WOTC Extra – Elemental Correspondences & Elemental Herbs

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 HERBS

Activator: Mistle toe, Mandrake, Dragon’s Blood

Banishing: Black Willow, Hellebore

Beauty: Catnip, Ginseng, Maidenhair, Yerba Santa

Courage: Cohosh, Mullen, Thyme, Yarrow

Divination: Broom, Dandelion, Hibiscus, Meadowsweet, Orris, Pomegranate, Mugwort, Dragon’s Blood, Black Willow

Employment: Devil’s Shoestring, Lucky Hand, Pecan

Friendship: Lemongrass, Sweetpea, Passionflower

Happiness: Catnip, Hawthorn, High John the Conqueror, Lavender, Meadowsweet, Morning Glory, St. John, Witch grass

Healing: Adders Tongue, Bay, Blackberry, Burdock, Cedar, Fennel, Garlic, Hops, Horehound, Life Everlasting, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vervain

Health: Caraway, Galangal, Juniper, Marjoram, Nutmeg, Rue Sassafras, Tansy

Love: Apple, Basil, Betony, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Copal Damania, Gardenia, Jasmine, Verbena, Meadowsweet, Moonwort, Poppy, Raspberry, Rose, Violet

Mental Ability: Eyebright, Horehound, Mustard Seed, Periwinkle

Protection: Acacia, Ash, Broom, Datura, Dogwood, Elder, Foxglove, Rowan

Psychic Ability: Borage, Honeysuckle

Purification: Sage, Benzoin, Copailm Iris, Thistle, Vervain, Yucca

Sleep: Agimony, Chamomile, Hops, Lavender, Passionflower, Pepper, Valerian

Spirituality: Frankincense, Gardenia, heather, Sandalwood

Strength: Carnation, Mulberry, Pennyroyal, Oak, Saffron

Success: Cinnamon, Patchouli, Chamomile, High John the Conqueror Root

Wisdom: Bodhi, Iris, Sage, Yew

Goddess: Willow, Moonwort, Hawthorn

God: Holly, Mandrake, Buckthorne

Let’s Talk Witch – The Many Flavors of Witchcraft

Fantasy Graphics=
Let’s Talk Witch – The Many Flavors of Witchcraft

Yes, flavors. I ran across that word the other day describing something (I don’t remember what) but I found the word fascinating. When I stopped to think about it this morning, Witchcraft does come in many flavors. There are numerous different Paths/Tradition in Witchcraft. But we all call ourselves Witches. We unite under that title as Witch.

I decided to revisit several of those different Paths/Traditions today. We have several newcomers to the Craft. I figured this might be helpful to them. At least it will give them an idea of where their interests might lay. If you have been practicing Witchcraft for a while, see if your tradition is listed. If not, give us a brief description of your Path/Tradition. If you would like to add something to these descriptions, feel free. I would love to hear from you. Enjoy!

Alexandria Tradition Founded in England in the 1960’s. A man by the name of Alex Sanders called himself the “King” of Witches.

British Tradition Mixture of Celtic and Gardnerian beliefs. Covens are co-ed, and they train through the degree process.

Celtic Wicca This tradition stongly stresses the Ancient ones, the Elements, and nature. They know a lot about flowers, plants, herbs, stones, & gnomes/fairies.

Caledonii Tradition Scottish in origin, it preserves the festivals of the Scots. Used to be known as the Hecatine Tradition.

Ceremonial Witchcraft These Witches use a lot of Magic in their practices. wiccan Magic is a favorite.

Dianic Tradition This tradition has been known as the feminist movement. It was founded in 1921 by Margaret Murray. They tend to focus more on the Goddess, & not the God.

Eclectic Witch These Witches don’t follow any one Craft. They take what they have learned and apply it as needed to their Magic.

Gardnerian Tradition This tradition is so popular because the man who started it, Gerald Gardner, publicized it so much in the 1950’s. Wicca was about to die out, and he made many people aware of the Craft.

Hecatian A branch of Wicca which worships the Goddess Hecate.

Kitchen Witch These Witches practice most of their magic in the kitchen, like the name signifies

.
Pictish Witch Scottish Craft; solitary using nature as it’s Magickal force. Not much religion involved in this one.

Pow-Wow Based on German Magic; it is not a religion, just a Magickal healing with faith practice.

Seax Wicca started by Raymond Buckland, this tradition contains Saxon beliefs and is exclusive for Saxon scholars, though nothing is stopping you from studying it.

Solitary Witch This is a Witch who practices alone. The tradition may vary, and they can come in many forms. A Solitary Witch can learn off the internet, books, and Witches they may know. They do not belong to a coven, and most of the time feel as if they benefit more by practicing solo.

Strega Witch: Began in the 1300’s by a woman named Aradia. They have beautiful teachings but are rare to find anymore.

Teutonic Witch This is the Nordic tradition. People vary from the English, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Good Things To Know

Good Things To Know

Moon Phase Correspondences for Magickal Workings.

New Moon Magick:

New Moon workings can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after.

The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting.

Waxing Moon Magick:

From seven to fourteen days after the new moon.

The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or health.

Full Moon Magick:

From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon.

Prime time for rituals for prophecy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams.

Waning Moon Magick:

From three-and-a-half to ten-and-a-half days after the full moon.

The waning moon is used for banishing magick, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity.

Dark Moon Magick:

From ten-and-a-half to fourteen days after the full moon.

The dark moon is a time for dealing with attackers, for exploring our darkest recesses and understanding our angers and passions. Also bringing justice to bear.

Daily Correspondences for Magickal Workings:

Sunday: Power magick, health, vitality, money, career

Monday: Intuition, dreams, psychic ability, fertility

Tuesday: Money, enemies, courage, energy

Wednesday: Divination, communications, knowledge, wisdom

Thursday: Happiness, luck, wealth, victory, health

Friday: Love, romance, marriage, friendship

Saturday: Psychic ability, communications, new beginnings, protection, bindings

Color Correspondences for Magickal Workings:

Red: energy, strength, passion, love, career goals, courage

Orange: business goals, career goals, justice, success, ambition

Yellow: learning, breaking mental blocks, confidence, persuasion

Pink: romantic love, peace, nurturing

Green: finances, luck, physical healing, abundance, growth

Blue: wisdom, protection, calm, creativity, patience

Purple: spiritual power, psychic ability, ambition, third eye

Silver: telepathy, clairvoyance, intuition, dreams, astral energy

Black: protection, repelling, binding

White: peace, purity, spirituality, higher self

Herbal Magick

There are many herbs that can be used for magickal purposes; I’ve elected to list only those that could be found in an ordinary kitchen or can be easily found at a grocery store or nursery. Wooden window boxes are fairly inexpensive, as is potting soil. The herbs themselves were only $2 each.

