Wicca is a new age religion. A follower of the religion, Wicca is called a Wiccan.
Wicca is a polythiestic religion, believing on a God and a Goddess. God and Goddess are two aspects of the nature.
Wiccans celebrate the cycles of nature. Wiccans hold religious observances on seasonal quarters, cross-quarters and Full-moons. Wiccans expect to attune with the powers of nature, and recerive the devine love through these celebrations.
Wiccans acknowledge the magical power within every thing in nature. Human, being an intelligent creature, could make magic by controlling the will and mastering the power within and around in nature.
Wiccans view sex as a sacred act of pleasure and perpetuation of species.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_Wicca_do
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sacred Space
Creating a Sacred Space is one of the most important aspects of a Wiccan Ritual. This can be also found in Sinhalese Paganism. To mark the threshold of the Sacred Space in Wicca, we usually light four candles for each direction.
Mal-Paela
In Sinhalese Paganism this is done by constructing four "Mal-Paela"; where an oil lamp is lit inside a basket made of a coconut branch suspended on a tripod. This basket is turned inwards the sacred space and keeps the oil lamp from the wind.
In Sinhala Paganism, a light is not lit on the level of ground, because it is believed that it will welcome evil spirits. Therefor, whenever a light is lit, it should be kept above the ground level.
An oil lamp is more common in the south asian region, than candles.
When casting a circle in Wicca, first we sprinkle water, and then with incense censor.
To sprinkle water, in Sinhalese Paganism, and in Buddhism, an Araka-Nut flower bud cluster is used. This is considered as a very pure thing grown on a tall tree. By sprinkling water, the sacred space is purified.
To burn incense a coconut shell is used, because charcoal is not commonly used to burn insence in South Asian region. Since coconot shells can be easily found, it is widely used in this region.
Mal-Paela
In Sinhalese Paganism this is done by constructing four "Mal-Paela"; where an oil lamp is lit inside a basket made of a coconut branch suspended on a tripod. This basket is turned inwards the sacred space and keeps the oil lamp from the wind.In Sinhala Paganism, a light is not lit on the level of ground, because it is believed that it will welcome evil spirits. Therefor, whenever a light is lit, it should be kept above the ground level.
An oil lamp is more common in the south asian region, than candles.
When casting a circle in Wicca, first we sprinkle water, and then with incense censor.
To sprinkle water, in Sinhalese Paganism, and in Buddhism, an Araka-Nut flower bud cluster is used. This is considered as a very pure thing grown on a tall tree. By sprinkling water, the sacred space is purified.
To burn incense a coconut shell is used, because charcoal is not commonly used to burn insence in South Asian region. Since coconot shells can be easily found, it is widely used in this region.
Four Archangels in Sinhalese Paganism
When Buddhism came to Sri Lanka, it has blended with ancient pagan beliefs. Archangels are one of such beliefs. Because this belief of Archangels is not found in Buddhist scripture, but the belief among Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
There are four Archangels in Sinhalese Paganism, namely: Viruudha, Viruupaaksha, Vaishravana, Dhratharaashtha. They comes from the four directions to look after, and care about good and righteous people.
We would like to take the four Archangels in Sinhalese Paganism as the Guardian Angles of the Watchtowers of the cardinal directions and of Four Elements.
There are four Archangels in Sinhalese Paganism, namely: Viruudha, Viruupaaksha, Vaishravana, Dhratharaashtha. They comes from the four directions to look after, and care about good and righteous people.
We would like to take the four Archangels in Sinhalese Paganism as the Guardian Angles of the Watchtowers of the cardinal directions and of Four Elements.
The God and Goddess of Sinhalese Paganism
Goddess PattiniPattini worship started in South India, and later came to Sri Lanka. But Goddess Pattini became more popular in Sri Lanka than in India. In India, she was known as Kannaki. She is the Goddess of Fertility.
Goddess Pattini can be considered as the Goddess for New Eastern Wicca Tradition.
God Kaelebandara
God Kaelebandara is the keeper of the forest, God of the trees. The word 'Kaelebandara' means, "Lord of the Forest". In old days whenever someone passes the threshold to a forest, they would hang a branch on a tree and worship the God Kaelebandara for safe return.God Kaelebandara can be considered as the God for New Eastern Wicca Tradition.
Sinhalese Paganism
Sinhalese Paganism is not identified as a religion. It is known as folklore. But the Sinhalese folklore is rich and colorful enough to identify as a Pagan Religion.
Most of the pagan practices went underground as a new religion came to popularity. In west, it was Christianity. In Sri Lanka, it was Buddhism. But unlike in western countries, Buddhism did not replace ancient pagan practices.
Buddhism blend with the pagan practices and allowed people to continue their old ways.
Sinhalese Paganism has a lot of components taken from South India.
Most of the pagan practices went underground as a new religion came to popularity. In west, it was Christianity. In Sri Lanka, it was Buddhism. But unlike in western countries, Buddhism did not replace ancient pagan practices.
Buddhism blend with the pagan practices and allowed people to continue their old ways.
Sinhalese Paganism has a lot of components taken from South India.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Purpose
Wicca was started in England. Most of the practices of Wicca comes from the Celtic, Pictish, Norse and Stregha pagan practices. As Wicca is spreading through the world, people around the world embraces this new path. Some parts of the Wiccan path may not be well applied in some parts of the world.
For an example, the Wheel of the Year that applies to Europian countries, America would not be same for a country in monsoon climate system. Therefor some practices, terminology of Wicca has to be reformed to suit for people in these parts of the world.
In this project, we try to maintain the core concepts of Wicca and configure the peripheral beliefs and practices. And we further try to blend the regional pagan beliefs and practices in to this Wiccan Tradition without deforming the style and aura of Wicca.
We focus the people in South Asian reagon in this project. To make this project a success we will do many research and finally form a coven of the New Eastern Tradition.
For an example, the Wheel of the Year that applies to Europian countries, America would not be same for a country in monsoon climate system. Therefor some practices, terminology of Wicca has to be reformed to suit for people in these parts of the world.
In this project, we try to maintain the core concepts of Wicca and configure the peripheral beliefs and practices. And we further try to blend the regional pagan beliefs and practices in to this Wiccan Tradition without deforming the style and aura of Wicca.
We focus the people in South Asian reagon in this project. To make this project a success we will do many research and finally form a coven of the New Eastern Tradition.
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