#wiccan beliefs

[iridescentalchemyst]

The 13 Principles of Wiccan Beliefs

The thirteen principles were published by the Council of American Witches in 1974. The principles provide a brief summary of the cosmological, spiritual, and philosophical beliefs of Wicca. It describes how its members relate to the world around them, including our position towards practitioners of other religions. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces…

[thatsmybook]

Some of my thoughts since the last episode of Agatha All Along:

The most earnest show of religion in an MCU property is being done through a queer kid. I like that the wider world is learning about the intersectionality of identity. I believe that Billy is as Jewish as William because a) the only family he knows has 'raised' him Jewish and b) his love of witchcraft and ritual and finding ways to explain his world intersect with the rituals and traditions of his faith. Even William was deeply fascinated with magic and witchcraft and journeys of discovery.

Marvel fans are aware that Wiccan is a strong character. The fact that this symbol of masculine strength can be found in a witch boy who is raised to be strong in his sense of self by women in his coven, is awesome. He is drawn to feminine strength as inspiring instead of looking for male heroes. He is attracting feminine forms of protection (Alice), feminine disruptors of the status quo and stereotypes (Lilia), strength in the feminine aesthetic and belief in your innate power (Jen), feminine quest for knowledge and ambition (Agatha). He is being shadowed by death (Rio), but even death gives life in its reincarnation (as we return to earth and feed the earth with our life-force to continue on in new forms).

I believe that Wiccan is/can be as important to the MCU as Spiderman is. Spiderman is a teenager who could be any and everyone. Spiderman looks up to Iron Man, especially but also seeks male role models and approval. (A big part of Iron Man's humanity and softness came from mentoring Peter Parker - I see parallels between Agatha Harkness and Iron Man in this way too).

I believe Wiccan is a version of masculinity to teens that can see that women hold the depth of knowledge and power that he is more interested in unlocking and that their experiences with adversity will be better guides for him as he grows to be the most powerful magic user in the MCU. He is also chosen as a witch and not a sorcerer/wizard/warlock.

Will we be getting little boys and girls and theys aspiring to be wiccans and spidermen equally?

[death-witch2007]

If you're looking for a Tumblr witchy space dedicated to folk practioners look no further! Folk Magic is a new inclusive Tumblr community that hopes to create a space for all folk practioners here on this app. We are a woman and queer owned community. Some of the things we offer are:

~Stern rules on cultural appropriation, ablesim, homophobia, racism, etc ~Opportunities to discuss folk magic with fellow folk practioners ~We are a very anti wiccan space ~Opportunities to join our staff team ~And so much more! Come join at https://www.tumblr.com/join/qjWP-Kn-

We hope you enjoy your stay!

[shadow-book-wren]

Yule Superstitions

Animals

Legend says animals can speak on Christmas Eve but not to listen for them because it is unlucky to hear them

Some cattle ranchers believe that if the first person to cross the threshold on Christmas eve is female, only heifers will be born on the ranch for the next year. however, if it is a male, many male calves will be born

Feeding a sprig of mistletoe to the first calf-bearing cow of the new year ensures future fertility for both

Some British believe that ivy leaves fed to each cow after milking and before noon on Christmas morning will force the devil away from the herd and keeper for the next 12 months

If the stars are bright on Christmas Eve, hens will lay well the next year

Monsters

In Sweden, its believed that trolls travel freely through countryside from dusk on Christmas eve to dawn on Christmas morning. its common practice to stay indoor during those hours, in Sweden.

Greece and Poland considers it unlucky to be born on Christmas eve and Christmas day because the roaming monsters - kallikantzaroi (Greece) and werewolves (Poland) can capture the newborn's spirit for their own devices

It is customary, in Greece, to burn all old shoes to ward off misfortune in the new year

Ghost refuse to come out of hiding on Christmas day, babies born then are said to be forever free of ghostly troubles

Food

Refusing mincemeat pie on Christmas brings bad luck in the next year

You will lose a friend before next Christmas, if you don't eat plum pudding during the holiday season

Eat an apple at midnight on Christmas Eve for ensuring good health

Leave a loaf of bread on the table, after Christmas Eve, to guarantee plenty of bread for the household in the coming year

