Category: Miscellaneous Pagan

Adding Magic to Your Daily Routine More Information

Source: exemplore.com/wicca-witchcraft

Adapt and Adopt Spells

The most powerful magick is when you devise it yourself. Performing someone else’s spell is exactly that, a performance. Whereas if you put thought, effort and creativity into designing your spell, it’s yours and only yours. So I encourage you to use these ideas as mere frameworks, upon which you’ll hang your own unique touches.

You can write them into your Book of Shadows and each time you use them, you can change them a little bit.

Using Spells in Daily Life

What’s so good about using spells and magick in everyday life? Well, because you can. Once you have mastered the trick of tapping into your emotions and desire at will to raise the energy, then you might as well make the most of it and live an enhanced, enchanted, always surprising, lovely witchy life.

Now that doesn’t mean that you won’t have to deal with bad stuff occasionally. We all have to. No one can sail through unscathed or untouched by negativity. And I promise you, you wouldn’t want to. The contrast of the not-so-nice times helps you appreciate the great times. Without the dark, you wouldn’t be grateful for the light.

That Old Universal Energy

I just have to mention once more, that any spell will not be effective unless you put the effort of energetic emotion into it. So before you start, make sure you know what emotion is necessary. Think about what you want to achieve and feel it into reality. Hold that feeling and work your magick.

Smells like witch spirit: How the ancient world’s scented sorceresses influence ideas about magic today

Most perfume ads suggest that the right scent can make you sexy, alluring and successful. A blend by Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs, meanwhile, offers to make you smell like Hecate, the three-faced Greek goddess of witchcraft.

As a classics scholar who studies both magic and the senses in the ancient world, this idea of a witch-inspired perfume fascinates me – and “Hecate” is just one of many magic-inspired fragrances available today.

What does a witch smell like, and why would you deliberately perfume yourself like one?

Smells are impossible to see or touch, yet they affect us emotionally and even physically. That’s similar to how many people think of magic, and cultures around the world have connected the two. My current research is focused on how magic and scent were linked in ancient Rome and Greece, ideas that continue to shape views of witches in the West today.

Greeks and Romans of all walks of life believed in magic and used spells ranging from curses to healing magic and garden charms. Magical handbooks from the time show that Greco-Egyptian magicians used fragrance extensively in their rituals, even scented inks, and doctors believed strong-smelling plant species to be more medically effective than others. The gods themselves were thought to smell sweet, and places they touched retained a pleasant odor, making scent a sign of contact with the divine.

Witches wielding perfumes

Professional magicians in the ancient world claimed they could curse enemies, summon gods, heal the sick, raise ghosts, tell the future and accomplish various other miraculous feats. Surviving descriptions suggest that a majority of them were men, although certainly not all.

When it comes to Greek and Roman fiction, however, most magicians are women.

Witches in ancient literature use smells even more … Click here to read the rest of this article

What Are Glamour Spells?

With so many types of spells out there, it’s tough to figure out where to start. Glamour spells have been used by witches for centuries, but they aren’t the most well-known types of spells by any means.

Because glamour spells are generally underground, there aren’t many spells on Google or Pinterest that are readily available. I’m hoping that this post will provide you with some simple glamour spell ideas that work.

What Are Glamour Spells?

In magic, a glamour is a veil that hides what’s underneath. A glamour spell brings out one’s natural beauty while hiding those less-than-desirable aspects.

When you’re casting a glamour spell, you can either personally choose the aspects that you want to enhance or you can simply visualize beauty and let the spell choose.

A glamour spell typically doesn’t last that long. I find that most glamour spells I cast will last for a full day or so. I tend to cast glamour spells when I really need them which is mainly for special events.

I personally use glamour spells to appear more like who I truly feel I am inside. I don’t use them to run from myself, but I do have specific aspects of myself that I like more than others, and enhancing those aspects gives me confidence.

When Should You Cast Glamour Spells?

I recommend casting a glamour spell anytime you want to enhance your natural beauty. This might be when you feel a bit down, when you want to attract someone, when you’re going into a social situation you feel nervous about, or before a big night or event.

Sometimes, you may just want to cast a glamour spell for fun. All 3 of these glamour spells are relatively harmless, so go for it!

I don’t recommend that you cast a glamour spell if you feel at odds with yourself. A glamour spell is most effective when you harness your inner power and believe in yourself, but you first need to have some level of self-love.

A glamour spell isn’t likely to cause any type of negative karma, but it can bring out the effects you most hate in yourself if it’s cast with a negative or self-deprecating attitude.

A History Of Glamour Spells:

Glamour spells have been around for a long time. Before makeup and cosmetic modifiers were available to everyone, glamour spells were primary method of beauty modification.

In fact, makeup, botox, hair products, etc. are all forms of glamour spells. While witches in the 1200’s used herbs or chants for increase beauty, we use cosmetics.

Glamour spells are timeless and well-practiced for a reason: they work!

3 Easy Glamour Spells For Enhanced Beauty:

Here are 3 very simple glamour spells that are effective for both beginner and advanced students of witchcraft. If you choose to cast a circle during your practice, make sure to go ahead and do that before beginning these spells.

Click here to read the rest of this article Source: teaandrosemary.com

Witchcraft for Kids? Pros & Cons

In the dim, flickering glow of campfires and bedtime lanterns, tales of enchantment, witches, and spells have been passed down through generations. The allure of the mystical, with its blend of the familiar and the arcane, naturally piques the curiosity of young minds. Is it then a wonder that they’d want to explore the world of the occult? But when it comes to the reality of the occult, is it a realm too profound for youthful exploration? Is witchcraft for kids? Or should it be off-limits?

Remember when you were told not to play with Grandma’s tarot cards or found an old, dusty tombstone with esoteric symbols in the graveyard? Were you not curious?

Unveiling the Mysteries

To start, let’s dispel the clouds surrounding ‘occult.’ Rooted in Latin, ‘occultus’ simply signifies “hidden.” Over time, it has evolved to include practices like witchcraft, astrology, and alchemy. Far from mere shadows, these are imbued with cultural and historical relevance. But, is this a realm for children?

A Harmless Game … or Witchcraft for Kids?

