"I'm Not Wiccan, but..."

[Micheál]

Also, my friend and I were talking about this today and perhaps this is a bit of a sore subject but we've noted that Neo-Wiccans on youtube, Wiccan Together etc consciously separate themselves from Traditional Wicca because they see it as too rigid and as homophobic. Neo-Wicca seems to have attracted quite a large gay following and I've noted gay Neo-Wiccans griping about traditionalist texts coming over as homophobic. I suppose a lot of this could be misunderstanding since there's such a big focus on the duality and balance of the god and goddess.. I know that The Witches' Bible, which is super coven-orientated and was written by Alexandrian wiccans, definitely states that homosexuality is a no go.

My HPriestess recieved her 3rd* from Stewart Farrar, has her name mentioned in A Witches Bible, and is actually the longest serving AlexandrianHPriestess in Ireland since Janet took up Progresive Witchcraft and no longer calls herself Wiccan. We currently have a homosexual elder, and many more bisexual members, so I assure there aren't any problems.

Wicca is big on polarity, another thing that I believe defines 'Wicca,' so whether it's passing the chalice around, or sitting around the circle for the feast, it's strictly done in a male-female order, so as long as someone can assume the correct role for the ritual, it's all grand.

[arkeiryn]

Also a fair point, although (and I could be wrong), the Celts only celebrated the four fire festivals (Imbolg, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain), not the solstices and equinoxes.

I didn't know that, but I've always thought of them as different anyway (hence me mentioning "solar events" as well as "British folk holidays" ). I also feel more drawn to the solar events anyway, rather than the folk festivals (must be my inner scientists ).