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Greetings Everyone,

Can you post under the voullunteer link the day and hours that you are willing to be in the wsi sl room. Also if you could add what you plan to do during your time slot. Trying to get everyone coordinated and on the same page. Your help is very much appreciated.

Love and Light Always!

Rev.Christina

Sweetie 18 is the legal adult age every where in the USA. However you still can't drink till you're 21 but you will be able to vote at 18.
What part of Arizona? I attended North High school my freshman year in Phoenix. I have also lived in Mesa and Apache Junction. Well, don't be in too big a hurry to grow up. Being independent is not as much fun as it sounds. You have got to work to find a place to live, (That you can afford) and pay all of the bills yourself. Life can be hard when you are first starting out. Good luck to you my friend and please know that even though your mom doesn't understand your choice to be Wiccan she still loves and wants the best for you. Peace&Love be with you...~M~

Well, my dear I am sad to hear that! However you will not be under your mother's rule forever. Please know that she loves you and is doing what she thinks is the best for you. There is no such thing as a Wiccan group home where they let you keep your stuff. My dear friend I suggest that you stop day dreaming, buckle down, do your school work and do what your mom says. You will be a grown woman soon enough and then you can make your own decisions about the rest of your life. But for now please stay in a home where you are loved so much , you will be better taken care of than if you were to run away. The world out side the arms of a loving family is cold, cruel and unforgiving! So Stay in the garden where you are till you are fully grown!! Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you...~M~

you said you are 16 years old, are u sure u want to be wiccan or pagan or are u just looking for a reason to be different? i am not trying to offend u but these are serious religions and take years of study and practice and still there is always something new to learn, so with that in mind i wouldn't personally say anything to your mom untill you know enough to tell her what you have learned. then perhaps the two of you could talk reasonaly about it without your mom thinking you are studying evil lol.

Well, if mom doesn't understand then there is very little that can be done. We all have free will and are free to think and believe anything we choose. Just let her know that you are still her daughter and that you always will be, even if you are Wiccan. Peace&Love be with you...~M~

This is also in response to the comment you left on The Book of Shadows Club. This is a good article that may help you. And possibly your Mom when and if you talk to her about what you want to do.


Basic Principles and Concepts of Wicca
By Patti Wigington


Introduction:
There's an old saying that if you ask any ten Wiccans about their religion, you'll get at least fifteen different answers. That's not far from the truth, because with nearly half a million Americans practicing Wicca today, there are dozens -- perhaps even hundreds -- of different Wiccan groups out there. There is no one governing body over Wicca, nor is there a "Bible" that lays down a universal set of guidelines. While specifics vary from one tradition to the next, there are actually a few ideals and beliefs common to nearly all modern Wiccan groups.

Origins of Wicca:
Wicca as a religion was introduced by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. Gardner's tradition was oathbound, initiatory, and secret. However, after a few years splinter groups began forming, and new traditions were formed. Today, many Wiccan groups owe their basic foundation to the principles laid out by Gardner. Wicca is not an ancient religion, but Gardner did incorporate some old esoteric knoweldge into his original tradition, including Eastern mysticism, Kabballah, and British legend.

Who Is a Wiccan, and How Do You Find Them?:
Wiccans come from all walks of life. They are doctors and nurses, teachers and soccer moms, writers and firefighters, waitresses and computer programmers. In other words, anyone can be Wiccan, and people become Wiccan for many reasons. In fact, there are nearly half a million Wiccans in the United States today. As to where to find them, that might take a bit of digging -- as a mystery religion that doesn't proselytize or actively recruit, it can sometimes be difficult to find a group in your area. Never fear, though -- the Wiccans are out there, and if you ask around enough, you'll bump into one eventually.

Calling Upon the Divine:
Wicca acknowledges the polarity of the Divine, which means that both the male and female deities are often honored. A Wiccan may honor simply a non-specific god and goddess, or they may choose to worship specific deities of their tradition, whether it be Isis and Osiris, Cerridwen and Herne, or Apollo and Athena. In Gardnerian Wicca, the true names of the gods are revealed only to initiated members, and are kept secret from anyone outside the tradition.

Initiation and Degree Systems:
In most Wiccan covens, there is some form of initiation and a degree system. Initiation is a symbolic rebirth, in which the initiant dedicates themselves to the gods of their tradition. Typically, only an individual who has attained the rank of Third Degree dedicant may act as a High Priest or High Priestess. Study is required before an individual may advance to the next degree level, and often this is the traditional "year and a day" period.

