My Wiccan Ways-- The God and the Goddess

I live Wicca every moment of every day.  It is not necessary to set aside a particular day of the week to offer worship or reverence for my religious beliefs. I live my beliefs constantly. The simple fact of being Wiccan is that the God and Goddess are with me all the time. They are everywhere, all the time. You can see them in the sunrise, hear them in birdsong, sense them in quiet moments. But they are also with me in heavy traffic, grocery shopping, cleaning house, during times of upheaval, events great and small.

To quote Scott Cunningham from his book Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Llewellyn Publications, Woodbury, Minnesota, copyright 1993 by Scott Cunningham):  The omnipresence of our deities isn't some exalted spiritual sentiment; it's true. The Earth isn't represented by the Goddess; it is a part of Her. She is everywhere. Similarily, She is also within us, as is the God. Remembering this fact may, once again, reveal the inherent spirituality in many situations. (page 48).

When I read that passage I am enthralled by this truth. In the most simple moments of my day, to complications or aggravations, laughter and sadness, and everything in between, the God and Goddess are there. This knowledge is comforting, supportive, encouraging and aids in accountability. What do I mean by accountability? Knowing that my Deities are always with me, I must, as the Wiccan way claims, accept responsibility for my actions. The God and Goddess will hold me accountable...the Universe is always ready to return to you what you send out.

It was not easy when I first took the Wiccan path to find the God and Goddess. I felt a little awkward actually. New to the Dual Deity aspect of my religion, one has to find their own way to connect to Deity. Sometimes through trial and error, sometimes through simple routines.  Meditation was my first way to connect with the God and Goddess. But I also like other ways, from a simple stop at my household altar for a few minutes. Handling my altar tools and other symbols and pondering being Wiccan, and sending thoughts to my Deity.

There are mundane ways to connect with the God and Goddess. Indoor and outdoor gardening..what better way than with living plants. Recycling and other ways of aiding Earth, such as picking up litter when you see it. Being outside, whether it be in your own backyard or neighborhood, or in a park. Adopting animals and supporting animal shelters, finding ways to serve the God and Goddess, in the community, sunrise and sunset rituals. Rituals in this case do not have to be elaborate or structured. Simply watching the sun rise and set is enough, as long as you are in that moment with the God and Goddess. The moon's phases are another time of ritual and connection. The moon rises and travels across the night sky. It can be a barely-seen crescent or full blown wondrous beauty. The Goddess is there for us to see and commune with.

Blogging is my newest way of staying connected with Deity. By writing about my path and the things that are special and important to me as a Wiccan, I am strengthening my bond with the God and Goddess. I have met many like-minded individuals on-line through my blog, and this has helped me to enhance my ways, or in some cases, reinforce my own beliefs.  The more I learn, the more I am fully aware of how Deity affects my daily life. And learning never stops.

Wicca is not just a religion for one day of the week. It is an "every day, in every way" lifestyle. The God and the Goddess embrace me, and I embrace them. It is a continuing relationship that never fails me, and only grows stronger every day.

Wiccan Reads--Scott Cunningham

Though I have a fair sized Wiccan library, there are two books I turn to time and time again. Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.  Scott Cunningham is the author of these books, and quite a few more, that are essential for someone like me. I am a solitary practitioner of Wicca, and for the longest time knew no one else, either Wiccan or of any other pagan persuasion. These books taught me the basics of this religion and I like to think of Scott Cunningham as my "mentor".

First published in 1988 by Llewellyn Publications, Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner  has sold more than 400,000 copies and has had 36 printings.  It is a practical, common sense guide which explores Wicca from the "ground up".  If you have no prior knowledge of Wicca, this book will explain everything you would need to know to have a solid understanding of this religion and its spiritual and magickal practices. Scott explains history, deities, magick, tools, music, ritual, the Sabbats, symbols, spells, the use of herbs, crystals, runes, and gives an excellent guide to developing your own Book of Shadows.

Written in a style that is calm, informative, without being dry, Scott teaches his Wiccan way in a manner that exemplifies the loving, gentle nature of Wicca. If he feels he might be confusing  the reader, he will stop and explain in a different way. He was a wonderful writer and teacher, and I can not emphasize enough how important, essential, and valuable this book is.

In his introduction to Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Scott Cunningham explains that in reading this book, he assumes that the reader has already become familiar with and has gained some experience with the practice of Wicca. He wanted to give the Solitary Practitioner as much information as possible, because at the time when Scott was writing this book in 1992, there was very little to be found for Wiccan solitaries.  Today, there are many authors writing for solitaries, which is both good and bad, because sometimes there can be so much contradictory information. Thus, when I become confused, I simply return to Scott's two books, and usually find the answers I am looking for.

This second guide explores further the everyday practice of Wicca, how it becomes an integral part of our daily lives. He discusses tools of learning, magickal names, self-initiation, effective prayer, wiccan rites, more magickal practices, rules and beliefs, ritual design and so much more. The essays are heartfelt words of wisdom and can be used not just for educational purposes, but for spiritual uplift in times when there is a need for added inspiration or encouragement.

Scott Cunningham writes in the introduction to Living Wicca that he wrote this book for those "...who have become enchanted by the moon shining through trees; who have begun to investigate the sublime world that lies out beyond the fabric of daily life, and who stand in smoke-shrouded circles, raising aloft their hands to greet the God and Goddess as the candles flicker on the altar."

I hope that if you have not read either of these books, and have an interest or desire to learn about Wicca, or would like to find other ways to live Wicca more fully, please read these books by Scott Cunningham. His words will delight your spirit, and inspire your practice.

You can find these books online at Amazon.com, Llewellyn.com or at most booksellers.