Category: Book of Spells

The Thirteen Principles of Witchcraft

The Thirteen Principles of Witchcraft

 

The Council of American Witches (now defunct) adopted the 13 Principles of Witchcraft in April of 1974. Although many modern-day Witches are unfamiliar with the C.A.W., the Council’s principles are widely adhered to just the same. They are as follows:

 

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 to life 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 the 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 Unconsciousness, 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 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 Pagan Way.

 

8) 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 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 it’s 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.

 

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.

 

[The above principles are now in the public domain.]

The Charge of the Star Goddess (Part II)

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess. She, in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, whose body encircleth the universe.

I, who am the beauty of the Green Earth and the White Moon amongst the stars and the mystery of the Waters and the desire of the heart of man;  I call unto thy soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the Soul of Nature who giveth life to the universe; from me all things proceed and unto me all things must return You, beloved of the Gods and men, whose innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the raptures of the Infinite, let my worship be in the heart. Rejoiceth, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals; therefore, let there be beauty and strength–power and compassion–honor and humility, mirth and reverence–within you. And thou who thinkest to seek me, know that thy seeking and yearning avail thee not, unless thou knowest the mystery–that if that which thou seekest thou findeth not within thyself, thou will never find it without thee. For behold!I have been with thee from the beginning and I am that which is attained at the end of desire!

The Charge (Part I)

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old, called amongst men, Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arionhod, Bride, and by many other names.

At mine Altar, the youths of Lacedemon in Sparta made due sacrifice. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month and better it be when the Moon is Full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place and adore the Spirit of Me, who am Queen of all the Witcheries. There shall ye assemble, who are feign to learn all sorceries who have not as yet won my deepest secrets. To these will I teach that which is as yet unknown. And ye shall be free from all slavery and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall sing, feast, and make music, all in my presence. For mine is the ecstasy of the Spirit and mine is also joy on earth. For my Law is love unto all beings. Keep pure your highest ideals, strive ever towards them. Let none stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret that upon the door of youth and mine is the Cup of the Wine of Life and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immorality I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man upon earth. I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal, and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before. Nor do I demand aught or sacrifice, for behold I am the Mother of all things and my love is poured out upon the earth.

Charge Of The Goddess

The Charge of the Goddess is one of the most popular ritual invocation in modern Witchcraft and Wicca. The foundation of the work comes from a book titled Aradia – Gospel of the Witches, written by Charles Leland and published in 1899. Sometime after 1955, Doreen Valiente, one of the most gifted poets and priestesses of Wicca in our time, used the information in poetry while assisting Gerald Gardner in compiling the material later used for Gardnerian instruction. The version you will find here first appeared in The Grimoire of Lady Sheba, first published in 1972. In later years, the Charge was broken into two parts, with the second section standing alone and titled “The Charge of the Star Goddess.”

Depending upon personal or coven choice, the Charge is read:

  • At the beginning of a ritual. Members of the coven may practice deep breathing, grounding and centering, or meditation

  • Before communion.

  • At the end of a ritual, as a closure

  • At some point during an initiation rite.

  • During daily devotion

  • During personal spellworking.

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

The Moon

This Tarot Deck: Universal Waite

General Meaning: What has traditionally been known as the Moon card refers to a deep state of sensitivity and imaginative impressionability, developed within a womb of deep relaxation. Here we dream and go into trance, have visions and receive insights, wash in and out with the psychic tides, and experience deep mystical and/or terrifying realities beyond our ordinary senses. The full moon and/or eclipse cycle charted by the Magi (as in some of the earliest Moon card images) exemplify this as a mechanism that Nature uses to expand consciousness.

The variants of the courtly lovers (representing skillful use of the sex force) or the man sleeping it off under the tree (use of drugs to alter consciousness) are also traditional avenues for tapping this primal force. Human interest in higher states propels us to the frontiers of consciousness, where we cannot always control what happens. The Moon card represents the ultimate test of a soul’s integrity, where the membrane between self and the Unknown is removed, and the drop of individuality reenters the Ocean of Being. What transpires next is between a soul and its Maker.

Lodestone Love Spells

Lodestone’s magnetic properties inspire their use in love spells. Lodestones are used to draw love toward you and then keep that love close at hand. According to traditional Chinese mysticism, the luckiest wedding hands are crafted from matched lodestones.

Love Ball (1)

  1. Soften beeswax

  2. Add powdered dragon’s blood, frankincense, rosemary, chopped straw and a little hair of the one you desire. Roll this into a ball between your palms and carry it with you.

Ghost Prevention Spell (1)

  1. Immediately following a death, brew substantial quantities of bayberry tea, in order to follow a Seminole recommendation to prevent ghosts.

  2. Family and friends of the deceased should drink this tea, as well as bathing their heads and arms with it for three days following the death.

Copal Incense

Copal is traditionally burned during Mexican Day of the Dead rituals but it may be used anytime. Its fragrance pleases, purifies, and honors those who have passed on, while protecting and cleansing the living at the same time.

Chervil Incense

Chervil, also known as Sweet Cicely or British myrrh, was among the ancient Egyptian funerary herbs. Remains of the herb were found within Tutankhamun’s tomb. Burn the dried herb as incense to comfort the bereaved and also to enable them to contact the deceased if desired.

Fiery Ring of Protection

  1. Until funeral rites occur, maintain lit candles around the body to create a fiery wall of protection.

  2. Irish tradition designates a dozen candles steadily burning, other traditions suggest two (one each at head and foot), four (marking the body’s cardinal points) or as many as can be squeezed around.

  3. Light a new candle, every time one burns out.

Escort Service to the Beyond Spell (5) Canine Intervention

Many spiritual traditions believe that a dog psychopomp awaits the newly dead, waiting to lead the way to the next existence. Without the dog, it was believed the dead soul was doomed to wander and never find the right path. Trusting souls know that their loyal spirit dog awaits them, however, not everyone has faith. Perhaps out of anxiety, different traditions tried to compensate sometimes a familiar pet was killed following a person’s death so that they could be buried together, with this pet dog assuming the role of psychopomp. The ancient people of what is now Mexico came up with a happier magickal solution:

  1. Create or obtain a clay image of a dog: it can look like a specific breed or individual dog or just be a generic canine.

  2. Incorporate this figure into funeral rites, either burying together with the person or cremating them together.

Escort Service to the Beyond Spell (3) Psychopomp Spell

Knowledge that a psychopomp  awaits, that the journey won’t be made alone, can be very comforting. Some like to be surprised but others prefer to choose their own tour-guides. This spell allows you to magickally place your order.

  1. Gather images to represent assorted psychopomps: assorted deities may be represented as well as canines (dogs, jackals, wolves), snakes (especially aspects of the Vodou Iwa Simbi), and birds (corvids, hornbills, seagulls). Flames may be used to represent angels.

  2. Place them on an altar or cast a circle with the images. Accompany by burning candles and incense, especially benzoin.

  3. If you find one particular image calls to you, intrigues or comforts you, keep it by your bedside or sleep with it under your pillow.