Christmas cakes must remain uncut until December 24, and one piece left uneaten until after Christmas day to ensure good fortune

In Germany, it's customary to eat greasy pancakes on the winter solstice and leave some on the table to feed the winter hag so that she doesn't "hunt you down, slice open your belly, and take the cakes right out"

Gift Giving

When giving clothing for a gift, don't wash or iron or it will press in bad luck and wash away good

House

Make sure all fires in your home burn throughout Yuletide season in order to be free of evil spirits

Some Scandinavian families place all their shoes side by side on Christmas Eve to bring harmony in the home

If you have holes in your stocking, hanging them upside down on the hearth before bed on Christmas Eve is said to have them repaired by St. Nick

Place a cherry tree branch in water two weeks before Christmas. if the branch blossoms by Christmas Day you'll have good luck in the new year.

If you fix a hole in your roof between Christmas and New Year's Day it will reappear

You'll have bad luck if you bring holly into your home before Christmas Eve, and triple bad luck if it's removed before January 6th

Mistletoe has to stay hung in place for one year to ensure good luck and when replaced, the old one should be burned

Burn evergreen and decorations of evergreens to ensure good luck

There is an ancient German custom that states that things with wheels, especially spinning ones- may not be used from 5 days before the solstice until six days after it or else the sun causes all fleece and fiber to tangle beyond repair

Marriage Omens

In Germany, girls play a holiday game, seemingly similar to duck-duck-goose, where the first player to be touched by the blindfolded goose will be first to marry of the participants.

In England on Christmas Eve, its customary for unmarried girls to knock on the hen house door... if a rooster crows in response, she'll be married within 12 months

In Northern Europe, some girls arrange three buckets of water in their bedroom, pin three sprigs of holly to their nightgowns before sleeping and are awakened by three shouts and three chuckles. an apparition of their future husbands will appear and if the buckets are rearranged - the marriage proposal wont have any issues ; If they aren't - they may not be a willing partner

In Poland, it is believed that grinding poppy seed on Christmas Eve will ensure a quick marriage for unmarried women

Tossing twelve sage leaves on Christmas Eve winds will make the image of your future lover materialize

Weather

If the night sky on Christmas Eve is clear and starry, summer harvest will be abundant

The 12 days of Christmas tells the weather for each following months. ex: first day of Christmas = snowy ; January = snowy

Easter will be cold if it doesn't snow on Christmas

if Christmas Day is breezy there will be good luck for the new year

[christowitch]

Happy Easter!

May your day be filled with positive interactions and lovely food!

And remember.. if things get tough… having a lie down for three days then getting up and handling your shit worked for Jesus so it can work for you too.

[necrogfie]

how do i explain to lady aphrodite that she will have to share her altar with archangel gabriel /silly

[unluckyxse7en]

Something I still haven't adjusted to is that my whole entire family just. Abruptly turned Christian on me overnight. Like it's been a couple years since it happened but it's like. My brain doesn't even know what to DO with this info. It's so surreal.

[gigiswitchynuk]

Yes, I am a Witch!

I am tired of hiding who I am and most importantly, who I want to be. I discovered this path many years ago but only recently started following/practicing it. Only my immediate family knows and my mother in law whom supports me even though she's christian. Only exception, I can't dance naked under the moonlight. Ha ha! With her living in our guesthouse she said she doesn't want to look out her window and see that. I quietly perform my rituals at any time of the day as not to disturb her or my neighbors. My husband said when he retires, we can sell our home and build us a cottage in the forest. Exactly where I want to be! Living off the grid with no modern technology, no car, no neighbors, no nothing but us and our cats. Dreaming am I? Maybe. But we all have dreams and whether be in our sleep or making a wish we only we can manifest them.

I am a witch. I practice witchcraft. I cast spells and work with deities. I follow the Wiccan path and and its tenets. I am not denouncing christianity nor stating their beliefs are wrong. I just choose not to follow that path anymore nor be involved in some church. Nature is my church and all that is in it teaches me everything I need to know.

