Merry Meet Finally, my wicca page is a fact. I'm new in the craft, but I'm eager to learn. My witch name is Kylia-Esme, "gracious protector of the weak". So far I have learned that wicca is a religion like any other in the world. We don't worship the devil and we don't do curses. I hope with the information I can give you, you will have a clear view on witchcraft and wicca. Wiccans and Pagans stand close to nature and we believe in the powers that are all around us. there is strenght in everything you see, the sky, the earth, the trees, even the air that you breathe.
"An ye harm none, do what ye will!"
On this page I will place lots of pretty images that I have found all over the internet, I will talk about witch craft and explain the 'rule of three' or "threefold law". That's is the most important rule of them all.
"Ever mind the rule of three Three times what thou givest returns unto thee This lesson well must thou learn Thou only gettest what thou dost earn"
Easy to understand right? So whatever you do to someone else, you get back three times, so think before you act. Never act out of revenge, anger or grief. Before you start any ritual, make sure your head is clear of thoughts and do your rituals in a private place. I will let you read the wiccan law
The Pentacle
The pentacle
is not 'just' a five pointed star, the five lines need to overlap
eachother and the five points stands for the elements Water
, Earth, Air ,Fire and Spirit. "Sabbats"
Imbolc/Brigid (February 2 or thereabouts)
A fire festival, replete with solar imagery and candles, encouraging the return of the Spring and getting people "fired up" for planting season. Much healing magic is worked at this time, to strengthen bodies and spirits weakened by winter.
Ostara (Spring Equinox)
A celebration of the return of fertility to animals, fields, hopes, and dreams. A time to look forward to the coming year and to decide what to sow so as to reap the desired harvest. Sweethearts often propose "handfasting" (marriage) at this time.
Belthane (April 30/May 1)
A celebration of the joy of life. The Maypole planted in the Earth symbolizes the union of the God and the Goddess. The Goddess' half of the year, characterized by energy and creativity, begins.
Litha (Summer Solstice)
Recognition of the need for us to participate in the Divine workings of the Earth through work and cooperation. Competitive games offer gaudy prizes such as leaf crowns, a song composed in one's honour, or a seat at the head table at a feast, and show the community whose abilities can be counted on.
Lammas/Lughnassadh ( July 31/August 1)
Celebration of the first harvest, the baking of the first bread with the current year's grain; gratitude to the living beings from wheat to cattle who feed us and keep us healthy.
Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
Recognition of the balance between light and dark, and of our accomplishments and lessons learned during the summer. Thanks are given to the Earth, often in the form of "libations" (food and drink offered to the Earth and Her creatures).
Samhain (October 31/November1)
Reverence and respect for death, and for all passage that prevents stagnation. Ancestors and other beloved dead are honored at this time. The God's half of the year, characterized by introspection and transformation, begins.
Yule (Winter Solstice)
Celebration of hearth and hope, with much feasting, singing, dancing, and exchanging of gifts. Symbols of the enduring nature of life and the reborn sun, such as evergreen branches and gold garlands, decorate the home. Some Pagans burn a liquor-soaked "Yule log" representing the winter, whose dominion is broken by the return of the sun.
Numbers
Numbers are very important to wiccans, 1 for the Moon, one is the number of beginnings, of raw potential, identity and independence. It is the number of solitude and self-reliance. 2 for the Godess and the God, two is a number of finding balance, compromise, compassion, companionship and duality. 3 for the threefold law, three is a number of joy, growth, creativity and the Goddess in her triple aspect. It is often used in multiples. 4 for the four Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Wind, four is foundation, security and stability, the elements/directions, and control. 5 points of the pentacle, which stands for the elements, five is the number of challenges, passion, conflict and experience. It can sometimes be destructive. 6 is the number of balance, harmony, remembrance, and sharing. It is the second common default number. 7 is a number for turning inward, spirituality, meditation and sacredness. It is also the third of the numbers that can is commonly used as a default to simply add power to a working or ritual. 8 (being the double of
4 and the cube of 2) is about strength and stability, health
and inner strength. It is also a number for good will and prosperity.
