Tag: Athame

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft -A.4. The Initiation (1949)[Second Degree]

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft -A.4. The Initiation (1949)[Second Degree]

[Second Degree]
Magus binds Witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, “Hear, ye Mighty Ones, (name), a duly consecrated Priestess and Witch, is now properly prepared to be made a High Priestess and Witch Queen.”
Magus now leads her thrice around the circle with the half-running, half-dancing step, halts south of the altar, has the Witch kneel, and ties her down to the altar as before.
Magus: “To attain this sublime degree, it is necessary to suffer and be purified.  Art ready to suffer to Learn?”
Priestess Witch: “I am.”
Magus: “I prepare thee to take the great oath.”
He strikes three knells on the bell, and again gives the series of three, seven, nine, and 21 strokes with the scourge as before.
Magus: “I now give thee a new name: _______. [kiss]
Magus: “Repeat thy new name after me, <saying> I, (name), swear upon my mother’s womb and by mine Honor among men and among my brothers and sisters of the Art, that I will never reveal to any at all any of the secrets of the Art, except it be to a worthy person, properly prepared, in the center of a Magic Circle, such as I am now in.  This I swear by my hopes of Salvation, my past lives, and my hopes of future ones to come, and I devote myself to utter destruction if I break this my solemn oath.”
Magus kneels, placing left hand under her knees and right hand on her head, thus forming magic link.
Magus: “I hereby will all my power into you.” Wills.
Magus now unties her feet, unties the Cable Tow from the altar, and helps the Witch to her feet.
Magus: “I hereby sign and consecrate you with the great Magic Sign. Remember how it is formed and you will always recognize it.
“I consecrate thee with oil.” (He anoints her with oil on her womb, right breast, left hip, right hip, left breast, and womb again, thus tracing a point-down pentacle.)
“I consecrate thee with wine.” (He anoints her with wine in the same pattern.)
“I consecrate thee with my lips” (he kisses her in the same pattern), “High Priestess and Witch Queen.”
Magus now unbinds Witch’s hands and removes the cord, saying, “Newly made High Priestess and Witch Queen” [kiss] “you will now use the working tools in turn.  First, the Magic Sword; with it you will scribe the Magic Circle [kiss]
“Secondly, the Athame” (Form Circle) [kiss]
“Thirdly, the White Handled Knife” (use) [kiss]
“Fourthly, the Wand” (Wave to 4 Quarters) [kiss]
“Fifthly, the Pentacle” (Show to 4 Quarters) [kiss]
“Sixthly, the Censer of Incense” (Circle, cense) [kiss]
“Seventhly, the cords; bind me as I bound you.”
Witch binds Magus and ties him to Altar.
Magus: “Learn, in Witchcraft, thou must ever return triple.  As I scourged thee, so thou must scourge me, but triple. So where you received 3, return 9; where you received 7, return 21; where you received 9, return 27; where you received 21, return 63.”
Witch scourges Magus as instructed, 120 strokes total.
Magus: “Thou hast obeyed the Law.  But mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art bound to return good threefold.”
Witch now unbinds Magus and helps him to his feet.
Magus, taking the new Initiate by the hand and holding the Athame in the other, passes once round the Circle, proclaiming at the Four Quarters, “Hear, Ye Mighty Ones, (name) hath been duly consecrated High Priestess and Witch Queen.”
(Note, if ceremony ends here, close circle with “Hail and farewell.” If not go to next degree.)

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft -A.4. The Initiation (1949)[First Degree]

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft -A.4. The Initiation (1949)[First Degree]

