Author: ladyoftheabyss

Disposal of Ritual Offerings c2016

 

Disposal of Ritual Offerings

A common question that comes up is the matter of how to dispose of offerings made during a ritual once the ritual has concluded. Disposal methods may vary, depending on a few things. For instance, does your particular magical tradition require you to dispose of offerings in a certain way? Also, what is the offering? Organic materials can be disposed of in different ways than non-organic offerings. Finally, does the spell or ritual itself include a method of disposal? Consider all of these factors when you’re deciding on how to dispose of a magical offering.

Let’s look at some of the different ways that you can get rid of an offering you’ve made:

Earth & Water

If your offering is an organic item, such as blood, fruits and vegetables, tobacco, or other plant material, you may want to consider burying it. A garden is a good place to do this, particularly if you have a compost bin, because the nutrients will go back into the soil as the offering biodegrades, continuing the cycle of life.

Some people choose to bury non-biodegradable items as well, such as candle stubs and incense remnants, but if you do this, you should make sure you do it in your own yard. Disposal of organic items into a moving body of water, such as a river or the ocean, is acceptable in many traditions as well – make sure, though, that you’re not putting any non-organic materials in the water. Use your best judgment here.

The Power of Fire

Nearly any ritual offering can be disposed of by burning. In some hoodoo traditions, burning an offering is considered part of the ritual itself – for example, Cat Yronwoode says that to destroy an item’s influence, it can be burned in the ceremony. You can also burn ritual offerings such as meat, bread, and other foods.

Sharing With Wildlife

Got a pile of seeds and nuts you used in your ritual? As long as they haven’t been tainted with anything toxic, you can feel free to scatter them outdoors for the local critters to snack on. One Indiana Pagan named Apollonia says, “My coven does a lot of rituals that make offerings to grain gods, so we always have a lot of bread left over. Typically, the day after the ritual, I’ll take it to a local pond and leave it out for the ducks and geese. They consume it, and the life cycle of the grain continues on.”

Also, don’t discount the science of nature itself. Some offering items can be left out until they go away on their own. For instance, if you make an offering of consecrated water in a bowl, eventually it’s going to evaporate. If you do an outdoor ritual and you’ve offered herbs and flowers, those are going to blow away at some point, and find their way to a new home.

What About Icky Things?

Sometimes, let’s face it, we do a working that involves something negative. Maybe you’re trying to banish a pesky former lover, or you’re trying to get that crazy fundamentalist lady down the street to leave you alone. In cases like this – particularly if you’ve created a poppet – you may want to get the item as far away from you as possible. In cases like this, simply because of the nature of the ritual, you may want to go ahead and find a place such as a landfill, a port-a-john, or some other foul place to be rid of the items. Just make sure you’re not putting anything into the ecosystem that is going to cause damage down the road.

In the matter of spell components, you may not always want to permanently dispose of the items right away. Depending on the purpose of the spell, you may choose to hide the item in someone’s home, bury it in your own yard, or tuck it into a tree. Obviously, your disposal methods are going to vary depending on the ritual or working itself, and on the nature of the ritual offerings that you need to be rid of. Use common sense, think outside the box, and find a way to adapt to each situation as needed.
Source: Article originally published on & owned by About.com by Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert

Offerings to the Air Element c2016

Offerings to the Air Element

 

When  we  make  offerings  to  the  air  we  are  thanking  the  universe  for  our  breath. Each  moment  we  are  held  by  this  element  and  at  the  moment  of  death  it’s  our  last   breath,  which  heralds  our  departure  from  the  mortal  body.

 

The  air  is  also  our  First   breath  when  we  are  born  so  honour  this  element  by  getting  outdoors  and   spending  time  in  high  places,  feel  the  wind  on  your  body  and  rejoice  with  song,   laughter  and  dance,  which  are  all  part  of  this  element.  The  air  is  what  carries  sound,  music  is  what  nurtures  our  soul  and  we  can   see  that  the  two  combined  into  one  exceptional  union.  Music  has  the  power  to   heal  and  transform  us.  Think  about  how  many  times  you  have  put  on  your   favourite  tracks  to  change  your  mood.  Mellow  music  chills  us  out  and  reduces  our   stress  and  more  uplifting  music  gets  us  into  a  place  when  we  want  to  move  and   express  ourselves.  All  this  is  the  expression  of  the  air  element  and  by  being  aware   of  such  things  brings  a  greater  clarity  to  our  daily  activities.

 

Simple  offerings  can  be  thrown  into  the  air  or  left  tied  to  trees  so  that  they   Flutter  in  the  winds.  But  make  sure  whatever  you  leave  in  nature  can  be  broken   down  easily  such  a  paper,  incense,  cotton  or  silk  cloth,  food  and  liquids,  things   found  such  as  feathers  and  rocks.  Never  leave  anything  that  will  affect  the  flow of  the natural world,  to do that will only create blocks and hinder your path towards growth.

Offerings to the Fire Element c 2016

Offerings to the Fire Element

 

Without  a  beating  heart  we  have  no  Gire  within  us,  it  is  the  blood  that  pumps   around  our  bodies  that  generates  heat  and  gives  us  the  power  to  illuminate.  Deep   within  our  heart  is  a  place  that  is  eternal,  an  inner  sun  that  burns  with  a  light  so   bright  it  connects  us  to  the  very  core  of  infinity.  It  is  our  innate  nature  that  burns   with  wisdom  and  allows  us  to  embrace  life.  When  we  align  ourselves  with  the   gods  and  with  the  path  of  The  Craft  we  burn  with  fire,  we  burn  with  a  yearning  to   know  our  soul’s  destiny.  That  is  what  drives  us  on  towards  the  source  of  all   knowledge,  it  allows  us  to  heal  bits  of  ourselves  and  others  because  when  we  get   just  one  single  glimpse  of  the  fire  within  the  heart  it  is  enough  to  illuminate  the   entire  universe.

