Hello and Happy Saturday!
I wish to thank Sophie Reicher for her very interesting and informative interview. I enjoyed reading your answers and I thank you for sharing with us Sophie!
Today we have a new interview so please welcome Cora (aka Tink). Cora is a Witch and I know you'll enjoy her interview as well!
Here Is Cora aka Tink's Introduction:
Something about me… I’m 43, married and living in IJmuiden, The Netherlands. I have two dogs: Arwen (Bernese Mountaindog) &Foofur (Welsh Corgi / Jack Russell), and three cats called Freyja, Bastet & Maia. My profession is accountant, but due to several medical issues I can’t work anymore. I do voluntary work using my experience with eating disorders and depression (give talks for different kinds of audiences, have led an aftercare group, help others by e-mail, write about it, etc.). I’m a Usui Reiki master. Some of my hobbies are reading, computer/internet, animals, Star Trek, making herbal home remedies, nature, Robbie Williams and lots more!
My blog: http://tinkerbell-nl.blogspot.com/
1) What religion do you practice?
I’m an eclectic witch. I practice witchcraft, also called The Old Religion or The Craft, a pagan religion. There is not one true definition of a witch. There are different ways and traditions within witchcraft, with a lot of similarities but also a lot of differences. The things I tell you in this post are MY answers and not in any way valid for every witch, although a lot is common among witches.
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?
I was raised a roman catholic, but I always felt some things differently and missed certain aspects. I found them when I encountered witchcraft. Witches don’t convert anyone, most of us are either raised within paganism or discovered it ourselves. If someone is really interested in my path I’ll always try to answer their questions to the best of my ability.
3)Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox,conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
Difficult to say… I don’t feel this really applies to witchcraft. There are people that call themselves witches although they rarely do something ‘active’ with it (celebrate festivals, do magic, etc.). Some groups or solitary witches never miss a sabbat and/or full moon, others celebrate only a few. All good imho.
4)Within your religion what degree of observance are you? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
I didn’t choose a certain degree. Witchcraft has a place in my life, is part of my life. I always pay attention to the sabbats, the moon, etc. but the degree of activity varies. During my time in a traditional coven we celebrated almost every sabbat, had lessons, workshops, meetings, etc. Now I’m free to do what I want. Sometimes I do things on my own, sometimes with a group of people. I do workshops, study, meditate, read, do practical things (like divination, working with herbs) and so much more. There isn’t a day in my life that goes by without something ‘witchy’.
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)
Most witches call the afterlife the Summerland. Hell is an invention of christianity, I don’t believe in that concept of punishment.
6) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
Everyone goes to the Summerland. In my opinion that isn’t ‘heaven for pagans’ or something. By everyone I mean everyone: people of all religions but also all other living beings. We just give our afterlife different names. Otherwise we would never see our christian, jewish, etc. family and friends ever again!
7) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
When I found witchcraft, it felt like coming home. I believe in a Goddess and a God, both equally important. Balance is necessary, or at the least it’s a personal goal. Witchcraft is a nature-based religion. It makes me feel good and matches my general ideas and views. There’s always more to learn. Sometimes it can be a challenge, but I happily accept that. I truly believe this is the right path for me.
8) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I celebrate 8 sabbats or solar festivals, that are closely connected to nature. They are called Yule (Winter solstice), Imbolc, Ostara (Spring equinox), Beltane. Litha (Summer solstice), Lughnasadh, Mabon (Autumn equinox) and Samhain. All have their own celebrations, symbols, etc.
I celebrate lunar festivals too: full moon, dark moon, etc. The phases of the moon have influence on all of us. Some things are better done at the waxing moon, other things need a waning moon.
9) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Of course! Why not? As long as there is mutual respect regarding faith I see no problem with that.
10) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yes, I like to learn about other faiths and have respect for them. If someone wants to share their celebration with me, I’m honoured. It has to be clear though that I don’t have to be ‘saved’ and I’m not there to be converted. I think some people should be more open-minded, a lot of misconceptions and judgments about other religions are based on ignorance and lack of education about them. I have read bibles, koran, tora and other holy books / texts to educate myself. It’s okay to agree to disagree, respect and be respected…
11) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
When a muslim woman has freely chosen to wear the burka I have no problem with it, but if she is forced or obliged to wear it I see it as a symbol of oppression and to me that is never good.
Regarding shariah law… Well, unfortunately every faith has its extremists and fundamentalists that abuse it and (mis)interpret holy texts for their own good. In my opinion state and religion should be strictly separated.
12) Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, imametc.) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
Yes, both men and women are allowed to do that. It’s one of the things that appealed to me in witchcraft. In some ways the HPs (High Priestess) is considered more important than the HP (High Priest), but men are not discriminated in the way women are in certain other religions. To me men and women are equal though not the same. I like a mixed group. There are also groups of only men or only women though.
13) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
Do you mean whether men and women are kept separate in worship? No, and I’m glad they are not! My place of worship is preferably outdoors in nature but a circle can be cast anywhere, inside or out.
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?
Witchcraft is a way of life. I’m always a witch like I’m always a woman. I can’t switch it off. It is part of my daily life including my decisions.
15) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I wouldn’t mind as long as he/she is happy with it. Everyone has a right to choose their own path.
16) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Hell and satan are christian concepts I don’t believe in.
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?
People in the public domain are not too keen to ‘get out of the broom closet’. Unfortunately there are still a lot of misconceptions about witches.
18) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No. I’ve always been open about what I do and believe in. Sometimes people don’t (want to) understand it, and/or make fun of it, but hate… luckily not!
19) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Perhaps it does to others, but that’s their problem, their ignorance. I don’t value people according to their path/faith. If a person feels less because of his/her religion it’s probably not the right path for them, but I believe in free will so it’s their mistake to make…
20) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
Yes, it certainly does.
21) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
Yes, I believe in an afterlife and reincarnation. Why? Good question… I just do! I have seen past lives in regression, but I don’t need proof.
A Viewpoint to Consider:
ReplyDeleteI cant visualize in my mind, what you actually do a witch, as I have absolutely no idea what you are and what made you the way you are, but stumbling across your blog, Im left feeling you are very misguded, lost, blind and ignorant of the Unseen Force that existed, exists and will ever exist.
Who created your human body, enclosed your life soul into it and made you the person you are. The Painter who made you the painting, is not even remotely in your mind or heart. You are in love with the painting, never the Painter.
All the people love the sun, moon, stars, planet earth, but they remain indifferent to us humans and the many species that exist.
A flower in bloom is so loved by the bees, but it remains indifferent to all who come to visit it.
We so love our home, the many material things we possess, cars, fridges, tv, chairs, laptops, beds, clothes, shoes, but they all ever remain indifferent to us, their so called owners.
As we die, they pass on to a new owner, then they belong to another. They pass from hand to hand over many millenia, but they ever remain indifferent to us.
Love not the Painting ever, it is a poisoned chalice of death. Love the Painter, who can cure your affliction of loving the Poisoned Sea. A child loves the present given, not the giver of the present.
Over come birth and death, by loving the Painter, love the Painter, love the Painter Only !
Birth and death exist cause you love The Painting.....not the Painter.
The Painter, painted you the way you are, but you realize not the Painter ! Realize then... look above, the Fisher is fishing you with the Bait of the Poisoned World, let the Fisher not fish you, put you back into the Sea.
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteSay What!? The Painter didn't create himself either. Men are born from women, in fact the first thing a man has around his neck is *pardon my English* a vagina. Probably you forgot that. She is as everlasting as the Sea - the Sea you recommend putting oneself in again. ;-) She is the Love herself. She was there before any canvas or painter or anything at all. She proofs her existance in every first breath and last breath of life. She gave birth to thee. She will welcome thee again in her arms. There is no need to believe this, because you know, deep down inside. It is the greater truth behind all, the journey we all have to make: from the womb to the tomb. There is no need to believe in it or give it a name or argue about what it is called or perceived at.
How do you, who shall remain nameless, but not unseen, honor thy Mother, the Great Mother of all? I wonder.
Some of us, like Tink, choose to honor her by honoring and respecting and even more important loving every living thing. Including loving and respecting ourselfs. What is so wrong about that? Can't you bear the idea of someone loving you, for all that you are, with all flaws and all great things about you? Well I love you. As She does, always did and ever will.
Blessed be!
You have some spirit I must say Mum !
DeleteThis great mother of All, is All that we see with in Material Form. She is All the elements found in the many billions upon billions upon billion od solar systems, universes and galaxies. She is All the fires, waters, winds, earths and ethers. She is a Poisoned Serpent who creates, sustains and in Time, destroys all who Love Her !
From the Beginning of Time, Adam & Eve, this Poisonous Snake has made All bite her poisoned apple (cut open an apple in half and see what you say, pardon my English 2).
Pandora's Box has opened all Her Sins in Time. The 600 billion people on the planet have All, drunk Her Poison at birth, they keep drinking It throughout life and they die screaming, in pain and suffering, disease and sorrows, drinking It at the end 2.
Rare are they who give Her, Her own poison and kill Her.
Only when She is killed, is The Wonderful Immaculate, Unsurpassed, Almighty, Unknowable, Unseen, Limit Less, Painter seen Everywhere.....but Nowhere !!!
Those who kill Her not, She takes back into Her Arms, recreates them through reincarnation, sustains them and again eventually kill them !! Womb to Tomb her pure 100% Carat Hallmark.
And sadly for you, The Painter Only did make Her, and The Painter only can kill Her whenever, The Wish be ..... Nothing is Ever Lasting, but The Painter !!! Nothing !!
Publish my previous comment Tink, hide it not....
It's not my blog, so I couldn't hide anything if I wanted to. I don't want to, why should I? You're the one who's flaunting his narrow-mindedness, not me. I just won't spoil any more time and energy in a discussion without mutual respect. You're not worth it.
DeleteI love Tink's view of the afterlife. Why have a hell? Wonderful stuff - a nature-based religion! It makes sense!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrew Joseph!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you don't understand a thing about me! I get the feeling you don't even try. That's okay, but at least try to respect another view. Yours is not the only religion, your way is not the only one and it's definitely not mine. Look around this blog, you can learn about other religions with other views on life.
Quote "I cant visualize in my mind, what you actually do a witch, as I have absolutely no idea what you are and what made you the way you are...".
ReplyDeleteThere are some 600biliion people on this planet, each with their own viewpoints, ideas, decisions and thinking. 600billion minds cannot ever ever think alike, be alike or become alike.
That said then, religion, is one part of the that thinking mind. We love cherish admire, hate, detest or object to, many many things that exist around us, but the religion of the mind either leads us towards Our Creator or away from him.
The consequences of going away from That Creator are why this planet and its 600billion exist. When one goes away from The Creator then one is led astray, to love, cherish and admire all that is totally a waste, utterly useless, garbage and valueless.
To go away from The Creator, one experiences all suffering, all pain, all disease, all grief, sorrows, never even a moment of happiness, contentment or true joy inside.
Life in the billions upon billions of universes, galaxies and start systems is an Exception rather than a Rule. All lie empty, devoid of life, except a very very very very rare few. One of those rare few is our planet. The Creator created life here to make us know, understand, realize and envision nothing else but, The Creator.
I didn't post a comment to change or alter you, that only you can do yourself, not any of the 600billion, of which I am one.
Do your witchcraft witch, do whatever else you wish, but for sure I. know, you don't sleep even a single night's sleep in peace happiness or joy.
At the end of Time, the body you hold so dear will fall apart in pain, suffering, disease, sorrows and grief, your soul shall be extracted by the messenger of Death, delivered to the Righteous Judge for true justice. Then you will regret, repent your days and deeds here.
Au Revoir Mademoiselle !!...