Tag: Religion Spirituality

Finding My Way To Wicca

Finding My Way To Wicca

Author: Elle Sea

Like most kids, I grew up Christian. Even as a child, religion was a big part of my life. I went to church on Sundays and went to an additional church group (Awanas) each Thursday night after dance class. I knew that all the “bad guys” went to Hell and that the “good guys” went to Heaven to live with God and His angels. I wanted to study the bible and be a good girl, so I could go live with God and the angels too.

I became the model student in Awana. I always remembered verses from the bible that no one else could remember. The preacher was very kind to me and he was like a father to me, in a way (I never knew and still don’t know my father, so it was a big deal to me) . He told me all about Heaven and that I was going to go live with the angels and God too. He said that all Christians would be saved, that God loved them and he would forgive all their sins. But, he never said one word about anyone in the other religions. At the time, this didn’t trouble me. He is a good man, and I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by not talking about the other religions. The point is that I didn’t think of them either. Some part of me, deep inside, didn’t care, because my family would all be going to Heaven, as they are mostly Christian (I don’t know any that aren’t, excluding myself and my mother) .

I, of course, believed every word he said. A relative worked in Awanas too, because he lived near the church. I loved talking to him. I also loved being able to go and see kids my age. They were all nice and we would hang out and mess around before we had to go in church and study. We became close friends.

Eventually, I started to lose faith in what the preacher said. I no longer craved his approval, as I had when I was young. Although I didn’t realize it the time, I stopped believing in God and worrying about going to Hell.

Then, one night, my mother gave me an article about Wicca. I’ve always loved learning about religions and mythology. She knew someone that was Pagan and thought I’d think it was cool. She never really meant for me to learn (and, not in the least, to start believing) it. Things about Wicca just simply drew me in. I’d never been so curious in my life, not that I could remember, anyway.

So I began to learn more about Wicca. I was young then, too, but I was at the stage where I went to the computer when I wanted to learn something. I went to a couple websites and became even more intrigued. My mom then bought me a few books about Wicca. I devoured the first one faster than when I’d read Harry Potter, one of my favorites, so this was saying something.

The more I learned of Wicca, the more interested I became. Of course, this was the same with some of the other religions I’ve studied. I want to know as much as possible. But, still, there seemed to be something different. Something that made me want to know everything that I could, and then some more. It didn’t seem strange to me. It still doesn’t, it felt natural to me.

Automatically, I felt a deep connection to the Goddess. Maybe it was just that she was a woman, someone I could relate to. Or maybe it was because that I could more easily picture a mother than a father, as I don’t know what one is like. Whatever it was, I knew that She was special. So one night, I sent a prayer to her.

It wasn’t really a prayer, exactly. I just spoke to her like I would to a normal person. Like I would to my mother, with whom I share a very close relationship. I’d like to say that I felt a spiritual awakening or something, but I didn’t. It wasn’t any different than talking to someone who wasn’t really there. I eventually lost hope that She was even real.

Then, more than a week later, I was pushed to talk to her again. Somewhere, deep inside, I knew She was there. The first time hadn’t been like that. It had been something I wanted to experiment with. This time, I knew that She would listen. I felt it, knew it. From what I learned, I thought the best place would be outside, in nature, surrounded my earth.

So I spoke quietly to her. As time went on, I became more confident that She would listen. It was different than the first time. It was like talking to someone, just to get it off your chest, but still knowing that they sincerely wanted to hear you out, to know what you had to say. That may be a bad way to explain it, but that’s the only way I can think of.

Time flew by and I studied for a year and a day. Then, I did a horrible self-initiation. When I’d thought I’d messed it all up and was about to forget it, I changed my mind. I decided it didn’t matter whether I had a big ceremony or whatever; it was just that I believed in the Goddess and God enough to try. So I finished my ridiculous initiation with some strips of pride still intact.

I think that, more than anything, made me feel better. I have been studying Wicca ever since, and still am. Wicca has helped me feel more in tune with nature. Plus, I feel more confident within myself. I care less about what people think and more about how I feel about myself. Altogether, Wicca did some really good things for me. I know that whatever I do, the Lord and Lady will be there beside me to guide me through it. To me, this is a comforting thought.

