Wicca Book Of Shadows
Made By: Jim HD
Index
What is Wicca...8
What Witchcraft is...10
What Witchcraft is not...11
Movement of origin...13
Two kinds Wiccan...13
Both a god and a goddess...14
Morality in wicca...15
Fatal ideas about reincarnation...15
What Wicca is not...16
Questions about Witchcraft...17
Are Wicca and Witchcraft the same thing?...17
Who do Witches Worship?...17
How do Witches view Christianity. Are Witches Anti-Christian?...18
Can I follow the path of Wicca or Witchcraft and be a Christian too?...18
The Wiccan Rede says "An it harm none, do as ye will." Does that mean a Witch can do anything they want and its OK if they justify the action to themselves? ...19
If Wicca and Witchcraft are not evil, why do you wear black robes?...20
OK, so if Wicca and Witchcraft are not evil, why do you hold rituals and ceremonies at night hidden in the woods?...20
What form does the practice of Witchcraft take?...20
How do you see the Goddess and God?...20
Do all Witches practice their religion the same way?...21
Is Witchcraft a cult?...21
Do Witches have a bible?...21
If Witches don't have a bible, what do you use?...21
The word Tradition is used quite often. What is the exact meaning of this?...22
Do Witches cast spells?...22
Do Witches worship the devil?...22
Are Witches only women?...22
How do Witches view Sex?...23
What is the purpose of performing ceremonies Skyclad?...23
Is Witchcraft a religion?...23
How do Witches view death?...23
How can someone find out more about Witchcraft?...24
Definitions of Wicca, Pagan & Witchcraft...25
What Is Magick...26
How to Become a Wiccan or Witch...27
Warnings & Cautions For The New Wiccan...30
The Shadows are out there...30
You - yes, you can be a Vampire...31
Oops! Did I just do that?...31
Power corrupts...32
Magickal Protection & Psychic Self-Defense...33
Divination & Scrying...35
Elements & Magick...36
ELEMENTALS...37
SIMPLE MAGICK...38
The Concept Of Deity...38
The Supreme Creative Force...38
Polarities of The One...38
Witches Reed of Chivalry...39
Before Time Was...41
Goddess...42
The Charge Of The Goddess...44
Song of the Goddess...46
The Legend of the descent of the Goddess...47
The Charge of the Dark Goddess...48
Charge of the Crone...49
God...50
The Charge Of The God...52
The Charge of the Sun God...54
The Charge of the Dark God...55
Charge of the Horned God...56
Witch Living Rules and laws...57
13 Goals of the Witch...57
The Law of Return...59
The Law Of Power...60
The Law ...60
The Sacred Wood...61
Give Thanks...61
Show Respect...61
Find balance...62
The 161 Laws...63
The Proposed Laws...72
Time of Magic...74
Weekdays...74
Sabbaths...76
Moon...76
Time of day ...76
Signs & Symbols...77
Tools from Wicca...80
Athamen...80 Bollinen...80 Bells...80 Incense...80 The cup...80 The diet...81 The pentagram...81 Statues...81 The stick...81 The sword...81 The Elements...82 Earth...82 Air...82 Fire...83 Page | 3
Water...83
Spirit...84
The Altar...85
Important Wiccans and witches texts...86
The Witches' Creed...86
The Wiccan Rede...87
The Wiccan Credo...88
Drawing Down the Moon...90
The Great Rite Invocation...92
Stories...94
Air Meditation...94
The place where you relax...95
The Magic Circle...97
The Purposes of a Circle...97
Questions about Opening the circle...97
What is a Circle?... 97
Why do you need a Circle?... 97
What do I need to know to cast a circle?...97
What is the purpose of your circle?...98
How big will your circle be?...98
How will you visualize your circle?...98
Can you keep your focus for as long as it takes to set up the circle?...98
When do I cast the circle?... 98
Casting A Circle - How do I know if I did it?...99
Casting A Circle - What's this about cutting a door?...99
I live in an apartment; will the people downstairs walk into my circle and mess it up?...99
When and how do I take the circle down?...99
What's the best way to practice casting a circle?...100
Jim Hds way of making the circle...101
Opening the circle... 101
Closing the circle... 102
How To Cast a Circle 1...103
How to Cast a Circle 2...107
How to Cast a Circle 3...110
Opening the circle...111
Calling the Quarters/Casting Your Circle ...114
Casting The Circle 1...117
Casting and Closing a Circle...118
How to Cast a Circle... 118
How to Close a Circle... 119
Casting the circle 2...120
Taken from Scott Cunningham's Wicca:...121
Spells & Witchcraft...123
Book of Shadows Blessings...123
Self-Forgiveness Pray...124
Bless you...125
A Person Blessing...126
Blessing for the Body...127
Refresh your Self...128
A Blessing for Self Image...129
Elemental Blessing...129
Luck...129 House Blessing...130 A Parting Blessing...130 Songs...131 I am...131 Chants...132 Daily sun...132 Sorrow...132 Dream charm ...132
Spirit Protection Wreath ...133
Beauty ...133
Meditation ...133
Prayer of holding ...134
Undo curse ...134
Evocation of the Witch...135
Elements Poem...136
Born of Elements...137
Witches' Chant...138
The Witches Rune...139
Glossary...140 Akasha...140 Amulet...140 Ankh...140 Asperger...140 Astral projection...140 Astrology...140 Athame...140 Balefire...140 Bane...141 Beltane...141 Besom...141 Bolline...141 Banish...141 Bells...141 Bind...141
Blood of the Moon...141
Book of Shadows...142
The Burning Times...142
Cauldron...142 Censer...142 Call...142 Chalice...142 Charging...142 Circle...143 Conscious Mind...143 Coven...143 Covenstead...143 Deosil...143 Divination...143 Divine Power...143 Page | 5
Drawing Down The Moon...143 Duality...144 Earth Power...144 Elements...144 Elemental...144 Esbat...144 Evocation...144 God...144 Goddess...144 Grimoire...144 Handfasting...145 Herbalism...145 Imbolc...145 Incense...145 Initiation...145 Invocation...145 Karma...145 Labrys...145 Lughnasadh...146 Mabon...146 Magick...146 Magick Circle...146 Meditation...146 Megalith...146 Menhir...146 Midsummer...147 Mighty Ones...147 Neo-Pagan...147 Ogham Alphabet...147 Old Ones...147 Ostara...147 Pagan...147 Pantheism...148 Passing Over...148 Pendulum...148 Pentacle...148 Pentagram...148 Personal Power...148 Polarity...149 Polytheism...149 Projective Hand...149 Psychic Mind...149 Psychism...149 Receptive Hand...149 Reincarnation...149 Ritual...150 Ritual Consciousness...150 Runes...150 Sabbat...150 Samhain...150
Scrying...150 Shaman...151 Shamanism...151 Simple Feast...151 Skyclad...151 Solitary...151 Spell...151
Spirits of the Stones...151
Staff...151 The Summerland...151 Talisman...152 Threefold Law...152 Tradition...152 Trilithon...152 Triple Goddess...152 Visualization...152 Wand...152 White-Handled Knife...152 Wicca...153 Wiccan Rede...153 Widdershins...153 Witch...153 Witchcraft...153 Yule...154
Finding a Teacher, Mentor or Guide...155
How others look at Wicca and Wiccans...157
Military Views on Wicca - US Army...157
OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN...157
LEADERSHIP... 157
MEMBERSHIP... 157
HISTORICAL ORIGIN... 158
BASIC BELIEFS... 158
PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS...159
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE...160
ROLE OF MINISTERS... 161
WORSHIP... 161
FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS...162
MEDICAL TREATMENT... 162
OTHER... 162
A Christian Speaks of Wicca and Witchcraft...163
A Situation of Strife and Shame...163
The Bible's view of pagans and witches...166
Translated By...167
What is Wicca
Contrary to what those who choose to persecute or lie about us wish to believe, Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists.
