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witchscauldron1. What’s the funniest/weirdest thing you've had happen while working with spirits/totems/or Deities?
Hmm. I can't really think of anything at the moment. I've managed to set my hair on fire a few times talking to various things. Oh, and I suppose having leprechauns set my bedroom on fire two St. Patrick's Days in a row counts for something. >_< Damn pointy-shoed pyros.
2. What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to some one who is just starting down the pagan path?
READ CRITICALLY. Not all that is printed or on a screen is right, factual, or has any value.
Even if you've read two or three books and initated yourself, this doesn't make you a priest or priestess, nor should you attempt to go around giving out advice. "Speak ye little, listen much" comes to mind.
And witchcraft doesn't equal Wicca. They're not the same thing. And there ARE more paths out there than just Wicca. Explore a bit.
And for heaven's sake, don't steal from other cultures! Ecclecticism should be respectful, if it is at all.
3. What’s your opinion on dragons? Real, otherkin, weres etc?
Dragons are beings I have encountered as spirits. They are amazing to work with - I am lucky enough to have done so. They aren't just archetypes, they aren't just fantasy - so be careful in your dealings with them.
Otherkin dragons are very cool - but I wish some of them would remember that they are NOT, in fact, dragons. They are humans with dragon souls inside them. A large difference. Large opportunities for RPkin exist in that gap - not something I really appreciate.
Were-dragons? Sorry - I don't believe dragons are weresides. You can be a dragon, but it makes you Otherkin. I get a lot of displeasure expressed towards me by others for that belief.
4. What book do think has inspired you the most?
Oh man. Books. Inspired? So hard to say. I want to say the Elric series by Michael Moorcock, but also The Book of Atrix Wolfe, by Patricia A. McKillip. Also The Dark is Rising series, by Susan Cooper. Maan...so many books have made their way into my consciousness it's hard to say.
5. Paganism has a lot of critics. From conservative Christians, to people who just don’t want to, or try to understand. If you could change one misconception held by these people what would it be and why?
I think I'd love to change the concept that if you don't practice one of the major world religions you live without morals. I have a very strong morality, a very well-developed sense of right and wrong (thanks to my non-religious parents), and I live my life by this morality. It pisses me off to no end that people just assume that because my faith is percieved to be a "Do whatever you want" religion, I'm making everything up as I go, automatically performing acts of "evil" and justifying them.
It irks me that it's so easy for people to think so little of their fellow humans just because we don't all worship the same way.
Went to the farmer's market today. Loads of great stuff there. :) It was a great morning to walk around, have some wonderful food, and feel the cold wind on your face. That's what autumn is all about.
-M.
Hmm. I can't really think of anything at the moment. I've managed to set my hair on fire a few times talking to various things. Oh, and I suppose having leprechauns set my bedroom on fire two St. Patrick's Days in a row counts for something. >_< Damn pointy-shoed pyros.
2. What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to some one who is just starting down the pagan path?
READ CRITICALLY. Not all that is printed or on a screen is right, factual, or has any value.
Even if you've read two or three books and initated yourself, this doesn't make you a priest or priestess, nor should you attempt to go around giving out advice. "Speak ye little, listen much" comes to mind.
And witchcraft doesn't equal Wicca. They're not the same thing. And there ARE more paths out there than just Wicca. Explore a bit.
And for heaven's sake, don't steal from other cultures! Ecclecticism should be respectful, if it is at all.
3. What’s your opinion on dragons? Real, otherkin, weres etc?
Dragons are beings I have encountered as spirits. They are amazing to work with - I am lucky enough to have done so. They aren't just archetypes, they aren't just fantasy - so be careful in your dealings with them.
Otherkin dragons are very cool - but I wish some of them would remember that they are NOT, in fact, dragons. They are humans with dragon souls inside them. A large difference. Large opportunities for RPkin exist in that gap - not something I really appreciate.
Were-dragons? Sorry - I don't believe dragons are weresides. You can be a dragon, but it makes you Otherkin. I get a lot of displeasure expressed towards me by others for that belief.
4. What book do think has inspired you the most?
Oh man. Books. Inspired? So hard to say. I want to say the Elric series by Michael Moorcock, but also The Book of Atrix Wolfe, by Patricia A. McKillip. Also The Dark is Rising series, by Susan Cooper. Maan...so many books have made their way into my consciousness it's hard to say.
5. Paganism has a lot of critics. From conservative Christians, to people who just don’t want to, or try to understand. If you could change one misconception held by these people what would it be and why?
I think I'd love to change the concept that if you don't practice one of the major world religions you live without morals. I have a very strong morality, a very well-developed sense of right and wrong (thanks to my non-religious parents), and I live my life by this morality. It pisses me off to no end that people just assume that because my faith is percieved to be a "Do whatever you want" religion, I'm making everything up as I go, automatically performing acts of "evil" and justifying them.
It irks me that it's so easy for people to think so little of their fellow humans just because we don't all worship the same way.
Went to the farmer's market today. Loads of great stuff there. :) It was a great morning to walk around, have some wonderful food, and feel the cold wind on your face. That's what autumn is all about.
-M.
