Lesson 2 Alter tools

This lesson was insightful. I enjoyed reading about the alter tools.  It will help me explain it better to my little one when she is ready to create her alter. My alter has most of the items listed. Incense for air.  candles for fire. Cauldron with water for water. A abandoned birds nest and a bottle full of rocks from the mountains that my daughter gave me for nature.

Rev. Shannon Nance

Lesson 2

So far with my new notebook I have discovered a lot of my decisions are based also on my girls and there needs.  Because I changed my attitude and outlook my girls have also changed there's. And decisions are being made not by emotions anymore.  Ill update after completing the homework assignment.

Have a blessed day
Rev. Shannon Nance. HP

Lesson 1

This was a very informative lesson.  It brings back a lot of history that I have not only read but have been taught from my ancestors. Thank you for a great lesson.

Have a blessed day
Rev Shannon Nance

Lesson 10: Holidays Answers for Master of Wiccan Studies

Okay, I know this is almost late(more like last minute, but yeah) but here are my answers for Lesson 10: Holidays of the Master of Wiccan Studies course. (:

Samhain:

As an average American I always celebrated this as Hallow'een and felt it was a connection between me and dead or whatever other mystical stuff was out there. My teachers in church tried to teach us it was an evil holiday but I would have none of that and went trick or treating anyway. (:

Today, however, it usually feels like something is accumulating and that I'm waiting for something big to happen. That's just my interpretation, is all. 

Yule:

I love this holiday. I could care less if it were Christmas, Hannukah or whatever. This holiday, regardless of the cold, has always been one of my favourites It makes me feel good that families get together, regardless of stress or drama in their lives, and try to make peace with each other. Not a big fan of winter but it gives us an excuse to stay indoors and around each other, nonetheless. I love decorating my altar with a miniature yule tree and other stuff around the house. It just feels like such a homey, warm, loving holiday. 

Imbolc:

My very first public ritual was an Imbolc one. This one always makes me excited for spring. There isn't much else I can put to it. It comes around whenever I'm getting bored with winter and it gives me a chance to look forward to the changes in the season.

Ostara:

I love seeing the new flowers and puddles on the ground, be it in the dirt or in the road, resulting from the last snowfall. It's the end of winter! ;D I never understood what the eggs, chickens and rabbits meant for this holiday until I started studying Wicca for the first time at 19 years old. I feel a bit special about this one because it was the first Sabbat I'd ever learned about and could appreciate.

Beltaine:

This one is awesome because it's right around my birthday. I feel like a little kid running around outside in circles so happy for spring to be here. This holiday makes me feel a little calmer and less timid. Also, I feel like I've gained more maturity. I'm not sure if it's from the holiday or me being a year older.. Mayhaps it's a mix of both. I don't know. (:

Litha:

This Sabbat makes me feel tall. Kind of like how the sun and weather reaches its peak through the year? I feel powerful and tall.

Lughnasagh:

We always have awesome potlucks through Lughnasagh and Litha. This holiday makes me feel like an old person being playful. Maybe not as strong as I was before but just as rambunctious. ;D

Mabon:

Yes! The heat is settling down and I can finally appreciate the benefits of autumn! Mabon is a lot more relaxed than the summer Sabbats. I feel like I'm taking a break from all the big fits of energy. 

But yeah, those are my holidays. If I mailed them to the wrong address could you please let me know so I can post this elsewhere? (:

--------------------------------

♥ Rev. Ashley Andrus ♥

The Strength Within Ministries
Healing Hearts, One Person at a Time

Final Essay - Master of Wiccan Studies

Master of Wiccan Studies

Final Essay

July 3, 2012

     I came into this discourse with a limited knowledge and understanding of the Wiccan practices, I left with information overload!  Devon and Lord Starwalker gives us an impressive overview of all basic aspects of the Wiccan lifestyle, the reasons for the rituals and the holidays which they celebrate and honor.  Starting with the history, which has been ongoing for many hundreds of years and their beliefs handed down throughout the generations.  This first lesson gives a point of reference to how and why this group came to be and the importance of the rituals they practice.  The responsibility for the magick performed is placed on the performer and is taken seriously and respectfully.

     The tools of the practice are simple, but again taken seriously, using your own positive energy to bring them in alignment with the highest good for each use.  The list given is quite extensive with an excellent explanation of each:  Athames, candles, incense, salt, water, Chalice, Ritual Book, Book of Shadows, Pentacles, sword.  Most of these tools are handed down to the next generational leaders or cult group.  Another section dealt with the use of the pendulum, dowsing rods and using Bio-electric energy.

     I especially enjoyed the area of holidays and how to celebrate the changing of the seasons.   As Mother Earth revolves around the four seasons, I love the fact of honoring her for this precious gift of change.  The Equinox's show us the full potential of the power of God.  Each seasonal change gives me a chance to start anew, fresh start with a beginning point for advanced growth.

