The beginnings of Wicca are somewhat unknown/debated. Most of the core beliefs and practices are drawn from ancient pagan faiths. Some people think Wicca comes from "the old ways" being passed down and practiced in secret by small numbers of people in secretive covens (the "Witch Cult Hypothesis"), and while that may or may not be true the real reason we have Wicca as it is today is largely creditted to a man named Gerald Gardener and his contemporaries. He claimed he had been initiated into one of those covens and tried to publicize the religion during the 50's to encourage more to join the faith. Some people think that Gardener made everything up, but no matter how it started it soon spread and new Wiccan traditions started developing in Britain, the United States and elsewhere.
Wiccans have the same core beliefs, but different traditions practice their beliefs in different ways. To be clear, a “Pagan” is not the same as a “Wiccan”. Pagans are any religion that is not Judeo-Christian. The following traditions are Wiccan, not Pagan. There are many traditions, but these are the biggest five.
•Electric – This is the type of Wicca that this little book is about. It is best defined as Wicca that is non-traditional, as in it doesn’t focus on the European based roots of the religion and does not fall under any of the other traditions of Wicca. Many of the smaller traditions start as Electric and then when they get enough of a following they choose a name and become a new tradition in their own right.
•Alexandrian - Traditionally, they work with and worship the Old Gods of Europe, primarily focusing on Our Lady of the Moon and her Consort, the Horned One. Alexandrian initiates may work with other deities on a personal or group basis as well. They aim for a personal connection with and an understanding of deities and ancestors, as well as the rhythms and tides of nature. They have no laity, only Priests and Priestesses. They use both traditional and experimental magical techniques. To become an Alexandrian initiate one must be initiated by a properly prepared and authorized Alexandrian High Priestess or Priest in a cross-gendered Initiation. Most rituals are performed skyclad, which means naked.
•Gardnerian – This was the first tradition that really brought back Wicca. Since Wiccans and witches had been persecuted for so long many people were not openly practicing this religion and the old knowledge was dying out. Gerald Gardenia brought it back in the 1950s. There is a stress on action instead of words in this tradition. It is an oral tradition that consists of rituals and practices that are used by its initiates to understand the “Craft Mysteries”. They use a spiritual system to gain a non-conceptual understanding of the age old questions of life, death, eithics and so on. Sometimes this is referred ot as British Traditional Wicca.
• Pow-wow – This is simply Wicca combined with Native American Traditions, with an emphasis on drums, singing, and animal spirits.
• Dianic – This is powered by the woman’s movement. Only women can be in these covens, and only women who were born women. Men are only seen as creations of women, since there are only women and their children. The Goddess represents the whole web of life, birth and death. Instead of praying they focus their energies on different parts of the female energy, like different strands in the web of life. They emphasize creativity and the sacredness of sex. It is named after the Goddess Diana, which represents females and the moon.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Chapter 4: Rules and Covens
Morals/ Rules
We have just as many morals as anyone else. But our big rules have to do with the rule of three. All that basically means is anything you do comes back to you. So do something nice and you get nice reflected back at you times three. If you do something bad same thing, what you gave out times three. This isn’t exact math though; if you give someone a hundred dollars don’t expect three hundred dollars to come back at you. There are no good witches or bad witches, just people. One other big thing to remember if you start doing spells though is you can suffer consequences if a spell backfires or you don’t ask permission to cast it onto someone. The only rule we have is to not harm others, so we don’t cast “evil spells” or anything like that.
We do not believe in Satan, but respect other religions. The only problem we have with other religions is their idea that their way is the only right way. God/the all is like a diamond – there are many faucets (faces) to it and no matter which one you choose to look through you are seeing the same center. This is how religion is, you just have to find the religion that works with your perspective. There is no right way to practice your spirituality, and there is no right way to practice Wicca. A witch is just a Wiccan who has studied and has done their dedication ceremony; a witch seeks to control the forces within themselves, they live wisely, and are in harmony with nature. They also know mind, religion, spirit, and magical applications function together and it is important to have an open mind.
We have an “official” moral code called the Reed. It is basically a poem that instructs you what you can or can not do. It reminds you to share perfect love and trust, to merry meet and merry part, blessed be, cast circles for spiritual safety, and listen more than you speak. It has many little rules in it but most people don’t follow it word for word because the last line is “Eight words the Wiccan Reed fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.” This basically means that it doesn’t matter if you follow all the little rules in the poem as long as you follow the last and most important one of not harming anyone.
