Tag: Witchcraft

The Triple Goddess

The Triple Goddess

 

Another of the differences in beliefs is the idea of a Triple Goddess. This is something that is not found in Traditional Witchcraft. The Goddess is not seen  in the forms of Maiden Mother and Crone, but rather as having three functions. Each of these three functions will have something to do with a specific path  that one would follow, so the Witch will only follow and honor one of the Goddess’s three functions. At other times in their lives, they may find a need  to draw from one of the other two functions of their chosen Goddess, but there is always one of the three that is more pronounced and important to them.

The idea of the Triple Goddess, or any Deities seen in three forms or phases, has been traced back to Anatolia (now called Turkey), where in around 7,000 BC  a Goddess being worshiped in the triple form of virgin, mother, and hag was found. However, sine this is the only place that this practice was seen, and this  was in the Near East and not in Europe, it’s not something that is part of Traditional Witchcraft.

Witchcraft Is

Witchcraft Is

Witchcraft is a spiritual practice with it’s roots in European practice and dating back to the beginning of man. Most  people do not trace back their involvement with Witchcraft past the Middle Ages because of the lack of information that is available in solid form from  beyond that time as well as the fact that much of the retrieved information was written by Priests from the Christian church as falsified documents or  accounts of what they believed their practices to be. In fact, it was the Christians that gave the word “Witch” and “Witchcraft” to these  people and their practices and was not a term that they themselves used. Witchcraft involves the use of magick, although it is not required, and the honoring  of Gods, local or land spirits and Ancestors rather than worship.  

Witch hunt

Witch hunt

Sitting in my family’s cabin,
Stitching away at cloth.
My brother’s play, my mother prays,
My father shines his gun.

Outside the wooden door,
Shouts ring out, the light of torches
Casting shadows like demons on our home.

There will be a hanging,
A witch was found in town.
Rope around her neck,
She was quiet, she was easily found.

Her craft was pure,
She practiced alone.
The towns women blamed her, with untrue curses
And screamed about Satan and hell.

She was my friend,
I, her mentor,
Even though we both practice the craft
I could not save her.

Later in the year,
Snow powdered the ground.
I sat in a clearing of snow,
Grinding herbs for my god.
Not the puritan’s god, never their god.

Hark! A twig snaps under a boot.
Turning my head into the biting wind,
A glove-clad hand grabbed my hair,
And dragged me through the ferns.

Soon a witch would burn.

He dragged me through town,
Tied me to a wooden pole,
And called out “Witch, Witch” for all.

People gathered,
Eyes wide with fear.
The man lit the fire,
My family solemn, never shedding any tears.

The flame reared up like an animal,
Hissed at my feet like a snake. My father, nor mother, ever called out my name.

I called out to the town’s folk.
My voice echoing through the air,
‘I will be born again. Wait.”

The flame licked at my hip, and swallowed me whole.
A birthmark now rests on that hip.
This is my new life.

You see me in your town,
Even in your classroom.

I’m born again, and I’ll burn nevermore.

Reference:

Author ~ Ashley Burnam

http://www.poemhunter.com/

The Witch

The Witch

Women have strange powers men do not: the power to bear children and feed them from their own bodies, to bleed without being hurt or sick, and to provoke erections in heterosexual men. Perhaps these strange beings have even more remarkable powers.

Or perhaps when the image of a Goddess dwindles until all that remains is the memory of Her uncanny powers, She becomes a Witch.

Witches have been credited with such magical feats as blasting crops, cursing
people to sickness, lameness or death and causing men to become impotent or even stealing their penises.

The Renaissance Christian myth of the witch is complex and grotesque. Most
witches were women, the Malleus Maleficarum stated, because “All witchcraft
arises from lust, which in women is insatiable.” Their lust was supposedly for
the Devil, who initiated the witch at the Sabbat and copulated with her often,
according to the accounts of the churchmen.

These witches gathered at mass meetings called Sabbats, to which they flew via brooms or animal companions. There, the Devil appeared, usually in the form of a black goat. They kissed his buttocks in greeting. Then they informed him of all the harmful spells they had done since the last Sabbat. Wild dancing and often sex with gathered demons followed, along with a feast often consisting of the corpses of babies.

There is no evidence that a real conspiracy of witches who worshipped the Devil ever existed. But many European clergymen devoutly believed in it during the great Witch Hunt. Estimates as to how many people, mostly women, were burned or hanged for witchcraft range from a few thousand to nine million.

But the witches of pagan stories had no need for a male Devil. Long before the
great Witch-Hunt, European women were accused of believing that they travelled with the goddess Diana or Sigma Orient or Herodias at night, entering people’s homes and being given food. Roman witches were thought to worship Hecate.

Morgan Le Fay tormented King Arthur and his knights. Circe turned the men who invaded her island into pigs. The volva told Odin how the Aesir gods would fall. The witches in The Golden Ass can command even the Greek gods with their spells.

The myths have led to a real Witchcraft religion springing up — one that
worships Goddesses, not the Christian’s Devil.

