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

I can't say I truly learned anything new during the Wiccan studies program but I did enjoy it. I have been a witch for 21 years and basically took the program to add to my reverend credentials.

As a Witch I feel its important to keep an open mind and continue learning/sharing on this path in life. The Wiccan Studies program was well put together and easy to understand. Its an excellent study program for the beginner and a great refresher for the more experienced. I did enjoy going through this course.

I also was glad to see the links and resources given during the lessons. Too many times, online, people do not give credit where credit is due. Its important when we do not write something to add the source. I was very happy to see the sources given. Bravo!

I really liked how the course was designed. It kept all the essentials of Wicca at the forefront and kept it interesting. Very well thought out and included great information.

As a Witch with a Coven I would definitely suggest this course to anyone. I'm glad I took the course because it gave me another class design to have in mind when teaching. Thank you for putting together a course well done!

Blessings,

Rev. Darlene Marie Meehan

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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.

Wiccan

Wiccan Studies

This essay will be a three part essay. The first part will be about things that I have learned from the course. The second part will be about things I already knew. The third part will be about things I had hoped to learn but didn’t.

In the very first lesson, in the history of Wicca, I learned all about the significance of planting the crops to the point that men would take small portions of their blood to put in with each seed. If that is something I already knew, it has been buried deep within the archives of my brain, but I think it was a new insight for me.

I also learned a little more about Gardnerian Wicca versus Seax Wicca; particularly that Raymond Buckland had been in Gardner’s original coven and had branched out on his own, forming the Seax Wicca Trad.

Also, after learning about some of the practices of Gardnerian Wicca, such as the secrecy, Seax Wicca suddenly started making more sense to me. I’d already known a little about other Trads; Dianic Wicca, for example. Now, the more I know, the more closely I relate to Seax Wicca, rather than any other Trad.

I also learned about dowsing. I was unable to make any distinguishable differences in the definition of dowsing versus the definition of scrying. What the course instructor referred to as dowsing, some of those methods used, I had thought were scrying. I’m still confused as to whether there is a difference, or if it is one of those things in which it depends upon where you are coming from that determines how you name it. For example, one person in one part of the country may pronounce tomato completely different than a person in another part of the country. Could, in fact, some of Lord Starwalker’s dowsing techniques also be considered scrying?

As for things I already knew, I’ve cast many circles and many spells. I’ve actually gotten quite adept at the art of spell writing. I already understood the concept of not leaving your circle until you are done, or if you have to, you must cut a doorway.

I had also already become quite familiar with how to set up an altar and how to position things the way I liked them. I had to agree to disagree with the instructor’s ideas of how an altar should be set up. I follow the very traditional set-up of East = Air, South = Fire, West = Water, and North = Earth, with Akasha, the Spirit, and fifth element, somewhere in the middle, towards the north. My circles have followed this East to South to West to North to the altar many a time. In this, I am set in my ways.

Another thing about me is that I do not use, or even own, a wand. I use my athame for all circle and spell-casting purposes. I feel more as one with steel. I know that is somewhat of a controversy amongst witches and Wiccans. Many swear by their wooden wands. But I’d like to remind that steel also comes from within the Earth too. I don’t think it’s so much the tool that you use as the intent behind the spell and the Spirit that one is in when casting the spell.

One major thing that I did not learn that I had hoped to is how to perform handfastings and Wiccanings. I was directed, by a fellow minister, to a good website containing information on handfastings. I also found several websites with suggestions on Wiccaning ceremonies.

Perhaps not having all the answers was good in this course. It made a person think; to search out one’s own answers. If I didn’t know something, because the lesson wasn’t specific enough, it would lead me to do research on my own to get the answers.

Overall, I would rate this course positively but would caution that, if you’re taking it just to learn how to perform a handfasting, you should visit www.handfasting.info. The course was very well worth it and I will miss receiving the weekly emails. It is time to choose another course and move forward.

