 Your Voice! 
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The Witches' Voice Essay Series for 2001... December...
The "short version" of the Wiccan Rede-some variation on "An' it harm none, do as you will"-has become an almost ubiquitious moral code in Paganism, even among those who are not Wiccan. However, we hear from those who object to this rather strongly, and we'd like to hear how you would re-write the Rede, or what similar code of ethics you use as a guide. Here were the essays that we received on this topic: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 Oaths The taking of oaths is an integral part of many religious ceremonies. What types of oaths do you think are appropriate or inappropriate? Is it ever OK to break an oath? What are the consequences to breaking an oath? Page 1 November...
What is faith? Is it simply a decision to believe in something rooted in our psychological needs, or is it deeper than that? Is it illogical, or based in a logic that goes beyond what our conscious minds can grasp?Here were the essays that we received on this topic: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 The Dark Side of the Craft Is there a dark side to the Craft? Should it be avoided? If you believe there is a dark side how do you describe it or what do you consider it to be? Is it "evil" or just a balancing factor of the universe? Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 Bonus Essays... (Nov. 2001)
We hear a lot of folks say they're tired of the "Wicca 101" approach that's found in so many books. So we'd like to hear what topics would be part of a book on "advanced" Wicca? What would you like the elders in our community to write about? Here were the essays that we received on this topic: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 Magick for Personal Gain Do you think magick/spells should be used for personal gain? What constitutes personal gain (e.g. love spells, money spells, healing spells, self-improvement spells...) Page 1 - 2 - 3 September...
How can you be true to your Pagan Way in a world that seems to be determined to turn you into a mindless consumer? What methods can we use to counteract the 'noise' of the mundane world? Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 Pagans and Abortion This is a perennially divisive topic on the national political scene. We'd like to know how Pagans feel about the right of a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy vs. the right of a fetus to be born. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Author: Amanda Date Posted: 9/23/2001 Kuan Yin And The Year Of The Snake - Some Pagans may have seen this coming. Not me. I only knew that this was already one of the most difficult years of my life. It can't, I thought, get any worse then this. And then, horribly, and for all of us, it did. For me this... Author: Sia Date Posted: 9/23/2001 August...
What's the most magickal thing that ever happened to you in your life? Tell us about something that clearly happened either in response to a spell, a prayer or to some kind of personal work you had been doing . Here were some essays that we received on this topic: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 Sacred Space What do you think "sacred space" is? How do you create it? How do you use it? Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 July...
Acceptance: It's Getting Better All the Time In the past decade, we've seen an enormous change in the level of public awareness of our religion. Mention Paganism or Wicca these days, and most people will at least understand that you are talking about a modern religion. There is still plenty of misunderstanding and discrimination, but it's getting better all the time. We see a lot more understanding and acceptance out there, and we'd like to hear your stories of how your religious path has been accepted by family, friends or the larger community. Page 1 - 2 - 3 June...
Trancework: Many Pagans use some kind of trancework as part of their rituals and personal spiritual work. We'd like to know how big a part trancework plays in your practice and/or that of your coven. What techniques do you use? What, if any, preparation do you do before entering trance, and, after you have returned to ordinary consciousness, how do you ground and integrate the experience? Some Answers and opions are offered here: Page 1 - 2 May...
The Seminal Books of Paganism and Wicca: Get ready to break your book budget....these reviews of the key books in Paganism will probably send you scurrying to the bookstore to fill the holes in your library. In one of the essays (#4) Trish Telesco has given us a Pagan author's view of the current state of Pagan writing, and reminds us that authors and publishers listen to us; our voices—and our pocketbooks—count. With that in mind, when you make that trip to the bookstore, please patronize your local Pagan-owned store! Read the essays here: Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 April...
Pagans and the Environment: Been feeling as though your lifestyle could use a few adjustments in honor of Earth Day? Then read these essays for some excellent suggestions and inspiration. Find out why right here: 1 - 2 March...
Traditions: Our only submission for the Traditions topic is titled "Get Your Snake Oil Right Here" and in it, the author states that he has yet to find a bona-fide Neopagan/Wiccan tradition. Find out why right here: Snake Oil February...
The validity of/need for initiation is a perennial topic in the Pagan community, so we asked your opinion on the subject again. (You can read previous essays on the subject in our September 1999 essays here.) Once again, the community's views on this topic seem to us to be quite well-balanced—no one who wrote in held any extreme views on the subject in either direction. Read these insightful essays here: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 Magick, Healing and the Pagan Paths: We asked how the personal work you have done since embarking on a Pagan path has helped you heal. Three people wrote in with some inspiring stories: 1 - 2 - 3 January...
Again and again we read of folks who came to the Craft through trials and tribulations that would have discouraged all but the most committed seekers. In our society, Paganism is not an easy path to claim, nor an easy one to follow. But the passion with which those who are touched by the gods seek their path and find it is an inspiration to us all. Here are some wonderful stories... Essay # 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 Money and the Craft: There's a wide variety of views represented in this collection of essays. Some Pagans are appalled at the thought of paying teachers and clergy, others are equally appalled at what they perceive as an unhealthy approach to money in the Pagan community, exemplified by a reluctance to pay for services rendered. Clearly, this is not a subject we will agree on anytime soon. Read the essays here: Essay # 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
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