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Xavi
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Joined: 1/6/2006
Msg: 376 | |
| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/18/2006 7:21:01 PM | | Maryte, have you read any of Arthur Rowan's writings? I was perusing a bit of his work and found it interesting; you've had more training in that particular line than I though, so your opinions are of interest to me! | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/18/2006 9:51:04 PM | One of you guys asked about the Celtic Gods, so here ya go:
CELTIC GODS
AMAETHON : Welsh God of Agriculture. A son of Don and brother of Gwydion. Associated with plowing and husbandry. The modern Welsh name for a farmer is amaethwr and the Welsh word for plowman is amaeth.
ANGUS MAC OG : Ireland; god of youth, love, and beauty. One of the Tuatha De Danann, name means "young son." He had a harp that made irresistible music, and his kisses turned into birds that carried messages of love.
ARAWN : Wales; god of the dead and the underworld Annwn. God of revenge, terror, and the dead.
BARINTHUS : Welsh, Anglo-Celtic, A charioteer to the residents of the Otherworld who was once probably a sea or sun God.
BELATUCADROS : British Celtic War God. His name means "fair shining one".
BELI : Welsh, The primary Welsh father God, husband of Don, and father of Arianrhod. Also a minor sun God who some feel is the Welsh equivalent of Balor.
BORVO : Breton, God of healing. Borvo's name means 'to boil', and he was a God of the hot springs.
BRAN THE BLESSED : Welsh, Pan-Celtic, Also Bran MacFebal. His name means 'crow', or 'Raven'. Associated with ravens, he is the God of prophecy, the arts, leader, war, the Sun, music, writing.
CAMULOS : British, War God. Known from inscriptions and coinage bearing the symbol of a boar.
CERNUNNOS : Pan-Celtic, Known to all Celtic areas in one form or another. The Horned God; God of Nature; God of the Underworld and the Astral Plane; Great Father; "the Horned One".
CONDATIS : Britain, God who personified the waters, his sacred sites were wherever two rivers or bodies of water met.
DISPATER : Continental, Also Dis Pater. Gaulish God, whose name means "the Father," was a primal God of creation who later merged with both Don and Cernunnos, the Horned God. The Gauls all believed themselves to be descended from him.
DWYVAN : Welsh, Also Dwyfan. Dwyvan and his wife, Swyfach, are the heroes of the Welsh flood myth. Together they built an ark, filled it with animals, and survived the great flood caused by Addanc, a lake God/dragon/faery. Though later versions of this myth are distorted in order to make it conform to the Biblical verson. Later on the Christoan church went to great lengths to destroy any records on the truth of this history.
DYLAN : Welsh, God of the Sea. His symbol was a silver fish.
ESUS : Breton, Continental, Also Essus. A harvest God worshipped in Brittany, and in Gaul by the people known as the Essuvi.
GOVANNON : Welsh, God of smiths and metalworkers. The weapons he makes are deadly in their aim, the armor unfailing in its protection.
GRANNOS : Scottish, Anglo-Celtic, Continental, An early continental God of mineral springs whose shrines have been found in the Scotland town of Musselburgh, in Auvergne, France, and near Edinburgh, Scotland.
GWYDDNO : Welsh, This one time sea God came down in myth as a monster of faery of the ocean.
GWYN AP NUAD : Welsh, King of the Fairies and the underworld.
THE HORNED GOD : Pan-Western European, Opener of the Gates of Life and Death; Herne the Hunter; Cernunnos; Green Man; Lord of the Wild Hunt. The masculine, active side of Nature; Earth Father. His sacred animals were the stag, bull, goat, bear.
LLUD : Anglo-Celtic, Welsh, Known in Wales as the son of Beli, and a death God in his own right.
LUGH : Pan-Celtic, The Shining One; Sun God; God of War; "Many Skilled"; "Fair-Haired One"; "White or Shining"; a hero god.
MANDRED : Cornish, In Cornish legends, Mandred is the true name of God which, when pronounced, draws the All-Power to the one speaking it.
MYRRDIN WYLLT : Welsh, A woodland God who deliberately grew feathers so he could leap from tree to tree.
OGHMA : Scottish, Irish, God of communication and writing who invented the Ogham Alphabet and gave it to the Druids.
CELTIC GODDESSES
ACHTLAND : Pan-Celtic, A Goddess queen whom no mortal man could satisfy, she took a giant from the faery realm as her mate. Legend says that she took great pleasure combing his long, fair hair.
ADSULLATA : British, A Goddess of hot springs who came to Brittany from Celtic Gaul. She is the origin of the Anglo-Celtic sun Goddess Sul, and was most likely a minor sun Goddess in her own right before the time when the Celts relegated the majority of their sun images to male deities, and moon images to female ones.
AERTEN : Cornish, Anglo-Celtic, Welsh, Also spelled Aerfen, or Aeron. A Goddess of fate who presided over the outcome of war between several Celtic clans.
AGRONA : Welsh, Anglo-Celtic, Goddess of slaughter and war often equated with the Morrigan.
AIFE : Irish, Scottish, Also spelled Aoife. Aife was a Goddess and queen of the Isle of Shadow, an honor she shared with her rival and sister Scathach.
