Elena-Maria

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I wish to thank Paul Dvorak for his wonderful interview of two weeks ago. I very much enjoyed reading your answers and I thank you for sharing with all of us Paul!

Today we have a new interview so please welcome Elena-Maria.
Elena-Maria is a Wiccan and I know you'll enjoy her interview as well!

Here Is Elena-Maria's Introduction:


I'm a 28 year old solitary practitioner of Wicca living in Sweden. At the moment I am studying to become a translator. I first came in contact with witchcraft and tarot cards in my early adolescense. I grew up in a non-religious familly, so I have always had the opportunity to do/believe whatever I want without stepping on anybody's toes, but since my family was never very interested I kept my beliefs to myself. During the years the interest has always followed me and now it's more present in my everyday life than ever.


http://wiccanfusion.blogspot.com/ (some posts are in English, they're labelled "in English")



1) What religion do you practice?
I practice a sort of Wicca inspired tradition which I hope will be the fondation of my own family tradition.

2) Are you a convert/revert or were you raised within this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
Since my family has never been religious I didn't really have to convert, I just followed what I felt I was drawn to.

3)Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox,c onservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
Since my tradition is solitary and I practice alone: No.

4)Within your religion what degree of observance are you ((ie. Orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal) ? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
I'm very liberal. I pick things and pieces I like and leave out the rest. Religion and belief is about what feels right for the person so if you don't feel comfortable with something, I think you should just leave it out.

5) What is the Afterlife within your religion? For example: what happens when a person dies? Are there places for reward/punishment? (such as a Heaven/Hell concept)
I've read about a Summerland in some Wiccan traditions, but it's not an idea that I've felt drawn to. I believe we return here after some time away, reincarnation in other words. (See Q21)

6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I don't believe in heaven due to my beliefs in reincarnation.

7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I am creating my own tradition (maybe I will have to come up with a name for it in the future) and it gives me the freedom to do as I please in my practice. I want my religion to be joyful and peaceful and this way I can have that if I choose to.

8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I celebrate the traditional Eight sabbats (Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane Litha, Lammas, Mabon, Samhain and Yule) and also the esbats (the full moons), but the celebrations are not very strict. I do a ritual and thank the Mother Goddess for what I've been given and maybe wish for something.

9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Of course (otherwise I wouldn't have any). As long as people respect others' beliefs there is no reason why we shouldn't be friends.

10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Maybe. It depends on what type of celebration it is. If it's just for fun on my behalf but very serious to them, then maybe it's not that appropriate.

11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I actually think it's stupid, but I have gotten the idea that some women really want to wear it, and in those cases, who am I to judge. In those other cases, when it's not optional, I'm against.

12) Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
Of course they are. I am my own priestess but in other Wiccan traditions, and covens, women have the same status as the men. In traditional Wicca the High Priestess is the first among equals.

There are also covens which only accept female members.

13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
No.

14) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
I try to bring my beliefs into my daily life as much as possible and I try to honour Nature. I recycle all I can and do my best to care for the environment. I also try to take care of myself and hopefully one day I will have a very peaceful mind. That's what I'm striving for: A peaceful mind and a magic life.

I am pro gay marrige, abortion and so on. Who people love is their own choice and a woman's body is her temple and all decisions concerning it are hers alone.

15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
It would be ok I guess. It's not really for me to decide is it? A parent can't dictate what his/her child should believe or do once they're grown up. It's not even entirely possible when they're young.

16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
No, in Wicca there is no hell, that's a Christian belief. Though I believe in karma, what you give is what you get, but that has nothing to do with religious beliefs.

17) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I don't know really... I only can tell about authors I don't like or agree with, but those are my personal opinions and I will keep them to myself.

18) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No. When I was a teen I might have been told I was strange, but that's about it. On the other hand I have not come out of the "broom closet" yet. My closest ones know of my Wiccan, and magic interest, the rest, well, I don't feel a need to tell the world.

19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
No, why would it? It makes me feel free, and as a part of the Universe. It's a part of me.

20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes. It gives me balance, and strength. When I haven't had time to practice for some time I feel lost and out of balance.

21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
I belive in reincarnation. You will be reborn, and the people around you will be the same souls around you in your next life. That's why you can meet someone and feel like you know this person, even though you've never met before, your souls recognise each other. Of course all the people will not be the same, some have already exchanged all with you in this life and gone away, they won't be around in the next because you no longer have anything to offer each others growth. Some new people must come along for your soul to be able to learn something new and grow.

And when we die I think that we just don't leave at once, I believe we linger around our dear ones for a while first, then join the spirit of the Goddess and then, when the soul is ready and at peace, we become reborn again somewhere.