[cosmicvenusnebula]

Beliefs Christians/modern religion has influenced:

(send me stuff to add to this list if I miss anything....which I prob will)

Religion influenced: If you mess up anything in witchcraft you will get hurt by external forces. Truth: This belief exists to scare witches into not practicing witchcraft. The truth is, if you mess up anything in witchcraft, it just means your human. Witchcraft doesn't have any rules or regulations. Even the belief of the 3x law, or the belief that if a spell backfires it will come your way, is influenced by the religious belief that you will be punished if you sin. It only happens if you believe it happens. (you can believe whatever witchcraft laws you want in your practice, but don't scare other witches with it)

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Religion influenced: People who are sexual before marriage must have something wrong with them. Especially people under 18. Truth: Humans are sexual by nature, especially kids who are figuring out their body. Especially young kids and infants.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Religion influenced: People who are gay (lgbtq) must have something wrong with them. Being gay (lgbtq) is wrong! Truth: Before modern religion was invented, being queer was very normalized, and queer sex was very normalized. Even gods people worshipped were queer. I'm not saying homophobia didn't exist back then, but it was much more accepted then it is today.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Religion influenced: Witchcraft is a sin Truth: Worshipping a god you cannot see is witchcraft.....literally everything is witchcraft. E v e r y t h i n g.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ (please send me more stuff to put on this list)

[walkingwiththegods1]

Ways to defend yourself, of people than discriminates you for being a Pagan; Wiccan, or Witch

We are seeing in The News and through Social Media, how sadly wars and conflicts of all kinds; are more and spreading through differents parts of The World (Congo DR, Haiti; Gaza, The sad fate of The Rohingya... [And, less not forget than Ukraine, Syria; The Sahel, and in other places of The World; have years, and even more than a decade; without living in peace]) For this reason, I'll tell how you can avoid being the target of hatred of the ones than discriminate us; specially, from fundamentalists of monotheistic religions; than wants to provoque us, so they can justify using violence; against us. This list, made briefly; explain in short all the methods, from the easiest... Til' the more drastic: I adviced you to starts from the number 1, and; according to the situation, continue until the last number of the list. (I hope to The Gods and Goddesses... Than you will never need to uses, to the last three of them!)

And, now... The List of Ways to Defend Yourself and to others Pagans/Wiccans/Witches, from any person than discriminates against us:

1. Avoid encounters with these kind of people, as much as possible: I know that sounds, as; ''The move than will do a coward!…'', BUT… Only the ones than had experiences of being harrased in the street, like me; knews well about how DANGEROUS, THESE PEOPLE REALLY ARE! They ignored than Freedom of Cult and Religion, is protected by law by the vast mayority of nations and countries of The World; (But, if you like me; lives in a nation; where the vast mayority of people is Monotheist, and where this law; is a sad joke…) and they tries to convert you, and accused you unfairly of being a Satanist… So they can continue to harrasing and verbally abusing you, and never ends in jail; where they should be.

My way to protect myself, is this: If you see a group of preachers, (Or; a few or only two; or even one) walking at two or three sidewalks of you… Go walking quickly to the opposite direction, and avoid visual contact so they never know; that you are walking away from them/him/her. (That will avoid you many bad moments, innecesary stress; and, about all… Even a possible physical attack!)

2. If they ever reach you, be polite; stay calm; but... Being firm in your beliefs!: Sometimes, (As it happened to me) the encounter(s) couldn't being totally avoided; and you end with this kind of people, near; or, in front of you. The only thing you can do in that moment, is… Keep calm, and never raise your voice; when you says than ''You are no interested in the moment'', or ''I will go when I feel ready to go''

These are tiny phrases you can uses, so they eventually; leaves you alone:

''I'm really busy, and I don't have the time to go...''

''I need to go to a errand, so... Nice to meet you, and goodbye.''

''My parents don't leave me go to a place, unless they give me permission''

''I'll love to, but... My husband doesn't like than I invite strangers to our house.''

''If it is where I believe it is, I can't go: The Church (Or any place they use for reunion), is too far of my home: Sorry!''