I remember playing “Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board” at sleepover parties when I was a child (in the 70s, long before it was featured on any TV show). Anyway, one time, it actually worked, which of course both delighted us and freaked us out at the same time.

Such games, though seemingly innocuous, often straddle the line between innocent fun and deeper, misunderstood practices.

So, the next day, I came home and decided to play it with my little brother and our cousins. Unfortunately, our fanatically religious Christian parents caught us and turned the whole thing into something akin to a witchcraft trial rather than just chalking it up to a little harmless fun.

Isn’t it odd how people are always afraid of the ones accused of witchcraft rather than… Click here to read the rest of this article Source: grandmasgrimoire.com

Little Pagan Acorns

Searching for new and interesting things to post I came across this website geared towards helping children learn about paganism. They have many wonderful and interesting things you can print out or download as a PDF. I wish this was available when my children were growing up because maybe more than one of my five would have accepted my chosen path better. In case you are wondering no none of my children practice witchcraft and its spiritual as well as magickal path as a whole.

Click here to go to Little Pagan Acorns

How Glamor Magic Works

Glamor spells are a fascinating and often misunderstood form of witchcraft. This form of spell work can be very intimidating to newer witches. It can seem very complex, unpredictable, or intangible, and many witches avoid them entirely simply because they don’t know enough to feel comfortable performing this kind of magic. Some witches consider glamor spells to be immoral, almost like lying, while others consider glamor to be more like magical makeup, in other words, not immoral at all. And then there are the misconceptions about what glamor spells even do and how they work. Does it change how you look? Does it change what other people are seeing? Are the changes permanent?

Not to worry. Today we’re going to clear up all of this confusion and take a look at what glamor spells are, how they work, how you can use them in your craft, plus three new glamor spells that you can add to your grimoire today.

What Are Glamor Spells?

A glamor spell is any spell that changes how you are perceived by other people. This might be a change in how you look to other people, it might be a change in how you sound to other people, it could even be a change in the emotional response that you create in other people. Often when we hear the phrase glamor spell, we think of it as a purely physical type of magic, focused entirely around the visual presentation that you have, but this is not always the case. And glamor spells are not just for making yourself look more attractive!

This kind of magic is excellent for adjusting not only how people see you visually but also how confident your voice sounds, how competent you seem, how your gender presentation is being perceived, how put-together you seem, how much people feel like they can empathize with you, and much more. If you can think of a way to adjust how someone else is perceiving you, you can probably achieve that with a glamor spell.

That said, you can use glamor spells for vanity! There’s nothing wrong with that. If I’m going out on a date and I want to feel more confident and attractive on that date, a glamor spell can give me a little boost and help me feel much better going into my evening. If I’m going to a job interview and I want to impress the interviewer, I can use a glamor spell to make myself seem more competent, or professional, or trustworthy. As long as the magic adjusts how other people perceive you, then it’s a glamor spell.

How Glamor Spells Work

The big thing to know about glamor spells is that they do not actually change anything about you. Using spells that make you look more attractive to your date does not change your physical appearance. A spell to change how your gender presentation is perceived will not change your gender. Hell, a spell that’s designed to make you seem competent and trustworthy will not make you competent and trustworthy if you’re not. All a glamor spell does is change how people are perceiving you.

This means that if you cast a glamor spell to make yourself more attractive, your appearance is not changing. Instead, people are going to be more inclined to be attracted to you exactly as you are. If you cast a glamor spell to seem more confident, it’s not giving you confidence, all this spell is doing is making it so that the people you encounter feel like you are a confident person.

Some of you may be disappointed by this, but this is an excellent way to approach this kind of magic. It might take ten times the amount of magical energy to give you a boost in confidence, as it would to just make you appear more confident. And the amount of energy it would take to create actual physical changes to your body would be astronomical, to the degree that it’s practically impossible, compared to simply changing how other people perceive you. Not only that, but creating real, tangible changes takes time. Remember, we have to work within the bounds of the reality that we live in. Physics still exists. Time still exists. If you’re going to change something big about yourself, that change will take time. Usually, by the time you realize you need the change, it’s too late to cast a spell to do something that big. Glamor spells are a quick, relatively energy-sparing form of magic that can give you the result of making the change without having to spend a ton of effort making that change first.

You should also keep in mind that glamor spells can only do so much. You can’t make yourself look totally different from how you are. You probably won’t be able to make someone who hates you suddenly feel positive toward you. These spells are for creating subtle shifts in perception, not for making you into someone totally different!

Is Glamor Magic Immoral?

Okay, this brings us to the next question. Isn’t this kind of like lying to people? While I can’t give you a definitive answer as far as morality is concerned, since morals are highly relative and very much dependent on your individual beliefs, I can give you my perspective on the matter. Using glamor is no different from pretending that you are more confident than you are or putting on makeup to make yourself feel more attractive. And we do these things every day! Almost everyone pretends to be more confident than they are in a job interview. Everyone takes steps to make themselves look and feel more attractive before going on a date. These things aren’t lying, it’s natural to want to present yourself in the best light.

Often, glamor spells are used on special occasions. They’re used for that first date or they’re used for that job interview or they’re used for meeting your spouse’s parents. Usually, we use them in situations where we want a little boost to help things go our way or to help us feel more comfortable going into a situation. Now, if you were to use a glamor spell every single day, at that point it might tip into being morally questionable. For instance, if you use a glamor to make yourself more attractive on a first date and then you continue to use that same spell every single day for the entirety of your relationship, that could be seen as lying to them or manipulating them with magic.

Again, it’s not my job to tell you what’s right and wrong for you to do. But if you feel you have to use a glamor spell every single day, you should consider making real tangible changes to your life instead. Ask yourself, why do you feel like you need a glamor spell every single day? Do you feel like this person wouldn’t like you without the spell? Do you really want someone in your life who doesn’t like you unless you greatly alter their perception of you? Is this a change that you would want to make in your life, and would that change be worth the effort?

Only you can answer these questions for yourself and it’s going to vary depending on your circumstances. The bottom line is that glamor spells themselves are not immoral, but how you use glamor magic may or may not conflict with your moral compass. It’s up to you to figure out what feels right and wrong in your practice.

