Category: Our History

The Law of the Power

 

 

 

 

 

The Power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure or
control others. But if the need rises, the Power shall be
used to protect your life or the lives of others.

The Power is used only as need dictates.

The Power can be used for your own gain, as long as by
doing so you harm none.

It is unwise to accept money for use of the Power, for it
quickly controls its taker. Be not as those of other
religions.

Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens
the mysteries of Wicca and magick.

Ever remember that the Power is the sacred gift of the
Goddess and God, and should never be misused or abused.

And this is the law of the Power.

Reference:
Scott Cunningham

Water Magick – Magickal Cleansing Bath

Magickal Cleansing Bath

  • 1 square piece of linen, about 2 x 2 inches
  • Piece of string
  • White sage
  • Rosemary
  • Sea salt

Tie equal portion of the ingredients into the square of linen. Whisper to the sachet your intent to cleanse yourself of all negative energies. Crush the ingredients with your hands. Place the sachet directly under the running water. As you soak in the bath, allow all of the negative things in your life to leave your spirit and flow into the water. When you emerge from the tub, be sure  to bless your new self. It is proper to ask the Goddess to recycle the energies in the water and use them for positive purposes.

Water Magick – Magickal Baths

Magickal Baths

Most Witches partake in magickal bathing. A magickal bath is considered important for cleansing the spirit, the same way regular bathing is for cleansing the body. Magickal baths work best by candlelight, with herbal, oil, and/or salt additions, corresponding to the need. You can also use magickal bathing to allow the water to work on you and impart some of its wisdom to you, through your immersion in it. In this manner, a magickal bath can be used for spell casting.

Water Magick – Wishy Washy

Wishy Washy

Got a wish you want to come true? This is the mixture for you.

You will need:

  • 1 tablespoon sage
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon sandalwood

Combine all the ingredients together. Empower each of them as you add them to the mixture. Put them in a pan and place on the stove. Bring to a boil and let boil for 3 minutes. After the mixture has boiled, it is ready to be added to cold wash water. You can bless the mixture as you add it to the wash:

My wishes will come to me,
to take care of myself and my family.
With harm to none and good will to all,
Mother of mine, hear my call.
Bring these desired goals to me,
so that me and mine will blessed be.

Water Magick – Fast Money Wash

Fast Money Wash

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 drops pine essential oil

Combine all ingredients, empowering them one by one by stating aloud the specific function of each. Bless the ingredients on your altar. Put the mixture in a dark area for a week. Take it out once a day, shake the mixture, bless it and then put it back. It would be best, if at all possible, to bless this mixture under the Full Moon. After a week, you can add the mixture to a bucket of warm water.

The mixture smells fantastic, so be prepared for a very pleasant cleaning experience.

A Pledge to Pagan Spirituality

A Pledge to Pagan Spirituality

I am a Pagan and I dedicate Myself to channeling the Spiritual Energy of my Inner Self to help and to heal myself and others.

  • I know that I am a part of the Whole of Nature. May I grow in understanding of the Unity of all Nature. May I always walk in Balance.
  • May I always be mindful of the diversity of Nature as well as its Unity and may I always be tolerant of those whose race, appearance, sex, sexual preference, culture, and other ways differ from my own.
  • May I use the Force (psychic power) wisely and never use it for aggression nor for malevolent purposes. May I never direct it to curtail the free will of another.
  • May I always be mindful that I create my own reality and that I have the power within me to create positivity in my life.
  • May I always act in honorable ways: being honest with myself and others, keeping my word whenever I have given it, fulfilling all responsibilities and commitments I have taken on to the best of my ability.
  • May I always remember that whatever is sent out always returns magnified to the sender. May the Forces of Karma move swiftly to remind me of these spiritual commitments when I have begin to falter from them, and may I use this Karmic feedback to help myself grow and be more attuned to my Inner Pagan Spirit.
  • May I always remain strong and committed to my Spiritual ideals in the face of adversity and negativity. May the Force of my Inner Spirit ground out all malevolence directed my way and transform it into positivity. May my Inner Light shine so strongly that malevolent forces can not even approach my sphere of existence.
  • May I always grow in Inner Wisdom & Understanding. May I see every problem that I face as an opportunity to develop myself spiritually in solving it.
  • May I always act out of Love to all other beings on this Planet — to other humans, to plants, to animals, to minerals, to elementals, to spirits, and to other entities.
  • May I always be mindful that the Goddess and God in all their forms dwell within me and that this divinity is reflected through my own Inner Self, my Pagan Spirit.
  • May I always channel Love and Light from my being. May my Inner Spirit, rather than my ego self, guide all my thoughts, feelings, and actions.

So Mote It Be

 

Ten Ways We Hinder The Law Of Attraction

Ten Ways We Hinder The Law Of Attraction

by Wendy Betterini

“Why isn’t the Law of Attraction working for me?” This cry of frustration is uttered often by people who are learning to consciously create better lives using the Law of Attraction. After spending weeks trying to raise their vibration, focus their minds and bring forth a better reality, they can’t understand why they’re not seeing results.

Does this describe you? Have you raised your eyes to the heavens and demanded to know why the Law of Attraction isn’t working for you? Or perhaps you’ve resigned yourself to one of these deadly beliefs:

“It seems to work for other people, but I just can’t get it right.”

“I must be doomed to failure.”

“I knew it wouldn’t work, but at least I tried.”

“I’m such an idiot; why do I keep getting sucked into these ridiculous schemes?”

“God must really hate me.”

Well, wipe those destructive thoughts right out of your mind! Seriously, they won’t serve you a bit, though I can understand why you’re tempted to believe them – I’ve been there too!

Here’s the good news: the Law of Attraction IS working for you. It works all the time, every time, without exception. If you’re not seeing the results you want, the time has come to ask yourself what you’re putting out there that is attracting similar energy back into your life.

