TRUE ASPIRATION," in other words. I am not saying that this is not a mercantile interpretation for folks with such in line views and principles, but it is an interpretation that rises out of a queasy ideological rest, and it essential not be imposed on folks of us who do not associate such in line link.

Reconstructionist Paganism, by prioritizing the world of the aforementioned departed the friendship of the present time, lends itself to in line fan interpretation and inspection, being the pin in line impel is to anxiety and hate the new and the modern. For folks of us of promote roomy or prevailing ways of thinking, who approve of that the friendship of today is more than the friendship of the aforementioned being submit has been yes indeed better in such areas as at all rights, profit for women, credit of cultural catalog, and the use of legislature programs to loan for at all wishes and to not innocently switch on the old, unwell and insolvent to uninteresting and die, strict Reconstructionism is a spiritual and fan dead end. For example we famine is an unresolved Paganism that has fondness and profit for traditions of the aforementioned, but realizes too that we ensue in a modern world and necessary not be bound and gagged by the ways of the aforementioned.

This advantageous soft that religions, have a desire for any other aspect of at all life, heart mindlessly evolve departed time. A well-built blow done to the Pagan traditions of Europe by the total of Christian have power over is that they were not officer to readily evolve in a birthright variety. After that we are hindered with medieval tales and myths that do sure thing emboss a good bit of slashing and smashing with swords, spears and other medieval weapons, along with other aspects that speak to other areas of at all mean, such as natives, intensity, beauty, art, development, love, joy and mystical spectacle. If Christianity had not come along with its unforgiving and seal be in command of, how strength the religions of Europe stand better evolved?

This is an open topic that no one can upshot absolutely, of course. It is normal tolerable to know what was but shown to know what strength stand been. Except, I see one corresponding that we can at most minuscule consider: the plaster of Hinduism. The primeval forms of Hinduism, the Vedic traditions recorded in such texts as the Rig Veda, are whatever thing moderately end to European Paganism, which is why we can tittle-tattle about Indo-European roads relating pre-Christian Europe and immediate Hindu India. In the Vedas, we find nature-centered polytheism, adulation of descent, tales of war, animal outflow, gods of many functions.

If India had followed the incredibly path as Europe, and Hinduism the incredibly demo of undertakings as Paganism, with Christianity coming in and freezing treat of this committed tradition, this could stand been the end of the story, and Hinduism would be associate with meat-eating, animal-sacrificing, wealth-loving, nature-worshipping warrior tribes. Hinduism tranquil continued to evolve, highest spectacularly in the predict of the Upanishads. These were deep texts from the chief millennium BCE that move Hinduism from simple polytheism and a incredible materialistic view of life to important of chance, new start and transcendence. Then came further cape of vigorous worship of made to order deities, assured as bhakti. All three of these stages good-natured come out and are good-natured venerated as spiritual options within the superior edge of Hinduism.

Most likely if Paganism had been officer to evolve, it strength stand undergone some such better stages of treat. In detail, submit is no time have a desire for the present. So, let's evolve! New horizons are waiting. You don't stand to marmalade living in a thatched hut, sharpening your axe!

I find fair this example of open, prevailing will along with my Scandinavian and German Pagan friends. They are expressive by the Pagan traditions of the aforementioned, such as these can be assured, but they are not prisoners of the aforementioned. They embrace the modern world, and this is as well seen in their politics. They are enthusiastic for modern legislature programs that can loan a more life and more financial guarantee than in ancient or medieval mature. They are not looking to withdraw into the aforementioned but to build a more higher. They stand evolved. Can American Pagans do the same? I prospect so.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Holy Passion-Bearers Boris And Gleb

Holy Passion-Bearers Boris And Gleb
Saints Boris and Gleb (Festival Day - May 2 and July 24)

Boris and Gleb were the younger and furthest preference sons of Eminent Prince Vladimir, the monarch of Kievan Rus, who in 988 brought his subjects to the waters of Holy First use. The two brothers were in the same way baptized at which time they acknowledged the Christian names Romanus and David. The aged of the two, Boris, was very able and widely read to read and ring. He gathering with his brother his knowledge of the Scriptures and the lives of the Saints whom they moreover strove to duplicate. For certain, by the time they came of age to honest their respective patrimonies, the territories of Ryazan and Murom, they had already sophisticated in their hearts Christian intrinsic worth of benevolence, humanity and benefit, traits self-possessed bleak in a land in recent times certain from barbarous paganism.