The Wiccan “Church”: Covens
Instead of “churches” we have covens. The Wiccan religion has no central government and anyone can create a coven. Each coven has Ordains (rules) and a way of doing things, as well as a B.O.S. (a B.O.S. is a Book of Shadows which is a reference book every Wiccan and every coven makes for themselves). You can become a member of a coven by being initiated. A coven is a group of four or more Wiccans helping each other along a spiritual path. If you do not want to be part of a coven right away you can be a solitary. To do that you have to have a dedication ceremony where you dedicate yourself to the lord and lady and to your study of the craft. This can be done at age twelve or older.
There are different positions in the coven. Temple summoner (or maiden) is a skilled person who assists the High Priest and High Priestess. The Officers of the Quarters are the people (one for each direction) who are responsible for a certain element in a ceremony. A Priest/Priestess is a person who dedicates themselves to helping others and to the path of the lady/lord. A High Priest/High Priestess is a Priest/Priestess that has certain responsibilities in a coven and is the leader in some of the coven ceremonies. Usually the elders or the people mentioned above decide democratically what the coven will or will not do and what rules they will have, with all ties being broken by a decision between the High Priestess and High Priest. The Ordains are a set of spiritual and practical coven laws, and are decided when the coven is formed but can be modified later.
There are youth covens, ran and including Wiccans from age 12 to 17. There are adult covens limited to 18 years of age and above, and family covens which include people of all ages. A good way to find a coven is through networking, like the website Witch’s Voice (http://www.witchvox.com).
We have just as many morals as anyone else. But our big rules have to do with the rule of three. All that basically means is anything you do comes back to you. So do something nice and you get nice reflected back at you times three. If you do something bad same thing, what you gave out times three. This isn’t exact math though; if you give someone a hundred dollars don’t expect three hundred dollars to come back at you. There are no good witches or bad witches, just people. One other big thing to remember if you start doing spells though is you can suffer consequences if a spell backfires or you don’t ask permission to cast it onto someone. The only rule we have is to not harm others, so we don’t cast “evil spells” or anything like that.
We do not believe in Satan, but respect other religions. The only problem we have with other religions is their idea that their way is the only right way. God/the all is like a diamond – there are many faucets (faces) to it and no matter which one you choose to look through you are seeing the same center. This is how religion is, you just have to find the religion that works with your perspective. There is no right way to practice your spirituality, and there is no right way to practice Wicca. A witch is just a Wiccan who has studied and has done their dedication ceremony; a witch seeks to control the forces within themselves, they live wisely, and are in harmony with nature. They also know mind, religion, spirit, and magical applications function together and it is important to have an open mind.
We have an “official” moral code called the Reed. It is basically a poem that instructs you what you can or can not do. It reminds you to share perfect love and trust, to merry meet and merry part, blessed be, cast circles for spiritual safety, and listen more than you speak. It has many little rules in it but most people don’t follow it word for word because the last line is “Eight words the Wiccan Reed fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.” This basically means that it doesn’t matter if you follow all the little rules in the poem as long as you follow the last and most important one of not harming anyone.
The Wiccan “Church”: Covens
Instead of “churches” we have covens. The Wiccan religion has no central government and anyone can create a coven. Each coven has Ordains (rules) and a way of doing things, as well as a B.O.S. (a B.O.S. is a Book of Shadows which is a reference book every Wiccan and every coven makes for themselves). You can become a member of a coven by being initiated. A coven is a group of four or more Wiccans helping each other along a spiritual path. If you do not want to be part of a coven right away you can be a solitary. To do that you have to have a dedication ceremony where you dedicate yourself to the lord and lady and to your study of the craft. This can be done at age twelve or older.
There are different positions in the coven. Temple summoner (or maiden) is a skilled person who assists the High Priest and High Priestess. The Officers of the Quarters are the people (one for each direction) who are responsible for a certain element in a ceremony. A Priest/Priestess is a person who dedicates themselves to helping others and to the path of the lady/lord. A High Priest/High Priestess is a Priest/Priestess that has certain responsibilities in a coven and is the leader in some of the coven ceremonies. Usually the elders or the people mentioned above decide democratically what the coven will or will not do and what rules they will have, with all ties being broken by a decision between the High Priestess and High Priest. The Ordains are a set of spiritual and practical coven laws, and are decided when the coven is formed but can be modified later.