3. If they still continue, and are blocking your way; after you are trying to leave...

Trying to search a little empty space between them, and leaves quickly through it; as soon than you find it: Lower yourself to leaves through it, slip til' you are as far as possible of them (walk quickly, and... Run when you reach the sidewalk, etc.); always trying to leave, with the less amount of violence possible; so they can't use it later, against you. And...

If they starts to grabs you, and calling you names (This is where the situation, start to get really dangerous; 'cause they are forcing you to stay against your will, and you don't have a way to escape; or fear don't left you think if you can escape...); then... SCREAM, AS LOUDER AS YOU CAN! They may scare and let you go, 'cause they wasn't expecting than you do that, and RUN. (If people came at your aid, before you run... Just tell them than you was trying to leave, they doesn't leave you, and you was fearing for your safety: There's a big chance, than they never back to bother you, 'cause they wants to keep a good image; in front of the public opinion, and... Lest said than ''Attacking, or trying to kidnapps people...'' Will destroy any of that ''Pristine Image'', than they uses for their own benefits.)

4. If screaming didn't work, and nobody seems to came... Tell them than your family/friends/acquatainces, are searching for you; than THEY KNOW than you are near of this place, and they must leave you go, 'cause they may call to the police; if you don't appear in a few minutes. (Many of these people fear to the police, 'cause some of them had been in jail; and many fear to the police, itself!) Is extreme, I know… But maybe is the only way to get out, of this unpleasant situation. (And… Using Self-Defense, if you know any… Is a great help in this situation, too!)

5. If you are in a place where everybody knows you, and somehow they find out; than you are a Pagan, Wiccan or Witch; and they aren't happy with that, them… Again, being calm; and reminds them of these things:

My beliefs and/or religion, is a personal thing.

The same right you have to believe what they want, is the same right I have to believe; in what my heart wants to believe.

Being of a religion/belief, than is not Mainstream, doesn't turns me into an ''Attention Seeker'', ''Be in a Phase''; or ''A bad person'': I'm in this religion/belief, 'cause I tried in Mainstream Religion; and this where I feel in peace, and in Home.

6. If they continue to attacking you… Ask them politely, what is there real concerns about you; following your choosen path. (You may need to dispel their fears, telling only the truth about your faith; by only telling the basics, about the same.)

7. If your Family/Friends/Classmates/Coworkers/Etc, are against you… Sadly… I experienced that myself (And I STILL being mocked, mistreated and even comdend by people related to me, for blood and/or the law); and these are a few things you can do, to protect yourself, being you a minor; or an adult by the law:

If you are a Minor: Stop to practices (in case you were), until you are at least; 18 years old, or you are an emancipated minor: If you are able to have a job, keep yourself safe; pay your bills, and knows how to care for yourself... Then you can profess your beliefs, with the protection of the law! Now... If you are still a minor, and you are far still of being emancipated or a Legal Adult; then don't despair... There is something you can do: Speak little to your Family/Friends/Acquaitances about your beliefs, ignores their mockering/bullying/comments/coldness; and... Talks to someone than respects you (and your beliefs), so you doesn't feel alone; and you can keep strong, until you are old enough to follow what you truly believes... And, loves!)

If you are an Adult: Avoid as much as posible, to going to Parties/Family Reunions/Birthdays/etc, or any events where your Family/Friends/Etc; can use these moments to humilliated you, and/or verbally abuse you; in front of everybody. Other thing, is to ignore their hurtful comments (As I had to do, in more than one ocassion); if the Reunion/Party/Birthday/Family Dinner, couldn't being avoid. And, my last advice in this matter is; if you are in a job that pays you enough, then saves enough money... And move as far as you can, of these people: Is something we all must do, when our job pay us enough; so we can save money and we can move to the safest place possible; so we can live and follow our beliefs, in peace.

(Note: Only say to your Family and/or Friends, where are you going to live; if you trust than they will treats you with respect: If you feel than, they will continue with their despicable behavior... Only says your real address to the friends and family's members, than always were supportive of you; and than never will say where you are, to the other friends and/or family's members; than doesn't treats you better...)