Although  we  have  an  inner  fire  there  is  nothing  more  beautiful  to  be  sat   round  a  camp  fire,  how  many  times  have  you  looked  deep  into  the  flames  and  let   them  speak  to  you,  they  lull  you  to  a  place  which  allows  visions  to  arise,   transporting  us  inwards  to  the  deep  seat  of  knowing.  The  Craft  has  always  been   the  place  where  those  who  follow  it’s  path  burn  with  the  passions  of  nature.  To  be   alive  with  the  fire  of  wisdom  means  that  you  have  opened  yourself  up  to  the  face   of  creation  and  allowed  yourself  to  become  enfolded  in  the  arms  of  the  Gods.  They   burn  with  the  same fire,  which  is  in  your  heart,  they  are  made  from  the  same  seed fire that  you  have  within.  The  Gods  burn  with  the  same  eternal  flame  that   illuminates  our  own  being  and  to  know  the  flame  within  means  you  come  to  know   the  face  of  the  Gods.  Fire  burns  away  ignorance  just  like  it  clears  the  dead  wood  of   the  forest  allowing  new  shoots  to  germinate  bringing  forth  new  growth.  We  all   have  dead  wood  within,  our  internal  struggles  and  our  ever-­‐conflicting  emotions   are  what  keep  the fire from  burning  bright.  But  when  we  get  a  glimpse  of  the fire  we  fan  the  f flames  and  they  start  to  burn,  they  burn  so  bight  that  they  produce  a  source  of  all  light,  without  fire  there  would  only  be  darkness  and  with  total   darkness  no  life  would  exist.  Fire  is  the  source  of  all  life,  without  our  sun  this   earth  we  live  on  would  be  a  dead  rock  floating  around  a  burnt  out  sun.  Devoid  of   any  life  there  would  be  no  consciousness  to  illuminate  itself.  We  are  the  universes   knowing  itself,  and  it’s  through  this  element  we  come  to  understand  these   wisdoms.

Offering to fire can be anything that can be consumed by flames or even a simple votive candle.

Offerings to the Water Element c2016

Offerings to the Water Element

 

Water  is  a  vital  element  for  our  survival,  we  are  within  water  while  we  are  in  the   womb  of  our  mother  and  we  die  very  quickly  without  it.  Because  water  is  in  such   abundance  on  our  planet  we  have  little  attachment  to  it.  Water  is  fluid  and  free   and  over  time  it  can  reduce  the  hardest  material  into  dust.  It  cuts  through  valleys   like  a  knife  through  butter  and  bursts  forth  from  the  ground  in  healing  springs.  It   is  the  lifeblood  within  our  bodies  and  upon  the  earth  it  is  abundant  and  Glowing,   unfortunately  we  pollute  it  with  toxins  that  are  now  bringing  us  close  to  poisoning   all  life.

 

We  should  always  try  to  keep  our  waters  pure,  they  are  what  carry  the   trace  nutrients  that  our  body  needs  for  survival.  There  is  nothing  more  stirring   that  to  sit  next  to  crashing  waves  on  beach  or  more  restful  than  laying  next  to  a   babbling  brook.  Water  out  of  all  the  elements  has  the  most  power  to  heal.  Our   ancestors  knew  this  knowledge  and  dedicated  many  springs  to  cures.  Even  in  our   modern  world  we  prefer  bottled  water  to  that  from  the  tap  thinking  it  has  a  purer   quality  to  it.  It’s  our  internal  emotions  that  draw  us  close  to  water  as  a  source  of   all  healing  and  I  often  wonder  if  it’s  because  we  floated  for  nine  months  in  the   waters  of  our  mothers  womb.  There  we  felt  safe  and  secure,  it  was  a  primordial   state  before  they  burst  issuing  us  into  the  world  of  duality  we  know  as  life.  How   many  of  us  enjoy  the  relaxing  comfort  of  a  bath  or  the  invigorating  power  of  a   shower.  Both  these  daily  functions  connect  us  deeply  to  the  element  of  water  and   draw  us  close  to  its  energetic  qualities.  I  love  nothing  better  than  swimming   outdoors  in  the  summer  in  open  pools  and  rivers,  feeling the power of nature enfold me in the waters of life.

 

A  daily  offering  of  water  can  be  made  on  your  own  personal  shrine;  it  is   something  very  easy  to  do  and  connects  us  to  a  source  of  connection  many  take   for  granted.  Water  is  the  best  substance  as  a  daily  offering  because  it’s  one  of  the   things  we  have  no  attachment  to,  we  don’t  in  any  way  covet  it  because  it  seems  to     be  around  us  in  abundance.  That  way  we  give  it  freely  and  that’s  the  spirit  which   should  be  nurtured  when  making  any  offering.  To  be  able  to  give  without  any   attachment  at  all  allows  the  offering  to  have  the  purest  quality  within  it  and   becomes  a  great  source  of  connecting  us  to  the  source  of  creation. Items  you  can  offer  include  water,  milk  and  wine.

 

You  could  even  collect   different  waters  to  offer  such  as  Sea  Water,  Lake  Water,  Spring  Water,  Rain  Water,   Snow  Water  and  Dew,  be  guided  by  your  intuition and may the hand of the gods always lead you towards your souls purpose.

