"We have this attitude in our community that says (if someone said it happened, then it happened.) and I just don't think thats healthy," YES. ^^^^^^^ This times a thousand.
I often use the word “craft” instead of “faith”-for me, paganism is a creative act, so craft works well. I’m not a hardcore deist and work with goddesses as archetypes. I say I’m doing the Morrigan’s work from time to time, but it’s work that she’s inspired me to do, not “her work” objectively speaking. but of course folks don’t know that that’s my perspective unless I say so, so I see how that can translate as “she feels like she has privileged access to the will of the gods.”I love your take on books-sometimes you just gotta be a book snob. Thanks for sharing and occasional pettiness is necessary to call attention to trends that may not reflect what’s best for the community. Ta!
Right. I do the Hearth Mother’s work because....I’m a homebody who likes to work through cleanliness, food, fire, and handicrafts. No God told me to - it’s just...her realm, and I work - and honor her - within it.
If you are looking for a book that actually gets into the practice and craft of magick then you should certainly check out my book “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery “ on Amazon. It will put you light-years ahead of those who are preoccupied with practicing magick as another form of religion.
"Faith" isn't an action and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a relationship, although it can. Faith is a belief in things unseen, unknowable, unprovable, etc. I have to have faith that there is a Goddess or God in order to worship them or work with them. In the same way, I have to have faith in astrology or the tarot cards, or any other magical/magickal system that I use. If I don't have a solid trust and belief in my own practice, I can't be at all effective in it. Faith is where you draw the distinction between treating something as a game or something to try out, and something that you're taking seriously.
Sarah Poulsen I think that’s one definition, but it ignores the cultural history of that word. In the US, which is steeped in Protestantism, it has other implications which I think we can’t ignore.
Sarah Poulsen I think that’s one definition, but it ignores the cultural history of that word. In the US, which is steeped in Protestantism, it has other implications which I think we can’t ignore.
Not everyone thats read your book, or watches your youtube videos are in the US... A lot of us are elsewhere.. And personally I like the word "faith" you have to have faith in yourself doesnt mean I worship myself.. Meaning of faith.. Belief without evidence. “Faith, derived from Latin fides and Old French feid, is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, one can define faith as confidence or trust in a particular system of religious belief. Belief without evidence.. That works in Wicca too doesnt it.. It comes down to proving it.
Thorn Mooney maybe it's important for those using that word to mention what they do & don't have faith in. I've never associated it with christianity in particular, though come to think of it I don't remember hearing british muslims talk about faith much. In the uk we do talk about the faith communities though, I'm pretty sure I've heard Sikhs talk about their faith. The uk monarch is supposed to be "defender of THE faith" ie anglicanism; but memorably quite a while back prince Charles said he wanted to be "defender of faiths". Hopefully that will include pagans (in both camps) and buddhists (who wouldn't use the term).
When I was in high school, there was a lot of things I would have changed. It was mostly the people. So many teenagers tried to flex on one another, who was the “witchiest”. Now as an adult witch... I’ve become very solitary so I haven’t really run into other witches. I’m good on doing this in my own, protecting my home, and the occasional moon spell. It’s for me, not for the clout!
I'm a hellenic polytheist. The number of people claiming to be demigods on a certain social media I have is too damn high. They have a chat for it smh.
Also, can we stop walking around wearing pentacles the size of dinner-plates around our necks and screaming persecution when someone looks at it sideways? Can we just suck it up that our religion is not widely accepted yet, and to not take that so damned personally?!
Stellar Rain Dancer are you saying it’s not a good idea to show up to an interview dripping in moonstone with a pentacle tattooed on my face?haha yes, the giant cheap pentacles have got to go 😂
some of us are the type to make changes like those who protested the war in the 60s. I"m not sucking it up. I'm fighting it and been working to change it for over three decades
One of my peeves is beginners calling themselves "baby" witches. I don't know why, I guess it's supposed to be cutesy or whatever but like. It's okay to just call yourself a beginner. It just sounds like.... Too much like a trendy pop term. I don't know Why 'baby witch' bugs me, like you're not a baby, you can do research and ask questions like a normal person. Everyone starts somewhere.
Druid Riley we all them “fur babies” bc they’re our babies, just not human babies, they’re outer pets and out kids so it’s “fur baby” to not mix up with human baby lmao.
Voltergeist I agree with you 200%!!! It literally makes my skin crawl when I hear a grown adult refer to themself as a “baby witch”. I don’t get it. When I first started, a new learner would call themselves a seeker. Not a baby.
I hate this too, it sounds degrading. I don’t know where it started but I think it’s almost an accepted, maybe even expected term for beginners to use, particularly on Instagram / Facebook platforms. I wish they’d have some more self-respect...
This is awesome. As an eclectic witch, the misinterpretations with witchcraft and Wicca being interchangeable in books that are supposed to be intros to witchcraft drives me bananas. This “rant” is soooo not petty. Also, I’ve been trying to expand my library but it’s been so hard when all the most highly recommended books are all kind of generic Instagramy intros to witchcraft. Don’t get me wrong, it was one of those books that got me started in my journey. I just feel like once you have one of them you have them all. I remember watching a few of your videos in which you recommended some books and they seem like really great investments. I would love a more exhaustive list of book recommendations from you!
I wonder if misinterpretations like you mention can come from books written by those who don’t take part in the overall community, like Thorn says. Maybe I might use those two words interchangeably but I would never know others don’t if I’m not involved.
@@ivyrose779 im new to the craft as well.. A lot of people have asked for a list of books we should read, but nothing has been posted.. So regardless of what this one author has said about books she thinks are old and outdated (which is strange because paganism has been around for a great number of years - so the literature even if its from the 80s - should still be valid books as a starting point fir learners... Im reading Bucklands Big Blue Book of Witchcraft, Farrah's The Witches Bible, and Cunninghams Guide to the Solitary Practitioner.. Even if she says its dated...
It's dated because our (western, generally white, eurocentric or american) understanding of other cultures, especially living cultures, is getting better and our language is becoming more nuanced as a result, archaeological understanding of the past is growing, allowing us to throw out certain speculations that we had written into our books, there is a greater awareness and (hopefully) uplifting of voices that Gerald Gardner, for example, might not have paid much attention to (Gerald Gardner was born in the 1880s in the British Empire. He's going to have a very different perspective than what's going on today. Even just having gone through 2 world wars would do that.) Wicca is a growing and evolving religion. We build on the foundations of the past but we also need to look at things closely. People are being more aware and fighting white supremacists who use paganism as an excuse for their bad behavior, and writing texts in a way to try to prevent them from using them to legitimize themselves is also useful. (Sorry, found this at 4:30 am and was bored)
Yes on the books. Enough pretty witchcraft 101 please. I don't sign up for workshops any more for the same reason. I would love to see recommendations for books with some depth of information or wisdom in them.
Janet Hansen After 20+ years of being pagan, I find myself enjoying books about people’s personal experiences and reflections as Witches. Phyllis Currott, Browyn Forrest, Deborah Lipp, and so many others have written books that are more deeply personal.
Really.. You dont have to believe in a deity??? Ive been reading books on Buddhism before I started reading about Wicca, and like Buddhism because its more of a way of life and not a religion per se... Buddha was just a man, not a god. No need to worship him, just follow his words of wisdom - to a degree.. I like the idea of Wicca but without worshipping a god or goddess. What would that be called then??
Sir Galah We all are our own deities Gods & Goddess. They is a vibration energy in the universe that we can tap into, to manifest want we want.. Tapping into it through mediation to raise your vibration.
i re read a journal entry reminding myself to be aware and look out for genuine teachers with good intentions and i’m convinced that is why i’ve been drawn to your channel. i just purchased two beginner books based off your recommendations so thank you!