A.4. The Initiation (1949)
[First Degree]
Magus leaves circle by the doorway, goes to Postulant, and says, “Since there is no other brother here, I must be thy sponsor, as well as priest.  I am about to give you a warning.  If you are still of the same mind, answer it with these words: `Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.'”
Placing the point of the sword to the Postulant’s breast, he says, “O thou who standeth on the threshold between the pleasant world of men and the domains of the Dread Lords of the Outer Spaces, hast thou the courage to make the Assay?  For I tell thee verily, it were better to rush on my weapon and perish miserably than to make the attempt with fear in thy heart.”
Postulant: “I have two Passwords: Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.”
Magus drops the sword point, saying, “All who approach with perfect love and perfect trust are doubly welcome.”
Going around behind her, he blindfolds her, then putting his left arm around her waist and his right arm around her neck, he pulls her head back, says, “I give you the 3rd password, a Kiss to pass through this dread Door,” and pushes her forward with his body, through the doorway and into the circle.  Once inside, he releases her saying, “This is the way all are first brought into the circle.”
Magus closes the doorway by drawing the point of the sword across it three times, joining all three circles, saying, “Agla, Azoth, Adonai,” then drawing three pentacles to seal it.
Magus guides Postulant to south of altar, and whispers, “Now there is the Ordeal.” Taking a short piece of cord from the altar, he ties it around her right ankle, saying, “Feet neither bound nor free.”  Taking a longer cord, he ties her hands together behind her back, then pulls them up, so that the arms form a triangle, and ties the cord around her neck, leaving the end dangling down in front as a Cable Tow.
With the Cable Tow in his left hand and the sword in his right hand, the Magus leads her sunwise around the circle to the east, where he salutes with the sword and proclaims, “Take heed, O Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, (name), properly prepared, will be made a Priestess and a Witch.”
Magus leads her similarly to the south, west, and north, making the proclamation at each quarter.
Next, clasping Postulant around the waist with his left arm, and holding the sword erect in his right hand, he makes her circumambulate three times around the circle with a half-running, half-dancing step.
He halts her at the south of the altar, and strikes eleven knells on the bell.  He then kneels at her feet, saying, “In other religions the postulant kneels, as the Priests claim supreme power, but in the Art Magical, we are taught to be humble, so we kneel to welcome them and say:
“Blessed be thy feet that have brought thee in these ways.” (He kisses her feet.)
“Blessed be thy knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar.” (He kisses her knees.)
“Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be.” (He kisses her Organ of Generation.)
“Blessed by thy breasts, formed in beauty and in strength.” (He kisses her breasts.)
“Blessed be thy lips, which shall utter the sacred names.” (He kisses her lips.)
Take measure thus: height, around forehead, across the heart, and across the genitals.
Magus says, “Be pleased to kneel,” and helps her kneel before the altar.  He ties the end of the Cable Tow to a ring in the altar, so that the postulant is bent sharply forward, with her head almost touching the floor.  He also ties her feet together with the short cord.
Magus strikes three knells on the bell and says, “Art ready to swear that thou wilt always be true to the Art?”
Witch: “I am.”
Magus strikes seven knells on the bell and says, “Before ye are sworn, art willing to pass the ordeal and be purified?”
Witch: “I am.”
Magus strikes eleven knells on the bell, takes the scourge from the altar, and gives a series of three, seven, nine, and 21 strokes with the scourge across the postulant’s buttocks.
Magus says, “Ye have bravely passed the test.  Art always ready to help, protect, and defend thy Brothers and Sisters of the Art?”
Witch: “I am.”
Magus: “Art armed?”
Witch: “With a knife in my hair.”
Magus: “Then on that knife wilt thou swear absolute secrecy?”
Witch: “I will.”
Magus: “Then say after me. `I, (name), in the presence of the Mighty Ones, do of my own will and accord, most solemnly swear that I will ever keep secret and never reveal the secrets of the Art, except it be to a proper person, properly prepared, within a circle such as I am now in.  All this I swear by my hopes of a future life, mindful that my measure has been taken, and may my weapons turn against me if I break this my solemn oath.'”
Magus now unbinds her feet, unties the Cable Tow from the altar, removes the blindfold, and helps her up to her feet.
Magus says, “I hereby sign thee with the triple sign.
“I consecrate thee with oil.”  (He anoints her with oil on the womb, the right breast, the left breast, and the womb again.)
“I consecrate thee with wine.” (He anoints her with wine in the same pattern.)
“I consecrate thee with my lips” (he kisses her in the same pattern), “Priestess and Witch.”
Magus now unbinds her hands and removes the last cord, saying,  “Now I Present to thee the Working Tools of a Witch.
“First the Magic Sword.  With this, as with the Athame, thou canst form all Magic Circles, dominate, subdue, and punish all rebellious Spirits and Demons, and even persuade the Angels and Geniuses.  With this in your hand you are the ruler of the Circle. [Here “kiss” means that the initiate kisses the tool, and the Magus then kisses the Witch being initiated.]
“Next I present the Athame.  This is the true Witch’s weapon and has all the powers of the Magic Sword [kiss].
“Next I present the White-Handled Knife. Its use is to form all instruments used in the Art.  It can only be properly used within a Magic Circle [Kiss].
“Next I present the Wand. Its use is to call up and control certain Angels and geniuses, to whom it would not be mete to use the Magic Sword [Kiss].
“Next I present the pentacles.  These are for the purpose of calling up appropriate Spirits [Kiss].
“Next I present the Censer of Incense. This is used to encourage and welcome Good Spirits and to banish Evil Spirits.[kiss]
“Next I present the scourge. This is a sign of power and domination. It is also to cause suffering and purification, for it is written, to learn you must suffer and be purified. Art willing to suffer to learn?”
Witch: “I am.”[Kiss]
Magus: “Next, and lastly I present the Cords.  They are of use to bind the sigils in the Art, the material basis, and to enforce thy will. Also they are necessary in the oath.  I Salute thee in the name of Aradia and Cernunnos, Newly made Priestess and Witch.”
Magus strikes seven knells on the bell and kisses Witch again, then circumambulates with her, proclaiming to the four quarters, “Hear, ye Mighty Ones, (name) hath been consecrated Priestess and Witch of the Gods.”
(Note, if ceremony ends here, close circle with “I thank ye for attending, and I dismiss ye to your pleasant abodes.  Hail and farewell.” If not, go to next degree.)

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft – A.1. Casting the Circle

Gardnerian Traditional Witchcraft

The Public Contents of the Book of Shadows

There is really no such thing as the text of the Book of Shadows, because Gardner never bothered to word things the same way twice; whenever he copied something, he simultaneously rewrote it.  But this, of course, is the way that an author treats his own original material; it is not how anyone treats authoritative texts preserved from an earlier generation.
I have grouped the documents according to the dates when they were written; these dates are accurate to within a year or so, and the point to providing them, of course, is to emphasize that these documents are modern creations, NOT anything preserved from ancient or medieval tradition.  Material or comments added to these documents later on I have enclosed in square brackets [these things].

A.1. Casting the Circle (1949)
It is most convenient to mark the circle with chalk, paint or otherwise, to show where it is; but marks on the carpet may be utilized.  Furniture may be placed to indicate the bounds.  The only circle that matters is the one drawn before every ceremony with either a duly consecrated Magic Sword or an Athame.  The circle is usually nine feet in diameter, unless made for some very special purpose.  There are two outer circles, each six inches apart, so the third circle has a diameter of eleven feet.
[1] Having chosen a place proper, take the sickle or scimitar of Art or a Witch’s Athame, if thou mayest obtain it, and stick it into the center, then take a cord, and ’twere well to use the Cable Tow for this, and loop it over the Instrument, four and one half feet, and so trace out the circumference of the circle, which must be traced either with the Sword, or the knife with the black hilt, or it be of little avail, but ever leave open a door towards the North.  Make in all 3 circles, one within the other, and write names of power between these.
[2] First draw circle with Magic Sword or Athame.
[3] Consecrate Salt and Water: Touch water with Athame, saying, “I exorcise thee, O creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the impurities and uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so they may harm me not, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.”
[4] Touching Salt with Athame, say, “The Blessings of Aradia and Cernunnos be upon this creature of Salt, and let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herein, for without Thee man cannot live, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me.”
[5] Then put the Salt into the water.
[6] Sprinkle with exorcised water.
[7] Light candles; say, “I exorcise thee, O Creature of Fire, that every kind of Phantasm may retire from thee, and be unable to harm or deceive in any way, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.”
[8] Caution initiate (if any); warn companions; enter circle and close doors with 3 pentagrams.
[9] Proclaim object of working
[10] Circumambulate 3 times or more before commencing work.
[11] Summon: “I summon, stir, and Call thee up, thou Mighty Ones of the East, South, West, and North.”  Salute and draw pentacle with Magic Sword or Athame, the first stroke being from the top down to the left.

