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More Information On Wicca and Witchcraft
 by LadyHawke, The Mythmaker
Wicca:
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From the Indo-European
"wic" and "weik" meaning to bend or shape.
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From the Old English "wit" meaning wisdom.
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A positive, nature based religion legally recognized as such in the United States and
elsewhere.
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Among practitioners, "The Craft of the Wise"
Wicca is not a cult. It is a legally
recognized religion. It is tax exempt, practiced on military bases, and acknowledged
by officials and spiritual leaders alike as a positive path.
In Wicca, the core concept is known as The
Wiccan Rede. In its shortest, most simplified form, the Rede states, "And
it harm none, do what thou wilt." Meaning that the Wiccan strives above all
else, to do no harm. While this sounds like a very simple code, looking more closely
one might realize that it is truly extremely complex. Wiccans become adept at
weighing every decision in their lives against the Rede. Will their actions cause
harm? To other people, to themselves, to their friends, relatives, enemies?
The planet? An animal? The Universe?
 Click on the Image to view the long, poetic version of the Wiccan Rede.
There is no "devil" or "satan" in Wiccan belief.
The system teaches that while all religions are equally valid and sacred, they do
resent those who call them Satanists. They are not. The Wiccans for the most
part, believe that all the Gods are one God. In many forms, and see Jesus as equally
valid as Buddha, or Isis. God has many faces in this path. Female faces as
well as male. This is why so many women are drawn to the Craft.
To view the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief, click
on the image.
Wiccans believe in the connection between themselves and everything in
nature. They believe that life, like nature, is cyclical, and that death is an
illusion. Just as the planet becomes barren in winter, and seems to come back to
life in spring, so must we. Wiccans believe in reincarnation. They respect
each cycle of life, from birth, to youth, to adulthood, to parenthood, to elder, to crone,
to the slumber of death in between lives, to rebirth. To remind ourselves constantly
of the cycles of life and nature, we celebrate the cycles we find in nature. The
phases of the moon, and wheel of the year.
 To learn about
the Wiccan Holidays, click on the image.
Wiccans are also practitioners of Witchcraft, the act of bending or
shaping reality by the use of magick. The women in times past who were labeled
Witches, were learned women, healers, wise women, independent women. The magick
practiced by Wiccans comes with strict guidelines. There must no manipulation of
another person's free will. There must be no harm. And there is the constant
certainty that whatever one sends out will surely return to them, multiplied.
"Ever mind the rule of three, three times what thou givest, returns unto
thee."
Witches work magick to heal, to better their lives, their environment, their careers,
and their spirits. They cast spells to make their gardens grow, to bring favorable
weather when needed, to keep their cars running. Wiccans do not
"curse"
anyone, or cast evil spells. To do so would be to curse themselves. The only
time a Wiccan would act against another person magickally, would be if doing nothing would
cause greater harm. Aiding the police in catching a serial rapist, for
example. More often, even when pushed to their limits, the Wiccan's strongest
reaction would be to reflect the attack back upon the attacker.
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Some Seasonal Lore
Samhain is the old
Gaelic word for “November.” It was also the holiday that has evolved
into Halloween. People celebrate by dressing up in costumes and masks,
carving jack-o-lanterns, and trick-or-treating, never having much clue
why. Witches however, treat Samhain as one of the two most important
holy days of the year.
In the old days,
there were three parts to the harvest season. The early harvest
celebrated the gathering of the first fruits, and was celebrated around
August 2nd, and known as Lughnassadh, named for the sun God
Lugh. This was the date that fell halfway between the summer solstice
and the autumnal equinox, and marked the time when the sun’s power was
waning, but still strong. But the holiday took place in what was still
summer, and was a celebration of the season of abundance. There were
feasts and festivals. Loaves of bread were baked with tiny likenesses
of the God hidden inside, and whoever got the slice containing the prize
was doubly blessed. When the Christians came this holiday was renamed
Lammas, or “Loaf Mass.”
The second of the
three parts of the harvest season came at the Autumnal Equinox, around
September 21st . (This year it fell on the 23rd.)
Things this time were a bit more solemn. Most of the actual harvesting
was done or in progress by now. It was time to bring the animals in
from the fields, and the change in the seasons was much more apparent.
We see it in the shortening of the days, the cooler nights, the vibrant
colors of the trees. The power of the sun is very much weaker now, and
the earth is preparing for her winter’s sleep. There is still feasting,
giving of thanks. Bonfires were built in pairs and the cattle and sheep
driven between two of them on their way back to their barns, a ritual
said to purify them and ensure fertility in the coming months. People
gathered in central places for large bonfires, and each would take a
torch from the fire home with them, and light the fire in their hearth
from it. This fire was not to go out until spring. If it did, it would
be a very bad omen.
And finally, there
was Samhain, the final harvest. Any fruits or vegetables left in the
field after Samhain were likely to be tampered with by mischievous
spirits, and therefore could not be used. It was said that at the final
harvest, the veils between the worlds were at their thinnest, and that
spirits roamed freely through the land of the living. Many precautions
were taken to guard against any that might be negative in nature.
First, they could be frightened away from your home, if you took the
time to carve a scary face into a large turnip and light it from within
with a candle. You could appease them by leaving offerings or “treats”
outside for them. And if you had to go out, it was best to don a
frightening disguise, to fool them into thinking you were one of them.
But not all the spirits who came to call would be frightening ones.
Beloved friends and relatives who had passed might also visit. Today
there is a tradition called the “Dumb Supper” that is said to have been
taken from those times, though I haven’t done the research to be sure it
was truly an ancient custom. The meal was served and eaten in complete
silence, with extra places set for the deceased. Their plates were
filled just as everyone else’s were, and it was assumed they came and
joined the family for dinner.
At this time of year
thoughts turned to death and the underworld. And they still do, just as
naturally as the spring brings thoughts of birth, new life, and
renewal. Samhain is the time when we are withdrawing, turning inward,
into our homes rather than out of doors, and into our subconscious
selves. Darkness is gathering around us with winter’s approach, and we
naturally need to explore and map that darkness.
The tasks of a
modern Witch at this time of year can include:
*Claiming the things
you nurtured over the summer months, working toward a final harvest of
those things you haven’t yet brought into your life.
*Gathering in the
herbs, weeds and flowers you may wish to use during the winter. Gather
nothing after Samhain.
*Meditation on all
the growing season has brought into your life, and giving offerings of
thanks.
*Gently turning the
focus inward, and beginning the work of understanding why some of the
seeds you planted in spring did not flourish, and what inner work you
may need to do over the quiet months of the coming winter.
*Meeting and
communicating with those on the other side of the Veil, spirit beings
such as guides or angels, as well as those who have passed. Offerings
to those spirits.
*Divination is very
powerful at this time of year, it’s an excellent time to practice your
skills at scrying, tarot, palmistry, pendulum work, tea leaf reading or
any number of other arts. Of it you don’t read, have a reading done.
*Carving scary
jack-o-lanterns, decorating our homes with monsters, dressing up in
frightening costumes are all ways of facing, and therefore eliminating
our own fears. The Halloween Witch is typically depicted as an old hag,
gray haired, with a big nose complete with a wart. She represents our
fear of aging. Embrace her, and in doing so, embrace your inner hag.
Put her in a place of honor. View her gray hair and warts as signs of
age and wisdom. She is a reflection of the Dark Goddess, and the
ugliness we tend to see when we look at her is found within us, not
within her. Our perceptions and fears make her ugly. Look at her and
see beauty instead.
*This is a time of
completion. Completing the work of the summer months, getting it all
done, time is up. That’s why it’s so tied to death.
Top
A Samhain Candle Spell
One pillar candle
in pumpkin, orange, or black.
Very Finely grated apple peel
Three or four vibrant colored fallen leaves
A Block of Paraffin wax
A heavy, thick nail
An empty coffee can
A Poem, verse or prayer to the
Dark Goddess, as an offering from your to Her.
1. Cleanse and
purify all ingredients in whatever manner works for you.
2. Wearing a heavy
glove, heat the nail by holding it over a flame for a minute or so. It
doesn’t need to be red-hot, just nicely warm.