Before you get angry at me for telling you you’re “doing it wrong,” please understand that you’re probably NOT doing it wrong – but there may be one or two things you’re doing that are creating resistance, which slows down your results.

Skim down this list of the most common ways we hinder the Law of Attraction from delivering what we want, and compare them carefully with your own habitual thoughts and feelings:

INDECISION

Do you have a clear vision of exactly what you want? Perhaps you aren’t picky, you just want things to be “better” than they are now, whatever that ends up looking like. However, the Universe doesn’t want you to settle for “something good,” but instead attract EXACTLY what you desire!

What do you desire? Take some time to think about the facets of your life. Think about your job, financial status, relationships, health, body size, vehicle, residence, and more. Are all of these things an accurate reflection of what you would create if you could start over? Make a detailed list of EXACTLY what you want to create for yourself. Write down every tiny aspect you can think of. Then read this list frequently to keep your vision sharp and clear in your mind.

UNWORTHINESS

Do you REALLY believe you deserve the things on your list? What makes you so special that you deserve abundant health, wealth and happiness? That’s not a rhetorical question. I’m really asking, what makes you so special? Don’t have an answer? How about this: you exist. Someone breathed you into existence and infused you with all these desires, and for what? Why would your desires exist if you weren’t meant to experience them?

Until you can understand just how special and unique you truly are, you might resist the abundance and joy the Universe is offering you. Embrace your true worth as a human being and let it be a shining example for all to see. Empower others (and yourself) with the knowledge that they too can create better lives.

DISTRUST

Some of us have a skewed view of the Universe (or God, if that term resonates with you). From an early age, we’re taught that we have to comply with certain guidelines and behavioral rules – or else. We see the Universe as some angry force that will deliver a wrath of misery upon us if we do something wrong. It’s no surprise that most of us end up feeling like we’re walking on eggshells. We actually EXPECT bad things to happen because we’ve developed such a negative view of the powers that be. We’re afraid to ask for what we really want because we might be viewed as greedy, ungrateful or selfish. We’re afraid to hope for something better because we might get a lightning bolt up the wazoo.

How about turning this belief around? We can just as easily believe in a loving Universe, one that wants us to do well, be happy, and feel abundant. Rather than approaching the Universe with the mind-set of a scolded child, why not step forward confidently and joyfully and claim ownership of what is already yours? Believe me, the Universe will applaud you for doing so, and reward you beyond your wildest dreams.

DOUBT

Even if you WANT to believe that the Law of Attraction really works, you might be holding back somewhat to protect yourself from disappointment. If you don’t give it your “all,” you think it won’t hurt so badly when it doesn’t work out. However, doubt is like a big old rubber doorstop that prevents the gateway of prosperity from opening. You affirm, you visualize, you get clear, and the gate begins to swing inward, creating a crack through which shimmering golden light shines forth. You begin to step forward into your glorious new reality, when “bump!,” — oops, never mind, there’s a doorstop there and the gap isn’t big enough to let you through. Oh well, better luck next time.

Think of FAITH as the oil that keeps the hinges on the gates of prosperity operating smoothly. If you keep the hinges lubricated and the gates free of any obstructions (doubts) – they will swing right open and you’ll be dazzled by what you see on the other side.

DISBELIEF

No matter how badly you want something, if you don’t believe it’s possible, you will resist it. Perhaps you’ve set some lofty goals for yourself, things that almost seem too good to be true. Perhaps you want to be a millionaire, but you’re currently earning $15,000 per year. Or you want to meet your soulmate, but you long ago convinced yourself that he or she doesn’t exist. Turning these negative beliefs around is CRUCIAL to attracting your desires!

For every limiting belief you hold, I want you to take a blank sheet of paper and come up with ten reasons why your desires are POSSIBLE. It’s important to make the reasons believable and logical. For example, “It’s possible for me to become a millionaire because other people have done it, and some of them started with less than what I have now!” Or, “It’s possible that my soulmate exists because I simply haven’t met every person on the planet yet. He or she might be searching for me even as I search for him/her!”

Keep repeating these reasons to yourself, until you are absolutely CONVINCED that your desires are indeed possible.

DUALITY

Do your day-to-day thoughts, feelings, and actions paint a very different picture than the affirmations and visualizations you project? Are you affirming your financial prosperity while at the same time worrying about your bills? Both realities CANNOT co-exist in your life. Either you’re prosperous, or you’re not. Either you’re successful, or you’re not. Either you’re healthy, or you’re besieged by aches and pains.

At every possible moment, you need to let go of your old reality – even if it means pretending that the symptoms of lack, struggle, and illness do not exist. At the very beginning, it will be a challenge to do this fully, but if you keep at it day after day, repeatedly turning your attention to thoughts of wellness, abundance, and joy, and focusing less on lack, struggle, and illness, you begin to shift your reality to what you focus on the most.

FEAR

Perhaps you’re claiming to want something better, but you also fear it on a deeper level. If you want to be a best-selling author but you fear publicity and fame, guess what happens? You resist the formation of such a reality in your life because it makes you uncomfortable. If you want to be financially abundant but you worry about what others would think of you, resistance is woven throughout your desire for more money. In effect, you’re asking for something but also pushing it away at the same time.

One good way to overcome these fears is by facing them on paper. Ask yourself how you would handle people who thought poorly of you for being wealthy. “I’d tell them to mind their own business,” might be one response, or “Their opinions of me don’t affect my life one way or the other” would work nicely also. If you get clear about your fears, you’ll realize that most of them are irrational or irrelevant. Even the ones that hold merit, however, can be worked through and your resistance will dissolve in the light of clarity and purpose.

FORCE

You watched the movie, “The Secret,” or read a great book about the Law of Attraction, and now you’re all fired up! You’re SO DETERMINED to change your life that you proceed full steam ahead. You begin religiously reciting affirmations and performing meditations and visualizations and feeling good at every possible opportunity. After a week or two nothing has happened, so you increase the intensity of your efforts. You start meditating not just for 15 minutes a day, but for two hours a day. Your affirmations become a litany of desperation to make something happen. Still no results, so you work harder, and harder, and HARDER at it – until finally you scream in frustration, utterly exhausted from trying so hard.