Many other cultures have known the fear of the witch, which may date back to the Stone Age. Some Native American tribes feared witches, such as the Iroquois and Navajo (Dina). Certain African tribes believe in female witches who ride trained hyenas to meetings and cast evil spells.

The urban legends of child-molesting Satanist conspiracies that spring up even today show how enduring the myth of the witch is. As in Renaissance times, most of the accused are women.

Above: “The Witches’ Sabbat”, by Francis Goya. Below: From a collage.

Further Reading

* Europe’s Inner Demons: The Making of the Great European Witch Hunt. Norman Cohn.

* Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture. Arthur Evans. Fag Rag Press, 1971.

Living The Life of The Witch – Decision, Decision, Decision!

Witchy Comments=

TO CURSE OR NOT TO CURSE: THAT IS THE QUESTION

Over the course of your magickal practice, this is a question that’s eventually going to pop up. So, maybe some exploration is in order:  Just exactly what warrants a curse and what doesn’t?

The fact that Joe got the job you wanted probably doesn’t warrant anything other than crossing off that place of employment and sending out resumes to the next ten on your list. And if you want to work a little magick to get one of those positions, so be it.

But what if the situation isn’t that simple? What if the job in question was an inner company promotion, and you happen to know that Joe willfully sabotaged you? Maybe he took credit for some of your work–work that may have either qualified you for the position or caused the department head to take special notice of your application. Perhaps he even lied about you, saying that you were difficult to work with, that you weren’t a team player, or that you had an attitude problem. Is that any reason to curse him?

Maybe. Maybe not. It just depends on the circumstances. And to come to a rational decision, you’re going to have to look at the whole picture.

First, review the job description again, and really scrutinize the duties involved. If they’re vague, Joe may have done you a favor, even if unwittingly. It might be that the job in question would take up more time than you’re willing to give: time that would be best enjoyed somewhere else or even spent with your family. It could also be that the extra money involved is not worth what it’s going to take to earn it. And if either is likely, then curses should be the furthest thing from your mind. In fact, you should probably think seriously about sending Joe a congratulatory gift.

But what if neither of those scenarios is true? What if Joe simply set out to ruin your reputation with the company—a company you’ve given your all to—and is now doing his dead level best to get you fired?

While none of that is good by any stretch of the imagination. I’m not sure such action truly deserves a curse either. Why? Because you definitely have other options. You could work magick to protect your job. You could work magick to shed light on Joe’s behavior and show him to all concerned for the jackass that he really is. And if you’re suddenly feeling magnanimous–which is doubtful at this point–you could even go so far as to work magick so that Joe find a position more to his liking outside of the company. Any of those options will take care of the situation nicely–and without the need of a curse.

But now, let’s change the scenario a bit. Let’s say that you’ve been the victim of Joe’s sexual harassment for a very long time and that the promotion was your ticket out of that mess. Let’s say that when he found out you’d decided to apply for the job, he not only lead you to believe that the problems with him would get much worse than you ever dreamed if you went through with it, but he promised to ruin you with the company. That’s not all. He also promised to personally squelch any chance of your getting alternative employment in the area. You’ve already seen how he works, so there’s no doubt he can make good on all of this.

Now do you have good reason for a curse? You bet you do.

Of course, if you’d just turned Joe in to his superiors when he made his first lascivious move–if you’d decided to fight instead of flee back then–he wouldn’t be in any position to bother you. In fact, he probably wouldn’t even still be with the company. You could have avoided this whole mess, you might be sitting pretty in your new corner office, and there would be no reason for any sort of magick at all.

While playing the would’ve should’ve-could be game is normally a complete waste of time, it definitely bears some thought here. For one thing, we need to learn from our mistakes. But perhaps more importantly, this sort of self-examination helps us to figure out what else is necessary to keep us from ever having to curse someone again. And if often takes some mighty deep digging to get to the root of the problem and yank it from our lives forever.

So why didn’t you report Joe’s inappropriate behavior when he first got out of line? Chances are, you were afraid. But since precisely what you were afraid of holds the key here, that’s what we need examine. Was it that you thought reporting him wouldn’t solve the problem and that his superiors wouldn’t take you seriously? Were you afraid that Joe would twist things around in such a way that you’d lose your job? Or were you simply afraid of that sick feeling that makes your stomach churn every time you’re faced with confrontation?

Since such is usually the case when folks won’t stand up for themselves, I’m betting on the latter. And for all practical purposes, let’s say I’m right. What you need now–before you even think of performing that curse– is something to keep you from ever being in that position again. You need some gumption.

Dorothy Morrison has given “The Gimme Gumption Spell” to go along with this article. The spell will following right behind this article.

References:

Excerpt from:

“Utterly Wicked”
Curses, Hexes & Other Unsavory Notions
By Dorothy Morrison
 

~Magickal Graphics~

Why Spells Don’t Always Work

WHY SPELLS DON’T ALWAYS WORK

Spell casting, in and of itself, is not difficult. Generally, it follows an

easy formula with separate and distinct steps. A spell is a procedure to

follow to reach a desired end. It does not require a great deal of money, a

huge compendium of tools, or exotic ingredients to work. It does require

faith in yourself and a connection with deity.

