Hi again all,
I hope all are well. Today I'm discussing the differences between learning about the Craft from a book and from a teacher, and the idea of the Threefold rule.
Books versus Teachers
Despite having been a practising Wiccan for three years now, I recently enrolled on a beginner's course in a shop in laying the foundations of modern Witchcraft. 'Why on Earth,', people ask me, 'Are you forking out to be taught stuff you already know?'. I tell them this: I still read beginner's books, because there's always something to be gained from it, even if it's just a new perspective from a different author. As a writer, starter books are a goldmine of information, because all these authors learned in different traditions at different times, in different countries and under different circumstances, and all have unique insights and an individual style to offer. I never had a teacher starting out, I taught myself from books, and I've recently discovered that there's something to be said for having someone stand there and physically show you how it's done, and to offer personal techniques handed down by word of mouth that won't be found in books or online. There's something special about a group dynamic in a study group as well - the way the penny simultanously drops for everyone when they understand how to do something - not nearly as special as learning in an online community.
What I hope the most to get out of my long overdue beginner's course is how to teach. It's all very well me knowing my athames from my wands, my Wheel of the Year, Moon phases and all about 'Auntie' Valiente, 'Grandad' Gardner and 'Uncle Al' (Crowley), but stick me in front of a group of keen newbies and I'd go quiet as a mouse. I wouldn't know where to start! Fortunately I've found a pair of exceptionally good teachers, so if I can learn from them how to teach, then I'm well away!
Thought of the day
My thought for the day is that of the Threefold rule and the idea of harm none. In the Wiccan Rede, the lines
'Mind the Threefold Law ye should,
Three times bad, and Three times good,'
can be interpreted a number of ways. The most literal is that whatever energies you send out will be returned to you with three times the intensity. Send out happiness and healing, and expect it to come washing back to you. Send out somthing nasty, and expect a metaphorical bite on the bum sometime soon.
Another school of thought is that the Universe is always seeking a balance of light and dark...if you're meant to get that promotion at work, you will. And if you trip and break your leg on nothing at all, it's probably not because you've been sending out any negativity, you just didn't see that branch sticking out there.
The end of the Rede,
"These words the Wiccan Rede fulfil,
An it harms none, do what ye will,'
carry a similar theme; as long as it harms no-one, follow your true will (not 'do what you want' - it means to follow the life path that you're meant to tread.)
Aforementioned awesome teacher discards the whole idea altogether. She goes by Aleister Crowley's idea that 'Do what thy will shall be the whole of the Law.' This means that if you do what you think is the right thing to do, nothing at all will bite you on the bum....if you send out a really harsh curse on someone, well, they must've bloody-well deserved it!
It all depends on your point of view.
Blessed be, thanks for reading )O(
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Welcome and Gratitudes
Welcome all,
I'm a student (gap yearing at the moment) from East Anglia, England, and I've started this blog with the aim of making Paganism and matters regarding Earth religion and spirituality more accessible particularly for young people, those who, like me, are finding their feet in the world as young adults. I aim to update regularly and infuse my entries with tips and topics, useful insights from a teenager with a good grounding of the Craft under her belt, and my take on Pagan-related news items as they appear. I can answer questions, an agony aunt if you will on issues regarding all things Wiccan, Heathen, Druid, Shamanistic or any related path. Perhaps you're new to it all, and need a hand with the basics? Or you might be having difficulties with 'coming out of the broom closet', or just want to share your views with a Pagan your own age. Whatever you have to say, I'm ready to listen!
Gaia Philosophy
Gaia was the Greek Goddess of the Earth, or the Mother Earth. Gaia Philosophy embodies the idea that everything on planet Earth, both living organisms and inanimate material, are part of a dynamic system that shapes the Earth's biosphere which maintains the planet to be an environment fit for life. In other words, our amazing planet has the capability to be a home for an ever self-regulating cyle of birth, death and decay, and that everything has its place in the system. There's a song that begins, 'We all come from the Goddess, and to her we shall return....' by Z. Budapest...and it's true! Life goes in a never-ending cycle. In some Wiccan belief systems, Gaia IS the Earth, or a representation of the mother Goddess. I chose 'Grandchildren of Gaia' for my blog title, because while so frequently the Pagan community refers to everyone living here as 'children of the Earth', we're not the up-and-coming witches of the 1950s, nor the tree-hugger activists of the 60s and 70s, nor the New Agers of the 80s and 90s...we're the next generation.