Lighten up! I know, that’s easier said than done when you’re not happy with your current reality. But seriously, the harder you “try,” the worse it’s going to get. Back off, relax, and just let it happen when it’s going to happen. The more relaxed and joyful you can be about the process, the more quickly your desires will come forth.

FRUSTRATION

Speaking of frustration – it’s yet another way we hinder the Law of Attraction. When we feel frustrated, we emit an unmistakable signal to the Universe that acts as a beacon to attract more situations to be frustrated about!

Remember the importance of FEELING GOOD! Why is it so important? Because of the signal it puts out to the Universe. The more you feel good, the more you attract situations and experiences that will help you to feel good. I know it’s challenging to feel good when things aren’t going the way you want, but it’s so important to do so anyway! FIND things that make you feel good, and do them as often as possible. It is so, so, SO important! If you have a few moments of frustration here and there, don’t sweat it too much, just do what you can to have MORE moments of feeling good than you do of feeling frustration. It will make an incredible difference.

And finally, the Number One way we hinder the Law of Attraction:

IMPATIENCE

Most of the people I hear uttering the weary cry above (Why isn’t the Law of Attraction working for me?) haven’t been working at it for long. Perhaps a few weeks, maybe even a few months. Believe me, I know the feeling of desperation to get things moving in a more positive direction, but it takes time!

Remember that we’re constantly experiencing a RESIDUAL effect of our PAST thoughts, feelings and beliefs. It’s unrealistic (though understandable) to want to change it all overnight. But it’s not going to happen that quickly most of the time.

Simply do what you can to stay positive and keep up with the activities that will attract something better in the future. Be gentle with yourself, and know that this too shall pass. And in the very near future, when you really begin to see this force shifting the circumstances of your reality before your eyes, WOW – you’ll be so glad you stuck with it through the tough spots!

The journey is worth it in the end, believe that.

Activating The Law Of Attraction

Activating The Law Of Attraction

by Carolyn Wilson-Elliott

Sometimes knowing about the Law of Attraction gets us into trouble. We begin to measure our spiritual growth by what we’re attracting into our life. You know, getting the flu means I’m harboring less than joyful emotions, lower back pain means I have a poor relationship with money, feeling fear means I’m spiritually lacking. We judge what is coming into our life, and subsequently, we judge ourselves. But Spirit, in it’s infinite wisdom, is sending us exactly what we need to attract what we truly desire.

Here’s an example from Belinda Ryan, a Master Spiritual Life Coach:

“While going through a sticky divorce, my lawyer told me I couldn’t sell the house. However, my ex-husband wasn’t paying alimony, my lawyer refused to do any more work until he was paid, and my checking account was overdrawn. I needed the money that selling the house would bring me.

“I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. ‘Why?’ was a question all too available.

“Realizing my question put me in a ‘victim’ place, I asked myself, ‘What can I do for myself in this moment?’

“I broke away from my upset to take a shower. While calming down under the warm water, I remembered to ask myself some more connecting questions such as ‘What do I really want?’

“My answer shocked me: ‘Well, I really want to stay in the house with my children!'”

The Law of Attraction is always working to bring us what we truly want; not what we think we want. Belinda learned that the Law of Attraction would make it impossible for her to give up what she truly desired even though logic told her she had to sell her house in order to provide for her children.

The Law of Attraction is activated by our desires (emotions). It doesn’t take into account what we perceive as the ‘logical thing to do’ nor does it take into account any judgments we may have about our own desires.

As long as we remain unconscious about our deeply held emotional desires, we feel helpless and powerless to deal with whatever we’re attracting into our lives. Only when we have a process to bring into conscious awareness our deepest desires can we begin to feel empowered and consciously activate the Law of Attraction.

The most miraculous aspect of the Law of Attraction is that it doesn’t keep score. For example, once you’ve connected in with your Soul’s Desire and gotten clear about what you want, the Law of Attraction goes to work. You don’t have to clear your account of all the times you unintentionally or unconsciously attracted something else.

Once Belinda began to “allow” (stop resisting) her Deepest Desire to stay in the family home even though it appeared financially foolish, the external situation changed immediately.

Belinda’s attorney, who had refused to do any more work for her until he was paid, changed his attitude. He worked to get the back support payments from Belinda’s ex-husband so he could be paid. This also gave Belinda the money she needed to provide for her children.

Over the following months of the divorce proceedings, Belinda realized how much stability she and the children felt because they stayed in the house. If they had moved, Belinda and her children would have had to deal with two major life-changing stresses: moving and divorce. Staying in the house, a familiar setting, gave them a sense of comfort and security during the major changes that occurred because of the divorce.

Belinda also had a new intention for herself: “I am open to other possibilities so that I can recognize solutions when they arrive instead of remaining blinded by my panic.”

Copyright (c) 2005 Carolyn Wilson-Elliott

The Law Of Attraction

The Law Of Attraction

By: Robin Retallick

The Law Of Attraction turns out to be the big one. It’s the basis of everything. Simply put the law is – “We attract into our experience that, and only that, which we think about – whether wanted or unwanted”. This means that whatever we give our energy, attention or focus, will inevitably be drawn to us.

The corollary is the Law Of No Assertion – “Nobody and nothing can assert anything into our experience which is not a match to our vibration”. This means that nobody or nothing, (including “God”, fate, friends, family, governments, strangers, tsunamis, star signs etc. etc.) can cause us to experience something that does not resonate with what we are thinking.

Another way of stating this law (putting it in terms more closely aligned with the language of modern physics) is the Law Of Alternate Realities – “We choose which reality to step into by the things we give our energy, focus and attention”. This last version appeals to me – but pick whichever version suits you – they all mean the same thing – we create our own reality.