3. Using the hot
nail, make nine deep holes in the pillar candle. (Top to bottom) Reheat
the nail as needed. Nine is the number of the final harvest, just prior
to completion and manifestation. It is also “the power of three times
three,” three being the number sacred to the Dark Goddess.
4. Next melt a
block of the paraffin wax in the coffee can.
5. As it melts
sprinkle some of the grated apple peel into it. You can also add any
other ingredients that appeal to you and be in keeping with your goal.
Dragon’s blood oil, cinnamon, patchouli, graveyard dust
6. Pour the melted
paraffin into the holes you made in the candle, filling them.
7. Next melt the
second block of paraffin wax in the coffee can.
8. Carefully dip
one of the fallen leaves into the paraffin, and quickly lay the wet leaf
on one side of the candle, smoothing it on. The hot wax should help
seal it in place. If it doesn’t, use a small paintbrush to paint the
leaf onto the candle with more hot melted wax.
9. Repeat this
process with all the leaves until your candle is covered.
10. Allow the
candle to dry and cool.
11. Take the candle
to a crossroads at midnight on Halloween (October 31st) or on
the actual Samhain cross-quarter date, November 7th.
Alternately, choose the darkest moment of a dark moon, preferably in
Scorpio on a Saturday. Just such a date arrives on the Saturday before
Halloween. The moon is in Gemini all night, goes void of course at 3:31
am, and enters Scorpio at 5:08 a.m. The new moon begins at 7:50 a.m.
So if you choose this date, do your work between 5 and 7 a.m., and focus
on doing it in the darkness, before sunrise.
12. Sitting as near
as you can safely sit at the juncture of the crossroads (off the
pavement of course) hold the candle in your hands. Channel the energy
of the Dark Goddess, of the final harvest, of the changing seasons, into
the candle as you say:
“I dedicate this
candle to the Crone, the Hag, the Witch
Because she is a part of me.
A part I do not fear.
A part I honor.
She is Wisdom. Knowledge. Experience.
She is Patience. Peace. Tranquility.
She is Power. Strength. Courage.
She is, I am.
She is, I am.
She is, I am.
I charge this candle by the powers of the Dark Goddess.
Whenever I light it, I invoke Your energies into me.
I get in touch with my inner crone.
So mote it be.”
13. Light the
candle, and recite the poem or verse you have written in Her honor.
Spend a few moments there, embracing the energy of Samhain.
14. Take the candle
home, wrap it in a soft dark colored cloth, and keep it out of the
light.
15. You will use
this candle whenever you feel the need to get in touch with the energies
of the Crone, or the Dark Goddess. When you’re dealing with a death, or
helping others to deal with it. When you’re trying to ease the way for
someone who is suffering. When you need the wisdom of experience. When
you need to banish something negative from your life. When you need to
sharpen your powers of divination. When you seek the final harvest.
Light the candle, recite the verse, and experience the energy.
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The
Witches' Web
Below are links of interest to Pagans
and Wiccans in the Central NY Area
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Ravenmyst.org
The Wiccan tradition Maggie co-founded
Wiccan Space
A Wiccan community site
Out of the
Dark
Home of Betsy Ashby
And The Gathering of the Tribes
Proteus
Library
Proteus Coven, Nancy Harrow,
Wiccan Scholar, tons of articles
and information at your fingertips.
Tarot
Card & Deck Reviews
A wonderful site that reviews many popular
Tarot decks
James Van Praagh
A genuinely gifted channel,
spiritual leader and author.
His Holiness, the
Dalai Lama
This is the site of the Tibetan
Government in exile, and is a must
for spiritual seekers of all sorts
StarHawk
Author, Witch, Teacher, Founder of
The Reclaiming Collective
Pagan's Donate
Check this site out.
Trust me!
Spilled Candy
Books
Publisher of Pagan Fiction,
Owned & operated by author Lorna Tedder
Llewellyn
Worldwide
World's Leading Publisher of books on
Paganism, Wicca, New Age philosophy,
Occult, Divination and more.
