Sunday, December 26, 2010
Exploring the Wiccan Rede
Practical Assignment-Week 1
Exploring the Wiccan Rede
What matters to me?
Rule #1: If it harms no one, do what you will.
Ex. It is not our job to judge others, nor to try and make others do as we wish. Instead we should lead by example and try to effect peoples' actions in a positive way. The exception is when influencing and raising children. There should be a natural consequence to help them see how their actions affect others and to help them right any wrongs. When there is not a natural consequence or they are too young to participate, a time out or cooling off period should be implemented. This rule also applies to the natural world around us. The exception being any potentially harmful plant or creature that is within our living space. If possible, relocate the danger, but if this is not possible destruction of the danger is necessary to ensure safety.
Rule #2: What you send out returns threefold.
Ex. Having a background in Christianity, this would be the Golden Rule-Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It also seems to encompass the idea of Karma. If you do good things, good things will come to you. You can not live your life worrying about what will happen to other people. Simply do good for yourself and others and have faith that those who chose to do otherwise will get what is coming. This is not to say that you should stand idly by, rather you should always seek to better your surroundings.
Rule #3: Enough for your needs and a little more.
Ex. referring again back to my background in Christianity, this reminds me of the idea of prayer. Why can't every ones' prayer be answered? Just because you want something, doesn't mean that it is something you need. In this sense, you should be striving to meet your needs and live comfortable. If you are concerned about your basic needs, you will not be about to work towards helping those around you. Once you are comfortable you can then work to help others do the same.
Rule #4: Keep the balance.
Ex. this is somewhat included in my explanation of rule number three. When ever you are able, you should always give back what you can. Sometimes it can be as simple as a smile or a hello. Other times it need be money or time and effort. If you expect to live comfortably, then you need to be continuing to help others reach this position as well. If we work together as a community and take care of each other, we can all live a comfortable life.
Exploring the Wiccan Rede
What matters to me?
Rule #1: If it harms no one, do what you will.
Ex. It is not our job to judge others, nor to try and make others do as we wish. Instead we should lead by example and try to effect peoples' actions in a positive way. The exception is when influencing and raising children. There should be a natural consequence to help them see how their actions affect others and to help them right any wrongs. When there is not a natural consequence or they are too young to participate, a time out or cooling off period should be implemented. This rule also applies to the natural world around us. The exception being any potentially harmful plant or creature that is within our living space. If possible, relocate the danger, but if this is not possible destruction of the danger is necessary to ensure safety.
Rule #2: What you send out returns threefold.
Ex. Having a background in Christianity, this would be the Golden Rule-Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It also seems to encompass the idea of Karma. If you do good things, good things will come to you. You can not live your life worrying about what will happen to other people. Simply do good for yourself and others and have faith that those who chose to do otherwise will get what is coming. This is not to say that you should stand idly by, rather you should always seek to better your surroundings.
Rule #3: Enough for your needs and a little more.
Ex. referring again back to my background in Christianity, this reminds me of the idea of prayer. Why can't every ones' prayer be answered? Just because you want something, doesn't mean that it is something you need. In this sense, you should be striving to meet your needs and live comfortable. If you are concerned about your basic needs, you will not be about to work towards helping those around you. Once you are comfortable you can then work to help others do the same.
Rule #4: Keep the balance.
Ex. this is somewhat included in my explanation of rule number three. When ever you are able, you should always give back what you can. Sometimes it can be as simple as a smile or a hello. Other times it need be money or time and effort. If you expect to live comfortably, then you need to be continuing to help others reach this position as well. If we work together as a community and take care of each other, we can all live a comfortable life.
Beginning Anew
I have adjusted my goal for completion of this book to December 27, 2011.
I have not been working through this book on a regular basis, so I have made a change to my original completion date. Over the course of this year, I have become friends with a number of pagans and attended two rituals: Beltane and Yule. This has continued my interest in the study.
I have not been working through this book on a regular basis, so I have made a change to my original completion date. Over the course of this year, I have become friends with a number of pagans and attended two rituals: Beltane and Yule. This has continued my interest in the study.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Starting the Journey
My journey began on March 28, 2010. I have set a goal for Personal Initiation as a Wise Woman for March 29, 2011.
Practical Assignment: What does magick mean to you?
Magickal personal experiences:
*As a young child, I would sit and stare out the window during a thunderstorm and watch the raindrops dance across the asphalt.
*In Kindergarten, I recall returning to our classroom after parading around the school to discover the Easter Bunny hopping out the window and disappearing.
*Walking outside after work one cold evening, I was awe struck by the first snow fall of the winter that sent myriad snowflakes fluttering before me.
*On my way home from a friends house after a winter storm, I enjoyed a pleasant drive through the mountain forest that had been blanketed by ice and was now reflecting the sun throughout the frozen landscape.
*The day my son was born, weighing only 1 lb. 11 oz., he cried a faint greeting, opened his tiny eyes, and grabbed his father's finger, before being rushed off to the NICU.
*Celebrating our engagement with a handfasting that took place on the beautiful white beaches of Sarasota County, only hours after a hurricane passed by several miles off shore.