AINE : AN-yuh, Ireland, a woman of the Leanan Sidhe (Sweetheart of the Sidhe). Some said she was the daughter of Manannan, some said she was the Morrigan herself.
ANDARTA : Gallic, Fertility Goddess and patron Goddess of the Vocontii tribe.
ANDRASTE : Romano-Celtic; British; Anglo-Celtic; Continental Europe, The patron Goddess of the Iceni tribe.
ANU : Ireland, goddess of plenty and Mother Earth. Greatest of all Irish goddesses, deity of cattle, health, fertility, prosperity, and comfort.
AOIBHELL : Evill, Ireland; another woman of the Sidhe, she made her dwelling in Craig Liath.
ARIADNE : Continental European, This Goddess of ancient Crete is the only Greek deity known to have been worshipped in Celtic Gaul.
ARIANRHOOD : Wales; goddess of beauty, fertility, and reincarnation. Known as Silver Wheel and the High Fruitful Mother, the palace of this sky goddess was Caer Arianrhold (Aurora Borealis).
ARNAMENTIA : Anglo-Celtic, Romano-Celtic, British, Water Goddess known only from inscriptions.
AVETA : Romano-Celtic Gallic, Goddess of birth and midwifery.
Badb : Bibe, Ireland, goddess of enlightenment, inspiration, life, wisdom. Sister of Macha, the Morrigan, and Anu, the name of this goddess means "boiling," "battle raven," and "scald-crow."
BELISAMA : Celtic, Goddess of light and fire, the forge and of crafts. She is the wife of the god Belenus (Beli) and the Goddess of the Mersey River.
BLODEUWEDD : Welsh, "Flower Face"; "White Flower". Lily maid of Celtic initiation ceremonies. Also known as the Ninefold Goddess of the Western Isles of Paradise.
BRIGANTIA : British, Anglo-Celtic, "High One"; pastoral and river goddess. Associated with Imbolc. Flocks, cattle, water, fertility; healing; victory.
BRITANNIA : Romano-Celtic British, Tutelary Goddess. The genia loci of Britain who first appears on the coinage of Antoninius Pius in the 2nd century AD. She became the symbol of the British Empire after being partly syncretized with the war goddess Minerva."
CAILLEACH BHEUR : Scottish, Irish, Manx, Great Goddess in her Destroyer aspect; called "Veiled One". Another name is Scota, from which Scotland comes. In parts of Britain she is the Goddess of Winter. She was an ancient Goddess of the pre-Celtic peoples of Ireland. She controlled the seasons and the weather; and was the goddess of earth and sky, moon and sun.
CERRIDWEN : Scottish, Welsh, Moon Goddess; Great Mother; Grain Goddess; Goddess of Nature.
CLIODNA : Irish, Scottish, Goddess of beauty and the otherworld. A Tuatha sea and Otherworld Goddess who often took the form of a sea bird and, as such, symbolized the Celtic afterlife.
CLOTA : Scottish, Popular Goddess of the River Clyde.
CONDWIRAMUR : Welsh, Cornish, An archetypal guardian of the feminine mysteries and a Goddess of sovereignty who appears briefly in the Grail legends as the wife of Sir Percival.
CORRA : Scottish, A Goddess of prophecy who usually appeared in the form of a crane.
COVENTINA : Anglo-Celtic, Scottish, British, Tutelary and water Goddess of uncertain affinities.
CRED : Irish, Scottish, Also Creide. This faery queen Goddess is associated with Dana's mountains, the Paps of Any.
CREDDYLAD : Welsh, Daughter of the sea god Llyr.
CYHIRAETH : Welsh, Once a Goddess of streams, she later bacame thought of as a faery spirit who was a portent of death.
DAMARA : Anglo-Celtic, An English fertility Goddess associated with Bealtaine.
DAMONA : Gaul, Goddess of fertility and healing; her name means "divine cow". Cow Goddesses were linked to fertility and abundance.
DIVONA : Gaul, A fertility Goddess associated with water and known only from inscriptions.
DRUANTIA : Breton, "Queen of the Druids", Mother of the tree calendar; Fir Goddess. Fertility, passion, sexual activities, trees, protection, knowledge, creativity.
EPONA : Pan-Celtic, "Divine Horse"; "The Great Mare"; Goddess of horses; Mother Goddess. Fertility, maternity, protectress of horses, horse-breeding, prosperity, dogs, healing springs, crops. Weight Loss Secrets Revealed!
ERCE : Anglo-Celtic, Earth mother and harvest Goddess symbolized by a womb or by an over-flowing horn of plenty, believed to be Basque in origin.
GOEWIN : Welsh, The Goddess of sovereignty who held the feet of Math while he reigned. She was only exempt from doing so when he went to war.
HABETROT : Anglo-Celtic, Habetrot was a "spinning" Goddess. Spinning is both Pagan lingo for spell casting and for the turning of the Wheel of the Year.
HENWEN : Anglo-Celtic, A sow Goddess much like her Welsh counterpart Cerridwen. She is the deity who brought abundance to the land by giving birth to an assortment of "litters" throughout England.
LATIS : Anglo-Celtic, Goddess associated with water. She was originally a lake Goddess who became a Goddess of ale and meade.
Le FAY : Welsh, Cornish, LeFay was a Goddess of the sea an dof the Isle of Avalon.
