Why would I choose Wicca after Mormonism?

I am a practicing Wiccan, and have been since Mabon 2003, just shy of a year after leaving the Morg*. I actually started out looking up Wicca on the Internet because I was gunning for an ex-husband who claimed he had "connections" with covens and black magic practitioners and was thinly veiling threats of vengeance upon me for leaving him. I wanted to gain information on Wicca so I could protect myself from it. What an amazing journey it has been! I quickly discovered that what he had described to me was no where near what Wicca really is, and also, for every hate site there is against Wicca, there are 100 positive sites where Wicca is taught as a religion, and where "fluffy-bunnies" are discouraged (that means if you're looking for ways to gain control over others, entice someone to fall in love with you, or change your ex into a toad, Wicca is not for you). Practicing and learning Wicca is one of the hardest, most satisfying challenges of my life, and is something I will never fully learn throughout my entire lifetime. Wicca is a process of learning, and one can never learn to much!!! What a contrast from Mormonism, where they are constantly trying to limit everyone's knowledge to 'approved manuals' and 'scripted study guides' LOL!!!

I decided to consider myself Wiccan after voraciously reading on every website I could find, collecting books on every variation of Wicca (and there are hundreds of varieties of Wicca, even Christian-based), and lots of solitary time to sort out what I have been taught to believe from what resonates from inside of me. I use Wicca as a tool to bring out my own inner spirituality, I use Wicca as a format for developing my own spiritual consciousness, and I call myself a Wiccan, because it separates me from the expected 'norm' for a middle-aged white woman in Southern Iowa. I wear pentacle necklaces and medallions, I have t-shirts with pictures of Goddesses and pentacles on them, I attend meetings of like-minded Pagan folks who aren't necessarily Wiccan, but practice alternative types of spiritual progressive thought. (and no, drugs are not used to obtain this).

I'm often disappointed when I come across people who still think that Wicca is about blood sacrifices, killing kittens or goats (or worse, newborn babies) and wild orgies with strangers while tied up on a post. (that last one was from a TBM**) I am also a little saddened by people who believe that Wicca is a cult, and that I am under the control and direction of a coven led by a High Priest who can order me to kill someone at any moment and I must obey or suffer my own life to be taken (also from a TBM). All of these things are completely FALSE.

I have never taken a life, caused blood to be spilled, witnessed any harm on any living creature (or the mutilation of a dead one), or participated in any wild orgies (although if they are going on somewhere it sure would be nice to be invited at least...)

It pains me to hear these misconceptions about Wicca, especially coming from TBM's, because when I was a Mormon, I was told many times by those who had no experience whatsoever what Mormons really believe, what really goes on inside the temple, what kind of heinous acts were done to little children on the altars of the church, etc. It really pissed me off to be a Mormon and have others tell me what it is that I REALLY believe, even thought I say I don't believe them. Now, as a Wiccan, I am getting the very same attitude from TBM's (and others) that they get from those who wouldn't have any damn idea what the hell they are talking about. And it really infuriates me whenever some so-called former Wiccan/Satan worshipper goes gallivanting about "exposing" the atrocities of Wicca and claiming that these sort of things really do happen. Just like any other religion, Wicca has it's share of crazies, and it's not fair to judge the whole system based on a few weirdos, just like it's not fair to judge the entire LDS church based solely on what the Fundy Polygamists do. Although it's true that the LDS church used to do these things, there is ample evidence that they would still be willing practitioners of it if they hadn't promised to cease in order to obtain statehood. But, I digress....

Wicca is more about bringing out your individual spirituality, and connecting to the divine within yourself. Everyone on this earth has the ability to make change, and Wicca is a process of bringing out those energies to promote good, healthy changes without bringing harm to others. I call myself a Wiccan, because I practice the religion. Someone who calls themselves a witch may only be practicing and developing skills in spellwork and bringing about changes using ritual. They may not necessarily be Wiccan. And Wiccans don't necessarily call themselves witches unless they practice spellwork to effect change. Some just practice the religion, the meditation, the inner spirituality rituals and be done with that. It can be confusing at times, so all I can advise is read, read and then read some more. Becoming Wiccan does not happen in the blink of an eye. And, unlike being Mormon, if you decide to move on to something else, you don't have to apologize to anyone, or write a resignation letter, or sweat out what your family will think. You just move on to whatever suits your personal spiritual needs and desires.

I laugh about people assuming I'm in a cult because I say I'm Wiccan, when the real truth is I left a cult (Mormonism) and found Wicca all on my own, and practice it alone with no coven, no authorities to revere and no 'dues' to pay each week. I'm more free now to be myself than I ever was being LDS, and I wouldn't give up this freedom to change my point of view whenever I like, rather than being constantly chastised for exploring new ideas and "thinking too much".


* Morg---A combination of the words Mormon and Borg
**TBM---True Believing Mormon

How to Charge Crystals

When you start working with crystals, you also need to think about their care. As you use your crystals regularly, you'll build up a personal link with them, attuning them to your body's unique energies. You can also charge them up from other sources of magical energy, such as the Moon. As you use the gems, the energies they've built up will be dispersed. You'll need to recharge them from time to time to keep them working at optimum levels.

Drawing energy to you

Regular charging will ensure your crystal acts most effectively as a magnet to positive and healing energies. Recharging your stones regularly keeps them working effectively and also keeps the energies they affect focused on you.

Once your crystals have been charged to your specific energy signature, it's best not to let anyone else touch them, as they will work most efficiently for you alone.

When to charge crystals

You should charge your crystals during the waxing Moon, between the new and full moons when natural energies are growing with the increasing moonlight.
Prior to charging your crystal, carry it in your pocket to strengthen the link between the stone and your body's own magical energies.