Blessed be. ) O (

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – September 2

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – September 2

“I remember Dawson (No Horse) said, ‘Once you say your prayers, don’t worry about them. If you worry about them, they’ll just fade away.'”

–Chuck Ross, LAKOTA

Today I need to remember You are everywhere. I need to remember how much You love me. I need to know, Grandfathers, that You are always listening. Today I need to know how much You care. Today I will remember the advice of the Elders. “Say your prayers and then don’t worry – know that the Great One has heard you.” It’s so much easier to do this, Grandfather, when I feel connected to You.

My Creator, allow me this day to feel your presence. Let me walk the path of life today and talk to You many times. Give me faith, my Grandfather.

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Elder’s Meditation of the Day – September 1

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – September 1

“Everyone has a song. God gives us each a song. That’s how we know who we are. Our song tells us who we are.”

–Charlie Knight, UTE

As we start to walk the Red Road and as we develop ourselves as Warriors, a song will come to us. This song is given to each of us from the Great Spirit. Whenever we sing this song, we will receive courage and strength not only for ourselves but if we sing this song for others, it will also help them. The song will give us power and make us feel really good. The song will make us see life in a sacred way. If you don’t have your song yet, ask the Creator in prayer if He will give you your song. With the song comes a responsibility – the responsibility to act and conduct oneself as a Warrior according to your song.

Oh my Creator, let me live my song. Let my song honor Your way of life. Let me sing my song each day. At the end of today, let my song tell people who I am. I am a beautiful child of the Creator.

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Inner Smile Meditation

Inner Smile Meditation 

Whenever you find yourself in a touch situation, this meditation will give you an instant boost of positive feeling. Imagine that you are looking at your face in a mirror. Watch yourself smile and your eyes light up with joy. Notice how beautiful you look when you smile and appreciate how positive smiling makes you feel. Breathe deeply, bringing that positive feeling to life within you in the present moment.

Circle of Friends Meditation

Circle of Friends Meditation

 

Perform this meditation whenever you are in need of a little extra support. Imagine that you are standing in the middle of a circle of your dearest friends. They are looking at you with shining eyes, golden light pouring out of their hearts toward you. Surrounded by the warmth of their love, you feel safe and supported, held in a nurturing embrace.

Celtic Magick and Its Uses Today

Celtic Magick and Its Uses Today

 

For several decades there has been a growing interest in the old Pagan beliefs. People are seeking a more practical, personal system of belief, some way to be spiritual yet improve their lives. This includes Pagan Religion and magick, which is both practical and spiritual.

The Celtic and/or Druidic systems are generally thought of as being Irish, British and Welsh. In fact, the Celts at one time inhabited much of western Europe. Remains of their civilizations range from southern France and areas of Spain north into lowland Germany, the British Isles and Ireland.

It is not necessary to be of those racial backgrounds to practice Celtic magick. All that is needed is an interest in Celtic mythologies and magick itself, a deep sympathetic feeling for Nature and her powers.

Celtic magickal beliefs are firmly rooted in the Earth herself and in the elemental spirits that are the very essence of all Nature. This includes the four basic Elements which make up Nature: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

The ancient Celts had a vast knowledge of, and respect for the healing and magickal qualities of plants and stones. They knew and used the power flows of the Earth, trees and special outcropping of rock. They called upon the elemental spirits, the “little people” of the Irish, the gnomes and fairies of the British.

But perhaps the strongest belief, almost unique among ancient peoples, was their devotion to the Great Mother, the mother and warrior goddesses. In fact the Celtic peoples, before Roman and Christian intervention, were one of the few races to give their goddesses equal footing with their gods.

This is not to say that other Pagan religions did not honor the Great Mother. But upon close inspection you will find that the male deities of most other pantheons were considered more important, more powerful. The goddesses were allowed their place in worship so long a their followers did not try to usurp the prime position of power which was always held by a male deity.

The goddesses of the Celts did not hold a secondary position in their worship or their legends. This respect bled over into Celtic society. As a result Celtic women were highly respected, having many rights of property, person and status. Priestesses were held in honor. Women were warriors as well as mothers, and had equal rights with men.