     There are a few chapters on rituals, which did not strike a cord with me and my present belief system.  I recognize and honor the choices of others; they have some belief which is much better than no beliefs.  It just seems to me a lot of preparation and 'work' to get to a place that is much simpler to attain with prayer and meditation.  Religion and religious practices all seem to get us into a ritual frame of mind to keep our attention on the structure of the church.  Focusing on the ritual and that it is done correctly instead of the point that the Higher Power is a touchable and commutative Being to each of us.  Is it the ritual that unites us within the clan?  Is it the ritual that unites us with the Higher Power that we seek?  I truly see that there is Only One – given any name or label you wish.  With sincere love and adoration my God is with me each moment within and without external guidance.

     My overall comments on this discourse are positive.  Thank you, Devon and Lord Starwalker for a brilliant, well written and researched discourse.  I appreciate your insights and references.  The entire class came together with enlightenment on a 'mysterious' religion that I knew little about and is not that scary fiction that is sometimes represented.

 

Rev. Constance J. Hitts

 

 

ULC Master of Druidism Course final

Master of Druidism – Final Assignment

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Druidism course.  I've been drawn to Druidism for several years but it seemed to be a path that was cloaked in mystery and out of reach. The apprehension I felt towards Druidism I believe stems from the stigma that was associated with Druidism and human sacrifice. 

 

The propaganda that the druids performed human sacrifice is still propagated today. Even mention that you would like to pursue that path, even to another pagan, and it is fraught with disgust of the Druid path due to their perceived association with human sacrifice. a trait they themselves reviled, believing it to be barbaric. Caesar claimed that the human sacrifices were primarily of criminals, but at times innocents would also be used, and that they would be burned alive in a large wooden effigy, now often known as a wicker man. Caesar wrote a lot about the Druids. I think he admired the power and control they had over the Celtic people. Which was definitely something that Caesar wanted for himself. Also, since he was a religious person I'm sure he saw similarities between the Roman pantheon of Gods and the pantheon of the Celts. This is probably why he wrote about them. I believe that the Roman historians were merely trying to make the Roman civilization look far superior than the "barbaric" Celtic people they were trying to conquer. In their mind, the best way to do that was through demonizing propaganda and heresy. Unfortunately, it worked to some degree. 

 

Like everyone else, I was born into the religion of my parents. Which was mostly Catholicism with some eastern mysticism mixed in. I was taught that I didn't have to take their word for it that I should find my own path to God. I think our spirituality grows as we learn about life and our place in the universe. Like the Druid's, I believe in the immortal soul. The immortal soul is the belief that your soul is a separate entity from your physical body and that it can never die. I think believing in the immortal soul reinforces the resolve of the people to strive to do good things over doing something bad because their actions will affect their immortal soul. Another Druid belief that I have always believed is The Three Circles of Existence. I didn't have a name for each step in the journey of the spirit but I have felt that we do go through these steps until we have learned everything we need to learn until we reach enlightenment.

 

I think it is very important to know who you are as a person before stating if you are a Druid or follower of any belief system. I like that there are so many diverse kinds of Druids out there, that there isn't a strict guideline on who a Druid is or isn't.  I believe that when someone has found their correct path in life, everything that they do seems blessed. The steps they take to assist a person, animal, or the earth to them are normal and ordinary but to others they are extraordinary because of the results they achieve. One article I read stated that Druid Magic works according to the natural laws of the universe and are available to everyone. Those who perform Druid Magic have developed their abilities by becoming self-aware and by raising their consciousness.

 

The Druid path is very similar to other pagan paths. However, I think it has an older feel to it. That it is an ancient path that is more aligned with the world and everything in it. When reading about the Druid ethics the one thing that resonated deeply within me was the concept of honor. The Druid's belief that we should honor life; honor all things, honor nature, honor the Gods, honor our families, follow our spirits and our hearts, and to honor life itself. It is such a wonderful concept. That everyone should be reverent to the powers of nature and feel that connectedness. Nowadays most people have forgotten how to honor their lives and how all things in nature are interconnected. If we did then we probably wouldn't see the environmental destruction that we see being propagated.

 

As with many spiritual paths throughout the world as Christianity gained power, those belief systems were demonized and pushed underground. The Roman Christian church labeled Druids as evil witches and sorcerers as a way to stain their reputations and spread fear among the people. Druidic orders were methodically being dissolved, as the Christian church attempted to prevent the oral transfer of knowledge from occurring.

 

Despite the efforts of the power hungry elitists, Druidism prevailed. Modern groups like the ADF, The Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, The Reformed Druids of North America, as well as many others, is a testament to that. Like the Druids of old, knowledge is being passed down to the next generation.

 

Happily this course has opened my eyes and gave me a new found respect for our Druid ancestors. I liked the whole course. I didn't dislike any part of it.

