Exercises

One exercise I have students perform when I’m teaching them Paganism
or Wicca is to look around them for Wiccan things that are actually
mundane everyday items. Not just tools, but also music.

You don’t have to have a crafted Celtic song playing in the background
for your ritual to work with the Goddess, what’s wrong with “Bitch!”
by Merideth Brooks? The person described in that song is the
quinticential woman, just as the Goddess is.

I’m a bitch, I’m a lover
I’m a child, I’m a mother
I’m a sinner, I’m a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I’m your hell, I’m your dream
I’m nothing in between
You know you wouldn’t want it any other way

So take me as I am
This may mean
You’ll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that
When I start to make you nervous
And I’m going to extremes
Tomorrow I will change
And today won’t mean a thing

Looks like a Goddess to me.

Or what about “Animals” by Savage Garden? Shouldn’t we look at that
side of ourselves if we are going to be saying that we worship Nature
and that we are in tune with Life? Or when working with your Inner
Child, why not “The House at Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins? Why not
“Shambala” by Three Dog Night (or even Rockapella) when taking a heavy
meditative journey?

Each of these songs are VERY appropriate to the feel you are trying to
present to your psyche, and each of these songs most Wiccans would
reject out of hand as being “inappropriate” for a ritual. But I say
if a song puts you in a mindset and if it speaks to your core being,
to that viceral place that most rituals are designed to touch, why NOT
use it? Why comb the Medevial and Celtic music sections of the record
store for music that may or may not do the same thing.

Use what you have. From “Witchcraft” by Robert Palmer, to “Forever
and Ever” by Garth Brooks, I have used all these songs at one time or
another to prompt a response in me. I use heavy beat songs for when I
want to dance, I use songs that promote tranquility and calmness in
myself when I’m meditating. Certainly use the songs by Pagan Artists
like Emerald Rose if that is what is appropriate, but don’t
arbitrarily discount “pop” music simply because it is not crafted for
the Circle.

Besides, the consecration of a CD player is an interesting ritual.