Did this harm or weaken the society or lessen the men? According to history, decidedly not. The Celts were one of the fiercest, most spiritually advanced races of the Old World, weakening only when they accepted and bowed to the inroads of Christianity.

The life of a Celt was filled with magick and its uses. Their intertwining artwork on jewelry, clothing, utensils and their houses was a form of magick meant to avert the evil eye and send back curses. They believed that their deities could appear in any place and at any time, that it was the duty of humans to call upon them for aid. They also believed that it was the responsibility of each person to do whatever he or she could to better his or her own life, and that decidedly meant the use of magick both small and large. To accomplish this, a person had to be continually willing to learn and grow.

To practice effective Celtic magick today, you must be willing to learn about and use plant and herb magick. Certain stones must be sought, enticed into your service, and cherished as reservoirs of energy. The powers of the elementals and Elements must be respected, petitioned for help and befriended. You must seek the ancient reservoirs of god-power that were built and fed by Celtic worship and which still exist today.

But most of all, you must suspend all the narrow definitions of reality you have learned. You must rethink what is possible or impossible, realizing that when certain actions are taken, nothing is impossible. The practice of these particular actions is the practice of what is known as magick.

Magick is a suspension of what we see, and a belief in and use of what we cannot see, but know instinctively is there. Celtic magick is simply applying that invisible ingredient in certain ways, using natural or Nature’s powers to improve life.

Magick cannot be tested in a laboratory, dissected and placed under a microscope. Magick lives in the mind of the user, manifesting itself in practical living. Pagan magick is both practical necessity and part of a religious experience. Pagans are people who live very much in reality. Long ago they realized that when you no longer have to struggle for everyday necessities, spitituality can be freely sought and more easily attained. They also know that when you can do for yourself, it is seldom that another person will be able to manipulate or control you against your will.

The time is right for Celtic magick to come back into its own place in the world. More and more people are dissatisfied with what they see as socially accepted religions. They are seeking along old pathways, clouded by disuse and overgrown by falsehoods. But the very search of these people is creating a fresh wind that will scour those ancient tracks. The way will become clear, the old wisdom will once again be found and put into practice. To those who seek, success and growth will come. Success will be visible in the improvement of life itself.

Pagan-thinking people do not tend to be followers of the accepted social norm. They are innovators, thinkers, pursuers of wisdom and spiritual growth. They know that improving you, the person, and your immediate life is as important as perfecting the spiritual you or the soul. A well-balanced personality and a successful life by whatever terms you define success, is the true guidepost along the ancient paths. Striving for these worthy goals and getting there are what really matter, not the opinions of others.

May you find your way down the ancient pathways to the Groves of Wisdom.

Preparing for Celtic Magick

Preparing for Celtic Magick

 
 
Preparation for ritual magick of any kind requires the self-discipline and techniques learned from concentration, focusing visualization and meditation. If you desire to obtain physical manifestation from your efforts, it is essential that you actually do and practice these exercises.
 
Concentration is holding an image or idea in your mind without interruption. It is of great importance during rituals when you must exclude everthing not directly related to what you are doing. No thoughts of the day’s happenings, no extraneous noise, must be allowed to dominate your attention for any length of time. If such things do intrude, they must be immediately dismissed as unimportant at the moment.
 
To strengthen your powers of concentration, you will need to practice two exercises. The first exercise is done with a minimum of supplies. Light a candle and set it on a table before you. Sit comfortably and look at the flame. It is easiest on the eyes to look at the blue around the lower part of the wick instead of bright upper flame. Do not stare; blink your eyes whenever you need to. After a few minutes, close your eyes and look for the flame. You will see it against your closed eyelids. Keep your thoughts on that flame image, and see how long you can maintain the mental picture before your conscious mind begins to intrude.
 
The second exercise is much the same, but uses a picture instead of a candle. Choose a picture that pleases you. Tarot cards are especially good for this. Stand or hang the picture at a comfortable level and look at it for sometime. Close your eyes and see if you can discern a mental image against your eyelids. Hold that image as long as you can.
 
Focusing is important to ritual magick as it is the process of adjusting your “inner eye” or attention on a particular object or goal. You must have a clear idea or picture of what you wish to produce while doing magick. This is very similar to concentration but more refined. An idea is harder to hold in the mental realms than a reflected picture.

