Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks. It’s really just a POV forged in my own observations. I have one friend that used to like to tell people she was a witch because she thought there was some shock-value to it (and maybe there was back where she was from (small mid-western town), but not around here really). Is your friend by any chance the MTV piano-player Vanessa Carlton? She used being "Wicca" in order to promote her new album. Na, not her… but Really? hehe.. "eww" (offended by use of religion to sell anything, regardless of the religion…. am just as offended by "christian rock") I realized she didn’t really know anything about it, so I gave her a couple books I had picked up years ago, intro stuff really – but now she’s taken a more genuine interest in it, something I realized when she asked me about full-moon rituals recently. I don’t know if she’s picked up on how much info is out there on the net, as yet, but I think it is bound to happen. Some of the people that DO talk about ebing Wicca often find a better interest in another Pagan religion when its brought forth to them, as soon as they realize that their shock-value of being Wicca is wearing off, they immediately get back in line. Ive noticed that and I roll with laughter because religious fakes run rampant through our world and when some people call them on their shit, I sit back, down a beer, and point the finger. Its entertaining. But the rest who DO take interest finally into the practice itself, I humbly oblige to their thirst for its knowledge as I would for anyone wanting to learn about another religion. Its a way of life. Or also, as soon as they realize that Wicca (in its current form) is a bit like the Unitarian Universalists, tries too hard to be all things to all people, or pagan people at least. I agree with you on that last point especially, it is a way of life.
Dude, you rock. If yer a drinker, yer killer in my book. If not, your still a good dude. Seriously, in the word of my favorite band "Back to the Primitive, fuck all you wannabes. You dont mean shit to me, let it bleed." Aside from the "let it bleed part" I love slagging down the wannabes. Seriously, to be "Wiccan", you must first become interested, gather up the knowledge of it. If you think it best suits your way of life, then practice it. Oh! Another thing, the hypocrisy of the so-called "Wiccans" are grand, too. "I hate Christians because they are all judgemental and evil. But Im not like the because I am Wiccan and I respect all forms of nature" If I had a bullet for each time I caught that hypocrisy, I would have enough to shoot the world 30 times over. Seriously, "respect your fellow man" has always been a favorite teaching of mine, however, being that it IS me, I practice somewhat the opposite of that. But hey, were all like that, we can be total tools and we can be awesome dudes and dudesies, nonetheless, we are all human, and saying you are not judgmental is a false statement. Did I mention I love calling people on their shit? Anyways, yeah, Vanessa Carlton said her new cd is gonna be "darker and down to earth", and that "I am Wiccan" and shes dating the singer from Third Eye Blind and he got her into that. She needs to get slapped with a mighty penis. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – See above. Also, consider this: the Internet, starting with usenet and IRC, began to spread Paganism earlier and more broadly than happened with Christianity: alt.christnet.* was, if memory serves, established after alt.pagan was spun off from alt.magick and newgrouped. Many university students, especially, who might have had no other contact with other Pagans during the early years of the ‘Net, before it was opened to public access, were not only exposed to but chose to follow one variety of Paganism or another. Much of Scott Cunningham’s early popularity, for instance, seems to have resulted from discussions of his books both on ap and the Pagan BBS "network" (I’ve forgotten its name, alas! – one of the old-timers will fill in the blank!). Demand for the books prompted bookstores to carry them, which increased the demand and thereby increased the number of Pagans (Wiccans, especially) who were exposed to Wiccan teachings. (Whether this was a Good Thing or a Bad Thing can be argued – but the fact remains that Cunningham’s books and others like them spread Paganism further, wider and much, much faster than the older "coven system" of growth could possibly have done seems to me to be indisputable; and the spread was greatly speeded by online contacts among people inclined towards Pagan paths.)
Hey this is an excellent set of remarks. Just an aside, I liked Scott Cunningham’s books – though I didn’t think they were detailed enough. They were enormously popular at one time though…. may have been among my first books. * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
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Thanks. It’s really just a POV forged in my own observations. I have one friend that used to like to tell people she was a witch because she thought there was some shock-value to it (and maybe there was back where she was from (small mid-western town), but not around here really). Is your friend by any chance the MTV piano-player Vanessa Carlton? She used being "Wicca" in order to promote her new album.
