{"id":573,"date":"2009-03-09T13:41:00","date_gmt":"2009-03-09T13:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans\/"},"modified":"2009-03-09T13:41:00","modified_gmt":"2009-03-09T13:41:00","slug":"questions-for-wiccans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html","title":{"rendered":"Questions for Wiccans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re appropriate for anyone on a Pagan path. You can go here to view the original<\/a> and some of the answers that were posted \u2013 here are mine.<\/p>\n

1. The threefold law. Do you really view this as a law or a universal truth?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You get what you give, you reap what you sow, you get back what you put in \u2013 that\u2019s a pretty universal concept, though calling it a law is a bit of a stretch. But three for one? I haven\u2019t seen that anywhere else, and I haven\u2019t experienced it in my life. One for one? Definitely.<\/p>\n

I think the real benefit of the threefold law and the whole concept of karma as it\u2019s generally understood in the NeoPagan community is that it removes (or at least reduces) the emotional need for vengeance. If I know that an evildoer has a cosmic ass kicking coming, I don\u2019t have to worry about being the foot. Now, I still need to do everything in my power to stop him from doing further damage, but it\u2019s not my job to even the score. <\/p>\n

2. The rede. I\u2019ve read the long version and the short version. Do you consider this pretty poetry, rules of your belief, guidelines or something else?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill; an it harm none, do as you will.\u201d The Rede is about as close as it gets to a sacred text for Pagans. And like the Bible or other sacred texts, it contains wisdom and truth, but in order to fully understand it, you have to consider the context. The Rede came out of the Victorian era when repression of individuality and especially sexuality was rampant. The authors wanted to say \u201cthey\u2019ve got it wrong \u2013 you don\u2019t have to deny who and what you are and conform to someone else\u2019s view of \u2018propriety\u2019. Just don\u2019t hurt anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

I think the Pagan revivalists won, because in the 21st century Western world a lot of people who\u2019ve never heard of Wicca live by the Rede. And it\u2019s slowly but surely working its way into formal law, aided by the Griswold v. Connecticut<\/a> ruling in 1965 that articulated the right to privacy.<\/p>\n

As for me, it\u2019s a guideline. It\u2019s a reminder that I have to live my life my way. But because there are always other people and other factors to consider, it\u2019s not a hard-fast rule.<\/p>\n

3. Is Wicca hard polytheistic or soft, or is it up to the practitioner? I\u2019ve seen so many contradicting statements on this.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen Wiccans and Wiccan covens on all sides of this issue, and I have NO desire to get into an argument on the \u201ccorrect\u201d Wiccan response. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m a soft polytheist. I have experienced individual gods and goddesses, but I also see unity in all things. And I frequently address the Divine as \u201cThe Goddess and The God.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. From what I understand, most Wiccan spells or rituals are highly personalized and created by the user. Why is this? And how do you feel about spells or rituals not created by you, older things, like spells laid out in books like De occulta philosophia libri tres<\/em>, Galdrab\u00f3k<\/em>, and common low spellwork such as the Roma do, or folk magic from older times?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This question should have come after #5, since it builds on it. Spells are manipulation of energy. Some ingredients contain a particular type or flavor of energy, and some props or tools help you focus properly. To the extent that other people\u2019s spells utilize universal symbols, they can help. But no borrowed spell will ever have the correspondences that help you<\/u> manipulate energy like something you prepare yourself \u2013 assuming, of course, that you put an adequate amount of time and effort into you preparation. Go back to Question #1 \u2013 you get out what you put in. <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have a lot of experience with \u201chigh magic,\u201d but I do know that much of it is ultimately concerned with spiritual growth and development, not with effecting things in the material world. Those who dabble with very old sources should make sure they understand exactly what they\u2019re dealing with.<\/p>\n

5. Do you view your spells and rituals as prayer or actual manipulation of energy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both. If I do it it\u2019s manipulation of energy. If I ask a deity to do it, it\u2019s prayer. If I do both, it means it\u2019s really important and I\u2019m leaving no stone unturned to make sure it happens. That\u2019s why some of our public rituals include the line \u201cadd your magic to ours, we ask\u2026\u201d (I borrowed that line from somewhere, but it\u2019s been so long I\u2019ve forgotten where. Most likely an ADF Druid ritual).<\/p>\n