It is not necessary to visualize a goal in absolute detail. Too much detail tends to limit the manifestation, especially if you could have had something better. Know what you want, but never restrict yourself. The Gods may be more generous to you than you are to yourself.
 
Focusing and concentrating on performance during ritual will channel your mental powers, thereby clarifying and strengthening the function. The act of casting and consecrating a magickal circle must have focus and concentration if it is to be done properly. If you fail to do this the circle will not provide you with the neutral are in which to perform magick, and most certainly will not give you protection.
 
Again, using the picture or card, this time elicit all associated images. See if you can create movement within the picture.
 
Go through the same exercise with the candle flame, this time changing the size, height and color of the flame. Summon up associated images and follow them through. Some startling ideas have come out of such exercises.
 
Meditation is a great aid to centering yourself, controlling destructive emotions and gaining insight. But it should also bring a greater sense of awareness and increase your ability to visualize. All of these skills are necessary in the practice of magick, especially if you want feasible results.
 
Meditation is really not a complicated exercise, unless you lack self-control. If you do, you need meditation more than ever. Relaxing, smooth music is an excellent background to help mask minor noises and help you relax. Turn off the telephone, hang a “do not disturb” sign on the door, and choose a comfortable chair.
 
Listen to the music while taking a few deep breaths. Relax and let yourself unwind. Next mentally surround yourself with white light for protection. Imagine yourself standing on a wooden bridge over a calm pond. Drop all your problems into the water, and watch it close over them. This is a symbolic release that tells your subconscious mind that you need an answer to solve these troubles. Then visualize yourself walking on across the bridge, leaving everything behind.

To continue the meditation, project yourself into a meadow on the other side of the bridge. A small stream runs through the grass and flowers. Shady trees surround it. Wander through the meadow, soaking up the peacefulness and healing. You may see people or nature spirits. Talk with them if you like.
 
As long as you remain objective and do not push to hear what you want to hear, you can receive very accurate guidance while in meditation. If you strain to hear what you want, you will get only messages from your conscious mind, which does not believe in what you are doing.

When in meditation, you are in an astral state. Therefore, it is always possible that at some time you will meet a being that makes you fearful or uncomfortable. If this should happen, recall the white light and leave.
 
You will be able to escape the meditation any time you choose. Simply become aware of your body and open your eyes. As during ritual, time in meditation is non-existent. Time is a limited idea belonging to the left brain and conscious mind. When working with the right brain and subconscious mind, time has no meaning at all.
 
The symbolism of dropping your problems into the pond is essential. It is never a good idea to go into meditation without doing this, just as it is imprudent not to use the white light. Both are protective measures to eliminate taking negative vibrations into an otherwise productive exercise.
 
Celtic Magic
D. J. Conway

Understanding Celtic Magick

Understanding Celtic Magick

 
To the Celtic peoples, magick was as common as breathing. It was not something set aside for special occasions anymore than was their beautiful twisting artwork. Like their intricate designs that decorated even ordinary utensils, magick was a part of everyday life.
 
The Celts had no difficulty reconciling materialism and spiritual insights because they clearly understood that each is present in the other, that matter is only solidified spirit. Today, we have trouble accepting that magickal law. Our minds have been bombarded by prejudiced opinions until we have become programmed to believe a blend of the material and spiritual is impossible. We have been taught an error: that to be spiritual one cannot be materialistic. In defining materialistic I mean concerned with material well-being, not controlled by material things. By continuing to believe this lie, we place ourselves within a tightly-bound area that prohibits us from manifesting by magick, what we need in our lives.
 
Ritual magick removes this programming sometimes with drastic effect in an unprepared person. The practice of magick will quickly bring out the hidden side of any magician. That is why it is so important for a magician to really, truthfully, know him or herself and exercise self discipline.
 
RItual magick is merely the taking of energy from another plane of existence and weaving that energy, by specific thoughts, words, and practices, into a desired physical form or result in this plane of existence. The whole idea of magick is to contact various energy pools that exists in a dimension other than our own. Magicians do this deliberately because these energies add a vast amount of power to the energy for manifestation. that we hold within ourselves. The prime purpose of ritual is to create a change, and we cannot do that without the combination of these energies. We need the assistance of those energy pools, which can be called gods, deities and elementals.

