Everything You Need to Know to Start Connecting with the God and Goddess Perhaps the biggest difference between Wicca and other religions is the belief that individuals can do more than simply pray to a supreme, all-powerful deity and hope that things will work out to their benefit. Wiccans understand that individuals can actually co-create with the forces of nature by linking their own personal energy with the divine through ritual and magic. But what is "the divine" when it comes to Wicca? Who are the Goddess and the God, and where did they come from? Why do they have different names in different Wiccan traditions, and how do you begin to work with them in your personal practice? Magical Deities, by best-selling author Lisa Chamberlain, answers these questions and more. Going beyond the usual brief introduction to the God and Goddess found in many beginner guides to Wicca, Lisa covers the origins of the Wiccan deities, as well as their varying manifestations among different Wiccan traditions. What's more, she explains the difference between traditional duotheism and more eclectic polytheistic practices, both of which are found among the diversity of forms within this dynamic religion. You'll find advice for learning to forge your own spiritual connection with the divine masculine and feminine, and introductions to sixteen ancient deities who often function as "aspects" of the God and Goddess within Wiccan practices. Finally, you'll find ideas for honoring and working with these deities in your magical practice-and make no mistake, having the assistance of the gods and goddesses of the Universe is an enormous boon in the magic department! Foundations in Wiccan Concepts of Divinity and Magic For many practitioners who keep to the traditional duotheistic concept of Wicca, the ancient deities are "aspects" of the "supreme" Goddess and God and don't have a role to play on their own. For those who fall into the category of "eclectic" Wiccans, the inclusion of ancient deities is more polytheistic. Eclectics often have personal relationships with "patron" gods and/or goddesses, who may be included in ritual practice alongside the God and Goddess. In both approaches, deities may be called upon for assistance with specific magical aims. But it's not simply a matter of speaking a god's or goddess' name in your spellwork-you need to develop an understanding and personal relationship with your chosen deities. Magical Deities will help you to do just that, with valuable information including: - The history of the Wiccan Goddess and God and their evolution through various traditions - An introduction to the Triple Goddess and her three aspects: Maiden, Mother and Crone - Introductions to the Sun God, the Horned God, the Green Man, and the Holly and Oak Kings - How to represent the God and Goddess on the Wiccan altar - The mythology, cosmology, and magical practices of the ancient cultures that gave rise to Wicca - The most popular deities of the Egyptian, Roman, Greek, and Celtic pantheons - Advice for choosing deities to work with, and magical goals and methods specific to each one The paths to connection with the God and Goddess, or to any of the deities "borrowed" from other cultures are as multiple and varied as the people who worship them. Ultimately, your intuition and your heart are your best guides along your journey. But the more you know about the gods and goddesses you seek to work with, the more authentic and astounding your connection with them has the potential to be. As you make your way deeper into the realm of Wicca, Magical Deities will be a trusted travel guide! Scroll to the top of the page, hit the buy button, and you'll receive an exclusive free gift!

This anthology calls Pagan and Goddess mothering into focus by highlighting philosophies and experiences of mothers in these spiritual movements and traditions. Pagan and Goddess spirituality are distinct, yet overlapping and diverse communities, with much to say about deity as mother, and about human mothers in relationship to deity. Authors share creative voices, stories, and scholarship from the forefront of Pagan- and Goddess- centered home, in which divine mothers, Goddesses, diverse female embodiments, and generative life cycles are honoured as sacred. Authors inquire into how their spirituality impacts the perceived value and experiences of mothers themselves, while generating new ways of imagining and enacting motherhood in spiritual and daily life. Pagan, Goddess, Mother opens spaces for dialogue in areas such as how Pagan- and Goddess- centred mothers engage in, and are impacted by, their spiritual leadership through practices of ceremony, ritual, magic, and priestessing. Authors consider mothers' lived connections with their children, family life, and themselves, through nature, the Earth, and mothering as a spiritual practice. Chapters reflect upon the ways that Pagan- and Goddess- identified mothers creatively navigate daily interactions with dominant religions, the public sphere, community leadership, and activism facing the challenges of such while forging new pathways for spirited well being in mothering and family life.

2006 COVR Awards Book of the Year Wicca 101 for Young Men Wicca is a spiritual path open to all. Yet young men may have trouble identifying their place in this seemingly female-dominated religion. Without many male role models, how can one become empowered as a son of the Goddess? hristopher Penczak, who learned about Witchcraft and magick in his late teens, offers guidance to all the young men out there who are curious about Wicca. This much-needed masculine perspective on the Craft discusses divine masculinity found in ancient myths, male energies, and rites of passage. Penczak also describes the fundamentals of Wicca, including the rule of three, the Wiccan Rede, spellcraft, rituals, holidays, and Witchcraft ethics.

Recognizing that each person has a unique vision of the divine, "God/Goddess"explores central archetypes, complete with historical, multicultural examplesto awaken the God and Goddess within each person.

For anyone seeking to learn more about Wicca and begin practicing it, this introductory guide by bestselling author Lisa Chamberlain is the perfect entry point. As Wicca grows ever more popular, interested novices wonder: How can I get started? Popular Wiccan author Lisa Chamberlain answers their questions in this concise, yet comprehensive guide that covers all the basics: the history of Wicca, its deities, the core elements of its rituals and holidays, setting up an altar, choosing the right tools, the principles of magic and spellwork, how to begin practicing, and much more. She’s also included a master spell suitable for beginners.

From the hearth to the altar, make magic in every moment. Being a Witch isn't limited to casting a spell under the full moon or consecrating a ritual circle. Whether you're calling the Goddess or doing the dishes, your wonderfully witchy ways are woven into everything you do. With her signature down-to-earth wisdom and warmth, Deborah Blake takes you into the heart of what it means to be a Witch all day, every day. Filled to the brim with practical suggestions, Pagan and Wicca spells, and helpful advice, this essential book brings to light all facets of a modern Witch's life: The seven core beliefs of Witches, mindful eating and health, creating sacred space at home, relationships with non-Pagans, sex and the single Witch, raising Pagan children, solitary and coven practice, Pagan ritual, and green living. Praise: "Deborah Blake has created a practical method of weaving the spiritual into the daily chores of the mundane world in which we must live."—Edain McCoy, author of Advanced Witchcraft and If You Want to Be a Witch

The twentieth century has seen a remarkable revival of "the Old Religion," as adherents of New-paganism call the native religious traditions of Europe and tribal traditions from North America that predated Christianity. Many neo-pagan groups identify with Celtic (Druidic), Egyptian, Native American, Norse, or Roman traditions; others with modern science-fiction motifs; and still others with witchcraft. Neo-paganism is occultic in nature. A central figure in much of Neo-paganism is the Mother Goddess, who has been introduced and worshiped among certain feminists even in some mainline Protestant churches. Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. Each book has five sections: - A concise introduction to the group - An overview of the group's theology -- in its own words - Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group - A bibliography with sources for further study - A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious truth from falsehood. This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: -A concise introduction to the group being surveyed -An overview of the group’s theology — in its own words -Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group -A bibliography with sources for further study -A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: -Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. -Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with “menu bar” running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. -Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.