What are the different types of pagan Paganism is an umbrella term that is used to describe people who do not follow Christianity or Islam. It can include Wiccans, Buddhists, Druids, and Eclectic Witches in its description - to name but a small few. The basic principles of Paganism are as follows: Pagans revere the Earth. Pagans are typically deeply concerned about the environment. Most Pagans engage in celebrations of the changing seasons, and see time in cyclical rather than linear terms. Pagans tend to be fiercely individual, but tolerant of the belief systems of others. The Divine has made Itself manifest through many Deities in different places and at different times. Pagans believe in balance between the Masculine and Feminine energies of the universe. Many pagans believe in Karma, and the Law of Return. It is no more true that all Pagans are Wiccans than it is true that all Christians are Methodists.
Temurah (Kabbalah) Temurah is one of the three ancient methods used by Kabbalists to rearrange words and sentences in the Bible, in the belief that by this method they can derive the esoteric substratum and deeper spiritual meaning of the words. (The others are Gematria and Notarikon.) Temurah may be used to change letters in certain words to create a new meaning for a Biblical statement. The Hebrew alphabet is an Abjad or consonantary alphabet. Techniques that applied to English will mostly transform sense into a nonsensical series of letters are more feasible in Hebrew. There are three simple forms of Temurah: Atbash: Replacing the first letter with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the second with the next-to-last, and so on. a=z, b=y, c=x, etc. Avgad: Replacing each letter with the preceding letter. a=b, b=c, c=d Albam: Replacing the first letter of the alphabet with the twelfth, the second with the thirteenth, and so on. a=l, b=m, c=n, etc.
What is Wicca? What is Wicca? Wicca. Witchcraft. The Path. The philosophy of the religion (acknowledged as such by the U.S. As Starhawk said in "Spiral Dance ": Our practice arises from a deep, spiritual commitment to the earth, to healing and to linking of magick to political action. Each one of us embodies the divine. Honoring both Goddess and God, we work with female and male images of divinity, always remembering that their essence is a mystery that goes beyond form. In honoring the Goddess and God, we acknowledge the duality that exists in all facets of life. Wicca is an Earth religion -- an accepting, open-minded faith that celebrates diversity and considers us all to be children of the same mother. Next Page Glossary For further reading Get a Rune or Tarot reading, dream interpretation or astrological report
Notarikon Notarikon (Hebrew: נוטריקון, Noṭariqōn) is a method of deriving a word, by using each of its initial (Hebrew: ראשי תיבות) or final (Hebrew: סופי תיבות) letters to stand for another, to form a sentence or idea out of the words. Another variation uses the first and last letters, or the two middle letters of a word, in order to form another word. [1] The word "notarikon" is borrowed from the Greek language (νοταρικόν)), and was derived from the Latin word "notarius" meaning "shorthand writer. Usage by Rashi[edit] Rashi uses notarikon seven times in his pirush ("explanation") on Chumash: Bereishith (Genesis) 15:2 "וּבַגְּמָרָא שֶׁלָּנוּ דָּרְשׁוּ נוֹטְרִיקוֹן, דּוֹלֶה וּמַשְׁקֶה מִתּוֹרַת רַבּוֹ לַאֲחֵרִים"Bereishith (Genesis) 17:2 "כִּי אַב הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם. Usage in magic[edit] A common usage of Notarikon in the practice of Kabbalah, either for magic or ritual, was to form secret names of Gods derived from religious or biblical verses. Online Tools[edit] Google Chrome Extension See also[edit]
Wicca for the Beginner First, who we are not: we are not Satanists. We do not worship the devil. In fact, we don’t even have a devil. (see history of witchcraft) Moreover, we are not old crones who ride broomsticks and cast spells on unsuspecting people, perhaps to turn them into toads. We are not all women, though it may be that the majority of witches are women—this from millennium of disempowerment by the male dominated Judeo-Christian tradition. We are not evil. Really, that pretty much describes us: witches are just ordinary people who use the Powers to enjoy a good life. There is no such thing as a black witch, no matter what the color of their skin. Ever mind the Rule of Three Three time what thou givest returns to thee This lesson well, thou must learn, Thee only gets what thou dost earn! Seriously, we are not dour folks. The Ways of Wicca can be divided into two acts: Magic and Devotion. In short, devotion involves a sort of union with the Powers of the Universe. What about Goddesses and Gods? Reni
Asatru Alliance | Homepage Wiccan traditions Which Witch Are You? There are several different traditions of Wicca. Here are some of the more well-known traditions. You could practice one, none or mix and match as you see fit. If you are not immediately drawn to one, research a couple until you find the one that fits. If you are a practitioner of a tradition not on this list, e-mail Apythia the information, and we will be happy to add it. Alexandrian Tradition: Founded in England during the 1960's, Alex Sanders referred to himself as the "King" of his Witches. Amythystian : Founded in 1968 by Lady Amethyst. Aquarian Tabernacle Church : An American Tradition of Wicca based on English Traditional Wicca, and focused on service to the larger Wiccan and Pagan community through open worship gatherings. Black Forrest Clan: This is Silver RavenWolf's group and is considered Euro-Wiccan, drawing from Silver's German heritage and Pow-Wow and training she received from her Old Guard Wiccan magickal teachers. Next Page
Freemasonry Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that traces its origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of masons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of freemasonry, its gradal system, retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. These are the degrees offered by craft, or blue lodge Freemasonry. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are now administered by different bodies than the craft degrees. The basic, local organisational unit of Freemasonry is the lodge. The lodges are usually supervised and governed at the regional level (usually coterminous with either a state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. Masonic Lodge Palazzo Roffia, Lodge in Italy set out for French (Moderns) ritual Ritual and symbolism Organisations of lodges