Have just decided that I am going to start writting using these journal topics from this website:http://www.collegewicca.com/BOSfiles/journals.html

So starting off with the first one here.

Witch.  It is a term that brings up a number of images for me.  When I see it, the first thing that comes to mind, is myself.  It is how I label myself.  I then see other witches in a ceremony.  All standing around in their circle and celebrating.  LAST, I see that old, green, and bumpy hag that is one of the most prominent images of Halloween.  I think I will mostly focus on the first two.

I am an Eclectic Witch and I am very proud of it.  When I was younger, I viewed myself as a Wiccan.  I was following more of the traditional path set out around the fifties.  I was just beginning in all of my research and self discovery.  I read everything that I could get my hands on on the internet and tried to be careful about what books I spent my money on.  I had very little money at 13 and wanted to try to get the most entertainment/education for my precious dollar.  My choice?  Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf.  I know, I know “Fluff!!!  Utter non-sense!!”  But you know what?  Her basic ideas really helped to ease my mind.  Even though I never was a Christian, nor did I ever really hold any of those beliefs, I had that guilt that I could be going to hell for this.  I had always been fascinated with magic in all NON-theatrical forms, but I also thought that witches were evil Satan worshipers because that is what was pushed on me by everyone around me.  No one really knew anything about it, so they were just repeating the same old things that have been said by the church for centuries.  When I finally saw what it really was, I was incredibly relieved and even more curious.  My path has led me to take on all sorts of traditions and ideals that really ring true within me.  I follow all eight sabbats (and would like to celebrate the esbats as well).  I do like to follow the Wiccan Rede for the most part though I do believe that there are certain circumstances where it just doesn’t apply.  I feel connected to the Celtic, Norse, and Finnish Pantheons fairly equally, but my Matron Goddess is Norse.  The beautiful and powerful Freyja.  I enjoy spellwork.  I enjoy ritual and I love to dress up and wear pagan jewelry.

I also see other witches like myself.  The typical image that comes to mind is that of a bunch of witches in a circle doing some sort of ritual.  I look at it with a smile on my face and a want to be involved with everything.  I find such beauty in watching Ritual being performed.  Joy in the words that are said and happiness in knowing that they are working towards some sort of goal and going to get there.  With all of the energy that they raise with the elements and the lord and lady there to hear their request, I know that they will all get what they are after.  I am proud that all of those witches can come together to share in something like this.  I am proud that WE, each coming from our own very personal paths, can find common ground to achive a goal without discrimination.  Oh I could ramble on forever!  lol  I am just so happy to be what I am, to have found a path that fulfills me in so many ways.  To me, witches are good, kind people who are all looking for something that fills them with joy and gives them what they personally need spiritually.

Last, is the old icky witch.  I have never found her frightening.  I have never though of her as even evil.  I have always thought that she was actually rather charming.  I think it shows us how far we have come in this world.  From everyone believing that all witches actually looked like that, to people now really seeing that we are good people with usually good intentions that are just like every one else. (PHEW!!! LONG SENTENCE!)  I think the old green hag is a funny little witch and she will always have a place in my home.  Reminding me of our history.  From the renaissance to the burning times to now.  When I can stand up and say, YES, I am a Witch and no one looks at me with horror.  Of course they still give me weird looks sometimes.  Sometimes they are curious, but at least they don’t hate me for being me.

AH!! Hope that wasn’t too rambly and I hope it made some sort of sense to anyone reading this.  Please feel free to leave me a comment on ANYTHING.  Weather it be agreements or disagreements, or any other sort of critiques (like YOU SPELLED _____ WRONG!!! Or whatever)  I would love to hear from you!