Sabbat Box???

While parusing some of my favorite blogs and sites, I came across a review for something called "Sabbat Box". I think the idea is supposed to be like Birch Box or Ipsy where you get samples of things from various companies they support. This is a Pagan version.

Curiously I checked out their site. O-M-G! I want to subscribe so badly!! The problem: I live in Canada. Blast! Once again I'm foiled because I don't live in the US. I love living in Canada because we have an awesome health care system (even with its flaws) and it's my home...I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Unfortunately this means we get limited on things Americans take for granted:

I can't order from Amazon.COM because there's Amazon.CA which has a mere fraction of the items they provide on .COM, so if I want a certain movie or other product they have for sale on .COM I can't get it because they don't supply it on .CA.

I can't watch certain programs on Netflix Canada because once again they limit what's available on it.

Even if I were to go to brick-and-mortar stores that are originally American, we're stumped to what they're willing to stock BECAUSE I live in Canada.

First-world problems, eh? (<<<<< so a Canadian expression lol)

Anyways, back to the point of this post.
This box contains all kinds of Pagan-y goodies and are sent out before each Sabbat (hence "Sabbat Box", see? lol). I would LOVE to get this every month. My husband gets all kinds of goodies brought to our home, but I get nothing (mostly because I prefer to shop in a brick-and-mortar store than online). I would love once every Sabbat to get a box filled with surprises and useful items related to Paganism. I'm not really interested in makeup and perfumes, so things like Birch Box and Ipsy don't really appeal to me (though I like the idea).

Sabbat Box!!! Ship to Canada please :) There are Canadian Pagans who want to become members and get these goodies too. Thank you!!

Magical Creatures

I came across an interesting question...what mythical creatures do you believe in and to what extent? I believe in some mythical creatures, but I don't believe they exist in a literal sense. I LOVE dragons and believe they are protectors, but I don't believe they exist in our reality. Like the Gods, I believe they live on another plane of existence, but have the ability to reach into our plane of existence and render assistance if and when needed.

I don't, however believe things like "mermaids", "vampires" or "werewolves" exist as beings. Perhaps, like dragons they could exist on another plane of existence, however, the people who believe these creatures exist, believe they exist in this plane of existence and can be experienced, if not interacted with.

The problem with things like mermaids, vampires and werewolves is that they just aren't logical. I accept the fact that dragons are not a logical component of our reality. They don't exist. I won't continue on with nonsense like "oh, but we haven't explored 100% of the earth's mountains or caves to definitively prove they don't exist" much the same as mermaid believers state a similar reason.

No, we haven't explored 100% of our earth's oceans. We've maybe explored 10% because of the vastness of our oceans. However, mermaids are an illogical creature considering their components. They're half human, half fish:

1) humans and fish are incompatible for reproduction.
2) the ability for them exist is 99% impossible. They couldn't exist on land as their "scaly" bottom half would probably rot outside of the water, if not plain dry out. Their human upper half would drown in the ocean.
3) IF...mermaids were to exist, they wouldn't look like Ariel, but more like Jabba the Hut.

Vampires are just as illogical. What are the components of a vampire: The living dead. May as well chalk them up to being a coherent zombie.

1) vampires are humans who were killed and reborn as a vampire from a source vampire. Historically they were bitten by a vampire, then drank the blood of the vampire in order to become one themselves.
2) vampires live solely off blood. Do you know how unhealthy that is??? Even drinking a litre of blood is so bad for you. The iron content alone could cause you to be seriously sick. And that's not including dangers such as STD's.
3) Dead people can't walk around as though they were alive. They just can't.

The idea of a vampire stems from ancient superstition. If a person became unconscious for days, say from a coma, ancient peoples would deem them dead and bury them. Once they came out of the coma, they would find themselves in a box in the ground (can you imagine how terrifying that would be???). The person would panic and do everything they could to get out of the box. Eventually they may die of oxygen depletion, and upon exhumation, scratches seen on the box may lead the digger's to believe the deceased was a vampire. OR...if the person made it out of the ground, they could be covered in blood (their own, but who would believe that), thus born is the vampire. It's a similar way the zombie idea came to life.