Offerings to the Earth Element c 2016

Offerings to the Earth Element

 

When  we  make  offerings  to  the  earth  element  we  are  honouring  our  body,  without  this   vehicle  we  would  not  be  able  to  experience  the  world  in  all  its  beauty.  It  gives  us  the   chance  to  find  happiness  and  joy.  It  is  the  very  vessel  that  is  filled  with  the  light  of   creation  and  inhabiting  it  for  a  lifetime  means  we  have  a  chance  to  awake  to  that  inner   light.  It’s  incredible  when  you  stop  to  think  about  it,  but  that’s  the  problem,  few  do.   When  we  walk  a  spiritual  path  it  allows  us  to  move  forward  on  a  journey  upon  the   earth,  this  planet  is  a  living  body  like  our  own.  But  how  many  people  actually  treat  it  as   such?

 

Because  we  have  disconnected  from  the  earth  we  have  become  disconnected   from  our  bodies  and  look  at  the  amount  of  self-­‐loathing  we  see  in  western  cultures.  The   Craft  has  always  told  us  to  love  our  bodies,  they  are  sacred  and  that’s  why  from  time  to   time  we  take  off  our  clothes  and  walk  into  nature.  When  we  meet  nature  naked,  we  are   free,  we  are  totally  beyond  the  trappings  of  culture  because,  once  again,  we  have   entered  paradise.  The  Craft  has  always  held  ritual  nudity  to  be  a  profound  act,   unfortunately  because  of  our  modern  culture  few  these  days  feel  comfortable  disrobing.   This  is  because  we  live  in  a  highly  sexualized  society  that  has  used  sex  and  sexual   images  to  sell  almost  everything,  the  images  which  have  been  used  have  been  very   limiting  and  exaggerated  leaving  many  with  a  sense  of  inferiority  about  their  own   bodies.  Remember  we  are  born  into  this  world  naked  and  when  we  are  free  from  the   trappings  of  clothes  we  also  have  the  opportunity  to  free  ourselves  from  our  ridged   identities.

 

Offerings  to  the  earth  can  include  stones,  salt,  soil  and  food,  go  into  nature,  take   your  clothes  off  in  the  warmer  months  and  feel  the  sun  on  your  body,  feel  the  wind   caress  you  like  a  lover  and  embrace  the  natural  world.  Make  your  offerings  to  this   element  and  thank  it  for  giving  you  such  a  beautiful  gift,  your  body  the  vehicle of your awakening.

Basic Spell Template – Crafting The Spell

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY CORRESPONDENCES POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Crafting The Spell

  • Identify your goal or desire

  • Examine the context of the situation

  • Evaluate the repercussions

  • Refine the specifics of your need or desire

  • Decide on a time

  • Decide on a method

  • Choose correspondences and components

  • Create central symbolic action

  • Write the text of the spell

  • Write the complete list of required materials.

(One Person’s View Point) Witchcraft 101: Naked c.2016

Witchcraft 101: Naked

There is a simple word that can strike fear into the heart of the bravest Witch: skyclad.

Skyclad is the word we use to mean, well, nude. As in, “This month’s full moon ritual will be done skyclad.”

Starkers, as the Brits say. In your birthday suit. Sans clothing. In your altogether. In short, buck-naked. Or as my dad used to say, “stark, nuked nade.”

Either way, it means you are out there under the moon with the breeze blowing through your, er….everything.

Some Witches are very comfortable practicing skyclad. Others wouldn’t do it on a bet. Still others save such dedication for their solitary rituals and prefer to wear garb when gathering with their fellow Witches.

All of the above is fine. There is no rule that says you have to perform Witchcraft naked (thank the Goddess), although there are some traditions where that is the norm. And although in the Charge of the Goddess it says “ye shall be naked in your rites,” this doesn’t mean that you have to stand outside at midwinter freezing your whatsits off.

As with most things witchy, you should use your own judgment and do what feels right to you. If you’re comfortable being naked, by all means do your rituals skyclad. If you’re not, you would probably find your nakedness so distracting that you wouldn’t be able to concentrate on your magick anyway, so there’s not much point to it.

The important thing to remember is that in the case of group rituals, you should discuss such things ahead of time and make sure that everyone agrees. There isn’t much that is more disconcerting than showing up at a ritual to find out that you are expected to disrobe when you weren’t planning on it.
Source: Everyday Witch A to Z Deborah Blake

Different Traditions of Witchcraft c 2011

Different Traditions of Witchcraft

By Patti Wigington

In the Pagan community, there are a number of different spiritual traditions that fall under the umbrella of Wicca or Neowicca. Here are some of the most commonly discussed groups that you may find as you meet people of different Wiccan or Neowiccan traditions. There are different types and styles of Wiccan traditions — some may be right for you, and others not so much. Learn about the variations in spiritual paths even amongst Wiccans and NeoWiccan — some of the differences may surprise you!

Alexandrian Wicca

Founded by Alex Sanders and his wife Maxine, Alexandrian Wicca became a popular tradition during the resurgence of modern Paganism. Heavily influenced by Gardner and his tradition, Alexandrian Wicca uses a degree system and has ties to ceremonial magic systems.

Blue Star Witchcraft

The Blue Star tradition is one that is modeled on Gardnerian Wicca, but still manages to be different. Learn more about the Blue Star tradition of Witchcraft.

British Traditional Wicca

British Traditional Wicca is a term often used by Pagans in the U.S. to describe a specific set of covens in Britain. Find out what BTW is, and who qualifies to be part of it.

Circle Sanctuary

If you read much about Wicca and witchcraft, you’ve probably heard of Circle Sanctuary. But who are they, and why are they important?

Correllian Nativist Tradition

The Correllian Nativist Tradition is a well-known tradition of witchcraft today – find out who they are, and what they do.

Covenant of the Goddess

Covenant of the Goddess is a name that comes up often in discussion of Wiccan groups. Who are they, and what do they do?

