Tag Archive: Wicca


Do Some Spiritual Arts Conflict with Others?

Filed Under: Divine Guidance, Intuitive Development, Psychic Ability, Psychic Readings, Spirit Communication by Soul Arcanum — Comments Off on Do Some Spiritual Arts Conflict with Others?

Copyright Soul Arcanum LLC. All rights reserved. :)
Dear Soul Arcanum:

Do you think I may be limiting my success or working against myself by trying to improve my psychic skills and spirit communication abilities while at the same time studying Wicca and spell crafting? – Kim

Dear Kim:

I think it’s natural and healthy to explore all sorts of different paths and teachings in search of what works best for you. Most people who consider themselves to be spiritual as opposed to religious have done this to at least some degree. In my opinion, it’s a sign of true intelligence and open-mindedness! After all, how do you really know the best path for you until you explore your options?

That being said, there is definitely a difference between spiritual dabblers and spiritual teachers or masters. For one thing, the dabblers are seeking something, while the masters have found something and chosen to pour all of their beings into that path. This does not necessarily mean that one is in some way ahead of the other, for every time we evolve into new potential, we begin to seek new truths and practices that resonate with who we have become. As we need different things at different stages in our journeys, our inner beings are ever calling us toward whatever we need most at that time.

I’m wondering what is behind your concern, and whether it arises from a sense that what you’ve been doing isn’t really working for you, or whether it’s a question that came up because of some outside comment or influence. Discerning the difference is the real issue here, for you are in the process of learning to trust your own judgment and inner guidance.

Your question reminds me of when I was in training to become a Spiritualist minister, and one of my teachers occasionally made disparaging remarks about Wicca. As I had practiced Wicca for a number of years and had some of the most incredible spiritual experiences of my life in Wiccan rituals, my ears really perked up.

Since I greatly respected this teacher, I found myself questioning my own experiences with Wicca. My own truth rang through strong and clear, however, while what my teacher was saying did not reflect my experiences. I then gave up questioning my views and instead tuned in to try to determine why my teacher was so down on Wicca.

When I asked Spirit about this, I was made to understand that she had had a very different quality of exposure to Wicca, and that her understanding of it was superficial. She didn’t know what Wicca could be or is really all about. This would be comparable to someone forming an opinion of the Catholic Church based solely on what they had read in the paper about priests sexually abusing children.

This surprised me, as this teacher was clearly very spiritually open otherwise. It also made me realize that everyone makes snap judgments sometimes, myself included. For example, if someone mentioned they were into Satanism, I know I would instantly have a negative reaction to the whole subject. I must also confess that I don’t know much about Satanism, have no desire to know more, and am quite closed minded on the matter!

I have since often encountered a disparaging attitude toward Wicca not only in traditional Christian religions but also in other Spiritualist circles. While much of this can be explained by people not having true understanding of the Wiccan/pagan path, it can also be attributed to at least two other main factors.

First, Westerners have been socialized in a culture that is still strongly influenced by the Catholic Church, which of course condemned and persecuted pagans for centuries and falsely demonized earth-based religions. Sadly, not many people are intelligent enough to think for themselves and question all of this, or ambitious enough to seek out a true education on the subject. (Believe me, what we’re taught in school is not what really happened!) It is only those who have explored these matters for themselves who know how hypocritical the Church was in demonizing earlier religions, for most of the rites and rituals of the Catholic Church are pagan in origin.

The second reason I think there is a bit of a clash between Spiritualism and paganism is because pagans and other earth-based religions tend to work with lower vibrational energies of the earth, nature spirits and the elements, while Spiritualists reach for the divine and planes beyond the physical. Again, we have been socialized to view the earth as less than heaven – the body as sinful while the spirit is divine.

To sort this out, I strongly urge you to listen to your intuition and pursue whatever calls to you, for in this way, ultimately you will end up with what speaks most to your own soul and works best for you. You are wise, however, to ask yourself what teachings and practices will best help you fulfill your personal goals.

If you want to develop your mediumship abilities to work with the grieving, Spiritualist training is a great choice. If you want to be able to see fairies or work magick, then Wicca might be better. Please remember that you can do both and more, of course! In fact, if you want to become a medium in order to free earthbound spirits, a combination may be best, because you would be connecting with spirits of a lower vibration. If instead, you want to channel divine healing and messages from guides and angels, you might find it easier to attain the high vibration needed for that sort of thing through Spiritualism or some other channel.