Special thanks to all who helped me along the way.

Brightest Blessings!

Rev. Jayne Morrison

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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.

Wiccan

Having been a practicing pagan, and at one point a devout wiccan, for several years I decided to take this course for three reasons, none of which were to actually learn anything new. I took it to see what kind of courses and what quality of courses ULC Seminary offered, to reaffirm the ideals and beliefs that I had already had and ultimately as a step towards completing the ULC Seminary Program. Having taken the course I can honestly say I learned some new things that I had not originally thought I would.

After practicing for almost ten years and doing a fair amount of research on my own I thought I knew a fair amount. However, I discovered through the course that there are different ideologies within Wiccan than those that I personally was taught and followed. In fact some of those ideologies and practices are quite different from my training and practices. I attribute part of this to my specific group following a Celtic Wiccan path and part of it to the differences between Gardnerian, traditionalists and modern eclectic Wiccans see and do things. A good example of this is the different grounding rituals. This course taught a grounding and banishing ritual based on Jewish tradition and my personal grounding and banishing ritual is based on the tree of life.

The course also brought about some new thinking and contemplation on my part. Lessons 6 and 7 on Dowsing and Lessons 8, 23 and 24 on Magic, for example gave me new ideas on spell craft and implementation. Some of the things mentioned are things I already did while others were things I had never even thought off. The magic lesson covering morality was nice to read as I know a lot of my fellow pagans do not have a strong moral compass with regard to magic use and will now have guidance on proper use and disuse.

In short, while I went into this course feeling that I wouldn’t truly learn anything and that is was just a simple step on the way toward my goal; I discovered a wealth of knowledge and view points I hadn’t seen before, which caused me to open my mind a little further and refreshed my thirst for knowledge.

by Justin M. Oles

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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.

Wiccan Basic Training

The Wiccan Basic Training Course did not hold my interest as much as the other courses I have taken though the ULC Seminary. I truly had misgivings when I found most of the course online at another website and for free. By time my concerns were passed onto the Seminary, Lord Skywalker had passed into the Summerland. Perhaps communication with him would have removed the barrier I had erected regarding the validity of this course.

That being said, Lord Skywalker touched on many subjects and showed the variety, scope and depth of Wicca.

This is obviously a subject which cannot be learned through reading but must be lived. The course was written from personal experience and holistic viewpoint, unlike some agenda driven books I’ve read on Wicca and practitioners encountered. Any magik works and ceremonies were pleasant, gentle and always reminding of the nature of magik and its power, his web links fun and informative.

I particularly liked the lessons on pendulum use and dowsing. These were non invasive uses of energy and fun to play with. As with all Wicca, practice, total concentration and dedication made worlds of difference in the outcome. I found the most successful attempts at these occurred when I didn’t have any stimulant in my system i.e. coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar. Windy days seemed to interfere with dowsing as I couldn’t keep a steady energy going and consecrating the dowsing tool with the element searched for seemed to make a positive difference in the outcome.

The Banishing Lesson #24, confused me, why were Wiccans using the Hebrew Kabbala and invoking the Hebrew God Yahweh and archangels Rapheal, Gabriel, Auriel and Micheal? And then end with an Irish blessing? All the components, deities and rituals are familiar to me; I’ve not encountered them in this combination. This lesson just didn’t have the feel of the other lessons, although it does demonstrate the variety and freedom Wicca allows.

I would recommend this as an introduction to Wicca; it appears some on the Forum has taken to filling some of the blanks left by Lord Starwalker’s passing, thank you.

A personal note, Wicca is an earth religion; therefore the practice of it is subject to one’s surroundings. The ceremonies, herbs, simple feasts, garments or lack of, tools etc…in my opinion, should reflect and be a part of the natural surroundings. The ethics, soul and spirit of Wicca is universal, the practice is regional.

May the Energy Which Animates Your Heart bring your Hearts desire, and the Lord and Lady bring their Blessings.

