Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

//- How has Wicca and Paganism changed in the past 10-13 years?//

At large it has continued forward from the works of Scott Cunningham, meaning an explosion of Wicca 101 and eclectic books. Scott described Wicca to the world in orthodoxic words, that is, in terms of belief when Wicca is actually orthodoxic, based on belief. Of course when we talk of Scott we're going back further than 10-13 years.

Scott, like authors after him took some basic concepts and and put them forward in a very simplistic way that isn't very traditional at all, but does provide a path to working with the gods and/or archetypes.

As for trad Wica, Lady Sheba caused a lot of controversy when she published her BoS, and then the Farrars published the A Witches Bible which is about the most comprehensive text you will find on BTW: Wicca. It can be an intimidating read though, so while a significant amount of it is out there, few solitaries ever take to it.

I don't know that BTW:Wicca has changed that much, there's allot of room for each coven to come into its own. Its always changing though less than pre-Gardnerian craft, while keeping to the same core praxis. You'd have to ask individuals how their lines have changed.

//- What is considered the "norm" nowadays?//

I couldn't tell you. I know only a few of the newer authors and people in the popculture scene. I keep in touch mostly with BTW and non-BTW traditional lines.

That said I've observed a "buffer" mentality by many people of doing whatever feels right. Well if what feels right, feels right because your following your true will and being where you need to be fair enough- however Wica is a specific praxis with a specific format and that should be respected to. If something is catering toward ones comfort-zone thats a red flag as Wicca is by it's nature set to bring you on the fringe of that zone, ever-expanding. I'm not sure people get the growth in pop-Wicca as they did traditionally, and that's not to begrudge the solitary or a group of non-initiates but it is a different world. As a solitary you have to discipline yourself and a group without the leadership of one who has gone though it will surely face a treacherous path.

It seems to be the ideal today that you don't need a teacher. I think its great that one is able to be self-mediating, having an inner locus of control and you need that regardless. However there are allot of barriers and other obstacles that you don't even see that the initiator sees, having dealt with themselves. The right teacher can propel you along the path at an accelerated pace with many lessons being less painful (some are supposed to be painful).

Allot more is expected of you to in traditional craft, its a different realm and you learn from sources that are far more dangerous, a guide is important. Whereas allot of the Wicca you see today in the bookshop, you'll likely be ok on your own. There are still consequence for your actions and you've got to be aware of your place in the causality, however you usually aren't applying techniques taught to initiates.

And lastly, there is this pacifist mentality today that was really a thing in times past. This usually comes from a misunderstanding of the read. Your allowed to protect yourself, and your allowed to send a clear message of back off. You come to learn what real harm is and that is not allowing someone to be who they are, in following what is called their "true will". If you are following your true will you shouldn't be bringing harm to theirs, because it transcends the individual role. Thats the idea. So all the Rede entails is a self-check so that you work within the way of your highest means and virtue.

//Are people more accepting of practicing Wicca and Paganism?//

Most certainly, you've got more people talking bad about it to, but for the most part people are fine with it or just don't take it seriously.

We have open circles where people can come and experience a seasonal rite, and as far as magick in general I've been to conventions and evens where I've had to cross a lobby in my robe to get from point a to b. Sometimes you'll get looks and sometimes they wont be good ones but usually you aren't given any trouble.
Its really all in how you present and handle yourself.

A few decades ago though, people would piss on your torch, throw rocks and flaming bottles, we have lots of stories about that.

//Is it acceptable to call Wiccans and Pagans witches and/or wizards?//

Depends on if they fit that definition.

Wiccans are Witches, technically they are variants of the same word however today Wicca is associated with a certain way and so not all witches identify as Wiccans.

Not all, and most even, Pagans are witches. Witches were specifically the medicine people and conjurers in a community whereas pagan was more inclusive of the people of the land at large. They would have know allot, you had to to survive but the witches would have been those who dedicated themselves to the mysteries. People weren't generally tied to one job or specialty back then yet certain people stood out in their role.

// What are some authors I should read up on? (I know the Internet might be a bigger source because of first-hand experience, etc.)//

Depends on what kind of path you want to pursue. If that be BTW: Wicca:

A Witches Bible - Farrars
What Witches Do - Farrars
Witchcraft for Tomorrow - Valiente
Wicca, Magickal Beginnings - Sorita D'Este

and go from from there.

//How has the Internet changed the way Wiccans and Pagans practice?//

Community namely, it has provided allot of support for those finding themselves unaccepted by family and friends. I think its influence really stemmed from there. There were a few huge boards back in the day. From this this people were able to share ideas, writing, rites, techniques and so forth. You started to see groups have some of the same bits even though they were far apart geographically with no common lineage. Most of the stuff going around wasn't that deep or well put-together but every now and then there's be a gem.

