Category: Articles
Coming in January 2025 WOTC Open Chat Everyone is Welcome to Join us
Merry meet WOTC Family! This is the link to Skype for the WOTC Open Chat meeting room.
WOTC Open Chat Meeting Room
To join me and others for an open witchy or whatever chat you will need to make a Skype account including a name you would like to go by in the chat. Then look for my name Lady Beltane. My avatar is wearing an orange witch outfit holding a cup of tea and reading a book. We will be doing audio-only calls for anonymity for everyone who wants to attend.
Our first get-together will be Sunday, January 19th, starting about 1:00 PM CT in Chicago, Illinois (use this for the time listed when looking for your local time).
Use can use this link to find out what time we are starting locally:
Find your local time
We are using Skype because it is free and I cannot afford to pay for a private chat room somewhere else every month. I have been using Skype for a few years for my coven gatherings and other things. Any questions please put them in the comment section as you might not be the only one with the same or similar question about our open chat or if you prefer email me at ladybeltane@witchcraftsofthecraft.com.
For Your Viewing Pleasure – Appalachia Mountain Roots Plants and Herbs
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.
This is an interesting series by Donnie Law about the Appalachian Mountain people in the eastern USA. Included in this area is where Lady Abyss was from in Kentucky, USA. So, I always think of her when I am watching one of these videos.
Appalachia Mountain Roots Plants and Herbs
Appalachia – From Wikipedia
Appalachia (/ˌæpəˈlætʃə, –leɪtʃə, –leɪʃə/) is a cultural region in the Eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York State to northern Alabama and Georgia.[1] While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in Alabama, Appalachia typically refers only to the cultural region of the central and southern portions of the range, from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia southwest to the Great Smoky Mountains. As of the 2010 United States Census, the region was home to approximately 25 million people.[2]
Since its recognition as a distinctive region in the late 19th century, Appalachia has been a source of enduring myths and distortions regarding the isolation, temperament, and behavior of its inhabitants. Early 20th century writers often engaged in yellow journalism focused on sensationalistic aspects of the region’s culture, such as moonshining and clan feuding, and often portrayed the region’s inhabitants as uneducated and prone to impulsive acts of violence. Sociological studies in the 1960s and 1970s helped to re-examine and dispel these stereotypes.[3]
While endowed with abundant natural resources, Appalachia has long struggled economically and been associated with poverty. In the early 20th century, large-scale logging and coal mining firms brought wage-paying jobs and modern amenities to Appalachia, but by the 1960s the region had failed to capitalize on any long-term benefits[4] from these two industries. Beginning in the 1930s, the federal government sought to alleviate poverty in the Appalachian region with a series of New Deal initiatives, such as the construction of dams to provide cheap electricity and the implementation of better farming practices. On March 9, 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission[5] was created to further alleviate poverty in the region, mainly by diversifying the region’s economy and helping to provide better health care and educational opportunities to the region’s inhabitants. By 1990, Appalachia had largely joined the economic mainstream but still lagged behind the rest of the nation in most economic indicators.[3]
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
Keeping Track of Your Spells c.2015
KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR SPELLS
Whenever you do a spell, record all the details in your book of shadows. That way, you can perform the spell again at a later date, adjust it, or adapt it to other circumstances. Following is a list of the basic information you should include about any spell or ritual you perform:
Name and type of spell. Write this at the top of the page.
and time you did the spell. If it’s an original spell, you may also wish to add the date and time you composed it.
Who else was present, if anyone.
Moon phase. Add the moon sign if you know it, as well as other pertinent astrological information.
Weather. This is more important than you might think, as weather can affect your feelings as well as the place where you choose to perform your spell.
Location. Did you do the spell in the living room, backyard, etc.?
Your health. Your energy level and overall health can impact your spells. If you are female, also note where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Purpose of the spell. This may be obvious from the name of the spell, but a heading such as “Simple Cauldron Spell” might require a little more information about why you did the spell.
A complete list of the tools and ingredients used. This is vital for future reference and if you choose to repeat the spell.
Deities invoked, if any.
