Rosewicket Wicca Coven

[I've posted this same topic on several pagan groups]

Out of curiosity, I want to ask everyone reading what they believe, specifically. I know that we're all pagans of some kind, but even then there's room for many diverse beliefs. So, read and answer away.

a.) Your belief in deities. Do you consider yourself a polytheist (many gods), duotheist (two gods), henotheist (many gods, but honours only one), monotheist (one god, all gods are one), or other? Do you see gods as personifications, symbols/allegories, as real "people", parts of the human consiousness?

b.) Your belief in nature spirits. Do you believe natural objects (including plants) have an intelligence and can be communicated with, verbally or nonverbally? If you do, to what extent do you believe this? I mean, do you only believe live things like trees have spirits, or do you also see rocks, mountains, and bodies of water as being alive? Lastly, what do you call these spirits? Gnomes, fairies, nymphs, merfolk are some that come to mind.

c.) Your belief in magic. Do you believe in magic? If you do, how do think it works? (I'm not looking for a scientific explanation, more like a personal perspective)

d.) Do you have a concept of wrondoing or impurity? Not necessarily "sin", but what do you think determines whether or not an action is positive or negative?

e.) Ethics. This is related to the previous one. What ethics and values do you believe in? What is the purpose of morals, do you think?

f.) What is the goal of your path? Do you, like the Buddhists, seek enlightenment? Or maybe you wish for a good afterlife? Maybe something else?

g.) What do you believe happens after death? Reincarnation, a realm such as Hades, the Summerlands...?

h.) How do you view beliefs that contradict your own, such as atheism if you're a theist (I assume everyone is...)?

i.) Lastly, how would you sum up your path into a title? In other words, what do you call yourself? (this has been discussed in another topic, but I thought I'd include it)

Note: My use of the term "gods" refers to divinities of any gender or no gender at all.

a.) Your belief in deities. Do you consider yourself a polytheist (many gods), duotheist (two gods), henotheist (many gods, but honours only one), monotheist (one god, all gods are one), or other? Do you see gods as personifications, symbols/allegories, as real "people", parts of the human consiousness?

All of these and none. I have a way of thought that feels as if there is limitless all and entirety, and that is the divine. I think all gods and goddesses are individuals as well as parts of a whole - I think they are all real, but not just in the literal sense (ie - they also have an element in the non-physcial realm, like personifications of nature and archetypes). I don't really get the duotheism in Wicca  - dividing all of divinity and mashing up all these cultural dieties according to gender and then giving them specific rulings/personalities, despite what all of the other more traditional dieties are like, seems a bit too far out of my grasp (not that I have a problem with people doing this). I do follow a certain pantheon and a few deities within it, but other then that, my thoughts on the divine could write a book, so I should stop now.

b.) Your belief in nature spirits. Do you believe natural objects (including plants) have an intelligence and can be communicated with, verbally or nonverbally? If you do, to what extent do you believe this? I mean, do you only believe live things like trees have spirits, or do you also see rocks, mountains, and bodies of water as being alive? Lastly, what do you call these spirits? Gnomes, fairies, nymphs, merfolk are some that come to mind.

YES~! I do believe nature spirits to be very real. I think they may be a gaurdian or part of the soul of a plant, or they may rule over a piece of land or landform, or they may only be the nature of that place and be able to freely move from it. As for whether rocks have spirits, I think this depends... it's sort of like seashells - they have their own sets of properties, are an important part of the land, over time will become fused to the land around it, and often serve as homes - so there is a spiritual energy to them, but I don't consider it something that has a spirit or name unless a spirit has begun to use that structure as a home or such. In do believe spirits may rule a certain place or non-living landform, such like a mountain, plateau, desert, ocean, ect. My parents are inerested in polynesian and tropical culture, so the idea of spirits inhabiting such places always reminds me of Pele, the hawiian volcano Goddess - these landforms, though physically non-living, have a spiritual force and often act as the home for local spirits. I generally call tree spirits Kodama, as that is the type of spirit I have experiences with, and everything else I pretty much just reffer to as a spirit, though I do occasionally use the term 'kami'. I don't usually reffer to them as faeries, though I realize lots of people do. I preffer not to use 'obakemono' or 'yokai' because even though it means ghostly or otherworldly creature, it has the connotation of being a monster, which I see as different.