Now let’s think a little more on that “whether wanted or unwanted” piece from the Law Of Attraction above.

We all have an Emotional Scale. To simplify, we either feel good or we feel bad. If we’re not feeling good, then what we’re including in our thoughts is what we don’t want. The Emotional Scale runs from Depression-Grief-Fear-Anger-Frustration-Annoyance-Boredom Where we’re thinking about what we DON’t want through to Contentment-Interest-Happiness-Excitement-Passion-Ecstasy where we’re thinking about what we DO want.

To put it another way – the Universe hears no negatives. So if we are fearful that something might happen, we are attracting it. Nothing – nada – zilch – is more important than feeling good. Our “work” therefore is to get ourselves to the place where we focus on what we want – to move ourselves up the scale from:

Worry -> Hope -> Optimism -> Confidence -> Certainty.

The more we can move >>> to the right hand end of the scale, the faster we can manifest what we really want.

So what we’re spending our time thinking about is all-important. And so is how we’re thinking about it. For every subject, we have a resonant point of attraction. If you want to know where you are on any subject, look around. What you’re experiencing is where you’re resonating.

For a minute, pick a topic on which you’d like some change in your life. For example – say money. Is your first reaction “not enough”? Every time something you’d like-to-have flashes into your awareness, is the like-to-have immediately drowned out by can’t-afford-it? Or do you get into a feeling of delicious anticipation?

So where does action – doing things – fit into all of this? Well first we need to understand what I call the BE-DO-HAVE™ principle.

In the world I was raised in, action was all important. It didn’t matter whether I wanted to do it, or felt like doing it – I needed the self-discipline to do it anyway. With a combination of hard work and being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, maybe things would turn out OK. Well according to the Law Of Attraction, that’s all hooey. There’s no such thing as “luck”, and there are no “accidents”. Our actions in themselves cannot get us what we want.

But – the Universe is a powerful orchestrator. It always responds to our thoughts and always has us in the right place at the right time. To take advantage of this, we have to reverse the process – to Be-Do-Have.

If we can see/feel/imagine ourselves where we want to BE, then we’ll be inspired to DO the things that will allow us to HAVE all that we want (more on BE-DO-HAVE later).

So – if we look at the way successful people order their lives, we see that many directly acknowledge this Law Of Attraction. Others, as you begin to see the principles they live by, inherently take advantage of it. That is they clearly order their lives according to its principles. Also, there are legions of books on this subject – either directly acknowledging the Law Of Attraction, or giving principles and procedures that are in line with it. In summary, what they all say is – spend time visualizing what you want, and it will appear.

A few quotes:

“Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will – his personal responsibility.” – Albert Schweitzer

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” – William James

“Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not remain so if you only perceive an ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without.” – James Allen

“Whatever your mind can conceive and can believe, it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill

“Follow your bliss, and doors will open for you that you never knew existed” Joseph Campbell

WICCA AND WITCHCRAFT – The Spiritual Seeker’s Guide

WICCA AND WITCHCRAFT
————————————
The Spiritual Seeker’s Guide
Steven S. Sadleir

Wicca, or Witchcraft is the old religion of Europe, which apparently evolved
from Druidism. Wiccan is generally a term applied to a “Wise One” or
“Magician”, and Wicca is the practice of “magic”, which is the application and
utilization of natural laws. As Witchcraft competed as a religion with
Christianity (the ‘new’ religion) in the Christianized Western World, witchcraft
became repressed as a form of paganism (i.e., a Primative Teaching) and was
given an evil stigma, and therefore was not practiced openly. However, with the
repeal of the English Witchcraft Act in 1951, many covens, or congregations,
have opened up to teh public and many new groups have formed. There are now
dozens of Wiccan orgnaizations in the United States and Europe, with perhaps,
thousands of active Wiccans and Witches. Most witches practicing the craft
publicly are considered ‘white’ witches, that is, they yse their knowledge for
good ends and practice the Wiccan Creed: “Ye hurt none, do as ye will.” Black
Witches (which has recieved most of the notoriety, but are considered a
minority) are generally not visible to the public and use thier knowledge for
selfish or evil means. Satanism is NOT considered a form of witchcraft, but was
created by people who believe there is a Satan, or Devil.

Wicca/Witchcraft generally involves some form of God or Goddess worship, and
many involve the workings of spiritual guides as well. Wicca/Witchcraft is a
very individualized religion, and each person chooses his or her own deities to
worship. Generally, the supreme being is considered ‘genderless’ and is
comprised of many aspects that may be identified as masculine or feminine in
nature, and thus a God or Goddess. Originally, the horned God of hunting
represented the maculine facet of the deity, whereas the female qualities were
represented in the fertility Goddess. The Gods and Goddesses from the
personalities of the supreme being, and are a reflection of the attributes that
worshippers seek to emulate. Wiccans may draw upon the ancient civilizations of
the Druids, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, or other polytheistic cultures to
commune with the particular aspect of the deity that they identify with. Some
favorite gods include Osiris, Pan, Cennunnos, and Bacchus. Facotie Goddesses
include Isis, Caridwen, Rhea, Selene, and Diana.

Wiccans generally observe the four greater Sabbaths of Samhain, Imbolc,
Beltane, and Laghnasadh; and the lesser Sabbaths – the Spring and autumn
equinoxes and the summer and winter solstices. There celebrations are typically
free-spirited, and are sometimes held ‘skyclad’ (naked) or in various styles of
robes. Other services include handfasting (marriage), handparting (divorce) and
wiccaning (birth rite). Regular meetings, called Esbats are also held, at which
magic and healing are performed. Wiccans/witches meet in small groups (up to
twelve) called a coven, whcih typically join with other covens to form a
‘Grove’.