Items you need to do Magick

Items you need to do Magick

In reality I break this into two categories. NEED & WANT.

NEED: A quiet place. This can be any location within your dwelling. If you have am enclose area about your home this can be come your “Sacred or Quiet” place. It is nice to work out doors, but not mandatory. You will also need a small altar. A place to hold two candles, incense and a goblet of wine; even the wine is optional.

WANT: Everything that looks like, smells like or tastes like Magick. Can you do Magick without a robe? Sure you can. Do you need a sword to create a circle? Not necessary. Do I need an Athame to call the quarters? Nope, a hand works well here. In other word, resist the urge to go on a spending spree.

Let’s deal with reality. In my opinion, the most important “Witch Ware” one needs is a “Book of Shadows.” This can be anything from a hand made, leather covered book to a ten cent spiral bound book. The main purpose of the BOS is for your notes, visions, etc.

Candles: Gold for the Lord, Silver for the Lady and holders for each. When using candles make sure to keep them in safe holders. We do not want to reenact the Burning Times.

Compass: Borrow one! This is a one time shot to help align your circle to the 4 cardinal points; North, South, East and West. It can get a little embarrassing when you are calling “Fire of the South” and are facing west. Once you know your cardinal points, return the compass; Cost FREE.

Censer: A safe place to burn your incense. Decide if you will be using stick or cone incense and get the appropriate holder. A simple time is good for the cone while a small pot filled with sand is good for stick incense.

Pentagram: This item will be used on the altar as an amulet for protection.

Wand: Made of wood to help direct energies.

This list can go on for many pages, but at this time I believe you get the idea as how it can grow. OK, so you have some coins in your pocket and are ready to part with them. Where do you go to get the items you want.

Most people will run off to the local metaphysical shop. Yes the Aura of magic is here, but lets face it, this is a business and the goal is to make money. So where do you go?

First of, when you purchase your magical equipment, it should call to you. You just don’t go out and buy one of these, two of those and one of them. With that in mind, where do I shop? If you can, make most of what you need. By making your equipment you put your energies into them. How difficult is it to carve a pentagram out of wood?

OK, so you’re craft challenged, a good source of Magical items are Flea Markets and garage sales. There are also the “After Holiday” sales. Imagine the material you can get after Halloween or Christmas. I purchased 3″ pentagrams for my coven for less than $1.00 each at an after Christmas sale. Just because an item is not labeled “Made in Trollhatten by Trolls” does not make it bad.

I hope you get the point I am making, a home made broom is as good as a Nimbus 2000 (Harry Potter) I hope I don’t discourage too many of you now, but we do not actually use the broom to fly. A broom is, even in the craft, used for cleaning. Strange concept. What is cleansed may not necessarily be dust bunnies, but cleaning it is. The broom, like the Athame, want or hand can also be used to direct energies.

Remember this:

Don’t go crazy buying Magical “STUFF.”

If it doesn’t call you – don’t buy it. Do not get talked into buying “STUFF.”

Keep magickal “STUFF” separate from you mundane “STUFF.”

Try to make it before you buy it.

The Perfect Athame

The Perfect Athame

Author:   The Redneck Pagan 

As some of you may recall, I have recently decided to go back to the basics of my knowledge and experience and begin a process of going deeper. And for those of you who are scratching their heads and wondering if I spent too much time with the glue cap off, here is an excerpt from an earlier blog post to explain:

“I am beginning to realize how little I actually know (…) I mean I have read probably over a hundred books, but rarely stopped to really read them. I would do one or two exercises and then go to the next. I skimmed over the material without properly allowing myself the time and effort to go deeper.

With that little epiphany in mind, I do believe it is time for me to go back to the basics! (…) I am finding myself digging out those 101 books that have been collecting dust, and have started re-reading them. My next goal is to start doing the exercises, and really documenting my results. Not just the half fast skimming I did before, but really seeking the experiences and knowledge. How successful I will be, I don’t yet know. We shall find out how much determination, discipline and dedication I have. “

So with that primer in hand, forwards we go!

In reviewing the basis, I have discovered something of note… the stuff that used to make my heart race with excitement, the books I spent hours reading (and much time and money locating and acquiring) … are getting rather boring! This has been a far more difficult task than I initially gave it credit for. Now before the fingers start wagging and people start saying, “you said you were going deeper”, I have been doing the work (my mother would be shocked at how well I have been doing my “homework”) . I have diligently gone through all of the exercises in the first third of one of my basic books, which is a primer on craft history and some basic jargon … very important stuff for anybody with an interest in Witchcraft and Paganism. However, after I read Doreen Valiente’s “The Rebirth of Witchcraft”, reading about craft history from a Lady who was present for much of it, well… the 101 stuff is boring.

I decided to review some material on the different tools in the 101 books as, being nine years away from my first introduction, I felt it was important to review and check up on newest teachings and theories.

I stumbled across the usual descriptions: the Athame is a black handled, double edge knife used by Witches to direct energy. Witches typically use it to charge items, cast their circle, and cut astral cords. It is never used to cut anything on the physical plane, and some argue that it looses its power if it ever draws blood. I then read about how it is supposed to be made. Made? Uh-oh!
According one author, a witch should always try to make his/her own Athame! I give this author full credit, he goes into great detail on how one should go about it. He explains the equipment needed, ways to get it done, the proper metals to use, wood in the fire, symbols you can carve onto the blade or the handle and even how to consecrate it. And I have to agree with his reasoning: when a witch takes the time, effort and intention on the creation of the Athame it becomes part of him/her. It becomes part of their power. I can see that and understand that. I just have a problem… I am not what you would call “handy”!

When I was younger and living with my parents, we bought a bunch of IKEA furniture for the house. My mother and I shopped and brought it home, and then my father and I put it together. The reason my father and I had to put it together is because my mother and brother refused to work with us. My dad is a brilliant man, he’s been a teacher for over 30 years now, he has helped revamp parts of the elementary school curriculum and I hate playing Trivial Pursuit with the man because I always get my assets handed to me! But for the love of the Gods… DO NOT give that man a hammer. (When I first brought my husband home to meet my father, he was a little hesitant. My husband proceeded to fix his sink trap and tap and realign some closets on their track. My father turned to me and said, “I love him; keep him!”) I have inherited some of my father’s difficulty with tools.

