Deities part 2: The Importance of New Deities

So, as my previous article spoke about, it is possible to "Create" new Gods. If you have not read it yet, please read Deities: Ancient and the Creation of the New. This article will speak of the importance of the new deities.

As many of us who are spiritual in a sense understand, life has cycles, there is birth, aging, death, and rebirth. Deities also have their own life cycle in a sense. They are given name and form, they help us connect and to lead our lives, revealing to us the wisdoms of our times, and then events take place that will lead to their fading. And eventually, as time passes, and as old wisdoms are remembered and revived, new forms, faces, and names come forward to carry forward the ancient wisdoms to give foundation so new wisdoms can reveal themselves and have foundation. And the process repeats itself, giving new life, new strength, and new vitality to the universal energies.

For many years now, there has been a stillness in this process and it has been stagnant. But as the New Age movement has cropped up, yes there has been a lot of BS, but it has also allowed for the ancient process to start its cycle once more. Now there are many who are reviving the Ancient Gods and the Ancient Wisdoms, starting to give foundation for new ways, new wisdoms, and even new deities based and founded on the ancient to carry forward those wisdoms and to allow new wisdoms to arise.

At times, when it comes to the ancient deities, it is difficult for many to connect with them because sometimes our paths focus is more with the here and now and/or the of the path ahead. It doesn't mean the Ancient deities are any less important to those individuals, it just simply means they are a form of energy they are not meant to work with.

Even though many traditionalist Wiccans claim Wicca is an Ancient religion, there truly is no actual historical proof to show this. But, what they may not realize is they are a part of this cyclical process. The names for their Coven's God and Goddess are Oath-bound, this would mean that the many branches of Wicca and the many Covens that exist will not have the same name and form for their God and Goddess. Which means, the ancient energies that are the Gods are being given new life.

Without the past we cannot have a future, the past is just as important as the future, but we cannot live in the past. No matter how hard we try we can never truly return to the old ways. We can take the wisdoms of the ancients and create new ways that are very similar and are founded upon the old.

We each have our own paths, we each have a spiritualism that will vary to one another, but we all must have a foundation to support our paths. We all could come in contact with the same deity, with the same energies that wish to work with us, but will reveal a new face and a new name to work with us by.

Now, as I mentioned in the previous article, the "creation" of new deities is not for beginners due to the dangers of negative entities that would wish us harm, coming forward and presenting themselves as a deity. They are simply low beings who do not live on the higher plains that the beings who are known as deities exist. They are more focused on feeding off of individuals for their own gain and are of lower energies rather than helping guide and keeping the balance and being of the universal energies.

And because of this, that is why new deities don't come about too often. It takes time for the previous deities to live out their time to teach what they must, to add to the ancient wisdom that is being carried forward, and for a time of new wisdom to come forth.

Deities part 1: Ancient and the Creation of the New

For thousands of years there have always been deities and the religions that were/are associated with them. Each deity has their own name, and the energies/qualities associated with those names. I have always viewed the deities as one of the same being, kind of like the many branches on a tree. They are each their own branch, but they all come from the trunk of the tree. So they can have their own form, their own name, and their own consciousness, but still can be one whole being when brought together. The belief and prayer that has gone to the ancient names of these deities has been tremendous due to the many years they have been worshiped,and therefore are still very much alive.

But here is a thought that I have never considered till I read a rant by the admin of the FB page 'Rantings of a Male Witch'. What about creating NEW deities? Would it be possible and would they be just as powerful as those who are ancient?

And I have come to the answer that not only is it possible, but of course they would be just as powerful. The ancient gods are simply energies/qualities given form and name, these energies have existed since the very beginning of time. All that has changed has been the names and which energies were grouped or singled out. There are names of deities that are no longer spoken because they have been lost, but if they ever resurfaced, would still have the power they once did.

Now, 'Rantings of a Male Witch' did bring up a very good point, creating new deities is definitely not for beginners. Because it doesn't matter if you "created" them or not, they are still deities and once created can not be controlled by our whims, and I use the term created loosely. All we are truly creating is the name and form, and qualities the deity is taking on, we are NOT creating the energies nor the consciousness the deity will have. We will never truly control the powers of the Universe for they are not ours (nor the deities) to control. And the reason I say that even deities cannot control the powers of the Universe is because even they must live by its laws, just as the branches and leaves must live by the cycle of the tree.

So, just to keep it simple, when "creating" new deities, all we are doing is taking ancient energy and projecting a new form and name. This is why there are so many ancient deities that have similar energy/qualities even though they are so wide spread across the world. And this is why many may find similar tales and roles between the many eras about that times deities (because as time passes or a new religion comes along, those qualities which felt are needed are passed on to a new name and face).

Another reason these deities would be just as powerful (at least for those who "created" them) is because there will be a bond between that person and their deity. There are many of us who have searched and meditated and have yet to find any deities we have felt close to or who haven't reached out to work with us. Sometimes, the deity we are searching for or wishes to work with us will send to us a name that (for all we know) doesn't exist. So because of that, a very strong spiritual bond forms between the person and that/those deities. (Which is another reason such a step isn't recommended for beginners).

When we first start out, we barely know who or what is need, or what our path is or where it will lead. This is why its good to spend some time learning, studying, practicing with those who are experienced and with deities who already exist. It helps us find ourselves and find out whether or not the personal creation of a new deity is even needed. And so, the last thing we would want is to create such a bond with a being we may not even need/ is supposed to work with. (Think of creating a new deity like having a child, do not create one unless you are ready and willing to have the responsibility that bond creates).

So, yes, because these new deities would be just as powerful as the ancient, they deserve just as much respect for they are just as alive as those who are ancient. Life is ever changing, just as the energy all come from.