Rituals are typically held outside and consist of forma a circle and
erecting the temple (consecrating the circle); invoking, praising, and
soliciting assistance from gods, goddesses, and elementals; observing the change
of season and energies represented by the various seasons; singing; dancaing;
‘cakes and ale’ (sharing of bread and wine); and clearing the temple. Personal
practive includes meditation and prayer, divination, development of personal
will and psychic abilities through spells and various forms of healing. Most
Wiccans/witches have altars where they burn candles and incense and practice
thier rites. To perform thier rites, other tools of the craft are used, such as
an athame, yag-disk or, seaux (a handmade and consecrated knife), a sword, a
wand, and sometimes special jewelry, amulets or talismans (magically empowered
objects). Sometimes these objects are inscribed with magical writings. Joining
a coven or grove typically involves an initiation, which is stylized by each
individual group, but generally involves the confirmation that the initiate
understands the principals and an oath of secrecy.

Opening the Circle

Opening the Circle

The last thing that must be done is the opening of the cast circle. The people who purified and blessed the space are not needed for this part, only the person that did the actual casting of it. They should take their athame and return to the east, cutting a slit into the edge of the circle, and then walk around the circle in the opposite direction that it was cast in, visualizing the energy being pulled back into the tip of the athame.

When the person reaches the east once more, they should touch the tip of the athame to the pentacle to ground all of the energy that was put into it. This will keep the athame balanced and ready to use. Once this is done, the area should be cleaned up and put back into the order that it was found.

If the space is rented or public property, make certain that everything that was brought is removed, including the garbage. Dump the offering on the ground under a tree or into running water. If the space is a non-for-profit organization, a small donation is usually welcomed. If none of this is possible, a charitable donation to a local group in the organization’s name can also be done.

Casting a Formal Circle for a Group or Solitary

Casting a Formal Circle for a Group or Solitary

If there is a limited amount of space within the circle, it is often easier to cast the circle and admit the participants after creating the space. There are pros and cons of doing it this way, mainly having to do with making the participants feel excluded from part of the ritual. In order to avoid this, it is important to have them focus on the people or person casting the circle and adding their energy to what is going on. If you choose to have them within the circle, it is best to have them kneel at the boundary and cast the circle just behind them and over their heads, having them focus on the casting.

With this particular method, you can have one, two, or three people cast the circle, splitting the parts up as you desire. In a large group, splitting up the jobs in this manner helps everyone to participate when there are a limited number of things to do. Any of the parts of the ritual can be split up this way, but some will work better than others. Having more than one person cast the circle is a nice way for a group to maintain the bonds of working together.

When everyone is prepared and quiet, the person casting the circle should move to the altar and touch the pentacle with his or her athame. If the altar is set in the north, all that they need to do now is to visualize energy coming from the pentacle and walk the edge of the circle until they return to the starting point again. Once the caster is there, they should touch the pentacle with the athame again to seal the circle and then visualize pulling the edges of the boundary around to form a sphere above and below. This can also be done by actually using the athame to cast by starting at the pentacle and pushing the energy up over the heads of everyone, around, down through the floor, and back to the pentacle.

If the altar is elsewhere in the circle, the person touches the athame to the pentacle to perform a connection to it and then walks to the east to begin casting. They proceed to the south and then the west and then finally to the north before returning to the east. At that point, they can return to the altar and finish sealing the circle.

NOTE: Circles may be cast in either direction, depending on the work being done. Clockwise (N, E, S, W) tends to be the most common. This sunwise direction is used to invoke and bless. It is useful when the ritual has an outward focus. Moonwise circles (N, W, S, and E) tend to be used for banishing or rituals that focus inward or on the self.

Once the circle is cast, the next person should bless the salt and water to use for purification. Tip three pinches of salt into the water and stir it three times moonwise saying, “By the powers of Life, Death, and Rebirth.” Take this water and go to the east, sprinkling it around the edges of the circle, walking in the opposite direction of the circle caster. Once you have moved all the way around the circle, and if the people are within the circle, sprinkle each of them saying “Be washed clean.” (Make certain that you have someone do this for you, as well.) If they are not in the circle, place the salt water on the altar for later use.

The third person (Or the first, if you are only having two perform this) will bless the incense to consecrate and fill the circle. Place some of the loose powder incense on the hot coal (or light a stick incense) and draw a pentagram over the burning saying, “Blessed be the union of fire and air, the breath of the Gods.” Walk around the edge of the circle with the incense in the direction that it was cast in, slowly, and call the Ancestors to come and witness your circle.

Finally, the fourth person (or number two) moves to the center of the circle and declares that this is sacred time and sacred space. The circle exists outside of our normal time and reality. The shift from mundane to sacred should now be complete and should be a tangible feeling for everyone. The air may look or feel different, or the people may experience a shift in consciousness.

At this point, if you have cast the circle with the people outside, it is time to let them into the circle. The person who cast the circle will take their athame and cut a doorway into the boundary. This is done by inserting the tip of the athame into the circle at the level of the floor and cutting along it to make a wide enough entry for people to pass through. Then they cut upwards to the height of the people outside the circle. They should arch the top and then cut down the other side and across to meet the original point on the floor.

The person who blessed the salt water will switch places with the caster and stand in the doorway before each person as they enter, sprinkling to cleanse them. The caster will hug the person and pull or spin them over the threshold of the circle, bringing them in as a part of the company that will perform the ritual.

Once everyone is inside the circle, the caster will “erase” the doorway by placing the tip of the knife to the floor again and move it upwards, “sealing” the circle again. The “door” should be removed exactly opposite of how it was placed. When you are finished, there should be notrace of a break left in the circle wall. If you can see one, mend it with your own energy and close the break.

Experimenting with Circles

 

Experimenting with Circles

When you feel comfortable in your ability to cast a circle, it is time to start finding new ways to do it. There is no limit to what you can do to create sacred space. It can be as simple as sitting and drumming the circle into existence or chanting something to create the energy to draw your circle. Movement is something used in lieu of everything else. It is possible to use a piece of recorded music to cast it, or to dance to the music to cast the circle. You can create a circle by telling stories or sharing your day with others.

