Saturday, December 29, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Lessons from Bucklands
Lesson 1:The History and Philosphy of Witchcraft
1. The two most important deities revered by the Wo/Man were the Horned God and the Fertility Goddess, or the God and Goddess. The God represented the Hunt and was important for food whereas the Goddess represented fertility and abundance.
2. 'Sympathetic' magick is where the early pagans would do rituals that mimicked what they hoped would happen in real life - for example a man would wear horns and they would dance or enact a hunt which symbolise killing the beast. This was supposed to help it happen in reality. This is like the early manifestation of re-training or using the Id.
sympathetic magic is the belief that similar things have similar effects (like attracts like)
 |
| This image found here :) |
the sites were rededicated to the Church and God.
4. Jack of the Green - is that another name for the Horned God, or Pan?
They were carvings representing the old God of Hunting and Nature. Robin of the woods.
5. The Witches Hammer was .. and .... was responsible for it.
Malleus Maleficarium was the main reference on how to discover witches and interrogate them during the Burning Times.
6. Margaret Murray was a Egyptologist/Anthropologist who advanced Witchcraft as a religion in the 1930s.
7. The last law against Witchcraft was repealed in England in the 1951.
 |
| http://pentalcleproject.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/a-pagan-history/ |
9. A witches only animosity against the christian church is its claim that it is the only way, the only religion that is 'right'.
and that it seeks to deny others freedom and supress other religions.
10. You do not have to belong to a coven to do a spell. Wicca is a broad religion that allows you to practice in a way that suits you.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Wiccan Rede
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and
perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you. These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you. These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
An attempt to explain the Rede is here
History and Origin of Wicca
Ok, so some would like to believe that Wicca is THE Old Religion, surviving the 'Burning Times' and other Christian misdeeds. Margaret Murray was an Egyptologist who believed Wicca to be ancient etc but she has been largely disproved.This idea belongs to the anti-Christianity school of Wicca's origins. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I've heard/read that Silver Ravenwolf is quite anti-christian.. and her books are supposed to be good introductions catered for teenagers.
The most accepted view is that it was started by Gerald Gardiner and Doreen Valiente in the 20th Century, but before the 1960s. Gardnerian Wicca is your traditional Wicca with covens and rituals and so on. It is said that Gardiner was influenced by Alistair Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, something I find interesting but know nothing about :)
Over the last 60 or so years, different forms of Wicca have arisen, which will all be discussed in The Different Kinds of Wicca. Learning about these and finding what suits you is all part of the process, so deserves its own post :) The history of modern Wicca can be better understood in its' offshoots.
But some mentionable ones are Alexandrian, Dianic, Kitchen Witchery, Universal Eclectic, Druidry, Faery Wicca.. there are sooo many. It will be interesting having a look.
While it has come from a history of demonisation and disneyfication, Wicca is really something that while recently constructed, it is based on old pagan beliefs and the Earth herself. The energies of the Universe are revered and honoured. Even encouraged/directed/ put to use by Magick.
I'm not that interested in repeating the specifics of the origin and history of Wicca, hence this post is tiny :) But I've read a few intro chapters in places and they all say much the same thing. Don't forget, everything I write here is my interpretation. Read around and decide for yourself. My posts are organic.. they will change as I learn, I will adapt them and change them :) Its all part of the journey to my own rightness :)
Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchraft gives a nice intro to the history of Witchcraft - I like how the religio-magick of the early humans are detailed here - gives some credence to Murray's theories. Sounds logical. I find it interesting how the magic we know today came out of rituals for fertility and hunting. They were the most important keys to survival back then, and it's funny how now, centuries and centuries later, while we have taken care of that aspect of survival, humanity now needs love and magic on a different level for spiritual survival.
Scott Cunningham concentrates on the shamanic origins of Witchcraft, and seeing as his book was the first one I read as a bright eyed and bushy tailed 16 year old, I can see why it appealed to me. At that time I was really into lucid dreaming and Carlos Casteneda and Don Juan the Yaqui Indian. The main link here is the alternate states of consciousness - which ties nicely with distracting the Id with shiny things (rituals, tools, chanting) in order to get it to direct those creative energies towards personal and universal goals.
All the books I have come across have chapters on the history .. so you will not be lacking for general infomation there.
So what is Wicca then?
That I cannot answer. Or the answer is found in Earth herself. I can tell you that it is a religion where the individual has a spiritual relationship with Earth, Nature and their understandings of God, Goddess and the Divine Universal Energy. Some are in covens. Others are solitary. They follow the seasons, sun, moon, planets and intuition in celebrating and giving honour and respect to their deities, the elements and the Earth. Some work magick. Some don't. Some are awesome and crafty with Herbs and spells. Others aren't. What links all are the pagan beliefs that underlie the spiritual relationship.
We are of the Earth. We are all made of Stars.
The most accepted view is that it was started by Gerald Gardiner and Doreen Valiente in the 20th Century, but before the 1960s. Gardnerian Wicca is your traditional Wicca with covens and rituals and so on. It is said that Gardiner was influenced by Alistair Crowley and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, something I find interesting but know nothing about :)
 |
| Gerald Gardiner taken from10 things about Wicca that Wiccans should know |
But some mentionable ones are Alexandrian, Dianic, Kitchen Witchery, Universal Eclectic, Druidry, Faery Wicca.. there are sooo many. It will be interesting having a look.
