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Saturday, 19 February 2005
Topic: That's Life
My studies have fallen to the way-side yet again. It has been a difficult week. I attended a meeting regarding my youngest son's entrance into school next year and it is not very likey that he will be able to attend with any amount of one-to-one support. I knew this though. My oldest son is special needs so I know how the system works and whether I agree with it or not, it is what it is. My youngest, N, will going directly into Grade 1 next year. He has not attended J.K. or S.K. mainly because of toilet training issues but there are other concerns as well. He is very insecure and has a hard time dealing with even regular routines let alone anything new. He has come along way with toilet training but the "new" bathroom at school will be intimidating for him. It has also been suggested that I have him assessed (which I knew would happen too because if there is no diagnosis there is no E.A - education assistant). I just dread going through all this again.
Work is also a struggle right now as well. We are actually going through a period of positive change which I am finding quite exciting but very busy at the same time. But even positive change can have its undesirable features and Kathy seems to be blaming me for all of it. Further, her supervisor talks to her about some performance issues and then she stops talking to me ( I am a supervisor but not her direct supervisor). I sware she is splitting. She can't risk being mad at her supervisor so she is going to make me pay for it. And then there is Barb. Kathy hates Barb and Barb received a direct promotion (no interviews - so I was not involed). But for some reason that's my falt too. My friendship with Kathy has been one of the most difficult friendships I have ever had. I don't know what to do (deep down I just want to push her away).
BB Dana
Mood:
 quizzical
Topic: Witch or Wiccan
Here are some more thoughts regarding the issue I started in last weeks blog. I posted this over at the Witchschool Forum:
The most valuable gift that the Wiccan Path has given me is the gift of empowerment - the ability to make my own choices regarding what I believe and the ability to connect to deity on a personal level. This has given me such incredible strength and has gotten me through some very difficult times. In the early years of my journey it was this strength that kept bringing me back to Wicca and it was guilt (speaking of old habits that are hard to break) that kept pulling me away. It wasn't until I was able to reconcile the two paths (Wicca and Christianity), without guilt, that I was able to committ to Wicca and move forward. Empowerment was the catalist. Yes, I can believe in Jesus and be Wiccan. Yes, I can believe in Jesus and not go to Mass (because this is not meaning for me - there may be Christian Wiccans who still go to Mass and that very night celebrate a Sabbat - because Mass is still a meaningful way of connecting to Deity for them - I don't know but I am open to the notion that this a possibilty). I think what I am trying to get at here is that I find it so disheartening when people argue about labels. In my mind, we Wiccans are the Kings and Queens of tolerance. Tolerance is not always an easy thing to engage but if we can approach people with an open mind and heart the opportunities for growth are endless. So when someone says I practice the religion of Witchcraft but I am not Wiccan how can this be impossible. For some reason this has become meaningful for them.
The reason why I have not labelled myself a Christian Wiccan is that I am just not comfortable with the intolerance that some labels can generate. I am also not sure that there is enough Christian left in me. Further, can't I be just a Wiccan and believe in Jesus? I know the very definition of Christianity incorporates a belief in Jesus. But Wiccan incorporates a belief in personal Deity and Jesus just happens to be an aspect of Deity that I can personnally connect with. Further, if I choose to answer "yes" to the question "Can I be a Wiccan and still believe in Jesus?" (and not a Christian Wiccan) - is this not my choice - I am not harming anyone - I am just developing my own personal belief system. Now I know it may not always be as simple as this - one's personal belief system may be so outside the Wiccan realm that the label of Wicca just could not fit - for example if you don't believe in the Rede can you be Wiccan? (probably not - but there are other Pagan religions that do have other codes of ethics- is this true of other Wiccan traditions?)
Ok I think I better stop now - I am getting confused. But again, interesting things to ponder.
BB Dana
Sunday, 13 February 2005
Topic: Witch or Wiccan
This week I have spent most of my time working on this site. That's what happens when I start something new. I can get a little obsessed.
