Pagan/Wiccan Religion/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer most basic questions with respect to eclectic Wiccan theory and practice, history, ideology, etc. I am not willing to provide spell information or spellwork ideas to anyone, and will not provide divinatory services (ie tarot etc) in this forum. I will answer questions about Wicca and Paganism in general, but not with respect to my personal tradition. While I am a social worker, I will not and cannot provide personal counseling as this goes against my ethical and professional boundaries. I am also pleased to answer questions about women-centered spirituality and history to the extent that I am able.

Experience in the area

I have been a practicing Wiccan for over ten years. I was first Initiated at Ostara 2002 by the now dissolved group Circle of the Goddess (COTG) to First Degree. I consequently ran a study grove and have taught several students.I am currently a Second Degree Priestess, Third Degree Dedicant in the Sacred Mists Tradition. I'm a legal marriage commissioner for my province. I am also a member of the Sisterhood of Avalon (SOA) and joined at Calan Gaef 2007. I have experience with respect to : Tarot, Dreamcrafting, Ritual structure, teaching, mentoring, rites of passage. I am also a Reiki practicioner. I am working on my Reiki Master level at the present ( 2008) time and have been attuned to Reiki levels one and two already.

Organizations

-Sacred Mists Tradition/College of the Sacred Mists -Usui Reiki (level two, working on Master's) -Sisterhood of Avalon

Education/Credentials

I hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW 05) and am a registered social worker. Prior to this I had two years undergraduate work in Women's Studies (honours) at the Univeristy level. I am currently a student at the College of the Sacred Mists, where I am a Second Degree Priestess and Third Degree Dedicant. I am also enrolled in Sacred Reiki,Herbalist, and Historical Paganism courses at the Sacred Mists, and am a Mentor for new students. I assist to co-facilitate some message boards on this site, and am a member of their Leadership team.

What do you like about this subject?

I find that the Wiccan path is constantly evolving and changing, and that it is a path that truly grows with the practicioner and can be fit to almost any lifestyle. I am passionate about the Goddess and bringing back "Herstory" to be told.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I am currently working on the entrance requirements for the Third Degree in my tradition :). I think we never stop learning on this path!!

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

While it may draw inspiration from shamanism and Goddess worship of old, Wicca in itself has only been recently been structured in its current inception..it was brought to the forefront by Gerald Gardner of England, who began the Gardnerian line in the 1950's.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Wicca is unique in that it does not have one central authority which determines what is "right" or "wrong". Wicca leaves a great deal up to the practicioner and our understanding of Wicca, however some general principles, such as the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold law, make Wicca unique among other Pagan paths and are generally accepted as core beliefs within our religion.