Using Glamors In Your Craft

Okay, so you have a better understanding of what glamor really is and how it works, and hopefully, you’ve taken a bit of time to figure out what feels right to you in terms of using this magic in your own life. Now how do you go about using glamor spells in your practice?

The good news is that glamor magic is just like any other spell. Provided you are following a quality spell and you’re comfortable and confident in your spell casting, there’s very little difference between casting a glamor spell and casting weather spells or love spells or money spells. The end goal is simply different. Here are three of my favorite glamor spells that you can use to try out this kind of magic for yourself.

Source: thetravelingwitch.com

The Enigma of Friday the 13th: Sacred Symbolism for Witches and Women

Friday the 13th is a date shrouded in mystery and superstition. It invokes both fear and fascination in the minds of many. While often associated with ill luck and dark omens, this peculiar day holds a sacred significance for witches and women alike. Delving into the depths of history, folklore, and cultural beliefs, we unravel the enigma behind Friday the 13th and explore its connection to witchcraft and the empowerment of women.

Origins and Historical Significance:

What are the origins of the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th? It can be traced back to a convergence of various historical and cultural influences. The perceived unluckiness of Friday can be attributed to Christian beliefs. It is supposed as the day on which Jesus was crucified. Additionally, it was believed that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit on a Friday. This perpetuated the association of the day with misfortune.

The fear surrounding the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, has deep historical roots as well. Many ancient cultures considered the number 12 to be complete and harmonious, representing the twelve months, zodiac signs, and apostles. The number 13, therefore, disrupted this balance and was viewed as a symbol of chaos and disruption.

Sacredness in Witchcraft: Click here to read the rest of this article

Winter Solstice Rituals for Witches: Honor the Darkness and Embrace the Light – Article by Guest Author – Patti Negri, the “Good Witch”

As the frost settles and the days grow shorter, the veil between worlds starts to thin, inviting witches to honor the celestial dance of the Winter Solstice. This sacred juncture marks the longest night, inviting us to embrace the darkness and await the return of the sun’s warmth.

In witchcraft, the Winter Solstice holds profound significance. It’s a time of reflection, transformation and potent magic. During this period, rituals and traditions intertwine with the rhythms of nature, guiding practitioners to create sacred spaces adorned with symbols that resonate with the season’s energy.

Witches may also use candle magic to illuminate the shadows, offering a beacon of hope in the night. Additionally, they may use herbal enchantments to weave their potent spells with seasonal botanicals.

In this article, we’ll explore the depths of Winter Solstice practices. From crafting altars imbued with ancient symbolism to embracing the transition from darkness to light through intention-setting rituals, we’ll delve into the timeless traditions that honor the solstice, bridging the realms of the mystical and the mundane.

The Significance of the Winter Solstice in Witchcraft

The Winter Solstice holds pivotal significance in witchcraft, marking the year’s longest night and the rebirth of the sun. It symbolizes the eternal dance between light and darkness, mirroring life’s cyclical nature.

If you’re a practicing crystal witch, this celestial event is a time of introspection, honoring the unseen and embracing the shadows within. It’s a moment to honor your ancestors, reflect on the past year’s lessons, and set intentions for the coming cycle.

By aligning with nature’s rhythms, you can harness this potent energy, weaving spells that invite transformation and renewal. The solstice embodies the essence of transition, and it can guide you toward cosmic alignment and personal growth.

Creating a Sacred Space

Crafting a sacred space for the Winter Solstice means arranging altars adorned with potent symbols resonant with the season’s essence. You can use elements like evergreens to signify resilience, and crystals like quartz and obsidian to channel transformative energies.

Candles can help evoke warmth amid darkness, representing the returning sun’s light. Seasonal items like pinecones, mistletoe or holly can also infuse rituals with nature’s vitality. This is where placement and arrangement are important; you have to align the elements with cardinal directions or personal intention.

These altars will become portals where you commune with cosmic energies, facilitating connection and manifestation. Each symbol chosen has a deeper meaning, creating a sanctuary where your intentions will converge with elemental forces during this sacred celestial juncture.

Candle Magic for Illumination

Candle magic during the Winter Solstice serves as a beacon, illuminating the darkness of the longest night. Lit candles symbolize hope, inviting the returning sun’s warmth and guiding lost spirits towards renewal.

Moreover, colors like gold and silver embody the sun’s vitality, while blues and purples evoke tranquility and introspection. As flames flicker, you can infuse your intentions into the wax, manifesting your desires and dispelling negativity.

This ritual involves consecration, visualization and focused intent, harnessing the elemental power of fire. Through this ancient practice, you’ll embrace the transformative potential within the solstice’s shadows, kindling your inner light.

Herbal Enchantments

As a witch, the Winter Solstice is the ideal time to harness the enchanting power of seasonal botanicals in spellwork and rituals. For instance, sacred herbs like cinnamon, juniper and mistletoe infuse ceremonies with their potent energies, invoking protection, renewal and abundance.

By crafting herbal sachets, teas or incense blends, you can honor nature’s dormant yet vibrant essence, inviting its transformative forces. Each botanical holds unique properties—pine for purification, chamomile for inner peace—aligning intentions with nature’s wisdom.

Through these herbal enchantments, you can embrace the solstice’s essence. This will help you commune with the earth’s dormant energies to facilitate personal and cosmic metamorphosis.

Reflection and Intention

During the Winter Solstice, reflection and intention is a sacred ritual that facilitates the transition from darkness to light. As a practitioner, you can engage in introspective ceremonies, honoring lessons learned amid the year’s shadows.

Through meditation and journaling, you can reflect on personal growth and release that which no longer serves you. You can meticulously craft intentions, infusing them with newfound wisdom and aspirations for the returning light.

These rituals may involve symbolic actions like burning written reflections or lighting candles to signify newfound clarity. This marks a pivotal moment, guiding you from the depths of introspection into the dawning promise of renewal and illumination as the sun’s rebirth draws near.

To Wrap Up

By engaging in these profound rituals during the mystical Winter Solstice, you can honor the dance between darkness and light. This is the time to weave spells, kindle inner flames, and commune with nature’s wisdom.

The solstice reminds us of life’s cyclical nature—of endings that birth beginnings. As you step forward, carrying the solstice’s transformative energy within, may your intentions continue to blossom.

