One final down (organic chemistry lab) and most of my lab report is done.  The professor gave us two more days to work on the report, which is good because I was doing something backwards according to one of my classmates and need to rework my conclusion.

I still have a project and final in forensic chemistry (tomorrow evening) then the lecture final for organic chemistry along with the lab report being due.

I am reading all the comments, even if I am not participating right now, and will get back into the swing of posting regularly after finals are finally over.  Maybe that is why they are called “finals”?  Because after it is over and done, all you have the mental energy left to do it sigh with relief and say “FINALLY!”  Just my stressed observation LOL

Posted on April 28th, 2008 by Darwin
Filed under: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Way back in the day (namely called the “dark ages”) religious leaders feared the rise of science, believing it would lure people away from their faith.  That struggle still goes on in various places (Kansas the most well-known) and the question is often asked of religous scientists how they reconcile their faith with their scientific training.

I won’t answer for any other religion, but I don’t see any conflict between Wicca and science.  I am currently a chemistry major, and have been taught about molecules, atoms, protons, electrons, nuetrons and chemical bonds.  This is all taught as scientific fact, but here’s the catch: no one has been able to see an electron.  No one has seen an individual atom.  No one has seen an individual molecule, not even a large biochain.

The irony here is chemistry is a science, while magick is often labelled “superstition.”  We are taught to believe that molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles exist and behave a certain way.  Not much different from Wicca: we are taught that the energies and spells exist and work in a certain way.  We can’t see the energies and forces that work in our lives, yet we are certain they are there and they follow certain behaviors.

There are things science can’t explain yet.  That doesn’t invalidate science … we simply say we don’t have the technology or theories to explain those things yet.  There are things Wicca can’t explain (Kyle has brought up Hitler in the comments of this post) but just as for science, perhaps we just don’t have the ability to explain yet.  That doesn’t invalidate Wicca any more than it would invalidate science.

Ultimately, it’s called “belief” and “faith” for a reason.  If you prefer to believe in electrons rather than the gods that is certainly your choice and you are free to make it.  I just don’t think anyone who believes in electrons can rightfully criticize someone who believes in deity, as some are wont to do.  A couple other scientific Wiccans who blog are TheWiccanScientist and Witches and Scientists.

Posted on April 24th, 2008 by Darwin
Filed under: philosophy | 9 Comments »

Shanti at Seeking Serenity has thrown out a few questions for debate, and one is: Do christian fundamentalist have the right to demand a apology from Bill Maher, or is that censorship of his freedom of speech?  Apparently Bill Maher (whose show used to be called “Politically INcorrect”) has stepped on quite a few toes the other week, and a bunch of folks believe he owes them an apology.

First: does anyone have the right to demand an apology without abridging someone else’s freedom of speech?  Absolutely!  Until you cross the line of libel/slander, inciting riots, and death threats, you can pretty much express your opinions to your heart’s content.  We Wiccans (especially we MILITARY Wiccans) demanded an apology from Bob Barr back in 1999 and we still demand an apology from him.  We also demanded an apology from then-Governor and presidential candidate George W. Bush in 2000 for agreeing with Bob Barr’s 1999 statements and actions.

Did we in any way censor or abridge either man’s freedom of speech?  Not at all!  In fact they have spent the last 8-9 years continuing to offend and insult us without impediment.  I’m sure someone demanding an apology from Bill Maher will have the same effect.

Back to Bill Maher: can Catholics and Christian fundamentalists demand an apology from him?  Sure, they can demand all they want … they’ll probably have as much success as we Wiccans have had (which has been NONE).  But it is still their First Amendment right (Freedom of Speech) to demand that apology, whether they are successful or not.

Posted on April 23rd, 2008 by Darwin
Filed under: politics | 1 Comment »

The full moon has passed, and now we are into the waning phases.  First waning phase after the full moon is often called the disseminating moon or the waning gibbous moon.

The disseminating moon lasts from 3.5 to 7 days after the exact full (17.5 to 21 days after the new moon) and rises during mid-evening (after nightfall in most seasons) and sets around mid-morning.

Disseminating moon energy is good for:

• making decisions
• protection spells
• working on removing stress and negative emotions from your life

As you can see, the energies of the waning moon phases are for pushing things OUT from you, and keeping undesired things out of yourself and your surroundings.  The more the moon wanes, the stronger the “push” gets (more in following waning phases).

Posted on April 22nd, 2008 by Darwin
Filed under: Spell casting | No Comments »

Come on, how many times have you heard that as a Wiccan (or Pagan) that you are going to Hell?  How many times have I heard this?  Just how are we Wiccans supposed to respond to that statement anyway?

We could be nice: “Thank you for your concern.”

We could be honest: “I don’t believe in Hell.  I believe in reincarnation, the ultimate in recycling.”

We could be sardonic: “So I’ll see you at the welcoming Hell-warming party when I get there!”

We could engage in a theological discussion: “What kind of ‘loving’ god would create a place like Hell?”  Warning - this one could lead to a very long discussion on the nature of Deity and humans’ place in the grand scheme of things.  Choose your debate opponent on this one very carefully.  On the flip side, this response usually brings about some very interesting discussions!

This judgement becomes painful when it is heard from the lips of a close friend or family member.  My own mother has told me I am going to Hell because of my religious beliefs.  Then she usually starts crying for me.  It’s a very uncomfortable situation, and no response I can think of will sooth the pain of her certainty that my soul is now damned.

So just how do you as a Wiccan or Pagan respond when someone tells you that you are going to Hell because of your beliefs?  Especially when it’s a family member or close friend?

Posted on April 21st, 2008 by Darwin
Filed under: Uncategorized | 11 Comments »