Discussion: Ask a Witch: Morgaine

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Morgaine	20. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 3:55 PM EST "I thought a Warlock was a dude? ::Makes confused dog like sound:: When did I miss THAT fax? I figured Amelia is learning - and when you learn any new technique and art - experimentation (however unethical) is to be expected. And if you never try you don't know if you can do something. I have to also ask - Do ya'll find it offensive that Amelia is very against being called Wiccan? Personally I thought it was funny, because I know other witches also that really can't stand being associated with Wicca, drives them batty. " It's a common misconception that Warlocks are males. Warlock is from a Scots dialect and it means "truce-breaker" - it's an outlaw, a person who practices unethically, and can apply to a male or a female. No, there is no excuse for Amelia to have turned Bob into a cat. Transformative magick would require a serious purpose to be justified. Doing it just to see if you can do it is irresponsible. That's no way to approach magick. I've met Witches who would bristle at being called Wiccan and Wiccans who didn't want to be called Witches. There are many kinds of Wicca these days and some of them are contaminated with patriarchal, Judeo-Christian values that do not belong in the Craft. Some of the British traditions were influenced by Jewish mysticism and ritual magick of the type practiced by Aleister Crowley and Israel Regardie, and those are purely patriarchal and based on the Kabalah. I don't like the fact that Wicce is usually mispelled in popular culture as Wicca, but we may be stuck with that because it's the best known form of the word. Wicce is feminine, Wicca is the masculine form of the word. Since Wicce is essentially a woman's religion, or rather it's THE woman's religion, I feel it is inappropriate to use a masculine form in referring to it. It made no sense to me that Amelia would object to being called Wiccan, unless she knew that a Wiccan would disapprove of her dabbling with the lives of others for no reason other than her own ego. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Abizzygyrl	21. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 4:42 PM EST I apologize if this has been asked. I have had many people think Tara will 'turn' into a Maenad. Now I didn't think you could 'turn' into one, and I do know the greek myth to a degree: Maenads were the inspired and frenzied female worshipers of Dionysus, the Greek god of mystery, wine, and intoxication, the Roman god Bacchus. Their name literally translates as "raving ones". They were known as wild, insane women who could not be reasoned with. The mysteries of Dionysus inspired the women to ecstatic frenzy; they indulged in copious amounts of violence, bloodletting, sexual activity, self-intoxication, and mutilation. They were usually pictured as crowned with vine leaves, clothed in fawnskins and carrying the thyrsus, and dancing with wild abandon. Anyway Morgaine, what cha think? Can someone become a Maenad or are they just ARE? Thanks!!! Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
giggirl	22. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 5:07 PM EST "I apologize if this has been asked. I have had many people think Tara will 'turn' into a Maenad. Now I didn't think you could 'turn' into one, and I do know the greek myth to a degree: Maenads were the inspired and frenzied female worshipers of Dionysus, the Greek god of mystery, wine, and intoxication, the Roman god Bacchus. Their name literally translates as "raving ones". They were known as wild, insane women who could not be reasoned with. The mysteries of Dionysus inspired the women to ecstatic frenzy; they indulged in copious amounts of violence, bloodletting, sexual activity, self-intoxication, and mutilation. They were usually pictured as crowned with vine leaves, clothed in fawnskins and carrying the thyrsus, and dancing with wild abandon. Anyway Morgaine, what cha think? Can someone become a Maenad or are they just ARE? Thanks!!! " grat question! Morgaine? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
lfp190	23. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 5:12 PM EST Are there any true talismans to wear to protect yourself from negative energy? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ByteMeBill	24. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 6:50 PM EST "I apologize if this has been asked. I have had many people think Tara will 'turn' into a Maenad. Now I didn't think you could 'turn' into one, and I do know the greek myth to a degree: Maenads were the inspired and frenzied female worshipers of Dionysus, the Greek god of mystery, wine, and intoxication, the Roman god Bacchus. Their name literally translates as "raving ones". They were known as wild, insane women who could not be reasoned with. The mysteries of Dionysus inspired the women to ecstatic frenzy; they indulged in copious amounts of violence, bloodletting, sexual activity, self-intoxication, and mutilation. They were usually pictured as crowned with vine leaves, clothed in fawnskins and carrying the thyrsus, and dancing with wild abandon. Anyway Morgaine, what cha think? Can someone become a Maenad or are they just ARE? Thanks!!! " That brings up a question in my mind...Jeanette, even though she seemed somewhat a charlatan, mentioned that Tara's demon is much more dangerous. Could it be that she is maenad inside, but it hasn't come out yet? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Morgaine	25. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:03 PM EST "I apologize if this has been asked. I have had many people think Tara will 'turn' into a Maenad. Now I didn't think you could 'turn' into one, and I do know the greek myth to a degree: Maenads were the inspired and frenzied female worshipers of Dionysus, the Greek god of mystery, wine, and intoxication, the Roman god Bacchus. Their name literally translates as "raving ones". They were known as wild, insane women who could not be reasoned with. The mysteries of Dionysus inspired the women to ecstatic frenzy; they indulged in copious amounts of violence, bloodletting, sexual activity, self-intoxication, and mutilation. They were usually pictured as crowned with vine leaves, clothed in fawnskins and carrying the thyrsus, and dancing with wild abandon. Anyway Morgaine, what cha think? Can someone become a Maenad or are they just ARE? Thanks!!! " Being a personal friend of Dionysus, I've thought about this a lot, ha ha! In the TRUE BLOOD universe as created by Alan Ball, I doubt that a human can become a maenad, but we'll have to wait and see. In the books, these followers of Dionysus became supernatural beings themselves and roam the earth hiding in the woods, enjoying the madness and violence associated with alcohol abuse. This is quite a stretch from any reality of their rites, so we're completely off the grid. They can take that story in all kinds of directions. My own prediction is that Mary Ann feeds off of the energy created by a person out of control due to alcohol use. I'm not crazy about the whole concept - the Maenads were human women who practiced ritual ecstasy. Unless you are of the mind that all women are Witches - and some people do believe that - there's no reason to twist the myth into a Supe fantasy. I think it would be much more interesting if the Maenad was a human in the show, too, but it's too late for that. Continued Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Morgaine	26. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:05 PM EST By the way, the violence and bloodletting wasn't as bad as all that. Dionysus is the party god - he's about tripping and f*cking, though some animals were definitely sacrificed in his name and consumed by the revelers. Remember that all of these myths have been put through the patriarchal filters of Academia - you can't take what you read as the real truth of the matter, but as a myth that has layers upon layers of propaganda and Christian revisionism piled onto it. The church fathers had quite a time trying to get the women of the old world to stop running wild in the woods, drinking, tripping and having sex during Bacchanalia, especially in the rites that took place on March 16 & 17. These rites go back to the matriarchy that predated Western patriarchy, and so they were painted as being much more dark and dangerous than they actually were. Women didn't give up their mysteries without a fight, even after the Inquisitions started trying to erase and re-write their history with torture and violence. The Maenads were originally the nurses who cared for Dionysus in his youth, and they only began to run wild with him as he grew to his teen years. Dionysus is a form of the Once and Future King like Jesus, Arthur and Odin. He is the Eternal Youth, who never ages - or dies young - and the Maenads were older than he. Think of how the church would have viewed the idea of older women partying in the woods with young guys to whom they weren't married. These women would leave their husbands to practice the rites of the Young god and married men were generally forbidden to attend. The rites were only tolerated as long as they were because they were believed to be necessary to producing good crops. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Abizzygyrl	27. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:13 PM EST " By the way, the violence and bloodletting wasn't as bad as all that. Dionysus is the party god - he's about tripping and f*cking, though some animals were definitely sacrificed in his name and consumed by the revelers. Remember that all of these myths have been put through the patriarchal filters of Academia - you can't take what you read as the real truth of the matter, but as a myth that has layers upon layers of propaganda and Christian revisionism piled onto it. The church fathers had quite a time trying to get the women of the old world to stop running wild in the woods, drinking, tripping and having sex during Bacchanalia, especially in the rites that took place on March 16 & 17. These rites go back to the matriarchy that predated Western patriarchy, and so they were painted as being much more dark and dangerous than they actually were. Women didn't