Everything used during ritual is a symbol of an energy that exists on another plane. Whether or not the magician properly connects with that specific energy and believes he or she can work magick depends upon how well he or she understands its representative symbol which is used on this plane or world. Study of, and meditation on, ritual symbols is an important part of training.
 
In order to bring through the energy of the gods or energy pools, the magician must set up a circuit of communication along which that power can flow. This is done by ritual use of symbols, ritual itself, visualization and meditation. To keep the incoming power from dissipating before being directed toward a particular goal, rituals are performed with a cast and consecrated circle. This provides a neutral energy area which will not siphon off or dissipate the incoming energy.
 
To correctly contact the appropriate energy pool, the magician uses as many symbols as possible that represent a specific deity power. For example, he or she will choose a color, incense, plant, stones, and statue or picture to help his or her visualization.
 
The ability to visualize is extremely important, as the magician must invoke, or call into him or herself, a godform (also called an archetypal energy pool). However, you must realize that you can never invoke the entire power of such an archetypal being into your physical body. Trying to do that would destroy your physical form. That much potent energy simply can never be contained within such a limited mundane structure as the human body. You would not try to use a 440 volt line when a 110 volts is called for. It is rare that total inflow of energy is ever achieved. The gods and magickal laws prohibit this from ordinarily happening.
 
Also be aware that if you consistently call upon one particular deity power to the exclusion of all others, you will eventually begin to manifest characteristics of that energy pool within your personality. If this is done correctly in order to gain positive results, these changes will become an important part of your magickal personality. If not, they can cause changes of a negative kind.


At the end of each ritual, the godform or power is dismissed so that it can manifest the desire formed during the ritual. This enables the magician to gain the manifestation for which the ritual was done and also to be able to function in the physical world again. To continue holding the power after the ritual is completed would make it impossible for you to live a normal life.
 
Ritual magick helps to open the doors to your creative mind and the subconscious. To effectively do magick one must get the creative side of the mind, or right brain, to operate uninhibited by the analytical left brain. This is accomplished by consistent routine of visualization and meditation.
 
The dominant left brain generally maintains control. It is closely connected with the conscious mind and deals totally with what is calls reality or this world. It is the side of the brain that makes us feel guilty and criticizes us for things we do or do not do.
 
The creative right brain pertains entirely to what we call imagination, or other worlds. It is artistic, visualizing. It is the powerful belief formed in this are of the mind that contacts the deity energy pools and creates manifestation.
 
One of the first things a magician must do is reprogram his or her subconscious mind to eliminate all the old messages of failure and dissatisfaction that are recorded there. From infancy we are programmed by everyone around us with words and actions that express displeasure or approval. Unfortunately, this programming continues throughout life. Therefore, it is important to choose friends carefully at all ages so that the ideas of limitations and failures are kept to a minimum. This programming can be changed into positive actions by the use of certain techniques during meditation.
 
The right brain and the subconscious mind perform best when presented with symbols, since symbology is the language of the creative mind. During ritual, the left brain is lulled into a sense of control by the chants, tools, candles and movements; all tangible, logical things. The left brain becomes so involved that it forgets to monitor the right brain. As the same time these tools and activities become symbols to the right brain for use in its creative work.
 
Emotion is important in ritual magick. Not fluctuating emotions, but controlled emotions. The more emotionally involved you are during spellwork, the more effective the manifestation. There must be a strong desire in order for a manifestation to take place.


Repetition also plays an important part in manifestation and ritual work. Certain numbers hold mystical power; these numbers are 3, 5, 7, and 9. The ancient Celts were well aware of the significance of repetition and numbers. By repeating rituals or spellwork 3, 5, 7, or 9 times consecutively, the creative activity of the right brain and subconscious mind is reinforced. Repetition becomes the pleasure-pain motivator that influences the creative mind to bring forth the desired manifestation.
 
The number thirteen is very ancient, and is the prime number of importance among the WIccan religion. Traditionally, the seventh son of a seventh son, or the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, was said to be born witch or magician. There is also an old belief that certain years in a person’s life are years of great importance or destiny. These were considered by the odd numbers of 3. 5. 7. and 9.
 
