Long,
long ago, the world slept in the arms of the dark void.
From
this place of nothingness, Spirit drew together and created Our Lady of
Infinite Love.
The
Lady danced among the heavens, Her feet beating out the rhythm of all creation.
Sparks of light catapulted from Her hair, giving birth to the stars and
planets. As She twirled, these heavenly bodies began to move with Her in the
divine symphony of the universe. When Her dancing quickened She formed the seas
and mountains of Earth. She chanted words of love and joy, and as these sounds
fell to the Earth, the trees and flowers were born.
From
the pure, white light of Her breath came the colors of the universe, turning
all things to vibrant beauty. from the bubbling laughter in Her throat sprang
the sounds of the pristine running water of the streams, the gentle lapping
vibrations of the lake, and the roaring screams of the oceans. Her tears of joy
became the rains of our survival.
When
Her dancing slowed and She sought a companion to share the wonders of the
world, Spirit created The Lord as Her life mate and companion. Because She so
loved the Earth, Spirit made Her companion half spirit, half animal, so that
together the Lord and Lady could populate our planet. The Lord's power moves
through her and She showers the Earth and all upon it with Her blessings.
Together, the Lord and Lady gave birth to the birds, animals, fishes, and
people of our world. To protect and guide the humans, the Lord and Lady created
the angels and power spirits. These energies walk with us always, though we may
not often see them. Their speech creates a tapestry of positive energy, from
which we draw strength.
To
each bird the Lady gave a magic song, and to each animal the Lord bestowed the
instinct to survive.
The
Lord is the master of the animal and plant kingdoms, and therefore wears the
antlers of a stag crowning His great head. This aspect of half man, half animal
shows His joy in both the human and animal creations of the Spirit.
As
the humans began to grow and prosper, the Lord and Lady saw a need for healers
among them. And so they drew forth energy from the realm of angels, the realm
of the power animals, and the realm of the humans to create the Witches. The
Witches brought with them the wisdom of the Lord and Lady, the ability to heal,
and the art of magic. The Lady taught the Witches how to cast a magic circle
and talk to Spirit, and the Lord taught the Witches how to communicate with the
energies of air, fire, earth, and water, and commune with the animal and plant
kingdoms.
At
first, the humans accepted the Witches and treated them fairly; but because the
Witches are different, humans began to fear the Wise Ones of the Lord and Lady,
thus the Witches became the Hidden Children, conducting their rites of positive
energy in secret lest they risk capture and death at the hands of uneducated
humans.
As
the world grew darker with ignorance and hate of human creation, The Lady took
the body of the Moon to represent the gentle light of her perfect peace, and
the Lord took the vibrant rays of the Sun as his symbol of strength in perfect
love. And once a month, when the Moon is full, the Witches celebrate and
remember the blessings our Mother has bestowed upon us.
We
call forth Her energy to help us take care of ourselves, our families, our
planet, and our friends. Four times a year the Witches celebrate the festivals
of fire and honor the Lord and His love for us - these are called the
cross-quarters. At the four quarters of the seasons, the Witches honor the
cycle of life and the gifts of the Earth with festivals to both the Lord and
Lady - signifying the balance they have brought us - the Equinoxes and the
Solstices.
The
Lady has many names - Isis, Astarte, Bride, Diana, Aradia, Hecate - and the
Lady walks within and beside each woman of every race.
The
Lord has many faces, from the strong Cernunnos to the delightful Pan. He guards
and guides us and resides in each man of every race.
When
thunder roars in the heavens, and lightning cracks from the ground, the Lord
and Lady dance the divine myth of creation so that we may remember them and
know that we are never alone.
When
the Sun rises each morning, we bask in the joy of His love for us, and when the
Moon moves through Her phases, we understand the cycle of birth, growth, death,
and rebirth.
When
it is our time, the Witches enter the Summerland. From the Spirit that moves
and flows through the Lord and Lady we continue to learn the mysticism of the
Universe so that we may return, life after life, to serve our brothers and
sisters.
In each lifetime, Spirit guides us through
learning experiences, preparing us along the way for our individual missions.
Sometimes we are born among our own kind, and in other instances we must seek
out our spiritual family. Many of us do not remember our chosen path until we
reach adulthood, but others know instinctively of their heritage from the time
they form their own thoughts.
How Wicca
Started
Where
Wicca Started from
Wicca
is believed to start from an ancient religion called Shamanism. The Shamans
were medicine people, the power wielders, male and female. They wrought magick
and spoke to the spirits of Nature.
From
these primitive beginnings arose all magick and religion including Wicca.
Though refined and changed for our world, Wicca still touches our souls and
causes ecstasy--awareness shifts--uniting us with Deity. Many of the teachings
of Wicca are Shamanic in origin.
As
told from Eileen Hollands book "The Wicca Handbook" pg 5
Modern
Wicca began in England in 1939, when Gerald Gardner was initiated into a
traditional British coven by Dorothy Clutterbuck (Old Dorothy). He later broke
the coven's seal of secrecy and published books about the beliefs and practices
of British Wiccans, because he feared the religion would die out. This began
what continues to be a groundswell of people converting to Wicca.
Debate currently rages over whether Wicca is a
new religion or the oldest of all religions. Some say that Wicca has been
practiced continuously in Europe at least sinnce the Ice Age. they cite
paleolithic carvings of female figures, such as the Venus of Willendorf, as evidnce
of Goddess worship having been the origin of all religions. No, say others,
Wicca is a neo-pagan faith, a 20th century construct.
Historical
Origin
Wicca
is a reconstruction of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strong influenced
by the living Nature worship of traditions of tribal people of the world.
Basic
Beliefs
Wiccans
worship the sacred as immanet in Nature, often personified as Mother Earth and
Father Sky. As polytheists, they may use many other names for Deities.
Individuals will often choose Goddesses or Gods from any of the world's
pantheons whose storeis are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a
focus for personal devotions.
It
is very important to be aware that Wiccans DO NOT in any way, worship of belive
in "Satan", "the Devil" or any similar entities. Wiccans do
not revile the bible, they simply regard it as one among many of the world's
mythic systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still
deserving just as much respect as any of the others. Most Wiccan groups also
practice magic, by which they ment the direction and use of "psychic
energy". Those natural but invisible foreces which surround all living
things. Some members spell the work "magick", to distingush it from
sleight of hand entertainments. Wiccans employ such means as dance, chant,
creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and direct psychic energy for the
purpose of healing, protecting and aiding members in various endeavors. Such
assistance is also extended to non-members upon request. Many, but not all,
Wiccans believe in reincarnation. Some take this as a literal description of
what happens to people when they die. For others, it is a symbolic model that
helps them deal with the cycles and changes within this life. Neither
reincarnation nor any other literal belief can be used as a test of an
individual's validity as a member of the Old Religion. Most groups have a
handwritten collection of rituals and lore, known as a Book of Shadows. Part of
the religios education of a new member will be to hand copy this book for him
or herself. Over the years, as inspiration provides, new material will be
added. Normally, access to these books is limited to initiated members of the
religion.
Practices
and Behavorial Standards:
The
core ethical statement of Wicca, called the "Wiccan Rede" states
"an it harm none, do what you will". The rede fulfills the same
function as does the "Golden Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other
ethical teachings are considered to be elaborations and applications of the
Rede. It is a statement of situational ethics, emphasizing at once the
individual's responsibility to avoid harm to others and the widest rang of personal
autonomy in "victimless" activities. Wicca has been described as
having a "high-choice" ethic. Because of the basic Nature,
orientation of the religion, many Wiccans will regard all living things as
sacred, and show a special concern for ecological issues. For this reason,
individual conscience will lead some to take a pacifist position. Some are
vegetarians. Others will feel that as Nature's way includes self-defense, they
should participate in wars that they conscientiously consider to be just that.
The
religion does not dictate either position, but requires each member to
thoughtfully and meditatively examine her or his own conscience and to live by
it. Social forces generally do not yet allow Witches to publicly declare their
religious fath without fear of loss of job, child custody challenges, ridicule
and etc. Prejudice agains Wiccans is the result of public confusion between
witchcraft and Satanism. Concealment is a Wiccan defense against persecution.
Wiccans celebrate eight festivals, called "Sabbats" as a means of
attunement to the seasonal rhythms of Nature. Some groups find meetings within
a few days of the Sabbats to be acceptable, others require the precise date. In
addition, most will meet for worship at each Full Moon, and many will also meet
on the New Moon.
Meetings for religious study will often be
schedule at any time convenient to the members and rituals can be scheduled
whenever there is a need. Ritual jewelry is particularly important to many
Wiccans.
Ten Things
About Wicca
1-No conversation or recruitment is necessary.
Wiccans
have no insecure compulsion to convert everyone to their way of thinking.
People come to Wiccan when and if they are ready r interested. Furthermore, you
are not required to accept or do anything that you are not comfortable with.
2-No artificial code of morality.
Out
of all the creatures of this Earth, only humans are forced to live under
unnatural moral codes. Wiccans believe simply -
"An
It Harm None, Do As Ye Will".
3-Progressive reincarnation.
Wiccans
believe we are here to learn and to progress, not suffer eternal damnation if
we "slip-up" in someone else's eyes.
4-No discrimination.
There
is no such thing as being the "right" race, color, gender, sexual
orientation, national or ethic origin to be Wiccan means ALL are welcome.
5-No middle man or woman.
Once
you know all of the basics, you can be your own "minister" or
"priest", you need never bow before (or rely upon) some religious
dictator for spiritual guidance, you go straight to the source.
6-Be yourself.
By
sharing a common interest with others in Wicca, you do not lose your identity
as an individual. You are unique and can and should stay that way without
becoming a blob in a homogeneous mass.
7-No repression.
Wiccans
are not forbidden from reading, learning, eating, drinkin, or saying anything.
You can actually even disagree with someone without being
"excommunicated".
8-Contribution.
NO!!
Not money, but knowledge. The Craft has always and will always, be an
experimental religion. If it works, we use it. Then we share it so that all in
the Craft may benefit.
9-No rigid Dogma.
Wiccans
DO NOT believe that their path is "The One and Only Path". The only
"Ture" path is the one that works best for you. All paths are valid
as long as they Harm None.
10-Self-empowerment.
Wicca
allows you to truly feel your own power, if you will, and a true sense of self.
You are "allowed" to be the best person that you wish to be with all
of the love and support that you can possibly hope for. Wicca allows you to
take your hopes, dreams, and most heart"s desires and manifest them in
this reality. All is possible. All is real.
Wicca
is an Earthen religion where witchcraft plays a role. Some Wiccans do not use
witchcraft much, but some use it everyday. Wicca is a very spiritual religion
that worships a Goddess and a God and like native-american religions, Wicca is
very down to earth and uses rituals in every day life. Wicca incorporates
almost every "religion" known to man. Satanism is real, but it is not
Witchcraft nor is is Wiccan. The Craft existed eons before the name of Satan
was inscribed into Christian writings.
Here are some different traditions of Wicca:
Alexandrian:
Originated
in England in the 1960's, it was founded by Alex Sanders. Although Alexandrian
is similar to Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wiccans tend to be more eclectic
and liberal. Some of the Gardnerian's strict rules have been made optional by
Alexandrian Wiccans.
British Traditional Witch:
This
is a mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs. These traditions move mostly
withing the Farrar studies and are farly structured by their beliefs. They
train through a degree structured process.
Celtic:
The
Celtic tradition is based on the practies of the pre-Christian Celtic world.