Na, not her… but Really? hehe.. "eww" (offended by use of religion to sell anything, regardless of the religion…. am just as offended by "christian rock") – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I realized she didn’t really know anything about it, so I gave her a couple books I had picked up years ago, intro stuff really – but now she’s taken a more genuine interest in it, something I realized when she asked me about full-moon rituals recently. I don’t know if she’s picked up on how much info is out there on the net, as yet, but I think it is bound to happen. Some of the people that DO talk about ebing Wicca often find a better interest in another Pagan religion when its brought forth to them, as soon as they realize that their shock-value of being Wicca is wearing off, they immediately get back in line. Ive noticed that and I roll with laughter because religious fakes run rampant through our world and when some people call them on their shit, I sit back, down a beer, and point the finger. Its entertaining. But the rest who DO take interest finally into the practice itself, I humbly oblige to their thirst for its knowledge as I would for anyone wanting to learn about another religion. Its a way of life.
Or also, as soon as they realize that Wicca (in its current form) is a bit like the Unitarian Universalists, tries too hard to be all things to all people, or pagan people at least. I agree with you on that last point especially, it is a way of life. * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
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Make that HELL NO! :}
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good points Nevermore. There are "pagans" and then there are witches. Do witches need pagans? My answer is NO. Pip Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions? The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. Pagans who neeeeed Pagans, are the luckiest Pagaaaaans in the…. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
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Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions?
Not all do want this.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good points Nevermore. There are "pagans" and then there are witches. Do witches need pagans? My answer is NO. Pip Well, cute pagan chicks are ALWAYS welcome at our wild parties but I don’t see anybody but the witches doing the heavy ephemerisian maintenance. Nevermore (It’s not easy being green) Hmm. Point taken. Carry on.
Maybe I read your entire ps backwards. — Lady Chatterly "Do you make a habit of chatting up bots?" — Qasim
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Excellent information and thank-you so much.
Any time. So much. Do you think that paganism growing in general regardless of what path people are or how they practice it is the most important thing? I was wondering this lately. If its just about being accepted, tolerated and the masses or if we held any honor or duty to maintain a more structured practice.
Do you really want to know? Or are was that a rhetorical quesiton? Let me set an example. Hypothetical. Those who say they are Wiccan. For every 10 who do, there are 10 different interpretations of how things should be done or what things mean. As solitaires, learning from books, websites, instinct or however.
como solitaires, aprendiendo de los libros, Web site, instinto o sin embargo What is important here, that we allow so much diversity in our Paths that we have as many ways as we do Pagans or that we push for a bit more structure with *guidelines* so we aren’t at least devouring ourselves?
Why do you think that important here is? I seriously have this discussion with myself all the time and when with others they lash out I think it should be Christianized which I don’t. I don’t have a formed opinion on this, I would just love to hear some not sarcastic cocky thoughts of others about it.
Why are you wondering if you do not have a formed opinion on this? Thank-you again Baird and to those whom answered this seriously.
You are welcome. Again baird and to those whom answered this seriously. — Lady Chatterly "I have a very high regard for Lady Chatterly; in fact I think of her every time I am on Capitol Hill in Seattle." — cactus
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Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions?
Bahahaha! right on, Nev. The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. Pagans who neeeeed Pagans, are the luckiest Pagaaaaans in the…. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult.
