13 Questions You Should Be Able To Answer After Your Year & A Day Learning Period

Below you will find 13 questions that you should be able to answer at the end of your initial study period. Also are included are answers, not necessarily the right answer, but answers to make you think. The answers are also provided because you have learned so much and perhaps some of the things you might have forgotten. Either way, the answers are just examples and to be used a thought provoking.

1. define and describe a pagan.

“For the pagan and primitive peoples whom Jews and Christians alike
have always reviled as idolaters, the moving air, the fire on the
hearth, the rhythm of the seasons, the bird on the wing, the markings
and movements of the beasts, the streaming waters, the circling
stars … all these, and the works of man’s own hand, are alive with
an intelligible presence. They are symbolic doorways that invite the
imagination through to high experience.”
Theodore Roszak

“It is necessary to treat the animals well, and to regard all things
as if they were living beings who hear and understand.”
Johan Turi,
MITTALUS SAMID BIRRA

In historic times a pagan would have been any number of peoples wor-
shiping nature gods. This worship seems to have been based in pre-
historic forms of religion including shamanism with a pedigree of it’s
oldest forms echoing back more than 30,000 years. Because these
religions were based mostly in tribal cultures emphasizing tradition
rather than sophistication, the sources tend to be entirely oral.
Verbatim memorization, while it’s possessors survive, tends to be a
more exact method of transmitting data than holy texts which can (and
have been) altered or completely changed.

With the complete suppression of the tradition, however, knowledge of
paganism has faded to a faint glimmering of references and supposi-
tion. In modern times a pagan would tend to be someone feeling the
lack of purity, lack of originality, lack of rootedness, lack of
foundation in over-theologized religions whose original message has
been overgrown and altered to suit priestly interests, whose leaders’
preachment is motivated often by self-interest and whose ‘qualifica-
tions’ are primarily glandular and (sick) psychological rather than
illumination.

The pagans I have met are, in general, more sensitive than normal and
‘feel’ the world directly, in contrast to this miasmatic culture which
submerges us in ‘safe’ anonymity, relegating us a guaranteed role as a
consumer unit. The religions that fail to give us more dignity than
that, that fail to foment rebellion against such an insult naturally
lose those more sensitive people. They fail to grant us a path of
rejoining to ourself. A pagan seeks this and it is the very lack of
structure which allows the freedom of thought and feeling and practice
that attracts so many people that have been ‘lost’ by other religions.
In our ‘culture’ traditions regarding the manner of living are rele-
gated to the ‘ignorant’ past and lost. Responding to this need the
neo-pagan will try to re-create a life-enhancing religion open to
individual experience based on whatever gleanings of the ancient forms
are left. Given enough intelligent application and sufficient politi-
cal freedom, a reasonable facsimile, true in spirit and similar in
some forms will evolve. Truly, much of what was lost was priceless
and will never be recovered, but also a great much of what was lost
had decayed beyond recovering so that the last people to suffer under
these benighted superstitions that had once been vital religions,
probably were better off without. We have the opportunity to rebuild,
to renew with vitality, to recover what was good that is still known.
People being what they are, divergence seems to be the rule, yet we
live in a ‘global village’ and cross-reference and cross-fertilization
is inevitable. It is the talent of wicca to seek that which works and
as we relearn what can create a life that is true to the heart we will
share. Given the degree of computer interconnection in our society,
it would not be surprising that techniques rediscovered in one place
would be known world wide within a season, just by word of computer.
It is a time for hard work for what we do now will be what those who
come after will have to build on. The freedom of choice and associa-
tion and abundance of sources almost guarantees that bull in the name
of the gods will quickly get trashed. It is a time for honesty and
genius.

A pagan is a being in a state of becoming.

2. Define and describe a witch.

I would say that a witch is someone belonging to a coven and worship-
ing nature gods. A witch may have special knowledge and powers re-
garding herbal lore, magic, divination, magical flight, separation of
the body and soul, love philters, amulets, exorcism, trance-medium-
ship, hypnosis, communion with god/dess’, communication with spirits,
drawing down the Moon, invocation of good and exorcism of evil influ-
ences, and more, perhaps. The means of producing these results may be
in the traditional circle, guided by a priest and priestess, by chant-
ing, drum-beating, dancing, ritual invocation and supplication.

These powers have been supposed to be special wild or inherited tal-
ents to do evil by intention alone (1) but I feel they are, when
possessed, no more or less than the natural power of life, consciously
directed. This power is automatically controlled daily without our
conscious direction or realization. As our digestion or circulation
function without express thought, the life power is utilized at an
even more basic level to create our life and world. Expressed uncon-
sciously for whim or feat, self-destruction or in creativity, it is
not without us but a part of us, a part of every living cell. Thus,
not only is it a very legal power to us, but to miss to direct it
consciously would be like missing the oars in a rowboat, the doors of
a house. Some people brag that they never read the directions sup-
plied in the package. To avoid discovering the ‘directions’ supplied
with life would seem to be to miss most of the glory of being alive.
(1) Witches were and are supposed to be entirely evil and opposed in
every action to the expression of life. (Surely such a creature would
self-destruct!) This is an expression of the ‘alien’ theory which has
been used by many (ignorant) cultures to explain the presence of evil
and imperfection in a world that is ‘supposed’ to be perfect. It is a
terrifying theory but apparently people would rather be scared silly
than say, “I made a mistake” or “What seems evil to us is just the
natural working of life.” The appellation of ‘witch’ has been given
to Huns, Jews, heretics, and recently to men by some feminists.

3. Are you one of the above or both?
4. If so, say what and why.

I am myself. I am what I do. I have avoided labels for myself and
would not start sticking them onto myself based on the attendance of a
few functions. Precisely, I have not been accepted as an initiate, an
essential step in a tradition oriented to group membership. I am not
a pagan in the sense that, outside of weekly circles, I do not worship
any god or goddess.

5. What do you see as positive in paganism?

I have always felt good in the circle. I have said it previously that
I am happy to be here. But in thinking how to answer this question I
have found some answers that have much reinforced these feelings.
What is here in paganism is unique and precious.

Here there is the encouragement of individuality and also a strong,
positive and unique group identity; this is very rare, especially in
our society.

Here there is spiritual expression within a true construction of
religion and including respect for the need for personal freedom of
expression; this is very rare in any society.

Here there is tradition in a society that has eschewed tradition in
favor of the new, especially new products; yet what is the meaning of
products which have no context?