Success: basil, sandalwood

Psychic development: cinnamon, rosemary, thyme

Divination: cloves, nutmeg, thyme

Dream magick: cinnamon, mistletoe

Good luck: chamomile, nutmeg, sandalwood

Health: allspice, coriander, ginseng, thyme

Love magick: basil, catnip, cinnamon, dill seed, ginger, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme

Money: basil, chamomile, cinnamon, garlic, thyme

Protection: cloves, marjoram, basil, sandalwood, African ginger

Handy Stuff to Have Around the House

Harmony Ball – chiming spheres were created by ancient Druids as meditation devices to commune with nature.

Pentagrams – The 5 points represent the elements of all creation –Air, Fire, Water & Earth plus the quality of the Spirit which imbues it

Ankhs – The ancient Egyptian symbol of the radiant life force of healing — both spiritual and physical

9 Healing Herbs: Catnip, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Plantain, Ginger, Cayenne, Comfrey, Garlic, Lobelia

5 Helpful Goddesses:

Ganesh – Bestower of Success in work, and Remover of Obstacles

Laxmi – Goddess for petitions of Love, Sex, Abundance & Wealth

Shiva – God of Regeneration, Ecstasy, Magic Sex & Transcendence

Tara – Bestower of good. Protectress against enemies & bad luck

Vishnu – Protector of Universe for power, courage & sustenance

Lodestone – Lodestones are naturally magnetic, used to charge spell items. Often 2 lodestones are carried: 1 to repel bad luck and 1 to attract good luck. Lodestones come in blue, gold, green, silver, white & natural

Dragon’s Blood Ink – Typically dragon’s blood is used for love spells. Dragon’s blood is used for power & spell strength

Lighting Sticks- Preferable to matches for ritual use because they reach into enclosed candle holders easily & don’t leave the match scent of sulfur.

Creating An Artificial Element

CREATING AN ARTIFICIAL ELEMENT

The elemental Spirits of Earth are the Gnomes.
The elemental Spirits of Air are the Sylphs.
The elemental Spirits of Water are the Undines.
The elemental Spirits of Fire are the Salamanders.

1- Decide on the purpose and do a divination to determine the outcome. If it is positive, proceed to number two.

2- Perform the Opening by Watchtower.

3- Imagine that you are the element which you wish to from into an artificial element. Hold your hands nine to twelve inches apart, palms facing each other. Now imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Next, as you exhale, visualize all of the element you are working with going out with your breath and being trapped in the container between your hands. Do this until the container is
literally bursting with elemental energy.

4- Take your hands away and let the container float in front of you. Pick up the tool associated with the element with which you are working. Put the end of the tool against the visualized container.
Say:
“I hereby name thee ________.
Go thou and do (whatever you wish it to do).
When you have completed this task, disperse and reunite with (name of element)
everywhere and harm none on your way.
If thou hast not completed thy task by (date and time), then disperse
nonetheless and reunite with (name of element)everywhere and harm none on your
way.
So mote it be!
Be on thy way!”

5- Perform the Closing by Watchtower.

Elemental Magick – Water

ELEMENTAL MAGICK – WATER

The elemental Spirits of Water are the Undines.

Mastering the element Water…

1- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of being cool and moist. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magickal diary.

2- Remove your clothes and enter a bath or pool where the water is cool. If you have access to a lake or river, this would be best. Also, it would be good if you could get a swimming snorkel so that you can breathe while completely submerged beneath the surface of the water. Obviously, this would be difficult to do in a small bath tub or in a shallow pool, but if you have access to a snorkel and have a place where you can be totally submerged, you will have the quickest success. Once you are submerged as much as possible, and if you are completely submerged, breathing comfortably through the snorkel, do the relaxation ritual. Next, become very aware of your breath. As you do this you will find that your breath will automatically slow down. Notice the way the air feels as it comes in through the nose, down the air pipe and into the lungs. Feel this. Once again, imagine that your body is nothing more then an enormous breathing apparatus. If you experience any sort of “drowning sensation”, stop immediately and try again later. You should do this exercise for one week.

3- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Water. Feel the fluidity, the coolness, the refreshing moisture of the elemental waters. Know what water feels like, what water is. Do this for one week.

4- Once you have learned to “be Water”, the next step is to control the element Water. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Water. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Water element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths
should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.

THE TEST
The next time you feel hard headed, overly tense, or like you muscles are hard as a rock, do this exercise. If you feel relaxed and reasonable, you have succeeded with the test AND with mastering the element Water.

Elemental Magick – Fire

ELEMENTAL MAGICK – FIRE

The elemental Spirits of Fire are the Salamanders.

Mastering the element Fire…

1- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of having heat and dryness. Be sure to record the results each day in your magickal diary. Do at least daily for one week.

2- Find a place that is extremely hot, such as a desert or a dry sauna (not a steam bath). If those are not possible, find a place where a roaring fire is going. Such a fire could be in a fireplace or a barbecue pit or grill. Remove all of your clothes, or as much as you can, and get as close to the heat source as possible without risking a burn. Once you are in a position where it is uncomfortably hot, but not painful or unbearable, do the relaxation ritual. Focus on your breathing. Again imagine that you are a huge breathing apparatus. Do this for a short while, usually ten minutes. Do not spend any time longer then that. Do this exercise at different times of the day or night for one week.

3- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Fire. Feel the heat and your ability to transmit the heat. Know what Fire feels like, what Fire is. Do this for one week.

4- Once you have learned to “be Fire”, the next step is to control the element Fire. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Fire. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Fire element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths
should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.

THE TEST
The next time you feel listless or have a total lack of energy, do this exercise. If you feel energized and revitalized, you have succeeded with the test AND mastering the element Fire.

Elemental Magick – Earth

ELEMENTAL MAGICK – EARTH

The elemental Spirits of Earth are the Gnomes.

Mastering The Element Earth….

1- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of dryness and coolness. However, don’t to this just out of your head. Rather, make a list of Earth things that you see each day. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magickal diary.

2- Find a place filled with nature, such as a field or park. Wear as little clothing as you can (if possible, nudity is best), and sit or lie on the ground so that as much of your skin as possible is touching the ground. This is especially easy for women, as they can simply wear a flowing skirt with no underwear and sit on the ground with the skirt spread out. Spend some time contemplating, feeling the coolness and dryness of the Earth. You should do this at least three times within a week.

3- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Earth. Feel the heaviness, the slowness, the coolness and dryness of Earth. Feel the way you can absorb the pains and problems of the world (however, do not actually do so). Become Earth. Do this exercise for at least a week before moving to the next exercise.