Source: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm
Wicca (Old English word for "witch") is a pagan nature-based religion characterized by the pre-Christian beliefs and practices in Europe.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow. It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between. It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earths nature and being humbled in reverence. When we are in the temple of the Lord and Lady, we are not prone to the arrogance of human technology as they touch our souls. To be a Witch is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver, and a protector of all things. If this path is yours, may you walk it with honor, light and integrity.
Wicca is a belief system and way of life based upon the reconstruction of pre-Christian traditions originating in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. While much of the information of how our ancestors lived, worshiped and believed has been lost due to the efforts of the medieval church to wipe our existence from history, we try to reconstruct those beliefs to the best of our ability with the information that is available.
Thanks to archaeological discoveries, we now have basis to believe that the origins of our belief system can be traced even further back to the Paleolithic peoples who worshipped a Hunter God and a Fertility Goddess. With the discovery of these cave paintings, estimated to be around 30,000 years old, depicting a man with the head of a stag, and a pregnant woman standing in a circle with eleven other people, it can reasonably be assumed that Witchcraft is one of the oldest belief systems known in the world toady. These archetypes are clearly recognized by Wiccan as our view of the Goddess and God aspect of the supreme creative force and predate Christianity by roughly 28,000 years making it a mere toddler in the spectrum of time as we know it.
Witchcraft in ancient history was known as "The Craft of the Wise" because most who followed the path were in tune with the forces of nature, had a knowledge of Herbs and medicines, gave council and were valuable parts of the village and community as Shamanic healers and leaders. They understood that mankind is not superior to nature, the earth and its creatures but instead we are simply one of the many parts, both seen and unseen that combine to make the whole. As Chief Seattle said; "We do not own the earth, we are part of it." These wise people understood that what we take or use, we must return in kind to maintain balance and equilibrium. Clearly, modern man with all his applied learning and technology has forgotten this. Subsequently, we currently face ecological disaster and eventual extinction because of our hunger for power and a few pieces of gold.
For the past several hundred years, the image of the Witch has been mistakenly associated with evil, heathenism, and unrighteousness. In my humble opinion, these misconceptions have their origin in a couple of different places.
To begin, the medieval church of the 15th through 18th centuries created these myths to convert the followers of the old nature based religions to the churches way of thinking. By making the Witch into a diabolical character and turning the old religious deities into devils and demons, the missionaries were able to attach fear to these beliefs which aided in the conversion process. Secondly, as medical science began to surface, the men who were engaged in these initial studies had a very poor understanding of female physiology, especially in the area of a women's monthly cycles. The unknowns in this area played very well with the early churches agenda lending credence to the Witch Hunters claims and authority. The fledgling medical professions also stood to benefit greatly from this because it took the power of the women healers away giving it to the male physicians transferring the respect and power to them.
Unfortunately these misinformed fears and superstitions have carried forward through the centuries and remain to this day. This is why many who follow these nature oriented beliefs have adopted the name of Wicca over its true name of Witchcraft to escape the persecution, harassment and misinformation associated with the name of Witchcraft and Witch not to mention the bad publicity the press and Hollywood has given us simply to generate a profit.
Source: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm
What Witchcraft is
Witchcraft is a spiritual system that fosters the free thought and will of the individual, encourages learning and an understanding of the earth and nature thereby affirming the divinity in all living things. Most importantly however, it teaches responsibility. We accept responsibility for our actions and deeds as clearly a result of the choices we make. We do not blame an exterior entity or being for our shortcomings, weaknesses or mistakes. If we mess up or do something that brings harm to another, we have no one but ourselves to blame and we must face the consequences resulting from those actions. No ifs, ands or buts and no whining...
We acknowledge the cycles of nature, the lunar phases and the seasons to celebrate our spirituality and to worship the divine. It is a belief system that allows the Witch to work with, not in supplication to deities with the intent of living in harmony and achieving balance with all things.
The spells that we do involve healing, love, harmony, wisdom and creativity. The potions that we stir might be a headache remedy, a cold tonic, or an herbal flea bath for our pets. We strive to gain knowledge of and use the natural remedies placed on this earth by the divine for our benefit instead of using synthetic drugs unless absolutely necessary.
Wiccan believe that the spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things. In the trees, rain, flowers, the sea, in each other and all of natures creatures. This means that we must treat "all things" of the Earth as aspects of the divine. We attempt to honor and respect life in all its many manifestations both seen and unseen.
Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth.
We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water which combine to manifest all creation. From these four elements we obtain insight to the rhythms of nature and understand they are also the rhythms of our own lives.
