Not a monty python fan?

Only if they weigh less then a duck.

I like the holiday idea- but why not expand and include it in the attempt to make the thread long lasting and self sustaining?

I started several threads in the past that were just for fun for people to hang out and not fight- the problem was when the thread got peaceful everyone got bored and stayed away.... (e.g. Coffeehouse for human beings).

But I'm sure there is *some* kind of holiday every day so you could always celebrate and discuss the holiday for that day....

I never heard of Frey before- not that I know any other Norse gods.... God of Passion huh? And you said the celebration was fun but brief? In general I like my passion to last a bit longer...

doesn't sound like much of a "god" at first hearing?!?!

Merry Meet!

Feel free to post on any holiday that you like.

I'm a huge monty python fan! I fart in your general direction!

Ruth turned me into a newt....... i got better.

You don't frighten us, English pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottom, sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called Arthur King, you and all your silly English k-nnnnniggets.

Having lived near Stonehenge (in the UK) and visited many times during my life, I can honestly say there is energy there that you can palpably feel!

Unfortunately they have fenced it off from the general public, but when I was a child, I climbed on the stones and there is one that is incredibly much warmer than the others!

An amazing place.

I'm jealous. I bet it was amazing.

One of the advantages of being British ... lol

It is.

I am form that area anyway and I regularly used to drive past it on the way home from London.

Early in the morning (5am) in the summer, it feels very strange driving past it back again, when the sun is rising.

The road runs parallel to the monument and then veers off.

Unfortunately the Solstices ruin the site, as there are lots of people who want to do some very strange things there.

The traffic queues, even at 5am are enormous!!

I can imagine. I think the best place for a solstice celebration is the most powerful energy source you have locally. And, there are good ones everywhere. I mean people didn't use to have the ability to travel to places like Stonehenge for their rituals. They did them where they lived. It's kind of sad as it makes it too "touristy".

Can you imagine a world without witches?


http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=u0u7csPchp8&fmt=18

Ruth what to you think about the assertion that Paganism (not Wicca exactly) but non-Christian based spiritualities have predated Christianity for thousands of years? I know this is generally an accepted concept in the Pagan community. Though I sensed no resentment of the word "new age" or anything like that. I think that term was coined more as a marketing description since many little shops began to open that often sold ritual items, incenses, books, so “new age” became kind of a blanket reference to that. Have any thoughts or feelings on it? I’m just trying to keep this thread going.

Wicca is a pseudo-religion and attention-getting device which involves the worship two deities: the Goddess Mother Earth or some other goddess (preferably not of the Celtic tradition Wicca claims to embody) and the God (otherwise known as Captain Planet). It is mainly practiced by MySpace users between the ages of 13 and 16, though for a select minority of emos and goths the phase can last until well into their late teens, or even into the early 20s if they have no friends and can still use it as a tool to get attention. The Wiccans older than that are mostly crazy feminists or tree hugging hippies. Wiccans are basically witches that can't do real magic.

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Wicca

In the 1980's it was fashionable to be interested in the New Age. This is now a dreadful faux pas within the alternative scene, and in order to be accepted in the 1990's metaphysical social set, one must have an interest in Witchcraft or Paganism. Of course, you don't have to actually belong to a coven in order to be thought of as a Witch, you can bluff your way into being accepted as a fully fledged Witch simply by knowing a few terms and dressing accordingly. This brings us to...

Rule # 1: Image is Everything. After all, what's the good of being a Witch if nobody knows you are one? You must therefore wear black at all times. If possible, stay out of the sun until you become really pale, as this makes the effect even better. For women (and adventurous males) dark eyeliner and black nail polish can enhance this look. Also wear crystals and cheap occult paraphernalia at all times, and make sure that these are as gaudy and bizarre as possible, as this can only help your image. Wearing a pentacle around your neck is an absolutely necessary accessory - the bigger the better! Capes and cloaks are optional around town - it depends on how much of a visual impact you want to make, but either of these are also crucial apparel at any ritual or gathering that you may attend.

Rule # 2: Name Dropping is Good. Every serious student of The Craft (and I'm talking here about the term for Witchcraft, not macrame) knows the name Gerald Gardner. This man revitalised Witchcraft in the mid 1900's with his book about the true history of The Old Religion (some have called this book pure fiction, but only those picky few who like books to be based on facts). Real Witches however, never let historical accuracy get in the way of their spiritual path, so in conversations with other witches, quote his name as often as possible (in tones of awe) and you will always be rewarded with smiles of acceptance.