Some of the techniques that can be used will be very difficult at first, and that is why you should learn to cast in one of the first two ways before you begin experimenting. If you do, you know what the end result should be and will know when you reach it. As you develop a new way to cast a circle, you will find certain things that work and certain ones that don’t. Don’t be afraid to change elements around or substitute things in or out to make it work. This is one of the first totally creative things that you will do as a witch.

 

Creating A Magickal Circle

 

Creating A Magickal Circle

Your Spiritual Space

A magick circle is a space where a Witch will conduct rituals and ceremonies. It is the gateway between worlds, spirutal and physical realms come together and allow you to communicate with spirit, conduct spiritual work, rituals, ceremonies and castings.

 

As with everything in the spiritual essence of the world, even a circle has a few guidelines that need to be followed. The circle is not to be broken by someone stepping into this space unless a gateway has been prepared for them to enter. Nor should a Witch step outside the cirlce during a ritual unless a door way has been prepared.

 

A circle is used to draw a visionary broundry that protects a Witch from outside forces while conducting spiritual work. Many witches use visions of blue flames or divine white protection to create this boundry.

 

Others choose to create this circle in the physical sense as well. Either by drawing a circle on the floor in a permanent means, or by using a nine-foot cord made from natural fibers that can be easily placed and removed as needed. Sand, salt or herbs can also be used to draw the circle.

 

When you have selected the area to place your circle, you should Clear and Cleanse the energies before you draw the circle. Many Witches will place a broom at the doorway of the circle as a tool that designates the entry point of the witch or someone else who will be called into this space for work. The broom is also a symbol of a spiritual barrier to keep out unwanted energies from entering your sacred space.

 

To draw a doorway, a Witch should use a wand or athame to cut a “hole” in the energy field. Many Witches will use incense to close the doorway, using the smoke to symbolize the divine energy field.

 

Once your work is complete, you must close the circle and ensure the energy has been properly shut down. Leaving an open gate is not only disrespectful to the forces that assisted you, but also dangerous for you and your home. Closing the circle is as simple as 1-2-3.

 

Thank the guides, teachers, God/Goddess that you called or who came into the circle to offer assistance during your work.

Imagine the energy around the circle lowering around you, toning down and fading so to speak.

 

Finally, clear the space with a blessing and ask the energies to close the gate. If the circle was a temporary fixture, then remove it and store it appropriately.

 

Circle Casting

Circle Casting

Why do we cast a circle? We cast a circle for protection from what may be attracted to what we are doing. There are times when spirits that do not wish us to succeed will be drawn by the power that we raise during a circle. Sometimes it is beneficial to cast a circle to lay down a boundary between the ill will that pagans sometimes encounter as they walk on their path. The circle itself is a reminder that we are now in a different time and space, and that this space is special.

The circle is a container as well. It is used to hold the energy that is raised until it is time to release it to whatever end we are working towards. If it was not there, the energy that we raised would have to be directed into a container rather than letting it swirl around in the one that has already been created. It is far easier to tell if there has been enough energy raised when you are moving directly through it than it is to tell if there is enough in the container.

Finally, the circle exists as a link to the people that have cast circles and gathered together in the past, and a link to those that will cast them in the future. It is a continuation of a chain that has evolved over thousands of years, passing information on and down throughout the ages. While there are very few religions that can trace their roots back into antiquity, it is undeniable that there are traces of those religions left, and that there are rites and ideas that have been passed down from one person to another throughout those long years. The circle is our way of trying to connect to those times gone by and it is our legacy to our children and their children for years to come.

Whether your circle has a physical boundary, a boundary of thought, or whether it is simply a grove of trees that is circular, the ideas are still there. The circle is a construct of the mind, an idea that passes between groups. It is the idea of a scares space and sacred time.

Why do we do ritual? Ritual is a way of trying to connect to something that is greater than the self. It is a link to other people and other beings; a link to times past and future. When people come together to celebrate their idea of the sacred, it is a sharing of something that is intangible and profound. It is a way to experience the divine that surrounds us in nature and is a part of ourselves that is not always understood. Ritual is a time for joy to be expressed in the celebration of the seasons and a time for sorry to be shared in the cycles of life that take our friends and loved ones from us and a time for everything in between.

It seems almost innate for people to come together to share this idea of the sacred. While the idea of what sacred is varies from people to people, there are very few cultures that do not espouse some version of the ideas of the sacred being a time set apart from secular life. Many cultures choose to make the goals of the two similar, thus ensuring that both are successful. Religion, it would seem, is something that is almost an inborn need of humans, a way of processing the things that we do not understand and of being able to celebrate them.

Why do we place the elements of ritual in a particular order? The simple answer is that it makes it easy for more than one person to follow what is happening when there is a common order to what is being done. The not so simple answer is that there is a logical progression from start to end to rituals that allow people to perform their rites in the simplest and easiest manner possible, allowing more people to participate.

Paganism is a group of religions that tends to frown on a centralized religious structure, and so it is important that more people be able to perform these rituals. Simplicity and structure gives the ability of those who do not wish to spend years mastering the smallest component of a ritual to participate as well. Common sense also plays a part in the order of a ritual. For most people, it makes sense to cast a circle and cut it off from the world outside before inviting the gods and elements as it is somewhat rude to make them stand around and wait, or call them and then cut them off from the ritual as you cast your circle. Some, however, find that it makes more sense to cleanse and purify the area, bring everyone in, and then cast the circle and invite the gods. Still others call the gods first and then cast the circle. As with anything, each person must decide what works best for them and why.

Where do we place things in a ritual? When thinking about where to place an event in a ritual, it is necessary to examine that event to find out what the results might be, or the reason that it is being done. If you are going to Draw Down the Moon (Call a Goddess into a person), then you need to consider just how tiring this is going to be for that person. Will they want to run and jump around to raise energy after? Is the Goddess likely to want that sort of thing?

