Amazing
First, you might ask yourself why you became involved in a coven and witchcraft
OK, as you suggested I will try to verbalise this in an effort to get things straight in my own mind before talking to her.
Firstly, Wicca (I prefer not to say Witchcraft, because Wicca affects my everyday life and is a religion, whereas witchcraft is what witches do, whether they're wiccan or not). I've always had a deep interest in spiritual things from being a young child (I was JW only from age 12). After leaving JWs I investigated many religions including buddhism and polytheistic religions. Basically I wanted to see what (if anything) resonated with me. I read a lot of books on the subject and eventually this lead to coming across books on modern (neo) paganism and the various paths therein. It makes sense to me that God isn't purely male and I can accept that human beings personify God as many things - energy, the All, God, Goddess, Turtle, whatever. Without going into too much detail I found that neo-paganism and particularly wicca was a perfect fit for me spiritually. I can honestly say that as a JW I didn't truly open my eyes to the beauty of the world and the perspective of Wicca helped me to see its beauty.
I am not knowlegable about withcraft, other than the steroetypical images the vast majority have of witches ... anymore than I am versed in the ways Druids or Free Masonry ... it all seems like strange stuff left over from the superstitous middle ages.
MMM Some of it is. LOL. Mostly I see the philosophy of Wicca as going much further back than the middle ages. It is similar to buddhism in many ways and some ideas and practices can be found in ancient religion and philosophy. The books you see that suggest that you should plant certain plants by your door, or don't stir your tea anticlockwise, they are IMO not witchcraft at all and are a throwback from old superstitious practices. Remember though that Wicca itself is in fact a modern religion which claims to take its main ideas from ancient practices and philosophies. The coven of which I'm a member is actually what some call a British traditional coven because it was only founded in the '70's by a family who had a book of shadows passed down from the turn of the 20th century (noone knows how far back but certainly from at least 100 years ago). A member of the family decided to allow outsiders into the group when witchcraft came out into the open.
Maybe if you wrote a post explaining the important meaning that witchcraft has in your life, and what you find in it that makes your life better,
Oh, that is a big question, but a pertinent one. Wicca has changed my perspective almost 180 degrees away from JWism. No prostelytising, acceptance of other people and their faith, remembering that we all have divinity within us, viewing the world as beautiful and death as a gift and neccessary process....the list goes on. Many Wicca are humble enough to admit that they don't truly know (noone can) the exact essence of God(dess). Much of the religion is about personal development in both a physical and spiritual sense. Harming none - including oneself - is really our only "rule".
The observance of moon phases and seasonal cycles may seem "superstitious" to some, but it actually facilitates a rounding of the personality when done properly. One is reminded of fundamental issues of human life, and through ritual is allowed to face them head on and appreciate and learn from them. Similarly ritual is an externalising of the psyche and emphasises our connection to everything and everyone else. A witches "circle" isn't just a silly idea that (s)he's created a sacred space....each aspect of it resonates with us at a very deep level. It'd take forever to explain that fully, however to give an idea I'm referring somewhat to the things Jung said about archetypes and the psyche.
Oh...you mentioned the coven. I joined simply because I was ready to join a close group for the purposes of sharing the Sabbats with them and further having a circle of friends of like mind. Incidentally, I'm often amazed at how much they read and how knowledgeable they are - and when screening them at first (yes...I wasn't joining another controlling group! ) I was happy to see that they all seem "normal" and have happy families.
OK....deep breath. I can't say all that to my JW mother. I can say 1. It makes me happy 2. It isn't manipulative in any way
....... argh.
Sirona