8. If the attacks passed from verbal, to physical violence: and/or persecution… Use Justice, to end it!: According to Wikipedia… A man was arrested in 2019, for trying to stab a woman, than he believed than was a witch. Which… Takes me to the point of this part of ways to defend yourself: Justice, is obligated to protects and grants you justice; if you are recieving threats of harm, or even if someone; tried to hurts you! But, if you lives in a country where sadly; Antidiscrimination's Laws doesn't exists… Send your complain to the only place you will be heared and protected: The Human Rights Watch Office, than is present in 100 countries. (Research if there is a Human Rights Watch Office in your nation, wrote the number and the address and tries to memorize it; in case you may need to call, or even; to go there!)

9. Learn Martial Arts, and/or learn to use a weapon to defend yourself; just in case than you could be attack in the street, or... In your own home!: I have readed about Pagans being attack at their homes, than escaped of being killed; by pure luck… And Pagans than avoided being killed, thanks than they manages weapons to scares to evil people. (I strongly dislike firearms, but I'm pretty agile with white weapons and I have to uses my fists and legs; when my life was in danger in childhood, so… Never understimate to uses violence, as your last defense: If could save your life, someday!)

10. And, at last… If all the above wasn't enough; and your Mental Health, Dignity; Peace, or your Life is in danger; this is the last advice: Leaves your Country, ASAP!: Is the last measure, and… Probably, the saddest of all: Leaving what you know, to be safe and sound somewhere else; and be happy around of people than at least respect your rights. For doing that, my advice; is this:

Buy a kit of small bottles for Travel (To fill them each of them with Shampoo, Hair Condictioner; Shower Gel and Styling Mousse or Gel), a tiny First Aid kit; three changes of clothes, four pairs of underwear, a sweater, three pairs of different footwears (You have to put them in a two gallons ziploc bag, to avoid than the rest of your clothes; gets dirty); three pairs of socks, Feminine hygiene products (If you are a female, of course), a blanket big enough to cover your body when you are snuggled up, a tiny makeup kit with a tiny makeup remover; your passport, a little ziploc bag with your medicines (If you where prescribed ones), two set of pijamas, a pair of slippers; a toothbrush with a regular size toothpaste, a small hairbrush, a small comb; and... Any not perishable thing than you really needs, and you knows than it will be immposible to get; when you leave your nation.

Check as soon as possible, if you don't need a Visa to go to your choosen destination. (If that's the case... Research to what kind of Visa you can apply, and start to get the requirements; to avoid being rejected when you go to that Country's Consulate.) Also... See what jobs you can do legally, in your future destination!

Start to learn about the Culture, How to behave; and learn the Language (Or.. At least the basic phrases; the names of places/animals/plants/foods and common questions with their answers), of the country where you are going to live: A misdundertanding with Locals, for not knowing or understand what they say to you; or for not behaving as they expects you to act, or for not knowing the laws of that nation... Could land you in troubles. (And, even... Cause you to being deported where you can't back to live!)

Three or two weeks before to leave... Buy your Airplane Tickets (Or... Of any transport than is of long distances, or to get out of your country), and physical money (a few bucks, just in case); to put in your pocket, and any amount of money than is bigger than that... Put it in your travel bag, at the reach of your hand: In my country, the top amount of physical money to enter or leave the country; is $10,000 dollars, and anyone that carries more than that, would be stopped and can't take the plane: Find out what is the top amount of bucks you can take with you, to avoid to miss your trip! (Of course, that money must be in the currency of your destination, and if is possible... Get a International Credit Card, to avoid to take all that money with you!)

When you have a week or two left to leave, check than you have your medicines and First Aid's Kit are at date (At least than the expiration date will be in six months to a year, 'cause you don't know if you may find a drugstore to buy them; soon, and you will have to tend minor wounds; while you learn where are the hospitals/doctors, in your new home)

From the last week, til the day you leaves... Be sure to checks than everything is in order, pack your things in your suitcase (Than must be of medium size, so all you belongings could being put in it, and can be easy to manage for you; at the same time); checks when is your flight (or any other way you have to leave the country), have a light dinner in your last night in your country, wake up at least two hours before to go to the Train Station (Port, Airport or Travel's Bus), bath and dress quickly; put a jacket, eat a simple breakfast than fills you enough, grab a bottle of water, your suitcase and Travel's Bag (where it is your medicines, credit cards and/or foreign currency; your smartphone, your smartphone's charger, your little First Aid's kit, and... Three or four little snacks to eat when you arrived, in case you need to wait to recieve your room in the hotel/hostel) and... Keep calm: You are leaving legally, while you said to everybody than you are taking a vacation (but we know than you are staying, till things changes for the better... Or, for good); and life's is going to be better, after all you have suffered... You will be fine!