Its a mixed bag, a double edged sword. There was emotional support but and some innovation but also allot of lazyness and watered down teachings as materials were just a click away.

For others though, it has been an invaluable resource for those seeking more traditional methods as grimoires and manuscripts were added to internet archives.

//Has it improved or worsened the religion?//

Overall I would say it has worsened it yet you also have to realize a great debt to the internet in many ways, and maybe witches of humble and naive beginnings have gone on to do great things so it becomes a rather existential question.

//- Is practicing solitary still acceptable?//

Yes, Buckland even has a book addressing this called Wicca for One, and even Valiente gave some guidelines for doing so.

//How often does worship happen at home and in the coven?//

That really depends on the individual, coven and what is reserved for personal or group praxis.

You've got the eight Sabbats of which Bealtaine and Samhain are the two biggest.
With Imbolc and Lughnasadh being the second most important ones followed by the lesser four. These are generally done with your coven if you have one. Covens may even join up for the larger ones.

Then you have the Esbats, the full moons which are your monthly Coven time, though some may be set aside for personal time as needed. If your not in a Coven these would be solitary.

Half and New moons aren't touched by most covens and are days to consider for solitary rites.

On the half moon we work with Baphomet and the dual aspects thereof as Lucifer and Vesper, though while this is traditional of earlier mythos, it isn't typical of mot groups. New Moons being reserved for ancestral and inner-plane workings, these are solitary unless your in a fam trad.

You also have feast days for the deities you revere, and certain days to work the ancestral altar depending on your tradition.

Allot of solitary work is day to day self-work and attuning with your working partner.

Today you often here of Solitary vs Covened paths yet the Solitary side is very important, complimenting the Convened side. You are given things to work on and in time get a feel for what you need to do each day, your initiates directing you less and less, and sometimes all the sudden as the see you nearing a threshold.

//Do you have to follow a particular deity?//

You need to have a relationship with masculine and feminine divinity. Personally it does not matter by what name you call them as long has there is a harmonious relation between them and yourself.

In a Coven it is important for all minds to be focused on calling the same power,
for the sake of the harmony and flow of the circle. Covens will have particular gods they work with, traditionally different names at each degree. They may even have a god and goddess-form original to their egregore.

Allot of second degree work you do with your working partner and so the names you use at that degree are between the two of you more-so.

Gardner said that it is preferred to call the gods of the soil which you stand. Meaning, that you should consider the gods indigenous to your location. This not not a rule, though I recommend you come to know and respect them.

There is also the union and transcendence of the God and Goddess, this is called the Dryghten. Usually the Dryghten is acknowledged yet not worked with actively.

//I’ve been reading a lot about people not being Wiccan until they are initiated//

This is true of Wica, not Wicca in the broader sense. Ask what you are being initiated into, which is an egregore-group mind and lineage of power. If you haven't been brought into a certain line you aren't that.

It all comes down to what you are meaning when you say Wicca, the term itself being older than Gardner.

// What if you are Solitary? Is there even such thing as being a solitary witch anymore?//

Yes there is, and not all witches are influenced from modern Wicca either, so that would be a foreign concern to them.

In fact, there is what we call a cuveen, which is where families or individuals who understand well the mysteries, come together to work and celebrate while not being a dedicated coven, and this is where all covened traditions stem.

// Do you have to be initiated if you want to practice solitary?//

No, what you do as a solitary is between you and the mysteries/gods. On this note there are two forms of initiation, a) into the mysteries at large and b) into the mysteries of a group.

When one talks of initiation they usually talk of the latter, however priests and priestesses are vessels for the initiatory power of the gods of the mysteries.

In fact, if you look into mythos you find Hekate, among others, performing initiations.

//Is it okay to have a full time job and practice Wicca?//

Why wouldn't it be? Of course priorities are important, you may at times realize you have to give something up to focus on your path, elsewise you continue down the path but not well.

Thank you for your advice, DracoJesi! And thank you for answering all of my questions! There are some authors I actually forgot about! eek

Since I've posted in the forums, I've been reading that Wicca is strict (as far as initiation, etc). I think that when I was younger I didn't realize what exactly it entails to become initiated. sweatdrop I guess I didn't get that far.

It seems like I have a lot more information to read up on before I actually start doing anything. Do you have any recommendations or any good/reputable resources other than the authors you mentioned?

Do you have any advice on how to get started as a solitary?