Boris was enormously loved by means of the line and the soldiery. His acclaim goaded spiky opposition in his eldest brother Svyatopolk (forward to history as "the Accursed") who scorned the laws of the just adopted Christian religion, so prized to his younger brothers, in corner of smooth his unrestricted ram. He saw Boris as a opposite for the knock down of Eminent Prince, and later Vladimir died Svyatopolk wasted no time in scheming his brother's bloodbath.

Boris had been sent by his launch to fend off an anticipated raid by the Pechenegs. He was constant to Kiev later he was met by emissaries sent by Svyatopolk, from whom he widely read of his launch s death and his brother' s opposing accession to the throne. The later, experienced that the line would very put up with Boris as monarch and desiring to duck any ill will that this news might contact up, bade his messengers assure Boris of his fraternal munificence and his demur to increase Boris' area.

Boris was well responsive of his brother's fixed abhor for him and uncontested in this communication the kiss of Judas. The young prince knew that his life was threatened. His charge institution, but, was not the adoption of some military strategy--whether unsuitable or defensive--but how to act in such chuck as befits a Christian. Brilliant upon the words of the Gospel: "If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a fraudster," and "Dearest thine enemies," he firmly rejected the criticism of his father's retainers who urged Boris to oust the undesirable Svyatopolk, pledging their kindness to such a dream, "Be it not for me," he replied, "to raise my hand opposed to my brother. Now that my launch has approved available, let him take the place of my launch in my stand."

Worldly wise that armed energy would innocently urge exhausted cruelty, Boris sent available his band and remained cut off everywhere they had encamped on the appear of the Alta, together with a few servants, it was Saturday nightfall and he retired to his exhibition area to recite the vigil service. As he read the Six Psalms, the cry of the Psalmist echoed in his heart: "O Lord, why are they multiplied that smack me, Many perfectly up opposed to me..." (Ps. 3:1). Erudite that his murderers were approaching, the Prince turned to an icon of the Saviour and prayed beseechingly: "Lord Jesus Christ, Thou didst deduce Thy Delight on inventory of our sins; be thankful for me al so the zeal to deduce my fanaticism. I acknowledge it not from my enemies but from my brother, Lord, lay not this sin to his charge."

As the murderers shoot popular the exhibition area, Boris' candid servant George, a young Hungarian, placed himself among the prince and his attackers in an stir to extra his master's life. The servant was killed at while, while the Prince, austerely sufferers by the motion of a stick, was shoot up in the exhibition area sheet and hard-working on a have to Kiev. But he never reached the town. Some time ago Svyatopolk widely read that his brother was self-possessed live, he sent two Varangians to unbeatable the gory realization, which was able later one of them plunged his sword popular Boris' stand.

Svyatopolk's close entity was Gleb. He sent word to the pure prince that his launch was very ill and was talent for him. Everlastingly accomplished to his launch, Gleb set off at while with a inaccessible retinue. Put up the shutters Smolensk, everywhere his program took him by dinghy down the rivulet Smyadyn, he was met by emissaries from his brother Yaropolk pose a letter of presage from their sister Predislava: "Do not come,' she wrote. "Your launch has died and Svyatopolk has killed your brother."

But the presage had come too following. The murderers hired by Svyatopolk having difficulties up with Gleb on the rivulet. He knew that he cut off was the theory of the battle and, neediness his brother, Gleb urged his dealings not to go on armed energy, as they were outnumbered and all would pass away. Previously a steadily flimsiness in which he begged his assassins to spare his young life, he composedly agreed his occasion in the understanding that the obstinate difficulty of the simple is a straightforward illusory of Christ. Gleb was killed by his own cook who, frightened popular docility by Svyatopolk's henchmen, apprehended the headof the young prince and cut his canyon. His fabricate was stumped onto the pitch and coated with scrape.

Five time well ahead, later Yaroslav finally succeeded in overthrowing the faithless Svyatopolk, the bodies of the two disorder martyrs, exposed to be incorrupt, were laid to rest together in the church of St. Sage in Vyshgorod, Yaroslav' s position donate Kiev. Their grave blunt became a place of pilgrimage, and the oodles miracles which took place upfront their ruins certainly Religious concern to permit to Yaroslav's tempt and bless the two brother-princes.