Werewolves are a completely illogical concept altogether. This involves a human transforming into a wolf. For one thing, the human body and the wolf body are completely incompatible. There's NO way for a person to transform into a wolf without their bodies being COMPLETELY mangled to the point of non-recognition. Not to mention the entire transformation process would most likely kill the person to begin with, what with the broken bones, and possible laceration to vital organs including the heart, stomach and intestines (and I havent even touched on the pain of the process!)

To believe these things exists is one thing, but if one wants to believe in these things, one shouldn't expect them to be a literal being, that can be found in any number of hidden areas of the world. Why is it easier for some people to believe things like vampires, werewolves and mermaids exist, yet it's completely impossible for someone to believe things like unicorns or even Witches to exist?

New Feature

I've started a new feature on my little bloggy here...it's a "verse-a-day". Every day (when I remember lol), I'll post a verse from Christopher Nolan's "Pagan Scriptures". I thought it would be a nice feature to add.

Now, I know not everyone believes in these "scriptures" or makes use of them...but think of them as a nice story; a myth if you will. I think it's a nice idea of how the universe was created and how we came to be. I don't believe it to be true in any real form, but it's a nice idea compared to simply evolving from a puddle of goo, lol.

Hope you enjoy :)

"I Waited Until my Wedding Night to Lose My Virginity..."

WARNING: This post contains mature content (and my OWN personal opinions). Be advised.

I WAITED UNTIL MY WEDDING NIGHT TO LOSE MY VIRGINITY, AND I WISH I HADN'T

Someone on my facebook posted the above link to her wall. She's the type to instil in her kids the need to wait until marriage to lose your virginity. She's also very churchy. I tell my kids not to do anything until marriage too, but I'm not going to scorn my kids if they don't wait. I didn't wait, but I DID marry the man I lost my virginity to (only because we loved each other enough to get married and I got lucky. We've been happily married for 12 years as of this post).

New Purchase

I was at the book store the other day looking for books to upkeep my children's education during unnecessary snow days (i say unnecessary because the company that runs my kids' buses jump the gun when they hear the word "snow" and my kids end up wasting a perfectly good school day because their bus decides not to show).  Before my trip to my local book store i had originally planned to purchase the books online, and while searching, i looked up some books i wanted for myself, such as "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" and "Triumph of the Moon". I was also planning on finally reading Thea Sabin's "Wicca for Beginners" because it is so recommended (not that i need a beginner book, but its better to recommend something to others AFTER you read it lol).

After finding the books i wanted to get my kids, i took a chance looking in the "New Age" section to see if my books were there, and lo and behold, there was Ms. Sabin's book on the shelf. Immediately I scooped it up. I did look for the other books i wanted but no luck. Im only on chapter two, but so far a pretty decent read. Im glad i bought it. Now if i could find the other two books, id be set, though i think they're definitely going to have to be online purchases.

Cemeteries as Meeting Places for Occult Practitioners

Is it appropriate for a group to meet in a cemetery on a regular basis, be it for ritual or whatever they choose to do? In my own opinion, I think no. I think it's very disrespectful, considering the purpose for such ground.

I know I don't like it when my children jump and move around on my bed when I try to sleep and they're awake (pregnancy can be very tiring). I can't imagine how bad it must be to be a deceased person having hundreds of people trample on your resting place day after day, much less have a group who purposely gathers on your resting place night after night because they feel obligated because they are occult practitioners.

I don't think it's appropriate at all for anyone within the occult community to be gathering in a cemetery, for whatever reason (other than to pay respect for a deceased loved one). There are LOTS of secluded places in the world for them to gather that doesn't disturb the resting places of deceased persons, so why would anyone think it IS an appropriate meeting place? Simply because it's "occult-ish"? Expected? Or just a place to hang out?

