Category: Witchcraft

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows (Curses, Payment, Law of the Land, Discussion of the Craft, Wortcunning)

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows

(Curses, Payment, Law of the Land, Wortcunning)

CURSES

100. In the olden days when we had power, we could use the art against any who ill-treated the Brotherhood. But in these evil days we must not do so. For our enemies have devised a burning pit of everlasting fire into which they say their god casteth all the people who worship him, except it be the very few who are released by their priest’s spells and masses. And this be chiefly by giving monies and rich gifts to receive his favour for their great god is ever in need of money.

101. But as our gods need our aid to make fertility for man and crops, so is the god of the Christians ever in need of man’s help to search out and destroy us. Their priests ever tell them that any who get our help are damned to this hell forever, so men be mad with the terror of it.

102. But they make men believe that they may escape this hell if they give victims to the tormentors. So for this reason all be forever spying, thinking, “An I can catch but one of these Wicca, I will escape from this fiery pit.”

103. So for this reason we have our hidels, and men searching long and not finding, say, “There be none, or if there be, they be in a far country.”

104. But when one of our oppressors die, or even be sick, ever is the cry, “This be witches’ malice”, and the hunt is up again. And though they slay ten of their own to one of ours, still they care not. They have countless thousands.

105. While we are few indeed. So be it ordained.

106. That none shall use the art in any way to do ill to any.

107. However much they may injure us, harm none. And nowtimes many believe we exist not.

108. That this Law shall ever continue to help us in our plight, no one, however great an injury or injustice they receive, may use the art in any way to do ill, or harm any. But they may, after great consultations with all, use the art to restrain Christians from harming us Brothers, but only to constrain them and never to punish.

109. To this end men will say, “Such a one is a mighty searcher out, and a persecutor of old women whom they deemeth to be witches, and none hath done him harm, so it be proof that they cannot or more truly there be none.”

110. For all know full well that so many folk have died because someone had a grudge against them, or were persecuted because they had money or goods to sieze, or because they had none to bribe the searchers. And many have died because they were scolding old women. So much that men now say that only old women are witches.

111. And this be to our advantage and turns suspicion away from us.

112. In England and Scotland ’tis now many a year since a witch hath died the death. But any misuse of the power might raise the persecution again.

113. So never break this Law, however much you are tempted, and never consent to its being broken in the least.

114. If you know it is being broken, you must work strongly against it

115. And any High Priestess or High Priest who consents to its breach must immediately be deposed for ’tis the blood of the Brethren they endanger.

116. Do good, an it be safe, and only if it be safe

117. And keep strictly to the Old Law.

PAYMENT

118. Never accept money for the use of the art, for money ever smeareth the taker. ‘Tis sorcerors and conjurers and the priests of the Christians who ever accept money for the use of their arts. And they sell pardons to let men ascape from their sins.

119. Be not as these. If you accept no money, you will be free from temptation to use the art for evil causes.

120. All may use the art for their own advantage or for the advantage of the craft only if you are sure you harm none.

121. But ever let the Coven debate this at length. Only if all are satisfied that none may be harmed, may the art be used.

122. If it is not possible to achieve your ends one way, perchance the aim may be achieved by acting in a different way so as to harm none. MAY THE CURSE OF THE GODDESS BE ON ANY WHO BREAKETH THIS LAW. So be it ordained.

123. ‘Tis judged lawful if ever any of the craft need a house or land and none will sell, to incline the owner’s mind so as to be willing to sell, provided it harmeth him not in any way and the full price is paid without haggling.

124. Never bargain or cheapen anything whilst you buy by the art. So be it ordained.

 

LAW OF THE LAND

125. “Tis the Old Law and the most important of all laws, that no one may do anything which will endanger any of the craft, or bring them into contact with the law of the land or any persecutors.

126. In any dispute between Brethren, no one may invoke any laws but those of the craft.

127. Or any tribunal but that of the Priestess, Priest and Elders.

DISCUSSION OF WITCHCRAFT

128. It is not forbidden to say as Christians do, “There be witchcraft in the land,” because our oppressors of old make it a heresy not to believe in witchcraft and so a crime to deny it which thereby puts you under suspicion.

129. But ever say, “I know not of it here, perchance there may be but afar off, I know not where.”

130. But ever speak of them as old crones, consorting with the devil and riding through the air.

131. And ever say, “But how may many ride the air if they be not as light as thistledown.”

132. But the curse of the Goddess be on any who cast suspicion on any of the Brotherhood.

133. Or who speak of any real meeting-place or where they bide.

WORTCUNNING

134. The craft keep books with the names of all herbs which are good, and all cures so all may learn.

135. But keep another book with all the Bales and Apies and let only the Elders and other trustworthy people have this knowledge. So be it ordained.

136. And may the blessings of the gods be on all who keep these Laws, and the curses of both the God and the Goddess be on all who break them.

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows (Conduct, Valuables, Quarrels)

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows

(Conduct, Valuables, Quarrels)

CONDUCT

  1. Ever remember ye are the hidden children of the Goddess so never do anything to disgrace them or Her.
  2. Never boast, never threaten, never say you would wish ill of anyone.
  3. If any person not in the Circle, speak of the craft, say, “Speak not to me of such, it frightens me, ’tis evil luck to speak of it.”
  4. For this reason, the Christians have their spies everywhere. These speak as if they were well affected to us, as if they would come to our meetings, saying, “My mother used to worship the Old Ones. I would I could go myself.”
  5. To such as these, ever deny all knowledge.
  6. But to others, ever say, “‘Tis foolish men talk of witches flying through the air. To do so they must be as light as thistledown. And men say that witches all be blear-eyed old crones, so what pleasure can there be at a witch meeting such as folks talk on ?”
  7. And say, “Many wise men now say there be no such creatures.”
  8. Ever make it jest) and in some future time perhaps, the persecution may die and we may worship our gods in safety again.
  9. Let us all pray for that happy day.
  10. May the blessings of the Goddess and God be on all who keep these Laws which are ordained.