c.) Your belief in magic. Do you believe in magic? If you do, how do think it works? (I'm not looking for a scientific explanation, more like a personal perspective)

I do believe in magic. I believe it is two parts: the workings of our mind & subconciousness; and scienece. I love science, I don't doubt science a bit, and I'm a little put off when people think that believing in science and believing in magic are oxymorons. I use many scientific laws to predict and asess magic, both that of my own and others.

d.) Do you have a concept of wrongdoing or impurity? Not necessarily "sin", but what do you think determines whether or not an action is positive or negative?

Well, this depends. I do think that somewhere along the line, someone who has wronged will get what's coming to them - but it's never in the way we expect and usually we're not around to watch it happen. I won't claim to know what's ultimatly right or wrong, but I don't see them as parallel lines - there are times when right and wrong meet or cross and those can be difficult things to understand. There are things I find unforgiveable, but it's not my job to take judgement into my hands, it's my job to keep myself healthy. That being said - I know I would, in a dangerous situation, go beyond only just defending myself, but that, I think is more about protecting yourself or your loved ones in the heat of danger. I'm not sure what I think about revenge - it doesn't seem like such an awful concept, but there is a line and good judgement is above all.

e.) Ethics. This is related to the previous one. What ethics and values do you believe in? What is the purpose of morals, do you think?

My number one ethic: Use your best judgement at all times. Then things like compassion and integrity follow.

f.) What is the goal of your path? Do you, like the Buddhists, seek enlightenment? Or maybe you wish for a good afterlife? Maybe something else?

Enlightenment is an obscure word, to me. I mean, I am workign towards a spiritual peace, but I won't forbid myself from whatever the physical worldy pleasures are offered for the sake or trying to achieve enlightement - I fully believe in appreciating the human experience. I'm not too concerned with the afterlife, I have my theories on where I go and how my behavoir plays into it, but it's just my theory. I think it's more that this was the right thing for me to practice at this point in my life - doing anything else would have been less satisfying (not to say that I don't appreciate learning about other paths, because I do, but to pick one label and stick to it probably would have delayed my growth).

h.) How do you view beliefs that contradict your own, such as atheism if you're a theist (I assume everyone is...)?

In reality, I don't think beliefs at their core really contradict eachother - it's just that as people, we can't 100% comprehend everything, so what one persion views as divine might be science to someone else, or it might sound crazy. I don't think faith is isolated and concrete, it's always changign and morphing to the people and thought that associate with it. I mean there are certain morals of philosophies people may bring into a religion that I don't agree with, but I don't think that means the faith contradicts mine. I just think it's another source of diversity, and I really find diversity to be an eye-opening thing that should be celebrated much more in the human race.

i.) Lastly, how would you sum up your path into a title? In other words, what do you call yourself? (this has been discussed in another topic, but I thought I'd include it)

Well, if I'm feeling kind, I'll stick to something basic like 'spiritually inclined but non religious' or 'Pagan'. What I actually am is pretty much bits and pieces of dozens of beautiful faiths that have touched my life, plus the morals I was raised with, and the constantly changing personal expression that colours my life. The main paths I follow are Shinto, Buddhist, and Wiccan-Inflouenced Paganism, which much emphasis on nature. But there are tons of other faiths I find to be wonderful, and I don't hesitate to adopt any good spiritual view into my own if I feel it should be there.

a.) Your belief in deities. Do youconsider yourself a polytheist (many gods), duotheist (two gods),henotheist (many gods, but honours only one), monotheist (one god, all gods are one), or other? Do you see gods as personifications,symbols/allegories, as real "people", parts of the human consiousness?

