Tag: Witchcraft

Finally, “GOOD AFTERNOON WOTC!” A Fantastic Friday To All!

Getting Lady Abyss out of the graphics is about as bad as pulling teeth.  No joke! She is like a kid in a candy store. The only bad thing about WordPress is that you can’t have two or three people working on the site at the same time. So one has to stop while the other one gets started. I finally got her gone by reminding her she still has to write the front page for the site. She flew, I really should have said that sooner, lol!

We talked it over and I know Lady A mentioned the disclaimer (which everyone thought was a good idea). Then we decided the whole front page is going to be a disclaimer but at the same time telling the truth about our Religion. We figured that this time of the year is the only time some will seek a site like this out. Why not take advantage of it? Tell exactly what Witchcraft is about and at the end, if they still haven’t got the point, a mild disclaimer. I told Lady A she should have already wrote the front page. The interesting “NOT” comments have already started. Just a little early this year, should be a very interesting season, lmao! Thank the Goddess for the super spammer stopper WordPress provides us!

I have talked more than work, time to get busy.

Have a very fantastic Friday,

Mystie

 

Let’s Talk Witch – Witches & Reincarnation

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Witches & Reincarnation

The witch’s body houses his soul. Witches who believe in reincarnation—and most do—regard earth as a place of learning. Their time on this planet is spent gaining and applying knowledge in ways that can only be accomplished on the physical plane. The eventual goal, however, is to stop the cycle of reincarnation so the soul can return to the Source. The earth, its creatures—everything in this world—are seen as teachers, and all experiences are considered opportunities for growth.

How long a soul waits between incarnations is uncertain. Several years, or perhaps decades or centuries, may pass between sojourns in this world. Many people believe you choose the time, place, and conditions into which you are born, or that you decide in concert with a divine plan that extends throughout the universe.

You may have a specific “task” or “reason” for assuming a particular lifetime. Karmic issues incurred during previous existences influence your present and future lifetimes. Consequently, your soul might have to wait until conditions on earth are optimal for you to undergo the spiritual growth you seek before you can re-enter a physical form.

What about the myths and beliefs about people being reincarnated into animals? No one knows for certain. If you ask some pet owners, they’ll tell you animals display uncanny psychic abilities and seem to have a soul or spirit. Witches often have exceptionally strong ties with animal companions whom they call “familiars.” Although Hindus believe humans can reincarnate as other species, witches generally accept that human souls come back to earth in human bodies.

Excerpt from:

The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book (Everything®)
Alexander, Skye (2008-07-01).

The People You Meet on the Pagan Path

The People You Meet on the Pagan Path

Author: MissElphie

There are always people who leave a mark along our path in our Pagan path. Those people who supported us and who taught us things that, probably, we wouldn’t have learned in any other way. These people are essential and must not be forgotten. After all, no matter how many books we write, how many thesis are made and researches done, there is always space to learn and embrace knowledge that we get through experience and by the teaching of others. That is what I’ll be talking about today.

The solitary path is a path that is often chosen, especially in today’s society in which most Pagan practitioners live in the big metropolis and cities, and where finding a coven is getting harder and harder. These good covens hide themselves more often than you think. And, if covens do ‘go public’, much of the time, they aren’t that big of a thing or there is a high chance that they are not what the practitioners are looking for. Good covens are hard to find. Not only due to their shortage but also because it’s complicated for a solitary to fit their eclectic costumes and already acquired traditions in a group that is as well defined as a coven. It ends up being complicated. Additionally, today’s individualism and our consumer and technological society oft results in isolation from the community around us (in favor of a virtual community) which may lead to a disconnection.

These factors plus the routine and daily busy life of the metropolis leads to shortage of time.
As you can see, there are numerous factors that may stop a solitary practitioner from joining a coven. There is, also, the possibility of the practitioner himself/herself not wanting to join a coven (like my case, for example) .

Don’t judge me wrong, I believe that life in a coven can be amazing and very enriching and, if possible, I recommend the experience if you are so inclined, since all paths teach us something. But, in this article, I’m focusing more on the solitary side of the Pagan practice.

For a solitary, magickal practice requires a routine by which the seeker learns things by himself/herself. We must alone search for authors, read books, research sources, etc. It ends up being our daily lives, so, after a couple of years, it becomes second nature. We know that author X is good and author Y is not that good. We prefer the works of X and not of Z. And so on.

However when we do meet someone who may be able to help us, such as someone with more experience, it’s always great. And, my advice is to take that opportunity. You can share what you know with that person and that person will share her knowledge with you. You can have arguments about a certain theory and, by debating it, reach a common and satisfactory answer. You can read books and discuss opinions on the subject or go to public events and find more people to talk to and learn from or teach.

With the help of others, our path only gets richer. It is still a solitary path and ours in the practical terms, since it is created and followed by us alone, but we always learn a lot interacting with others.

Throughout the years, I’ve met several people (not only online but also in person) who have taught me so much and helped me grow. I’m no longer that girl who thought that Wicca was all fairies and pink and that all other Pagan paths were a simple minority. Today, I have a clear notion of what Paganism is, of Wicca and of several different pagan paths, not only when talking about Neo-Paganism, but also pre-Christian beliefs.

I’m not saying that everyone whom you will meet will teach you something good for you to use in your daily path. But they will teach you something. They might, at least, teach you not to follow their path (if they are one of those crazy nut-heads that go around or a scammer) . Everyone has something to teach you and you must, along your path, learn everything you can from people, whether they are Pagan or not (Yes, even followers of other religions have a lot to teach you, especially when it comes to respecting other people’s beliefs) .

But of course, be careful. Don’t try everything people tell you to try. There are a lot of people who are amazing and who will teach you things that will last for a lifetime but there are also may be people with bad intentions who only want to harm you, scam you or worse. Trust me, I’ve seen people whose only interest in helping others was to gain money or fame or just use that “wanting to help” as a way of scamming them. Always be careful and always be very alert during any conversation. Think for yourself and, if necessary, ask for the opinion of someone older or with more knowledge than you, in whom you trust. .

Life has a lot to teach us and there are so many things to try and learn from. Don’t keep yourself entirely locked away from the world by not socializing, by not meeting other pagans. At first it can be hard to see so many points of views. Some you might even think “What is this?” but that will also teach you to respect others. There is so much you can learn by meeting and by talking to other pagans.

