Paganism & Pornography

At times my political views seem to lead me into contradictions. Last month saw me writing a furious letter to Penthouse magazine concerning their misinformed story on Witchcraft. Within two weeks I was writing to the head of the QuickTrip Corporation protesting the removal of Penthouse from their stores. You'd think I would have been happy at a blow struck against a magazine that maligned my religion. Not so. At stake is the free expression of ideas. Misinformation and censorship are both threats to that freedom. Of the two, I judge censorship to be the greater threat. As long as publishing continues unimpeded, retraction of misinformation is possible. When publishing is censored, even that becomes impossible.

Read more here: » Paganism: Paganism Pornography

April 30 - May Eve - Beltaine

'Beltane' means 'fire of Bel', Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. It is a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity. Young people spend the entire night in the woods 'a-maying', and dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples may remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magical time for 'wild' water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health. The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming Maypole - namely, the death-affirming cross. Hence, in the Christian calendar, this was celebrated as 'Roodmas'. In Germany, it was the feast of Saint Walpurga, or 'Walpurgisnacht'. An alternative date around May 5 (Old Beltaine), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, is sometimes employed by Covens. (The name 'Lady Day' is incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca.)

Read more here: » Wiccan Holidays: April 30 - May Eve - Beltaine (Beltane)

Dowsing - The act of using a pendulum or stick to locate a person,place,thing, or element.Dowsing can also be used to answer yes or no questions.

(See also: Dowsing , Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

ALGARD WICCA: A Wiccan tradition that combines both Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca traditions, founded in 1972 by Mary Nesnick, an American who was initiated into both Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions.

(See also: ALGARD WICCA , Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Microcosm - The world within us.

(See also: Microcosm , Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

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B.C.E - Before Common Era, non-christian version of B.C.

(See also: B.C.E , Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

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Talisman - An object that has been magickally charged in order to bring something to the bearer.

(See also: Talisman , Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

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Wiccan:

(1) The original plural form for “wicca/wicce” or “witch.”

(2) An adjective used to describe their religion by the followers of Neopagan Witchcraft.

(See also: Wiccan , Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Astral Projection - The proccess of separating your astral body from your physical body to accomplish travel in the astral.

(See also: Astral Projection , Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

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Cleansing - The act of removing any negative energies, vibrations or images from and object or places.

(See also: Cleansing , Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

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FAERIES: A term that in reality is used to cover many things that are of absolutely no relation to the true faerie folk. True faeries are members of the Dynion Mwyn or the Daoine Sidhe. I'm sure it can be used a bit more broadly than that, but I'm biased.

(See also: FAERIES , Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Panentheism

The belief that God is all that exists. God is at once the entire universe, and transcends the universe as well. Subtly different from Pantheism.

(See also: Panentheism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Paganism

Historically, paganism has been used as a generic term to describe non-Christian religions and superstitions - primarily, but not limited to, the old religions of Europe and Indo-Europe and ancient mythologies (Celt, Norse, Egyptian, Greek and Roman). Any religion other than Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. The term literally means "country dweller" and was originally used by Romans todescribe religions and philosophies not of Rome.

(See also: Paganism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Neo-Paganism

The modern revival of paganism, emphasizing witchcraft (see Wicca), goddess worship, and nature worship.

(See also: Neo-Paganism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Magic Circle

Ring drawn by occultists to protect them from the spirits and demons they call up by incantations and rituals.

(See also: Magic Circle , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Pantheism

The belief that all that exists is God and all that exists is God. This God is an all-encompassing, impersonal principle or force of which everything is a part. A central doctrine for most eastern religions and New Age groups. This leads naturally to the concept of the divinity of the individual, that we are all Gods. They do not seek God as revealed in a sacred text or as exists in a remote heaven; they seek God within the self and throughout the entire universe. (see also Panentheism)

(See also: Pantheism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Pentacle

A disc containing a five-pointed star used in magical ceremonies. Also called a pentagram. A pentagram with a circle around it.

(See also: Pentacle , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

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Pentagram

A five-pointed star drawn with a single line. Upright, it resembles a human figure, with spirit taking the highest importance. Inverted (upside-down) it is often considered a Satanic symbol. When inverted, it represents the elements taking precedence over spirit. An inverted pentagram becomes Baphomet.

(See also: Pentagram , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Great Rite

The ritual act, usually Wiccan, of sexual intercourse performed between the high-priestess and the high-priest, or between the high-priestess and a coven member.

Originally performed in the midst of the circle, then later performed apart from the circle. Now usually performed symbollicly by placing the sword in the cup.

(See also: Great Rite , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary

Grimoire

A magickal workbook which contains various information on rituals, formulae, correspondences, and preparation of ritual tools and space. Similar to a Book of Shadows.

(See also: Grimoire , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

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Wicca: A neo-pagan reconstruction of witchcraft. Most Wiccans call themselves witches, but not all witches are necessarily Wiccan.

(See also: Wicca , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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High Priestess

A female witch within a coven who has been initiated into the 3rd degree. Abbreviated as HPS in written rituals. Often the head of the coven.

(See also: High Priestess , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Wicca Dictionary