Modern Wicca and the Witchcraft Movement
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Exploration of a DDC/UDC View of Religion
EPC Exhibit 134-11.3 May 12, 2011 THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Dewey Section To: Caroline Kent, Chair Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee Cc: Members of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee Karl E. Debus-López, Chief, U.S. General Division From: Giles Martin, Assistant Editor Dewey Decimal Classification OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc Re: Chronological/regional view of 200 Religion For some time now we have been exploring the development of an alternative view of 200 Religion to reduce the perceived Christian bias in the standard notational sequence for religions in 200. The UDC 2 Religion schedule, revised in 2000, includes a chronological/regional view of religion that is a promising model for such an alternative arrangement. Much of the work on this has been done by Ia McIlwaine (formerly the editor-in-chief of the Universal Decimal Classification – UDC) and Joan Mitchell. I have attached a paper that they presented on the subject as Appendix 2 to this exhibit. The paper’s citation is: McIlwaine, Ia, and Joan S. Mitchell. 2006. ―The New Ecumenism: Exploration of a DDC/UDC View of Religion.‖ In Knowledge Organization for a Global Learning Society: Proceedings of the 9th International ISKO Conference, 4-7 July 2006, Vienna, Austria, edited by Gerhard Budin, Christian Swertz, and Konstantin Mitgutsch, p. 323-330. Würzberg: Ergon. I have also attached a top-level summary of the arrangement of religions and sects in UDC 2 Religion as Appendix 1. As can be seen in Appendix 1, at the top level UDC uses three principles of arrangement: (1) It generally arranges religions chronologically in order of the foundation of the world’s major religions, though the grouping at 25 (Religions of antiquity. -
Pentagram As a Symbol of Paganism: Symbols : Here the Differences Are Obvious
Symbolic meaning of the pentagram The Pentagram is a symbol of a star encased in a circle. Always with 5 points (one pointing upward), each has its own meaning. The upward point of the star is representative of the spirit. The other four points all represent an element; earth, air, fire, and water. All these things contribute to life and are a part of each of us. To wear a pentagram necklace or other form of jewelry, is to say you feel the connection with the elements and respect the earth. The number 5 The number 5 has always been regarded as mystical and magical, yet essentially 'human'. We have five fingers/toes on each limb extremity. We commonly note five senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. We perceive five stages or initiations in our lives - eg. birth, adolescence, coitus, parenthood and death. (There are other numbers / initiations / stages / attributions). Pentagram as a symbol of paganism: http://www.webcom.com/~lstead/wicatru.html Symbols : Here the differences are obvious. The predominant symbol for Wicca (and for many, Paganism in general) is the pentagram. The predominant Ásatrú symbol is, of course, the hammer. While various interpretations for the pentagram abound, a common understanding of the religious meaning of the symbol is that it represents five equidistant elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, each bound within the circle of life, death, and rebirth. Here then is a display of a central ideology behind Wicca: to live one's life in harmony with these elements, representative of features of the self, and in union with the cycles of nature. -
Read Book Witchcraft Today
WITCHCRAFT TODAY PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Gerald B Gardner | 197 pages | 01 Apr 2004 | Citadel Press | 9780806525938 | English | New York, NY, United States Witchcraft Today PDF Book Note: References to "limited space" reflect the fact that this article was originally published in a printed magazine. Then meet the universal symbols and always keep them in an area near the altar. In fact religion and witchcraft were alike in many ways. Here is a very simple love spell that I hope you'll adapt for your own purposes. This religion is not a joke. Bookseller Waterstone's has launched a Save Harry campaign. Wicca is a religion of fertility. A dedication ritual implies exactly what it sounds to you like. We don't want to convert you. Heathens, Pagans Dec 30, Laura rated it liked it Shelves: religion , witchcraft , book-club. Nor does it require the use of a special wand and sparkly, flashing lights. Yet this is a religion in which drugs and free sexuality are not condemned, but might be encouraged. Then there are those whose work is more directly related to their witchcraft practice, like tarot card readers, and several women who own and operate apothecaries. Free will is a powerful thing and should never be played with. An owl sent by a witch could not be killed. It's a small gesture that really goes a long way. To help set the stage for our discussion of contemporary witchcraft, it will be beneficial to take a brief tour of the modern history of this fascinating phenomenon. We don't harm or seduce people. -