Rev. Linda Spicer

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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wiccan

I began this course as a practicing Wiccan with a desire to learn different approaches to Wicca. As a teacher, I am in the habit of gathering and evaluating information. Some things I keep for future reference and others I discard. It was with this perspective that I entered this course.

As a Wiccan 101 course, it covered the basics very well. I enjoyed the different approaches you gave. You conveyed to the students the idea that Wicca is a personal relationship and not some tightly held dogmatic beliefs. I noticed a thread of Ceremonial Magic weaved into your Wiccan Tapestry. I also noticed that you touched on some Druidic beliefs as well. I applaud you on both.

I feel the course was a through presentation of Wiccan 101. Your presentation encouraged students to become personally involved in Wicca and to think for themselves. I enjoyed the course very much.

Rev. Angela Firmin H.P.S., D.D.

Lady Emeraldmoon

Rev. Angela Firmin

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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.

WICCANING RITUAL

WICCANING RITUAL

  by Rev. Beverly L Racey (aka Kybele Greywolf)

Cleansing:

   With a broom, sweep away all negativity that may exist in the place you are having your ritual.

Using a sage and lavender smudge stick, insense the area to also cleanse from negativity and send

any evil entities that may be lurking away from the ritual area.

Preparations:

  Set up altar using a wood table. Cover the table with an altar cloth. I will use white because

the child being dedicated is pure of heart and innocent of all wrong doing .

Place altar tile in center of the table. 

Place flowers- white carnations and blue carnations into the vases placing flowers on each far

corner of the altar. One left corner and one right corner.

Using white votive candles, sea shells,and stones, create the outer circle that the ritual will be held

in . Also place tiki torches around the outer ring of circle for light since this will be done outside.

Tools:

Candles, athame, incense, insence holders, matches, cauldron, water and salt dishes, libation

dish, annointing oil, plate of cakes, chalice with wine,GOD and Goddess statues, Book of Shadows,

sea salt, purified water.

Casting the Circle:

Hail and welcome to the God and Goddess.

Here do I erect this circle of life in which to honor you.

Help me to lay down the boundaries of this sacred space between the worlds

Let all who enter, do so in perfect love and perfect trust.

HP and HPS will now stand at the entrance of the circle and will annoint all who enter the circle.

The HP will annoint the woman by drawing a pentagram on their forehead and saying:

HP: The God and Goddess welcome you in peace and love.

HP then hugs you and gives you a kiss

HPS will be annointing the men by drawing a pentagram on their forehead and saying:

The God and Goddess welcome you in peace and love.

HPS then hugs you and gives you a kiss.

Once all of those who wish to enter have done so, the HPS then seals the circle with her athame and draws

a pentagram over the point where the two ends meet and then kisses her blade. HPS and HP walk up to the altar.

Consecration of salt and water.

HPS: I bless this salt that it may purify all things that are used with in this rite.

HPS puts some of the salt into the bowl of water and says:

Let the joining of this salt with the water drive out any and all impurites that may dwell in the water,

so that together, they may be used in the service of the GODS to bless and purify all things used in these rites.

HP takes bowl of water and walks around the circle sprinking the water along the boundries of the circle til he comes back

to the EAST. He sets bowl of water back on the altar.

HPS: With this smoke I hereby cleanse this sacred space so that it may be protected from all negativity and harmful things

that may try to enter this place.

HPS takes the incense in the swinging incense burner and goes to the East point and smuges the circle along its bounderies

until she comes back to the East.

CALLLING THE QUARTERS:  HP and HPS will both take turns lighting the watchtower candles.

Going to the EAST quarter from the altar:

HPS stands in front of the EAST watchtower and stays:

All Hail! To the ancient ones of the EAST, power of AIR,

We call upon you to attend these rites to protect and witness

All that goes forth with in this sacred space.

HPS lights the candle representing the EAST, then takes her athame

and draws a pentagram in the air and kisses the blade.

