Without Mysticwicks

[Mithrea]

With my presentation on Technopaganism this week, I've been thinking a lot about how Mysticwicks affects my practice. I know many of you don't consider yourself a "Technopagan." Even so, I was wondering if you might take a few minutes, imagine that Mysticwicks didn't exist and never has. How would your practice/path be different?

[Danustouch]

Hmmmmm...i'd certainly be more lonely, and have a MUCH larger phone bill :) But I would still do my rituals, and I would still do my research. The reason I come to Mysticwicks, is mostly to "talk" with people of like minds. To reach out, and connect with others. I could still do that if MW didn't exist..by calling my old friends, however, the phonebill would be outrageous.

Don't get me wrong. Even if I was surrounded by friends, here in Real Life, I'd still come to MW. Perhaps less frequently than usual, but, i'd be here none the less. Because I've made friends here. However, it probably wouldn't seem as much of a necessity for me to spend so much time here, because I'd have other people to talk to, as well.

Loneliness is a HUGE motivating factor in my life. I can't stand not having people to talk to.

I don't exactly see MW as my Coven, or something like that. It's more of a place I come to meet people, and talk. Yes, I've learned stuff from MW. But mostly stuff about other paths. It's really difficult to know, or to pinpoint how much MW has contributed to my spiritual path. I really can't quantify it. I wouldn't say it's been as "necessary" to my spiritual path, as it's been "necessary" to my spiritual health. If that makes sense. In other words, I've learned alot more through books, real life interactions, my own research on the web, IRL, etc. than I have at MW, about practices, methods, etc...HOWEVER.....if MW weren't around, I'd certainly feel a sense of isolation and loneliness that could make me so depressed that it would actually hold me back from progressing....

I really don't know. It's really difficult to quantify how much MW has meant to me. Spiritually. All I know, is that if MW weren't here, i'd be one LONELY girl :)

[Élistariel]

Life without Mystic Wicks? Surely you jest. :blushake:

[ReverendAJS]

Before I came to Mysticwicks I didn't much care how others viewed my prctice, but now I know that even though I practice as a solitary, there are parts of spirituality that benefit from contact with others.

Rev

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Without MysticWicks? Gosh! Things for me certainly would be different. I feel my spiritual growth would be extremely slow. Although I'd still have acess to books and the internet I just gain so much through interaction here. If it weren't for MW I just don't think I would have grown much at all.


Originally posted by Danustouch
I don't exactly see MW as my Coven, or something like that. It's more of a place I come to meet people, and talk.

Like Danus, I don't think of MW as a Coven, more of a circle. I'm thankful for this community as I don't have any RL contacts here. There is the store I visit about once a month but I don't swap much more than money there. She's always sooooooo busy. Thanks to Freyja posting this link, http://www.meetup.com/ , I am looking forward to meeting some folks in this area.

Even though I may never meet many (or any) of you face to face I still feel I have many friends here. Life without MW? Nope, can't imagine it.

[Nina]

Life without MW? *shudder*

I would still be a witch, but I wouldn't have come across different viewpoints and paths that have often shaped my research. For instance, I'm reading about heathenism right now because Freyja was talking in one thread about seidr magick.

I have read tarot cards for more people here than I do in person, which has definitely helped my practice. I come here to share, to learn, to occasionally give advice (for what it's worth) and when I feel lonely, I only have to switch on my pc to open a window to people who really seem to give a s**t about each other. Then I don't get lonely any more.

It's definitely been something that has shaped my spiritual practice, and I feel I have friends here, who have made me laugh, cry, smile, frown, sympathise, empathise all in equal measure with them.

Wow, this is a great place!

I hope your presentation goes well, Mith - let us know!!!

[Radocs]

My path/practice would be much different without MW, I'd just have less people to talk to. ^_^

[Flar's Freyja]

Since I live in an area where I can find living, breathing, pagans, I'm not sure that it would be much different when it comes to actually practicing - but since my pagan friends aren't conveniently available whenever I have time to talk, I would probably be discussing issues and opinions quite a bit less frequently.

I wonder if I would have grown as quickly in my practice, though. I'm thinking that by having so much available to me to learn about and think about, I may have progressed more quickly than I would have by just meeting with folks a few times per month.

[Old Witch]

If MW wasn't here I surely would be a lot more lonely, less tolerant of other paths, and probably not practicing as much as I am..................I found MW last year just when I needed it most.......... I wasn't feeling very well ( in fact, some thought I was dying).........and I was caring for my father too........But, I fooled everyone..........and I give some of the credit to MW!!.........No, I am not dying, although my heart is still hinky, but my lungs are actually better......And I am active as heck!! so I might not even be here if not for MW!!!!:D

[Amethyst Rose]

Such inspirational stories :)

In the beginning Mysticwicks really helped with my personal growth.... I really needed the interaction it provides. Now I need it more than I did then, because I am so completely isolated from the Pagan community out here. If I didn't have Mysticwicks, indeed any of my pagan lists, I'd be extremely lonely and probably a little disillusioned about everything.