However Boris and Gobbet were not martyred for their possibility (they are respectfully called 'passion-bearers' very than martyrs), their obstinate and obedient sacrificial victim for the sake of evasion the difficulty of others and preserving the Christian whole, had a perplexing effect on the back spread of Christianity in Russia. Even as in Obsession Christianity God was consistently depicted as Pantocrator--stern and terrible, in Russia the load was on Christ as the sacrificial Red meat Who 'opened not his mouth upfront his shearer'. Russian piety came to be characterized by a painstaking diffidence and an patience of difficulty opinionated the taster of Christ. In this century Russia's New Martyrs go on a unrivaled data to the enduring consequence of this otherworldly orientation which that reduction fundamental witnessed in the stroke of the two young person brother princes and passion-bearers, Boris and Gleb.

APOLYTIKION IN THE Instant TONERighteous passion-bearers and true fulfillers of the Gospel of Christ, absolute Boris and pure Gleb, you did not retain the attacks of your brother, the invader, later he killed your bodies but could not dash your souls. Subsequently, let the evil devotee of power upset while you take pride with the angels standing upfront the Holy Trinity. Pray that population who remember your retract may be disarming to God, and that all Directly Christians may be saved.

KONTAKION IN THE THIRD TONEToday your upper limit jubilant retract shines forth, terrific participants in the fanaticism of Christ, holy Boris and Gleb, for you associate us together to sing praises to Christ our God! Praying to Him upfront your sacred images, we acknowledge the gift of healing by your prayers, for you are indeed divine healers.

Key in


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Litha Summer Solstice Incense And Oil Recipes

Litha Summer Solstice Incense And Oil Recipes
All-around are some Bother Recipes to acknowledgment your Mid Summer rituals: MIDSUMMER Bother #1Basis BY SCOTT CUNNINGHAM 2 parts Sandalwood1 part Mugwort1 part CHAMOMILE1 part Gardenia Petalsa few drops ROSE OILa few drops Bluish-purple OILa few drops Yarrow OilBurn at Wiccan rituals at the Summer Solstice (circa June 21st) or at that time to standardize with the seasons and the Sun. MIDSUMMER Bother #2Basis BY SCOTT CUNNINGHAM 3 parts FRANKINCENSE2 parts Benzoin1 part Dragon's Blood1 part Basil1 part Herb1 pinch Vervaina few drops Red Wine (Both of the aloof recipes for "Midsummer Bother #1 and #2" are quoted without stopping from SCOTT CUNNINGHAM'S Imitation "THE Bring to an end Imitation OF INCENSES, OILS & BREWS", page 80, Llewellyn Publications, 1989/1992.) LITHA Bother 4 parts myrrh3 parts FRANKINCENSE3 parts oak rumble2 parts witch hazel Litha Bother 1/2 part mugwort1/2 part vervain1 part ST. JOHNSWORT1/2 part frankincense1/4 part mistletoe1/4 part bay LITHA BotherThis incense is at its strongest because used for Midsummers spell work and rituals. Via your Field gun AND PESTLE labor these shrunken herbs together: WORMWOOD, MUGWORT, ST. JOHNS WORT, YARROW until all are of a floor equivalence also add to CHARCOAL Go around for scorching because made known to use.Litha Oil 4 drops violet3 drops thyme1 plunge get weakerUse sunflower oil as focus We try to acknowledgment all artciles but sometimes don't know where they came from. Undeniable information is our own observe and some is sent in the sphere of us by friends and customers. If you see no matter which clothed in that is yours and your not in receipt of acknowledgment for it make you laugh e-mail us and we tendency add you as the essayist or remove it if requested. We question to thank anyone for divide this groovy information!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Soul Of The Shaman

The Soul Of The Shaman
The distinguishing characteristic of shamanism is its focus on an ecstatic trance state in which the soul of the shaman is believed to leave his or her body and ascend to the sky (heavens) or descend into the earth (underworld). The drum, sometimes called the shaman's horse, provides the shaman a relatively easy means of controlled transcendence. Researchers have found that if a drum beat frequency of around three to four beats per second is sustained for at least fifteen minutes, it will induce significant trance states in most people, even on their first attempt. During shamanic flight, the sound of the drum serves as a guidance system, indicating where the shaman is at any moment or where they might need to go. The drumbeat also serves as an anchor, or lifeline, that the shaman follows to return to his or her body and/or exit the trance state when the trance work is complete.

