Through life's travels, there are numerous roads that can be traversed. Among those are paths of beliefs, neither of which are wrong. Many may choose to follow one religion, while still many choose to follow several forms of beliefs.

I was raised with Judaism and am still a very proud Jew. I am also a proud Eclectic Witch with beliefs from the Old Religion, Buddhism, and Shamanism. And, yes, I am still a good Jew, despite my beliefs. Though I may not be very religious, I am highly spiritual and feel my connection with the Sacred.

For more information, links are located at the bottom of this page. Reading recommendations are located in my library.

Old Religion

Wiccan Rede
"Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,
In perfect love, in perfect trust.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill;
An ye harm none, do as ye will.
And ever mind the Rule of Three.
What ye send out , comes back to thee.
Follow this with mind and heart,
And merry ye meet, and merry ye part."

Witchcraft is an earth religion, in which those who follow the path honor the Gods and Goddesses, the phases of the moon, natural events, all creatures, and the earth itself. They are in tune with the surrounding universe. They live with nature and are a part of the natural order.

Reincarnation and Retribution
There is a belief that all living things have souls. One will return to the earthly plane in the next life, which is the next step towards perfection. There is also the belief that all you do, whether it be good or bad, will return to you three-fold.

Basic Code of Conduct
1. "An it harm none, do what thou wilt."
2. Repay one's kindness.
3. Keep your word & oath.
4. Do not kill except when necessary (ie. food & clothing).
5. Acknowledge your deities and respect them.
6. Belittle noone's beliefs, but offer yours.
7. Strive to live in peace with all.
8. Strive to be aware of those around you and seek compassion within yourself.
9. Be true to yourself.
10. Help others with the most of your ability.
11. Respect nature and strive to live in harmony with her.

Calendar

Glossary

Deities

Herbs

Buddhism

History
Buddhism developed from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a Sakyan prince around 500 B.C. Troubled by the sufferings he saw around him, he left his life and family and went out among the Shramana, shamans. While sitting under a tree, he realized the meaning of enlightenment and became known as Buddha, meaning "the Awakened One". He taught for many years before dying in Oudh, India.

A monk by the name of Bodhidharma, in China circa 470, began the actual Zen Buddhism. Original practitioners lived in secluded areas and studied the Mind and its nature.

Around 1200 AD Buddhism spread from China to Japan. Now Zen Buddhism is known mostly in its Japanese form.

Teachings
Middle Way- religious practice consisting of avoidance of sensualism and physical austerities

The Four Great Vows
1. To liberate all ordinary-beings from my mind
2. To eliminate all defilements from my mind
3. To embrace every teaching of my self-nature
4. To achieve the way of enlightenment from my self-nature

The Four Noble Truths
1. Life is suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is egoistic craving and attachment.
3. There is a way to the cessation of suffering.
4. This Way is the Eightfold Path:

Meditation
Contemplation. Attending to your body and, in turn, the Mind. Letting emotions flow (Shamantha meditation). Letting the Mind recollect itself (Vipashyana meditation).

Terminology
dukkha- disharmony

Shamanism

Shamanism has existed since prehistoric times around the world, from Asia to South America. In some cultures, the Shaman is the intermediary between the physical and astral worlds and are healers. People are not above the natural world, but among it and should live and be connected to it. Among Native American tribes, the shaman communed with the gods and spirits on behalf of the tribe. While healing, the shaman helps the patient transcend the illness or reattune the patient to the world around him or her.

Animal Guides and Animal Medicine:
Totems are animal spirits who protect and give assistance to a person or a clan. Are you drawn to a certain animal? Do you collect images or representations of them or did you take one into your home? Do you feel completely in tune with them? I have one friend whose energy is very much like that of her desert lizard.

There are also guides who may come during a particular time, staying around for awhile or showing themselves for a brief instant either by crossing your path or coming to you in the dream world. Pay attention and listen to their messages. Perhaps your overreacting about a situation and should act rationally. Perhaps you are too flighty and need to settle down.

Animal Medicine

Links