This includes Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Gaul. There is also a significant
amount of Druid practice used in this tradition. It shares alot with the
Teutonic tradition, including the use of runes. This tradition is extremely
earth based and strong in the religous aspects of the Craft. Many aspect of
Christianity were drawn from the Celtic pagan ways such as: Cerriwyn's cauldron
translated into the Holy Grail, and the Goddess Brigit became Saint Bride.
Ceremonial:
Less
religion, more emphasis on the art and science of magick. Rituals generally are
complex and practices lean towards the secretic, hidden side of magick. It is
geared towards the solitary practitioner, but can easily be adapted for those
who chose not to work alone. Not necessarily a Wiccan-only tradition, though
there are many ceremonial witches.
Dianic:
Tradition
from Western Europe, tracked back my Margaret Murray in 1921. This tradition
has been pegged as the "feminist" movement of the Craft. It is a mix
of new and old traditions, but its focus is on the Goddess, especially Diana.
Eclectic:
An
electic Wiccan does not follow any strict traditional guidlines, but follows
the instinctual practies of the belief that suits them best. They mix
traditions to find the most fitting instance on their religion, using magick
that is most practical for their lifestlye. Previously most Wiccan traditions
had more restricting boundaries, the eclectic tradition marks witchcraft's expansion
into a patchwork quilt of various beliefs and theories.
Faerie Wicca:
It
is also referred to as fae, fey, faery, fairy, fairie. This tradition is based
on folklore and beliefs. It consits of a mixture of "green" Wicca,
Celtic and Druidic practices in modern witchcraft.
Gardnerian:
Gardnerian
is the tradition founded by Gerald Gardner. Gardner's inspiration was drawn
from many sources. This is an extremely traditional path with a hierarchical
graduated structure. These individuals are very secretive and take oaths upon
initiation, also this tradition does not lend itself very well to the solitary
pratice.
Hereditary: Kitchen Witch:
This
type is one that practices by home and hearth, concentrating on the practical
side of Wicca, magick, the earth and the elements. It is more convenient for
those who have limited space and resource, mainly in the suburban and city
residents. This focuses on practicality, the use of magick in the home and in
the workplace. There are convenient ritual writings that include readily
available "ingredients" for those on a short tight budget.
Seax-Wicca:
Founded
in 1973 by Raymond Buckland. Raymond Buckland authored this tradition without
breaking his original Gardnerian oath. His contributions to the Craft is of great
significance and many popular books today are of his authorship.
Shamanism:
Beliefs
are connected to contact with the spirit world. Through communication with the
spirits, the Shaman can work acts of healing, divination and magick. This is
down through revelations by way of vision, poety and myth, the deeper reachs of
the human spirit.
Solitary:
Individuals
that prefer working in private rather than within the confines of a group
setting. Wicca works well with this sort of practice. Solitaries can pick any
one of the traditions that fit wellinto this sort of practice. It can be as
fulfilling as working in a group setting.
Strega:
This
tradition began around 1353 in Italy, by a woman called Aradia. The book
"Aradia, Gospel of the Witches", is the most veritable literary
remainder of the original tradition. The teachings are insightful and should
not be missed for those that practice solitary or in covens, especially if you
are interest in study all traditions.
Teutonic/Nordic:
This
is from ancient time, the Teutons have been recognized as a group who speak the
Germanic group of languages. The languages include the English, Icelandic,
Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. Many worship similar to their Norse
predecessors, following Scandinavian & Germanic deities, such as Odin, and
using divination methods like the runes.
The
Wiccan Rede
Bide
ye the Wiccan laws ye must,
in
perfect love and perfect trust.
Ye
must live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
Cast
the Circle thrice about, to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To
bind the spell well every time, let the spell be spoke in rhyme.
Soft
of eye and light of touch, speak ye little and listen much.
Deosil
go by waxing moon, chanting out the Wiccan runes.
Widdershins
go by waning moon, chanting out the baneful tune.
When
the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When
the moon rides at Her peak, then the heart's desire seek.
Heed
toe North wind's mighty gale: lock the door and trim the sail.
When
the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When
the moor blows from the West, departed spirits have no rest.
When
the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
Nine
woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow.
Elder
be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
When
the wheel begins to turn, let the Betane fires burn.
When
the wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and the Horned One rule.
Heed
ye flower, bush and tree,
by
the Lady, Blessed Be.
Where
the rippling waters go,
cast
a stone, the truth to know.
When
ye have and hold a need, hearken not to other's greed.
With
a fool no seasons spend,
or be counted as his friend.
Merry
Meet and Merry Part,
bright
the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind
the Threefold Law ye should, three times bad and three times good.
When
misfortune is enow,
wear the blue star on thy brow.
True
in love ye must ever be,
lest
they love be false to thee.
These
words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
As
ye harm none,
Do
as ye will
1.
Know yourself.
2.
Know your Craft.
3.
Learn.
4.
Apply knowledge with wisdom.
5.
Achieve balance.
6.
Keep your words in good order.
7.
Keep your thoughts in good order.
8.
Celebrate life.
9.
Attune with the cycles of the Earth
10.
Breathe and eat correctly.
11.
Exercise the body.
12.
Meditate.
13.
Honor the Goddess and God.
Our
past forgotten hiding in shadows
too
scared to leave.
Like
conjurers we weave the lights of day
through
all hours of the night.
I
call you noow upon the rivers of the wind,
and
the heart beats.
I
beckon you to me.
The
ability to know,
the
strength to dare.
The
fortitude to will and secrets kept
I
enter upon the path of light.
With
strength and conviction the Gods await me.
I
fear not what must come.
Power
be mine forever in time.
In
this will I see the Wiccan key
So
mote it be!
Wiccans
do not do evil. We believe that doing evil and harm is against all ethical and
moral laws. Further, Wicca tells us "An ye harm none (not even yourself),
do what ye will".
Wiccans
do not worship Satan. We do not have a Satan/Devil or any all-evil deity in our
religious structure. Wicca is a religion that underscores polarity and views
the God and the Goddess as equal entities.
A
male Wiccan is not a Warlock. The word Warlock is a Scottish word meaning
"oath breaker", and became a term designating a male Wiccan during
the "burning times". A male Wiccan is called a Wiccan.
Wiccans
wear clothing of every color and every style Many Wiccans do choose to wear
black clothing or ritual robes. The color black is the culmination of all vibrational
rates of light on the material plane. Black absorbs light information and helps
Wiccans be more receptive to psychic impressions and energies.
Wiccans
come from every socio-economic and ethnic background Many Witches are
professional people holding positions of responsibility such as Doctors,
Nurses, Police Officers, Teachers, etc. Wicca does not discriminate against
color or ethnic origin and does view everything as equal in the eyes of the
Goddess and the God.
Wiccans
do use spells. A spell is a thought, a projection, or a prayer. Other religions
use prayer, meditation, protection and ritual to produce an intended result.
The word "spell" does not simply doing evil or harm.
Wiccans
do use magic wands. Often you see the use of magic wands in childrens cartoons
and movies making the idea seem frivolous. In actuality they are used in
healing for directing energy.
Wiccans
do use Wicca as a science, an art, and a religion. We use our knowledge and
magick in harmony with the Universe and Nature around us.
The
word "Witch" has a deep and rich meaning As defined by the English
Oxford dictionary, "Witchcraft" is a celtic (pronounced Kell-tick)
word meaning the wise, good people. "Wicce" (Wick-kay) designates a
female Witch where as "Wicca" (wick-kah) designates a male Witch.
In
the religion of Wicca we view the pentacle as an amulet and a symbol for
protection. The five-pointed star represents the human body and the earth. In
combination, the star surrounded by the circle represents the human body encompassed
by the protection of the Goddess/God force. The pentacle is the symbol for
Universal Wisdom.
Wiccans
do concern themselves with ecology. We have never forgotten this basic fact:
the world is not our enemy. Neither is it inert, dumb matter. The earth and all
living things share the same life-force. They are composed of patterns of
intelligence, of knowledge, and of divinity, all life is a web. We are woven
into it as sisters and brothers of All. Wiccans need to be grounded in both
worlds and awake to their responsibilities for both worlds. It is only by being
responsible human beings that we can be responsible Wiccans and only
responsible Wiccans will survive.
A:
When you ask if someone is a "good" Witch or a "bad" Witch,
it is the same as asking someone if they are a "good" Presbyterian or
a "bad" Presbyterian. Wiccans adhere to the Rede, "An it harm
none, do as ye will." Witches, Druids and other pagan belief systems and
religions have their own ethical standards. There are good and bad people in
every society and in every religion. When a person breaks the laws of society
or the tenets of their religion, they are called to account for their actions.
To judge a person as either "good" or "bad" based upon
nothing more than their religious preference alone has a label, too. It is
called bigotry.
A:
Satan is a part of the Christian and Muslim religions. Since pagans are neither
Christian nor Muslim, Satan is not part of our deity structure at all.
We
believe that each and every human being is completely responsible for his or
her own actions. To us, evil is a choice, albeit a bad one, that a human might
make, not an embodied entity to blame our actions upon.
If
an individual chooses to do evil, most pagans believe they will be punished via
the laws of karma or as a result of "cause and effect.". In other
words, "What goes around usually comes around."
Many
Witches and Wiccans believe in some form of reincarnation, that the results or
karma of past deeds can follow a person from one life to the next. This may
also help to explain why terrible things sometimes happen to wonderful people
or why some people seem to have been born with certain skills and knowledge. It
may also explain why some people seem to lead a 'charmed" life.
Some
pagans believe in an after-life spent in another plain of existence. Known as
Summerland, Avalon, Valhalla or simply the "Other Side', they believe that
they will be reunited here once again with friends and family.
A:
The pentagram, or five pointed star, is not Satanic. Pythagoras used it as a
symbol of health and his followers wore them in order to recognize one another.
In Medieval times, some Christian knights used the pentagram as their symbol.
To modern Wiccans the pentagram means many things; The five points correspond
to the elements Air, Earth, Fire and Water with the top point corresponding to
"Spirit". The pentagram in a circle may also represent a human with
their legs and arms outstretched, surrounded by universal wisdom or the
"Goddess" - humankind at one with the environment. Many Witches and
other pagan practitioners do not wear the pentacle at all, but have other
symbols of special meaning to them.
Satanists
turn the symbol upside-down, which puts the elements of Fire and Earth at the
top (Fire symbolizes willpower and passion and Earth, prosperity and earthly
goods) and Spirit, spirituality, at the bottom. Satanists also turn the cross
upside-down. This, in itself, does not make the cross or pentagram a Satanic
symbol. In some Wiccan traditions, the reversed pentagram is a symbol of
"second degree" status - one who has been elevated from "initiate".
To members of these traditions, the reversed pentagram is considered highly
positive and has no connection to Satanism. A symbol is simply an image or mark
in itself. It is the mind and the beliefs of the beholder which attribute to it
a particular meaning.
A:
Goddess NO! The nature of sacrifice is to give up something of one's own in
order to gain something more important. Wiccans believe in the sanctity of all
life. Most pagans believe that animals are part of the same natural cycle of
life as humans are. Witches have long been associated with animal companions
known as "familiars." Check out the TWV "Cats of
Witchcraft" page. Do these animals look abused to you?
A:
Yes. Well, some do anyway. However, the term "spell" is widely
misunderstood.
Spells,
are somewhat like prayers and are used to create needed change in one's own
life or the life of a loved one. But while prayers are a petition to an
external Deity to create the change, most Witches and Wiccans believe that
Deity is present in everything, including ourselves. Spells, then, are the
channeling of our own divine selves, our own energies, to create the change.