I keep my divine interactions to myself honestly. It's nice to get some from of validation, but it's for 'ME'. If I don't, that doesn't mean I'm doing anything wrong or am not valid as a pagan or practitioner. I agree with a lot said here.
Hi Thorne, please could you do a video of the books you recommend for Wiccans and also for non-Wiccan witches. I feel so overwhelmed when I look at all the material available. And I don't know which are the good ones and which aren't. I'm also a fussy reader, being a writer and editor. I want to dig deeper into my craft as a solitary practitioner, but I find all the books seem to cover the same material - for beginners, which I know already.
I definitely would like to hear about the new books that are better. The reason I recommend those books (such as Buckland's Complete) is because those are the books I read in the early 90's. There is so much out there now, I don't know where to begin (for recommending to new seekers). Thanks.
Spicy video! :) I agree with 2 as well - when people start describing personal experience as if it were generally acknowledged and "the truth", it makes me feel strange. Handing off my agency to a divine power and saying "xyz made me do this" would be weird to me - but at the same time, the phrase only needs slight changing and I'd be fine with it. As far as the word "faith" is concerned, I have to say that I just stopped caring about people misusing words and I chalk it up to linguistic changes in meaning that simply go along with the evolution of language. I used to be bothered that everybody uses words like passive-aggressive, late capitalism and narcissism in all kinds of wrong contexts, but nowadays I try to stay humble about it and acknowledge that taking a descriptive mindset towards language is a much healthier approach than being prescriptive (for my own sanity). And beyond that, I'm sure I misuse a ton of words as well! :D Thanks for sharing so truthfully - as we're on the topic, I think our community could use a bit more honesty. You're on point when you say that everybody's statements about their experiences are just regarded as truth automatically - which is fine, as long as they themselves apply some sort of common sense, know their limitations and are reflected in their practice. But once that's out the window...
When I first began my spiritual path I often felt inadequate because other witches were having these amazing experiences with Gods and Goddesses that I just wasn't having. I longed for that. I've come to understand that may not happen for me. Ever. I use the word faith but not in place of the word religion. I don't belong to any organized religion. I guess I use it interchangeably with belief depending on the context (such as I have faith in you/I believe in you). Yes! Better books!
100% agree. I would add a fifth, related to your last, that writers and those of us who have been around a hot minute, have got to stop spreading misinformation about the witch trials!
Exactly! I have an ancestor who was accused and tried as a witch in Stamford Connecticut in 1692. Elizabeth clawson. There is a book about her escaping Salem. She was innocent was acquitted. But yes agree with you 100 %
The thing about the gods telling you to do something is a touchy one. In the Morrígan community, most people I have talked to feel called or chosen and there is a lot of talk about “marching orders” but at the same time there is caution about over sharing. I am not a hard polytheist, but I do tend to operate within the craft largely by observing synchronicity. Hence, I am kind of ambivalent and tend to not share some of my personal experiences. I have been a witch since I was a kid, but I am new to incorporating deity into the practice. I tend to have in the back of my mind the fact that it could be my ego talking or even a mischievous genius loci (or maybe I am just REALLY high lol). I agree that a little skepticism about what you’re called to do is healthy. 👍🏻
When it comes to books, I really prefer older things that where written before paganism became mainstream (talking about 1980's or *early* 90's and even earlier-- sometimes way earlier. Same preference for tarot cards even though there are some good new ones now but it's like everybody and their brother makes a tarot deck...
Sir Galah Not all the newer books are bad. People such as myself are trying to advance the practice, so magick is once again a powerful science/art and can be used to solve real-life problems. It is happening.
Fourth: After Llewellyn became what was basically the "Pop market" for witchcraft, substance meant nothing. Lets be honest though, beyond the basics, its for you to figure out. Now if you as I did want to know the history behind some of the things we do then here are some books. Witchcraft in Europe by Alan Kors & Edward Peters. Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts. Witch Hunt by Nigel Cawthorne. The Night Battles by John and Anne Tedeschi. And a few others, Drawing down the moon, An ye harm none, Starhawk.. Ronald Hutton..
I agree with better books and better authors! I try to read books that are recommended by other authors or or books that are referenced. I feel that the older books on wicca are somewhat better than the ones that are now being published. I also think people should research the author before buying their books because, like you said, most of them don't really know. They aren't part of the culture..
Point #2 hits home for me! I’m so tired of EVERYONE being an empath, having spoke to “this god or that”, saw demons in their bathroom, sees/speaks to spirits...blah blah blah. STFU! And what’s more? People who feel being Pagan also implies a political position! Wtf... people need to get a grip
Rofl at that comment about just because something has lots of likes on instagram, doesnt make it worth reading. SO true!!! Thank you for saying it. It really needed to be said.
This was SUCH a refreshing video!! Thank you so much for posting this. I really appreciate your insight. & your ability to articulate your ideas so well is also apparent!! As a fellow book lover, point 3 gets an EXTRA round of applause because I totally, completely agree 100000%!
Hi Oliver! Totally agree, especially with point 3! And what you have said about what gets stocked in the larger retail outlets is food for thought. Sometimes I get a bit of FOMO and think I better read something before I bag it out... but I think I might start making even more of a point of reading the good stuff, and pumping them up when I can where it counts like giving it some decent stars on Amazon.
She calling us all out on our BS and I love this~ (P.S. I'm one of those people who got tired of the Cunningham and Ravenwolf and Buckland rehash books as well and I went back to square 1 with the gosh darn 'idiot's guide to witchcraft' just for sh*ts and giggles and found it to be surprisingly modern, up to date and, while it does repeat a lot of what's said in those old 90s books, it gives tid bits of updated info to keep you in the modern loop. Kind of pop-up video esque but in book form)
I especially hear you on the book thing! As someone with graduate degrees in Archaeology and Celtic Studies, most of the 'Celtic' stuff I have seen is godawful! So much bad info- especially annoying that I keep seeing the St. Patrick rubbish, D. J. Conway, Edain McCoy, that terrible Morrigan Penzak book etc. Good grief the lack of basic research skills in so many is appalling! It's like 'Hellooo, please open a 101 history book or two!' haha I blame the publishers and editors just as much as the authors for dropping the ball. The accurate info is more available than ever!
I believe you did a video on your giant book collection once. Will you make a favorite books video for us please? BTW I read your book and really enjoyed it. :)
For those on a small budget, it would be great if you recommended your favorite replacements for Cunningham, Buckland, etc. What's the cream of the new crop in your opinion?
You are not alone. I've been Pagan my entire life and actively studying Wicca, Witchcraft, Druidry, etc. since 1993. I couldn't stand his books then and I can't stand them now.
This is one of the best videos on anything witchcraft I have ever seen. Just the fact that you call for calling people on their bs and that skepticism is healthy tell me I can trust you enough to put your content into my life. But I will refute you about your comment about music. I have worked in the music business for over 30 years. No one knows what the hits are. Music is a total crap shoot. What happens is music is force fed down your throats. Music labels pay huge money to tell you what to like. But often that is after something catches on and changes the current cycle of music that is the fad. Often only about 8 albums a year pay for everyone else's failures. Music is NOT predetermined in any way shape or form. If that was the case, labels wouldn't lose millions upon millions every year on projects they funded.
I often worry about some people's interactions with deities. Some people treat it as having an imaginary friend, and while I can totally see the appeal, and see the comfort they seek, it's just worrying. Sometimes, it can cloud one's judgement.