VALUABLES

  1. If the craft hath any appanage, let all guard it and help to keep it clear and good for the craft.
  2. And let all justly guard all monies of the craft.
  3. And if any Brother truly wrought it, ’tis right they have their pay, an it be just. An this be not taking money for the art, but for good and honest work.
  4. And even the Christians say, “The labourer is worthy of his hire,” but if any Brother work willingly for the good of the craft without pay, ’tis but to their greater honour. So be it ordained.

QUARRELS

  1. If there be any dispute or quarrel among the Brethren, the High Priestess shall straightly convene the Elders and inquire into the matter, and they shall hear both sides, first alone and then together.
  2. And they shall decide justly, not favouring one side or the other.
  3. Ever recognising there be people who can never agree to work under others.
  4. But at the same time, there be some people who cannot rule justly.
  5. To those who must ever be chief, there is one answer.
  6. ‘Void the Coven or seek another one, or make a Coven of your own, taking with you those who will go.”
  7. To those who cannot rule justly, the answer be, “Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you.”
  8. For none may come to meetings with those with whom they are at variance.
  9. So, an either cannot agree, get hence, for the craft must ever survive. So be it ordained.

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows (Grimoires, Persecution, Tools)

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows

(Grimoires, Persecution, Tools )

GRIMOIRE

51. If you would keep a book, let it be in your own hand of write. Let brothers and sisters copy what they will, but never let the book out of your hands, and never keep the writings of another.
52. For if it be found in their hand of write, they may be taken and arraigned.
53. Let each guard his own writings and destroy them whenever danger threatens.
54. Learn as much as you may by heart and, when danger is past, rewrite your book, an it be safe.
55. For this reason, if any die, destroy their book an they have not been able to.
56. For, an it be found, ’tis clear proof against them.
57. And our oppressors know well “Ye may not be a witch alone”.
58. So all their kin and friends be in danger of torture,
59. So destroy everything not necessary.
60. If your book be found on you, ’tis clear proof against you alone, you may be arraigned.

PERSECUTION

61. Keep all thoughts of the craft from your mind.
62. If the torture be too great to bear, say “I will confess. I cannot bear this torture. What do you want me to say?”
63. If they try to make you speak of the Brotherhood, do not.
64. But if they try to make you speak of impossibilities such as flying through the air, consorting with a Christian devil or sacrificing children, or eating men’s flesh,
65. To obtain relief from torture say “I had an evil dream, I was beside myself, I was crazed.”
66. Not all magistrates are bad, if there be an excuse, they may show mercy
67. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards, say you babbled under torture, say you knew not what you said.
68. If you are condemned, fear not
69. The Brotherhood is powerful and will help you to escape if you stand steadfast, but if you betray aught there is no hope for you in this life or in that to come.
70. Be sure, if steadfast you go to the pyre, drugs will reach you, you will feel naught. You go to death and what lies beyond, the ecstasy of the goddess.

 

TOOLS

71.To avoid discovery, let the working tools be as ordinary things that any may have in their houses.
72. Let the pentacles be of wax so that they may be broken at once or melted.
73. Have no sword unless your rank allows it.
74. Have no names or signs on anything.
75. Write the names and signs on them in ink before consecrating them and wash it off immediately afterwards.
76. Let the colours of the hilts tell which is which.
77. Do not engrave them lest they cause discovery.

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows (Security & Disputes)

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows

(Security & Disputes)

SECURITY

In the old days, when witchdom extended far, we were free and worshipped in all the greater temples.

  1. But in these unhappy times we must celebrate our sacred mysteries in secret.
  2. So be it ordained that none but the Wicca may see our mysteries, for our enemies are many and torture loosens the tongue of man.
  3. So be it ordained that no Coven shall know where the next Coven bide.
  4. Or who its members be, save only the Priest and Priestess and messenger.
  5. And there shall be no communication between them, save by the messenger of the gods, or the summoner.
  6. And only if it be safe may the Covens meet in some safe place for the great festivals.
  7. And while there, none shall say whence they came nor give their true names
  8. To this end, that if any be tortured, in their agony, they may not tell if they do not know.
  9. So be it ordained that no one shall tell anyone not of the craft who be of the Wicca, nor give any names or where they bide, or in any way tell anything which can betray any of us to our foes.
  10. Nor may he tell where the Covendom be.
  11. Or the Covenstead.
  12. Or where the meetings be.
  13. And if any break these Laws, even under torture, THE CURSE OF THE GODDESS SHALL BE UPON THEM, so they may never be reborn on earth and may remain where they belong, in the hell of the Christians.

DISPUTES

  1. Let each High Priestess govern her Coven with justice and love, with the help and advice of the High Priest and the Elders, always heeding the advice of the Messenger of the Gods if he cometh.
  2. She will heed all complaints of all Brothers and strive to settle all differences among them.
  3. But it must be recognized that there will always be people who will ever strive to force others to do as they will.
  4. These are not necessarily evil.
  5. And they oft have good ideas and such ideas should be talked over in council.
  6. But if they will not agree with their Brothers, or if they say,
  7. “I will not work under this High Priestess,”
  8. It hath ever been the Old Law to be convenient to the Brethren and to avoid disputes.

NEW COVENS

  1. Any of the third may claim to found a new Coven because they live over a league away from the Covenstead or are about to do so.
  2. Anyone living within the Covendom and wishing to form a new Coven, shall tell the Elders of their intention, and on the instant avoid their dwelling and remove to the new Covendom.
  3. Members of the old Coven may join the new one when it is formed. But if they do, they must utterly avoid the old Coven.
  4. The Elders of the new and old Covens should meet in peace and brotherly love to decide the new boundaries.
  5. Those of the craft who dwell outside both Covendoms may join either but not both.
  6. Though all may, if the Elders agree, meet for the great festivals if it be truly in peace and brotherly love,
  7. But splitting the Coven oft means strife, so for this reason these Laws were made of old and may the CURSE OF THE GODDESS BE ON ANY WHO DISREGARD THEM. So be it ordained.