Find some events in your area or, if you are going on vacation to somewhere, search if there are any pagan gathering nearby and plan a visit. Or find an online forum and join up, meet some people and learn new things.

My simple conclusion: Socialize. Talk to people, enter social networks of Paganism, sign into forums and meet people. Learn with them and discover new worlds filled with knowledge. Who knows? You might even find a coven that will be your future family. You never know what plans the Gods have in store for us.

Live life to the fullest; know the world and live your religion.

Goddess Blessings,
MissElphie

No "Let's Talk Witch" Today Instead A Disclaimer

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We are going to update the site this afternoon and tonight. But I want you to know that there will be a disclaimer on this site for the month of October. I am comfortable in doing this because I know our regular followers are all brothers and sisters of the Craft. The reason I am doing this is because I was scrolling through the movies on TV for October. There are tons of Witchcraft and Occult movies on for this month (doesn’t it figure?).

My husband picked out one last night for us to watch. I think I would have rather watched reruns of Hee-Haw. Seriously. It was a movie about teenagers doing a Séance using a Ouija board. The whole thing was pathetic. Then it hit me, Halloween is this month, Samhain for us. But people will watch these movies and run to this site demanding to do Witchcraft NOW! It happens every year, like clock work. The disclaimer isn’t going to be offensive. It will simply explain that magick doesn’t happen with the snap of the fingers. It is a serious Religion and should be regarded as such. It involves study and unless you are not serious about becoming a student of the Craft, please do not demand Magick NOW! Or something like that.

Anyway, you will know what is going on and won’t be surprised when you see it.

Young Adult Witches: The Generation In Between

Young Adult Witches: The Generation In Between

Author:   Soull the University Witch   

For some youth, the world of Wicca and magick in general is a rather strange and awkward world. In middle school, they hide their new-found religious interest to “different faith” parents. In high school, they may continue on that course, or flaunt it as a means of rebellion to those same parents whom they had to hide their faith from. Anyone today, from Pagan to Mundane, can read it and see it, in many forms of media. It is almost a stereotypical plot device in books, television, and movies.

But after high school comes the tricky age.

What happens when Witches enter young adulthood? Already, society demands they have the same responsibilities as an adult, and yet they have none of the experience, nor are they really treated as “adults” by the older generation. Those who have entered the world of Witches (or have been so all of their lives) , hit a rather strange crossroads that, for some, can either make or break their religious path.

Many religions have a place of social congregation, such as a church, or a synagogue. The Wiccan/Pagan religions do not, as most of the ritual and any form of ceremony and celebration can take place within the house or backyard of another Witch. Minus the large gatherings of the Sabbaths, other Witches may also practice in covens.

For young Witches, coven is a word, an almost sacred word, that holds some sort of rite of passage to it. In a way, to them, being in a coven makes you a real Witch. Of course, this is not true at all. There are many Witches who are solitary practitioners, young and old.
But is that by choice, or unfortunate circumstance?

There are several books, perhaps hundreds, written to guide the solitary practitioner. That’s far too many. Witches have the word ‘coven’ to use it, to form one, to be in one… and yet there are witches across the country, the whole world, who find their magick merely at their own altar, burning candles and tossing the ashes of their regrets into the wind. Alone.

There’s a bit of disconnect between the older generation and the new Witches who are finding this path in a strange and uncertain new century. Do they think young Witches are merely there for a thrill, or for fun? Do they not believe that the younger generation can take this path seriously?

Of course, we cannot just blame the older generation for the odd gap. Are younger Witches unwilling to sacrifice convenience for tradition? Do they take an interest in Witchcraft merely due to the media, and once they find out it takes more than a wave of wand to create and make magick work for them, do they give up?

The branches of Neopaganism are essentially a religion, even if outsiders such as ‘mundanes’ have a hard time grasping such a concept. It is a spiritual path that does not attempt to bring people into the circle though means of recruiting and “spreading the word”. It is the happenstance that those interested in the Craft find us. Other religions have people who go door-to-door to spread the word of their faith. Witches don’t do such a thing, instead preferring that people decide this path is right for them on their own.

Do all of us take it a step too far when it comes to not pressing our religion onto others? It seems more than not that instead of sharing who we are and what we do with those whom express curiosity, that we merely clam up and choose to not inform supposed outsiders. The ways of Paganism can be something that sounds outlandish to those who have never crossed ways with it before, or only have the knowledge of what the media provides. But how do we expect these new people to become kin with us if we’re unwilling to dispense information? We certainly can’t expect that everyone can merely “look it up” themselves. In an age where paper books are becoming less common and the Internet reigns, someone interested in Neopaganism can easily stumble upon false information.

For those of the younger generation, the Internet may be the only source of information they touch in this regard. For some, it’s the only way; an outing to the bookstore with a parent or guardian could end up badly if they catch them in the new age or metaphysical section, especially if the parent is unaware of their interest. It’s also rather hard to just find people whom are of the same path to speak with in regards to magickal faith. It is this generation whom will be the next High Priests and Priestesses, the metaphysical shop owners, and the authors of many books about magick-based religions. Both parties should make sure the right information is being passed down.

The age of the young adult Witch is a strange time. The Neopagan community as a whole should strive to find ways to make a smoother transition from this early Witch stage and into adulthood. Websites should reconsider the way they separate things for “adults” and “teens”. Witches in their mid to early twenties have a wide variety of interests. Some Witches may still be interested in the topics teen Witches are covering, while others many wish to partake in the more serious discussions you can find in forums for more mature Pagans. Said forums should attempt to find a way to bridge the divide, such as adding a “young adult section” (which could also be handy for teens who wish to move on from the discussions found on younger forums) .

There are plenty of books that offer introductory advice on solitary practice for teenagers, such as Silver Ravenwolf’s Teen Witch and Confessions of a Teenage Witch: Celebrating the Wiccan Life by Gwinevere Rain. However, very rarely can I find something that reaches for an age beyond the teenager years, but not quite into true adulthood.