MARCIA PROBA : Anglo-Celtic, This English Goddess' Roman name means "deep march" or "long march", a Celtic warrior queen who lived around the third century BCE. Her laws, known as the Marcian Statutes, some scholars claim these statutes laid the ground work for the Magna Carta.
MODRON : Welsh, Goddess whose name means "divine mother". She is one of the most potent of the Celtic archetypal mother Goddess.
MORGAN LeFAY : Welsh, Welsh death-goddess; Morgan the Fate. Glamorgan in Wales is said to be her sacred territory. She can cast a destroying curse on any man.
MORGAY : Scottish, Anglo-Celtic, A harvest Goddess from the Scottish/English border.
MORRIGAN : Pan-Celtic. Also the Morrigu; "Great Queen"; "Supreme War Goddess"; "Queen of Phantoms or Demons"; "Specter Queen"; shape-shifter. Reigned over the battlefield, helping with her magic, but did not join the battles. Associated with crows and ravens. The Crone aspect of the Goddess; Great Mother; Moon Goddess; Great White Goddess; Queen of the Fairies. In her Dark Aspect (the symbol is then the raven or crow) she is the goddess of war, fate and death; she went fully armed and carried two spears. Goddess of rivers, lakes, and fresh water. Patroness of priestesses and witches.
NANTOSUELTA : Continental, Also Nantsovelta. Her Breton name is Nataseuelta. She is a river Goddess from Celtic Gaul whose name means "of the meandering stream".
NICEVENN : Scottish, "Divine"; "Brilliant". A Samhain witch-goddess; equated with the Roman Goddess Diana.
NIMUE : Welsh, Cornish, Celtic Moon Goddess; also called Morgan.
OANUAVA : Breton, Continental, An ancient earth Goddess from Celtic Gaul.
CELTIC ORIGINS
The ancient Celts in many ways shaped the British Isles as we know them today.
But because the Celts were an oral, not a written society, little information survives today as to their way of life.
The Celts may have first emerged as an identifiable people around 100 B.C. near the river Danube.
They eventually spread into surrounding Europe.
They were highly skilled in farming, metal work and building roads.
They could also be a highly effective warrior force.
The arrival of the first Celts in Britain was around 800 B.C.
The Celts prefered to record their laws and traditions in poetry, songs and stories.
As such little information remains about the Celts.
Brighid - (pr. bree-id, bree-it, breed, and later in history, bri-jid, bri-gid) Also spelled Brighit, Brigid, Brigit. Celtic Goddess of poetry, wisdom and arcane learning. Her name means "Queen ", "the powerful one ", or "the exalted ". A large Celtic tribe known as the Brigantes took thier name from Her. She is Daughter of An Dagda (the good God), the Supreme God of the Irish pantheon. She is also associated with healing and fertility evidenced by countless wells named for her throughout Celtic Europe that are said to contain magical healing properties. She is deeply concerned with giving women ease in childbirth. According to Scottish tradition, it is She who deposes the blue-faced Goddess of Winter every Spring. The Sabbat of Imbolc or Oimelc (meaning Ewe's milk, or butter bag), that used to be celebrated as the local sheep started to lactate, is Her festival of welcoming back the Spring on February 1. Brighid has a close association with fire, protection of the land and fertility of domestic beasts. Brighid is a wonderful Goddess to contact, especially in matters of spiritual development.
An Dagda Also given as Daghdha (pr. Day-a), and Dagdae "The Good God". Although the Irish Celts recognised no "supreme diety", An Dagda is considered to be the Father of the Gods & Goddesses of the Irish pantheon. The "good " in "The Good God" doesn't refer to morality, but to being good, or skilled at everything. He is associated with very basic, Earthy functions like eating, drinking, sex and generally having a good time. He is desribed very differently from the other dieties, as an ugly unkempt buffoon in the following excerpt from "Cath Maige Tuired" ; "His belly was the size of a house cauldron...His appearance was unsightly; He had a cape to the hollow of His elbows and a grey-brown tunic around Him to the swelling of His rump. He trailed behind Him a wheeled fork which was the work of eight men to move.... His long penis was uncovered. He had two shoes of horsehide with the hair outside". The story goes on to desribe how the Fomoire fed him an enormous meal to mock Him for His gluttony, and laughed at His pathetic appearance after He fell asleep from the heavy meal. The Dagda, of couse, had the last laugh, as He had sex with the daughter of the Fomorian chief as she promised her magical assistance in the defeat of the Fomoire. The theme of the greatest of gods or the wisest of men appearing to be exactly the opposite, is a common one. There is a valuable lesson here - never accept things as they appear to be, for much more may hide below the surface. It was a distincly Celtic belief that everyone, regardless of how ugly or absurd they may appear, is equal to everyone else. An Dagda has a magical cauldron which feeds all who sit at it, without ever running out, except for cowards and liars. He had a giant club with one end that could kill nine men at a stroke, while the other end could bring them back to life. He has a harp on which he plays three strains of music; the sleeping strain, the laughing strain, and the weeping strain, and He used these strains of music to call forth the seasons. He is the master of Druidry, closely associated with the Oak tree, fertility of the land, and agriculture, things usually associated with goddesses. His purpose is to fertilize these Earth Goddesses, which is why the old stories recount His sexual prowess over and over again. His festival is the Feast of Samhain.
