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

Thanks Mandragora. Im 12, and my parents will not listen 2 me. U said concentrate on the elements. how? I know how to cast a circle (though I havent done it) but then what? As a matter off fact, I want to start Wicca by celebrating Samhain. Any advice any body? I also want 2 get the book 'Samanthas Witchery' 4 teenagers interested in starting wicca. What do you think?
By the way (this is 2 prof. Bellum) when u invoke the God + Goddess, could U think of it as God and Mary, if U are a christian wiccan?
Ps: Could someone give me a list of festivals (eg:Yule, Samhain) and simple spells 2 do and how 2 celebrate?
Thanks

A start:
31 October - Samhain
21/22 December - Yule/Winter Solstice
2 February - Imbolc/Bride
21 March - Eostra/Spring Equinox
30 April/1 May - Beltane/May Eve/May Day
21/22 June - Summer Solstice/Litha
31 July - Lughnasadh/Lammas
21 September - Mabon/Autumn Equinox

Dates can be changed, 2 Feb is based on a Celtic Christian date, so I celebrate the begining of the sun and the first snowdrops instead.

For ideas on what to do, the unfirtunately named Bibles Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar is brilliant!

Happy celebrating and don't forget every full moon and dark moon etc etc!!

If you want a suggestion of a good book to help you 'The Real Witches' Handbook' by Kate West is the one I have and I found it really helpful. The ISBN is 0-00-710515-0 and you can get it for about £8.99 in the UK or $14.95 in the US. You can order it over the net. I orderd it from 'The Children Of Artimis' (COA) and there is a link to them on my page. There are points on how the celebrate every Sabbat in there. I wasn't sure last year how to celebrate Samhain and celebrated it a bit like Halloween. If you want me to go into more deatial I will.
I can give you a few points on Samhain, I'll send them to you tomorrow.

As to thinking about the Goddess and the God it think of the Christian God as the Goddess and Jesus as the God and the more I've thought about it the more sense it seams to make. If you want me to mention this let me know. I've just found that this seams very likley looking at what witches believe, what the bible says and even what science says.

If there's anything else you'd like to know, let me know.

Thanks everyone. Can anyone tell me how to cast a circle? I know your meant to cast a circle with a wand or Athame (Ill stick to a wand) and light candles, but Im not sure how. And does Tarot reading count as Magic? And what is an Altar used 4, how do you make one?
Can someone give me some good internet links?
ps:Sorry. Am I asking to many questions?

If you really want this much help go to my page and click on the picture of the witch. That will take you to the website of a Wicca Highpriestess.

Hi,
Elements- they go at each corner of your 'circle' (which is actually a square... ) North=Earth, West=Water, South=Fire and East=Air. There are various qualities associated with each one but it's really up to you, what you think is appropriate. You can use anything to represent them, I use gemstones (just for the look of it) but some actual water and candles also are good (especially for meditation). One element will probably draw you more than the others.

Samhain was/is Celtic New Year, also (as it still is in the traditional Christian calender- as opposed to the totally wrong 'Satanic' idea of certain fundamentalists) the time when the dead are allowed to return for the night. Reminds me of the Mexican festival, all joyous rather than morbid. In the UK we have some folk customs which predate the modern American trick-or-treat but are more or less identical- pumpkin lantern processions, soul-cakes (offerings to those who died within the year) and there are many spells for discovering your future partner etc. (Eat an apple at midnight in front of a mirror, for instance. If you're brave enough.) If you look closely enough there really is no difference between numerous spells and Christian practices for marking saints' days etc. (for example the Eve of St. Agnes, January 21st, is also good for finding out who you'll marry.)
However... I would be wary of any book written specifically for young people. Some of the crap that's written is purely to sell Wicca as a trend, and ignores the huge other array of Pagan traditions that all influence each other. (One reason why I'm not strictly Wiccan, sadly.) I don't want to sound patronising but 12 is a young age and I would contemplate doing as much research as possible before actually doing anything. (Tho' I'm not about to start putting an age limit on magick- each according to their means, rather.) A good book for me was 'Phoenix from the Flame' by Vivienne Crowley (no relation, I believe ) which discusses the main Pagan traditions. Don't know if it's available Stateside tho'.
Anything can be magick. Spells (to me) are the same as prayers, so if you pray as a Christian you would not have to change that at all. (If you are into fortunes, btw, the I Ching (Book of Changes) is fabulous and scarily accurate.)
further good luck,
-Mandragora, planning Samhain nosh-up

A quick emergency question. I MUST get and answer TONIGHT as I going away tomorrow to celebrate Samhain. The form of the goddess for Samhain is the crone or the wise one. I know that white is used to simbloise the maiden and red for the mother. I think green is for the crone but that is often used for the Lord.
Can anyone tell me what colour is used for the crone. I must get an answer tonight so if anyone can find out that would be brilliant. Thanks.

I was afraid you would say that, Mandragora. And I have been researching. Since July! being a Christian Wiccan, can I celebrate things from both religions?
By the way, I have now written in my personel space, so you are now able to leave messages for me, everyone!
And does dowsing count as magic? And I would like to try Tarot first, then I might try the I-ching thingy.
I told my friend s about Wicca, and they're kinda curious, but they dont want to change their religion, so I've explained about being a christian waccan, but so far, not much has been said.
What are the basic tools for a wiccan? the very basic ones?
Sorry if I ask to many questions
-Sapphire

I don't think you shouldn't continue, though. At least the research involved is entertaining.
Basic tools? I use a stick.

I performed a circle the day before Samhain. I used a plant 4 earth, and an insence stick 4 air. is that ok?
I cast the circle, called the elements, purified the circl with salt, thanked the God & Goddess 4 letting me try it, then opened the circle, bidding fairwell 2 the elements. is that right? was I supposed 2 do something else?
I want 2 try again sometime. Can someone give me a spell? preferably one 4 deciding wether u like someone or not.
-Sapphire

Just in case anyone is interestested (I don't know what happened to the spelling there), I've asked for quite a number of Witchy smilies. If you go to the smilies page and look at Seasonal Ideas you'll see them. Let's see how many get done.

I find this conversation very interesting. It is good to hear other people's point of view. It is widely known that Witchcraft and Wicca is open to individual interpretation so who's to say everyone who has posted isn't at least partly right in what they say.

Over the years people have asked me from time to time if I believe in God or if I believe in any sort of religion. When I was very young I considered myself an athiest but since my early teenage years (I am 25 now) I have formed beliefs of my own which I figured were my own personal beliefs which didn't conform to any particular religion. At the same time though I have always had a facination with the supernatural and witchcraft in particular. I have know for a long time that wichcraft was a religion and witches are just practitioners/followers of their religion and not necessarily evil although I'm sure some of them can be, just like you can get evil people in all other walks of life.

For the past couple of years I have had the intention of reading up on Wicca and Witchcraft just for enjoyment but it wasn't until yesterday that I finally got round to picking up a book titled 'Witchraft, a beginner's guide' by Teresa Moorey. At the beginning of the book the author states that although the book is an introduction to the religion, no witch is truly a beginner as Witchcraft comes from within. It is something you either have in you or you don't. I was completely astounded though when I kept reading to discover that the beliefs I thought were completely unique to me started falling into place. Different parts of my belief system are found in different religions, such as reincarnation but the way the author depicted them in the book is exactly the way they formed in my mind over the years. Some of these beliefs are really simple, such as my belief that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs and we should respect this in each other. Others are more complicated such as my belief that when we die we move to another plane of existence where we are reunited with loved ones before eventually being reborn (reincarnation). I discussed this with my new flatmate and by bizarre coincidence, her beliefs are also very close to mine. Like all books on Witchcraft, however, it is a general guide and there are no set rules. Just because my beliefs are the same as the ones in the book and those of my flatmate, doesn't neccessarily make them right.

If anyone has anything to add to this I would be very interested in hearing their points of view, especially since this is all fairly new to me too.

Nice 2 know another person interested in Wicca. by the way. why dont u change your nickname from researcher whatevernumber 2 something different? Im pretty new to this 2, and my parents dont approve much. Im going to eventually confront them, and dig up some stuff 4 them 2 read. btw, people, can animals be included in rituals? (not like part of the ritual, but like another coven member. sort of.) I know it sounds daft, but i think my cat would like it because when I performed the circle, she came in when i was about 2 close it, and sat patiently (which is rare 4 her) until the end. I know it sounds compeletely mad, but I want answers.
Also, do you have 2 cast a circle 2 do spells? and does tarot work better in a circle?
Sorry if i ask 2 many questions.tell me if i do.
-Sapphire

In a previous and recent posting I made I mentioned "The Real Witche's Handbook" and the ISBN number. This posting is mainly for Sapphire, but is had a section on Out Of The Broom Closet which concerns telling other people and suggests getting them to read to book. If you want something for your parents to read I recommend that. Especially the first couple of chapters which dispells (sorry the first word that came to mind) lost of misconceptions about Witches (like sterotypes). Hope this helps.

Make sure if you mention Wicca that they know how it was spelt. My Dad thought it was the other way and assocaited it with the film The Wicker Man. If you've seen that you'll know what I mean. If you haven't it's quite a good film.

Hope this helps.

To horn in on the conversation, I have some real favourites for research purposes - books, magazines, and websites:

I highly recomend Prof Ronald Hutton's 'The Triumph of the Moon' (a history of Wicca) and 'Seasons of the Sun: The History of the Ritual Year in Britain', both published by Oxford University Press. They're dense, but very readable, and I would say completely indispensible.