I am not in any way suggesting that any one path is better than another, as I do not believe that is true. That would be like saying that the color blue is better than the color red. I do, however, believe that we all travel a natural order of progression, and are ever rising in vibration. Thus people tend to get interested in more earthly psychic phenomena before they are drawn to explore higher realms. We must also remember that evolution is not a straight line; it’s more like a spiral. If we focus on only one aspect of development, we’ll only get so far before we are led to circle back and bring the rest of our being up to speed. So someone who was a master at working with earth energies could be much more evolved than a dabbler who happened to be into angels at the moment. On top of all of this, we are all unique, and are wise to honor our special gifts and pursue our personal passions.

In summary, the ultimate authority on what will work best for you is YOU. Trust your own experiences and your own inner being/intuition, and don’t let anyone else tell you what you should be doing on your spiritual path, or what you should stay away from. Remember too that often the paths that people may fear and warn you against are simply both misunderstood and very powerful.

I recommend you ask Spirit to guide you to whatever you need now, and forge your own path by taking the best of what you find along the way and leaving behind whatever doesn’t resonate with you as true or useful. With this approach, you will naturally tailor your spiritual journey to your true Divine self, and honor your connection to Spirit as the most sacred, personal relationship you could ever have.

– Soul Arcanum

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Weird, Wonderful Wicca

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth by Soul Arcanum — Comments Off on Weird, Wonderful Wicca

Copyright Soul Arcanum LLC. All rights reserved. :)
 

Dear Soul Arcanum:

My teenage daughter has a good head on her shoulders. She’s a great student, never in trouble, and hangs out with good kids. She recently announced that she is going to become a “Wiccan,” and her father just flipped out. He started screaming at her, asking her if she knew this meant she would be a “pagan,” and if she was going to start having sex with children and animals. She was totally taken aback by this response, as was I, but she stood right up to him and told him she had been reading a great deal about it, and felt drawn to it regardless of what he thinks. I don’t think her father really knows anything about Wicca. I have known a few people who have been into it. Some have been weird, and some have been wonderful. Should we be concerned?

D.

Dear D.:

Your question itself is very illuminating, for modern Wicca can indeed be both weird and wonderful. I have met some very ungrounded, flaky and far out people via Wiccan channels, and I have also met beautiful, powerful, ethical and sincerely spiritual people the same way. This, however, is true of every religion. Just like priestly pedophiles get tons of press, weird pagans tend to hog the spotlight.

Wicca is unfortunately often confused with Satanism, which casts such a menacing shadow over it that most people turn and run without ever really looking at what is true. I don’t know of a single Wiccan who even believes that Satan exists, however, much less worships him. Wicca is in no way Satanic, and it sounds like her father is confusing the two.

Wicca has gained in popularity as more and more people have abandoned the rigid dogma of many organized religions in search of a more personal connection to the Divine. It’s now even officially recognized as a religion by the U.S. government, even though there is no central authority telling everyone what is true and what they “should” be doing. (Wiccans are known for their independent thinking.)

Modern Wicca is indeed a form of neo-paganism. Unfortunately, Christianity has lent the word “pagan” negative connotations. A pagan, through this lens, is uncivilized and uneducated. As pagan really means someone who sees God in all of nature, or someone who tolerates the existence of all gods, then given the revelations of quantum physics and the tragic role of religious intolerance in igniting wars, I think being “pagan” suggests a certain degree of spiritual maturity and sophistication. Wicca reveres the divinity in all of nature and seeks to harness universal creative energy for personal growth and humanitarian change. Wiccans share a deep respect for all living beings, and as a group, they assume more personal responsibility for their own choices than adherents of any other religion I’ve encountered. They also honor the free will of every living being – including themselves. They see God/Goddess/divinity in everything and everyone, and thus the number one “rule” in Wicca is “Do as ye will, but harm none.”

You didn’t mention what her father’s spiritual beliefs are, and if he adopted them part and parcel from his parents, as so many people do, or if he is so opinionated because he has been blessed by some direct revelation from God Him/Herself. I presume, however, that he either considers himself Christian or an atheist/ scientist. The cure for this conflict is not to prevent your daughter from exploring Wicca, but rather to get her father to learn more about it. A little research will reveal to him, for example, that almost all Christian traditions have their roots in pagan beliefs and rituals. Christians practice pagan rituals all the time – they just don’t know it. As mentioned above, Wicca’s pantheistic foundation is also very much in harmony with modern science and quantum physics.