4- Once you have leaned to “be Earth”, the next step is to control the element Earth. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Earth element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container
between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.

THE TEST
The next time you feel lightheaded, overweight, just heavy and lethargic, do this exercise. If you feel lighter and better, you have succeeded, with the test AND with mastering the element Earth.

Elemental Magick – Air

ELEMENTAL MAGICK – AIR

The elemental Spirits of Air are the Sylphs.

Mastering the element Air…

1- Make a list of the things which have the combined qualities of warmth and moistness. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magickal diary.

2- Find a place where you can be alone, take a lounge chair along with you. Wear as little clothing as you can (if possible, nudity is best), and sit or lie in the chair. Begin pore breathing. This is started by doing the relaxation ritual. Next, become very aware of your breath. Become aware of the slow in and out motion of the physical air. Notice the way the air feels as it enters your body. Now imagine that your body is nothing more then a huge breathing apparatus. Imagine that every part of your body only has the function of breathing. You should do this exercise daily for one week.

3- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Air. Feel the lightness, the giddiness, the warmth and moisture of Air. Feel how physical things don’t seem to matter. Do this exercise for only one week, NO MORE. If you wish to do it again, only do it once a month.

4- Once you have learned to “be Air”, the next step is to control the element Air. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Air. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Air element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.

THE TEST
The next time you feel heavy, slow or lazy, do this exercise. If you feel relaxed and refreshed, you have succeeded with the test AND with mastering the element Air.

Specific Methods of Psychic Protection

1) Heal the aura. The best thing to do this is to go to a reliable healer who should be able to do the job easily.

2) Clear the atmosphere. Use pomegranate leaves or a small brush to sprinkle consecrated salt water all over the house or that particular room. The consecration can be simply done by saying a prayer or repeating an invocation while the salt water is being prepared. This is done by sprinkling a spoonful of salt into a bowl of water. While doing this and while sprinkling the ‘holy’ water onto the walls of the house, repeat your prayer or invocation.

3) Break contact with troubling forces. Move to a new environment with a new set of clothes and with as little belongings as possible. If moving house is not possible, change your room. If you cannot change your room, change the direction of the bed. In moving to a new abode, it is better if one can cross running water (river or sea), as this will help by throwing off the scent of the attacker, but a spirit can still follow you. After arriving at the new place, bathe in salt water while chanting an invocation or prayer at the same time. Do it like a ritual. After this, strengthen your aura once again.

4) Disposal of belongings. Personal belongings such as clothes, shirts, jacket and raincoats etc should be sunned in the open for 3 days before giving them away. Similarly, furniture, chairs and mattresses should also be sunned for 3 days before they are disposed off. Of course hairs, nail clippings, handkerchiefs and menstrual pads should be burnt. Similarly, night soil, urine, sperms and blood material should be meticulously dealt with, because they are all magnetized objects.

5) Ancillary measures. Small quantities of consecrated salt water or nitric acid in small saucers should be left all over the room or house. These are changed every few days. Whole cloves of onions and garlic may also be left in the room for human and non-human visitors. They should also be burnt after some time.

6) Magic Circle. Before one sleeps, imagine a Ring of Fire around the bed in a clockwise fashion (deosil). Do the same to your companion’s bed. Then white light both beds at once.

7) Pentagram. This is performed as according to the diagram. Start with the right hand down across at the level of the left hip. The next step is to move the hand upward to the center above the head with the 1st and 2nd fingers pointing to the heavens. Then move the hand down again to the right hip. Then swing your hand across to the level of the left shoulder with the fingers pointing to the left. Then, cut across with the hand ending at the right shoulder with the fingers pointing away from the body. Lastly, swing the hand across and down to the left hip again. This pentagram will banish all thought forms, elementals, nature spirits and ghosts. As with white lighting, the pentagram can be use to protect our cars, houses, pets and loved ones

8) Green pyramid. This is another form of visualization that can protect us from offending intruders. Either lie or sit down and go into silence, i.e. withdrawing from all external thoughts. Then visualize that you are encased in a green pyramid, whose base is beneath your floor, and the apex is above your head. Make sure that the sides of the pyramid are firmly attached to the base, and tightly converged at the apex. If you need to move, attach wheels to the pyramid, and if you want to look out, create a window. Then open your eyes to survey your surroundings. Finally, you may either go into meditation or sleep, and you can rest assured that the pyramid remains intact. Similarly, you can encase your car, house, and loved ones with a pyramid. This pyramid will prevent any intrusion from all sorts of predators.

9) Protecting the solar plexus. There are 3 methods you can protect your 3rd chakra. Firstly, close all your chakras, except the 7th. Then put a sheet of glass around your solar plexus, when you are interviewing someone, who is sapping your energy. You can still talk, but you will not be sapped. Secondly, you can create a brick wall around you. In this instance nobody can communicate with you. Lastly, like in the cowboy films, press your elbows to your sides and put your both hands in front your solar plexus with both thumbs hitch onto your belt or top of your trousers. In these instances, the person in front of you will not be able to absorb your energy.

10) Gazing. When you are facing a potential attacker, do not gaze into his eyes. Look at his 3rd eye, i.e. the middle of his forehead between his two eyes. When you just concentrate on his 3rd eye he has no power over you.

11) Occult Police. Imagine a black Calvary cross on a circle of scarlet background at your 3rd eye. A Calvary cross is one, which the vertical line is longer than the horizontal line. Then call for help. Either your own guide (guardian angel) or the roaming spiritual ‘police’ will come to your aid.

12) Mirrors. If you are worried that your house will be attacked put small mirrors at every window facing outwards. If you know that a colleague in your office is sending you negative or hate energy, put a small mirror facing him on your desk. The hate energy will revert back to the sender.

Not all the ancillary methods will work for you. However choose one, and try it out. If you fail, try another. If you find one that works with you and you are comfortable with it, stick to that one. However, the most powerful ones are the general measures, through which most attackers cannot penetrate, unless the offender is a very experienced occultist.

Source:
Pagan Magic

Psychic Self Defense

There are many subtle bodies that surround our physical; some being the mental body, emotional body, spiritual body, and auric body, also known as the etheric body. It’s the etheric body that is the first line of defense against external negative energy. It is akin to an energetic armor or covering that all exterior energies need to penetrate before they reach our intrinsic body. And when we are feeling imbalanced, tired, overwhelmed or traumatized, this outer auric body can become compromised and external energies may pervade. There are many different ways of setting up protection when one feels threatened or maybe just energetically weak and essential oils can provide a supportive encasement for the auric body when used in conjunction with intention.