I can recall one day when my husband and I had first moved in together. He was watching a documentary on TV and I was in the bedroom hanging pictures. There was a picture I wanted hung up that was out of my reach. He said he would come hang it up at the next commercial break. I, being the soul of patience, decided to take matters into my own hands. I stacked some towels on the edge of the bed and standing with one foot on the towels and one braced against the wall I prepared to hammer the nail. Well, the hammer was on the floor (and my perch felt a bit precarious) , so I grabbed the closest thing I had, a high-heeled shoe. As I was about to hammer the nail in, I heard “What the hell are you doing! ` My husband lifted me off my perch (he is six-foot-three-inches and I am five-feet-two-inches) He lifted me under the one arm like a rag doll (an amusing sight for the dogs, I’m sure) and took care of the picture for me.

So having said that.. I really don’t think having me playing with a forge and blacksmithing materials is the best idea. The life I save could be my own, and I think the fire department is busy enough without having to come out and rescue me. So what should I do? Well, another option mentioned is ‘receiving one as a gift from another magical person’… I live in Central Alberta, not exactly the place you will find a lot of practicing Pagans. I was very much a solitary practitioner. Receiving one as a gift would have been ideal… but not exactly practical.

Being eager to begin my practice (and being too new to fully understand where the power lay) , I began to scour the city for the Perfect Athame. Dollar stores, Wal-Mart, Zellers and secondhand stores became my playground. I bought several different types of knives (ranging in price from 50 cents to five bucks) . Nothing seemed to be working and I was getting very discouraged. I was too new to truly understand the idea of ‘magic within’ and was worried that if I was unable to find a real and proper Athame that I would never be a proper witch (silly sounding now, but a huge fear at the time) .

I settled on using one of the knives I had picked up at Wal-Mart; it had the best feel in the handle and wasn’t very sharp. I was having decent success with the knife, but it never felt right. My subconscious was not satisfied with the toy I was using! (This was, of course, nine years ago, before the Internet had really blossomed; sites like eBay were in their infancy and specialty websites were few and far between.) I tried to find Athames online but the only ones I found were well out of a college student’s budget.

One day, I was digging through some of my old treasure boxes (you know, the boxes you keep under your bed, filled with what other people might call ‘junk’) . While digging through the box I came across a knife. This particular type of knife is known as a Sgian Dubh (pronounced Skin-Doo) . They are a type of Scottish small knife kept next to the calf in the socks. I received it years ago from Grandfather. He had bought it when he was visiting his brother in Dublin and at the time he gave it to me, I was playing in a pipe band and was a Highland Dancer.

I wore it for two years in the pipe band and another year and a half as a Highland Dancer. I took it anytime I did a performance of a Sword Dance or Highland Fling for an additional two years after that, and then when I no longer danced, I put it away and had not thought of it for years. When I picked it up again I felt like it almost sang in my hand! I began to toy with the notion of using it as my Athame.

It had many positive characteristics. It was double-edged but was blunted so as not to hurt me. It was in a sheath, so I could put it in a bag and take it with me to outdoor rituals if I wanted. The handle was black and was made of a solid molded plastic. It was a gift from my Irish Grandfather (incidentally my path is most closely related to Irish Reconstructionalism and it was my Irish roots and the mythology of my people that first got me interested in paganism) . It came from my family’s homeland and so had a connection to the land of my ancestors. And I had worn it during high-energy activities that I loved!

I gave it a try for the first time at a Sabbat. It just seemed to click. It felt perfect in my hand. I felt powerful with it, mysterious and magical. In recent years, I have seen some beautiful Athames, many of which have been “properly made” and most at a very reasonable price. But I have never had a desire to get a new one. I have my Perfect Athame.

Yours Humbly

The Redneck Pagan

The Boline

The Boline

The boline is the tool used for cutting things in the physical realm. It usually has a white handle, a blade curved inward, and it’s very sharp, and usually very expensive. It’s used for cutting wands, carving words in them as well as candles, but mostly herbs and branches for wands. In my opinion, as a city Witch, this tool is not really necessary, and just a waste of money (which is why you don’t see a picture of it). You can carve with the tip of an athame, and cut or carve, with magickally charged heavy duty scissors (like the one’s above). But for Witch’s with giant herb gardens and lot’s of trees, the boline may call to you much more than a city Witch.

Old WOTC Yuku Site

The Witches Magick for November 1 – Witchcraft Spell

sam7

Witchcraft Spell

To bless magickal work

Items You Will Need:

White candle

Book of Shadows

Athame or other magickal tools

Book of Spells

This is a great spell to cast on either the Full Moon or Samhain. It can be used by both Solitaries and Coven Witches. If you are working a particularly important piece of magick, you can say this blessing first. This is a good spell to ask your familiar to help out with if you have one. Just their presence in your circle will give your magick a boost.

Great Diana (or Hecate), Queen of Witches

Look down on me, your child

As I walk the Path of the Ancient Ones.

Bless these tools, that I might use them well

Bless these spells, that they may work as I desire

Bless my heart and mind

That I might practice in perfect love and perfect trust

Shine your light on all my magickal workings

For the good of all

And according to the free will of all

So Mote It Be.

 

Let's Talk Witch – The Magick Within You

Let’s Talk Witch

The Magick Within You

In order to use your magic you must be able to meditate and concentrate. You must be able to visualize the magic; see what you want to have happen, happen in your mind. With your concentration, you will be able build a huge amount of energy that you can use for your magic.

Once there is enough energy build up, direct it to the place you want it to go. History says that Wiccans used to make use of “athame” a special ritual knife for directing their magic. If you don’t have an athame, you can use your finger. Remember, the magic is in you, not the tools that you use.

Also keep in mind, never use magic to hurt people, though you could be kidding about turning them into frogs (you wish you could!), but the psychology of the person you teased can really be disturbed. Hence use your finger for the good of people, never point at someone even if you’ve got something uncommon going on.

The change that magic can bring about is not something a person can easily understand. You have so much power within you and with that power you can do so much. Some of us decide to unleash our powers while others, because of lack of proper advice, because of rumours stay back and watch their lives go on without any change…

As a Wiccan, you must follow ethical codes. You should only use your magic for betterment and never to hurt. You must remember this always. The power of magic is so immense, so great that if you master it, people will feel it. Whether they’re close to you or not, they will feel you and your powers.