The Term Muggle and Why We Shouldn't Use It

 

  As some may have seen, or some have decided to do, many Pagans have now picked up the term Muggle in reference to any none Pagan persons. This is due to the belief that they do not practice magick and therefore are not magickal. There are three reasons in which I feel this is a bad idea for the Pagan community to be doing. Of course, no matter the reasons I give, if you still intend on using the term then that is your choice. At least you will have heard me out and know why my reasons are what they are.

-First Reason: In the Harry Potter World the term Muggle is used in reference of any non-magic person (i.e. not a Witch or Wizard, or any other type of magical being). But what many may not have considered about the term Muggle is also its more hidden meaning. Muggles are Ignorant of the Wizarding world, they dismiss anything that may seem strange as either just a freak happening or their imagination. They are unaware and are ignorant of anything outside of their own world.

So by calling someone a Muggle, not only are you saying they aren't magickal, you are also saying they are ignorant.

-Second Reason: Just because someone may not be a Pagan doesn't make them any less magickal. As Pagans, there are many of us who have our own ignorance in regards to what we think is and isn't magick. And what we don't realize is that magick exists everywhere and takes many forms and is called by many names. While those who practice it may not realize, what they may call a prayer, a miracle, faith haling, etc. is a form of magick. Which makes them just as magickal as the rest of us.

And lets not forget about those who mix Witchcraft in with their religion, since Witchcraft isn't a religion but a practice and can be used by anyone who so chooses.

-Third Reason: This reason is more from a personal view. As Pagans, we have worked so hard to have our beliefs/paths/religions to be taken seriously and recognized as a legitimate religion(s). When someone who may not understand, or thinks we are silly due to misinformation, how do you think we are going to be taken when we use the term Muggle? We claim Harry Potter magic is fiction but our magick is real, yet we are using terms from the books in regards to our life.

  We aren't going to be taken seriously and will continually be dismissed as nothing more than a bunch of people running around in robes waving wands with a broom between our legs. Because of these three reasons, I feel it would not be in our Communities best interest to adopt and use the term Muggle. It is an insult, it is a sign of ignorance, and it puts us in a light so we aren't taken seriously.

  I'm not saying everyone needs to stop saying it and never use it again, all I am saying is take into consideration of the effect it has, whether immediate and open, or hidden and progressive. As we all know every action and every word carries a consequence, consequences we like, and consequences we don't like.

  Again, not saying everyone needs to stop and never use it, I just would like that you take into consideration the reasons I have given.

Halloween and Samhain

Many people who are Pagan and many who are not view Halloween and Samhain as the same holiday. Because of this, some Pagans refuse to celebrate Halloween, saying it is an offense and a slander to Samhain. I for one do not see it as such a thing, because I view Halloween and Samhain as two separate holidays.

Samhain, or Samhain Eve (since Samhain is actually on November 1st) is the celebration of the Pagan New Year, the final harvest, and when the veil is at it's thinnest. It is a time to remember and honor our ancestors, and reflect on the year before. It was also the time that the God makes his descent into the underworld, before he is reborn again at Yule. This is also the best time to use divination such as tarot, divining by fire, scrying, etc. 

While Halloween on the other hand is a holiday based off of multiple holidays such as Samhain, Dia de los Muertos, and many others. It is a day to dress up, party, have fun, and enjoy the thrills and chills of things we believe to be scary and full of horror, and in a way, allow our true selves to show or who it is we wish we were. It allows us to explore a little of the darker elements, to explore the night, and the unknown. I will say I'm not too happy about it being so commercialized, but I still very much enjoy it.

I look at these two Holidays as separate, because of this, I can enjoy both very happily, not seeing one invade on the other. Just simply having similar elements that allow them to be melded by those who celebrate both. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the amazing autumn and the spooky decorations.

Blessings.

To Be An Earth Warrior

Ever since OMNIA's new album and music video came out, people have been going overboard with what makes someone an "Earth" warrior, specifically those who have chosen to not eat meat.

I have been asked many times now "How can you eat meat and yet be an Earth Warrior?" followed by the argument of either we aren't supposed to eat meat, it's healthier, and it's just cruel to raise animals to be killed because they suffer. First off, let me explain what it means to be an Earth Warrior (from what I have come to understand after reading many of SteveSic's posts on OMNIA's blog).

To be an Earth Warrior means to live as Natural, as Green, and as Organically as possible to help ease and combat the damage modern civilization has done to the planet. This, however, does NOT mean we all need to become Vegetarians or Vegans to do this. "Go ahead! Eat Animals! It's okay...(really actually it's quite natural)" -SteveSic, this statement is saying that it's fine for people to eat meat. In his blog, the point that was being made was to stop supporting big corporations that abuse, mistreat, and practically torture their animals before they become food or before they die from the poor conditions. Buy local from farms who feed their animals Organic feed (not some chemical bullshit) and actually let their animals live out their lives as the animals they are before they end up on our tables.

Now, to the points that have always been pressured on me from Vegetarians and Vegans about loving the Earth yet saying I'm not an Earth Warrior because I eat meat.

First point: We aren't supposed to eat meat-
If this was the case, we would never have eaten meat to start with, we would naturally be Vegetarians or Vegans. Our bodies are dependent on both Vegetation and Meat in order to live, develope, and survive, this is why we are called Omnivores. Now, for those who have chosen to become Vegetarians or Vegans, there are supplements out there that help make up for what we can't get in vegetation so they can still live and function properly.

Second point: It's Healthier-
Now, this is debatable. Each person's body functions just a little differently due to the genetic makeup of our genes that have decided to make up our bodies. Some of us don't make enough iron, while others make plenty, some of us have a calcium deficiency while others do not. Whether or not being a Vegetarian or Vegan is healthier really depends on the person. Setting aside my personal belief and medical advancements, I myself do not make enough iron, so I am dependent on helping balance out my iron levels from the meat that I eat. So, it would not be a good idea for me to become strictly Vegetarian or Vegan, because if I did my iron levels would drop and so would my health. (Remember, setting aside medical advancements (i.e. medication and vitamin tablets) and personal belief).

