The Metaphysical Site

Charles Leland was an American folklorist and humorist. He traveled extensively across America and Europe and became an avid fan of folk linguistics and folklore. During his life he published a variety of books on folk traditions and on European and American linguistics. His most known work was Aradia, or Gospel of the Witches.

The Aradia was created in 1899 and attempts to portray the rituals and beliefs of an underground witchcraft tradition in Tuscany at the time. Leland claimed that this religious tradition had been around for centuries but had remained unknown until his discovery in the 1890s. The book later became one of the foundational texts of the Neopagan witchcraft movements known as Stregheria and Wicca.

This book along with Leland's other works remain fairly unknown until pagan witchcraft survivals began to be discussed in the 1950s. The book then received increased attention and was able to play a role in the history of Gardnerian Wicca as well as its offshoots. It was also used as a proof that pagan witchcraft survivals still existed in Europe. As interest grew in Gospel of the Witches, publishers began to make to book widely available and in 1999 a new translation was provided.

Leland said that he had been informed of the presence of the Vangelo in 1886 but it took him 11 years before he was able to access a copy of the manuscript and even after editing and translation it took another two years to have the book published.

Scholars have been skeptical over Leland's claim of finding the manuscript and many are divided over where he obtained it from. Some of the controversy theories stated that the document was forged by Leland's informant, with or without his assistance. Others claim that the document was forged by Leland himself. Charles Leland however claimed that the Vangelo manuscript represented a genuine text from an undiscovered religion.

Paul Powell is an author, researcher and creator of a website dedicated to Charles Leland. Thanks for reading this I hope you enjoyed it.

Wiccan Clothing - What To Wear When You Are A Witch

Clothes that Wiccans wear are similar to what everyone else wears in the culture in which they were raised. However, true Wiccans are very concerned about the Earth and our environment and will usually choose natural and long lasting fabrics such as cotton or linen. Furs, leather and even silk may be avoided since animals and people may be hurt in their creation. When pain is caused in the manufacturing of an item, that pain persists in the clothing as negative energy and may hurt us. To avoid that, use only natural, plant based fibers to clothe yourself.

Although witches are pictured as wearing a long, black robe with a pointy hat, reality is far from it. Witches may wear any style of clothing from regular clothes in various colors to ritual based clothing that may have specific colors. For example, people may wear gypsy style clothes, tunics, ritual robes, capes, surcoats, with or without accessories.

Ritual robes are used by men and women. They usually have a hood, mantle and tabard and may be customized with extras for men and women. Surcoats come in many styles with side slits or gathers. For women, there are many varieties of gypsy skirts in many colors and styles. Sometimes made with satin, silk or rayon, they may be decorated with sequins, buttons, embroidery, glass beads, charms, feathers, etc. Meditation cloaks are clothes which completely cover our body and keep us warm so that we can focus on the meditation. Our hands may be kept outside the robe if needed. Heavy, old fashioned capes are worn as well as soft, flowing, light ones. They are all hooded and made for women as well as men.

For everyday wear, Witches wear anything that suits their fancy. Most of their clothes come in colors of the Earth, such as greens (plants), browns (Earth), gold (Sun) and silver (Moon Goddess). They also like the colors of the Sunset and flowers or anything that is close to nature.

Witches like to wear clothing that is not too tight as it restricts the flow of energy and circulation of blood. As they live freely, and are not afraid of society, they are free to choose an appearance that they are pleased with, not what others are pleased with.

Men and women wear loose gowns, caftans, shawls, veils, hooded burnooses, and capes in all shapes and sizes. The main goal is to allow freedom and ease of movement. Witches spend a lot of time outside, whether it is for gardening, tending to herbs, picking flowers and fruits or communing with nature. So they need protection from the sun, rain, wind, frost, etc. Pieces of clothing that they can use many times and in many conditions will be the witch's choice.

Usually, a witch's wardrobe will consist of a few robes and hooded capes along with outdoor accessories such as a purse, a jacket, a wide-brimmed hat and maybe some gloves. As they do not care about fashion, most of their clothes are chosen for practicality and protection rather than looks.

About the Author

Rose Ariadne has been practicing ancient forms of Witchcraft for over 25 years. Get more info about Wiccan clothing here: http://www.askroseariadne.com/editorials/7_wiccan_clothing

This is kind of a longish question, sorry!, but how many wicca traditions are there?

One of the people with the orange buttons answered my last question, and said that Gardnerian is only one tradition of wicca, but now I want to know what the other ones are! And maybe what they believe and where they came from?

Here are just a few:
Eclectic Wicca
Gardnerians Wicca
Faery Wicca
Alexandrian Wicca
Celtic Wicca
Dianic Wicca
Georgian Wicca
Discordian Wicca

It's similar to denominations.. just different ways of practice.. not nearly as complex as christianity though.. but, it's only been 60 years.. give it time

Oh and btw, I think I'm the person with the orange button who answered you before. Nice to 'meet' you.

13 Internet Slangs with Unexpected Alternate Meanings
We've all grown accustomed to the online jargon, shorthands and acronyms that have developed over decades of Internet use. Silly as they might be, most of us are guilty of truncating, abbreviating or misspelling words to save a few seconds here and there.

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