Holy crow, Stryper! (my earliest spiritual journey was as a pre-teen I joined a "holy roller" church because they had more fun than the baptists I was raised by, and their "non-secular music only" policy led me down some interesting paths :D )
I can completely understand where your coming from with using the word faith but I do think in a way it depends. For me I say Wicca is a faith because I had a bad experience with religion. I struggled with my sexual identity for a long time and a part of that came down to the guilt I felt coming from a catholic religion so now the word religion is so loaded with negative connotations personally and Wicca has been such a positive influence in my life that I can’t imagine placing it in the same category as Catholicism. But I love your videos I just think it’s interesting
To me, faith is something you have when you believe in a god or Goddess, and you believe that said deities answer your prayers or you actively worship them. Wicca has such immortals at the centre of its foundation. Therefore, it is a faith. If it were not so, then it wouldn't be a 'religion' Myself im not wiccan nor do i believe in the deities, religion causes nothing but arguments and wars imo But as witches, we all have a different path.
Omg finally watching this video lol. So right away, thank you for explaining so well the weird feeling I have always had about the word "faith"! Even in thinking it was basically interchangeable with "religion" or more so "belief" (which thank you for explaining it isn't), I have always associated it with Christianity in particular, and that made it feel wrong for me to use to describe my path. It makes sense that folks coming to Wicca/Witchcraft from Christianity would continue to think of it in similar terms. And yeahhh books! Lol I'm reading so much right now, and finding more things that I'd recommend now, much more than things I've been recommending for years. Definitely also working on updating my book recs. 😄 Hi, Oliver! 🐾
Books! Yes! I’ve got an Amazon list that’s several years old that I’m going back through and I’m deleting a lot of stuff because they were books that are geared towards beginners and are aesthetically popular. It seems like everyone under the sun, right now, is putting out a book lately. I search for reviews or author interviews or videos before buying now.
Oh my gosh I thought I was the ONLY one that cringed with the word "faith" being used loosely, in general. I suck at words, but what I'm saying is yes....I concur! Lol! Your whole video is awesome👍🏼 thanks for being "real"!
I love your candor! I just wanted to chime in and say that while I understand that someone claiming that a deity has personally spoken to them through dreams, symbols, or signs is annoying, don’t you think those kinds of perceptions are rooted in our desire to communicate with the divine? I understand your perspective. I mean, why would deity care about your exercise routine? It doesn’t logically make sense. That’s why we have to have faith 😉 JK. But even though it doesn’t seem like a reasonable thing to believe, if we’re going to go to the trouble of believing in deity, why not believe in a deity who cares about our lives and who claims us as their own? I don’t know. I guess I’m just in favor of having a personal relationship with deity. It’s deeply rewarding to me, and so that sometimes looks like chatting with Goddess over tea. I will def try to shut up about it tho. 🤣
I agree, Rachel. What's the point then? To have a diety but they're just out there as some impersonal force doesn't appeal to me. Makes me want to go back to the Christian God. Nah. Not really. I personally see the gods as facets of the great spirit / source, which we are a part of and which greatly loves us. But I do think that using the idea of them speaking to us to get away with stuff or do weird stuff is not healthy. That voice we hear is just our higher self anyway. (My opinion only. I don't discredit those who disagree.)
I’m not sure if it’s an actual trend or just those I happen to be exposed to lately, but I feel like more than ever, many former Evangelicals/Fundamentalists now pagans are straight up transfering their childhood practices to “pagan” ones. Like the faith terminology you mention right up to how they want the community organized, it gets to be a bit much for someone not raised that way and not looking to duplicate that lifestyle. I wish they were called out on it more often. The more people doing it, frankly it feels oppressive. And partially unrelated story about better books- just recently in Twitter I was commenting about romance novels. I said some are very good but many terrible and I wish people would be more critical, just to increase demand for better stuff. Someone started arguing with me. She then told me how great the book she wrote supposedly is. So I replied “oh, you’re trying to sell me your book”. Her reply was to curse me out. Not a great argument for giving your book a chance and kind of proving a point!
Sounds like this oerson right here.. Read my one single book I published, and in the same breathe I'll diss Cunninghams books and any others from 20 years ago.. Im sure theres been plenty of people that started on the road after reading those books from the 80s..
First: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1.. This is what faith is to the Abrahamic religions. The belief in things not seen and yet hoped for. They long for something they do not have, something they want but have not yet obtained. Being a Pagan this is where I have easily drawn the difference. I have that which I have sought for. I know the harder I try the more I will learn without obscurity or the need for "faith". Thank you for your videos, Blessed Be my friend.
I had to laugh. I’m not the only person that thinks it’s bullshit when someone says “this goddess” or “this god” spoke to me. I figure most of the prophets in the Bible actually ate bad bread or something. But with the books...maybe those that have been around a while (yes, I love Buckland and Cunningham) should really review these books, the good and bad. But it may just fall on deaf ears.
THANK YOU!!!! I was just explaining the "Faith" thing to my husband the other day. What got me started was shopping for a new shirt and they all seemed to have "Faith" written on it.
The Morrighan's devotees all seem to have some unspoken rule that states you have to have some dramatic revelation every week or something. Seriously: "She told me..." "She showed me..." "She made me..." Like their every little thought is the blessed voice of The Goddess. A friend recently spent every day for two weeks telling me at length how every single thing he did was Her divine will. I had to ask him what it was that appealed to him about having zero agency in his life. On a related note, my personal bugbear is seeing so many so-called followers of "Dark" deities who go outta their way to be ridiculously edgy, with their constant stories of "Forbidden" rites, suicide pacts, bloodletting, orgies and the like. One couple called me out as a fake after we started a talk about my tattoos and my practice, since they both knew that if I were "legit" or "genuinely devoted" I would have xyz...abc...etc. The conversation only devolved from there.
I agree with the criticism about people saying their God/Goddess told them to do something. Also, it makes new practicioners feel inadequate because they don't have that same perceived communication with their Gods/Goddesses.
It drives me nuts when I see books ruined by underlining and/or highlighter pens. I have a Spiral Dance I got used like this, filled with pink highlighter.
Perfectly said. It’s sad because it’s true. When you’re first starting to learn anything about Wicca or witchcraft in general it’s almost impossible to avoid “those books” because it’s all people recommend in facebook groups or Amazon. It just feels like a long time wasted on shallow incorrect information.
I saw a post somewhere where a witch said she loves how Apollo or Hermes (I can’t remember, years ago) appears to her in a snapback and a jersey or something. I’m definitely not a “they said x so x is true” person when it comes to what people say about the gods. What does an old god need with high top nikes? Pretty sure you’re projecting what you like onto him. Also I’m gonna catch flack for this but... I don’t think you can be a Christian Wiccan. You are a Christian with witchcraft practices.
Thank you for talking about Faith and Hubris. It's definitely a thing. People are misusing words all over the place, not just within the craft but everywhere. It annoys me, because you are suppose to be ultra kind and not correct anyone. But is it really kindness to let people use words incorrectly?
Your list seems to make sense I think, but i do have a question. As a fledgling, how would you recommend I find good books to start with? The amount of online reviews can be overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes contradictory.
I think especially when you start out you get so excited you see signs and omens in everything. I don't think that will ever go away but it is something most people grow out of with experience. Perhaps why you see it more now is because our numbers are growing. Apparently as of 2018 pagans outnumber Presbyterians.
So... What books would you suggest for someone new to Wicca?? I have the books you said werent much chop.. Buckies big blue book and Cunningham's Solitary Guide.. They were suggested to me by a coven Priest.. Is Farrahs Witches Bible ok or is this nothing but a doorstop too..
Hiya Thorn, I'm very new to your channel. I respect your viewpoints and your experience. I can see you are a very intelligent and an intellectual person with many wonderful qualities and much knowledge to share. I do however, have to disagree on one of your viewpoints. I do not see that the word Faith is only associated with Christian religions. I see that word being used in so many different ways such as; faith in the love I share with my husband, faith in my dogs loyalty, faith that the system works, faith that the magic I put out is doing what it's suppose to be doing, or faith in the fact that I'm on my right path or mission in life. Isn't magic also about visualization and manifesting what you believe? So wouldn't having faith (complete trust and confidence) that your spells, rituals, and actions are working be an important factor in them actually working? I really do not follow Wicca, so I cannot say for certain. I am very new to witchcraft, so I'm a little confused to your thoughts on the word. Thank you for this thought provoking video.