For one thing, it's illegal to enter a cemetery after sunset in a great number of cemeteries in North America. Is going to jail really enough to risk going in for a gathering, and doing something that could easily be done in a public park or even one's own back yard, simply because you believe a cemetery is the place for occult practitioners to be?

Doesn't that play right into stereotypes when people go into a cemetery to practice, say Witchcraft? It's almost cliché, if you ask me. Cemeteries are also frequently patrolled by security and police officers for instances such as this, so why take the risk? I doubt they'd buy your claim of free religious practice. They'd say the same thing I said above, do it someplace else. While Witchcraft is not illegal (at least in North America)...trespassing is, and it IS trespassing especially when there are clear signs set up all over cemeteries that state, "Cemetery Closed After Sunset" (or insert time here, but typically sunset).

Don't risk going to jail simply because you want to live a stereotype. If you want to gather with like-minded people and perform occult workings, do it someplace that won't involve illegal actions. It's not worth it.

Acknowledgements

It's always wonderful when I get acknowledged for my knowledge on Witchcraft...especially such positive feedback.

(click for larger view)

My answer is above the comment...if you want to see the question itself, click here

Yeah, I'm slightly vain, but it's exciting to see my knowledge IS actually helpful and suggested by others. I can always use an esteem boost, however minute it can be. YAY!!!

Ma’iingan

Pierced vs. Non-pierced

Ok...this isn't any sort of Pagan topic, but I feel it's fairly important, and CAN affect the Pagan community.

There are LOTS of people in the Pagan community who want to wear pagan-y type jewellery, but can't because they don't have piercings. I wrote a post regarding this topic on my other blog, and I thought I would share it here, really more for those who have little understanding why there are people out there who don't (or won't) get piercings, but I thought it could help those who don't have piercings too.

I hope it sheds a little bit of light on reasons.
http://thewitchcrafting.blogspot.com/2012/01/dont-be-such-whinerjust-do-it-already.html

"Concerned Parent"

Ok, this isn't an article, but this is TOO good to pass up (lol). I swear this is either a very well educated troll trying REALLY hard, or a lunatic fundamentalist. (Please don't get me wrong with anything related to Christianity, I see both sides, but it's the ignorant idiots that give me my best topics of choice)

Post: Concerned Parent (I'm going to quote just about everything from the OP considering I doubt this thread is going to last much longer

My 16 year old daughter recently came up to me, and told me she is Wiccan. Now this I do not like, I am DEVOUTLY Roman Catholic myself. She says that she went through some sort of dedication garbage. I figure go right to the source to figure this out; How do I un dedicate her?

--You can't undedicate someone anymore than someone can force you to unbaptize. It doesn't work that way. Only the individual can CHOOSE to stop practicing something if THEY wish, not because someone doesn't like what they do.

God has told me in my prayers that she is going to be damaged, and damned. I have prayed many times, but God says that I should take action.

--I wonder. How can you be so sure this was "God" and not the brainwashed propaganda crap repeating itself in your mind?

I have tried telling her that Paganism and Wicca stuff is Satans Recruiting tool, with which I agree. I am sorry to you all, but I must get my daughter BACK to Roman Catholicism. Christianity is the ONLY religion in this world. The pagans say that it is the roots of christianity and that WE steel ideology. No it is the other way around. You take christian values and TRY TO COVER UP THAT YOU WORSHIP SATAN!

--Sorry, but Roman Catholicism is NOT the only religion in the world...you're forgetting Islam, Judiasm, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. And Christianity is a conglomeration of NUMEROUS Pagan systems "borrowed" and pieced together. Not to mention Paganism and Wicca is about as "Satans Recruiting tool" as Christianity is Hades Recruiting tool. This utter nonsense thatSatan lures people away from Christianity is ridiculous...it's not Satan, but those who are fanatical about their religion. Like the OP

Now tell me how my daughter can be once again a born again Catholic

--Your daughter will only once again be Catholic when (or IF) SHE decides, not because you forced her.

Now some responses

Fine you Satanists are against me? Thats fine. I see what I see, magic COMES FROM Satan, I dont care what you believe.