By implementing a few simple changes, or even supporting and promoting websites, books, workshops, and events geared towards a younger crowd of adult Witches, we can ensure a smoother transition, and perhaps even increased openings for change in the Wiccan community. Like all religions, more people are turning to the path of the Old Ways, and there is a strong potential for growth within this age range.

If both sides are able to set aside generational and cultural differences, there is room for plenty of improvement… and change.

Good Sunday Morning My Beloved Family & Friends!

Witchy Comments & Graphics
I hope everyone is having a very Blessed Sunday Morning. It is rather rainy and dreary here today. But we need the rain so I won’t complain.  I got up this morning took my medicine and went back to sleep. I had the TV on when I fell asleep. I woke up to something that made me say, “Thank The Goddess Alive, I am a Witch!” The TV has a church broadcasting on it. The preacher was preaching his hell and brimstone passages as usual.

You ever truly want to be thankful that you are a Witch, Wiccan, Druid or any other Pagan tradition, watch a televised preacher. I am not being nasty or mean, I am being truthful. They fascinate me. They are either preaching their fire and brimstone or wanting money. After listening for a minute or two, I always change the channel. But in those few minutes, I am ever so grateful for our Divine Mother. I am not going to say we don’t have rules and Laws that we don’t have to live by cause we do. But nothing like I learned going to church every Sunday when I was little and what I hear on the TV now. In case I shocked some of you, I grew up in a family with two religious beliefs, one Baptist (my father) the other Witchcraft (my mother).  I guess listening to the Baptist when I was growing up and now today, their story never changes. But our religion is constantly changing. We continuously are learning and growing. We are taught everything about the Universe and most of all the Goddess’ Divine Love.

There is a big difference between the two religions that I can see now. I know the other Religions say their Gods are ever loving. But unfortunately where is the truth in that. Christianity happens to be one of the most bloodiest religions there ever was. Has our Goddess ever asked us to kill anyone in Her Divine name? No. All She has asked is that we find the power within us. The power She gave to  us.  Yes, she gave us power. Power to find, harness and use for the goodness of mankind. Can any other religion say that? I don’t think so. They talk of miracles. Growing up, I never saw any. But with the Goddess, She has given us the power to make our own miracles occur. We can perform magick beyond anyone’s belief. All we have to do with our Holy Mother is just ask and it is done. Thank Goddess, SHE IS ALIVE!!!!

I have always been respectful of other religions. In turn, I expect them to be respectful of my own religion. Tell someone you are a Witch. Go ahead and see what happens. I know. They immediately think you are a Heathren. You don’t have a God or Goddess, you don’t believe in anything. They must save you immediately. If not, you are going straight to hell. If nothing else comes out of this site, I want the world to know that Witchcraft is a religion. We have an almighty Goddess that we worship. She is very much alive.  She grants us the power to do the things necessary in life. She grants us power for the betterment of mankind. Our Goddess is alive. No matter who wants to say all other Gods are dead. This is a lie.  I can feel my Divine Mother all around me. She gives me the words to put on this blog for you to read. She loves each and everyone of us without threatens of hell’s fire and damnation. She loves us because we are Her children. She cares for us in our darkest hour and our finest moments. She is the All.

Witchcraft is one of the most popular and fastest growing Religion in the states. Why? Because people are starting to understand the truth about the Craft. They are starting to come to know the Goddess.  How real She truly is. How all you have to do each day is look around you and you will see Her. She is in everything, every where and every place you look. Her Love for us overflows. People are tired of the mainstream religions. They are looking for something new. They turn to Witchcraft as if it is something new. I hate to burst their bubble but Witchcraft is the oldest religion known. It has not always been known as a religion but thanks to us, people are starting to recognize it that way. We have had I don’t how many come over to our religion in the past month. Just in a month’s time, now! The ones I have talked too are worried about our Religion not having a Divine Being. I want to put your mind to ease, once and for all. We have a Divine Goddess and a God. We are not a Godless religion. We have a Divine Mother. In fact, I consider myself very lucky. I have three Mothers. I have maternal Mother who has passed on, then I have my Deity and I have my Goddess. What  other religion can say that?

But for those of you that are new and scared that you might have made the wrong decision about switching Religions.  Rested assured you didn’t. The Craft is the most beautiful Religion you will ever know. The ones that worry about Witchcraft being a Godless religion, who do you think put that interest in your heart? Who do you think is calling you to this religion? It is our Divine Mother who has done these things. She is the Universe. She is pure Love. All you have to do is open up your heart to Her. Let Her Love fill your heart, your body and your very soul. You will never know such a Love as Hers. I know I haven’t and the others here haven’t either. I believe there is only one thing left to say……..

“Thank The Goddess Alive, I am a Witch!”

Good Afternoon My Dear Family & Friends that I Love So!

Celtic & British Isles Graphics
Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. I have a rather nice hole in my hand but the cougar did not mean to harm me.  That’s the reason I ended up with the hole. The cougar was afraid it would cut me and jerked away, when this happened the claw dug deep into my hand. I have had worse than that before. It is really just part of it when you care for wild animals.

I will make this short as possible. I am very troubled and worried about some souls we have amongst us. I believe these individuals are like so many others that have come to us from another Religion. They have wrote me, that they are lost. They want to embrace the Ways of the Old but don’t know how to do it. My heart breaks for these people. Wanting to belong, but not knowing were they fit in. We must take them under our wing and help them in anyway we can.

I have had several that actually want to meet with me. I believe Mystie used my phrase earlier. I would be more than happy to meet with anyone seeking the Goddess. I know what you are hoping for, you will look into my face and there will be the answer. You won’t find the answer, all you will see is an average looking woman stare back at you.

I don’t have the ready made guide for accepting our Religion or our Goddess. But I can try to guide you and see if this Religion is right for you. Also there are other ways in serving the Goddess besides being a witch. Since most of you stated you were confused. I would forget everything I ever knew about the Religion I am coming from. Next, open your heart and your mind. Look for the unexpected. Because the Goddess will give you very subtle signs. She will also reveal information and wonders when She knows you can handle them. The Craft is nothing to rush. There is a year and a day involved in the study of our Religion. Nothing happens overnight, you have to learn it, work for and master it.