Wicca 1739 Have Allowed for His Continued Popularity
Wicca 1739 have allowed for his continued popularity. Whitman’s According to Gardner, witchcraft had survived the per- willingness to break out of hegemonic culture and its secutions of early modern Europe and persisted in secret, mores in order to celebrate the mundane and following the thesis of British folklorist and Egyptologist unconventional has ensured his relevance today. His belief Margaret Murray (1862–1963). Murray argued in her in the organic connection of all things, coupled with his book, The Witch Cult in Western Europe (1921), that an old organic development of a poetic style that breaks with religion involving a horned god who represented the fertil- many formal conventions have caused many scholars and ity of nature had survived the persecutions and existed critics to celebrate him for his innovation. His idea of uni- throughout Western Europe. Murray wrote that the versal connection and belief in the spirituality present in a religion was divided into covens that held regular meet- blade of grass succeeded in transmitting a popularized ings based on the phases of the moon and the changes of version of Eastern theology and Whitman’s own brand of the seasons. Their rituals included feasting, dancing, sac- environmentalism for generations of readers. rifices, ritualized sexual intercourse, and worship of the horned god. In The God of the Witches (1933) Murray Kathryn Miles traced the development of this god and connected the witch cult to fairy tales and Robin Hood legends. She used Further Reading images from art and architecture to support her view that Greenspan, Ezra, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Whit- an ancient vegetation god and a fertility goddess formed man. -
Love, Lora & Pooka
Pooka's Page for Grownups Each year we try to make the Yule issue a little bit special, taking care that it includes all the parts of the magazine you've told us are your favorites. This year was a bit difficult - in fact it was "touch & go" whether we'd get this issue out at all. My Lover of the past 8 years had a massive stroke on Nov. 4th, leaving him paralyzed, speechless and confused - and so, of course, I've had to be with him almost constantly. My presence & support right now is critical to his recovery. And on top of the holidays being a busy time for everyone, two of our Team Members with regular columns had their own emergencies - Christine is busy helping her father care for her mother and Calunna's horse suffered a serious injury. So, in addition to my own time-consuming crisis, we were also short-handed. However, I think the rest of the Team and I have pulled off a small Yuletide Miracle....and here is your Pooka Pages Issue! To be honest, I don't know what the future holds for this little magazine. I don't know what the future holds for ME. The Gods have suddenly tossed Life's Cards into the air and who knows where they'll land - or how their positions, when they fall, will affect the Pooka Pages. But, the new-born Sun of Yule is a symbolic promise for All of us . It's the beginning of a Growing Light in the middle of the of the Dark Winter. -
Constructing the Witch in Contemporary American Popular Culture
"SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES": CONSTRUCTING THE WITCH IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POPULAR CULTURE Catherine Armetta Shufelt A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2007 Committee: Dr. Angela Nelson, Advisor Dr. Andrew M. Schocket Graduate Faculty Representative Dr. Donald McQuarie Dr. Esther Clinton © 2007 Catherine A. Shufelt All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Dr. Angela Nelson, Advisor What is a Witch? Traditional mainstream media images of Witches tell us they are evil “devil worshipping baby killers,” green-skinned hags who fly on brooms, or flaky tree huggers who dance naked in the woods. A variety of mainstream media has worked to support these notions as well as develop new ones. Contemporary American popular culture shows us images of Witches on television shows and in films vanquishing demons, traveling back and forth in time and from one reality to another, speaking with dead relatives, and attending private schools, among other things. None of these mainstream images acknowledge the very real beliefs and traditions of modern Witches and Pagans, or speak to the depth and variety of social, cultural, political, and environmental work being undertaken by Pagan and Wiccan groups and individuals around the world. Utilizing social construction theory, this study examines the “historical process” of the construction of stereotypes surrounding Witches in mainstream American society as well as how groups and individuals who call themselves Pagan and/or Wiccan have utilized the only media technology available to them, the internet, to resist and re- construct these images in order to present more positive images of themselves as well as build community between and among Pagans and nonPagans. -
