A no-nonsense resource for the sensible Wiccan

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Click for Twin Cities, Minnesota Forecast 11/17/2010 Hello, and welcome. Where does the time go? I never mean to ignore this site, and I'm always pleased and grateful when folks write to tell me they've been able to use these rituals and prayers. That is, after all, the point. But if it's helpful to know that someone is still in attendance here and paying attention, then yes. I am still here. And while what I believe about the nature of the universe is always changing and evolving, hopefully what I post here will still be of some value to those of you trying to sort out all of the craziness out there.

A surprising amount of my time and energy has gone into the wedding reference section of the site. I've been able, not only to perform some truly beautiful weddings, but also to help a few other couples find materials that would work for them when the church wasn't the right idea and a civil service seemed like a last resort. I'm continuing to add new writings there as I find or create them. See below for a handy link.

I posted this years ago, but I am moved by it just as much today as when I first encountered it, so I can't bring myself to take it down. This is from the preface to the 1855 edition of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass.

"This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body...."

What more can anyone really say? I am awed and humbled by that.

If you're looking for the wedding reference section of the site, it can be found here. Thanks for coming. I hope you find it worth your while. Bright blessings, and fair skies....

Introduction Rites and blessings Articles and information
A word or two about me Poetry and such Getting started
The opinion page Links Rings and things

Introduction

One of the best aspects of the Wiccan way, and indeed the whole modern Pagan movement, is its unstructured nature. Unfortunately, this also allows for a lot of silliness. I'm sure we've all run into books that promise outlandish abilities, and recommend practices that are patently contrary to what we've been taught about Pagan ethics. We need to keep our wits about us. It really is a jungle out there.

Those most at risk are the new students, people exploring Wicca for the first time. As with any religion, it seems that those who are most vocal about their beliefs often constitute the "fringe." It's seldom easy for the seeker to locate down-to-earth, sound advice. That is the purpose of this page. I will try to offer practical tips, as well as some ritual material, both for the holidays and any old day. Use and amend as you see fit. Our needs are different, after all.

As always, if you have any suggestions, comments, or material you'd like included at this site, feedback is one of my favorite things. Let me know.

Who am I, and what am I doing here?

My spiritual journey began with Catholicism, a circumstance I have since found to be quite common. Since then, my wanderings have resembled a ride on the bumper cars as much as anything more organized. I don't think I've tried everything, but I definitely hit most of the highlights. I came to Paganism through the loving guidance of a good friend and the writings of Scott Cunningham. Both remain, to me, bright and rational voices in the wilderness.

For those taking their first steps along this path

Probably the best advice I can give you is that no one will ever be a better judge of what's right for you than you are. Obviously, you have come to this point in your journey for a reason, and that's wonderful. But picking and choosing is probably the most important thing you can do right now. If you go looking for advice and instruction, particularly over the net, you're going to get it, by the boatload. It's up to you to determine what feels right, and what doesn't work for you.

There are many different Wiccan traditions (more all the time, it seems), and they all have something to offer the new student of the Craft. This does not mean that they are right for everyone. Successful practice of Wicca, at its most basic, is the communion between you and the deities, however you perceive them. If something you are told to do makes you uncomfortable, don't do it. It is up to you to make your peace with the Old Ones. If, for example, this means working with your clothes on, fine. No one can tell you you're wrong. If you don't want to name your deities, or if you want to come up with brand new names, this is all strictly up to you.

Remember, one of the hallmarks of Paganism is tolerance. If you start hearing that there is only one correct way to practice, you should consider this a serious red flag. Learn what you can, from every source you can get your hands on. Follow your heart, and be careful.

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