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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:56 am
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How I came to my path:
When I was born, I was born into a family that was exploring a version of Satanism. According to police records I participated in rituals and magic, but as I was a baby I don’t remember much of it. So you could say my interest in magic started at a very young age.
My Foster Family wasn’t very religious. We celebrated Christmas and Easter, but that was about it. I did go to a Bible camp one summer when I was around 4. So they did teach me about religion, it just wasn’t a big part of their life, and I respect that.
Then when I was adopted my adoptive parents decided that they wanted to raise me in a religion and spent a lot of time looking for a church. In the end I grew up in a UCC church. However I did not remain that way.
Upon reaching my teens I started to take an interest in religious studies. My cousin gave me my first book on Witchcraft, and from then on I have spent time reading, discussing, and exploring my beliefs.
What really told me I was pagan, was the fact that the Gods I had “played with” as a child were still followed by others. Once I learned that I knew I was on my way, it just would take me a few years to find the “right” way. It wasn’t till a few weeks ago that I really found my path, though I still fondly remember my days as a “white light” pagan. It was an opening, and one that I took.
In a meditation I received a UPG from a healing Goddess. This Goddess basically showed me a vision of my future. I am a healer in the Native American sense of the term (Mental, Physical, Spiritual) as all are part of the whole. Now that I have my direction, I am on my way to training in different systems.
I am an Eclectic Pagan. To me this means that I must spend a lot of time studying the mythology of the different cultures I borrow from. I have worked with Greek Gods, Celtic Gods, and Egyptian Gods. However I always try to do so respectfully and in a way that is close to the culture they come from.
This is a path that is constantly changing and evolving as I grow and have new experiences with spirit. In some ways I’m a shaman, and in others a witch. I call myself a witch and a healer, as that is what resonates with me.
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:55 am
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Basic Beliefs:
Deity
View on deity The best I can describe my views on deity is a Monistic Pantheistic animistic Hard Polytheist .
Here is an explanation of why these terms apply to me:
Monistic- Monism is defined as: dictionary.com –noun 1. Philosophy. a. (in metaphysics) any of various theories holding that there is only one basic substance or principle as the ground of reality, or that reality consists of a single element. Compare dualism (def. 2), pluralism (def. 1a).b. (in epistemology) a theory that the object and datum of cognition are identical. Compare pluralism (def. 1b). 2. the reduction of all processes, structures, concepts, etc., to a single governing principle; the theoretical explanation of everything in terms of one principle. 3. the conception that there is one causal factor in history; the notion of a single element as primary determinant of behavior, social action, or institutional relations.
Ok So I believe that the Universe is basically made up of one thing. I believe the universe is held with in the limitless mind of THE ALL. THE ALL is Mind there fore the universe is made up of THE ALL. (More on this in the hermetics post)
Pantheist- Pantheism is defined as: dictionary.com –noun 1. the doctrine that God is the transcendent reality of which the material universe and human beings are only manifestations: it involves a denial of God's personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature. 2. any religious belief or philosophical doctrine that identifies God with the universe. I go with the second definition.
Ok so as I said I believe the universe is held in the mind of THE ALL, and THE ALL is also the universe.
Animist- The dictionary defines Animist as:
Dictionary.com –noun 1. the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls. 2. the belief that natural objects have souls that may exist apart from their material bodies. 3. the doctrine that the soul is the principle of life and health. 4. belief in spiritual beings or agencies.
I believe all things contain spirit. I believe that THE ALL is Spirit. We are all thoughts with in THE ALL as such we all contain spirit.
Hard Polytheist: I believe all Gods to be individual entities. There may be some similarities between the deities of different cultures, but they are separate beings.
General view on deities:
I believe deities to be beings of a spiritual nature who have learned many lessons and have wisdom and understanding beyond what is possible for humans. I believe that they ascended to Godhood once learning all the lessons they were meant to learn in their previous forms. I do believe they can ascend further and become one with THE ALL if they choose, but they are separate entities until then. Part of THE ALL but yet not THE ALL.
