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If you choose to follow a path (pagan, witch, wiccan, christian, whatever) then you CANNOT just 'tune in' like a TV set once in a while. For me, my path IS my religion. Just to practice it once in a while does not give you the benefit of actually 'knowing' your religion. You must practice it DAILY. It must become second nature to you. To give thanks to the God and Goddess for another day to learn, to meditate, to celebrate the festivals according to our Ways, to give proper respect to each other....this is the way I celebrate my life. I personally think that if you cannot commit to this then you need to take a second and very hard look at what you are trying to accomplish.
We should participate in our ritual/festivals if we truely believe in them. Now, I am not saying to 'follow blindly', but read the materials, the rituals....see for yourself if they call to you...they did to me...very strongly. The seasonal rituals (Solstices and Equinoxes) are Natures way of letting us know what 'time' of year it is. A time to plant and sow; a time to harvest; a time to celebrate Earth's fertility; and a time to celebrate life!!!! We need to be active in these....even if solitary. Do your best - don't leave anything out. Perform a play, dress up God or Goddess statues, grow your own flowers for your alter, make your own candles, grow your own herbs.....the ideas are endless. Remember, 'you reap what you sow'.
To me the Wheel of the Year signifies: completeness; the ever changing physical make up of where we live; the way we prepare different seasonal meals; beginnings and endings; the energy we put into finding just the 'right' items for each celebration (pine cones, herbs, flowers, incense). All this is wound around and through each Treguenda and Veglione, thus connecting us to it all.
Remember the hearth about which the family gathered (and still do) ? The hearth provided warmth, a means of cooking, a place of gathering, a place for prayers. Fire symbolizes protection, survival (for cooking and warmth). The 'light of fire' to me is all these things wrapped together. In the Old days, Fire was far more of a 'survival' item. Today, with all the modern conveniences (electricity), fire or flame is the rememberance of the Ancestors and our own personal journeys.
When I think of trees (any variety) I picture them with their roots wound thru the Earth. Being nourished by underground streams; taking in the Earth' and Water's nutrients to flourish and grow stong. Trees are solid...they withstand hurricanes, storms, snow, the 4 seasons of the year. Above the ground the trees grow up to the sky, sun and moon...ever stretching their limbs and branches reaching to the heavens. In the Wind they sway..kind of like waving 'hello' to us and perhaps the God and Goddess...letting them know they (the tree) is full of life. Trees give joy to children: climbing; building a clubhouse in; jumping in the fallen leaves as the seasons change. Many trees also bear fruits and nuts which they willing give to help nurture us! Trees by Moonlight are quite beautiful. Where I live, the trees seem to 'come alive' under a Full Moon: they sway as if to talk to us. Try meditating on a tree...talk to it...ask it questions.....and listen. When we moved here to TN there was a huge beautiful tree in our backyard. I could sit at the base of this tree and meditate so serenely. I named it my 'grandfather tree'. Unfortunately, the tree was very old and during the course of a storm was hit by lightening twice.....there was no choice but to cut it down. So I made an altar out of the base of the tree (cut about 4 feet off the ground) and it was filled with the most wonderful energy. I could sit on the tree stump and think or try to be inspired. The tree also provided us with wood for the winter for the fireplace and outdoor firepit; and staffs for everyone!!
There is much talk about the 'degree' system that many traditions use. I do not agree with those who think they can earn a First Degree in less than 1 year....even if they have prior experience, they need to learn the way of another tradition which may be very different from the one they had previously known. 'Degrees' are a tricky thing. Some covens require them, some don't. Some unscrupulous people 'just jump to 3rd'. Some never make it past 1st. Some don't want the 'stigma' of being degreed. It is my personal opinion that our Strega ancestors did not have a degree system. I believe they definately had what I call a 'pecking order'. The oldest ruled and depending on your age and your knowledge, is where you stood in line. The Degree system I believe came by way of Gerald Gardener. The following is my own personal opinion and from my own experience.
