Drugs!

[blueskies]

ok...since im new here i have HEAPS of questions! so my first one is, where does the Wiccan religion stand on drugs? this being from tabacco and alcohol to 'e' and acid......? if any one has any imput...wether it be about the history or todays witches...that would be great, thanx!
BB!

[Amethyst Rose]

I personally believe that the Wiccan rede means that you shouldn't harm yourself or others.... and seeing as how my background is Wiccan......

HOWEVER.... I also believe in moderation.... alcohol, in moderation, has been proven to be good for the heart.... however, I dont' think smoking or other drugs are good for you at all, (in moderation or not)..... so I'm strictly against them.

I hope that made sense.....

[Mariposa De La Luna]

It depends on the person how you should handle drugs. People who have genetic dispositions towards drugs/alcohol abuse should probably stay away completely because it could just take one time to get started.

In my case, I am not one of those people, everything in moderation except for truly dangerous drugs, heroin, crack, cigerettes etc. Studies say MJ is not addictive but I believe it can be to some. For me I lump it in with alcohol but I have never got stinking drunk before. i've seen my husband do it and I learn from his mistakes. He on the other hand doesn't learn the first time and does it about every year and a half to remind himself?!? Acid is too wierd for me!! I accedently got a hit once and absolutely HATED the loss of control. Never touched it again, never wanted to in the first place. "x" is supposed only harmful in large amounts taken everyday for prolonged periods. I couldn't do that if i wanted so it is lumped with alcohol which I can't drink everyday unless forced.

Those are just my views. I believe in "An it harm none" including yourself. Its a solid foundation until you can explore and develope your own morality/way of life.

[Earth Walker]

I don't use any drugs, including alcohol-the worst
of the lot. It has ruined more lives than the others
combined.:mad:


Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.:crazy:
---Isaac Asimov - Foundation

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by SAHM
"x" is supposed only harmful in large amounts taken everyday for prolonged periods.

Have you ever seen someone tripped out on x? It's like watching Johnny Depp do the character from "Leaving Las Vegas" ~ only a lot worse. :mad: Too, it's been found to cause serious memory loss in the person using it. :bad: So, I wouldn't say it's harmful in only large amounts ~ it's been known to kill people with the first hit; a club was shut down here recently because of that.

[blueskies]

im guessing that all your ideas are just personal views yes? so does that mean that each individual pagan has the right to decide...or create their own sort of "rules" about the issue? so there are no definate opinions about wether or not the religion is for it or against it! personally...i have had a very rough past....and i did get quite messed up with the wrong crowds...but since ive found wicca...it just all seems to make sense to me now....and i feel like everything is just falling into place finally....do you guys know what i mean?
***BB***

[Mairwen]

Yes, it's a personal choice. But I'll tell you this. Anybody shows up to my house for a Ritual or Study Meeting, or whatever, and is obviously drugged or drunk gets turned away at the door ~ and I'm sure there are other groups/Traditions/etc who follow this same policy.

[blueskies]

thanx....i dont mean to cause trouble or anything here....so i hope your not mad at the way im speaking about this topic! just let me know if i go to far or expose to much! i guess what im really trying to find is something that i can hold myself towards you know? im actually very proud of myself, since i havent touched anything for more than a year !!!!(except ciggerettes) cant seem to give those up ....yet! and since everything else seems to just click with me and the pagan religion i wanted to be faithful to the right path!

[Mariposa De La Luna]

Originally posted by Mairwen
Yes, it's a personal choice. But I'll tell you this. Anybody shows up to my house for a Ritual or Study Meeting, or whatever, and is obviously drugged or drunk gets turned away at the door ~ and I'm sure there are other groups/Traditions/etc who follow this same policy.

This is the policy with the groups I know of too. I don't think its appropriate for such activities.

You're not causing any trouble Blueskies. There is no such thing as a bad question. Yes these are our personal views.

Congrats :D on being drug free! I believe that bettering yourself is a large part of Paganism. This includes examinging what you believe about drugs and being honest with your past experiences. If they are not for you because you can't control yourself then the best thing to do is stay away from them. if you feel great without them don't go back! BTW, I don't use them to feel better.