Now if you are still with me, I would start out by meditating to find how I am to serve the Goddess.  Meditation will clear your mind. It will help you think more clearly and be able to make decisions you are sure of.  Please don’t think you have to start out meditating for 2 or 3 hours. You can start out simply by meditating for 5 minutes and building up. Let you mind run free. Let it be open that the Goddess wants you to see. Behold the beauty of our Religion. You are entering a world of joy, love, beauty beyond belief. It is a world that only those who choose to follow the Goddess can see.

A world filled with wonders, beauty, love and magick that our mind can not take it all in. But given time, you will. You will live it and breathe it. You will be encompassed in the purest form of Love, the Goddess’ Love. For this is our Religion, Witchcraft.

Welcome dear brother and sister, we are glad you have come to join us. May you come to know the Goddess as each of us here has. May the Goddess fill your life with many blessings. Never close your heart or mind to our Divine Mother. There is always something new and wondrous to behold. Don’t doubt yourself any longer. Clear your mind of confusion and open your heart, the Goddess will do the rest. Only trust and believe in the Greatest Power you will ever know.

Blessings, Peace & Comfort,

Lady of the Abyss

Let's Talk Witch – Living a Magickal Life


Witchy Comments

Living a Magickal Life

The Witch’s world is rich and rewarding. Now that Witchcraft has “come out of the broom closet” and people around the world are sharing their knowledge openly, the field is growing ever richer. Everyone’s experiences contribute to the development of the whole. Wicca and Witchcraft are not static ideologies; they are constantly evolving, just like the women and men who are part of these wisdom traditions.

Once you put on the Witch’s mantle, your entire perspective will change. You’ll never again see the world as you did before. You realize that nothing happens in a vacuum and nothing happens accidentally. You become aware of your connection with all life on Earth and with the universe, the physical and the nonphysical. You know that your thoughts create your reality, and everything you think, feel, and do affects the whole.

Being a Witch means living consciously, in harmony with the rest of existence to the best of your ability. It also involves using your will responsibly to produce the results you desire for yourself and others. According to Aleister Crowley, “Every intentional act is a magical act.” As you move through the world as a Witch, you’ll notice that everyone you meet is your teacher, and you in turn teach something to everyone you meet. Magick transforms you. Magick exists everywhere, all the time. You are part of the magick.

We wanted to do something special for you on this Mabon!

I wanted to do something special for you on this Mabon. I don’t know if you followed long with the ritual or not. Nor do I know if you can’t anything out of it. But I know I did, I suddenly found a peace. A peace that came over me like an ocean. I know now everything is going to work out for the best. It is going to take some work on our part but we can make it happen.

The world is too violent of a place right now. If we don’t step in and do something, then I believe the Goddess is going to get fed up with all of us. Especially us, the witches, because it is our main objective to work for the betterment of mankind. That is why we were given our powers “to better mankind.”

I know there has been times when I have called us together to act as one. But now, as out of hand as the world has gotten we need to do it every day to something gives. Till we see a sign that our work is accomplishing something. There is a lot to be done. Truthfully, I don’t even know where to begin. We have are own government that can’t get along with itself, we have nuclear maniacs or at least we are told that, we have terrorists taking over malls, terrorists killing our troops overseas. It has to stop! We have to be the ones that stop it. Instead of sitting on our butts, we need to hit the floor on bended knee and pray to our Divine Mother.  Pray to Her for guidance, pray to her for her love and most of all her help cleaning the mess this planet is in, UP! Pray to Her that she will guide us and assist wherever we are needed. No matter what it is, we have to act.

The way the world is headed, it won’t go on much longer without Divine intervention. Ask the Goddess or whatever Divine Power you believe in, to help us. For we never need our Divine Mother now more than ever. All we have to do is ask and she will show us. Please pray with me, my friend, please!

This Mabon season as we look around and our bounty runs over with a plentiful harvest. Think of those who are less fortunate and pray for them. Pray that they may come and know the beauty and True Love of our Divine Mother. Pray they will come back to the Ways of the Old. No murders, robberies, mass executions, nuclear bombs, chemical weapons, shall I go on. Pray instead that our new world return to its old Ways. The Ways of the Ancient were Love ruled the land along with peace, harmony and good will. Let us not become so advance that we become barbaric. Remember how it once was, wouldn’t it be lovely if our children could grow up in that world again. They can and we can make it so. Wishing Each & Everyone of my dear family members here,

A Very Prosperous & Blessed Mabon,

Love,

Lady A & The Witches Of The Craft

Your Charm for September 18: The Crescent and Hand

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:   

Guests and visitors will come calling. Their visit brings happiness and joy. This aspect will reflect these emotions for weeks after the visit.

General Description:    

Crescents were worn by the ancients to safeguard them against witchcraft and danger. From the very early Eastern symbols, horseshoes came to be regarded by the Greeks and Romans as charms against sickness and the plague. In the middle ages horseshoes were used as amulets for witchcraft and even today are looked upon as lucky. When the representation of the hand of strength was worn with the crescent it signified hospitality and generosity. Hands of Might are painted on houses in Italy, Syria, Turkey and in the East to protect the buildings from misfortune and the inmates from death. The blue beads were worn to avert the evil eyes.

About Our Familiars

I had several questions today in regards to the Witch’s familiar. I dug up some information up and added a few things of my own. I hope this helps answers your questions. If anyone has any questions about anything, please feel free to ask. After this I have to get ready to go to the doctor. I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday and here’s the info…….

2444

Many Witches choose to have a familiar— a spiritually attuned creature (who lives with or nearby the Witch) who offers the Witch insights into nature, and for help in magick. Today’s familiars include cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, and even the stereotypical frog, but, really, any living creature with whom the Witch can have an ongoing relationship or rapport can fulfill the role of the familiar! Actually, the Witch doesn’t necessarily choose this creature so much as the animal and the Witch seem to discover and bond with each other. No matter what kind of creature it might be, the familiar is no mere pet. The animal in question is the revealer of truths and a respected partner in every sense except being human!

If a Witch wishes to put out a call for a familiar, he usually does so through a spell or ritual. This ritual typically takes place outdoors, near the home. The Witch begins by creating sacred space, and then he meditates, prays, and places the request in the hands of nature. During the meditation the Witch visualizes the living space so the right creature can easily find its way to the door.