Here there is honor to each sex in a society that is very divisive and
competitive and generally derisive of everyone especially women. Here
there is a celebration of life in a society that seems to have forgot-
ten where it came from and remains; which if it recognizes nature as
valuable converts it into a prepackaged commodity. Indeed, the value
of nature is a matter of constant debate, a debate that is inevitably
won by those who see value only in dollar signs.

Here there is a group of intelligent people large enough to be inter-
esting yet small enough that each is important, whether one attends,
who one is and especially if one participates in helping, each is
important. All these things are RARE in our society; their conver-
gence here is unique and precious.

6. What do you see as negative in paganism.

I don’t know. I haven’t had any problems so far. The need for secre-
cy is inconvenient in some respects particularly at work and with some
friends who, I am certain, will never be able to grasp the notion
correctly. But then secrets can be kind of fun, too. I have found
the essential facts of paganism not directly accessible but I am
beginning to understand that it is a fairly large subject. (Added 15
June ’89) A certain lack of focus. It is understandable since there
is no central authority to impose goals. Yet is should be possible to
agree on basic needs and goals and though there would be no overseer,
a kind of competition based on comparison of results (apparent in
fests, perhaps). To achieve this, however, we need to understand what
is needed and why. Still there does seem to be a good deal of work
being done in different places. The quality and amount of information
is expanding every year.

7. What is your concept of death?

An incomprehensible, insensible condition concluding our actions here
on earth. A period of summation and consolidation; having shed to the
earth the accumulation of errors and age in the body, one is reborn,
washed clean in the blood of the new life. I particularly like the
idea that it might be something like Scrooge’s Christmas Eve; seeing
and understanding the events of one’s life, then the regrets of unex-
pressed love would be the motive impelling the soul to rebirth.

But then I don’t really know. It might be nothing.

8. What do the following words bring to your mind: god, goddess,
priest, priestess.

God, Goddess, ineffable, incomprehensible being beyond our concept of
good or evil. The notion of sex in gods is our convention to aid
philosophical discussion and to assist in forming an emotional rela-
tionship. (added 15 June ’89) “Maybe something more, rooted in our
nature.”, Daniel’s comment.

Priest, priestess: persons who have made a commitment to further their
religion by their personal effort. Being ordained or initiated and
all that. The sexual distinction is trivial, relatively speaking, of
course. The essential act is that of spiritual guidance and this is
more a matter of training and talent.

9. What are the privileges and obligations of a teacher?

To share knowledge, to have one’s expressions listened to, to enjoy
the responses of one’s students. To be responsible in what and how
things are taught. To admit freely areas of one’s doubt or little
knowledge to be clear in expression and patient in explanation. To

respect and respond to the students efforts as the teacher’s purpose.

10. What are the privileges and responsibilities of a student?

To share knowledge, to enjoy the attendance of a teacher to one’s
education. To work actively toward the development of one’s educa-
tion, to respect the teacher and cooperate and trust, within reason.
The teacher’s responsibilities are greater.

11. What do you seek from Wicca?

A personal path and some help along the way. Friends that don’t say
things like “You don’t believe THAT, do you?”

12. Are you more attracted to the religious or practical side of
Wicca?

I can’t say. My conception of any sincerely religious person is that
he tries to express his convictions into his life. To me, it seems
that the most potent form of prayer is in work. Or like Gurdjieff
said, “Work as if everything depends on work. Pray as if everything
depends on prayer.” It seems to me the lack of practical work leaves
a religion without a skeleton, the rest of the tissue has nothing to
hang on. I would say that the practical side, including much of the
wisdom teachings, should not be separated from the religious except as
a convention to facilitate teaching.

13. Are there any areas of this framework that you particularly wish
to study. What and why.

I’m not sure. Right now I’m just taking it all in in any order what-
ever. I would like to understand the philosophical framework better. Moon lore has happily occupied me this last year
and promises to be a long-continuing interest. The laws and the
social framework of wicca are also very intriguing. My idea now about
ritual work is that it is possibly best as a form of self-therapy, at
least in the beginning, since all of us come to this very demanding
subject full of flaws enough to trip us up constantly unless our
personal peculiarities can be pinned down and dealt with.

To Bind Lover To You and Only You!

To Bind Lover To You and Only You! Yes They WILL Be Faithful!

What you’ll need:

A pair of your clean underwear

A pair of your partners clean underwear

A red ribbon

Just a dash of nutmeg will do

One white envelope

An ink pen which writes black

A white candle

A red candle

Attraction oil-or favorite perfume

Bless and consecrate your equipment. If you have some attraction oil then you may anoint your candles with the oil. Light the candles and take the ink pen in your hand. Using the ink pen, write your initials on his pair of clean underwear and your partners initials on your clean pair.

Repeat:

“So Mote it be, Lover is bound to me, faithful true, will obey as instructed to do. Truth in all things pertaining to heart, four winds conveying we must never part. You are bound completely to me, thus sayeth Eros, Godvinda, and Great Spirit, so Mote it be!”

Repeat four times and then proceed, but concentrate as you chant, focus on what it is in your heart that you truly want.

For this IS ONE POWERFUL SPELL! Use Wisely!

Take the red ribbon and sprinkle with just a small dash of nutmeg, then tie into two knots . Place the ribbon with the sprinkled nutmeg into the pair of his underwear, and wrap around your pair of panties then place the underwear into the large envelope. Place 3 drops of attraction oil-or favorite perfume into the envelope. Seal the envelope, and repeat spell chant one more time. Sleep with the envelope under your pillow anytime your partner is away from you or if you feel like they might be unfaithful.

This spell will keep someone with you who doesn’t really want to be with you, so be very careful! This spell will not only encourage-but practically MAKE your partner to keep you in his or her heart and mind!!! This spell is very powerful, and effective. If you and your partner decide to end your relationship you should burn the envelope while releasing the energy. Give thanks and say, ‘So mote it be’.

This spell to encourage your partner to be faithfully bound to you should NOT be taken lightly. You can do this spell anytime and during the full moon for even more energy. Spend some time meditating on your desired outcome. Spend some time meditating before you perform such a powerful spell also! For even the Wiccan’s are leary of some of these such spells!

“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.

The Witches Spell for February 12th – The Boomerang Spell

THE BOOMERANG SPELL

Reverse any negativity or hex being sent your way.

Anoint a purple candle with Rosemary oil. On a piece of white paper write the following in black ink: ” All blocks are now removed.” Fold the paper three times. Light the candle and burn the paper in a bowl, ashtray or any fireproof dish. Invoke the power of fire and it’s elemental spirits. Repeat three times:

” Firedrakes and salamanders,

Aid me in my quest,

Protect me from all evil forms,

Turn back the negativity being sent.”

