Wicca Archives - Ponderings & Pathways

A rustic wooden table displays symbolic items of barter and money: a feathered dreamcatcher, a tarnished chalice, two brown eggs, three white pillar candles, and a twenty-dollar bill, arranged side by side to contrast traditional trade with modern currency.

Chickens, Chalices, and Cold Hard Cash

By Papa Onyx August 22, 2025Blog, Musings, Reflections, Trickster Wisdom

There’s a curious quirk in modern Paganism that always makes me grin. We’ll gladly accept a handwoven dreamcatcher for spell work.We’ll happily take a bottle of homemade mead for energy healing.We’ll even nod approvingly if someone mows our lawn…

Forgiveness Isn’t for Them

By Papa Onyx July 4, 2025Blog, Musings

Forgiveness isn’t about excusing the harm—it’s about freeing your heart from the weight of someone else’s choices. In this reflection, Papa Onyx invites you to explore what it means to let go without letting someone back in, and how forgiveness can become a sacred act of reclaiming your own becoming.

"Glowing Triquetra symbol with an ethereal green and gold light, set against a deep cosmic background filled with stars. The intricate knotwork appears carved from stone or metal, with subtle runic inscriptions woven into its lines, evoking a sense of ancient wisdom and mystical interconnectedness."

Triquetra: The Eternal Weave of Three

By Papa Onyx March 19, 2025Symbols & Sigils

The Triquetra—a deceptively simple yet deeply significant knot—has woven itself into the fabric of history, myth, and magic. It carries whispers of forgotten wisdom, its looping form hinting at secrets hidden in plain sight. A bridge between ancient knowing…

A mystical depiction of Brigid, the Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft. She stands in a glowing ethereal landscape, bathed in warm golden light. Her flowing red hair cascades over her shoulders as she radiates both power and serenity. A sacred well at her feet shimmers with reflected starlight, while a roaring forge blazes behind her, symbolizing transformation. Swans glide gracefully across the water, and a gentle breeze stirs the lush emerald-green fields around her, evoking divine inspiration and ancient wisdom.

Brigid: The Forge, The Well, and The Flame

By Papa Onyx March 8, 2025Blog, Deity, Musings

Brigid, the luminous goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft, has long been revered across the Celtic lands. She is the fire that sparks inspiration, the wellspring of wisdom, and the anvil upon which transformation is forged. Her presence endures…

An ancient mystical well in a lush forest, surrounded by moss-covered stones and glowing with a soft ethereal light. The crystal-clear water reflects the golden hues of dawn, creating a serene and enchanted atmosphere, evoking a sense of spiritual renewal and connection.

Cleansing the Well of Spirit

By Papa Onyx March 7, 2025Blog, Musings

They say the wellspring of the soul must flow freely, lest it become stagnant and brackish—but let’s be honest, sometimes it feels less like a flowing stream and more like a neglected birdbath in midsummer, coated with dust and…

Anansi, the trickster spider from West African folklore, weaving an intricate golden web that shimmers with hidden symbols and patterns. The scene is illuminated by mystical light, set against a lush jungle backdrop with ancient trees and vines. Anansi's expression conveys both wisdom and mischief, embodying the power of storytelling and intellect.

The Trickery of Anansi: A Web of Wit and Wisdom

By Papa Onyx March 3, 2025Musings, Myths

Ah, my friends, gather close and listen well, for today we weave our way into the mischievous world of Anansi, where trickery and wisdom are spun together in an intricate dance of fate and fortune. The spider trickster of…

A mystical digital artwork featuring an open box dissolving into radiant light, symbolizing the illusion of limitations. In the background, a spiral path extends into the cosmos, representing growth and evolution beyond opposition. Ethereal, unbound chains float in the air, signifying self-imposed restrictions that can be removed. A mysterious figure stands at the threshold of the scene, gazing forward rather than back, embodying the journey of self-definition and transformation. The atmosphere is rich with deep blues, purples, and golds, evoking a sense of mystery, reflection, and spiritual awakening.

The Box That Was Never There

By Papa Onyx February 25, 2025Blog, Home, Musings, Pondering

"The first step to thinking outside the box is realizing there is no box." Sit with that for a moment. Let it settle in your bones. What if the walls you’ve been pushing against were never there? What if…

What Counts as Religion? Exploring Freedom and Recognition in NeoPagan Spirituality

By Papa Onyx January 17, 2025Musings

What does it mean for something to 'count' as religion? For NeoPagans, whose spiritual practices defy conventional definitions, this question becomes deeply personal. In a society that often demands clear boundaries and legal frameworks for religion, how do we articulate the sacredness of casting a circle, honoring ancestors, or leaving offerings at a tree? Drawing inspiration from The Impossibility of Religious Freedom, this reflection explores the challenges of recognition and the power of 'lived religion'—the spontaneous, deeply personal acts that connect us to the Divine and each other. Let’s embrace the beautiful complexity of our paths and create spaces where all expressions of faith can flourish.

Understanding Logical Fallacies in Pagan Discussions

By Papa Onyx October 18, 2024Blog, Home, Musings, Pondering2 Comments

The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and avoiding logical fallacies within the Pagan community, especially in conversations influenced by social media. It defines various common fallacies, illustrates their impacts on dialogue, and advocates for critical thinking, respectful discourse, and understanding to foster stronger community connections and spiritual growth.

The Burning Times: A Call for Truth and Accountability

By Papa Onyx August 29, 2024Blog, Home, Musings, Pondering

It’s time we gather around our proverbial hearth and have a candid conversation about something that has long troubled our community: the Burning Times. For years, we’ve held onto a narrative, a story passed down through our circles, that frames this tragic period as a concerted effort by the Catholic Church to stamp out our spiritual ancestors—wise women, healers, and practitioners of the old ways. We’ve mourned the supposed millions of lives lost, predominantly women, who were allegedly persecuted for preserving a pre-Christian, pagan religion. But what if I told you that much of what we believe about the Burning Times doesn’t hold up under scrutiny?