What is in a name?
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is a large fiery bird of beautiful orange, and red plumage. A female bird thar possess both the yin and yang of the universe. She symbolizes life, death, and rebirth, but is also a symbol of transformation, strength, and resilience. Her fiery energy brings attributes of wisdom, creation, growth, and perserverance. In Chinese and Japanese cultures, the phoenix is a symbol of hope, prosperity, and loyalty. She is also known to be a messenger of the gods, a protector, and healer.
The Phoenix teaches us to let go of old beliefs so that we can be reborn into the life we truly seek. It is a call to continuously work to better ourselves. At our core we set our goals and possess the inner power to overcome adversity to reach out true self and the life we seek to live.
The Rose
The rose is another symbol that has been used among various cultures including ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, as well as in Buddhism and even Judeo-Christian faiths. The rose holds sacred wisdom. It is the symbol of teachers, healers, and is shown to seekers who venture on a mystical journey to reach their highest potential. It is a symbol of personal transformation. Accepting our shadow self and learning the lessons of the thorn teaches us to confront painful experiences, giving us a heightened sense of purpose, and a more fulfilling understanding of ourselves.
The rose is a symbol of the journey seekers go through as they earn rites of passage and initiations. Lessons of the rose include the value of being present and mindful in what we do. She teaches us to hold boundaries, rely on our personal strengths, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable. She gives us the gifts of unconditional love, of nurturing grace, and of intuition. The rose opens our heart. Her scent uplifts our spirit and raises our energy.
What is Wicca?
Wicca is both an ancient and a modern religion that holds a deep reverence for nature and divinity. While Wicca is an ecclectic and individual religion, there are certain basic principles that nearly all Wiccans agree upon. Wicca holds that all of existence is interconnected and sacred and our practices intend to align us with the rhythms and cycles of the Earth and Universe. Because of this focus, our rituals and holy days fall on events such as the equinoxes, solstices, and full moons. We refer to our annual calendar as "the Wheel of the Year" in recognition of the circular nature of time.
Wiccans generally believe in and worship Deity in both Its female and male aspects, often referred to as "The Goddess" and "The God." While some maintain this duotheistic viewpoint, other Wiccans take a more polytheistic view, experiencing many diverse Gods and Goddesses across time and culture. It is also arguable that Wiccans can be monotheistic, experiencing all Goddesses and Gods as One. Regardless, Wiccans find Goddess and God everywhere they turn: in forests, in bonfires, in rivers, in stars, in one another. We experience and learn about Deity not only through active study, but also through quiet reflection and observation.
The use of magic to create positive changes in our lives and ourselves is common in Wicca. We are all guided by the Wiccan Rede, "An it harm none, do what ye will." This is our basic moral code which allows us to follow our hearts and desires but to do so without causing harm to others or ourselves. While this seems a more simplistic moral code than say, the Bible, it is remarkably complex and always puts responsibility for the consequences of one's actions squarely back on the witch. The laws of Karma and the Threefold Rule are tied into our beliefs and practices.
RESOURCES
Here you will find a list of Resources we recommend to new Seekers and Friends of the Temple. These
are great books and websites to start you on a Pagan Path. We hope you find them useful on your journey.
Books:
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess by Starhawk
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and other Pagans in America by Margot Adler
The Wiccan Mysteries: Ancient Origins & Teachings by Raven Grimassi
Links:
Covenant of the Goddess, an international organization composed of autonomous covens and solitaires working together to ensure that the Old Religion enjoys the same rights as other religions. COG also offers credentials for Wiccan clergy and is active in the Interfaith community.
Hills and Rivers Local Council, the chapter of COG serving Pennsylvania, western New York, and Northern West Virginia.
The Wild Hunt, a blog for modern Pagans covering a range of topics written by talented authors.
Cherry Hill Seminary, a Pagan Seminary in the US conferring various degrees, including the M.Div. CHS offers online classes for both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students.