To quote the Kybalion: The Kybalion On the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual Plane exist Beings of whom we may speak as Angels; Archangels; Demi-Gods. On the lower Minor Planes dwell those great souls whom we call Masters and Adepts. Above them come the Great Hierarchies of the Angelic Hosts, unthinkable to man; and above those come those who may without irreverence be called "The Gods," so high in the scale of Being are they, their being, intelligence and power being akin to those attributed by the races of men to their conceptions of Deity. These Beings are beyond even the highest flights of the human imagination, the word "Divine" being the only one applicable to them. Many of these Beings, as well as the Angelic Host, take the greatest interest in the affairs of the Universe and play an important part in its affairs. These Unseen Divinities and Angelic Helpers extend their influence freely and powerfully, in the process of Evolution, and Cosmic Progress. Their occasional intervention and assistance in human affairs have led to the many legends, beliefs, religions and traditions of the race, past and present. They have superimposed their knowledge and power upon the world, again and again, all under the Law of THE ALL, of course. But, yet, even the highest of these advanced Beings exist merely as creations of, and in, the Mind of THE ALL, and are subject to the Cosmic Processes and Universal Laws. They are still Mortal. We may call them "gods" if we like, but still they are but the Elder Brethren of the Race,--the advanced souls who have outstripped their brethren, and who have foregone the ecstasy of Absorption by THE ALL, in order to help the race on its upward journey along The Path. But, they belong to the Universe, and are subject to its conditions--they are mortal--and their plane is below that of Absolute Spirit. "THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental."--The Kybalion.
Afterlife
I do believe in life after death. I also believe in reincarnation. I believe that when you die you are given a few choices. You can either ascend and become one with Great Spirit, Reincarnate and experience new life, or remain as a spirit and help others.
If you ascend, you are one with deity. You are part of them. It is possible to still contact those you love, but you are not an indivdual. If your spirit decides that it wants to be free, then you are free to become just a spirit.
Those who choose to remain as apirits may eventually reincarnate. They have the choice. Basically you are free to do as you will. There is no one complete answer as to what happens.
I do not believe that when we reincarnate it is in the same body. I believe we are new people with new lives and experiences. You may be in the same family, but you wont be the same person. The only thing that remains the same is your essential spirit.
Animals have the same options. They are alive after all, and they have a spirit to them. I know that there have been times when I've felt my dog Buster's presence during the day, and he died 2 years ago!
Other spirits
I believe that all things in nature have some sort of spirit. This is what allows us to use magic and healing. They give us their energy and the like. The same goes for places and areas. How else can you explain having a bad feeling about a specific place?
By the power of the mind much is possible
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:48 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:42 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:36 pm
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Magic and Ritual:
Ritual
Ritual is a very important part of my religious practice. It is not only how I connect with the Gods, but how I express my thanks for all they give me. I'm not as good as I could be about doing ritual when I have a holiday, or special occasion, but I'm only human. What I do try to do though is at least meditate on those times, and connect with them.
The structure of my ritual changes on my mood. Sometimes it's complex, and others it's simple. I do usually plan an intricate ritual, but I don't always use that ritual. Some times simple is all I need to express my thanks and devotion to the Gods.
As this is an evolving path, I sometimes try new things. Most of my work comes from books claiming to be about Wicca. I know it's not, so I just use what I feel is useful. However there are times that I might try something different and new.
Magic
To me, the ability to use magic is a gift that the Gods gave us. Magic is the ability to cause a change in our life for the better. In it's most basic form it's visualizing a dream coming true.
Healing magic works simmaler, but different. This magic is focused on benefiting another person. While you can heal yourself, I find it's easier to help heal some one else.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:46 pm
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Divination:
Divination is an important part of my spiritual path. There are many forms that I try, which include: Tarot, Lemornand Cartomancy, Cartomancy, Runes, Spirit of the Wheel meditation cards, Sacred Path cards, Wolf Song cards, Medicine cards, and the I ching.
I try to do a reading daily to see what the spirits have to teach me. Through divination I have been able to find my true path, and be guided twords my future. I do not believe it is absolute, but I do believe that they can give you a direction.
I am also studying palmistry, Astrology, Tea leave reading, and Scrying. According to my family, Cartomancy has been practiced for generations, so learning that is helpful.
I do believe that divination is one of the ways that spirits communicate with us. Some times they can see things that we can't, and only through a reading like this, would we be able to hear them.
I will do professional readings some day, but now I just do it as a personal practice, and for family and friends. I interpret them based on the previous images and or cards.
So far all of my readings have proved to be accurate, and exceedingly well done. I have been doing these readings off and on for 7 years now, and I am quite happy. Though I do always learn something new.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:28 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:35 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:44 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:52 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:53 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:58 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:01 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:27 am
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