Magic, Witchcraft, and Faërie: Evolution of Magical Ideas in Ursula K
Volume 39 Number 2 Article 2 4-23-2021 Magic, Witchcraft, and Faërie: Evolution of Magical Ideas in Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea Cycle Oleksandra Filonenko Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore Recommended Citation Filonenko, Oleksandra (2021) "Magic, Witchcraft, and Faërie: Evolution of Magical Ideas in Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea Cycle," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 39 : No. 2 , Article 2. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol39/iss2/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To join the Mythopoeic Society go to: http://www.mythsoc.org/join.htm Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm Abstract In my article, I discuss a peculiar connection between the persisting ideas about magic in the Western world and Ursula Le Guin's magical world in the Earthsea universe and its evolution over the decades. -
Deus Ex Machina? Witchcraft and the Techno-World Venetia Robertson
Deus Ex Machina? Witchcraft and the Techno-World Venetia Robertson Introduction Sociologist Bryan R. Wilson once alleged that post-modern technology and secularisation are the allied forces of rationality and disenchantment that pose an immense threat to traditional religion.1 However, the flexibility of pastiche Neopagan belief systems like ‘Witchcraft’ have creativity, fantasy, and innovation at their core, allowing practitioners of Witchcraft to respond in a unique way to the post-modern age by integrating technology into their perception of the sacred. The phrase Deus ex Machina, the God out of the Machine, has gained a multiplicity of meanings in this context. For progressive Witches, the machine can both possess its own numen and act as a conduit for the spirit of the deities. It can also assist the practitioner in becoming one with the divine by enabling a transcendent and enlightening spiritual experience. Finally, in the theatrical sense, it could be argued that the concept of a magical machine is in fact the contrived dénouement that saves the seemingly despondent situation of a so-called ‘nature religion’ like Witchcraft in the techno-centric age. This paper explores the ways two movements within Witchcraft, ‘Technopaganism’ and ‘Technomysticism’, have incorporated man-made inventions into their spiritual practice. A study of how this is related to the worldview, operation of magic, social aspect and development of self within Witchcraft, uncovers some of the issues of longevity and profundity that this religion will face in the future. Witchcraft as a Religion The categorical heading ‘Neopagan’ functions as an umbrella that covers numerous reconstructed, revived, or invented religious movements, that have taken inspiration from indigenous, archaic, and esoteric traditions. -
Renee: 0:01 This Is Renee Cyr Doing an Interview with Camille on July 11 2019, Discussing Paganism in Lawrence
Renee: 0:01 This is Renee Cyr doing an interview with Camille on July 11 2019, discussing Paganism in Lawrence. How do you define your religion and spiritual path? Camille: 0:19 To define my religion would be, the umbrella term is Paganism. But that means anything that's out of Judaism, or Christianity, or Catholicism. Technically I would be classified as a Wiccan. I'm very nature based, but I also incorporate a specific goddess that I like to make offerings to her. She makes me feel protected and safe. And I think everybody deep down inside, spiritually humans need to believe in something higher than themselves. Not just for accountability of what happens to them in life, but the idea that we're just here alone on this big planet, it's kind of sad. I think people are naturally drawn to religious idols. Mine would be Hekate. Renee: 1:03 How long have you practiced Paganism? Camille: 1:06 Since 2002. I discovered it when I was going to high school. When I was younger, I was forced to go to Catholic school. My family is Romani Gypsy, and Italians on my mom's side. So they're very much about adopting a major religion to kind of help us blend in more. And my grandmother and my mother actually really did take it to heart. It wasn't just like, a chameleon tactic to blend in. Going to Catholic school I realized that it just didn't feel right. Like I would leave church feeling worse than when I went in. -
