Comments for Pagan Diversity http://www.pagandiversity.com Discover the diverse world of Paganism Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:07:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Atheists, what do you think about Wiccans, Witches, WitchCraft and spells? by David Jeter http://www.pagandiversity.com/witchcraft-spells/atheists-what-do-you-think-about-wiccans-witches-witchcraft-and-spells/comment-page-1#comment-2094 David Jeter Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:07:19 +0000 http://www.pagandiversity.com/witchcraft-spells/atheists-what-do-you-think-about-wiccans-witches-witchcraft-and-spells#comment-2094 I know this is old, but I am going to post anyway in case anyone reads this. I will start by saying that I am an ex-Christian, ex-Wiccan, ex-Nichiren Buddhist. I flushed ALL theology down the toilet. But I still have a very Buddhist world view and I am open to being an atheist witch(if you consider pharmacutecals are in idea a form of witchcraft-herbs and other medicines made from the earth). But my idea is that it is all based off the law of cause and effect. That is one reason Wicca didn't make sense to me(that and the beliefs that to me were nonsense from the get go-divination in tea leaves, crystal ball gazing although I am still open to that being a way through focused effort for me to gain insight into my own head but NOT about forseeing the future, celebrating the changing of seasons I still want to do, perhaps the esbats, but all of the deity worship mumbo jumbo I will have NOTHING to do with regardless of what they represent, just seems like a waste of time to me, might try tarot cards to look into my own head like meditation, and I made up my own mantra and I still chant just not any Buddhist or Hindu mantras). Once I became a Buddhist, that was the start of me being an atheist to the core. I didn't understand why a Wiccan "needed" the help of a deity if they were the one manipulating the law of cause and effect which IS magic or magick as they would spell it. I am very point blank about ANY deity being an imaginary friend that came about in the practitioner's mind due to the law of cause and effect, it exists ONLY for them ONLY because they believe in it. Therefore it CAN'T exist, and that by definition makes me an atheist. So can a person be an atheist witch? Only if the witch doesn't believe in ANY gods. Atheism is not believing in deities or "deities" that are part of the environment(because if they truly have no more sentience than the computer I am typing this on, then how can they truly be considered a deity?). But that is my definition. Another important thing to keep in mind, atheism(as a lack of belief in deities) comes in infinitely different flavors. Richard Dawkins would not consider me an atheist because I believe in the law of cause and effect(despite me being dogmatically opposed to myself believing in a higher power). Sam Harris would most likely consider me an atheist(he agrees with chanting mantras). I totally consider myself an atheist BECAUSE I don't believe in a higher power, the law of cause and effect IS NOT a higher power because I am the one manipulating it ergo I AM the higher power ergo I AM an atheist. I know this is old, but I am going to post anyway in case anyone reads this. I will start by saying that I am an ex-Christian, ex-Wiccan, ex-Nichiren Buddhist. I flushed ALL theology down the toilet. But I still have a very Buddhist world view and I am open to being an atheist witch(if you consider pharmacutecals are in idea a form of witchcraft-herbs and other medicines made from the earth). But my idea is that it is all based off the law of cause and effect. That is one reason Wicca didn’t make sense to me(that and the beliefs that to me were nonsense from the get go-divination in tea leaves, crystal ball gazing although I am still open to that being a way through focused effort for me to gain insight into my own head but NOT about forseeing the future, celebrating the changing of seasons I still want to do, perhaps the esbats, but all of the deity worship mumbo jumbo I will have NOTHING to do with regardless of what they represent, just seems like a waste of time to me, might try tarot cards to look into my own head like meditation, and I made up my own mantra and I still chant just not any Buddhist or Hindu mantras). Once I became a Buddhist, that was the start of me being an atheist to the core. I didn’t understand why a Wiccan “needed” the help of a deity if they were the one manipulating the law of cause and effect which IS magic or magick as they would spell it. I am very point blank about ANY deity being an imaginary friend that came about in the practitioner’s mind due to the law of cause and effect, it exists ONLY for them ONLY because they believe in it. Therefore it CAN’T exist, and that by definition makes me an atheist. So can a person be an atheist witch? Only if the witch doesn’t believe in ANY gods. Atheism is not believing in deities or “deities” that are part of the environment(because if they truly have no more sentience than the computer I am typing this on, then how can they truly be considered a deity?). But that is my definition. Another important thing to keep in mind, atheism(as a lack of belief in deities) comes in infinitely different flavors. Richard Dawkins would not consider me an atheist because I believe in the law of cause and effect(despite me being dogmatically opposed to myself believing in a higher power). Sam Harris would most likely consider me an atheist(he agrees with chanting mantras). I totally consider myself an atheist BECAUSE I don’t believe in a higher power, the law of cause and effect IS NOT a higher power because I am the one manipulating it ergo I AM the higher power ergo I AM an atheist.