My personal beliefs have been shifting rapidly these past months. Right now I am a polytheist. I believe the gods are as real as we are

b.)Your belief in nature spirits. Do you believe natural objects(including plants) have an intelligence and can be communicated with,verbally or nonverbally? If you do, to what extent do you believe this? I mean, do you only believe live things like trees have spirits, or doyou also see rocks, mountains, and bodies of water as being alive?Lastly, what do you call these spirits? Gnomes, fairies, nymphs,merfolk are some that come to mind.

Yes, I do believe in nature spirits. Even when I find myself alone in the forest on, say, a camping trip, I never feel alone. I'm not completely sure about rocks; I feel they do have a being of some kind, but it's more "dormant". As for mountains and bodies of water, yes. I call nature spirits nymphs and sometimes gnomes, but it really depends on where I am - a forest, marsh, plain, beach. In my free time I like to read folk stories about fairies/faeries, pixies, merfolk, rusalki...

c.) Your belief in magic. Do you believe in magic? If you do, how do think it works? (I'm not looking for a scientific explanation, more like a personal perspective)

I believe in magic. I believe that our own thoughts and feelings affect the outside world more than we realize, and this kind of thing can be done on purpose.

d.) Do you have a concept of wrondoing or impurity? Not necessarily "sin", but what do you think determines whether or not an action is positive or negative?

I think harming another person for your own enjoyment, rather than for survival or protection is wrong. I think that disrespecting the gods is wrong, although everyone is bound to do it sometime. I think stealing from people because of greed is wrong.

e.) Ethics. This is related to the previous one. What ethics and values do you believe in? What is the purpose of morals, do you think?

I believe in values such as hospitality, respect where it is due, keeping promises, self-respect, honesty, being mindful of the effects of one's actions, and trusting instinct. I think the purpose of morals is to maintain our civilization, which makes us unique to other animals. It also helps us become closer to the divine and what we're capable of.

f.) What is the goal of your path? Do you, like the Buddhists, seek enlightenment? Or maybe you wish for a good afterlife? Maybe something else?

My goal is to understand the world the best that I can. There are questions that different spiritualities and fields of science try to answer, and part of my goal is answering these. I love science and I love religion because they both seek to grasp the nature of our existence.

g.) What do you believe happens after death? Reincarnation, a realm such as Hades, the Summerlands...?

As I said above, I strive to understand. Right now I believe that when something dies, it passes on to another realm or plane. If its death was traumatic, part (or all) of it might linger where it used to live, until it's somehow satisfied.

h.) How do you view beliefs that contradict your own, such as atheism if you're a theist (I assume everyone is...)?

I don't hate atheism itself. Ultimately, we can't prove gods exist any more than we can prove they don't. However, atheists themselves are rarely respectful of my beliefs. I don't think all atheists are like that, but that's what I've experienced.

i.)Lastly, how would you sum up your path into a title? In other words,what do you call yourself? (this has been discussed in another topic,but I thought I'd include it)

Pagan or polytheist. I like to be general because I haven't chosen a specific tradition. Maybe I never will. 

A.Im a polytheist but also i believe their as real as we are. B.I belive that every thing has a spirit and inteligence( can be communicated to.) and some are called elementals C.I do believe in magic and I belive that anybody can use magic but also I belive that it is energy like a living thing. D.Theivery, murder, lieing, that isnt it but thats all i can think of for now. E.Never do wrong (at least as best you can) and try to learn as much as possible. F.learn till you feel you done good in your life then you go to a place of permanent peace. G.Reincarnation till you choose other wise. H.nothing is wrong every one is right in their own way. I.i really dont know.

a.) Your belief in deities. Do you consider yourself a polytheist (many gods), duotheist (two gods), henotheist (many gods, but honours only one), monotheist (one god, all gods are one), or other? Do you see gods as personifications, symbols/allegories, as real "people", parts of the human consiousness?

Um...polytheist, we suppose?  Because we honor all the gods and work with whoever calls to us.  We're not that picky.  And we usually see gods as energies....like, how we perceive them isn't actually how they are, but putting a human face to them is helpful sometimes.

b.) Your belief in nature spirits. Do you believe natural objects (including plants) have an intelligence and can be communicated with, verbally or nonverbally? If you do, to what extent do you believe this? I mean, do you only believe live things like trees have spirits, or do you also see rocks, mountains, and bodies of water as being alive? Lastly, what do you call these spirits? Gnomes, fairies, nymphs, merfolk are some that come to mind.