Huh. Missed this bit. Sounds like maybe ainus is finding trouble in keeping her students or culties or whatever they are entranced by – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
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Good points Nevermore. There are "pagans" and then there are witches. Do witches need pagans? My answer is NO. Pip Well, cute pagan chicks are ALWAYS welcome at our wild parties but I don’t see anybody but the witches doing the heavy ephemerisian maintenance. Nevermore (It’s not easy being green)
Hmm. Point taken. Carry on. Pip
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Excellent information and thank-you so much. Do you think that paganism growing in general regardless of what path people are or how they practice it is the most important thing? I was wondering this lately. If its just about being accepted, tolerated and the masses or if we held any honor or duty to maintain a more structured practice. Let me set an example. Hypothetical. Those who say they are Wiccan. For every 10 who do, there are 10 different interpretations of how things should be done or what things mean. As solitaires, learning from books, websites, instinct or however. These 10 gather together at festivities in the community looking for kindred to enjoy. One discussion of how things *should* be leads to heated arguements bad feelings and the 10 divide into sides or leave in a huff never to speak again. The next scheduled festival has 10 less people there because of pride and ego. In the process another 10 Family Trads start a discussion and the same thing happens. On and on it goes until pagans worse enemies become pagans themselves and there is no unity in the community and functions dwindle leaving the media to believe there is no pagan community. What is important here, that we allow so much diversity in our Paths that we have as many ways as we do Pagans or that we push for a bit more structure with *guidelines* so we aren’t at least devouring ourselves? Do you think the Ancients care about the quality of our Paths or just the Quantity? If it is about quantity without quality or guidelines what exactly for? What are we suppose to do with our spirituality or passing on knowledge that has no standards or guidelines? I seriously have this discussion with myself all the time and when with others they lash out I think it should be Christianized which I don’t. I don’t have a formed opinion on this, I would just love to hear some not sarcastic cocky thoughts of others about it. Thank-you again Baird and to those whom answered this seriously.
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Good points Nevermore. There are "pagans" and then there are witches. Do witches need pagans? My answer is NO. Pip Well, cute pagan chicks are ALWAYS welcome at our wild parties but I don’t see anybody but the witches doing the heavy ephemerisian maintenance. Nevermore (It’s not easy being green)
Try purple? Jani – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – adelphia.net… Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions? The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. Pagans who neeeeed Pagans, are the luckiest Pagaaaaans in the…. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
Response:
ith this, I agree. BTW, enjoyed your post on Enki and Ea. Pip
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The internet has allowed remote pagans to connect with other pagans and share information and network. It has been a beneficial device in that capacity.
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Good points Nevermore. There are "pagans" and then there are witches. Do witches need pagans? My answer is NO.
Pip Well, cute pagan chicks are ALWAYS welcome at our wild parties but I don’t see anybody but the witches doing the heavy ephemerisian maintenance. Nevermore (It’s not easy being green) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – adelphia.net… Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions? The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. Pagans who neeeeed Pagans, are the luckiest Pagaaaaans in the…. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
Response:
Good points Nevermore. There are "pagans" and then there are witches. Do witches need pagans? My answer is NO. Pip
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions? The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. Pagans who neeeeed Pagans, are the luckiest Pagaaaaans in the…. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There have always been those that are first attracted to the craft because they see it as an "outsider" thing and they want to rebel. If anything, the communication level of the internet has helped reduce this – because many realize how common it is, thus if they really want to rebel they find it isn’t really that rebellious. I think many more are able to wet their feet with the knowledge, and better decide if it is something they want to learn more about. Hopefully they will all eventually seek out a coven to work with… not that there’s anything wrong with being a Solitary witch… I am more or less on my own since moving to Cali, but I do think there’s so many benefits to working with others. Aye, you got a great point there, dude. Right on. Thanks. It’s really just a POV forged in my own observations. I have one friend that used to like to tell people she was a witch because she thought there was some shock-value to it (and maybe there was back where she was from (small mid-western town), but not around here really).
Is your friend by any chance the MTV piano-player Vanessa Carlton? She used being "Wicca" in order to promote her new album. I realized she didn’t really know anything about it, so I gave her a couple books I had picked up years ago, intro stuff really – but now she’s taken a more genuine interest in it, something I realized when she asked me about full-moon rituals recently. I don’t know if she’s picked up on how much info is out there on the net, as yet, but I think it is bound to happen.
