27 replies to this topic

[hawkerdriver]

Is there an actual bible/spiritual bible for Wicca or Paganism. Or is it just scattered about?

[Vampchick21]

Individual Wiccans/Witches will have something called a Book of Shadows, which they may share among their coven or circle or keep to themselves. That's about the closest thing, but really, no Bible or Holy Book per say. A Book of Shadows is a collection of spells, rituals, chants, recipies for oils and incense, herbalism, and various other things. Some put them online. And it's all kinda passed along from person to person, shared knowledge kind of thing.

[kismitj]

well said vampchick!

there is only one basic credo that carries over into all traditions or paths of wicca. "an it harm none do as ye will"

[nohara_megami]

vampchick has the info to a T...... *scratches head and looks around* now where did i put MY Book of Shadows?..... darn now i will have to look^_^

[Vampchick21]

As an example of the variety of 'books' that Wiccans and Witches can have, I'll give the types I've personally pulled together for me.

None technically qualify as a Book of Shadows, which is normally one large book with everything in it.

I have one book I have created which is specifically for the Goddess Brighid, so prayers, rituals, chants, legends, etc. (I included St. Bridget in it as well actually).

One book is other Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Pantheon, plus a few others that I feel a connection with. Same kind of content as the Brighid book.

One book is purely herbs, magical, medicinal, growing tips, incense recipies, etc.

One book is purely essential oils, magical, medicinal, aromatherapy, etc.

One book is spells and rituals that I have created/adapted.

Normally a Book of Shadows is all of the above in one, plus specifically Wiccan content (the Rede, etc).

[secretsign]

Vamp, I like the ideal of having separate book for like subjects. I made a binder with dividers so I could add and remove pages if needed.
I think The Rede is something that all Wiccan and Pagans tend to fallow.

[Vampchick21]

All Wiccans, yes....most Pagans yes...but not all

And yea, I find having each subject in its own book to be far more helpful for me. For my book on Brighid and my other book on Gods and Godesses, I purchased two small sketchbooks so that I could include drawings. The herb book fits right in most of my purses, as I never know where I'll stumble over a rare herb I might REALLY want. The rest are those little blank journals you buy at book stores and greeting card stores. (Spells & Rituals is now TWO books....)

[Willow]

Every room in my house is riddled with one or more of those lil journals, they're the best! I had a friend send this link to me, it not only gives you excellent info on wiccan/pagan subs such as book of shadows but other religious sacred texts as well

http://www.sacred-te...m/bos/index.htm

[seakla]

This has been a very informative thread. I know that Wiccans/Pagans create their own Book of Shadows and I have thought about doing that for quite some time now but have not gotten around to it.

I like the idea of using a binder with removable pages as well, I like my stuff organized too much and I might write something and it is sloppy so I will want to re-write it, or maybe I find a spell that fits with another and want to place it near a spell I already have...so being able to remove and move pages sounds like the thing to me.

[Vampchick21]

The binder seems to me like it would also be good when you copy out a spell and then alter it to suit your own needs (which is common), so you would be able to have the orginal followed by the variations that you add in.

[Justa]

Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere in one of the other Wicca threads.

If there is no "bible" for Wicca/Witches, how do you find the rules that tell you what is right and wrong in order to follow the belief? Also, how does one get promoted through the ranks to High Priestess, or High Priest?

[Willow]

There are no "rules" to follow, the one thing that could maybe constitute as a rule would be Harm No One, Do What You Will....which basically means to not harm anyone...including yourself.

Becoming a Priest or Priestess can differ between Covens and Traditions. Sometimes just running a Coven makes you a Priest or Priestess. In others, there could be a training period that results in actual ordination within a church.

Good questions Justa, I dont think we've actually covered this before

[Vampchick21]

Some of it is plain common sense Some of it is tied to a loose grasp of Karma. Some of it is tied to a sense of conciousness, as in, "I would feel bad or guilty doing such and such, so I won't do it". Some is tied in with the particular culture that the path takes.

In my own personal case, my particular tradition is Celtic, so I take wisdom from what we do have of pre-Christian Celtic (mostly Irish in my case) religion and culture, and yes, sometimes even the very early Christian period (Celtic Christian) where the two were blending a bit. (btw...this is the time period that many oral traditions, laws, customs and myths were actually written down)

As for the Priest/Priestess postion, Willow is right, it depends on the coven or circle. But you should also note that it's somewhat different from the concept in Christian circles, as a Priest/Priestess (High or otherwise) is generally just the person who leads group ritual and don't have the kind of "representative" concept that the Catholic Church has for their Priests.

[linturner2]

There are a couple of books written by wiccans that are called. "The Witches Bible" or something along those lines. I have read a couple of these and they are pretty good. Don't know the author right off hand will get back with you on that. Also I have a book called "Wiccan Beliefs and Practices." will give author later. This is a very good book. It looks at wicca from different traditions of the religion so you get a view from several different aspects not just one persons point of view.

[Markway]

The Wiccan "religion" seems to have been a product of the romantic fantasies of certain 19th century mystics. These persons, usually men, seemed to be interested in what they perceived as a more sexually permissive pre-Christian Britain. "Druidic" rituals were the basis for initial "rites". To my knowledge, no wicker men filled with human sacrifices were ever burned alive. What was used was very selective.

During the 20th century, Feminists latched on to paganism, accusing Judeo-Christian-Muslim traditions as being patristic. At this point, "Wiccans" seem to have taken a definitely feminist tone. Insofar as I can discover, Wiccan covens today are universally led by women, and supported by a man, often their "significant other."

I have a question for you ladies and gents. Is there any solid historical basis for modern Wiccan practices, or ae they just inventing their own religion as they go along, borrowing what they like, from who and where they want?