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"Holy" Text

Fluffy

A fool
Whilst Wiccans have a very different view about this sort of thing compared with some of the main religions, I am curious to know what people on this forum feel that the main Wiccan text is. By "main" I mean something along the lines of equal in prominence to, say, the Bible etc.

Whilst this is mainly aimed at Wiccans, I would love to hear the opinions of other, non-Wiccans in order to see if there is a general pattern amongst non-Wiccans regarding this aspect.

Please note that I do not believe that there is a right answer to this question, it is all a matter of opinion.
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
Fluffy said:
Whilst Wiccans have a very different view about this sort of thing compared with some of the main religions, I am curious to know what people on this forum feel that the main Wiccan text is. By "main" I mean something along the lines of equal in prominence to, say, the Bible etc.

Whilst this is mainly aimed at Wiccans, I would love to hear the opinions of other, non-Wiccans in order to see if there is a general pattern amongst non-Wiccans regarding this aspect.

Please note that I do not believe that there is a right answer to this question, it is all a matter of opinion.
I'm not sure what the main Wiccan text is. I would think it would be a Book of Shadows, but I don't know if they really have one.
 

Darkdale

World Leader Pretend
Fluffy said:
Whilst Wiccans have a very different view about this sort of thing compared with some of the main religions, I am curious to know what people on this forum feel that the main Wiccan text is. By "main" I mean something along the lines of equal in prominence to, say, the Bible etc.

Whilst this is mainly aimed at Wiccans, I would love to hear the opinions of other, non-Wiccans in order to see if there is a general pattern amongst non-Wiccans regarding this aspect.

Please note that I do not believe that there is a right answer to this question, it is all a matter of opinion.

There are very few Wiccan Authors that I respect or enjoy, however, AJ Drew's A Wiccan Bible is absolutely beautiful. If a majority of Wiccans thought as Mr. Drew does, I would be honored to throw my lot in with them. Wicca would certainly allow me all the liberties to maintain my specific beliefs. But, A Wiccan Bible truly, clearly and honestly explains the deepest meanings of the Wiccan Faith and if there was to be a Main Text, I would hope and pray that it would be his.
 

Granny Beth

New Member
Fluffy said:
Whilst Wiccans have a very different view about this sort of thing compared with some of the main religions, I am curious to know what people on this forum feel that the main Wiccan text is. By "main" I mean something along the lines of equal in prominence to, say, the Bible etc.

Whilst this is mainly aimed at Wiccans, I would love to hear the opinions of other, non-Wiccans in order to see if there is a general pattern amongst non-Wiccans regarding this aspect.

Please note that I do not believe that there is a right answer to this question, it is all a matter of opinion.
I think of myself as a Witch, rather than a Wiccan. I've read a lot of worthy books but nothing that I would equate with the Bible. For starters, I don't agree with a lot of their content. I thought the whole point of witchcraft is that its a personal path with no central dogma. After all, we have "do as thou wilt an' it harm none", why complicate things further? I think the minute you start defining your faith based on a set of rules, you lose it's purity. Besides, no-one in the pagan community writes books to establish a basis of faith. They just expound what truths they hold dear. Or try to make money out of impressionable teens c.f. anything involving turning boyfriends into amphibians!
 

WeAreAllOne

Member
This Reminds me of the quote about our "Bible" being the wind and the rain, "If you put a bible outside the rain will smeer the Ink, the wind will rip the pages and blow them away. My blible is the wind and the rain" (or something like that.) Nature is the only teacher you will ever need, if you so choose.
 

kreeden

Virus of the Mind
While not being Wiccan , I do tend to think of Wiccan as being more Spiritual then Religious . And to me , the main difference between the two is that religion has a written dogma that tells you how to worship , where Spirituality doesn't . You can have teachers , be they from a book or whatever , but that is as far as it goes . You find your own way .

Becky , I believe that a Book of Shadows is like that . No , I don't believe that there is " one ". :) As I understand it , each witch who cares to have one , write their own . So there are many . Each with their own writer's findings and understanding in them . One could say that same about the Bible , if one where to look at it as a series of books written by different people , but most Christians believe that the Bible was written with Divine Inspiration , and as such , can not be wrong in any way .

It is a fine line , but I believe that it is a very important line . I mean , a Christian can find their own relationship with God , just as a Pagan can , or any other person . But once something is said to be the finual word , it greatly limits any other possibility . Much as the quote that WeAreAllOne refers to . How can you leave " the Bible " out in the rain ? You can leave the book that people call the Bible out in the weather , but is that all that the Bible is ? A book ?

I don't think it is that simple . Yet it is simpler then that ...
 

Halcyon

Lord of the Badgers
Well, there's the Rede and the Book of Law. Aren't they common to all traditions?

But i guess if it is just these two it wouldn't be a Holy Book, more of a Holy Pamphlet :)
 

Fluffy

A fool
Well, there's the Rede and the Book of Law. Aren't they common to all traditions?
The Rede is only a couple of lines so I would hesitate to put it on the same level as the Bible or something similar despite its importance. There is only so much worth that can be packed into a single sentence.

The Book of Law by Crowley? It certainly has a large Wiccan audience I suppose though largely amonst Gardnarians rather than all faiths. I would find it difficult to imagine a Dianic Wiccan being able to utilise the book much.
 

kreeden

Virus of the Mind
Personally I have always seen the Rede along the same lines as the Christian " Golden Rule ". Do onto others as you would have them do onto you . Ok , the words say it differently , but I feel that the meaning behind the words are the same . ????
 

Master Vigil

Well-Known Member
WeAreAllOne said:
This Reminds me of the quote about our "Bible" being the wind and the rain, "If you put a bible outside the rain will smeer the Ink, the wind will rip the pages and blow them away. My blible is the wind and the rain" (or something like that.) Nature is the only teacher you will ever need, if you so choose.
That was once my signature!!! It was said by a native american shaman, but I can't remember who.

But from my experience with the wiccan community, I feel they don't want a "holy text." They pride themselves on being eclectic, and I think a unifying text would be contrary to their essence.
 

Mike182

Flaming Queer
i like the wiccan rede, i have foudn an extended version i like, i don't know much about the history of the rede though

from: http://www.wicca.com/celtic/wicca/rede.htm
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Harm Ye None, Do What Ye Will"
i also own a BoS by silver ravenwolf, and other books and writtings by various authors in the pagan community

i don't see any of them as sacred though, i see them as rough guides - i was once told that "it does not matter if you say the wrong words, or move the wrong way, or miss something, because the true message is printed on your heart, and that is the code you must live by"
 

ChrisP

Veteran Member
It's certainly a lot more poetic than any of the other Redes out there Mike. First one I happened accross being Celt inclined.
 
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