Follow the simple steps below to charge your crystals with the magic of the Moon:

You will need

* A joss stick (the smoke represents the element air)
* A red candle (which represents fire)
* A small bowl of water (a shell makes an excellent container)
* A small bowl of soil (try to use an earthenware or wooden container)
* A bottle of an appropriate essential oil, such as frankincense or sandalwood

Place the bottle of oil in the middle of the items representing the elements with the bowl of earth above (north), the joss stick to the right (east), the candle below (south), and the bowl of water to the left (west) of the oil. This arrangement of the elements has magical associations of its own and will strengthen the spell.


1. Begin your ritual
Light your joss stick and candle. The joss stick's smoke represents the element of air; the candle's flame represents fire. (Light the candle first, then light the joss stick from the flame)


2. Charge with Air
Pass your crystal through the joss smoke, saying, " I charge you with the powers of the winds of air." Then simply blow the smoke all over the crystal.

3.Charge with Fire
Next, pass your crystal over the candle flame, saying, " I charge you with the power of the flames of fire." Visualize fire energy rising into your crystal.

4. Charge with Water
Sprinkle water over your crystal, saying, "I charge you with the power of the waves of water." Visualize the energies of rain and ocean spray in the drops of water.

5. Charge with Earth
Put your crystal in the bowl of earth, saying, " I charge you with the power of earth, from whence you came." Imagine the crystal absorbing the earth's energy.

6. Anoint your crystal
Now, anoint your crystal with oil, saying, "I charge you with the power of the spirit of life, harmony and truth." Visualize energy passing through you into the crystal.


7. Storing your crystal
Your crystal is now charged. To prevent it from becoming contaminated with unwanted energy, keep it in a silk bag until you need to use it again.

Your crystal will need to be cleansed regularly and should be recharged after every cleansing.

The Magic of Amethyst

Amethyst, the birthstone of Aquarius, is an extremely versatile crystal for use around the home, in jewelry or in crystal or in healing and meditation. It stimulates all the energy centers of your body, your mind and your spirit. You can channel amethyst's power by carrying a small crystal in your pocket. Holding your crystal while you meditate enhances your mental clarity and improves your intuition and open-mindedness.

The Spiritualist's Stone

Amethyst's magical qualities have been valued for centuries. It is mentioned in the Bible, and is today mounted in the Fisherman's Ring worn by the Pope. Spiritualists believe that the stone enables you to bring the divine into more mundane parts of your life, helping your soul to feel grounded and comfortable in your physical body.

Ancient Powers of Amethyst

Amethyst has been used since biblical times. It is mentioned in Exodus as one of the 12 sacred stones worn on the High Priest Aaron's breastplate.

*Protective powers

Ambassadors in Ancient Egypt carried amethyst scarabs (small carvings of beetles) with them when traveling abroad. They believed the scarabs could see through illusions and protect them from treachery. Ancient Persians believed that amethyst had the power to keep away hail and locusts.

*Seeing the future

In crystal fortune-telling, amethyst foretells a change or transition, or suggests that such a change is the answer to a problem.

Using Your Amethyst

Amethyst is the perfect all-purpose crystal. You can use it during meditation, to protect your home or even carry it with you during a night on the town.

*Prevent Drunkeness*

Amethyst comes from the Greek 'amethystos,' meaning "not drunken". In Greek myth, Amethyst was a pure young girl who refused to get drunk, thus incurring the wrath of Dionysus, the god of joviality. To protect here from his wrath, the goddess Diana turned her into quartz. Dionysus later regretted his actions and knocked over his wine goblet in despair, staining the quartz purple.

The Ancient Greeks believed that amethyst therefore offered protection from the effects of overindulgence in alcohol--allowing you to drink without becoming intoxicated--and also from falling victim to addiction. They often drank fro amethyst goblets, or dropped an amethyst into their wine glass for protection.

Carry your amethyst in your pocket during a night on the town to protect you from drinking too much! You'll need to carry it with you for two weeks beforehand, however, to attune it to your personal energies.

Heighten your Psychic Awareness and Intuition

Like all purple stones, amethyst is linked to your body's energy centers at the pituitary and pineal glands, located in the center of your forehead (known as the sixth, or "Third-Eye" Chakra). This is the area that controls your higher intuition and spiritual awareness.

Placing an amethyst on your brow stimulates your pineal gland. Some traditions hold that this gland is the place where the soul enters and leaves the body. Stimulating it enables you to see through such lies and illusions as nightmares, groundless depression and the false happiness of addiction.

Your Third-Eye Chakra regulates the energy flow throughout your body, stimulating it helps to rebalance extremes, setting your moods and enhancing your general well-being. Hold your amethyst over your Third-Eye Chakra, or massage the area lightly with your stone, to heighten your spiritual receptivity and open your mind to new ideas and experiences.

Amethyst promotes spiritual development and aids divine connections and mental clarity. It encourages bravery and wisdom, and helps to initiate astral travel. Hold your amethyst loosely during meditation to improve divine connections.

Wear amethyst in a pendant on a short chain to benefit from its stimulating effects all day long.

Enhance Healing

Amethyst is good for easing problems in the head area, such as migraines and depression. Ametrine, a natural mix of amethyst and the gold stone citrine, will help with stomach problems.

Amethyst is a good all-purpose healing stone, especially useful when you aren't sure of the cause of the problem. You can enhance your crystal's healing properties by rubbing it with lavender oil, which also stimulates the Third-Eye Chakra.

On your bedside table or under your pillow, amethyst's soothing qualities will ease your worries and help you sleep.

Gently rub your forehead with an amethyst to banish tension headaches. Start with small circular movements in the center of the temple and gradually work your way outward.