Because Witches have been persecuted for so many centuries, we believe in religious freedom first! We do not look at our path as the only way to achieve spirituality, but as one path among many to the same end. We are not a missionary religion out to convert new members to think the same as we do. We are willing to share our experience and knowledge with those who seek our wisdom and perspective however. We believe that anyone who is meant for this path will find it through their own search as the Goddess speaks to each of us in her time and way. Wiccan practice tolerance and acceptance toward all other religions as long as those faiths do not persecute others or violate the tenant of "Harm None."
Source: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm
What Witchcraft is not
• Witchcraft or Wicca is not a cult. We do not proclaim ourselves to be
spokespersons for the divine or try to get others to follow us as their leaders.
• We do not worship Satan or consort with Demons. Satan is a Christian
creation and they can keep him. We do not need a paranoid creation of supreme evil and eternal damnation to scare us into doing the right thing and helping others. We choose to do the right thing and love our brothers and sisters because it IS the right thing and it feels good to do it. I suppose it is a maturity thing.
• We do not sacrifice animals or humans because that would violate our
basic tenant of "Harm None." Anyone who does and claims to be a Wiccan or a Witch is lying.
• We have no need to steal or control the life force of another to achieve
mystical or supernatural powers. We draw our energy from within, our personal relationship with the divine and nature.
• We do not use the forces of nature or the universe to hex or cast spells
on others. Again, "Harm None" is the whole of the law.
Witches have a very strict belief in the Law of Three which states that whatever we send out into our world shall return to us three fold either good or bane. With this in mind, a "True Witch" would hesitate in doing magick to harm or manipulate another because that boomerang we throw will eventually come back to us much larger and harder then when we threw it.
This is not to say that Witches are perfect, we are human too just like everyone else and make mistakes and errors in judgment. Just as there are parents who love and nurture their children, there are parents who abuse their children. As there are many who devote their lives to giving and helping mankind, likewise there are those who devote their lives to taking advantage of and using people for their own gain. Unfortunately the same flaws in human nature applies to witches too.
Most of us continually strive to consider all potential outcomes of our thoughts and actions pausing to seriously consider the consequences before undertaking a ritual, spell or rite that could go astray. It is when we follow the path with the love of the Goddess in our hearts and adhere to the basic tenant of the Reed that our works are beneficial and we achieve harmony and balance with all things.
The heart of Wicca is not something summed up into a few short words and can often take on different meaning to each since the Lord and Lady touch us in different ways. To gain a fuller understanding of the Craft, I urge you visit the other pages on this site as well as following the links to a select group of exceptional Wiccan and Witchcraft sites. Through the wisdom and words set down through the ages, you will find that you are able to understand the basis of our beliefs and how they may apply to you. Your inner voice will also quickly let you know if the intent of what you are reading is for superficial purposes to benefit self instead of working to benefit the whole. Remember to read with your heart, for it is when you see life and the world with your heart and spirit that you truly gain an understanding of what Wicca is.
Movement of origin
Wicca began in earnest in 1954 when Gerald Brosseau Gardner (1884-1964) published his first book on witchcraft, Witchcraft Today (witchcraft today). Gardner claimed that he had been initiated into a Coven (a collection of witches) in 1939 by Dorothy Clutterbuck, a wealthy English woman who is said to have been a leading figure in the "New Forest Coven." The Coven was a collection of pagan witches, who is said to have met in the English region of New Forest in the early twentieth century. About this Coven actually existed, is still an issue today.
Source: http://www.religion.dk/artikel/335730:Andre-religioner--Hvad-er-Wicca
Two kinds Wiccan
There are essentially two main groups of practitioners within Wicca: eclectics and those engaged in Covens.
Eclectic Wiccan is a collective name for the Wiccan who is not dedicated or belonging to a particular tradition of Wicca, but practicing on their own. Eclectics are primarily their knowledge from books, websites and through personal experience, since they are subsumed into one group. Many are forced to practice Wicca alone, because there exists a Coven nearby.
A Coven, or a mess as it is called in Danish, is a witch groups of maximum 13 persons. Traditionally, a Coven is led by a high priestess and high priest. A Coven is formed when some Wiccan decides to regularly practice their faith together.
Source: http://www.religion.dk/artikel/335730:Andre-religioner--Hvad-er-Wicca
Both a god and a goddess
In Wicca worship a God and a Goddess as opposites, a religious idea which is akin to the Taoist concept of yin and yang.
Traditionally called God "The Horned God" and is associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, and hunting. Goddess - "The Great Mother Goddess" - is often seen as a triple goddess with aspects of 'Virgo', 'mother' and 'Old Woman' and portrayed often as a lunar goddess.
Most Wiccans see the Goddess as the leader because she has everything. God is just the spark of life and inspiration within the Goddess, at the same time her lover and child simultaneously. Personalities from other religions, as the Virgin Mary and the Hindu goddess Kali, often seen as manifestations of the Great Mother Goddess.
Goddess and God can make themselves known through the body of the priestesses and priests through the full moon ritual, "Drawing Down the Moon" (To Draw Down the Moon).
Wiccan sees the spiritual and material world as overlapping. The gods are not distant existences, but close to, and in total. Emphasis is much emphasis on the personal experience of the divine, and that there is harmony with nature.
Morality in wicca
The moral of Wicca is largely based on "The Wiccan Nest", which states that one must do as you like, as long as you take responsibility for his actions, and do their utmost to avoid harming themselves or others. It reads "An Ye Harm None, Do As Ye Will" (If it does no harm, Do What You Want).
Additionally weighted "The Rule of Three" (Act 3 time of return), which prescribes that good or bad deeds will come back to a 3-fold.
Source: http://www.religion.dk/artikel/335730:Andre-religioner--Hvad-er-Wicca
Fatal ideas about reincarnation
Many Wiccans believe in reincarnation. The perception is that before this life rests the soul of a moment in the "Other World" and "Summerland." Therefore, many believe Wiccan that it is possible to contact the dead man's soul through the media or Ouija-board, while others do not believe in this practice. Though Wiccans have several ideas about the afterlife, it is the present life, they focus on.
Source: http://www.religion.dk/artikel/335730:Andre-religioner--Hvad-er-Wicca
What Wicca is not
Wicca is not satanist or devil worship in any form. gods are double-sided they have both dark and bright sides of it. This creates balance just as the Goddess and God creates a balance between them. The worship of only the feminine or masculine will create imbalance.