The Laws According To The Alexandrian Book of Shadows (Old Laws & Regarding HPS & HP)

The Laws

THE OLD LAW

The Law was made and ordained of old.
1. The Law was made for the Wicca, to advise and help in their troubles.
2. The Wicca should give due worship to the gods and obey their will, which they ordain, for it was made for the good of Wicca as the worship of the Wicca is good for the gods. For the gods love the brethren of Wicca.
3. As a man loveth a woman by mastering her,
4. So should the Wicca love the gods by being mastered by them.
5. And it is necessary that the Circle which is the temple of the gods, should be truly cast and purified. And that it may be a fit place for the gods to enter.
6. And the Wicca shall be properly prepared and purified to enter into the presence of the gods.
7. With love and worship in their hearts, they shall raise power from their bodies to give power to the gods.
8. As has been taught of old.
9. For in this way only may men have communion with the gods, for the gods cannot help man without the help of man.

Regarding the HPS & HP

And the High Priestess shall rule her coven as the representative of the Goddess.
11. And the High Priest shall support her as the representative of the God.
12. And the High Priestess shall choose whom she will, be he of sufficient rank, to be her High Priest.
13. For, as the God Himself kissed Her feet in the five-fold salute, laying His power at the feet of the Goddess because of Her youth and beauty, Her sweetness and kindness, Her wisdom and justice, Her humility and generosity,
14.  So He resigned all His power to Her.
15. But the High Priestess should ever mind that the power comes from Him.
16. It is only lent, to be used wisely and justly.
17. And the greatest virtue of a High Priestess be that she recognize that youth is necessary to the representative of the Goddess.
18. So she will gracefully retire in favour of a younger woman should the Coven so decide in council.
19. For a true High Priestess realizes that gracefully surrendering pride of place is one of the greatest virtues.
20. And that thereby she will return to that pride of place in another life, with greater power and beauty.

Let’s Talk Witch – Sybil Leek’s Six Tenets of Witchcraft

Witch /// Brujita
Sybil Leek’s Six Tenets of Witchcraft

 

In some forms of traditional witchcraft, there are six basic tenets. These simple principles are guidelines meant to help practitioners lead positive and spiritually fulfilling lives. Although they vary somewhat from one tradition to the next, they are nearly always similar in spirit and intent. This list, which was created by author Sybil Leek as an outline of tenets of faith, includes balance, harmony, trust, humility, tolerance, and learning.

While not universal to all belief systems, these tenets can be a valuable tool for self-discovery.

Balance
Balance is found in all things. We find it in nature all the time. If balance can exist in the natural world, surely we can find it within ourselves. Our physical selves, our emotional state, and our spiritual plane… by finding the right balance of these three parts of our lives, we can live as better human beings. When our balance is thrown off, that’s when we begin to suffer. Too much of anything sends us off-kilter — for example, someone who takes on too much emotional baggage will begin to feel physically unwell. A person who is not having their spiritual needs met is likely to be emotionally fragile. Without balance, it is nearly impossible for us to be a well-rounded person.

Harmony
Harmony is something we must give ourselves. It is not something others can attain for us, nor is it something that we can gain without effort. It is a gift to our soul, from our soul. How do we interact with others?
Do we allow the shortcomings of the people in our life to negatively affect us? Are we forever blaming other people, and making excuses instead of finding reasons? If we are, then we are lacking harmony and must re-evaluate our life, and our perception of what things are. To truly find harmony, we have to stop looking around us and begin looking inside us. To this effect, harmony must work hand in hand with the concept of balance.

Trust
A key part of many NeoWiccan paths today is the concept of perfect love and perfect trust. To someone who is spiritually whole, trust is a many-layered principle. It not only means trust in those around us, but also in our gods and in ourselves. Trust is not blind, but it does involve faith. For example, we may know that the gods walk with us and guide us; we trust them to do so because of past experience, not because someone has told us to believe this. Trust is being willing to close your eyes and fall, knowing that the person waiting to catch you will do so.

Humility
When we stand before the gods, we know that we are imperfect, and they know this too — and yet they still manage to tolerate us and guide us. We are flawed, and yet we often try to be the best person we can. This paradox, then, is an example of humility. It is the knowledge that while we may be mere lowly mortals, we are deserving of love and happiness and opportunity — and the chance to make the world a better place, not only for ourselves but for others. As part of this process, we must love ourselves, because if we don’t, who will?

Tolerance
Tolerance may be one of the least acted-upon principles of many modern belief systems. While many people espouse the virtue of tolerance, many refuse to be so, making blanket statements about people whose religion doesn’t coincide with our own. To tolerate someone else’s belief doesn’t mean to put up with it begrudgingly; instead it means to accept their right to choose differently from us. We are all human beings, and all connected to the Divine; this factor makes us part of the cosmic whole. When in fact we look at the concept of “do no harm” — and this includes with our words as well as our actions — we must refrain from doing harm not because a rule tells us so, but because it’s the right thing to do. After all, what goes around comes around.

Knowledge
Finally, there is the tenet of knowledge. Without knowledge, there is no growth, no chance to evolve. While we may read books and take classes, true learning also comes from life experience. To truly advance on a spiritual plane, we must accept the fact that we don’t know everything there is to know, and that we must always continue to learn, both in this lifetime and in the next. Once we stop learning, we stagnate as a spiritual being.

A final note: It is important to remember that, much like other guidelines found in modern Pagan religions, this list does not apply to every path. Not all witches adhere to these tenets. If you are an eclectic practitioner, you may want to look at this list and see how it can be applied to your own belief system.

 

By Patti Wigington

Article found on & owned by About.com

Let’s Talk Witch – The Important of Instinct in Magick

 

 

Gothic Witch!