Hail and Welcome!

ALL: Hail and Welcome!

HP moves to the South quarter and says:

All Hail! To the ancient ones of the SOUTH, power of FIRE,

We call upon you to attend these rites to protect and witness

all that goes forth within this sacred space.

HP light the candle representing SOUTH, then takes his athame

and draws a pentagram in the air and kisses the blade.

Hail and Welcome!

ALL: Hail and Welcome!

HPS moves to the WEST quarter and says:

All Hail! To the ancient ones of the WEST, power of WATER,

We call upon you to attend these rites to protect and witness

all that goes forth within this sacred space.

HPS lights the candle representing WATER, then takes her athame

and draws a pentagram in the air and kisses blade.

Hail and Welcome!

ALL: Hail and Welcome!

HP moves to the NORTH  quarter and says:

All Hail! To the ancient ones of the NORTH, power of  EARTH

We call upon you to attend these rites to protect and witness

all that goes forth within this sacred space.

HP lights the candle representing EARTH, then takes his athame

and draws a pentagram in the air and kisses the blade.

Hail and Welcome!

ALL: Hail and Welcome!

Both HP and HPS return to the altar.

INVOKE THE GOD and GODDESS

HPS: GOD AND GODDESS, we invite you to enter this sacred space that has been created in your honor.

Be with us now and witness thses rites that we are dedicating to you.

Sote Mote it Be!

HPS kisses her athame blade and sets it on the altar.

WICCANING RITUAL

Parents stand to the EAST immediately behind the altar. Holding there child.

HP and HPS kiss.

HPS says: There is a newcomer to our family who has lived before and died to be reborn again.

                 Let us make him feel welcome.

Parents walk up to the altar and stand in front of the HP and HPS

The HPS puts her fingers in the consecrated water and then draws a pentagram on  the childs forehead.

HPS asks: What is this child's name?

The parents say the name of the child.

HP: We welcome you (child'name)

HPS: We ask the God and Goddess to accept this child and protect (child's name) from harm and to guide him

on his new journey in this life.

HP: says to the parents

HP: Is it your desire that (child's name) follow the ways of the Old Religion and beleif in the God and Goddess?

Parents: We do.

HPS: she takes the child from the mother and holds him in the air to present to the people within the circle.

HPS: Welcome (child's name) to our family and to our community that he might grow and learn of the old ways.

HPS says to the parents after giving child back to its mother

    Go now and present your child to the four quarters.

Moving to the East quarter, the parents  raise their child and say:

Watchtower of the East, power of AIR,

We present to you (child's name)

Greet this child and give your blessings.

Moving to the SOUTH quarter, the parents raise their child and say:

Watchtower of the SOUTH, power of  FIRE,

We present to you (child's name)

Greet this child and give your blessings.

Moving to the WEST quarter, the parents raise their child and say:

Watchtower of the WEST,power of WATER

We presensent to you (child's name)

Greet this child and give your blessings.

Moving to the North quarter, the parents raise their child and say:

Watchtower of the NORTH, power of EARTH

We present to you (child's name)

Greet this child and give your blessings.

HP to the parents: Bring your child to the altar.

HPS: God and Goddess we ask that you bless this child.

HP:  May he gain strength and wisdom as he grows

HPS: When he has reached the proper age, one where he can

decide for himself,

Let him return to the sacred circle to dedicate himself to the God and Goddess

and choose a name which he would like to be known by.

Father: May the God and Goddess smile down upon (child's name) always

and bless him with love

Mother: May they inspire him to do right and learn what is wrong

Father: May he learn to have respect for others so that others will respect him

Mother: May he learn about nature and all it has given us

Father: May their wisdom in all things bring him to choose the Old Path in his

           adult life that he may serve the God and Goddess as we do.

Parents return with their child to the right side of the altar.

HPS: The God and Goddess have blessed this newcomer brought into our midst

         The Guardians of the Watchtower have acknowledged him.