The entire text of the spell or ritual. You can write this down before the ritual, and just work from your text, if necessary.
How long it took to complete the spell.
The immediate reaction you felt to the ritual.
Short-term results. What did you notice over the first few days or weeks following the ritual?
Long-term results. What sort of changes have you observed over the following months or years?
You may choose to add other information you consider relevant, interesting, etc. Add drawings, poems, or other jottings if you like. Of course, you can always come back later and put in notations about things you thought of afterwards, dreams, discussions you may have had with fellow witches, and so on. It’s your book to work with however seems best for you.
Source: The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells by Skye Alexander
Spells and Formulas Record Sheet c. 2015
You can print this out or save it on your computer. Even after practicing for over 45 years I find this page from Lady Abyss very helpful.
Spells and Formulas Record Sheet
TYPE OF SPELL OR FORMULA: This should state very clearly what the type of spell is e.g. blessing, binding etc. When developing formulas for lotions and potions, for instance, you need to be clear as to the exact purpose.
DATE AND TIME MADE: This gives a cross-reference should you wish to use the correct planetary hours or magical days.
REFERENCE: you should develop your own system of reference; this might be, for instance, according to the time of year or alphabetically. Do also remember to keep safely somewhere a record of how you have developed your reference system so that others may benefit from your experience.
ASTROLOGICAL PHASE: if you have an interest in astrology you will probably want to record where the planets are when you prepare the spell or formula. A decent ephemeris (list of planetary positions) can be of great help here though there are also many sources of information on the internet.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE: you should always state the specific purpose of the spell or formula very clearly. This is partly because it helps to focus your own mind, but also because it leaves no one in any doubt as to your intentions. Should you have more than one main purpose, you should also record these.
LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND/OR SUPPLIES NEEDED: Having all your ingredients to hand ensures that you are working with maximum efficiency and not misusing or needing to adjust the energy by leaving the sacred space. Also, when you repeat a working you will need to replicate what you did the first time; even one small change in ingredients can make a tremendous difference to the outcome.
SPECIFIC LOCATION REQUIRED: You may well need to perform some spells within a certain area or setting. Also you may discover that your own energy responds to some locations better than others.
DATE, TIME AND ASTROLOGICAL PHASE WHEN USED: In all probability you will not want all your spells to take effect at the time you cast them. suppose you have applied for a job and wish your spell to work at the time of interview. You would need to carefully calculate the date, time and astrological phase of the interview as well as the time you are actually casting your spell and incorporate both sets of information into your working.
RESULTS: Record carefully all aspects of results you feel are associated with your working. This record should include how successful you consider the spell to be and how it might be improved. There will be some unexpected results, some which appear not to give a tangible result and others which come into play some time after they were expected.
DEITIES INVOKED DURING PREPARATION AND/OR USE: Often a particular god can be helpful in bringing about a needed result for a spell. You will chose the most appropriate for your purpose and can always petition a different one at another time.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATIONS AND/OR USE: Often when spell-working, movements and words are intuitive and instinctive; the more you are able to remember what you did the more likely you are to achieve similar results. Also, should you require them for someone to work on your behalf or to undertake someone else’s magical training, you will have an exact record.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Here you should record for each occasion anything that seems strange, bizarre or noteworthy so that you know what to expect next time.
In each of the spells we give a list of ingredients and special articles which may be required to achieve a result for that particular spell. Because each individual brings their own energy into the process, you may find that you intuitively want to change something, whether that is an ingredient, a container or the words used. This is absolutely fine, and means that your spell has a very personal ‘feel’ to it.
I Need Your Help to Figure Out Why Readership is Going Down
Please tell me what I am doing wrong. Since August 2023 views have gone down by more than half. I have done surveys earlier this year to ask you what you want to see on the website as regular posts and have tried to keep the number of emails flooding your inbox down. After trying to do what you want with WOTC my readership has gone way down which means the small amount of money I can make has gone from being paid monthly to every three months. The ads viewed have to add up to $100.00 USD in order for me to make this amount of pocket money.