Some of the people that DO talk about ebing Wicca often find a better interest in another Pagan religion when its brought forth to them, as soon as they realize that their shock-value of being Wicca is wearing off, they immediately get back in line. Ive noticed that and I roll with laughter because religious fakes run rampant through our world and when some people call them on their shit, I sit back, down a beer, and point the finger. Its entertaining. But the rest who DO take interest finally into the practice itself, I humbly oblige to their thirst for its knowledge as I would for anyone wanting to learn about another religion. Its a way of life. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
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I think moron christains like YOU harm the so called ‘pagan image’ if there even is a definite image. That already smacks of xtainized stereotyping, meaning you can’t even let go of your xtain brainwashing. You wouldn’t even be bothering with this post if you hadn’t been getting your skank ass kicked on ARW of late. Anyway, the internet is a dualistic medium without dragging a bunch of religious nonsense into it. But of course, christains can’t help but do that, can they?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
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Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions.
I believe that this has less to do with the Internet being a main reason than the demands upon a person’s life in these current times. For example, when I spend the entire day working, I want to stay at home and rest more than go out and spend more energy. The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans.
Is it a bad thing to have each pagan as unique as each person might be? It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult.
Every area of life will have those that want to study it more in depth than others. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on.
Before paganism reached the "mainstream," there existed no links between groups at all. That there exists even weak ones (compared to those desired) says a great deal. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same.
The same occurred with books, in their time, and oral tradition before that. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion.
A person can only be instructed as they wish to see the lesson. If they believe that there is no energy, then even the grandest of teachers cannot show them such. Likewise, there will be those that desire only to be taught by book, by Internet, or by their own perceptions. Again, each pagan being as unique as each person. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
Tag.
Be. Wintershard www.Alt-Religion-Wicca.com
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In a way, it has harmed it because teens who find it, only join it to be "different", and they just use the term, but never use the practice. But then again, it is comforting to know that the Pagan numbers run strong and that even Evangelical Politicians cant stop us, and they never will. Thats where people like me come in, in the words of Otep "I use my fists, to empower my rage!". If another Burning Times come in, ill be on the front lines to thrash the system. What can I say? Chaos and Evil Jesse go hand in hand at times. Have a nice day!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
Response:
In a way, it has harmed it because teens who find it, only join it to be "different", and they just use the term, but never use the practice. But then again, it is comforting to know that the Pagan numbers run strong and that even Evangelical Politicians cant stop us, and they never will. Thats where people like me come in, in the words of Otep "I use my fists, to empower my rage!". If another Burning Times come in, ill be on the front lines to thrash the system. What can I say? Chaos and Evil Jesse go hand in hand at times. Have a nice day!
There have always been those that are first attracted to the craft because they see it as an "outsider" thing and they want to rebel. If anything, the communication level of the internet has helped reduce this – because many realize how common it is, thus if they really want to rebel they find it isn’t really that rebellious. I think many more are able to wet their feet with the knowledge, and better decide if it is something they want to learn more about. Hopefully they will all eventually seek out a coven to work with… not that there’s anything wrong with being a Solitary witch… I am more or less on my own since moving to Cali, but I do think there’s so many benefits to working with others. * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In a way, it has harmed it because teens who find it, only join it to be "different", and they just use the term, but never use the practice. But then again, it is comforting to know that the Pagan numbers run strong and that even Evangelical Politicians cant stop us, and they never will. Thats where people like me come in, in the words of Otep "I use my fists, to empower my rage!". If another Burning Times come in, ill be on the front lines to thrash the system. What can I say? Chaos and Evil Jesse go hand in hand at times. Have a nice day! There have always been those that are first attracted to the craft because they see it as an "outsider" thing and they want to rebel. If anything, the communication level of the internet has helped reduce this – because many realize how common it is, thus if they really want to rebel they find it isn’t really that rebellious. I think many more are able to wet their feet with the knowledge, and better decide if it is something they want to learn more about. Hopefully they will all eventually seek out a coven to work with… not that there’s anything wrong with being a Solitary witch… I am more or less on my own since moving to Cali, but I do think there’s so many benefits to working with others.
Aye, you got a great point there, dude. Right on. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
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Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions.