Morrigan (pr. mor-ee-gan) Ireland, Whales, Britain Morrigan - with royal torque, two spears, celtic sword, sheild and cape. In the tradition of the Celtic warrior, she is naked, Her skin covered in tattoos. To uncover the tattoos was to activate the magic they contained, giving the warrior strength, courage, ferocity and good fortune in battle. Also given as MorRoighain (mor-ree-an), Morrigu (mor-i-goo), and later as Morgan. “Great Queen” or “Phantom Queen” The name “Great Queen” makes the most sense to me as the word for great, even in the modern Irish language is Mor, and the modern Irish word for queen is banrion (ban-ree-an). Along with Her sisters, Macha and Badb, forms a triple aspect Goddess of war. Many people, upon seeing this, may decide to write Her off as unworthy of their attention. According to Steve Blamires, in his book Glamoury, “Because She is associated with war, grief, mutilation, shapeshifting, and sexual gratification for it’s own sake, She is not a contact to be encouraged”. While I highly recommend Mr. Blamires’ book, I cannot agree with that statement. There is far more to this Goddess than is readily apparent. I’ll attempt to give a more in depth presentation of Morrigan and Her aspects here. Once again, quoting from Glamoury, She appears in both the Mythological Cycle and the Ulster Cycle (of the old Irish tales) particularly in the Cattle Raid of Cooley, which is very heavily battle oriented. (The entirety of the Ulster cycle focused on Warriors and their feats of bravery and self-sacrifice for home and kin). Memories or her survive in modern Celtic folklore as the Washer of the Ford (not Ford as in my Ford van, but Ford as in river or stream, even though it would be pretty cool to have a Goddess washing my van), who is seen as a weeping woman washing blood stained shrouds at a ford in the river. This is obviously a bad omen, especially if you happen to be a warrior on your way to battle! ( This last statement I would also disagree with. We know that the ancient Celts held warriors in high esteem and that to die in battle was an honorable thing. In many tribal cultures, it was even desirable, for the Vikings it assured ascension to Valhalla, for many Native American Tribes, it also guaranteed entrance into their versions of paradise. For other cultures, to die bravely in battle could even turn the slain warrior into a God. There are many stories of Celtic warriors receiving an omen of their impending death in battle, but it never swayed them from their course. It wasn’t that they ignored the warning, simply that sometimes ‘a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do’. They would simply prepare themselves and put their affairs in order. See the tales of King Conchabar of Ulster). It was Morrigan, who attempted , unsuccessfully, to seduce the hero Cu Chullain. She tried to avenge the snub by impeding him at the most critical times of life and death struggles. After being defeated, she turned to his aid. appearing as Nemain and causing his enemies to die of terror and heartbreak. She also showed Herself to High King Cromac just before he was killed in battle. Yet she also raised the water, enabling the king and his entire army to walk across the very river in which she was seen prophetically scouring the blood from his armor. In the Arthurian legends, as Morgan le Fey (Morgan of the Fairies), She was accused of trying to kill Her royal half brother. She is later, however, among three queens who bear him off to Avalon to be cured of his wounds. Her skill as a healer is also mentioned by Chretian de Troyes. That there were three queens inthe tale further helps to identify Morgan le Fey as the triple Morrigan. Morrigan reigned over the battlefield, helping with Her magic, but did not join in the battles directly. In Her dark aspect She is associated with ravens or crows. She is depicted fully armed and with two spears. She is the Goddess of rivers, lakes and fresh water. It may have been to Her that the weapons often found at the bottom of lakes and bogs were offered as sacrifice. Fate and prophesy are two of Her more favorable aspects. She is said to be patroness of priestesses and witches, evidenced by Her association with ravens, crows, fairies, magic, fate and prophesy. When studying deities of ancient pantheons, it is necessary to also study the culture and lifestyle of the people that first worshipped them. These people lived a very different life than we do today. Their ideas and beliefs about humanity, the universe, life, death and sexuality were of an entirely different paradigm than what most of us in western civilization grew up with. As pagans, we often give great lip-service to being open-minded, but as soon as some of us come across ideas that deeply challenge the core beliefs of our upbringing, they are rejected wholesale. Prime examples of this are beliefs about death, evil, nudity and sexuality. I had a short conversation with some women who were relatively new to Wicca recently. The subject of skyclad rituals came up and one woman said “Is that what we’ve degraded to?”. She was clueless to the tradition, the reasoning, and the purpose of being skyclad in ritual and simply assumed it to be of a base and sexual nature (as if there’s anything wrong with that, either). When confronted with Gods or Goddesses of death or war, many assume them to be sinister or evil. Once again, look at the origin and the people who worshipped them. Death is not sinister or evil. Death is an important part of the wheel of life. War is a reality of human history, and possibly even human nature. These deities provide comfort, wisdom and guidance through the harsh realities of life and it’s mysteries. To reject part of the mystery is to weaken it. To reject part of the wheel of life may leave you lost, alone and very afraid. Life and nature are not always gentle and nurturing, they can be very cruel and very harsh. We take power in understanding all aspects of the world we live in. Get to know deities like Morrigan, She may be of great help when life gets cruel and harsh.