There are youth covens, ran and including Wiccans from age 12 to 17. There are adult covens limited to 18 years of age and above, and family covens which include people of all ages. A good way to find a coven is through networking, like the website Witch’s Voice (http://www.witchvox.com).
Chapter 3: Holidays
•Yule (Dec. 21 or 22) is when the lady gives birth to the lord and he is reborn. Everything is being reborn and can be remade. Christians adopted many of the traditions of Yule for their holiday of Christmas, so some of this may sound familiar. Red, green and gold are traditional colors. Mistletoe is used to decorate doorways to bring love through the door, and an evergreen tree is put up and decorated with colors and lights. Everyone gets one gift, which is wrapped, and they go under the tree. Cookies and warm treats are made, and there is usually only a small meal for this holiday, traditionally with ham, apples and root vegetables. Songs are sung through the night and candles are put in the window to bring us light through the longest night. The Yule log is the most important part of this day. A log is picked out and burned in the fire, which must burn all night. In the morning the ashes and whatever remains of the log should be buried or scattered in the yard. How well the log burns determines how well your family will do in the coming months. Sometimes a play is also performed that shows the battle between the oak king (the god in death) and the holly king (the god being reborn), with the holly king overcoming death. Also, the goals or resolutions you made between Samhain and Yule come into affect on this day.
•Imbolic/ Candlemas (Feb. 2) is a holiday of young love where the maiden and the lord are courting. This holiday is about banishing winter to welcome something new. This is a good time for cleaning, usually with a flower like lavender. Burn white candles after or as you clean to clear the energy and bring positive light into your area. This holiday is great for opening new paths and using creativity.
•Spring Equinox/ Ostara (Mar. 21 or 22) is when spring comes and the lord and lady experience a more steady mature love. Sweet cakes are served at dusk. This is a time when light and dark balance. Baskets are made the night before by children and in the morning they are filled with decorated eggs, candy, flowers and sometime something to plant. The baskets are "hidden" by the kids, who then have to wait for the bunny to come (they can't check too often or it'll scare the bunny away!).
The story of Ostara:
It was long ago, on the last day of winter. Snow covered the ground. There was a little girl who was lost and alone in the woods. She was cold, tired, and afraid. In despair, she dropped down in the snow and began to cry. Just then she saw a bird laying in the snow, it was covered in ice and snow. She picked up the dying bird. She held it close to herself; wrapping it tightly in her coat. She tried to warm the bird and thaw its frozen wings, but it was too cold. She cried out for help! "Help! Help this bird to live", she cried.
The Goddess of Spring, Eostara, heard her and found it unusual that this girl was calling on her to help the bird instead of asking for help for herself. She decided to go to the girl. She floated over the snowy landscape. In her wake flowers bloomed and sweet-scented blossoms burst open as colors blazed into view. Spring followed in her path and the sound of laughter and gentle breezes could be heard on her breath. She was glorious to behold. Rebirth and new life radiated about her. The girl was astounded. She jumped up and thrust the bird at Eostara. "Save it!” she cried.
Eostara reached out her hand and touched the bird with one delicate finger. Light flowed through her, warming the bird. Its eyes opened suddenly. Its foot twitched. It hopped out of the girl's hand. The girl squealed with delight.
"But wait," the girl said, "its wings are still frozen to its body. It can't fly, it will surely die!”
Eostara reached over to the bird and touched it again gently with her hand, turning it into a bunny. "There!” she said to the girl, "Now it has no need of its wings".
Eostara had to leave to start spring, but before she left she made a trail for the girl to follow out of the woods. The trail was made of flowers and candies. The girl saw it, and thanked the goddess. As she followed the trail she put the gifts in her basket. When she got home she left her basket on the windowsill and went inside to warm up. The bunny wished to thank the girl for saving it, so it went to her house. When it saw the basket it thought it looked like a nest, and the bunny jumped into it. Forgetting that it was a bunny now, it laid eggs in the nest! These eggs were colored with the magic of spring that had saved it. When the girl went out in the morning to get the basket, she found the eggs.