THE IMPORTANCE OF INSTINCT

Trust your gut instinct at all times. You might not be able to find the proof in a book, but if you’re strongly pulled to it, use it. Your own ethical system exists as a form of barometer to warn you when something’s not quite right. Rely on it. The human mind and body are an astonishing set of partners. They take in information and act upon it without our conscious mind being aware of it. The rapidity with which we evaluate a situation and navigate through it, while multitasking on the phone, driving in a car, or walking down the street while listening to music, is simply amazing. We pick up information through the standard five physical senses of touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste. We also have what is often referred to as a sixth sense, an undefined sense, which accesses information the other physical senses cannot. It is this sense that alerts us to knowledge we cannot possibly have acquired through standard acceptable methods.

Your intuition is part of that sixth sense. Although your conscious mind might not be able to put its metaphorical finger on the necessary knowledge at the time, your intuition turns you in the correct direction and guides you to the information you require, all without you quite understanding how or why. It can be remarkably disconcerting to discover that you “knew” the correct answer without knowing it in a traditional fashion. You might ask yourself how you knew. It’s not important. The point is, your intuition is a valuable tool in the art of spellcraft.

Intuition is what tells you to add a pinch of a certain herb to an herbal blend designed for something, even though you have no recorded correspondence anywhere connecting that herb and that goal. What happens is that your intuition grasps the bigger picture and somehow understands that adding this herb will have a beneficial action.

Intuition can be annoying, especially if you are used to working by the book. You can draft an entire spell to heal a broken heart, including flowers and soft music, only to discover, when you actually get to the moment of performing the spell, that your intuition is insisting on loud rock and roll and ice cream. It can be quite a struggle. Trusting your intuition means that you roll with it. At first it might feel awkward. I suggest a compromise: meet your intuition halfway. Stick with your original draft, but allow your intuition to toss in a couple of suggestions. Just because you can’t prove it doesn’t mean that it’s wrong.

Trusting your intuition means allowing yourself to believe that you know what you’re doing. Think back to the concept of the web of energy covering the planet. If you believe in that web, then you can also believe that information can travel to you from a variety of directions in a variety of ways.

Power Spellcraft For Life: The Art Of Crafting And Casting For Positive Change

Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Song of the Goddess

Egyptian Comments & Graphics
SONG OF THE GODDESS

(based on an invocation by Morgan*)

I am the Great Mother, worshipped by all creation and existent prior to their consciousness. I am the primal female force, boundless and eternal.

I am the chaste Goddess of the Moon, the Lady of all magic. The winds and moving leaves sing my name. I wear the crescent Moon upon my brow and my feet rest among the starry heavens. I am mysteries teries yet unsolved, a path newly set upon. I am a field untouched by the plow. Rejoice in me and know the fullness of youth.

I am the blessed Mother, the gracious Lady of the harvest. I am clothed with the deep, cool wonder of the Earth and the gold of the fields heavy with grain. By me the tides of the Earth are ruled; all things come to fruition according to my season. I am refuge and healing. ing. I am the life-giving Mother, wondrously fertile.

Worship me as the Crone, tender of the unbroken cycle of death and rebirth. I am the wheel, the shadow of the Moon. I rule the tides of women and men and give release and renewal to weary souls. Though the darkness of death is my domain, the joy of birth is my gift.

I am the Goddess of the Moon, the Earth, the Seas. My names and strengths are manifold. I pour forth magic and power, peace and wisdom. dom. I am the eternal Maiden, Mother of all, and Crone of darkness, and I send you blessings of limitless love.

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Scott Cunningham

The Nature of Our Ways

Egyptian Comments & Graphics

The Nature of Our Ways

• As often as possible, hold the rites in forests, by the seashore, on deserted mountaintops or near tranquil lakes. If this is impossible, a garden or some chamber shall suffice, if it is readied with fumes or flowers.

• Seek out wisdom in books, rare manuscripts and cryptic poems if you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs and in the cries of wild birds. Listen to the whisperings of the wind and the roar of water if you would discover magic, for it is here that the old secrets crets are preserved.

• Books contain words; trees contain energies and wisdom books ne’er dreamt of.

• Ever remember that the Old Ways are constantly revealing themselves. Therefore be as the river willow that bends and sways with the wind. That which remains changeless shall outlive its spirit, but that which evolves and grows will shine for centuries.

• There can be no monopoly on wisdom. Therefore share what you will of our ways with others who seek them, but hide mystic lore from the eyes of those who would destroy, for to do otherwise increases creases their destruction.

• Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say yours are greater in power or wisdom?

• Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do shall return to you three-fold, good or bane.

• Be wary of one who would dominate you, who would control and manipulate your workings and reverences. True reverence for the Goddess and God occurs within. Look with suspicion on any who would twist worship from you for their own gain and glory, but welcome those priestesses and priests who are suffused with love.

• Honor all living things, for we are of the bird, the fish, the bee. Destroy not life save it be to preserve your own.

• And this is the nature of our way.

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Scott Cunningham

WORDS TO THE WISE….

Egyptian Comments & Graphics

WORDS TO THE WISE….

O daughters and sons of the Earth, adore the Goddess and God and be blessed with the fullness of life.

Know that They have brought you to these writings, for herein he our ways of Wicca, to serve and fulfill the keepers of wisdom, the tenders of the sacred flame of knowledge. Run the rites with love and joy, and the Goddess and God will bless you with all that you need. But those who practice dark magics shall know Their greatest wrath.

Remember that you are of the Wicca. No more do you trod the ways of doubt. You walk the path of light, ever climbing from shadow to shadow to the highest realm of existence. But though we’re the bearers of truths, others do not wish to share our knowledge, so we run our rites beneath moon filled skies enwrapped in shadows. But we are happy.

Live fully, for that is the purpose of life. Refrain not from earthly existence. From it we grow to learn and understand, until such time that we are reborn to learn more, repeating this cycle ’till we have spiralled up the path of perfection and can finally call the Goddess and God our kin.

Walk the fields and forests; be refreshed by the cool winds and the touch of a nodding flower. The Moon and Sun sing in the ancient wild places: The deserted seashore, the stark desert, the roaring waterfall. We are of the Earth and should revere Her, so do Her honor.