Dianic Wicca

With origins in the feminist movement, Dianic Wicca has been embraced by many women trying to find an alternative to oppressive, patriarchal religion. One branch of the Dianic movement centers around the writings of Z Budapest, while other groups tend to be more eclectic. One facet they all have in common is a celebration of the Goddess only, instead of the dual God/Goddess practice often found in Wicca.

Eclectic Wicca

The phrase “eclectic Wicca” is a commonly used one, but it can have different meanings depending on who’s using it. Find out what Eclectic Wicca is, and who practices it.

Gardnerian Wicca

When Gerald Gardner founded Wicca in the 1950s, he set the wheels turning for countless other traditions to form. Many of today’s Wiccan covens can trace their origins back to Gardner, but the Gardnerians path itself remains initiatory and oathbound.

Is Christian Wicca a Valid Tradition?

A reader writes in asking about whether or not she can be both Christian and Wiccan. We also discuss that whole Biblical injunction about “thou shall not suffer a witch to live.”

The Path of the Fire Witch (Part 2) c 2015

The Path of the Fire Witch

 

The Fire Witch holds herself to an uncompromising code or honor and ethics. She will bestow justice and be benevolent at the same time.

She operates from a basic moral code of what is right and what is wrong and rarely will go against her gut instinct. Because of this, Fire Witches make excellent law enforcement officers. Due to their love of numbers, they fare well in the fields of science and computers. They often understand the numeric codes presented within dreams to be prophetic and can easily recognize patterns.

Friends of Fire Witches are used to her stealing the spotlight–she knows how to get attention!She naturally projects a warm yet noble aura. If you don’t want to hear the truth, don’t ask a Fire Witch. She can be both gentle and blunt. The key is to hear her out. Fire Witches, seem lit from within and glow with a special radiance.

Fire is purifying and the Fire Witch tolerates no political agenda among her friends and family. If she spots a troublemaker or rumor-mongers, she will quickly call the person on it.
Fire Witches can be extreme in their behaviors and emotions. They tend to see things in terms of black and white, due to their strong moral instincts. Yet, while Fire Witches can be rigid to certain areas, they are the most playful and joyous of the Elemental Witches. They seem to be always smiling, always willing to try something new. They push harder and climb higher–there are no limits for fire folk!

While water is creation, earth is rebirth, and air is death, fire is the divine spark of it all. No other Elemental Witch understand the process of regeneration the way the Fire Witch does. She truly grasps purification of the spirit. In the same way a medical doctors cauterizes a wound to stop the bleeding, the Fire Witch can cauterize the soul to stop emotional pain and make way for healing She concentrates her life on matter of the spirit and advancement. She is talented in all areas related to working with the spirit and Otherworld spirits. She can call and banish spirits quite easily, but never does so wantonly. She has great respect for the other planes of existence.

Fire Witches are the explorers of the universe. Due to their role as spiritual connectors. Fire Witches can easily accomplish astral projection. The element of earth manifests itself in humanity as the body, air as sacred breath and mental faculties and water as body fluid and emotions, but fire is the collective energy that animates the body. Fire represent the electrical impulses in the brain and body that make life possible.

Many cultures, no matter what their collective vision of the after-life is, report that people who undergo near-death experiences first see a beautiful white light. When we work with chakras, we are working with light. All magickal work that incorporates light and spiritual advancement falls in the realm of the element of fire.

The role of the Fire Witch is one of independence. She encourages people to stand up for themselves and will not hesitate to stand up for herself. Coming under fire by others does not scare her; it inspires her. She is most comfortable when she is free to express her opinion completely, and she usually detests censorship. The Fire Witch takes an active role in all areas of life. If something isn’t working, she is the first one to work to try to change things for the better.

The altar of the Fire witch usually contains various metals, such as brass, silver, iron and copper. Likewise, it often holds several candles. Her power is at its peak during the summer months. Popular summer-time activities like vacations, camping, swimming and picnicking are borne of the inspiration of fire. Fire teaches us to enjoy the zest life has to offer. While a Fire Witch can be zealous in her career ambitions, she never forgets to enjoy her life. In the winter months, when the days are short, the Fire Witch undergoes a period of reflection that further defines her path. She is still there, doing everything she normally does, but her focus has burned inward to her home and family. It is a process of reaffirming relationships that take place every year. Even the bright light of the Fire Witch can grow dim at this time, and depression can set in. Luckily, a few bites of a tropical fruit, a warm fire in the fireplace, and a few candles later, she’s a good as new.

 

Source: Elemental Witch Fire Air Water Earth Discover Your Natural Affinity by Tammy Sullivan

5 Ways to Tell if you are a Water Witch c2018

 

5 Ways to Tell if you are a Water Witch

So you are a witch and you love the water! In fact you might even be a just a little obsessed with it. You tend to find yourself walking the shores and collecting river rock and sea shells. If you tend to work with spirits that are associated with the water and worship goddesses born of the waves then chances are you are a Water Witch. Water Witchcraft is a “genre” of witchcraft that honors and derives its power from the water. Sea witches have a long history in both ancient and more modern folk and mythic stories. So if you are drawn to the water and witchcraft here are 5 ways to know if your genre of witchcraft is Water Witch or Sea Witch.

1) You Spend time with the water!

Do you spend time near the water? Great! That is the first step to an active Water Witch practice! Becoming one with the energies of the water, be it the ocean, river, or lake, is an important part of being a Water Witch. If you haven’t spent time by a bubbling brook or a raging ocean what are you waiting for? Studies show that spending time near the ocean is good for your health! It’s going to be good for your Witchcraft too! No doubt walking the shores of a river or the ocean in a light meditative state while opening up and listening to the water is a going to deepen your connection with water!

