"Only the Creator has the power to be God; looking to anything, or anyone, else for salvation is literally a dead end. ... Other gods have a contagious worthlessness - those who worship worthless gods become worthless in God's sight:"

A few thoughts regarding these comments:  

First, the Bible often refers to other gods, and if I'm not mistaken, it simply suggests that we should not place their importance BEFORE that of the creator.  It doesn't say they are powerless or that we should completely ignore them and pretend they don't even exist.

Second, I don't know a single person who looks to other gods or goddesses for SALVATION. In most traditions, followers turn to these "lesser deities" for guidance or help.  Christians accept help from "angels" which are also considered extensions of the One true power. 

Finally, I believe most would agree that the creator is greater than the creation.  I was taught that God created all things. This included the heavens and angels or "lesser" gods.  It was my understanding that nothing created by God was "worthless".  In my humble opinion, just because something was created and thus "lesser" than its creator, this does not make it "worthless".  Is there actually scripture that says some things created by God are worthless?

        

"I think the very different world views of Christians and Pagans needs to be appreciated and respected. We do believe in one God, one truth, and one way to Heaven. That alone makes us "intolerant" in the eyes of many pagans, but it's a basic theological difference."

I would certainly agree that our different views need to be respected.  But I'm personally not convinced that our beliefs are really so different.  For example, most Wiccans and Pagans believe in ONE true power, (sometimes just referred to as The One), that is represented by both masculine and feminine  aspects of the Divine.  As you mentioned, Christians believe in one God ... but isn't this God represented by both the Son and the Holy Spirit? 

In the Bible the Holy Spirit is referred to in masculine terms, but God's children are said to be BORN of the Holy Spirit, and this personification of God held the traditional feminine role of providing his children with guidance ... teaching and comforting them as they grew.   Interestingly enough, the original texts of the Bible NEVER referred to the Holly Spirit in masculine terms, like we do today. 

As for multiple gods ... Christians often seek help from "angels", while Pagans tend to ask the "lesser gods" for guidance. We use different words to describe our actions.  Is THIS what makes us wrong in your eyes?  Isn't this like saying that someone who speaks another language is wrong because they have described a person or thing using different words?  I prefer to think we are all following the same God, but are using different "spiritual languages" to describe our beliefs!

        

"Unfortunately, by the Bible's standards, many of the practices done by pagans dishonor Elohim. Again, I do believe this is using the Bible when and where convenient, while completely ignoring the rest."

I'm sure you would agree that we ALL do things from time to time that dishonor the Divine to some degree.   A passage in the OT lists the sin of "witchcraft{" right up there with getting a tattoo and shaving or trimming a beard. The fact that most people today do not consider getting a tattoo or shaving a sin, seems to prove your statement about ignoring the parts of the Bible that are not convenient.  I'm just curious ... do you feel that shaving dishonors Elohim too?

It would be very helpful if you would clarify exactly what behavior you mean when you say "many of the practices done by pagans dishonor Elohim". .  In our previous posts we have already covered prophecy and fortune-telling, but quite honestly, very few of the Pagans or Wiccans I know claim to do this anyway.  MOST are drawn to these paths simply because of their love for nature and animals.  They have a deep respect for our Mother Earth and all living things. Like Moses, John the Baptist and Jesus, they feel closer to God on a mountain top, in the wilderness or even in the desert, and they prefer to seek divine guidance in these places.  I understand and share these feelings, and I'm fairly sure it's not this love for nature that you feel dishonors the Divine. 

I honestly can't think of anything significant the average Pagan or Wiccan does that Christians don't also do.  When I began to follow the Wiccan path, I asked several Christians I knew to let me know if they caught me doing anything that the Bible said I shouldn't.  So far, no one has identified ANY behavior in my life that is condemned by the Scriptures.  You seem to feel that Wiccans and Pagans are living a sinful life.  Perhaps you could clarify for me what practices we actually do that dishonors God.

        

Most people turn to Wicca because they love nature and they feel drawn to this peaceful earth religion. But a few seem to seek the Craft in hopes to find a magical solution for the challenges in their life. Some have spent years jumping from one path to another, looking for the one that will finally help them get their life in order.

This brings to mind a line from the movie Six Days and Seven Nights, where Harrison Ford was telling Anne Heche that people often came to the island looking for love, but as far as he was concerned, "If they don't bring it with, they ain't gonna find it!" The power of the Divine can be like that too. If we keep hoping to find it through a specific group or organization, we may have a long journey ahead of us.

The truth is, the Divine is within us, and will be with us no matter what path we choose to take. We don't have to be a member of a certain group to experience magic or miracles in our life. We bring the power of the Divine with us on every path we journey down and can tap into it whenever we need to. There are no restrictions!

