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Mostly this blog was started to try to tell my family a little bit about my faith. I have tried to talk about aspects which I think they will be concerned with, such as do I worship Satan (No, I don't.) and will the wedding be nude (No, it won't.).
I have covered as much as I can think of. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.
If I think of any more about the faith, or if someone asks me something, I will add it here.
For now though, I am simply spiritual. I call myself Pagan because it seems to fit best. My wedding will be Pagan because it feels right to me. I am not evil, nor do I condone it.
Blessed be to all those who come here out of love. I hope I have answered your questions.
Once the wedding is sorted I shall probably be turning this into my personal blog. I enjoy mulling about things in a public forum, even if I am talking to myself. Sometimes I am the best listener. Other times I ignore myself. And that makes me sad. *pout*
*giggle*
I love you guys. Thanks for coming here.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Our Vows
We have decided to rewrite the entire wedding ceremony to fit our needs. David and I have specific beliefs about marriage, and we do not want to pledge before the God and Goddess things which we have no intention of doing.
Therefore, we have written our own vows, which are brief, but to the point. We hope to uphold these vows in our lives together.
We also state, 'For as long as love shall last between [us].' This is because forever is a long time(as is 'until death'). And the Universe can see 'forever' as meaning multiple lives. I do not want to bind myself to someone through life after life, no matter how much I love them, because you need separate lives in order to grow. Sometimes what you need to learn and what the other needs to learn are not the same, and it is unfair to force them to be stuck with you as you learn your lesson, holding them back from theirs.
We also have a little surprise for those who want to make a fuss about the 'If anyone has reason these two should not be bound together' section. Hopefully no one would be so cruel as to make a fuss, but there are some people out there (we shall not name names) who might be bitter enough to say something at the ceremony instead of beforehand, in private, when they should.
Therefore, we have written our own vows, which are brief, but to the point. We hope to uphold these vows in our lives together.
We also state, 'For as long as love shall last between [us].' This is because forever is a long time(as is 'until death'). And the Universe can see 'forever' as meaning multiple lives. I do not want to bind myself to someone through life after life, no matter how much I love them, because you need separate lives in order to grow. Sometimes what you need to learn and what the other needs to learn are not the same, and it is unfair to force them to be stuck with you as you learn your lesson, holding them back from theirs.
We also have a little surprise for those who want to make a fuss about the 'If anyone has reason these two should not be bound together' section. Hopefully no one would be so cruel as to make a fuss, but there are some people out there (we shall not name names) who might be bitter enough to say something at the ceremony instead of beforehand, in private, when they should.
The Charge of the God and the Goddess
In my wedding I have chosen to have 'The Charge of the God' and 'The Charge of the Goddess' read by a man and women. The prose poems, written by Mark Ventimiglia, invoke the God and Goddess. By invoke, I simply mean that they let those present know that the God and Goddess are also present.
I have chosen to have a man read the Charge of the God, because hearing it in a male voice lends to the aspect of God saying these words. I have a female read the Charge of the Goddess for the same reason.
These prose poems are written in first person as if the God and Goddess are actually saying them. This helps to remind us that they God and Goddess are actually present. It can be a very inspiring or reverent event.
As a word of caution, the Charge of the God can be viewed as negative. He talks of death, stating that God is constant and death is also. The reason for this is that in Wicca, (Mr. Ventimiglia is Wiccan, I am not.) the God dies annually, representing the cycle of life. He is reborn in the spring, dying in winter each year. (For Christians, it is good to remember that Jesus is also represented as dying annually, being born at Christmas and dying at Easter.) The Charge of the God is not meant to be negative, although it sounds such, it is meant to be a reminder of life ever changing. While life is brief, it is because of this brevity that we cherish it.
I have chosen to have a man read the Charge of the God, because hearing it in a male voice lends to the aspect of God saying these words. I have a female read the Charge of the Goddess for the same reason.
These prose poems are written in first person as if the God and Goddess are actually saying them. This helps to remind us that they God and Goddess are actually present. It can be a very inspiring or reverent event.