Try doing this, if you throw a stone in the water, you will see ripples moving away from the centre of where you threw the stone. Now the stone is your magic, you are the centre and the ripples are your energy and power. Imagine your energy moving away from you and as they move out, the affect everything that the come across. You have it in you to change the lives of people.

You do create the magic and restore the health and happiness of people you care for or those who seek you to help them. Like in Spiderman, I’d like to quote that “with great power, comes great responsibility”; the responsibility to adhere to your ethics, towards mankind, animals, the Earth and yourself.

Energy Healing, Herbal Magic & Protection Charms – A Wiccan Practical Guide (The Practical Wicca series) Audrin, Alice F.

To Stop Harm From Coming

To Stop Harm From Coming

You need 1 brown or maroon candle
2 blue candles
2 white candles
1 black candle
athame (or other ritual knife)
sage for smudging (optional)
Your brown or maroon candle should be towards the back of the altar, but close to the middle. your black candle should be immediately in front of it (in the center of the altar), your blue candles on the sides of the black candle (one on each side next to it, but about 3 to 6 inches spread apart), and your white candles should be directly in front of your blue candles (also about 3 to 6 inches in front of them). So you have your basic star pattern.

Cast your circle. Light the candles

Now you have cast the circle, place the blade of your athame into the fire of the black candle and chant:

“Hail to the gods and the goddesses of the earth, Please help stop physical harm from coming to (name).

I Thank thee.”

Do this to the black, then the maroon or brown, then the left blue, left white, right white, then right blue. THEN, hold your athame straight up and say it again. As if you were pointing at the sky.

Now, do the whole chant again just like before, but replace “physical with emotional,then with mental, and so on…Then point your tool in front of you, say “blessed be”, point to the left, behind you (turn around), and to the right, then point it up.
You are done

 

Witches Spell for July 19 – Poppet Prosperity Spell & Ritual

PROSPERITY SPELL AND THE RITUAL

Do this spell when the Moon is out and shining brightly.

Items you will need:

–poppet made out of green cloth, leave the head open

–chamomile for money

–rosemary for luck

–basil for success needle and thread

–Directional elementals (earth, incense for air, fire, water)

 

Altar Devotion, Casting the Circle

As you walk around the circle three times, imagine a green, soothing mist trailing

from your fingers, enveloping you and enclosing your magic circle.

“I conjure the magic circle I am safe within the Goddess’ womb  A sacred place, a world apart  Where enchantment births and magic starts With Air and Fire, Water and Earth  I circle round the Mother’s girth This circle is sealed”

Drawing Down the Moon

Stand holding your athame, legs slightly apart, arms at your side. Breathe deeply.

Raise the athame to your lips, holding it with both hands, and then point it toward  the moon. Feel the energy of the moon move through the athame, down your arms  and into your whole being.

Invocation to the Goddess

“Wondrous Lady of the Moon Mistress of all magic and protectress of all Wicca 

Life-giving mother I greet you at the waxing of the moon’s power I invite you to 

attend my Full Moon rite”

Invocation to the God

“Radiant King of the Heavens Master of beasts wild and free Horned stag I greet 

you at the waxing of the moon’s power I invite you to attend my Full Moon rite” 

Meditation and Chant to the Goddess

Sit with your spine straight, legs crossed, hands in your lap. Close your eyes and  visualize the Goddess, however she appears to you. Feel her arms around you in  a protective embrace. When you have the vision firmly planted, begin chanting softly:

“Starry Goddess, Full of Light I honor you this Full Moon Night”

Repeat, feeling your energy grow. This energy will be used during the following spellworking. Spellworking Cleanse and consecrate poppet for workings of magic.

Stuff it with the herbs.  Sew the opening closed.

“Goddess of Opportunity Bring good things in life to me I’ll be alert to all you. Goddess be my helpful friend”

Repeat 3 times, envisioning the opportunities you wish to come to you.

Reverse Lunar Draw

Raise the athame to the moon, then bring it to your lips and back down to your side,

releasing the energy you built during the Drawing. Thank the Goddess and God. Release the Circle. Walk back around the circle, pulling the mist back into your hands. Place the poppet in your closet, your car, your handbag or somewhere else close to you.  You can re-work this spell at the next full moon if you feel it’s necessary.

Good things will soon come.

“SOUL MATE” – Love Spell

“SOUL MATE” – Love Spell

This ritual is intended to draw a partner who is best suited to you at this time in your life, or
one who is “meant” for you. It is supposedly “fail-safe”, but remember, you must take
responsibility for any results and consequences.

Items You Will Need

a clear mind and focused goal

special paper such as hemp

cotton

real parchment

whatever you deem special a ritual writing instrument (the pen is mightier than the Athame) such as quill, fountain pen, favorite ball-point, etc. In whatever  desired.

Moon incense

Charcoal or a small ritual fire

Timing: any time, preferably after dark during the waxing moon.
The timing is more flexible with this working for many reasons; the nature of the work,
and the full moon energy contained in the moon incense which is an incense of Increase or drawing.

Reinforce your personal circle/aura and prepare for workings in your
usual manner. Using the ritual pen and special paper, write words of power that will call the
most perfect partner to you at this time. Do not include specific names, and avoid thinking of
a specific person. If you can’t find quite the right words, use the following:

“If there be a perfect match,
this work tonight will surely catch.
the perfect one who is meant to be,
shall find his/her way home to me.
In perfect love and perfect trust,
I send this out, but not from lust,
This spell will guide us to unite,
free will remains with us tonight.”

When you are finished, read over what you wrote and confirm that everything you want to
say is included. When you are certain it is as you wish, spend some time meditating on your
goal while you light your ritual fire or the charcoal. When you get “that feeling” (the one when
you know everything is right, your will is focused, you know it is certain, you know the feeling…) prepare to  the physical aspect of the ritual. When the fire has become coals, or the
charcoal is glowing happily, read aloud your writing, repeating it 3X. As you read, or as you
come to the end of each repetition, sprinkle a small handful (about a Tablespoon) of the incense
on the fire. You will want to be practiced at this for the best effect as well as safety, so make up
a full recipe of it and accustom yourself to its nature prior to the rite.