When describing spells to non-magickal people, a witch will often tell them

that a spell is much like a prayer. You are calling upon divinity to assist

you, as in a prayer, but a spell requires more than just pleading to divinity

to help you out of a jam. In a spell YOU are an active ingredient. Your

faith and your knowledge are as important as understanding there is divinity

out there to call upon.

Many of you have already heard of the Witches’ Pyramid, the foundation of our

magickal acts: To Know, To Will, To Dare, and To Be Silent. This pyramid is

the underlying structure of any spell formula.

To Know

Before you can cast a spell, you need to know who you are. Ego aside, you

have to come to terms with who you are, how you operate, and why you do the

things you do.

The second thing you must know is precisely what you want. This is not as

easy as it seems. People rarely sit back and consider what they really want

out of life. Part of this is because they are afraid. They fear they may not

get what they want, and they fear that they will fail. These fears stop us

from knowing.

For example, time and time again people I know have spelled for love. They

have not done the ultimate no-no by targeting a specific person, but they do

something just as bad–they don’t really know what they ultimately want.

When they get what they spelled for, often they are disappointed, because

there is something attached to that new lover they didn’t think of.

Therefore, all spells must be specific.

One of the best ways to begin a working is to write out, in detail, exactly

what you want in one straight line on a piece of paper. Underneath,

phonetically begin to pare each word down. Underneath that line, pare the

words down again. Continue this procedure until only one letter from each

word is left. Interlock the few remaining letters into a sigil. Use this

sigil in whatever magickal application you have chosen to ensure your spell

remains specific.

To Will

Another stumbling block in spell casting is lack of will, whether it is will

power, belief, or conviction. Will depends on how badly you want to make a

change. Do you believe you are capable of making the change, or do you think

it is only wishful thinking? Are you willing to re-program your mind, your

environment, your relationships, in order to bring about the change you

desire? Without will, a spell will fizzle. Is your mind fogged with doubt,

or unnecessary problems that will prevent bringing about the change you say

you want?

One of the best techniques for increasing your will power is the use of

meditation on a daily basis. Once you have learned to relax, use the alpha

state to program the events you wish to come to pass. You should work on

both short-term and long-term goals.

Another technique that is useful in spell casting is to write down why you

wish to manifest something. Let this explanation sit on your altar

overnight, then re-read it. Does it make sense? Is this what you really

want? Does your reasoning still appear firm, or is it full of holes?

Are you patient? Patience has a lot to do with will. Once you have a firm

grip on “will,” you are a third of the way through on accurate spell casting.

To Dare

To dare means you are not inclined to sit around on your laurels. It means

that you are not choosing to procrastinate, rather you are choosing to move

with purpose. To dare indicates that you are no longer afraid of the

outcome, or fear failure. You are confident that you control your own

destiny to the point where you won’t even argue about it, either with someone

else, or yourself.

Although “to dare” doesn’t appear to create a lot of work, it does require

you to make an active decision. This is the next catalyst for your magickal

operation. From here, you will plan the appropriate day, hour, moon phase,

astrological energies, and tools required for working magick, including what

divinity you will choose. To dare can lead to a great deal of work and

preparation.

To Be Silent

Even if you are an adept, you should learn to be quiet about your magickal

operations. There is only one exception, which is when you are working with

a group. If the group mind is actively participating on a project they

should be informed of their success or failure.

In the beginning, you should be silent so that you are not affected by

others’ opinions. Don’t tell them what you are performing magick for, as you

risk failure. Why? Because they can unconsciously affect you with their

disbelief or negativity.

Likewise, once you become proficient at spell casting, don’t announce

it–especially to a novice. No real adept will ever tell a novice that “My

spells always work.” Not only is it rude, it is also untrue. Everyone

fails. Imagine what a novice would think if they knew you lost your job,your

kids are running rampant, and you are deeply in debt. If your spells always

worked, you would not be in such a fix, would you? Foolish words can ruin

your reputation, which in turn, will ruin your own self-confidence.

Therefore, keep your trap shut–this ensures success in your magickal

operations as well as keeping your reputation intact. No one likes a

braggart, and no one considers an egotistical Witch a good leader or cleric.

When Spell’s Fail

Try this chant

Oh God/dess (whoever you worship) I am not worthy of

your perfect grace, nor the magick i find within myself

and within you. I ask now in Just, for i have grown weak

that thou would accompany me in rituals and spells.

Be By my side in this time of need. I do not deserve you

Oh God/dess. but still i ask, for i am only but a mortal

Oh God/dess, Bless me!

Oh God/dess, accompany me!

Oh God/dess, Shine light upon me!

Oh God/dess, grant me wisdom!

Oh God/dess, Grant me Humility!

Oh God/dess, Stay with me!

Oh God/dess, Protect me from evil!

