Pagans Profile
their
Belief Systems
|
|
|
Witchvox Chapter: Traditions and Paths
| Chapter Page Views: 2,524,135
|
Article Specs
VxAcct: 263488
Article ID: 9958
Section: trads
Posted: July 31st. 2005
Days Up: 1,577
Views: 7095 |
Earthwise Wicca
by Logan
History:
Over the years Craft traditions have built upon one another and Earthwise has followed this legacy of evolution as well. Earthwise Wicca is an off-shoot tradition of the original K.A.M. (Keepers of the Ancient Mysteries) and so there is direct lineage to Maxine and Alex Sanders and Gerald Gardner as well.
Earthwise Wicca was formed 1998 by mostly ex-members of an Alexandrian/K.A.M. coven. The name Earthwise was once the name of an eclectic coven that some of the tradition’s founding members belonged to back in 1994. We liked the name, so we kept it.
The Earthwise tradition grew very quickly and even haphazardly when it was first started. Within a year and a half after its conception there were five covens and within the next year several more covens with many training circles. As of 2005 there are initiates in New Jersey, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania.
Core Beliefs:
The tradition is very much an initiatory path and so we do not recognize self-initiation as a valid entry into Earthwise Wicca. This is not to say that self-dedication is not a valid way of contacting the Gods, but with initiation, lineage is passed from one Witch to another.
Earthwise is also a semi-egalitarian Craft tradition. So there is very little hierarchy. There is only one initiation, and no 2nd or 3rd degree elevations. The tradition’s initiation rite combines elements of both 1st and 2nd degree initiations and all initiates are recognized as Priestess or Priest and Witch. Levels of self-development are recognized for what they are but are not marked by degree elevations.
Being that our roots are Alexandrian and K.A.M., we work with polarity so our initiations are cross-gender, from female to male, or male to female. We feel that this is not just symbolic of the continuation of life, but we know it to be a very natural way of passing the energies and lineage during initiation.
In modern times our society may use the Sun to measure the years and days of our conscious acts, but the moon will always be the clock of our intuition. In Earthwise the moon phases we are concerned with are the four aspects or phases of the moon. The new and waxing moon, the full moon, the waning moon and the dark moon. The waxing moon is from new to full and is the time of the Maiden Goddess of fertility and growth. The full moon is the time of the Great Mother. The waning moon is the time of the Crone and the dark moon is the time of the Dark Mother.
We of Earthwise feel that everyone needs to understand that Wicca is a Religion, not a hobby. The goal of practicing in the Craft is not to see how you can manipulate others to your will or to impress people with the fact that your are a Witch, but to work with your surroundings, to live in harmony with nature and to achieve your highest potential in this lifetime. One of the ways that this is achieved is through initiation. But initiation is not something to rush into and should never be looked upon as a means to an end. There is no end.
Role Of Clergy:
All initiates are considered Clergy and may perform teaching, open Circles and various rites of passage, both public and private, although initiations are most often performed by Elders.
Organization Of Groups:
Within the tradition a coven is made up of three to thirteen individuals. All covens are fully autonomous and may work robed or skyclad. They may also have inner and outer courts or none at all. Earthwise covens are most often led by a High Priestess and High Priest working in concert, but they may also be led by a single High Priestess or High Priest. They may even be led in a democratic manor by Elders. There is no strict dogma with the formation of covens.
There may only be one initiation, but there are, however, different levels of self-development that an individual undergoes within the tradition. These are:
Dedicant: One who is actively training with an individual initiate or coven to become one of the Wicca. This involves the basics of Wicca such as, but not limited to: the use of herbs, both magickally and medicinally; ritual participation; magickal correspondences; simple energy and spell workings; chants; Craft ethics; Craft history; divination (tarot, etc.); Goddess and God archetypes; various meditations and the Wheel of the Year. And, most importantly, the ways of old by incorporating oral teachings with an emphasis on responsibility and knowing oneself. We also see the tarot as an important part of intuition teachings, as it is a reflective mirror of our conscious. It will externally show us what is going on inside whether we are aware of it or not.
Initiate: One who has been initiated into the mysteries of Wicca by another initiated Witch. New initiates are encouraged to explore the inner mysteries and to copy the Book of Shadows. They are also brought into the linked mind of the coven and may help teach Dedicants. For inner development is the foundation on which the initiate builds upon while acquiring an affinity with the Guardians, and deepening their connections with the Great Mother and the Horned One.
High Priestess, High Priest and Elders: They teach Dedicants and initiates. They are also the ones that initiate others. High Priestess and High Priests (sometimes called Coven Priest/ess in Earthwise) and Elders are initiates who have finished their traditional training and have copied the Book of Shadows by their own hand. This is a very old and traditional practice. So let it be known that copying the Book of Shadows by hand empowers it and the Witch, and it is part of our lineage to do so. All who have done so have the right to hive off and form their own covens if they wish.
For us, what we lean prior to initiation is the important basics of Wicca, just the starting point. The foundations that one builds upon. Initiation is an important goal and the threshold into the Wicca. However initiation is not an ending; for us of the Wicca nothing ever ends but forever spirals upward and onward.
Earthwise is somewhat eclectic because individuals and covens are free to pull from different sources for rituals, and to make additions to the Earthwise Book of Shadows. The tradition of Earthwise is a bridge between eclectic non-lineage Craft and the traditional Craft world.
Holidays:
We gather for the eight seasonal Sabbats, and Esbats.
Standards Of Conduct:
Self-responsibility and ethics are considered to be most important.
We believe that tolerance and equality help to facilitate unity and understanding. Those of Earthwise and all of the Wicca are encouraged to seek their own personal truths and realities. As the name “Earthwise” suggests, we hold great reverence for Earth Mother and all that belong to her.
Ways Of Worship:
We see the magick circle as sacred space, as a gateway between this world and the beyond. Simply, the Circle is like a door, and when we open it we are between the worlds. Our circle is divided into four quarters, one for each of the elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth. And by tradition we enter and exit the circle in the Northeast, between Earth and Sky, Ending and Beginning. In coven workings we focus on Deity and on the Elementals so we become more aware and in tune with them at the conscious and subconscious levels. We also choose the Goddesses and Gods that we as individuals or covens wish to worship, which are compatible with Wicca. We seek spiritual enlightenment in ways that are meaningful to us as individuals.
Other References:
Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi.
Footnotes:
Compiled by Logan. Written by Logan, Vayla, Raven, and Crystal Kini, four of the five founding members of Earthwise, the fifth member being Copper.
ABOUT...
Logan
Location: Pine Hill, New Jersey
Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE
Email Me... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales)
|
|
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
|