*Marrying my husband, Roy, in the courtyard of a castle located outside of Baltimore, Maryland surrounded by family and friends.
*Seeing the Badlands for the first time during our trip to Yellowstone; they were so extraordinarily different from anything I have ever seen.
*Touring the Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida (I think this is the location) and viewing the determination of one man to win the woman he loved (even if it didn't work) and pondering at the knowledge that scientists are not sure how he accomplished his task.
*Driving over the Skyway Bridge in the late evening after work on a calm and cool summer night; the bridge lit up and the quiet waters reflecting the lights from below.
*Lying in the grass on a camping trip with my best friend, Mindi, one summer evening, watching the stars and creating our own constellation: the smiley face ;)
*Driving back from my Great-Grandmothers funeral, noticing the sun break through the cloud filled sky and knowing it was her smiling down on us.
*Waking up after our first night in our vacation home outside of Yellowstone and seeing the breathtaking view outside our windows, past the mountain side, down into the valley and onto the lake.
Magickal characters from literature/fiction:
*Jack Skelington and his excitement at discovering a world so different from his own and his eagerness to share this revelation with others.
*The relationship between Edward and Bella and the entire Cullens family; their desire to be more than the accepted definition of a vampire or even a family; to have a bond so strong that they could endure any amount of pain to see the other person happy.
*Belle breaking the spell cast on the handsome prince releasing him from his beastly image and freeing all the servants, after admitting that she loved him for who he was.
*The relationship the Na'vi people and their environment in Avatar; very similar to that of the fairies of Fern Gully; they seem to have more than a reverence for nature; they were at one with nature.
Practical Assignment: What does magick mean to you?
Magickal personal experiences:
*As a young child, I would sit and stare out the window during a thunderstorm and watch the raindrops dance across the asphalt.
*In Kindergarten, I recall returning to our classroom after parading around the school to discover the Easter Bunny hopping out the window and disappearing.
*Walking outside after work one cold evening, I was awe struck by the first snow fall of the winter that sent myriad snowflakes fluttering before me.
*On my way home from a friends house after a winter storm, I enjoyed a pleasant drive through the mountain forest that had been blanketed by ice and was now reflecting the sun throughout the frozen landscape.
*The day my son was born, weighing only 1 lb. 11 oz., he cried a faint greeting, opened his tiny eyes, and grabbed his father's finger, before being rushed off to the NICU.
*Celebrating our engagement with a handfasting that took place on the beautiful white beaches of Sarasota County, only hours after a hurricane passed by several miles off shore.
*Marrying my husband, Roy, in the courtyard of a castle located outside of Baltimore, Maryland surrounded by family and friends.
*Seeing the Badlands for the first time during our trip to Yellowstone; they were so extraordinarily different from anything I have ever seen.
*Touring the Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida (I think this is the location) and viewing the determination of one man to win the woman he loved (even if it didn't work) and pondering at the knowledge that scientists are not sure how he accomplished his task.
*Driving over the Skyway Bridge in the late evening after work on a calm and cool summer night; the bridge lit up and the quiet waters reflecting the lights from below.
*Lying in the grass on a camping trip with my best friend, Mindi, one summer evening, watching the stars and creating our own constellation: the smiley face ;)
*Driving back from my Great-Grandmothers funeral, noticing the sun break through the cloud filled sky and knowing it was her smiling down on us.
*Waking up after our first night in our vacation home outside of Yellowstone and seeing the breathtaking view outside our windows, past the mountain side, down into the valley and onto the lake.
Magickal characters from literature/fiction:
*Jack Skelington and his excitement at discovering a world so different from his own and his eagerness to share this revelation with others.
*The relationship between Edward and Bella and the entire Cullens family; their desire to be more than the accepted definition of a vampire or even a family; to have a bond so strong that they could endure any amount of pain to see the other person happy.
*Belle breaking the spell cast on the handsome prince releasing him from his beastly image and freeing all the servants, after admitting that she loved him for who he was.
*The relationship the Na'vi people and their environment in Avatar; very similar to that of the fairies of Fern Gully; they seem to have more than a reverence for nature; they were at one with nature.
Introduction
I have created this blog to chronicle my studies in magick. Although I am new to the Pagan religion (Is it appropriate to refer to it as a religion?), I have always been an individual who has found peace outdoors and is drawn to nature. I was raised a Christian and believe that many good lessons can come from studying the Bible, but do not agree with the idea of being a good person out of fear of going to 'hell' or to be rewarded in 'heaven.' I feel that the only way to really live a good life is to do what you feel is right simply for the self-gratification that follows.
Over the next year (or longer) I will be working through the book 'A Year and a Day in Magick: A complete week-by-week course to a lifetime in magick' by Cassandra Eason. I encourage you to post comments to assist me as I explore in more detail the Pagan way of life.
Over the next year (or longer) I will be working through the book 'A Year and a Day in Magick: A complete week-by-week course to a lifetime in magick' by Cassandra Eason. I encourage you to post comments to assist me as I explore in more detail the Pagan way of life.
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