Category: Our History

Elemental Correspondences

ELEMENTAL CORRESPONDENCES

EARTH:

Feminine Element
North
Green
Rules Spells dealing with fertility, jobs, money, business, health, ecology, and
stability.

 

AIR:

Masculine
East
Yellow
Rules spells dealing with memory, tests, intellects, divination, psychic powers, and
travel.

 

FIRE:

South
Red
Rules spells dealing with success, sex, banishing, illness, protection, legal matters,
strength, energy, health.

 

WATER:

Feminine
West
Blue
Rules spells dealing with love, friendship, meditation, healing, dreams, childbirth,
clairvoyance, and purification.

Elemental Cauldrons

ELEMENTAL CAULDRONS

 

Using a cauldron, symbol of inspiration and rebirth, has brought new dimensions to both group and solitary work. A cauldron decorates the center of the Circle during Lesser Sabbats. An air cauldron at a spring rite creates a misty, magical quality for the ceremony. In summer, the cauldron will flash and spark. A blue flame burns mysteriously within the Water cauldron during the autumn festival. Throughout Yule, the Earth cauldron burns steadfast and constant. During moon rites, when magick is done, we write the purpose of our working on flash papers and toss them into the burning cauldron while chanting. A working cauldron should be of cast iron, with a tight-fitting lid, three sturdy legs, and a strong handle. Season your cauldron before using it for the first time. Pour in generous helping of salt and lighter fluid, slosh it up to the rim and wipe dry. For indoor use it MUST have a fireproof base or your workings will summon up yellow-coated salamander spirits from the fire department.

 

 

EARTH Cauldron

 

Layer salt, wax shavings, three powered or ground herbs, fighter fluid and ivy leaves in the cauldron while focus and chanting. Use a candle to light it. When the smoke starts to roll, extinguish the cauldron by putting the lid on.

 

 

AIR Cauldron

Using tongs, put a chunk of dry ice is a small glass or ceramic bowl and place the bowl on a cloth in the bottom of the cauldron. Allow the cauldron to smoke as long as the ice lasts. The mists create excellent images for scrying.

 

 

FIRE Cauldron

Cover the inside bottom with dirt or sand to dissipate heat. Light incense charcoal and add either salt peter for flame and spark or flash powder for a different but spectacular effect. To assist in releasing or firing off peak energy, try using flash “bombs”. Make a small pocket in a piece of flash paper, fill with flash powder and tie with thread. The “bomb” should be about the size of your smallest fingernail. The results are spectacularly bright, so use the powder sparingly. Don’t look directly at the flash as you drop the “bomb” in the cauldron.

 

 

WATER

Cauldron At least seven days before the ritual, place equal quantities of three appropriate herbs in a pint glass jar. Fill the rest of the jar with Everclear (200 proof alcohol), cap tightly, and shake gently while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Add a chant if it feels right. Let the jar rest in a dark, warm spot and shake twice daily, charging with purpose. Before the ritual, place a fireproof ceramic or glass bowl in the cauldron. Pour in the herb mixture, being careful none spills into the cauldron. Light with a candle to produce a beautiful blue flame.

 

 

The cauldron, as the fifth elemental spirit, symbolizes inspiration, rebirth, illumination and rejuvenation. Use a Fire cauldron with salt peter to cast a Circle. Use the mists of an Air cauldron for an initiation. Burn away hate, prejudice and negative self-images, with a Water cauldron. The Earth cauldron is ideal for indoor Beltane rites. Remember to place a burning cauldron on a fireproof surface. Practice safety when using any volatile materials and you will enjoy your cauldron for many rites.

Can You Find Your Inner Magician?

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Can You Find Your Inner Magician?

Many Nature-based religions could be considered Pagan or “of the land.” But rather than relying on labels, looking at your beliefs about how the world works will tell you whether practicing magick is for you. Embracing some or most of the following philosophies might be the first steps in recognizing the magician within yourself so that you can become a practitioner of the natural world:

* Believing in more than one deity and/or more than one aspect of a single deity

* Expecting the Earth to take care of your needs and not being surprised when it does

* Being mindful of the well-being of all other life forms around you

* Doing all you can to preserve the natural world while understanding that humans are also part of Nature

* Living ethically and wisely on the planet as much as possible.

