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Now is the time to think and ponder of what it is you want to make manifest in the harvest of this year.  Then you must put this plan into action.  You must plant the seeds and use your fertile mind and hard work and devotion so that the seeds you plant in the Spring of 2010 bring you all you need in good health, wealth and great happiness.  After all, isn’t that what magick is all about?  It’s no good just making a New Year’s resolution without putting any effort into it.  You need to make it happen.

I hope everyone has had a Merry Yule this year and for those that celebrate Christmas we wish you all a Merry Christmas as well.

The wheel of the Year has turned again and now the days will start growing longer and the dark nights will soon feel shorter.  The return of the Sun is a most welcome sight at this time of year.

Wicca symbols have been with us for centuries but are still as relevant to modern day Pagans and Wiccans as they ever were. Although there is some variation in the symbols from group to group, they are more often consistent in the conditions that they represent than not. This is an article on some of the most popular and potent symbols, which I have chosen because to me, they most strongly embody Wicca and what it stands for.

One of the most instantly recognisable of Wicca symbols is that of the pentacle – also known as the Witch’s Foot. It is a 5 point star in a circle and each point represents (going clockwise and starting at the top):

The Spirit

Earth

Air

Fire

Water

The circle around them unifies and binds them all. This Wicca symbol is extremely important and powerful as it represents you and your place within the world and its elements – you are the spirit. Each has equal placing, and to take out one element would be to change the very nature of the union.

This is the symbol that Wiccans wear to identify themselves and others with, making it the most identifiable mark of the Wiccan religion. It is worn with pride, and to mark the wearer’s dedication to, and respect for nature.

However, wearing this Wicca symbol is not without potential issues. There has long been a great misunderstanding that Wicca is somehow connected with dark forces, even Satanism. Fortunately, this could not be further from the truth. In fact, the wearer is stating that they are on a Magickal path, but one which will take them away from evil, not towards it. It signifies their desire to worship and honour natures in all its forms, and with respect for its great power. It is a personal pledge to give to nature and not to take from it unnecessarily.

Very similar to the pentacle, is the Wicca symbol of the pentagram – the 5 pointed star of the pentacle but which stands alone. This dynamic symbol represents the perfection found in nature and may be more familiar to you than you think – think of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man! Pythagoreans also viewed it as a mathematical perfection. As much misunderstood as the pentacle, it has also been considered connected with dark forces, particularly when inverted.

But there are signs that things are changing and Wicca is starting to shake off these old style views. In April of 2007 in America, it was ruled that the pentacle would be recognised and issued in military cemeteries and for tombstones, where previously this had been denied.

So, what do the individual Wicca symbols that make up the pentagram represent in themselves?

Earth is sometimes formed as a Wicca symbol by using the quartered circle, the perfect cross within the sphere or alternatively as an inverted triangle with a horizontal line half way up. The symbol of earth is a feminine energy – earth and Mother Nature are often one and the same. It is the very foundation of our existence.

The Wicca symbol of air is almost the same as the triangle symbol for earth but the triangle is upright. This element is all around us, essential for life itself but also invisible so an element that we can easily take for granted. This symbol urges us to honour and respect it. On Wiccan altars, incense is often used on the east to represent air.

Water and fire also use the triangle but without the lines through them. Fire is upright and water is inverted.

The force and destructive power of fire cannot be mistaken. It is wondrous to behold when contained, but there is an ever present sense that it could take control from your hands at any time. This Wicca symbol acts as both a reminder and a warning to take seriously the great force that nature can be.

Water is the giver of life as well as deep and mysterious. Many people find that they have a great affinity with water and the sea, more so than the other elements as it seems to personify so many human emotions and characteristics. It is hard not to stand and watch the ocean without feeling at one with it.

These core Wicca symbols are only a few of the hundreds that you can study to further your understanding of both Wiccan and the planet that we inhabit, instilling a respect that will make you feel more complete.