Celebrate the rites on the appropriate days and seasons, and call upon the Goddess and God when the time is meet, but use the Power only when necessary, never for frivolous ends. Know that using the Power for harm is a perversion of Life itself.

But for those who love and magnify love, the richness of life shall be your reward. Nature will celebrate.

So love the Goddess and God, and harm none!

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Scott Cunningham

Let’s Talk Witch – A Controversary Topic, Can a Christian Be A Witch?

Spell Caster

A Controversary Topic, Can a Christian Be A Witch?

 

I am often asked about this controversial topic while I am at an author event, teaching a class, or speaking at festivals. At first I could not figure out what the fascination was with my answer, but as my quick, snarky answer never changes, and the reaction is always gales of laughter, I began to realize that folks just enjoyed hearing me say it. Can you be a Christian Witch? My standard answer is, “Can you be a Baptist Jew? No, you can’t. So get off the fence— it’s one or the other.”

Oh my, I have probably just offended someone. Well, I get offended when some chick in a white eyelet sundress wearing Halloween-costume fairy wings and sporting a big crucifix around her neck stands there simpering at me, wanting me to assure her that she won’t go to hell just because she is dabbling with a bit of Witchcraft. After all, she just loves faeries and magick. It’s all so pretty… but she can still be a Christian, right? Don’t forget, she has lots of magickal books; they are so cool. Plus she has seen every episode of Charmed. Good grief.

In my opinion, no, you cannot be a Christian Witch. Why? Because Witches are following a polytheistic religion. We believe in and worship more than one god; we believe in the god and the goddess and the many faces thereof. We believe in karma, in reincarnation, and that our actions in this life are important. We are not “forgiven” for any misdeed; instead, we know that we are responsible. Witches work hard on maintaining their magickal neutrality. We embrace the sacredness of life and of nature, communing with spirits and believing that prophecy and visions are, in fact, not only real but a part of our spiritual rights as humans. Also, Witches do not believe in proselytizing; we do not recruit or convert others.

There is no fear in the Craft, but it seems to me there is a very real fear at the core of Christianity— the fear of divine retribution from an angry, jealous, and vengeful god. Before someone accuses me of Christian bashing, I invite you to research the history of the church’s conversion of the masses. Countries, territories, and entire races of people were converted by force or they died. Anyone who was different or worshipped differently was branded a heretic and met with an unfortunate end. There is a long, bloody, and violent history to Christianity. Even the crucifix is a symbol of torture and suffering. Roman Christian soldiers emblazoned it on their shields and banners as they moved into and conquered new territories. This was a way to advertise just what would happen to the people if they did not fall into line. Let’s be honest here, in ancient times the common folk could not read, but they understood what that symbol meant when they saw it: death by crucifixion.

And don’t get me started on the burning times, also known as the women’s holocaust. While the numbers of the victims vary from several hundred thousand to millions, depending on who you ask, it is true that across Europe many lost their lives from being accused of practicing Witchcraft. The bottom line is those atrocities were real. The torture and murder of women, men, and children all to save their souls in the name of Christianity is sickening.

Still think you can be a Christian Witch? Then again, I invite you to take a realistic and honest look at the guidelines of Christianity. Divination, visions, a belief in reincarnation, communing with spirits, any sort of magick, and, of course, the belief in more than one god and/ or a divine feminine is frowned upon most strongly, which is a nice way of say it is forbidden. There, in a nutshell, is your answer. You cannot claim to be both a Christian and a Witch when these two belief systems are in such direct theoretical opposition from one another.

I do respect other spiritual paths. We could all stand to have an open, honest dialogue with each other. However, I am standing by— and standing up— for my spiritual beliefs. As an author, I am in the unique position of having had the opportunity to meet different sorts of magickal folks from all over North America. That whole wanna-be-Witch-chick-in-the-white-sundress scenario really happened, and I get hit up with variations of this question almost daily. How would you feel if you were confronted with that on a regular basis?

While I appreciate that Witches are so popular in our culture, thanks to television and fiction, the truth is that Witchcraft is a spiritual practice— and one that should be respected, not played with. There is nothing more dangerous than a magickal dabbler. People who play with the Craft because they think it’s romantic or cool typically cause chaos. It annoys me to no end for folks to take my religious practices and turn them into what they imagine is a sort of fun hobby because they are looking for a thrill.

You do not get to have this both ways. Embrace the spirituality of the Witch wholeheartedly or stick with your own religion and stop playing with the Craft. Witches know that our spiritual path is not for everyone, nor should it be.

Every Witch Way: Spells and Advice from Two Very Different Witches

Ellen Dugan; Tess Whitehurst

WOTC Extra – Top 5 Reasons We Don’t Get What We Want in Life

Nature Comments & Graphics

Top 5 Reasons We Don’t Get What We Want in Life

 

#5: We Think We Have to “Make it Happen”

Having to “make things happen” is difficult— it involves long hours, hard work, and lots of worry. Thinking about making things happen makes most of us tired, so we just stop trying.

As children, we learned early and often that we have to physically create whatever we want, starting with getting good grades in school so we can get into a good college, get a good job, and live happily ever after. We’ve got phrases like, “You’ve got to pull yourself up by your bootstraps“ and “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.”

The truth is that we do make some things happen, but most of the time we create with the Universe’s help. It’s like we’re sitting in the Universal restaurant and ordering off a menu: “I’d like the new job for an appetizer, the red car well done as an entrée, and a fabulous soul mate for dessert.” The Universe takes our order and serves it up— and the only thing we have to pay at the end of the meal is our appreciation and gratitude. Now that’s a cheap date!

Did you know that there is an angel, guide, totem, and helper for just about everything in life? Whether you want a new job, a new mate, or just a shift in your life (“ three degrees to the right, please”), there is a Universal being just waiting to help you. All you have to do is ask.

Daily rituals remind us that we’re just doing the asking, and the Universe (and all its helpful beings) is handling the delivery. These rituals remind us to relax and just ask!