To this day, when the snow begins to melt, and the flowers begin to bloom, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and warmth, the bunny begins to lay its eggs. And in thanks to the child that saved it, the bunny gives its eggs to good children all over. These eggs tell of color, of spring, and of Eostara and her gift of renewed life and release from winter's chill. They are tokens of recognition and gratitude to the Goddess Eostara for the gift of spring.
•Beltane/ May Day (May 1) is when the lord and maiden consummate their love and the maiden becomes the lady. This is a big day for festivals and going out to have fun. There are dances, art projects and everything is decorated with flowers. This is a great time to drink and be merry. Bonfires are traditionally burned as well. If there is a festival they erect a May pole with ribbons, usually red or rainbow, coming down. A May queen is selected; usually a young girl who symbolizes youth, beauty and creativity. Then everyone participates in a dance around the pole, the men holding the ends of the ribbon. By the end of the dancing the ribbons will be wrapped the pole. The pole is obviously a phallic symbol, and the whole holiday has a sexual nature. Sex can be used to celebrate this holiday as well.
•Summer solstice/ Midsummer (June 21 or 22) is when the lord and lady are in their prime. The lady realizes she is going to have a baby by winter, and the lord starts to foresee his own death and accept it. Much of what is being celebrated here is the sun and the bounty of the summer. Usually sunflowers are cut and put in the house and wreaths are made of ivy and flowers and hung on the doors. This is the best night to see fairies. Sometimes the great rite is performed. The great rite is a ritual where one person calls down the goddess into themselves and one person calls down the god into themselves and then they have sex. Sometimes the sex is only symbolic, such as putting the athame (ritual knife) in the chalice (cup).
•Lammas (Ag. 1) is the first step towards death when the lord gives his body to the land to feed the world. We are encouraged to reap the bounty he has given us through his sacrifice. This is one of the harvest holidays. Breads are served and feasts are held to honor this day.
•Fall Equinox/ Mabon (Sept. 21 or 22) is when the lord gives us his blood to drink (from vines ect.). This is another harvest festival, usually corn and other vegetables are harvested. This is a time to give thanks (like thanksgiving if you live in the U.S.). Cornbread is a traditional food, and cider is served to those who don’t want red wine. Another tradition is to put fallen leaves on jars and drip wax or use paraffin to stick the leaves to the jar. These ensure that what good things also come out of death – the leaf is dead but what is inside, like herbs or canned food, is good and life giving. The jars are also lucky and can be sued to store things other than food. This is a good time to decorate for fall. This is an equinox, which means day and night are equal, so balance is usually emphasized.
•All Hollow’s Eve/Samhain (Oct. 31) is our “new years” and the time in which the crone takes the lord to the summer land to wait so as he can be reborn on Yule. Commonly known as Halloween, we go out at night because the veil between the worlds is thin. This means the dead, the fae, and other spirits will be roaming through the night as well. Usually a ritual is performed and the rest of the night is devoted to merry making, traditionally not going to sleep all night. There is a large feast, alcohol and many sweets since this is the last harvest festival. Back in the day, it was like the last hurrah before winter. Marigolds are a good flower for this time, and black and orange are the traditional colors. Candles are burned for those who died. This is a time to reflect on the past year, much as death is a time for reflection on your past life. In preparation of Yule, when the god is reborn, you will use what you learned this past year and will make goals for the next year. This is not a one night thing – you do not start pursuing your goals until Yule.
The exact dates depend on the year because they follow the sun. All the holidays are either related to farming (harvesting) or to the sun. Our holidays are called Sabats, not to be confused with Esabats (which are full moons sometimes used for magic). Some people consider Esabats holidays too but they are really just special days that you are encouraged to do spells and rituals on.
•Imbolic/ Candlemas (Feb. 2) is a holiday of young love where the maiden and the lord are courting. This holiday is about banishing winter to welcome something new. This is a good time for cleaning, usually with a flower like lavender. Burn white candles after or as you clean to clear the energy and bring positive light into your area. This holiday is great for opening new paths and using creativity.