A First Degree initiate (one who had decided they wish to learn more of a certain tradition; also called a dedicant) has demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to take care of his or her own spiritual needs. Also he or she must possess the basic working and hands-on knowledge of: the Elements and with basic correspondences; ability to banish, bless, and consecrate material to prepare it for ritual use; familiarity with basic magical tools; familiarity with the Wheel of the Year; ability to cast and close a Circle; ability to center, ground, and shield; become proficient in one method of divination. The usual time frame for First Degree can be anywhere from 1 - 2 years.
A Second Degree initiate has demonstrated that he or she: can safely lead a magical working; possesses the willingness and the capacity to minister to the needs of others (this includes mediating and counseling); to work within the Witch/Wiccan/Pagan community. This time frame can be another 1 -3 years.
A Third Degree initiate has demonstrated that he or she is competent to lead his or her own Coven or Circle. This means 'running the whole show'!! Preparing rituals, assigning duties, counseling, clergy duties. This time frame can be another 1- 3 years.
I believe that the Craft is not something that one practices only in Circle. You must be mindful that every choice we make always has conseqences, and that each of us, like it or not, are responsible for the all of consequences of our choices.
I believe that things can be added to a ritual without taking away the meaning. We are ever evolving....so ritual must be evolving also. We are not in ancient times, so I don't think we need to stay in the past as far as rituals. But do not change the 'meaning' of the ritual when making an addition to it.
The Religious Freedom Amendment (RFA) is NOT something this country needs. We NEED separation of Church and State. This issue of school prayer alone should make you stand up and take notice. In a country that prides itself on the diversity created by being a nation open to all peoples, this proposal would severely pressure the non-Christian student into submitting themselves to situations which they might find awkward at best, and physically, emotionally and mentally challenging at the worst. Physically, emotionally and mentally challenged? YES! Kids will be kids, and to some who are not the same, they will be physically beaten and tormented; kids will taunt someone who is different (spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally - don't deny it - I am sure we have all seen this in action at one time or another); the mental stress of having to deal with this on a daily basis will result in poor grades and perhaps social withdrawal. Who will decide what prayers are said? Who will decide what Religion these students will follow at school? Students who do not want to participate will be forced to single themselves out by getting up and leaving the room or remaining silent. School prayer will create "captive audience" situations that may coerce students to hear religious views. Children should not be made to take part in a religion that is not their own. The government should not establish an official religion or require anyone to join in religious activities. Prayer is a sacred communication with the God you believe in and is NOT to be forced on another.
A local high school in VA (June 1999) has asked Protestant ministers only to teach a course on the history of Western religions. Why only Protestant? Why not Catholic, Buddhist, Mormon, or Jewish? Do not all these religions have a history to tell? You can teach “about” religion in the public schools, the Supreme Court has made that abundantly clear, but it should be taught by a neutral person. This course will impose the Bible and interpretations on students from only ONE viewpoint. . The very setup discriminates on the basis of religion and will promote the teaching of a specific religion in school.
This amendment would undermine more than 200 years of protection for religious freedom guaranteed under our Constitution. The amendment would allow government officials to make decisions in their jobs that favor one particular faith. It would allow students to impose their religious beliefs on fellow classmates in our public schools by holding prayers at mandatory school events. This amendment would inevitably pit one religious group against another. The proposed amendment would give teachers and school officials the power to proselytize students. The amendment refers not just to students, but to “any person or group,” and makes no distinction between instructional and non-instructional hours.
As for the Ten Commandments, these are a Christian belief - not Jewish, Hindi, Buddhist, Pagan, Mormon or Muslim. Will the 'laws and guidelines' of these other minority Religions be allowed to be displayed freely without ramification? The Ten Commandments and any Religious documents have no place on government property - including schools, police stations, town/city halls, federal buildings or courthouses.
Religious liberty -- not religious coercion -- is the American way. Wake up folks!! We are a Nation of diverse peoples. There is no ONE Religion. Freedom of Choice allows “WE THE PEOPLE” to choose our Religion freely.