Spells
such as those which use love magic to gain the attention of a specific
individual, or curses, are considered "manipulative". Most Wiccans
believe that anything manipulative-that goes against the free will of
another-is considered wrong. Many other pagan paths have similar codes of
conduct based upon the tenets of their tradition or belief and almost all
believe that the responsibility for their actions will lie with them.
A:
A cult by definition is a group of people who blindly follow one leader. As
Witches, Wiccans and pagans tend to be free-thinkers, there is no one person
that we consider to be THE leader. Thus we cannot be called a cult.
A:
These rumors come from our lack of taboos regarding sex. We have no rules which
prohibit homosexuality, nudity or pre-marital sex. Sex as the generative force
in nature is seen by most pagans as something utterly sacred. We feel that the
physical act of love is to be approached with great respect and responsibility.
A:
We all don't. Many Witches/Wiccans actually seem to favor green and/or purple.
Black, however, is in many cultures a symbol of clergy. Priests, Ministers and
Rabbis all favor black as the main color of their ritual garb.
Scientifically
speaking, color is energy. The colors you see are the ones which are reflected
and not the ones absorbed. Therefore, what appears to be white, which is the
culmination of all colors in the light spectrum, is actually reflecting all
colors and absorbing none. What appears to be black, is absorbing all colors
and reflecting none. This is evident in the fact that when one is wearing
white, one feels cooler - as the fabric is sending the heat energy outward, and
when one wears black - the heat energy is absorbed in the cloth that one is
wearing, making one feel warmer. Many Witches feel that wearing black attracts
and holds more natural energy.
A:
No. Neither are Wiccans or those in other pagan paths. Witches can be either
men or women. The term "Warlock" is never used to describe a male
Witch as it is considered to be a religious slur. "Warlock" is an old
Scottish word meaning "traitor" or "oath-breaker". Men and
Women alike can be Witches, Wiccans or pagans.
A:
People are generally drawn to Wicca and other pagan paths for several reasons.
Many women feel left out of more mainstream religions because of the lack of
feminine divinity. For them, the Wiccan concept of the Goddess as Mother of all
Living fills an empty space in their spiritual search. As a nature based
religion, Witchcraft also appeals to those who feel a strong need to "get
back to the Earth" and places a major importance on protecting the
environment, which we are a part of, not apart from. People drawn to the
mystical find pagan belief systems much more accommodating as we do not see
anything unnatural about psychic ability or the use of magic to create needed
changes in one's life. It gives us the freedom to make our own decisions about
what is best for us.
A:
We don't. We feel that the attempted conversion of others is a form of
religious bigotry. i.e. If one tries to convert another to his/her religion,
s/he assumes that the other person's beliefs are not as valid as his/her own.
We feel that all paths are equally valid as long as they do not infringe upon
the basic civil rights or free will of another. According to our beliefs, it is
up to the individual to choose his or her own path. We do not try to manipulate
others into our way of thinking, we only try to educate others about our
religion so that they may better understand us. We do, however try to help
guide those who have already expressed an interest in the pagan belief systems
or religions.
A:
Pretty much what everybody does. We come from all walks of life. We raise
families, go to work, throw steaks (or vegetables) on the "barbie"
and hang out with our friends. We practice our religions and belief systems,
celebrate our holidays with festivals and continue to study and explore our
past while contemplating our futures.
Many
covens and groups meet once a month to worship together under the moon. Pagans
tend to hold ceremonies or "circles" out of doors as we feel that
being with nature brings us closer to the divinity who creates it.
Some
pagan beliefs may seem strange to those who have not heard much about them
before. Pagans, on the other hand, are usually very well versed in the beliefs
of other religions. They find the various religious systems interesting and
often encourage their own children to learn about these other religions. Pagans
believe in free will and free choice and that an educated choice is always
better than blind obedience to any religion or dogma. We are not
"against" other religions. We have simply made our choice to be pagan
and we expect others to respect that choice as we respect theirs.
All
that we ask is that we are allowed to practice our religion without prejudice
or interference as is our right guaranteed here in the United States under the
Constitution and as outlined within the constitutions of many other countries.
The freedom to practice religion -or no religion-as you choose-whether it be
Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Pagan-is the freedom to follow your
spirit and your heart. This precious freedom must be defended, protected and
treasured by all or it will no longer be guaranteed for anyone.
ABORTIFACIENTS:
Botanicals which can induce the fatal and premature expulsion of an embryo or
fetus from the womb. Angelica, juniper, mayapple, pennyroyal, rue, and tansy
are examples of abortifacient herbs.
AKASHA:
The fifth element, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe.
It is the energy out of which the Elements formed.
AKASHIC
RECORDS: The ‘recordings’ left in the Akasha by every event. Advanced
occultists develop the gift of retrieving past events by ‘reading the Akashic
records’.
ALEXANDRIANS:
Witches initiated by (or stemming from those initiated by) Alex and Maxine
Sanders. An offshoot of Gardnerian witchcraft, though founded independently.
ALTERATIVES:
Botanicals which tend to favorably alter a condition and restore normal health.
Alteratives are frequently combined with aromatics, bitter tonics, and
demulcents: agrimony, American mandrake, American spikenard, bittersweet, black
cohosh root, bloodroot, blue flag root, blue nettle root, dock, horseheal root,
mayapple, pipsessewa, scabwort root, and speedwell.
AMULET:
An object worn, carried or placed to guard against negativity or other
vibrations. A protective object.
ANAPHRODISIAC:
A substance, such as camphor, that reduces sexual desires.
ANIMA:
The buried feminine elements in a man's psyche.
ANIMUS:
The buried masculine elements in a woman's psyche.
ANKH:
The crux ansata or looped cross, Egyptian hieroglyph for ‘life.’ Widely used as
an occult symbol of the Life Principle.
ANNUAL:
Any plant that lives and grows for only one year or growing season, during
which the life cycle (the germination of the seed through flowering and death)
is completed. The following plants are classified as annuals: anise, basil,
blessed thistle, borage, chervil, chickweed, cleavers, common groundsel,
cornflower, cotton, eyebright, fenugreek, flax, fumitory, herb Mercury, herb
Robert, horseweed, Indian tobacco, jimsonweed, knotweed, larkspur, marijuana,
milk thistle, oats, pansy, plantains, prickly poppy, psyllium, pumpkin, red
poppy, safflower, Shepherd's purse, smartweed, star thistle, summer savory,
white mustard, and wild thyme.
ANTIASTHMATICS:
Botanicals that are smoked or taken internally to relieve bronchial asthma:
California gum plant leaves, daisy, nettle, red clover (ground blossoms), and
yerba santa.
ANTISEPTICS:
Botanicals which destroy the microorganisms responsible for causing infection:
blue gentian extract, costmary, dead nettle, dogwood bark, Egyptian onion,
elder, eucalyptus leaves and oil, garlic, horseheal root, horseradish, indigo
broom oak bark, plantain, scabwort root, smooth sumac bark, violet, and Witch
hazel.
ANTISPASMODICS:
Botanicals which prevent or relieve involuntary muscle spasms and cramps such
as charley horses, epilepsy, and menstrual pain: blue cohosh, cajeput, passion
vine, and Roman chamomile.
APHRODISIACS:
Plants that are said to stimulate the sex organs and intensify sexual desire in
men and women: elder, ginger, ginseng, hazel, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon
verbena, lovage, mandrake root, serpentaria root, sundew, and yohimbe.
ARADIA:
Widely used Wiccan name for the Goddess, derived from the Tuscan witches’ usage
as recorded in C.G. Leland’s Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches.
ARCANA,
MAJOR AND MINOR: The seventy-eight cards of the Tarot (q.v.) deck. The Major
Arcana are the twenty-two ‘trumps’; the Minor Arcana are the fourteen cards of
each of the four suits. The word Arcana means ‘mysteries’ (literally ‘closed
things’).
ARCHETYPES:
Fundamental elements of the Collective Unconscious which determine our patterns
of thinking and behavior, but which can never be directly defined - only
approximately, through symbols.
ARIANRHOD:
A Welsh Goddess-name much used by Witches. The name means ‘Silver Wheel,’
referring to the circumpolar stars - also known as Caer Arianrhod (the Castle
of Arianrhod), symbolic of the resting-place of souls between incarnations.
AROMATICS:
Fragrant herbs used in potpourris, sachets, oils, scented candles, perfumes,
etc. The following herbs are classified as aromatics: acacia flowers, angelica
root, anise seed, bugle, burdock, calamus root, caraway, cardamom seeds,
cinnamon, clove, coriander, honeysuckle, lavender, lemon verbena, lilac
blossoms, mace, mint leaves, nutmeg, orange blossoms and leaves, orris root,
rosemary, rose petals, southernwood, saint John's wort, sweet pea, violet, and
wintergreen.
ASPERGER:
A bundle of fresh herbs or a perforated object used to sprinkle water during or
preceding Ritual, for purificatory purposes.
ASTRAL
BODY: The psychic ‘double’ of the physical body, consisting of substance more
tenuous than matter, but grosser than mind or spirit.
ASTRAL
PLANE: The level of reality intermediate between the physical and the mental.
It is the level of the emotion and instincts.
ASTRAL
PROJECTION: The practice of separating the consciousness from the physical body
so that the former may move about unhindered by time, space or gravity.
ASTRINGENTS:
Botanicals which cause contraction of the skin tissue: agrimony, alder bark,
alum root, avens, bayberry (bark and roots), bearberry leaves, black adler
bark, blackberry root, black birch leaves, black cohosh, bugle, costmary, dead
nettle, dock, dogwood bark, eucalyptus oil, European birch bark, fluxweed,
goldenrod, hawthorn berries, hepatica, hollyberries and leaves, horseheal root,
Jacob's ladder, manzanita leaves and fruits, oak bark, periwinkle, pipsissewa,
potentilla, scabwort root, Shepherd's purse, smooth sumac seed heads,
southernwood, saint John's wort, sweet fern, trailing arbutus, wax myrtle,
white birch bark, wintergreen, Witch hazel, and yarrow.
ATHAME:
A Wiccan Ritual knife. It may possess a double-edged blade and a blackhandle.
The athame is used to direct Personal Power during ritual workings. It is
seldom used for actual, physical cutting. The term is of obscure origin; has
many variant spellings among Wiccans, and an even greater variety of
pronunciations. British and American East Coast Wiccans may pronounce it as
“Ah-THAM-ee” (to rhyme with “whammy”); I was first taught to say “ATH-ah-may”
and, later, “Ah-THAW-may.”
AURA:
The force-field which surrounds the human body, the inner bands at least of
which are Etheric (q.v.) in substance. The aura is visible to sensitives, who
can learn from its colour, size and structure much about the person's health,
emotional state and spiritual development.
B.C.E.:
Before Common Era; the non-religious equivalent of B.C.
BALEFIRE:
A fire lit for magical purposes, usually outdoors. Balefires are traditional on
Yule, Beltane and Midsummer.
BANE,
BANEFUL: That which destroys life. Poisonous, dangerous, destructive. Herbs
such as henbane (‘Henbane’ is poisonous to hens). hellebore and aconite are
examples of baneful substances.
BANISH:
To drive away evil, negativity or spirits.
BELTANE:
An ancient folk-festival day observed by Witches that celebrates the fully
blossomed spring, April 30th or May 1st.
BESOM:
Broom.
