this song would pierce her heart

When a Witch Isn’t.

rootandrock:

Dodgerthirteen said: I was reading one of your latest asks and came across this point: “I believe a lot of people who claim to be witches are not. They live it as a lifestyle, rather than practicing it as a craft.” I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind elaborating on it or giving examples as I’m unsure as to what you meant.

Well, here’s a really great example: I knew a lady who followed a much older blog of mine. She also had a blog and would often post “Yeah! Me too!” sorts of responses to some of my meatier entries. I was intrigued that there might be a kindred spirit out there and would read about her exploits on her blog.

They consisted of things like “I am so persecuted. Someone said god bless you when I sneezed. I don’t NEED your blessing!” - “today I went to the occult store and bought XYZ” - “today I set up an altar, it looks so witchy”  - “today I got a beautiful book of shadows, and a lacy shawl, it makes me feel like a real witch.” - “I re-painted my bedroom green and black today! I love being a witch!”

And what I noticed was that the stuff she got from the occult store had photos posted of it - over and over and over - but never got opened/used, only arranged for photos. The candles on her altar (that she showed photos of, over and over) never got burnt. That the book of shadows (again, pictures) never got written in.

And so I asked “What is your practice like?”

Her response would be “Well, I don’t do -spells-, I sort of just meditated a couple of times. Spells are dangerous, and gods can be dangerous.” and I’d ask how she was a witch if she did not, y’know, WITCH… “Well, I think being a witch is in your heart!”

And so I asked “What, in your heart, tells you you’re a witch?”

And her response was that she liked “witchy things” - she liked the trappings and the aesthetic that she assumed was part of it. All Amy Brown fairies and desaturated color schemes - Stevie Nicks and Lorena McKennit. For her, “Witch” was a fashion statement, and a set of trappings - the things that the trappings surrounded (like… witchcraft) were “dangerous” or “silly” - secondary considerations, mere trifles, after the “image” had been attained.

That’s what I mean when I say that a lot of people claim to be witches, but aren’t. Anyone can apply any label they like to themselves, but when it is so grossly incorrect the label becomes stretched, distorted, and eventually meaningless.

They can say they’re a Jesuit Priest because they read the bible, and wear a cassock - it doesn’t mean it’s true. They can say they’re a Viet Nam veteran because they really like the asthetic of ‘Nam era military uniforms - but that doesn’t make it true. A refusal to drop the label in the face of the truth makes the person less than honest, and in some cases downright scum (See: People claiming to be Veterans).

Three Different Ways: The Ten Rules of Witchdom

ohlookapagannewstumblog:

by Keri

I’m tired of the controversy, the battering back and forth over what rules, if any, witches should live by. I’ve tormented a few friends and found ten rules that will be sufficient for all witches, solitary or covenbound, free speaking or oathbound.

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Pretty sure this is the awesomest ten commandments ever written.

(via )

A Pagan Child’s ABC’s

paganandproud:

A is Athame, the knife that we use.
B is for Beltaine, when partners we choose.
C is for Circle where we all are one.
D is for Deosil, path of the Sun.
E is for Esbat, when we gather round.
F is for Fire and its crackling sound.
G is for the Goddess in beauty and love.
H is the Horned One, our Father above.
I is for Imbolc, candles light the way,
J is for June when it’s Midsummer’s Day.
K is for Karma, the things that we do.
L is for Lammas, harvest’s almost through!
M is for Moon, riding way up so high,
N is for Nighttime, which darkens the sky.
O is for Ostara, when we hunt for eggs,
P is for Pan, with hairy goat legs.
Q is the Quarters and there are just four,
R for the Rites when we open the Door.
S is for Samhain, end of the year,
T is for Tarot cards, futures to hear
U is Undines from the watery West,
V is Vervain for protection and rest.
W’s Widdershins, the path of the moon.
X is the sign that’s the sign of the God.
Y is for Yule and the sun’s return,
Z is the Zodiac, 12 signs to learn.

Copyright 1989, Breid Foxsong

I would like to teach this to a child one day.

Advice for the beginners among my readers, especially the teens

chippywitch:

For the love of god, be wary of teen spell books. I’m not going to say entirely disregard them, but do realize that many of them are…how do I put this?

Crap. Many of those books are crap, most notably a certain book by Metal TwoTotems.

In fact, let me take off my metaphoric witch hat and step more into my everyday face, which is that of a student learning how to get published as a writer and illustrator, so I can break down exactly why this is.

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interesting thoughts.

a short word on poseurs

acitywitchintraining:

ok, so i have been reading several stories of late about young pagans who, upon finding someone who wears the symbols of their faith who strike them not as fellow pagans, who are angry and upset even past the brink of tears. what i have to say is short, but not short of sentiment:

i understand the feelings of confusion and frustration you may be feeling when meeting people who bear powerful symblos without knowing their true meaning (or that there is a meaning at all). i do. but these feelings need not be felt, it brings only bane. i shall explain myself, oddly enough, with a little remembered passage from the bible:

jesus was passing through a still, vast body of water when the fallen angel satan swam to his side.

“jesus!” remarked satan, “i am sorry for my evil ways- i understand the true power of Him! please forgive me and allow me to follow you to the golden lands of heaven!”

jesus replied: “i cannot do this. you, satan, are the epitome of evil, you who questioned and deserted the lord. if i were to bring you back with me, pray tell, to whom will we compare the glory of god?”

and this is true, though derived from a book of lies. without ignorance, what will our wisdom seem for choosing the path of honor and peace? do not fret; everything happens for a reason, as i have found to be true in nearly all unluck that has befallen me, and your meeting this person of ignorance is a turning point in your faith. will you question your faith, insecure, or will you rise to the occasion and strengthen your bond with the gods?

chin up, fellows, and blessed be!

Is your quotation of Satan’s conversation with Jesus really in the Bible? I’m not saying it’s not, I just can’t find it anywhere, so I’m curious. If you paraphrased, can you please cite the book, chapter, and verse just so I can read “the original version” too?