Grimoire of Eclectic Magick (
1 of 3 Grimoire of eclectic Magick Part ( Permission is given for the distribution of this text in electronic form, with these conditions: s No fees may be charged for the distribution or transmission of this document, other than standard charges for use of transmiss ion lines or electronic media. Distribution for commercial purposes or by commercial entities is specifically prohibited. s All copies distributed must contain the complete, unedited text of the original document and this copyright notice. s Persons acquiring this electronic version of the document can make one (1) printed copy for their own personal use. All other rights are retained by the author Typography . Cover Graphics FLA Millennium, Shannon Teague Alchemist, Computer Safari Text Alchemy, Cosmorama Enterprises Copyright © Beltain 2000 by Parker Torrence. Fifties, WSI-Font Collection DF Calligraphic Ornaments LET, Garden Display Caps, WSI-Font Collection Esselte Letraset Ltd. All rights reserved, all wrongs returned Three Fold! Krone, WSI-Font Collection Genji, Emerald City Fontworks Wellsley, J. Fordyce Veve, Scriptorium Fonts Witchcraft, Typearound Font WoolBats, Curtis Clark Movie images are from http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/thecraft/ In 1996, “The Craft” was released in theaters and a G hat is Wicca? r new standard for movies about witchcraft was i established. This was in part due to the technical advice m of Pat Devin, an Elder and the first officer of the o Southern California local council of C.O.G. (Covenant i W r "Basically, Wicca is an evolving religion of theGoddess) established in California in 1975, an e incorporated, religious, non-profit organization. -
Handbook of Religious Beliefs and Practices
STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES 1987 FIRST REVISION 1995 SECOND REVISION 2004 THIRD REVISION 2011 FOURTH REVISION 2012 FIFTH REVISION 2013 HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES INTRODUCTION The Department of Corrections acknowledges the inherent and constitutionally protected rights of incarcerated offenders to believe, express and exercise the religion of their choice. It is our intention that religious programs will promote positive values and moral practices to foster healthy relationships, especially within the families of those under our jurisdiction and within the communities to which they are returning. As a Department, we commit to providing religious as well as cultural opportunities for offenders within available resources, while maintaining facility security, safety, health and orderly operations. The Department will not endorse any religious faith or cultural group, but we will ensure that religious programming is consistent with the provisions of federal and state statutes, and will work hard with the Religious, Cultural and Faith Communities to ensure that the needs of the incarcerated community are fairly met. This desk manual has been prepared for use by chaplains, administrators and other staff of the Washington State Department of Corrections. It is not meant to be an exhaustive study of all religions. It does provide a brief background of most religions having participants housed in Washington prisons. This manual is intended to provide general guidelines, and define practice and procedure for Washington State Department of Corrections institutions. It is intended to be used in conjunction with Department policy. While it does not confer theological expertise, it will, provide correctional workers with the information necessary to respond too many of the religious concerns commonly encountered. -
Tiffany Aching, Hermione Granger, and Gendered Magic in Discworld and Potterworld
Volume 27 Number 3 Article 16 4-15-2009 The Education of a Witch: Tiffany Aching, Hermione Granger, and Gendered Magic in Discworld and Potterworld Janet Brennan Croft University of Oklahoma Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore Part of the Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons Recommended Citation Croft, Janet Brennan (2009) "The Education of a Witch: Tiffany Aching, Hermione Granger, and Gendered Magic in Discworld and Potterworld," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 27 : No. 3 , Article 16. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol27/iss3/16 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To join the Mythopoeic Society go to: http://www.mythsoc.org/join.htm Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm Abstract Explores the depiction of gender in education, and how gender issues in education relate to power and agency, in two current young adult fantasy series featuring feisty heroines determined to learn all that they can: Hermione Granger in J.K.