          We his friends have welcomed him.

          Therefore, let all light shine brightly upon ( child's name). and all

           darkness fall but gently.

           So Mote it Be!

CAKES AND WINE

HP and HPS turn to face the altar.

HPS: picks up her athame and inserts it into the chalice of wine saying:

         Bless this wine that we may never thirst

HPS takes a sip of wine. She then replaces chalice onto the altar.

HPS then takes her athame and places it on the plate of cakes saying:

        Bless these cakes that we may never hunger

HPS then takes a bite of the cake

        Thank you God and Goddess for this food and drink that you have provided,

        to give us strength and nourishment.

HPS then turns to the HP and  offers him a sip of wine from the chalice saying:

         God and Goddess, bless this wine that he may never thirst.

HP takes a sip from the chalice.

HPS then returns the chalice to the altar and picks up the plate of cakes

To the HP she offers him a piece of cake and says:

       God and Goddess , bless this cake that he may never hunger, HP takes a bite of cake.

HP and HPS : take the wine and cakes and together to go to each person in the circle

giving them wine and cakes each time saying : may you never thirst and may you never hunger.

After everyone has been giving cakes and wine, the HP andHPS return to the altar.

CLOSING

HPS: Hail to the Watchtowers of the EAST, SOUTH, WEST, and NORTH

         We thank you for your attendance tonight within the circle, go now from whence you came

and return to your realm.

Hail and farewell!

ALL: Hail and farewell!

The HPS picks up her athame and goes to the EAST quarter, She points her athame to the boundaries of the

circle and visualizes white light surrounding her . She draws that white light back into her athame as she walks

around the circle undoing the circle of protection.

As the HPS does this, the HP goes behind her extinguishing the watchtower candles.

The Priest and Preistess join hands with the celebrants and all say:

The circle is open, but yet unbroken-

Merry meet, Merry part, and Merry meet again.

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Wicca - Mythology

I'm going to use our mythos , or the Strega mythos for this assignment. Dis and Umbrea are wed in the underworld, they bear a son, Lupercus, who is the light of the world above, the Grigori carry him up to the world of Man whereupon he must complete 12 labors to prove his worth to the people, he does this and is a hero and people love and worship him.  Each day he gathers the souls of the dead, takes them to the underworld where they are given refreshments and prepared for a new life, then escorted by the Gregori to the Goddess in Luna to await rebirth.   Diana ascends to the world, falls for Lupercus, who then tells her that he is not only Lupercus, but also Cornunno God of the Forest, also Dianus first born of all the Gods!   They fall in love and marry.  He is mistaken for a deer and shot with a golden bow by another God at Harvest, (another of the mythos has him lying in a field after a hunt to rest, and he is sliced up by the farmer)   and he descends to the underworld, becoming Dis, Diana follows, meets and marries Dis and she in turn becomes Umbrea, and the whole cycle or wheel of the year begins again. (There are many mythos, but this sums it up briefly) Archetypes: Here I think the Man/God can be shared by both Diana and Dianus. The elementals I think are self-explanatory, they are the Gregori or the watchers - they are in Stregheria called Tago (North), Alpena (East, Settrano (South), and Meana (West). Sympathetic to Man I think can also be shared by both Diana and Lupercus, we could also include Dianus here as he is sacrificed at Harvest. Life and Death I think would be Dis Again Seasons are also a shared archetype as Diana rules over Spring and Summer and Dianus/Lupercus over fall and winter Fertility - I would have to say Diana. Judgment - Dis Deity of Celestial Bodies - Again, two, Diana - Moon, Dianus/Lupercus - Sun Of course the big Hero in this story is Lupercus.  Lesson 13 Brenda Taylor ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Wiccan Holidays