Amethyst Ascension If you like the word then use it! But in many places it’s a coded word, and that coded meaning is one that I don’t ascribe to. Another word with a similar history is “fellowship.” On paper, it means something very benign, but it has a special usage in the evangelical vernacular that you just can’t shake, at least here in the South. Words like that may not bother you at all! But I’d rather pick different ones.
I deeply appreciate your thoughts on books. There are very few things I find more offensive than unquestioning support of people who are poor learners.
Using the word faith doesn't bother me as much as worship. To me, faith is synonymous with trust (but they're not interchangeable. It depends on the context). I'm not saying we shouldn't use the word worship, it's just not what I do. I know it's probably just a matter of semantics but worshipping a god/s, to me, infers a loss of the self or the individual and also a less than or "we're not worthy" mentality. What I have with deity is more of a symbiosis.
Karin the Aquarian I agree. Philosophically, accepting or believing something based on faith simply means that your belief is not based on evidence. Technically a lot of beliefs within the craft ARE faith based. Worship implies acceptance that the divine have or want dominion over us. That is not necessarily part of a witch’s belief system, especially those of us on the left hand path. Offering honor or veneration is one thing. Kneeling or bowing down is another. 🖤
Isn't trusting in your path and the wisdom of the universe a form of faith? Or trusting that our loved ones can still connect with us after they've passed away? Is there a better term? I think it's stronger than belief, like believing in a living person's capacity to do a thing they set their mind to.
About the book thing, I always download a kindle sample and have a read to see the quality. Even if it is published by Llewellyn, or an author I have read something else by them, I still read the sample before purchase
I’d love to hear more about these newer popular, crappy books. Partly to know who to avoid, but also partly to just roast people who are trying to make a quick buck off of us.
What I wish witches would stop doing? Saying that every pet they adopt is their “familiar”. Familiars were never a witches pet. And the familiar is not an animal. Familiars are spirits that choose to momentarily reside in that animal as part of a witches pact.
Ooh I like this especially the second point. I got into paganism and I took Inanna as my patron. People ask why and I always get self-conscious. I hear stories of "Oh Diana came to me in a dream" or "Artemis spoke to me in the forest and I devoted myself to her". Whereas my answer is "Well... I just felt strongly compelled to her, I like her stories, theyre relateable, and Ive always felt an urge towards the Sumerian pantheon". Like, nothing special or impressive. No moment of divine calling. So Im glad an experienced witch can confirm that, ya know, I dont need a deity to speak to me personally to devote myself to them lol.
I wish that witches and non-witches will communicate with each other and to be able to practice when a witch wants to practice. But I know that is never going to happen. Am I right there? I reckon if I was given a chance I could review books as I do love my books as well. I do have a learning disability and I am a slow reader. I am also a shy person and find it hard to communicate with strangers.
Well speaking as the clueless F.N.G. to this community who is still just trying to get his bearrings. i appreciate the honesty in this rant. So thank you.
I’ve moved on to more general polytheism since becoming a Wiccan ten years ago, but I will always adore your insights. You’re so right, and I hope our community can take this to heart. (And I just cackled at the “Wicca is basically shamanism” thing. Fucking what? XD)
So I’m fairly new to the craft and I have an incredibly strong calling to the Nordic traditions and that type of magick or Velda (Norwegian) yes I know it’s usually said Volva. However, I really don’t seen much in the way of Norse traditions in the craft. I don’t see much in the way of that accurately represented. When I tried reaching out to Morrigan, Brigit, and such or Heckate, Demeter, Artemis or Persephone. I really felt called towards Frygga, Freya, Hel with Odin and Thor. I learned that my great great grandmother was a “velda” in her village in Iceland and was only Christian in name only, but kept the old gods as well as her magick and healing. A priest came to her home after the death of my great great grandfather to push for tithing for the church, she picked him up, and thru him out of her house. I just wish there was more about Norse tradition and how to get started.
Omg number 2 made so much sense. I spent years trying to wait for signs and comments from deity to validate my beliefs. I realise today that I'm a pantheistic pagan. However I am yet to really experience deity in the way that so many authors discuss. I see divine in nature but not someone who speaks to me. I have never found a patron for this reason also, theh never come to me, I usually when trying to find a patron I go into meditation with pre conceived ideas so it never feels genuine and I discard it. I also have a scientific brain so that doesnt overly help. Lol x
I've been a pagan for thirty years, and I make a point of trying to read some of the newer stuff, just to determine what might be worth recommending, though there are a lot of books targeted at young female readers, which are "pretty," but "fluffy."
"A level of skepticism is reasonable and healthy."
YES!!!!
"We have this attitude in our community that says (if someone said it happened, then it happened.) and I just don't think thats healthy,"
YES. ^^^^^^^ This times a thousand.
I often use the word “craft” instead of “faith”-for me, paganism is a creative act, so craft works well. I’m not a hardcore deist and work with goddesses as archetypes. I say I’m doing the Morrigan’s work from time to time, but it’s work that she’s inspired me to do, not “her work” objectively speaking. but of course folks don’t know that that’s my perspective unless I say so, so I see how that can translate as “she feels like she has privileged access to the will of the gods.”I love your take on books-sometimes you just gotta be a book snob. Thanks for sharing and occasional pettiness is necessary to call attention to trends that may not reflect what’s best for the community. Ta!
I agree. Craft or practice fit for way more people than faith or religion
Right. I do the Hearth Mother’s work because....I’m a homebody who likes to work through cleanliness, food, fire, and handicrafts. No God told me to - it’s just...her realm, and I work - and honor her - within it.
Craft is a MUCH better word.
Freemasonry is a craft not a faith, makes sense for actual upfront n proud witches call what it is theyre in.
If you are looking for a book that actually gets into the practice and craft of magick then you should certainly check out my book “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery “ on Amazon. It will put you light-years ahead of those who are preoccupied with practicing magick as another form of religion.
"Faith" isn't an action and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a relationship, although it can. Faith is a belief in things unseen, unknowable, unprovable, etc. I have to have faith that there is a Goddess or God in order to worship them or work with them. In the same way, I have to have faith in astrology or the tarot cards, or any other magical/magickal system that I use. If I don't have a solid trust and belief in my own practice, I can't be at all effective in it. Faith is where you draw the distinction between treating something as a game or something to try out, and something that you're taking seriously.
Sarah Poulsen I think that’s one definition, but it ignores the cultural history of that word. In the US, which is steeped in Protestantism, it has other implications which I think we can’t ignore.
Sarah Poulsen I think that’s one definition, but it ignores the cultural history of that word. In the US, which is steeped in Protestantism, it has other implications which I think we can’t ignore.
Not everyone thats read your book, or watches your youtube videos are in the US... A lot of us are elsewhere.. And personally I like the word "faith" you have to have faith in yourself doesnt mean I worship myself..
Meaning of faith..
Belief without evidence. “Faith, derived from Latin fides and Old French feid, is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, one can define faith as confidence or trust in a particular system of religious belief.
Belief without evidence..
That works in Wicca too doesnt it.. It comes down to proving it.
Thorn Mooney maybe it's important for those using that word to mention what they do & don't have faith in. I've never associated it with christianity in particular, though come to think of it I don't remember hearing british muslims talk about faith much.
In the uk we do talk about the faith communities though, I'm pretty sure I've heard Sikhs talk about their faith.
The uk monarch is supposed to be "defender of THE faith" ie anglicanism; but memorably quite a while back prince Charles said he wanted to be "defender of faiths". Hopefully that will include pagans (in both camps) and buddhists (who wouldn't use the term).