[Haedis]

Well though I do visit other message boards this one has more members which equals more view points to learn from. Not to mention the atmosphere is very relaxed and I dont feel on edge due to rampant flaming.

Without Mysticwicks I'd have much more misinformation about other peoples paths since my studying before was more along the lines of "this book/site says X so it must be right". Now I have access to more opinions on anything I'm learning about so its much easier for me to draw my own conclusions. Also it keeps me informed about whats going on in the broader scope of the Pagan community which is something I probably wouldnt have looked into otherwise.

[Gwion]

I'm considered as Liberal as Timothy Leary

Here on Mystickwicks, relative to other members, you would think I was Rush Limbaugh. <shrug>

[Psyche Ague]

I don't think my path or way of thinking would be any different. But I've loved arguing about politics and stuff on here! I can't imagine living without such stimulating debate...at least not with other Pagans.

[flar7]

I would still be alone...............No Freyja.

[shnen]

*runs around screaming at the thought of no MW!!!!*
:eek::eek:

i wouldn't have met my wonderful MW family... so many I owe so much thanks to for the wonderful support... the group I can talk to about anything, and you understand and are somewhat patient with me :) I mean us.... We mean me.... ummm... ;)

[licorice whip]

i dont know how it would affect my path, considering ive only been here for awhile, but im sure i would have a lot more questions and be quite unsure of myself about some things.

its really nice to hear the opinions and suggestions of pagans who are more seasoned than you (especially considering the only other pagans i know are my age and have about the same experience level).

[Rubi Waters]

I shudder to think of life without MW!!!
My path and life in general would be much different. I have learned a lot from others here. i don't know any pagans anywhere else so before all my info was just from books.
Plus the fact that I've been slowly learning to open up to new Ideas. I'm usually a loner and don't talk much or join in anything, but here I've been doing that more than I ever have before. It helps when there are people who understand and listen (and not judge) :).
So yes my path has grown & taken shape more with MW then it would have without it.

[Sequoia]

a life without mystic wicks?! dear god, I do not wish to think of that!

(I would be really lonely and rather bored! :D )

[Kaylara]

God that's a depressing thought.

I wouldn't have met some people who have greatly influenced me, or some of the wonderful people I feel proud to call friends. I wouldn't get to see as many other outlooks on paganism and life, and I would think that every single message board had to be either fluffy, or completely obnoxious.

[Emaleth]

Without MW I don't know if I would be practicing today... I'd be stuck with a couple of books and the information from the Internet, but it's probable that without the motivation from real, practicing pagans, I'd give up the whole thing. And even if I didn't I'd surely be veeeey lonely, I'm quite isolated here in Poland and the pagans with who I have any contact are different from all of you. They like to look down at people who know less than them and aren't as tolerant and supportive as you guys:loveduv: .

Blessed Be

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by flar7
I would still be alone...............No Freyja.

How could I fail to mention that I'd have no Flar? :heartthro
I'd be without his laughter, poetry, paintings and general awesomeness.........

[BeachWitch]

While I am not a Wicks-Junkie, it certainly has an affect on my RL.

Without it, I would never have drummed up the courage to join a coven or even practice openly! I would most likely still be practicing quietly alone in secret, hiding my altars, pretending the candles are for decoration and the incense is just for fun.

So yes, MW did have a profound affect on my life in that it drew me out of the closet, from behind the monitor and into a RL situation where I am learning and connecting.

So.... uh..... THANKS!!

[Semele]

:wah:

Yeah yeah..you guys made me cry! But at least I got to tell you before Mol outted me!

I love this place...you guys always seem to come up with ways to make it all worth it. Anytime I have questions about the need for this board, something like this springs up

[mol]

Well, without MW I would...

1. Get some sleep
2. have more money
3. have lower blood pressure

[mol]

Oh ok.

I guess having all these friends all over the world makes it all worth while.

I guess the most important thing (aside from all of you) is that I can finally be comfortable with my Path...or lack thereof..

:D

[MagickHLHgurl]

DONT SCARE ME LIKE THAT! you acctually made me think about that....:eek: would not be a good thing...i think i would be in a mental institution! My RL friends hear about you guys all the time..in some ways some of you know more about me then they do!


geeze...still shaking thinking about life without this place!