Pagan/Witchcraft symbols

I was reading a piece of rather arcane literature about witches/ pagans and how they wore jewelry or symbols to be recognized by their coven or as individuals as witches. I seem to have garnered rather an elaborate number of "witchy" articles of jewelry that I wear almost religiously, i.e. putting them on and taking them off in specific ways and with specific words. I do NOT recall ever reading of this, but its certainly possible. I'm just wondering, who among us WEARS jewelry or a prominent tattoo or such symbol as might be recognised by those who are aware.
I wear a pentacle pendant that complete strangers have commented on and asked about and ONE gentleman in particular said, "blessed be," to me in the check out lane at Wal-Mart! I nearly fainted! LOL! (he nodded, indicating my necklace and I mumbled some, "and to you" reply) I wear it because it feels wonderful and gives me a sense of power and happiness, it never occurred to me that it was something recognizable to others on the path! (I'm IN the boonies, in my defense! LOL!)
Just wondering if everyone else has this same weakness...the symbols are beautiful and LARGELY open to interpretation...so an easy thing to slide into!
BB
d'Arqstar
(rereading this, it seems REALLY jagged, but its late so I'll beg your indulgence with my use of the English language! LOL! Sorry!)

Tags: pagan, symbols

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Leandra Witchwood on December 24, 2007 at 11:57pm: Blessed Be!
LOL

I have two different necklaces I wear. I have a Triple Goddess made of Peuter, and a Goddess within some Celtic knotwork.

My Grove is in the middle of creating a symbol that we will all wear on our Grove Cloaks and possibly on a pendant.

I don't do anyting too ritualistic with them except once in a while I will cleanse them in salt.

I have actually met a few people through them recognizing my goddesses. It is nice to find like-minded folks out there!

Have a wonderful night!
Brandy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by NCWyldewytch on December 25, 2007 at 12:32am: I have pendants I wear that have enabled me to meet fellow pagans out and about. It is a very good way to meet others as we will know what we see. I enjoy the comraderie when this occurs. Be proud of who and what you are.
Blessed Be.
NCWyldewytch; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lua do'Ceu on December 25, 2007 at 11:16am: I usually wear a strand of prayer beads I made, the strand I use as my avatar photo. The Mother Earth pendant is rather large and hard to not notice. :> I say a mini-prayer to Mother Earth every time I put them on.

Blessings,
Lua; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by gypsybell on December 25, 2007 at 7:03pm: I have a small pentacle ring that I wear. and I have a bracelet of pentacles. But I'm planning on getting a few pieces of new jewelry, but I do think that if a person see's another wearing a piece of jewelry, are more adapt to speak to you.
BB
gypsy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Last Knight on December 25, 2007 at 9:06pm: I have my triple moon tattoo and a large pentacle necklace. I have them for the power they have and for the good feelings they generate in me! But I was thinking about this question a couple of days ago and meant to blog it.

We use "secret symbols" to identify ourselves to each other, just as religions all over the world, including Christianity, have used secret symbols when their faith was threatened. We use "Merry Meet" and "Blessed Be" to identify ourselves when we are not wearing our symbols in view, and we use the symbols to identify ourselves and invite others to say "blessed be" to us.... no matter what other function they may serve. It always gives me a rush of good feeling and happiness when someone shows themselves to me as pagan, even if no one else is aware...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by d'Arqstar on December 25, 2007 at 9:38pm: You're right and it seems OBVIOUS to me now, but honestly, when I began to collect and wear my "path" jewelry I really thought I was doing so ONLY because it pleased me! I did NOT see it as something secret to be recognized by others who "knew", so to speak. But it IS a joy and blessing when you run into "another"...in this neck of the woods that's comparable to finding a pearl on the beach...it can HAPPEN, but its RARE! LOL!
I used to have a wonderful Triquestra bracelet that INSISTED on being worn ONLY one way. If I accidentally put it on upside down, my whole DAY would be just so...upside down! It ruled my wrist for YEARS until it finally developed a crack in the metal...I baby it and cajoled it to stick around as long as it would, but it finally broke into two pieces. LOL! I kind of MISS having a piece of jewelry with such ATTITUDE! LOL!
I have a pentagram tattoo on my back and I love it, but looking back at my choice(no pun intended), I WISH I'd have put it somewhere "I" could see it without practically standing on my head! LOL!
I think its TIME for a new tattoo for 2008...I'm "creating" it in my mind, but I'll be more circumspect as to WHERE I have it placed next time! LOL!
BB
d'Arqstar; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by d'Arqstar on December 25, 2007 at 9:45pm: OH! And Merry Meet and Blessed Be are wonderul indicators as well, though I read some discussion in the past of a rather archaic means of greeting, i.e., the Witches' Handshake! I'm NOT a touchy-feely person and IF someone shaking my hand in greeting were to slip their index finger down my hand and over the pulse in my wrist, I'd LIKELY recoil with a SEVERE case of the "willies"! LOL! I've NO idea if the "Witches' Handshake" was ever prevalently used or even if its something with historical validity or a NEO thing. STILL...Um...NO! LMAO!!!
BB
d'Arqstar; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John on December 26, 2007 at 12:01am: The witches' handshake definitely has a history. I'm sure others whom we both know could give you more info, but it dates back to Solomon's Temple and the masons building it. Other religions also use it as sacred.

MP & BB
John
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Permalink Reply by Last Knight on December 26, 2007 at 8:53am: Um... history or no, that would be a little creepy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John on December 25, 2007 at 11:55pm: There is a girl (she is the same age as my oldest daughter, so she is a girl, lol) that lives in Price that wears a Pentacle. Because of that, I asked her if she were/is Pagan, which, of course, she is. Because I'm married and the wife doesn't know about me being/studying Wiccan, the girl won't become too friendly with me. She and I both felt a connection but she denies it because of the wife. But the point of this post was the pendant she wears causing me to recognize a fellow Wiccan/Pagan.

MP & BB
John
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Permalink Reply by Wiccan Fire on December 26, 2007 at 12:38am: I don't have any jewelry that really proclaims my beliefs but I do have several items that I wear every day. And if I don't wear them, I can tell a difference in my energy which in turn affects my whole day. I wear two peweter bracelets that were given to me by a VERY special man in my life. One of which he wore for a few minutes before deciding the he didn't like it. lol And if they aren't on the correct arms, I feel off until I correct it. I also were a small stone necklace ALL the time. I've had this thing for a while now & I think I've only taken it off once. And I wear my hemitite ring EVERY day. The first one I bought broke about a month ago & my daughter asked me the next morning when I was getting another one. I touch each piece and say a quick prayer for the person that gave it to me or made it if I know them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ashtyn on December 27, 2007 at 3:55am: I have some jewelry but I don't wear it frequently. I had a necklace once (it was awesome but not really pagan related) that I used to use it as a disperser of my negative energy. Like when I felt down or angry I'd hold on to the necklace and imagine that negative energy flowing into it. I did it subconciously for awhile until I realized I was doing it.

The only time I ever had sometime recognize anything was when I was in training at work and bored so I was doodling pentacles and the guy who was training noticed them and actually understood what they meant! which surprised me because I live in a small Iowa town and we got into a long conversation about religion and all kinds of stuff.; ▶ Reply to This