BIENNIAL:
Any plant that completes its life cycle in two years or growing seasons. Most
biennial plants normally generate leaf growth in the first year, and then
bloom, produce fruit, and die in the second year. The following plants are
classified as biennials: alkanet, caraway, celery, clary, dill, evening primrose,
feverfew, foxglove, goat's beard, high mallow, hound's tongue, mullein,
parsley, prickly lettuce, Queen Anne's lace, raspberry, red clover, rocket,
scurvy grass, sweet clover, and teasel.
BITTER
TONICS: Botanicals with a bitter taste which stimulate the flow of gastric
juices and saliva, increase the appetite, and aid digestion: black haw bark,
blessed thistle, bugle, dandelion, dogwood, goldenseal root, and wild cherry
bark.
BLESSING:
The act of conferring positive ENERGY upon a person, place, or thing. It is
usually a spiritual or religious practice.
BOLINE:
The white-handled knife, used in Wiccan and magic ritual, for practical
purposes such as cutting herbs or piercing pomegranates. Compare with ATHAME.
BOOK
OF SHADOWS, THE: A collection of Wiccan ritual information that usually
includes religious rituals, magic and advice. There are many Book of Shadows;
there is no one correct Book of Shadows.
BOOMERANG
EFFECT: A popular name for the well-known occult principle that a psychic
attack which comes up against a stronger defence rebounds threefold on the
attacker.
BOUQUET:
In perfumery, a blend of natural or synthetic scents which reproduces a
specific odor, such as rose or jasmine. Also known as a compound or a blend.
BREW:
See INFUSION.
'BURNING
TIME': A term used by some witches for the period of persecution of witches
(actual or alleged) which reached its height in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries. Used in reference to England, it is in fact a misnomer; English
witches were customarily hanged, not burned, though they were burned in
Scotland and on the Continent.
CABALA,
QABALA, KABALA: The ancient Hebrew system of esoteric philosophy centring upon
the Tree of Life (q.v.). Probably the biggest single influence on the Wester
occult tradition. Modern occult Cabalism is not identical with that of the old
Rabbis, but its principles 'are the legitimate descendants thereof and the
natural development therefrom' (Dion Fortune).
CAKES
AND WINE: Also known as Cakes and Ale, this is a simple ritual meal shared with
the Goddess and God, usually within the Circle, near the completion of a
religious ritual. Such ritual meals predate Christianity.
CANDLEMAS:
See IMBOLG.
CARMINATIVES:
Botanicals which are used to induce the expulsion of gas from the stomach and
intestines: cayenne pepper, dandelion, fennel, feverfew, ginger, parsley,
peppermint, thyme, and yarrow.
CATHARTICS:
Botanicals and other substances which cause evacuation of the bowels.
Cathartics are divided into two categories: laxatives and purgatives. A
laxative produces gentle bowel stimulation, while purgatives induce more
forceful evacuation to relieve severe constipation. Laxatives: aloe vera,
balmony, boneset, bunchberry, chicory, dandelion, dock, horehound, horseradish,
hydrangea, magnolia, olive oil, red mulberry fruit, walnuts, and white ash
bark. Purgatives: barberry, blue flag, castor oil, chaparral tea (or spurge),
fennel, mayapple, poinciana leaves, and senna leaves.
C.E.:
Common Era; the non-religious equivalent of A.D.
CENSER:
A vessel of metal or earthenware in which incense is burned. An incense burner.
CERNUNNOS,
CERUNNOS: The only known name of the Celtic Horned God; it is much used by
witches, in the Cernummos form.
CERRIDWEN:
A Welsh Goddess-name, much used to represent the Mother or Crone aspects.
CHALICE:
See CUP.
CHAPLET:
A garland or wreath of flowers or leaves worn on the head, as in the chaplets
given to classical Greek heroes as symbols of honor.
CHARGING:
See EMPOWERING.
CHARM:
A magically empowered object carried to attract positive energies.
CIRCLE
CASTING: The process of moving positive energy from the body and forming it
into a large, non-physcial sphere of power in which Wiccan rituals usually
occur. Circle castings usually begin each Wiccan ritual. The process is also
known as ‘laying the circle’ and ‘creating sacred space,’ among other terms.
CLAIRVOYANCE:
Literally ‘clear seeing.’ The ability to perceive facts, events and other data
by other than the five ‘normal’ senses, unaided by tools.
CLOCKWISE:
The traditional form of movement in positive magic. (If you're standing facing
a tree, move to your left and walk in a circle around it. That's clockwise
motion.) Also known as deosil movement.
COMBUSTIBLE
INCENSE: Self-burning incense containing potassium nitrate; usually in cone,
block or stick form.
CONE
OF POWER: The collective psychic charge built up by a coven at work, visualized
as a cone whose base is the circle of witches and whose apex is above the
centre of that circle.
CONSCIOUS
MIND: The analytical, materially-based, rational half of our consciousness.
Compare with PSYCHIC MIND.
CONSECRATION:
A RITUAL of sanctification or purification. A ritual of dedication.
CORN
DOLLY: A figure, often human-shaped, created by plaiting dried wheat or other
grains. It represented the fertility of the Earth and the Goddess in early
European agricultural rituals and is still used in wicca. Corn dollies aren't
made from cobs or husks; corn originally referred to any grain other than maize
and still does in most English-speaking countries except the United States.
CORRECTIVE:
A term used by herbalists to mean an herb that is added to food or medicine to
improve the taste or smell of it.
COVEN:
A group of Wiccans, usually initiatory and led by one or two leaders, that
gathers together for religious and magical workings. Most covens operate within
a specific Wiccan Tradition.
COVENSTEAD:
A coven's normal place of meeting.
CRAFT:
An art, especially that made with the hands. See also SPELL CRAFT.
CUP,
CHALICE: One of the four elemental tools, representing the Water element.
CURSE:
A concentration of negative and destructive energy, deliberately formed and
directed toward a person, place or thing.
DECOCTION:
A medicinal or magickal extract made by adding herbs to boiling water (normally
one ounce of dried herb to one pint of water) and then allowing the mixture to
simmer for usually thirty minutes.
DEMULCENTS:
Herbal substances taken internally which soften and smooth inflamed mucous
membranes and are used to treat coughs and minor throat irritations: blessed
thistle, borage, coltsfoot, goldenseal root, hound's tongue, and Solomon's
seal.
DEOSIL:
See CLOCKWISE.
DIAPHORETICS:
Herbal substances taken internally to increase sweating. such substances are
also called sudorifics, and are frequently used to break common colds and
fevers and to promote good health: black cohosh, broom, cajeput, calendula,
catnip, chamomile, elder flowers, garlic, ginger root, horseheal, hyssop,
Jacob's ladder, linden flowers, mugwort, oregano, pennyroyal, rosebay, saffron,
salad burnet, scabwort, serpentaria root, vervain, and yarrow.
DIURETICS:
Plants which increase urine secretion and work to correct urinary disorders:
agrimony, balm, bearberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, blue flag, boneset,
broom, chicory, cleavers, cucumber seeds, daphne bark and root, garlic,
germander, gravel root, ground cedar, horseheal, horseradish, horsetails,
hydrangea, joe-pye weed, juniper berries, parsley, pipsissewa, pumpkin seeds,
rosebay, rue, scabwort, shepherd's purse, sorrel, sunflower seeds, vervain,
wild carrot, wood sage, wormwood, and yarrow.
DIVINATION:
The art of finding things out through means other than the five senses, using
tools such as tarot cards, crystal balls, and so on. Sometimes incorrectly
referred to as ‘fortune-telling.’
DIVINE
POWER: The unmanifested, pure energy that exists within the Goddess and God.
The life force; the ultimate source of all things. It is this energy that
Wiccans contact during ritual. Compare with EARTH POWER and PERSONAL POWER.
DRAWING
DOWN THE MOON: Invocation of the Goddess aspect into the High Priestess by the
High Priest.
DRAWING
DOWN THE SUN: Invocation of the God aspect into the High Priest by the High
Priestess.
EARTH
POWER: That energy which exists within stones, herbs, flames, wind, water, and
other natural objects. It is manifested DIVINE POWER and can be utilized during
magic to create needed change. Compare with PERSONAL POWER.
EGO:
The conscious part of the human psyche.
ELDERS:
The third-degree and second-degree members of a coven.
ELEMENTAL:
A primitive non-human and non-material entity, of the nature of one of the four
Elements (q.v.). The term is also used for a human thought-form which,
spontaneously by strong emotion or deliberately by mental effort, is split off
from its human originator and acquires temporary quasi-independent existence.
'Created elementals' of the latter kind can be given healing work to do; they
are also sometimes used maliciously for psychic persecution.
ELEMENTS,
THE: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. These four essences are the building blocks
of the universe, and ancient magical sources of ENERGY. In magic, Earth energy
is associated with the North; and with the color green, with money, and
stability. Air energy is associated with the East; with yellow, with travel,
and the intellect. Fire is associated with the South; with red, with protection,
and sex. Water is associated with the West; with blue, with love, and psychic
awareness. The energy of the elements is often used in magic.
EMETICS:
Plants which induce vomiting: adder's tongue, bay, black mustard seeds, blue
flag, bloodroot, cliffrose, elkweed, roots, hedge-hyssop, ilex berries,
mandrake, mayapple, wake-robin roots, and white mustard seeds.
EMPOWER,
EMPOWERING: The act of moving ENERGY into an object.
ENCHANT:
‘Sing to.’ Magically speaking, a procedure whereby herbs are aligned with your
magical need prior to their use.
ENERGY:
A general term for the currently unmeasurable (but real) power that exists
within all natural objects and beings--including our own bodies. It is used in
FOLK MAGIC. See also PERSONAL POWER.
ENFLEURAGE:
A French perfumery term describing the process of extraction essential flower
oils with purified fat. Also known as POMMADE.
EQUINOXES:
See SABBATS.
ESBAT:
A Wiccan ritual occasion celebrating the Full Moon. Compare with SABBAT. See
also WICCA.
ETHERIC
BODY: A structure intermediate between the Astral Body (q.v.) and the physical
body. It is an energy-network which linkes the physical body to the
corresponding astral, mental and spiritual bodies, and thus literally keeps it
alive.
ETHERIC
PLANE: The energy-level, intermediate between the astral and physical, on which
the Etheric Body (q.v.) functions.
EVIL
EYE, THE: Supposed glance capable of causing great harm or fear, once almost
universally feared.
EVOCATION:
Calling up spirits or other nonphysical entities, either to visible appearance
or invisible attendance. Compare with INVOCATION.
EXORCISM:
Traditionally, the magical process of driving out negative entities. In herb
magic, a powerful purification.
EXPECTORANTS:
Botanicals which loosen phlegm of the mucous membranes and promote its
expulsion: benzoin, bloodroot, chokecherry, coltsfoot, garlic, horehound
leaves, licorice root, slippery elm bark, storax tree bark gum, sunflower
seeds, sweet gum, vervain, violet, white pine (dried inner bark), and yerba
santa leaves.
FAMILIAR:
An animal kept by a witch for the psychic help it can give; cats, dogs and
horses in particular react very sensitively to negative influences, supplying
early warning or corroborative evedence. Their human 'owners' (or rather,
partners) are careful to give them psychic protection in return. Certain kinds
of deliberately created and maintained thought-forms may also be called
familiars.
FASCINATION:
The art of placing other people under one's power through sounds, gazes,
colors, etc.
FESTIVAL:
One of the eight seasonal Sabbats (q.v.).