One technique to use in crowds or busy places, is an energetic shield. Imagine you are encasing yourself in an egg-like shell of impenetrable light. Before heading out in a crowd, visualize a clear membrane of light around you and into this shell you can spritz the essences of either lavender, geranium, melissa, orange, pamarosa rose, or tea tree. The oils will act like a barrier of energy to repel any negativity that those in the crowd might brush off on you.

But more to the point, it is important to keep your etheric body free of energy leeches. There are lower dimensional beings, some of which because of their addictions while in body on earth, have become lost and unable to pass over in death. Often these lower dimensional beings will astrally hang out at bars or mass gatherings where drugs and alcohol are being used and will try to attach on to a weakened aura in order to suck energy. The more drunk/stoned we might become, the less fortified our auras are, the easier for these disincarnate beings to attach onto us and begin pulling energy away from us. This is where psychic self-defense comes in – you need to be conscious that there are beings that can attach in and suck our energies. Then set an intent to disallow them access. Before going out to a bar or a gathering where there will be drinking and/or drug use, spritz an essential oil combination around yourself and clearly state that you wish to be defended against any evil or unwanted influences that seek to enter your energy field without permission. See the mist of essential oil spray become a shield around you that is impenetrable to disincarnate souls and feel deep inside that your etheric body is strong and full of integrity. Then you are ready to step out! Some of the essential oils that are helpful for this kind of protection are frankincense, cedarwood, myrrh, galbanum, elemi, jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver, mugwort, helichrysum and sage.

You may already sense you have unwittingly allowed psychic hitchhikers or psychic leeches (or vampires) to attach into your etheric body, in which case you might already be feeling the effects of the energy drain. You might feel tired, lethargic or in a perpetual state of being hung over and “not yourself”. Often we aren’t even aware that we have holes in the aura or that we are open to leaching energy. One quick technique is to scan your etheric body and sense if it feels whole and full of integrity. We all see or sense our auric bodies differently – maybe it can look like a veil of a cloth that surrounds you, or it can be a suit of armor, or a mist or transparent bubble. There is no right or wrong way of visualizing your own energy field’s defenses. It’s whatever works for you! So, tune in, maybe during your meditation time, and see if you can visualize what your etheric body looks like when it’s in its whole integrity, then check to see if there are any holes or cords/straws attaching in. When we state the intent to see any attachments that have penetrated the integrity of our energetic body, all psychic hitchhikers are bound and sworn to have to present themselves to us. From what I understand there is a Universal Law that says any lower dimensional attached Being has to make its presence known if the person (still alive on earth) commands it. Then, once you see what’s sucking on your energy, you demand that the lower frequencied Being release its hold on you, return to its place of being and no longer bothers you. Essential oils that are really great at getting rid of unwanted psychic bugs and low-lifes are cedarwood, sage, geranium, rosemary, rose, tea tree, eucalyptus, camphor and frankincense. These oils can be burned in an aroma lamp or sprayed in a circle around you as you sit in meditation. This particular clearing off of psychic riff-raff can also be done effectively in the bath, where the essential oils are mixed in sea salts to cleanse away the negative entities.

When using psychic self-defense, it’s good to remember not to use it because of fear. We choose to defend because we love integrity and wholeness, not because we fear we are anything less than perfect. If we hold the idea that we are conscious Beings of Light, we really don’t need to defend ourselves. The truth of our Light usually is enough to keep away dark energies. But as I said, sometimes because of trauma, be it emotional or physical, to our bodies, the strength of the etheric body becomes compromised and a little conscious psychic self-defense is handy. Keep your auric field strong and healthy and you’ll be fine

Source:
Pagan Magic

Notes for Initiates into The Craft

O Thou who hast declared intent to become one of us, hear then that
which thou must know to do: Single is the race, single of men and of
Gods, from a single source we both draw breath, but a difference of
power in everything keeps us apart, for we are as nothing but the
Gods stay forever. Yet we can, in greatness of minds, be like the
Gods. Though we know not to what goal by day or in the night, Fate
has written that we shall run beyond all seas, and earth’s last
boundaries.

Beyond the Spring of night and the Heaven’s vast
expanse there lies a majesty which is the domain of the Gods. Those
who would pass through the Gates of Night and Day to that sweet
place, which is between the world of men and the domains of the
Lords of the Outer Spaces, know that unless there is truth in thy
heart, thy every effort is doomed to failure.

HEAR THEN THE LAW

That thou lovest all things in nature. That thou walkest humbly in
the ways of men and the ways of the Gods. Also it is the law that
contentment thou shalt learn, through suffering, and from long
years, and from nobility of mind and of purpose.

FOR THE WISE NEVER GROW OLD.

Their minds are nourished by living in the daylight of the
Gods and if among the vulgar some discoveries should arise
concerning some maxims of thy belief in the Gods so do thou, for
the most part, keep silent. For there is a great risk of those who
straightaway vomit up that which they hast not digested. And when
someone shall say to thee, thou knowest naught and it bites thee
naught, then knowest thou that thou hast begun the work. And as
sheep do not bring their food to the shepherd to show how much they
have eaten but digesting inwardly their provender do bear outwardly
wool and milk, even so, do not display the maxims to the vulgar, but
rather the works that flow when they are digested.

Source:

Empathy’s Mystical Occult Site

The Witches’ Federal Law Memorandum

Statement of the Facts:
Witchcraft in the United States is a living, growing religion. As a religion, Witchcraft is protected by the Constitution. The Law has the obligation to serve and protect Witches in their religious endeavors, equally as much as it protects the rights and freedoms of other groups. In the United States today, Witches are entitled to the same rights and protections as other groups under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

ISSUE I:
Is Witchcraft recognized as a legitimate religion in the United States?

Witchcraft is recognized in the United States as a legitimate religion. In 1985, Dettmer v Landon (617 F Supp 592) the District Court of Virginia pursuant to rule 52 (a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ruled that Witchcraft is a legitimate religion and falls within a recognizable
religious category In 1986 in the Federal Appeals court fourth circuit. Butzner, J. affirmed the decision (799 F 2d 929) Since in most cases Federal law, even case law supersedes state law in this type of matter, the affirmation by judge Butzner clearly sets Witchcraft as a religion under
the protection of constitutional rights. The Church of Wicca (or Witchcraft) is clearly a religion for First Amendment purposes.

Members of the Church sincerely adhere to a fairly complex set of doctrines relating to the spiritual aspect of their lives, and in doing so they have ultimate concerns’ in much the same way as followers of more accepted religions. Their ceremonies and leadership structure, their rather
elaborate set of articulated doctrine, their belief in the concept of another world, and their broad concern for improving the quality of life for others gives them at least some facial similarity to other more widely recognized religions.