Lugh -
The God Lugh is the God of Light or the harvest, His festival, on August 1st, is called Lughnasadh. He is reputed to be the divine father of Cú Chúlainn whom he conceived with Dechtire when he carried her away to his palace beneath Brugh na Boinne.
The god Lugh is worshipped in Irish Tradition as a deity of the sun. This connection with the sun may explain his name (it means "shining one"), and it also may account for the attributes that he displays: he is handsome, perpetually youthful, and has a tremendous energy and vitality. This energy manifests itself especially in the number of skills he has mastered. In fact, there was a tale that related Lugh's myriad abilities at arts and crafts.
He was known as Ildánach which means master of all arts and crafts. As told in the Battle of Magh Tuiredh, Lugh travelled to Tara, then the palace of the King Nuada, and arrived during a tremendous feast for the royal court. Lugh was greeted at the door by the keeper of the gate, and was immediately asked what talent he had - for it was a tradition there that only those who had a special or unique ability could enter the palace. The god offered his reply: "I am a wright". In response, the gate keeper said: "We already have a wright. Your services are not needed here". Still, Lugh, not to be so easily dismissed, continued: "I am a smith". Again, the guard retorted that the court had a smith that was quite adequate; but the god was not to be dissuaded. In short order, he noted that he was also a champion, a harper, a hero, a poet, an historian, a sorcerer, and a craftsman. To this list, the gate keeper merely nodded his head, and stated matter of factly that all of these various trades were represented in the court by other members of the Tuatha de Danaan. "Ah, but you do have an individual who possesses all of these skills simultaneously?", was Lugh's clever and inspired reply. The guard was forced to admit his defeat, and so Lugh was allowed to enter and join the festivities.
Epona
A Continetal Celtic Goddess of horses, mules, and cavalrymen. She was worshipped all throughout Gaul, and even as far as the Danube and Rome. Her cult was adopted by the Roman calvary, the only Celtic deity to be worshipped 'officially' by Romans. Epona is often depicted sitting side saddle or reclining on a horse, or standing with 2 horses, one on either side of her. Her symbol is the Cornucopia ("horn of plenty") which suggests that she could also have been a fertility goddess. She is also identified with the Celtic goddess Edain. She may also be one and the same as the Irish Macha.
White Horse at Uffington (Epona?)
Image Coutesy of Jane Tomlinson
www.janetomlinson.com
Palu - obscure ancient Celtic Mother Goddess consulted for divination and associated with cat cults.
Balor (bahl-or)
Also occurs as Balar and Bolur, "the Flashing One"
Balor's was one of the kings of the Fomhoire, son of Buarainech and grandson to Net. When he was a child, he spied on his father's druids as they were mixing a terrible potion. The fumes from the potion got in his eye, causing it to be permanently destructive. He is sometimes called Balor Birug-derc, which means Balor of the Piercing Eye, for his gaze would kill all he looked upon. His one eye was covered by a great eyelid with a ring pierced through it. It took four men to lift it using the ring.
It was prophesied that his grandson would bring about his death. So, he attempted to hide his daughter away, never to meet a man. But, of course, she did meet a man, Cían of the Tuatha Dé Danann. They had a son, Lugh, who did, indeed, kill his grandfather in the Battle of Moytura by throwing his great spear through Balor's eye as it was opening to cast destruction upon the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is sometimes associated with the sun in its destructive aspect of scorching heat, drought and withering crops. His grandson, Lugh, represents the opposite, beneficial aspect of the sun.
More To Come
There are some sites but here are some is an interesting ones:
http://www.celticpagan.com/celt/deities.htm
www.paralumun.com/celticgod.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_myth_europe_celtic_gods_index.htm
www.daire.org/names/deities.html
www.mythome.org/celtic.html
Enjoy............ | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/19/2006 6:05:09 AM |
Maryte, have you read any of Arthur Rowan's writings? I was perusing a bit of his work and found it interesting; you've had more training in that particular line than I though, so your opinions are of interest to me!
I like his "Lore of the Bard", mainly because he puts a modern perspective on what it means to be a Bard.
There are Druidic Orders out there that spend a lot of time trying to reconstruct as faithfully as possible what the ancient celts did/believed - and they spend so much time on the academic that they miss the spiritual and philosophical aspects of the faith system.
We will never be able to re-capture "the good old days" and I firmly believe that for any faith system to survive it needs to evolve to the needs of the community. Arthur's book is good at this, as he mixes the ancient traditions of the bard within a modern & urban context.
Are you coming to the National Pagan Conference in Halifax this weekend? I'm flying in tonight. There's a Druid Panel that I'm taking part in - I'm not the moderator or organiser though.
