Some questions from a newbie.

[xwhatxitxisxhox]

Hi! I've had an interest in Wicca for a few years now, but never really got too into it. It comes in and out of my life. It keeps returning

Comments

[asteampunkwitch]

To address some of what you've asked about

[xwhatxitxisxhox]

Thank you for your detailed reply! I do realize that the death card is not literal and means renewal and change. What I should have asked is if there is a deity associated with that card or renewal and change.

Would I fall more under elemental witch? Or just working with manipulating energy? Because like I said, one of the things holding me back is the fact that I just can't bring myself to believe in a higher being/beings. But I am interested in spells and witchcraft.

Could I look for gods and goddesses/deities that capture important traits of my astrological chart? Maybe one that's Virgoan (my sun), one that's Aquarian (moon) and a Scorpionic one? I really find I identify with these 3 signs so perhaps there are deities who have those traits who I could connect with.

[asteampunkwitch]

*chuckle*

You sound like you are still too concerned with labels.

You said at the start of your post that you were interested in Wicca and keep coming back to it. Why? What about it appeals to you? What draws you back? I'm not saying you should answer here, but it's something you may want to meditate on and answer for yourself. Read a variety of materials, go to classes/circles/workshops if they are available by you and you want to try them; see what appeals to you before worrying about any of that.

As for deities that might be associated with the characteristics of death or renewal, several, including, but by no means limited to:

Aphrodite
Demeter
Hecate
Hera
Shiva

[xwhatxitxisxhox]

haha I suppose.

Yeah lately I've been thinking about why I like Wicca or what about it specifically that I like so I'm doing that. There is a mystic bookstore near me and I think the owner is a witch. I've been wanting to go there, but they have strange hours.

Thanks for the list! I'll look into them.

[xwhatxitxisxhox]

And to start out, it's probably a good idea to go with what you said and use a god associated with a specific spell.

[asteampunkwitch]

If you are atheist and opt to remain so, appealing to gods you don't believe in seems rather like lip service, at best. :)

I really do think you may want to do some soul-searching and ask what it is you believe in, and what you can be open to believing in. Whatever you settle on that's right for you, if you want to work with magick, you can work it around your belief system. Don't feel you MUST believe in a higher power, (or a bunch of them), to use magick.

[xwhatxitxisxhox]

Yeah you're right. Like I said, it's what I've been doing. Figuring out what I do and am open to believing in. I think if you really want to stay logical and atheist and do witchcraft, you might say that, like tarot, it's merely a means of bringing out what is inside of you already. And that's how it works. But I'm also open to the idea that there is real magic at work. I may have to look into something dealing with magic for the scientific mind if such a thing exists. lol.

[xwhatxitxisxhox]

I should also add that I am interested in LaVeyan Satanism as well. Satan and all the rituals/pageantry are merely symbolic and they're aware that it's all for show/to raise the energy. So I think the focus on the deities would be so I have the proper energy within myself to conduct a spell, not so much pray to it or talk to it. I can't really explain it.

[glitterdoom]

miss steampunkwitch, you are so legit. this is a subject that's been weighing on me for a while now, i guess since i've gotten older and i know a lot more about my path and i'm very confident in herbal medicines, but some people are so scared i think to expand their knowledge about certain things because they're scared of the outcome, and with good reason. if someone tells you to jump in a fire, chances are you're not going to. but if you find your path & you're dedicated enough to it, you can open yourself up to so many different things you never imagined could help you, with everyday life. sorry i wrote you a novel, what you said just really clicked with me. i feel like i must befriend you, is it okay if i add you? i'm sami, by the way.

[asteampunkwitch]

Thank you for your kind words Sami, and anyone who wants to add me can do so. Despite my original plans, I haven't been writing much in my actual journal - most of it lands in the various communities. I keep meaning to do something about that! :)