Below is a list of not so average animals we might not think of as being familiars:

Bees

According to many demonologists, if a witch or sorceress managed to eat a queen bee before she was arrested, she would be able to withstand torture and trial without confessing. This was one of many ready explanations offered by witch-hunters when their victims refused to confess. In this way, many witches were condemned to death despite the lack of a confession.

Chickens

A chicken named Nan was considered a familiar in the 17th-century Bury St. Edmonds trials of Suffolk, England. Three other chickens were also cited as imps in the same area.

Crows

Sooty-feathered and harsh of voice, the crow was a fit familiar to witches, prized for its ability to fly and spy. Villagers feared this carrion eater, for it was a messenger of mortality. A fluttering crow around the window or one that flew thrice over the roof, croaking each time, meant Death was on his way. Simply to see the bird flying alone could bring bad luck, and crows rising in a flock from a wood sometimes presaged famine.

Flies

Margaret Wyard, an accused witch of Bury St. Edmonds in Suffolk, England, confessed to having flies among her familiars.

Hares

In ways both physical and behavioral, the hare was a natural ally of witches: Hares are swift and agile, able to stand on their hind legs like a person, prone to gathering in parliament like groups,

orgiastically mad in the spring, wantonly destructive of crops and possessed of a most unbeast like cry. Some witches traveled in the shape of hares.

Given the association of hares with witchcraft and magic, it is not surprising that superstition surrounded them. It was said, for example, that the sight of a hare running down a village street presaged fire and that the appearance of a white hare in a mine would be followed by a fatal accident. A hare that crossed a person’s path would bring bad luck. And the very word ‘hare’ could not be mentioned at sea, so great was the fear of the animal’s power.

Curiously enough, possession of a hare’s-foot brought luck. This belief arose not from the hare’s traffic with witches but from much more ancient associations: The hare is a notably prolific creature, and its foot was long a sexual symbol.

Mice

Margaret Wyard, an accused witch of Bury St. Edmonds in Suffolk, England, confessed to having mice among her familiars. Other witches in the area admitted to having two “heavy and hairy” mice as familiars. In 1662, the nine- and eleven-year old daughters of Samuel Pacy somehow saw invisible mice, which they threw on a fire. One mouse “screeched like a Rat.” The other mouse “Flashed like to Gun-Powder.”  One 16th-century Essex woman confessed to having three mouse-shaped imps named Daynty, Prettyman, and Littleman. Another woman had four named Sparrow, Robyn, James, and Prickeare.

Snails

A victim of Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne, John Bysack confessed to having six familiars in the form of snails. These imps sustained themselves by sucking Bysack’s blood. “Each snail was an assassin with a particular assignment: Atleward killed cows, Jeffry pigs, Peter sheep, Pyman fowls, Sacar horses and Sydrake Christians.”

Snakes and Cats

Anciently inimical to each other, the serpent and the cat were favorites of witches. The serpent seems to have played the smaller role: While it could serve as a familiar, it was chiefly valued for its fearful aspect and its link to Satan – useful in repelling the curious, who might interfere with a witch’s business. To dream of a serpent signified that someone had a grudge against the dreamer.

The cat, on the other hand, was surrounded by speculation. Its pupils – narrow slits in the daytime and luminous black globes at night – linked it to the moon and emphasized its power to see into the future. Cats were said to suck the breath from infants at night. And cats forecast the weather: When they scampered and cavorted, wind was on its way; when they washed their ears, rain was coming; when they sat with their backs to the fire, they awaited frost and storms.

Except in northern England, where it was thought lucky to own a black cat (but unlucky to meet a strange one), black cats were the most common embodiments of Satan. As for cats that served as familiars – rather than as transformations of the witches themselves – they were usually brindled.

Spiders

Spinner of webs, an archtrickster, and a silent and murderous trapper, the spider was tiny enough to hide in the hood of a witch’s cloak as a familiar and whisper instructions in her ear.

Ordinary folk said that to dream of a spider meant betrayal. To see one in the morning brought bad luck, and to kill one summoned rain. The sight of spiders terrified wedding parties because the creatures were omens of unhappy marriage. And in Switzerland it was said that the plague, with its black sores, was spread by malevolent spiders travelling in secret from house to house.

Toads

Ugly and venomous thought it was, the toad seems to have been among the most cherished of witch familiars: The creatures were dressed in velvet by their mistresses, ornamented with bells and encouraged to dance. Common folk both feared and valued them though. Toads were burned because the horns on their foreheads marked them as agents of Satan and because witches used toad spittle to concoct ointments that conferred invisibility. On the other hand, toads were admired for their ability to hear distant thunder long before the human ear could catch it; the sight of the little creatures making their way to safe water provided a reliable indicator for approaching storms. And very elderly toads – rarely glimpsed – carried precious jewels in their heads, effective antidotes to poison.

Book Blessing 2

BOOK BLESSING

Hearken as the Witch’s word
Calls the lady and the lord
Moon above and earth below
Sky’s cool blue and sun’s hot glow
In this right and ready hour
Fill these pages with thy power
May no unprepared eye to see
The secrets which trusted be
To I who walk the hidden road
To find the hearthstone’s calm abode
Guardians from the four directions
Hear me and lend thy protection
May these truths of Earth and skies
Shaded be from prying eyes
But to the witches whose map this be
May the way be plain to see
And through all the coming ages
May we find home in these pages
So mote it be!

A Decade of Paganism

A Decade of Paganism

Author:   SylvanFox   

When I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I had a children’s Bible that I must have read a hundred times. I quickly noticed that it didn’t have any of the quotes that I heard in church, so I knew I had to get my hands on the real thing. I struggled with this mammoth book and its Jacobean writing style, and once I got past that I struggled with its contents. I had no trouble believing that Moses had parted the Red Sea or that Jesus could turn water into wine. What troubled me was the way the Bible regarded women.

You see, in my childhood I had a more fervent faith that any adult I’ve ever met. It wasn’t ever enough to read about all that stuff happening so long ago, I wanted that stuff to happen here, now. I wanted to be involved in my faith, not just have it spoon-fed to me on Sundays. I wanted to be a preacher, or a prophet, or a modern-day Biblical hero. Reading the real-life grown-up Bible made me realize that could never happen, and for no better reason than that I am female.