Research may not completely resolve the problem, however, for there is a big difference between Christianity and Wicca: Wiccans honor both the feminine and the masculine forces in nature, where Christians, I’m sorry to say, tend to be a bit more patriarchal. A great deal of anti-Wiccan sentiment is thus simple misogyny, just like back during the witch-hunting days. If her father is uncomfortable with strong women in general, he may have a very hard time respecting your daughter’s right to make any decisions for herself, even in matters as profoundly personal as her spiritual beliefs.

By contrast, I have never heard of a Wiccan trying to convert anyone, or trying to impose their own beliefs on others. Most witches also have no problem with Christianity and other paths, aside from the efforts by people of those religions to deny others religious freedom. In this way, Wiccans tend to be far more “Christian” (loving their neighbors as themselves, and doing unto others as they would have done unto them) than many Christians. (I doubt her father, for example, would want anyone telling him what to believe or how to worship, so in this matter, she’s more “Christian” than he is). In fact, the “golden rule” is fundamental to Wiccans, who believe that everything that they do comes back to them threefold. Thus it foolish to harm others, and always wise to do good in the world. (Scientists believe in karma as well, which they refer to as Newton’s law of physics: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”)

Most Wiccans strive to make the world a better place for everyone. They are often actively engaged in promoting environmental care, equal rights and religious tolerance. They believe that through proper application of one’s will (which is energy), one can affect physical reality (which is ultimately also energy). My own personal experience with Wicca confirmed that we can indeed use mental and emotional energy to generate positive change in the physical. I’m confident again that quantum physicists would wholeheartedly agree. The more scientists delve into the nature of creation, the more scientific theories align with spiritual truth.

Some common Wiccan practices include energy healing, seeking divine guidance and manifesting positive goals. There is generally a great deal of emotional therapy involved, such as releasing negative emotions and embracing spiritual growth and positive change. This may be done in some dramatic ways with spells and rituals which incorporate meditation, drumming, chanting, dancing, singing, praying, divination, etc. Most Wiccans are grounded enough to know that the props, practices and other accoutrements of ritual work are simply tools they are employing to alter their state of consciousness in order to energetically affect reality. There are a few, however, who get caught up in the drama for the sake of the drama, and come across as “flaky” or out of touch with “reality.”

As Wicca attracts both weird and wonderful people, who your daughter learns from and associates with is key. If she were Catholic, Buddhist or Muslim, you’d want to know she was safe and in good hands, and the same holds true here. She obviously has good judgment already, however. (How many teenagers are great students, never in trouble, etc.?) Continue to emphasize the values you’ve already taught her: honesty, courage, kindness, compassion, respect, etc., and tell her that you trust she will find her own best path to God.

Your daughter is strong enough to work things out with her father as she grows into the woman she is becoming. I feel that her father’s resistance here may even help her in the long run. As she steps into her own power as an adult, she may need someone to define herself against. Let her sharpen her edges against him. It’s good for her spirit, and over time, I feel he’ll grow to respect her judgment and strength!

– Soul Arcanum

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Weird, Wonderful Wicca

Filed Under: Law of Attraction, Manifesting, Spiritual Growth by Soul Arcanum — Comments Off on Weird, Wonderful Wicca

All rights reserved. :)
 

My teenage daughter has a good head on her shoulders. She’s a great student, never in trouble, and hangs out with good kids. She recently announced that she is going to become a “Wiccan,” and her father just flipped out. He started screaming at her, asking her if she knew this meant she would be a “pagan,” and if she was going to start having sex with children and animals. She was totally taken aback by this response, as was I, but she stood right up to him and told him she had been reading a great deal about it, and felt drawn to it regardless of what he thinks. I don’t think her father really knows anything about Wicca. I have known a few people who have been into it. Some have been weird, and some have been wonderful. Should we be concerned?

D.

Dear D.:

Your question itself is very illuminating, for modern Wicca can indeed be both weird and wonderful. I have met some very ungrounded, flaky and far out people via Wiccan channels, and I have also met beautiful, powerful, ethical and sincerely spiritual people the same way. This, however, is true of every religion. Just like priestly pedophiles get tons of press, weird pagans tend to hog the spotlight.

Wicca is unfortunately often confused with Satanism, which casts such a menacing shadow over it that most people turn and run without ever really looking at what is true. I don’t know of a single Wiccan who even believes that Satan exists, however, much less worships him. Wicca is in no way Satanic, and it sounds like her father is confusing the two.

Wicca has gained in popularity as more and more people have abandoned the rigid dogma of many organized religions in search of a more personal connection to Source. It’s now even officially recognized as a religion by the U.S. government, even though there is no central authority telling everyone what is true and what they “should” be doing. (Wiccans are known for their independent thinking.)