6. How long must someone study or train to be a full fledged Wiccan or practice spellcraft? For my tradition it is something between three and five years \u2013 or is there no limit?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The traditional Wiccan period of apprenticeship is a year and a day. But anybody who thinks 366 days of study makes him or her a full-fledged anything is either deluded or lazy. <\/p>\n

It takes an instant to commit yourself to a spiritual path. It takes a few years to become a competent practitioner, depending on your aptitude and dedication, and the quality of instruction you\u2019re able to obtain. Becoming a master takes a lifetime, or according to some traditions, several lifetimes.<\/p>\n

I used to have a boss who liked to ask \u201cdo you have ten years\u2019 experience or do you have one year\u2019s experience ten times over?\u201d Don\u2019t confuse quality with quantity \u2013 you need both.<\/p>\n

7. If you don\u2019t practice witchcraft, do you find that people assume you do? Is there a reason you don\u2019t practice, or do you just not feel like it?
<\/strong>
Since I\u2019m primarily a Pagan and a Druid, I don\u2019t get the witchcraft questions as much as I imagine most Wiccans do. But also, I generally prefer to address mundane problems with mundane methods \u2013 simpler is better. Still, I do occasionally get magical questions or comments. If I can respond in a helpful manner, I do. If not, then I at least try to point them toward someone or some place that can help.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re appropriate for anyone on a Pagan path. You can go here to view the original and some of the answers that were posted \u2013 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1129,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nQuestions for Wiccans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Questions for Wiccans\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"John Beckett\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2009-03-09T13:41:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"John Beckett\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"John Beckett\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html\",\"name\":\"Questions for Wiccans\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2009-03-09T13:41:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2009-03-09T13:41:00+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#\/schema\/person\/b4c8980dc36f971434424c304ca429ad\"},\"description\":\"I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Questions for Wiccans\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/\",\"name\":\"John Beckett\",\"description\":\"Musings of a Druid, Pagan, and Unitarian Universalist.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#\/schema\/person\/b4c8980dc36f971434424c304ca429ad\",\"name\":\"John Beckett\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f50bfa2a79f70103847fe75540bb29c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f50bfa2a79f70103847fe75540bb29c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"John Beckett\"},\"description\":\"I grew up in Tennessee with the woods right outside my back door. Wandering through them gave me a sense of connection to Nature and to a certain Forest God. I\u2019m a Druid graduate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the Coordinating Officer of the Denton Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and a former Vice President of CUUPS Continental. I\u2019ve been writing, speaking, teaching, and leading public rituals for the past eleven years. I live in the Dallas \u2013 Fort Worth area and I earn my keep as an engineer.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/author\/johnbeckett\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Questions for Wiccans","description":"I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Questions for Wiccans","og_description":"I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re","og_url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html","og_site_name":"John Beckett","article_published_time":"2009-03-09T13:41:00+00:00","author":"John Beckett","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"John Beckett","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html","name":"Questions for Wiccans","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#website"},"datePublished":"2009-03-09T13:41:00+00:00","dateModified":"2009-03-09T13:41:00+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#\/schema\/person\/b4c8980dc36f971434424c304ca429ad"},"description":"I came across this on one of my lists \u2013 it began as a question on Yahoo Answers. It was directed toward Wiccans, which I am not, but I think they\u2019re","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2009\/03\/questions-for-wiccans.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Questions for Wiccans"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/","name":"John Beckett","description":"Musings of a Druid, Pagan, and Unitarian Universalist.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#\/schema\/person\/b4c8980dc36f971434424c304ca429ad","name":"John Beckett","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f50bfa2a79f70103847fe75540bb29c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f50bfa2a79f70103847fe75540bb29c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"John Beckett"},"description":"I grew up in Tennessee with the woods right outside my back door. Wandering through them gave me a sense of connection to Nature and to a certain Forest God. I\u2019m a Druid graduate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the Coordinating Officer of the Denton Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and a former Vice President of CUUPS Continental. I\u2019ve been writing, speaking, teaching, and leading public rituals for the past eleven years. I live in the Dallas \u2013 Fort Worth area and I earn my keep as an engineer.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/author\/johnbeckett"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=573"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/573\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}