#4: We Are Afraid of Failure

Because we are not taught in school how to attract what we want, and because we don’t get a lot of practice, most of us feel that we are failures when it comes to getting what we want. We hate failure, so we give up on our desires and just accept whatever meager servings life puts on our plate.

The truth is that we are all fabulous co-creators in collaboration with the Universe, and we never fail. Sometimes we don’t create what we want, but we’re always creating— we can’t help it. Humans are born to create, all the time. What’s more, most of the time we do create what we want in life. We just become impatient and move on to our next desires before our first creation has manifested. As a result, we end up settling for less, and never see the results of our original creations!

Rituals of magic and witchcraft bring that creative process up to the conscious level, making us aware of the actual creation sequence. We begin to see the connection between what we ask for and what we get as a result.

Once we are aware of this creation process, we become much more confident creators and we pick up those old dreams and desires we abandoned long ago.

#3: We Are Hypnotized by Daily Life

As a society we have become so hypnotized by the hum of daily life that we forget to create consciously. If you want to see how hypnotic daily life is, check in with your thoughts first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Chances are, your thoughts will be about all the things you have to do during the coming day, or all the things that happened during the past day. Your big desires and dreams probably don’t even figure in those thoughts!

Between day planners, smart phones, and tablets, we are sunk up to our eyebrows in the concerns of daily life. We become so engaged in making our daily lives “work“ that we forget everything else. We are transformed from humans to robots.

A magical or witchcraft practice can help us create contact with Spirit, and maintain that contact throughout the day. Our Spirits are the keepers of our dreams, desires, and life lessons. When we are in touch with Spirit, we remember ourselves and why we are in body on this planet. Spirit keeps us in touch with our Spirit path, and helps us walk through our daily lives with purpose and meaning. When we are Spirit-led, we are no longer hypnotized by daily life, but use the tools of daily life to achieve our Spirit dreams.

#2: Negativity is Popular

If you’ve been around the metaphysical community at all, you’ve probably heard about the principle that we attract into our lives what we focus on. In other words, the sum of our thoughts and feelings (both positive and negative) create the events and people in our lives. So if you want to create your desires in life, all you have to do is think positive thoughts and feel positive vibes. Sounds simple, right?

Unfortunately, in our society it’s easier said than done. Negativity is so popular in our society that we’re often branded as “Pollyannas” if we’re too upbeat and popular. Just turn on the TV and watch any news program or sitcom. The news programs report mainly on disasters or gloom and doom predictions, while the sitcoms are all about characters insulting each other with sarcastic remarks.

We’ve become so accustomed to these negative forms of communication that it actually feels odd to think, feel, and act in a positive way. Being positive means we have a hard time fitting into the gossipy conversations that have become the norm in daily life.

The good news is that witchcraft rituals, done regularly, move us out of the negative spheres of influence and attract similarly positive people and events into our lives. These rituals give us the extra courage and confidence to stand in the positive flow of consciousness rather than the negative. Plus, they help us remember our dreams, and to think and feel in alignment with those dreams.

#1: We Don’t Believe We Can Be, Do, and Have Everything We Want

With phrases like, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” who can blame us for giving up on our dreams? We’re taught that whenever we want something, we have to give up something else.

The truth is that this Universe is limitless from the human perspective. We can ask for and create anything and everything we want, and there is still enough left over for everyone else. We live in a continuously expanding Universe, where we are all creating more and more and more. As humans, we can’t ask for enough creation to exceed the Universal limit.

Our job as humans is to create. We are here to experience the process of creation, of being, doing, and having everything we want. Rituals of witchcraft or magic connect us with Universal helpers who can assist us in the process. These rituals also connect us with the understanding that the Universe is limitless, and we can keep asking to our heart’s content!

Learn How to Do Witchcraft Rituals and Spells with Your Bare Hands

Alan G. Joel


WOTC Extra – Important things to consider when casting a spell

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Important things to consider when casting a spell

 

Timing. The moon phase, time of day, day of the week, season, astrological position, weather, etc., can all be symbolic and significant in spellcasting. For example, if you were to do a spell to help you succeed in a new endeavor, you might like to cast it on the day of the new moon, as this moon phase represents new beginnings. Then the moon growing full can symbolize your success increasing. Do some research to see what different times and occurrences mean, if you want to incorporate their significance.

Symbolism. Magic relies heavily on symbolism. Everything used in spellcraft — herbs, tools, colors, actions, etc. — symbolize something. By being aware of what certain things mean and using them in accordance with your intentions, you can add meaning and significance to everything you do, which can aid your mentality and make your spells more effective. Be sure to use symbols that you find meaningful and that make sense to you.

Effort and intention. Spells are fundamentally based on feeling, desire, and will. You could perform a spell exactly as it’s written, with no mistakes or fumbles, but it still won’t be effective if you don’t push your energy and intention into your work. It’s not the tools you use, the words you say, or the actions you perform that make magic work — it’s whatyou put into the spell that’s important. You can use visualization, energy raising, and other techniques to put energy into your spells. Do everything you do in your spells purposefully and with intention. It’s my opinion that, when using magic to make an effect happen, the most important thing is to want it intensely and to will it to happen.

Your experience and level of knowledge. It’s easy to understand that a beginner will be less adept at magic than an experienced practitioner. As you learn and practice, you’ll grow to be better at the skills used in magic, such as meditation or visualization. You’ll also learn what works best for you.

Your state of being. If you are mentally, physically, or emotionally tired, distracted, distressed, or otherwise not in an optimal state for spellwork, spells tend to be less effective. Many people like to do some sort of pre-ritual to get themselves in the right state of mind. In general, be sure that you get enough sleep, eat well, manage stress effectively, and otherwise keep yourself healthy.