•Spring Equinox/ Ostara (Mar. 21 or 22) is when spring comes and the lord and lady experience a more steady mature love. Sweet cakes are served at dusk. This is a time when light and dark balance. Baskets are made the night before by children and in the morning they are filled with decorated eggs, candy, flowers and sometime something to plant. The baskets are "hidden" by the kids, who then have to wait for the bunny to come (they can't check too often or it'll scare the bunny away!).
The story of Ostara:
It was long ago, on the last day of winter. Snow covered the ground. There was a little girl who was lost and alone in the woods. She was cold, tired, and afraid. In despair, she dropped down in the snow and began to cry. Just then she saw a bird laying in the snow, it was covered in ice and snow. She picked up the dying bird. She held it close to herself; wrapping it tightly in her coat. She tried to warm the bird and thaw its frozen wings, but it was too cold. She cried out for help! "Help! Help this bird to live", she cried.
The Goddess of Spring, Eostara, heard her and found it unusual that this girl was calling on her to help the bird instead of asking for help for herself. She decided to go to the girl. She floated over the snowy landscape. In her wake flowers bloomed and sweet-scented blossoms burst open as colors blazed into view. Spring followed in her path and the sound of laughter and gentle breezes could be heard on her breath. She was glorious to behold. Rebirth and new life radiated about her. The girl was astounded. She jumped up and thrust the bird at Eostara. "Save it!” she cried.
Eostara reached out her hand and touched the bird with one delicate finger. Light flowed through her, warming the bird. Its eyes opened suddenly. Its foot twitched. It hopped out of the girl's hand. The girl squealed with delight.
"But wait," the girl said, "its wings are still frozen to its body. It can't fly, it will surely die!”
Eostara reached over to the bird and touched it again gently with her hand, turning it into a bunny. "There!” she said to the girl, "Now it has no need of its wings".
Eostara had to leave to start spring, but before she left she made a trail for the girl to follow out of the woods. The trail was made of flowers and candies. The girl saw it, and thanked the goddess. As she followed the trail she put the gifts in her basket. When she got home she left her basket on the windowsill and went inside to warm up. The bunny wished to thank the girl for saving it, so it went to her house. When it saw the basket it thought it looked like a nest, and the bunny jumped into it. Forgetting that it was a bunny now, it laid eggs in the nest! These eggs were colored with the magic of spring that had saved it. When the girl went out in the morning to get the basket, she found the eggs.
To this day, when the snow begins to melt, and the flowers begin to bloom, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and warmth, the bunny begins to lay its eggs. And in thanks to the child that saved it, the bunny gives its eggs to good children all over. These eggs tell of color, of spring, and of Eostara and her gift of renewed life and release from winter's chill. They are tokens of recognition and gratitude to the Goddess Eostara for the gift of spring.
•Beltane/ May Day (May 1) is when the lord and maiden consummate their love and the maiden becomes the lady. This is a big day for festivals and going out to have fun. There are dances, art projects and everything is decorated with flowers. This is a great time to drink and be merry. Bonfires are traditionally burned as well. If there is a festival they erect a May pole with ribbons, usually red or rainbow, coming down. A May queen is selected; usually a young girl who symbolizes youth, beauty and creativity. Then everyone participates in a dance around the pole, the men holding the ends of the ribbon. By the end of the dancing the ribbons will be wrapped the pole. The pole is obviously a phallic symbol, and the whole holiday has a sexual nature. Sex can be used to celebrate this holiday as well.
•Summer solstice/ Midsummer (June 21 or 22) is when the lord and lady are in their prime. The lady realizes she is going to have a baby by winter, and the lord starts to foresee his own death and accept it. Much of what is being celebrated here is the sun and the bounty of the summer. Usually sunflowers are cut and put in the house and wreaths are made of ivy and flowers and hung on the doors. This is the best night to see fairies. Sometimes the great rite is performed. The great rite is a ritual where one person calls down the goddess into themselves and one person calls down the god into themselves and then they have sex. Sometimes the sex is only symbolic, such as putting the athame (ritual knife) in the chalice (cup).
•Lammas (Ag. 1) is the first step towards death when the lord gives his body to the land to feed the world. We are encouraged to reap the bounty he has given us through his sacrifice. This is one of the harvest holidays. Breads are served and feasts are held to honor this day.