For alot IMHO, when you start down the Pagan path it almost feels like something is waking up inside of you. For me alot of the "learning" feels alot more like remembering. Every circle, lesson, ritual seems to just give me more momentum and a very joyous feeling! :D I think that is a good indication you are on the right path and should follow your intuition.

[richardcranium]

Originally posted by Mairwen


Have you ever seen someone tripped out on x? It's like watching Johnny Depp do the character from "Leaving Las Vegas" ~ only a lot worse. :mad: Too, it's been found to cause serious memory loss in the person using it. :bad: So, I wouldn't say it's harmful in only large amounts ~ it's been known to kill people with the first hit; a club was shut down here recently because of that.

The movie you are talking about is "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". Might I add that this movie can only be understood if you are under a little influence.

[Mairwen]

What do you mean? Understood if you're under the influence. I think that's a load! I read the book as a teenager and saw the movie when it was made ~ and I wasn't under the influence of anything either time. :bad:

~ BTW, thanks for the name correction. I was in a hurry.:crazy:

[bluecat]

Mairwen was more right than she knows, she just had the wrong actor. Nicholas Cage played a self-destructive alcoholic who goes to Las Vegas and intends to drink himself to death. It's this characterization that I believe she meant, not Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which in itself was surreal, but did not portray the out of control intoxication that Nicholas Cage capture so well in Leaving Las Vegas .

A review:


Ben and the Bottle | Keith Simanton
Nicolas Cage plays Ben, an alcoholic who makes a kamikaze run to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. Elisabeth Shue is Sera, the prostitute who falls in love with him. Their uncompromising pact not to judge each other, or impinge on the other's lifestyle is part of what has made this a critics' darling. The studio billed this as a love story and it is that, but the relationship is with Ben and the bottle, not Ben and Sera.

Very difficult to watch in stretches and flawed by strange, isolated sequences of Shue addressing the camera, the drama stands on its grim integrity and the astonishing performances of the leads. Director Mike Figgis is in complete control of this material, and he draws remarkable work from his stars: Shue sets aside her good-girl image to play a deeply scarred woman; Cage was a well-deserved Oscar winner for Best Actor of 1995.

Blue :cool:

[bluecat]

Okay, I confess, I was a Morrison follower in the 60's & 70's, which means at that time I consumed quite a few things I now wish I had avioded.

I have not always been the best little Pagan on the block. When I was in the service I found myself drinking a lot to deal with the pressure of my job, but it was pretty widespread in my field. I usually had a small bottle of Scotch, Brandy, or something we could get in Germany called Rhine Diesel (I forget the real name of the stuff, but it was some kind of real killer schnapps, as I recall). I was never put into a rehab program, but a couple of my commanders along the way would assign me to the drug and alcohol training. In one place I was even made a part of a team we called Sex, Drugs, & Rock 'n' Roll . The name is pretty self explanatory.

Now I barely drink at all; maybe an occasional beer or glass of wine, but only with a meal. I haven't had a beer or a stout (Guinness drinker, I was/am) in over two months. I even have three bottles of Guinness in a very cold part of my refridgerator; leftovers of a Six Pack I bought in January of this year. I have not had any hard liquor in a long time.

I don't have a need or a desire to get high or drunk now and with recent events that are happening in my life I believe that it would not be good. I am finally finding peace and happiness. Between the fact that I have met someone who means a lot to me and my health issues I have finally discovered that the Universe can work with you, if you just allow it.

I honestly believe that I am a better Witch/Pagan for my choice to stay sober.

Blue :cool:

[Earth Walker]

Originally posted by bluecat
Okay, I confess, I was a Morrison follower in the 60's & 70's, which means at that time I consumed quite a few things I now wish I had avioded.

I have not always been the best little Pagan on the block. When I was in the service I found myself drinking a lot to deal with the pressure of my job, but it was pretty widespread in my field. I usually had a small bottle of Scotch, Brandy, or something we could get in Germany called Rhine Diesel (I forget the real name of the stuff, but it was some kind of real killer schnapps, as I recall). I was never put into a rehab program, but a couple of my commanders along the way would assign me to the drug and alcohol training. In one place I was even made a part of a team we called Sex, Drugs, & Rock 'n' Roll . The name is pretty self explanatory.