* Practicing right eating habits for your own health and the health of the planet

* Being a pantheist—that is, seeing the God and Goddess forces represented in everything around you

* Recognizing the sacred feminine as well as the sacred masculine

* Believing that the life force is sacred and that Nature, as a representation of that force, is divine

* Believing that all life forms are equal and share an equal claim to the Earth as a home

* Knowing that each individual is solely responsible for his or her own actions and that those actions should bring harm to no one

* Believing that the forces of Nature follow a pattern and can be shaped in ways commonly called “magickal”

* Believing that whatever actions a person takes, a magickal or mundane, good or bad, come back to him or her threefold

* Believing that there is no single path to spiritual fulfillment and that the individual determines the spiritual expression most appropriate to him or her
* Understanding and honoring everything about where you live
* Practicing the use of all your senses every waking minute

What is good for the Earth is good for its inhabitants. Recycling, planting trees, avoiding pesticides, conserving water, and refusing products from endangered species all attune you to the Earth and, therefore, to its positive energy. Practicing magick is good for all the earthlings–finned feathered, and furred as well as two-footed.

Goal or Purpose of Magick

Goal or Purpose of Magick

 

Drawing: to bring something (money, love; health, new job, etc.)

Repelling/Banishing/Exorcising: to cast something away(something unwanted; repel negative energies, banish poverty; unemployment; exorcise depression-inducing energies; aid spirits to pass on to next world).

Containment/Deflection/Reflection: to place limitations.

– shielding; to protect from incoming negativity

– confining; to restrict negativity to its source.

– dispersing; to dissipate incoming negative energies.

– turning; to return to sender deliberate negative energy.

Retain the Rules of Conduct or the Witches’ Rede:

– NEVER, EVER, casts magick against another witch.

– never initiate negative magick towards another.

– self-defense is acceptable as prevention, disbursement, or returning, for people are responsible for their own action.

Magical Principles

Magical Principles

 

• Magic is natural.

• Harm none- not even yourself- through its use.

• Magic requires effort. You will receive what you put into it.

• Magic is not usually instantaneous. Spells require time to be effective.

• Magic should not be performed for pay.

• Magic should not be used in jest or to inflate your ego.

• Magic can be worked for your own gain, but only if it harms none.

• Magic is a divine act.

• Magic can be used for defense but should never be used for attack.

• Magic is knowledge – not only of its way and laws, but also of its effectiveness. Do not believe that magic works – Know It.

• Magic is love. All magic should be performed out of love. The moment anger or hatred tinges your magic you have crossed the border into a dangerous world, one that will ultimately consume you.

Brief Look At Different Traditions In Witchcraft


Witchy Comments & Graphics

Seax-Wicca

 

Founded by Raymond Buckland in 1973. Although of Saxon basis, it was authored by Raymond himself without breaking his original Gardnerian oath. Raymond Buckland’s contribution to the Craft is a significant one. Not only did he develop a Tradition that is more than acceptable to many individuals, he also has written a large volume of textbooks on different magickal aspects and practices of the Craft, thereby enhancing many lives in a positive direction.

Crystals for Protection


Dragon Comments & Graphics

Crystals for Protection

 

The power behind Earth’s minerals can be felt the minute you put a crystal in your hands or near your physical body. Crystals are the treasures of the earth. These stones are filled with energy to be used. Each crystal, stone, gemstone is rated by its hardness, shape, size, qualities and often have a metaphysical significance as their personality. Some of the best crystals for protection include Bloodstone, Carnelian, Hematite and Obsidian.

Ammonite:

Properties: Ammonite is often used for stability in life. This is actually a fossilized creature that resembled a snail, over 65 million years old. It is now a helpful stone which offers a sense of relaxation. It is believed that Ammonite brings stability and order in life. Ammonite is a stone of protection. It provides for insight and it helps to assist one in seeing the “whole picture.” Since it is associated with the Root Chakra, it encourages ones survival instincts and is grounding.

Bloodstone:

Properties: Increases courage helps in avoiding dangerous situations by soothing the mind. Metaphysically, bloodstone is used to either promote a calm, tranquil atmosphere that is grounding or revitalize insufficient energy. A great stone for mental exhaustion. This stone represents both courage and strength and is used for achieving these attributes. It is associated with honesty and integrity and is useful in removing obstacles in life. Most effective on the Heart (green) and Root (red) Chakra.

Carnelian:

Properties: This stone represents confidence, boldness, initiative, dramatic abilities, assertiveness and outgoingness. Precision, analysis, stimulates appetite, encourages celebration and brings awareness of feelings. This stone helps you feel anchored and comfortable with your surroundings. Provides a connection to the past or to historical events. Carnelian can improve motivation. Helps one achieve greater success in career or personal matters. Helps ground people who meditate. Carnelian is one of the most helpful crystals for healing trauma, stress and emotional wounds that have accumulated in the etheric body or the Aura and are now manifesting as physical symptoms.