And on a side note, wild game is healthier than red meat, this is due to the lack of bad fats in the body.

Third point: It's Just Cruel-
Not as debatable as the second one since this is based on personal morals rather than something that is factual. Killing another being to eat and live is very much a natural thing, deer kill plants to eat, just as wolves will kill the deer. So death in itself is not cruel, what is cruel is more the conditions that animal grew up in before passing on. If anything, the way animals kill their prey is more cruel than the swift deaths we give, this is because it is a swift death while the animals being hunted are having their throats ripped open, and don't die till they bleed out. If you were to take out the fact it was animals and asked people which of the methods were more cruel than the other, I can assure you people would say the latter was more cruel. So yes, I won't deny killing in general is horrid, but it is in the fashion in which the animal has lived and was killed that truly makes things cruel or just unfortunate. (Remember, what is considered cruel is a personal opinion, so not everyone will be able to agree 100%)

Now, into my personal opinion and belief-
I am a Meat Eating Earth Loving Pagan who would prefer to hunt for her meat, hates hunting for sport, and prefers all of the animal is used instead of being wasted like so many parts of the animals are. I want to live as Natural as possible so I do my best to not depend on modern medicine if it can be helped (this means, no supplements, no vitamins, no medication unless necessary). I do my best to live as Organically as possible, this means that I eat food that does not have chemicals or have been modified on a genetic level where it isn't even food anymore, this also means I do my research and avoid foods that are naturally toxic (example: Potatoes). This also means that the meat that I buy are from farms that are local, that don't feed their animals chemical crap, and that they aren't stuck in very tight spaces (I like my animals running about and jumping merrily in fields). I do my best to live as Green as possible, doing my best to not pollute and recycle when I can.

I see plants, animals, and humans all on the same level when it comes to life and being a living being. I prefer to follow my Natural instinct and partake in both plant and animal just like some bears would. Now, some of you may say "Just because you have the instinct doesn't mean you should follow it, bears and other animals don't have a choice, we do, we can rise above our instincts". The problem with this very thought process is its that kind of process that has put us in this very situation where we are now fighting for the Earth. That kind of thought process sees humans as above animals, and above nature, which then leads to people wanting to control animals and nature, which then leads to raising stock, building towns, leading to modern day.

We are animals, we are a part of nature, every time we forget this or put ourselves above what is natural we grow cold to it. By accepting that as a human, and as an animal, I am a part of the natural cycle of life, as I eat of others, so shall I be eaten from. Whether directly as insects crawl all over my body, killed by a predator while out walking in the woods, or I am burned and turned to ash, which then becomes a part of the soil, in which I am ingested by a plant, and eventually an animal. I give respect to the creatures, and will only take what I need, no more. When I am able to make my dream a reality, I will be able to fully put that into practice. Only take what is needed, and leave the others to continue in the cycle until it is their time whether by old age, disease, or hunted by another animal.

Sadly because of how the world is, it's very difficult to find other like minded people and to be able to grab a piece of land, build a bunch of Hobbit holes, and live in harmony with the Earth. But eventually, I hope I can make that little dream of mine a reality. I would prefer to grow my own vegetation and herbs, and to hunt and gather my food, to live as closely to the old ways as possible.

So, in the end, you can be an Earth Warrior and still eat meat, so long as you know the animals are treated well and allowed to fully live out their lives. Get your eggs and poultry from places that actually allow their chickens to run around outside of a barn, your meat from places that let their animals graze on grass and maybe the occasional organic grain feed. Or if you have the option, don't even buy your meats, hunt your own (just make sure you use all of the animal that can be used and don't waste).

Now let us stop bickering, if you are a Vegetarian or Vegan, I accept that is your choice and you have your reasons, please accept that my choosing to eat meat is my choice for my own reasons. Let's all come together in balance and fight for the planet we love, let's all be an "Earth Warrior"

(Band: OMNIA Song: Earth Warrior
Excerpts pulled from OMNIA Blog Post
Image by OMNIA)

What does being a Pagan mean to me?

What does being a Pagan mean to me?

This is a question that has been on my mind recently and I feel writing my answer would be a very good idea. (Be warned of possible rambling, may have to edit later)

To me, being a Pagan means that I have chosen to not only trust in my deity, but to trust in myself. When I first started looking into Paganism, I was very unsure about myself and if I would be able to learn what I would need to know. Back then, I believed that Paganism was a set core of beliefs and that you had to have knowledge in herbs, potions, memorize spells, do a ritual exactly as written, and be highly cautious with the words used. Well, after spending 4 years as a Pagan, only one thing out of my expectations was correct, you have to be cautious of the words you use in ritual.

I have grown so much as a Pagan and as a person through these past four years of practice and study. I am more comfortable and confident in what I sense is right for a ritual, I am learning to write my own spells (when in need of them), and have come to realize potion and herb knowledge isn't mandatory, just helpful. I have also come to understand that just because I am a Pagan, doesn't constitute me as a Witch or Wiccan, all it means is I follow an earth based path.

To get into a full depth understanding of what it means to me, it means that yes I trust in myself and my deity, but it also means that I am working everyday on my connection with the earth. That I must respect my brothers and sisters, no matter who or where in the world they are. That if I truly want to connect, I must let go of hatred and not cling to anger. That while yes I am not vegetarian, that is fine because we all live and die as a cycle to feed each other. That I must have respect for not only other animals, but the plant life, and everything in between because even if it doesn't look it, everything is alive. It means that with every decision I make has a consequence and will create a ripple effect around me. It means that I must be conscious of the energy I carry around me so as to not bring something of negativity to a place of positivity.