Author: Francesca Ashcroft
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Electric Pressure Cooker

Wicca beginners have a long, exciting and eventful journey ahead of them, – a path brimming with greater knowledge and a new way of life. With so much ahead it is no wonder that people can find themselves a little lost and overwhelmed. If you are lucky enough to live near a group or coven that you can join and be tutored by then you will already be well on your way to your new lifestyle. However, for many Wicca beginners it is not as simple as that. Geography to loved ones’ own religious beliefs may prevent you from joining with others and openly declaring your new course.

Yet you should never feel precluded from this wonderful religion nor hindered in your ability to follow it. There is a wealth of information out there to learn from and nothing should hold you back from learning to honour and become at one with the world around you. But seeing as this is what often confuses the Wicca beginner in the first place, here are some ideas and basic explanations to get you started and whet your appetite for more!

What Does Wicca Represent?

This is very personal thing and every Wiccan will give you a different account of why they believe and what it has brought into their lives. Every Wiccan will have a love of the earth and its universal elements. Water, air, fire and earth will come to represent beauty, synergy and power to every Wicca beginner. It is about recognizing, channeling and connecting with the earth and its rich offerings – the gifts of Mother Nature. You will move and change along with the seasons and all of the associated festivals. Above all, Wicca is about peace and joy.

Why is it a religion?

While it is not a religion in the form than many people perceive a religion should take, Wicca is a religion due to it having been derived from Paganism. It takes on similar symbolism, belief systems and of course Gods and Goddesses. It is not prescriptive like many religions are and Wicca will not tell you how to live your life but it does help you to understand the world around you and make sense of the purpose of life.

What is the difference between Wicca and witchcraft?

Occasionally you will find differing answers to this question but as a Wicca beginner, the details of this shouldn’t concern you too much. To most, Wicca is the religious part of the lifestyle and those who practice it refer to themselves as Wicca or Wiccan rather than witch. They are more likely to be part of a coven, or group, and follow more rules. However, the name Wicca was introduced to distinguish it from the stigma associated with witchcraft and many aspects of the Wiccan and witch’s lives are very similar. The terms can be interchangeable.

The Wiccan Rede

Wicca is a peaceful and gentle way of life that encourages respect. For this reason selfish, manipulative or sinister intentions are very much frowned upon. A small minority of Wicca beginners take an interest because they seek power over others but will soon come across one of the very few rules, The Wiccan Rede – “An it harm none, do as ye will”. This means you are largely free to practice as you please but remember to embrace the earth’s power for good rather than cause harm or hurt to others. This leads us to the 3 fold law which states that all that you do will come back to you 3 times as powerful. In other words, be careful what you wish for!

Will I need to worship any Gods or Goddesses?

No but it is quite a significant part of the ideology and history. They also need to be understood as part of the worship of male and female. Many Wiccans will dedicate themselves to a single deity as they feel a strong affinity and can identify with particular characteristics. But any of the Gods and Goddesses can be called upon to assist you in your work. As a Wicca beginner it may be useful to try including as many as possible into your rituals to see of you feel a particular partiality.

Will I have to perform spells?

No. Not all Wiccans believe in spell casting so you should not feel under pressure to do this. But if you do find that you do have an ability in this area however, you will find plenty of information on spells for Wicca beginners until you get to the stage where you are writing your own!

Is there scripture for me to abide by?

The only book that Wiccans work from is a Book of Shadows and this is generally a very personal thing. A coven may have a joint one to work from, but very commonly you will have your own. It is a place for you to write your spells, keep notes and make observations. Whether or not there has even been a ‘real’ or ancient Book of Shadows, a central text to work from, is a hotly debated topic. However, none has been proven to exist.

Whatever your reasons for being a Wicca beginner, I’m sure you will find your life as enriched and informed as any one of us who has chosen this path for any number of reasons! You will find that there are as many ways to live a Wiccan lifestyle as there are Wiccans so enjoy every day of your personal and spiritual journey.

Author: Francesca Ashcroft
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

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