While there are certainly aspects of Wiccan philosophy that may strike most people as strange or incomprehensible. the mere fact that a belief may be unusual does not strip it of constitutional protection. Accordingly the Court concludes that the Church of Wicca. of which the plaintiff is a
sincere follower. is a religion for the purpose of the free exercise clause.” Williams. J. 1985 Dettmer v. Landon Supra. We agree with the district court that the doctrine taught by the Church of Wicca is a religion.” Butzner. J. 19864th Circuit. Dettmer v. Landon Supra.

ISSUE II:
Does the practice of Witchcraft fall within the parameters of the First Amendment? protection clause?

The first amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religious belief. The USCA states that a practice is a religion if it is for an individual a belief system for their whole life. The constitution does not wish to dictate what an individual should hold as a belief system or how it is practiced and will not enter into a ruling on that. “Court may not inquire into worthiness of parties’ religious belief to ascertain whether they merit. First Amendment protection, but need only consider whether beliefs are ‘religious’ in parties’ own scheme of things and whether their beliefs are sincere. USCA Const. Amend. I “To be a bona
fide religious belief entitled to protection under either the First Amendment or Title VII, a belief must be sincerely held” and within the believers own scheme of things religious. USCA Const. Amend. 1: Civil Rights Act 1964 701 et seq., 717 as amended 42 USCA 2000e-16″

ISSUE III:
Are Witches entitled to rights under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

The equal protection clause is guaranteed to all people and groups. If one group of people is entitled to equal protection than all groups are. Witchcraft is accepted as a religion, therefore, Witches are entitled to the same protections as al] other religious groups; under the equal
protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. First and Fourteenth Amendments insures without qualification that a state may not forbid the holding of any religious belief or opinion, nor may it force anyone to embrace any religious belief or to say or believe anything in conflict with his religious tenets. USCA Const. Amend. 1, (14 Africa v. Anderson 542 F. Supp. 224.”) (16 FPD 212-216)

ISSUE IV:
Are Witches entitled to the same rights and protections under State Laws. applicable to where they live, as they are under Federal Law?

USCA ARTICLE VII # 2 states: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be The Supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.”In light of the fact that Dettmer v. Landon supra, being a Federally Adjudicated case. it is thereby protected by the Constitution. No state can override this Federal adjudication. No Witch can be denied his/her civil liberty and right to be a Witch, open and free, in any state in the land; within the parameters of the Law.

CONCLUSION:

Witchcraft is a legally recognized religion in the United States and Witches are entitled to every right and protection for freedom of religion, including freedom from harassment and prejudice as every other recognized religion in the United States.

The United States Constitution, under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. supports the right of all peoples in the United States to practice their own belief system and to enjoy this in each their own manner.

Lawyers and Law Enforcement Agencies have the obligation to protect the rights of all people in their religious endeavors, no matter what they maybe, without bias or prejudice.

Witches desire only to retain their right of religious privacy and to practice their Craft as they see fit within the parameters of the law.

THE DO’s AND DON’Ts OF WITCHES

WITCHES DO NOT DO EVIL…
They believe that doing evil and harm is against all ethical and moral laws. Witches simply do not do harm (even to themselves).

WITCHES DO NOT WORSHIP SATAN…
Simply put: He’s THEIR boy…NOT Ours. Witches do not have a Satan/Devil or any all-evil deity in their religious structure. Witchcraft is a religion that underscores polarity and views the God and the Goddess as equal entities.

A MALE Witch IS NOT A WARLOCK…
The word Warlock is a Scottish word meaning “oath breaker”, and became a term designating a male Witch during the ‘burning times’. A Male Witch is simply that.

WITCHES WEAR CLOTHING OF EVERY COLOR AND EVERY STYLE…
Many Witches do choose to wear black clothing or ritual robes. The color black is the culmination of all vibrational rates of light on the material plane. Black absorbs light information and helps Witches be more receptive to psychic impressions and energies.

WITCHES COME FROM EVERY SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND…
Many Witches are professional people holding positions of responsibility such as Doctors, Nurses, Police Officers, Teachers, etc. Witchcraft does not discriminate against color or ethnic origin and does view everything as equal in the eye of the Goddess and the God.

WITCHES DO USE SPELLS…
A spell is a thought, a projection, or a prayer. Other religions use prayer, meditation, projection and ritual to produce an intended result. The word ‘spell’ does not imply doing evil or harm.

WITCHES DO USE MAGIC WANDS…
Often you see the use of magic wands in children’s cartoons and movies making the idea seem frivolous. In actuality, they are used in healing for directing energy.

WITCHES DO USE WITCHCRAFT AS A SCIENCE, AN ART AND A RELIGION…
They use their knowledge and magic in harmony with the Universe and Nature around them.

THE WORD “WITCH” HAS A DEEP AND RICH HISTORY…
As defined by the English Oxford dictionary, “Witchcraft” is a Celtic (pronounced Kell-tick) word meaning the wise, good people. “Wicce” (wick-kay) designates a female Witch whereas “Wicca” (wick-kah) designates a male Witch.

IN THE RELIGION OF WITCHCRAFT WE VIEW THE PENTACLE AS AN AMULET AND
A SYMBOL FOR PROTECTION…
The five-pointed star represents the human body and the earth. In combination, the star surrounded by the circle represents the human body encompassed by the protection of the Goddess/God force. The pentacle is the symbol for Universal Wisdom.

WITCHES DO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH ECOLOGY…
They have never forgotten the basic fact: the world is not our enemy. Neither is it inert, dumb matter. The earth and all living things share the same life-force. They are composed of patterns of intelligence, of knowledge, and of divinity. All life is a web. We are woven into it as sisters and brothers off All. Witches need to be grounded in both worlds and awake to their responsibilities for both worlds. It is only by being responsible human beings that we can be responsible Witches and only responsible Witches will survive.*

*Except from “Power of the Witch” by Laurie Cabot.

Let’s Talk Witch – Your Elmental World

Earth

Solid and strong – Earth is the mountain, protective it is the shelter of the cave, nurturing it is the food from the fields and the animals of the hunt. It is life. It is ancient and it is replenishing. Earth is also the direction of the North where the great mountains reside, it is midnight, it is winter and it is the point between death and rebirth when things sleep to gather strength. It is the embrace of death and the promise of rebirth.

Earth is traditionally thought of as a feminine element for from the Earth springs life and that is the realm of women. Earthy things are practical, protective and nurturing. In astrology it is represented by Capricorn (Ambitious, Hard-working, Miserly, Grouchy), Taurus (Calm, Traditional, Sensual and Greedy), and Virgo (Organized, Conscientious, Fussy and Anxious). It is the color of green (or brown).

Earth is the element of the North and the gift of the North is the Lia Fial or magick stone that would cry out when a righteous ruler touched it. This person would be a protector (mother/father) to a nation.