And above all, that I work on every day connecting to the very stream of life of the universe. To feel every spirit of the celestial bodies, to feel the balance of the universe and to keep the same balance within myself.

With every step I have taken on my path, it has provided an answer to my questions while simultaneously creating more questions. Such is life. While I know I still have a long way to go, and will never be able to stop in my journey of learning and teaching (for to be a teacher, we must still be a student), I have come to understand that things are always in a state of change and that I must learn to accept what changes about me.

I am very happy with the path that I have found and follow, I have come to feel the most like myself because of it. As if I am finally coming out of a shell that has sheltered me from both the horror's and beauties of my life, and the world around me. As if I have come out and am shown who I truly am and who I will become as I break away the pieces that have weighed me down.

So what does being a Pagan mean to me? It means I have found myself and am still finding myself. It means life and balance and strength in myself.

Christian Witchcraft: Can There Be Such A Thing?

A topic of a lot of controversy and debate, the idea that Christianity and the practice of Witchcraft could ever come together in a single belief system. The truth of the matter is that yes, such a practice/belief does exist, and no it's not as far fetched of an idea as we originally grew up with.

I have come to learn recently that before Witch Hunt's ever came about as a thing in Europe, it was believed that only through God could you perform magic. Now, because of this, the very idea of a person being a Witch and practicing magic outside of Christianity was considered a Pagan belief and that only Pagans believed such things, so if you were a Christian, you didn't believe in Witches.

Due to this belief, if someone stepped forward to a church/The Vatican and declared that someone was a Witch, that person making the accusation was more likely to be burned for believing in such heresy. During this time, it was safer being the accused rather than being the accuser. But after a while, the Vatican eventually fell to the pressures of society and allowed Witch Hunt's to take place and the old belief that a Christian could perform magic died away.

Now many of you may think, "But what about the Bible? Doesn't it forbid Witchcraft?". The only hard evidence of such a law that specifically was aimed at Witchcraft was in the King James version of the Bible, before hand, well, it is debatable. There are things that warn against divining and such, but no outright law against it. King James was very much a supporter for Witch Hunt's, and so when he had the Bible translated, the famous line "Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live" was "translated" from the older texts.

Now, if we really want to get down and dirty and get very technical with things, then really, every Christian in this world, and any other Abrahamic followers are Magic Practitioners.

"What do you mean? They don't perform any spells or rituals, so how can they practice or use Magic?"
This is probably going through your head right now after that statement, but the truth of the matter is, they are. What is the definition of magic? (And I mean actual magic, not illusions). It is the focus of energy on a specific intent. Well, what do you do when you pray? When many perform Faith Healing? When a Priest performs an Exorcism? You are focusing your energy and the "power" of God towards a SPECIFIC intent.

WHOA! I know right, they are actually performing magic. When a Priest speaks a blessing, when he cast's a demon out, when they cleanse a house, all of that is their magic. In Catholic Churches, they use Holy Water and Incense as they "cleanse" the area and call upon God's light. It may not be Witchcraft, but it's a form of magic none the less, and no less powerful. What really makes any magic work is the casters belief in that magic. So if a Witch has full belief in the spell she casts, it has power, if a Priest has full belief in the prayer he speaks, it has power.

So, thinking in this fashion, the idea of a Christian Witch isn't as impossible as many might think now, because really, there isn't that much of a change or conflict in beliefs. Because Witchcraft is NOT a Religion, it can be used by a multitude of people ranging in different belief structures. So a Christian steps into circle, how would they call the quarters? Well, either they only call in God, or, they can call in the four main Arch Angles to stand at each quarter, or, they will still call in the elements. When performing magic, or Witchcraft, you can call upon any deity, and you can turn a spell into something that is more of a prayer, but still mixing in ingredients that would make it Witchcraft.

So yes, you can be a Christian Witch, because Magic is Magic, no matter it's name or form it appears in. Whether you call it a miracle, a prayer, a spell, or a ritual, it's always around us, and we are always using it even when we don't realize it.

Breaking the Cycle of Hatred

I am happy to see Pagans out there who have been able to recognize the difference between the pollution of man in using a religion to control the masses, and what the religion being used is supposed to be about.

Jesus never spoke of war, he wanted peace, he spoke of not damning others, and instead he spoke of loving others no matter what. He even stopped a town from stoning a person due to their sin, stating "Let he without sin cast the first stone". When no one would throw a stone, this showed that they all were aware that every last person in that town had committed a sin of one degree or another. His teachings were of great moral and peace. It is the people, who wrote the words down, who spoke of their interpretations, twisted and polluted by greedy controlling men. 

It is not the religion that needs the attention, but the people who claim it and use it for their own means of control. And it is not hate that is needed to combat this, but instead peace, reminding them of what it is they preach and teach.

The cycle of hate is in need of being broken. Men using the Religion to their benefit attacked our ancestors, destroying our sacred places, and killing our people. And in return we have done the same to their places of worship and their people.

In Scandinavia, in response to an invasion by a monarch using Christianity as an excuse, the Vikings were formed and took stand to fight against the onslaught. But after the invasion could no longer push forward in Scandinavia and they were no longer needed, they became the pirates of the Scandinavian world. They in turn ransacked churches and killed their holy men, exactly as the claimed Christians did to them. 

In other places, groups took stand and fought hard as well, and found ways to survive.

Then once again people USING the religion as an excuse pushed forward in other places till people converting out of fear or people spreading the hate made the false words and beliefs of the greedy men spread like a plague, once again pushing our people to the brink of extinction.

And now, here we are. Growing, thriving, taking our place back in the world and facing against hatred and anger from both Pagans and Mainstream Religions at once.