May you navigate the year ahead with the resilience of evergreens, the clarity of candlelight, and the wisdom gleaned from this sacred journey from darkness to light. May you continue to be connected to the celestial rhythms of our world.

16 Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials (One Person’s View)

A list of 16 Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials That Every Witch Should Have

These common witchcraft spell casting essentials are not listed in any particular order. They are listed in the order in which they came to me for the purpose of writing this article.

These are not the only common witchcraft spell casting essentials, however, they are some of the ones that I feel are the main ones.

THE most important witchcraft spell casting essential is intent. Without intent, you have nothing but words and actions, and not really a spell cast at all.

In no particular order, a list of Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials

1. Salt

Used for cleansing and banishing. It is also used for protection during cleansing and banishing spells. Salt is a natural antiseptic. Salt is commonly used for circles for standing or sitting in while casting. It also ensures a clean spell.

2. Broom

Brooms are highly symbolic. Brooms symbolize the sweeping away of anything unwanted. They are used physically, as well as symbolically. You would use a broom to physically sweep away in a cleansing spell, banishing spell, also in some protection spells (ones that would rid unwanted energy from your home to keep it out).

3. Candles

Candles are used for focus and mood. Candles should be readily available in as many colors as you can get a hold of. Different colored candles hold symbolism for a variety of spells. Colors are chosen based on the nature of the spell and what feels right. White can be substituted for any color in the absence of the chosen color.

For example, some people like to use the color Red for love spells, or the colors Green or Gold for money spells, or Blue for healing spells, etc.

You can choose what colors feel right for you for any spell of your choosing. You do not have to go with the commonly used color associations if you feel another color will work better for you in a certain spell or ritual.

4. Crystals and Stones

You should have a variety of stones and crystals for different purposes. Crystals and stones contain a charge for various things so you will want to choose wisely based on your spell. In the absence of the proper crystal, Quartz can be charged with the necessary properties. I find Quartz to be quite powerful and quite generic because of its nature.

Important: You do not want to use crystals or stones of any kind (even wedding rings or other jewelry) when doing banishing spells. When you are working to banish (especially with entities), crystals and stones can absorb the energy of the entity, keeping the entity attached to that stone forever.

Be selective in what spells you use crystals and stones in.

5. Incense

Incense comes in a wide variety of scents /odors. You will always want to choose what suits the spell best and what feels right for you at the time of casting.

Incense can be used to trigger certain emotions or invoke a mindset. Different smells for different purposes.

I prefer vanilla for most spells, as it is very soothing and calming, and helps to set the mood for casting.

6. Anointing Oils and Essential Oils

Oils are used for various purposes. Some are for scent and feeling, and others are for cleansing or blessing. The different oils are chosen based on items they are needed for and for the spell they are being used in.

7. Silence

Silence is optimal for casting any spell. You need to be able to focus on your spell without distraction. If you have children, especially young ones, you need to choose your timing wisely.

8. Isolation

Unless you are with a coven, isolation is a preferable. (If you are with a coven, then the coven should be isolated.) Being alone goes hand-in-hand with silence.

9. Book of Shadows (Spell Book)

A book with your spells written inside it. It is important to always write down your spells that you cast in the event that you want to perform a certain spell again. This is something that you will always have and should keep protected. A notebook can be used, but you should transfer your spells into something more permanent. Spells, although written down in this book can be altered at any time.

10. Intent

THE most important thing you need when casting any spell. Witchcraft is based on intent. Make sure that your intentions are known before you even begin casting your spell. Know what you want to achieve and focus on it.

11. Focus

Focus works alongside intent. You want to focus on your intentions and on what it is that you are doing throughout the spell to make those intentions be your outcome.

12. Confidence

You must have confidence in order for your spells to take effect. The more confident you are, the stronger your casting will be. Know in your heart and in your mind that what you are doing within the spell has worked, is working, and will work. Believe it and so shall it be.

13. Altar

A place where you have all of your essentials gathered together to perform your rituals and castings. Usually a table or desk dedicated to your collection of Witchcraft items. This is also where you would perform offerings to the Gods or Goddesses that you are calling upon to help you. For lack of a table or desk, you can use the top of a dresser or a shelving unit, a shelf, or even a window sill.

14. Herbs and Flowers

You will want to have various herbs and flowers on hand at all times for various spells. Herbs and flowers can be used fresh or dried. If burning the herbs or flowers, you will of course want to use dried. Fragrance from fresh herbs and flowers may be needed depending on the spell to be cast and the ritual to be performed. Also, if being used for symbolism, you would choose fresh or dried accordingly. (eg. dried to symbolize old, and fresh to symbolize new)

15. Cauldron

A fireproof container for burning various objects, incense, images, herbs, etc. When a spell calls for it, you will need to burn certain things, so a cauldron will make the perfect venue for this. A cauldron is not used only for burning; it is also used for mixing. In your cauldron, you can mix any of your “ingredients” that you need to bring together for your spell or ritual. You may want to heat some mixtures in your cauldron, so this is another reason it should be fireproof. It should also be food-safe if you are mixing potions.

16. Instinct

Go with your instinct no matter what kind of spell you are casting or ritual you are performing. Use your instincts when choosing every element and every word to a spell or ritual. Only you know what is right for your spell or ritual, no one can tell you what should be used and what shouldn’t. Go with your instinct every time, even if you have a spell previously written. If that spell feels like it should be changed, then change it. Instincts will get you very far with witchcraft.

This is not a complete list of everything that you will ever need or that you will ever use in your spells and… Click here to read the rest of this article Source: wakeup.unhypnotize.com

Journey To Witchcraft c.2016

Author: The Wild Sorceress

Hello from an Australian Eclectic Witch. I have to admit, I’m a bit of a procrastinator. I’ve been thinking about writing an essay for some time but as all procrastinators will tell you, it’s always the thinking, never the doing.

I have always been interested in witchcraft. I think the awareness and the interest started when I was 13, (inspired from seeing The Craft. Yes, I know what you’re thinking and you’re probably right. But we all find our path in different ways).

I went to see the movie with three friends and at the end of the movie, like all teenage girls who are not considered ‘popular’ we thought “Wow this is for us”. Double, Double, Toil and Trouble the teenage way. And like all teenagers, my three friends lost interest fairly soon after.

