Cyber Cauldron

With the announcement From the MoD that there are 100 pagans and 30 Wiccan’s or Druids in the British Armed Forces.

Many Pagan groups are saying that this number is does not truly reflect that actual number of Pagans in the armed forces.

Phil Ryder of the British Druid Network said there are likely more pagans in the armed forces than the figures indicate.

“Druids and followers of Wicca tend not to publicize their beliefs for fear of discrimination. In some areas it’s seen as odd,” he said.

It amazes me that today we are still ashamed of whom we are, and that are afraid of repercussions for being true to ourselves.

I have done it myself put religion nil or just spiritual for the fear of being seen as wacky.

I have also felt the pressure of working in a Christian organisation each and everyday someone trying to make me believe in Jesus Christ sad thing is I think he was a good guy Circle of 13 and performed magick you tell me who has the right view?

So why do we hide our pagan selves are we really ashamed of what we believe or live in fear of what others may do.

I think the true reason is that we don’t have any public role models and we are viewed in the media very badly and often linked with Devil Worship.

School children are still taught that witches are evil or good, not humans practicing a religion.

It about time we changed the view of the pagan, witch and druid at one time we where the centre of the community then we lived on the outsides of the community where we would be visit for help and healing then we where persecuted, murdered and forced into hiding. Its 2010 it about time we stopped hiding and come out of the broom closet.

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Originally posted 2011-05-28 10:41:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pagans have a long history of violence not only the fact that human and animal sacrifice where used but even today in the more enlightened times human sacrifice is heard of. The last being this year (2010) in April where a human Head and torso was found in A temple of Kali near Chotomakdampur village in the western district of Birbhuma in West Bengal India

Although many Western pagans and neo pagan groups would not consider a human sacrifice as part of their rituals as they see it as being against the Goddess wishes some tribal polytheistic religions still use animal sacrifice as part of their practice.

Now we all know that during our history (at least 50,000 years of history) across the world that human sacrifices where commonplace as way of appeasing the Gods. Even many of today’s rituals and festivals are link to sacrifices which would of in times past required animals to be slaughter as a minimal offering and this would escalate to humans if crops failed repeatedly or other hardships where faced.

During this time in our history no one was excused from being sacrificed kings and leaders would be scarified to. Even Christianity has a dark past when it comes to blood scarifies the Old Testament is littered with account animal and human sacrifice.

This link with human and animal sacrifice is often glossed over and is not spoke about much today and where possible is dismissed as history of primitive cultures and has no relevance today days pagan which then brings up the debate on blood in rites and rituals.

As we all know that blood and fluids from the body can be used for very powerful magicks and at the same time we have a moral obligation if not a ethical belief that the use of such materials is against the wishes of the divine as all life is sacred to the Goddess and God although there are some goddess and gods who appreciate blood and sacrifice Kali for one (and she is not the only one by far).

This idea of using blood in ritual has always caused much debate among pagans some are completely against the idea where other say a single drop from a pinprick is as much as you need.

Personally the idea of blood in rituals or spells is something that has always baffled me I have spells that require a personal connection to be made for example a healing or cursing poppet will work much better if it contains something that belongs to the person being heal (note this can be a piece of cloth from clothing right up to part of the person themselves ie hair, nail, clippings, spit or blood (blood being the most powerful connection)) which is given freely (for cursing (dark magicks) can be taken or stolen). Or the most common blood ritual that I have taken part in, the ritual of brotherhood commonly known as blood brothers or Blood oath where two people blood is mixed making them the same family. There are even less common blood rituals that I have been involved in which many would not even consider to be a blood rite Tattooing is a blood rite I have a number of tattoos which include pentagrams, god and goddess symbols and the caduceus as these are draw on to the body blood flows and the connection is made in the same way the blood brother rite works the blood and the ink mixing becoming one.

Now I now many Wiccan’s who believe that blood use in spells and rituals is wrong and at the same time have numerous pagan style tattoos and would not even consider them to be apart of a blood rite (but there are some people that you can even argue with as they think they know best).

And I have already said that blood rites baffle me I feel that any rite where the goal is to spill blood is totally wrong but at the same time there are blood rites like blood brothers and tattoos which I have been involved in, so it seem that I am some what hypocritical of blood in rites, but the use of blood is a very tricky subject as it is not black and white. A blood oath (blood brothers etc) is a promise that is bound by ones own essence yes other bodily fluids can be used but have less of an impact, it is common or was common practice to spit on you hand before shaking hand to seal a deal.