Now I barely drink at all; maybe an occasional beer or glass of wine, but only with a meal. I haven't had a beer or a stout (Guinness drinker, I was/am) in over two months. I even have three bottles of Guinness in a very cold part of my refridgerator; leftovers of a Six Pack I bought in January of this year. I have not had any hard liquor in a long time.

I don't have a need or a desire to get high or drunk now and with recent events that are happening in my life I believe that it would not be good. I am finally finding peace and happiness. Between the fact that I have met someone who means a lot to me and my health issues I have finally discovered that the Universe can work with you, if you just allow it.

I honestly believe that I am a better Witch/Pagan for my choice to stay sober.

Blue :cool:

Jim Morrison & The Doors?
I have been hunting high and low, and every place in-between
for their albums, but no success!


Why fear ye the Dark Queen, oh men?
She is your renewer.
--Dion Fortune

[bluecat]

Originally posted by Mystique


Jim Morrison & The Doors?
I have been hunting high and low, and every place in-between
for their albums, but no success!


Why fear ye the Dark Queen, oh men?
She is your renewer.
--Dion Fortune

Let's See, I have ... All on CD

Soft Parade
Morrison Hotel
Greatest Hits
The Movie SoundTrack
The DOORS
Best of The Doors (DBL)
Waiting For the Sun
Strange Days
An American Prayer
Absolutely Live

Blue :cool:

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by bluecat
Mairwen was more right than she knows, she just had the wrong actor. Nicholas Cage

Nay!! Nay!!

I really did mean the Johnny Depp movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. 8O 8O 8O

Am a big fan of both author and book ~ and Johnny Depp. :D Just trying to post late at night and in a rush got my brain muddled.

I still don't understand why one would need to see this film under the influence (or any for that matter) in order for it to make sense. Perhaps if a person read the book it would help to make more sense? :rolleyes:

[bluecat]

Originally posted by Mairwen


Nay!! Nay!!

I really did mean the Johnny Depp movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. 8O 8O 8O

Am a big fan of both author and book ~ and Johnny Depp. :D Just trying to post late at night and in a rush got my brain muddled.

I still don't understand why one would need to see this film under the influence (or any for that matter) in order for it to make sense. Perhaps if a person read the book it would help to make more sense? :rolleyes:

Ah ... Okey-Dokey! :D

Blue :cool:

[Alphyna]

Drugs.... Well, I think that tobacco is a sacred herb and should be treated with respect. I quit smoking 2 mths ago and am quite proud of that. It is a very difficult thing for most people, and I was blessed with the ease of it. I am pregnant and quit cold turkey! Yeah! As for alcohol, i believe that it is wrong (for me) and have a lot of issues with my (alcoholic) parents. But I do think that in moderation, it can be very beneficial. As for illegal narcotics, i think marijuana is fine, if not taken abusively. It does have wonderful medicinal qualities. Mushrooms are fine in extreme moderation. I find that they help take you to a new level of awareness each time I take them. I don't take them anymore, because i can reach those states naturally, but I think they are a wonderful helper. If not abused. As for processed drugs, I do not agree with them. If others do them, that is their issue. But in my family, we only aprove of natural drugs that are grown from the ground, organically. And only if they are used with respect, moderation, and for pure purposes. :o)
Blessings to All, Alphyna

[Mairwen]

Thank you for the wonderful viewpoint, Alphyna! And welcome to the boards!! :D8O

[Dria El]

Originally posted by Mairwen
Yes, it's a personal choice. But I'll tell you this. Anybody shows up to my house for a Ritual or Study Meeting, or whatever, and is obviously drugged or drunk gets turned away at the door ~ and I'm sure there are other groups/Traditions/etc who follow this same policy.

Ditto!

[DoktorSick]

the key is moderation.
And do what works for you.
And yes I do smoke the sticky green from
time to time.