 

 

Thanks You,

 

RoseMarie Juricic

 

 

 

Paganism and Wiccan Studies

Dear Amy,

At the bottom of each of my lessons there is a note encouraging me to share my thoughts and, of course, my assignments with others on the forums (or to send them to you and you will see them delivered). I am still learning to navigate the forums and I want to make sure that the teachers actually receive my assignments. So I hope you will not mind passing them on to the teachers in the Master of Paganism Course and the Master of Wiccan Studies Course.

This would be a great help to me and I thank you sincerely in advance.

Blessed Be,

Cassandra Kenneally

 

Assignment A: Beginning to discover one's personal spirit guide: Master Of Paganism Lesson 4

 

I lay down on my bed, late at night when the house and indeed the world has gone still and quiet; I lit candles and incense that would aid with relaxation, focus, and spiritual awareness. (Sandalwood and Frankincense)

I went through a grounding and oneness exercise and then I focused on being with the all, when it felt right I made it known that I was ready to receive my guide in my life and that signs and mystical communications were most welcome.

Then I was still and waited to see what would come through. I began to feel energized, almost jumpy, also there was a strong sense of sensuality and an image of, and the word TREES. So what I got from this was active energy, sensuality and nature. Perhaps my first guide will be possessed of these qualities in some way?

I am still learning meditation and internal focus, so I started slow. I will gladly relay more as I discover more down the road.

Thank you,

Cassandra Kenneally

 

Assignment B: Setting up an Altar and Choosing Designations: Master of Wiccan Studies Lesson 4

 

I have an Altar here at home, which I've been planning for some time. We have only just moved into our home from another state and so it was actually this assignment that lit a fire under me to see it done at last. :)

I chose to have the Altar itself face North, as I am seeking a fertile mind and prosperity in my life, my studies and the ministry I hope to one day build.

My altar is a black wooden table from Ikea. It is beautiful, functional, inexpensive and the right size for the space I have to work with.

I use the traditional or at least most common directional designations. North: Earth (stability, stillness, fertility and bounty or prosperity), South: Fire (Force of will, passion, strength), East: Air (spiritual awareness, insight and inspiration) and West: Water (adaptability and a fluid mind and spirit) From all of them together comes creativity and at their center is Spirit; or so it seems to me. I have put an agate cup filled with blessed salt at the top of the altar, in the north. A blue glass chalice filled with blessed water in the west, a spirit candle and incense in the east and both my Athame and my wand in the south for the careful direction of the fire and force of will and power. I have also included a photo for you. I have others if you wish to see them.

I have not chosen a specific pantheon as of yet, although in personal moments I do tend to lean toward viewing the divine as Goddess (Sacred/Divine Feminine), God (Sacred/Divine Masculine) and All (Sacred/Divine Nature or Cosmos).

This is a difficult area for me. My personal beliefs in this area tend to differ greatly from most other pagans. I believe that the divine seeks us out, so long as we seek it out. It will interact with us in whatever fashion we believe it should or wish it to. It will come to any name; wear any face for these are our inventions. Its desire is to be known, to commune and to be recognized, respected and loved. I suppose I believe it sees faith as the important thing and the rest as, "...A rose by any other name ..." because of this I have not felt the need to tie it down to a specific shape, face or name. It is also my wish to one day open an inter-faith temple where all may come to worship and have their rites performed without fear or prejudice or censure. I am unsure how my choosing such specifics might affect that goal. I am quite interested in any thoughts you have on that topic.

Thank you,

Cassandra Kenneally

Assignment C: The Afterlife: Master Of Paganism Lessons 5

This was a fascinating lesson and an interesting task for me to try to get my thoughts on the afterlife down cohesively on virtual paper. I am currently also taking Master of Wiccan Studies and we've been discussing the choosing of a specific Pantheon and patron deities. Doing so is difficult for me due to my personal belief that divinity wishes us to seek it and is less concerned with the specifics of the path than it is with what is within our hearts, minds and souls. Earnest faith is what I feel it is interested in. Therefore it will interact with us (Take on the names, faces, shapes and rules) in whichever pattern we desire it to.

This then would suggest that likewise the afterlife is individual. It is tailor made for you by the divine to your personal belief system specifications, so to speak. For myself, I believe that when I pass through the veil I will experience a transformation of understanding and connectedness. I will exist in a purer, more enlightened form and I will then choose what is next for myself. There will be others there, guides or gods to give me advice and options. Will I choose to be reincarnated? To move on to another plane or existence and learning? Will I seek life in another reality or as another species? It will depend upon what I come to understand once I have passed the veil. When I am connected to the all and can recall what I have already done, lived and who I have already been, and just how it really does all work anyway? Then I will know what is right for me and I will move on from there. Eventually, when I have gone and done and been all that I can and learned all that can be learned in this way, I will go on to a higher plane and begin again and then eventually my being will become enlightened enough to return home to that from whence it came, the divine itself and I will meld and become truly one with it again for all time.

This is my view of the afterlife.

Thank you,

Cassandra Kenneally