If I was to put a limit on how much blood should be used in a ritual or spell I would have to say a single drop from a pin prick was more than sufficient as it is a symbolic gesture of your life energy that is being offered and the important word in all of that is YOUR. You should never offer someone else blood as sacrifice or be part of any ritual where blood of another is spilt in the name of the divine or even offer Your blood to the divine as an offering as this is wrong and against the divine.

A blood rite is for binding YOUR energy to another person (blood brothers) or object (personal talisman or amulet tattoo) and no more and where possible other bodily fluids should replace blood. I can see no reason why blood should be used in any rite apart from Blood Oaths (no more than a single drop is needed) and Tattooing; personal talismans can be consecrated using other bodily fluids.

Other Bodily fluids that can be used: -

Tears – to be used in talisman and amulets to prevent hurt, lose or pain

Sweat – to be used in talismans for hard work and success

Saliva – general replacement for blood and used in protection amulets

Urine – used in bottle spells and charms such as the witches bottle for protection

Semen / vaginal fluid any love charm or spell also for fertility

Menstruation blood only woman  (not for use in blood oaths as it is seen as impure) used the same way as urine

Warning

Blood buying prescription drugs online must never be consumed EVER and you should be wary of blood born diseases, which can be transmitted through contact or can become air born. Never offer blood as sacrifice even your own it to precious.

Final thoughts-

I can only think of two rites where blood is important and both these rites are life time commitments only when you are sure that you are prepared to commit to a life long connection to a person or tattoo should you agree to be involved in a blood rite as the bond you make will remain for your whole physical life and in the case of a blood oath will last for all future life too

As an Individual you will need to make up your own mind about blood in rites and rituals do not be coerced into doing something you do not feel is right morally or ethically

If you know that another will be harmed or is in danger you have an obligation to contact the local police department and inform them even if you are oath bound to say nothing.

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Originally posted 2010-10-15 12:34:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

I must say that I was shocked and a little disturbed when I read this article about Wiccan discrimination. I was disturbed to hear that Gabriella Bernabe has had her children removed from her by social services. Bernabe from Jackson County, Black River Falls, Wisconsin, America claims that social services are victimizing her because of her beliefs.

But before we all jump on the protest for this would be Wiccan let look at the reason why she has had her children taken away and I can assure you that it a good thing that these children are in a new home.

Bernabe and her boyfriend’s house according to the press was flea ridden with feces everywhere, 17 very sick cat with litter trays they had not been cleaned and to top it off 100 dead cats in a freezer that did not work.

Now I am not claiming that Bernabe is not a Wiccan but I am shocked that any pagan would live in such a way.

Pagans and wiccan’s both have a high regard for nature and the idea of storing 100 cat in a freezer working or not is discussing, I can even imaging having 100 cats.

According to the protesting lady, she’s being accused because of her Wiccan religious beliefs. Gabriella Bernabei claims that Wiccans are supposed to honor animals by returning them to Mother Earth. And that to some extent is true it but it should be done quickly and you don’t pop you pet next to the ready meals until you have the time.

She also claims that there were only 50 cats and that the freezer was working like that changes anything.

I personally think that this woman has no rights to defend the situation or claim discrimination because of her beliefs, which are far from Wiccan if the story is true.

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Originally posted 2010-07-07 10:51:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Burning Time is that period in history where women and men where persecuted and killed under Christian Church doctrine as witches or heratics.

This all started with Pope John XXII formalized the persecution of witchcraft in 1320 when he authorized the Inquisition to prosecute sorcerors. This was increased in 1484 when Pope Innocent VIII issued Summis desiderantes affectibus, a Papal bull authorizing two inquisitors, Kramer and Sprenger, to systemize the persecution of witches.

Has the hysteria increased and inquisitors starting being paid for every witch that confessed the ways of extracting a confession increased some of the more vicious included pulling bones from sockets twisting the muscle and pushing the bone backing to the socket or having brimstone/sulphur rubbed in to pubic and head hair and igniting it.

Any one could be accused of being a witch, most where accuse due to jealousy, fear or because they had argued with someone.

Once accused a person would be tested to see if they where a witch. The test would be :-

Dunking – The witch would be tied to a contraption known as a dunking stool, which would then be lowered into a fast flowing river, lake or large water container (usually blessed), to see if they would float. If able to float, then the accused was possessed with the ‘Spirit of Satan’ and ergo, a witch. Questions of whether clothing had filled with air and formed a convenient buoyancy aid were usually dismissed out of hand. If, however, the ‘witch’ drowned or died of hypothermia, they had obviously not been under Satan’s protective watch, and were therefore innocent. Unfortunately for the person concerned, they were also dead, so it all ceased to be of relevance.