This site certainly was not in my plans but at the same time I kind of like following along where this Path decides to take me. This has been good for me since I can also get obsessed with doing things a certain way and resist change. Things come around for a reason so sometimes it is good to take chance and move forward. But at the same time I do need to get back to my studies. I did do a little this week. I continued taking notes from Raymond Buckland's "Complete Book Of WitchCraft" for my essay "What is Wicca." I have already taken notes from Correllian Wicca, First Degree Intro, Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A guide for the Solitary Practitioner" and Lady Raya's "13 Lesson's for Pleasing the Divine."
A Penny for my Thoughts?
There appears to be a number of differing perspectives out there regarding Wicca and Witchcraft. Some are of the perspective that Wicca and Witchcraft are different and that Wicca is a religion and Witchcraft is about the practice of magic. Others also believe that they are different but that they are different religions. Then there is Anna Moura, author of the Green Witchcraft series who states that Witchcraft is a religion separate from Wicca and is also about the practice of magic. Further, there are some who practice Witchcraft as both a religion and magic and others who practice it as a religion but not magic and vice versa. She also outlined a third approach to Witchcraft which maybe I will write about another time because it is not straight in my head right now.
Correllianism appears to use these words interchangably as does Raymond Buckland inticating that there is no difference between them. On the back cover of Raymond Buckland's Complete Book Witchcraft it states that "He (Buckland) has become a respected authority on the rise of modern Witchcraft." Therefore Wicca, which is a religion (I don't think there is any dispute about that), is modern Witchcraft - indicating that Witchcraft is an Old Religion.
All this leads to differences in the ways people label themselves. And I don't have a problem with this but what does concern me is when others do judge how someone labels or defines their perspective. This usually comes up at most forums I have been involved with. Some people get pretty angry about these things - "How can you possibly be a Witch and not Wiccan?" Now if someone says there a Christian Wiccan look out! That will definetly ruffle some feathers. In this day and age when so many of us have been raised in Christian backgrounds it really shouldn't be all that surprising to find Christian Wiccans. As one moves forward on a new path they may take with them some things that they just can't leave behind - and "la voila" something new emerges. I think this represents growth.
Do you want your penny back?
Sunday, 6 February 2005
A Web Site is Born
Topic: My Spiritual Journey
February 6, 2005
A Web-Site is Born!
So I have published my first Web Site. For some reason I thought I would never do this but it has happened. So far I am really enjoying it. I was in the Witch School Forum and noticed a reference to the site 'My Pagan Centre' in a post made by Mala and decided to check it out (You can check it out too - just click on the link below this entry). Oh, this is not the first time I have looked at personal websites but for some reason, this time, I was inspired to start my own. Maybe it just wasn't the right time before and just maybe the time is now. It is somewhat fitting since I have decided to make this a year of increased self reflection. My personal journaling has been going really well and this could be a great expansion of that. This could also be a great place to document my spiritual journey. My studies have been a great part of this journey. I have been with Witch School now for two years and have finally completed the First Degree Lessons. Right now I am not taking any courses through Witch School but certainly will in due time. I cannot tell you how great it has been learning through Witch School. I would recommend Witch School to any one - and have. I told a co-worker of mine, Kara, about the Lessons at Witch School and she has been eagerly working her way through the First Degree ever since. We worked together for many years before realizing we are of 'like-mind' and it has been wonderful having her to share experiences with. Kara has since introduced me to the book 'Self-Initiation for the Solitary Witch: Attaining higher spirituality through a Five-Degree System' by Shanddaramon. This year I have decided to take another path on my jouney and start working through this system. Right now I am at the Seeker Level and I have decided to start work on an essay. The topic will be 'What is Wicca'. My Witch School studies will remain a part of this journey.
I have launched this site with very little content as I want this site to reflect my personal journey and growth.
BB Dana
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