I am a very proud Witch. I was born and raised a Christian, but could no longer live with the hypocracy and the all the distortions of the teachings. The average pastor has no idea what the history of his beliefs are or how the teachings were changed through the years even though there is a clear history of all of it. I have always been passionate about the history of the early Christian sect of Judaism and researched a lot.
I first went to Shinto Buddhism, which was such an eye opener for me. It taught me that I am responsible for my own salvation. Then I read the Gnostic Gospels and they validated what I had learned. I have been a metaphysician all of my life and this added a greater dimension to my beliefs. Then I met my very first real Witch, that I was aware of. I had found my spiritual home.
Finding a belief with a goddess and her consort, a god, with the balance that brought, was an eye opener. Learning that nature is the truest teacher was another eye opener. I needed the balance of male/female, positive/negative energy. Notice I did not say good/bad. Female represents negative energy such as negative ions. It replenishes you and energizes you. Male energy represents positive energy. You have two hemispheres in your brain; one side positive and one side negative. It makes sense to me.
I was blessed to learn at the feet of such folk as Mare Winningham, Ganymede Cupbearer, Scott Cunningham, Donald Michael Craig, Tracy de'Regula. I didn't know they were famous. I only knew I loved sipping wine and discussing beliefs with them. They were such real people. They were so ethical and they walked their talk. That's what I had been needing in my belief system. I don't see much of "walking your talk" in Christianity, unfortunately, and it saddens me greatly. For such a beautiful teaching, it should be followed bettered.
Witch Crafting isn't all about spells, which a lot of younger folk mistakenly think it is. It's about learning the seasons, what herbs help with what illnesses, how to heal, how to counsel, how to go within yourself and look at yourself with total honesty and learn, change what needs to be changed within, re-evaluate, rediscover teachings that were lost for centuries, but were here over 30,000 years ago.
I have found that most of the time, spells are unnecessary. We already have the answers within ourselves if we will only look. Witch Crafting is about finding the mysteries in life and learning through them. It's a deep belief system, but a very satisfying one. It's also one you have to live every moment of your life. There is no other way to do it. You can't be a "full moon" Witch.
I identify myself as a Gnostic/Buddhist/Shamanic/Druid/Eclectic/Kitchen Witch. I studied all of these things and took the best from each of them, threw it in the cauldron, stirred, and out came the "Winge-It Tradition". I firmly believe that each of us has to create our own belief system that fits our personal soul's growth. This is mine.
Over the course of time, I will add rituals, recipes, etc. I'm slow when it comes to getting my web page done, so bear with me. I hope each of you will find what you need in some of what I write.
I have authors that I use in my classes whom other witches consider "fluffy". I disagree. For a good solid basis for American Witchcraft, Silver Ravenwolf is one of the best. Yes, she may present her material as a little fluffy, but this is one serious Witch who knows her stuff. She gives easy, simplified lessons that any solitary Witch can follow and learn from without a teacher there. Scott Cunningham is another one. And, there is always Buckland and Laurie Cabot. Nice easy basics in ethics and the Craft.
In my years as a practicing pagan Witch, I have been told by some witches that I am not a true witch because I can not trace my lineage back to Gerald Gardner or some of the folks he initiated. Let's get something straight right now: Before there was Gardner, or any other practitioner, there was the Goddess and the God. The two of Them are the only teachers that really count. They can initiate whomever they please and it is a heck of a lot more valid than any human teacher, believe me. So, don't let anyone tell you that you aren't a "real witch" because you don't have a coven to study with. Some of the greatest witches are solitary witches. Be proud of yourself. Stand tall and honor the goddess for teaching you. I do.
Being a Witch is a journey of self discovery. I'm teaching someone very, very dear to me right now and she teaches me as much as I teach her. Every time I speak with her, I learn new things about myself. I re-remember things I wasn't aware that I knew. I listen to the still voice within. Witchcraft is a Mystery religion. It has no dogma, no "this is the only way it can be done's" in it. I've done a lot of experimentation through the years and found I can be as spontaneous as I need to be and create a very powerful Circle. Always remember that it is the intent that is the power. Your ethics are the most critical part of your Craft. Cultivate high ethics and be a good example.
I love being a Witch. Outside of the Native American "Red Road" traditional beliefs, I believe it to be one of the most powerful energies for good on our planet. In these two beliefs, in my experience, those who practice them truly "walk their talk" and make it a way of life, every second of their lives. I have only honor and respect for them for doing so. It isn't easy, but it sure is worth it.