Thank u
When I was in high school, there was a lot of things I would have changed. It was mostly the people. So many teenagers tried to flex on one another, who was the “witchiest”. Now as an adult witch... I’ve become very solitary so I haven’t really run into other witches. I’m good on doing this in my own, protecting my home, and the occasional moon spell. It’s for me, not for the clout!
I'm a hellenic polytheist. The number of people claiming to be demigods on a certain social media I have is too damn high. They have a chat for it smh.
A pet peeve of mine lol, I've come across reincarnations of our gods, eye roll
*blinks in dumbfounded shock* That's a THING?
@@MorganMalfoy13 Unfortunately yes
So Tumblr 😂
“...maybe he doesn’t care about my exercise routine...” The Realness!!!! Buh-bye. I’m dead. RIP. Hahahaha...
Also, can we stop walking around wearing pentacles the size of dinner-plates around our necks and screaming persecution when someone looks at it sideways? Can we just suck it up that our religion is not widely accepted yet, and to not take that so damned personally?!
Stellar Rain Dancer are you saying it’s not a good idea to show up to an interview dripping in moonstone with a pentacle tattooed on my face?haha yes, the giant cheap pentacles have got to go 😂
I’ll skip the giant pentacle, but I cannot guarantee that I won’t be dripping in moonstone. 😜
some of us are the type to make changes like those who protested the war in the 60s. I"m not sucking it up. I'm fighting it and been working to change it for over three decades
sorry i won't hide in the closet no matter if it's mainstream or not!
😆😆😆😆😆😆 love it and thank you
One of my peeves is beginners calling themselves "baby" witches. I don't know why, I guess it's supposed to be cutesy or whatever but like. It's okay to just call yourself a beginner. It just sounds like.... Too much like a trendy pop term. I don't know Why 'baby witch' bugs me, like you're not a baby, you can do research and ask questions like a normal person. Everyone starts somewhere.
Voltergeist Yes, "baby witch" is a little too cutesy piesy. How about "new practicioner"?
Bugs me, too. Same way people call their pets "fur babies". Yeah, no. It's my pet.
Druid Riley we all them “fur babies” bc they’re our babies, just not human babies, they’re outer pets and out kids so it’s “fur baby” to not mix up with human baby lmao.
Voltergeist I agree with you 200%!!! It literally makes my skin crawl when I hear a grown adult refer to themself as a “baby witch”. I don’t get it. When I first started, a new learner would call themselves a seeker. Not a baby.
I hate this too, it sounds degrading. I don’t know where it started but I think it’s almost an accepted, maybe even expected term for beginners to use, particularly on Instagram / Facebook platforms. I wish they’d have some more self-respect...
This is awesome. As an eclectic witch, the misinterpretations with witchcraft and Wicca being interchangeable in books that are supposed to be intros to witchcraft drives me bananas. This “rant” is soooo not petty. Also, I’ve been trying to expand my library but it’s been so hard when all the most highly recommended books are all kind of generic Instagramy intros to witchcraft. Don’t get me wrong, it was one of those books that got me started in my journey. I just feel like once you have one of them you have them all. I remember watching a few of your videos in which you recommended some books and they seem like really great investments. I would love a more exhaustive list of book recommendations from you!
You need to follow this up with a video on what you would recommend Especially for beginners
I wonder if misinterpretations like you mention can come from books written by those who don’t take part in the overall community, like Thorn says. Maybe I might use those two words interchangeably but I would never know others don’t if I’m not involved.
Did you find helpful books for beginners? I’m looking for some and it’s so hard to choose.
@@ivyrose779 im new to the craft as well.. A lot of people have asked for a list of books we should read, but nothing has been posted.. So regardless of what this one author has said about books she thinks are old and outdated (which is strange because paganism has been around for a great number of years - so the literature even if its from the 80s - should still be valid books as a starting point fir learners... Im reading Bucklands Big Blue Book of Witchcraft, Farrah's The Witches Bible, and Cunninghams Guide to the Solitary Practitioner.. Even if she says its dated...
It's dated because our (western, generally white, eurocentric or american) understanding of other cultures, especially living cultures, is getting better and our language is becoming more nuanced as a result, archaeological understanding of the past is growing, allowing us to throw out certain speculations that we had written into our books, there is a greater awareness and (hopefully) uplifting of voices that Gerald Gardner, for example, might not have paid much attention to (Gerald Gardner was born in the 1880s in the British Empire. He's going to have a very different perspective than what's going on today. Even just having gone through 2 world wars would do that.) Wicca is a growing and evolving religion. We build on the foundations of the past but we also need to look at things closely. People are being more aware and fighting white supremacists who use paganism as an excuse for their bad behavior, and writing texts in a way to try to prevent them from using them to legitimize themselves is also useful.
(Sorry, found this at 4:30 am and was bored)
Yes on the books. Enough pretty witchcraft 101 please. I don't sign up for workshops any more for the same reason. I would love to see recommendations for books with some depth of information or wisdom in them.
Janet Hansen After 20+ years of being pagan, I find myself enjoying books about people’s personal experiences and reflections as Witches. Phyllis Currott, Browyn Forrest, Deborah Lipp, and so many others have written books that are more deeply personal.
Try “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery” on Amazon, it’s advanced and will give you an entirely new perspective on magick.
I find most of the witchy books are all repeating the same stuff.... plus to me my witchcraft is a practice, & I don’t believe in any deities.🤷♀️
Really.. You dont have to believe in a deity??? Ive been reading books on Buddhism before I started reading about Wicca, and like Buddhism because its more of a way of life and not a religion per se... Buddha was just a man, not a god. No need to worship him, just follow his words of wisdom - to a degree.. I like the idea of Wicca but without worshipping a god or goddess. What would that be called then??
Sir Galah We all are our own deities Gods & Goddess. They is a vibration energy in the universe that we can tap into, to manifest want we want.. Tapping into it through mediation to raise your vibration.
i re read a journal entry reminding myself to be aware and look out for genuine teachers with good intentions and i’m convinced that is why i’ve been drawn to your channel. i just purchased two beginner books based off your recommendations so thank you!
I keep my divine interactions to myself honestly. It's nice to get some from of validation, but it's for 'ME'. If I don't, that doesn't mean I'm doing anything wrong or am not valid as a pagan or practitioner. I agree with a lot said here.
Not usually one to comment, but am I the only person to notice the Stryper shirt?
HELL YEAH STRYPER
I was going to comment about that too!
I kept thinking \m/ Stryper \m/
I love this shirt haha!
So she's a witch that likes Christian bands...😮
I'm so with you on number 2, thanks for saying it! Applauding so much that I haven't even finished the video before commenting.
Love Raymond Buckland, I meet him in Lilly Dale, NY he signed my “Big Blue” book. Xoxoxo forever
Lucky you! I had a great time in Lily Dale earlier this Summer. Glad you had the pleasure of both meeting him and drinking in the beauty of Lily Dale.
Hi Thorne, please could you do a video of the books you recommend for Wiccans and also for non-Wiccan witches. I feel so overwhelmed when I look at all the material available. And I don't know which are the good ones and which aren't. I'm also a fussy reader, being a writer and editor. I want to dig deeper into my craft as a solitary practitioner, but I find all the books seem to cover the same material - for beginners, which I know already.
Whitedragon Flame If you dig around in Thorn’s older videos, there is one where she talks about some great titles! (I will see if I can locate it)
Whitedragon Flame It’s called “Book Recommendations” LOL
I definitely would like to hear about the new books that are better. The reason I recommend those books (such as Buckland's Complete) is because those are the books I read in the early 90's. There is so much out there now, I don't know where to begin (for recommending to new seekers). Thanks.
