I am sleeeeepy.
But oooh- it's snowing! First real snow of the season. I'm so excited that I made an icon. :)
Rac interviewed me as a Wiccan practitioner for her semester-ending Women & Religion paper. This is how the interview started:
"So, these books say that Wicca can be traced back to ancient times..."
"Bullshit."
"But they're your books."
"It's still bullshit."
I think that was the part of the interview that was hardest to put in words, how Neo-Paganism is attempting to reconstruct ancient Indo-European (and in some trads, Scandinavian and Native American) rituals and adapt them to modern times but we only have cultural lore, symbols, and very fragmented rituals to use. Plus the whole thing where Neo-Pagans tend to completely exclude much of the darker forces of Divinity (which, in some cases is a good thing, since we tend to view human sacrifice as a big no nowadays).
The stuff where I talked about my rituals and workings and my connection to the Lord and Lady was cake. But my brain was being hyperactive, trying to phrase things just right. I am now mentally wiped.
I'm 99% sure I got all my dates and history right in regards to the conception of Wicca rooted in the work of Crowley, Gardner (plus his students), and a few others, but I gave her books to check on the nitty gritty dates of things (like the publication of Gardner's BOS in relationship to the date when the British witchcraft laws were repealed). It almost felt like an oral final exam of some sort. :)
I realized that it came so easily. I would still like to work with a teacher to make sure that my learning is even, but I really think that I've achieved something. Maybe I'm ready to go onto more advanced work (I've been working at what I'd judge to be an intermediate level for some time). I certainly know that I'm ready to start joining energy and working with others. So far, I've learned only from books and personal experience. I'm ready to bring what I know to the table and start learning from others. To broaden my horizons. I just wish I had more access. I will when I get a car and start driving, but that's over a year away. Meh. Advice, anyone?
Okay. I now officially want sleep.
Mike, I'm sorry I missed your call. I love you. Talk to you tomorrow.
But oooh- it's snowing! First real snow of the season. I'm so excited that I made an icon. :)
Rac interviewed me as a Wiccan practitioner for her semester-ending Women & Religion paper. This is how the interview started:
"So, these books say that Wicca can be traced back to ancient times..."
"Bullshit."
"But they're your books."
"It's still bullshit."
I think that was the part of the interview that was hardest to put in words, how Neo-Paganism is attempting to reconstruct ancient Indo-European (and in some trads, Scandinavian and Native American) rituals and adapt them to modern times but we only have cultural lore, symbols, and very fragmented rituals to use. Plus the whole thing where Neo-Pagans tend to completely exclude much of the darker forces of Divinity (which, in some cases is a good thing, since we tend to view human sacrifice as a big no nowadays).
The stuff where I talked about my rituals and workings and my connection to the Lord and Lady was cake. But my brain was being hyperactive, trying to phrase things just right. I am now mentally wiped.
I'm 99% sure I got all my dates and history right in regards to the conception of Wicca rooted in the work of Crowley, Gardner (plus his students), and a few others, but I gave her books to check on the nitty gritty dates of things (like the publication of Gardner's BOS in relationship to the date when the British witchcraft laws were repealed). It almost felt like an oral final exam of some sort. :)
I realized that it came so easily. I would still like to work with a teacher to make sure that my learning is even, but I really think that I've achieved something. Maybe I'm ready to go onto more advanced work (I've been working at what I'd judge to be an intermediate level for some time). I certainly know that I'm ready to start joining energy and working with others. So far, I've learned only from books and personal experience. I'm ready to bring what I know to the table and start learning from others. To broaden my horizons. I just wish I had more access. I will when I get a car and start driving, but that's over a year away. Meh. Advice, anyone?
Okay. I now officially want sleep.
Mike, I'm sorry I missed your call. I love you. Talk to you tomorrow.