The
Astrology Zone
Best Astrological Forecasts
on the Internet
Morgana's
Chamber
Books, supplies, herbs, more...
located in the Village, NYC
Phyllis
Curott
Author, Lecturer, teacher
Silver
RavenWolf
Author, Witch, Teacher
Laurie Cabot
Author, Witch, Teacher
Sylvia Browne
A renowned psychic and author.
Dr. Deepak Chopra
Dr. Chopra is a best-selling author and a gifted
spiritual leader.
The Witches Voice
Covenant of the
Goddess
Zsuzsuzsanna
Budapest
Lady Sheherazahde's Wiccan Ways
New
York Witches
Raven Grimassi
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What
Witches Do
 This
is the oldest known religious image. It is known as the Acheulian Goddess. She
was unearthed in Berekhat Ram, Golan Heights in 1981, and is, by science's best guess,
between 232,000 and 800,000 years old. She is female.
She is Goddess.
In past times, the image of the ideal feminine did not include protruding ribs or chicken
legs. A healthy woman was rounded, lush, abundant like the Earth Herself.
Women were seen as nothing short of the Creatrix Incarnate.
It made perfect sense. Like God, woman was the bearer of life. Not only could
she produce it, she then proceeded to nourish it from the wellspring of her own body.
Just as the planet nurtured her children from hers. It was perfectly natural
for early man to think of God, the source of life, the nurturer, as female.
 Today,
Wiccans acknowledge both the masculine-like aspects of God, and the long neglected
Feminine Divine.
In Wicca, people practice together or alone, as they please or are able,
to attune themselves to the cycles of nature. In ritual, the changing seasons are
observed, as well as the changing seasons of the Witch's own life.
The New Moon is for planning. As she grows fuller, forward motion is
well aspected. Plans for growth, expansion, gain, abundance, drawing good things in,
all of these are the work of the Witch during this time. When the moon is full, her
energies peak, and the work manifests.
The waning moon is a time when Witches work toward lessening, pushing
things away, banishing work, to be rid of illness, debt, sorrow, whatever is no
longer needed or beneficial in life. At the dark moon, it is done.
For three days the moon rests, as do those who dance beneath her. This is a time for
introspection, reflection, contemplation, repose.
 This
is the Willendorf Goddess. She dates back to approximately 30,000 BCE.
Wiccans don't need to have buildings as their Churches, (although some do)
but all respect the sacred circle, which is a method as old as time used by Holy Ones and
Sages of old
to create "sacred space."
Typically, the Wiccan will first cleanse the area by one of
several methods. Sprinkling it with blessed water, censing it with the smoke of
burning herbs such as sage, "sweeping" it with a ritual besom. After the space is deemed free of all negative
energies, the Witch casts a circle, by drawing it on the floor or ground with her hand or
ritual tool of choice, usually an athame or
sword. Her visualization here is key. She sees the circle's energy
forming a sphere above and below, completely enclosing herein a time that is not a time,
in a space that is not a space.
She then faces each direction in turn, calling to the positive forces of the North, East,
South, and West, to join her. And finally, she invites her god and/or goddess,
calling them by name, if she likes, or using the generic "Lord" or
"Lady" terms if she prefers.
Within this sacred space, the Witch worships. Within this space she observes the
seasons, the full moons, the cycles of her own life.
Here she celebrates.
Here she mourns.
And here is where she works her magick.
Most Wiccans keep a book with all the magickal knowledge they gather in a
lifetime.
This is called the Book of Shadows, sometimes Book of Light and Shadows.
Magick: Many Wiccans choose the Old English spelling
of the word to emphasize the difference between true magick, and the common slight of hand
often referred to as magic today
Athame: A ritual dagger, usually double ended,
often black handled.
Besom: A witch's broomstick, never used to sweep actual dirt (or to fly through the
night skies.) It is a consecrated sacred tool used to disperse negative energies.
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LadyHawke, the Mythmaker, has studied religions all of her adult life, and Wicca for more
than a decade. She took her formal training with the Black Forest Clan, where
she received all three elevations. She is one of the founders of RavenMyst Circle,
Inc, an organization of covens, and she leads her own coven, The Hawks of RavenMyst.
She is an ordained minister, and a Third Degree High Priestess.
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