Could you link us your suggested reading list? I’d love to see your suggestions :)
A year later and no list..
Sir Galah she did respond, here’s the link ua-cam.com/video/0cJ_VSF-q5A/v-deo.html
@@sirgalah561 maybe because she's already made several videos on the topic of books.
Hahahahaha I’m with you on a lot of this but the bad books😳 That’s the one I felt the most! Makes me ranty LOL 😂
Avalon Cameron Would love you to make a video about this!
Spicy video! :) I agree with 2 as well - when people start describing personal experience as if it were generally acknowledged and "the truth", it makes me feel strange. Handing off my agency to a divine power and saying "xyz made me do this" would be weird to me - but at the same time, the phrase only needs slight changing and I'd be fine with it.
As far as the word "faith" is concerned, I have to say that I just stopped caring about people misusing words and I chalk it up to linguistic changes in meaning that simply go along with the evolution of language. I used to be bothered that everybody uses words like passive-aggressive, late capitalism and narcissism in all kinds of wrong contexts, but nowadays I try to stay humble about it and acknowledge that taking a descriptive mindset towards language is a much healthier approach than being prescriptive (for my own sanity). And beyond that, I'm sure I misuse a ton of words as well! :D Thanks for sharing so truthfully - as we're on the topic, I think our community could use a bit more honesty. You're on point when you say that everybody's statements about their experiences are just regarded as truth automatically - which is fine, as long as they themselves apply some sort of common sense, know their limitations and are reflected in their practice. But once that's out the window...
The book thing....Omg yes. The plethora of self published books now too are INSANE. A little bit of UA-cam fame and suddenly I'm writing a book.
You should check out “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery.” It’s advanced and will give you an entirely new perspective on magick.
When I first began my spiritual path I often felt inadequate because other witches were having these amazing experiences with Gods and Goddesses that I just wasn't having. I longed for that. I've come to understand that may not happen for me. Ever. I use the word faith but not in place of the word religion. I don't belong to any organized religion. I guess I use it interchangeably with belief depending on the context (such as I have faith in you/I believe in you). Yes! Better books!
100% agree. I would add a fifth, related to your last, that writers and those of us who have been around a hot minute, have got to stop spreading misinformation about the witch trials!
Or thinking of salem as a place of witches. They were Christian women.
Exactly! I have an ancestor who was accused and tried as a witch in Stamford Connecticut in 1692. Elizabeth clawson. There is a book about her escaping Salem. She was innocent was acquitted. But yes agree with you 100 %
The thing about the gods telling you to do something is a touchy one. In the Morrígan community, most people I have talked to feel called or chosen and there is a lot of talk about “marching orders” but at the same time there is caution about over sharing. I am not a hard polytheist, but I do tend to operate within the craft largely by observing synchronicity. Hence, I am kind of ambivalent and tend to not share some of my personal experiences. I have been a witch since I was a kid, but I am new to incorporating deity into the practice. I tend to have in the back of my mind the fact that it could be my ego talking or even a mischievous genius loci (or maybe I am just REALLY high lol). I agree that a little skepticism about what you’re called to do is healthy. 👍🏻
When it comes to books, I really prefer older things that where written before paganism became mainstream (talking about 1980's or *early* 90's and even earlier-- sometimes way earlier. Same preference for tarot cards even though there are some good new ones now but it's like everybody and their brother makes a tarot deck...
You should check out “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery.” It’s advanced and will give you an entirely new perspective on magick.
The good thing about the older books.. No mention of "baby witches"
Sir Galah Not all the newer books are bad. People such as myself are trying to advance the practice, so magick is once again a powerful science/art and can be used to solve real-life problems. It is happening.
I love so so much when you ask “Kay?” like a teacher wanting to make sure we understand!
Fourth: After Llewellyn became what was basically the "Pop market" for witchcraft, substance meant nothing. Lets be honest though, beyond the basics, its for you to figure out. Now if you as I did want to know the history behind some of the things we do then here are some books. Witchcraft in Europe by Alan Kors & Edward Peters. Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts. Witch Hunt by Nigel Cawthorne. The Night Battles by John and Anne Tedeschi. And a few others, Drawing down the moon, An ye harm none, Starhawk.. Ronald Hutton..
I agree with better books and better authors! I try to read books that are recommended by other authors or or books that are referenced. I feel that the older books on wicca are somewhat better than the ones that are now being published. I also think people should research the author before buying their books because, like you said, most of them don't really know. They aren't part of the culture..
Point #2 hits home for me! I’m so tired of EVERYONE being an empath, having spoke to “this god or that”, saw demons in their bathroom, sees/speaks to spirits...blah blah blah. STFU! And what’s more? People who feel being Pagan also implies a political position! Wtf... people need to get a grip
“Maybe He doesn’t care about my exercise routine”...🤣🤣🤣🤣
WAIT OMFG - I grew up Evangelical; is that a STRYPER shirt!?!?
The irony, right?
I completely agree with this. Could you please recommend some books maybe in the next video?
It's frustrating to ONLY be recommended wiccan books, too. It's everywhere.
Rofl at that comment about just because something has lots of likes on instagram, doesnt make it worth reading. SO true!!! Thank you for saying it. It really needed to be said.
This was SUCH a refreshing video!! Thank you so much for posting this. I really appreciate your insight. & your ability to articulate your ideas so well is also apparent!! As a fellow book lover, point 3 gets an EXTRA round of applause because I totally, completely agree 100000%!
Hi Oliver!
Totally agree, especially with point 3! And what you have said about what gets stocked in the larger retail outlets is food for thought. Sometimes I get a bit of FOMO and think I better read something before I bag it out... but I think I might start making even more of a point of reading the good stuff, and pumping them up when I can where it counts like giving it some decent stars on Amazon.
The lighting and soft focus makes me feel all romantical 😻
She calling us all out on our BS and I love this~
(P.S. I'm one of those people who got tired of the Cunningham and Ravenwolf and Buckland rehash books as well and I went back to square 1 with the gosh darn 'idiot's guide to witchcraft' just for sh*ts and giggles and found it to be surprisingly modern, up to date and, while it does repeat a lot of what's said in those old 90s books, it gives tid bits of updated info to keep you in the modern loop. Kind of pop-up video esque but in book form)
I had that book too! Lol it actually was very useful 😁
I especially hear you on the book thing! As someone with graduate degrees in Archaeology and Celtic Studies, most of the 'Celtic' stuff I have seen is godawful! So much bad info- especially annoying that I keep seeing the St. Patrick rubbish, D. J. Conway, Edain McCoy, that terrible Morrigan Penzak book etc. Good grief the lack of basic research skills in so many is appalling! It's like 'Hellooo, please open a 101 history book or two!' haha
I blame the publishers and editors just as much as the authors for dropping the ball. The accurate info is more available than ever!
I believe you did a video on your giant book collection once. Will you make a favorite books video for us please? BTW I read your book and really enjoyed it. :)
You should check out “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery.” It’s advanced and will give you an entirely new perspective on magick.
Yes yes yes on the books point!
You should check out “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery.” It’s advanced and will give you an entirely new perspective on magick.
For those on a small budget, it would be great if you recommended your favorite replacements for Cunningham, Buckland, etc. What's the cream of the new crop in your opinion?
Apparently, I'm not the first to ask...
I may be the only pagan who is not impressed with Scott Cunningham...
(Unless its his herbal guide which I think I loaned out and never got back)
I couldnt get through his books.
I think Cunningham's books are a bit outdated.
You are not alone. I've been Pagan my entire life and actively studying Wicca, Witchcraft, Druidry, etc. since 1993. I couldn't stand his books then and I can't stand them now.
You should check out “Unlocking the Secrets of Sorcery.” It’s advanced and will give you an entirely new perspective on magick.
