The latest in NeoPagan News http://www.witchvox.com http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usmn&c=words&id=14987 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usmn&c=words&id=14987 As my senior year of college comes to an end and I look back on the years I spent here, I wish to share my thoughts -- as a broke college student exploring spirituality and coming to Wicca or another Pagan path -- on how you too might obtain some of the basic magickal tools.Magickal tools like the athame, the cauldron, the wand, the pentacle and many, many others have permeated Pagan culture since our roots. They’re some of the most identifiable aspects of many Pagan paths, and I know of http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=15062 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=15062 Intro: Over the years, I have found that many a person has this strange idea when it comes to the Pagan faiths. It is as if as soon as one converts, they [the new pagans] are thrown back to the Middle Ages. People also have this rather quirky notion that pots and pans turn into wands and broomsticks and that tables and chairs turn to sacrificial altars and stone circles. Too many people think that once people devote themselves to the God and Goddess, reality bleeds away is magically replaced wit http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usde&c=words&id=14860 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usde&c=words&id=14860 I write this to express my gratitude. I have always felt ‘less than’… something was missing. At a very young age, I turned to drugs to fill my void. I was a dirty junkie who could care less about myself. The statement ‘the body is a temple’ made no sense to me. I don’t want to get explicated but, in order for someone to understand my bottom, I have to share it. I had horrible hardships in my life. Some were a direct consequence of my drug use; others were because I was a victim. I would bruise m http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ukgb6&c=teen&id=14691 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ukgb6&c=teen&id=14691 I came out of the broom closet to everyone at the same time, really. One morning, in form, I told two of my closets friends that I'm now Wiccan, and explained that it's an earth-based religion. I told them that some Witches are Wiccan, but did not tell them that I myself am a Witch. They took it well as I knew they would, as they are very open-minded, and if they crack a joke once in a while about my beliefs, I know they don't mean it and I take that well. The thing is, later that day, i http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=canb&c=words&id=14617 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=canb&c=words&id=14617 My life began in the late 1980’s as the oldest of three children. For the first couple of years of my life, I was not a member of any religion and I did not even know what ‘religion’ was. Then suddenly at the young age of three, my parents decided, based on their own religious upbringings, that they would raise me in Christianity. Growing up in the Christian religion was hard for me. I always felt that if I did one thing wrong, then I would be going to Hell. As a child, I was constantly asking J http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usaz&c=teen&id=14702 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usaz&c=teen&id=14702 I was raised to believe 2 things in my religion:1) There is one god, and, 2) I must worship this god alone.I had never felt any connection to Christianity, and I didn't see myself as very spiritual. I am a huge reader and I read a series of books and the main character was a Wiccan. I had no idea what that was, so I went online and researched it. I found that when I read about it, I felt a deep connection to it. I started practicing in secret and I almost felt like I had to. http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usca&c=words&id=14934 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usca&c=words&id=14934 Merry Meet, Friend, I’m surprised that a single thing, like a standard television commercial, can throw me into a magickal decision that changed me. Well, I’m uncertain if it’s a change, exactly, or more likely, it was just a realignment of notions I once held about the world and how I’ve lost touch with my spirit. One morning last summer, I tried to wake up before the long creep to work. I sipped black coffee and watched the talking heads of the news repeat stories of war, famin http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswa&c=words&id=15020 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswa&c=words&id=15020 Fairies and spirits are spoken of in tales all across the world. Little, mischievous creatures that wreak havoc or offer help - always as they see fit, and only sometimes when you truly need it. Legends portray them in so many different forms, each more exciting than the last. I may not have directly seen a fairy, but I have felt their presence once or twice, and the concept of such spirits has always fascinated me.One thing that I have noticed is that the fairies in legends seldom match http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usoh&c=words&id=14978 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usoh&c=words&id=14978 I want to talk about something that's been bothering me. When we talk about neopaganism, the giant in the room is generally Wicca - it's the most well known religion under the neopagan umbrella, the one that gets the most positive press, and it dominates the bookshelves in the 'alternative religions' section. Thankfully, Wicca and Wiccans tend to be inclusive and welcoming toward other religious traditions such as Asatru, Druidism, Hellenic Polytheism, and so on, so I (loosely a Hellenic http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usal&c=parent&id=14930 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usal&c=parent&id=14930 “A lot of people refuse to do things because they don't want to go naked, don't want to go without guarantee. But that's what's got to happen. You go naked until you die.” -- Nikki GiovanniSince he was about two years old, my son has wanted nothing more than to be naked. His father and I had professional portraits of his naked infant-self, and many candid shots of running around the yard naked, dressed up in costume accessories but otherwise naked, watching television naked, and o http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usny&c=words&id=14776 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usny&c=words&id=14776 Has anyone ever asked you why you insist on getting involved with groups, belief systems, subcultures… you don’t belong to or apparently have nothing to do with? I’ve heard that question in regards to mental illness, Jesus, child rearing, country music, veganism, and often when addressing the issue of homophobia and the Bible. Well, I trust most omnivores will be okay without ever finding out why vegans reject the use of animal products. Heck, the entire world might be able to lead fulfi http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=14227 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=14227 This is not a technical guide to sex magick but a guide to avoid being taken advantage of in the name of Sex Magick. First things first Sex Magick is a legitimate practice and is a powerful skill to learn in part with the Craft. What we need to keep in mind is that there are good and bad intentions inside any group of people covens included. The fact is the Goddess drives us but we are innately human and have urges that are given to very primal suggestions. Sex Magick is most effective b http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usin&c=festivals&id=15061 http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usin&c=festivals&id=15061 International Pagan Coming Out Day was founded with the mission to help closeted pagans come out into the world and practice their religion without the restraints and fear of having to live a double life. Through IPCOD one can find help, and support when they decide to make the big step of coming out about your religion. On their mission statement, IPCOD stressed that their goal is to “achieve greater acceptance and equity for Pagans at home, at work, and in every community” IPCOD stressed comin