Oh God/dess, I love thee above all things!

Please Oh ancient ones, hear me!

Amen

 

Reference:

Witches Of The Craft at Yuku.com

Living The Life Of The Witch – Do You Have What It Takes?

Do You Have What It Takes?

 

Curses are not for the namby-pamby. Nor are they for fluffy bunnies or for those who insist that even the worst of horrors happen for a reason. They are for gutsy folks with the courage to do something about their situations when all other possibilities have been exhausted.

But just the same, curses aren’t to be taken lightly or flung about without due cause and serious thought. They’re not your normal type of magick and certainly not anything that should be performed as readily as a protection spell or a money spell.  In fact, there’s good reason that they’re usually at the top of the magickal practitioner’s ten-foot-pole list. And contrary to popular belief, taking responsibility for your actions is the least of your worries.

To start with, cursing someone takes an inordinate amount of energy. Your energy. Energy that you’ve stored for other things, like the simple business of everyday living. And cursing someone effectively is going to wipe out all your reserves. But even if that weren’t the case, it’s important to remember that you’re going to be transferring that energy to the person on the other end of your magick. So there’s a good chance that you’re inadvertently going to pick up some of that person’s energy along the way too. Do you really want that nasty stuff on you? Probably not.

Another thing is that the only substance that will fuel a curse properly is anger. Trying to fuel it with love or adding a “for the good of all concerned” codicil simply isn’t going to cut it. In order to even get the spell off the ground, you’re going to have to be so mad that you can’t see straight. So mad that even strangling the person in question with your bare hands wouldn’t be enough to suit you. Yes, you’re going to have to absolutely, uncontrollably, beyond the shadow of a doubt, livid pissed—more infuriated and enraged than you’ve ever been in your entire life and are ever likely to be again. And you need to know whether you’ve got what it take to work yourself up into that sort of irrepressible hissy fit.. What’s more, though, do you even want to?

Further, you’re also going to have to believe that you are unquestionably correct in the need to curse someone. Rationalization to suit your own purposes isn’t going to get it. You have to be right. You have to be sure. There isn’t any room for error or an after-the-fact “Oops…I was mistaken” when it comes to curses. The effects can be finite. What’s more, you can’t even begin to second guess yourself. Do you have that sort of resolve?

If none of this bothers you, and you’re absolutely certain of your position, then a curse is probably the way to go. And if not? Well, it’s best left alone.

Excerpt from:

“A Hex Upon Thee”
Utterly Wicked
Curses, Hexes or Other Unsavory Notions
By Dorothy Morrison

New To The Craft – Questions to Ask Yourself

New To The Craft – Questions To Ask Yourself

 

I can’t tell you the right path for you to take to your personal goddess; no one can. Each Witch is different, and we walk many different roads to get to where we are going. I can, however, suggest a few questions for you to ask yourself as you travel.

Do I feel drawn to the Goddess in her manifestation as Maiden, Mother, or Crone?

Is my Goddess more light than dark or more dark than light?

Am I looking for a Goddess from a particular pantheon, mythology or culture?

Do I feel as special connection to any animals, birds, or totems?

Is my Goddess more nurturing or is she a warrior?

Does my Goddess have a consort I will also worship?

What do I want from this relationship? Support? Strength? Wisdom? Righteous anger on my behalf? Love? A kick in the butt? (Different Goddesses will definitely give you different things—including the last, if you need it!)

If you can come up with a list that has the answers to these questions, as well as anything else you can think of that applies to your path and your practice of magick, you should be able to find the Goddess you seek, or any of the myriad of wonderful reference materials on Pagan deities.

In the end, the search is just as much a part of your magickal education as anything else you will pursue during the course of your magickal studies. And whether or not you find your personal Goddess right away or continue to call  on her in a more general form, rest assured that even if you don’t know her name, she knows yours. And She hears your prayers, no matter what you call her.

Excerpt from:

Find Your Personal Goddess
By Deborah Blake
Llewellyn’s 2012 Magickal Almanac

The Witches Spell for Sept. 18 – Spell To Boost Productivity

SPELL TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY

To improve your own work productivity, during the waxing Moon place one hematite in a small basket or tray and enchant it by saying:

“Ground and heal, magnetic one; bring me clarity on this day.”

Add a quartz crystal to the contained and say:

“Bring boundless energy to me; may it last through this day.”

Add a calcite and say:

“Stone of joy and yellow light, help me sort through my work today.”

Place the container of stones on your desk and say:
“Help me work through this day; bring me inspiration.
And when the day is done, may the labor be finished.”

Living As The Witch – Thoughtforms & Spirits

Living As The Witch

Thoughtforms & Spirits

Although there are hundreds of kinds of divination, the principle ones are astrology, geomancy, the tarot, the I Ching, and direct psychic means (especially clairvoyance).

True divination is more than a mechanical system, for it implies true psychic interpretation (receiving). Some form of divination is often used in magick ritual to communicate with the entity invoked.