Someone who is not a member of a coven or formal group may choose to perform a self-dedication ritual to pledge themselves to the gods of their path.

Magic Happens:
The belief in and use of magic and spellwork is nearly universal within Wicca. This is because for most Wiccans, there's nothing supernatural about magic at all -- it's the harnessing and redirection of natural energy to effect change in the world around us. In Wicca, magic is simply another skill set or tool. Most Wiccans do use specific tools in spellcrafting, such as an athame, wand, herbs, crystals, and candles. Magical workings are often performed within a sacred circle. The use of magic is not limited only to the priesthood -- anyone can craft and perform a spell with a little bit of practice.

The Spirit World is Out There:
Because the concept of an afterlife of some sort is typical in most branches of Wicca, there is a general willingness to accept interaction with the spirit world. Seances and contact with the unknown are not uncommon among Wiccans, although not all Wiccans actively seek communication with the dead. Divination such as tarot, runes, and astrology are often used as well.

What Wicca Isn't:
Wicca does not embrace the concepts of sin, heaven or hell, the evils of sex or nudity, confession, Satanism, animal sacrifice, or the inferiority of women. Wicca is not a fashion statement, and you do not have to dress a certain way to be a "real Wiccan."

Basic Beliefs of Wicca:
While not exclusive to every single tradition, the following are some of the core tenets found in most Wiccan systems:

•The Divine is present in nature, and so nature should be honored and respected. Everything from animals and plants to trees and rocks are elements of the sacred. You'll find that many practicing Wiccans are passionate about the environment.

•The idea of karma and an afterlife is a valid one. What we do in this lifetime will be revisited upon us in the next. Part of this idea of a cosmic payback system is echoed in the Law of Threefold Return.

•Our ancestors should be spoken of with honor. Because it's not considered out of the ordinary to commune with the spirit world, many Wiccans feel that their ancestors are watching over them at all times.

•The Divine has polarity -- both male and female. In most paths of Wicca, both a god and goddess are honored.

•The Divine is present in all of us. We are all sacred beings, and interaction with the gods is not limited just to the priesthood or a select group of individuals.

•Holidays are based on the turning of the earth and the cycle of the seasons. In Wicca, eight major Sabbats are celebrated, as well as monthly Esbats.

•Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Personal responsiblity is the key. Whether magical or mundane, one must be willing to accept the consquences -- either good or bad -- of their behaviour.

•Harm none, or something like it. While there are a few different interpretation of what actually constitutes harm, most Wiccans follow the concept that no harm should intentionally be done to another individual.

•Respect the beliefs of others. There's no Recruiting Club in Wicca, and the Wiccans are not out to preach at you, convert you, or prosetylize. Wiccan groups recognize that each individual must find their spiritual path on their own, without coercion. While a Wiccan may honor different gods than you do, they will always respect your right to believe differently.

I am going to suggest you read:

Adler, Margot: Drawing Down the Moon
Buckland, Raymond: Complete Book of Witchcraft
Cunningham, Scott: Wicca - A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Curott, Phyllis: Witch Crafting
Eilers, Dana: Pagans and the Law - Understand Your Rights
Farrar, Janet & Stewart: The Witches' Bible
Gardner, Gerald: Witchcraft Today
Hutton, Ronald: Triumph of the Moon
Morrison, Dorothy: The Craft - A Witch's Book of Shadows
Russell, Jeffrey: A History of Witchcraft
Serith, Ceisiwr: A Book of Pagan Prayer
Starhawk: The Spiral Dance
Valiente, Doreen: Witchcraft for Tomorrow
When Someone You Love Is Wiccan, By Carl McColman

Reading these will give you a good place to start. And as Raven Wolf stated "That way you can have an informed talk about why you would like to explore this path." with your Mom, and maybe she can read the books too to get a better understanding of Wicca as well.

This is in response to your comment left on The Book of Shadows...
It can be difficult to tell Christians about Wicca. I have tried and they still do not understand that it is not about worshiping false gods but rather a way to personalize aspects thereof. I guess you should start with "You know that I love you and remind her that she loves you too. Then take it from there.

Telling your mom is somthing that you will have to decide how to do yourself. I would first read up on Wicca, so you are ready to explain what you are interested in. I can't really say what to her reaction is going to be. I'm a very open minded person and was raised to find my own path, my mother let us make our own choices of faith. But reading and learning about what you want to become part of is the first step. That way you can have a informed talk about why you would like to explore this path.