Air

The breath of inspiration, serenity and logic, creativity and the wonder that fills us as we look to the skies and see shapes and dreams within the clouds. Air is also the raw power of a cyclone and the precision of a lightning strike, it is the violence and turbulence of the thunderstorm that also mimics the creative process.

Air is traditionally a masculine element. It is thought and action, inspiration and wonder. It is youthfulness and it is boundless energy. In astrology it is represented by Libra (Charming, Tasteful, Easygoing, Indulgent), Aquarius (Progressive, Inventive, Eccentric and Rebellious) and Gemini (Lively, Talkative, Flirtatious and Crafty). It is the dawn of a new day, it is Spring time, new beginnings and the directions of the sunrise – The East. It is the color Yellow.

Air is the element of the East and brings the gift of the Sword of Nuada that was said to embody the power and knowledge of the Celtic people.

Fire

Burning passion, desire, heated arguments, rage, shouting, screaming, laughing, and crying. All acts of passion and the heat of the moment. Explosions of temper and passionate embraces. Fire is all this but it is also devotion, determination and drive. It fuels us to great accomplishments and gives us hope when all else is lost.

Fire is also traditionally a Masculine element often associated with wars and the Sun. Fire gives us purpose and direction. In astrology Fire is represented by Aries (Energetic, Competitive, Impatient, Selfish), Leo (Commanding, Colorful, Superior and Self-Centered) and Sagittarius (Adventurous, Jovial, Careless and a Spendthrift). It is the mid-day sun, it is summer, it is the prime of our lives. It is represented by the color red.

Fire is the Element of the South and its gift is the Spear of Lugh that when wielded in battle would emit a blinding light stunning ones foes and leading to victory.

Water

Fire is the Element of the South and its gift is the Spear of Lugh that when wielded in battle would emit a blinding light stunning ones foes and leading to victory.

Spirit

We are physical beings born of flesh and blood, yet at the same time there is a piece of us that will outlive our bodies and that connects us to each other. This is our astral selves, our aura, the touch of divinity. In traditional alchemy the four traditional elements (earth, air, fire and water) were easily found in nature and within ourselves, but alchemists devoted thier lives to looking for the fifth element (spirit) that would only manifest when there was a balance of the other four within our lives.

Spirit is the fifth point on the Pentagram and the center of our circles. It provides balance by connecting us to not only the other Elements but to each other and divinity. The gift of spirit is the akashic records from which we are connected to all things.

Spirit is not associated with any time of day for it rides with us, it is also not associated with a season or stage of life except perhaps for the point between death and rebirth. Spirit exists apart from time and space. We invite spirit into our rituals when we call on Diety. It is represented by the altar itself, and by the pentacle.

Source:

Living in the Shadows

How Witchcraft Works – Learning the Craft

How Witchcraft Works

by Lee Ann Obringer

Learning the Craft

Witches can either practice their craft in groups, called covens, or by themselves as solitaries. New members are welcomed into covens with a formal initiation ceremony. In the Gardnerian tradition, there are three phases of learning, each of which lasts a year and a day. Covens generally have their own rules, procedures and names for these phases, but they tend to fall into the following categories:

student/witch
practitioner/priest(ess)
teacher/high priest(ess)

Once a new member has completed all phases, he or she is a full-fledged witch with the power to perform and participate in formal rituals.

In the next section, we will explain the basics of the Wiccan rituals. But before we get into that, let’s take a look at some of the different tools of the witch’s trade.

Witch Accessories

Athame (knife)

A knife isn’t one of the traditional witch’s props you can get at the costume shop, but the athame is an important part of many rituals. The athame is a double-edged knife with a blade about 6 inches long. It is not terribly sharp — it is used to mark the edges of the circle and to stir the salt and water that are used to consecrate (or make sacred) the circle. It is also used sometimes to carve symbols or words into candles. The athame’s owner marks either the handle or the blade with his or her witchcraft name and stores it in a white container or cloth. The athame is also used in the Great Rite ritual (more on the Great Rite later) as a phallic symbol, representing one half of the union of the God and Goddess from which new life comes.

Bell

Some witches use a bell during rituals, but there is no official or required use of one. Some examples of when a bell might be rung is when the circle is opened or closed, to invoke the God or Goddess or simply to signify when certain phases of the ritual are ending or beginning.

Besom (broom)

Witches don’t actually fly on brooms, although many do have them. They’re used to purify an area of lingering energies (similar to the use of sage below) before “casting a circle.” Circles are cast before any ritual.

Boline (knife)

The boline is another knife used in Wiccan rites. In contrast to the athame, the boline is very sharp and is usually made of copper. Its sole use is to cut herbs.

Book of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is essentially the witch’s guidebook. It contains all of a particular witch’s (or coven’s) ritual and spell information. It is the written record of everything the witches in that coven need to know, such as descriptions and explanations of all of the sabbats (more on sabbats later).

Candles

When a circle is cast for a ritual, there are four quadrants representing north, south, east and west. Quarter candles of specific colors are used: north is green (earth), south is red (fire), east is yellow (air) and west is blue (water). The candles are placed at the perimeter of the circle. There are also three candles used on the altar — the color of these candles represents the ritual being performed.

Cauldron

The cauldron is a necessary part of witches’ paraphernalia. While many years ago, cauldrons were a part of every home, now they’re seldom seen except at Halloween or as a yard decoration. But cauldrons with magical powers go back to the myth of the Celtic Goddess Cerridwen, whose cauldron represented the cycle of birth, renewal, rebirth and transformation. Witches today often burn small fires (balefires) or incense in their cauldrons. The cauldron can also represent the womb during the Great Rite ritual, which calls up the union of the God and Goddess from which new life comes.

Chalice

A chalice (cup) is used in ceremonies to represent the female principle of water. The chalice can also be used in place of the cauldron in performing the Great Rite, as well as in a “Cake and Ale” rite where a cup of wine is blessed by the High Priest and passed from member to member in the circle.

Clothing

Clothing is optional for most rituals, although most covens require that everyone is in agreement to going skyclad (naked) before anyone does. Otherwise, witches wear long, hooded robes of varying, usually dark colors.

Paton

An altar paton is a plate (or disk) of either metal or wood with a pentagram design on it. It is used on the altar to hold the tools needed for the ceremony and to act as a focal point.

Pentacle/Pentagram

The pentacle is a five-pointed star (a pentagram) enclosed within a circle. The “upright” pentacle or pentagram (one point up, two points down) is a widely recognized symbol of witchcraft. The points represent earth, fire, water, air and spirit. The circle represents the God and Goddess that allow the energy of the pentagram to be focused. It is symbolic of the idea of bringing together spirit and earth.

