Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

[MaskedOne]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

I do know that some groups utilize the great rite under the pretense of using the athame and chalice as the symbolic male and female vice having an actual priest & priestess perform the rite. But like Maskedone said there are more ways and more practitioners than one can shake a stick at and say this or that is or is not Wicca.

I'm aware of the symbolic version but don't they still have two participants? One holding the chalice and the other using the Athame. Is there an existing work-around to that?

[monsno_leedra]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

I do know that some groups utilize the great rite under the pretense of using the athame and chalice as the symbolic male and female vice having an actual priest & priestess perform the rite. But like Maskedone said there are more ways and more practitioners than one can shake a stick at and say this or that is or is not Wicca.

[Serria]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

Ok. Personally, I just don't like the idea of a high priest and/or priestess. I don't like the idea of someone being more important or above anybody else.

again, that's just my opinion.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/glossary/g/Great_Rite.htm

The above is a safe for work description of what the Great Rite is Serria. As a Solitary, you won't be performing any variation of it that I'm aware of so meeting the requirements to is sort of a moot point. Even the symbolic version is a two person deal.

[Hawkfeathers]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

Well, there are wrong ways/charlatans/users in any religion/group, etc. There are people who claim to be part of a great coven who are just trying to cop a free feel under a full moon. You have to look for sincerity within any group you're considering.

[Serria]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

I'd like to hear your opinions if you're more comfortable PMing them.

Im just getting so annoyed with this person because they've just turned into a jerk. You'd think that for someone who hates religions that press their beliefs on others, this person wouldn't go for the whole "You're not a real Wiccan because you don't do the same things that I do" BS.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

I agree with the others. There is no wrong way! You create your own path.

Oh there are plenty of wrong ways. They tend to be identifiable by virtue of not being beneficial to the person on them. That doesn't seem to be the case here so mostly unless one enjoys the "Will the Real Wiccan please step forward?" discussions, Serria's way might not fit a given sect of Wicca but there are a lot of sects claiming to be Wiccan.

That and well, the Traditional and I just shouldn't meet. If one is using the Great Rite as one's case for what a Solitary needs in their practice then either I'm seriously misinformed about what the Great Rite is or....

yah know I'm just gonna stop here. I really don't think spelling out the various or options on the public boards is beneficial.

[anubisa]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

I agree with the others. There is no wrong way! You create your own path.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

The Great Rite involves a partner (I'm pretty sure this rule applies regardless of if the carnal version of the rite is used). The fact that you're solitary probably gets in the way a whole lot more than lack of a specific God. Past that minor tidbit,

1) Wicca is not a unified faith. It has a number of sects and several of them disagree on almost everything. Dianics and Gardnerians are rather vehement in their disagreement on the importance of a God figure.

2) Does it matter? You have a path and a means of approaching Divinity. If they profit you then stick to them. If they don't then change them. The name of the path only particularly matters as a means of describing it to other people.

[Hawkfeathers]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

There are something like 30,000 denominations of Protestantism in the world, and some of those delight in telling others they're "doing it wrong", too! Don't let it bother you.

[Jembru]

Re: Apparently I'm not doing the 'right' 'rites'

We never addressed a specific deity during the great rite. The words we used spoke of only 'goddess' and 'god'. So I don't know the version this person is speaking of. You may need a specific deity for HER version of wicca, but as you've said, you're a solitary, so no.. you're not doing it wrong.

[Serria]

So, I came across a Wiccan who is of a very Traditional Path. Now, I don't have a problem with that, but I usually will try and stay away from them because they tend to not agree with my Solitary path. Now, one actually addressed me about the fact that I don't have a God right now because one simply hasn't called out to me. She mentioned the fact that I "need" to have a God in order to be Wiccan because I have to use the God in "the Great Rite" and then she listed off about 5 or 6 other "rites" that I need to perform in order for my practice to be considered Wiccan.

Now, I think this is stupid but I wanted to be polite so I tried to answer back as well as I could. What I wanted to say was "Look lady, I actually have a life and I'm pretty busy." But I didn't. I'm a full time student with a job and disabilities and illnesses that I have to take care of. I haven't had the time to explore my path and discover all these things or perform all of these rituals.

now, my question is, whether or not the fact that I A) don't have a god, or B) don't do many "Wiccan-y" things anymore is really such a terrible thing. I am Solitary and Eclectic so I don't really think all of these specific rules are that big of a deal. I do have to live my life and I'm pretty sure the Goddess understands that. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong.