Is a Full Moon Esbat Ritual Really Necessary?

[A Sentimental Heart]

Morgandria

No worries. Which Goddess in particular are you speaking of?

And alone - as in, singular. One individual. Wicca is a coven-based practice. Even a properly initiated member of a Wiccan coven can't practice Wicca alone - they need to be with the group to properly practice the rites.

I haven't been able to catch her name yet, but the only time I ever encountered her visually she seemed like an odd combination of an Egyptian version of Nyx and Gaia put together.

I'm quite worried now; I've never performed a ( Esbat or personal ) ritual with anyone else. Certainly I'll look into it now, aha.  

[Morgandria]

TheBelikov

Morgandria

No worries. Which Goddess in particular are you speaking of?

And alone - as in, singular. One individual. Wicca is a coven-based practice. Even a properly initiated member of a Wiccan coven can't practice Wicca alone - they need to be with the group to properly practice the rites.

I haven't been able to catch her name yet, but the only time I ever encountered her visually she seemed like an odd combination of an Egyptian version of Nyx and Gaia put together.

I'm quite worried now; I've never performed a ( Esbat or personal ) ritual with anyone else. Certainly I'll look into it now, aha.

Why should it concern you? You honour a goddess who is not the Wiccan Lady, and you aren't an initiate of a tradition or a coven - all that means is you're an eclectic solitary neo-pagan witch, not that your rites are invalid. As long as you understand and recognize that what you do can't honestly be called Wicca, it's all good. smile

There's nothing wrong in being a neo-pagan witch. That's where I started, and that's where I still am, even though I am also a Wiccan initiate. I can and do work alone - and at those times I'm not practicing Wicca.  

[A Sentimental Heart]

Morgandria

Why should it concern you? You honour a goddess who is not the Wiccan Lady, and you aren't an initiate of a tradition or a coven - all that means is you're an eclectic solitary neo-pagan witch, not that your rites are invalid. As long as you understand and recognize that what you do can't honestly be called Wicca, it's all good. smile

There's nothing wrong in being a neo-pagan witch. That's where I started, and that's where I still am, even though I am also a Wiccan initiate. I can and do work alone - and at those times I'm not practicing Wicca.

Ah, the clarification is very, very much appreciated! All the names of who's called what have been very confusing to say the least. Thank you =).  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

I follow a goddess whose name I'm ignorant of myself. I've had some inklings, but it's like trying to hear something underwater. *shrug* Maybe I'll earn it one day or perhaps I'll never know it, but I'm certain she has one. At least one. Maybe hundreds.  

[ncsweet]

Sanguina Cruenta

I follow a goddess whose name I'm ignorant of myself. I've had some inklings, but it's like trying to hear something underwater. *shrug* Maybe I'll earn it one day or perhaps I'll never know it, but I'm certain she has one. At least one. Maybe hundreds.

This is where I am as well...I've felt called to her for years, but as of yet her actual name has not been revealed. Hopefully one day she will deem me worthy of the knowledge.  

[Arcaniss Vivian]

I don't think that it's absolutely necessary, but it's better if you do. Who does'nt want to honor the moon cycles anyway? They help us stay intuned with Mother Earth.  

[Morgandria]

Arcaniss Vivian

I don't think that it's absolutely necessary, but it's better if you do. Who does'nt want to honor the moon cycles anyway? They help us stay intuned with Mother Earth.

Not all systems follow or honour a lunar cycle or lunar calendar. Nor are all pagan faiths 'earth-based'. For some an Esbat may be competely irrelevant, and perhaps inappropriate.  

[Arcaniss Vivian]

Morgandria

Arcaniss Vivian

I don't think that it's absolutely necessary, but it's better if you do. Who does'nt want to honor the moon cycles anyway? They help us stay intuned with Mother Earth.

Not all systems follow or honour a lunar cycle or lunar calendar. Nor are all pagan faiths 'earth-based'. For some an Esbat may be competely irrelevant, and perhaps inappropriate.