What kind of World do we want for our Descendants? Do we want this hatred to continue?

I want a world where my son will not have to worry about the circle coming back around. I don't want my child, future children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to have to be afraid, to have to fight this battle again.

If we can break the circle now, it will not come back around and bite us in the back. Don't give them the excuse to continue the circle and hurt/kill our descendants. 

The world is changing, for better or for worse is dependent on us. 

Let us help guide the change in the right direction. Eradicate hate, eradicate racism, eradicate prejudice, and eradicate discrimination. 

If this is to happen, we have to do so with ourselves first before we can help others.

A warrior can still be a warrior even with a sheathed sword. 

A warrior can want peace, and fight for it. What makes a warrior a warrior is knowing when it is truly needed to unsheathe their sword, and when it is not needed and a different way is to be taken.

Let us not fall to fear and instead stand strong, as a People of Many Paths.

One World, One Race, Many Paths, Many Cultures.

We are Humans.

We can look different, we can speak different languages, we can be of different cultures and backgrounds, but we ALL belong to the HUMAN Race. 

Coven vs. Cult : Is there a Difference?

A lot of people never truly understand what makes a Coven or when a Coven has crossed into being a Cult, or when something so widely accepted is a Cult in general.

So, let us start with what is a Cult shall we?

The definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous, or a situation in which people admire and care about something or someone very much or too much, or a small group of very devoted supporters or fan.

A definition that I have found to be a bit more accurate is a religious/non religious group that follows a series of strict beliefs, may include worshiping specific deities, and/or following strict specific ideals. May involve some form of brainwashing that their knowledge is correct and that everyone else is wrong, WILL have a hierarchy, and may be lead by one or a small group of Charismatic leaders, and typically will shun those who are ex-members.

As one can see, the second definition given includes any religious and non-religious group/organization, more or less accepted among society. If you were to ask the FBI who they considered a cult, the Catholic Church (or organized religion for that matter) is on that list because it follows most if not all of those specifics. As for Covens, Covens that are really Cults exist more than not due to it being a group who comes together to worship a specific deity, but typically aren't too bad. Then you have other Coven Cults that are very secretive and can become dangerous to both non members and members alike.

Now, not all Cults are bad, heck, by the second definition Buddhism could be considered one as well since it follows a specific set of ideals. It is an organized religion/philosophy, but it would be seen as a Cult for seeking Enlightenment and Peace (though there is a small group of marauding Buddhist monks that are attacking people, but everyone/everything has a minority of extremists).

Some Cults are good calm centers of worship and others you end up being brainwashed and drinking the Kool-Aid. They can range from one extreme to the other, or any bit in between.

Now let’s look at the definition of a Coven from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary shall we.

A Coven is a group of Witches. That simple, nothing special, nothing saying a group that worships a specific deity or anything, just simply a group of Witches.

And I agree with this definition, because you can have a Coven without having to follow or Worship the same specific deities as everyone else in the Coven. Covens were typically brought together so people could gather more energy for a ritual/spell and give it more strength. As they say, there is strength in numbers.

Covens may be filled with people who have many similarities of beliefs or views between each Coven member, but at most you might find set in place are rules or a code of conduct which is more moralistic rather then idealistic or Religious. Covens can be seen as more of a home to many, they are a group of people who found they work well together and will help each other when it comes to major spells/rituals.

What separates a Coven from a Cult is very small and simple, whether or not it is an Organized/Strict Religious/Non-Religious group. That line is so often crossed that when the thought of Coven comes to mind, we automatically think of it as more of a Cult, or vice verse. For those that are both, we may as well just call them Coven Cults.

So all in all, they are very close to each other and many times the line that separates the two is blurred. These are one of those things that are not just Black and White, it’s very much a grey area when deciding whether a Coven is just a Coven, or a Coven Cult, or just a Cult.

As a Warning from someone who is cautious of any Coven, if you are considering Joining or have Joined a Coven, do your Homework, read books, and never take what you are told without question. Many people say that faith is the strongest power a person can have, but blind faith can also lead you down a dark road that you may never come back from. So always question, even to those reading this article, don’t just take my word for this, look into it as well, and question everything. The last thing you want is to end up as one of many faces on a newspaper or a news report of people who have passed.

Signs to look out for when it comes to Negative Cult Activity:

-When a group is controlled by a single version or interpretation of a belief.

-When the group leader(s) are the only ones who have "classified/secret" knowledge of the highest degree.

-An Us vs Them mentality

-Any form of exploitation of members (things that seem expected of them ie. sex being a requirement and/or money)

-People in the group that seem to be focused on recruiting/converting members.

-The Leader(s) finding ways to control your activities and social life.

-Opposing any type of thoughts and/or comments that would disagree with the leader(s) words/beliefs, and will punish those who have such thoughts and/or comments.

-Seeking inappropriate loyalty from the members.

-If members are very zealous and un-questioning of their leader(s) and regards their beliefs to be the absolute truth.

-Group is Elitist 

-The Leader(s) are above all other authority.

-The Leader(s)/group will use shame and guilt to manipulate and control members.

-Being subservient to Leader(s)/group in ways such as cutting ties with family and friends, and/or alter personal goals and activities.

-Members are encouraged and/or required to only live and/or socialize with other members and exclude everyone else.

-The most loyal members will feel there can be no life outside of the group, and will fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.

-Those who have left the group/excommunicated are shunned by members of the group.
-May let those under the age of 18 to join without parental consent or knowing.

For some examples and information on past cults and other signs to look out for, click here and here.

Remember, cults and covens don't always fit stereotypical looks.