Modern Wicca is indeed a form of neo-paganism. Unfortunately, Christianity has lent the word “pagan” negative connotations. A pagan, through this lens, is uncivilized and uneducated. As pagan really means someone who sees God in all of nature, or someone who tolerates the existence of all gods, then given the revelations of quantum physics and the tragic role of religious intolerance in igniting wars, I think being “pagan” suggests a certain degree of spiritual maturity and sophistication. Wicca reveres the divinity in all of nature and seeks to harness universal creative energy for personal growth and humanitarian change. Wiccans share a deep respect for all living beings, and as a group, they assume more personal responsibility for their own choices than adherents of any other religion I’ve encountered. They also honor the free will of every living being – including themselves. They see God/Goddess/divinity in everything and everyone, and thus the number one “rule” in Wicca is “Do as ye will, but harm none.”

You didn’t mention what her father’s spiritual beliefs are, and if he adopted them part and parcel from his parents, as so many people do, or if he is so opinionated because he has been blessed by some direct revelation from God Him/Herself. I presume, however, that he either considers himself Christian or an atheist/ scientist. The cure for this conflict is not to prevent your daughter from exploring Wicca, but rather to get her father to learn more about it. A little research will reveal to him, for example, that almost all Christian traditions have their roots in pagan beliefs and rituals. Christians practice pagan rituals all the time – they just don’t know it. As mentioned above, Wicca’s pantheistic foundation is also very much in harmony with modern science and quantum physics.

Research may not completely resolve the problem, however, for there is a big difference between Christianity and Wicca: Wiccans honor both the feminine and the masculine forces in nature, where Christians, I’m sorry to say, tend to be a bit more patriarchal. A great deal of anti-Wiccan sentiment is thus simple misogyny, just like back during the witch-hunting days. If her father is uncomfortable with strong women in general, he may have a very hard time respecting your daughter’s right to make any decisions for herself, even in matters as profoundly personal as her spiritual beliefs.

By contrast, I have never heard of a Wiccan trying to convert anyone, or trying to impose their own beliefs on others. Most witches also have no problem with Christianity and other paths, aside from the efforts by people of those religions to deny others religious freedom. In this way, Wiccans tend to be far more “Christian” (loving their neighbors as themselves, and doing unto others as they would have done unto them) than many Christians. (I doubt her father, for example, would want anyone telling him what to believe or how to worship, so in this matter, she’s more “Christian” than he is). In fact, the “golden rule” is fundamental to Wiccans, who believe that everything that they do comes back to them threefold. It is thus considered foolish to harm others, and always wise to do good in the world. (Scientists have their own karmic theories, such as Newton’s law of physics: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”)

Most Wiccans strive to make the world a better place for everyone. They are often actively engaged in promoting environmental care, equal rights and religious tolerance. They believe that through proper application of one’s will (which is energy), one can affect physical reality (which is ultimately also energy). My own personal experience with Wicca confirmed that we can indeed use mental and emotional energy to generate positive physical change.

Some common Wiccan practices include energy healing, seeking divine guidance and manifesting positive goals. There is generally a great deal of emotional therapy involved, such as releasing negative emotions and embracing spiritual growth and positive change. This may be done in some dramatic ways with spells and rituals which incorporate meditation, drumming, chanting, dancing, singing, praying, divination, etc. Most Wiccans are grounded enough to know that the props, practices and other accoutrements of ritual work are simply tools they are employing to alter their state of consciousness in order to energetically affect reality. There are a few, however, who get caught up in the drama for the sake of the drama, and come across as “flaky” or out of touch with “reality.”

As Wicca attracts both weird and wonderful people, it is important that she chooses her teachers and fellow seekers with care. If she were Catholic, Buddhist or Muslim, you’d want to know she was safe and in good hands, and the same holds true here. She obviously has good judgment already, however. (How many teenagers are great students, never in trouble, etc.?) Continue to emphasize the values you’ve already taught her: honesty, courage, kindness, compassion, respect, etc., and tell her that you trust she will find her own best spiritual path.

Your daughter is strong enough to work things out with her father as she grows into the woman she is becoming. I feel that her father’s resistance here may even help her in the long run. As she steps into her own power as an adult, she may need someone to define herself against. Let her sharpen her edges against him. It’s good for her spirit, and over time, I feel he’ll grow to respect her judgment and strength!

– Soul Arcanum

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