As a word of caution, the Charge of the God can be viewed as negative. He talks of death, stating that God is constant and death is also. The reason for this is that in Wicca, (Mr. Ventimiglia is Wiccan, I am not.) the God dies annually, representing the cycle of life. He is reborn in the spring, dying in winter each year. (For Christians, it is good to remember that Jesus is also represented as dying annually, being born at Christmas and dying at Easter.) The Charge of the God is not meant to be negative, although it sounds such, it is meant to be a reminder of life ever changing. While life is brief, it is because of this brevity that we cherish it.
Casting a Circle
A Circle is, in many religions, Paganism included, considered holy. It has no begining and no end. It is eternal and whole. It's round shape reminds us of the womb, containing life. It is within a Circle that many Pagan ceremonies take place.
At the time of the full and new moons, many Pagans hold Circle. They cast the Circle by walking around a small area in a circle and talk to the four Directions, calling on the Elements represented there. They welcome these entities, (only the good ones) and cast out any negativity contained within the area of the Circle. The Elementals and Spirits which answer this call protect the area, holding evil at bay and provide blessings to those within the Circle.
What Pagans do in Circle is varied. Some cast fortunes or divine the future. Some work spells to enhance their desires or make them known the the Universe. It is mostly agreed upon that whenever a Circle is cast, power is raised. This is done because those in the Circle lend their energy to whatever cause they are trying to accomplish.
It is this tradition which will open my wedding ceremony. All those present are to be within the Circle before it is cast. When the first person representing the Element of Earth begins the ceremony, it is custom to not leave the area until she has walked the Circle for the second time, and dismisses the Guardians of the Circle. However, in my tradition, we do not hold fast to the 'You must never leave the Circle' rule. If you need to leave the Circle, I believe the Guardians would respect it, and allow you to pass. They know you are not harming anything by leaving. You would only be withdrawing your own energy from the area.
This section of the Ceremony is usually where newcomers are the most concerned. It is the beginning, and different from what they are used to, so they can become afraid that they are being trapped or that harm will come to them physically, psychicly or emotionally. Their fears are in error, as this is a protective aspect, and no harm can come of it.
A note should be made that all magic, Casting included, is based upon belief. If you do not believe, then it does not work. It doesn't mean it won't affect you, but your belief that bad things cannot happen to you is far more powerful than someone else's belief that they can. It can be said that whatever you believe is true.
At the time of the full and new moons, many Pagans hold Circle. They cast the Circle by walking around a small area in a circle and talk to the four Directions, calling on the Elements represented there. They welcome these entities, (only the good ones) and cast out any negativity contained within the area of the Circle. The Elementals and Spirits which answer this call protect the area, holding evil at bay and provide blessings to those within the Circle.
What Pagans do in Circle is varied. Some cast fortunes or divine the future. Some work spells to enhance their desires or make them known the the Universe. It is mostly agreed upon that whenever a Circle is cast, power is raised. This is done because those in the Circle lend their energy to whatever cause they are trying to accomplish.
It is this tradition which will open my wedding ceremony. All those present are to be within the Circle before it is cast. When the first person representing the Element of Earth begins the ceremony, it is custom to not leave the area until she has walked the Circle for the second time, and dismisses the Guardians of the Circle. However, in my tradition, we do not hold fast to the 'You must never leave the Circle' rule. If you need to leave the Circle, I believe the Guardians would respect it, and allow you to pass. They know you are not harming anything by leaving. You would only be withdrawing your own energy from the area.
This section of the Ceremony is usually where newcomers are the most concerned. It is the beginning, and different from what they are used to, so they can become afraid that they are being trapped or that harm will come to them physically, psychicly or emotionally. Their fears are in error, as this is a protective aspect, and no harm can come of it.
A note should be made that all magic, Casting included, is based upon belief. If you do not believe, then it does not work. It doesn't mean it won't affect you, but your belief that bad things cannot happen to you is far more powerful than someone else's belief that they can. It can be said that whatever you believe is true.
My Priest
The man who will be performing as High Priest at my handfasting will be a friend of mine. He is not a registered holy man by any means, but he is fairly capable of giving a good speech.
He's intelligent and articulate and has a Bachelor's of Arts like me. As High Priest he will be using these skills to conduct the cermony. He will be reading the majority of it, including the 'Charge of the God'. In short, this means that he will be a representative of God, and the ceremony will be joining my fiance and I in the eyes of the Gods, as well as intrudicing us to and asking the blessings fom the Elements.