•Fall Equinox/ Mabon (Sept. 21 or 22) is when the lord gives us his blood to drink (from vines ect.). This is another harvest festival, usually corn and other vegetables are harvested. This is a time to give thanks (like thanksgiving if you live in the U.S.). Cornbread is a traditional food, and cider is served to those who don’t want red wine. Another tradition is to put fallen leaves on jars and drip wax or use paraffin to stick the leaves to the jar. These ensure that what good things also come out of death – the leaf is dead but what is inside, like herbs or canned food, is good and life giving. The jars are also lucky and can be sued to store things other than food. This is a good time to decorate for fall. This is an equinox, which means day and night are equal, so balance is usually emphasized.
•All Hollow’s Eve/Samhain (Oct. 31) is our “new years” and the time in which the crone takes the lord to the summer land to wait so as he can be reborn on Yule. Commonly known as Halloween, we go out at night because the veil between the worlds is thin. This means the dead, the fae, and other spirits will be roaming through the night as well. Usually a ritual is performed and the rest of the night is devoted to merry making, traditionally not going to sleep all night. There is a large feast, alcohol and many sweets since this is the last harvest festival. Back in the day, it was like the last hurrah before winter. Marigolds are a good flower for this time, and black and orange are the traditional colors. Candles are burned for those who died. This is a time to reflect on the past year, much as death is a time for reflection on your past life. In preparation of Yule, when the god is reborn, you will use what you learned this past year and will make goals for the next year. This is not a one night thing – you do not start pursuing your goals until Yule.
The exact dates depend on the year because they follow the sun. All the holidays are either related to farming (harvesting) or to the sun. Our holidays are called Sabats, not to be confused with Esabats (which are full moons sometimes used for magic). Some people consider Esabats holidays too but they are really just special days that you are encouraged to do spells and rituals on.
Chapter 2: Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the belief that when a person dies they are reborn. Even though you probably know what reincarnation means it is slightly different in most religions. The Wiccan belief is that when you die the Crone (discussed in Chapter 1) comes to guide you to the Summerland. It is called the Summerland because it is a place with abundance, much like the land in summer time, and you will not experience physical pain there. In the Summerland you can watch over the people you loved that are still living and you can talk with loved ones who have died and are still in the Summerland. It is also a place for contemplation and reviewing your life. You are your only judge, there are no Gods frowning upon you. The Gods are in Summerland though, just as they are in every part of life.
From each life you learn a lesson or many lessons. Every life you live teaches you something. When you are ready you are reborn and experience a new life. Your spirit remembers the lessons you learned but not your past lives. With each passing life your spirit becomes more compassionate and wise until you are as perfect as you can be. By perfect I mean that you will exemplify all the desirable qualities of a person. Because everyone is being reborn everyone else is also learning from their lives and eventually everyone will be as perfect as they can be. In this way Summerland is not the Wiccan equivalent to the Christian Heaven, instead is a place between tomb and womb. Our Heaven will be this world once everyone has learned all they can. Because we all are working towards that, every day this world we are in is more like Heaven.
Unlike the Hindu version of Reincarnation, what you are born as is not a punishment or reward for how you lived your previous life. Every living thing, from a snake to a tree, has a spirit and will be reincarnated. Each life can teach a new lesson. You may be reincarnated as a frog or as a human, or as a dung beetle. What you do in this life does not determine what your next life will be. Any pain, suffering or good fortune you are experiencing is not from a past life – it can either be teaching you something or it may be a result of the Wiccan version of Karma, the rule of three (in Chapter 4).
From each life you learn a lesson or many lessons. Every life you live teaches you something. When you are ready you are reborn and experience a new life. Your spirit remembers the lessons you learned but not your past lives. With each passing life your spirit becomes more compassionate and wise until you are as perfect as you can be. By perfect I mean that you will exemplify all the desirable qualities of a person. Because everyone is being reborn everyone else is also learning from their lives and eventually everyone will be as perfect as they can be. In this way Summerland is not the Wiccan equivalent to the Christian Heaven, instead is a place between tomb and womb. Our Heaven will be this world once everyone has learned all they can. Because we all are working towards that, every day this world we are in is more like Heaven.
Unlike the Hindu version of Reincarnation, what you are born as is not a punishment or reward for how you lived your previous life. Every living thing, from a snake to a tree, has a spirit and will be reincarnated. Each life can teach a new lesson. You may be reincarnated as a frog or as a human, or as a dung beetle. What you do in this life does not determine what your next life will be. Any pain, suffering or good fortune you are experiencing is not from a past life – it can either be teaching you something or it may be a result of the Wiccan version of Karma, the rule of three (in Chapter 4).
