Lesson 21 Wiccan Studies

Ethics is a big deal. And I have learned over the years that it goes
not only with spell casting but in every day life! You have to take
responsibility for your actions and cant blame anyone for what you
did. This Lesson was a great lesson to remind us of how much ethics,
karma, ect affects are everyday life. So many people blame others for
their actions.
Blessed Be
Rev. Shannon Nance
Circle of Pagans Church

Lesson 3

What a great 3rd lesson! All about Tools! This is very valuable and a great list to have handy. Usually it takes months before a Wiccan student learns about the tools, and I always thought it should be sooner. I'm doing other Wiccan courses but I have to say this is one of the better ones. Recently I had to hand my athame over to the police because daggers are banned in my state (in Australia). I will have to investigate an alternative.  Raincloud.

Wiccan Lesson 23

I found this lesson very intriguing. It gave me a chance to remember
all the things my grandmother had tried to teach me. One of the things
that I did find very useful was the moon phases and which spells to
cast when. It also gave me some insight on why I am more of a nite owl
and am more awake after sundown. Thanks for a great lesson. Rev.
Shannon Nance

Lesson 1

I have just finished reading lesson 1.  This is a nice summary of Paganism and some of our Wiccan beliefs.  I see that community was the focal point of their lives as it is in our present lives.   As far as heresy I have experienced the wrath of those for whom I do not share their belief.   The one point that struck me though is the misinformation that has been passed down for years regarding the Burning Times. The estimated 9,000,0000 people killed, I believe is in serious error. The 9,000,000 people supposedly killed seems a little excessive to me even before any research. And it is true that this could have decimated entire populations.  The information that has been "thrown out" there all these years is propaganda to get people to project blame onto someone else (in this case, the Church) for their behavior.  Researching other materials, estimates are as many as 100,000 people accused of being witches. 
 
But killing people for religious beliefs is not partial to just one faith.  This is something that has gone on for centuries whether one is Pagan/Wiccan, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc.  And it not necessarily because of faith, but more over politics, lands, and power.
 
 

Lesson 1

I have just finished reading lesson 1.  This is a nice summary of Paganism and some of our Wiccan beliefs.  I see that community was the focal point of their lives as it is in our present lives.   As far as heresy I have experienced the wrath of those for whom I do not share their belief.  
 
The one point that struck me though is the misinformation that has been passed down for years regarding the Burning Times. The estimated 9,000,0000 people killed, I believe is in serious error. The 9,000,000 people supposedly killed seems a little excessive to me even before any research. And it is true that this could have decimated entire populations.  The information that has been "thrown out" there all these years is propaganda to get people to project blame onto someone else (in this case, the Church) for their behavior.  Researching other materials, estimates are as many as 100,000 people accused of being witches. 
 
But killing people for religious beliefs is not partial to just one faith.  This is something that has gone on for centuries whether one is Pagan/Wiccan, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc.  And it not necessarily because of faith, but more over politics, lands, and power. 
 
Overall, very interesting. A nice reminder of those things that we forget and a nice introduction to those to whom may have no experience at all with Paganism/Wicca.
 
Blessed Be,
 
Rev. Candy Lacey-Partlow (aka Priestess RavenMoon)
 
 

Lesson 2

It was interesting that the course chose to speak about personal responsibility and to make that a learning priority. It sounds simplistic but when I came out of the Christian mindset, it was hard, and continues to be hard to separate your need for God to do everything for you. The idea that we should be responsible for ourselves and can use our own magick is very different. Don't get me wrong, I still work with the God and Goddess, but I think a Witch needs to be empowered to be responsible for their actions. This is the first Wiccan course or book that I have seen to insist on this importance. Blessed Be. Raincloud.

Wiccan Lesson 10 Holidays part one

Samhain is a exciting time of the year. People look forward to it from
Jan. They start making plans for parties, costumes etc.
Yuletide is personally my favorite and not just because its also my
birthday! There seems to be some excitement but also a lot of stress.
Imbolg there doesn't seem to be a lot of excitement. There don't seem
to be a whole lot of any enthusiasm that I have noticed.
Rev. Shannon Nance
Circle of Pagans Church.
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Lesson 1

I thought the first lesson was an interesting overview of the modern development of Wicca. I have heard though that Margaret Murray has been discredited in much of her work describing Witch Cults. I will have to read more and I probably shouldn't just accept she's been 'discredited'. Regardless, I think a lot of people were inspired by her work. This is what drew me to Wicca. That it is in fact, a made up modern religion and it's not a Pagan Reconstructionist religion (although it has aspects). I've explored other Pagan identifications and I am most at home with the soft polytheism and dualistic aspects of Wicca. I embrace it's non-literal approach, and I'm happy to incorporate modern elements into my spirituality. I enjoyed the first lesson. Blessed Be. Raincloud.