I am really wondering if you all would like me to give the website to someone else or just let it go completely. I’d keep paying the $40.00 USD yearly to keep the domain name. I feel I am leaving the founder of WOTC, Lady Abyss, down with these number dwindling every month.
Please help me figure out how I am failing you. Should I go back to about 15 to 20 posts every day to bring you more information on a daily basis? Are there regular posts I stopped to keep the number of emails you get that you would like to see me bring back?
You my dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends are the only ones that can help guide me by telling what you want from WOTC. This is your website more than it is mine I’m just the person behind the scenes bring you what you want. Please be honest even if you think you may sound brutal in the comments or write to me at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com to tell me what I am doing wrong and what you want to see on here.
Thank you for taking your precious time to make a comment and/or write to me. I really do want and appreciate your input.
Types of Dreams
(SIDE NOTE: We can read many different theories for what dreams may mean. So, take away from each post on dreams interpretation and symbols what is relevant to you.)
Types of Dreams Source: dreamdictionary.org
Dreaming can be more than a simple state of the brain. We can experience waking dreams, daydreams, even dreams that appear to be shared or prophetic. Some people are lucid dreamers a special skill that not everyone can master. Some people experience specific recurring dreams, while certain sicknesses can bring on night terrors. Sometimes we can even experience false awakenings, where we think we have woken up, but are still dreaming. Here we will explore some of these phenomena.
Daydreams
Daydreaming was once thought to be a lazy pursuit, I am sure most of you have been reprimanded for daydreaming at one point or another. It is, however, a metabolically intense mental process, and can be very rewarding. In recent years, scientists have demonstrated that daydreaming is a fundamental feature of the human mind – so fundamental, in fact, that it’s often referred to as our “default” mode of thought.
Daydreaming is a crucial tool for creative thought, and allows the brain to make new associations and connections. It can spawn new ideas or methods; the daydreaming mind is free to engage in abstract thought and imaginative ramblings, and as a result, we’re able to imagine things that don’t actually exist.
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Chances are everyone here has experienced a nightmare. A horrible dream, complete with emotional turmoil, which causes the dreamer to wake and stay awake, nightmares are fairly common occurrences. The main purpose of a nightmare is to wake the conscious mind — usually to change sleeping position.
They can also be caused by stress or over-exhaustion. Surprisingly, children under the age of five do not experience nightmares at the same rate as older children, while children over five seem to have nightmares at a rate of once per week. Night Terrors, however, are not as common.
A typical night terror episode usually occurs in the first hour of sleep. The subject sits up in bed and screams and appears awake but is confused, disoriented, and unresponsive to stimuli. Although the person seems to be awake, they do not seem to be aware of any surrounding presence and usually do not talk. The person may thrash around in bed and does not respond to comforting by others. A person’s heart rate can escalate during the terror, along with sweating and harsh breathing.
Researchers have found that nightmares can serve as a benefit to the human mind. The intense feeling of dread and uncertainty might be preparing the dreamer for a tragic event or a stressful situation. The nightmare may occur for you to either come to terms with a traumatic past and emotionally heal.
Lucid Dreams
Some people, referred to as Oneironauts or Lucid Dreamers, are able to control the setting and plot of their dreams. A lucid dream can begin in one of three ways. A dream-initiated lucid dream (DILD) starts as a normal dream, and the dreamer eventually concludes that he or she is dreaming, while a wake-initiated lucid dream (WILD) occurs when the dreamer goes from a normal waking state directly into a dream state with no apparent lapse in consciousness.
A mnemonic-initiated lucid dream (MILD) can happen when the dreamer intentionally affirms to himself or herself that he or she will become lucid during the upcoming sleep. Reaching lucidity can sometimes occur due to dream-signs or spontaneously upon remembrance. These dreams can be fantastical, where anything is possible, and can often be very real — complete with touch, smell, and taste sensations.
Recurring Dreams
Recurring dreams are quite common and are often triggered by a certain life situation or a problem that keeps coming back again and again. These dreams may recur daily, once a week, or once a month. Whatever the frequency, there is little variation in the dream content itself. Such dreams may be highlighting a personal weakness, fear, or your inability to cope with something in your life – past or present.