Rule # 3: Past Life Name Dropping is Even Better. Tell everyone about the past life memories that have been surfacing since you began studying the Black Arts. It is especially useful to remember a past lifetime as a Witch who was killed during the Inquisition, or at least recall a lifetime as a famous occultist. My past lives have included Aleister Crowley, Cagliostro, Mandrake the Magician, and most of the cast of "Bewitched".

Rule # 4: Behave Strangely. Never forget why it was that you wanted to become a Witch - yes, so that you have an excuse for strange behaviour. Previously labelled eccentric behaviour patterns can now be accepted by others if they have a reason to explain it, even if that reason for howling at full moons while naked is simply, "He/she is a Witch, that's normal for them evidently." So, don't let your friends down, behave strangely, you can get away with it now.

Rule # 5: Watch Occult Movies. Make sure that you watch the movie "Warlock" lots of times to perfect those soft landings after over-indulging with the flying ointments (read as mead and weed).

Rule # 6: Ready Yourself for Sex, Money and Power. Wasn't this the other reason you were drawn to Witchcraft? In the past, adepts of the occult were known to possess charismatic, lusty and powerful personas - when people find out that you are a Witch, they may automatically assume (and therefore empower you) with these same qualities. This may sound pretty good, but unfortunately in today's world, another group of people have become even more established within the realms of kinky sex sessions and unlimited power - yes, the politicians! Beware of this elitist group of power-brokers... they don't want any competition to their manipulative monopoly over the gullible public - hence the laws against Witchcraft and divination that have remained unchanged for centuries. So, if calling yourself a High Priest doesn't lead you to unlimited sex, money and power - or if it does, but you then find yourself as the target of political and legal harassment - you may have to put aside your cloak and broomstick and pick up a pin-stripe suit and a back-bench in Parliament. If you can't beat them, try bribery, then if that doesn't work... join them!

Rule # 7: Atmosphere is Essential. Your home must reflect your Witchy nature. Incense must burn continuously. It's important that visitors see clouds of incense smoke billowing from a spluttering censer in the corner of your dim, dank and dusty home, so dismantle the smoke detectors and start collecting strange little bottles of exotic looking ingredients (use your imagination and label them with names like powdered bat's eyes, or dried dragon's gonads). And if you don't like housework, you can explain that the layer of dust that covers your floors and furniture helps to neutralise the highly charged psychic energy that results from your magical spells, thereby protecting your home and possessions from electromagnetic disintegration.

Rule # 8: Be Patronising to Christians. In social discussions don't forget to make plenty of derogatory remarks about fundamentalist Christians, but remember to save your most biting comments for other Witches that you don't get along with.

Rule # 9: Brag About Your Psychic Powers. Any self-respecting Witch will tell you that after their initiation to Witchcraft, their psychic powers awakened and their tarot cards (which they always carry with them) are now much easier to read (they now get something right once in a while). They will also tell you that they can now sense energy fields (in other words, they don't bump into things as often as they used to). Follow this example and brag about the rapid development of your psychic abilities since your initiation. If asked about your initiation ceremony, simply state that you were sworn to secrecy about it, then quickly change the subject by mentioning your newly awakened ability to detect Ley-lines, but try to remember that a Ley-line is not a queue for the after-ritual orgy!

Now you know how to pass yourself off as a real Witch, so place that broomstick in a conspicuous corner (one that is not clouded by too much incense smoke); pull on those black clothes; give everyone that you meet a sinister look - and your social status will improve overnight. If you do all of this successfully, you may even find yourself with enough adoring acolytes so that you can start your own coven! Good luck and Blessed Be!

Paganism pre-dating Christianity is accepted by Christians and non-Christians alike. The Bible refers to this form of religion in the Old Testament.

Most all forms of Paganism were eventually wiped out or pushed underground throughout the centuries in Europe by Christians and when that happened many of the traditions were lost. Now that these religions are being accepted by society at large and are no longer illegal to practice people are going back to them. It is hard to say how much of the Paganism practiced today is the same as it was hundreds or thousands of years ago. I think that is why some refer to the current form of Paganism as Neo-Paganism.

It doesn't bother me one bit. If my religion just had to be old to be valid I could become Jewish. In my opinion, religion has one purpose and that is to connect in a meaningful way to the Divine (God, Goddess, whatever you want to call it). So, however you do that is your religion and it's a good thing.

Good Afternoon all my Wiccan friends.

Good afternoon. I'm feeling a litte wicked today.