Petitions and Do they Make a Difference

Okay, so here are some new thoughts about some things going on, Petitions and whether they actually make a difference or not. I know many out there think that petitions don't effect anyone and that there isn't a point to a lot of them for some reasons, one, you can't change the way people think, two, they are just going to be ignored, three, I'm just one person, I can't change anything. The thing is that these things make a great difference, even if its not immediate and there has been proof of this. I will address each point at a time so I can better explain how these things actually do work.

One, you can't change the way people think. 

While yes this is true, it doesn't mean what some people think is right and should be tolerated/condoned. Such things like hate groups usually come from very closed minded religious people, or people who are just completely ignorant of things and refuse to listen to truth. So just because we can't change their minds, just because we can't change the way people think doesn't mean would should condone the hate and violence many of these people promote. And we may not be able to change the minds of people today, but by not condoning these actions these people take and keep their hate off of the main media/internet networks, we can allow for future generations to gain a better understanding of things and allow them to make decisions for themselves as to what they believe. The less hate and violence is condoned the better for the future generations. 

Now, I am not stupid, I know there will always be some form of hate, and there will be some form of violence, and controlled violence (such as sparring in martial arts, going to a firing range) is something that I am fine with, it allows people to experience things on a level that allows you get stress off of you, and to enjoy the company of others. But out right violence with the intent to kill someone or a specific group of people should never be accepted, at all. There have been two forms of massive genocide that have taken place now because people accepted such things as right. One everyone knows about which is the Holocaust, but the other not as well known and is still going on in one form or another which is the restrictions and massecure of the American Indian people. Many in America and even the government does not see what happened as Genocide, but it was, The Amrican Indians were moved to small bits of land called reservations (kinda like prison camps) and many of the rights stripped from them and they were and still are being discriminated against. Just because it happens doesn't mean it is right and should be accepted.

Two, they are just going to be ignored.

Again, many times this is the case, but usually only in the beginning, there have been many petitions going on about the same exact thing. To a point that they were flooding the internet and many different forums and pages to a point that they could no longer be ignored. Evidence and most known from last year was when Fox News spouted their ignorance on live television, it took a while and many petitions, but the voices of the people were heard and Fox News made an apology. Whether it was sincere or not is a different matter, but it showed that voices of the people can be heard and can make change. Another more recent event was the goings on on Facebook with a page that was called "Witches must die by fire", it took a long while of reports and petitions but facebook finally acknowledged that it was a hate page promoting violence. It was taken down but now the same person who owned that page is back with a new one called "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" and once again the voices from the petitions were heard and it too has been removed. So even if it doesn't happen immediately, and even though it may take a lot more then just one petition, after a point they can no longer be ignored as long as we don't give up and we keep trying.

Three, I'm just one person, I can't change anything. 

Now that is wrong, and I mean, majorly wrong, there have been plenty of people who were at first alone in their actions but had still managed to make a difference, history books are full of those people. Yes it may seem as if they weren't alone because they had so many people backing them, but how did they get all of those people? They didn't just appear and go yeah we will support you for no absolute reason, Each person started alone and had to show why their cause should be supported, it was harder and took a lot more work back then, and the only reason why those people's doings seem so great is because you could physically see the numbers of those who were supportive. On the internet it seems like we are alone, but as long as we start and try, soon enough others will hear of the cause and read about it. Those who agree will sign or support the cause and share it with the people they know and so on and so forth. Its a ripple effect whether in person or over the internet, and over the internet it makes it easier for the voices of the cause to be heard since more people from all over the world can come across it quicker then it would take by word of mouth and media.

The point to all of this is just because it seems hopeless doesn't mean it is, we should always fight for what is right. Just because shutting down forums or pages that promote violence won't change the way people think, it will show that such things are not tolerated. We are all human, we share this one world we live in, it is up to us that we create the world we want our children and grandchildren to be in. Yes, Hate and Violence may never be eradicated from this planet, but unless we continue fighting to stop that and promote peace and acceptance for one another no matter the differences, soon enough, Hate and Violence will be the only thing in this world. 

And I know, this sounds like Hippy talk with the whole peace thing, but I am not a passivist, I am someone who will fight no matter what to make sure this world is the world I want for my son to live in.

Experiences and Life Goings On

So, I know I have been gone for a while now, and I apologize about that, had a lot going on this past month. Okay, so let me start from the beginning.

First off, I have recently have become engaged, and even though we are separated by an ocean, he and I have connected strongly on a spiritual level, more so then I have with anyone else before, and well, I am happy. Its the kind of happy where you don't have to try for it, we just are, even when things have happened that would make us upset, we still always without fail bring each other back to a smile.

Now, a weird event happened some months ago, and when I mean weird, I mean WEIRD, like, to the point where I have never experienced anything like this before. But before I go into that, let me first explain a few things about myself, since Senior Year in High School I used to follow Nyx (Primordial Greek Goddess of Night), but after a while that didn't feel right, I knew I was to follow under a Night deity, but it wasn't Nyx (didn't really match up, my interests lay in Celtic/Scandinavian mythology and practices). One day, about a week before the weird experience, I felt like I needed to see if there was a Norse Goddess of Night (I had looked to see if there was a Celtic one, but none felt right), and that was when I found Nott. As soon as I read the name a shiver went up my spine, it felt right, she felt right.

A week later, my fiance and I were doing a joint meditation (yes, its possible to do over the internet, distance has never been an issue for me with those things), I felt a bond was formed between he and I during and after we were finished. Not long afterwards, we were just talking when this happened -

That mark did not appear on my video feed, but it did on his, he immediately took a screen shot and sent it to me, so no time for him to edit, and, if you look, it appears on both video frames of me.