After the third repetition say:

” So mote it be.”

Hymn to the Morrigan

by Isaac Bonewits

O Morrigan, we call your name Across the dusty years.
You speak to us, of blood and lust. You show us all our fears.
You are a goddess, old and wise. Of holy power you have no dearth.

Beneath your wings : Black, Red and White, We learn of death and birth.

You walk about, this ancient land, Your hungers raw and clear.
You make the crops, grow rich and strong, As well your geese and deer.
A flirting maid, a lusty hag, A mother of great girth :

Without the touch of your black wings, We cannot heal the earth.

You float upon, a blood red wave, Of swords and spears and knives.
Your voice inspires, fear and dread, That you’ll cut short our lives.
You try the warriors’, courage sore, Our inner souls unearth.

Without the touch of your red wings, We cannot know our worth.

You fly above the silver clouds, To Manannan’s shining Gate.
You lead the dead along that path, To meet our final fate.
The joke’s on us, we find within, A land of laughter and of mirth.

Without the touch of your white wings, We cannot have rebirth.

The Witches Spell for Feb. 11th – Mary Caliendo’s Potato Chip Hex

Mary Caliendo’s Potato Chip Hex

This is so easy, you can perform it right at the office. Don’t let its simplicity fool you. It’s powerful enough to get rid of even the nastiest boss or co-worker.

Items You will need:

2 bags potato chips (from vending machine at your workplace)

3 packets black pepper

1 sticky note

Black pen

Stapler

Open both bags to let the air out. Write your enemy’s name on the sticky note in black ink, place it in one of the bags, and add the pepper. Sit on one bag to crush the chips. (Move around a little if you need to, as it’s imperative that the chips are reduced to crumbs.) Retrieve the bag, fold the top three times, and staple several times to secure. Place the bag in your purse, and toss it in a public garbage receptacle after work.

Now, eat the other bag of chips. You certainly wouldn’t want to appear to be doing anything suspicious at work, would you?

Utterly Wicked

Curses, Hexes or Other Unsavory Notions

Dorothy Morrison

A Little Humor for Your Day – Someone Might Be New To Paganism If…..

YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS NEW TO PAGANISM IF THEY THINK THAT…

CHRYSTAL CLEANSING is done with windex.

LAY LINES happen at the airports in Hawaii

A DOLMAN is a new brand of banana

APHRODITE is a type of pre-historic bird

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

WHEEL OF FORTUNE is a game show with Vanna White

CYCLES have to do with your washing maching and when to add fabric softner

A BOOK OF SHADOWS contains shilouettes of friends and family members

ARCHETYPES are a type of building structure

A QUARTER is $.25 and buys a cop of coffee (and obviousily, these people have
not been out in awhile)

PAN is something to fry food in

The BLESSED BE is the God of Insects

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

HANDFASTING is eating without utensils

A BRAZIER is support wear for women

CHARGING is done with a credit card or a battery

SKYCLAD is a shade of blue clothing

DEMETER is a place to park your car downtown

A TRAD is a type of geometric figure

LOVE ME MADLY SPELL

LOVE ME MADLY SPELL

If you are madly in love and wish it to go full steam ahead into handfasting (Wiccan Marriage)
make him this excellent supermarket-ingredient love potion.

Items You Will Need:

orange juice

some spring water

some rose water

dash of nutmeg

oranges

Should note oranges are very potent symbols of love-if your partner brings you one you can be sure he adores you. Anyway, blend a beautiful refreshing drink from the above (don’t overdo the nutmeg) and drink it with your lover-you don’t have to tell him what it’s for. Look into his eyes-you’ll see the truth there about your future once he’s downed this powerful concoction.

This spell also work male to female.

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!

The Mysteries and Esoteric Witchcraft

The Mysteries and Esoteric Witchcraft

Author: Rhys Chisnall

“The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. He to whom the emotion is a stranger: whom no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their primitive forms- this knowledge, this feeling, is at the centre of true religion.” – Albert Einstein

One of the hardest aspects of the esoteric initiatory Witchcraft to write about, or even communicate, is its strong mystery aspect. Yet, in my opinion, it is one of the most important things that distinguish it from New Age and Popular Wicca/Witchcraft. By its very nature the mystical aspects of Witchcraft are a thoroughly subjective experience and as such any cursory and brief exploration such as this article or any other in print are going to be subjective and inadequate.

“Second hand mysticism has generally an unsatisfactory experience, since if these notions are not the driving force of our life, are not the beat of our heart or are not personally integrated into our whole, then they are empty gestures. Then they are devoid of meaning similar to reading a literary criticism rather than reading the poem itself. The mystical experience is immediate not vicarious or deputed” (Armstrong 1999)

The mysteries need to be experienced, and they cannot be explained in everyday language, hence the need for the metaphors of myth and the communication of the experiences through the metaphors of symbols and ritual. The religious commentator, theologian and mystic Karen Armstrong said that.

“There is a linguistic connection between the three words, myth, mysticism and mystery. All derive from the Greek verb musterion: to close the eyes or the mouth”. (Armstrong 1999)

There are many roads to the mysteries and the mystical experience. As Prof Joseph Campbell (the late expert in comparative mythology) quotes from the Rig Veda, “Truth is one, but the sages speak of it by many names.” He also tells the story of an interfaith conference set up between Shinto and Catholicism. He was struck at how the priests of Catholicism and Shinto found it difficult to find a commonality or a common religious language to communicate with each other, but the monks and nuns of each religion could. This was because the priests were concerned with holding up their metaphors, their myths, symbols and rituals as ends in themselves, whereas the monks and nuns had moved beyond the metaphors to the experience of the sacred and the divine itself. They were not stuck with believing that the metaphors were the reality and the end goal. They had gone past the virgin birth, the resurrection, and even God, to find a community in the mysteries and mystical experience that were shared by their Shinto counterparts. As Campbell said, “Religion is misinterpreted myth”

The Armenian-Greek esoteric philosopher and practitioner G. I. Gurdjieff suggested that there were four paths to the mysteries. The first three, the way of the fakir, the way of the yogi (nothing to do with ) and the way of the monk are mostly eastern ways to experience the mysteries and represent the three disciplines of the mind, the body and contemplation. These three paths are typical of the Eastern Mystery tradition in that they all involve a withdrawal from society and the world.

