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.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting 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 Studies

I must say that I have greatly enjoyed this course. There are many wonderful things that I learned to help me on the Wiccan path and to minister to others who are pagan.

I greatly appreciated lesson #2 about consequences. It is wonderful to have a warning that reminds us all to be diligent not to cause harm and to be very aware when we are engaged in a magickal setting. I was also pleased with how all the tools were listed and explained. This helped me to know what tool serves what purpose and what to purchase to help me on my path. The lessons on the holidays were wonderful to help me begin to celebrate these special days. I enjoy each and every Sabbat with the Coven I am a part of.

I loved how the lessons became deeper and deeper with each passing week. The God and Goddess lessons were very informative and assisted me on my way to develop my pantheon. Learning about consecration and magick also was very beneficial. I have consecrated my altar and tools and use the magick I have learned for the benefit of others. I have participated in many rites now and I am so grateful for the foundation of rituals in this course that I have learned. Each rite has been its own wonderful experience and accomplished for the good of all.

My favorite lessons in this course were the ones on herbalism. I took great delight in learning about different herbs and their uses. This part of the course gave me a great foundation that will help me continue on into the future. From these lessons I have found a great passion to work with herbs. I have since studied other herbalism materials and hope to help others in the future and use herbs in magick for rites and such. My ultimate goal is to be an herbalist and I am grateful to the Wiccan Studies course for offering this in the lessons.

In conclusion, I would like to thank ULC for creating this course to help me on my path. I appreciate all you have done to help me.

Rev. Holly A. Lee

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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 Course

Universal Life Church Essay for Wicca Course

By Matooka MoonBear

While I have been a solitary practitioner for over 12 years through self study, never have I come across the style and structure of Lord Starwalker’s work. My practice has been a cross of eclectic Dianic witchcraft. So our flavors are quite different. I opted to do this study with the intention of forming a church in New Hampshire. This idea was cultivated upon my receiving my ordination. I felt it important to do some formal study for the sake of the goal being reached. My ministry would be earth based.

The weekly lessons have been fun. I enjoyed seeing different perspectives compared to my personal studies over the years. I found many things helpful such as altar layout in lesson 4 where I am supported in the idea of choosing what tools go with which elements. Many books have a strong view on this, so the lesson was validating for me.

I did not always resonate with Lord Starwalker’s perceptions on the craft. However, I can appreciate his wisdom and experience with this path. His humor was refreshing as well, making the reading of the material an upbeat and pleasant experience for me. There are many strengths in this program pertaining to it’s structure and information shared. I found the order of this quite useful. I also enjoyed his blessings at the end of each lesson.

My favorite lesson actually was the last #24, because the information on a banishing ritual used was something I have never come across in all my years on the path. The use of Kabalistic style and angels was fascinating to me!

To conclude, I am grateful for having the opportunity to have the ULC Seminary with these studies available not to mention the ordination. I feel supported on this path and guided by the universe. I thank ULC for making this possible for me and so very affordable. I have enjoyed my seminary experience and would recommend it to others who may feel called to minister.

Blessed be,

Rev. Matooka MoonBear

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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

Wicca

It has taken me a while after completing this very interesting course to compose my thoughts about the content, in large part because of the very personal approach of the author. His asides were inserted at points where he felt emphasis was needed, but were stated in such a way as to make them memorable. One instance was his explanation of the history of witch craft and the beginnings of Wicca as a religion, where he devoted a paragraph to Sybil Leek. He very respectfully referred to her passing, “She was born into the Summerlands in 1982, from her home in Florida .” What a beautiful sentiment, and exactly in keeping with the Wiccan belief in reincarnation.

I was both pleased and surprised to note that he took the path of the Wiccan in that he stated “The Law of Three” was to be considered an integral part of practice as a Wiccan. The growing numbers of neo-pagans and eclectic Wiccans have declined to accept the three-fold return of what is sent out. He stressed responsibility both in the Law and in his discussion of the “Wiccan Rede.” These points were obviously very important to the author, as they are to me as an individual Wiccan.

Re-addressing ethics just prior to spell craft was another example of this instructor’s belief in responsible practice as a Wiccan. Some individuals would have left this chapter out all together, yet he took the time to re-emphasize the need for doing what is right.

Given all 24 dissertations, I would have to commend the most highly the self-dedication. While brief, it was right to the point and beautifully written.

Many of the references he employed seemed to indicate either Alexandrian or Gardnerian background, although it could have been nearly any Wiccan tradition. His approach was generic, without being vague. I wish I could have corresponded with him.

By Kristine Dice

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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 Studies

Rev. Jac Martins

First, let me preface this by saying that I have been a witch and a Wiccan (Alexandrian tradition) for over thirty years, so I was already familiar with much of the material . That being said, the course was interesting and informative.

The section on the history of the Craft was well done, without a lot of the misconceptions and false myths that have crept into Wiccan lore over the years. However I would have mentioned Alex Sanders, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Doreen Valiente, Isaac Bonewitz, and Star hawk (even if you don¢t agree with most of what she writes).

I found the section on mythology and legend interesting. However, I do encourage all people to explore other pantheons besides Celtic. I discovered a very personal resonance with Isis myself.

I found the exercises in dowsing fun and useful. In fact, I found all of the exercises useful, and excellent training techniques.

I also found the discussions of ethics interesting. Since a witch is one who shapes reality, one is then under a greater responsibility to engage in ethical behavior. You can¢t lie, steal and cheat all the time and still be able to work effective magick.

The one glaring inaccuracy I found in the course is in the section on herbs. I make my living dealing in herbs and essential oils. And while I am not an herbalist, I am familiar with herbs and their uses. Diazepam, also known as Valium, is not derived from valerian root. Valium is a benzene - derived synthetic which acts on the same brain receptors as valerian, which, by the way, smells and tastes as bad as they say.

Other then that, I found the course to be of value, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the Craft, no matter their level of experience.

*******************************

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