FETCH:
(1) 'The apparition, double, or wraith of a living person' (Oxford English
Dicionary). (2) A projected astral body of thought-form deliberately sent out
to make its presence known to a particular person. (3) A witch (usually male)
sent out by a High Priestess as a confidential messenger or escort; sometimes
called the Summoner of the Officer.
FOLK
MAGIC: The practice of magic utilizing PERSONAL POWER, in conjunction with
natural tools, in a non-religious framework, to cause positive change.
GARDNERIANS:
Witches initiated by (or stemming from those initiated by) Gerald Gardner or
one of his High Priestesses. There are also many witches today who practise the
Gardnerian system but whose initiation does not ultimately derive from
Gardner's coven, and it would be sectarian not to call them Gardnerians.
GNOME:
The traditional name for an Elemental (q.v.) spirit of the nature of the Earth
element.
GOAL,
THE: See INTENT.
GOD,
THE: Generally, in Wicca, the God is the male principle; the perfect complement
to the GODDESS. He's often identified with the sun; with deserts and forests,
and with wild animals. Some see Him as the Lord of Death and Resurrection. In
the eight SABBATS the Wiccans celebrate His birth, maturity, union with the
GODDESS and His death. The God is not to be confused with common Christian
conception of ‘God.’
GODDESS,
THE: There are as many definitions of the Goddess as there are Wiccans.
Generally, She's seen as the creatress of the universe; the unfaltering,
ultimate source of fertility, wisdom, love, compassion, healing, and power.
Often associated with the Moon, the seas and the Earth in Wiccan thought, the
Goddess has been worshipped in many religions across the globe and throughout
time.
GOLDEN
DAWN: An occult Order founded in London in 1887 by three Rosicrucians, which
became a major influence in Western ritual magic. Its rituals (partly written
by the poet W.B. Yeats, who was a prominent member) are basically Cabalistic,
with elements of the Chaldean Oracles, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and
Blake's Prophetic Books. They were later published in full, under the title
"The Golden Dawn" by Israel Regardie.
GREAT
RITE: In Wicca, the major ritual of male-female polarity, which is also the
third-degree initiation rite. It can be either symbolic, in the presence of the
coven, or 'actual' - i.e., involving intercourse - in which case it is always
conducted in private. In our tradition, only a married couple or established
lovers may perform the 'actual' Great Rite together.
GREEN
HEALING: See GREEN WITCH
GREEN
MAGICK: See GREEN WITCH
GREEN
WITCH: A nickname for a female or male Witch who is skilled in the art of
wortcunning. The herb magick practiced by a Green Witch is called “the Green
Arts” or “Green Magick”; the use of medicinal herbs is known as “Green
Healing.”
GRIMOIRE:
A magical workbook with information on rituals, magical properties of natural
objects, preparation of ritual equipment. Many include “catalogues of spirits.”
The most famous of the old grimoires is probably The Key of Solomon. Most were
first committed to paper in the 16th and 17th centuries, though they may be far
older.
GROUNDING:
The process of temporarily shutting down PSYCHIC AWARENESS and reorienting the
CONSCIOUS MIND to the material world.
HANDFASTING:
A Wiccan, Pagan or Gypsy wedding. More broadly, any wedding or solemn
betrothal.
HERB:
A plant used in magic. Herbs are usually strongly scented and are prized for
their specific energies. Includes trees, ferns, grasses, seaweeds, vegetables,
fruits, and flowering plants. The dictionary defines an herb as “a
fleshy-stemmed plant that generally dies back at the end of each growing
season” or “any plant or plant part used specifically in medicine or as
seasoning.” Herbs are mainly thought of as the green leaves of any plant or
tree (both fresh and dried) that is valued for its medicinal, savory, or
aromatic qualities. Although many herb books regard seeds, roots, flowers,
berries, and bark as herbs, they are more accurately classified as spices,
Trees also do not come under the technical heading of an herb; however, tree
leaves and some shrubs are considered to be herbs by many.
HERBAL:
A book about herbs and plants, especially those which possess medicinal and
healing properties (based on scientific evidence) or those whose medicinal
values are based entirely or in part on conjecture or folklore. One of the most
interesting and popular herbals of all time is Nicholas Culpepper’s
astrologically influenced herbal guidebook entitled The English Physician (also
called The Complete Herbal). It was originally published in the mid-seventeenth
century and remains popular in modern times, especially among Witches and
students of herbalism and plant lore.
HERBALISM:
The practice of cultivating, gathering and using plants for medicinal,
cosmetic, ritual and culinary purposes. See HERB MAGIC. The practice of
identifying and using plants or plant parts that are: aromatic, savory, and
medicinal. A man or woman who grows, collects, or specializes in the use of
herbs (especially those that are used medicinally) is called an herbalist. The
study of herbs is known as herbology.
HERBALIST:
See HERBALISM.
HERB
MAGIC: The practice of directing energies found within plants to create needed
change. A branch of magic. Practitioners utilize PERSONAL POWER as well as
other forms of energy, such as colors, candles, stones, sounds, gestures, and
movements.
HEREDITARIES:
Witches who claim a continuous family tradition and practice of the Craft, form
long before the current revival.
HERNE:
A British God-name, the best-known manifestation of whom is Herne the Hunter,
leader of the legendary Wild Hunt in Windsor Great Park. The name may derive
from the same original as Cernunnos (q.v.).
HEX:
An evil spell; a curse.
HEXAGRAM:
(1) A six-pointed star, formed by two interlaced equilateral trinagles. It is
generally called the Star of David in non-occult circles, but its use as an
occult symbol is far older than its use as a badge of Judaism. It signifies the
Hermetic principle of 'as above, so below'. (See MACROCOSM.) (2) Any one of the
six-line figures of the I Ching (q.v.)
HIGH
PRIEST: In group Wicca, either one of two visible leaders of a COVEN; a man who
co-leads the rituals, or a man who has reached a certain level of proficiency,
achievement and wisdom. The term usually denotes a man who has received not one
but several initiations.
HIGH
PRIESTESS: A highly experienced leader of a COVEN; the woman who leads or
co-leads the rituals, or a woman who has reached a certain level of Wiccan
proficiency, achievement and wisdom. The term usually denotes a woman who has
received not one but several initiations.
HIVING
OFF: The process whereby two or more members leave their parent coven to form
their own coven.
HOLLY
KNIG: In the folklore of many parts of Europe, including the British Isles, the
God of the Waning Year. At the Summer Solstice he 'slys' his twin, the Oak
King, God of the Waxing Year; and at the Winter Solstice the Oak King is
revived to 'slay' the Holly King in turn. Oak King and Holly King are each other's
'other self', in an eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
I
CHING: A Chinese system of divination involving sixty-four 'hexagrams' or
six-line combinations of unbroken (yang) and broken (yin) lines. It is one of
the few categories of Eastern esoteric learning which transfer wholly
satisfactorily to the West, without risk of cross-cultural confusion, and it is
widely used here.
IMBOLC:
A Wiccan festival celebrated on February 2nd. Imbolc marks the first stirrings
of spring and is a traditional time to practice magic.
INCARNATION:
The manifestations of a living entity into physical form; specifically, any one
of the earthly lives of an immortal human Individuality (q.v.) in the
continuing Reincarnation (q.v.) process.
INCUBUS:
A male demon or spirit which was believed to sexually tempt and abuse women;
the succubus was the corresponding female demon.
INDIVIDUALITY:
The immortal, reincarnating part of a human being, consisting of the Upper
Spiritual and Upper Mental levels; contrasted with the Personality, which
consists of the Lower Mental, Upper Astral, Lower Astral, Etheric and Physical
levels, and which only persists for one Incarnation (q.v.), a new Personality
being built up around the immortal Individuality for each Incarnation. (See
REINCARNATION.)
INFUSION:
A liquid produced by soaking herbs in very hot (but not boiling) water. An
herbal tea. A brew or potion. An infusion is a medicinal or magickal fluid made
by pouring boiling water over one or more herbs (usually one cup of water to
every teaspoon of dried herb) and allowing the mixture to steep like a tea,
usually for ten to fifteen minutes, in order to extract the soluble elements
and active principles.
INITIATION:
A process whereby an individual is introduced or admitted into a group, interest,
skill or religion. Initiations may be ritual occasions, or may spontaneously
occur.
INNER
PLANES: Other levels of being and consciousness than the physical or the
'normal' Ego-consciousness.
INTENT:
In magic, the goal of the working.
INVOCATION:
An appeal or petition to a specific conception of Deity. A prayer. A request
for a deity's appearance or attendance during a ritual. Also, a mystical
practice that produces an awareness of Deity within. Compare with EVOCATION.
KAHUNA:
A practitioner of the old Hawaiian philosophical, scientific and magical
system.
KARMA:
The 'spiritual bank balance' carried by the Individuality (q.v.) from one
Incarnation (q.v.) to the next. The literal meaning of the word is 'action' or
'cause-and-effect'.
KARNAYNA:
Alexandrian (q.v.) form of the God-name Cernunnos (q.v.).
LABRYS:
A double-headed axe which symbolized the GODDESS in ancient Crete, still used
by some Wiccans for this same purpose. The labrys may be placed on or leaned
against the left side of the altar.
LAMMAS:
See LUGHNASADH.
LAW
OF THREE, THE: A wiccan belief that our actions, both positive and negative,
will be returned to us three-fold.
LEFT-BRAIN
FUNCTION: The linear-logical, word-and-number-using, analysing, basically
masculine function of the left hemisphere of the brain, which also controls the
right side of the body; balanced by the right-brain function, the intuitive,
image-forming, synthesizing, basically feminine function of the right
hemisphere of the brain, which also controls the left side of the body.
LITHA:
The Summer Solstice, a wiccan religious festival and a traditional time for
magic. Also known as MIDSUMMER.
"LUCK,
GOOD": An individual's ability to make timely, correct decisions, to
perform correct actions and to place herself or himself in positive situations.
“Bad luck” stems from ignorance and an unwillingness to accept
self-responsibility.
LUGHNASADH:
An old harvest festival celebrated on August 1st or 2nd in Europe, reverencing
the abundant (harvested) fruit of the Earth. It is still observed by Wicca.
MABON:
A Wiccan festival celebrated on or around September 21st, the Autumnal Equinox,
which marks the second harvest. Autumn transmutes into winter. A time of thanks
and reflection.
MACROCOSM:
The Cosmos as a whole, in relation to the Microcosm, its detailed manifestion
(the human being in particular). In accordance with the Hermetic principle 'as
above, so below', the Microcosm is of the same essence as the Macrocosm and
reflects its nature.
MAGIC(K):
The practice of causing needed change through the use of powers as yet
undefined and unaccepted by science. The movement of natural (yet subtle)
ENERGIES to manifest positive, needed change. Magic is the process of “rousing”
energy, giving it purpose (through VISUALIZATION), and releasing it to create a
change. This is a natural (not supernatural) practice.
MAGIC
CIRCLE: A ritually-created circle (or sphere) that offers protection to the
magician during magical rites.
MAGICIAN:
A person of either sex who practices magic.
MAGUS:
In general, a male occult adept. In Wiccan usage, a second-degree or
third-degree male witch.
MAIDEN:
In a coven, the Assistant High Priestess for ritual purposes, who may or may
not be the High Priestess's deputy in leadership. In earlier times, the title
of Maiden was sometimes applied to the leader whom we would now call the High
Priestess.