Common recurring dreams themes often revolve around either being chased, water, tests, falling and teeth dreams. Recurring dreams usually start during a time of uncertainty or reflecting a stressful event in ones life.
False Awakenings
Have you ever thought you have woken up and gone about your daily morning routine: getting up, brushing your teeth, eating breakfast and going to work, only to wake up “again” and realize that what just happened is just a dream. That sensation is referred to as a false awakening. Some people can experience four or five false awakenings before they truly wake. This phenomena was the basis for the film Groundhog Day.
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 religion
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 Witches”. (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.
Herb and Essential Oils Magickal Uses
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.
Working with herbs in magick can have a powerful effect. They can enhance the magick, enhance the energies and enhance the direction. Understanding what herbs to work with and which to avoid is key in making sure your magick does not go awry in the Universe.
Plants can lend healing to a spell, can renew life in the energy you are summoning and can have powerful and beneficial effects to those it touches on its journey through the cosmos and back.
Goddess Herbs include:
Aloe, Apple, Catnip, Comfrey, Daisy, Elder, Eucalyptus, Fern, Henbane, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Lilac, Mugwort, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Periwinkle, Poppy, Rose, Thyme, Valerian, Vervain, Violet, and Willow. (Not a full list)
God Herbs include:
Angelica, Anise, Ash, Basil, Bay Leaves, Caraway, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clover, Clove, Cypress, Dragons Blood, Eyebright, Fennel, Frankincense, Ginger, Ginseng, Hawthorne, Hazel, Mandrake, Mint, Oak, Parsley, Patchouli, Pine, Rosemary, Witch Hazel, and Wormwood. (Not a full list)
Some Magickal workings and spells can be enhanced, as I said before, with the use of herbs. We use herbs such as Jasmine to represent Prosperity and we use herbs like Pine to help with healing and cleansing as well as attunement to nature. Understanding the herb and the uses is essential.
When working a spell for Protection or Purification, Anise is the herb to use. Anise has a Masculine quality, the planets that align with this herb are Juptier or the Moon and the Element its associated with is Air. There are also healing qualities to this particular herb. If used in a bath, it serves as a cleansing. Having a satchet of Anise seeds next to your bed will also help to keep nightmares at bay.
If you have a familiar that is feline, then Catnip is the herb for you. Catnip has a Female quality, the planet that aligns with this herb is Venus, and its element is Water. Using catnip to perform Cat Magick, to either choose your familiar, or to get closer to them will help to enhance and boost that magick. This herb is also associated with joy and friendship and of course, love.
Mugwort is a very powerful herb. It is used for clairvoyance, enhancing psychic dreams and astral projection. Mugwort has a Feminine quality, the planet is Venus and the element is Air. But be very careful with working with this herb. If you are looking for a Soul Journey, ensure you have a partner that remains grounded to pull you back from the Astral Plane. Taking the leaves and rubbing them directly on your Crystal Ball will help to enchance or strengthen your divinatory work.
Rosemary is another powerful herb. They say (and no, I don’t know who “they” are) if you plant Rosemary by your Garden Gate, you will always have healthy plants. Rosemary has a Masculine quality and the planet that is aligned with this powerful herb is the Sun itself. The element, of course, is Fire! Rosemary also has healing qualities. Improving memory, helping sleep, enhancing power and helping to heal and protect.
High John the Conqueror Root is another herb that has a Masculine quality. Its planet is Saturn and the element, Earth. This herb, if used in Magick, can help to enhance the strength and power. Used as an annointing oil for candles and charms to enhance the strength of the power being directed into them.
Remember, when using herbs, you have to understand what the herb can do, as well as understand the direction/element that the herb attunes to. You would insult the magick if you used Rosemary and asked the element of Water to enhance the power, as this is Fire herb. Understanding comes with research and practice. For a more expanisive list, please reach out to Lady Beltane or to Lady Rhiannon.
Blessed Be Brothers & Sisters!
Happy spellcasting!
