Before I even begin to touch this subject let me say from the outset that I am not saying “All Wiccans walk this way” or that you are not a “real Wiccan” if don't accept these ideas... I am Wiccan, and have been so by choice for some time now... a little seasoned and a lot worn, so I think I tend to be a little bit of an elitist... but believe me, I mean no harm or foul ;o)
FIRST... Wicca today and for the majority is (imo) a dying faith of a fad driven social sub-culture just trying to “be different” with little or no sincere conviction or appreciation for what was laid before them. For the rest of us, Wicca is a life-affirming, vital, and flourishing spiritual garden rich in profound mystery and soul nourishing meaningfulness and purpose.
I have tried to be thoughtful and accepting of anyone who feels or claims to be Wiccan who might observe this Path outside of certain basic elements which over the decades I have come to consider measures of “Wiccan-ness”. I say measure and not 'standard'... just because a person doesn't meet all of my criteria doesn't invalidate them as Wiccans, but personally I would not count them in our numbers... not yet, maybe in time and through their own seasoning ;o)
My first introduction to Wicca was many years ago, and my exposure was to Gardnerian tradition and philosophy. Over time and encounters with with so many variants and off-shot-paths, I have returned to some fundamental ideas concerning what defines a “Wicca” . Now, we will leave the issue of initiation and the initiatory process out of the equation, but to some degree I am convinced that they are part and parcel to the whole package – but I will stand with most Wiccans in that they need not necessarily come from the hand of another initiate.
Okay, that said, here are the contents of my magical Wiccan defining box:
To Be Wiccan One Must Express...
1. belief and honoring of the manifestation of the divine THROUGH nature. Not of,is,as,for... but THROUGH
2. recognition of a single source of creation, a sole progenitor, a prime creator, an ultimate power. Call it the “Dryghten”, Soul of Life, “Creator”, “Great Spirit”.. whatever... that conviction should be present. Together with point #1... the Lord and Lady, Gods and Goddess, are PERIODICALLY manifest expressions of this power, which by manifesting THROUGH nature must then be naturally divided into natural gender through active or passive expression as Male and Female forces/powers/intelligences/divinities..... God and Goddess.
3. recognition of the value, symbolism, and importance of... and the actual observance of the Sabbats.
4. recognition of the value, symbolism, and importance of... and the actual observance of the Esbats.
5. a belief in an afterlife.
6. some concept of Karma or the Law of Return.
7. a moral conviction to the service of Life, its protection, exaltation, nurturing, and perseverance.
Beyond that, as far as I am concerned, is personal preference and persuasion. but without any of the above, I am reluctant to consider a person or path to be Wiccan. Pagan... maybe. Witchraft...possibly. Wiccan... hmmmm... I wouldn't say it is.
These are fundamental, core ideas, beliefs, and observance that underly all early experiences of Wicca by the general public... and certainly a couple of these were not shared by every early tradition, but before Gardner's revelation/concoction/exposure we can only assume, and everything that followed did so by his lead. So, when in doubt, go to the horses mouth.
I know, I know... so and so wrote in his/her book that you can believe whatever and not believe whatever and still be Wiccan. Fine. Whatever floats your boat. But if you are saying that to defend yourself and your particular twist on my/our religion... (told you I could be elitist) ... I urge you not to mistaken the husk for the corn ;o)
I know, I know... that's “My Belief” and “My Opinion”. Fine too. I may actually agree with that. Personally, that works very well with me because I tend to be greedy, and I am not wholly comfortable sharing such a beautiful, meaningful, transformative, and sacred experience with the whole world anyhow.
Anyhootiehoot, I wanted to get started with new posts on this new version of BlogXero with something of value.. I hope this – at he least – gets you thinking about what really makes you whatever you are, and why you feel validated or not-so-validated by it ;o)
I will open my forum here to some topics... if anyone ants to pitch in... I am actually very open to other thoughts and feelings about this subject ;o)
Brightest Blessings.... Tangible
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