What path do you follow?
- I’m an eclectic pagan who’s path is mainly Hellenic, but also includes Irish paganism, Kemetic paganism, Catholicism and Gnostic Christianity.
- Yes. Sekhmet and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Yes. Lions, specifically the lioness.
- Since the summer of 2005
- Earth
- The Path of a Christian Witch by Adelina St. Claire
- Yes
- It keeps me grounded and reminds me of who I really am! It also helps me feel calmer and more focused, and as an empath, I’ve noticed that others’ emotions aren’t so intrusive when I cover.
- It all depends on the individual. It’s honestly a spectrum. My definition of Christopaganism is anyone who blends Pagan and Christian spiritualities. This includes Pagans that include anything Christian, such as perhaps the rosary, in their practice or still regularly attend a Christian Church, to Christians that worship in a pagan fashion, perhaps in a circle and calling the archangels for the quarters. There’s also everyone in between, like myself. The way it works all depends on the individual’s perspective. I think a brilliant example of Christopaganism (though people of these faiths wouldn’t describe themselves as such) are Voodoo and Sanataria. They blend African native religion with Catholicism, they have figured out which saints correspond to their orishas/lwa, etc. Even Celtic Christianity in Ireland blended in old Pagan practices and perspectives on nature with the new Christian beliefs. It’s certainly not a new practice.
- It is known in many groups (though I don’t know how for sure, I’m still doing my own research) that Mary Magdalene went to France following the crucifixion of Jesus and that she was accompanied by a young girl named Sara. Also, the area of France she was believed to go to (again, I cannot remember the name of the town/region, so sorry!) had a deep devotion to both Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary herself. As for as how Jesus may have been able to have even survived: According to Sylvia, they placed him in the tomb to recover, not as an actual tomb. See, when you are crucified (for anyone that may not know) you essentially die from suffocation. Especially if the type of cross used was the shape generally portrayed by Christians (normal crosses used by Romans was a simple T shape), then this would have taken a very long time, hence the reason they attempted to spear him. But it’s very likely that the spearing wasn’t very deep nor a fatal wound, and considering when he was even placed on the cross, it’s not likely he would have even had time to die. It can take days for someone to die from being crucified, and according to law at them time, he had to be taken down BEFORE the sabbath. Assuming he was placed on the cross on a Friday (as is generally believed) it’s simply not enough time! So many people (or maybe only Sylvia and me) seem to believe he was placed in the tomb to recover and that Magdalene was going to the tomb to attend to his wounds, leading to shock when he wasn’t there. Also, if he were a spirit, why would he have to appear to the Magdalene in a guise (I believe he was dressed as a gardner or something similar). Likewise, when he appeared to the other apostles, he still had the wounds. If he had ascended to Heaven, why would he have wounds at all? Many people site that he told the apostles he was going to Heaven following his visit with them, but an interesting fact is that there was a center of wisdom at the time called Heaven and it’s belived by some Gnostics that he may have been referring to it, and that Magdalene became pregnant while they stayed there, and that they stayed there for, I think, about 7 years. According to Sylvia, Mother Mary was also a psychic and healer and had taught this to Magdalene and Sara (Magdalene actually may have lived with her for a time while Jesus was a way and may actually have known her since she was a child as the Magdalene’s family apparently was descended from David and thus high status). I don’t know how true that is. But that’s the version she presents in her book. I have read similar things elsewhere, but I do not remember the sources. I actually want to research it as best I can myself, but my “gut instinct” says its correct. I have really strong intuition. I’m fairly sure it’s a perspective on events only believed by Gnostic Christians, some Christopagans, and those trying to discredit Christianity, but I could be wrong. :)
- Yes. I’m particularly fond of St. Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin), St. Mary Magdalene, St. Jude, St. Brighid, St. Juan Diego, and the Orthodox Holy Royal Martyrs.
- Really, the only way to decide it is to just be in tune with yourself, perhaps meditate on the subject, or pray for guidance. The answer might be subtle, or it may just smack you in the face. For me, the subject of Wicca started coming up EVERYWHERE! Every show I tried to watch on tv mentioned. I’d open up random books at my school and local libraries and notes on wicca and witchcraft would fall out. I’d go to garage sales and resale shops and find books on wicca. and I realized that it was the universe telling me what I was supposed to do. But I realize it’s not always that obvious. Should you decide to take the leap, my all time favorite book on the subject is Where to Park Your Broomstick by Lauren Manoy. It’s geared almost exclusively towards teens, but it’s got a lot of really good information. I’d also suggest Solitary Witch by Silver RavenWolf for a general source of information and reference. I also suggest To Stir a Magick Cauldron (also by Silver RavenWolf), it’s not wicca 101, but it has “lessons” in it, and it also contains a Wicca 101 test with information that most witches should know after their first year of study. I’d also check out Witchschool.com, which has online classes, if you’re interested in that. For herbs alone, I’d suggest Magickal Herbalism and Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs, both by Scott Cunningham. If you’re very interested in herbs, try checking out books on their medicinal uses as they often go hand in hand with magickal uses.