h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I wanted to ask, how do you celebrate the Summer Solstice since it's coming up. Is there anything special since there a full total solar eclipse on the day?

well, for me, my high school graduation is that day, so i don't know what i'll be doing. most likely running around with my friends, which isn't exactly worship but could be considered a celebration.

i don't know much about celebrating the sabbats because i rarely do myself. does anyone else know?

prof sarah: maybe one of the sites i linked to in the entry would have some info if no one has any suggestions.

I've just been reading one of the other conversations and I brought to ask 'What is the Wicca view of the Gaia Hypothosis (spelling?)?

pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is the gaia hypothesis?

The Gaia Hypothesis: that the planet Earth functions in a way similar to that of a living organism. The more 'controversial' interpretations claim that the planet Earth *IS* a living organism. I can't see the controversy because to me the two interpretations are for all practical purposes the same, and the first is not controversial any more.

ah, i see.

to be honest, i don't know what wicca's opinion of it is. i myself hadn't even heard of it until now, although i can see why people believe this.

wiccans usually regard the earth as our mother, and we do not harm any living thing. therefore i would guess that wiccans believe in the gaia hypothesis to some effect, ie. the earth provides for us, and we live together with all living things.

does that answer your question?

Yes I think so. I was reading about Wicca and a page by a Wicca preistess and then reading one of the conversations here yesterday and reading something that was supposed to prove the Gaia Hypothosis I thought about it and found them all sounding familiar.
If you want to go to the site I found, it really is brilliant there is a link on my page. Just click on the picture of the Witch.

i think i will, actually. thanks!

I also wanted ask about something to do with the H2G2 picture library. How do you feel about the Witch and an the Pentacle(spelling?) being under Mythology and Folk Lore and not Religion? Do you know anywhere I can get pointers on traditional or common ways of celebrating the eight festivals. I went on the net when I started celebrating the winter solstice and got a whole folder full of ideas, carols, history and other things but I took a long time and a lot of work. I was just wondering if there was one place I could go and get lots of ideas for all festivals.
Thanks for any help.

There's no official way of celebrating them. Seasonal touches such as colours, flowers etc. associated with the time of year can be used, but since there's nothing official I reckon the best way would be to concentrate on the season and its meanings etc. and just enjoy it.
BTW: Pentacles. In 'organised' coven witchcraft, the inverted pentacle is the symbol of a second-degree Wiccan. (I believe the degree system is Gardnerian in origin, anyway I think it's a bit too much and unnecessary.) I doubt that it means anything like the inverted cross does to Satanists, who also appear to be a pretty loosely connected lot. The only people I know who wear the inverted pentacle are teenage mini-rebels who're into Marilyn Manson and have read his thoughts on 'Satanism' etc. Which, in short, are silly.
Symbols are what you make of them.

i agree, mandragora. that's an awesome name, btw.

how do i feel about the witch and pentacle being under 'mythology and folklore'?

well, i think it's a little bit funny, actually. my religion is a myth, a "wives' tale"...

actually, it really doesn't bother me, because i figure that sometimes people just can't believe things without proof. /i'm/ not about to try and prove that witchcraft/wicca is real, so if that means that it stays a myth, then so be it. i try not to take it personally.

Thankyou. Now impress me by saying exactly what it means!
I'd have to say that witchcraft (in general, not so much modern Wicca) is based largely on mythology and folklore, since they are what remain of older beliefs. I find basing my life on myths and legends perfectly valid- something that's 'mythical' is not necessarily untrue. The Welsh tales in the Mabinogion are superficially about mortals, albeit noble ones, but it's speculated that they were actually deities. (In a hazy sort of way, since little to nothing is known for sure about Celtic religion). Anyway, many of their names now appear as names of the Goddess: Rhiannon (mother), Ceridwen (maiden), Arianrhod (not exactly crone, but slightly sinister) etc.
(Sorry to go on...)
Iceland recognises both Christianity and its native Norse religion. Yet the Norse gods are mostly only found in 'myths and legends'. I don't think this cheapens them, but finds them a larger audience. I think my interest in legends etc. first god me interested in non-Christian worship (not Wiccan specifically, but general unstructured Paganism.) Maybe there should be an article on general Paganism, if there isn't already.
Personally also, I prefer to think of it as a 'faith' rather than a religion- how I see Buddhism too. 'Religion' has always had negative connotations for me, being far too rigid and dogmatic. I tend to think of faiths as having central tenets and ideas, but no Rules. That way no one does anything wrong.