While it has come from a history of demonisation and disneyfication, Wicca is really something that while recently constructed, it is based on old pagan beliefs and the Earth herself. The energies of the Universe are revered and honoured. Even encouraged/directed/ put to use by Magick.
I'm not that interested in repeating the specifics of the origin and history of Wicca, hence this post is tiny :) But I've read a few intro chapters in places and they all say much the same thing. Don't forget, everything I write here is my interpretation. Read around and decide for yourself. My posts are organic.. they will change as I learn, I will adapt them and change them :) Its all part of the journey to my own rightness :)
Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchraft gives a nice intro to the history of Witchcraft - I like how the religio-magick of the early humans are detailed here - gives some credence to Murray's theories. Sounds logical. I find it interesting how the magic we know today came out of rituals for fertility and hunting. They were the most important keys to survival back then, and it's funny how now, centuries and centuries later, while we have taken care of that aspect of survival, humanity now needs love and magic on a different level for spiritual survival.
Scott Cunningham concentrates on the shamanic origins of Witchcraft, and seeing as his book was the first one I read as a bright eyed and bushy tailed 16 year old, I can see why it appealed to me. At that time I was really into lucid dreaming and Carlos Casteneda and Don Juan the Yaqui Indian. The main link here is the alternate states of consciousness - which ties nicely with distracting the Id with shiny things (rituals, tools, chanting) in order to get it to direct those creative energies towards personal and universal goals.
All the books I have come across have chapters on the history .. so you will not be lacking for general infomation there.
So what is Wicca then?
That I cannot answer. Or the answer is found in Earth herself. I can tell you that it is a religion where the individual has a spiritual relationship with Earth, Nature and their understandings of God, Goddess and the Divine Universal Energy. Some are in covens. Others are solitary. They follow the seasons, sun, moon, planets and intuition in celebrating and giving honour and respect to their deities, the elements and the Earth. Some work magick. Some don't. Some are awesome and crafty with Herbs and spells. Others aren't. What links all are the pagan beliefs that underlie the spiritual relationship.
We are of the Earth. We are all made of Stars.
A year and a day... In the beginning...
There is so much to learn in the Wiccan Religion. The point of this year and a day is to absorb the spirituality of it all, and decide if it is right for you. There is so much infomation on the internet and in books that I'm finding it hard to focus. I have documents all over the place and I haven't bought books for my Book of Serendipity* or my Wiccapades* so there is no structure, no order.
The Year and a Day organised through Facestalk fell through, and I have found myself in a small and lovely group of kindred spirits, and we have the fabulous Twin Moons to teach us the basics of what we should know. It has also made me look around for how I can find the infomation myself.
And then I remembered this blog :) This will help me keep everything organised as a nice summary of what I have learnt.
The Different Kinds of Wicca
*Both titles are pending, and hereby copyrighted - must look into Trademark :)
While I am here - let me share some of the sources from which I'll get infomation - it's all paraphrased in my own words, but I've based my ideas on the following -
There will be more.. and I'll add them here when they are used :)
The Year and a Day organised through Facestalk fell through, and I have found myself in a small and lovely group of kindred spirits, and we have the fabulous Twin Moons to teach us the basics of what we should know. It has also made me look around for how I can find the infomation myself.
And then I remembered this blog :) This will help me keep everything organised as a nice summary of what I have learnt.
 |
| The Sign of the Triple Goddess |
Well that is the intention anyway.
The whole thing about Wicca is that you are on a path to find your own spirituality - and if you follow the eclectic universal form- you get to take bits and pieces to suit your own style - a bit like me and religion really. I do find a dark side to this though - what about those self-serving types who can reason or rationalise everything they do, despite it being evil or simply to the detriment of others or themselves?
That is where the Wiccan Rede comes in - Do as you will, so long as you harm none. .. not quite the way they say it - but that is what it means :)
To find my way in Wicca - I'll start off by learning these things, in no particular order - but when the time feels right.. I will do it :)
History and Origin of Wicca
The Different Kinds of Wicca
The Deities, The Elements and other energies
The Special Occasions in Wicca
Rituals and Spellcasting
The Tools of the Trade
Herbology
Astrology
Crystals and Gemstones
Tarot, Runes and other Divinatory devices
Dreams
Meditation and Positive Energy
These are all I can think of now. While the Book of Shadows is a personal journey through Wicca, this will be my base for learning. I find that if I have to condense it into one thing to be on here, I will actually collate all the info I have and condense it. And reference where I got it from :)
So let the journey begin!
*Both titles are pending, and hereby copyrighted - must look into Trademark :)
While I am here - let me share some of the sources from which I'll get infomation - it's all paraphrased in my own words, but I've based my ideas on the following -
- The Wiccan Sisters Facebook Group, in particular Moonsong Rain and Moonbeam Raven;
- Magicka School and their publication 'Wicca Revealed';
- Scott Cunningham- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner;
- Raymond Buckland - Complete Book of Witchcraft;
- Lady Sabrina - Exploring Wicca.
There will be more.. and I'll add them here when they are used :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)