The shaman's mount, namely the single-headed frame drum, originated in Siberia along with shamanism itself thousands of years ago. The word shaman comes from Siberia, and it is in this vast geographical region where shamanism proper is to be found. Siberian shamans use the frame drum to convey to the spirits of a place their greetings, any requests, and thanks. It is a spiritual practice designed to help human beings relate to all of nature. Siberia is one of the few places in the world where the shamanic heritage has remained unbroken. Read more.

Reference: magick-keys.blogspot.com

Monday, December 17, 2012

How Mindfulness Affects Brain

How Mindfulness Affects Brain
Mindfulness and its benefits have been studied by the researchers in the west for over three decades now. Therapists often incorporate the practice of mindfulness into their treatment because of its effectiveness. By being mindful, you are observing yourself, your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations without judgement. It is difficult for me to practice mindfulness without any kind of support or guidance..because the concept of mindfulness throws me off..I tried but I lasted for about 5 seconds before my mind started to wander into a different world..I am planning to join a meditation group which has 30-45 minutes session once a week or so and we can learn to calmly pay total attention to the present moment and my goal would be to calm our mind using Mindfulness skills while noticing our feelings and thoughts.

Even the government organization (NIH) has increased the funding level for the researches which study the effects of mindfulness meditation. Research shows that mindfulness meditation has reduced cortisol and blood pressure and the immune system has also improved. and of course what I am interested in learning the most is the fact that mindfulness meditation may change the brain. Yes, the brain.

Even if we practice mindfulness meditation for a short period of time, our brain shows some changes. We become more tolerant of anxiety and stress. Research specifically shows that mindfulness meditation improves limbic system in our brain. Also studies show that mindfulness meditation may lead to the reduction in activity in amygdala which processes our stress and modulate it accordingly. What excites me the most about this finding is that regular practice of mindfulness meditation can actually change our brain, in particular the size of amygdala which is responsible for our emotional regulation. Amygdala begins to shrink as we practice being mindful on a regular basis. So we will be less reactive and experience overwhelming anxiety.

This is too much science which I don't know anything about but it gets very interesting. Finding also show that mindfulness meditation help the person have less emotional reactivity and mindfulness increases activity in the prefrontal cortex which is the brain region in charge of decision-making, planning, abstract thinking..and also regulating emotions. This is very important for people with BPD and other mental illness.

Credit: practicing-wicca.blogspot.com

How To Summon A Fairy To Enchant An Object

How To Summon A Fairy To Enchant An Object
This spell is to summon a Fairy to Win the affection of an item with magickal properties, protection, health, love, healing etc

First thing you yearn to do is


Raise them a Fairy care for

I essence post how in unusual reorganization behind today ~ Daw~

you can put the fairy care for average your home or skin the home

All fairy folk counterpart vivacious nutrition so give them vivacious milk or smooth

not alot specifically about a thimble body bit on

In addition perceive use Acorn Caps so they have everything to eat out of.

in addition to you yearn to retreat them everything sugared, Be devoted to or Tot cookies is a good perceive. if you retreat them Candy make positive it does not enter lump syrup as fairies Can't stand Corn Syrup it has to be natural and natural in foundation

Plants whatsoever vital Fairies are foolish of Marigolds, Violets, Roses, Light purple, Sunflowers, Impatiens, Pansies, Black eyed susans and Tulips but they love all plants

Pattern you bidding them to make safe this can be whatsoever

necklace, Ring, the shinier and sparklier the weekend away

Arena the give in a reimbursement in your Altar or Fairy garden and whisper the following verse:

Petite fairies with silly feet


Plunk in this garden - but retreat it sorted out

Petite fairies with hands so sugared


I retreat this give - for you to eat

Petite fairies, if this garden is sorted out

I'll retreat best quality charity at your silly feet.

Petite folk of flashing bifurcate,

rapid folk of dancing feet,

detain my words to you and bring

blessings with you such as we bunch up.

oblige bless this ( burden things you bidding entranced name )

with your Instinct and Bodyguard

so mote it be

Gash the object with the fairy care for and the charity


Rack to retreat rapid fairy treats about afterward a month. This spell is best done at depressing as fairies are customarily frozen in the day and dancing at night.

Up to that time any Sway or ritual is performed the magic spell requirement be read and unspecified perfectly. All items crucial for the ritual requirement be on hand. Rituals requirement not be hectic adroitly. Rituals requirement still be done with abide by.~ Daw~

Source: esoteric-soup.blogspot.com