But back to what wicca is NOT. It is not no sect, who want to exploit innocent or brainwash others. In that time I have studied wicca, nature and the gods, I have had very little contact with others, since I've known so many. And now we're at it, then I want in on the topic called nudity during rituals. This is up to the individual! It's about to follow him comfortable. Regarding sex, it's not something wicca mixed in. It's not a sin, as we see it in Christianity, but it's not something that occurs when you practice wicca in this country. I have not seen anyone who uses it, or heard or read about someone who uses it in Denmark. Personally I do not think it belongs in such places.
Wicca is not an association or organization that you join in. There are a number of venues on the web where you can chat with like-minded, and more places are organized tours, where you can meet with others.
Finally, I would like to make the same challenge that I met when I first began my own quest: Read and learn, but be skeptical! Find your own truth, for what is true for me is not necessarily true for you. Do not compromise your positions and follow your heart and your intuition - it can not go wrong.
Questions about Witchcraft
Are Wicca and Witchcraft the same thing?Some say yes, and some say no. I suppose the only way to navigate this question safely is to point out what some may consider the main differences. In general, Wiccans feel free to review different belief systems, such as Celtic, Norse, Essene, Gnosis, or Shamanism, and then blend together any points that "feel" right into their own personal path. Pure Witchcraft on the other hand, may focus a little more tightly on using Magick and ritual to work with the elemental and spiritual forces in nature. Regardless, I feel the differences are slight in that Wicca and Witchcraft both work to achieve balance and harmony within nature and self.
Personally, I follow a predominately Celtic Witch/Tantric path. As time passes, I find myself increasingly drawing upon the wisdom and beliefs of other spiritual paths as my knowledge and understanding of them increases. So, when asked I'll tell you I'm a Witch, I also consider myself a Wiccan and perhaps part Shaman because I utilize and blend aspects of them all.
Who do Witches Worship?
There is a single power defined as the One or All, which is composed of everything it has ever created. This supreme energy force does not rule over the Universe, it IS the Universe. Since most find it difficult to talk to or call upon a faceless mass of Divine energy, this supreme power is personified into male and female aspects as the Goddess and God. This simply makes the concept easier for the human mind to comprehend and relate to. Some take this concept a step further and use actual names, like Astarte, Isis, Odin, Pan, Dianna, Cernunnos, etc., when invoking the Goddess and God. In the end, it is a personal preference and what a Witch uses depends on what "feels" right for them individually.
How do Witches view Christianity. Are Witches Anti-Christian?
Not necessarily. Witchcraft, overall, is very tolerant of other religious views, and does not engage itself in criticizing the beliefs of other people, providing that their beliefs do not violate the basic tenant of "Harm None." Witches do object to religions that attempt to suppress the religious beliefs of others, or every human's right to seek spirituality in their own way. This is why there is a slight rub between Wiccans, Pagans, Witches, and some Christians. Many of them feel they have exclusive rights to the divine. We also have a strong disdain for those who use religion as an excuse to commit mass genocide. The "Burning Times" are a clear historical example of one religious group attempting to exert its philosophies and beliefs upon others using extreme measures.
Perhaps an over simplified way of describing our view is this: Imagine a beautiful meadow in the forest, and their are many paths leading to this meadow. It really does not matter which path you take to get there, the important thing is that you get there without harming anyone or anything along the way.
Can I follow the path of Wicca or Witchcraft and be a Christian too?
Again, some say yes and others maintain that they are completely separate religions. I believe that if one looks closely at the true teachings of Jesus with an open heart, you will find some stark commonalities. It is only when one takes literally the sometimes frail misinterpretations of those who misunderstood the intent or used the teachings to suit their own political agendas that one see's wide differences.
As a solitary you are free to choose any path you desire, or any blend that "feels" right to you. The important thing is to not allow a name or word to become a stumbling block. It is the intent of your actions and spirituality that matters in the end. I realize it is a poor comparison; Peanut Butter and Chocolate are two completely separate things. The fact remains, however, that they work pretty well when mixed together. Ultimately you must do what "feels" right to you...
The Wiccan Rede says "An it harm none, do as ye will." Does that mean a Witch can do anything they want and its OK if they justify the action to themselves?
An excellent question indeed! and the answer is no... The whole premise of our belief system is based on living in harmony with all things that exist. This includes, but is not limited to the earth, trees, rivers, lakes, oceans, air, and all of earth's creatures, as well as other people without regard to race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.
My interpretation of the Rede tells me that the creative force of the universe has given me an inner voice, or "conscience," which tells me what is right or wrong. It is also this consciousness that connects me to the creator. By listening to this inner voice, (Perhaps I should clarify here. No I do not hear voices, *smile* it is more like something I feel) I try to analyze my impulses and feelings to ensure they are not driven by greed, lust, envy, prejudice or anger. If they are, I try to put them in perspective or discard them all together. I then use common sense and judgment in my actions and accept full responsibility for them. This is not always easy to do, but I try. By keeping these ideals of right and wrong foremost in my mind, as well as seeking to obtain harmony and balance with nature and all living things, I am able to do my best at following the Rede as I go through my day.
This is not to say that Witches are perfect, never do anything wrong, or make mistakes. We are still human. We are aware of, or try to be aware of the karmic return of our actions, and are very careful not to send out negative energy in thought or deed.
Yes, sometimes a Witch will focus an energy form toward someone who needs a psychic zap. This is only done however when a person is consistently doing something very wrong within society and causing a lot of harm to others. If and when a Witch does zap someone, they do so with the full knowledge that it will eventually return to them and there will be a price to pay according to the Law of Three. There are times when we simply must make a personal sacrifice for the good of the whole and shoulder this weight. When confronted with this type of situation, I prefer to bring this person to the attention of the Goddess, asking her that justice be done according to her will. In this way I am not focusing negative energy towards the individual and therefore am less likely to suffer karmic repercussions.
If Wicca and Witchcraft are not evil, why do you wear black robes?
This is another baseless superstition and Witches wear clothing and robes of every color. Black is the combination of all colors and all vibrational rates of light on the material plane. It is known that black is a very good conductor of energy, therefore wearing black simply helps Witches absorb natural energy to increase the power of their thought forms. Personally, I do my Magickal work naked. Gawd, there's an ugly visualization for ya! LOL...
