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gwendolyn -> RE: Ritual, Magic, Pagan Spirituality (6/21/2007 4:54:12 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DragonNphoenix
quote:
ORIGINAL: MsStick
In Ireland, and the UK, it is more usual to see Wicca in its traditional forms, pretty much unchanged since Gardner's days. It's certainly what I was introduced to, though in the last few years things have been following the States more with 'ecelectic' tendencies.
In Trad Wicca, there is ritual nudity (though consensual in that you can leave at any time, it's forced in the sense that all involved are going all the way: there's no spectators), bondage, flaggelation (called 'scourging', using a type of cat/flogger implement with knots in the tails), and sex. Not too bad for something cobbled together in the 40's and 50's in England. Thank the Gods for Crowley's influence ;)
There is also the ultimate power and responsibility of the High Priestess over the entire group, and her embodiment of the Goddess on a regular basis.
Given all this at the age of 18, I guess it's hardly surprising that i eventually found My way to BDSM?!
Okay... I was right with you in regards to BDSM and spirituality. I even was okay with your previous statement saying that MOST Wiccans do not do magic. But... now I have to say 'Stop'.
First, Let me give you a brief history of me and why I say this. I have been involved in Wiccan (and for a time Satanism) for longer than you have been alive. I am a Wiccan High Priestess and clery for the Correllian Nativist Church International. I come from 'liniage', which means that I am what some call a hereditary witch (my Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother... etc. (do you see where this is going?)). My family comes from Southern France. My Grandmother was the 1st one born in the US., so I dont fit in with the 'eceletic tendancies' that you attribute to the US.
In true Traditional Wicca (NOT something created by Gardner, though I can understand the draw to Gardnerian) being 'skyclad' (ritual nudity) is not the norm. It happens in some groups, but is NOT mandatory for worship of the Gods. Some type of garb is usually present, ranging from elaborate robes to sorons. Usually, the members in the cirlce are dressed alike with the Priest and Priestess being 'different' by an addition to said garb. (We wear our circlets to show our position) (But agian, this is dependant on the coven in which you are in) And Sex? In most of the Trads that I have studied, sex magic or the great rite is usually performed by just the Priest and Priestess, most of the time in closed quarters. Children are not allowed in these rituals and they are usually extremely private.
Anyway... getting off my soap box now. I am prepared for the slams from those out there that dont agree with me. But I am just giving my prespective from the research, studing and from information handed down through my family. I just didnt want those out there seeking the Goddess to think that nudity, sex and such is the norm and all that there is.
1st girl Phoenix
Chief Priestess Clan Stormwolf
No slams from me. I have to agree with your obviously educated perspective. Wicca is a relatively new form of neo-paganism, from what I understand. Gardener certainly wasn't the founding father, either. Those who created the tree hugging type religious sect used some of his ideas. Paganism and Witchcraft is hardly all hugs and love. Druids, as an example, weren't the nicest of folks you'd run across, by todays prudish standards. Sacrifice was a normal part of high holidays, as well as some moon rituals.
As for bondage and scourging, those have nothing to do with the modern Wicca. I'm pretty sure you're using information from Buckland's evil big blue book. Buckland was one of Gardener's proteges. Yes, binding an initiate's hands is tradition in the Gardenarian tradition, but it's purely symbolic during a first degree intitiation (something I've experienced firsthand.)
Wicca was born in the Western culture, not in England. And the Crowley comment. I'm not even going to touch that. Nor will I go near his deck. -shudders-
Gwen
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