MANIFESTATION:
The product on one level of being of a phenomenon or entity already existing on
a higher level. Thus physical Nature is a manifestation of creative Divinity;
the Earth itself may be regarded as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess
principle; and on a much lower level, a seen ghost, or a poltergeist
phenomenon, is a visual or physical manifestation of an entity or activity on
the astral plane.
MEDITATION:
Reflection, contemplation, turning inward toward the self or outward toward
Deity or nature.
MEGALITH:
A huge stone monument or structure. Stonehenge is perhaps the best-known
example of megalithic construction.
MENHIR:
A standing stone probably lifted by early peoples for religious, spiritual or
magical reasons.
MIDSUMMER:
The Summer Solstice, usually on or near June 21st, one of the Wiccan Festival
days and an excellent time to practice magic.
MIGHTY
ONES, THE: Beings, deities or presences often INVOKED during wiccan ceremony to
witness or guard the rituals. The Mighty Ones are thought to be either
spiritually evolved beings, once human, or spiritual entities crated by or
charged by the GODDESS and GOD to protect the Earth and to watch over the four
directions. They are sometimes linked with the Elements.
NEO-PAGAN:
Literally, new-pagan. A member, follower or sympathizer of one of the newly
formed Pagan religions now spreading throughout the world. All Wiccans are
Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan.
NEOPHYTE,
POSTULANT: A newcomer to the coven, awaiting initiation.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE
INCENSE: Incense which is compounded without potassium nitrate, and which
requires heat to release its scent. Compare with COMBUSTIBLE INCENSE.
OLD
ONES, THE: A wiccan term often used to encompass all aspects of the GODDESS and
GOD. Some Wiccans view it as an alternative of THE MIGHT ONES.
OSTARA:
A Wiccan festival occurring at the Spring Equinox (on or around March 21st),
which marks the beginning of true spring. A Fire festival celebrating the
resurgence of Earth fertility, and an ideal time for magic.
PAGAN:
From the Latin paganus, a “country dweller” or “villager.” Today it's used as a
general term for followers of WICCA and other polytheistic, magic-embracing
religions. Pagans aren't Satanists, dangerous, or evil.
PENDULUM:
A tool of Divination which consists of a heavy object suspended from a string
or cord. The end of the cord is held between the thumb and forefinger;
questions are asked and their answers divided by the movements of the pendulum.
PENTACLE:
A ritual object (usually a circular piece of wood, clay or metal) upon which a
five-pointed star (Pentagram) is inscribed, painted or engraved. It represents
the Element of Earth. The words ‘pentagram’ and ‘pentacle’ are not
interchangeable in wiccan use.
PENTAGRAM:
A five-pointed star which has been used in magic for centuries. Highly
symbolic, it is also a protective device.
PERENNIAL:
Any plant that has a life span longer than two years. The following plants are
classified as perennials: agrimony, alfalfa, aloe, American ginseng, angelica,
autumn crocus, balm, bay, belladonna, bindweed, birthroot, bistort, black
cohosh, bladderwrack, bloodroot, blue cohosh, blue flag, boneset, buckbean,
bugleweed, butterfly weed, California poppy, catnip, celandine, chamomile,
chicory, chives, cinquefoil, colicroot, coltsfoot, comfrey, daffodil,
dandelion, dog rose, elecampane, fairywand, fennel, figwort, fireweed,
forget-me-not, garden (or salad) burnet, garlic, goldenrod, goldenseal, Good
King Henry, gromwell, ground ivy, heal-all, hops, horehound, hyssop, lady's
mantle, lady's slipper, lavender, lily of the valley, live-forever, liverleaf,
loosestrife, lovage, maidenhair fern, marjoram, marsh mallow, mayapple,
meadowsweet, milkweed, mints, moneywort, moonseed, motherwort, mouse-ear,
mugwort, onion, oregano, Oswego tea, partridgeberry, passionflower, pipsissewa,
pussytoes, rosemary, rue, sage, Saint John's wort, Sampson’s snakeroot,
skullcap, Solomon's seal, sorrel, speedwell, spikenard, stinging nettle,
stoneroot, sundew, sweet flag, sweet woodruff, tansy, tarragon, thyme, vervain,
Virginia snakeroot, wallflower, watercress, water lilies, wild ginger, wild
senna, wild strawberry, wild thyme, wild yam, winter cress, wintergreen, winter
savory, wood sorrel, wormwood, woundwort, yarrow, and yellow flag.
PERSONA:
The 'comforting cloak' of the Ego (q.v.); the self-image which the Ego builds
up to reassure itself and to present to the world.
PERSONAL
POWER: That energy which sustains our bodies. We first absorb it from our
biological mothers within the womb and, later, from food, water, the Moon and
Sun and other natural objects. We release personal power during stress,
exercise, sex, conception, and childbirth. MAGIC is usually a movement of
personal power for a specific goal.
PHILTRE:
An herbal aphrodisiac used in magickal spells with incantations to arouse love
or sexual desire. Also known as “love potions,” philtres have been used by
Witches since ancient times and have consisted of many different herbal
ingredients. They are often put in foods or drinks and work the best when
prepared and used on a Friday (the day of the week most sacred to Venus, the
ancient goddess of love) or at the time of the month when the Moon is
positioned in the astrological sign of Taurus.
PHYTOTHERAPY:
The treatment of illness by the use of herbs or medicinal substances which are
derived from plants. Witches refer to this art as “Green Healing” and have
practiced it for centuries.
POLARITY:
The concept of equal, opposite energies. The Eastern yin/yang is a perfect
example. Yin is cold; Yang is hot. Other examples of polarity: Goddess/God,
night/day, Moon/Sun, birth/death,dark/light, Psychic Mind/Conscious Mind.
Universal balance.
to mean the practice of herbalism.
Wortcunning has been associated with the Old Religion since ancient times.
YULE:
A Wiccan Festival Celebrated on or about December 21st, marking the rebirth of
the Sun God from the Goddess. A time of joy and Celebration during the miseries
of winter. Yule occurs on the Winter Solstice.
Elements & Magick
The Ancients divided the world into four basic principles or
*elements* earth, water, fire, and air. That viewpoint has mostly changed with
advances of science, but the four elements are still accepted in magick, for
they are more closely linked with emotions, the human psyche, and with nature
than are modern explanations of the world. These *magical elements* are also of
some importance in astrology. Many occultists think of the magical elements as
forces, or as *qualities* of energy; especially within the astral world. Each
element has a symbol and color. (Common symbols are -- fire: a triangle
pointing up; air: a triangle pointing up and with a horizontal line through the
middle of it; water: a triangle pointing down; earth: a triangle pointing down
and with a horizontal line through the middle of it.) Colors of the elements
are -- earth: brown and green; water: blue; fire: red; air: yellow... The
Eastern tattvic system uses different symbols and colors. (The tattvic symbols
are briefly described later on in this course.) The elements are often used in
magick ritual.
Magick sees relationships between things. These relationships are called
'correspondences'. Although magical correspondences are not literally equal to
one another, you can think of them that way (such as gold equals sun). Tables
of these relationships, called 'Correspondence Tables', are available (an
important one is Crowley's '777'). Thus one thing or symbol can be used to
suggest another. This is important in magick, for the magician may surround
himself with as many appropriate correspondences as he can to vividly affect
the senses; thus making his magical contact with the inner planes more lucid.
The magical elements have correspondences with the tarrot cards as the four
suits. The four quarters (directions of the universe as used in magick ritual)
and the Archangels also correspond with these same elements.
|
Element |
Suit |
Quarter |
Archangel |
|
Earth |
Pentacles |
North |
Uriel |
Astrological signs also correspond with the elements. Taurus, Virgo, and
Capricorn are earth signs. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are water signs. Aries,
Leo and Sagittarius are fire signs. Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are air signs.
ELEMENTALS
The magical elements are said to be peopled by spirits and mythological
entities called elementals or nature spirits. These are grouped into four main
categories:
|
Earth |
Water |
Fire |
Air |
|
Gnome |
Undine |
Jin |
Sylph |
Elementals are usually only visible to those with clairvoyant sight and are
more likely to be seen at night in the mountains or country away from cities --
especially if you are tired or sleepy. Although elementals exist naturally, it
is also possible to create one which will exist for a limited time -- no
elemental has immortality. A created elemental is called an 'artificial
elemental'.
To the Ancients, elementals were the physical explanation of the universe.
However, some contemporary occultists see them only as symbols for forces and
otherwise not 'real' at all. Another word sometimes used for elemental is
'familiar' (usually in medieval witchcraft); the term is ambiguous, as it might
merely be an ordinary household pet such as a dog or cat.
YIN YANG
Chinese philosophy and acupuncture talk of yin yang. This is the idea of
polarity, or opposite pairs, as shown:
|
Yin |
Yang |
|
Water |
Fire |
The list could go on. In Chinese literature it is quite long. Some occultists
suggest everything can be similarly arranged into related opposite pairs.
SIMPLE MAGICK
Here is a simple magical technique you may wish to try. It is a variation of
affirmation, which was discussed in an earlier lesson...To help you to achieve
your goal (magical or otherwise), find a word or short phase which sums up what
it is that you want to accomplish. Write the word (or phrase) down 10 times
each day until you achieve success.
Elements and Elementals
Myths and
Lore:
The
four elements of nature: Earth, Air,
Fire and Water are the very foundations of creation and the basis of life
itself. Ancient myths and theories tell
us that the Divine Beings sent to the fledgling earth (then a smoldering pot of
confusion being created), four Spirits to bring about order out of chaos. As the rays of their celestial bodies made
contact with the crystallized influences of the lower world, they became the
four elements linking humankind to nature, the heavens and the Divine.
In
Wicca/Witchcraft all physical and spiritual substances (the spiritual essence,
if you like) are made up of one or more of these elements. The Earth is the essence of fertility and
solidarity; it nourishes, binds and gives form. Air the essence of intelligence, which liberates and
stimulates. Fire is the essence of
strength and defense that animates and activates, while Water is the essence of
emotions and fecundity making things malleable and flexible. The physical representations of these
elements are merely their gross forms in the material world.
Coming
from celestial form sent by the divine beings the “Goddess and God”, the fifth
element or “spirit” (sometimes referred to as Akasha); came from a lower
hierarchy of spirits called Elementals.
Their task was to govern the four elements. So Gnomes govern the Earth, Sylphs control the Air, Salamanders
command Fire and Undines prevail over Water.
Elements and elementals are assigned to the four cardinal points of a
circle under the watchful eyes of the Lords of the Watchtowers (the Mighty
Ones, Old Ones, or the Guardians), who are next in line on the hierarchy of the
spirit world. So Earth and Gnomes are
assigned to the North, Air and Sylphs to the East, Salamanders and Fire to the
South, and Undines and Water to the West.
The
Pentacle (up-right five pointed star in-side a circle) is the witches’
traditional tool of the craft, and is symbolic of the four elements being kept
in balance for “good” by the fifth element, “spirit” represented by the circle
itself. A reversed Pentacle (inverted
five pointed star, often referred to as the Satanic Pentacle) represents the
bad or darker sides of elements and elementals. As there is duplicity in the Goddess and God, so there is
duplicity in elements and elementals.
Each has its own good and bad aspects.
Here are some of the main correspondences representing elements and
elementals:
Elements:
Elements
and elementals play a powerful role in Witchcraft and Magick, they are often
called upon to help and influence the work being done. The use of elements with the aid of
elementals is carefully considered and assigned to all aspects of Spell making,
ritual Magick and Festivals. Whenever a
circle is formed Witches summon the subtle forces of the elements to consecrate
their working tools and ritual objects.
