From June 2001 until August 2007 my formal training consisted of being a student of a third generation
third degree Alexandrian Wiccan High Priest. However I had to take a 3 year hiatus in the middle while I dealt with some personal issues in my life. Then after that my teacher had some issues to resolve as well. A few months after resuming my studies though some more personal issues came up which forced the dissolution of the coven and for all the students like myself to be released. I had studied for a year and a
day and was initiated as a first degree priest in June of 2002 but never progressed beyond that level. I know I am being very vague in this first paragraph but the issues are of a very personal nature for myself as well as my former teacher and I don't feel at liberty to go into detail in public on them. Those who were close to the situation know the details and that is quite enough.
The good news is after being released I did some wandering around trying to find a place in the Pagan spiritual community where I belonged and my wanderings finally led me to Ár nDraíocht Féin, a Druid Fellowship which focuses on studying the ways of ancient Indo European Pagans and using what we learn as a basis for our modern religion. My own ancestors were
from many parts of Europe including Ireland, England, Prussia (Part of
modern day Germany), Slavic States and more as well as some of my ancestry which is
Cherokee. For me it is much more fulfilling on a spiritual level as
well as honest from a cultural perspective to honor the gods and
goddesses of my ancestors and to carry on the beliefs and practices
which history once attempted to wipe out.
It would be fair to say I believe religions in general are more a
concept manufactured by man to create an interface with the divine
which fits within the constraints of their culture. I don't believe a
supreme force, god, deity, whatever you wish to call the divine, cares
much about what man has written in books or what rules man has created
for his/herself. Ultimately everyone knows within themselves what is
right and good and what is wrong and evil because the spirit tells them
if they will simply listen.
- Troy Young
April 29,
2008 Posted by Troy | Topics: Me and My Spirituality
I'm a huge fan of all things Open Source,
from the Kubuntu Linux OS
I use to run my computer to the Firefox web
browser I use to
surf the net to the NVU
web authoring system I use to work on my
websites. For low cost (usually no cost), high security, and NO VENDOR LOCK INOpen Source software is the best.
August 9,
2006 Posted by Troy | Topics: Open Source, Get Firefox
and Why.
Spiritual Websites and E-Mail Lists
Here is a collection of places pertaining to religion, spirituality,
philosophy, ethics and the like that I find worthwhile and interesting.
I have read, been involved in or explored all of these at some time or
another in my life and all have influenced me in some way.
Ár nDraíocht Féin...A Druid
Fellowship (ADF) is an international fellowship devoted to creating a
public tradition of Neopagan Druidry.
My Dedicant Path Journal...Where I write about my spiritual path.
BeliefNet...A good place to learn about all forms of spirituality.
Witches' Voice...Pagan
Spirituality Networking. Find shops, groups, gatherings and other stuff
in your area.
Council
of
the
Magickal Arts...Statewide Pagan Organization Which Holds
Festivals
and Gatherings On It's Own Land.
First
Jefferson
Unitarian Universalist Church...Weekly
Covenant of Unitarian
Universalist Pagans
Meetings.
Pagan
Parenting...Presented By Witches' Voice - This page focuses
on the
trials and tribulations of raising a child in a pagan household...
Witch
Wars..
.Presented
By Witches' Voice -
Why Witch Wars Happen And What To Do About Them.
Witch
Hunts..
.Presented
By Witches' Voice
- Exposing The
Lies Told About Pagans and Witches.
Pagan
Protection..
.Presented
By Witches'
Voice - Ways To
Protect Yourself From Those Who Would Do You Harm.
Oswald
the Runemaker..
.Most
Pagans utilize
one form or another of divination in their lives. My preferred form is
rune casting. This is an excellent site I found which tells all about
the history and meanings of runes.
Sabbats - (Holidays) or High Days as we call them in ADF.
Yule...December
22nd
Imbolc...February
2nd
Ostara...March
21st
Beltaine...May
1st
Midsummer...June
21st
Lughnasadh...August
1st
Mabon...
September 21st
Samhain...October
31st
Some
of these dates are
approximate as they vary from tradition to tradition.
Articles
Gender Bias