Yeah, we talk to trees all the time, as well as plants.  We think that usually it's more difficult to talk to the plant rather than a faery or sprite that is protecting or is representing the plant.  And we call them whatever we feel they are...which we know is a total wishwash answer, but if we feel like they're a nymph we call them a nymph, if we feel like they're a faery we call them a faery.

c.) Your belief in magic. Do you believe in magic? If you do, how do think it works? (I'm not looking for a scientific explanation, more like a personal perspective)

Yeah.  It's just the way that conscious change happens, through changing consciousness and your perspective on the world.

d.) Do you have a concept of wrondoing or impurity? Not necessarily "sin", but what do you think determines whether or not an action is positive or negative?

Um, we mostly base that off of the individual case.  Cause we don't feel too great about condemning abstract ideas, but if we had to condmen some abstract idea we would say we don't support acts of power-over.

e.) Ethics. This is related to the previous one. What ethics and values do you believe in? What is the purpose of morals, do you think?

We believe in honesty and Loving everyone and seeking equality between all peoples.

f.) What is the goal of your path? Do you, like the Buddhists, seek enlightenment? Or maybe you wish for a good afterlife? Maybe something else?

We seek to...have fun?  We just want to live our live peacefully and learn how to be better people.

g.) What do you believe happens after death? Reincarnation, a realm such as Hades, the Summerlands...?

Uh, reincarnation we suppose?  We don't contemplate what happens after death a whole lot, since we're focused on living our life.

h.) How do you view beliefs that contradict your own, such as atheism if you're a theist (I assume everyone is...)?

We try to be nice to everyone, unless they're mean to us first.  Even if we don't agree we can still have a calm discussion about our differences.

i.) Lastly, how would you sum up your path into a title? In other words, what do you call yourself? (this has been discussed in another topic, but I thought I'd include it)

Pagan?  We call ourselves chill pagans really, or hedge witches since we spend so much time in nature. 

a)i believe in many Gods but I only honor two and yes I believe that they are everything.

b)i believe that everything is alive and that anything is possible and real

c) i believe in magic. i believe that if you  are intune with yourself and nature it will work and also as long as it is for a good cause.

 i believe in honesty and just being truthful i believe that we all have the right to believe what we want. so i don't believe that anyone is wrong really just that we respect each other.  my goal is to be at peace with myself and close to nature ans all things that are "good." i'd call myself Pagan/Wiccan and i do believe that i will go to the Summerland .......

a. I don't know how to truly describe my belief in the Gods. If I had to describe it using one of the words there then I would probably say that I am a polytheist. I believe that there are many Gods and Goddesses but I only really honour two.

b. I believe that every natural thing has a being, whether it be a tree or a wild flower. I think you can communicate in different ways to these beings and it depends on who you are as well as anything else. If you are a quiet type of person then you may choose to communicate non-verbally, but this may not always be the way you communicate. Sometimes you may speak to them verbally even though you usually speak non-verbally. I don't know whether things other than trees and organisms have spirits but I speak to them anyway. I don't know whether or not they reply but I don't think it matters in some cases. I don't really call them anything in particular. I never have.

c. Yes, I believe in magic. I believe that it is mainly the power of thought and change that you bring about in the world or to yourself but it is also the way the tree sways in the wind, the way the petals open on a small flower. I can be anything like that and there is no limit to it.

d. I don't think that I have the right or the knowledge to judge anyone about their actions. I think that there is a right a wrong but it is not as black and white as that. Sometimes to do something that is ultimately right, some wrong lines must be crossed and there is no way around that. Also I don't think that all wrong actions are completely wrong. Ok, picture a ying and yang sign like the one I have as my picture. There are two sides, black and white, in our case right and wrong. In both sides there is a small dot of the other colour. This makes the black side or the white side not entirely that colour. In our case, this makes the right side or the wrong side not entirely right or wrong. I think that right and wrong are very compicated areas.