OK, so if Wicca and Witchcraft are not evil, why do you hold rituals and ceremonies at night hidden in the woods?
This practice has its history in a couple of different things, none of which have anything to do with evil... In the old world, especially within the Celtic tribes, the day followed an entirely different schedule than it does in modern times. The new day for them actually began at sunset. This is also why most observances of holidays were celebrated on the evening before the actual calendar day. The second reason is that survival had an entirely different meaning during those times. Almost without exception, everyone spent their daylight hours tending the crops, their herds, or engaged in their trade. All daylight hours were vitally important simply for survival reasons.
OK, so that takes care of why we observed our rites at night during ancient times, and many of the reasons are the same in today's times. For one, most of us are busy working all day earning a living, so the evening is the only time we have to seek spiritual communion. Secondly, Wicca and Witchcraft are still largely misunderstood religions and we are still persecuted for our beliefs. Another reason which is important for me, and possibly for others as well is that I feel a special closeness to the Goddess and God at night. Yes I can, and do, enjoy the mountains and meadows during the daylight, or a sunrise and sunset, but I am truly more aware of the heavens and the great expanse of the Universe at night, so it just makes sense for me.
What form does the practice of Witchcraft take?
The form and context vary from group to group, and between each ritual, and may run the gamut from elaborate ceremony to spontaneous ritual to simple meditation.
How do you see the Goddess and God?
Wiccans believe that there are female/male aspects to the One or All and without the union and balance of these two aspects, nothing can exist. See Before Time Was or read the answer to question number two above again for more insight.
Do all Witches practice their religion the same way?
Yes and no. Wicca is a highly individualistic religion. Moreover, the number of different sects within the Craft may give the impression that no two groups practice the same way. Though practices may vary, most traditions have many similarities, such as the working of magick and a respect for nature. Most Witches find enough common ground for mutual support and productive networking throughout the Craft community.
Is Witchcraft a cult?
No. Cults are groups that trade a sense of salvation and belonging for the ability to think for oneself. They indulge in extravagant homage or adoration (Webster's Dictionary), usually of an earthly leader of some sort. If you know a real Witch, you'll quickly come to find the term "Cult" could not apply to us. Most Wiccans, Witches and pagans come to the Craft individually through reading and communing with nature. They often will remain solitary in their beliefs but other will also find like-minded people to celebrate seasonal cycles or monthly moons with. Witches are extremely individualistic, self sufficient and defend the right of free will without hesitation.
Do Witches have a bible?
No. A bible is supposedly the word of a deity revealed through a prophet. Witchcraft is a Pagan folk-religion of personal experience. Witchcraft in the old times was much the same as the beliefs of the Essenes, Gnostics, Druids, and many other religions. The teachings were passed along by spoken word through long periods of one-on-one instruction with an Elder of the Craft. This approach was taken because the power and knowledge could be misused in the wrong hands. Therefore, by using only the spoken word, the old masters could ensure those who wished to follow the path had a true understanding and their hearts were in the right place as their knowledge of the mysteries grew. Unfortunately, when the medieval church began its attempts to convert and eliminate rival belief systems, the teachers were either killed outright or went underground resulting in much of the ancient knowledge being lost.
If Witches don't have a bible, what do you use?
Most modern Witches keep a Book of Shadows, (BOS) or Grimoire, which is more like an individuals workbook, journal, or diary, meaningful to the person who keeps it. This book contains rituals, discoveries, spells, poetry, herb lore, etc. Covens almost always keep a similar group book. I am not exactly sure how the name "Book of Shadows" came to be, but I would assume that this also ties into the Burning Times when the church set out to eliminate all texts along with the followers of the old ways. The writings that existed were more than likely were taken into the shadows and hidden with the survivors.
The word Tradition is used quite often. What is the exact meaning of this?
Here the word Tradition relates to the beliefs of a specific geographical region such as Celtic, Germanic, Norse, etc., and is sometimes broken down into further subsets. Essentially it is much the same as the variety of denominations seen within Christianity, such as Methodist, Mormon or Catholic.
Do Witches cast spells?
Some do and some don't. Spellwork should never be the focus of following this path and those who seek our ways only for this purpose are very misguided. A spell is a ritual formula, or series of steps, to direct psychic energy to accomplish a desired end. This energy is drawn from the Earth with the aid of elementals, concentrated and sent out into the world to achieve a positive goal. Since Witchcraft teaches that whatever one sends out is returned threefold, Witches are very careful to never send out harmful energy carelessly. The Christian word for this is "Prayer". The only real difference is that Witches also invoke the aid of spirit guides, familiars or other elemental energies to add strength to the process as well as using ritual tools.
Do Witches worship the devil?
No. Satan, or the Devil, has absolutely no place in Wicca or Witchcraft. The worship of Satan is the practice of profaning Christian symbolism and is thus a Christian heresy, rather than a Pagan religion. The Goddess and God of the Witches are in no way connected to Satanic practices. Satan, or the Devil, is a Christian creation and they are more than welcome to keep him.
Are Witches only women?
No, although women do seem to predominate in the Craft overall. In fact, some traditions have only women practitioners, just as others have only men. A male Witch is simply called a Witch, never a warlock and it is considered an insult to call a male Witch "Warlock". The word "Warlock" actually means "oath breaker". Some traditions of Wicca separate between female/male. The word "Wicce" pronounced (Wik-kay) designates a female Witch and "Wicca" pronounced (Wik-kah) designates a male Witch.
How do Witches view Sex?
Sex is part of nature and sacred to the Deities and Witches. Just like everyone else, we think it's wonderful. The Great Rite at Beltane is a symbolic representation of the union between the Goddess and God resulting in the creation of all that exists. Very few, if any, traditions engage in sex as a part of group rites and there are no orgies during ritual. Many couples who have chosen each other, and jointly follow the path, do use sex magick in their private rites and rituals, however. It is a deeply intimate sharing of body, spirit and soul which bonds them together closer than anything else can.
What is the purpose of performing ceremonies Skyclad?