I was baffled to see this, nothing like this had ever happened to me before, I am used to hearing it happen to other people, the image looked pixelated so I couldn't completely tell what it was, but I had felt like I knew what it was. Weeks passed and I had just stopped trying to figure it out, then after three weeks I was in video conversation with my boyfriend and we were discussing Norse Mythology. Then that got me thinking to look there, I first tried to look up Fenrir symbols because he was one I was always drawn to since I first grew up with the myths, while looking through the images (none were what was on my shoulder) I came across a Yggdrasil image. And like a red wood plank smacking you full force in the face, I realized it was the Yggdrasil.

Then I realized, Nott was my Goddess, apparently, she was not only claiming me as hers, but branded me it seems lol. I felt compelled to honor her and Fenrir (personal reasons for Fenrir) and am now in the works of a tattoo design that I will be having done on the same arm the image appeared.

(Still working on my tattoo design)

Now because of these new events and experiences, I am doing what I can to learn more about the Celtic and mostly about the Scandinavian religions, I feel that this is where I am being shown that my path lies (I have learned to trust such things in the past because every time I listened, I was safe and happy, every time I ignored any callings, I ended up unhappy and something going wrong).

Along with all of this I am trying my hand at singing again, trying to get back into my art, trying to get my Metaphysical Store going, AND the most important, taking care of my son. So I have really served myself a full plate. 

Today's Public Media Views of Witches

Warning, May contain spoilers, specifically about the movie Hansel & Gretel:Witch Hunters.

 Greetings, today I will be talking about how Witches have been viewed through the years as Paganism had started making a come back after years of fear being instilled in the practitioners and forcing them to practice in secret. Most of the references I will be pulling will be coming from movies I have seen and the Hollywood view on them and how they have and are being portrayed. I will also be pulling in some books that I have read as well for references in how they are being viewed.

 When I was a child, like most people, anytime I thought of a witch I always imagined warts, green skin, pointy hats, brooms, and cauldrons, I always thought of them as wicked and evil and ugly, always the villain (Disney didn't help in this aspect either). I never thought there could ever be such a thing as a "Good Witch", that is, not until I first saw "The Wizard of Oz". 

 It took a while for it to sink in, but that movie was the very first that I had seen that even though portrayed Witches as the stereotype, it also portrayed a Witch who was kind, gentle, and beautiful, she looked like a normal human being. This was a very interesting thing to me, later on, I saw Disney's "The Sword in The Stone" where we meet Merlin, a Wizard who was on the side of good and the light. 

 As I started paying attention when I got older, I started to realize in the books that I was reading that there were good magic practitioners and bad magic practitioners, wasn't really till the "Harry Potter Series" that I was introduced to the concept of "Good Witches". It was because of the books I kept finding that changed my perspective on such things, and soon I began to understand that where there is good, there is going to be evil.

 Now, more so in movies then books, I have always seen Witches portrayed as some evil incarnate creatures, usually twisted and ugly looking, but as the years have passed, yes they still show those portrayals, but they have also been portraying Witches as good and gentle and beautiful people. Such movies, and even shows, that showed such things are The Covenant, Practical Magic, Charmed, Earthsea, Wizards of Waverly Place, True Blood, Twitches, Beautiful Creatures, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Lord of the Rings, Matilda (one could consider her a Witch), The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Merlin (both the show and the movie), The Craft, and the most recent I have seen, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunter's.

 Now, you maybe confused about the last one, especially with the name and all, and I will say, when I was watching it I became worried, but, there was a nice surprise at the end. Throughout most of the movie, every time we saw a Witch, they were decaying, ugly, and used their magic for evil, the main story line was that a Grand Witch was going to Sacrifice 12 children, one born under each zodiac, during the blood moon to make their kind unharmed by flame. As the movie progressed I was starting to become unhappy with the movie, but as I am someone who finishes what they start, I continue watching. 

 The surprise that popped up was the final ingredient to the potion, which was the heart of a Grand White Witch, yes folks, they actually brought in the fact that there were good Witches. Hearing this made me happy, the movie showed the good Witches looked like anyone else, nothing special on the outside, they just didn't use their magic to harm others, only heal and defend against the Dark Witches.

 The Dark Witches were defeated, and Hansel & Gretel now understanding there were Good Witches, made sure to specifically hunt the Dark ones, knowing the Good ones were healers and helpers, not ones who harmed and used their powers greedily.

 I feel this movie specifically showed that those who use magic for selfish and harmful reasons would be dark and ugly on the inside, the movie showing this on the outside, while those who used magic for the benefit of others, and to help, are as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

 Altogether I feel that the view and portrayal of Witches is slowly getting better, showing that not all Witches are bad, that in fact, many are good, but to still be careful for there are dangers for any who practice. I am glad to see this change occurring, and hopefully will help set better "stereotypes" for Witches in the future, so instead of people thinking of them as green skinned, grotesque, always wearing black, and covered in warts, they will see Witches as healers, wearing typical clothing that other people wear, and look like anyone else.

A Quick Introduction

Hello, my name is Featherwolf, I am a single mother of one living under my mother's roof. I am going to take part in providing articles and blogs of stories, life/spiritual experiences, personal thoughts/opinions, and understandings as I continue to define myself, my path, my life, and how the people closest to me take part. I hope that the articles I provide are helpful, the style in which the articles/blogs will be written would be that of a Journal and Informative pieces, sometimes thoughts to me that may have no meaning might not be for me, but someone else to read and understand.