Dr Grahame Harvey's excellent 'Contemporary Paganism' is a fairly comprehensive survey of British Paganism which gives good descriptions of the various Pagan traditions around in the UK at the moment. It's also very readable, and each chapter is prefaced by a quote from one of Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' novels - can it get any better than that? I bought it for my parents, who found it "most illuminating".

Starhawk's 'Spiral Dance' is the classic DIY Witchcraft book; she's been looked down on by many a Gardnerian and Alexandrian, but while her acceptance of the "Burning Times" scenario is embarrassing, her explainations of how to work magic and how to consider your own ethical stance WORKS.

'The Witch's Bible Compleat', 'The God of the Witches', 'The Goddess of the Witches', 'Eight Sabbats For Witches', and 'What Witches Do' by Janet and Stuart Farrar are the classic introductions to Wicca; Stuart and Janet later created their own Tradition, but their books reflect the Alexandrian Tradition (which in turn reflects the original Gardnerian Tradition).

Robin Griggs slightly derogatory comment about Wicca in the preface to 'Witches and Neighbours' aside, it is an excellent book on the witch crazes of Europe, and is a real treat to read.

Dr Kvendulf Gundarsson's (also known as novelist Stephen Grundy) 'Teutonic Religion' is a classic introduction to Asatru, and is well worth your time. Asatru (or Odinism) is problematic because its symbols and language often get hijacked by racists; in my own Asatru Kindred we have zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour, as do the Kindreds we routinely socialise with, but it still happens in lots of places.

'A Witch Alone' by Marian Green is tremendously helpful to beginners and solitary practitioners, providing a guide to Witchcraft with a course lasting one year. Green is very reliable and responsible in her outlook.

Judy Harrow's 20-odd years of Pagan group organisation can be picked over in her wonderful 'Wicca Covens' (why it's not titled WiccaN covens, I do not know), which explores group dynamics. This is extremely important for those interested in joining or creating groups - Harrow shows what kinds of responsibilities groups have, how they can be structured, and the many, many pitfalls of group interaction. Before you join ANY group, read this book, and find out when running for the hills is the best course of action. Trust me, it doesn't matter how long you're in a coven, you can always find yourself in the position of having to defend yourself or your covenmates from potential disaster.

'White Dragon' magazine serves the Pagan community of what was the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, and can be found online (search for "white dragon"); a veritable treasure trove of recommended reading, book reviews, articles, and one of the most comprehensive website listings you can safely shake a stick at.

'Witches Voice' (search for "witches' voice or "witchvox") website is a US site serving the Pagan community - mainly in America, but also internationally. Includes media liason resources, introductions to many Pagan Traditions, essays by a Pagan police officer on "the satanic panic", articles by teens and adults, news articles relevent to the Pagan community, message boards, and contact information for groups and individuals internationally.

'The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance' website (search for "OCRT") strives to provide accurate information on every religion you can think of, and several you can't, in order to combat religious hatred. They accept information from readers, and are extremely nice people from all accounts.

'The Pagan Federation' (search for "paganfed") is a national organisation for Pagans of all stripes. I found them deeply helful when I was starting out, many moons ago; I hear conflicting reports on their current attitude from different individuals, so watch how you go.


Those are amongst my favourites. Of course, horses for courses, so as they say, your mileage may vary.

All the best
WebWitch

I would gladly answer any questions you have. Publicly or privately through im or email.
Check out my profile.
I am new to this site.. about 30 minutes and your posting struck me. So like any good Witch.. I decided to respond to you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Blessed Be.
Out of The Broom Closet- Ramblings of a Gay Witch
<./>AboutMe</.>


StarChild

I would gladly answer any questions you have. Publicly or privately through im or email.
Check out my profile.
I am new to this site.. about 30 minutes and your posting struck me. So like any good Witch.. I decided to respond to you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Blessed Be.
Out of The Broom Closet- Ramblings of a Gay Witch
<./>AboutMe</.>


StarChild

I would gladly answer any questions you have. Publicly or privately through im or email.
Check out my profile.
I am new to this site.. about 30 minutes and your posting struck me. So like any good Witch.. I decided to respond to you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Blessed Be.
Out of The Broom Closet- Ramblings of a Gay Witch
<./>AboutMe</.>


StarChild

i can only advise you on my own personal experience. i was a christian and a pastors kid and then a couple months before my 21st bday i just got this curiosity on wiccan beliefs which was weird considering i was always fearful of occult or satanism and being raised christian i was never shown or taught that they are totally different from wicca. my husband is wiccan and shown me alot of it. but its like if your meant to be wiccan you cant escape it. not that you would want to. it just is who you are and you cant hail mary your way out of it. go to the library and get books on it, that is how i started. turns out im 3 generation of witches but that was all this huge family secret. but you will know if/when the time comes. most people have dreams telling them to come learn the craft.

Well said i'm both a worshipper and a practioner and i think the points you have made are quite valid