give up their mysteries without a fight, even after the Inquisitions started trying to erase and re-write their history with torture and violence. The Maenads were originally the nurses who cared for Dionysus in his youth, and they only began to run wild with him as he grew to his teen years. Dionysus is a form of the Once and Future King like Jesus, Arthur and Odin. He is the Eternal Youth, who never ages - or dies young - and the Maenads were older than he. Think of how the church would have viewed the idea of older women partying in the woods with young guys to whom they weren't married. These women would leave their husbands to practice the rites of the Young god and married men were generally forbidden to attend. The rites were only tolerated as long as they were because they were believed to be necessary to producing good crops. " Wow Morgaine, thank you. Interesting enough my bday is March 15, my mom's the 16th and great-grandmother the 17th. As always you get right down to it and I really appreciate it! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Morgaine	28. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:16 PM EST Madness only affects the worshipers of Dionysus when they deny him - then he will supposedly drive women mad enough to kill their own children, though again, that might be propaganda intended to make women afraid of his rites. The madness takes the form of wild grief with the death of the god, and at some point, unfortunately, Dionysus has to die. Vampires are a manifestation of the Dionysian archetype - the eternal youth, the blood lust, the uncontrolled sexuality of them- and so are rock stars, and some poets and artists. Notice that it's usually only women who associate Vampires with lust - men are much more likely to see them strictly as monsters or enemies. This is one of the few outlets this culture allows for the Dark Feminine, the source of women's true power. When women as a group feel free to tap into the power without fear or guilt, the entire world will change. Post reply 5 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Morgaine	29. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:20 PM EST "Are there any true talismans to wear to protect yourself from negative energy?" A silver pentacle is the one favored by most Witches. If you want something more subtle, wear hematite, but be sure to rinse it out regularly or the negativity will spill back on you. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Sue65	30. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:26 PM EST "Got a hankering question about the show, True Blood's mythical inaccuracies, supernatural lore, or just the universe in general? Don't be shy! Query our clever resident witch, Morgaine — you know you want to..." Hi Morgaine: I wonder...Could there really be vampires? I read alot of Sherrilyn Kenyons books as well as others. I would like to hear your thoughts on this. In the series True Blood I find myself being drawn to the charactor of Eric...any thoughts about him. Thanks, Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Zulu42	31. The Voo Doo Woman Dec 10 2008, 7:29 PM EST I have a question about Ms. Jeannette aka The Voo Doo Woman. As there are no Wiccans portrayed in the TV series Ms. Jeannette is the closest character we have to a Witch. In the show they show Ms. Jeannette "excorcising demons" from Tara's mother and later Tara herself. We see that the excorcism works for the mother, and potentially worked for Tara as well but then the writers chose to debunk the character of Ms. Jeannette by showing that she worked for a pharmacy. My question (yes there is a actually a question in here) is Why do you think they did that? What difference does it make if she works in a pharmacy (or a MacDonalds or Dunkin Donuts or ???) Can't she still practice her craft and be integrated into "normal" (read: mainstream) society. Why do we have to be lead to believe that she lives in a tar paper shack in the woods with no running water to believe that she could have the power to heal? Zulu Post reply 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Tru_Crys_1121	32. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:40 PM EST What do you think is going to be the highlight of next season of true blood? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Morgaine	33. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 7:46 PM EST "Hi Morgaine: I wonder...Could there really be vampires? I read alot of Sherrilyn Kenyons books as well as others. I would like to hear your thoughts on this. In the series True Blood I find myself being drawn to the charactor of Eric...any thoughts about him. Thanks," I've been enough places and seen enough things to know that there's some truth in most myths. I've never encountered a being that I could confirm had an extended life span and subsisted solely on blood, but I'm convinced it's not outside the realm of possibility. Skin walkers and shapeshifters are real, and a vampire is not so far removed from those that it would take a great leap to believe in them. I do think it would be more likely to find one in the lower Americas than Europe, though. Too