CHALLENGE ENTRY
I decided to reflect upon the path that brought me to where I am today as Wicca was essentially the foundation. This is quite long and goes into things from childhood just to give context. I have also mentioned some private things but only because I feel comfortable doing so with you all:
I was brought up in a Protestant Church of Scotland family. This extends back quite a bit in my family. In fact, many of my family from past generations were part of the Orange Order, an organisation that sees their aim as defending British Protestant values and the maintaining of a protestant royal family. To some it is seen as a promotion of protestant heritage but to others it is seen as a discriminatory and sectarian organisation. While it still exists, I have no family ties to it and mention it only to show the influence of Protestantism that has passed down through my family through generations.
I attended a non denominational school in Scotland. These are colloquially known as “protestant schools” in Scotland, even though anyone of any faith can attend. Roman Catholics in Scotland have schools that only they attend.
At school we said the lords prayer in the morning, we pre visited by the minister each week and sang hymns at assembly. We also went to church as a school at Christmas and Easter. I also went to Sunday school until I was around 11 years old. Even in my late teens and early 20s, I attended church now and then on a Sunday. Although I wasn’t a frequent attendee, my beliefs were still there.
This changed when I lost my grandfather quite suddenly and tragically. I began to question things and how this loving God that had been part of my life so long had let this happen. Within 3 years of this, I would lose my father, my other grandfather, an aunt and an uncle. I had an “interesting” chat with a minister (he was not church of Scotland but an evangelical) with regards to sexuality. I was in the process of “coming out” and lets just say that wasn’t welcomed and I was basically told I would end up somewhere nice and warm when the time came. By this point, my faith was shattered. People said “the lord works in mysterious ways” but I didn’t buy that…I needed something else. Not the mainstream religions, something that would allow me to be myself and celebrate this. Something that would assist me in making myself the best I could be…thats when I stumbled across Wicca.
I knew nothing about it so the reading and the research began. The Wiccan rede and values immediately resonated with me. The idea of duality - masculine and feminine clicked with me as I feel feminine energy is dominant within me but lay dormant, perhaps through fear of judgement or punishment. The idea of a God and Goddess appalled to me as I had always been fascinated with the pantheons of ancient cultures, especially Egypt. My issue was that I wasn’t sure how I could just flick a switch and start working with them. Did I need to be invited? Did I need a sign? How did I build a relationship? It was through further research that I came across the idea of choosing alternatives to the triple Goddess and Horned God from other pantheons. Two immediately came to mind but again I didn’t just want to say “I pick them” and that be it. Therefore, I asked and was given a sign in a dream where I heard Isis speak to me with Osiris standing by her side…this was my sign…these were my deities. I created my first basic altar after lots of research and reading. I couldn’t afford statues so had pictures that I drew. I brought them flowers, I lit candles and said prayers that I found online.
This has developed greatly over time. I have a permanant altar on display in my living room, it is kept symmetrical with Isis at one end and Osiris at the other. They each have a candle that is lit each night and are covered throughout the night as was done in Egypt. They are blessed with oil in the morning and offered incense and prayers written by myself. This has come a long way since the earlier days. Horus has also joined the altar after I constantly saw falcons/hawks and one actually flew up in front of my car when I was driving. He sits in the centre of the altar between his parents.
It was also then that I came across the idea of Magick…using the universal energy to bring for change. Here was something infront of me that was permitting me to make changes for my betterment without the “sin” associated with the “dark side” or “the devils work.” how could it be this when it’s aim was to make things better for me and others?
OK so then I came across a word which took me aback a bit…”witch”. I think the Christian connotations immediately came rushing in…this is bad, this is evil, this will result in a place in hell…all unfounded but programmed by previous beliefs. I wanted to try this magick but wasn’t sure if I wanted the label of being a witch. However, I did start with some basic spells and manifesting, particularly at the new moon. I also began using full moon for release and forgiveness. Now, I have no problem saying I am a witch and use spells and rituals for the betterment of myself and others. Jars, pouches, teas, oils, herbal remedies are some of the things that I now rely on. As time has passed, I have learned the specifics of the different full moons e.g. Strawberry or wolf, and how they can be used to my benefit too.
In my research, I also discovered the wheel of the year. Admittedly I do not celebrate all of the 8 festivals but the first that I did was Samhain. I used (and still do use) this as a means of remembrance to the loved ones I have lost, a list which unfortunately continued to grow. However, this time I felt I had guidance, support and protection to get through them. Now I have also linked this to the Egyptian festival of Osiris’ resurrection. Yule is also part of my practice. I always loved Christmas so wanted this to continue as it is something we celebrate as a family. I also have a private Yule celebration. The winter solstice is also associated with the birth of Horus so my celebrations have evolved to include this too.
Finally, I have to mention everyone here. I discovered Spells8 very early on in my journey and everyone here has been an immense support and has providence me with guidance and comfort when things have been difficult. I could not think of a better coven to be part of so thank you to you all.
I know that my practice is not technically the traditional Wiccan path, but I wanted to use this challenge to show how it was the one guiding light that stood out most when I needed something and it then paved the way for the practices I follow and ultimately helped to shape the person I am today.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my journey.
Blessed Be
Alan
lol i was thinking that youwere only using electric green plants right now…
and Happy Birthday to your Mom and Grandpa it’s pretty cool they were born on the same day. 
in the sun 
against my back feeling free again.
within you and may the sunshine give you hope for brighter days. I hope it radiate with sunshine and strength! I’m doing a meditation ritual right know for the day on insight timer, focusing on bettering myself in the moment!