Hematite:

Properties: This crystal is the most recommended stone for grounding and is associated with the Root Chakra, by encourages ones survival instincts and is centering. Hematite condenses scattered feelings, turns fuzziness into mental clarity, enhances concentration, memory, practicality and helps with sound sleep. Considered the symbol of life energy, hematite allows for more confidence, will power and boldness. Helps us adjust to being physical. A protective stone and helps bolster low self-esteem. Hematite is known to deflect negativity. It brings our awareness back to the body and helps one maintain their sense of self.

Jade:

Properties: The ancient Chinese culture has revered Jade for centuries. Jade is considered the health, wealth and longevity stone, used also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony. Jade has been used for protection for centuries. Jade is known as androgynous, therefore it is considered having a gentle, steady pulse of healing energy. Jade is found in different colors and can be used on the appropriate Chakra based on its color. Properties common to all colors of Jade include its ability to mellow one’s existence. Helps one rid themselves of negative thoughts and energy. Very beneficial to the heart in both physical and spiritual senses. It is a very protective stone and will keep its wearer out of harm’s way. Jade bounds us to our earth energies and physical instincts. Jade is a humbling stone.

Jet:

Properties: Jet is a form of petrified wood similar to coal, though much harder. This stone has absorbing qualities. Helps draw out negative energy. Especially useful for people who have unreasonable fears that limit their lives. Therefore, that is why this black stone, it relates to the Root Chakra, the center that connects us to our earth energy. The Root chakra is connected to survival and our trust in the physical world, and in one’s own body. Recommended for stimulating psychic experience and guiding one in the quest for spiritual enlightenment. If worn, it should be set in silver. Jet has been used as a protective stone in life’s physical journeys. It’s known as a traveler’s amulet, and the wives of sailors often burnt it to protect their husbands while they were at sea. Jet has been known historically, to also protect from scorpions and snake bites, especially when the stone is wore over the heart. Jet has been used to help soothe the pain of both a broken heart due to seperation or the loss or death of a relative or loved one. In the past, this protection stone has been used to ward against enemies, evil spirits, witchcraft and harmful magic spells.

Obsidian:

Properties: This is a strong grounding stone and is known as “the protector”. It is said to “mirror one’s soul. This stone brings about objectivity, dis-attachment and is grounding. It reduces fantasy and escapism. Absorbs and dissolves anger, criticism, fear, and therefore is protective. This unusual black stone absorbs darkness and converts it to white light energy. It is a warm and friendly stone, which is used at the Root Chakra, encouraging ones survival instincts and is grounding. Black obsidian brings higher Chakra light into lower ones; cleanses and uplifts. Changes fear into flexibility with the advent of change. Obsidian is used for transformation.

“On life’s journey, faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.” ~Buddha

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/protection.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

  • • • •

From the “Week-End Witchin*s

Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

How To Create Protection


Dragon Comments & Graphics

How To Create Protection

 

Without a doubt, there are situations in our lives that cause anxiety. This is something we must “pick apart” in order to find it’s roots. There may be one or two things that are not allowing your mind to be free. Write them down.

Look at them on paper. Send them to me if you like (we can look at them together). Be honest with yourself when you write them out. Go with your immediate intuition. Fears have a tendency to dissolve when we are looking them face on.

Re-balance. As a holistic individual, you know that our bodies are continuously in a state of re-balancing itself. This is how we function. This is how we grow. By holding on to a fear, we are not allowing this processes (your intuitive state) to flow freely. This block can be the cause of a much bigger problem.

Letting go. By giving this fear up to the universe to handle, you are essentially allowing yourself to release this fear, and in turn strip away any kind of meaning or significance it may have upon you. By letting go, this allows us to move to the next level in our lives. The next natural process. Often times, this is a fear in itself.

The fear of “what will happen when I DO move to my next stage in life?” Let your guard down. Let it go. This is not a fear. This is a great journey. Allow yourself to follow it.

“The best protection any woman can have . . . is courage.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton

From the “Week-End Witchin*s

Courtesy of GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

Brief Look At Different Traditions In Witchcraft


Witchy Comments & Graphics

Hereditary Witchcraft

 

One who can trace the Craft through their family tree and who has been taught the Old Religion by a relative who was living at the same time. Channeling doesn’t count. How far one has to go back on the family tree to meet the conditions of the first part of this definition is debatable. Family Trades (another name for Hereditary Witches) occasionally adopt individuals into their dynasty. This decision is never a light one, and usually stems from the lack of offspring to carry on the line, or the high regard they hold for the person in question. The ceremony is intricate and important. After all, it is not every day you can pick your relatives! It is much like the marriage of an individual into a family.

