Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that was developed in the mid-20th century, drawing inspiration from earlier pagan beliefs and practices. The word "Wicca" comes from the Old English word "wicce" which means "wise one" or "sorcerer." To identify as Wiccan means to align oneself with a specific set of beliefs and practices associated with the religion. Wiccans worship a variety of deities, primarily a Horned God and a Goddess, and they believe in the existence of a divine energy that permeates the universe. They celebrate the cycles of nature, observing eight major festivals known as Sabbats. These include the solstices, equinoxes, and other significant events in the agricultural and natural calendar.
If you want to really get in touch with how your body reacts to yes or no questions, pendulums are the way to go. Ask it to show you yes, no, maybe, and I don’t know. Then, with your elbow securely supported, ask your question!
When you are told something again and again, your body begins to believe it and we stop listening to the wisdom of our own bodies and our inner guiding voice grows quieter and quieter. That depends upon your natural abilities, your state of mind, your level of experience, and whether you have chosen the divination method and tool that work best fit for you.
These include the solstices, equinoxes, and other significant events in the agricultural and natural calendar. Wiccans practice magic, which they see as a way to manifest their intentions and connect with the natural forces around them. They use various tools and rituals to cast spells, perform divination, and conduct ceremonies.
How yo practice divination
Divination involves predicting the future, and learning to do this can enhance your spiritual practice. There are two steps to learning about divination. First, you decide upon a divination method. Next, you acquire a divination tool. And here is the question that we are all wondering about: does divination actually work? That depends upon your natural abilities, your state of mind, your level of experience, and whether you have chosen the divination method and tool that work best fit for you.
But does it work? The future is ever-changing, based on our choices. It is not set in stone. Therefore, it is like tracking sunlight flashing on moving water rather than studying a static pattern preserved in ice. Some of us are more gifted than others at seeing the kaleidoscope of possibilities. Some are more in tune with the gods, who may be inclined to warn us what could occur. Therefore, it is often hard to tell if you are predicting anything accurately. Your life might be in turmoil, which means that your present-day choices are causing the threads of your future to whip wildly through many different possibilities, and that can cause a chaotic reading. By contrast, those living a peaceful life can do a divination for themselves and immediately identify major changes that appear on the horizon.
State of mind I have no real talent for divination, but I do my best by making sure my state of mind is strong before I attempt it. First, I take care of all physical needs such as getting enough sleep and eating a light meal. Anything too heavy and you might want to doze off. Next, I take a shower. There is a reason why witches do the ritual bath – to feel clean and to remove the psychic sludge from the everyday world. Then I sit in a comfortable chair and meditate for five minutes to clear my mind. All this creates a strong state of mind. It also makes me receptive to picking up impressions from the future. I find it FAR easier to predict for myself than for other people. What about you? Needless to say, no one should practice divination while drunk or high. No one should do it while influenced by strong emotion or imbalanced brain chemistry. Divination is a subtle art that requires patience and detachment.
You gain experience by practicing often, writing down the predictions and results in your Book of Mirrors, and analyzing all the variables such as your state of mind, your divination method, and your divination tools. Soon you will fine-tune what works best for you.
Choose the divination method that feels like the most natural fit for you. Some methods require tools such as Tarot cards, runes, pendulum, Ouija board, ogham, scrying, and tea leaves. Others do not such as monitoring your dreams at night and looking for signs in nature. You can use one method or several, depending on your circumstances and mood. The most popular methods are probably dreams, Tarot, runes, and pendulum, but each of these is only effective if it feels right to you. Try a few methods. For example, runes appeal to many heathens and followers of Asatru. Ogham will call to green witches and those from Celtic traditions. Tarot appeals to the artistic, and there are about a million specialty decks available right now on every conceivable theme from Faeries to Vikings. Your intuition will lead you to the ones that fit you best.
Chose the right divination tool if your method of divination requires one. This is the fun part; now you get to shop! Probably best of all is if you go to a pagan event or to your local metaphysical bookstore and actually handle the pendulums and runes and Tarot decks. You may feel a sensation of heat or cold in your hand when you touch the tool meant for you. Your fingers may tingle. Or you may have a sense of urgent attraction. But if you can only shop online, that is okay, too. We humans are visual creatures and often are attracted by sight alone. I have bought all my divination tools online after much thought and have not yet regretted a purchase. On Amazon.com, you can find The Rider Tarot Deck which was my first Tarot deck. It’s not a bad place to start.
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If you grew up similar to me, at some point in your life you were given the message in one way or another that your intuition couldn’t be trusted. Maybe it was at school, at church, at home, directly or indirectly. When you are told something again and again, your body begins to believe it and we stop listening to the wisdom of our own bodies and our inner guiding voice grows quieter and quieter.
Wicca emphasizes personal responsibility and the belief in the law of threefold return, which states that whatever energy is put out into the world will return to the individual threefold. Wiccans often have an ecological and environmental focus, valuing the Earth as sacred and seeking to live in harmony with nature. They believe in the importance of personal autonomy and freedom, as well as the ethical principle of "harm none," which guides their actions and interactions with others. Overall, identifying as Wiccan means embracing a spiritual path that honors nature, seeks personal growth and empowerment, and aligns with pagan beliefs and practices. It involves a connection with the divine, a respect for the Earth, and a commitment to living ethically and responsibly..
Reviews for "Wicca and the Afterlife: Beliefs about Reincarnation and the Spirit World"
1. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "What does it stand for to identify as wiccan". The book lacked any depth or meaningful insights into the Wiccan faith. It felt like a rushed compilation of basic information that could easily be found on the internet. The author made no effort to explore the different aspects of Wicca or offer any unique perspectives. Overall, it was a very superficial and unsatisfying read.
2. Jonathan - 2 out of 5 stars
"What does it stand for to identify as wiccan" didn't meet my expectations. The content was too repetitive, and the chapters lacked coherence. It seemed as if the author had no clear direction or purpose in mind while writing this book. Additionally, the writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive or insightful guide to Wicca.
3. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars
I was really hoping "What does it stand for to identify as wiccan" would provide valuable insights into Wicca, but I was sorely disappointed. The information provided was limited and lacked depth. The author failed to explore the rich traditions and practices of Wiccan spirituality and instead focused on basic definitions and surface-level explanations. It felt like a missed opportunity to shed light on such a fascinating and misunderstood faith. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to those seeking a deeper understanding of Wicca.