That’s how it came to be that at the age of fourteen, I was looking for new options. I didn’t have much to go on, just some vague idea that other religions existed plus a love for mythology and stories. Then one of the other kids in the neighborhood found a battered old brown book that was simply titled Wicca (no idea who the author was) . We never really knew where this book came from, but all the kids were fascinated with it because it mostly contained what we recognized as Witchcraft (in hindsight, this was not a very good book on Wicca) , but it opened us up to new possibilities, and the few mentions in the book of “The Goddess” caught my interest. Surely a Lady god would let women step up to the plate! There was no way to find out more about this Goddess at the time, but that problem soon disappeared, when we got the internet hooked up at the house.

Online, I ran into Wicca again when I met a lot of Witches on a site I frequented. This led me to do further research, and I liked what I found out. Soon my prayers were directed at an equal Goddess and God, and I worked out a plan to get the book that everyone online recommended to me as a great starting place- Scott Cunningham’s Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. This was a lot better than that battered old book we had been toying around with. I learned a lot from it, and for the next two or three years I was a devoted and enthusiastic Wiccan.

I’ve always heard a lot of complaints about teen witches, but people have got to start somewhere. I won’t say that I was always mature and grounded in my approach to Wicca at that time, but I don’t think I was a total Fluffbunny either. It wasn’t a phase. It wasn’t a fairy tale version of my life. It was my new path, and I’m still walking it, so I try to show respect to teen Pagans when I run across them on the net

When I was old enough to get a job, I bought more books on Wicca and Witchcraft, including more Cunningham books and Raymond Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft. I liked all of these books, but I started to get a little bit disenchanted with Wicca. I might never have done so if I could have been a part of some organized Tradition or coven.

The problem was something I had trouble grasping at the time. Wicca was a hodge-podge of stuff borrowed from older religions and often watered down a lot. While I liked and believed in the idea that “All gods are one God”, I wasn’t really interested in worshipping some flavorless compilation of gods. It’s hard to put into words what I needed, but the closest thing I can think of is discipline. Wicca didn’t seem to have any standards to live up to outside of “harm none, ” and I thought there should be more to it than that. I also thought that Wicca, and many Wiccans, focused too much on sex, both as a part of the religion and as a major sign of freedom. It made me feel left out, because I had an “inexcusable” aversion to sex (will get into that later) .

Another thing was that I wanted to stick to one god or set of gods. I researched a number of Pagan paths, including Hellenic Reconstructionism, Celtic Reconstructionism, and Discordianism. I also read up a bit on Theraveda Buddhism. It was a while before I would settle for any one thing, however, and instead of moving on, I incorporated pieces of these other paths (especially Discordianism and Buddhism) into my faith.

Then there came a day when I stumbled across an article on The Witches’ Voice that talked about something called soul retrieval. I was interested in this, and resolved to contact the person mentioned in the article. I was now nineteen and no longer living with my Southern Baptist mother so it was no trouble for me to do so. I had progressed over the last five years, but not as much as I thought. The process of soul retrieval marked the beginning of the real growth, perhaps due as much to becoming an adult as to the soul retrieval itself.

When I talked to the woman, she told me about a lot of things. First off, she said that I was a “walk-in”, a person who steps into the body of another, sometimes for a specific purpose. According to her, my specific purpose was to get back into the world of life so I could repair myself of damage done in my last life.

I take what I hear about past lives and such with a grain of salt, as I’m not even sure how reincarnation works, or if it works at all, but what I was told about my past life in this conversation answered some very important questions about things in my life, most notably my big sexual hang-up. A lot of family members had been thinking that I had been molested at some point, but the truth is that such a thing never happened in my childhood. I had no real reason for my unnatural fear and aversion that made me feel weak, ashamed, and confused. That’s why I was inclined to believe her when she told me that I had been brutally assaulted in a past life.

Believing in those gory details opened me up more to the rest of what she said. She explained that she was a “Plant Woman”, and that I was training to be a sort of Norse version of that in this past life. “Plant Woman” was her preferred term for what we might call a Medicine Woman or a Shaman.

After the soul retrieval, I felt revitalized, and there was a definite feel of beginning. I felt like an apprentice or acolyte, just beginning my spiritual path. I decided to check out Norse mythology and Heathen faiths such as Asatru and Odinism, and (how had I not already done so by that point? I have no idea) , and I loved what I found.

From then on, my primary focus would be on Heathen gods and Heathen lore. The only exceptions have been two occasions wherein I implemented Chaos Magic in order to use another belief to further my path. The first time was in order to understand better the rifts between my Christian family and myself by sliding back into the Christian paradigm for a while. The second was a time I felt that I specifically needed to the energies of the Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet. Both of these experiences were very powerful, but I was happy to get back to my Heathen comfort zone.

Being a Heathen fulfilled a lot of my personal needs that Wicca just didn’t fulfill. I’m not saying Wicca isn’t a good religion, it’s just that being a Heathen rocks my socks. I liked that the structure was just a little more rigid (even though I never joined up with any specific Heathen path) and that there were ancient, poetic texts to study and ponder. I suppose I had missed these things since leaving Christianity. I started reading the Eddas on sacred-texts.com and eventually bought a copy of each one.

As I’m reviewing the last ten years (going on eleven- I am now 25 years of age) , I can’t help but think about exactly what it means to be Pagan. Oh, I know about the standard definition, but there’s also a tiny but unique culture we have. Even though I’ve primarily been solitary, only attending one full-on Pagan Festival the entire time and one year’s celebration of the NYC Pagan Pride gathering, there is this very real culture of which I am a part.

I’ve seen this culture change over time, watching from underneath my little rock. At first, Wicca seemed to be the only form of Paganism I ran across. Within five years, there were tons of people claiming this little religion or that, and many people seemed to open fire on Wicca the same way they would on Christianity. For the most part, though, no matter what religion we claim, we all seem to go our own way (I’d like to see whether it works that way with more organized Pagans) . And somehow, all those little roads go in roughly the same direction and get us to roughly the same place. Modern Pagan culture, because of its diversity, is less about the Gods we believe in and more about a spiritual journey, a process of growth and learning.