 

 

Source:
The Witch’s Spellbook

 

Let’s Talk Witch – Magical Ethics

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Magical Ethics

I will write down a more detailed description below, but here is a quick checklist whenever you do magic:
Never work to influence any other person’s will or freedom of choice
Never work to cause harm to others
Never work for ego or unreasonable financial gain

When working on a magical level we must understand the possibility that any change we attempt to make by the way of the magical arts may be returned to us. In some Craft traditions, and particularly Wicca, it is believed that you receive three time whatever you send out – the ‘Threefold Law of Return’. The true origin of the Threefold La is sketchy, and something that only you can decided whether to follow. However, it isn’t a bad rule of thumb to keep in mind that whatever we send out we are going to get back, and quite possibly more generously than we offered it. Whether what you get back is positive or negative is then, ultimately up to you. We create our own path, and we reap the consequences of our actions.

So, if we choose to believe in the power of cause and affect, then that means we must take responsibility for our own actions – both magically and non-magically – within our day to day lives. So then, when working with magic and ritual, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not cause accidental harm towards ourselves or anyone else. Take spells seriously! They are not completely harmless and you could cause disastrous consequences if you do not take them seriously! So, how do we do this? Keep reading below:

When we decide to do a spell, we must first think about HOW the spell will reach the end goal. For instance, consider that you have done a spell for prosperity, so that you can get out of debt. If you don’t specify HOW that money is going to get to us, it is statistically more likely that the money will come to you through the death of a family member rather than buying a winning lottery ticket. Magic is like electricity in a way; if you do not give it a specific way to travel then it will find the quickest route itself, which usually ended up with someone being shocked. So, give your magic a safe route and give it specifics so it will work without hurting you or anyone else.

A good idea would be to use a good circle casting if that is what the spell requires. I have a separate page that will describe this in more detail. Also, it is a good idea to use affirmations at the end of your spell. A popular one is ‘for the good of all’, though there are others out there. It is called a ‘fail-safe’.

 

Source:

“Craft of the Wise” by Vikki Bramshaw
On the Website, The Pagan Journey

 

TO BE A WITCH

Witchy Comments

TO BE A WITCH

 

To be a witch is to love and be loved.
To be a witch is to know everything, and nothing at all.
To be a witch is to move amongst the stars while staying on earth.
To be a witch is to change the world around you, and yourself.
To be a witch is to share and give, while receiving all the while.
To be a witch is to dance and sing, and hold hands with the universe.
To be a witch is to honor the gods, and yourself.
To be a witch is to be magick, not just perform it.
To be a witch is to be honorable, or nothing at all.
To be a witch is to accept others who are not.
To be a witch is to know what you feel is right and good.
To be a witch is to harm none.
To be a witch is to know the ways of old.
To be a witch is to see beyond the barriers.
To be a witch is to follow the moon.
To be a witch is to be one with the gods.
To be a witch is to study and to learn.
To be a witch is to be the teacher and the student.
To be a witch is to acknowledge the truth.
To be a witch is to live with the earth, not just on it.
To be a witch is to be truly free!

Let’s Talk Witch – Granny Magick

Let’s Talk Witch – Granny Magick

Most people who have seen the old television comedy “The Beverly Hillbillies” have no idea about some of the little grains of truth in the show. The show’s creator, Paul Henning, was a native Missourian who was clearly very familiar with the area and the people of the Ozark Mountain region. On the show, the Clampetts make visits to such locations as Silver Dollar City, Springfield and Joplin, Missouri.

What most people who have watched the show never guess is that Granny was more than just Elly May’s grandmother. Granny, who once says she comes from Taney County, which is the southwestern Missouri county where Branson is located, is a “granny woman” which is an old Ozark term for conjure woman. The word “medicine” is another word for potion among old-timers.

The term “hillbilly” is perceived by some a pejorative term and probably to others it seems like a joke. The rest of the world probably can’t imagine what the area is still like – even today. It’s probably especially hard for city-folk to imagine that there are such people as those who live in the hills outside of beautiful, modern Branson, Missouri. They’ve have always been secretive and distrusting of outsiders and for years nobody knew much at all about them until a folk researcher named Vance Randolph married an Ozarker and spent decades trying to ingratiate himself into their culture (impossible for anyone who wasn’t born among them).

In the 1940s he published several books, but arguably the best one is “Ozark Mountain Magic and Folklore.” The ancestors of the original Ozark Mountain settlers came from England and Scotland by way of Appalachia. And, as is alluded to in a two-part episode where the hillbillies go back to England to find their noble ancestors, their ancestors were probably among the earliest American arrivals and were made of a rough, tough stock of people who could survive even the worst adversity.

The Ozark Mountains is still very rough terrain, but 100 years ago, it was only a special breed of people with strong survival skills who were able to live there. The winters are hard and the people live in relative isolation from each other in the hills and “hollers.” Before recent modernization of the highways and literally cutting through the rocks of mountains made travel easier, they were isolated from the outside world and often from each other. They had to rely on what they knew about the environment, animals, insects, plants and herbs and the practice of witchcraft, which grew and thrived among them.

They had magic for all the important aspects of life, but love and courtships was very important, especially for young women. Although, young men, also, practiced love magic. Girls conducted a variety of spells to see their future husbands or to know his name. They used charms and potions to induce love and lust and to dominate their boyfriends and husband.

The following are just a few love spells collected by Randolph in the Missouri Ozarks.

Beltane, the 1st day of May, is a very important day for those who want to know the identity of their future husbands.

If you would like to see your future husband, you must go to a well at noon on May Day and hold a mirror in such a way that it reflects the daylight into the darkness. Then, look into the water and you should see the face of your future mate. But, if you happen to see yourself lying in a coffin, you will die before the next May Day. If you see nothing, you’ll probably be an old maid.

A variation on this procedure requires you to have a glass of water, a gold ring and a mirror. Place the glass in front of the mirror and gaze fixedly at the reflection of the ring in the water.

If you want to see the face of your future husband, rise very early on May 1st and go to the well carrying a guinea egg and a glass. Once at the well, break the egg into the cup and gaze into the water. There you should see the initials of your husband to be reflected in the water of the well.