Chapter 1: Gods and other spirits (ghosts, fairies)
The story of how the world began is as follows: Long ago there was nothing. But then there was a spark of life, the spirit. The spirit divided itself in half. Half was the lady, and the other half was the lord. The lady took parts of herself and shaped them into the planets and moons, and she made water. The Lord took parts of himself and made them into the stars and he made fire. They were so happy with their creations they danced, and in dancing started they set the world into motion. The sun formed and the Earth and other planets were drawn to it and started to dance around it. As the universe formed and changed the lord and lady watched their creations grow and change, and they continued to dance. As time went on the lady realized the Earth was ready for life, and she put little bits of herself (the spirit) and made them into plants. The Lord also wanted to make living things and he took bits of himself and made them into animals. They were overjoyed and loved their creations. They continued to dance, and to watch over their creations as they grew and changed. When one of their creations died it came back to be a part of the spirit, and was released again to have another life.
I tell you this story first so that you can better understand the lord and the lady. God is male, and therefore only half of us are represented. So there is also the Goddess, who is female. For whatever God is the Goddess is his opposite and when they are together they encompass everything. When they are together they are called the spirit or the all. We are all part of them and they are part of us.
When we do a spell, ritual or pray we often refer to a specific spirit or God/Goddess. A religion’s set of spirits, Gods and Goddesses is called their “pantheon” and each being in the pantheon is called a “deity” (pronounced de-ity). When a Wiccan prays to Athena, they are praying to an aspect of the spirit – the aspect that has the characteristics of Athena. We use the pantheons and their deities to narrow down what energies we are calling to help us. If we pray for love and only invoke The All then we get all the energy that exists – which may sound good at first, until you realize that compassion and cruelty are trying to find you love. The way some of the dark parts of the spirit work may bring you a love that will hurt you in the end. This is why you may instead ask the lady or any deity that you feel would do a good job assisting you.
Because of this you may ask; do Wiccans believe in every god and goddess from every religion? Yes and no. Using Athena as an example still, we can say that Wiccans don’t believe Athena is a real Goddess. Instead, we believe that Athena is a part of the lady. We only use deities as a way to channel our energy. It is hard for many people to picture the lady and describe all of her characteristics. For that reason we use Athena and other goddesses to try and picture the female goddess better. For example, the lady is to Athena as the ocean is to a specific beach. It is much easier to understand and deal with one beach rather than the whole ocean. In the same way it is easier to understand and deal with one goddess rather than the whole female spirit (the lady).
That said, there are three forms of the lady and eight of the lord. The lady’s forms are also called “faces” since they correspond with the three main faces of the moon. When the moon is waxing (getting larger) it is called the maiden. This represents youth, new love and new beginnings. When the moon is full it is the lady in her prime, sometimes called the mother. This is the best time to do most spells, and symbolizes bounty, fertility, mature love and motherhood. When the moon is gone, the new moon, it is called the crone. The crone is an old woman and symbolizes wisdom and death. The lord’s forms correspond with the Sabbats (holidays) and are therefore discussed in chapter three.
Now that you understand our gods and goddesses it will be easier for you to understand the spirits and other magical beings we believe in. The three big ones are ghosts, guardian angels and fae (fairies). Ghosts are people who have died but have not accepted their death or have something that is stopping them from moving on. The best thing to do if you see one is to talk to it to try and help it cross over. If this does not work and it is not bothering you just leave it alone. Ghosts can travel from place to place through mirrors, but most of the time they stay near a place that is important to them (where they died, were born, lived or where loved ones live). Guardian angels are actually similar to ghosts, but they have accepted their death and crossed over. If a person dies they can choose to guard over someone before they are reborn. They usually guard over someone with something in common with their last life.