It changes the way we see the world. I know Christians and atheists and even Asian Buddhists, and all of them have a different way of seeing things than I do. It’s hard to explain exactly what this difference is. Christians and Buddhists have texts to guide them in religious conduct and thought. Atheists prefer to just live life and not think about any spiritual aspect in life. As for us, I think we tend to look at the same situations through a different lens. We try to understand things. That doesn’t make us any better than anyone else, nor does it guarantee that we will always come to the most logical conclusions, but it is something.

There are other things Pagans tend to have in common, such as knowledge of other Pagan paths, a certain degree of Occult knowledge, and the experience of being a tiny religious minority. This what makes us into a single large community (well… roughly speaking, anyway) . Though my practice is solitary, there are a lot of big things in my life that could not have happened without the existence of this community.

Ten years, you guys. What now? There aren’t any books or guides to tell a Pagan what to do at this point. (Should there be?) I know what I’d like to do next, though. I want to be more involved in this community. I feel like it still has a lot to offer me, and I finally feel like maybe I have some things to contribute. That remains to be seen. It’s the next chapter I choose to embark upon, now that my first decade of Paganism has come to a close.

Let's Talk Witch – Do You Know Your Altar Has to Have Balance

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Let’s Talk Witch – Your Altar Has to Have Balance

If you choose to leave your ritual tools out on your altar, be sure to display all four principal items—Athame, pentagram, chalice and wand—together to establish balance. These four implements represent the four elements: Air, Earth, Water and Fire respectively.

In addition to the four primary tools, you’ll want to keep a variety of other magick items and ingredients on hand for your workings. Most Witches store a supply of candles in different colors, along with incense, essential oils, herbs, crystals, and gemstones. In time, you might also consider adding ribbons, parchment, small bags, a crystal ball, bells a cauldron, tarot cards, runes, pendulum, ritual clothing and jewelry and a Book of Shadows for recording your spells.

Some Witches change the decorations on their altars to coincide with the seasons and sabbats. This practice keeps your altar looking fresh and attractive, while also linking you to the Wheel of the Year and the cycles of life.

A Word From The Witch

Book & Candle Comments
I will make my message as brief as possible today. My soul is drained and my heart is very heavy. I started once to go back to our old group on September 11 and see what I had to say then. But I didn’t. No matter what I said then or say now words will not help those amongst us who are hurting today.

 

I have lost loved ones myself and no words spoken to me ever healed the hurt. And no words ever will. It is extremely hard to deal with when your loved one is suddenly took from you. It takes a very long time to adjust to the fact they are gone forever. Even as witches, we are not granted the power of knowing when someone’s or our own last day will be. I believe we are not meant to know.

 

When our time comes, we will be taken from this plane to the next. It leaves the ones we love behind to cry with the loss and the heartache. But really there should be no crying because our loved ones have gone home to be with our Great Mother, the Goddess.

 

There are times I stop to think about my mother and sister. I begin to cry. Then I imagine my crossing over the Rainbow bridge and in the distance I see two figures. These figures are running to me, they are my sister and mother. The tears of sorrow are now tears of joy. We hug, we kiss, we laugh, what a beautiful day it will be to see them again. Just think what a beautiful day it will be to see all of our relatives and loved ones that have gone before us.

 

Today let’s take those tears of sadness and loss and turn them to tears of joy. Take the loved ones that you have here with you, hug them so tight and tell them how much you love them. Tell them not only today but each day of the year. Let them know how special they are to us.

 

For we know not when our time will come but it will come….

The Witches Spell for Sept 4 – Three Times Three Spell

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Three Times Three Spell

This is one of the best known binding spells. This three times three spell is to use on people who were corrupt in their ways. It has no negative consequence unless you think ill of the person while casting it.

“Wind in the north, run through the trees
Three times three, let them see, let them see
Sands of the east, rich soils beneath
Three times three, set them free, set them free
Fires in the south, awaken from sleep
Three times three, let them see, let them see
Water of the west, flow to the seas
Three times three, set them free, set them free.”
 

It works best if you have something representing that person, like a strand of their hair or a fingernail. The spell may not work instantly; you may have to repeat it for the person to see errors in their ways. Please be sure you’re not being hypocritical, because that may cause negative feedback.

Let's Talk Witch – Heaven and Earth

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Let’s Talk Witch – Heaven and Earth

Christianity has its heaven. Buddhism has nirvana. Where do witches go when they die? Many of them believe that their souls go to Summerland, a resting place before reincarnation into new bodies, in an ongoing cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.

Generally speaking, witches and Wiccans accept the idea of reincarnation, a belief that has also existed in numerous cultures and faiths for a very long time. Some African tribes claim the soul goes into the belly of the earth to await rebirth. In China, the spirits of the dead are said to wait in the underworld (which is not hell, but simply a place for spirits). Hindus believe that the spirit, freed from the physical body, waits to be reborn from the stars.

If your soul previously inhabited other bodies, why can’t you remember your previous lives? It seems that between death and rebirth memories of past lives are veiled, perhaps to prevent confusion or to enable you to enter into a new lifetime with a fresh perspective. Many people say their memories of previous existences have reawakened in dreams, during meditation, through hypnosis or regression therapy, or as a result of some type of traumatic experience.

Perhaps you’ve had a déjà vu experience or encountered someone you felt you’d known forever, even though you’d just met. Those common occurrences are often explained as evidence of reincarnation. Indeed, a great deal of research has been conducted over the years that support the idea. Regardless of whether you recall your past lives, the events of previous incarnations shape your present existence.

And what about animals? Do they come back? Can humans be reborn as animals? No one knows for certain. If you ask some pet owners, they’ll tell you animals display uncanny psychic abilities and seem to have a soul or spirit. Witches often have exceptionally strong ties with animal companions whom they call “familiars.” Although Hindus believe humans can reincarnate as other species, witches generally accept that human souls come back to earth in human bodies.

 

The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book (Everything®)
Author: Skye Alexander

Let's Talk Witch – Magickal Talents of Each Birth Sign

Let’s Talk Witch – Magickal Talents of Each Birth Sign

 

Some witches examine their birth charts when planning important magickal events such as an initiation or eldership rite. They might also consider how their charts relate to the charts of other members in a spiritual group they wish to join. Each natal chart is unique, with special strengths and weaknesses that affect the individual’s magickal life as well as his mundane life.