The Moon and her associations The moon is the symbol of the mother aspect of the Goddess, bringer of fertility and inspiration, ruler over the tides and the women's cycle. She is the opener of the third eye, the light in the darkness. She is mysterious and beautiful and has been worshipped by men for millennia. Wiccans see the moon as the divine symbol of the Goddess and feel the energy coming from her. We call a full moon also an "Esbat".
New moon: Time for a new beginning, time when new ideas form. Mystery Waxing moon:The virgin aspect of the Goddess, a good time for positive magic or rituals Full moon: The Mother aspect of the Goddess, a time of fullfilling, blessings and celebration, when psychic strength is at its highest point. Crescent moon: The Old Wise aspect of the Goddess, a time for expelling magic
Seek
truth in meditation, not in mouldy books. ~Persian proverb~
Every self respecting witch has a Book Of Shadows It contains all your rituals, your experiences and your feelings, you can compare it with a diary. It's your personal book, you can decorate it with anything you like, pictures, objects, whatever, as long as the book look nice for you it's ok. You can start with a plain notebook and evolve later to a nice medieval looking book. If you are gonna start with Tarot or Rune stones, you will need a book to, so make your Book of Shadows (bos) large enough so you can also use it for your other spiritual occupations.
Altar
You need some items to set up your wicca altar: Athame: a blackhandled knife, cuts on both sides, but doesn't have to be very sharp, mainly used to perform the rituals, you also need a white handled knife, that is more the practical knife of the witch, to cut the herbs, the candles etc... The Sword: to be used for the same reason as the Athame, it's up to you which one you prefer. Bolime: White handled knife for practical use, to cut cake and leaves, or carve in candles. Candles: in different colours, two bigger candles that represents the Goddess and God A mortar: to crush seeds and dried leafs A cauldron: not too large or too small, and must have three feet Different incense sticks: the different smells influence your rituals, I use mostly Cinnamon, Patchouli and Lotus A wand: you can make your own wand, that way you put your own energy in it, but always ask the tree where you are gonna cut off a piece of his branches for permission, offer the tree something instead of his branch. A pentacle: the size doesn't matter, but a large one is preferable. Salt: To mark your circle and for cleansing the water you use in your ritual. You can always add something personal to your altar, like a little statue or something. I use a Pixie witch. Here is mine:
This picture is outdated now, I have bought Frodo's sword STING and Gandalfs dagger. The dagger is lighter to hold up for a long time while doing a group ritual.
There are many different paths to follow as a witch, which one you follow is all up to you, but here are a few to give you an idea. I don't know how much of this si true, so if you happen to find mistakes let me know. (source: The Wiccan Traditions)
Alexandrian Tradition Founded and based upon the teachings of Alex Sanders, in England. Ceremonial Magick and the Kabbalah have been included with the rituals of Gardnerian Wicca. Skyclad is a common practice in Alexandrian Ritual. As with other Wiccan religions, the duality of Goddess and God is recognised and the Sabbats and Esbats celebrated.
Asatru Tradition Asatru is a Norse word meaning 'Belief in Gods'. This tradition is very ancient with its roots in the historical agricultural Vanir and warrior Aesir tribes of Scandinavia and Northern Germany. The main deities are the Goddesses Freya, Frigg and the Norns. While the main Gods are Odin, Thor and Frey.
British Traditional Influenced heavily by Gardnerian Wicca and Celtic traditions, Covens are co-ed and members train through a degree process. Janet and Stewart Farrar are British Traditionalist Witches.
Celtic Wicca Based upon old Celtic/Druidic practices and ritual Gardnerian design. The emphasis is placed heavily upon Celtic Deities, the Elements, nature and the magic of trees.
Dianic Tradition A tradition that worships the Goddess Diana as the central deity. Female leadership is encouraged, though male members are allowed into covens. Rituals are either skyclad or robed. There are also some covens which are female exclusive and follow a Dianic Feminist Wicca.
Eclectic Wicca A loosely based tradition in which the followers use any practices of other paths and incorporate them into their own path. They use what works best for them regardless of the source. Eclectic Wicca is a common and popular form of Wicca.