Thought of the day
On a Sunday I observe my Gratitudes, something inspired by the (now sold out - sadface) Earth Pathways Diary 2011, a diary filled with beautiful artwork and a theme that celebrates the Celtic calendar and the Wheel of the Year. With a week to view, at the bottom of every page there is a space to make a note for what you're grateful every week...and I thought, what an excellent way to take a moment on a regular basis to really consider the gifts you've recieved. Despite the arguments with friends and family, the coursework and/ homework that appears to mount indefinately, and the general grey cloud that looms overhead from time to time, there are always things for which to be grateful, even just little things; a bright, sunny day, and the rain showers to balance it that make everything grow in the world, a roof over your head, good food....there's always something. This week I'm grateful for not having crashed my driving instructor's car during my first lesson, despite my ensuing terror when he casually suggested that I drive through the village back home. I live to drive another day!
Thanks for reading and Blessed Be.... )O(
http://www.earthpathwaysdiary.co.uk/index.php
I'm a student (gap yearing at the moment) from East Anglia, England, and I've started this blog with the aim of making Paganism and matters regarding Earth religion and spirituality more accessible particularly for young people, those who, like me, are finding their feet in the world as young adults. I aim to update regularly and infuse my entries with tips and topics, useful insights from a teenager with a good grounding of the Craft under her belt, and my take on Pagan-related news items as they appear. I can answer questions, an agony aunt if you will on issues regarding all things Wiccan, Heathen, Druid, Shamanistic or any related path. Perhaps you're new to it all, and need a hand with the basics? Or you might be having difficulties with 'coming out of the broom closet', or just want to share your views with a Pagan your own age. Whatever you have to say, I'm ready to listen!
Gaia Philosophy
Gaia was the Greek Goddess of the Earth, or the Mother Earth. Gaia Philosophy embodies the idea that everything on planet Earth, both living organisms and inanimate material, are part of a dynamic system that shapes the Earth's biosphere which maintains the planet to be an environment fit for life. In other words, our amazing planet has the capability to be a home for an ever self-regulating cyle of birth, death and decay, and that everything has its place in the system. There's a song that begins, 'We all come from the Goddess, and to her we shall return....' by Z. Budapest...and it's true! Life goes in a never-ending cycle. In some Wiccan belief systems, Gaia IS the Earth, or a representation of the mother Goddess. I chose 'Grandchildren of Gaia' for my blog title, because while so frequently the Pagan community refers to everyone living here as 'children of the Earth', we're not the up-and-coming witches of the 1950s, nor the tree-hugger activists of the 60s and 70s, nor the New Agers of the 80s and 90s...we're the next generation.
Thought of the day
On a Sunday I observe my Gratitudes, something inspired by the (now sold out - sadface) Earth Pathways Diary 2011, a diary filled with beautiful artwork and a theme that celebrates the Celtic calendar and the Wheel of the Year. With a week to view, at the bottom of every page there is a space to make a note for what you're grateful every week...and I thought, what an excellent way to take a moment on a regular basis to really consider the gifts you've recieved. Despite the arguments with friends and family, the coursework and/ homework that appears to mount indefinately, and the general grey cloud that looms overhead from time to time, there are always things for which to be grateful, even just little things; a bright, sunny day, and the rain showers to balance it that make everything grow in the world, a roof over your head, good food....there's always something. This week I'm grateful for not having crashed my driving instructor's car during my first lesson, despite my ensuing terror when he casually suggested that I drive through the village back home. I live to drive another day!
Thanks for reading and Blessed Be.... )O(
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