Many good books exist that explain the personality traits of the twelve sun signs. The following paragraphs describe some magickal proclivities of people born under each sign. Look for your birth sign and read the generalized description. Does it ring true?

Aries

These independent people often become spiritual leaders and pioneers, seeking enlightenment in their own way rather than following established traditions. They may devise new magickal approaches or explore uncharted territory.

Taurus

People born under this sign love earth-oriented magick and make excellent druids. They also have a knack for expressing magickal ideas through art, food preparation, herbalism, gardening, and healing.

Gemini

These individuals may take an eclectic approach to witchcraft. Their quick minds and communication skills enable them to learn magick quickly and teach it to others. Chanting, incantations, and affirmations are among their favorite magickal practices.

Cancer

Intuitive Cancers frequently possess divination and dowsing skills. Many excel as kitchen witches and healers, for they enjoy nurturing and caring for other people.

Leo

People born under this sign have a strong sense of drama. These natural leaders enjoy performing rituals and may gravitate toward ceremonial magick. They may also turn their talents toward spiritual art or music.

Virgo

Natural healers, Virgos frequently apply their magickal abilities to herbalism and working with the plant kingdom. Let them handle the details of rituals and spellworking. Some are skilled artisans who craft lovely magick tools.

Libra

These sociable people like handling the logistics and atmospheric elements of ritual celebrations and spiritual events, especially the décor. Usually they prefer to work with a magickal partner or coven, rather than solo.

Scorpio

Scorpios are instinctively drawn to occult knowledge and the unseen realms. Many possess keen intuition and divination ability. Their strong wills can help them succeed in all forms of spellworking.

Sagittarius

Spiritual subjects and higher knowledge appeal to Sagittarians, who are often great students of magick as well as teachers. Many enjoy the drama of ritual and make colorful, inspired leaders.

Capricorn

Let the Capricorns in your magickal group handle the money. They also excel at planning, organization, and the practical aspects of the Craft. Prosperity magick, in particular, may appeal to them.

Aquarius

The ideal chaos magicians, Aquarians tend to be unconventional in life and in magick. These innovative people may reject the formality of high magick, preferring to create their own rituals and spells. Many have a natural proclivity for astrology.

Pisces

These sensitive individuals are adept at visualization and usually have highly attuned psychic abilities. Music or art may play a part  in their magickal work.

Although your sun sign is certainly important, it’s only part of your astrological makeup. Other factors in your birth chart will also influence your magickal talents and learnings. Consider the whole chart and all its distinctive features in order to understand the big picture.

Brooms or Besoms

Brooms or Besoms

A broom is used by many Witches to cleanse an area of baneful* energies
before a rite. They can represent the air or fire element, depending on
each practitioner’s tradition. The staff or handle is considered masculine,
while the brush or broom part is considered feminine. This uniting and
balancing of polarities makes the besom a natural choice for Handfasting
rites. Brooms also represent purification, protection, fertility and
prosperity.

The classic images of Witches riding broomsticks may have originated from
ancient fertility rites. People would jump high in the air on brooms to
‘show’ the crops how high to grow. This is a form of sympathetic magick.

There are many other myths and associations of Witches with brooms. In
Ireland, the besom was sometimes called a “Faery’s Horse”. In medieval
times, the besom was equated with marriages outside of the church. So much
so, that it was recorded that weddings ‘by the broom’ were to be considered
illegitimate.

The broom eventually became a symbol of antiestablishmentarianism and and
sensuality. This led at one time to the word ‘besom’ becoming a slang term
for an easy woman. These associations may have been promoted by the church
to discourage marriages outside of the church.

Chapter 13 of “The Magical Household” by Scott Cunningham and “An ABC of
Witchcraft” by Doreen Valiente have additional information and lore about
besoms.

*Baneful in this instance is defined as energies that are not conducive to
the working at hand, are harmful, or are considered negative.

The Broomstick

The Broomstick

The traditional companion of the witches was the enchanted broomstick, used for their wild and unholy flights through the night and probably to some distant
Witches’ Sabbat. This is one of the first images you get to see as a child and
this was doubtlessly believed by the prominent rulers of Europe. The number of
actual confessions of witches doing so is remarkably small. Usually confessions
state that they went to the Sabbat on foot or on horseback.

Legends of witches flying on brooms goes back as far as the beginning of the
Common Era. The earliest known confession of a Witch flying on a broom was in
1453, when Guillaume Edelin of St. Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, stated that he
had done so. In 1563, Martin Tulouff of Guernsey said to have seen his aged
mother straddle a broomstick and whisk up the chimney and out of the house on
it, saying “Go in the name of the Devil and Lucifer over rocks and thorns”. In
1598 Claudine Boban and her mother, witches of the province of Franche-Comt, in eastern France, also spoke of flying up the chimney of a stick. The belief of
flying off though the chimney became  firmly embedded in popular tradition,
although only a few people ever mentioned doing so. It has been suggested that
this idea was connected with the old custom of pushing a broom up the chimney to indicate the absence of the housewife. The Germanic Goddess Holda or Holle is also connected with the chimney.

Other indications that lead to the popular belief that witches actually flew on
broomsticks can be found in an old custom of dancing with a broom between the
legs, leaping high in the air. In Reginald Scot’s book, The Discoverie of
Witchcraft, published in 1584, we find a similar description:

“At these magical assemblies, the witches never failed to dance; and in their
dance they sing these words, ‘Har, har, divell divell, dance here dance here,
plaie here plaie here, Sabbath, Sabbath’. And whiles they sing and dance, ever
one hath a broom in her hand, and holdeth it up aloft.” Scot quoted these
descriptions of Witch rites from a French demonologist, Jean Bodin, who made
observations of a kind of jumping dance, riding on staffs. These customs might
have contributed to the popular picture of broomstick-riding witches through the
air.

In 1665, from the confession of Julian Cox, one of the Somerset coven, mentioned “that one evening she walks out about a Mile from her own House and there came riding towards her three persons upon three Broom-staves, born up about a years and a half from the ground. Two of them she formerly knew, which was a Witch and a Wizard”.