If a person were going to do a drawing down for a God and Goddess, doing that before the Great Rite would make sense as it is a rite that takes the opposites of male and female and uses that polarity to make the rite that much stronger. Ritual creation takes the ability to think about the small details such as this and form them into a larger, successful whole.

How do we know when it is right to do something and when it is not? Start to decide this by thinking of the outcome of the ritual. What is the purpose that you are getting together for? If you are doing a healing, it would be good to invite gods that have that particular aspect. If you are doing a binding or a deconsecration, choose gods that deal with endings. If you are celebrating Beltaine, a fertility holiday, don’t invoke a Crone goddess who is past her fertile years.

The yardstick that any witch must use in creating a ritual is “Does it make sense to do it this way?” If it does not make sense, then find a different way of doing the event that does. There is no limit to what can be done with ritual. There is no right or wrong way to do a ritual. If it does not make sense to call the quarters, then don’t. Because something has always been done need not mean that it should always be done. Similarly, don’t throw out tradition unless it makes sense to do so.

Wiccan Rede in Verse

Witchy Comments=
Wiccan Rede in Verse

1. Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must,
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
2. Live ye all and let all live –
Fairly take and fairly give.
3. Cast the Circle thrice about
to keep all evil spirits out.
4. To bind the spell at casting-time
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
5. Soft of eye and light of touch –
Speak ye little, listen much.
6. Deosil go by the waxing Moon –
Sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
7. Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane,
And the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.
8. When the Lady’s Moon is new,
Kiss thy hand to Her times two.
9. When the Moon rides at Her peak,
Then your heart’s desire seek.
10. When the moon hangs dark and low,
To your private chamber go.
11. Heed the North Wind’s mighty gale –
Lock the door and drop the sail.
12. When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
13. When the wind blow from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
14. When the West Wind blows o’er thee,
Departed spirits restless be.
15. Nine woods in the Cauldron go–
Burn them quick and burn them slow–
16. but Elder is the Lady’s tree.
Burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.
17. When the Wheel begins to turn,
Let the Litha fires burn.
18. When the Wheel has turned at Yule,
Light the Log and let Pan rule.
19. Heed ye flower, bush and tree
and by the Lady blest you’ll be.
20. Where the rippling waters go
Cast a stone and truth ye’ll know.
21 Until you’ve met your family’s need,
Hearken not to others’ greed.
22. With a fool no season spend
Or be counted as his friend.
23. Merry meet and merry part –
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
24. When misfortune is anow,
Wear the Blue Star on thy brow.
25. True in loving ever be
lest thy love be false to thee.
26. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill –
An it harm none, do as you will.

 
~Magickal Graphics~

IS WICCA RIGHT FOR ME?

IS WICCA RIGHT FOR ME?

Many people find Wicca because they are dissatisfied with the religion that they
are currently involved in, though they are deeply spiritual and believe firmly
in another Power. For many, the Church is too structured, or too conservative,
or does not fulfill some kind of need within the individual. This is common for
many people who are born into a religion. Just because your parents believe
something does not mean that you are going to believe it!

So, now that you have found Wicca, how are you going to know if it is right for
you?

The only way you will ever know for certain if it is for you is to try it.

However, before you jump headlong into any religion, I suggest you read plenty
of information about it.

The World Wide Web is actually an excellent source of information, and is stock
full of various places that will give you all the beginning info that you could
ever hope to attain. After you read everything that you can, ask yourself, “DO I
believe in the core of Wicca?”

If you have done enough reading on Wicca you will have come across the Wiccan
Rede, which is a poem which beautifully illustrates the Wiccan belief.

The most important rule in the Rede is: “‘An it harm none, do what ye will.” It
speaks for itself: you may practice whatever magick you want as long as you harm
none, including yourself.

If you do not believe in the Wiccan Rede, or cannot uphold it and live by it,
then Wicca is not for you.

So what if you accept the Rede, have read extensively but still aren’t sure if
it will work for you? Well, first things first: if you don’t believe that magick
will work for you, then it won’t.

Simple as that. It can work for you, but you must believe in yourself! That is a
primary tenet of Wicca. There is no harm in trying it. Cast yourself a circle,
pray, and talk to the Goddess and the God.

If you feel silly or uncomfortable, or doubt that what you are doing is really
making any progress, then you probably want to try something else.

Like any other religion, Wicca is not for everyone. It is only for those who are
comfortable in a loosely structured religion, who are open minded and are
patient enough to learn all that Wicca has to offer.

This does not mean, however, that Paganism is not for you.

Paganism encompasses many other religions, such as Shamanism, Nordic religions,
Druidic and so on.

The best thing for you to do is read, study, experiment and trust yourself. If
it is right for you, it will come to you. Don’t force yourself just because you
think it is “cool.”

ANYONE can practice magick, but not everyone is a Wiccan.

Definitions of Wicca, Pagan & Witchcraft

Definitions of Wicca, Pagan & Witchcraft

 
 
Wicca: A modern Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature. Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the Goddess and God; acceptance of reincarnation and magick; ritual observance of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magickal circles for ritual purposes.

Wicce: Synonymous with Wicca. In some circles, Wicce is used for women and Wicca is used for men.

Witch: A practitioner of folk magick, particularly that kind relating to herbs, stones, colors, wells, rivers, etc. It is used by some Wiccans to describe themselves. This term has nothing to do with Satanism.

Witchcraft: The craft of the witch – magick, especially magick utilizing personal power in conjunction with the energies within stones, herbs, colors, and other natural objects. This belief system also has nothing to do with Satanism.

Pagan/Neo-Pagan/Paganism: General term for followers of Wicca and other magickal, shamanistic, and polytheistic Earth-based religions. Also used to refer to pre-Christian religious and Spiritual belief systems.

THE ABC’S OF A WICCAN LIFE

THE ABC’S OF A WICCAN LIFE
by Victoria Martyn

Accept others as they are. We are all individuals.

Belief in yourself is a necessity.

Concentration is important in any endeavor, both magickal and in life.

