Spirit:
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Covens, circles and study groups are created by like-minded individuals. Just like in any other religion, no two people believe exactly the same thing but they have enough in common to fellowship together. Gatherings usually take place outside, close to nature, or in a group member’s home. We do not recruit followers. People interested must come and ask to be trained or initiated. If the person interested is under eighteen a parent must give permission.
There are several rites of passage that are celebrated throughout a life time. The first is birth, often celebrated with a baby naming ceremony. Second is puberty, called a maidening for girls, it acknowledges that they are becoming women. Third is becoming a mother. Fourth is becoming the Crone, it acknowledges the woman as the wise sage, an elder in the community. Last is death. A person can become ordained at any time in their lives with the proper training. A handfasting, a Pagan wedding, can be a legal ceremony if performed by an ordained person, or an agreement for a set period of time (usually a year and a day) equivalent to an engagement. After a year and a day (if performed as an engagement) the couple can decide to renew their vows, have a legal ceremony or go their separate ways.
There is no Devil or Satan in my religion. Many people believe incorrectly that we worship Satan. This could not be further from the truth. We do not even believe in Satan or the Devil. We also do not believe in heaven or hell as described in Christianity. Another myth is that we sacrifice living things in our rituals, this is also false. “Harm none” applies to all living things.
Rituals are equivalent to church services. This is how we worship. Spells are equivalent to prayers. Sabbats are equivalent to holidays. Spirit guides are consulted and recognized, they include but are not limited to; angels, ancestors and power animals. Many forms of divination are also performed, tarot cards, runes, scrying mirrors and divining rods. Candles, incense and oils are all used in ritual as well.
There are five elements that are incorporated into every spell, Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Each element has a corresponding direction and attribute.
Earth-North-Mother, Protector
Air-East-Giver of Light, Intuition
Fire-South-Passion, Love
Water-West-Cleansing, Invention
Spirit-Center-Universe, Life
When beginning a ritual each person calls an element and the God and Goddess to join in the magickal working. When the ritual is complete each person thanks their element and deity and dismisses them. Magick is a series of actions preformed to bring about change in attitudes and the environment around you. Astrology is also used in magickal workings. Moon phases, astrological patterns, symbols, sigils and horoscopes are consulted or incorporated into ritual.