As some of you have already figured out, this means that the Pagan ceremony will not be a legal marriage ceremony. However, we are going to be married by the Registrar General as well.
He's intelligent and articulate and has a Bachelor's of Arts like me. As High Priest he will be using these skills to conduct the cermony. He will be reading the majority of it, including the 'Charge of the God'. In short, this means that he will be a representative of God, and the ceremony will be joining my fiance and I in the eyes of the Gods, as well as intrudicing us to and asking the blessings fom the Elements.
As some of you have already figured out, this means that the Pagan ceremony will not be a legal marriage ceremony. However, we are going to be married by the Registrar General as well.
Jumping the Broom
Jumping the broom is an ancient African-American custom. In the days of slavery, slaves were not often married, and less often able to marry those they loved. Therefore, the custom of jumping the broom developed in order to let the community know those who were making a commitment were "married".
Today, the act of jumping the broom is sometimes used in Pagan weddings to symbolize crossing the threshold into a new life with your partner.
The broom itself is rich with history and lore. It represents the hearth, which traditionally represents the family. The symbolic act of jumping the broom means more than letting those know that the couple has made a commitment, it also symbolizes that they will work together, as well as individually for the collective goals of their newly created family, as well as the family they already are a part of.
Today, the act of jumping the broom is sometimes used in Pagan weddings to symbolize crossing the threshold into a new life with your partner.
The broom itself is rich with history and lore. It represents the hearth, which traditionally represents the family. The symbolic act of jumping the broom means more than letting those know that the couple has made a commitment, it also symbolizes that they will work together, as well as individually for the collective goals of their newly created family, as well as the family they already are a part of.
The Elements
The Elements are the four earthly Elements of life. They are Earth, Air, Fire and Water. A note must be made the Spirit comprises the fifth Element, completing the composition of the world. Each of the Elements corresponds to different directions and spiritual beings. To make it easy, I will divide them into sections here:
EARTH - All the creatures of the world, both seen and unseen, particularly ones which are associated with the ground, represent Earth. Things that represent Earth can be mammals, insects and dirt itself. The direction associated with Earth is North. Colors corresponding with it are those found in nature, particularly greens and browns.
AIR - All the creatures of the sky, both seen and unseen, particularly those with wings, represent Air. Things that represent Air can be bats, birds, butterflies, wind, incense and feathers. The direction associated with Air is East. Colors corresponding to Air are white and yellow, although light blues and greys have been used also.
FIRE - Creatures of Fire tend to be of myths. The phoenix, salamanders, and dragons all have represented Fire. Candles and fires themselves are often used as representatives of all aspects, destructive and resurrecting, of Fire. The direction associated with Fire is South. Colors of Fire include reds, yellows and oranges.
WATER - All the creatures that live in the water can represent this Element. Dolphins, fish, and other aquatic life, as well as mermaids and undines. The direction associated with Water is West. Colors of Water include blues of all shades and sometimes greens.
SPIRIT - As Spirit is always present, it is not often represented. Colors associated with it however, are rainbows and whites.
EARTH - All the creatures of the world, both seen and unseen, particularly ones which are associated with the ground, represent Earth. Things that represent Earth can be mammals, insects and dirt itself. The direction associated with Earth is North. Colors corresponding with it are those found in nature, particularly greens and browns.
AIR - All the creatures of the sky, both seen and unseen, particularly those with wings, represent Air. Things that represent Air can be bats, birds, butterflies, wind, incense and feathers. The direction associated with Air is East. Colors corresponding to Air are white and yellow, although light blues and greys have been used also.
FIRE - Creatures of Fire tend to be of myths. The phoenix, salamanders, and dragons all have represented Fire. Candles and fires themselves are often used as representatives of all aspects, destructive and resurrecting, of Fire. The direction associated with Fire is South. Colors of Fire include reds, yellows and oranges.
WATER - All the creatures that live in the water can represent this Element. Dolphins, fish, and other aquatic life, as well as mermaids and undines. The direction associated with Water is West. Colors of Water include blues of all shades and sometimes greens.
SPIRIT - As Spirit is always present, it is not often represented. Colors associated with it however, are rainbows and whites.
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