The term skyclad means "Clad only by the sky". Not all Witches perform rituals skyclad, but there are those who believe that the absence of clothing allows energy to transfer to and from them more freely. Many simply feel closer to the Goddess and God while in their natural form without the bindings of human technology, insecurities or socially retarded inhibitions regarding the human form. Many wear a robe or some other clothing made of natural materials while participating in group activities and go skyclad only when observing rites alone or with their mate. Regardless, going skyclad during ritual is in no way a sexual act, it is a deeply spiritual one for those who "choose" to do so.
Is Witchcraft a religion?
Yes, Witchcraft is a nature based religion and it has been recognized as such in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., Wicca has full recognition as a religion and is granted all rights as such under the Constitution. The American Heritage Dictionary defines religion as "a belief in and reverence for a supernatural power recognized as the creator and governor of the universe". So yes, it does qualify as such. Our definition differs slightly in that to us, the creator of the universe IS the universe. Witchcraft, or Wicca, is not something that can be followed once in a while or when it is convenient or we need or want something. It is a dedication made to nature, the deities and yourself. It is a way of life, and as such we are mindful of the balance between ourselves and all things within the universe at all times.
How do Witches view death?
Many Witches believe in reincarnation and the Summerland. After passing over, Summerland is where the spirit awaits to be returned into a new physical form. We do not believe in an absolute Heaven or Hell where the spirit spends eternity as reward or punishment for ones earthly actions.
How can someone find out more about Witchcraft?
Ours is not a missionary religion, and we never try to make converts. We feel that if this path is right for you, you will find your way to it. We are, however, becoming more visual and vocal in an attempt to educate and dispel myths and superstitions about the Craft. You need not worry about a Witch knocking on your door and wanting to come in and share passages from their BOS. For those who are interested there are many excellent books in our suggested reading list. Some Witches also teach classes or facilitate discussion groups. In this way, people may make contact with a like minded Coven, form their own groups or share thoughts and beliefs with others. There is also a growing number of superb craft sites on the internet, periodicals, and national and regional festivals through which a seeker can make contact with the larger Craft community.
Definitions of Wicca, Pagan & Witchcraft
Wicca: A modern Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature. Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the Goddess and God; acceptance of reincarnation and magick; ritual observance of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magickal circles for ritual purposes.
Wicce: Synonymous with Wicca. In some circles, Wicce is used for women and Wicca is used for men.
Witch: A practitioner of folk magick, particularly that kind relating to herbs, stones, colors, wells, rivers, etc. It is used by some Wiccans to describe themselves. This term has nothing to do with Satanism.
Witchcraft: The craft of the witch - magick, especially magick utilizing personal power in conjunction with the energies within stones, herbs, colors, and other natural objects. This belief system also has nothing to do with Satanism.
Pagan/Neo-Pagan/Paganism: General term for followers of Wicca and other magickal, shamanistic, and polytheistic Earth-based religions. Also used to refer to pre-Christian religious and Spiritual belief systems.
Source: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/definitions.htm
What Is Magick
I suppose I could ramble on for quite some time about what Magick of Wicca, Witches and Witchcraft is or is not. Instead, I will offer this brief writing I found somewhere. Unfortunately I cannot remember where I came across it or who the author was, but I thought it was clear, concise and to the point. It very simply dispels everything that some religions, old superstitions and of course Hollywood have tried to make people believe magick is.
Magick is finding your connection to the Earth and all that is natural, alive and moving in the universe! It binds all that exists together.
Magick is living in balance with the flow of life, and knowing that you are a vital force within that flow. Magick is everywhere! In the trees, rain, stars, and in the sea. It is the spark that quickens a seed to rise up from the soil.
Magick is laughter, joy, wonder and truth the of the world around us!
It is the subtle enchantment that reminds us not to waste a single moment of this gift that we call life! Magick is not greed, or power, or pretense...It is real. It exists. And it works.
Magick is the mystery that lies in the secret soul of the world. It is the essence of creation. What we imagine, we have the power to create!
MAGICK IS WITHIN YOU...
With it you can create your dreams, heal your world, love your life and find the peace that lives in every human heart.
How to Become a Wiccan or Witch
Being a Wiccan or Witch is generally not something you are born as or just wake up one morning and decide to become. More often than not, you come across it by accident unless you were raised that way. Many find the philosophies of how Wicca and Witchcraft view nature are the same as the one's they currently hold. They just didn't know there was a specific belief system that shared the same views.
As Silver RavenWolf accurately stated in her book To Ride A Silver Broomstick. "The Charge comes to each of us in a different manner. It is that moment in our lives when we feel the Magick of the Universe for the very first time coursing through us... and we know beyond all real and imagined shadows that this calling to the mysteries is indeed there. That it is truly there, and not a whimsical flight from reality."
If you are one who has seen striking similarities between what you believe and have found here, there are generally accepted ways to increase your awareness and find communion with others who feel the same. The following are the steps I would recommend to any one who wishes to learn more.
Read everything you can get your hands on that will tell you more about the beliefs of Wicca and Witchcraft. Only by learning as much as you can about the basic beliefs and tenets of this path can you decide if the old way's are right for you.
While doing this, you will begin to form associations and hopefully find correspondances within yourself. Note these feelings in a journal or diary. Write down the reasons you think Witchcraft is your path. What does being a Witch mean to you? What do you hope to achieve and learn? What do you fear about following this path? How do you see the Goddess and God? What does the Divine mean to you? Be absolutely honest with yourself here, this is a private book and nobody else will ever read it. This notebook will help you design your dedication/self-initiation ritual and eventually evolve into your Book of Shadows.
There are no right or wrong answers and it is not a test. It is only a way to help you define your understanding of this path.
Most importantly, listen to your inner voice. It is usually very good council and will not lead you astray. If something you read, hear or are told does not feel right, then it usually isn't right for you. If everything still feels right and you are sure Witchcraft is the path for you wish to follow after all this studying, now is the time to perform a dedication ritual.
This ritual should be yours and yours alone. Design it however you want to and in a way that will be most meaningful to you. A dedication ritual means exactly what it sounds like. You are dedicating yourself to the Craft and making the decision to live life in closer harmony and balance with the earth and nature. You are making a commitment to yourself and the Divine.
Mine was on the shore of a remote high cascade mountain lake here in Oregon. The dancing light of the campfire on the trees, a full moon reflecting off the snow pack fed waters of the lake all combined with the energy of surrounding nature. This setting was ideal for me but something completely different might be right for you.