If you are a land locked Sea Witch try getting a friend to send you a bottle of sea water from your favorite ocean. If you are a home bound Water Witch, try working with the water that you can access from your home! Water can be stored in clean glass jars and placed on your altar!

2) You give offerings and do rituals by the Water!

Witches do spells and rituals! That much we can agree on right? Well Water Witches do them too! You may find a Sea Witch drawing sigils in the sand or collecting sea water! You may find a River Witch meditating in a quite space under low hanging trees over a rippling river. Flowers are often found on the beach, remnants of a ritual that was performed there before, however they can often be problematic, and other offerings can often be toxic to the environment. The best offering we can give the Water is to keep it clean, collect trash, help keep the waters clean and send healing spells to the water. More about offerings here

3) You Collect Water!

Witches in general tend to have many boxes, bags, and bottles! But Water Witches tend to have more bottles and jars than anything! Why? Well they hold the various waters we work with! A witch’s cabinet is just as unique as the witch varying with their tradition and path. In it you may find various jars of water including, ocean water, muddy water, rain water, full moon water, holy water, water from various sacred springs and local water sources, florida water, war water, floral essences, gem essences and other strange watery concoctions!

4) You Make Magic Waters!

There are so many different types of magical waters to work with, however a basic skill every water witch needs is how to create holy water! Every witch has their own way; some with a hag stone, salt or silver, others charge water from a sacred spring or under the full moon as a basic water to empower their spells and rituals. Holy water is also useful in cleansing and purification rites and learning how to make your own will be useful in case you wanted to take a sacred bath in a tub of holy water! Because Water Witches love their sacred baths too!

5) You work with a Water or Ocean Spirit, God or Guide!

Depending on your path you most likely work with some type of spirit. Spirits come in many forms, Godlike, ancestral, angelic, demonic, animal, Faery, plant, etc. Most pantheons have water spirits! Even the Ancestral realm has extinct water creatures such as the Megalodon or mythological sea monsters. You could also explore working with the spirit of a pirate or Davey Jones Locker. There are Water Faery and Gods abound and are too numerous to list with each pantheon having multiple deities! Chances are that you have a shrine or altar space that is watery in nature or even dedicated to the water or a water god/ess. Or perhaps a collection of prized sea shells intermingled with candles that are more to you than decoration.

There are many other ways to be a water witch and these are not mutually exclusive and there are many other ways to incorporate water into your practice. Divination may play a large roll in your practice or perhaps it is ritual for you. You may be an energy worker practicing on the sea shore, it doesn’t matter really! It just matters that you are doing the work and following your own path. I do hope you enjoyed the article and a fun way of categorizing Water Witch traits!

Source: Published on Patheos by ANNWYN AVALON

Let’s Talk Witch – Using Sacred Texts c 2013

Let’s Talk Witch – Using Sacred Texts

The Koran, the Bible and other books are perceived as having inherent magickal power because they are sacred texts. Sacred texts are not restricted to monotheistic faiths.

The works of Homer and Virgil, the Indian Vedas, and the Chinese I-Chingor Book of Changes are allconsidered sacred texts. The crucial question, in terms of successful spellcasting is “are any of those texts sacred foryou?” Sacred texts by definition, are so inherently charged with baraka and heka that, like a saint from beyond the grave, anyone may access that power. However, magick is both in the transmitter and the receiver, it is a reciprocal process. The most powerful sacred texts for you are those that you perceive as sacred. If your sacred texts are Broadway show tunes or doo-wop songs, then incorporate them into your spells in the same manner that you would any other sacred text.

Methods for the magickal use of psalms and sacred texts include:

*Whispering texts over a cup of water, which is then given to someone to drink(although the spell-caster may also desire to drink it, depending on the purpose of the spell.)

*Writing texts down on paper, then dissolved in liquid and drunk(by the spell-caster or the person of the spell: this derives from ancient Egyptian methods.)

*Wearing them as amulets, for empowerment and to transmit constant, considered magick energy.

*Tracing them on an apple with a pin; depending on the nature of the spell the apple is then eaten by the spell-caster of feed to the person the spell is intended for.

Let’s Talk Witch – Chanting and Magick c 2014

Chanting and Magick

“In the beginning was the Word,” the Bible says. According to Christian tradition, the voice of God is the instrument of creation, the source of all that exists on earth and in the cosmos. The Hopi believe the universe was created by Spider Woman, who sang the sun, moon, earth, and stars into being, then animated earth’s creatures with her voice. According to Sufi mythology, God fashioned the first human from clay, then asked the angels to sing the person’s soul into a state of ecstasy so that it would enter and enliven the clay.

These creation stories express the power of the voice and the magick inherent in sound. Witches and other magicians often chant, sing, and intone special words or phrases to create the circumstances they desire. Most spells and rituals involve affirmations, incantations, prayers, or invoking spiritual beings for assistance. Chanting can also dispel unwanted energies and break down obstacles that might otherwise impede a spell’s success.

Some shamans even use chanting and singing to reconnect the soul with the physical body after a trauma has caused a separation. Singing to the missing parts of the soul/self is believed to create a pathway or bridge so the wandering parts can find their way back home.

As musician Steven Halpern puts it, sound is the “carrier wave of consciousness,” capable of transmitting information from one life form to another. Sound can even carry intentions between the visible and nonvisible realms.

Words of Power

Spiritual and occult literature abounds with references to the power of the human voice. For millennia people have been reciting magickal words as a way of invoking supernatural forces and petitioning them for assistance. This is usually done by calling out the deities’ names. Speaking someone’s name is said to be an act of power, giving the namer influence over the named (which is why in some belief systems, individuals have “public” names and “private” names that are kept secret). In the Genesis story, Adam was allowed to name the animals on earth and thus was given dominion over them.