This is one of the best videos on anything witchcraft I have ever seen. Just the fact that you call for calling people on their bs and that skepticism is healthy tell me I can trust you enough to put your content into my life. But I will refute you about your comment about music. I have worked in the music business for over 30 years. No one knows what the hits are. Music is a total crap shoot. What happens is music is force fed down your throats. Music labels pay huge money to tell you what to like. But often that is after something catches on and changes the current cycle of music that is the fad. Often only about 8 albums a year pay for everyone else's failures. Music is NOT predetermined in any way shape or form. If that was the case, labels wouldn't lose millions upon millions every year on projects they funded.
I often worry about some people's interactions with deities. Some people treat it as having an imaginary friend, and while I can totally see the appeal, and see the comfort they seek, it's just worrying. Sometimes, it can cloud one's judgement.
Holy crow, Stryper!
(my earliest spiritual journey was as a pre-teen I joined a "holy roller" church because they had more fun than the baptists I was raised by, and their "non-secular music only" policy led me down some interesting paths :D )
Great video and a great message for our community.
I can completely understand where your coming from with using the word faith but I do think in a way it depends. For me I say Wicca is a faith because I had a bad experience with religion. I struggled with my sexual identity for a long time and a part of that came down to the guilt I felt coming from a catholic religion so now the word religion is so loaded with negative connotations personally and Wicca has been such a positive influence in my life that I can’t imagine placing it in the same category as Catholicism. But I love your videos I just think it’s interesting
To me, faith is something you have when you believe in a god or Goddess, and you believe that said deities answer your prayers or you actively worship them.
Wicca has such immortals at the centre of its foundation. Therefore, it is a faith.
If it were not so, then it wouldn't be a 'religion'
Myself im not wiccan nor do i believe in the deities, religion causes nothing but arguments and wars imo
But as witches, we all have a different path.
Omg finally watching this video lol. So right away, thank you for explaining so well the weird feeling I have always had about the word "faith"! Even in thinking it was basically interchangeable with "religion" or more so "belief" (which thank you for explaining it isn't), I have always associated it with Christianity in particular, and that made it feel wrong for me to use to describe my path. It makes sense that folks coming to Wicca/Witchcraft from Christianity would continue to think of it in similar terms.
And yeahhh books! Lol I'm reading so much right now, and finding more things that I'd recommend now, much more than things I've been recommending for years. Definitely also working on updating my book recs. 😄
Hi, Oliver! 🐾
Books! Yes! I’ve got an Amazon list that’s several years old that I’m going back through and I’m deleting a lot of stuff because they were books that are geared towards beginners and are aesthetically popular. It seems like everyone under the sun, right now, is putting out a book lately. I search for reviews or author interviews or videos before buying now.
Oh my gosh I thought I was the ONLY one that cringed with the word "faith" being used loosely, in general. I suck at words, but what I'm saying is yes....I concur! Lol! Your whole video is awesome👍🏼 thanks for being "real"!
I love your candor! I just wanted to chime in and say that while I understand that someone claiming that a deity has personally spoken to them through dreams, symbols, or signs is annoying, don’t you think those kinds of perceptions are rooted in our desire to communicate with the divine? I understand your perspective. I mean, why would deity care about your exercise routine? It doesn’t logically make sense. That’s why we have to have faith 😉 JK. But even though it doesn’t seem like a reasonable thing to believe, if we’re going to go to the trouble of believing in deity, why not believe in a deity who cares about our lives and who claims us as their own? I don’t know. I guess I’m just in favor of having a personal relationship with deity. It’s deeply rewarding to me, and so that sometimes looks like chatting with Goddess over tea. I will def try to shut up about it tho. 🤣
Rachel Lopez Oh I think people can have personal relationships, I just think they’re rarer than people say they are. :)
I agree, Rachel. What's the point then? To have a diety but they're just out there as some impersonal force doesn't appeal to me. Makes me want to go back to the Christian God. Nah. Not really. I personally see the gods as facets of the great spirit / source, which we are a part of and which greatly loves us. But I do think that using the idea of them speaking to us to get away with stuff or do weird stuff is not healthy. That voice we hear is just our higher self anyway. (My opinion only. I don't discredit those who disagree.)
I’m not sure if it’s an actual trend or just those I happen to be exposed to lately, but I feel like more than ever, many former Evangelicals/Fundamentalists now pagans are straight up transfering their childhood practices to “pagan” ones. Like the faith terminology you mention right up to how they want the community organized, it gets to be a bit much for someone not raised that way and not looking to duplicate that lifestyle. I wish they were called out on it more often. The more people doing it, frankly it feels oppressive.
And partially unrelated story about better books- just recently in Twitter I was commenting about romance novels. I said some are very good but many terrible and I wish people would be more critical, just to increase demand for better stuff. Someone started arguing with me. She then told me how great the book she wrote supposedly is. So I replied “oh, you’re trying to sell me your book”. Her reply was to curse me out. Not a great argument for giving your book a chance and kind of proving a point!
Sounds like this oerson right here.. Read my one single book I published, and in the same breathe I'll diss Cunninghams books and any others from 20 years ago.. Im sure theres been plenty of people that started on the road after reading those books from the 80s..
First: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1.. This is what faith is to the Abrahamic religions. The belief in things not seen and yet hoped for. They long for something they do not have, something they want but have not yet obtained. Being a Pagan this is where I have easily drawn the difference. I have that which I have sought for. I know the harder I try the more I will learn without obscurity or the need for "faith".
Thank you for your videos, Blessed Be my friend.
I had to laugh. I’m not the only person that thinks it’s bullshit when someone says “this goddess” or “this god” spoke to me. I figure most of the prophets in the Bible actually ate bad bread or something.
But with the books...maybe those that have been around a while (yes, I love Buckland and Cunningham) should really review these books, the good and bad. But it may just fall on deaf ears.
Even in the Bible, there are warnings about bad-bread prophets.
THANK YOU!!!! I was just explaining the "Faith" thing to my husband the other day. What got me started was shopping for a new shirt and they all seemed to have "Faith" written on it.
Imagine one religion taking and using something from another?! 🤔😉
I’m with you on the insta-authors.
I know, right? Religion NEVER does that. ;)
Are you referring to Easter?
The Morrighan's devotees all seem to have some unspoken rule that states you have to have some dramatic revelation every week or something. Seriously: "She told me..." "She showed me..." "She made me..."
Like their every little thought is the blessed voice of The Goddess. A friend recently spent every day for two weeks telling me at length how every single thing he did was Her divine will. I had to ask him what it was that appealed to him about having zero agency in his life. On a related note, my personal bugbear is seeing so many so-called followers of "Dark" deities who go outta their way to be ridiculously edgy, with their constant stories of "Forbidden" rites, suicide pacts, bloodletting, orgies and the like. One couple called me out as a fake after we started a talk about my tattoos and my practice, since they both knew that if I were "legit" or "genuinely devoted" I would have xyz...abc...etc. The conversation only devolved from there.
I feel so much respect for you. Thank you for this video. ✊
I agree with the criticism about people saying their God/Goddess told them to do something. Also, it makes new practicioners feel inadequate because they don't have that same perceived communication with their Gods/Goddesses.
It drives me nuts when I see books ruined by underlining and/or highlighter pens. I have a Spiral Dance I got used like this, filled with pink highlighter.
I strongly agree with your point about books
I wonder if kitty was yah or nah, LOL. Wishing you a joy filled 2019! ❣️
Perfectly said. It’s sad because it’s true. When you’re first starting to learn anything about Wicca or witchcraft in general it’s almost impossible to avoid “those books” because it’s all people recommend in facebook groups or Amazon. It just feels like a long time wasted on shallow incorrect information.