(regarding faith vs. 'religion') yay! my sentiments exactly!

the idea of a Paganism article is a good one... i don't think there's one already.

i think it's interesting how a lot of different beliefs systems have the mother-maiden-crone figures.... well, in the different types of mythology anyway.

"the idea of a Paganism article is a good one... i don't think there's one already. "

I took a stab at that a while back. Its called "A Practical Definition of Pagan" and is the first entry listed when you do a search on the word 'pagan' here on h2g2. It is located at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A563834

Drop by one of the forums and weigh in with your opinions!

By the strictist definition, the beliefs of Christians are also based on mythology. Myths are a VERY valid basis for a spiritual path IMHO. They contain archetypical symbols that are powerful, potent, and valid.

There is quite a bit known about Celtic Religion, especially since many traditions survive to this day. Read the Carmina Gadelica. True, there is a Chrisitan veneer to it, but the pre-Christian elements are simple to discern.

Ireland is a great example at how their mytho-history survived the conversion to Christianity. The old myths which we have through the Book of Invasions, and the like were seen as TRUE, even though it dealt with those 'that were like gods' who were not the Christian God. It was the Christian monks that PRESERVED these 'Pagan' stories. The Pagan Gods were lessened but not forgotton when Ireland converted.

Thanks... I looked.
(I was very bad and didn't search before musing on the possibility of an article...)
Whenever I think of an article to do, it's usually a huge one. I s'pose there couldn't be an article on Paganism in all its forms without covering everything possible, or someone will get upset, and that would take many hours and contributors.
Still, it's a nice thought.

What you COULD do is pick a certain Pagan path and write an entry on THAT. Narrow the focus!

I thought about writing an entry on the whole big world of Paganism and its beliefs, but I think the book _Drawing Down the Moon_ by Margaret Adler had already done that nicely. Besides that is one thick tome, and even that doesn't cover ***ALL*** of Paganism (how could it?).

There could be an over-view, maybe. I reckon it's possible to cover a deep subject in a general way, and not take too long about it, whilst still addressing all the important points. Still, I wouldn't know exactly what to put in it.
The separate paths idea's good, but there are so many of them and I wouldn't feel up to tackling something like Odinism or Shamanic traditions... in fact, I'm not sure of anything outside my own personal mish-mash. Also, there's no specific way of following such paths, so any article would have to concentrate more on its central myths etc.
Still, it'd be interesting to try.

Hello all!

I was raised a good catholic boy and have since chosen a wiccan path myself. I turned to every Wiccan/Pagan information source I could find (printed, spoken, electronic, whatever) to see what practicing others believed, thought or did. Some of this included information from people that have consoled their christian/pagan differences. Then I found the commonalities and adapted these to my situation. There will be core parts of every religion or way of life that can be used/adapted by just about any other.

Take care and blessed be.

Gobo

Hi people
fascinating conversation this!

in response to the Gaia point, for me Gaia is my Goddess

and regarding the 8 festivals, there is a load of detail in 'The Witches Bible' by Janet and Stewart Farrar. Yes I know its a sad name for a book, but it is such a good book! I've also got a couple of urls on my page which are for The Pagan Federation and The Children of Artemis. The latter is a Wiccan organisation, with a very good web and chat site. I can vouch for them, as it is run by friends.