I haven't mentioned anything about spells because you need to complete the first two steps before you even think about working with spells.
Before you begin working with magick, you need to understand what it is, where it comes from and the ethics involved. You will also need to learn and understand the basic structure of rituals, Casting circles, calling quarters, invoking the Goddess and God, raising and directing energy, grounding, centering and closing the circle.
Magick is raising and channeling the energy found in yourself, nature and in the Divine. A Witch combines this energy with their focused efforts. It takes dedication, effort, energy and hard work to achieve a desired result. The main ethical tenet to always remember is the point of the Witches Rede:
"An It Harm None."
Magick is not Hollywood hocus-pocus. It is not bending the natural order of things to fit your needs or desires. If that is what you are looking for, you are in the wrong place.
Witches have had enough bad press over the past few centuries and are working hard to turn those misconceptions around. We do not need people running around claiming to put spells and hexes on people because they cannot face reality, are not willing to work for what they want or are looking for an easy solution to their problems. Magick doesn't work that way...
All your reading and study will help you prepare for this. The Suggested Reading Section of our on-line catalog offer some excellent resources to help you understand these basic concepts.
You will also find that meditation and visualization exercises will increase your concentration. The ability to focus and visualize will greatly increase the power of your magick. Breathing exercises will help you focus as well so spend time on them.
If you are interested in joining a Coven, most will require the traditional year and a day of study before initiating new members. This gives you time to explore the religion and decide if it is the right path for you as well as giving you and the Coven members time to get to know one another. Covens are generally very selective and rightfully so. There are many out there who seek this path for all the wrong reasons.
Written by: Herne
Source: http://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/howto.htm
Warnings & Cautions For The New Wiccan
If you've looked at this site at all, you've seen the wonderful things that happen when you begin following a Wiccan path. I've been asked to discuss the not-so-nice things that can happen. I'm not trying to scare anyone off, just give you enough information so you can make an informed decision.
The Shadows are out there
They exist, in the invisible world that parallels our own, living creatures. Unlike creatures from our world, they lack physical form, and feed on energy instead of matter. They are as varied as the animal life on our world. They range in size (power) from the equivalent of insects and rodents to the equivalent of magically trained humans, and beyond to the Great Old Ones. (My land is inhabited by one of these-it gives the psychic impression of a mountain with legs. It is not unfriendly, but an elephant is not unfriendly toward ants either. I stay out of our woods when it is about.) I mentioned that these creatures feed on energy. Most are content to graze on the random energy fields that leak from humans and other creatures in our world. Others, however, are a little more sinister. These, the ones you have to worry about, I call the Shadows.
Shadows come in three basic varieties. First are the little ones that feed off the energy in negative emotions. If you are emitting strong negativity, they will be drawn to you like flies to rotten meat. If you aren't magically protected, they will happily latch onto your energy field (aura) and snack on it. They are usually not much more troublesome than leeches or mosquitoes; however, a thousand leeches could weaken a person severely.
Next come the more dangerous variety, more like rats or vultures than mosquitoes. These are attracted both by negative emotions and the energy of magical workings. They are stronger, and can push past weak or flawed defenses to get to you. And they are much harder to peel loose once they have their teeth into you.
Last are the intelligent variety. Their favorite meal is human life energy, the 'heart-fire' that burns in each of us. They are relatively rare even in their own realm, but they exist. The terms 'Imp' , 'Evil Spirit' and 'Demon' are fairly accurate. They are very strong. The more intelligent ones are capable of working their own Magic to breach your defenses. The most intelligent variety , being as lazy as humans, prefer to talk you into dropping your defenses and linking your energy field to theirs. ("Open yourself to me, and I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams." Yeah, right.) They also are capable (if someone is helpful enough to open a doorway for them) of
entering our world. Once here, if they can get past all your defenses unless you are very strong at warding. They can enter your body and feast at will, even asserting a degree of control over you. Yes, this is exactly like the old stories of Demon possession.
You - yes, you can be a Vampire
There exist in this world evil creatures. They are highly intelligent, capable of working magic, and extremely devious. They are capable of not only psychic magical attacks, but physical ones as well. As a species, they tend to be amoral, murderous animals. I call them 'humans'. Humans are also capable of 'feeding' off the energies of other humans- Herne (owner of this website) calls them "Psychic Vampires". They do this to gain more magical power, to control others, or to replace the energies they are losing by dealing with the Shadows. Some humans can even do this while traveling astrally. So that Evil Spirit that tried to get into your last circle may not have been from the other side; it could have been your next-door neighbor.
Oops! Did I just do that?
Magic is an art form. Despite the best efforts of Ritual Magicians and Technopagans, it remains as unpredictable and powerful as the weather unless you are highly skilled and focused. Scientists studying weather prediction in the 1970's discovered something amazing. Weather, they found, is so unstable as to be impossible to predict more than a day or two in advance. In fact, computer models suggested something they called the Butterfly Theory. It seems that the air disturbed by a butterfly taking off from a cactus in Mexico, if it happened at the right time and place, could in theory cause devastating storms and tornadoes in the U.S. Midwest. Magic is very similar. Each action we take, magical or mundane, has consequences that spread out from it like the ripples in a pond.
They spread out, touching everything- and reflect back to converge on the source. Be very sure, then, before you work magic, exactly what the consequences may be. Ask yourself, "If this spell backfires on me, and affects me instead of the intended target, can I live with the result?" Thus, I tend to use magic "only in direst need, and then must the cause be just" (author unknown).
Some Wiccans counsel about how rain on your fields could cause drought elsewhere. This might be true, if you are trying with your own personal power to 'squeeze' the rain clouds as they pass over. But asking the Lady and Lord for the blessing of rain for everybody's crops is a different thing entirely. Selfish magic has negative consequences: Loving, giving magic only positive ones. For Selfishness is the true root of all evil. "I want it! Destroy the world,
let Chaos take the universe, as long as I get what I want!" Be careful of what you ask, you just may get it...
Power corrupts
So, you've studied hard, learned all about Wiccan magic, and now you find you can really do things. All the power of the Elements is yours to command. Love, money, power, respect- all these are yours. You are special. You are powerful. You are a God! Now, you must convince others to worship you, to lend you their energy so that your power can grow. But that's OK, because you are a loving God, and you want only what's best for your worshipers. And you know what's best for them, for you know all, and see all. For you alone are God of this world you have created.