--Was wondering when the OP was going to shove her fingers in her ear and start yelling "LA LA LA I CAN"T HEAR YOU LA LA LA LA..."

There is a way to dedicate, and there should surely be a way to un dedicate.

--Of course there is...when SHE decides SHE doesn't want to be Wiccan any more.

And dont tell me what Christianity is, and you sure don't quote the bible on me. But I will ALSO play along

--Apparently the answerer did. It's apparent that the OP has her head shoved so far up her butt, she THINKS she knows what Christianity is...or whatever the fundamentalist church she goes to tells her it is.

"Thou Shall Not Suffer A Witch To Live" Exodus 18:22

--Mistranslation, originally "Poisoner" not "Witch"

"He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger." Chronicles 33:6

--Did God not demand child sacrifices in the beginning? Did Moses not perform magical tricks before the Pharoh?

" all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft." Nahum 3:4

--This is only thought to be Witchcraft merely because she was a woman and men are pigs (even back then) chasing a piece of tail

"When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?”

“How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”" Kings 2 9:22

--I don't see what this has to do with any practices, but rather accusations with no evidence

" Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft" Deuteronomy 18:10

--Ah, a quote I've used before...how nice to see it again. This pertains to those who choose to follow Christianity, not Wiccans, Witches or Pagans

"idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions" Galations 5:20

--Again, pertaining to those following Christianity

" I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells." Micah 5:12

--It's been 2000 years...when is he going to destroy our Witchcraft????

DO NOT use the bible against me, I have been a devout Catholic and practiced it for 44 years (Since I was born). I was Baptized Catholic at a VERY young age. Studied the Bible since I was 5 to 10, then Followed the bible TOOTH and NAIL since I could read.

--Yeah, but you still don't understand it

Now I hope you can understand my dislike for Witchcraft, especially when my own Catholic raised daughter practices it. I HAVE taught her better than that. Or so I had hoped. I didnt raise a satan worshipper, I raised a God Fearing girl. I mean no "insult" Ijust have strong dislike for this whole thing.

--You haven't the first clue as to what Witchcraft REALLY is outside your bible (which again is written by FLAWED humans. Inspired by God? Perhaps, but STILL written by flawed MEN)

And you say "Callisto" (the responder below) that I have no control over my daughters religion? Uh yeah I do, she is only 16. If she was 18 or older, I would have less control over it. I need to know a real answer how to undo this nonsense. I dont want my daughter going to Hell

--You don't. No one has control over ANYONE"S religion. You have no control over your daughters religion any more than she has control over yours.

Callisto said: (the responder the OP was responding to above...I won't address it)

I smell troll, but I'll play along.

1. No intelligent, sincere or loving person would insult those he's hoping to get advice from.

2. Neither you or anyone else can "undedicate" another from their religious path or beliefs. Asking to is like someone else asking how can they "unbaptize" you or revoke any other sacrament you've taken.

3. Your religion, your choice. NOT your daughter's - big difference. Belonging to a given religion does not guarantee "salvation" or of you being on the "right" path. Others of other denominations are equally as sure in their own faith that they are right and you are wrong. In fact, other Christians consider Catholics to be heretical.

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. " - Matthew 7:21

4. If you believe yourself to be a good parent who has taught your child right from wrong, then you should trust and respect your daughter's spiritual exploration. If you don't trust her, that says more about your own failings than anything about her.

She is exploring Wicca now, she might give Christianity another look later on (ANY denomination), or find her path is Buddhism, Judaism, Shinto or some other. Either way, it's her path to find, not yours to dictate. You should be trying to learn along with her and have discussions on how each path views things.

5. Coercing someone to do what you want does not guarantee salvation and certainly will not mean she takes your religion to heart. She would only be going through the motions just to shut you up. A religion serves no good purpose if someone is forced to practice it just to make someone else happy.