The interest always stuck with me in various ways over the next few years but being in high school one has enough stress and doesn’t always find the time to delve into the spiritual.

So as the story goes, years later I was cleaning out my room and came across a book my parents had bought for me when I was 13 called The Nice Girl’s Book of Naughty Spells. (Yes you read correctly, my parents bought it for me).

I also came across articles I had ripped out of magazines and a booklet I had sent off for from the Church Of Wicca in Perth, WA. It grabbed me, and then it lost me. I began working and again, it took a back seat. I think at that stage in my life, it wasn’t time for me to walk the path. (Procrastination again).

I was about 22 when the interest became more of a spiritual need, a path I felt I needed to walk. I bought books to read. My first 2 were Witch A Personal Journey and A Magickal Year by Fiona Horne, followed soon by Book Of Shadows by Phyllis Currot and then finally Wicca by Scott Cunningham. It really hit me: this is what I wanted, and I felt it was right for me.

Luckily I didn’t have any religious conflicts. For all intents and purposes my mother was a single mother and she felt, not being religious herself, that she did not want to baptize her children (I have an older brother). She felt that we should feel free to pick our own path when we were old enough to understand what religion was. Suffice to say, Christianity was not for me.

I’ve always been an independent free thinker and the rules and rigmarole of organized religion was not for me.

The way I got here was interesting. As a general rule when I was younger, nature and its elements were actually very boring to me. I knew there were trees and flowers and things of that nature but it didn’t really impact me in any fashion. I used to hate helping my mother garden. Also, every time I tried to grow something it would die. The natural world, seemingly, was not my friend.

As I began to study witchcraft the natural held more interest and I felt better and more alive when I would go outside. We have this massive Oak tree in our yard and it is magnificent and really old. Now when I stand with it and look at it or touch the leaves, I feel an affinity I never thought I would. I feel a spiritual recognition, a connection with its beauty and its sense of history. I grow herbs under it and they flourish nourished by its shade. Being a fire sign, Oak is also one of my Celtic trees.

I feel my personal power growing. I have always had a strong sense of intuition and occasionally have psychic flashes that more often than not just leave me with a head spinning sense of déjà vu.

I am now able to grow herbs. I’m currently growing about 8 different kinds from seed and they are going really strong now. To me, this is a sign that the Goddess is helping me walk this path.

The one thing that originally boggled my mind was the amount of ‘things’ needed in witchcraft. There are athames and wands, chalices, censers, candles, herbs etc and I thought that my new path — although giving me great spiritual fulfillment — was going to drain my finances. But I have found that these items have come to me when I have needed them, not before. I think that instead of rushing out and buying everything all at once that if you wait, the Goddess will deliver. If not, I have 2 great recommendations for you.

EBay is a great place to get different ritual items. I got my first lot of herbs, most of my books, runes and two lovely wooden pentagram boxes from EBay.

Another is an Australian website called Uncle Festers. They have a club called the Cauldron Club and each month for 13 months they send you a package, slowly building up all your ritual supplies. Since being with them I haven’t really bought anything. I wait; it comes. I love it; it’s like my birthday every month.

My mother and stepfather have always been incredibly supportive of my choice (as has my brother and friends). I never had to worry about their disapproval. It breaks my heart when I read articles on here about new witches who fear rejection and anger from their parents if they share with them the news of walking the path of the Goddess. It’s sad that people are not flexible minded enough to realize that what may be good for them religion-wise is not always good for someone else.

My advice is to stay strong and be true to who you are because ultimately in this world, the only person who you have to please is yourself.

Wow, do I go on. So this is the story of a 24-year-old Eclectic Witch from Australia who wanted to write an article for Witchvox.

Blessed Be

Witches’ Runes (One Person’s View)

Introduction

In the complex realm of divination methods and mystical symbolism, Witches’ Runes stand as a captivating and simple tool. Unlike the more widely recognised Elder Futhark Runes and ancient Irish Ogham alphabet, which have ancient historical roots, the Witches’ Runes are a more recent creation, born from the modern witchcraft and neo-pagan movements.

This blog post delves into the intriguing history of the Witches’ Runes, exploring their origins, development, symbols and meanings; and how they can be used in contemporary witchcraft and divination practices. Whilst some people refer to these symbols as ‘Witch’s Runes’ we prefer the plural witches to denote that they are a tool shared by many spiritual people, rather than being owned by one specific Pagan path.

The Origins of Witches’ Runes

Witches’ Runes in their current form as a divination tool emerged in the late 20th century, influenced by the revival of interest in paganism and occult practices. Unlike the traditional Norse runes, which date back to the early centuries of the Common Era, the Witches’ Runes were created to specifically cater to the needs and beliefs of modern witches and pagans.

The exact origins of the Witches’ Runes are somewhat shrouded in mystery, as there is no single definitive source or creator. However, as a collection of symbols to be used together, they are believed to have been influenced by various elements of European folklore, witchcraft traditions, and modern esoteric practices. Key figures in the neo-pagan and Wiccan movements, such as Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente, played a significant role in the resurgence of interest in such mystical tools, paving the way for the creation of the Witches’ Runes.

Susan Sheppard, in her 1998 book ‘Witch’s Runes How to make and use your own magickal stones’ suggests that the symbols that underpin the Witches’ Runes can be traced not only throughout Europe, but also across the globe, and similar motifs can be found on petroglyphs / stone carvings. She talks about the Indian travelling people, and their cultures, who used the symbols in their talismans and are likely the people who brought the symbols into Europe during the Middle Ages.

How many runes are in a Witches’ Runes set?

How to use Witches’ Runes in divination and witch symbols in magickal practice

Using Witches’ Runes for Divination

Incorporating Witches’ Runes into magickal rituals

Click here to read the rest of this article Source: reliquarycurios.com

Johannes Junius – 17th Century Witchcraft in Germany

Johannes Junius
A Witch’s Letter to His Daughter

In the early 17th century, the state of Bamburg, Germany, experienced one of the most devastating Witch crazes of the Burning Times. From 1623 to 1633, Bamburg was ruled by Prince-Bishop Gottfried Johann Georg II Fuchs von Dornheim — a man called “the Witch Bishop” because of the hundreds of Witches he killed. Von Dornheim did not hesitate to attack even the wealthiest citizens of Bamburg and grew rich on the goods that he confiscated from the condemned. During his reign, no one was safe.