Can't happen? Do the names Jim Jones, Sun Myung Moon or David Koresh ring a bell? It is important to remember that the gift of magical power is just that- a gift from the Lady and Lord. It must never be abused. And glorifying yourself because of something lent to you is like showing up at your class reunion in a borrowed suit and a rented Jaguar. This reason and this reason alone is why you will not find the Council of this site posting or trading spells and rituals. We don't hand out loaded guns here.
In my next article, I will try to teach the basics of magical defense- how to keep the Shadows at bay, how to shield yourself from negative energy, and what to do if you suspect you are being attacked psychically. Until then, Merry Part. And don't link your life force to anything with glowing red eyes and a black aura.
Written by: Erik & Herne
Magickal Protection & Psychic Self-Defense
Magic works. This is the first thing you have to learn. If you don't believe that magic gives you the power to reshape the universe, you're wasting your time. Because if you believe a spell or ritual won't work, it won't. Period. And if you do believe in the power of magic, then you need to realize that when you use it you are putting your hands on the same forces that move the tides and spawn tornadoes. And that by doing so, you have the potential to harm yourself or others. I have often compared working magic to rock climbing. It takes years of study and practice before you're ready to try it. It is fairly safe, if you know what you're doing and take appropriate safety precautions. At the same time, a mistake can ruin your whole day or worse.
In this article, I will outline a few basic techniques for protecting yourself and your home. While these are essential while working magic, they are also useful anytime. For example, there's no better night's sleep than in a room that's been magically shielded to keep out psychic noise.
Let's start with Shielding. This is a technique for creating a magical 'force field' around your person or a place, to keep out unwanted energy. This could be psychic 'background noise', nasty astral critters, or magical energy directed at you. Many people do this unconsciously all their lives. Others of us have to learn how. The method I use is to visualize a 'net' of energy around the area to be shielded. Remember to 'see' it in 3D, a sphere rather than a circle. (This is where those visualization exercises come into practical use.) I generally use my personal energy to power it. I visualize negative energy being absorbed by my shields and flowing into the earth. ("Ground and Center" here.) I visualize it as porous, though, so that energy I send can pass through. With practice, you will be able to shield yourself instantly, without thinking.
I have found that exhaustion or alcohol quickly erode my ability to shield, so keep this in mind. Once you have shields, there is lots of nifty magic you can do with them. I'll describe some of these in an article for an advanced class. Warding is a similar technique. I define a Ward as a Shield anchored to a physical place. Instead of using your energy, though, you let Earth energy flow upward to power it. With practice, you can create a stable, Earth-powered shield. This leaves more energy for spell work, or allows you to drop your own shields and recharge. Reinforce the visualization regularly, and it can be permanent, to protect your Circle or home. I tend to anchor wards with physical objects-a stone, carved runes, etc. But it is the visualization that really matters. If the mental image fails, the shield will fail,
no matter how many runes you carve.
Occasionally, when going about my daily life, I will feel a 'tickle' at my aura as some kind of psychic energy contacts it. Other times, the hair stands up on the back of my neck, and I quickly raise my shields. And on rarer occasions, I feel a sudden energy drain as my shields (thank the Lady and Lord) go from standby to maximum power before I know what's happened. In these situations there are a few shielding tricks I use. First is the mirror. I visualize the outside of my shields as a perfect mirror, reflecting any energy back to it's source. Next is making the inside of my shields a mirror. I use this to contain any psychic energy I might be emitting, hopefully making myself psychically 'stealthy'. Last is the 'iron wall' or 'stone tower' visualization, changing the thin energy shield into a massive fortress. This requires a lot of power, but when huge waves of negativity are breaking over you, it really helps.
Now on to a few active techniques. If negative energy keeps coming at me, I don't sit back and continue to shield until exhausted. The ancient warriors knew that any purely defensive battle is doomed, if it goes on long enough. Invoking the Lady and Lord is probably the surest and simplest defense. Malevolent entities (wether astral or earthly) tend to avoid the presence of the Deity. In fact, the nastier they are, the faster they run. But like most kids, I don't like bothering Mom and Dad all the time with small problems I've been taught to handle myself. The most basic technique is calling White Fire. This is the Light energy of the universe, the silver-white of the Moon and the fire-white of the Sun, the sum total of the magical Elements. Let it flow in from all around you until you feel like a ball of lightning, then send a directed bolt of it back in the direction the negative energy came from. While the mind alone is all you need to do this, I find my sword/athame is a perfect tool for this. (I feel the Rede does not prohibit self-defense, but that's another article, too.) If this doesn't work, you can still call on the Lady and Lord in their warrior/protector aspects to help you.
Written by: Erik
Divination & Scrying
As this section grows, we will discuss the many different forms Witches use for Divination. If you are unfamiliar with the term, Divination is simply the use of an object or objects to ascertain answers to questions or to see an event or events which are not perceptible to the average person.
Divination takes many forms and while some of the Craft will use several different techniques, everyone will end up with one favorite or more successful way of obtaining answers to their questions. Just about anything can be used as a divination tool and over the centuries just about everything has. Some of the more popular and well known methods are: Crystal and or Crystal Ball Gazing, Reading Tea Leaves, Gazing into a pool or bowl of water, Tarot Cards, Feng Shui, Palmistry, Candle Gazing and the list goes on and on.
Witches and Pagans have always been credited with having special powers, with being able to see the unseen. This is merely a result of our ability to work with our "Spirit Guides or "Spirit Twins" to obtain answers to the questions we seek. In the following sections, we will cover these methods and the various tools employed to achieve these goals.
As time permits, either myself or one of the Councilors discuss these areas. For now, one of our guests has provided the technique that she has achieved good success with and would like to share it with you.
Source: http://wicca.com/celtic/divination/intro.htm
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 tarot 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 Water Fire Air Pentacles Cups Swords Wands North West South East Uriel Gabriel Michael Raphael
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 Dwarfs Elves Brownies Hobgoblins Leprechauns Undine Nymphs Tritons Mermaids Mermen Sirens Harpies Salamander Jin Genies Sylph Faries Angles
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 Contraction Cold Feminine Moon Negative Passive Ebb Fire Expansion Hot Masculine Sun Positive Active Flow