I saw a post somewhere where a witch said she loves how Apollo or Hermes (I can’t remember, years ago) appears to her in a snapback and a jersey or something. I’m definitely not a “they said x so x is true” person when it comes to what people say about the gods. What does an old god need with high top nikes? Pretty sure you’re projecting what you like onto him.
Also I’m gonna catch flack for this but... I don’t think you can be a Christian Wiccan. You are a Christian with witchcraft practices.
Thanks for making videos Thorn
I wish we were more inviting/open and communal
i love this video, you always say what i'm thinking too, and in a way more articulate an non-offensive way than i ever could lmao
Thank you for talking about Faith and Hubris. It's definitely a thing. People are misusing words all over the place, not just within the craft but everywhere. It annoys me, because you are suppose to be ultra kind and not correct anyone. But is it really kindness to let people use words incorrectly?
Yes! Yes yes yes! Please can you recommend some books? Xx
I don't know why but the sound of the word "hubris" gives me life XD
Your list seems to make sense I think, but i do have a question. As a fledgling, how would you recommend I find good books to start with? The amount of online reviews can be overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes contradictory.
I think especially when you start out you get so excited you see signs and omens in everything. I don't think that will ever go away but it is something most people grow out of with experience. Perhaps why you see it more now is because our numbers are growing. Apparently as of 2018 pagans outnumber Presbyterians.
So... What books would you suggest for someone new to Wicca?? I have the books you said werent much chop.. Buckies big blue book and Cunningham's Solitary Guide.. They were suggested to me by a coven Priest.. Is Farrahs Witches Bible ok or is this nothing but a doorstop too..
Hiya Thorn, I'm very new to your channel. I respect your viewpoints and your experience. I can see you are a very intelligent and an intellectual person with many wonderful qualities and much knowledge to share. I do however, have to disagree on one of your viewpoints. I do not see that the word Faith is only associated with Christian religions. I see that word being used in so many different ways such as; faith in the love I share with my husband, faith in my dogs loyalty, faith that the system works, faith that the magic I put out is doing what it's suppose to be doing, or faith in the fact that I'm on my right path or mission in life. Isn't magic also about visualization and manifesting what you believe? So wouldn't having faith (complete trust and confidence) that your spells, rituals, and actions are working be an important factor in them actually working? I really do not follow Wicca, so I cannot say for certain. I am very new to witchcraft, so I'm a little confused to your thoughts on the word. Thank you for this thought provoking video.
Amethyst Ascension If you like the word then use it! But in many places it’s a coded word, and that coded meaning is one that I don’t ascribe to. Another word with a similar history is “fellowship.” On paper, it means something very benign, but it has a special usage in the evangelical vernacular that you just can’t shake, at least here in the South. Words like that may not bother you at all! But I’d rather pick different ones.
I deeply appreciate your thoughts on books. There are very few things I find more offensive than unquestioning support of people who are poor learners.
Using the word faith doesn't bother me as much as worship. To me, faith is synonymous with trust (but they're not interchangeable. It depends on the context). I'm not saying we shouldn't use the word worship, it's just not what I do. I know it's probably just a matter of semantics but worshipping a god/s, to me, infers a loss of the self or the individual and also a less than or "we're not worthy" mentality. What I have with deity is more of a symbiosis.
Karin the Aquarian I agree. Philosophically, accepting or believing something based on faith simply means that your belief is not based on evidence. Technically a lot of beliefs within the craft ARE faith based. Worship implies acceptance that the divine have or want dominion over us. That is not necessarily part of a witch’s belief system, especially those of us on the left hand path. Offering honor or veneration is one thing. Kneeling or bowing down is another. 🖤
Thats amazing...theres any video in your channel that you recommend some of those better books nowadays? Tks
Isn't trusting in your path and the wisdom of the universe a form of faith? Or trusting that our loved ones can still connect with us after they've passed away? Is there a better term? I think it's stronger than belief, like believing in a living person's capacity to do a thing they set their mind to.
About the book thing, I always download a kindle sample and have a read to see the quality. Even if it is published by Llewellyn, or an author I have read something else by them, I still read the sample before purchase
I know this video is older but it is still accurate and happening today!
Thoroughly enjoyed ALL of this!
Faith is in the witches pyrmid, so that's interesting because I've read its so important in witchcraft. How would you apply that in your practice?
I’d love to hear more about these newer popular, crappy books. Partly to know who to avoid, but also partly to just roast people who are trying to make a quick buck off of us.
What I wish witches would stop doing? Saying that every pet they adopt is their “familiar”. Familiars were never a witches pet. And the familiar is not an animal. Familiars are spirits that choose to momentarily reside in that animal as part of a witches pact.
Yes, yes, yes, and HELL FUCKING YES!!!!!!
Ooh I like this especially the second point. I got into paganism and I took Inanna as my patron. People ask why and I always get self-conscious. I hear stories of "Oh Diana came to me in a dream" or "Artemis spoke to me in the forest and I devoted myself to her". Whereas my answer is "Well... I just felt strongly compelled to her, I like her stories, theyre relateable, and Ive always felt an urge towards the Sumerian pantheon". Like, nothing special or impressive. No moment of divine calling. So Im glad an experienced witch can confirm that, ya know, I dont need a deity to speak to me personally to devote myself to them lol.
aww cat, him sez "momma its time to eat and play til 3 am"!!!
I wish that witches and non-witches will communicate with each other and to be able to practice when a witch wants to practice. But I know that is never going to happen. Am I right there?
I reckon if I was given a chance I could review books as I do love my books as well. I do have a learning disability and I am a slow reader.
I am also a shy person and find it hard to communicate with strangers.
Good to know! Thank you!
Well speaking as the clueless F.N.G. to this community who is still just trying to get his bearrings. i appreciate the honesty in this rant. So thank you.
I’ve moved on to more general polytheism since becoming a Wiccan ten years ago, but I will always adore your insights. You’re so right, and I hope our community can take this to heart.
(And I just cackled at the “Wicca is basically shamanism” thing. Fucking what? XD)
So I’m fairly new to the craft and I have an incredibly strong calling to the Nordic traditions and that type of magick or Velda (Norwegian) yes I know it’s usually said Volva. However, I really don’t seen much in the way of Norse traditions in the craft. I don’t see much in the way of that accurately represented. When I tried reaching out to Morrigan, Brigit, and such or Heckate, Demeter, Artemis or Persephone. I really felt called towards Frygga, Freya, Hel with Odin and Thor. I learned that my great great grandmother was a “velda” in her village in Iceland and was only Christian in name only, but kept the old gods as well as her magick and healing. A priest came to her home after the death of my great great grandfather to push for tithing for the church, she picked him up, and thru him out of her house. I just wish there was more about Norse tradition and how to get started.
Is that a STRYPER t-shirt?? I LOVE STRYPER!! So very cool
I love Stryper too!
Aren't Stryper BA Christians?
Hard to love a band that would likely spit in a witches face, just an opinion.
Updated recommended book list please! Well said on all points here. Agreed with you on all of them.
I love this video sooo fucking much! Ancient Gods, Goddesses and Dieties probably don't care about you're homework, haircut, or new handbag.
Omg number 2 made so much sense. I spent years trying to wait for signs and comments from deity to validate my beliefs. I realise today that I'm a pantheistic pagan. However I am yet to really experience deity in the way that so many authors discuss. I see divine in nature but not someone who speaks to me. I have never found a patron for this reason also, theh never come to me, I usually when trying to find a patron I go into meditation with pre conceived ideas so it never feels genuine and I discard it. I also have a scientific brain so that doesnt overly help. Lol x
I've been a pagan for thirty years, and I make a point of trying to read some of the newer stuff, just to determine what might be worth recommending, though there are a lot of books targeted at young female readers, which are "pretty," but "fluffy."
Need a book recommendation vid now. You brought that on yourself, lol.