Wiccan Studies

I found that the lesson on History was interesting especially since the writings of the “Malleus Malificarum” and the writings of Jean Bodin “De la Demonomanie des Sorciers”, these lead us up to the Infamous Spanish Inquisition of the times (1227-1792) and the “Burning Times” (1550-1600 C. E.

Were it not for Gerald Gardner, modern paganism would not exist. As is

pointed out, he wrote several books on the subject of Witchcraft and paganism in

general with such titles as, “High Magic’s Aid” and “The Witches’ Sabbats”.

Gerald Gardner also wrote “Witchcraft Today”,”Gardner’s Book of Shadows”,

“The Meaning of Witchcraft”, and “Goddess Arrives”.After that the “Neo Pagan”

movement began.

In Lesson 9 on Reincarnation I disagree on several points, First, I’d

like to point out that I know of certain Archangels, namely , Michael, whom I have

seen after my second wife went through her transition and was ascended to be as

she is now, an Angel by the name, ‘Barbarailu”, she is my “Twin Flame”. We were

both created out of the same mold, the “Cosmic Ovid”. Due to our joint Karma, we

were separated from the Godhead, where she began her life here on Planet Earth as

the beautiful daughter of Dioscorus, papal legate to Justinian I at Constantinople.

With the help of Origen, she was later converted to Christianity. She was beheaded by her father c. 235. Barbara was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church as St. Barbara. We will again be joined as “one” in the near future. So that you can understand, we are connected and intertwined, intermingled, so to speak, quantitatively speaking. I, myself started my life here on Planet Earth during the time of Seti I, Pharoah of Egypt and father of Ramesses II. This was during the time of Moses. Later, in another lifetime, we again were brought together as husband and wife (c.e. 1979). That is why I know of reincarnation. I remember at least three past lives. I, also was St. Gordanus. c.1190-1237) This time around I know that I must strive to balance my karma. Angel Barbarailu has already balanced most of her karma. All that is needed is 51%.

Lesson 10 on the holidays was quite interesting. I’ve discovered many things about the different holidays or Sabbats. I’ve discovered the traditional names for the Sabbats and Esbats and in lesson 12 I’ve discovered the names of the 13 moons during the course of a year.   In lesson 13 on Wiccan Mythology, I discovered the chart of mythical entities. Also I discovered the Welsh Myth of Pwyll. It was quite interesting. Lesson 14 is about more Mythology.

Lesson 14 on Rituals is very interesting. There are so many rituals out there I will not attempt to write my own without plagiarism. Skipping now to lesson 18 on herbalism.

Lesson 18 - Herbalism was very interesting. I learned abot many different herbs and their uses. I recently read about another herb not mentioned here. It is one called  “Ayahuesca”, a Peruvian plant that causes dreams. It is used by peruvian Shamans.  This is mentioned in the book “The Eagles Quest” by Dr. Fred Alan Wolf. Here, Dr. Wolf attempts to compare Shamanism with Quantum Physics.

Skipping now to Lesson 22 on Spells. There are a lot of free spells that I can uncover, for instance, Llewellyn gives a - Spell - a - Day. I have found out that a majority of these do not work properly. One must work out each spell on their own, and if it works , then it may be recorded in your own Book of Shadows.

Lord Starwalker gives some good advice on perfecting the spells. I have gone through the consecration of the tools and took the self initiation ritual as presented be another source.

This concludes my Final Essay on the Dr. Of Wiccan Studies Course.

Rev. Dr. Gordon S. Reed

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics, as well as courses in Mystical Christianity, Buddhism and Comparative Religion. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Wiccan Studies

When you say you are Wiccan, people look at you like you are possessed, you are the devil itself. So many people have tainted the name of Wiccans' that now people just believe it is bad. They get it mixed up with being goth, satanism and even a few emo. Although some Wiccans may be Goth or Emo (none are religions) we are not Satanic.

Wicca is about, in short, nature, karma, lunar cycles and your believing. We go by the rule that anything you do will come back to you three fold. That is the karma part. We treat others how we would like to be treated. We do believe in a higher power, some believe in God, some people in many Gods, like the Greeks did. There is nothing wrong with that since so many people before us thought that way.

Emo and Goth are not religions, so you can find some Wiccans that are these. Which is fine. But being Satanic is not the same as being Wicca. Satanism is another religion all together.

Satanism has several definitions. You can be the hardcore one, that does sacrifices, harming others, and living for Satan of the Devil. But a newer kind of Satanism is coming out which is less hardcore, it's living for oneself. Where 'Satan' means me. So Hail Satan would mean Hail Me. They belive that in fact, that the human being is a power all in itself and yet is nothing more than another form of animal.

As with any religion there are the good and bad Wiccans. Or Light and Dark magic. Light magic is anything from helping people, finding something, or anything that doesn't cause harm. Dark magic is anything that causes harm or goes against the person's will.

Wicca is dealing with nature, most of the spells we use are done outside, at a cleansed space (our altar). Some spells even go down to what day they are used at, or what lunar cycle it would be good at, whether on the full moon or the new moon, Monday or Friday. Even during Winter or Spring.

We also have our celebrations, Yule (which some say is the exact same as Christmas), the Equinox, and most are the same as our regular holidays. We thank Mother Earth for allowing such a good harvest for the fall, we thank the Earth for a good spring. We thank nature, which most people over look and take for granted.

We are not evil, we are not dark. We are one with nature, our energies, and Earth. We do believe in God/Gods, fairies and angels. And karma, so we do not do bad unless we want to to come back to us three fold.

Misconceptions

For two thousand years the image of the Witch has been associated with evil, the devil, and blasphemy. These ideas have their origin in Christian myths created to convert members of the Old Religion to that of the new. By making the Witch into a diabolical character of evil and action, the Christian missionaries were able to attach fear to a word that had once meant Healer, Wise One, and Seer.

Witches Do Not Worship Satan

To believe in Satan, one must believe and agree with the Christian dogma. We do not. Wicca does not have any belief in, nor do we worship a concept of evil incarnate. You can't worship something you don't believe in.

Witches Do Not Cast Evil Spells.

(Most)Modern Witches have a very strict belief in the Witches/Wiccan Rede. Whatever we send out into our world shall return to us. The spells that we do involve things like healing, love, wisdom, creativity, and joy. If you see a website, or meet someone claiming to be a witch yet they talk about casting evil spells and hexes, THEY ARE NOT REAL WICCANS.

Are Male Witches Warlocks?

No. There is no such thing as a warlock in witchcraft. This misconception is one of the most popular, it seems. In fact, a warlock is supposedly a "wizard" (according to the dictionary) and in fact, means a traitor, or a devil. It DOES NOT mean a male witch. A male witch is in fact, a witch--just like the female witches.

Rev. Sean Cooper

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Wicca

Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation

I am at week ten. Every week gets better. Check my post on my ever growing book shelf. I don't know how the topic can get any better, when ding, another week passes and I am more impressed.

At every book store I try to ferret out another book referenced in the weekly installments.

Week one hooked me with the list of books for every shelf.

I marry trans-religious people and love knowing a bit about where they are coming from.

This week was prayer, meditation and contemplation. I recently eave dropped on our local catholic tv channel and waded through the rosary. It seems to involve all three of week ten's topics.

My mother is a converted Hindu.

I am a fallen Methodist, currently leaning to Wicca for the last five years.

I was ordained because I wanted to cover by butt while teaching dowsing and doing tarot readings for local people.

B*B

Sally in MT

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

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