Erisian Tradition (Discordia) A philosophy which believes that the Universe is uncertain and that natural laws are not everywhere and constant. Eris is the Goddess of chaos. Discordia was rediscovered in the 1960's by Kerry Thornley and Gregory Hill, who published a book called Principia Discordia.
Gardnerian Tradition One of the first traditions in Witchcraft to emerge into the public eye during the 1950's. The teachings are based upon the works of Dr. Gerald Gardner, who researched the history of the Craft and added much of it to his famous Book of Shadows. Many traditions use his Book of Shadows, in a modified form, as a basis for Ritual practice.
Georgian Wicca An eclectic Wiccan tradition founded by George E. Patterson in 1970. This tradition is influenced mostly by Alexandrian and Gardnerian teachings and leans towards Goddess and God worship at an eclectic level. Individuals work either skyclad or robed and are encouraged to write their own rituals.
Kitchen Witch Witches who practice around the home and hearth, and incorporate magick and religion into daily life.
Pictish Witchcraft Witchcraft developed in Scotland. It's followers are solitaries and worship involves animal, vegetable, and minerals as aspects of nature.
Seax-Wicca Tradition Founded in 1973 by Raymond Buckland, this tradition incorporates Saxon Lore. Covens have co-ed open rituals and are either performed robed or skyclad. Buckland developed this tradition without breaking his Gardnerian oath.
Strega Witches A tradition founded by a witch called Aradia around 1352 CE. Strega can lay claim to being one of the oldest, unchanged forms of Witchcraft. This tradition preceded Gardnerian or Celtic based religions and developed in Italy during Roman times.
Malleus Maleficarum
In 1468 the Catholic church declared that witchcraft was an "extraordinary crime". Because of that, during trials all the normal rules could be set aside; only the proof of guilt was allowed in court. Torturing and tormenting was not only allowed but even encouraged. In 1486 two monks, Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, wrote a book against wiches. It was called "Malleus Maleficarum" or "The Witches Hammer". It was the first large printed book about demonology (the study of the devil's works) The book became very notorious. Great detail was given on how to find and identify a witch and how to force them to confess. It looked a lot like the monks really hated women in general. They suggested that a woman is not as smart as a man. In the bible you could read that a woman was made out of a man's rib. The woman was already seduced by the snake in paradise, she was credulous and thus easier to seduce into witchcraft. Also they claimed that a man was not so easily won for witchcraft as Jesus was a man. Every woman was a suspect really, even the godfearing women. Even nuns were suspected, because the devil was especially looking for devout women. The devil also had children with the women he seduced, so those children were called "Spawn of Satan". It was thought that even the smallest girl had the devil as her lover. So she was a witch too and should be burned. "Without women, the world would have less danger. How big is the danger these days, as that soo many women are witches now?" (Quoted from the book) The two monks set up a list of what witches could do: 1. They could send hail, storms and thunder. 2. They made people and animals infertile 3. They abducted children and gave them to the devil. 4. They took children that run too far away from their parents and threw them in the water nearby. 5. They could make horses skittish so they would throw of their drivers. 6. They could fly through the air and move from one place to another. 7. They could put a spell on their judges so they would not punish them. 8. They had the power to keep silent while being tortured. 9. They could fill those who tried to capture them with fear 10. They can make public what is not shown to others. 11. With help from the devil, they could predict the future 12. They can see things that are happening further away 13. They could make someone fall in love 14. They could kill anyone they wanted by a lightning strike 15. They could cause miscarriages 16. They could hurt humans and animals without even touching them. 17. They gave away their own children to the devil
The writers wrote this from statements from other women that claimed to be present at witches' sabbaths. "When a new witch joins a group, she has to meet other witches on a certain place and a certain date. The devil appears too, in the body of a man. He promises them a long and healty life and lots of luck. The new witch has to give up her old faith and promise the devil obedience. As a proof she has to make an ointment out of childrens bones and arms and legs." Witchhunters that came later didn't believe all the cruel things that were said in the book, but they did believe that the woman was the main guilty person. And all followed the horrible prescriptions that were written down in the "Malleus Maleficarum". In real life that only meant that everyone that even pointed a finger and said she was a witch, was enough to burn them.
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