Brief Look At Different Traditions In Witchcraft

Witchy Comments & Graphics

Celtic Wicca

 

The use of a Celtic/Druidic pantheon mixed with a little ritual Gardnerian, and heavily stressing the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. They had a vast knowledge of and respect for the healing and magickal qualities of plants and stones, flowers, trees, elemental spirits, the little people, gnomes and fairies.

Brief Look At Different Traditions In Witchcraft


Witchy Comments & Graphics

British Wicca

 

A mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs. Most famous organization at this time is the International Red Garters. British Traditionals move mostly from within the Farrar studies (the famous Witch husband and wife from England.) They too are fairly structured in their beliefs, and train through the degree process. Their covens are also co-ed.

WOTC Extra – Aligning with Divine Will


Egyptian Comments & Graphics

Aligning with Divine Will

 

By raising our own consciousness as individuals and experiencing the truth of our oneness with all things, we will naturally create a more harmonious environment around us. As well as aligning with our life plan we can further surrender in service to Divine will; thus we can co-create a world in balance with the rest of creation.

Please consider the implications of this exercise before you carry it out. In dedicating yourself in service to the Divine you may set in train some dramatic changes in your life that may present you with some short term challenges. Releasing Karmic debts and asking for any debts you owe to be released may have a similar temporarily challenging effect on your life. This affirmation may have a profound effect on your life.

Find a quiet, beautiful and private place, sit or stand still for a while, with your back straight, then make the following affirmation from the heart;

“As the Universe is my witness,

I_____________ now accept my

destiny. I accept that I am an aspect of

the Divine, I accept that as such I AM

THAT I AM. I freely declare that

I am now ready to step into my own power

and the fullness of my being, in service

to humanity and the Divine plan. It is

my choice as a free spirit to explore my

own potential, and I offer myself in

service to Light and unconditional love,

now and always.

I now ask that I be released from all

outstanding Karmic debts or that they

be settled now, I now release any debts

owed to me. I freely forgive all those

who have harmed me and likewise beg

the forgiveness of any I may have

harmed. I ask for the Divine highest

good of all, with love in my heart and

of my own free will. So be it.”

You are now fully committed to a path of personal evolution that will assist in fulfilling your life’s purpose and help you find out who you are and why you are here. If there is any Karma to be played out it will occur in the next few days or weeks. Do not be surprised if there are upsets or challenges in your life during this period. Once that is settled, you are free to be of service by fully exploring and realising your own potential.

By surrendering to Divine will, you understand that your small will or ego has no business organising your life. The conscious mind is useful in facilitating the day-to-day running of your affairs but, when it comes to the big picture, listen to your feelings. They are in tune with the larger plan; you mind is not.

Source:

The Book, “Spirit Guide”

Raym Richards

Let’s Talk Witch – Accessing Your Power


Egyptian Comments & GraphicsAccessing Your Power

The interconnectedness of all things

 

We are, as aspects of the same limitless consciousness, connected to All There Is. As part of the same whole, our actions affect every other aspect of that whole and it responds to us accordingly. We are connected to all other life forms, aspects of creation and each other. In simple terms, we, the Earth and everything on it are all one, we are all aspects of the same conscious whole. Any action, therefore, we impose on any other being, creature or environment, we are in effect inflicting on ourselves. If we radiate love we receive love. If we radiate anything else on any other level we receive that also.

In order to understand the complexity of this interdependence and our interconnectedness with other beings, I suggest that for a moment you visualise your life on this planet as a thread in a huge and complex tapestry that stretches out in one flat plane, as far as the eye can see or the mind can grasp. This point in time is a speck of dust on that thread. The rest of the tapestry is connected to your thread by others that touch you and are in turn touched by others during your life path. They represent all other aspects of reality and beings that you come into contact with during your life here on Earth. The term “deep ecology” may be used to describe this perception of the interdependence of all things.

If you pull hard enough on one thread, if you deviate from your life plan and become ego based in your actions, resisting your Divine plan, your actions will create a pull or disturbance in the whole tapestry. You will affect all the threads that cross yours and they in turn will affect the threads that cross them and so on. This is how your actions affect all other beings on and around this planet.