Johannes Junius was the mayor of the city of Bamburg at this time. At the height of the panics, Junius was accused of Witchcraft. His trial was a straight-forward affair. According to the records of the court, Junius was tortured but felt no pain. While in prison, he spontaneously confessed to Witchcraft and named several accomplices. He was convicted and burned at the stake a short time later.

But in Junius’ case we have a unique opportunity to see the other side of the story. Before he died, he smuggled a letter to his daughter Veronica, warning her to flee the city before she, too, was accused. This document, preserved in Bamburg’s archives, offers a chillingly different account of the trial.

Junius describes the agonies of his “painless” torture, torments that left his hands crippled for weeks. His “spontaneous” confession was made in fear of further torture. As mayor, Junius knew the torturer. The man warned him of the torments yet to come and begged him to make up a false confession that could at least spare him further agony. He did, and to his horror discovered that the court refused to accept his confession unless he named other Witches who attended the sabbat.

Junius refused to implicate anyone else, and he was tortured again. This time he broke, and when the court gave him a list of suspected Witches, Junius meekly agreed that all of them had attended a sabbat with him. Later, back in prison, Junius met the other Witches who had implicated him. He forgave them, and prayed that the people he’d condemned could find it in their hearts to forgive him as well.

The following excerpts come from Johannes Junius’ letter to his daughter: Click here to read the rest of this article Source: summerlands.com

For more information about this gentleman you can use this link

What being a Pagan Witch means to Me?

When I began practicing witchcraft is was just to do spells to try and change things in my life it wasn’t a spiritual walk. As time went on and I studied with first a coven and then as a solitary my views changed. I saw it as a way to help others not just myself. Slowly over the years I came more and more to the spiritual aspect of it until the spiritual overtook the magickal part. The spiritual part started awakening abilities that I was born with.

I have been a spirit talker since about the age of three years old and guide by my mom who also was born with this ability. It was very scary this first time I saw and talked with the spirit of my paternal grandfather who had crossed many, many years before I was even thought of. My mom came in and told my grandpa he should have come to her again first and she would have introduced us before he came directly to me.

HERBALISM AND FOLK REMEDIES: A BEGINNERS LOOK INTO TRADITIONAL HEALING

Disclaimer: No herb should be used for medicinal purpose until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.

In an era dominated by advanced pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, the humble origins and principles of herbalism and folk remedies often seem overshadowed. Yet, there is a growing interest in these traditional methods of healing – a thirst for returning back to the wild and seeping in all the knowledge of natural medicines and foods we can find in the world around us. This interest is not just a nostalgic return to the practices of our ancestors, but a rational and evidence-based reconsideration of what effective medicine can look like in a modern context.

The reliance on synthetic drugs, heralded for their targeted action and potency, has somewhat obscured the value found in the natural compounds that have been the bedrock of medicinal practices for millennia. Despite this pharmaceutical shift, many folk remedies have remained in our homes – from lemon and ginger teas for sore throats and colds, to baking soda paste on nettle stings to stop the itchiness, what the world naturally gives us works – and so we come back to it.

There are benefits in herbal medicines, even if it is not quite understood which components are doing the helping, as this study suggests. These findings give credibility to traditional remedies and expand our knowledge on healing with accessible and effective resources that align with the principles of sustainability. It is always good to keep in mind that traditional medicine is in direct competition with the business of big pharma, so it’s no surprise there is a lack of official research being poured into the subject.
This exploration of natural remedies has identified active ingredients in common foods and herbs that support the treatment of various conditions— such as garlic’s antimicrobial properties, the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric, and the treatment of depression using St Johns Wort (though, for clarification, this particular study claims to have “inconclusive” results, despite finding St Johns Wort more effective than the standard treatments).
Nonetheless, these findings validate traditional medicine, as well as illuminate a path forward where health care can be more sustainable, grounded, and in tune with the natural world. Integrating folk remedies into contemporary healthcare practices is not about rejecting modern medicine’s achievements but about broadening our approach to healing.

HOW PLANTS CONNECT US TO MAGICK…

Click here to read the rest of this article Source: wildweremain.com

The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief

The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief Source: wiccangathering.com

In the 1970s in the United States, a coalition of Wiccan groups banded together and set to put and end to misconceptions about Wicca. For too long, they thought, Wicca had been subject to uninformed stereotypes, stigma, and lack of proper recognition. So, what are the thirteen principles exactly?

The Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief were a summation to clear up misconceptions about Wicca and they outlined concepts such as: non-harm, disassociation from the devil, acknowledging the power of nature and the spiritual world, and living in harmony with the universe.

They also covered some societal issues like environmental responsibility and equality of the sexes. The federation wanted to communicate what Wicca was, and also what it was not.

The Principles are monumental because Wiccans and neo-Pagans are loosely organised and often can never agree. However the 13 principles of Wiccan belief forged an agreement among these diverse groups. The legacy of this historic agreement still lasts today.

For more general information about Wiccan beliefs, check out our beginner’s guide to Wiccan beliefs.

Origination of the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief

In the 1970s, there were many misconceptions about Wicca and other pagan religions in the eyes of the general public. For instance, often Wicca and Witchcraft were misunderstood to be the same as Satanism or were misconstrued with the Christian Devil. There was much fear of pagan practices, and many untrue myths and stigma floating around.

A group of American Wiccans wanted to go on the offensive and correct the misinformation. Wicca is naturally a decentralized religionOpens in a new tab. as there is no official religious document, no central leader, and no governing authority. Wiccans are subject only to the divine.

There are infinite varieties which fall under the umbrella of pagan religion, and each practitioner has their own personal belief. They sought to create a document to clearly outline a general set of principles which all Wiccans adhere to.

However they thought it was possible to create a summary that all traditions could agree to and unite under. It was the goal of these principles to clarify what Wicca really was (and wasn’t).

Timeline

The period surrounding the 13 principles spans from 1973 until 1974. It started when Carl Llewellyn Weschcke created and chaired the “Council of American WitchesOpens in a new tab.”. (It’s sometimes called “The American Council of Witches”.)