Since divination operates through the mind, it is affected and biased by the mind. Our attitudes and fears may alter it. Sometimes results are very detailed, and accurate– but not always. Often the future is plastic and changeable anyway, and the use of magick may alter the result. Thus divination shows tendencies only, which may be helpful, but must not rule us.

Summoning Family Witches

Summoning Family Witches

 

Items You Will Need:

  • 5 white candles
  • salt

The Spell:

Draw Pentagram with salt.
Place the candles at the 5 points.
If there are more than one of you stand around the circle of the Pentagram holding hands.
Chant together.. “I call forth from space and time.
Matriarchs from the ____________ line: Mothers, Daughters, Fathers, Sons.
Our Family’s spirit without end, to Gather now in this place and help us! “

The Witches Correspondence for Friday, Sept. 14

The Witches Correspondence for September 14

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Heart
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow
Friday belongs to Venus, and its energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) works well on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.

All You Need to Put Yourself Tune with Magickal Energy

All You Need to Put Yourself Tune with Magickal Energy

You really don’t need much to put yourself in touch with magickal energy. Remember magick is in you. Magickal energy is something that we all possess. Then how come you haven’t been per forming magick since you could walk? Well, there are some prerequisites. First off, you must try to solve your problem using mundane means. In other words, if you want to get your security de posit back from your former landlord, and he isn’t coughing it up, you need to write him a letter. Send it registered. Tell him you will take him to court. After you have exhausted all the non magickal means at your disposal, only then should you do magick.

Magickal Purpose

Before you perform an act of magick, you must be 100 percent clear on why you are doing it. What do you hope to achieve? Why are you using magick in this case? Have you really tried to attain what you want through nonmagickal means? Are you sure that your actions are for the good of all and not just for your own self-interest. Are you sure that your magickal action will not harm anyone? If you come up with clear and positive answers then you can proceed.

Book of Shadows

A pentagram is a five-pointed star. It is made of five straight lines and contains a pentagon inside it. When surrounded by a circle or a pentagon, a pentagram becomes a pentacle. A pentacle is a symbol of the Wiccan faith.

Magickal Concentration

In order to use your magickal energy, you must be able to concentrate. You have to focus intently and visualize the magick-actually see what you want to have happen ing happen in your mind. When performing an act of magick, you will build up a huge amount of energy with your powers of concentration. Then, when the energy is really intense, you send that energy out to work for you. Don’t worry. You can do this. And we’ll be telling you more about it, and giving more detailed directions, later.

A Good Finger

Once you have built up your magickal energy, direct the energy toward the place you want it to go. In ritual, Wiccans usually use an athame, a special ritual knife. If you don’t have an athame, you can use your finger. Remember, the magick is in you, not in the tools that you use. Using an athame is helpful, though. The ritual objects help you focus your mind. The tools give the conscious mind something to settle on so that the sub conscious can work. The symbolism of the athame speaks to your subconscious, as well. Because the subconscious works with images and symbols and not words, just seeing the athame can get your subconscious primed.

Your Place in the Universe

As a witch, you need to know your place in the Universe. You are only a minute part of the whole Universe. But you are connected to every other part of the Universe. Everything affects you, and what you do affects everything. No matter how small an action you take, someone, or something, will feel it. If you sneeze in Cleveland, some one in South America will feel it. Each and every thing that you do has an effect, no matter how small.

If you do magick, it can truly change things. None of us can fully comprehend how much change we can create. As a witch, you need to respect this. Remember the image of the stone thrown into a pool of water? Think of the ripples moving away from the center as your energy moving away from you. As the ripples of energy spread out, they affect and change everything they touch. You can change things. You can have major impact on people and their lives. With this power, comes responsibility-to other people, to animals, to the Earth, and to yourself.

The Least You Need to Know

Witches have ethics. If you are going to be a witch, you must understand the witches’ moral code, the Wiccan Rede, and you must try to live by it.

Living by the Wiccan Rede includes taking care of you. Take good care of your body; it is truly your temple.

Magickal energy lives inside of you. In order to use that energy, you have to learn to concentrate. You also must be totally clear on the reasons why you are using magick. And they better be good reasons!

All of your actions have effects. Especially magickal ones! You might not see the effects immediately or you might not see them at all, but know that everything that you do causes a reaction somewhere in the universe. For this reason, we all must use our powers wisely.

Banish!

Didn’t your mother always tell you it was rude to point? Well, especially so if you are a witch! But seriously, if a person knows that you are a witch, and you point your finger at that person and say something in rhyme, you could really do some damage. Even if you are just kidding, you could hurt that person psychologically. So, don’t joke around about your powers. You also want to avoid intimidating others. Even if you are mad. Even if the person deserves it. Remember the Wiccan Rede, and don’t pointl

　The Witches Rune

　The Witches Rune

The Witches Rune is a poetic dedication.