Lesson 12 Brenda Taylor Shadowfest/Samhain -    This holiday is about honoring our dead, we usually incorporate a seance into our ritual to communicate with our dearly departed. Winter Solstice/Yule -  This holiday is about the birth of our new son God, Lupercus, we light a small white candle (signifying the new baby) in the Cauldron, and then "birth" it out of the cauldron. Lupercus - Imbolg Feb 2nd -   this is a ritual for rejuvenation, rebirth, getting ready for spring after the long winter spent in introspection, here we are "purified" with a lashing from the God (a small lash, lightly lashing the backs of the hands, symbolic only).   I think this is meant to purge us of whatever we feel "guilt" for over the past year, and make us new and ready to great the Spring pure and full of good thoughts, and good visualizations for our future.  It's a good way of breaking free of anything old that haunts us, and this is also a time of initation, in the Strega path, we initiate any new members to our coven. Spring Equinox - Ostara - At this joyful ritual, welcoming the coming of the Goddes in all her splendour, we write down what we want to occur in the coming year, and burn it, the ash from these "wishes"  we incorporate into earth, which we put into an earthenware pot, we plant rue seeds, and as they grow into fruition, so to do our "wishes". Beltane/Diana's Day - We welcome Diana back in all her glory, this is a ritual more of praise, but we recite the Charge of Aradia and remember her as well on this day.  Apple snacks for ritual feasting on this day, since they are sacred to her. Summer Fest - Litha/Summer Solstice -   We celebrate Diana and Dianus as a couple, and the bounty of the earth also, the struggle between the forces of dark and light is observed with a mock battle, and we always end with a fairy meditation. Cornucopia/Lugh's day -   Here we celebrate the harvest, and contemplate our lives and where they are going, it is time again to take stock, we write our requests/wishes on parchment paper, and burn them in a ritual fire, along with some appropriate incense.  It is a time for meditation on that which you sow you must reap. Autumn Equinox/Mabon -  Here we thank Dianus who is slain in the harvest, he goes now to the underworld, we ritualistically sacrifice a loaf of wheat bread, and each partake of it, we also honor the watchers or Grigori at this time, and make offerings again to them at each quarter with a piece of the loaf, and as our lord went into the earth, so do three quarters of our bread, these we bury in the garden.  ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Wiccan Studies

Rev. Brenda Lesson 10 SAMHAIN/SHADOWFEST This Sabbat (Treguenda) is a somber, yet exciting time.  I practice Strega, so this is the time when our Goddess, Diana, descends to the underworld.   It is a time to honor our ancestors and any family or friends who have gone on before us.   It is also the beginning of a new year, a time of honoring and thinking about our past, it's a time fo reflection and renewal and thinking about what we want in the New Year. WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE/MIDWINTER This is a joyful time.  In the Strega faith the lord (Dianus) and the Lady (Diana) give birth to Luperus, the Sun God, It is a time of rejoicing and welcoming the new born God. IMBOLG/LUPERCUS This is also a joyful time.   A time of rejuvenation, and looking forward to the coming spring.  Also a time of purification, and readying yourself for the return of the Goddess. SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA (?)  A time for welcoming the Goddess back, she is longing for the world again, and begins her ascent from the Underworld.  A time for rejoicing and planning for the future. BELTANE/DIANA'S DAY On this day we celebrate Diana, she had completed her journey and she is here, we welcome her back with great joy, the world is coming to life again.   This day is all about the Goddess.  SUMMER SOLSTICE/SUMMERFEST Another sabbat/Treguenda that is joyful.  It is a time when the Folletti (fairies)  are about, we also celebrate the joining of Dianus and Diana.   Also a time to honor the Watchers or the Grigori, as we give them offerings as well at this time.  CORNUCOPIA/Lughnasaad (?) This is a day to give thanks for all of the abundance of the harvest.   It is a time to appreciate all of the good things we have in our life.  AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON (?) This is kind of a somber time.   At this time our God is slain, becomes part of the harvest, and descends to the underworld.   It is a time of getting ready for the harsh winter ahead.  ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.