e. I think my main ethic is equality but my ethics are changing all the time.

f. The goal of my path is to be the best person I can be and to learn as much as I can in my lifetime.

g. I haven't really thought much about where I go after I die as I am more focused on living. I suppose I do believe in the Summerland although no one knows what happens after death apart from the dead and they are, dead.

h. I believe that all beliefs and religions should be honoured and I am not bitter towards any of them, even those of them that are bitter towards paganism. I think that life is too precious to be spending it hating contradicting beliefs. In a whole I don't think that other religions do contradict my beliefs but it is more some people who choose to follow a path that is hateful to other religions. As for atheists, again I am open to them and I have no problem who believe that there are no Gods/Goddesses. I, in fact was brought up as an atheist and I found paganism on my own.

i. I don't think that there really is a title to what we believe but if we had to choose one then it would be pagan or wiccan.

Blessed be!

a.) Your belief in deities. Do youconsider yourself a polytheist (many gods), duotheist (two gods),henotheist (many gods, but honours only one), monotheist (one god, allgods are one), or other? Do you see gods as personifications,symbols/allegories, as real "people", parts of the human consiousness?

I see the God and Goddess as real spirits, but not really as people, I guess you could say. The God and Goddess are real, but they are in Nature, in everything, connecting everything in different ways. I honor the Goddess and God, but in that way, I am also honoring the world. You might find this confusing, but that is how I see it.

b.)Your belief in nature spirits. Do you believe natural objects(including plants) have an intelligence and can be communicated with,verbally or nonverbally? If you do, to what extent do you believe this?I mean, do you only believe live things like trees have spirits, or doyou also see rocks, mountains, and bodies of water as being alive?Lastly, what do you call these spirits? Gnomes, fairies, nymphs,merfolk are some that come to mind.

I believe everything in ourworld is connected, and as I said, I feel the God and Goddess are in Nature, so, yes, I guess you could say I believe that Nature is alive in that way.

c.) Your belief inmagic. Do you believe in magic? If you do, how do think it works? (I'mnot looking for a scientific explanation, more like a personalperspective)

Everyone in the world has abilities to make the changes we call magick, if you choose to tune in with Nature,  which in my belief, goes hand in hand with tuning into the God and Goddess.

d.) Do you have a concept of wrondoing orimpurity? Not necessarily "sin", but what do you think determineswhether or not an action is positive or negative?

Everyone in the world is born with a conscience. Relying on this conscience alone will pretty much keep you doing "good". I do not believe in sin as the Christian church portrays it. I believe sins are the way of growing up. You do wrong, and you learn not to do it again.

e.)Ethics. This is related to the previous one. What ethics and values doyou believe in? What is the purpose of morals, do you think?

I believe in relying on my conscience. If it feels wrong, don't do it.

f.)What is the goal of your path? Do you, like the Buddhists, seekenlightenment? Or maybe you wish for a good afterlife? Maybe somethingelse?

I focus on living. I found Wicca through my step grandmother, and she gave me a book. It just kind of spoke to me, and I felt a pull towards Wicca. It makes me happy to be Wiccan, and it makes me feel peaceful. Overall, that is really what we are all looking for, right?

g.) What do you believe happens after death? Reincarnation, a realm such as Hades, the Summerlands...?

I've never thought about it very much, but I sort of believe in reincarnation. I mean, I get deja vu so much, I feel like I've seen it before, but I have no clue where. It could have been from a past life. Overall, I don't knowl, and I guess I won't until I die.

h.) How do you view beliefs that contradict your own, such as atheism if you're a theist (I assume everyone is...)?

I respect everyone's beliefs, becauseif I don't, how could I expect them to respect me? Just because I don't believe in their choices does not mean I have any right to judge them.

i.)Lastly, how would you sum up your path into a title? In other words,what do you call yourself? (this has been discussed in another topic,but I thought I'd include it)

I call myself Wiccan, but I guess that is a loose title. I am a solitary Witch.

BLESSED BE!!!!