Gather the ingredients

One by one,

Place them in bowls

The spell has begun.

Harness the energy

From the Goddess above,

Charge the herbs

With the power of love.

Simmer in water

As you chant a charm,

Making sure you

Cause no harm.

Now strain and bottle

Your new concoction

Keeping it safe

From impurities and toxin.

If you make this brew

Before the moon does wane,

A strong and powerful

Potion will be your gain.

 

“Potions and Brews” Poem from the book by Elizabeth Gardiepy, By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories

 

~* ~ Standing in the Shadows ~* ~

 

I call out to her, she hears my call.

She makes the wind blow cold and the rain fall.

Winter has come to claim the earth,

And will continue to reign until Spring’s rebirth.

 

 

I silently watch with admiration

As she uses snow for decoration.

Icicles hang from everywhere,

Snow flurries cover from here to there.

 

 

The bare barked trees and frozen ponds

Speak her name and share her bonds.

Bitter and cold, her power grows strong

As the darkened winds sing her song.

 

 

Darkness spreads across the land,

Freezing the earth at her command.

Through the trees, a moonbeam shines,

Casting shadows of oaks and pines.

 

The night is dark, cold, and long,

As the winds continue to carry her song.

The sun rises slowly, warm and revived

As we wake to find morning has arrived.

 

 

Winter has shown herself to us,

She watches as we make a fuss.

Smiling cold, she gives a wink,

Blessing us with skies of pink.

–Elizabeth Gardiepy, By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories

 

An it Harm None

 

This world would be a better place,

If everyone believed,

The pagan rule of bring no harm,

To those who live and breath,

But that’s an idealogoly,

That can never be fulfilled,

For religions all around the world,

Bear other faiths I’ll will.

 

 

They all say they are peaceful,

They say their God is right,

They say that if you don’t believe,

You should forfeit your life,

Just look back at history,

And even here today,

Religion is not peaceful,

No matter to whom you pray.

 

 

A world without religion?

That’s never going to be,

For faiths will fight to put their God,

On the pinnacle of the tree,

And if there’s no religion,

What then will man fight for?

For man must fight for something,

He must always be at war.

 

 

You know my friends, it seems to me,

That whatever you believe,

We only want to live in peace,

But that will never be,

For God will be on both sides,

Fighting against himself,

And we are mere pawns in His game,

His game of cat and mouse.

 

 

But we could thwart His little game,

If we only had the will,

To turn our back on evil things,

And bear no one I’ll will,

Following the pagan way,

With nature we’d be one,

And we would praise the morning dew,

And the setting of the sun.

 

–Alan Faraway, Pagan Ways

 

Winter’s Hand

 

Winter’s shroud soon will pass,

The summer sun will come at last,

Plants will reach into the light,

The summer breeze will warm the night,

But we must await the sun to cast,

For Winter’s hand has not yet past.

 

 

The Holly King will hold on fast,

He will make this winter last,

He’ll send the ice, the snow, the rain,

He’ll send the wind to blow again,

Frozen lakes and frozen lands,

He’ll keep us all in Winter’s hand.

But fear ye not, his time is short,

 

The Oak King will soon make him abort,

His mission to bring about misery,

With his icy hands on you and me,

Then we’ll rejoice to see at last,

Winter’s hand, returned to the past.

 

–Alan Faraway, Pagan Ways

 Moments

 

As fleeting as time can be

I try hard not to get too caught up

Our lives but a vapor

Recycled throughout time

What is time

It is but a moment

We all know moments come

Though there can be many

Remember they are fleeting

Only to last a moment

As sure as the clouds and stars above pass

So do all the moments we have

I try hard to remember

To be ever thankful for each

Always remembering

The choice is what we do

With each moment

So never take for granted

Each and every moment

For they pave the way

For the enlightenment of the soul

–From our favorite poet, T. J. WhiteWolf

You can read more of this fantastic poetry by visiting his website, TJWHITEWOLF’S POETRY

 

I Am

I am more than what anyone expects

I am more than what the world sees

I am more than what I show you

I am more than what can be

I am more than a woman

I am part of the earth and the earth is part of me

I feel the best when I am working the earth

I feel fulfilled when I see the growth of the earth

I smell the beauty of the earth when it rain

My self and my Sisters, we are of the earth

The earth is our Mother

I am more than what is seen and more to come

—JoAnne Spiese, A Witch’s Prayerbook

 

Witches

As the sun sets

The moon rises.

We are called.

Gathering deep in the forest

Our capes flap in the wind.

Hoods covering our head

As we form our circle

Hand in hand we take our places.

The elements are called forth:

Wind, rain, earth and fire.

We are filled with their energy.

In a low chant

We call for our Mother.

The Goddess answers our call,

She stands before us,

Center in our circle.