Scales of Justice – An alternative trial was often to weigh the accused against a copy of the Holy Bible. If heavier than the book, the accused was being pulled down by the weight of the ‘Spirit of Satan’, and therefore a witch. If however, the good book proved the weightier, the person was not a witch and was free to go. Again questions of simple physics were discarded as irrelevant. Variations of this method were used, including weighing the witch against other holy relics, or indeed any object that was undoubtedly lighter than the accused.

Pricking the Flesh – This involved finding a mark of Satan upon the accused, usually a mole, wart, scar, skin blemish, birthmark or even third nipple. Once found, an accuser would push a knife or needle into the irregularity. If the wound drew blood, the ‘witch’ was innocent of the charge. If, however, no blood flowed from the wound, allegiance with the Devil was assumed. This test worked fairly well for the innocent, until some accusers found that a false knife, sleight of hand or even knowing places on the body where a needle could be inserted without pain or blood loss when ‘pricking the flesh’ could produce a more desired effect. The discovery of a witch!

Burning at the Stake – Self-explanatory really. The accused was tied to a stake and set fire to. If the witch survived the smoke and flames (highly unlikely), they were said to be in league with the Devil and able to endure the flames of Hell and thus taken from the flames and hanged. If they burnt to death however, they were innocent of the crime of being a witch. Burning was also the preferred way of disposing of a discovered witch, as it meant that holy ground was not tainted with a witch corpse.

There is an estimated that around 5 million people died due to the witch trials. In one Forfar Scotland it was recorded that 22 women where killed and as an acknowledgement of these women Mark and Marie Cashley who were shocked to find out how the often widowed or impoverished women were targeted, tormented and killed in the quiet, Angus market town of Forfar as recently as the 17th century.

Mark and Marie where even more shocked when they found out that there was no memorial or anything to give their deaths meaning.

So they have had constructed a dry stone “cauldron” and had it placed close to a public park popular with dog walkers, and commissioned a stonemason to construct a memorial stone in memory of the witches.

The memorial stone is simply dedicated to the “Forfar Witches”, and features 22 dots that represent each of the women who were killed for the “abominable crime of witchcraft.” At the bottom, the legend reads, “Just people”.

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Originally posted 2011-05-19 09:33:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The [wikipedia]Stabenfeldt publishing house[/wikipedia] has decided it will not publish the Sweep series of books in Finland, Sweden, and Norway, following an outcry over content related to the because it contains content that relates to the Wicca religion.

The Books, which are fantasy in nature, were to have been targeted at children aged 9 to 13 in Finland, Norway, and Sweden.  The printers have all ready received the first part.

 [wikipedia]Leena Rauhala[/wikipedia] a MP for Christian Democratic Party submitted a written question to the government on Friday, stating the view that the books should not be published in Finland.

Rauhala also mentioned that the content of the book, including drug use, nudity, smoking, alcohol, and strong language.

The publisher has removed the references to tobacco and alcohol, as well as the strongest language from the translation. As for drug use, the publisher said that the books portrayed illegal drugs in a negative light.

The Wicca religion proved to be the deciding factor in the matter.

 “We do not want to promote any individual religion or political ideology in the books that we target toward children”, says the publisher’s CEO [wikipedia]Jens Otto Hansen[/wikipedia].

He said that the publisher was not familiar with [wikipedia]Wicca[/wikipedia].

 “I only learned on Monday morning that such a thing as Wicca exists.”

Hansen sees the case as an “industrial accident” for the publisher.

“Our own routines have failed in this. We have acted too quickly.”

Hansen himself learned about the [wikipedia]Wiccan[/wikipedia] content only on Monday, but admits that already last week one of the company’s employees had raised the issue of the books’ content.

 “Clearly one of our employees has raised the issue outside our company as well. It is not pleasant for our matters to come into the public eye in this manner.”

Hansen does not agree with Ms Rauhala point of but has withdrawing the book from the publishers

 “An enthusiastic politician has latched on to this and tried to turn it into something different. I cannot share her views in any way.”

 Hansen has made it very clear that he made the decision of his own back

 “We are not forced by those who want to protect their own beliefs any more by those who want to advance freedom of expression. We decide ourselves what kinds of products to produce.”