Fold the paper and keep it near you for three days. Keep it under your pillow, mattress, or pinned
to your night clothes (if you aren’t sky/star clad) while you sleep. After three days, light another
ritual fire, repeat the C.O.P., reading and incense procedure and this time, burn the paper when
you are done. OR you can keep the paper in a special spell box if you use this method. Many Witches have special containers to keep finished workings in. These are usually decorative
and personalized with engravings or painting on them that echo their contents. For example, a heart shaped heartwood box with runes and magical symbols of love on it for this spell. Usually only similar spells are kept together, or each spell is kept in its own box.

Arouse Passion Spell

Arouse Passion Spell

 

Items You Will Need:

Rose Petals

Two Red Candles

Black Passion Incense

Athame

The Spell:

Take all of your ingredients and go to a place where you will not be disturbed. Scatter the rose petals around you in a circle or cast it using your Athame to draw energy around you. Say the following:

“I have cast the circle of protection. None may enter that would do me harm. I now invoke the powers of Hecate.”

Feel Hecate’s energies enveloping you. Meditate on this for a few moments and say:

“I am with the Universe now. As I say it, so mote it be!”

Raise the energy around you. Place the candles in the center of the circle and light one. Feel your lust for this person as you see it entering the candle. Say the person’s name, then the following:

“My desire is now cast.
I, ___________, place a spell of lust over ____________.
He/she will have thoughts and dreams of only me
Lust, passion and desire for me,
As I say it,
So Mote It Be.”

Light the other candle, and say:

“I light this candle for protection,
With harm to none,
No harm to me
As I say it
So Mote It Be.”

Dismiss the energies that have helped you, close the circle and you are done.

A Little Humor For Your Day – Learning your ABC’s for Witches and Pagans

Learning your ABC’s for Witches and Pagans

To learn your letters you must start With a clever mind and a willing heart Each one is special, just like you And you will learn them all by the time we are through!

  • A is Athame, the knife that we use
  • B is for Beltaine, when partners we choose
  • C is for Circle where we all are one.
  • D is for Deosil, path of the Sun.
  • E is for Esbat, when we gather round
  • F is for Fire and its crackling sound
  • G is the Goddess in beauty and love.
  • H is the Horned One, our Father above.
  • I is for Imbolg, candles light the way,
  • J is for June when it’s Midsummer’s Day
  • K is for Karma, the things that we do
  • L is for Lammas, harvest’s almost through!
  • M is for Moon, riding way up so high,
  • N is for Nighttime, which darkens the sky
  • O is for Ostara, when we hunt for eggs,
  • P is for Pan, with hairy goat legs
  • Q is the Quarters and there are just four,
  • R for the Rites when we open the Door
  • S is for Samhain, end of the year,
  • T is for Tarot cards, futures to hear
  • U is Undines from the watery West
  • V is Vervain for protection and rest
  • W’s Widdershins, the path of the moon.
  • X is the sign that’s the sign of the God
  • Y is for Yule and the sun’s return
  • Z is the Zodiac, 12 signs to learn

 

To learn them all you will have to try

And now it is time to say goodbye

Merry have we met, and

Merry have we been

Merry shall we part and

Merry meet again!

A Little Humor for Your Day – Safe Witch Kit

Safe Witch Kit

Want to be a Witch, yet don’t want dangerous items in your home? We’ve assembled this comprehensive kit to meet the beginning Witch’s needs, without compromising safety.

Includes:

1 Rubber Athame. Painted black handle, silver blade. Very flexible. You can swing this about in Circle with no fears about hurting anyone!

Exclusive! The incredible Collapse-a-Wand! Hand-wrought of authentic wood-grained expanded foam, with a special adhesive patch for attaching the Power Stone of your choice (see below).

2 Battery-operated Candles (1 black, 1 white). No more concerns about flowing gowns catching fire.

1 package Glade Stick-ems. Fresh, floral scent, without the concerns of burning incense. No messy ash to clean up!

1 shaker Mrs. Dash. Get all the flavor and zip of salt, without the sodium!

1 Quality Fold-a-Cauldron. Easy-to-assemble, genuine simulated cast iron corrugated material. Complete instructions.

1 Fabric Rainbow Disk. No sharp corners to be concerned about. The perfect centerpiece for your own Altar. No worries of offending anyone, as could happen with those misunderstood pentagrams.

3 Assorted colors soft vinyl “Power Stones.” Focus the energy of crystals. Perfect for attaching to your Collapse-a-Wand!(Choking hazard. Not recommended for children under 3 years of age)

1 Booklet, “How to Be One with the White Light, Because There Is No Dark Side, Luke” subtitled: “The Absolutely, Completely Comprehensive Guide to Everything Possible that a Witch Needs to Know to cast Any Spell at All”

BONUS! Order now, and we’ll send you our exclusive Fill In The Blanks Book of Light! All the spells you’ll ever need, and YOU fill in the names and dates! Quality softcover binding.

All packaged attractively in a lovely carry-case, which unfolds to become your altar cloth.

Rush out and get yours today!

— by René Friberg, aka RaeVynn Sands

The Witches Spell for January 6th – Ritual for Growth, Healing, and Renewal

Gypsy Comments & Graphics


Ritual for Growth, Healing, and Renewal

 

Tools

  • Black candle
  • White candle
  • Athame
  • Goblet filled with water

Note: this is best performed skyclad, but the same effect can be obtained while fully clothed.

Diety

Ereshkigal, Assyro-Babylonian goddess of the Underworld, known for the ability to shed dead skin to grow and the deep power of renewal.

Setup

Facing north, place the black candle on the altar at south, the white candle at north, and the goblet in the middle.

Cast the Circle

Invocation

Light the black candle.

“Oh, great goddess Ereshkigal, join me in this sacred place. Help me to grow and leave behind the petty ways of the world. Assist me in healing the scars that I have been inflicted with through other’s cruelty. Teach me to respond with love and kindness.”

Passing your athame three times through the fire of the black candle, say:

“Great goddess of the Underworld, as this black candle burns, help me to also burn away the blackness in myself.”

Feel and envision yourself burning away the blackness that you carry with you. Blow out the candle.

Take a drink of water from the goblet. Say:

“With this drink of purity, help me to flush away the cinders left by the burning, so that I may be completely free from maliciousness.”