Sage

Before a ritual, the area must be purified. Sage is often used (as is a besom, above) to cleanse the area of unwanted energies. When burned, the sage creates a thick, grayish smoke.

Salt container

Another purifying agent is salt. The salt is usually in either a seashell or a glass dish. Salt is mixed with water to represent the elements of earth and water in order to consecrate the circle.

Staff

Witches can use a staff like they would a wand. The staff is usually shoulder height.

Sword

Some witches choose to use a sword rather than an athame to mark the boundaries of the circle.

Thurible (incense burner)

Incense represents the element of air. When burned, it also represents fire, both of which are used to purify the area or the tools being used. The thurible is often a small cauldron of metal or any other fire-resistant material.

Wand

Many witches use wands. Wands represent fire and the life force of the witch. It is a symbol of power, wisdom and healing. The wand, like the sword, staff and athame, can be used to cast the circle. It may also be used to direct energy during a spell.

Water container

The water container used in the consecration of the circle can be any type of container as long as it is large enough to hold three pinches of salt and be stirred with the athame. Water is another purification agent.

Source:

howstuffworks

How Witchcraft Works – Practicing Wicca

How Witchcraft Works

by Lee Ann Obringer

Practicing Wicca

Both men and women can be witches. Men are also called witches, not warlocks. The word warlock actually means “oath breaker” and dates back to the witch hunts: It was used to refer to those who betrayed other witches, and in the witching world it still has a bad connotation.

A person does not need a “gift” in order be a Wiccan witch, only training. The Wiccan Rede is the witch’s law and code of ethics. It says (in part):

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must, In perfect love and perfect trust. These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, An ye harm none do as ye will. And ever mind the Rule of Three, What ye send out comes back to thee. Follow this with mind and heart, And merry ye meet and merry ye part.

What this means is that witches should not perform magick that would harm another person. And if they do, it will come back to them threefold. So, if a witch hexes someone, he or she will experience misfortune that is three times worse. This is a very important part of the Wiccan belief. The magick they perform is supposed to be for personal change only.

Types of Magick

Magick can be used for both good and evil. The type of magick (black magick or white magick), along with the witch’s intent, determines the outcome. Many witches, however, claim that black magick can be used for good just as white magick can be used for bad — that it all depends on the intent.

Source:

howstuffworks

How Witchcraft Works – Wicca

How Witchcraft Works

by Lee Ann Obringer

Wicca

Wicca, a modern Pagan religion that worships the Earth and nature, was established in the 1940s and ’50s by Gerald Gardner. Gardner defined witchcraft as a positive and life-affirming religion. The central Wiccan theme is, “if it does no harm, do your own will.” Gardner also ascribed to this definition many witchcraft practices and skills that had existed for centuries and been part of many different religions and cultures. These practices included such things as divination (foreknowledge), herblore, magic and psychic abilities. Modern witchcraft in Britain, Europe, North America and Australia all evolved based on the Gardnerian definition and belief system.

No Devil

Wicca has no belief in a Devil and does not subscribe to the Christian idea of Hell, so the idea that modern witches worship the devil is nonsense. There are many conflicting definitions of “Wicca” and “witch,” and even modern-day witches don’t all agree on how to define themselves and their religion. Most, however, call themselves witches and their religion Wicca. There are actually several Wiccan traditions now that have varying beliefs, all loosely based on the Gardnerian ideals. Most of what we cover in this article is based on the Gardnerian tradition.

Magickal Energy

The Wiccan belief is that when witches become one with the deities through rituals, they become in tune with the overall life force or cosmic energy. This allows the witch to somewhat control that energy (meaning the energy from themselves and their environment) and direct it for “personal” change through magick.

The theory follows the scientific concept that all matter vibrates with its own energy. The speed of that vibration is dictated by the movement of the molecules that make up the object. Whether the object is solid or not is also determined by the movement of the molecules. According to the book “Spellworks for Covens,” energy from the witch’s body also has a vibration — both a physical rate of vibration and a spiritual rate of vibration. During power-raising rituals, witches believe that the molecules from both their physical and spiritual sides meld together to increase their overall energy and create a pathway for energy to flow through them. In order not to deplete their own personal energy stores, they can also pull energy from the Earth and sky.

Source:

howstuffworks

How Witchcraft Works – Modern Witchcraft

How Witchcraft Works

by Lee Ann Obringer

Modern Witchcraft

Witchcraft is a pagan religion. Pagan religions worship multiple deities rather than a single god. Paganism is one of the oldest religions and includes all religions that are not Christian, Muslim or Jewish, meaning Paganism includes the Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and American Indian religions as well as all other nature-oriented religions. According to the 1998 Cambridge Fact Finder, Paganism accounts for 50 percent of all religions.

The word “Pagan” actually stems from the Latin Pagini or Paganus, words meaning “hearth” or “home dweller” or, more simply, “country person” — those labeled as Pagans were considered inferior to those living in cities. It didn’t, however, mean those people were “bad.” It wasn’t until the 1450s that fear of witchcraft became more prevalent, and people began associating witchcraft and paganism with devil worship, evil hexes and spells.

Types of Witchcraft

There are many types of witchcraft, many of which overlap and all of which can be defined in different ways by different people, but here are some rough guidelines for their designations:

African witchcraft: There are many types of witchcraft in Africa. The Azande of central Africa believe that witchcraft causes all types of misfortune. The “gift” of witchcraft, known as mangu, is passed from parent to child. Those possessing mangu aren’t even aware of it and perform magick unconsciously while they sleep.
Appalachian folk magic: Those who practice witchcraft in the Appalachian mountains see good and evil as two distinct forces that are led by the Christian God and Devil, respectively. They believe there are certain conditions that their magick cannot cure. They also believe that witches are blessed with paranormal powers and can perform powerful magick that can be used for either good or evil purposes. They look to nature for omens and portents of the future.
Green witchcraft: A Green witch is very similar to a Kitchen/Cottage witch (see below) with the exception that the Green witch practices in the fields and forest in order to be closer to the Divine spirit. The Green witch makes his or her own tools from accessible materials from outdoors.
Hedge witchcraft: A Hedge witch is not part of a group or coven. This witch practices magick alone and works more with the green arts, herbal cures and spells. In the early days, Hedge witches were local wise men or women who cured illnesses and gave advice. They can be of any religion and are considered traditional witches (see below).
Hereditary witchcraft: Hereditary witches believe in “gifts” of the craft that are with a witch from birth, having been passed from generations before.
Kitchen/Cottage witchcraft: A Kitchen witch, or Cottage witch, practices magick around the hearth and home. The home is a sacred place, and the use of herbs is used often to bring protection, prosperity and healing. Kitchen witches often follow more than one path of witchcraft.
Pennsylvania Dutch hexcraft or “Pow-wow“: When the Germans first arrived in Pennsylvania, Native Americans were there, so the term “pow-wow” to describe this practice may come from observations of Indian gatherings. Pow-wowing includes charms and incantations dating back to the Middle Ages, as well as elements borrowed from the Jewish Kabbalah and Christian Bible. Pow-wowing focuses on healing illnesses, protecting livestock, finding love or casting or removing hexes. Pow-wowers consider themselves to be Christians endowed with supernatural powers.
Traditional witchcraft: Traditional witchcraft often follows science, history and the arts as its foundation. While sharing the same respect for nature as the Wiccan witch (see below), traditional witches do not worship nature nor the god or goddess of Wicca. They contact spirits that are part of an unseen spirit world during rituals. Magick is more practical than ceremonial and focuses greatly on herbs and potions. This sect of witchcraft also has no law of harming none, but does believe in responsibility and honor. Hexes and curses, therefore, can be used in self-defense or for other types of protection.
Wicca: Wicca is one of the modern Pagan religions that worships the Earth and nature, and it is only about 60 years old. It was created in the 1940s and ’50s by Gerald Gardner. Gardner defined witchcraft as a positive and life-affirming religion that includes divination, herblore, magic and psychic abilities. Wiccans take an oath to do no harm with their magick.