Written by [wikipedia]Cate Tiernan[/wikipedia], the Sweep series comprises 15 novels for young people. The main character is an American teenage girl by the name of Morgan Rowlands, who learns that she is a witch. In the series she is searching for her place in a new type of world. The original series was published in 2001-2003.

It has appeared in the United States, Britain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Australia, Italy, and France.

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Originally posted 2011-01-13 03:38:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Yesterday I read a post from a young lady whose medical condition prevented her from becoming Wicca on the Dianic path, now I do not know enough about her medical condition but I have seen TV programs and documentaries on the subject and have heard the struggles that people with this condition go through.

There is a lot of pain, surgery, psychological evaluations, rejection from family and friends during the healing process and after as the person adapts to their new life. I was totally shocked when I found out that when this person was lead to Dianic Wicca and found that she was not welcome.

Now Amy is Transgender so was diagnosed with gender dysphoria (discontent with the biological sex they were born with) and according to the principles of Dianic Wicca only cissexual women, (aka “women born women“) can join. Although there are groups within Dianic Wicca, which are eclectic, which have an appreciation of cultural diversity, ecological concern, and familiarity with sophisticated concepts of psyche and transformation are characteristic in which she would be welcome.

But as a perceived pagan elder I have to be fair to both sides when I first read the original post my reactions where based some where between the 2nd and 3rd degree of a pagan path (see the pagan degrees) I used my Feeling Man (Water) and Sensation Man (Earth) to base my argument both of which where screaming it wrong, it wrong.

My views where coloured one by the fact that I myself had found discrimination with Wicca due to my sexuality many, many, many years ago and the work that I have done as a race relations officer.

As I woke this morning I still had bile in my mouth from the idea of Wicca discriminating and as I took my daily walk with the dog across the fields my mind kept focusing on “Do what you will but harm none”.

Now I know that discrimination in all form causes harm, I have experience my fair share and even still face some today. Now for a belief system that most basic rule is to cause no harm how can they openly discriminate?

Now originally (most basic idea) Wicca was based on balance between the genders male female, masculine energy and feminine energy which was a mirror for the god and goddess which did exclude gays and lesbians as it was deemed that “their energy” was off balanced a gay mans energy was not truly masculine and a lesbians was not truly feminine. But in time groups who where a little wiser chose to split away from main stay Wicca and create off shoots gay Wicca and Dianic Wicca to name but two.

Now modern Wicca is much more open to Gays, lesbians and transgender but there are still a few of the old school about. So as I sat down to write this I chose to be objective, each religion has it rules and regulations and people that choose to follow that path must adhere to rule set out even if others think they are wrong you can not choose what parts of a belief structure to follow. If you find a part of any belief structure ethical or morally wrong you have the right to challenge them or leave and find one that is more suitable for you.

You do not have the right to force yourself into a belief structure that one finds you unacceptable or one you wish to change to suit your own desires or agenda you can not claim that you are being discriminated against because you are deemed unsuitable. It would be like a black man complaining that he cannot join the KKK and claiming that he is being discriminated against because of his colour.

Now in the case of Dianic Wicca with regards to transsexuals there are groups with the Dianic path which do allow and welcome transgender and have mixed groups of male and female which follow the beliefs and ideas of Dianic Wicca. But the pure Dianic Wicca was created for cissexual women to worship the goddess in some ways you can think of them as “Nuns” a women only order. It would be wrong to say that Dianic Wicca is against transgender it is much more correct to say that Dianic Wiccan for women who are and where born women who wish to follow the goddess in a particular direction.

But ultimately with in any path it is down to the elders of that group to see if you are suitable, if you are found suitable you are asked to join if not a good elder will be able to point you in the direction of a path that you will find suitable and fulfilling.

Now in the case for claiming that Dianic Wicca actively discriminates against transgender is a difficult one as there are groups within the Dianic structure that provide access for men and transgender to join. In this world of equal opportunity for all genders Dianic Wicca does provide equal opportunity to non- cissexual women including men to join it path.

Ultimately we have to accept that there are rules to pagan paths and not all pagan paths are suitable for everyone, a straight woman will be refused access to a gay male only coven not out of discrimination but out on unsuitability to that group.

For each of us we need to find the path that suits us Wicca being the most public seems to be the first port of call for many pagans although for many it just a pit stop on the road of personal and spiritual discovery.

I wish Amy much success on finding a group within the Dianic structure that she will feel at home within although I feel that she may find a more rewarding path in the future.

Link to the original post

http://beingamyk.blogspot.com/2011/03/transsexual-discrimination-in-dianic.html

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