The council was composed of about 73 members from various Wiccan, Pagan, and Witchcraft paths. The council convened in fall 1973 in Minneapolis.

You may know Carl Llewellyn Weschcke from his publishing company, Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd., which publishes pagan, Wiccan, and occult books. Weschcke published a newsletter called “Touchstone,” which formed the basis of a comprehensive document on the wide variety of Wiccan beliefs.

In April 1974, the council met again in Minneapolis. At this meeting they adopted Weschcke’s document. This document became the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief that we know today.

Legacy of the Principles

Although the Council only lived for a short time (it disbanded later on in 1974), its legacy lives on. One of the largest impacts of the Principles is its inclusive definition of the overall guidelines of Witchcraft traditions. It embraces the full range of pagan and Wiccan beliefs. As a testament to this, the Principles are still embraced today.

Another notable legacy is to get governmental recognition of Wicca. The Principles were added to the US Army’s Handbook for Chaplains which is a huge achievement.

The the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief were groundbreaking in another way. They described everyone regardless of “sexual preference.” This was an incredible feat at the time.

The Text of the Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief

These were taken from the text of the Council of American Witches Principles of Wiccan Beliefs.

Adopted By The Council Of American Witches Spring Witch meet of 1974, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs. In 1974 the Council of American Witches was formed with 73 Witches of varying traditions. They attempted to form a statement of common principles and definitions shared by Witches in order to dispel misinformation.

These principles have been incorporated into one or more editions of the U.S. Army handbook for chaplains. Although most Witches embrace the Wiccan Rede, many embrace some or all of the 13 Principles of Wiccan belief.

We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from all and to share our learning within our Council. Here follows the introduction that accompanied the principles, this explains them better than we can, and the 13 principles themselves.

The 13 Principles of the Wiccan Belief:

Introduction: In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to those principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, colour, sex, age, national or cultural origins or sexual preference.

We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

We recognise that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility towards our environment.  We seek to live in harmony with nature in ecological balance offering fulfilment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called “supernatural”, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.

We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity – as masculine and feminine – and that this same Creative Power lies in all people and functions through the interaction of the masculine and the feminine.  We value neither above the other knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sex as pleasure as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energy used in magical practice and religious worship.

We recognise both outer and inner, or psychological, worlds — sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. — and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfilment.

We do not recognise any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honour those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it – a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft – the Wiccan Way.

Calling oneself a “Witch” does not make a Witch – but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations.  A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and without harm to others and in harmony with nature.

We believe in the affirmation and fulfilment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.

Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be “the only way,” and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the origins of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.

We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as “Satan” or “the Devil”, as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.

We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Herbs for Spells and Magick: Harnessing Nature’s Powerful Secrets

The practice of using herbs for spells is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom, with each herb possessing its own unique energy and properties. In the practice of spellwork, herbs play a crucial role, adding potency, symbolism, and intention to our rituals. In this article, we will explore the world of herbs for spells, highlighting their specific magickal properties and how they can be incorporated into your spellcasting practice.

The Historical Significance of Using Herbs for Spells

Best Herbs for Spells

Magickal Properties of Common Herbs for Spells

Incorporating Herbs for spells in Different Rituals

Resources to Learn More About the Best Herbs for Spells

Conclusion

The Historical Significance of Using Herbs for Spells

The historical significance of using herbs for spells is a fascinating aspect of the practice, deeply rooted in the traditions and beliefs of ancient civilizations. Here, let’s delve deeper into this historical context:

  1. Ancient Civilizations: The use of herbs for magical spells and spiritual purposes dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. These cultures held strong beliefs in the power of nature and its connection to the divine. Herbs were considered gifts from the gods and were used not only for medicinal purposes but also in religious ceremonies and magical rituals.
  2. Spiritual Connection: Many ancient cultures believed that herbs had spiritual or supernatural properties. They associated specific herbs with various deities or celestial forces, attributing them with the ability to invoke or channel these energies. This belief laid the foundation for the use of herbs in spellcasting.
  3. Healing and Protection: In these early civilizations, herbs were not only used for spiritual purposes but also for practical ones. They were integral to healing practices and protection spells. Priests, priestesses, and shamans used herbs to cure ailments, ward off evil spirits, and protect individuals and communities from harm.
  4. Alchemy and Herbalism: During the Middle Ages, the practice of alchemy and herbalism gained prominence in Europe. Alchemists sought to unlock the secrets of the universe, and herbs played a significant role in their experiments. This period also saw the development of grimoires, wiccan books of magic that often included instructions on using herbs in spells and rituals.
  5. Witchcraft Trials: The historical association of herbs with magic and witchcraft also played a role in the infamous witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries. Many accused witches were believed to use herbs in their spells and potions. This dark chapter in history demonstrates the profound fear and fascination society had with the power of herbs in spellwork.
  6. Cultural Diversity: It’s important to note that the use of herbs for spells is not limited to Western cultures. Indigenous cultures around the world have their own rich traditions of herbal magic and shamanic practices. These traditions vary widely in their beliefs and practices but share a common thread of using herbs as conduits to the spiritual realm.
  7. Modern Revival: In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in… Click here to read this rest of this article Source: witchsymbols.com

Guide to Black Salt Benefits: How to Make it and Use it

Disclaimer: No flower or plant or herb should be used for medicinal purposes until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of negative reaction when using this flower or plant for any reason.

You may have heard about the magical power of witches black salt and its mysterious properties. Black salt has been used for centuries in many cultures for protection, cleansing and banishing spells. It is believed that it can help to ward off negative energies and protect you from harm. But what exactly is black salt and how can you use it in your spells? This ultimate guide will explain everything you need to know about using black salt in spells so you can maximize its magical potential.

What is black salt?

Black salt, a staple in black salt witchcraft, is renowned for its black salt protection qualities, making it an essential black salt for spells. Its black salt properties are utilized in witchcraft for creating a shield of black protection and are integral to the black salt spiritual uses.
The black salt magical properties are especially revered in black salt hoodoo and black salt wicca spells, where it is a key component for protection salt rituals, cleansing, and banishing spells, embodying the black salt spiritual meaning.
Black salt has the power to repel or even absorb negative energy. It has been used in many cultures for centuries and is still popular today. In traditional hoodoo and voodoo practices, it is used to ward off negative energies, protect from harm and even stop hexes. It can also be used for cleansing spaces and removing unwanted energies.