Do what you will, so long as it harms none.

Empathy is an important life skill… learn it, practice it.

Find strength in yourself, your friends, your world and your actions.

God is multifaceted… the Lord and Lady, all deities take many names and faces.

Help others every chance you get.

Intelligence is something that cannot be judged on surface.

Judge not… what you send out comes back to you!

Karma loves to slap you in the face. Watch out for it.

Learning is something that should never stop happening!

Magick is a wonderful gift- but it is not everything.

Nature is precious. Appreciate and protect it.

Over the course of time your soul learns many lessons. Make this life count!

Pray.

Quietness both physically and mentally restores the soul; meditate often.

Remember to take time for yourself as well as others.

Spells can help you, but you must also help yourself!

Tools can only do so much… they are not the foundation of all.

Unless you enjoy worrying, keep a positive mindset!

Visualize the success of your goals before you set out to achieve them.

Wisdom can often be found in the least expected places!

Xenophobia (a hatred of those different from you) is a path to misery.

You are a beautiful person who is capable of anything!

Zapping away all of your troubles is not going to happen

WHAT IS WICCA?

WHAT IS WICCA?
An Introduction to ‘The Old Religion’ of Europe and its Modern Revival
By Amber K, High Priestess

This leaflet may be reproduced and distributed exactly as is, without further
permission from the author, provided it is offered free of charge. Changes in
the text, however, must be approved in advance by the author. Thank you!

WICCA (sometimes called Wicce, The Craft, or The Old Religion by its
practitioners) is an ancient religion of love for life and nature.

In prehistoric times, people respected the great forces of Nature and
celebrated the cycles of the seasons and the moon. They saw divinity in the sun
and moon, in the Earth Herself, and in all life. The creative energies of the
universe were personified: feminine and masculine principles became Goddesses
and Gods. These were not semi-abstract, superhuman figures set apart from
nature: they were embodied in earth and sky, women and men, and even plants and
animals.

This viewpoint is still central to present-day Wicca. To most Wiccans,
everything in Nature — and all Goddesses and Gods — are true aspects of
Diety. The aspects most often celebrated in the Craft, however, are the triple
Goddess of the Moon (Who is Maiden, Mother and Crone) and the Horned God of the
wilds. These have many names in various cultures.

Wicca had its organized beginnings in Paleolithic times, co-existed with
other Pagan (‘country’) religions in Europe, and had a profound influence on
early Christianity. But in the medieval period, tremendous persecution was
directed against the Nature religions by the Roman Church. Over a span of 300
years, millions of women and many children were hanged, drowned or burned as
accused ‘Witches’. The Church indicted them for black magic and Satan worship,
though in fact these were never a part of the Old Religion.

The Wiccan faith went underground, to be practiced in small, secret groups
called ‘covens’. For the most part, it had stayed hidden until very recent
times. Now scholars such as Margaret Murray and Gerald Gardner have shed some
light on the origins of the Craft, and new attitudes of relgious freedom have
allowed covens in some areas to risk becoming more open.

How do Wiccan folk practice their faith today? There is no central
authority or doctrine, and individual covens vary a great deal. But most meet
to celebrate on nights of the Full Moon, and at eight great festivals or
Sabbats throughout the year.

Though some practice alone or with only their families, many Wiccans are
organized into covnes pf three to thirteen members. Some are led by a High
Priestess or Priest, many by a Priestess/Priest team; others rotate or share
leadership. Some covens are highly structured and hierarchical, while others
may be informal and egalitarian. Often extensive training is required before
initiation, and coven membeship is considered an important commitment.

There are many branches or ‘traditions’ of Wicca in the United States and
elsewhere, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Welsh Traditional, Dianic, Faery,
Seax-Wica and others. All adhere to a code of ethics. None engage in the
disreputable practices of some modern ‘cults’, such as isolating and
brainwashing impressionable, lonely young people. genuine Wiccans welcome
sisters and brothers, but not disciples, followers or victims.

Coven meetings include ritual, celebration and magick (the ‘k’ is to
distinguish it from stage illusions). Wiccan magick is not at all like the
instant ‘special effects’ of cartoon shows or fantsy novels, nor medieval
demonolgy; it operates in harmony with natural laws and is usually less
spectacular — though effective. Various techniques are used to heal people and
animals, seek guidance, or improve members’ lives in specific ways. Positive
goals are sought: cursing and ‘evil spells’ are repugnant to practitioners of
the Old Religion.

Wiccans tend to be strong supporters of environmental protection, equal
rights, global peace and relgious freedom, and sometimes magick is used toward
such goals.

Wiccan beliefs don not include such Judeo-Christian concepts as original
sin, vicarious atonement, divine judgement or bodily resurrection. Craft folk
believe in a beneficient universe, the laws of karma and reincarnation, and
divinity inherent in every human being and all of Nature. Yet laughter and
pleasure are part of their spiritual tradition, and they enjoy singing,
dancing, feasting, and love.

Wiccans tend to be individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet
or church authority. They draw inspiration and insight from Nature, tradition,
the arts, literature, science, and personal experience. Each pracititoner keeps
a book or journal in which s/he records magickal ‘recipes’, dreams,
invocations, songs, poetry and so on.

To most in the Craft, every relgion has its own valuable prespective on the
nature of Diety and humanity’s relationship to it: there is no One True Faith.
Rather, religious diversuty is necessary in a world of diverse societies and
individuals. Because of this belief, Wiccan groups do not actively recruit or
proselytize: ther is an assumption that people who can benefit from the Wiccan
way will ‘find their way home’ when the time is right.

Despite the lack of evangelistic zeal, many covens are quite willing to
talk with interested people, and even make efforts to inform their communities
about the beliefs and practices of Wicca. One source of contacts is The
Covenant of the Goddess, P.O. Box 1226, Berkeley, CA 94704. Also, the floowing
books may be of interest: (Ask your librarian.)

Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein
What Witches Do by Stewart Farrar
Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente