Wiccan Weaving

03 Jun 2006: Preparing a Philosophies and Practices Sysnopsis

I was about to publish a synopsis of the philosophies and practices of Dragon's Weave Wicca, when it occurred to me that it's a little more significant than just sitting down at the keyboard and hammering on the keys for a bit. So while the draft is ready, I'm going to circulate the information first among other members of the line to get their input before taking it live.


A few thoughts about the subject in general:

• Very few Pagan groups really articulate their philosophies and practices. Those who do, rarely do it well.
  
• While religious beliefs do not have to "make sense" to non-believers, they do to the faithful. A concept we had when Dragon's Weave was a coven, and one that will continue, is that our Tradition is not one that asks for (let alone demands) blind adherence to articles of faith. We firmly believe that any item of faith that violates your reason should be met with the harshest skepticism.
  
• A religion's philosophies should have internal consistency. For this reason, while we agree with the idea of deriving inspiration from other paths, we do not believe Wicca is, or should be, an "a la carte" religion, made up of a hash of other religions' thoughts with no regard for how well they integrate.
  
• A religion's practices should support, explain and expand on the philosophies of that religion. Most Wiccan practitioners' practices are a hash of those of other faiths, chosen strictly for their "cool factor". For this reason, Dragon's Weave does not condone the pillaging of other faiths for their practices. There is nothing "Wiccan" about a sweatlodge, for example. If we Wiccans want to hold a sweat, we are free to do so, but we shouldn't be chanting Lakota prayers while we do it.
  

More later, as I get input from the other clergy of the line.