Brief Look At Different Traditions In Witchcraft – Eclectic Wicca
Eclectic Wicca
Look in any personals column in a Craft-oriented newsletter or journal and you will see this catch-all phrase. Basically, it indicates that the individual does not follow any particular Tradition, denomination, sect, or magickal practice. They learn and study from many magickal systems and apply to themselves what appears to work best. I happen to be an Eclectic Wiccan.
Sea Witchcraft c. 2016
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
Magickal Properties of Common Herbs for Spells
Incorporating Herbs for spells in Different Rituals
Resources to Learn More About the Best Herbs for Spells
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
The Principles of Witchcraft Belief c.2018
The Principles of Witchcraft Belief
In the spring Witch meet held April 1974 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, The Council of American Witches adopted this statement entitled “The Principles of Wiitchcraft Beliefs.”
Of course Wiitchcraft Beliefs can vary from this from area to area, coven to coven and individual to individual there is no strict tenet laid down by a central council, this is just one particular bodies ideas.
Principles Outlined
1: 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.
2: We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3: We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that 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.
4: 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 feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to each other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
5: We recognize both outer worlds 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 fulfillment.
6: We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7: 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 .
8: Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a Witch, but neither does heredity itself, not 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 well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
9: We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
10: 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 surpress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11: As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12: We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the sufferings of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13: We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
Source: Wicca Chat
The Folklore and Medicine of Witch Hazel
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.
We have stirred up a witch hazel brew for you, now tossing even more folklore and medicinal recipes into ourHub for this plant ally!
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana, Hamamelidaceae) is our kinky, golden-star flower shrub or small tree that blooms in cold weather when all other flowers are absent from the landscape. These flowers are long-lived, as they patiently wait for weather warm enough to wake up an array of possible pollinators, from gnats to flies to moths. The witch hazel flowers know they gotta get it while they can, and still, only one percent of the flowers will ever develop into seeds.
In this article, Juliet shares a humorously explosive story about the seed’s clever dispersal methods. Another name for the witch hazel tree is bead wood because its tiny seeds make a beautiful, hard and shiny, black nugget that can be used as jewelry.1
More of the Lore Behind Witch Hazel’s Name
John-Manual Andriote wrote that witch hazel is “one of the few products that’s both FDA-approved and endorsed by real witches.”2 Now that is a special plant! But which witch is witch hazel?
I suppose once a medicinal plant has the name witch in it, it’s bound to be seen as magical in some way. Witch as we use it today, comes from the old English word wicca, or wizard. It is said, though, that the “witch” in witch hazel originated instead from the Middle English word wiche, which means “to bend.” Think about wicker, which comes from the same root word, meaning “pliable branches that bend.”3
Another interpretation is that the name derives from the use of witch hazel’s branches for dowsing, also called “water witching.” Yet another idea is that it stems (pun intended) from the Middle English word wicke, meaning “lively,” which describes how the stems become alive and move when water is detected below.
Still others believe its name comes from the shape of a gall that’s sometimes found on the leaf, caused by an aphid, that looks like a witch’s hat.4 And one last reason for the name witch that I have come across over the years is that the witch hazel plant flowers near Samhain (Halloween), evidently from a witch’s spell. Well, which witch do you believe?
The hazel part of witch hazel’s name is derived from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the hazelnut (Corylus americana) tree, both being broadly oval and scalloped. They are distantly related, but one way they are different is that witch hazel leaves are asymmetrical at the base. There is also a white bottlebrush flower cousin in the Hamamelidaceae family called witch alder, of the Fothergilla genus, so witchy-ness indeed spreads!
Water Witching
Dowsing is an ancient art that has yielded successful results for centuries for locating both water and precious metals underground. Dowsing has been referred to as far back as Homer, when he writes in The Odyssey about the divining rod called the Caduceus that ended up in the hands of Asclepius, the old Greek God of Healing. That divining rod, with its head of entwined serpents, is what eventually became the well-known symbol of medicine.5
The Mohegan Tribe, in what is now called Connecticut, is believed to have been the first to show settlers how to use…
Click here to read the rest of this article Source: chestnutherbs.com
Witches Of The Craft® 
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