many people in Europe for a being like that to function. All kinds of creatures have been seen and reported - ever hear about the nude woman with black wings who was seen flying over a battle field in Vietnam? Beings like that have been reported all over the world. There's definitely more going on in the natural world than anyone wants to believe. I think Eric is a fascinating character, and not just because Alex is so yummy. There's a rich history for that character that a good writer could spend an entire career exploring. A thousand years is a long, long time. I'm not sure that a human mind, even one altered in some way, could retain its sanity after all that time, but it's an interesting question. Star Trek did a story once about a guy who had been daVinci and Mozart and a whole bunch of famous people over hundreds of years. I'd love to see some exploration of Eric's adventures. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Morgaine	34. RE: The Voo Doo Woman Dec 10 2008, 8:09 PM EST "I have a question about Ms. Jeannette aka The Voo Doo Woman. As there are no Wiccans portrayed in the TV series Ms. Jeannette is the closest character we have to a Witch. In the show they show Ms. Jeannette "excorcising demons" from Tara's mother and later Tara herself. We see that the excorcism works for the mother, and potentially worked for Tara as well but then the writers chose to debunk the character of Ms. Jeannette by showing that she worked for a pharmacy. My question (yes there is a actually a question in here) is Why do you think they did that? What difference does it make if she works in a pharmacy (or a MacDonalds or Dunkin Donuts or ???) Can't she still practice her craft and be integrated into "normal" (read: mainstream) society. Why do we have to be lead to believe that she lives in a tar paper shack in the woods with no running water to believe that she could have the power to heal? Zulu " There is literally no reason a person working in a pharmacy or a McDonald's or anywhere else couldnt' be a spiritual practitioner. I used to work for the Defense Department - they hated me, but I worked there, ha ha! People love their stereotypes. They like the idea of a mystic who lives in the woods or in a swamp and has nothing to do with the waking world. Our culture doesn't have places like that for our holy people the way some groups do. Even if you walk between the worlds, you probably have rent to pay and need electricity. I just felt as if the whole Voodoo story line was over the top and added very little to the show. I felt that there was a distinct lack of respect for spiritual practices in general. I have a sinking feeling that AB is going to have that liberal discomfort with actual religion that the Left so often displays. They can tolerate everything except religion in many cases. I'm a liberal/Progressive myself, but I'm very aware of the anti-religion bias that exists. It is used to oppress people who practice alternative religions as well as mainstream ones. There's no more logic in declaring all religion false than there is in declaring science false because it disagrees with religious texts. The people I've encountered who want to exorcise demons are Christian. I've met people who practiced African-based systems and they talk about spirits, loas and orishas, but I've never heard of one talking about demons. The scariest critter I've ever encountered was conjured (probably subconsciously) by a lady claiming to channel an angel. People who believe in demons shouldn't do spiritual work. They're dangerous, they're too open to suggestion and they can get people hurt. If I were writing TB, I would have the vampires interact a lot with Wiccans - we're naturally disposed to being tolerant of oppressed groups. We'd be natural allies. Post reply 2 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Morgaine	35. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 8:10 PM EST "What do you think is going to be the highlight of next season of true blood?" I'm hoping for a serious lip-lock between Eric and Sookie. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Tru_Crys_1121	36. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 8:20 PM EST so whats the truth about ouija board? I've herd that they are evil i herd that they are just a game i heard they are good what is the truth? Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Morgaine	37. RE: Ask a Witch: Morgaine Dec 10 2008, 8:41 PM EST "so whats the truth about ouija board? I've herd that they are evil i herd that they are just a game i heard they are good what is the truth?" A Ouija board is a tool, just like Tarot cards or a crystal or a scrying mirror or a pendulum. It has no inherent power and is neither good nor evil. The problem arises when you get people who have been raised on the idea of demons and devils playing around with things they know nothing about. There are entities that can be drawn to people that are not so nice, the same way some people are not so nice - and if you give them an opening, they'll take it. These entities are just energy with consciousness, so if you believe in demons, they'll take on the attributes you ascribe