Copper Moon E-zine

Learning Magick

by Rose Tigerlilly

Everywhere in the world, people overplay the role of witches, from times back to the Salem Witch Trials to modern books such as the Night World series. I believe that the Wiccan religion should be just like every other religion: respected and tolerant to the other kinds of religions. I myself am part Wiccan and part Christian, which I like to call "Wistian." I also believe it is safe to have multiple religions. It's hard for me to just stick to one because they're all so interesting!

Wicca is such an interesting religion, by far the most interesting religion I have read or learned about in my life. I have read about Buddhism, Judaism, and the Christian faith (mostly because I was born Christian), but the Wiccan religion is obviously different in many ways. Just reading Gwinevere's book, "SpellCraft for Teens", opened my eyes to this wonderful religion. Although it is such a great one, it is difficult to learn all about as well. There are so many different customs and celebrations, I can't figure out how to fit them all in my schedule!

Teens Breeding Love

By Melissa Fae

Time passes. It flows, like water, and slips through our fingers. We find ourselves looking down and staring at our hands, wondering where it went. Where did the young years go, when you were at knee height? When 'challenging other's belief systems' meant telling them you said 'Bloody Mary' in the school bathroom mirror and nothing appeared. When, no matter what religion you belonged to, you could talk, if only to complain about having to sit through some sort of worship.

It's almost funny, how the look of shock on their faces mirrors what happens to certain people when I tell them I'm a Witch. Actually, I used to say Wiccan, but they never understood what I meant, and explaining over and over gets tedious. I have a friend or two who says “Wiccan, ” and just doesn't explain what the term means. Partially obscured in the broom closet, while I am most decidedly... not.

I am proud of my religion. I have no qualms about that initial horror. Time always passes, and the times have changed. It is my constitutional right to be clear about my religion, wear that pentacle on my neck, and say “Goddess” instead of “God.” We are living in a country where we can do this freely, and although I respect the decisions of all broom closeted Witches, I would feel like a personal failure if I didn't parade proudly through my school halls.

The Plight of Wiccans in the Military

by Lorelle 

In 1999, Governor George W. Bush was asked on ABC America what he felt about Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., submitting a statement decrying Wicca, a nature-based faith, as irreligious and saying it should not be accommodated by the military,

"I do not dispute that individuals may believe what they wish, and they can practice their religion in private life," Thurmond told the committee. "However, limits can and should be placed on the exercise of those views, especially in the military. I do not believe that the Armed Forces should accommodate the practice of witchcraft at military facilities. The same applies to the practices of other groups such as Satanists and cultists. For the sake of the honor and prestige of our military, there should be no obligation to permit such activity. This is an example of going too far to accommodate the practice of one's views in the name of religion."

In reply, George W. Bush said that, " I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision [to recognize Wicca]."

Later he was asked whether he agreed with the recent U.S. House of Representatives' vote that said states have the constitutional power to place the Ten Commandments in public buildings, including public schools. "He said that he had no problem with the religious codes being placed in every public building."

Since then, Wicca has been recognized as a "non-traditional" faith in the U.S. army. 

Family Advice for the Young Witch

by Raven Digitalis

I was lucky enough to be born into a family that, for the most part (save the whole “queer” thing), accepts me for my “weirdness” and even encourages personal growth via unconventional means. For this I can never give enough thanks and gratitude. I understand that not everyone is so lucky as to be born into a situation of acceptance and this is a very, very difficult predicament to find oneself in.

More often than not, parents have their kids’ best interest at heart, even if they don’t seem to be expressing it properly. Neither you nor your family is right or wrong in every given situation. They, too, are but human and have their own shortcomings. As young adults, we must understand that we may not always have a clear picture of the bits and details surrounding parental relationships. Our views are subjective and full of emotions, which may or may not be founded in reality. If you feel persecuted or targeted in your own home (and I’m not talking about physical abuse, sexual abuse, or humiliation), know that this feeling will change with time and you will better be able to determine your boundaries and limits in the future. At the same time, your parents may have preconceived notions about what you are researching, and the paths you find yourself drawn toward. Within every family structure there unavoidably lies some amount of misunderstanding and this must be worked through.