They do this by placing them on or touching them with the pentacle, or
sprinkling them with salt, the material representation of Earth. Scenting them by passing them through the
smoke of the incense censer representing Air.
Passing them over the candle flame representing Fire, and sprinkling
them with salted water to represent purified Water. When the circle is cast the elements are used again to purify and
consecrate the circle ready for ritual and magic.
Before
the ritual or when magical work is to start, each element (or its representative
on the altar) is taken to its corresponding quarter, the realm of its guardian
spirits. There its related spirits and
elementals are invoked to watch and aid the proceedings. It’s important therefore that we understand
the differences and relationships of elements and elementals.
Earth:
The
Goddess, the Moon, the planet Venus, the zodiacal signs of - Taurus, Virgo and
Capricorn, the season of autumn, the North, salt or sand, the pentacle,
fertility, good health, quietness, comfort, strength, courage, practicality,
thrift, acquisition, patience, responsibility, things cold and dry, boredom,
stagnation, destruction, darkness, the colour green, the metal gold. It is used to influence such matters as: Female principles, herbal magick, luck, physical
healing, balance, prosperity, change, material things, harmony, relationships
and success. Also used for romantic
love, friendship, beauty, soul-mates, artistic ability, affection, partners,
alliances, grace, luxury, social activity, marriage, decorating, cosmetics,
gifts, income, gardening, architects, artists, beauticians, chiropractors,
dancers, designers, engineers, entertainers, fashion, music, painting, poetry,
courtship, dating, household improvements, planning parties and shopping.
Air:
The
God, the Sun, the zodiacal signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, the season of
spring, the East, the wand, incense and smoke.
Also used to influence such matters as:
Light, health, success, careers, goals, ambition, personnel finances,
advancement, drama, fun, authority figures, law, fairs, crops, totem animals,
volunteer and civic services, promotion, male principles, children, buying,
selling and speculation, things hot and moist, squandering, frivolity, autism,
gales, hurricanes and cyclones. Also
used for achievement, healing energy, divination, clairvoyance, mental
alertness, intelligence, intellectual growth, prosperity, harmony, energizing,
creativity, the colour yellow and the metal silver.
Fire:
The
God, the Sun, Mercury, Mars, the zodiacal signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius,
the season of summer, the South, the sword or athame, candles, torches, light
or illumination. Represents vitality,
power, strength, courage and defense.
It is invigorating, motivating and passionate, and can be used to
influence such matters as: passion,
partnerships, action, physical activity, energy, aggression, things hot and
dry, sex, sport, guns, tools, metals, police, soldiers, combat, confrontation,
war, business deals, buying and selling, mechanical things, repairs, hunting,
health, luck, justice, success, ambition, personal finances, and authority
figures.
Water:
The
Goddess, the Moon, the planet Jupiter, the zodiacal signs of Cancer, Scorpio,
Pisces, the season of winter, the West, the cup, chalice and cauldron. Water is used for dealing with such matter
as: wealth, joy, opportunity,
abundance, elevation, tranquillizing, aligning, business, logic, gambling, social
matters, political power, material wealth, publishing, collage education and
long distance travel. Things cold and
moist, brooding, foreboding, stagnation, poison, toxic substances, foreign
interests, religion, philosophy, forecasting, broadcasting, publicity,
expansion, luck, growth, sport, horses, legal matters, doctors, guardians,
merchants, psychologists, charity, correspondence courses, self-improvement,
research, reading and studying.
Elementals are those mystical creatures that
dwell within the spirit realm of the elements, watched over and controlled by
the Lords of the Watchtowers (the Mighty Ones, Old Ones, or the
Guardians). Elementals can be related
to “nature spirits” and the old favorite, ever written about “witches’
familiar”. These are the spirits that
govern all nature, the “forces of life” that may be summoned to assist in
working magic. It’s important therefore
that we understand “who they are” and “what they represent”. Earth spirits are known as Gnomes, Air spirits
as Sylphs, Fire spirits as Salamanders, and Water spirits are called Undines.
After the circle is formed and consecrated
with the elements, a witch may next call down the quarters by invoking the
Lords of the Watchtowers (the Mighty Ones, Old Ones, the Guardians), to preside
and watch over the proceedings.
Specific elementals; those whose correspondences best suit the work or
rite being carried out, may then be invited to participate. Their correspondences are closely related to
those of the elements, so I shall not re-write them here (See Correspondences
in Part 1). Care needs to be taken when
calling the aid of elementals, due to the duplicity of all things. Elementals are not always the helpful little
creature’s we expect them to be, and can be mischievous, bad tempered little
devils if allowed to get out of control.
In folklore elementals were thought to be
fickle, malicious and unpredictable spirits sent by the “wicked-witch” in the
form of familiars to trick people into accidents and traps and sometimes
killing them. This is the sort of
belief that led to the plight of witches during the Witch-hunt’s and purges of
the 17th–18th centuries. Still today in
contemporary Witchcraft, witches use pets and animals as familiars, but stress
and emphasizes is given to working with good and friendly elementals in
producing positive magic. A colorful
character from contemporary times that used a familiar was Sybil Leek. Her trademark was a cape, loose gown, and a
pet jackdaw named “Mr. Hotfoot Jackson”.
Gnomes:
Gnomes
are the spiritual beings who inhabit the spirit realm of the elements. As spirits of energy they are commonly
invisible to the average person, only those that possess second sight can see
them clearly. However being on the
first level of the spirit realm, they are close enough to the physical realm in
order to easily inter-react with it. By
tradition Gnomes were the protectors of secret treasures hidden in caves
beneath the earth. Legends have it that
they were reluctant to help and aid humans, but if you were to gain the trust
of one, they could prove to be powerful friends. On the other hand, if you were to lose their trust, deceive them
or misuse their aid, then all hell could be let lose.
In Wicca/Witchcraft Gnomes are called to
instill confidence, steadfastness and endurance, but can also be used to bring
about gloom, melancholy and despair should that be required. In some old legends Gnomes were ruled over
by a king called Gob whose followers became known as Goblins. Goblins were wondering mischievous sprites
that would attach themselves to households, particularly those containing
children. When they moved in, they
would help by doing the chores at night and by playing with and disciplining
the children, giving them presents when they were good or punishing them when
they were bad.
When upset the Goblins general good nature
could became unpredictable. They would
bang pots and pans in the kitchen at night just to keep the household awake, or
move furniture about while knocking on walls and doors and snatching bedclothes
off sleeping persons, generally becoming a nuisance. You’ve heard of poltergeist activity? Well this is a type of it.
A Poltergeist is generally believed to be the spirit of a departed
person or animal, who hasn’t for various reasons withdrawn from the physical
realm. It can also be an elemental that
has been called for a task and for some reason failed to complete it, hence the
haunting. Witches are often called to
exorcise haunting by contacting the spirit and persuading it to move on, or if
that fails they can contact higher spirits or deities to banish them.
Gnomes and Goblins can be called to aid all
magic associated with the element Eunceasingly. Undines are emotional beings, very friendly and open to being of
service to humans, but care must be taken when working with undines for they
can have a strong influence upon a person’s emotional well-being.
The
smaller undines were often portrayed as tiny winged beings that people have
mistakenly called fairies. Seen near
flowers and plants that grow in watery areas, they had gossamer wings and
shining clothing. Some undine’s closely
resembled people in appearance and size, they lived in coral caves under the
ocean or on the shores of lakes and banks of rivers. Undines work with the vital essences, the liquids of plants,
animals, and human beings and are present in everything containing water.
Undines
can be called to aid in all magick associated with the element Water as shown
in the correspondences above.
Salamanders:
Salamanders
are the spiritual beings that inhabit and control the element Fire, and it is
through their activities that fire exists.
There are many family branches of salamanders each differing in size,
appearance and dignity, and in folklore they were ruled over by a magnificent
flaming king being called Djin.
Salamanders are the strongest and most powerful of all the elementals
having the ability to extend or diminish their size as needed. They and others of their kind are
mischievous spirits, who like children don't fully understand the results of
their actions, which can affect the thoughts and actions of people around
them. As such, strong control is
required when using their aid in ritual or magick.
Salamanders are thought to move about most
freely at night and if you are ever lucky enough to see them, they would appear
as small balls of light drifting across the air and water. Old-time sailors often saw them
investigating the sails of their ships while sailing at sea, and the term “St.
Elmo’s Fire” was coined to refer to such phenomenon. On land they are mostly perceived as small lizard-like flames
about a foot or more in length.
When
used in magick, Salamanders can have a profound effect upon human nature. Linked through the heat with which we
maintain are bodily temperatures, they can influence our emotions and general temperament. When someone is called a hothead, or is
referred to as hot-blooded, these are terms referring to their elemental
nature.
Undines:
Undines
are the spiritual beings that inhabit the spirit realm of the element
Water. They not only exist in the water
itself, but also in substances of humidity and all other liquids. They appear to humans as beautiful water
nymphs or the classic mermaids of myths and legends which tell of them being
seen gracefully riding the waves of the ocean shimmering and shining with all
the colors of the sea. They are also
said to frequent marshlands, rocky pools, springs, streams and wells. They control the forces of nature in
relation to plant and marine life as well as the tides and motions of water.
In
some cultures undines inhabited waterfalls, while others live in rivers and
lakes, every fountain had its nymph, and every ocean its oceanides (daughters
of Oceanus the Titan ruler of the sea before Poseidon). In folklore the ruler of the undines is a
being called Necksa whom they love, serve, and honor unceasingly. Undines are emotional beings, very friendly
and open to being of service to humans, but care must be taken when working
with undines for they can have a strong influence upon a person’s emotional
well-being.
The
smaller undines were often portrayed as tiny winged beings that people have
mistakenly called fairies. Seen near
flowers and plants that grow in watery areas, they had gossamer wings and
shining clothing. Some undine’s closely
resembled people in appearance and size, they lived in coral caves under the
ocean or on the shores of lakes and banks of rivers. Undines work with the vital essences, the liquids of plants,
animals, and human beings and are present in everything containing water.
Undines can be called to aid in all magick
associated with the element Water as shown in the correspondences above.
What is a spell?
A spell can be best categorized as an active prayer. There are many kinds. In some
you simply write on a piece of paper what you want and burn it. Another kind,
sympathetic magick, goes about performing your goal as if you had already
achieved it. An example of this is to imagine you are paying a bill you're
having trouble with, and writing 'paid' on it. And in others, you raise energy
through dancing, singing, etc. and then send it out towards your goal.
How does it work?
That's actually a highly debatable subject; and it all depends on how you view
the world, and divinity. Generally, though, in doing the ritual of the spell:
the candleburning, dancing, etc, you are focussing in on your goal. As you are
becoming more focussed, you are raising the energy needed to achieve it. The
more you practice spellcasting, circlecasting, etc, the better you get at
raising and controlling the energy. This energy is both divine, personal, and
'Earthy'. At the right moment: the burning of the paper, or writing 'paid' on
your bill, you release all the pent-up desire for your particular goal. You release
it out into the universe to effect the change you desire. There are many views
on how it works after this point. Some say the energy is directed into the
'collective unconsciousness' of the world where it creates a 'path of least
resistance' to the goal. Others say the act of releasing the stress of worrying
about it leaves you with a clear enough head to find the solution to your
problem. It really does depend on your personal view of things.
Does it always work?