Source:

howstuffworks

How Witchcraft Works – The Witch Hunts

How Witchcraft Works

by Lee Ann Obringer

Witch Hunts

Once Christianity took hold in the late Middle Ages, the witches who performed magic were seen as devil worshippers who held Black Masses, hexed people and flew around on brooms. This was also the time of the Reformation, which began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church but resulted in the creation of Protestant churches. Although it occurred primarily in the 16th century, it had its roots in the 14th century — about the time when the witch hunt craze started.

Witch hunts in Europe and in the European colonies began around the 1450s and lasted until the 1750s. Because there were so many epidemics (like the Black Plague) and natural disasters, outbreaks of mass hysteria lead to pinpointing witches and witchcraft as the culprits.

During the various witch trials, prosecutors often used extreme torture to extract “confessions” from presumed witches. Innumerable witches were executed by public hanging or burning.

The Salem Witch Trials

In 1692, in Salem, Mass., there was an outbreak of witch hunts and witch trials that all started with some strange behavior from two young girls. The girls were having convulsions and screaming that they were being pinched or bitten. The doctor who examined them eventually decided they were under some sort of spell or bewitchment. One by one, women in the town of Salem and even in surrounding areas began being accused of witchcraft.

The servant of one of the girls’ families was West Indian and admitted in court to dealings with the devil, flying on “sticks,” and being upset because “they” made her hurt those girls. This testimony clinched the hysteria that was already building. Salem residents were then certain that the devil was alive and very active in their land — and who knew what would happen next.

Over a period of nine months, more than 100 people were imprisoned for being witches, and 20 were executed. Finally, a new court was constituted to replace the General Court, which had been holding the trials. This court, the Superior Court of Judicature, reversed the policy of the previous court. From this point on, only three more people were found guilty of witchcraft, and those three were later pardoned.

Theories today are varied regarding what was actually wrong with the two young girls who started it all. Some say they were good actresses, and once they had started it and saw all of the attention they were getting, they had to keep it up. Another theory is that they actually had clinical hysteria, which would explain the convulsions.

Source:

howstuffworks

Witchcraft – History Glossary

Witchcraft

Glossary

by Ilil Arbel, Ph.D.

Alchemy: Medieval forerunner of chemistry, particularly interested in changing base metals into gold.

Amulet: An object worn as a charm against evil, or for good luck.

Astarte: A Near Eastern fertility goddess.

Astral body: A spiritual body believed to exist apart from the physical body, and to survive death.

Astrology: The study of the positions and aspect of the heavenly bodies, and how they influence human affairs.

Athena: The Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare and crafts.

Aura: Electromagnetic field believed to be generated by the human body.

Baba Yaga: A powerful Russian witch.

Coven: An assembly of at least thirteen witches.

Demiurge: A Gnostic deity or demon, who created the material world.

Encantados: Friendly Brazilian spirits. They own the natural world and like to possess consenting mediums for short periods of time.

Familiar: A spirit who takes an animal form and becomes the companion of a practicing witch.

Grimoire: A manual of magic spells.

Hallucination: Distorted perception of objects or events, caused by mental disorder or drug, and appearing extremely real.

Heresy: A religious doctrine that disagrees with the dogma of the Catholic Church.

Iemanja: A Brazilian Sea Goddess.

Incantation: Ritual recitation of spells.

Kabbalah: A body of Jewish mystical teachings.

Karma: The effect of a person’s actions during a succession of many lives.

Matriarchal society: A society in which the mother is the head of the family and descent is traced though the mother’s side.

Maypole: A pole decorated with streamers, held by the people dancing around it.

Mithras: The ancient Persian god of light, guardian against evil.

Necromancy: The magic art of communicating with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future.

Occult: Relating or dealing with the supernatural.

Parapsychology: The study of telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, and related subjects.

Pentacle: A five pointed star, an important Wicca symbol.

Possession: The state of being dominated by a spirit.

Puritans: A group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries believed in strict religious life.

Reincarnation: Rebirth of the soul in a new body.

Sabbat: A periodic gathering of witches.

Satanism: The worship of Satan, characterized by mocking of Christian rites.

Sea Witch: A witch who specializes in controlling the seas or oceans.

Shaman: A member of a tribal society who is a link between the spirit world and the visible world; also functions as a sorcerer.

Sophia: The Gnostic feminine side of God, and the goddess of light and wisdom.

Spectral Evidence: The activities of ghost or an apparition of the living, accepted at court as if performed by a real person.

Telepathy: Mind-to-mind communication of thoughts.

Tenet: Principle or body of principles accepted the core of a religion.

Thor: The Norse god of thunder.

Valhalla: The hall of the Norse gods.

Voodoo: A Caribbean religion, based on a mixture of Catholicism and African tribal religions.

Zeus: The principal god of the Greek pantheon.

Zohar: The principal book of the Jewish Kabbalah.

Zombie: A corpse animated by supernatural power.

Source:

Encyclopedia MYTHICA

	H.P. Lady Beltane on Update on Big Dawg
	alanleealan on Update on Big Dawg
	H.P. Lady Beltane on I Won’t be Posting Today…
	Desra Kent on I Won’t be Posting Today…
	H.P. Lady Beltane on I Won’t be Posting Today…
	cleverhonestly1b6b35… on I Won’t be Posting Today…
	H.P. Lady Beltane on I Should be Back Tomorrow