Darksome night and shining moon, East, then south, then west, then north,
Hearken to the witches’ rune:
Here I come to call thee forth.
Earth and water, air and fire,
Wand and pentacle and sword,
Work you unto my desire,
Hearken ye unto my word.
Cords and censer, scourage and knife,
Powers of the witch’s blade
Waken all ye unto life,
Come ye as the charm is made.
Queen of heaven, Queen of hell,
Horned hunter of the night,
Lend your power unto my spell
And work my will by magic rite.
By all the power of land and sea,
By all the might of moon and sun,
As I do will, so mote it be:
Chant this spell, and be it done.
Eko, Eko, Azarak,
Eko, Eko, Zamilak,
Eko, Eko, Artemis,
Eko, Eko, Herne.

What is the Witches Rune?

The Witches Rune is used during Wiccan Rituals as a way to raise energy. The Rune is chanted by all the Witches, sometimes whilst they are dancing in a circle, they will repeat the Rune until the person leading the ritual, often the HPS or HP indicates that they stop.

Usually when the HPS indicates the energy has reached the required level all the Coveners will drop to the ground as the HPS or HP shouts ‘down’ and then directs the energy raised towards the intended purpose.

PRINCIPLES OF WICCAN BELIEF OF THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN WITCHES

  PRINCIPLES OF WICCAN BELIEF OF THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN WITCHES

In April 1974, the Council of American Witches adopted a set of Principles which we personally believe in.

1) We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces
marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

2) We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward
our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3) We acknowledge a depth of power far greater that that apparent to the average person. Because it it far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called
“supernatural”, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential
to all.

4) We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through
polarity–as masculine and feminine–and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.

5) We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc.–and we see in the inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6) We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who
teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and
acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7) We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it–a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft–the Wiccan Way.

8) Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a Witch–but neither does heredity
itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to
control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live
wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.

9) We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of
evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.

10) Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or
philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be
‘the only way’ and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

11) As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of
different traditions. We are concerned with our present and future.

12) We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as ‘Satan’ or ‘the Devil’ as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.

13) We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Warnings & Cautions For The New Wiccan or Witch

Warnings & Cautions For The New Wiccan or Witch

The Shadows are out there:

They exist, in the invisible world that parallels our own, living creatures. Unlike creatures from our world, they lack physical form, and feed on energy instead of matter. They are as varied as the animal life on our world. They range in size (power) from the equivalent of insects and rodents to the equivalent of magically trained humans, and beyond to the Great Old Ones. (My land is inhabited by one of these-it gives the psychic impression of a mountain with legs. It is not unfriendly, but an elephant is not unfriendly toward ants either. I stay out of our woods when it is about.) I mentioned that these creatures feed on energy. Most are content to graze on the random energy fields that leak from humans and other creatures in our world. Others, however, are a little more sinister. These, the ones you have to worry about, I call the Shadows.

Shadows come in three basic varieties. First are the little ones that feed off the energy in negative emotions. If you are emitting strong negativity, they will be drawn to you like flies to rotten meat. If you aren’t magically protected, they will happily latch onto your energy field (aura) and snack on it. They are usually not much more troublesome than leeches or mosquitoes; however, a thousand leeches could weaken a person severely.

Next come the more dangerous variety, more like rats or vultures than mosquitoes. These are attracted both by negative emotions and the energy of magical workings. They are stronger, and can push past weak or flawed defenses to get to you. And they are much harder to peel loose once they have their teeth into you.

Last are the intelligent variety. Their favorite meal is human life energy, the ‘heart-fire’ that burns in each of us. They are relatively rare even in their own realm, but they exist. The terms ‘Imp’ , ‘Evil Spirit’ and ‘Demon’ are fairly accurate. They are very strong. The more intelligent ones are capable of working their own Magic to breach your defenses. The most intelligent variety , being as lazy as humans, prefer to talk you into dropping your defenses and linking your energy field to theirs. (“Open yourself to me, and I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams.” Yeah, right.) They also are capable (if someone is helpful enough to open a doorway for them) of entering our world. Once here, if they can get past all your defenses unless you are very strong at warding. They can enter your body and feast at will, even asserting a degree of control over you. Yes, this is exactly like the old stories of Demon possession.

You – yes, you can be a Vampire:

There exist in this world evil creatures. They are highly intelligent, capable of working magic, and extremely devious. They are capable of not only psychic magical attacks, but physical ones as well. As a species, they tend to be amoral, murderous animals. I call them ‘humans’. Humans are also capable of ‘feeding’ off the energies of other humans- Herne (owner of this website) calls them “Psychic Vampires”. They do this to gain more magical power, to control others, or to replace the energies they are losing by dealing with the Shadows. Some humans can even do this while traveling astrally. So that Evil Spirit that tried to get into your last circle may not have been from the other side; it could have been your next-door neighbor.

Oops! Did I just do that?

Magic is an art form. Despite the best efforts of Ritual Magicians and Techno pagans, it remains as unpredictable and powerful as the weather unless you are highly skilled and focused. Scientists studying weather prediction in the 1970’s discovered something amazing. Weather, they found, is so unstable as to be impossible to predict more than a day or two in advance. In fact, computer models suggested something they called the Butterfly Theory. It seems that the air disturbed by a butterfly taking off from a cactus in Mexico, if it happened at the right time and place, could in theory cause devastating storms and tornadoes in the U.S. Midwest. Magic is very similar. Each action we take, magical or mundane, has consequences that spread out from it like the ripples in a pond.