Take a drop of water from the goblet and place it on the wick of the black candle.

Light the White candle.

Reflect on the purity of the color and the healing power of the light. Say:

“Ereshkigal, assist me in this time of renewal. Help me to heal from the scars that the world has left on me and to rejuvenate myself. Through this renewal, I will be better able to act with compassion and patience towards those that seek to hurt me.”

Take time to reflect on this renewal proccess. Feel every part of your body become stronger, healthier, and more pure. Say:

“Oh, Great goddess Ereshkigal, help me to carry this growth and renewal with me in daily life.”

Extinguish the white candle.

Open the Circle

Reference:

Ritual written by Amy D. Guthrie

The Pagan Library

Laugh Of The Day: How To Know if Someone is New To Magick When they

You Know Someone Is New To Magick and Paganism When They Think That…

 

An ATHAME is the gas you use for your grill.

A CENSOR is a drink you mix with alcohol.

ASTRAL PROJECTION is a home-made movie viewer.

A SYMPATHITIC LINK is when you feel sorry because your chain broke.

WICCA is that part of the candle that burns.

APHRODITE is a prehistoric bird.

ARCHETYPES is a kind of building structure.

BLESSED BE is the god of insects.

A BOOK OF SHADOWS contains silhouettes of friends or family members.

A BRAZIER is support wear for women.

CASTING is done with a fishing line, or on a set in Hollywood.

CHARGING is done with a credit card or battery.

The only way to get into a CIRCLE is to have the right of way.

Crystal CLEANSING is done with window cleaner.

CYCLES have to do with your washing machine and when to add fabric softener.

DEMETER is where you put your quarter when you park downtown.

A DOLMAN is a new brand of banana.

HANDFASTING is eating without utensils.

LEY LINES happen at the airport in Hawaii.

PAN is something you fry food in.

A QUARTER is 25 cents and still buys a cup of coffee. (Note: This person is not only new to magick, but they also haven’t been out in a while!)

SKYCLAD is a shade of blue clothing.

A TRAD is a type of geometrical figure.

WHEEL OF THE YEAR is the game show with Vanna White.

Spirit Guide Contact Spell

Spirit Guide Contact Spell

 

You will need:

Altar Candle
Black Candle
3 Purple Votive Candles
3 White Votive Candles
Athame
Crystal Ball or Scrying Dish
Incence: Anise, Cardomon or Coriander
Censer
Oil: Jasmine, Lemon, Rose, Sandalwood
Bathing Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Myrrh and Sandalwood

Mix together a sachet of the bathing herbs, or alternatively blend an oil – these should be added to the water you run for a ritual bath.

Once you are immersed in the water breathe deeply, visualise a ball of protective light around you. Meditate on the reasons for contact, visualise the steps you will take and what you wish to say to your spirit guide.

Cast a circle if that is your tradition.

Light the incense.
With the oil, dress the Altar Candle and the Black Candle while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Light your Altar candle and your Day candle and state your intent:

“I am here to make contact with my Spirit Guide, and to acknowledge him or her”

With your Athame, inscribe Violet Candle #1 with the word “Spirit”. Dress it with oil.
Light the Violet candle #1, direct your energies into it, and say:

“Here do I light the first Lamp of Spirit. May its light reach out across the barriers from
this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Spirit into which we will eventually enter.”

Take your censer or incense wand and swing in around censing the whole area
around the altar, while rhythmically repeating the word “Merge” and building up
energy to focus.

Replace the censer and pick up Violet candle #2. Inscribe it with the word
“Spirit” and dress it with the oil. Put it back on the altar, light it, direct
your energy into it, and say:

“Here do I light the second Lamp of Spirit. May it’s light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Spirit and help spread the light, illuminating the passageway between our worlds.”

Again, take the censer or incense wand and cense the entire area around the
altar while chanting the word “Merge” Build up your energy to focus.

Take violet candle #3, inscribe with the word “Spirit”, dress with oil, charge
with your energy, light it and say:

“Here do I light the third Lamp of Spirit.
May its light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May the light
from these three lamps blend and grow, dispelling all darkness and lighting the
way that my Spirit Guide may come to me and speak with me here today.”

Inscribe the 3 white candles with the word “Truth” and anoint each candle with
oil. Light the 3 white candles in order of 1, 2, 3, and say:

“Here do I build Truth. As these candles burn throughout this ritual, their power
generates nothing but truth in all that transpires between this world and the next.
Through these candles there is truth in all communications that come to me”.

Again, cense the entire altar area while chanting the word “Merge”.

Replace the censer and continue chanting. Sit comfortably while chanting, and
gaze into the crystal ball, or the scrying bowl. Continue chanting until
you feel it is right to let the chant taper off.

Continue to quietly look into the crystal ball or bowl, not trying to picture
anything. Keep your mind blank, so whatever comes will appear will come in its
own free will.

Gaze into the centre of the crystal, there is no need to try not to blink. Look
into the crystal and blink naturally. Try not to notice anything in your
peripheral vision, just the centre of the crystal.

Eventually a face or figure will appear. This may take a long time, or it may
appear almost immediately. If it doesn’t come at all within approximately 20
minutes, abandon this attempt, extinguish the candles in the order in which they were
lit, leave the altar set up, and try this ritual again in three days. You should
have results within a month at most.

When a figure does appear, ask if he/she is your Spirit Guide. You will hear an
answer. You may not hear it out loud, or even see the figures lips move, but you
will be aware of the answer. This is how most of your conversation will proceed. You
will ask your questions mentally (or out loud) and the answers will be clear
inside your mind.

Ask if you have more than one spirit guide. If yes, ask them to appear also.
You may ask anything you wish to know, but it is suggested to establish a
connection first where your Spirit Guide may appear to you at any time, or at
specific times, so that you can converse with other spirits through him/her.

When you have finished speaking with your Guide, thank him/her, then sit for a
moment with your eyes closed, meditating on all that you have learned.
Extinguish the candles in reverse order to clear the circle.

A Little Humor – Learning your ABC’s for Witches and Pagans

Learning your ABC’s for Witches and Pagans

To learn your letters you must start With a clever mind and a willing heart Each one is special, just like you And you will learn them all by the time we are through!