I'm relatively lucky here in Toronto - I have a good friend who is a Celtic Recon, but who hasn't lost touch with the need to experience the spirituality, just just study it dispassionately. I've gotten a lot of support and encouragement from him, and in writing my rituals I believe they've become richer for it. I did an Autumnal Equinox Rit last year for Toronto's Pagan Pride and I had about 60 participants.. it was great, with a gentle drum beat in the background, libating the ancestors, the sidhe and land spirits. | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/19/2006 6:22:46 AM | my Goddess, MysticRogue, will you ever just stop, and maybe let a few other people post for a change? i'm absolutely sick of having to skip over your posts to see a bit of what OTHERS have to say.
and I will leave this thread, with this to say. 100 years of research will never ever compare to the knowledge gained of a year of actual practice. get your hands dirty, and do somthing...the facts matter little if thats all they are. | |
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Xavi
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Joined: 1/6/2006
Msg: 380 | |
| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/19/2006 1:31:59 PM | | Unfortunately I won't be at the conference; I'm just too strapped to manage. I'm hoping that the local organizers, who are friends of mine, will give me all the important skinny afterwards, though I know I will miss a great deal of information and fun. Maybe luck will arrange things so that I can meet you and some of the other attendees before everyone leaves town! | |
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RuMoR
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Joined: 4/30/2006
Msg: 381 | |
| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/19/2006 1:44:09 PM | I realize I'm a little late on this one, but "What is a witch?" That's pretty loaded, no wonder this post has gone so far.
I believe that white and black witches/warlocks exist. I think what would make them any different from anyone else would be potions and spells. To practice witchcraft I suppose.
Some interesting posts in here though. | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/20/2006 8:37:39 AM | OH Please!!! I am a witch(yes I said witch, even though I am male)and I hate that stupid missconception that women are witches and men are warlocks. Why don't we missinterperate the bible a few more times while we're at it. Most of the burnings and torture sessions(oops I meant SOUL CLEANSING AND QUESTIONING) were started because of that stupid passage " Suffer not a witch to live amongst you ". So I don't have the same "deity" as my good catholic/anglican family, but they have shown me great support and freedom to grow spiritualy.WHAT IS A WITCH ? We are people to and deserve respect, and freedom to worship whomever or whatever we chose , just like anyone else. I thank all for taking the time to read this. I wish joy and happiness to all, pagan and non alike. Blessed be !!!  | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/20/2006 9:24:04 AM | What is a witch?
Posted: 1/5/2006 6 38 PM
I tend to disagree that Spell Work is incompatible with remaining Christian
Yes there are some things that seem in total opposition to Christian Beliefs, but many Irish/Welsh/Celtic Witches also consider themselves to be good Catholics
They consider using Earth Powers to conduct their work, is seperate from the Heavenly Powers they use in Catholic Religion
This has been tradition there for many centuries
It is nothing new
Many Rigid Catholics oppose this, just as many Rigid Pagans, consider them to be only part time Witches
But these are the ones that seem to be most on call, and do most of the best work
So it is strange that in the very places where Celtic Witchcraft originated, the two ideologies are considered compatible
Yet in other places they are not
Whereas in other countries a lot of Ritual accompanies most spell work, in Ireland they often just go to confession, to make sure they are spiritually clean, then do whatever is necessary
very quietly and efficiently
Covens are not nearly as large a part of Older Irish Witchcraft, as they are in other areas
Most good practioners are rather solitary people, who, in many cases also have fairly strong psychic abitities
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I agree.
There is a book out there that says historically speaking that the Jewish Essenes that fled Roman occupied Israel merged with the Druids to form the new Druid/Essene school.
It then blended in with a Celtic Christian church. I may have to recheck this part. | |
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Xavi
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Joined: 1/6/2006
Msg: 385 | |
| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/21/2006 5:35:32 PM | | Thanks, Mystical Union! I made it almost two decades ago now, I wanted something not as confining as a long coat but nice and warm for shoreline walks. It also makes a good beach blanket for sitting by a fire! (Heavy woolen fabric is a good thing!) | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 5/23/2006 7:06:35 AM | Hi Xavi,
The conference was great. Got to see a lovely documentary called "Kitchen Goddess" about Maritime Psychics - ladies who do their readings from their kitchens (for the most part).
And there was much jovial company. I got to wander about Halifax a wee bit and it is a lovely city, just wish my smog-filled lungs could have handled the fresh air better.  | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/18/2007 1:00:18 AM | after reading these posts, I am beginning to wonder why people are uing the word 'witch' to describe their beliefs/values/faith/how they live/ and what they practice? where did the word witch come from anyways? wasn't it used as a derogatory term? those who have phenomenal talents, skills, and abilities be called a witch, I am sure someone might take offence, because there is a bad connotation attached to "witch".
I don't think anyone should be attacked either for their opinions, free will, free speech, only should we interfere with peoples rights is to correct incorrect information.....don't try to sway people into what you believe...free will...but we should all be nice and let people explain their side....after all why fight about who is right or not, it is about what you personally believe and if what you practice fulfills you, that's all that should matter... | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/18/2007 4:09:49 AM | There is a very good break down of the origins of the word witch here.
http://draeconin.com/database/witchetymology.htm | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/18/2007 1:32:55 PM | Not a bad link seriouslyfunnylady, except that the etymology that links the term wicce to the words wit, wisdom and vitki has long since been disproven.
In one of the early Anglo-Saxon, or perhaps it was Anglo-Danish, Law Codes, witch is listed alongside waelcyrge, which is the Anglo-Saxon cognate of the Old Norse valkyrja. This coupling suggests some sort of similarity.