They spread out, touching everything- and reflect back to converge on the source. Be very sure, then, before you work magic, exactly what the consequences may be. Ask yourself, “If this spell backfires on me, and affects me instead of the intended target, can I live with the result?” Thus, I tend to use magic “only in direst need, and then must the cause be just” (author unknown).

Some Wiccans counsel about how rain on your fields could cause drought elsewhere. This might be true, if you are trying with your own personal power to ‘squeeze’ the rain clouds as they pass over. But asking the Lady and Lord for the blessing of rain for everybody’s crops is a different thing entirely. Selfish magic has negative consequences: Loving, giving magic only positive ones. For Selfishness is the true root of all evil. “I want it! Destroy the world, let Chaos take the universe, as long as I get what I want!” Be careful of what you ask, you just may get it…

Power corrupts:

So, you’ve studied hard, learned all about Wiccan magic, and now you find you can really do things. All the power of the Elements is yours to command. Love, money, power, respect- all these are yours. You are special. You are powerful. You are a God! Now, you must convince others to worship you, to lend you their energy so that your power can grow. But that’s OK, because you are a loving God, and you want only what’s best for your worshipers. And you know what’s best for them, for you know all, and see all. For you alone are God of this world you have created.

Can’t happen? Do the names Jim Jones, Sun Myung Moon or David Koresh ring a bell? It is important to remember that the gift of magical power is just that- a gift from the Lady and Lord. It must never be abused. And glorifying yourself because of something lent to you is like showing up at your class reunion in a borrowed suit and a rented Jaguar.

The Witches’ Daily Affirmation

Witches’ Affirmation

A witch is…

One who has power over her/his own life
One who makes his/her own rules, but can abide by the rules of Nature
One who refuses to submit to self-denial
One who recognizes no authority with greater esteem than her/his own, who is loyal to self
One who is untamed and tamed
One who transforms energy for the good of all
One who can be passionate about her/his ideals and values as they are changing
One who is explosive, whose intensity is like volcanoes, floods, winds, and fire
One who is disorderly and orderly
One who is ecstatic
One who alters reality
One who says, “I am a witch” aloud three times

“I am a witch”
“I am a witch”
“I am a witch”

Wiccan Chat

Preparing and Casting the Circle

Preparing and Casting the Circle

Though it sounds simple, preparing the circle for a ritual can be a long, laborious process with little thanks given by the people that come to the circle. The witch in charge of setting up the space for a circle must decide what they think is necessary and make adjustments on the fly for missing things. They must listen to the discussion on what will be done at that circle and find what is needed, often digging up scraps from here and there to get everything. The leaders of the circle in particular, will generally bring any special items that will be required, but the things that are more common fall to whomever is doing the ritual preparation.

If a witch works as a solitary, then she is responsible for everything. This, of course, is made simpler by the fact that she disturbs no one if she forgets something and has to go get it. Preparation for circle includes such things as vacuuming the carpet if the floor is carpeted and sweeping it if it is not, setting up the altar and cleaning out any items that were not cleaned out after the last circle, setting up the charcoal for the incense and lighting it just before circle so that it is hot when needed. She needs to check that there is a pitcher of juice or wine available if a feast is being done, that there is good ventilation and sufficient heat in the room, and that everyone is ready to go before the circle starts.

There should be enough time before a ritual starts for people to sit together in silence to attune to one another, allowing the mundane world to slip away and adjust to a sacred way of thinking. Shirking on this is shirking on the preparation of a ritual, as it is very important that a group work together as a coherent whole.

Once the preparations and meditations are done, it is time to cast the circle. This can be done in many different ways. Several are presented below to give the student a choice and different ways to do this. The actual techniques do not matter so much as the intent and desire. It is a way to trigger the mind into working in a different manner than it is accustomed to working. As a student becomes more practiced and able to cast stronger and better circles, they will notice the way their minds shift focus from mundane to the sacred as they create their space. They will also begin to experiment with different ways of casting a circle. When this happens, they have learned a critical step to becoming a witch.

Something I love and had to share this morning

I ran across this graphic, which I haven’t seen for a long time. I love it and I had to share it with you. Perhaps I had to share it because of the mood I am in or because it is the truth. I consider myself a Witch of the Old Ways.

The time has come for us to let the world know the truth about our Religion. Remember what our ancestors sacrificed. We cannot let their sacrifices die in vain. We have to let the world know the truth and beauty about our Religion. We have to let the world know about the Goddess and Her beauty and Her Love. And most of all about the beauty of Her Religion and what it has to offer to everyone. We are not evil. We never were. We were victims. But we refuse to be victims anymore. The time has come for us to take a stand. Let the truth be known to all.

