Journal created:
on 11 October 2003 (#1383174)
Updated:
on 29 October 2012
Name:
SunVenus
Birthdate:
1967
Location:
Mid-North Coast, Australia
Born, married, moved to other side of the globe. Betrayed, reborn, rebuilding my life. Happy!
I've recently turned forty-one! Getting old is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. :-) I rather like it, am enjoying the journey.
Currently I work full time as an Australian Wildlife Rescuer/Rehabilitator; last year I served as Vice President of the wildlife organisation that I've worked in for the past four years, this year I am again on managment committee. (This is in addition to being my region's land bird coordinator and seabird coordinator, the bird rehabilitation trainer, and new member mentor). I adore birds - obviously- and prefer to work with them although I also handle macropods, possums, gliders and other interesting critters.
What makes me tick: I am opinionated and sometimes pretty bitchy. I can come across as harsh and I do have a low tolerance level for stupidity. On the other hand, I am extremely compassionate and quite caring, which might surprise some people who only know me from online. I am an enigma, or so I like to tell myself. ;-) Though you may not sense it from my writings, I do tend to laugh a lot; I have a quirky, sarcastic and bizarre sense of humour. I am an amazing cook, a geeky gamer, sci-fi and science girl, and when I envision my future I see myself always learning something new; taking a class or exploring some new realm of science or spirituality.
Yes, I have a lot of interests. As I get older, I find I can't just "sit still"- my brain is always clicking, my hands need to keep going, and I like to constantly create things or do things or learn things. Is it possible to develop ADD at 40? Perhaps an adult onset version? That may be my issue, or else getting older is much more exciting & productive than we've been led to expect. :-)
Another interest of mine is reviewing books on paganism, neo-paganism, magick, witchcraft, Wicca, neo-wicca, recontructionist practices and the like. My review blog is called What to Read. Go there now! ------>
w_t_r
I am a Pagan: a long time practitioner of Hellenic/Greek Polytheism. I am a member of both ADF and Neokoroi.
I am an avid student of other Pagan paths: I've recently started studying Celtic Reconstruction; plus I've studied a bit about Kemetic Orthodoxy. I prefer to learn about culturally-based pagan Reconstruction paths, and prefer to associate with those who approach these paths using scholarly, historical sources.
A big pet peeve of mine are "culture vultures" and "twinkies"- those are fluffies and newagers who steal concepts and words from Native American tribes and then pretend they are "shamans" and "Medicine People" and "pipe carriers". I consider cultural imperialism to be utterly vile.
I am a Witch: I'm an initiate of a Pagan Way group from way back in the late 1980's & early 1990's; I was a member of a Gardnerian Coven's outer court but have since left that group; plus I have practiced spellwork, folk magick and ritual magick since the age of twelve (unofficially) and since age eighteen (officially, via various covens, study groups & orders).
I am a magician: I am an initiate of the Golden Dawn (although I no longer practice in this system); an Initiate and Timelord (astrologer) of the Hermetic and Alchemical Order of QBLH and was Senior Priestess of Lodge Laylah- QBLH Australia, Sydney NSW (I have since left QBLH as of November 2005); and an I am ordained Priestess of the Gnostic Alchemical Church of Typhon-Christ. I am co-founder and senior initiate of The Alchemical Temple of Will, as well as Lodge Mistress of Lodge Infinite Stars. I am a Thelemite.
My current magical interests & research include Enochian Magick, the Goetia and Grimoire Verum, brushing up on Hermetic Qabalah, and continued research and practice with English Qaballa, Rite Timing and Wakanaba sigils.
I am a seeker of Wicca, and believe the correct definition of the word Wicca to mean ONLY that initiatory, oathbound and lineaged family of mystery traditions that trace their origins back to the New Forest region of south-east England.
This does not indicate I that have no respect for other traditions, systems or paths- quite the contrary! It simply means that I use a very precise definition for a term denoting a mystery tradition subset that means a great deal to me and to many others.
I find the "mix and matching" in the current faddish neo-pagan movement to be in most cases inane, ineffectual and rude, and I feel there is a vast difference between syncretism and irresponsible eclecticism. Personally I do not mix and match when it comes to my own practices. For instance, my practices as an OC Gardnerian seeker/student are quite distinct and separate from my personal worship of certain Hellenic deities; I do not mix up my Thelemic order rituals with my studies into Celtic Reconstruction, etc. It is all about respect for the cultures & currents in which one works; respect for the deities involved in these systems; and lastly, respect for the diversity and individual context of these paths- context that cannot be grasped by mere cursory glances at cobbled together materials or experienced vicariously merely by reading.
I believe that one cannot be a Pagan/Neo-Pagan or magician without actually DOING something. Practice, study, DO.
I am a polytheist: I believe all Gods & Goddesses to be separate and distinct entities with their own rites, cultural context, personalities, needs and desires. I do not believe in the axiom penned by Christian occultist Dion Fortune "All Gods are one God, and all Goddesses are one Goddess and there is one Initiator". Whilst that sounds very pretty, in my years of practical experience with Paganism/Neo-Paganism the "one God" concept simply does not hold true for me- YMMV. Nor do I personally view deities as "archetypes" or poetic names to be "used"- IMO, such behaviour is incredibly rude and disrespectful, and completely contrary to the concepts of Paganism and/or Neo-Pagan religions.
I loathe the term "nature religion" being applied to Wicca and other Pagan paths such as Hellenic Polytheism, Celtic Reconstruction, etc. Such a label indicates to me that the user doesn't know much about anything except perhaps for neo-wicca or eco-feminist witchcraft. I suspect that when it comes to Wicca, a better term might be "natural" religion as opposed to "nature religion".
I personally have no interest in neo-wicca, eclectic "wicca", Hollywood Mcwicca, PLAYGANism, armchair magick or "FAD craft". Others might find those things to be perfectly acceptable, valid and useful, but they simply are not my cup of tea. ;-)
I feel "Pagan Unity" campaigns are silly & useless and a tool of the fluffy militia. Such efforts divide far more than they unite. "Pagan" and "Neo-Pagan" are umbrella terms for many different spiritual paths, and to assume that "all Pagans do ____" and "all Pagans do ____" and "all Pagans must agree on such & such" is to deny the spirit of diversity & dishonour the concept of "tribal family" that makes such paths unique. I say piss on blind conformity- embrace, respect and celebrate diversity!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
The best resources to learn about Wicca:
AMBER & JET Yahoo e-group- the #1, top of the line, absolute BEST Wiccan resource on the 'net. Join this group- ask questions, read the archives, really learn about Wicca from some of the brightest folks on the planet.
There are some excellent FAQ's about Wicca here
and here
and here
and here
and a good article here
and here
and here
and here.
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