We lower our heads to her grace.

Our circle is filled with her love.

Energy flows from her to us.

Slowly we rise;

Our feet no longer touch the ground.

Wind rips through the trees.

Flames raise high from the fire.

Rain beats on the earth below

Yet, we remain dry.

Power transfers from Sister to Sister.

The Goddess’s influence is felt.

Sounds from the forest fill the air.

All is alive.

Energy fills all there,

We know who we are,

The Witches of the present.

Those long past have joined us.

We know our beginning.

We know our past.

We know our future,

Witches now and forever.

 

—A Witch’s Prayerbook

JoAnne Spiese

 

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!

 

I Know You

 

I can feel your breath as my back is turned to you

I can feel your warmth flow to me

I can sense your touch

I can feel your power

All known to me

 

I hear you call for me

I hear your words of passion

I hear your words of love

I hear your words of desire and want

 

I know you, and want what you want

I know your heart, I see the truth

I know the passion that you bring

I know the power you have for me

 

For we are Witches, we have known each other in the past.

For we are Witches, we know each other now

For we are Witches, we will know each other in the future

For we are Witches, we the children of the Goddess

For we are Witches, we know our power

 

 

—A Witch’s Prayerbook

JoAnne Spiese

Children Of The Earth

 

We know they feared our Pagan ways,

They tried to wipe us out,

They tortured and they burned us,

If they had the slightest doubt,

They took away our festivals,

Replaced them with their own,

But we stood strong and carried on,

We’ve flourished and we’ve grown.

 

They said we worshipped Satan,

Stole babies and much worse,

And if by chance someone fell ill,

They said we laid a curse,

They took us in for “questioning”,

Tortured till we confessed,

But anyone would say the words,

Under such duress.

 

With bodies bruised and broken,

They put us on the stand,

The priests said we’d offended God,

And the devil took our hand,

The villagers believed them,

Our guilt was their desire,

Then everybody turned out to see,

The witch burned in the fire.

 

They never really understood,

And some to this day still,

Do not understand our craft,

We bear no one ill will,

We live a life of peace and love,

At one with Mother Earth,

So in secrecy the Hedgewitch lives,

Gathering berries, leaves and herbs.

 

I sometimes think that there are those,

Who live in those dark times still,

They do not wish to understand,

And I guess they never will,

But Pagans all around the world,

Are proud to carry on,

We practice the oldest religion,

In our deeds and in our song.

 

Be joyful all ye Pagans,

For the road has been so long,

Remember the innocent martyrs,

That suffered in those days gone,

Give your praise to all the Gods,

And the Goddess of rebirth,

For they can never destroy our faith,

We are the children of the Earth.

 

—-Pagan Ways

Alan Faraway

 

We will be bright and fierce
Like the flame that burns
In the candle hot
We will be strong and grounded
Like the tumbled stone
That once was earth
We will be flexible and resilient
Like the water that flows
Always to return
We will be the essence of potential
Like the seed that waits
And grows when needed
We will endure
We will survive
We will triumph
And rise like the phoenix
At the dawn of another day
With the help of the gods
And our own determination
We will endure
And rise like the phoenix
From the flames.

So Mote It Be

The Darkness Has Come

 

The darkness has come.

We have gathered.

The circle is formed.

We have called the elements.

The danger is known.

We have drawn down the power.

The danger is near.

We stand strong under the darkness.

The past has come forward.

We are the present.

No danger is greater than us.

We turn and face the enemy,

With arms raised we call forth our Sisters.

A barrier is formed.

From the depth of darkness evil steps forwards.

Protection covers us.

The smell of sulfur fills the air.

A ground swell stands between us.

Stillness

The fight begins

Energy sent for both sides

The ground trembles.

Unnatural sounds can be heard.

Standing firm I step forward.

Hand raised,

Facing evil,

I call on the power of the Goddess.

I am filled with her light and energy.

Light radiates from me in all directions

Striking all that is dark.

They vanish before us.

Evil has been vanquished.

My power fills the emptiness

For we have triumphed over evil.

We remain and always will be.

No power can remove us.

We remain.

—A Witch’s Prayerbook

JoAnne Spiese

 

~* ~ Goddess Touch ~* ~

 

Laying on the earth,

I look upward to the skies.

Watching the clouds roll by,

I see a vision.

A crack in the clouds,

A light pours through.

The cracked clouds part,

And exposes the image.

A woman of pure beauty,

Of strength and wisdom too.

Is incredibly fulfilling.

The glowing of her aura

Shines rays of love upon me.

Looking in her eyes,

I see my destiny.

She leads me to a place

Deep within myself.

A place I now often go,

To find solitude.

 

—By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories

Elizabeth Gardiepy

 

Evil never wins.

It will always be defeated, but there will be casualties.