Among the Celts and Druids, the number three was of great significance. It was considered the balance between two extremes. The Druids even expressed their lore in triads. The Druidic symbol was the Tribann, or the Three Rays of Light. The shamrock symbolized this belief, long before St. Patrick used it to explain the Christian doctrine.
 
The importance of numbers is also shown in the relationship between certain numbers and the planets: Sun, 1 and 4; Moon, 2 and 7; Jupiter, 3; Mercury, 5; Venus, 6; Saturn, 8; and Mars, 9.
 
To effectively work magick, you must believe you can cause things to happen, that you have the power within you to change your life. Until you can reprogram your subconscious mind to believe this, manifestations will take longer to come into being.
 
To begin the changes needed to really believe you can do magick, you must begin by working on your hidden or inner self. You must change bad habits: negative thoughts of yourself, lying, cheating, stealing, broken promises, addictive habits. As you start to create changes in the inner self, you will find that magickal results flow more freely. Your life will manifest health, happiness and prosperity.
 
Some schools of magickal thought will tell you that doing magick for yourself is selfish and wrong. This is an erroneous idea held over from Judeo Christian beliefs and has nothing whatsoever to do with ritual magick and spellworking. The truth is, if you cannot manifest for yourself, you have little chance of manifesting for others.
 
This brings us to one great rule of morality in magick: Do what you will if you harm no being. You never really benefit by deliberately harming another creature through magick. The eventual backlash of karma is not worth the risk. However, one must also look at the opposite side, what happens if evil is left to flourish? In Wicca it is believed that allowing a wrong or evil to exist unhampered is harmful to everybody.
 
There are many ways to solve a problem with troublesome people through the use of positive magick. By no means should you be a doormat when it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones. Be creative in doing protective spellwork. Brainstorm on paper, if necessary, until you are certain you are aware of all the options, have not limited yourself or destructively harmed others. It is essential to think through your reasons for doing magick.
 
The “Four Powers of the Magus (Magician)” is a very old teaching in magick. It is: to know, to dare, to will, to be silent. To know means to gain the knowledge to do ritual magick; to dare to practice it; to will the manifestation; and to keep silent about what you are doing. The last part is especially important. Talking about magick diffuses its energy flow. Silence also keeps unsympathetic people from directing negative thought towards your effort. People who talk about their magickal operations never ahieve real magick. I firmly believe that a copy of the Four Powers and the Wiccan law of morality should be in every ritual room.
 
The ancient Latin names for the Four Powers of the Magus were: noscere, audere, velle and tacere. It was believed that to be balanced, all these powers had to be present in the magician. There is also a correspondence between the Four Powers and the Four Elements. Noscere(know) corresponds to Air; audere(dare) to Water; velle(will) to Fire; and tacere(silence) to Earth. A fifth power ire(to progress or evolve) corresponds to Spirit.
 
The Celts knew the powers of the Moon phases and used them. In fact, their calendar was based on the lunar year. It is traditional that spellworking for the decrease or removal of problems takes place from after the Full Moon until the New Moon, with the day or night of the New Moon being strongest. Spellworking for increase, growth and gain takes place from after the New Moon until the Full Moon with they or night of the Full Moon being the most powerful.
 
It is logical that the Moon should affect your body and emotions just as it affects the tides of the Earth. After all, most of the human body is made up of water or liquids. The type of energy from the phases of the Moon conceivably will be reflected in your bodies. It is better for magick to work with the flow of Moon energy than against it.
 
Celtic magick basically works with and employs the powers of planetary and natural energies. It is a magick that is in harmony with our planet, indded with our very being. It is a magick that can change your life.
 
 
“Celtic Magic”
D. J. Conway

Elemental Banishing

Elemental Banishing

 
Elemental banishing is a little more complex way to clean an area of the negative influences that reside there. It should only be done within a cast circle. This is an ideal way to prepare a new living space before you move in. It will take away any remnants of the old tenants that were there before you and let you move into a fresh, new space.
 
Cast a circle as you normally would. Before you call the elements to attend, take your athame to the west side of the circle and face outwards. Draw a banishing pentagram (point downward towards the earth) and then re-center the athame into the middle of it. Push the athame slowly outward while pushing outward with your own energy, ordering, “Go, or be cast into the depths of the flood!”
 
Move to the south and repeat your actions, saying, “Go, or be cast into the flames!”

Move to the east and pause to gather yourself and close the circle before drawing the final pentagram and saying, “Go, or be rent by the grinding earthquakes!”

Move to the north and repeat your actions, saying, “Go, or be torn apart by the whirlwind!”

Turn back into the center and yell, “I (we) banish you! I banish you! I banish you! BEGONE!” while clapping and clattering and making a great deal of noise.

At this point, you can proceed with the rest of the ritual that has been planned, starting with invoking the elements to bless the circle

 

Sacred Clothing

Sacred Clothing

 
Many practitioners will not enter or use their sacred space unless they are cloaked in a special garment created by their own hands and consecrated for spiritual use. This robe is unique and special to each person who desires to honor their beliefs in this fashion. A cloak can be consecrated for specific purposes. So you can have more than one cloak, depending on what type of ritual you will be conducting in your sacred space.
Self clothing isn’t the only garments you want to consider for your space. An altar cloth is also called for. You can use more than one cloth in varying colors and patterns, depending on the work at hand. But consider the use of the cloth before you cover the altar. If you are going to be mixing herbs, or creating spiritual objects such as handmade candles, smudge sticks or spiritual tools, then you want the cloth to be inexpensive and practical. If however, you are conducting a ritual to celebrate a holiday, then you might use a more formal cloth, anything from crushed velvet to black satin.
The cloth should reflect your personality, your beliefs and one that you feel comfortable with using. A male Witch for instance, may not use Victorian lace when casting spells for compassion, healing or love. Rather he might use something that strikes an essence of romance in his heart such as red silk. Whatever you chose to use, the cloth should be large enough to cover the entire altar and fit the work at hand.

Creating A Magickal Circle

Creating A Magickal Circle

 

Your Spiritual Space


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. Thank the guides, teachers, God/Goddess that you called or who came into the circle to offer assistance during your work.
  2. Imagine the energy around the circle lowering around you, toning down and fading so to speak.
  3. Finally, clear the space with a blessing and ask the energies to close the gate. If the circle was a temporary fixture, then remove it and store it appropriately.

Casting a Formal Circle for a Group or Solitary

Casting a Formal Circle for a Group or Solitary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Once everyone is inside the circle, the caster will “erase” the doorway by placing the tip of the knife to the floor again and move it upwards, “sealing” the circle again. The “door” should be removed exactly opposite of how it was placed. When you are finished, there should be no trace of a break left in the circle wall. If you can see one, mend it with your own energy and close the break.

Copyright © 2000, Jet Blackthorn

Welcome To The WOTC’s Magickal Deprived Weekend

Welcome friends, fellow practitioners and the curious to our “Magickal Deprived” Weekend! We all get caught up in the daily grim of life. We want to rush to a blog to find our horoscopes and perhaps a daily tarot or rune. But we forget what we are really all about, that is the MAGICK! The magick that draws us to these blogs, the magick that makes us want to know what is going to happen today. Will we have the power to change the fates? In our busy lives, unless you are a seasoned practitioner, you can forget items and ingredients that go into a spell. In fact, you can even forget spells.

This weekend, I am going to take you by the hand and whisk you off into my magickal world. A world full of mystery, potions, tinctures, ointments, spells, the Ancient Ways of teaching and most of all MAGICK! Hopefully on your journey with me, you will pick up some new ideas and also become refreshed and ready to conquer the world. Witches are to help better mankind, nature and our environment. We all work together, we can make this one hell of a beautiful world for our children.

But first, this witch has to hop on her broom and fly to Illinois to see my daughter and grandchild. Look over the information that is already posted. When I get back we will take a journey into what makes a witch, some tincture and ointment recipes and some old Celtic spells that are very useful for today. Have a great day and enjoy! Till then…….

Love to all,

Lady A

New Moon Esbats – Gemini

New Moon Esbats

 

GEMINI
 
Basic energy: Intellect, awareness, agility, adaptability, multi-tasking.
 
Zodiac color association: Orange.
 
Primary element: Air
 
Suggested magickal operations: Rituals and spells for any type of learning or research. Spells to finish the old and move on to the new, to help you juggle the many projects you are working on at once without failing or for finding a new car or new job. Spells for any of the mental arts, including meditation,learning a divination tool, pathworking, and telepathy. Magick for learning to understand and deal with siblings.

Avoid: Trying to pack too many magickal operations into one ritual.

Be careful: Of self-denial.

New Moon Esbats – Taurus

New Moon Esbats

 
 
TAURUS
 
Basic energy: Stability, peace, affection, responsiveness, saving, artistic ability, devotion, harmony.
 
Zodiac color association: Red-orange.

Primary element: Earth
 
Suggested magickal operations: Rituals and spells for prosperity, saving money, holding on to something you already have (like a grade point average), building and keeping harmony in the home, investing time and money in a project, long-term goal planning, spells for people you love, spells for long-term healing, meditations for peace.
 
Avoid: Missing a good opportunity.
 
Be careful: Of your own stubbornness.

New Moon Esbats – Libra

New Moon Esbats

 
 
LIBRA
Basic energy: Beauty, love, sociability, cooperation, originality, courtesy, responsiveness

Zodiac color association: Emerald

Primary element: Air
 
Suggest magickal operations: Rituals and spells for sharing the arts (music, painting, dance, writing) where you seek the approval of others. Spells for love, friendship, and romance, and for conflict mediation. Spells to ensure you are treated fairly, to enjoy beauty and to learn to cooperate with others. Spells to improve communication between yourself and a teacher or parent. Partnerships of any kind.

Empowerment Charm

Empowerment Charm

Mistress/Master of the Universe.
 
I, (state your name), your Wiccan son/daughter,
do ask you to instill in this object (state your desire) so that it will function for me in the best way possible, and carry your essence and power to the end of its day. I know you will do this for me.

So Mote It Be

Elemental Workspace Charm

Elemental Workspace Charm 

 

To begin this elemental spell, sprinkle a pinch of salt around the workspace to represent the Earth. Then take a cup of water and sprinkle a tiny bit around the area as well—for, you guessed it, the blessings of the water element. Visualize the heating or cooling in the room as conduits to the element of Air, and the lights of the sun streaming in the windows as a representation of Fire. When you are ready, repeat the charm.

 

Elements four, gather ’round this workspace of mine

 

Inspiration and comfort you bring at all times.

 

Bring passion and commitment to the work that I do.

 

Circle about me now with magick so strong and true.
Close this spell with these lines: 

 

By the strength of hearth and home, this spell is spun,

 

As I will, so mote it be and let it harm none.

 

TGIF! TGIF! THANK THE GODDESS IT IS FRIDAY! YES!!!

 

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Friday and gearing up for a great weekend.  It is hard to believe the Summer is actually starting to end. It just seems like yesterday it was Spring. But Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, so I won’t whine too much, lol!

We have a question today, so let’s get right to it……

Today’s question comes from Nicole. She writes:

can any race become a druid?

Religion is an ideology. As in most Religions including the Nature-Based ones, no one is excluded from them. Each Religion welcomes warmly new members and participants. A true Religion never turns anyone away. If they do, you didn’t want anything to do with them to start with.  Your beliefs are in your heart and no one knows them besides you. So if your heart is leading you to the Path of Druidism, then you would be welcomed with opened arms.

Basically in answer to your question, it shouldn’t matter if you are Black, White, Purple or Green, if it is a True Religion you will be able to join it.

I hope this answers your question, Nicole. I appreciate you writing and Goddess Bless You,

Lady A

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – August 25

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – August 25

“God is making use of you – you should be grateful He’s found a use for you.”

–Mathew King, LAKOTA

The Creator can only create through human beings. Each human being has a purpose given to us by the Creator. We are on this earth to fulfill this purpose. Our only work is to make ourselves ready, to become a channel, to perform for the Creator. We prepare ourselves by prayer. We prepare ourselves by becoming unselfish. We prepare ourselves by seeking and choosing to walk on a spiritual path. Each morning we look to the East and we say an honor prayer to the Creator. We offer our gifts: tobacco and corn. We ask him to help us do His will for today. In this simple way, we still fulfill our purpose. It should be an honor to serve the Creator.

Great Spirit, today I am ready to serve You.

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