6. Your arrogance, ignorance and condemnation of other religions will only work against you. Ignorance breeds the fear you clearly feel. Your hostility is enough to cause anyone to reconsider belonging to a religion that would foster such ugliness in an individual. You're setting a very bad example and a less than glowing endorsement for your own beliefs and religion. Acting and speaking hatefully of others only gives reason for creating even greater distance - and not just in regards to religion.

Christianity is suppose be a loving religion, you've not demonstrated any. You should seek to understand and not judge. According to your religion only one party is entitled to judge - your god, not you.

As Jesus said regarding the faith of a pagan Roman centurion, "Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! I say to you that many will come from East and West, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 8:10-12

If Christ didn't malign the pagan soldier or his faith, who are you to malign your own daughter and hers?

Now, back to the OP

OP: PS. I dont take advice from Crossdressers. God made you a man ACT LIKE IT! DRESS LIKE ONE! You are not a female, you can not create a life for God from your loins. You can not support a child from your breast. Men are men, women are women, God did this for a reason?

--Is this a question? How typical of one who feels they are losing a fight to start with name calling and talking about something having absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand.

OP: The Bible is not wrong sweetie. The Bible is law. And it speeks against Witchcraft. Meaning the Lord does not like it. There is a reason why it is in there.

--Contrary to this belief...I can point out NUMEROUS contradictions and errors in the bible...therefore it IS wrong on numerous accounts.

OP: She is 16, she must listen

--Well, you got us there...a minor MUST listen to their parents and do as they say until they reach 18...when living in their home...however, at that age, she is also well within her rights to get a job of her own and move into her own apartment and do as she likes. So I'd watch your tongue, lest it push her out the door.

and repent before she goes to Hell.

--Ah, the loving words of a loving mother.

I did not drive a wedge.

--Oh? Claiming her chosen religion is ridiculous, is devil worship, is leading her to hell, is "Satans recruiting tool", etc is NOT driving a Wedge? ROFLMAO!!!

Just a few weeks before she was Catholic, she went to church and partook in the Holy Communion,

--Seems to me something happened regarding Catholicism that didn't fit her tastes. Forcing her back into it is a sure fire way to making her an atheist.

then all of a sudden she wont go near a church.

--Maybe a traumatic event? Figures that a religion-bent mother wouldn't bother listening to her daughter if there were a problem at the church, but rather force her back there (even if there were a traumatic event that happened) forcing her to relive this event (a speculation)

The only "influence" I had there was driving her to church. She willingly and gladly went.

--Perhaps to please you, but not herself. You are quite the selfish mother.

You know what? I am fearful. I am scared of Witches and the whole witchcraft thing. As I said, there is a reason that it is spoken against in the bible. That is because it is Satans work.

--You're only scared because of the crap YOUR church has spread about something it knows absolutely nothing about. Rumors and lies can make people afraid of almost anything.

Boo...the thread has been removed as I was doing this...but you get my point. I am willing to give this to any Christian willing to argue this with me, because brainwashed crap is still crap.

Blog Shakeup

Hello again, my fellow bloggers/readers

You may have noticed a few changes to my blog. Well, I've gotten bored with my previous layout and background. While it's nice to have personalized imagery in the background, I found it slightly difficult to read anything I've written with a nice wolf in the background. Don't worry, I'll keep my nicely made banner, but I have since removed my beloved dark wolfie. He just made reading my writings a little too difficult.

I have also added another sidebar to the left of the screen. I don't know, it just looks a little better and I find it a little easier to find stuff on my blog than having to scroll through the entire thing. I've placed non-essential items (like pictures, and my profile) on the right sidebar, and more essential things (like articles, links, etc) on the left side.

Feel free to let me know what you think or even to give suggestions. I welcome feedback, so don't be shy :)

Ma'iingan

New Blog!!!

I invite you crafters out there, to sneak over to my new blog entitled "The Witch Crafting" (click the link). It's a new blog I have created in which to discuss and possibly instruct my readers on how to make various crafts, ranging from altar tools, to Books of Shadows, to even mundane crafts for every day use.

If you like to craft, or just want to be inspired, come on over to "The Witch Crafting" and get your fix!!!

See you there! :)