"Holy" Text (ritual, tradition, beliefs, dogma, pagan)

[Fluffy]

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]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

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]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

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]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

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.