Let the world know, we are Witches. We are a proud Race of People. We have a rich heritage. We have a wonderful Religion. Hear Us! Listen and learn the truth. It is time that we take Witchcraft to itself rightful place in the 21st century. Witchcraft has to be brought back up to the mainstream Religions. It is our calling to do this. We must do this, for our Ancestors and our Goddess.

I am a Witch and I am very proud to be one!

 

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Hey There! It’s Wednesday! You Know What That Means…..

only two more days to the weekend! So how’s it going today? Me? I got up on the wrong side of the world today. Truthfully, I got up feeling extremely nasty. I could go into a long bitch session here. but I won’t. What it boils down to is I have an idoit for a son. Those of you that have kids, have you ever wondered…..did I get the wrong kid at the hospital. I am beginning to wonder that. I don’t know where this one came from, under the cabbage patch I guess. I have just been mulling over some things he has said and done in the past month. It is really starting to get under my skin. He is separated from his wife and now he is trying to get back with her. That has me totally puzzled. All her and her mother ever did was scream and holler at him. Telling him to “Shut up” and “Don’t open your mouth” and all that crap. Why on earth would you want to get back with a person like that. Her mother even does her own husband this way, so that’s where the daughter got it from. But yesterday, I was talking to him and he was at his “wife’s” house (it use to be “both” of their house). But now it’s the wife’s house, HA! Anyway, I was asking him about the baby (she is pregnant). I asked him, “how far along is Jane Doe?” And she replied she didn’t know. I asked him, “well when is she due?” She didn’t know. Now all of you mothers out there, tell me, when you were pregnant if someone asked you these questions, didn’t you just glow and pop with the answer. The lying little heifer, don’t want me to know because she knows I know it is not my son’s baby. She openly admitted to him, she was seeing another man. She told my son she had went out to dinner with this man while my son was working a twelve hour shift. The little heifer, is pregnant by another man and laying it off on my son. I told my husband when we go to the hospital for the birth, I am going to start a fight out of this world. I can’t stand her or her family and they can’t stand me. The reason being they can’t stand me is because I am a Witch. And you know what the Bible says about Witches! They try to put on this front they are so religious. I just can’t stand them. I mean I have religious tolerance but it is extremely hard for this bunch. Anyway, I told my husband I was going to make the comment, “when do we get the DNA results?” That ought to start it. Then perhaps, momma-out-law with throw the first punch. Oh, I hope she does. I have waited for years to pay her back for all the shut up’s she has given to my son. I am sorry. I am just angry and upset that my son is so damn stupid. Why can’t he see the truth? To make matter’s worse, she is carrying a boy. My son has always wanted a boy so he is stuck up her butt. He is trying to get back with her while she is still seeing this other man.

I have discussed this with my husband and he told me to do what I had to do. I have a very strict policy, I never cast a spell against or for a family member. But I am on the verge of breaking that. I want my son to wake up and see the truth. There are other women out there, what makes this one so special? Because she treat him like crap? I don’t get it. I don’t get her or her family. I guess my problem with her family is because the way they feel about Witches. Anyone that feels like that, I have no patience, tolerance or compassion for whatsoever. I don’t believe any other Witch would either. They don’t think the grandkids ought to be around me because I would be a bad influence. What the heck? I hate to tell them, one of those girls is a natural born Witch. I have already made the connection with her. She has Witch blood flowing through her veins. I know and the girl knows it. She loves me to pieces and every time she comes out here, she breaks my heart when it comes time to leave. She always tells me, “I love you, Mammy. I wish I could spend more time with you. I love you so much!” Now wouldn’t that break your heart. But the out-laws think that would be a horrible idea. I didn’t find out till yesterday that my son had been sneaking the kids out here while they have been separated. Sneaking them, me being their grandmother and he is sneaking them out here. That pissed me to the bottom. That is when I lost it. I talked to my husband and he keeps encouraging me to take care of that side of the family (I use the term “family” very loosely). Boy, I would love too. It is eating me alive.

I know most of you are going to go, “Oh, my Goddess, you didn’t” but I did. I drug out the Ouija Board this morning. You can use it for searching your inner being as well as contacting the other side. I am so tore up about this, I had to search my soul. I held the Ouija board and made contact with it. I let it read my inner being. Then I asked my questions about myself. I got my answer and it sort of helped to ease my turmoil. My inner being told me, I was to help people not harm people. So I guess it is my job or calling to help these hard-headed idoits learn the truth about Witches and Witchcraft. What a job? I think I am going to need a lot of help from the Goddess on this one. It is very hard to put behind you hurtful things that have been said and done. But I guess when you do, you are the better person for it. Or in this case, the better Witch!

So do you have any suggestions or comments? I would love to hear them. Ever been in a situation like this? Ever had one of your children blab to the world you were a Witch? If so, how did you handle it? Did it turn into a nasty situation? You see I have lots of questions. Because everyone that knows me, knows I am a Witch. They are all accepting except this bunch. I don’t understand it. If you got any suggestion, I would love to hear them because I am totally baffled on this one.

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