When it comes to personal contact, I think you may be right. When it comes to virtual contact, however, I think you’re probably wrong – it seems to me that a plethora of covens, groups and community functions exist online. The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult.
We’d have had those anyway – I’ve seen it happen as frequently in Real Life[tm] as I have online. As far as having nothing in common with other Pagans, again I think you may be mistaken: the virtual communities do attract like-minded souls, who have as much in common with real life Pagans (in my experience) as they do with one another. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion.
Not entirely true, I think: a Solitary can raise energy just as efficiently as a group in most cases – but more efficiently in some, less efficiently in others. The "taste" of Solitary energy is different from that of communal energy, but they seem to me to be equally capable of accomplish whatever may be desired. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
See above. Also, consider this: the Internet, starting with usenet and IRC, began to spread Paganism earlier and more broadly than happened with Christianity: alt.christnet.* was, if memory serves, established after alt.pagan was spun off from alt.magick and newgrouped. Many university students, especially, who might have had no other contact with other Pagans during the early years of the ‘Net, before it was opened to public access, were not only exposed to but chose to follow one variety of Paganism or another. Much of Scott Cunningham’s early popularity, for instance, seems to have resulted from discussions of his books both on ap and the Pagan BBS "network" (I’ve forgotten its name, alas! – one of the old-timers will fill in the blank!). Demand for the books prompted bookstores to carry them, which increased the demand and thereby increased the number of Pagans (Wiccans, especially) who were exposed to Wiccan teachings. (Whether this was a Good Thing or a Bad Thing can be argued – but the fact remains that Cunningham’s books and others like them spread Paganism further, wider and much, much faster than the older "coven system" of growth could possibly have done seems to me to be indisputable; and the spread was greatly speeded by online contacts among people inclined towards Pagan paths.) Blessed be, Baird Blessed be, Baird
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The internet has allowed remote pagans to connect with other pagans and share information and network. It has been a beneficial device in that capacity.
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There have always been those that are first attracted to the craft because they see it as an "outsider" thing and they want to rebel. If anything, the communication level of the internet has helped reduce this – because many realize how common it is, thus if they really want to rebel they find it isn’t really that rebellious. I think many more are able to wet their feet with the knowledge, and better decide if it is something they want to learn more about. Hopefully they will all eventually seek out a coven to work with… not that there’s anything wrong with being a Solitary witch… I am more or less on my own since moving to Cali, but I do think there’s so many benefits to working with others. Aye, you got a great point there, dude. Right on.
Thanks. It’s really just a POV forged in my own observations. I have one friend that used to like to tell people she was a witch because she thought there was some shock-value to it (and maybe there was back where she was from (small mid-western town), but not around here really). I realized she didn’t really know anything about it, so I gave her a couple books I had picked up years ago, intro stuff really – but now she’s taken a more genuine interest in it, something I realized when she asked me about full-moon rituals recently. I don’t know if she’s picked up on how much info is out there on the net, as yet, but I think it is bound to happen. * Tarot and the Liquid Muse * New Vegetarian Recipe section in Body, Mind & Spirit http://www.MEGA.bz
Response:
Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions.
When did we ever have masses of people wanting to join covens? When did we ever want masses of people joining covens??? Aside from Halloween, and the annual Witch Pitch curling tournament up in Maine, when did we ever have community functions? The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans.
Pagans who neeeeed Pagans, are the luckiest Pagaaaaans in the…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
Response:
Yes, it is a diversion question but an important one just the same. All of the info on the internet is creating less people reaching out to join covens, groups or community functions. The concept that I even believed in which is however it works for you there is no one true way, is being pushed to the limit of each person having nothing in common with other pagans. It creates students whom instead of respecting an Elders wisdom or Pries/tess teaching to run as soon as it gets difficult. IMHO it is creating weak links and problems since it seems it creates conflict that there is no compromising on. People pick and choose info from websites created by others doing the same. The internet is a grat source of info if you are careful but in not reaching out in real life, a person does not get instructed or feel the energy portion. Lets start there. Any thoughts?