This last point of leaving, I put it 'cause is growing violence against minorities around The World; specially in countries with big economic crises, where governments and religious leaders; places the blame in minorities, for profit and social gain; but too, for another reason...

...I'm thinking in leaving, to my own nation.

I have thoughted about it for years, and the situation of the LGBTQIA+'s Community in my nation, Women's Rights and Religious Minorities; are not getting better. (I can even said, than in some points... Is getting worse!) According with a source, The Head of State in the Caribbean Nation where I live; promised to help to a minority group to get a better place of cult, but; in the meantime... Only Christians are allowed to their marriages being recognized by law, and... I can't even get out of my house with a Pagan Symbol over my chest, without a dirty look of strangers; or with my own family questioning, than ''If Pagans are so good... Why they are hiding, then?!'' (Erhm... I don't know?... It could be than Christians have all the Communication's Routes, and use it for spreading lies than makes young fearful of say they are Pagans/Wiccans/Witches; for fear of losing friends, or to avoid Public Harrasment; and Social Shaming?!) I have family members, than had fell in total fanatism; so when something bad happen, or worse, when they think something bad will happen... They blame it on me, and the fact than the closest to me are mocking me specially for my beliefs; or even my parents talking than Christians are not so bad (I was in two Christian's Private Schools, and most people I knew than were Christians... Treated to others and me, in a very awful and questionable ways... Sorry for my total disagreement with you!) So... It wouldn't be easy, but... Staying where my rights are trample everyday, makes more easier to me to not continue to desires to live; in... ''The Paradise'', which... Has nothing to do with those local commercials and slogans to attracts tourist and investments, says: If it was so wonderful... Why women, youngs in their 20's or youngers; and the most smarters people of my nation (Most of then, of The LGBTQIA+'s Community; and Straights People borne in poverty), are leaving everyday despite ''Jobs are raising, and their is more Job's Opportunities; and everybody have equal rights of being hired and to progress?!''... Simple: All that wonderful things?... Is only for The Christians, The Rich and/or The Big Company's Owners (mostly for White straight Men, between 25-64 years old); and... For the ones than serves them without dignity, for a big handful of bucks!

For that, and more... I have to work even more and save enough, to leave: My life will only improve, if I leave a nation than I used to love; but than I realize is not worthy to continue to stay there, if I can find a better place to be; where I can follow to my dear Deities in peace, and I could help more to anyone than needs any kind of help; and where I can finally said: ''I finally feel, like in Home!''

That's all in this post: Than all of you always being protected by all the Gods and Goddesses, be it; than you can find a home and good people than loves you and respects you, where you are living right now; or... Where you are planning to live, in the future... So Be It!

[troutfur]

My goal is to make StarClan into a metaphor for every religion ever and simultaneously none at all.

[greenpanda-basicfakewitch]

Lore | Horned God

[This one is a little longer]

Horned God may in fact be the horned GODDESS [hypothetically]

[Deer Goddess]

 The Horned gods origins are a little tricky. There are sources that claim that the Horned god was originally the horned goddess. Cernunnos, originally derived from old pagan myths of a horned ‘Goddess’ , a story about how a deer would turn into a woman. In folklore society in 1930, a researcher put his theories on a matriarchal Hunter gatherer society ruling highlands of scotland as a pre-celtic deer cult. J.G. Mckay.

Modern Scottish Gaelic and modern Irish Gaelic dictionaries both give the word Fiadh having two meanings: “Deer,” “God.” The deer was some sort of god, as well as divine messenger, some type to the Goddess Artemis. How you had to ask permission to hunt.