]]> Comment on I can’t afford Wiccan supplies. Help? by Morning star http://www.pagandiversity.com/wiccan-supplies/i-cant-afford-wiccan-supplies-help/comment-page-1#comment-1283 Morning star Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:58:42 +0000 http://www.pagandiversity.com/wiccan-supplies/i-cant-afford-wiccan-supplies-help#comment-1283 sorry about the misspelled words in earlier post. I am doing two things at once and wasn't paying attention to my spelling. For the altar it should have said sacred not scared and as for the rest I'm sure you can figure out what I was saying. Blessings sorry about the misspelled words in earlier post. I am doing two things at once and wasn’t paying attention to my spelling. For the altar it should have said sacred not scared and as for the rest I’m sure you can figure out what I was saying.

Blessings

]]> Comment on I can’t afford Wiccan supplies. Help? by Morning star http://www.pagandiversity.com/wiccan-supplies/i-cant-afford-wiccan-supplies-help/comment-page-1#comment-1282 Morning star Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:55:44 +0000 http://www.pagandiversity.com/wiccan-supplies/i-cant-afford-wiccan-supplies-help#comment-1282 So I will tell you that reconnecting with my path has been a long and infromative road. I had in the past gave everything once collected and created to family and friends because of cirumstances I will not get into. In the last year I have returned to my chosen path and have discovered that things bought in the past are are quite a bit more expensive than in previous years so I understand your concern with cash flow issues. However, I have always connected more with the items I have either made myself or have been gifted by someone as opposed to store bought items. They are charged more with your intent rather than some of the negative energy of others, For example, a fallen tree branch from the woods makes and excellent wand which you can create into a beutiful piece of artwork by transforming it into exactly what you want. The beaches tend to have hag stones or natural formed holy stones on them and you can sometimes find quartz crytals there as well if you are lucky. Some everyday household cooking herbs are nown for magickal purposes as well and can be burned as incense or used for the creation of satchets, pillows, herbal infusions for yourbath etc. a simple cup already in your home can act as a chalice, any surface you are comfortable with can become an altar and there is no right or wrong way to set that up, its all a matter of what is scared to you. Simple stones you feel a connection with can act as your elementals or power stones. The possibilities are endless and there are many websites, videos, etc where you can access free pagan and wiccan music, craft ideas, symbols, etc. The main focus is that you don't lose sight of your personal beliefs and you strive to always connect with nature and your spiritual center. Having expensive items that are not necessary does not make you a practicing wiccan,, your daily activities and actions are what does. Yoou can do routine and daily affirmations these are free. You can access candles for burning purposes almost anywhere including the dollar store where you may even get a boat load for a dollar. You can make teas and infusions from what is already in your home. Meditation is always free and the easiest way to come to clarity as to how to obtain what you think you need. Ther are also a lot of blogers that do free giveaways with these items. I would look into them if you are adement about wiccan ritual tools. Many blessings to you. So I will tell you that reconnecting with my path has been a long and infromative road. I had in the past gave everything once collected and created to family and friends because of cirumstances I will not get into. In the last year I have returned to my chosen path and have discovered that things bought in the past are are quite a bit more expensive than in previous years so I understand your concern with cash flow issues.

However, I have always connected more with the items I have either made myself or have been gifted by someone as opposed to store bought items. They are charged more with your intent rather than some of the negative energy of others, For example, a fallen tree branch from the woods makes and excellent wand which you can create into a beutiful piece of artwork by transforming it into exactly what you want. The beaches tend to have hag stones or natural formed holy stones on them and you can sometimes find quartz crytals there as well if you are lucky. Some everyday household cooking herbs are nown for magickal purposes as well and can be burned as incense or used for the creation of satchets, pillows, herbal infusions for yourbath etc.

a simple cup already in your home can act as a chalice, any surface you are comfortable with can become an altar and there is no right or wrong way to set that up, its all a matter of what is scared to you. Simple stones you feel a connection with can act as your elementals or power stones. The possibilities are endless and there are many websites, videos, etc where you can access free pagan and wiccan music, craft ideas, symbols, etc.

The main focus is that you don’t lose sight of your personal beliefs and you strive to always connect with nature and your spiritual center. Having expensive items that are not necessary does not make you a practicing wiccan,, your daily activities and actions are what does.

Yoou can do routine and daily affirmations these are free. You can access candles for burning purposes almost anywhere including the dollar store where you may even get a boat load for a dollar. You can make teas and infusions from what is already in your home. Meditation is always free and the easiest way to come to clarity as to how to obtain what you think you need. Ther are also a lot of blogers that do free giveaways with these items. I would look into them if you are adement about wiccan ritual tools.

Many blessings to you.

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