The fourth way is ‘the way of the hearth’. It is the way of the Western Mystery Tradition of which esoteric initiatory Witchcraft along with Hermeticism, Qabbalah, mystical Christianity and Sufism are parts. It is the way of being fully integrated with the world, identifying with the universe and with life and not attempting to escape from it (with the notable exception of Gnosticism) . It is seeing no separation between humanity, nature and the divine.
To my mind esoteric initiatory Witchcraft liturgy and ritual are full of mystical language, myth and metaphor. For example within Gardnerian and Alexandrian Witchcraft there are phrases such as, “there is no part of us that is not of the god.” And of course the classic mysteries phrase of the Charge of the Goddess, “If that which thou seeketh, thou findest not within thee, you will never find it without thee.” These and other parts of Witchcraft ritual (not to mention many of the techniques used in ritual to help induce these kinds of states of mind) , strongly suggest the mysteries and mystical experience. The myths of esoteric initiatory Witchcraft point to the internal experience of the mysteries within the individual Witch, relating them to the cosmos, designed to take us beyond mere religion to the direct experience of numinous, divinity and the sacred. The systems, techniques and processes of esoteric Craft, to my mind, seem designed to take us beyond ourselves, and the sum of the parts of the tradition itself, into personal transformation and a new awareness.

So what are mysticism and the mysteries? According to the psychologist Lawrence Le Shan, “Mysticism from a historical and psychological viewpoint, is the search for and experience of the relationship of the individual himself (herself) and the totality that makes up the universe.” (LeShan 1974)

Karen Armstrong agrees when she writes, “Mystics have long claimed that he [God] is a subjective experience, mysteriously experienced in the ‘Ground of Being’…………..they claim that he did not really exist and it is better to call him No-thing”. (Armstrong 1999)

As such the mysteries go way beyond the dogmas, metaphors and systems that have been inspired by them. The techniques and participating within the metaphors of myth, relating it to the self and personal transformation give the practitioner a direct and vivid experience of a unity with a ‘different order of reality’, or perhaps, an expanded order of reality of which they are a part- unified with. They experience eternity within a second, being and non-being, beauty and horror but with no contradiction, no duality, no difference between sacred and profane. In essence the experience is indescribable expect through the language of metaphor, which sadly is mistaken for reality and an end in itself. The effect of these experiences is an inner alchemy, personal transformation- life and indeed you are never the same again.

Campbell hints at this when he says, “But the ultimate mystical goal is to be united with one’s god. With that the duality is transcended and forms disappear. There is nobody there, no god, no you. Your mind, going past all concepts, has dissolved in identification with the ground of your being”. (Campbell 1988)

Now sadly for the bit that people don’t like. The path to the mysteries is not an easy one. Rather it is one that requires hard work, commitment and dedication; it is not for people looking for instant results or an escape from reality. The starting point on the road to the mysteries and esoteric Witchcraft has got to be that of a coping adult, as Joanne Pearson reports in her essay Assumed Affinities (the difference between Initiatory Wicca- specifically Gardnerian and Alexandrian- and New Age spiritualities) .

“In the questionnaire, mentioned at the start of this chapter, none of the hundred (Gardnerian/Alexandrian) Wiccans who responded indicated that they had become involved in Wicca because ‘their life was not working’, and supplementary fieldwork does not indicate that these Wiccans assume there lives or the lives of other Wiccans are, or were Dysfunctional.” (Pearson 1998)

The Witch Dr. Dave Bracey confirms the difficulties and hard work of pursuing the mysteries when he says, “The mysteries are not easy to apprehend. It requires long training, usually with a spiritual guide or facilitator, and a considerable investment of time. This is not something that has much appeal to many in our present day society, conditioned as it is with fast cars, fast food, fast solutions and instant gratification and speedy communication. The mysteries do not arrive ready made and pre-packaged. They cannot be experienced as quickly as the instant high of the new age. But neither does the (esoteric initiatory) Witch’s ‘awareness’ wane, as does the let-down that so often eventuates when the newness of the ‘reborn’ convert fades to be left with the forms and structures of religion which so often become ends in themselves.” (Bracey 2001)

Like much else in life things that are of value are often thing that require a lot of hard work. Saying that though, there are circumstances where mystical experience arises quite spontaneously in some people. This may be down to horrific or beautiful situations, which invoke tremendously strong emotions within individuals that lead them to having an experience of the mysteries.

I am sure that there are many, many people who are perfectly happy practising their religion of non-initiatory exoteric Wicca and Witchcraft and good luck to them, each to their own. I am sure that people get a great deal of spiritual fulfillment from them. So just to reiterate so there is no confusion, esoteric initiatory Witchcraft is not better than New Age and Popular Wicca. It is just different, with different aims, philosophies and purposes and practices. So if the mysteries are not for you, then please feel free to ignore this article, remember that this is only one way and there are many others.

I shall finish with another quote from Dr. Bracey as he talks about the relationship between the mysteries and Craft. “So the mysteries are not for all, but is the way of (esoteric initiatory) Witches. We who ride beyond the ordinary, rejecting the supernatural in favour of the supra-natural, and who are aware of the relationship of the part to the whole.” (Bracey 2001)

Footnotes:
Campbell, J, (1988) , ‘The Power of Myth’, Doubleday
Campbell, J, (1959) , ‘The Mask of God (Primitive mythology, Oriental Mythology, Occidental Mythology and Creative Mythology) ’, Condor
Campbell, J, (1949) , ‘The Hero with a Thousand faces’, Princetown University Press
Campbell, J, (2001) , ‘Thou art that, transforming religious metaphors’, Joseph Cambell Foundation
Campbell, J, (2004) , ‘Pathways to Bliss, Mythology and Personal Transformation’, Joseph Campbell Foundation
Crowley, V, (1989) , ’ Wicca the old Religion in the New Age’, Aquarian Press
Armstrong, K, (1999) , ’ A History of God’, Vintage
Armstrong, K, (2005) , ‘A Short History of Myth’, Cannongate
Pearosn, J, Roberts, R, Samuel, G, (1998) , ‘Nature Religion Today’, Edinburgh University Press
Pearson, J, (2007) , ‘Wicca and the Christian Heritage (Ritual, Sex and magic) , Routledge
Fortune, D, (1935) , ‘The Mystical Qabalah’, Aquarian
Hutton, R, (2003) , ‘Witches, Druids, and King Arthur, Oxford University Press
Heselton, P, (1995) , ‘Secret Places of the Goddess’, Capal Ban
Underhill, E, (1993) , ‘Mysticism’, Oneworld
Lamond, F, (1997) , ‘Religion without Beliefs’, Janus
Lamond, F, (2004) , ‘Fifty Years of Wicca’, Green magic
LeShan, L, (1974) , ‘How to Meditate’, Turnstone
Bracey, D, (2001) , ‘A Personal View of God’, TNW