In Faerie lore, deer are their cattle and a common form of Faire women, Witches can transform into mice, hares, cats or black sheep but never the sacred deer.

In many pagan animal-cults, the priest or priestess would often wear an ornamental headdress of the sacred animal. There are Scottish folktales of a deer woman that Mckay theories could be explained by this real practice. In these folktales, a hunter, who has been stalking deer, observes, when putting up his gun to take aim, that the animal changed into a woman. He falls in love with her. Adventures ensue and they are separated until he finds her again on a distant island and they finally marry and live happily ever after.

The Deer Cult and the deer-goddess cult date back from a remote matriarchal time. Diana as well as Artemis and her nymphs, would appear to be classical examples of a hint at this older heritage. No one in patripotestal times, it would seem, would dream of inventing a feminine hunting divinity.

Celtic Society developed and created a masculine Horned God from the deer goddess and keep the feminine character next to him as a reminder as his shadow. By the stage the Deer Goddess matriarchy would have been in decay and her worshippers have grown fewer. While worshippers of the male Cernunnos became ever more numerous.

 Today, there are whispers of this old Deer Goddess Cult in traditional German and English stag dances that are performed by men who dress themselves in women’s clothes, thereby preserving a memory of a former time when stag-dances were perfect by women, and of a later time, when the religious functions of women were usurped by men. 

Shakspearen roots.

Swiftly moving on a couple thousand years, we come to the iconic bard, Shakespeare. Elizabethan english comedy abounds with images of the cuckold- a man with horns on his head, symbolising his shame that his wife has taken up with another man-

Herne the Hunter- from Shakespeare to popular culture. So at least thats where the name came from.

Robin Hood Myth [Horned God] 

[Authors note: This website is not secured so take care also- these types of websites were the ones I’ve seen and how I came to know about Wicca]

The Horned God is the father of Robin Hood? And it’s Pagan?

The Horned god is a central theme/character in many european pagan faiths. Generally seen as a deity of woods, wild animals, hunting and virility he is an elemental force of nature and commonly identified as a male deity often the consort of the female force or earth mother. 

This is the case in the Wicca religion where the horned god is worshipped as both the child and the consort of the great Mother, Triple Goddess.

 There are some evidence that the idea of the ‘Lord’ and ‘Lady’ in Wicca is part of ancient tribal rites but such evidence is limited.

 For many modern Wiccans the ‘Horned God’ sometimes known as the Great God or Great Father is his own father.

Mating with the Goddess at Beltaine then dying at Summer Solstice only to be reborn as her child  at the new year, or Winter Solstice, he is a key symbol in the birth/death/Rebirth cycle.

The Horned God is known as the ‘Hunter’ has strong links in Britain with the idea of ‘Wild Hunt’ he is the taker of life, a vengeful spirit, hunting evil with a pack of demonic hounds. 

He is often portrayed as carrying a bow. 

The british Herne the HUnter is rumoured to survive still as a powerful spirit.

Herne is linked to Robin Hood just as Robin provided for the needy, Herne provided food for the tribe.

 In some legends he is listed as Robin Hoods father, although this adds greater status to Robin Hoods legends.

 He is portrayed has either having horns or Antlers, as well as his image is full of Phallic symbols.

Locations: There have been representations of Fertility icons for thousands of years as in the Altars of Stag Horns which have been found in Temples of Apollo and Diana in ancient Greece. 

He is sometimes depicted with hooves or Goat hindquarters, a link to the Greek God Pan. Which of course had christians mistaken this horned fello for Satan.

Stag God image can be found in a cave painting at Trosi-Freres in France. This painting is thought to date around 13,000 BC known as the “Sorcerer” and depicts a half human, half stag spirit. This image is often seen as a representation of a shaman dressed as a stag performing a rite to ensure good hunting.

The Horned God is not an exclusively Wiccan concept as one would expect as many Pagan faiths have similar roots, the Horned god concept can be seen in the Greek God Pan, the Celtic god of the underworld and animals cernunnos, the Roman Janys, Tammuz and Damuzi the consorts of Ishtar and Inanna, Osiris and Dionysus as well as the Green Man mythological figure in the Uk.