I look to the Goddess and see her standing besides me.

I find the power which is mine

 

 

I raise my sword and defeat the face of evil with the hands of the Goddess.

 

 

She will keep me safe.

For I am her daughter forever.

 

 

I gather my Sisters close to me

I gather the strength of the Witches from the past

I gather the animals around me

 

 

My prayer begins:

I stand before the Goddess under this full moon. I seize the power of the moon in my hands. I bring the children to my side. The Goddess sends her light to me. My family shows the love that we have for each other.

May the Goddess send you her power. May those around us feel the joy that we bring to the circle. May prosperity fill our lives.

As her daughters we show our love for Mother Earth daily. She shows respect for all that is alive. We pray for those who live in fear to find safety. We pray for those who live in pain to find compassion. We pray for those in cages to run free. See how the birds fly free in our skies. See how the animals roam free. May their days be long.

I send our power to the four corners. I send our wishes to all. Bless the children. Bless our families. Bless the animals. But most … Blessings to all.

 

The Poem “Evil” from:

A Witch’s Prayerbook

JoAnne Spiese

 

~* ~ Time and Again ~* ~

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

Just as the phases

Of the bright moon’s glow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

We plant a seed,

And watch it grow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

The magic moves

Through energy’s flow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

The Goddess is alive

As we all know.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

Love warms our hearts

As the cool winds blow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

The Priestess chants

“As above, so below.”

Time goes by….

—By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories

Elizabeth Gardiepy

 

As the sun dawned on man

We were there.

 

As the moon rose and the stars shone

We were there.

 

As gathers became hunters

We were there.

 

We praised what was seen and drew

the unknown to ourselves.

We protected the clan and sought

safety for our people.

We gave strength for the hunt and

drew prey to the hunters.

 

We danced under the full moon.

We praised the Goddess and Gods.

We gave aid with our skills and herbs.

We cured the ill and comforted the dying.

We assisted in the renewal of life through birth.

We were the wise women, the elders.

We led our clan.

We were the first Witches.

 

—Excerpt from the book, A Witch’s Prayerbook

By JoAnne Spiese

 

Light

In the darkness there is light

In the silence there is sound

In the pain there is comfort

In fear there is safety

In the distance there is closeness

In the tear there is joy

In the loss we are found In hate we find love

In the sisterhood we have the Goddess

For all comes from her and all goes to her

Stand strong and all will be well

As it is above so be it below

—A Witch’s Prayerbook

JoAnne Spiese

Stay in the light

Stay in the light
Cause it shines so bright
The warmth surrounds you
You are one with the light
Make sure too
Stay in the light
Cause it shines so bright
If you’re not feeling right
Stay in the light
Even at night
There is light
Within sight
Hold on tight
With all of your might
Stay in the light
Cause it shines so bright
Within the light
Is where I am
Too shine real bright
Being a guiding light
Hoping you will
Stay in the light
Cause it shines so bright
As it warms us all
We hold on tight
To the light
That binds us all
Within the light
Let us shine through
Even when there is night
Cause in the light
We shine bright
So always be sure
Too stay in the light
Where you’ll always shine bright

By our favorite poet, T. J. Whitewolf

To read more of his beautiful & moving poetry, visit his website at TJWHITEWOLF’S POETRY

 

 

~* ~ The Gift ~* ~

Bewildered and amazed,

I stand before thee;

Receiving thy wisdom

As thou cast thy light upon me.

The overwhelming knowledge given

Seems way too much to bear.

With thy blessings of inner strength

I find it easy, with others, to share!

I know my path in the incarnation,

To serve thee well and true;

I thank thee for thy gift thou hast given,

For this gift has given me life anew!

 

By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories

Elizabeth Gardiepy

 

It became light

A flash so bright

It would take ones sight

Until there was night

Which to some brought fright

It was only night

Soon the light would replace the night

No need for such fright

Within sight

It became light

Bringing such delight

Taking it to new heights

Caught up mid flight

A flash so bright

It became light

So bright

It would take ones sight

As the light takes root

Try not to refute

Stand tall

Take salute

In hot pursuit

Only to be consumed

No need to be confused

The light comes so smooth

The light

Oh how it soothes

So bright

You can’t see how the light moves

Just how it removes the night

In all directions

It surrounds

Don’t become confounded

The light is boundless

Leaving us groundless

Don’t let yourself go blind

Hold on to your mind

Now recline

The light is divine

How sublime

With time

You’ll find

When everything aligns

By design

Don’t incline

That I will turn a blind eye

The light illuminates

Makes everything known

No longer to remain hidden

Nothing can hide from the sight of light

Which removes all night

–T. J. WhiteWolf

To read more from our resident poet, please visit his website, TJWHITEWOLF’S POETRY