to demons in order to influence you. It didn't start out as a demon and probably won't be one after, but your own expectation has created a demon from it because that's what some part of you wants to see. People who want to work a Ouija board need to know that 1) nothing can possess you without your permission. You are always in control of your own consciousness and soul and nothing can change that. 2) you should protect yourself with prayer before you begin your work and specifically ask that only helpful, friendly spirits participate 3) show some respect for the entitites or energies you encounter, ask their names and say hello 4) Say please and thank you, say good night when you are done 5) NEVER ask about death 6) the board is like training wheels on a bike. It makes things a little easier, but you don't really need it to get the same information. The power is within YOU. The board is just a conduit. It's not a game, but it can be fun as long as everyone involved has a positive attitude and an open, healthy mind. People who are unstable or overly religious shouldn't try to do spiritual work. Stick with meditation and prayer. Post reply 5 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Zulu42	38. RE: The Voo Doo Woman and Demons Dec 10 2008, 8:55 PM EST ""The people I've encountered who want to exorcise demons are Christian. "" thanks for the reply, and I will comment more after I've digested it all gulp but did want to say that I had a blurb originally in there about the idea of Demons & Excorsism being a Christian concept, but realized that I don't know enough about Voo Doo practices to know if some/a few/all/or none believe in the expelling of demons or the demons themselves. I do know they belive in zombies (not the flesh eaters we see in movies) in which a person can have a curse put on them. I was also surprised by the portrail of the "church women" in their big sunday hats talking about Tara and her Demon. The Christians I know -- and I know quite a few born agains -- would never consider going to a Voo Doo woman to excorcise a demon as the woman herself would be thought to be a demon (the devil) in disguise. I'm not saying I agree with that, but just this is what I have observed. Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Morgaine	39. RE: The Voo Doo Woman and Demons Dec 10 2008, 9:40 PM EST "thanks for the reply, and I will comment more after I've digested it all gulp but did want to say that I had a blurb originally in there about the idea of Demons & Excorsism being a Christian concept, but realized that I don't know enough about Voo Doo practices to know if some/a few/all/or none believe in the expelling of demons or the demons themselves. I do know they belive in zombies (not the flesh eaters we see in movies) in which a person can have a curse put on them. I was also surprised by the portrail of the "church women" in their big sunday hats talking about Tara and her Demon. The Christians I know -- and I know quite a few born agains -- would never consider going to a Voo Doo woman to excorcise a demon as the woman herself would be thought to be a demon (the devil) in disguise. I'm not saying I agree with that, but just this is what I have observed. " I have known a lot of Christians who believed in demons and would do exorcisms. My dad's family were Holy Rollers who were always at war with demons. In the South, there's not as much objectivity where spirit and religion are concerned as there is in Northern areas. People in the South are haunted - most of us are around ghosts all the time whether we talk about it or not - and we believe in prophetic dreams and things like that. I live in a situation kind of like Sookie's in that the land I'm on here has been in my family since the 1800's. The family cemetary is right up behind my house. All my relatives are here whether they're in bodies or not. There are Civil war fields all over the place - you have to be numb from the neck up not to pick up on ghosts at some of those sites. Those ladies on the show wouldn't want to be around the voodoo lady, but they'll pay her to work magick for them. It's a bit hypocritical, but people can be that way. In some groups, the church members themselves would do the praying and exorcising. It varies from group to group. Some groups handle snakes even though it's illegal, but I've never seen anyone drown a possum, ha ha! Most groups here are Protestant, though. Voodoo and similar practices combine African, Native American and Catholic symbols into a system that can appear to be Christian when it needs to be. Not everyone knows where the Voodoo ends and the Catholicism begins. Catholic ritual is mostly based on Pagan traditions anyway, so you get some very individual interpretations and customs. You find those traditions further South where there's more French and Spanish ancestry. I will tell you this - the Seven African Powers are STRONG. You don't want to play around with them. If you invoke an African Orisha, you'd better mean business and you'd better be prepared for the splash back. Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?

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