Witches and magicians recognize the power inherent in some words, incorporating them into spells and rituals. Abracadabra, for instance, is universally associated with magick, by the public as well as occult practitioners. But the word isn’t just part of the stage illusionist’s repertoire. Derived from the Aramaic Avarah K’Davarah, which translates “I will create as I speak,” it expresses a magician’s intention to manifest a result. As long ago as the second century the word was written as an inverted pyramid and used in amulets to protect the wearer from illness.

One of the most powerful and sacred statements is also one of the shortest: I am. This magickal combination connects you with your divine essence for creative purposes. You can intone the words to balance your vital energy, center yourself, and generate power, much as you might chant the word Om. Or you can consciously choose to form a magickal sentence that begins with “I am” in order to manifest a desired condition.

Many witches end spells with the words “So mote it be.” This phrase (like “so be it”) seals a spell and instructs the universe to carry out the witch’s will. If a witch wants to banish an entity or energy, he might order it to leave by saying, “Be gone.” The expression “Blessed Be” is a favorite greeting among witches and a magickal exchange of positive energy.

Resonance and Vibration

Because the universe — and everything in it — is composed of vibrations, all sounds produce effects. Sound healers have demonstrated that the body’s chakras can be balanced by playing certain notes on the musical scale. Don Campbell, musician and author of The Mozart Effect, believes he healed himself of degenerative bone disease by “making thunder” — singing, dancing, and vocalizing a loud, long, extended tone that expressed his deepest fears, tension, and joy.

Witches tap the power of resonance to raise energy, cleanse sacred space, focus the mind, and empower spells. Whether you use your own voice or a drum, gong, bell, tingsha, singing bowl, or other instrument, sound can increase the effectiveness of your magick and add beauty to your rituals.

 

Author:  Skye Alexander

Let’s Talk Witch – Our Mind Set c 2014

 Let’s Talk Witch – Our Mind Set

Our most important first tool when performing magick is our mind. You have to ask yourself a few questions before you start casting. Will this spell harm no one? Do I need this? Am I in the right state of mind to cast a spell?

These are just a few very important questions we need to ask ourselves. If you are sick, your magick may not be as strong as when you are healthy, so in those times you should be focused on self healing above everything else. There are so many steps you can cover here….but first…lets see where your mind is at and then we’ll continue from there. Don’t worry–there aren’t any difficult incantations to remember, no hard to pronounce power words. Simply logical and informative magickal applications to a better life. So take a deep breath, let it out slowly and clear your mind. Find your center, it’s easy to do. Just let go of all the hassles and stresses you have from the day–steer your mind away from all those fast paced thoughts of today’s society. And simplify. Go deep within yourself, and find who you really are. It really quite simple to find out who you really are deep down. Go back to basics. All those thoughts….get rid of them!

Think about the following…..

How often do you find yourself traveling through this world for others? How often do you find yourself compromising your beliefs, emotions and feelings for those around you? So as not to feel “uncomfortable” or in “pain” we see ourselves as if in a motion picture, acting out our lives in a drama that ends in need, want desire—for something different. For something that could have been. For something that should have been. Why do we walk down these roads? Why do we travel to these places at all? Is our vision skewed so dramatically by what others believe is right for us, that we feel the need to be someone other than ourselves? Carpe diem! Seize the day. Seize your life, take it for everything it is worth, hold onto that which makes you happy–that which brings you joy and contentment. Know that life’s lessons lead us into places that are sometimes dark and foreboding….you, somehow–when learned–these places turn to light. Know that happiness comes from within you, and not through others circumstances or fortune. Know that true happiness can be found in others…not when the time is right but when it is real. Trust your heart, trust in your soul—and life will catch up with you.

Live. Be free, and fly and shout as loudly as you want. Take hold of your dreams. Never let anyone try to influence your mind or your will. Be true to yourself and your will be able to live your dreams and find happiness beyond belief. Dare to dream, keep your mind clear at all times and use it wisely. For it is the most important tool you have in magick.

Excerpts from: Spellbound’s Book of Spells A Collection of Simple Spells  Volume 1 by Kelli James Klymenko

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Let’s Talk Witch – Your Power c 2015

Your Power

Now let’s talk about some techniques and exercises to help you begin raising and channeling your Wicca power.

First of all, anyone can cast a powerful magical spell. If you think you’re not powerful enough, or not magical enough, or if you’re still a little skeptical about Wicca, don’t worry.

You will still be able to perform very effective magic, if you can follow some simple instructions.

There is a very important principle that underlies all magic spells you will perform.

Some people call it The Secret. Others know it as the Law of Attraction. But the point is, you will attract what you think about and focus on. That is how powerful your mind is.

Magic, using tools and words and spells, just enhances this natural ability that your mind has to attract.

Magic lets you powerfully attract what you want, and it works because of the Law of Attraction.

The key here is to make sure that everything you do is in line with your goals. All your thoughts, all your actions, and everything you do should be in agreement with what you are trying to attract.

For example: if you are trying a spell to lose weight, then looking in the mirror and saying “look how fat I am, I’m never going to lose this weight!” is going against your purpose.

You must think positive, and imagine the reality you wish to achieve with your spell.

And if you binge on brownies, bon-bons, and junk food, you are also going against your purpose.

And your spell is not going to work.

Let me repeat this again because it’s important.

Your spells will not work unless you put your entire being into achieving your goal.

Magic without the proper intention is just a bunch of rhyming words.

When you do magic, you want it to work for you.

So do yourself a favor, and make sure that you avoid anything that contradicts or goes against the purpose of your spell.

Making negative statements will cancel out any positive energy created by your spell. This means that the spell won’t work.

When you cast a spell, you need to be confident that it will succeed. In fact, the more confident you are, the more successful your spell is likely to be.