Unfortunately, beyond the etymology of the term, it's relation to other terms that sptring from the same root, eg. Modern English *wicker*, and the mention in one or two law codes, there is little to no reliable information on what the Anglo-Saxon (which is a Teutonic, not Celtic culture) cult of witchcraft consisted of.
As far as the Christian useage of the term goes, well, it is alot like the Christian useage of the term "pagan" or it's Anglo-Saxon counterpart "heathen", all of which are used with obliviously insensitivity as catch-alls for nonChristian, ranging from heretic to eccentric to pioneer of medicine to aetheist to people of any other religion, all regardless of glaring differences.
Oh, and the term *warlock* has no native magical connotations. It is an Anglo-Saxon legal term, and denotes a liar, oathbreaker, literally meaning law-breacher. The masculine form of the modern English witch was *wicca* in Old English/Anglo-Saxon, while the feminine form, and the root of the Modern English *witch*, was *wicce*. | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/18/2007 4:40:12 PM | A witch and witchcraft is NOT a religion where did you people get that from !!!!!!! Neither is Witchcraft a practise, witchcraft is about the person , for those of you who did not learn history very briefly a witch is someone who is knowledgeable of the earth and uses her knowledge wisely - usually curing the sick with forbidden and often dangerous plants. The reason the moon is significant is becasue they would gather their plants under the light of the moon as to be seen gathering them in daylight would mean persecution and death - eyes were everywhere seeking those who had knowledge.
The power of wtichery comes from within, there is nothing spooky about it, and as for wearing black, tht again comes from the disguise of the night.The candles are a symbol now for burning of herbs and hair to remove the poisons that would kill,and use the herbs/plants for medicine.
Sorry people - but the real witches out there will agree with me, the power comes frm harnesseing what we already have. And its a true fact throughout the world and in the history books, the knowledge ws sacred so it was only passed to those with green eyes, the colour of cats eyes, and the colour of the medicinal plants.
Witches DO NOT read tarot cards either, get real learn the difference and the history witch craft does indeed exist but i can also tell you
a real witch wouldnot reaveal the secrets would we ladies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/18/2007 5:14:01 PM | | If being a witch means having the ability to know who's calling on the telephone before even answering, knowing when the kids are in trouble without even looking, and knowing what's on her man's mind and not paying any attention to it; then I'd say 99% of women are witches. The remaining 1% who don't are probably transsexuals. | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/19/2007 8:15:38 AM | Hmmm ... thanks Moon and Mars and nice old list of old gods and goddesses to ponder.
dang glad we don't have to remember all that for a test.
Now I know what that old saying was really about...
Which Witch is which? | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/20/2007 1:07:11 AM | To be a witch is to love and be loved.
To be a witch is to know everything and nothing at all.
To be a witch is to move amongst the stars while staying on earth.
To be a witch is to change the world around you and yourself.
To be a witch is to share and give, while receiving all the while.
To be a witch is to dance and sing, and to hold hands with the universe.
To be a witch is to honor the gods and yourself.
To be a witch is to Be Magic, not just perform it.
To be a witch is to know what you feel is right and good.
To be a witch is to know the ways of old.
To be a witch is to see beyond the barriers.
To be a witch is to follow the moon.
To be a witch is to be one with the gods and goddesses.
To be a witch is to study and to learn.
To be a witch is to be the teacher and the student.
To be a witch is to acknowledge the truth.
To be a witch is to live with the earth not just on it.
To be a witch is to be truly free.
~author unknown~ | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/20/2007 6:55:18 AM |
A Witch is not some one who moves objects just by thought, stops time, or turns people into toads.
A Witch does not, and will never sacrifice animals, babies, or anything else in a "dark" sabbath.
A Witch does not have wild drunken orgies in the middle of the night nor have sex with "Satan"
A Witch is not out to bring upon the destruction of the United States, or any other country, for that matter.
A Witch is not an "ugly old hag" who derives pleasure from hexing or hurting others.
And finally, a Witch does not worship "Lucifer" or any other "devil" that you can think of.
darn. | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/20/2007 1:17:40 PM |
A Witch does not, and will never sacrifice animals
I'm not a witch, but I'd sacrifice an animal. Beats the hell out of slaughtering them en masse in the profane and inhumane ways that we tolerate in the modern slaughterhouse. In fact, if you eat meat, and most of us do and shall continue to, you have to realize that the animal must be killed before it reaches your plate. It's a fact of reality. It would be meet and proper to acknolwedge that fact, and honour the animal.
In fact, I'm really big on sacrifice of all kinds... the word sacrifice meaning "to make sacred" and not "to dispose of ". | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/20/2007 4:21:08 PM | It is sad that mainstream spin paints witches as naughty. The power of suggestion (lieing) is a sword that swings both ways.
Dreams are of course the most innocent of lies. We can discipline ourselves not to dream or go mad like poles on a magnet. In a civilised society we hover in the middle helpless at night to dream alternatives and carry our crosses to work or play. Witches sense this and can shape with it. That correllation of dealing in lies may be why witchcraft is shunned by the steadfast. Pesimists would have us all wearing grey, optomists would have us all wearing flowers.
It's all a part of the plan. The truth can set you free if that is really where you want to be. Personally I'd rather not know what is in a hotdog but I sure would like to build a flying broom. Untill then I'll settle for a chance to do some good. | |
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Kalhan
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Joined: 12/3/2006
Msg: 397 | |
| What is a witch?