  • A is Athame, the knife that we use
  • B is for Beltane, when partners we choose
  • C is for Circle where we all are one.
  • D is for Deosil, path of the Sun.
  • E is for Esbat, when we gather round
  • F is for Fire and its crackling sound
  • G is the Goddess in beauty and love.
  • H is the Horned One, our Father above.
  • I is for Imbolg, candles light the way,
  • J is for June when it’s Midsummer’s Day
  • K is for Karma, the things that we do
  • L is for Lammas, harvest’s almost through!
  • M is for Moon, riding way up so high,
  • N is for Nighttime, which darkens the sky
  • O is for Ostara, when we hunt for eggs,
  • P is for Pan, with hairy goat legs
  • Q is the Quarters and there are just four,
  • R for the Rites when we open the Door
  • S is for Samhain, end of the year,
  • T is for Tarot cards, futures to hear
  • U is Undines from the watery West
  • V is Vervain for protection and rest
  • W’s Widdershins, the path of the moon.
  • X is the sign that’s the sign of the God
  • Y is for Yule and the sun’s return
  • Z is the Zodiac, 12 signs to learn

To learn them all you will have to try And now it is time to say goodbye Merry have we met, and Merry have we been Merry shall we part and Merry meet again!

Magickal Herbal Use: Lesson 4 – Enchanting Herbs

Lesson Four: Enchanting Herbs

by Leillan

I have saved this section for last on purpose. I wanted you to get a feel for what was offered before we talked about enchantment.

Enchanting is basically just simple spell casting. In enchanting an herb, you empower that herb with a specific purpose. I know it sounds easy, but remember you are working with things from the earth. The power is there, all you have to learn is how to bring it out. If you are a timing person, time this to the moon, the day of the week, the hour of the day, the time of season, whatever you need do. Remember to visualize as you enchant. Make the purpose as clear as you possibly can, and bring the words straight from your heart and the power from deep within you.

This final lesson of the series will done in ritual format. I will describe the work area, the herbs, and the purpose. Your final test will be to design your own ritual, amulet, bag, incense, or whatever else which to enchant. But you should only use the herbs listed in the previous lessons. You don’t have to actually perform the work. I just want to know what you’d do and how you’d do it. The following is my example to you.

I am making an amulet for a dear friend who needs strength and will to make it through a difficult period. This friend has full knowledge of my art and has asked for help. I have thought about it and decided the way in which I can help most.

On my altar, I have placed two black candles. I use black because it’s my personal favorite color for certain types of work. Between the candles,  I have my mortar and pestle; in front of them,  I have my athame. My wooden bowl is to the right and filled with sand and a charcoal block. I’ll be using  sandalwood incense, as I need strength and power right now, as well. To my left I have placed jars containing Dragons blood, sage, sea salt, rose petals, and a piece of walnut (did I fail to mention that walnut strengthens the heart?). The only other item on my altar is my pentagram, which is a personal cue I’m using to assist me in visualization,  and a small locket into which the blend will be placed. A red candle stands off to one side, ready for use if I need it.

I light the black candles and concentrate on seeing this friend happy and her problems solved. I pick up the sea salt and measure out a little with the tip of my athame. As I pour it into the mortar, I say “Salt purifies and cleanses. Your purpose this night is to purify the herbs I use here, and make them pure in intent.”  While saying this, I visualize the salt purifying the herbs.

Next, I pick up a rose petal and crumble it into the salt, saying: “I charge thee with the task of bringing intuition to ______. She finds herself in a situation where your power is desperately needed.”  I then mix the salt and rose together with my athame.

I measure out a portion of sage with my athame and drop it into the blend, saying, “I charge you and bid you to lend wisdom of decision to ________. She needs this wisdom to overcome what has been wrought.”  Stir the sage into the mixture.

Next, I pick up the piece of walnut and say, “I empower thee to lend strength of heart in this difficult time. Through your strength, may her heart be lightened and her will be strengthened.” I then measure out a tiny amount of powdered Dragons blood, saying, “Within thee is the power to intensify each herb I’ve used. You will be the power of change.”

Mixing all together I say, “Within each separate herb lies the power to reach the end; each has its own purpose. May purposes united make true the end, for blended together, the whole is met. For a year and a day, may you be charged to lend thy power where it is needed. An’ it harm none, Thy will be done. So Mote it Be!

I pick up the mixture, bit by bit on the tip of my athame, and place enough in the locket to fill it. I then light the red candle and say, “Red is color of power and strength” while dropping a little wax on the herbs inside the locket to seal and bind the blend together. I then close the locket, hold it in both hands, and concentrate on the person and the purpose with a light and loving heart. When I feel the enchantment is done,  I give thanks to the Goddess, put out the candles, and ground the leftover herb and incense. I clean my tools and wrap the newly made amulet in a cloth until I can give it to my friend.

Dedication of Altar and Athame

Dedication of Altar and Athame

Durwydd MacTara

Altar

    This Altar in the circle’s center, A focal point that only good may enter
    Erected to God and Goddess in strength, Circular, it has neither breadth nor length
    Focal point in A Circle of Power, A mighty lens for every Tower!
    Sacred to Lord, Maiden, Lady and Crone, The foundation of many a powerful Cone
    Resting Place of Magick and its implements, Let veneration and Love be our only sentiments!
    A tool of will, powerful and free, As it is willed, So Mote it Be!

Athame

    Mighty Deities, Gracious Lady and Mighty Lord, As I perform this ritual, Pray hearken to my wordThis tool, conceived in Mind of Air, (

point east

    ) Forged and formed in Fire of the South, (

point south

    ) Power tool for those who dare, I CLAIM thee with my mouth! (

kiss blade)

    Tempered with Water for Strength, (

point west

    ) Also dedicated to the Earth,in Power. (

point north

    ) Blessed be, entire in length, (

kiss pommel

    ) As it partakes of every Tower!By the Power of Cosmos, As above, (

point up

    ) The Expression of Cosmos, is below. (

point down

    ) Upon this instrument of Will and Love, My Sacred Tie I bestow! (

1 drop of blood on each side and hilt)

    This tool is dedicated to my service of Lady and Lord, Please find this work beneficial and good. Bound to thee by homage, decimation, effort and word, Bound to me by words, will and blood. By the powers of earth, sky, star and sea; Such is my will, So mote it be!