Not always. Sometimes you don't raise enough energy, you're unfocussed, you're
just generally feeling down (spells rarely work when you're feeling down), or
you're asking for something you don't actually need. And of course, sometimes
it just isn't meant to be. A spell isn't to be used to get you something
because you're too lazy to work for it. You can't cast a spell for good grades
and then not study or go to class. But you can spell for a better grade on an
exam you've already written. The spell that will work will be the one that
changes something that's out of your hands; and for something you really,
really care about.
Can you cast love spells?
Yes, of course. But they can only be general, such as "I really want to
find someone", or "Goddess, bring love into my life again". You
can't; no, let me be clear: you CAN NOT cast a spell 'on' somebody. Well, I
suppose it's possible, but according to the Law of Three, what you do comes
back to you three times. This is not a joke. Cast a spell to manipulate someone
into being attracted to you, and you'll probably get a stalker.
Can spells be used to harm people?
I suppose so. There's really no forseeable limit to the human imagination. But
again, the Law of Three is a real karmic wheel, not some little model in your
head to keep you in line. What you send out, returns. If you were to harm
people, or even just manipulate them just a little bit, you'll probably have
the whole thing blow up in your face. And if you manage to avoid it for a
while, it will happen later. Spells are for healing, calming, and avoiding
desperate situations. You can use it to help a friend, heal the planet, grow
your plants, fix your broken stuff (don't laugh, it works), get money for your
bills, get a job, and of course, for self-improvements. You cannot manipulate
other's emotions or thoughts, force them into doing something they don't want
to, get people together, or force them apart. You can't wish harm on a person
or organization of people, no matter how much you may despise them. If harm
comes to someone else because of your magickal workings, I don't even want to
know what happens to you later.
What about words of power?
Yes, there are words of power, but you might be surprised to hear them. Words
of power are words that have special meaning for You. That's it. No ancient
languages and strange-sounding words. Sometimes they're as simple as 'Earth',
or 'Athena' (Greek Goddess of wisdom and strategical warfare). Many times they
are the names of old Gods and Goddesses, etc. The power isn't in the word
itself, but in the reverence of the way you use it.
Are spells demonic?
No, absolutely not. A spell is an affirmation of your own life, a way of saying
to Divinity 'Hey, I'm over here, give me a hand'. Casting a spell brings you
into contact with the collective unconscious around you; it provides that
working link between you and the emotions that surround your life. You
certainly don't need to invoke Beelzebub or whoever to do that. The energy you
raise comes from within you, from around you, and from the trees and the planet
herself. A spell, though some may disagree with me here, is almost outside of
religion. There are Wiccan spellcasters, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Native
people who cast spells. The idea of using the energy in and around you to get
something that you need is far from being new. The spell is neutral; it is the
spellcaster who is, or is not, respectful and responsible.
So how do you cast a spell?
Good question. I'll answer it by providing a spell here that anyone can do, for
almost any purpose. Remember, though, if you do cast a spell, that it can be
for anything at all, as long as you don't seek to harm or manipulate people. If
your intentions are pure, no problem.
|
Simple Candleburning Spell |
There are more complicated spells involving music, dancing, invoking the
elements, reciting poetry, different colours, different times of day, and
calling various Gods, etc; but in essence, they all work on this basic frame.
Calm and focus yourself, feel your need, visualize the solution as if it had
already happened, and release it into the world. Sorry for you thrill-seekers,
but no mystic languages, no furniture flying about, no indoor tornado, and no
demonic possession. Life's a bitch, huh?
As we've seen, spellcasting is a real and valid way of affirming your life. It
won't make you rich and powerful, unless you worked for that anyway. If you use
it to harm or manipulate another person or persons, that negativity will come
back into your own life three times over. Magick is used for helping, healing,
self-affirmation, self-improvement, and for avoiding desperate situations. It
is a way of gathering your emotions for the purpose of achieving a goal. Spells
can most accurately be described as active praying.
Title
of the Ritual/Spell
1. Purpose, Goal or Intent of
Ritual/Spell
2. When and where will you perform this? This includes (but not limited to) day,
week, month, lunar associations as well as Sabbats and locations (indoors or
outdoors). Take into consideration your
suroundings while writing this (you don't want to scream at the top of your
lungs in a way to release your energy in your apartment...)
3. Correspondences such as oils, colors,
gems, herbs and elements to name a few.
You could combine them too ("I need red water...")
4. Deities (if any) and how will you invoke them to your circle:
5. Tools required/suggested
6. Spell/Chant/Invocation
12. How will you visualize your goal (see it
finished)? Describe it here:
Gather
all your supplies/tools/associations on the planned hour/day/moon phase and
head to wherever you will be performing this spell.
Cast
you magick circle
Invite
whatever deities/spirits/angels you wish
Say
any prayers/devotions you wish.
Clear
your mind and visualize your goal. Raise the energy within yourself as you use
your chant or invocation (if you have one). Light your candles, incense, charge
your stones, etc. This is where you would use your tools/associations.
When
you've raised as much energy as you can, send it up and out into the Universe
to do your will.
Finish
the spell with "so mote it be" or other similar words. This is a sign
of closure and a declaration that your magick will be successful.
Close
your circle and thank the deities/spirits/angels who have been with you.
Ground
and center, and eat your cakes and ale (or cookies and juice) to restore your
energy.
Record
your magickal working in you BOS
The Art of
Divination is the method by which you try to find out about the past, present
or future. There are hundreds of methods of divination, from the common to the
curious to the bizarre. Many methods have been lost or obscured by the passing
of time and the changing of civilizations. Some methods such as Astrology, Tarot
Card reading, Tea Leaf reading, Numerology, Runes, and Horoscopes have survived
into the present and are both popular and in widespread use.
The purpose of a Diviner's job can entail many things: to find the source or
cause of a problem; to serve as go-betweens for humans and spirits; to
determine whether a person is suffering from a common illness or one caused by
an upset ancestor; or to find the cause for a person's misfortune.
Aeromancy is divination by atmospheric phenomena.
Amniomancy is divination by using the caul.
Anthroposcopy is divination by observing facial features.
Arithmancy is divination by numbers.
Astrology is divination by planets and stars.
Augury is divination from the behaviour of birds.
Austromancy is divination by the winds.
Belomancy is divination by arrows.
Botanomancy is divination by herbs.
Capnomancy is divination by smoke.
Cartomancy is divination by using cards.
Catoptromancy is divination by using a mirror.
Ceromancy is divination by molten wax dropped into water.
Cheiromancy is divination by the hands.
Clairvoyance is divination by "second sight".
Crystallomancy is divination by a crystal.
Dowsing is divination by using a forked stick or wires.
Genethlialogy is divination by the stars placement at one's birth.
Geomancy is divination by examining dots on paper, dirt particles or
marks on the earth.
Halomancy is divination by salt.
Horoscopy is divination by means of a horoscope.
Hydromancy is divination by water.
Ichthyomancy is divination by fish.
Lampadomancy is divination by observing the flame of a candle.
Leconomancy is divination by observing the shape that oil poured on
water makes.
Lithomancy is divination by stones.
Numerology is divination by numbers and names.
Oenomancy is divination by the appearance of wine poured in libation.
Oneiromancy is divination by dreams.
Onomancy is divination by the letters of a name.
Onychomancy is divination by the fingernails.
Ophiomancy is divination by observing the behaviour of snakes.
Ornithomancy is divination by the flight of birds.
Palmistry is divination by reading the lines and aspects of the hand.
Pegomancy is divination by fountains.
Pessomancy is divination by pebbles.
Phrenology is divination by the bumps on the head.
Physiognomy is divination by the face.
Pyromancy is divination by looking into a fire.
Rhabdomancy is divination by a wand or divining rod.
Scrying is divination by looking into a crystal ball.
Sideromancy is divination by observing the movement of straws placed on
a red hot iron.
Sortilege is divination by drawing lots.
Spodomancy is divination by looking at ashes.
Theomancy is divination by oracles.
Xylomancy is divination by dry sticks.
Zoomancy is divination by observing the behaviour of animals.
ICHING,
an ancient chinese system of oracular divination
TASSEOMANCY,
the art of reading tea leaves
DOWSINGan
old method of divination
AURA
INFORMATION, free information on the aura
COLOURS
OF THE AURA, what the colours of the aura mean
OUIJA
BOARD, how to make and use the ouija board
GRAPHOLOGY,
handwriting analysis
SHELL
SCRYING, the method of shell scrying
SMOKE
SCRYINGused by the indians
MIRROR
SCRYING
PENDULUM
SCRYING, the methods of pendulum scrying
CLOUD
SCRYING, the power of the clouds
WIND,
the wind has a voice that may talk to you
EGYPTIAN
DREAM SCRYING, may be traced back thousands of years
DREAM
TEMPLES
WATER
SCRYING as used by nostradamus
CRYSTAL
SCRYING
OIL
SCRYING, used by the babylonians
LAMP
SCRYING, the method of egyptian lamp scrying
PSYCHOMETRY
JOHN
DEE'S SCRYING METHOD
ORNITHOMANCY,
divinating bird patterns
ORACLE,
a type of intermediary
MONITIONS,
monitions of approach
LECANOMANCY,
throwing stones into water
HAKATA,
used by african witch doctors
DELPHI
ORACLE, very influential oracle
COSCINOMANCY,
divination practised with a sieve
CRITOMANCY,
divination of cakes
CURSED
BREAD, divination with bread
DACTYLOMANCY,
divination with rings
DAPHNOMANCY,
divination with laurel branches
DERMOGRAPHY,
psyshic phenomenon of skin writing
DJEMSCHEED,
a divination cup
EROMANCY,
divination using air and water
CEROSCOPY,
divination using wax on water
CELONTES,
mystical stone
CARTOPEDY,
feet divination
COMMUNIGRAPH,
mechanical communication with spirits
CLEDONISM,
divination by use of words
CLEIDOMANCY,
divination by use of a suspended key
XYLOMANCY,
slav divination
SIBYL,
women who lived in caves and were renowned for their gift of prophecy
PHRENOLOGY,
the divination of reading bumps on a skull
ARITHMANCY,
divination by numbers
ANTHROPOMANCY,
divination using human entrails
ALECTRYOMANCY,
divination through birds
ALEUROMANCY,
divination with flour
ALPHITOMANCY,
divination using a leaf of barley
BIBLIOMANCY,
divination using a book
MOLYBDOMANCY,
divination by dropping metal into water
MYOMANCY,
divination involving rats
EGGS,
divination using eggs
ONYCHOMANCY,
divination by fingernails
OMPHALOMANCY,
divination by the navel
ONIMANCY,
divination based on the observation of angel uriel
PSYCHIC
TELEPHONE, the psychic telephone
BELLY
TALKERS, mediums with a daemon in their belly
BOOK
TEST, initiated by a deceased communicator
BILLET
TEST, divination via an envelope
TREMBLING,
divination through hand trembling
PRENESTINE
LOTS, divination by lots
POPPY
SEEDS, poppy seeds in divination
PLANCHETTE,
instrument to communicate with spirits
PHYLLORHODOMANCY,
divination with rose leaves
PESSOMANCY,
divination with beans
MUSCLE
READING, unconscious movements
HIPPOMANCY,
celtic divination
HEPATOSCOPY,
divination of entrails
GYROMANCY,
divination by going round in circles
LYCHNOMANCY,
divination by candle flame
AMNIOMANCY,
divination by means of the caul
ARIOLISTS,
ancient divinaters
BELOMANCY,
divination by arrows
AXINOMANCY,
divination by axe
LAMPADOMANCY,
divination by a lamp