Posted: 2/20/2007 4:38:15 PM | Thank you. I am very new to POF and it seems every time I read this forums thing I giggle. So I thank you. I am a witch. Very proud and I will quote the best explainations that I have found in my adventures. "A witch is a witch is a witch." Margot Adler it's old lol not as old as me but published back in the 70's.
If you gather a bunch a witches for let's say tea you will find they do disagree. Actually it's kind of hard to put them together in that category anyway. Jedi works for me. I usually don't call myself a witch but a Newfie Gypsy Spiritual Humanist. Witch is always so much explaining and well misconceptions. I am a hippy and a tree hugger. I'm a lover not a fighter.
Thanks again for the giggles.
This one is my favorite.
So, You Wanna Be A Witch, Eh?
Well, sit right here, by my side, and I'll tell you the secrets of the tide... And just get comfy honey child, while I speak of nature, free and wild. But you don't have a cloak, or a pointed hat? Bah! Piffle! What's with that? The Witch is worn within the soul, Not donned for occasions, or kept in a bowl. When you think of witches, you tremble at magcick? Oh, silly girl, that is indeed tragic! Well, take a deep breath and hold tight to my hand and together we'll dream to the edge of the land. Where forests and sky kiss the edge of the waters. Where the spirits as we, claim a kinship with daughters of elements born before words are remembered, and feelings and thoughts are no longer hindered. Tis every day things, that Witches are 'ware of', the sun and the moon and the wee tiny cherub, who tugs at out heart strings and drive us to madness. Yet give us such joy and fills us with gladness. A soft gentle rain, nudging buds to full flower. Hurricane ! Twister! Such terrible power! Candles and hearth fire, warming and scented. Forest ablaze! Volcanic stacks vented! A Mantle of snow, both preserves and gives pleasure. Avalanche! Iceberg! So full of treasure. The warmth of the sun, bringing life we so cherish. Bleak desert landscape. Burnt tundra....we perish. Now open your eyes look closely at me. You came so fearful, now what do you see? A kindly old woman? An evil old hag? A cloak of maturity? A dirty old rag? Both sides of the coin. Light and dark we encompass. Good and evil abide, still walking among us. So be very sure, that a Witch you will be....for we own it all...you and me...you and me.
Author Unknown
May the Force be with You! | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 3/27/2007 3:37:13 PM | Everyone I have met who is a "witch" reminds me of everyone who is a "born-again christian"........It seems to be a self imposed title.
Everybody wants to belong to something. | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 3/29/2007 9:01:54 AM | I'm new to this board and to plenty of fish, but I wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth.
I mostly like the original definition of what a witch is on this thread, but it is limiting in a few ways. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has brought up the fact that many who call themselves witches do indeed sacrifice animals. This isn't just limited to voodoo and hoodoo or Satanism. In fact, most Satanists I've known would never sacrifice an animal just because they see no need to. Sacrificing an animal is not necessarily evil or "dark." In the tradition in which I am a high priest over a small coven we do believe in animal sacrifice. Our rules for it are that the animal must be what you (the individual) would normally consider a food animal (one that you'd normally eat) and it must be eaten. We also believe that sacred use should be made of as much of the animal as you can; this can mean making a ritual garment from the leather, making a wand or ritual dust from the bones, or even making a protective garment or item for yourself or a loved one. It can even mean just using some of the decomposed remains to fertilize a garden or orchard (especially a garden dedicated to a deity, but a garden from which you get your food is fine too.)
Most witches do not believe in the Judeo-Christian "devil" or "Satan." Thus, we definitely do not worship nor serve him. Most witches I've known, including myself, have absolutely no problem with God, G-D, Yeshua (Jesus), your Holy Spirit, or anything else to do with your religion except for some of His/Their followers.
Namaste,
Daniel | |
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| What is a witch?
Posted: 9/21/2007 6:18:05 AM | This is an interesting thread. I was doing some homework on something and this link came up on google. Good grief! Its on PoF! So I came in to take a look.
If you read the first few posts, its an eye opener. And I just learned something about a friend of mine that made some things make sense (waves).
I have to agree. I am not a rabbid anything as far as religion is concerned, but I am VERY aware that there are some things going on in this 'following' that would melt the socks off you. Things that most are blissfully unaware of, and those who practice it are glad you are blissfully unaware of it.
Yes there are 'earth mothers' and other benign versions. But dont ever think that that's where it all ends. There are some ruthless and greedy individuals who have tapped into things with a view to control and taking what they want, and being prepared to do all kinds of things to do it and have it.
Black majik gratefully is not as common as the currently in fashion and popular white majik, but those walk the path are often very aware of the existence of black majik, and perhaps some practitioners. Likely they would have at some point made a choice which path to take.
And if you think those who practice black majik wear cloaks and have warty noses? No. Much more likely they look like that plain old neighbour that nobody notices. You know that really nice woman everyone things is just lovely? Or that guy who seemingly just plods through life?
There are some coverns around dealing in some very very nasty stuff. And there are single practitioners I can only label as ruthless and incredibly dangerous.
Dont take it lightly. Learn. Study. And understand that there are ALWAYS 2 sides the coin. | |
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