Try to frame your thoughts and statements positively: “I will lose the weight.” “I can and I will achieve my goals.” “I am eating healthy foods to achieve my goals.”
When you make positive statements like this, you create positive energy that reinforces your spell and makes it stronger.

So make sure you are creating positive energy for your spell, both before, during, and after your spell is cast.

 
Source: Wicca Power Spells by Aurora Rede

(One Person’s View Point) To Be or Not to be Skyclad c.2013

As a High Priestess of a Coven, I am often asked by initiates if the Coven works “skyclad.” When a coven works skyclad, they will or should be upfront about it when you first approach them for membership. Any group that springs this on you after you have joined is unethical and not a group you want to be involved with.

To work skyclad means to work only clad or dressed within the sky and nature; nude, within all the powers that be; to work magick and ritual unencumbered by mortal threads.

It sounds wonderful, don’t you think? Just you and a few very close friends, all standing around in nature. One with the God/dess, not to mention a few thousand mosquitoes and other biting things.

Please don’t misunderstand; I love nature in all of her boundless beauty. But being dressed or undressed to work ritual or magick in circle seems more of a stress than release to most.

I am not saying that one tradition is any better than another because they leave their clothes on or drop the cloak. Don’t assume because I choose not to work skyclad that I have never have. Although I have found over the years that, many times, the idea of working skyclad gets lost and somehow misused by some less than honorable people who will take advantage of any opportunity to abuse.

The human body is a magickal and beautiful part of magick. Nudity without shame is also a statement of freedom from prejudice, inhibition, coercion, and so on. However, some people are not comfortable with the idea of nudity, and that should be equally acceptable.

Working skyclad is traditional for some groups. Many Gardnerian covens still perform their rites skyclad.

The idea has been stated that it was a common practice for the Old World Witches to do ritual and magick skyclad. I disagree. I don’t believe that Native American Shaman or Celtic Witches would have stood in the shivering cold while trying to perform magick as their fingers (not to mention other parts) became frost bitten from the ice and snow. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

The reasons given for working skyclad are many and varied. Most are also sincere in design.

According to some, clothing blocks the energy. This is a personal issue. For myself, the icicles hanging off my butt cheeks block way more energy than that cotton tunic.

I have heard that being nude in ritual deepens the trust between coven members. If I have trust issues with a Coven or its members, standing in front of them with all my wrinkles hanging out isn’t going to increase my trust. Being naked for some is an issue of shame or embarrassment. For whatever reason this may be, once shamed, they will never trust or be less for it.

It is believed that removing the robes will remove all indications of rank, and therefore places all members as equals. Again, a good concept. But the truth is that Joe Bob is still Joe Bob, with and without his clothes.

Being able to remove one’s clothes shows the level of commitment one has to the Craft and/or coven. My level of commitment comes from my heart and soul, not how or whether I am dressed.

Being dressed or skyclad should not affect how you work ritual or magick. There should be nothing sexual about performing rituals in the nude, but in this society, it is hard to keep the crazies out and keep the circle protected from them all.

Do not feel that you must go skyclad because that’s what real Witches do. Real Witches decide for themselves. Feeling uncomfortable during ritual will only detract from your purpose. So if you feel awkward being naked with others or even alone, then cover up.

As a child, I was allowed to watch and, in time, participate in rituals and circle with my Great Grandmother. She and the Sister (her coven) would gather and work great mystical rites of magick. They didn’t read books on what made them Witches, they just knew. They didn’t allow anyone to tell them how to do it, they just did. They didn’t worry about how it was, it just was. And not once did they work or perform any of their sacred magick skyclad. They knew magick is magick until you make it something less.

Some people have something special to wear whenever working ritual and magick. It should be something personal to you alone. It can be a medieval gown, a tunic or jeans and t-shirt. But only wear it for working and bless it to that end. Be comfortable in whatever you choose.

Some arguments for working skyclad can be found in the book Aradia, also called the Gospel of the Witches, by Charles G. Leland. In the Aradia, Witches in worship are specifically instructed to conduct their rites naked as a sign that ‘ye shall be truly free’. Because of this book, many have decided that all rites should be conducted skyclad. I enjoy Leland’s book, parts of which are extremely poetic. However, say it is the basics for a structure of a religion I disagree with.

Also put forth as evidence is artwork and early engraving by artists such Albrecht Durer. In 1497 his engraving portrayed four women undressing for a Witchcraft ritual. If this is the evidence, then no man shall be a Witch. Does no one think it odd that men, during a time when even men were somewhat oppressed, would tell stories or draw the Witches or women naked in their magickal workings?

Witchcraft, ritual and magick unite us on a higher level; One with the oldest Gods and Nature. The freedom and exhilaration of dancing under a Full Moon is one of the ways of drawing close to all those energies and powers. But that freedom should not come at the price of your personal power. You choose if your dance shall be in the sky or skyclad. Magick should always hold a bit of mystery.

If you are considering joining a coven and they perform their rituals skyclad, but you do not feel comfortable with it, find another coven. Do not expect any group to bend their rules for you, just as you should not bend your personal power or comfort to fit any coven or group.

Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.

Source: Lady Abigail, High Priestess Ravensgrove Coven Orlando, Fl Copyright © 01012006

(One Person’s View Point) Let’s Talk Witch – Skyclad c.2015

Skyclad

 

There is a simple word that can strike fear into the heart of the bravest Witch: skyclad.

Arrggghhhh! (See, told you.)

Skyclad is the word we use to mean, well, nude. As in, “This month’s full moon ritual will be done skyclad.”

Starkers, as the Brits say. In your birthday suit. Sans clothing. In your altogether. In short, buck-naked. Or as my dad used to say, “stark, nuked nade.”