Define "systems". I'm off in my own little systematic world if we're talking about Neo-Paganism or Wicca.....lol. ^^  

[Morgandria]

Arcaniss Vivian

Morgandria

Not all systems follow or honour a lunar cycle or lunar calendar. Nor are all pagan faiths 'earth-based'. For some an Esbat may be competely irrelevant, and perhaps inappropriate.

Define "systems". I'm off in my own little systematic world if we're talking about Neo-Paganism or Wicca.....lol. ^^

Systems - the specific methods or calendars used by a specific path.

If we're talking Wicca, you are indeed separate from that system, not being of the Wica. smile

If we're talking about neo-paganism in general, my point still stands. Your particular individual path may involve Esbats, but other Neo-pagan religions may not involve the lunar calendar, feel that the Moon or the Earth themselves are part of a feminine Deity concept, or have any need to honour celestial bodies at all.  

[Arcaniss Vivian]

Morgandria

Arcaniss Vivian

Morgandria

Not all systems follow or honour a lunar cycle or lunar calendar. Nor are all pagan faiths 'earth-based'. For some an Esbat may be competely irrelevant, and perhaps inappropriate.

Define "systems". I'm off in my own little systematic world if we're talking about Neo-Paganism or Wicca.....lol. ^^

Systems - the specific methods or calendars used by a specific path.

If we're talking Wicca, you are indeed separate from that system, not being of the Wica. >: (

If we're talking about neo-paganism in general, my point still stands. Your particular individual path may involve Esbats, but other Neo-pagan religions may not involve the lunar calendar, feel that the Moon or the Earth themselves are part of a feminine Deity concept, or have any need to honour celestial bodies at all.

I get lost when attempting to use a lunar calendar, so that will take some time. I'm entirely unclear on any feminine Deity concept and by honoring Mother Earth, what I meant was simply being thankful for the Earth. I was not actually referring to any "Earth-based deities". I apologise for my atrocious grammer and spelling, for I have caused misjudgement. I'm in this guild for tutoring as you can see that my knowledge is lacking severely.  

[Orchidsandfractals]

I always thought that the Sabbats were to honor the Goddess, and the God. Beltaine is for the God, Isomblek(Not prononucning it right, but the one in Feb.) is to honor the Goddess, Samhain is to honor the God, and the other one, Lugohasa is to honor the Goddess. However, I'm not a Wiccan, and this is based off what my neopagan raising told me?  

[kage no neko]

Arcaniss Vivian

I don't think that it's absolutely necessary, but it's better if you do. Who does'nt want to honor the moon cycles anyway? They help us stay intuned with Mother Earth.

Although I also enjoy the moon, I don't see how the moon cycles are related at all to earth. The moon's cycle is completely separate from the earth's cycles to me. So could you please explain how you feel they're connected?  

[GoddessAttuned]

I personally don't think it should be necessary to always celebrate the esbats and the lunar-cycle. But if you like and wish to, then go for it. I choose to out of my odd attraction to the moons cycles and its worship. I know not everyone celebrates it but, it surely shouldn't be done if it is only thought to be necessary and not because the practitioner chooses to.
I mean, where is the passion and happiness in celebrationg the moon-cycles if it is only considered manditory?
o.O
But thats just one pagans thought on it.

 

[Raissa Firehawk]

Its all up to you, whatever you feel comfortable with =) Don't feel pressured to do something just because a magazine says you should.  

[Arcaniss Vivian]

kage no neko

Arcaniss Vivian

I don't think that it's absolutely necessary, but it's better if you do. Who does'nt want to honor the moon cycles anyway? They help us stay intuned with Mother Earth.

Although I also enjoy the moon, I don't see how the moon cycles are related at all to earth. The moon's cycle is completely separate from the earth's cycles to me. So could you please explain how you feel they're connected?

Don't take my word as any type of "set in stone", but I consider the moon connected to Earth because the moon causes lunar changes that effect life on Earth whether we notice it or not. They're interrelated in the cycles of life in general. As I'm part of the cycle I choose to honor the Moon's effects on me. smile