Kardia

        

I recently watched a movie called Willow. The main character was a little man that lived in a beautiful forest and dreamed of one day becoming a great sorcerer. Early in the movie a fairy gave Willow a wand to aid him on his journey. He made several attempts to use the wand but the results were never what he hoped for. At the end, when he needed it the most, Willow realized he no longer had the wand and he was forced to rely on his own inner strength and resources to save the day. Magic is like that. Willow's initial attempts to use the wand were not very successful because although he believed in magic, he was expecting the wand to do all the work. If the magic in your life is not what it should be, don't blame it on your wand. Wands, candles, oils and other tools can help you focus your thoughts and set the mood for magical activities. But as Willow learned, it is ultimately the power that resides within you that will determine your success.

You were meant to live a magical life. Although it's not as simple as waving a wand and saying a few special words, the process is not as complicated or mysterious as many people believe. Think of magic as the bloodstream of the universe. It flows through all things. We all have the ability to direct its flow through our lives. Getting the results we want is primarily a matter of training our mind.

However, it's essential that both our thoughts AND feelings reflect what we want. For example, we may send forth words or thoughts that we would like better health or more money, but if the universe picks up that what we are actually feeling is ill or broke, then by the Law of Attraction, more illness or financial challenges may be drawn into our lives.

We need to understand the universe does not communicate with us through mere words. To work properly, our words need to inspire intense feelings within us that send a clear message. We must imagine in our thoughts what it would actually FEEL like to have the things we desire. When the images in our mind are clear enough to generate the feeling of vibrant health or what it's like to drive a new car or have extra money to spend, we will begin to draw more of these things into our lives. The Law of Attraction is really a very simple law, but conditioning our mind to generate the proper signals can be challenging. If you're not getting the results you want, take a closer look at ALL your thoughts and feelings and work on sending out only those that you want multiplied in your life.
Finally, in the movie mentioned above, the town sorcerer gave Willow some great advice. He said, "Forget all you know or think you know. All that you require is your intuition". Above all else, trust your feelings! When you feel good inside about something, that's an indication you're doing the right thing. Let your true feelings or intuition lead you in the direction that's best for you and all things will begin to work the way they were meant to!

Peace and health be with you,
Kardia

        

A Facebook fan just emailed me for advice on how to start exploring the craft safely and responsibly. Our visitors often express concern or even fear about practicing magic and casting spells. They worry that if they make a mistake or do something wrong, their spell could backfire, causing bad things to happen.

What you need to remember is that true magic comes from within. The words you utter or the tools you use will not affect the results nearly as much as the thoughts and feelings you actually send forth.  My best advice for those who are just starting out is to be less concerned about having the proper candles, aromas and other suggested tools, and more concerned with developing positive thoughts and feelings to send forth.  This is the best way to practice the Craft responsibly and protect yourself from drawing unwanted negative energy into your life.  

A line from the Wiccan Rede gives us sound advice: Mind the Three-fold Laws you should, three times bad and three times good... This is referring to the well known Law of Attraction. Like will always attract like, and the type of energy you send out into the Universe will be returned to you at least three-fold!.

For more information and examples on how to increase the flow of positive magic in your life, read my blog article "Is Your Magic Wand Broke?" And for the full version of the Wiccan Rede go to: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/rede.htm

        

Before we suggest any first steps to take on a path towards Witchcraft or Wicca, we'd like to comment on BECOMING a Witch or Wiccan.  Many seem to think there is something they must DO before they can be considered a true follower of an ancient path.  I personally believe that an initiation or ritual does not make someone a Wiccan any more than simply going to church or getting baptized makes someone a Christian.  These are actions that confirm and strengthen your belief, but in my humble opinion, it's what you BELIEVE in your heart that makes you a true follower of the path you choose. 
 
Individuals who come to our site and read about the Wiccan beliefs and practices, often share with us that they feel as if they've "come home" or finally found a name for what they've always believed.  If you know in your heart that the teachings of a path are true, and you've been living a life that embraces those beliefs, you are already ON that path, and we feel this makes you a brother or sister of the faith.  However, if you're not clear about what is being taught or whether the teachings are right for you, we suggest you take the time to research and learn more about them BEFORE taking any other steps. If you haven't read it yet, you'll find a great article written by Herne, about How to Become a Wiccan or Witch at: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/howto.htm
 
Actually, 4 out of 5 readers who emailed us their suggestions, said that the FIRST step is always READ, READ, READ!  There are many directions to wander, and the more you read, the more likely you'll be to find a special path that is perfect for YOU.  Books are an obvious place to start, but you can also find a wealth of information online.  There are hundreds of pages to read at wicca.com and if you manage to get through all of them, you can visit our message boards for information on virtually any topic you wish to explore.  http://wicca.com/forums 

As for suggested reading, three of our most popular titles for beginners are:  The Truth About Witchcraft Today, Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin, and Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham.  Any books by Cunningham are great for beginners as they are clearly written and cover the basics very well.  If you can't find these books at your local library or bookstore, you can get them ftom our online bookstore.
 
You may find the many rituals and practices confusing, because each book or article you read seems to tell you to do something different.  Which is right?  What's the best way for you to go?  Most often it's what feels right to you ... whatever you are comfortable doing.  The important thing to remember is that you are simply honoring the earth and celebrating the bond between yourself and the Divine spirit found in all things.  If your activities are not fun, and/or done with a joyful heart, you may want to make some changes.  We'll be writing more about rituals and celebrations in the next newsletter. 
 
The second most popular step suggested for a beginner was to start a journal or Book of Shadows. This is a wonderful tool for those new to Wicca or Witchcraft, as it can help you define your understanding of your new path and ultimately design a dedication/self-initiation ritual that is perfect for you.  There are no right or wrong entries, as you are just recording your thoughts and experiences.  Your journal can be a bound blank book or a simple 3-ring notebook, which ever you prefer. 

Finally, once you're certain that this is the lifestyle you wish to follow, you will undoubtedly wish to share a fellowship with others who are similar in mind and spirit. This is a natural desire that can lead to increased fun and learning.  Just remember that your primary guidance should always come from within.  Seeking a teacher can be beneficial, but the most important thing is to listen to your Little Voice, Gut Feeling, Spirit Twin, Guardian Angel, or whatever you choose to call it. Most of us have found that this inner voice is rarely wrong and you "WILL" know when someone or something is not right for you.   The link below will take you to an article with tips on how you can find a teacher and avoid being drawn into a group that's not right for you.  http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/teacher.htm 

        

Many young readers write us asking if there is a certain age they must reach before "becoming" Wiccan.  One email read "I'm 13 ... is it okay for me to learn Wicca now"?  Later that day, another asked "I've been Christian my whole life and I'm wondering if it's too late in life for me to change faiths?"  We get a great deal of email from individuals asking for guidance on when or how they can become Wiccan or be a Witch.  Is there a proper age to take up this path?  I don't believe that age matters. What's more important, is WHY a person is drawn to a specific path. 
 
Those who are drawn to these paths because they want to cast spells, control others or command the forces of nature, are seeking the old ways for all the wrong reasons. Most in this category are still in their teens or younger.  Our late webmaster Herne wrote "Simply put, it doesn't make sense for the novice to want to command the forces of nature and the universe when you don't fully comprehend or understand them. To do so, only invites total failure or worse if you are successful in casting a spell or opening a portal and letting some nasty out to follow you around." 
 
If you think you might be too old to change faiths, ask yourself if you're actually CHANGING faiths, or just finally embracing beliefs and practices you have always known to be true?  In his article, Herne continues to write that "Many find the philosophies of how Wicca and Witchcraft view nature are the same as the one's they currently hold. They just didn't know there was a specific belief system that shared their views. If you've seen striking similarities between what you believe and what you've found in the old Earth-based religions, there are generally accepted ways to increase your awareness and find communion with others who feel the same. The following are the steps I would recommend to any one who wishes to learn more..."

To read the rest of this article, click the first link below or copy and paste it into your browser.  At the end of the  article you'll find a link to an index with many pages of information about Wicca and Witchcraft paths.  The second link below will take you to an area containing other articles written by Herne.  Many of our regular visitors are already familiar with these writings, but if you are new to the site, or have not yet been to this area, we think you'll enjoy the thoughts Herne left behind for us. 
 
http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/howto.htm
http://wicca.com/celtic/ramble/ramble0.htm

        

The Book of Shadows (or BOS) is a spell book and magical diary or journal of a Witch or Wiccan.  Some are passed down through Covens or from one individual to another, but today, solitary practitioners compose most.  Your BOS can be a three-ring notebook
or a bound blank book, whatever works best for you.  You'll record celebrations, ritual activities, spells and their results this book. 

As you explore your path and discover what works best for you, your book will grow.  You'll be preserving the details of your communication with the Divine, and creating a chronicle of your journey ... your own personal grimoire. 

If you'd like additional help creating your own BOS, we recommend you read Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham or Crafting Magick with Pen and Ink by Susan Pesznecker.  In either of these books, you can find the essential knowledge you need for creating and blessing your own book of shadows.  Both titles are available in Nature's Insight Bookstore

        

Whenever I'm asked if magic is real, I feel the need to determine what is meant by "magic."  More often than not, those who ask are referring to the magic they've seen in Harry Potter or Charmed ... the type where magic words and a magic wand or amulet give a person the power to fly or transform someone into something outrageous.  While words and objects can certainly have power, for the most part, it's the user giving these things their power, and not the other way around.

There is real magic in everything around you, and you already have within you the ability to create a magical life for yourself.  Wands, amulets, and especially words, are simply used to help you focus your thoughts. One of the best definitions of magic I found, was in "The 21 Lessons of Merlyn" by Douglas Monroe.  The training of the WILL seemed to be the very heart of Merlyn's teachings.  He tells his young student "The true definition of Magic, little one, does not center around spells or incantations, or the mysterious waving of arms... no.  As is recorded in the Blue Book of our forefathers, true Magic is 'The art and science of changing states of mind at will.'  And as we have learned by experience, action follows thought."

The bottom line is that YOU make it happen.  Use tools such as relaxing sounds and music, fragrance or aromatherapy, and candles, stones, pendants or even wands, to help you focus your thoughts.  But always remember, these are ONLY tools, and not the true source of magic.  Real magic is all in your head!