Either way, it means you are out there under the moon with the breeze blowing through your, er … everything.

Some Witches are very comfortable practicing skyclad. Others wouldn’t do it on a bet. Still others save such dedication for their solitary rituals and prefer to wear garb when gathering with their fellow Witches.

All of the above is fine. There is no rule that says you have to perform Witchcraft naked (thank the goddess), although there are some traditions where that is the norm. And although in the Charge of the Goddess it says “ye shall be naked in your rites,” this doesn’t mean that you have to stand outside at midwinter freezing your whatsits off.

As with most things witchy, you should use your own judgment and do what feels right to you. If you’re comfortable being naked, by all means do your rituals skyclad. If you’re not, you would probably find your nakedness so distracting that you wouldn’t be able to concentrate on your magick anyway, so there’s not much point to it.

The important thing to remember is that in the case of group rituals, you should discuss such things ahead of time and make sure that everyone agrees. There isn’t much that is more disconcerting than showing up at a ritual to find out that you are expected to disrobe when you weren’t planning on it.

 

Source: Deborah Blake. Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft

 

Spell for Tomorrow – Moon Spell for Money

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)

I have used this spell when our finances were not so good and have had good results. My intention when doing the spell was for us to be able to cover our bills for the month… nothing more or less

(One Person’s View Point) The Meaning of the Four Directions in the Moon Circle c 2015

 

The Meaning of the Four Directions in the Moon Circle

 

North

From the north springs forth wisdom and completion. It is a time of delivery and freedom from things that may have been a challenge in our lives. It is a call for balance in all things. Its message is to find answers here and now using practical solutions and common sense.

As we travel upward, moving in a northerly direction, our journey may become more difficult as we are nearing the end of a cycle. It is this direction that instructs us that this is not the time to give up when we are so close to completion. This direction can have difficulties attached to it, but the trip will be well worth the result.

Here is where things are concluded and you may feel the most equalized. North represents power, organizing, insight, and justice. Whenever in doubt, turn north.

 

South

Everything emotional comes from the south. Symbolically, south is a time for preparing for the future. It is a place of emotion and affairs of the heart. This point represents passion and fullness and reminds us to learn to control our bodies. Here we learn self-control of our emotional selves and how to express feelings without hurting others. It is in the south that we also learn to release feelings of hurt and anger.

Creativity stems from the south as well, and we can make the connection to artistic pursuits and issues dealing with imagination and inventiveness.

 

East

The day begins in the east. It is renewal, birth, and rebirth. It is with this direction that we find spontaneity, innocence, hope, and trust. The first light enters from the east, providing leadership and guidance. We learn many lessons from the messages of the east. We learn to believe in what we cannot see, feel, or touch. We learn to be more open-minded to things we do not understand. This is a place where a new venture or a different path through life may be awakened.

It is also from this direction we must recognize that in order to proceed into the future, we must accept and deal with the present. Once we have accomplished this, we can move in a different direction. This is the conception of all things, including love, career, health, spirituality, and balance. You may have already been through many of life’s tests. But when spirit moves you to try yet again or venture out to do something new, you will find yourself in the direction of the east.

 

West

The Sun sets in the west and brings in the night, mystery, and dreams; it is the gateway to the unknown. The direction west signifies completion of a situation or goal.

It can suggest to you that it is time to complete something you have been procrastinating about. Power and strength generate in the west. This compass point prescribes determination and development. The west tells us to go within ourselves for guidance where the energy is calmer and your level of tension sets like the Sun. We find acceptance of who we are; and if we don’t like what we find, we must change it. I

f you are not looking for a specific message or answer within a Moon circle but feel you need the connection to a specific direction, walk your circle and intentionally sit in the direction from which you feel you need to draw guidance and absorb its energy through meditation. Example: If you do not know whether to interview for a new job, sit in the direction east and concentrate.

Be careful of meditating too much in the northern compass point, because like the winter, you may lose your warmth. Use all directions in moderation.

 

 

Source: Diane Ahlquist, Moon Spells: How to Use the Phases of the Moon to Get What You Want

 

(One Person’s View Point)Sensing the Four Directions

 

Sensing the Four Directions

 

You’re going to work with the four directions and their correspondences a lot as your magickal practice expands. Before you actually start using these energies in spells and rituals, practice sensing what the energies feel like. If possible, try doing these exercises outside as well as inside your home. Many witches prefer to do magick while surrounded by nature whenever they can.

1. Stand facing east and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to quiet your thoughts. Keep an open mind as you try to sense the energy at this compass point. This is the energy of dawn, birth, and beginnings. It might take a few minutes, so give yourself time to receive the universe’s vibrations. You might feel a slight tingling, warmth or coolness, a subtle emotional shift, or something else.

2. Turn to face south and, again, try to sense the energy flowing toward you. This is the energy of fullness and maturity. Does it seem any different from what you felt when you faced the east? Turn to face west and, again, try to sense the energy flowing toward you. This is the energy of winding down and letting go. How does it seem to you?

3. Turn to face north and, again, try to sense the energy flowing toward you. This is the energy of turning inward, silence, and endings. What do you feel?

If at first you don’t succeed in sensing these energies, remember the advice: Try, try again. With practice, you’ll learn to pick up on the different resonances and attune yourself to them. Be sure to write down what you experience in your grimoire.

As you continue strengthening your magickal muscles, you’ll come to a keen awareness of how intertwined you are with everything else in the cosmos. You’ll realize that you can create your own reality by aligning yourself with the dynamic, magickal forces that exist all around you. And you’ll notice that possibilities you never imagined before now open up for you.

–Skye Alexander, The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells

(One Person’s View Point) Calling In Of The Four Directions