Similarly, if you wake early on May 1st and look into the reflection of a mirror, you should see the reflection of your future husband’s face or his initials

If you would like to dream about your future mate, look at the over your right shoulder at night and repeat the following incantation:

“New moon, new moon, do tell me

Who my own true lover will be,

The color of his hair, the clothes that he will wear

And the happy day he will wed me.”

Source:

Witchcraft and Love Magic in the Ozark Mountains

Old-fashioned Love Spells

A. Giovanni, Yahoo Contributor Network

The Kitchen Witch’s Creed

Witchy Comments & Graphics
The Kitchen Witch’s Creed

In this pot, I stir to the sun
an’ follow the rule of harming none.

Banishment of bane when goin’ widdershins;
an’ with water and salt negativity is cleansed.

Household duties are more than chores.
Magick abounds when mopping floors.

With this broom, I do sweep
to clean my house and safely keep.

Marigold, Basil, Thyme, and Yarrow
my spell is cast for a better tomorrow.

Lemons for joy and apples for health
the pow’r within brings great wealth.

And, in this kitchen I do pray
To truly walk the Witches’ Way

Copyright 1998, 1999 E. Zeigler
This piece may be freely distributed for non-profit use as long as the
copyright information is placed underneath it.

 

Let’s Talk Witch – Hecate, the Goddess of Witches

hecate4

 

Let’s Talk Witch – Hecate, the Goddess of Witches

 

Today, I want to talk about some of the lessons that Hecate’s temple teaches. In the temple of the Dark Goddess Hecate we learn of what many people call our shadow selves. Hecate is the Goddess of the passage into the underworld, of death, of change, and of our shadows. She stands at the Crossroads of life’s journey and holds a torch (or lantern) and provides for us some understanding of the road ahead. She is often depicted as a bent over hag cloaked in black and hooded. One of her methods of teaching is she removes her hood and reveals to you your own true shadow. This is not meant to frighten or scare you but only so that you may be aware of it and overcome its hideousness. She does this because she knows that only once you have released your shadow and your fear you are then able to move on past her into change. Effectively dying, or leaving your old self behind and immerging transformed into the light. She is not necessarily the goddess of the underworld, but rather the Goddess of slef-transformation.

To apply or acknowledge Hecates lesson we must first identify our shadow selves. We bring back the symbolism of Hecate’s veil. When she lifts her veil what you are seeing is not her but rather your true self. No matter how horrifying it seems. To identify our shadow selves look for what annoys you in other people. What is it that you get so negative about? What about that certain somebody can you completely not stand? This is our shadow selves. From personal experience one of the things I couldn’t stand was certain friends being to controlling. It seemed like no matter what someone did they would always get annoyed. The lesson I learned from this is simple. I was really being to controlling. I was really passing judgment of people that did not deserve it. In truth, we were both being far too judgmental and negative of issues than was necessary. I know now that one of my personal issues that I work to overcome is to not be so judgmental of people.

Don’t get the lesson wrong. I’m not saying that the people who don’t annoy you aren’t the problem, because the qualities that annoy you are still present in them. Hecate’s temple teaches that these qualities are not only in them but in you as well. So yes, that one person on your mind right now is exactly what you are thinking they are, but have you ever stopped to say “Hey, maybe I’m to blame as well”. Accepting the fact that we are not all perfect people and we do make mistakes and have flaws is not only necessary to Hecate’s teachings but also essential. Acceptance and acknowledgement is what Hecate truly teaches at the fundamental core of her lessons. The power to over come our fears and shadows is a spiritually profound phenomenon. However the power to accept ourselves in EVERY aspect of who we are, be it light, dark or in between is where the true enlightenment comes from. Hecate’s lantern is just that, one of enlightenment. The road that she travels on with you may be dark, but she teaches us that from this darkness we learn acceptance and we turn it into enlightenment.

To bring the energy of Hecate’s Lantern into your life, I would suggest several things. Keep a journal someplace where you can write and learn about yourself. Make notes of traits in people that annoy you and see if you can find that issue and flaw within yourself. Every once and a while, sit in a dark room with nothing but a single candle or lantern lighting the room and meditate on the dark side of yourself and thing about how you can acknowledge, accept, and move past it into enlightenment. Learning about the Darkness of ourselves is how we find within us the true light.

Source:

Stories from a Witches Cabinet

 

Witches Affirmation

 
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Witches Affirmation

A witch is…

One who has power over her/his own life
One who makes his/her own rules, but can abide by the rules of Nature
One who refuses to submit to self-denial
One who recognizes no authority with greater esteem than her/his own, who is loyal to self
One who is untamed and tamed
One who transforms energy for the good of all
One who can be passionate about her/his ideals and values as they are changing
One who is explosive, whose intensity is like volcanoes, floods, winds, and fire
One who is disorderly and orderly
One who is ecstatic
One who alters reality
One who says, “I am a witch” aloud three times

“I am a witch”
“I am a witch”
“I am a witch”

 
 
 
Website:
Wiccan Chat

WOTC Extra – Releasing The Power

Witchy Comments & Graphics

WOTC Extra – Releasing The Power

 

When you release the power in the final stage, you may see the cone exploding and cascading as coloured stars or light beams, which surge away into the cosmos and break into brilliant rainbow colours.

If you wish, you can direct the energy after the final release of power by pointing with your hands, or a wand or knife, so that the energies cascade horizontally and downwards, for example into herbs on the altar that you are empowering to make into herb sachets. Or you can direct the cascading energies in a specific direction, perhaps towards a person who is ill or in need of magical strength.

This release may take the form of a final shout, a leap, or words. As you extinguish your candle of need, you may shout:

It is free, the power is mine!

Or, at the point of release, you may throw your extended hands wide in an arc above your head. If the ceremony is formal and you are using an athame, you can at this moment bring it in front of you to mark the invisible cutting of the knot holding the power. Pull your visualised or actual knots tight, cut them, leap into the air, shouting:

The Power is free! or It is done!

Sometimes there is just a sudden stillness, as the power leaves.

Afterwards, you need to ground the energies by sitting or lying on the ground and letting excess energies fade away into the Earth as you press down with your hands and feet.