Spell Casting: The Witches’ Craft

Spell Casting: The Witches’ Craft

Author: Jason Miller (Inominandum)

The Greeks made a distinction between theurgy and thaumaturgy. Theurgy literally means “God working” and refers to spiritual work that leads one into illumination or gnosis. Thaumaturgy means, “wonder working” and refers to the conjuration of spirits, casting of spells, blessing, cursing, curing and harming through practical magick. The balance between these two aspects of the craft has been an issue since the emergence of Wicca in the 1950’s. Does overshadow religion? This debate has been heating up in online and blogs recently due to a story on beliefnet.com by Carl McColman entitled Is Wicca Under a Spell, which deals with both sides of the issue. Many people in the Pagan community that I have spoken with feel that magick and sorcery do the religious aspects of Wicca no good and should be downplayed. Some I have spoken to have no interest in spell-casting at all, or perhaps don’t even believe in practical magick, and thus see this aspect of the craft as an obstacle to Wicca taking its place as a major Western religion. I would like to take this opportunity to present the opposing argument.

What often gets overlooked is that Wicca and Witchcraft are not the same thing. The terms are often used interchangeably but Witchcraft is a craft that can be, but isn’t necessarily, part of a religion. Wicca is most definitely a religion. While not all Wiccan traditions stem by lineage from Gerald Gardner, by and large they use a constellation of terms and beliefs that were first put in place by him and those that came after, thus we can say that we can trace Wicca more or less back to him. Witchcraft is a larger area than this. Isaac Bonewits once provided a breakdown of the types of Witches in America, which can help put this into perspective:

10% Neo-Pagan – Revivalist traditions, including Wicca.
70% Neo-Classical – Those who practice folk magick with mixed Christian and Pagan roots without regard to Witchcraft as a religion.
1-2% Classical village healers who practice completely non-religious folk magick.
1-2% Neo-Gothic – Practitioners of Satanism which is based on the Gothic Witchcraft of the Witch Hysteria Era.
1-2% Family Trads.
1-2% Immigrant Traditions: Pow-wow etc.
10% Practitioners of Vodou, Santeria, etc.

For example one of my ancestors was allegedly a “water witch” who told people where to dig wells. While in Venice I was offered a charm to obtain by a Witch. In both of these cases the Witch in question was a devout Christian. According to this breakdown Neo-Paganism and Wicca account for only %10 of American Witches but even within that scope there are many Witchcraft traditions that make it very clear that they are not Wiccan: The Feri Tradition, The Clan of Tubal Cain and the Cultus Sabbati all represent traditions of the craft that have non-Gardnerian roots, and do not fall under the umbrella of Wicca.

I have an enormous respect for Wicca but I am a Witch, not a Wiccan. I object when the terms are used interchangeably and when Wicca attempts to speak for all Witchcraft. I got involved with the craft during the mid 80’s in North Jersey, just outside of Manhattan. Paul Huson’s Mastering Witchcraft, Herman Slater’s Magickal Formularies, and the little spell books from Original Publications had much more of an influence on my Witchcraft than Scott Cunningham or Ray Buckland. This is not to say that I am not religious: I am. But I learned to use practical magick at an early age and was successful at it. I have traveled all over the world to learn traditional magickal techniques: from New Orleans, to Europe, to Nepal. Today I do magick professionally and consider traditional techniques of spell-working to be just as important as religious and spiritual traditions.

I would argue spell-casting is just as sacred as Wicca and Neo-Paganism and far more ancient and widespread a tradition. So where McColman asks the question: “As publishers produce more books about casting spells, is the spiritual message of Witchcraft getting lost?” I ask the opposite: Is the popular influence of Wicca and Neo-Paganism negatively impacting the tradition of spell casting, or if you will, the Witches’ Craft?

I think it is, on a number of levels. I will give just three examples:

Ethics:

The Wiccan Rede provides a very strong ethical principle for Witches to follow. As such, any mention of curses, jinxes, or harmful magick is frowned upon by the Pagan press. Some take this even further and extend it to spells that influence another’s will or reverse a curse back upon its sender. Very often in modern books I read “A REAL WITCH would never do harmful or coercive magick…” While I can applaud the good intent of these writers, and understand that authors are trying to paint a picture of Wicca that is acceptable to mainstream America, the fact is that this type of magick IS part of a “REAL” Witch’s repertoire. From the lead curse tablets of Greece, to the Gospel of Aradia, to more modern Witches like Sibyl Leek and Andrew Chumbley, cursing and coercion have always been a part of the Craft.

When my teacher taught me my first pieces of harmful magick, I was surprised. I had no interest in harming anyone but she told me, “You have to learn how to harm, in order to learn how to heal. The power comes hand-in-hand.” Apart from that lesson, life has taught me that a curse can be justified, and that in rare instances it can be down right compassionate. It is the use of knowledge that determines whether it is good or evil, not the knowledge itself.

To my mind allowing Wicca’s religious stance to determine what gets printed about traditional Witchcraft is wrong and pollutes the baraka of an ancient art. For instance Paul Huson’s book Mastering Witchcraft is one of the only early books of the craft that deals with the subject of vengeance and attack, and was given a horrible reputation in the Pagan community because of it. I have been to stores that refused to even carry it. One that did felt the need to put disclaimers all over it stating that it was “Not Real Witchcraft.” The book didn’t endorse vengeance and attack. It merely tried to present the full scope of the art it claimed to teach. In doing so, it put the preceding chapter on counter-magic and protection into great context. If anything, the craft teaches personal responsibility. Why then can we not trust readers to make their own ethical decisions about the craft?

Materia:

In the aforementioned article on beliefnet.com, Gardnerian Priestess Judy Harrow, author of Spiritual Mentoring, was quoted as saying:

“I remember once a man solemnly informing me that if a spell calls for, say, blue candles, and the candles are white candles dipped in blue instead of being blue all the way through, the spell will fail or maybe even backfire… People who believe that (magic) power is in ‘the stuff’ will not be able to access the power if ‘the stuff’ is not handy.”

A proficient Witch learns to substitute items that can’t be gotten in time. We also learn the magics of breath, gaze, gesture and incantation that can be cast without materials of any type whatsoever. While I agree that not all the power is in “the stuff, ” there certainly is quite a bit more than many modern writers would have you think. Many modern books make the case that “it’s all in your mind” and that the materials are just props with no real power of their own. This to me is disrespectful to the Witches and sorcerers that painstakingly wrote down formularies and philtres over the centuries. If this was really the case, why bother getting the ingredients right at all? Why not just write down “Devils Shoe Strings” on nine pieces of paper and use them instead of the herb? Try it and see what kind of results you get. Having lived in Nepal and worked with various Ngakpas (sorcerers) and Jankris (shaman) , I can tell you that they take their ingredients very seriously. I can say the same about the Bokors and Root Doctors of New Orleans.

Flying ointment made from mugwort in a carrier oil may be safer, but it is not just as good as one made from hemlock, belladonna, and other baneful herbs carefully mixed and applied. A stone with a hole drilled in it will not work as well as a real hagstone formed by running water. A twig from the backyard will not provide as good a basis for an influence charm as a whole High John root. These things have a tradition that goes back hundred of years and should not be cast aside so easily.

Psychological Reductionism:

Australian sociologist Douglas Ezzy was quoted in the beliefnet.com article regarding the effect of spells themselves:

“In his paper ‘New Age Witchcraft? Popular spell books and the re-enchantment of everyday life, ’ Ezzy notes that spell books ‘encourage individuals to take control of their lives through self-exploration and self-affirmation.’ Furthermore, ‘performing magical spells functions as a way of re-discovering the enchanted and mysterious aspects of life.’”

McColman further interprets this:

“In other words, spells are more than just magical recipes for getting your own way; they are miniature rituals designed to foster a sense of mystery and wonder (what Ezzy calls ‘enchantment’) in everyday life, and to evoke a positive sense of power and hope in the spell-caster’s life. Even if casting a spell doesn’t make you rich or win you love, it could give you hope that such blessings really are possible in your life.“

There are many Pagans and Wiccans that have no interest, belief in, or talent for spell-casting. That’s okay. I don’t believe that Witchcraft was ever meant to be a widespread practice. It may be elitist of me to suggest it, but I don’t think that everyone can cast an effective spell. Some can, some can’t. What we have today however are people drawn to the purely religious and spiritual aspects of Neo-Paganism and mistaking it for Witchcraft. They need to find a way to explain the place of spell-casting in a modern world, so its gets explained away in psycho-babble.

Many teachers today will explain that spells don’t actually offer outer change, only inner change. A spell to help you get a job will perhaps build your confidence but not affect the mind of the interviewer. The claim is that the magick is providing mystery, wonder, and self-affirmation. These are all good things, but it is clear that Witches throughout history did not feel this way about their craft, and neither do I!

I and many others know from experience that a well placed and executed spell can alter future events, affect the mind and spirit of a target or a client, and generally deliver the goods that are traditionally attributed to the craft. The effectiveness of this depends on the ability of the practitioner, knowledge of the art, and skillful application of that power and knowledge. Some people have a talent for practical magic. Some do not. Not so long ago, if you didn’t have a gift or calling for Witchcraft, you would not have been drawn to it. Now that it has become a popular subculture and religion, I wonder if people that don’t have much talent for spell work feel the need to write it off? To be clear I don’t think that you need to practice spellcraft to be a Pagan, or even a Wiccan, but that doesn’t mean we should reduce the classical art of Witchcraft to therapeutic drama.

McColman quotes writer Laura LaVoie as saying: “One of my fears with the spell books is that they send the wrong message to those looking for answers on how to be Pagan.” I have heard her fear echoed often in the Pagan community but very few consider the other side of the coin: Neo-Pagans can sometimes send the wrong message to those that just want to practice Witchcraft.

It’s pretty easy to tell whether a book is religious or is a collection of spells. I find it difficult to believe that someone looking to get a start in a new religion would pick up an Encyclopedia of Spells. On the other hand I do know of many people who came to a spiritual path, Wiccan or otherwise, through a desire to cast spells that opened up deeper questions.

I have what I consider to be a very rigorous and serious spiritual practice. I also am a professional Occultist who does readings and magick for pay. If Wicca doesn’t want to be confused with spell-casting, then they should stop using the term Witchcraft and Wicca interchangeably. Wicca represents one tradition of Witchcraft, not the whole practice.

There is room for both spells and Spirit. Keep the spell books coming! Keep the Pagan books coming! Keep the Wiccan books coming! Let them all get better researched and lead people deeper into the mysteries, from whatever angle of approach they choose.

May the Blessing, Cursing, and Cunning Be!

Footnotes:
McColman, Carl, , beliefnet.com, 2005.

Reflecting on Witchcraft, Then and Now

Reflecting on Witchcraft, Then and Now

Author: Crick

These days I find myself in periods of reflection on my experiences in the Craft and the ways that is has affected my personal views on life. As part of this reflection, I often wonder in what direction the Craft is now undertaking.

My girlfriend of many years, who is a Druid, and who has spent hours engaged in discussions with the old guy, will occasionally tell me, “you just aren’t right” before flashing a huge grin. When she says this I feel honored because it confirms that I have walked through this life as an individual. And it is has been the experiences of being involved in traditional Witchcraft that has made such a life experience possible.

But now I find myself in a quandary as to my personal views of witchcraft.

When I was growing up on a farm in Tennessee in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and later in suburbia in MD, our family quietly practiced the Craft as we knew it by way of our Irish heritage and the Appalachia influence that we grew up around.

Outwardly we were like any other family at the time; just our beliefs were a bit different from some. And though we referred to folks outside of our personal family as “the others” we were never obvious about such beliefs and so folks around us in the community had no clue. In fact, only one outsider, a Mrs. Bowie, who was a retired minister of a mystical Christian church and close friend of my grandmother Ina and a family from Ohio that used to visit my grandparents when we lived in MD, were the only non-family members that were aware of our ways.

Were we special?

Absolutely not, we were just as dysfunctional in some ways as any other family from that era. However, we never believed in publicity as far as our particular beliefs in the Craft. This was not due to fear of any public backlash or what have you; it was just our way to be private about our family ways.

In those days, folks believed that went on behind closed doors stayed behind those same doors. When my mother branched off into a coven separate from our immediate family at the beginning of 1970, a coven whose focus was primarily on Astrology and its influences on life, the ways of silence were such that though I as a teenager was aware of the existence of that coven, I knew next to nothing beyond that tiny morsel of information.

Some of you may have met my mother at some point in time for during the 1970’s she performed astrological and Tarot readings for a cruise ship liner that traveled between the coast of Florida and the Bahamas.

At any rate, during the mid 1970’s I spent three years in Germany with the military and during that time I was associated with a coven that engaged the path of Hecate and thus would probably be seen as a “dark” coven by Neo pagans today. And yet, though we were very active, we did not seek and in fact went to great pains to avoid publicity.

And now I come to my reservations and thus conflicting emotions about the openness if you will of witchcraft in today’s times. During the years that I have mentioned above, privacy was something that was as a natural way of life at the time and was respected as such.

I am keenly aware that during these same times, that those of the Wicca were in fact moving in the opposite direction and actively seeking publicity at every opportunity. Beyond this observation I personally have no comment to share about the Wicca during those times, for I am speaking about witchcraft as I know it from my personal experiences and not about the fledgling religion of Wicca.

In today’s day and age, with the advent of the Internet where information is readily assessable and where there are now a plethora of Wicca and witchcraft 101 books, it is difficult to find folks who adhere to the tenets of privacy that witchcraft once knew. My personal concerns are that is such openness really a positive step forward in regards to witchcraft?

When I examine my personal views of witchcraft, I see a spiritual path that is wide open to “personal” discovery. Nor do I see any valid restrictions on what or how a practitioner of witchcraft may engage in order to arrive at such discoveries. If one sees the need to conjure up a spirit or other entity in an effort to experience such a discovery, then so be it. If one needs to resort to witchcraft to correct a wrong from another, then again, so be it.

As a witch, I believe that each of us is an individual and as such I do not believe in Karma, a concept that is foreign to the art of witchcraft. But I do believe in maintaining personal responsibility. As an old school witch, I feel that I know my personal goals and the experiences needed to achieve them far better than any group of folks such as those found within the many religions that make up our world. If I make a mistake than I am the one who has to pay for them.

I personally do not believe that a public forum has the right to outline boundaries that defines what steps I am allowed to take to arrive at my experiences in witchcraft. As an individual I do not believe that anyone outside of me has a say on how I personally pursue the path of witchcraft.

Again, I am the one that has to answer for any trial and errors that I engage in within the parameters of witchcraft. And yet this is exactly the perception that we are at in today’s Neo pagan community.

Witchcraft is now defined (erroneously to my mind) as a religion. And as a religion all of the tenets that were once diametrically opposed to the tenets of witchcraft are now accepted as being the norm.

Because of the instantaneous communication of the Internet, folks who engage in witchcraft are cast into a false image of being light and fluffy folks. I personally do not believe in Good and Evil, as these is primarily concepts that originated with the Abrahamic religions. I do believe that there are shades of light and dark, but only in the sense that we need such labels in order to put a sense of understanding on such concepts as they relate to the human experience.

And so I have to wonder, if we took the overwhelming desire for publicity that defines the art of witchcraft today, would witchcraft still be defined as it is by today’s standards. Or would the freedoms that were once a tenet of witchcraft, flourish yet once again?

And are such modern standards, which in effect are enhanced by way of the Internet, realistic as it pertains to the practice of witchcraft?

Massive publicity may bode well for a religion in the sense that it needs such attention in order to boost its membership. But is such publicity really a positive and useful approach to a mystical spiritual path that requires no such membership beyond that of the individual practitioner?

Is the personal responsibility that has always been an unavoidable tenet of witchcraft still possible or even a consideration in the concept of witchcraft as it is defined by today’s standards? Has such massive publicity made witchcraft into a completely unrealistic concept in order to be acceptable to today’s society? Has such publicity taken away from the base realities of witchcraft?

The WOTC’s Spell of the Day for Feb. 7th: Purification Ritual for New Magical Tools

Purification Ritual for New Magical Tools

Whenever you buy a new tool for magical workings it is important that the tool is purified. This is a simple purification ritual that I use to cleanse my new magical tools:

Ingredients:

caldron or any heat-proof dish

dandelion leaf

wormwood

sage

Ignite the herbs and let them smolder awhile. As the smoke curls about you pass your tool through the smoke and say:

“Smoke rise,

Let me be wise.

This (name of tool) is cleansed.

I will use it only for good.”

The item is now ready to use!

by Jame Kambos

For The New Craft Members – Finding A Teacher, Mentor or Guide

Finding a Teacher, Mentor or Guide

When your comfort level with the concepts of the Pagan path have grown to the point where you are certain that this is the lifestyle you wish to follow, you will undoubtedly wish to share that fellowship and comradely with others of like mind and spirit. To avoid being drawn into a group where the intent is less than honorable, there are a couple of things that may assist you in avoiding contact with the nuts out there.

The first and most important thing is to listen to your Spirit Twin, Guide, Little Voice, Gut Feeling or whatever you choose to call it. Most of us have found that this inner voice is rarely wrong and you “WILL” know when something simply does not feel right. If you get that uneasy feeling about someone or a group, back or run away as quickly as possible.

When you initially make contact with someone, especially here on the internet, you have a great advantage in that you can limit your contact to relatively anonymous contact through e-mail. While this is not always fool proof, and there are some great deceivers out there. This does offer you some protection. Exchange mail withholding all personal information until you are absolutely certain there are no safety risks. If someone keeps pressuring you for personal information, break off all contact with them immediately. If they persist in bothering you after you politely tell them you no longer wish contact with them, contact your ISP and lodge a formal complaint giving this persons e-mail address and their host name. There are federal laws regarding electronic stalking and harassment, something of this nature would qualify for assistance from various federal agencies in getting that person to leave you alone.

Finally, Issac Bonewits developed a small questionnaire in 1979 (Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame) that you can use which will help your inner voice when determining if an individual or group poses above average risk.

The Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame

(version 2.0)

Factors: Low 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 High

1. INTERNAL CONTROL: Amount of internal political power exercised by leader(s) over members._____

2. WISDOM CLAIMED; by leader(s) amount of infallibility declared or implied about decisions or doctrinal/scriptural interpretations._____

3. WISDOM CREDITED to leader(s) by members; amount of trust in decisions or doctrinal/scriptural interpretations made by leader(s)._____

4. DOGMA: Rigidity of reality concepts taught; amount of doctrinal inflexibility or “fundamentalism.”_____

5. RECRUITING: Emphasis put on attracting new members; amount of proselytizing._____

6. FRONT GROUPS: Number of subsidiary groups using different names from that of main group._____

7. WEALTH: Amount of money and/or property desired or obtained by group; emphasis on members’ donations; economic lifestyle of leader(s) compared to ordinary members._____

8. POLITICAL POWER: Amount of external political influence desired or obtained; emphasis on directing members’ secular votes._____

9. SEXUAL MANIPULATION: of members by leader(s); amount of control exercised over sexuality of members; advancement dependent upon sexual favors or specific lifestyle._____

10. CENSORSHIP: Amount of control over members’ access to outside opinions on group, its doctrines or leader(s)._____

11. DROPOUT CONTROL: Intensity of efforts directed at preventing or returning dropouts._____

12. VIOLENCE: Amount of approval when used by or for the group, its doctrines or leader(s)._____

13. PARANOIA: Amount of fear concerning real or imagined enemies; perceived power of opponents; prevalence of conspiracy theories._____

14. GRIMNESS: Amount of disapproval concerning jokes about the group, its doctrines or its leader(s)._____

15. SURRENDER OF WILL: Amount of emphasis on members not having to be responsible for personal decisions; degree of individual dis empowerment created by the group, its doctrines or its leader(s)._____

16. HYPOCRISY: Amount of approval for other actions (not included above) which the group officially considers immoral or unethical, when done by or for the group, its doctrines or leader(s); willingness to violate group’s declared principles for political, psychological, economic, or other gain._____

Low 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 High

The Celtic Connection

http://wicca.com/celtic/cc002.htm

H is for Handfasting

H

Handfasting

The actual term “handfasting” comes from the tradition of the bride and groom crossing arms and joining hands — basically, creating the infinity symbol (a figure-eight) with the hands. In Neopagan ceremonies, the clergyperson performing the ceremony will join the couple’s hands with a cord or ribbon during the ritual. In some traditions, the cord remains in place until the couple consummates the marriage. While some people may choose to have their handfasting be a permanent bond, others might declare it to be valid for “a year and a day”, at which point they will re-evaluate the relationship and determine whether to continue or not.

C is for Cleansing Chant

C

CLEANSING CHANT

Uphold the rules of the Wiccan Rede.
Be high in spirit ye shall succeed.
Power of the Elements Five,
Will help Mother Nature stay alive.
From grains of Earth to the moving Air.
Past the burning Fire that magic flares.
Flow with Water, lakes, and streams;
Around the Spirit’s aura and dreams.

I is for Invoking

I

Invoking

Invoking is a form of voluntary possession. When you invoke a deity or being, you’re not asking it to come hang out, you’re inviting into yourself, and that god or goddess will manifest through a human host. The ritual of is an excellent example of invocation of deity.

Typically, if you’re new to spiritual practices such as Wicca or Paganism, most people will advise you to hold off on invoking deity until you’ve learned enough to have a good handle on what’s happening. It may be a good idea to focus instead on evoking, and communing with the gods, before you go inviting them to take control of you, even if it is just on a temporary basis.

W is for Watchtowers

W

Watchtowers

In Wicca, Guardians known as Watchtowers are called. These guardians are held hostage in each of the four corners or directions of the circle: East, South, West and North. They are set there to guard and protect the circle. This calling of the Watchtowers usually takes place during what is known in Wicca as “Calling the Quarters.”

Traditional Witchcraft does not call the Watchtowers, it does however, call Guardians. These Guardians are often called Spirits with whom a person feels comfortable with and has had a relationship with. Guadians can be our Ancestors, a Spirit Guide or other Spiritual Entity with which the you are familiar with.

What’s Up, Dear Family & Friends? It’s A Funday-Sunday Here Today!!!

Gooo0d Afternoon, my dearies! How are you doing today? I hope super fantastic. I have had a busy morning around here. Started a little of my Spring cleaning today! I need a maid, someone please!!!! I moved furniture, then got the little step stool and climbed on top. I started washing the walls down. Here comes Razzy and decides she doesn’t want her Momma wearing socks today. She hates for me to wear socks anyway. She will catch me with them on and pull them off my feet and hide them. So here she comes (she is a big as the step stool), she slaps at my ankles. Next the little (ha!) fart throws her big paw over my foot and just starts nibbling on my ankles. Gee, I am glad she friendly. I sit my bucket down and she knew I was getting down. She took off and ran to hubby and hit him head on. She knocked the breathe out of him. When I got to the living room, he was panting for air and she was curled up like a little angel.

Then when I got throw playing with Razzy, I had to go and give the pitbull his medicine. I also took him for a walk this morning. His scars are healing up nicely and he is starting to put some weigh on his back leg. He is so loveable. And he just wants someone to love him in return. I sit down and he rolls all over me, loving and licking. I have to keep him under control because he gets so excited by someone wanting to care for him. I am afraid if he gets to wound up, he will hurt himself and he has done wonderfully. I don’t want that to happen.

You ever get tired of doing the same old thing, day after day??? I do. I try to think of new things on the site to do to keep it interesting. Today, we are having a Funday Sunday. What does that mean? WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME FUN!!!! We are going to play “WITCH.” I am going to take each letter of Witch and post some info that correspondences with it. Say for instance, W – Warding – then I would write a little bit about Warding. Then two or three more W’s. Then I would move on to the “I.” There is going to information, invocations, potions, spells, rituals and no telling what else. So let’s have some fun and hopefully you will enjoy playing Witch today!!!! Oh, if you have a suggestion for one of the letters, feel free to post it in the comment section. I will then copy and paste it on the site and give you proper credit. So let’s get those brooms a stirring and play witch!!!!

More Whats Up Comments

The Witches Spell for Saturday, February 2nd: Dream Tending Spell

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Dream Tending Spell

Imbolc – Groundhog Day

Color of the Day: Brown

Incense of the Day: Sandalwood

This is a truly special day for Wiccans and some Witches. It is Imbolc, a high holiday that honors the triple Goddess Brigit and one of the eight Sabbats that mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Groundhog Day is also observed today. This holiday incorporates the seasonal divination of the more ancient Imbolc, which uses the movement of a snake rather than the shadow of a groundhog to divine how much longer winter will remain. It is the beginning of the Storm Moon and also the time of the Feast of Oya, the orisha of weather and changes. To the Iroquois people, it is Midwinter Ceremony, a time to bless the fields, tell your dreams, and pay tribute to your Ancestors. Today is also the birthday of Marie Laveau II, New Orleans’ Voodoo Queen and diviner extraordinaire. At bedtime now, light a braid of sweet grass. Extinguish the flame but allow the braid to smolder. Wave the braid lovingly and with great care around your bedroom, motioning with your hand to encourage the smoke to drift in a snake-like stream over your bed and pillow. Dip the braid in springwater, making absolutely sure no flame remains. Then put the braid away. Pour lavender water in a large bowl. Put your favorite seashell inside the bowl of water. As you sleep, the bowl will act as a conduit for messages from the Ancestors, nature spirits, and the great beyond. Place this under your bed or on your bed table. Replenish the water as needed over a period of two weeks. Write down your dreams in a journal. Read over them frequently. Messages revealed in the darkness of winter have special meaning. Work each day to lift the shroud of darkness so you can glimpse new growth and the coming light of spring. Understanding the mysteries of winter is at the heart of Imbolc and its celebration.

by Stephanie Rose Bird

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