By Hammer, By Spear : About the Asatru Path

by Ryan Smith

Asatru, the faith of the Norse and Germanic Gods, is more than just a belief system, it is a way of life. There are many things that can define what we believe; the Eddas, the Nine Noble Virtues, the writings of many great Asatru thinkers. These are excellent places to start for studying Asatru. What is most important to remember is Asatru is not something done just on the Holy Days and at blots. To be Asatruar is more than just the blots, the jewelry, the runes, and the sagas. It is a conscious way of living that permeates everything we do. Being Asatruar is not just to hold a set of beliefs as the guiding light we follow; it is to fully embrace a new perspective on life.

To be Asatruar is to live life fully and honorably. It is to welcome that life is not a trial to be endured, a lesson to be learned, or a burden to be carried but an adventure that only ends with our last breath. It is knowing that a good life is not just about the affirmations we think, the statements we make, and the beliefs we hold. It is living by the deeds we do and the actions we perform. It is to chart your life by the highest star and strive to always do the best you can and settle for nothing less. It is to not see obstacles as barriers that impede us but as challenges to be overcome. It is to laugh loudly, speak honestly, and give generously.

A Good Teacher, From a Student’s Perspective

by Ryan Smith

A major concern among young Pagans I’ve seen, and experienced myself, is of finding a good teacher to help guide them on their path. As I have found the fun part is finding a teacher who both knows what they are doing 
and are genuinely in it for the sake of passing on knowledge to the next generation. There can be a lot of trial and error in finding someone who is right for you. Without a clear idea of what to look for this process can lead the intent seeker into a lot of blind alleys or to people who are a bit unscrupulous. For those who have the good fortune to be learning at the feet of someone who only needs to introduce themselves by name and everyone knows who they are get everything you possibly can out of it! For those who do not have that good fortune I’d just like to share some of my opinions based on my experience on what I think makes for a good teacher and what doesn’t so that hopefully you can avoid some serious pitfalls that can emerge on the path.

First we’ll start with something that may surprise a lot of people and sound superficial. How does the prospective teacher present themselves? This probably sounds very superficial to even consider this but there is a degree of truth that first impressions do matter, both how you appear on other people and how other people come across to you. How someone behaves can tell you a lot about the person. 

Creating Altar Tools for the Young Wiccan on a Budget

by Gwinevere Rain

The average teen has to juggle school stuff, friendship drama, dating dilemmas and a host of parental issues. So adding yet another complication to an already heaping pile can be interesting. This is why being a teen Wiccan on a budget can be super stressful. The good news is that there are ways to overcome broke-witch-syndrome. There are a few key factors to being crafty: know where and when to shop, make things yourself, and see value in everyday items.

Flying with the Sylphs

by Kamrusepas

Sylphs are my favorite elementals to work with. Not only are they all around us but to me they are living things as tangible and alive as a tree or our rabbit.

I have been working with sylphs for the past five years, four of those five before I became a Wiccan. The first time I encountered sylphs properly was in my back garden. To me sylphs are more than just the guardians you call upon when casting a circle. They can offer clarity- who better to help you think through a problem than someone who rides the wind? – And new perspectives. They can help renew the child in us, encouraging us to play about in the breeze. Ever felt like going wherever the wind takes you? Perhaps a sylph is trying to tell you something. Sylphs can be seen in the clouds on most days. Does that one look like a person? It could be a sylph. They are always there. Do you ever have the feeling that the wind is listening? That could be a sylph.

A Basic Introduction to Talismanic Magic

By Daniel

The creation and application of talismans is a vital part of the magical art, which this article aims to examine at a level suitable for the novice, or those with a limited knowledge of such things.

A talisman can be well defined as a material object that holds an inward spiritual or occult power, with the aim of conveying this essence upon the creator to aid in personal transformation. In a more basic summary it can be seen as a spiritual storage battery.

Greeting the New Year: Our Family Year-End Ritual

By Imzadi

My grandmother held the superstition that if you woke up on New Year’s Day and your house was dirty (dusty, cluttered, or otherwise messy in any way), it would remain so for the rest of the year. That day, that one day determined her domestic outlook. So from the time the last gift was given on Christmas Eve, till minutes before the ball dropped signaling the new year, the family would be in my grandmother’s employ. Each of us would take to an area of the house and tackle a massive chore list to ensure that the house would sparkle. Over the years, I’ve reshaped it into a ritual of change and renewal.

The goal of this ritual, this time of new beginnings, is to give you a clean slate for the new year. Think of this as a cleaning (on all levels) of your primary environment. You are physically and energetically clearing the place you spend most of your time. The place where you live, eat, and recuperate. This cleaning can be incredibly simplistic (I’m someone who loves to keep it simple), or fully expanded upon using your own knowledge of tools and correspondences.