This analogy covers life on our plane of existence on planet Earth. To grasp how that affects the rest of the Universe and all the other planes of existence, visualise the tapestry in three dimensions, with interconnecting threads stretching out in all planes from this point in time and space. If you pull the thread, you pull the whole fabric of creation out of alignment and your actions affect other realities that are not directly connected with you, this planet or this reality.

You can contribute to restoring balance and harmony on both a planetary and a Universal scale by moving out of ego and surrendering to Divine will, aligning your whole being with light and love.

Source:

The Book, “Spirit Guide”

Raym Richards

WOTC Extra – Black, White, and Gray Magick


Gothic Comments

Black, White, and Gray Magick

 

 

Your motive for doing a spell determines whether it’s “white” or “black” magick, or somewhere in between. Magick spells can be grouped into three basic categories:

Any spell done to harm someone else is black magick.

Spells and rituals performed for the purpose of connecting with the Divine or to obtain higher knowledge are considered white magick.

Everything else falls into the gray area.

As you might imagine, most magick that witches perform fits in the gray category. This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to do gray magick. Tapping your magickal skills to get a better job or improve your love life is like using any other talent to enhance your situation. As long as you don’t harm someone else in the process, you’re operating in safe territory.

Many witches end a spell or ritual with the words “This is done for the greatest good and may it harm none.” Because it’s sometimes hard to determine whether what you’re doing is for the good of all concerned, this phrase invites the universe to step in and guide energy to keep it from being misdirected.

Magicians recognize that they may not be able to foresee all possible outcomes of their magick. Human beings are not omniscient, and sometimes good intentions lead to terrible results. By requesting that higher (and wiser) powers direct their magick toward the best possible outcome, witches remove any selfish attachments and desires from their spellworking. The phrase “harm none” also pertains to the person doing the spell and protects the magician from any unwanted ramifications of a spell.

This brief overview is a broad generalization at best. Each witch relies on her inner voice (or conscience, if you will) in determining how she wields magick. There is no cut-and-dried answer to whether anyone is a good or a bad witch. Most witches hope and try to be the best witches—and the best people—they can be.

The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book: Rituals, spells, and sacred objects for everyday magick (Everything®)

Skye Alexander

Let’s Talk Witch – Good Witch, Bad Witch


Gothic Comments

Good Witch, Bad Witch

 

Are there “bad” witches who use their knowledge and power for personal gain and ill will? Yes, of course, just as there are “bad” Christians, “bad” Muslims, and so on. People are people. If you shake any figurative tree hard enough, a couple of rotten apples are liable to fall off. That’s just human nature. The good news is that these rotten apples are the exception, not the rule. Just like everyone else, witches confront issues that require them to make ethical choices. For instance, should magick be used as a weapon, even if it’s only to fight back?

Wiccans and witches alike see magick as ethically neutral, even as electricity is neutral. Both magick and electricity can be used to help or to harm. Magick is simply the intentional use of energy. The witch directs energy by willpower toward a goal. How a person uses magick—the witch’s intention—is what colors it white, black, or gray. To complicate matters, people’s perceptions of what constitutes white, black, and gray aren’t the same. Followers of any religion or belief system face a similar conundrum. Defining anything in concrete terms is nearly impossible.

The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book: Rituals, spells, and sacred objects for everyday magick (Everything®)

Skye Alexander

Thirteen Goals Of A Witch


Witchy Comments

Thirteen Goals Of A Witch

I. Know yourself
II. Know your craft
III. Learn
IV. Apply knowledge with wisdom
V. Achieve balance
VI. Keep your words in good order
VII. Keep your thoughts in good order
VIII. Celebrate life
IX. Attune with the cycles of the Earth
X. Breathe and eat correctly
XI. Exercise the body
XII. Meditate
XIII. Honor the Goddess and God

Author unknown.

WOTC Extra – Casting the Circle

Casting A Circle

 

A circle is cast before you perform spell-work. The circle forms two purposes – it protects you from negative energy and it provides energy for the spell being cast.

Face the north quarter and point at it, either with you finger or your athame, while saying, “Hail and welcome.” Light the candle that represents that quarter, if applicable. Repeat this for each other quarter, moving in a clockwise direction to form a complete circle.

When you get back to the beginning again, ask the God or Goddess for their blessing and ask them to seal the circle and protect those working within it.

After you have finished the spell-casting, you will need to close off the circle properly. This is done by the same person who originally cast the circle. Thank the God and Goddess and face each quarter again – this time pointing towards the ground. This will safely disperse the energy.

 

 

Witchcraft: The Ultimate Bible: The Definitive Guide on the Practice of Witchcraft, Spells, Rituals and Wicca

Justin Kase