Uses of Black Salt for protection in Witchcraft

Banishing Spells

Removing negative thought patterns

Energetic Healing {viruses, infections}

Sending away bad energy being send your way

Protecting your home {sprinkle it around your home}

Removing Influence of a specific person

Removing Back luck Spells

Sprinkle it onto a black mirror during New Moon scrying session

Protective Love spells

Removing blockages from money spells

Candle Spells for Protection

How to make black salt?

Crafting your own black salt is an uncomplicated process, perfect for those wondering what is black salt used for. To begin, assemble your materials, which include…Click here to read the rest of this article Source: magickandwitchcraft.com

Blue Salt or Witches Salt and how to make it.

Disclaimer: No flower or plant or herb should be used for medicinal purposes until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of negative reaction when using this flower or plant for any reason.

Salt is pure and anything that is impure is repelled by it no matter what colour you use. Used in Witchcraft, Spells and Rituals. Use it together with Black salt to reverse bad luck.

BLUE SALT USES:-

Evil Eye: Blue Salt is used to protect against the Evil Eye or negative energy.

Healing: It is also used in healing, either in spellwork or placed directly beneath the bed.

Justice: Blue salt can be used in spellwork or placed in a pocket for legal issues and to promote justice in court.

Altar work: Can be used to draw your circle or for adding symbols or runes on your altar.

PROTECTION SPELL FOR THE HOME:

Put blue salt in 4 small jars or bottles and then place one in each corner of your home, saying the following chant as you do so:

Salt of earth guard this home, while I’m here or when I roam.

Keep it safe and all within. For good of all let this bond begin.

By my will, with harm to none, by earth’s power this spell is done

MAKING BLUE SALT:

Click here to read the rest of this article Source: sapphiremoon.blog

A Very Brief History of Witches

Between 1482 and 1782, thousands of people across Europe – most of them women – were accused of witchcraft and subsequently executed. But why were so many innocent people suspected of such a crime? Historian and broadcaster Suzannah Lipscomb explores the history of witches…

Witches are everywhere. In fairytales, fantasy and satire, they appear time and again as a versatile synonym for evil and transgression. But, in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, men and women of both high and low status believed in witches’ ubiquity in a far more disturbing way. Lord chief justice Anderson noted in 1602: “The land is full of witches… they abound in all places” – not as a symbol or figure of fun, but as a deadly threat to life, livelihood and divine order.

Witches in numbers: how many people were killed?

The large-scale persecution, prosecution and execution of witches in these centuries was an extraordinary phenomenon. It is also an episode of European history that has spawned many myths and much inaccuracy. Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code is one of the purveyors of such erroneous hype, stating: “The church burned at the stake an astounding 5 million women”, which would be astounding if true. The actual numbers are far lower, but still striking: between 1482 and 1782, around 100,000 people across Europe were accused of witchcraft, and some 40–50,000 were executed.

Neither were witches (with the exception of some targeted by the Spanish Inquisition) generally persecuted by the church. Although belief in witches was orthodox doctrine, following Exodus 22.18, the 16th and 17th-century witch trials were the result of witchcraft becoming a crime under law, and witches were prosecuted by the state. In England, witchcraft became a crime in 1542, a statute renewed in 1562 and 1604. As such, most witches across Europe received the usual penalty for murder – hanging (though in Scotland and under the Spanish Inquisition witches were burned).

Male witches

Nor were all witches women – men could be witches too. Across Europe, 70–80 per cent of people accused of witchcraft were female – though the proportions of female witches were higher in certain areas: the bishopric of Basel; the county of Namur (modern Belgium); Hungary; Poland; and Essex, England. But one in five witches were male across Europe, and in some places, males predominated – in Moscow, male witches outnumbered women 7:3; in Normandy 3:1.

Nevertheless, because women were believed to be morally and spiritually weaker than men, they were thought to be particularly vulnerable to diabolic persuasion. Most of those accused were also poor and elderly; many were widows, and menopausal and post-menopausal women are disproportionally represented among them.

In my two-part series, Witch Hunt: A Century of Murder (which aired in October 2015 on Channel 5), we seek to investigate witchcraft prosecution in the British Isles. Although witchcraft trials happened in every county in the country, the best evidence survives from three major witch crazes in the British Isles – in 1590s Edinburgh; 1612 Lancashire; and 1640s Essex and East Anglia, and we focus on those.

James VI and I

Above all, we have tried to consider the perspective of the victims – that is, those who were accused of witchcraft. We consider the circumstances in which alleged witches were accused, and the power of both neighbourhood accusation and elite sanction (James VI and I’s book on the subject of witchcraft, Daemonologie, published in 1597, is a case in point). We examine the way that torture – though illegal in England – was employed in late 16th-century Scotland and during the upheaval of the Civil War. We explore the role of the witchfinder, but also the willing collaboration of ordinary people in ridding the land of witches. And we look at what someone accused of witchcraft experienced as their fate.

It is a sad, sorry and often harrowing tale – but it is one that needs to be heard.

Source: historyextra.com

Talking To a Loved One Who Has Died

What to know about communicating with the dead

Talking to your loved one after their death is a common experience, and many people feel that the connection goes both ways.

Grief experts say these conversations can be a healthy coping tool and a source of comfort.

The desire to communicate with the dead is deeply human; cultures throughout history have practiced it in different ways.

In grief, we see the world a little differently. Try to be patient with what you’re observing and not to control it.

Remember that this is your own experience with your loved one—beware of anyone promising to intercede for a price.

When someone close to you dies, one of the most painful things is the idea that you’ll never speak with them again. You’ll never share another inside joke. You’ll never again have a late-night heart-to-heart, or get to ask them for advice.

If you feel like you still want to continue the conversation with them, you’re not alone. It may take your mind a while to catch up to the painful finality of death, and it is not unusual to continue feeling their presence. It may thus feel natural to talk to your loved one when… Click here to read the rest of this article