The link with Osiris and Cernunnos which were both gods which guarded the underworld or judged souls and Osiris was both brother and consort of Isis seen by many as the Egyptian mother goddess. Cernunnos was a fertility god of the pagan celts and Gauls and is thought by many to have been the basis for the christian concept of the horned devil being a half man half goat guardian of the underworld and certainly a rival faith for early christianity.

The link between the Horned God and the Green man in English folk lore is very strong and even today many pubs in UK villages bare the name  “The Green Man” often with a very pagan image on the pub sign. The Green man also known as ‘Green Jack’ or ‘Jack in the Green’ is an English spirit of trees and plants with the power to make it rain and crops grow well. The Green man is thought to share his home in the forest with forest fairies sometimes called “Greencoates” or Greenies depending on the region of the UK. In popular imagery the Green man is shown as face peering out of foliage, his wood spirit companions and fertility imagery clearly links him to Pan and also as a sort of sanitised Hern the Hunter and Wild hunter.

For many modern Druids and Wicca the Horned god is a key part of the birth, death, rebirth cycle and mentioned in many rites and celebrations, his imagery is powerful and has a strong attraction to many as a symbol of almost suppressed power / violence and male sexuality. Some modern pagans reenact the ancient rite where the hunter who brought the most/ best meat to the table was dressed in stag horns and furs and was rewarded with the right to couple with the priestess representing the goddess sometimes in front of the whole tribe. The few pagan groups that reenact this mostly do so symbolically or with the hunter and goddess being intimate partners already with only a small part of this “Great Rite” being performed before the rest of the coven.

[centi-pedve]

religious rambling feel free to ignore if u dont care about our weird Christian stuff etc etc

anyways we've always felt strange about the idea that Christianity is anti-redemption because of the idea that demons are not redeemed and the fact that hell exists and honestly it makes us think a little bit. since God is the epitome of goodness, Satan is the epitome of evil. You can accept God's guidance (goodness) or Satan's guidance (evil) but you cannot be good or evil because you are not God or Satan, you can only be influenced by good or evil (this is all our perspective btw not everything we say is a widespread belief).

the existence of Satan as an irredeemable figure doesnt oppose the concept of redemption people Satan is not a human being... God doesn't follow the ideas of good and evil like humans do either so why should Satan. Satan cannot be good because he is evil. God cannot be evil because He is good. and this cannot be applied to people.

and honestly we dunno if we believe in Hell at least not in the way most people do. God loves everyone and He WANTS to love everyone. He is the epitome of good and so he can never do moral wrong. so either when someone goes to Hell it is a completely justified action AND/OR Hell does not exist as this place where people are cast into torment forever because they followed too much of Satan's guidance... God and Satan are constantly fighting this war and no matter how far astray someone has gone God will always want to bring them to Heaven because you are His creation and He loves unconditionally. Some are weaker than others and are more susceptible to the draw of Satan especially because of things like trauma or mental illness and we know God understands this and He wouldn't let His children suffer over things Satan created and so He will be your ultimate defender however He can. God is kind and we really do believe He would never let you feel pain if He could prevent it completely.

does this align with the Bible? No... but we think a lot of the Bible is flawed and misinformed. and the people who follow it blindly are misinformed. you should use the Bible to get a general sense of what God is and how His world functions but you should never take every aspect literally and you should never assume every aspect is true. It was written by man and so it is flawed. Shrug

it makes us sad when people portray God as cruel and unloving especially over traits that He gave us.

[bloomingdead]

im trying to write a short story abt a young lesbian in an evangelical family but i wasn’t raised christian so i’m having to do so much research that is just like, breaking my brain. bc as an outsider i can understand the appeal of jesus and prayer and worship but looking inside of things it just seems so unreal. the power structures and the patriarchal “morals” and colonizer mentality is soooo weird for someone who didn’t grow up like that. it seems that so much of holding people’s belief in that faith comes from fear mongering and guilt tripping. like do you actually believe god loves you or are you in an abusive relationship where you constantly feel the impending doom of that love turning to rigid hatred?