I first went to Shinto Buddhism, which was such an eye opener for me. It taught me that I am responsible for my own salvation. Then I read the Gnostic Gospels and they validated what I had learned. I have been a metaphysician all of my life and this added a greater dimension to my beliefs. Then I met my very first real Witch, that I was aware of. I had found my spiritual home.
Finding a belief with a goddess and her consort, a god, with the balance that brought, was an eye opener. Learning that nature is the truest teacher was another eye opener. I needed the balance of male/female, positive/negative energy. Notice I did not say good/bad. Female represents negative energy such as negative ions. It replenishes you and energizes you. Male energy represents positive energy. You have two hemispheres in your brain; one side positive and one side negative. It makes sense to me.
I was blessed to learn at the feet of such folk as Mare Winningham, Ganymede Cupbearer, Scott Cunningham, Donald Michael Craig, Tracy de'Regula. I didn't know they were famous. I only knew I loved sipping wine and discussing beliefs with them. They were such real people. They were so ethical and they walked their talk. That's what I had been needing in my belief system. I don't see much of "walking your talk" in Christianity, unfortunately, and it saddens me greatly. For such a beautiful teaching, it should be followed bettered.
Witch Crafting isn't all about spells, which a lot of younger folk mistakenly think it is. It's about learning the seasons, what herbs help with what illnesses, how to heal, how to counsel, how to go within yourself and look at yourself with total honesty and learn, change what needs to be changed within, re-evaluate, rediscover teachings that were lost for centuries, but were here over 30,000 years ago.
I have found that most of the time, spells are unnecessary. We already have the answers within ourselves if we will only look. Witch Crafting is about finding the mysteries in life and learning through them. It's a deep belief system, but a very satisfying one. It's also one you have to live every moment of your life. There is no other way to do it. You can't be a "full moon" Witch.
I identify myself as a Gnostic/Buddhist/Shamanic/Druid/Eclectic/Kitchen Witch. I studied all of these things and took the best from each of them, threw it in the cauldron, stirred, and out came the "Winge-It Tradition". I firmly believe that each of us has to create our own belief system that fits our personal soul's growth. This is mine.
Over the course of time, I will add rituals, recipes, etc. I'm slow when it comes to getting my web page done, so bear with me. I hope each of you will find what you need in some of what I write.
I have authors that I use in my classes whom other witches consider "fluffy". I disagree. For a good solid basis for American Witchcraft, Silver Ravenwolf is one of the best. Yes, she may present her material as a little fluffy, but this is one serious Witch who knows her stuff. She gives easy, simplified lessons that any solitary Witch can follow and learn from without a teacher there. Scott Cunningham is another one. And, there is always Buckland and Laurie Cabot. Nice easy basics in ethics and the Craft.
In my years as a practicing pagan Witch, I have been told by some witches that I am not a true witch because I can not trace my lineage back to Gerald Gardner or some of the folks he initiated. Let's get something straight right now: Before there was Gardner, or any other practitioner, there was the Goddess and the God. The two of Them are the only teachers that really count. They can initiate whomever they please and it is a heck of a lot more valid than any human teacher, believe me. So, don't let anyone tell you that you aren't a "real witch" because you don't have a coven to study with. Some of the greatest witches are solitary witches. Be proud of yourself. Stand tall and honor the goddess for teaching you. I do.
Being a Witch is a journey of self discovery. I'm teaching someone very, very dear to me right now and she teaches me as much as I teach her. Every time I speak with her, I learn new things about myself. I re-remember things I wasn't aware that I knew. I listen to the still voice within. Witchcraft is a Mystery religion. It has no dogma, no "this is the only way it can be done's" in it. I've done a lot of experimentation through the years and found I can be as spontaneous as I need to be and create a very powerful Circle. Always remember that it is the intent that is the power. Your ethics are the most critical part of your Craft. Cultivate high ethics and be a good example.
I love being a Witch. Outside of the Native American "Red Road" traditional beliefs, I believe it to be one of the most powerful energies for good on our planet. In these two beliefs, in my experience, those who practice them truly "walk their talk" and make it a way of life, every second of their lives. I have only honor and respect for them for doing so. It isn't easy, but it sure is worth it.