Lesson 5 Alter basics

I haven't found an athame that has called to me yet. I used to have one but life didn't want me to have it as I progressed to the next chapter in my life. I am looking for one

Rev Shannon Nance
Circle of Pagans Church

Lesson 4 Alter setup

With moving this last week I.had to reset up my alter in my new house. I have a statue representing Mother earth in the center. To represent air I have incense. To represent fire I have a white candle. To represent water I have a small cauldron with water. To represent earth I have a fallen birds nest & a bottle of rocks that my daughter made.
I have the statue because it represents the Mother Gia. The ultimate Goddess. The incense and candles help me relax. While meditating. The cauldron i use for gazing and clearing my mind. The birds nest & rocks are items not only representing earth but also my blessings as a mother.

Rev Shannon Nance
Circle of Pagans Church

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? (:

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♥ 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