Now where should I begin, well, I guess from the beginning, I was baptized and raised as a Catholic in Richmond, VA, United States, though I have always been around the belief of spiritual beings, energy use, and a more alternative way of thinking as far back as I can remember, along with Catholicism I had also been raised with a lot of Lakota beliefs and practices. Around the age of six I started learning how to feel and use energy (energy being in the most simplistic terms on the equivalent of the force), that was the majority of my knowledge, but I never had any real interest in magic, not till after I hit about the age of thirteen when was the time I started exploring other paths, at this time my parents had divorced and Christianity just wasn't filling the gaps and holes I felt, I knew there was more out there that I wasn't understanding. Also at this time my mother took me and my younger brother to a church gathering where it incorporated Christian and American Indian beliefs together. I got more from this but when my experimenting with Witchcraft became known to my mother, it was passed on the one of the two people who lead the service. As usual I was warned against messing around with such things, and I heeded the warning, which as I look back was a very good thing, I wasn't ready to dive into such a world just yet. We continued with the group but I still felt like something was missing, by the time I reached high school I was in spiritual limbo, I was at a point that I was looking into other religious practices trying to feel them out and find the one that felt right.

It wasn't till my sophomore to senior year that I came to realize that a Pagan path would be the direction I was heading, and that Witchcraft would once again play a part in my life. In my Sophomore year in High School I was still at the time attending Richmond Community High School, it's a small school of at most 200 students all together, or at least it was, not sure how its turned out now. It was in, I believe my Geography class, that I was doodling out a design for a symbol to sit atop a staff, at this time, aside from the Pentacle, Triquetra, and the Triskle, I had not seen or associated any other symbol's with Paganism or practices that fell under the Pagan Umbrella. I had drawn out a moon with two crescents facing away from the center moon, now, many of you know this as the Triple Goddess symbol, but as I have stated, I had never explored Paganism at this time and therefore had never seen the symbol. I had always been someone of the night and was always comforted by the moon, because of that was why I was trying to design a staff topper. 

By the time of my Junior year, I had switched schools and started going to Thomas Jefferson High, it was very much like my old middle school, just not as violent so it didn't take much to get used to class movements again. Not too long after starting there I became friends with a very interesting individual, I was still in my goth phase (though I never really left it) and I saw a similarity with him. We became really good friends and not long after we began dating, and not long after I was introduced to his family. They became a second home for me, a place I could go to if my home got a little too stressful, with me being a teenager and someone who was running from my problems, it often did. His sister and I began to bond as she was an artist along with myself, I gave her tips on how to better improve and even showed her a few techniques, we also had a love for books.

One book in particular I had not read before was Marked, the first in The House of Night series, I enjoyed vampires and other fictional books so she let me borrow it and I read it. A little summary of the books, they are a vampire series that is very Pagan in nature, the authors have definitely done research if they don't practice themselves so its not a bunch of mess or fantasized made up practices. The Goddess the Vampires follow is Nyx Goddess of Night. Looking into her story she is a Primordial Greek Goddess, one of the first to be born from Chaos and bring balance to the world. About the point in which Zoey joined the Dark Daughters circle for a ritual and described the pendant that was worn made me freeze. It sounded so familiar and made me look up the symbol, when I saw it I realized it was the exact same symbol that I had drawn the year before. Because of this I took it as a sign and began researching Nyx and even went to a local Metaphysical store to talk to someone about the symbol. I felt because of the connection with the night that I have, and the fact that I had been searching for my path, I had this feeling I was being called out to to look more detailed in the path involving a more Pagan practice.

During my senior year I spent it researching and studying, to understand Paganism and what Witchcraft was all about, I never practiced, never tried a ritual or spell, I just studied so I could get an idea of what I was getting myself into. The more I read the more it felt right for me, and the more I realized that this was what I had been looking for. By the end of my senior year I still continued to study, but I also began practicing, after a while I felt confident that I could start calling myself a Pagan. But I never called myself a witch, I still hadn't fully understood what I felt I would need to understand before I could take on such a title. Events happened that were a cause of my wanting to escape Richmond, my previous boyfriend had passed away and I didn't want to have to deal with the memories, things happened and I was able to move to Indiana. It was a fresh start and a place I could try to better define my path, two of the friends I had made also practiced, and allowed me to better learn what others were about. I had a group I worked with before, I wouldn't necessarily call my old group a coven, but it was similar. I learned a lot more and to also be weary of those who claim great things from themselves, nine time out of ten, they are lying and just want attention. 

After a year in Indiana I moved back home with my mom due to more circumstances that caused me to do so. All this time I had begun to lose the connection I had with the universe and the earth, which in a sense left me blind and fumbling around. After I reconnected I began to understand things and see that there were so many lessons I needed to learn from everything I experienced, my gullibility, my ignorance, the past three relationships and staying blind to my partners shortcomings and not talking to them about problems that were going on. Even though all of what happened ended up with me getting kicked out of my apartment in Indiana, dealing with emotional issues and stresses of my past, losing and gaining friends, and ending up as a single mother because of my lover's blindness, taught me quite a bit.

People aren't always as they seem, and sometimes there is much more hidden than they want you to see. It made me realize I didn't know myself as well as I needed, and that I couldn't truly understand my path until I did. We are all the same and yet different, similar causes lead to similar effects, that doesn't ever seem to change, but the difference we all have is our emotions and our thoughts that lead us to the similar effects. Understanding this has given me a better understanding of myself and others, and in my spiritual path, I have always been a counselor to people, and sometimes even mended broken hearts and showed people there are other ways to things, other answers, I have also come to see that even the basic religious meanings aren't too different either. I feel my path my lead down the road of a healer, but what form of healer I am to take, I am not sure yet, I just know no matter how hard I hide or run, I always end up back in a position to help those that are in need. This is what I have come to understand as I have been lead onto my Pagan path, hopefully more things will become clear to me.

I know this first blog got seriously off topic, but I felt it was best to express what I felt was important to express, and to give you an idea of what these blogs will be like, the rest should be better focused on where I start from and hopefully can better express the journey's and realizations I have come to understand, this is my first time as a article writer and a blogger, so please excuse the randomness and floating of my writing. I hope that some good can come from these and might even help express to those that are unknown of the Pagan Community can see we are people too, simple, basic people who have found what we needed in a different form.