The fae, commonly called sprites or fairies, are complex beings. Like the deities, we use them as a tool to understand the little bits of spirit that move the natural world around us. There is tons of folk lore to go along with them though. They are thought to be in charge of things like frost, leaves turning in fall, when flowers bloom and little things like that. They are beautiful, intelligent, cunning and very easy to offend. They fly and are like tiny little people, usually living in an outside setting with lots of plants. They are very hard to spot as well. Usually you have to be careful to be extremely polite and call them fair ones or fae, don’t use their nicknames. The only time beginners should deal with fae is if they come to you first or if you need help with a garden. You can leave them gifts of honey and milk. Usually they are only around at night and early morning. They also live in another realm (the land of the fairies) and can trick you into following them there, which will lead to your eventually going crazy.
I tell you this story first so that you can better understand the lord and the lady. God is male, and therefore only half of us are represented. So there is also the Goddess, who is female. For whatever God is the Goddess is his opposite and when they are together they encompass everything. When they are together they are called the spirit or the all. We are all part of them and they are part of us.
When we do a spell, ritual or pray we often refer to a specific spirit or God/Goddess. A religion’s set of spirits, Gods and Goddesses is called their “pantheon” and each being in the pantheon is called a “deity” (pronounced de-ity). When a Wiccan prays to Athena, they are praying to an aspect of the spirit – the aspect that has the characteristics of Athena. We use the pantheons and their deities to narrow down what energies we are calling to help us. If we pray for love and only invoke The All then we get all the energy that exists – which may sound good at first, until you realize that compassion and cruelty are trying to find you love. The way some of the dark parts of the spirit work may bring you a love that will hurt you in the end. This is why you may instead ask the lady or any deity that you feel would do a good job assisting you.
Because of this you may ask; do Wiccans believe in every god and goddess from every religion? Yes and no. Using Athena as an example still, we can say that Wiccans don’t believe Athena is a real Goddess. Instead, we believe that Athena is a part of the lady. We only use deities as a way to channel our energy. It is hard for many people to picture the lady and describe all of her characteristics. For that reason we use Athena and other goddesses to try and picture the female goddess better. For example, the lady is to Athena as the ocean is to a specific beach. It is much easier to understand and deal with one beach rather than the whole ocean. In the same way it is easier to understand and deal with one goddess rather than the whole female spirit (the lady).
That said, there are three forms of the lady and eight of the lord. The lady’s forms are also called “faces” since they correspond with the three main faces of the moon. When the moon is waxing (getting larger) it is called the maiden. This represents youth, new love and new beginnings. When the moon is full it is the lady in her prime, sometimes called the mother. This is the best time to do most spells, and symbolizes bounty, fertility, mature love and motherhood. When the moon is gone, the new moon, it is called the crone. The crone is an old woman and symbolizes wisdom and death. The lord’s forms correspond with the Sabbats (holidays) and are therefore discussed in chapter three.
Now that you understand our gods and goddesses it will be easier for you to understand the spirits and other magical beings we believe in. The three big ones are ghosts, guardian angels and fae (fairies). Ghosts are people who have died but have not accepted their death or have something that is stopping them from moving on. The best thing to do if you see one is to talk to it to try and help it cross over. If this does not work and it is not bothering you just leave it alone. Ghosts can travel from place to place through mirrors, but most of the time they stay near a place that is important to them (where they died, were born, lived or where loved ones live). Guardian angels are actually similar to ghosts, but they have accepted their death and crossed over. If a person dies they can choose to guard over someone before they are reborn. They usually guard over someone with something in common with their last life.
The fae, commonly called sprites or fairies, are complex beings. Like the deities, we use them as a tool to understand the little bits of spirit that move the natural world around us. There is tons of folk lore to go along with them though. They are thought to be in charge of things like frost, leaves turning in fall, when flowers bloom and little things like that. They are beautiful, intelligent, cunning and very easy to offend. They fly and are like tiny little people, usually living in an outside setting with lots of plants. They are very hard to spot as well. Usually you have to be careful to be extremely polite and call them fair ones or fae, don’t use their nicknames. The only time beginners should deal with fae is if they come to you first or if you need help with a garden. You can leave them gifts of honey and milk. Usually they are only around at night and early morning. They also live in another realm (the land of the fairies) and can trick you into following them there, which will lead to your eventually going crazy.
Introduction: Is Wicca right for you? (Choosing a path)
Wicca is a religion, and the people who believe in it are called Wiccans (or sometimes Witches and Wizards). When choosing a religion it is important to ask yourself what beliefs you already have, and if the religion matches those beliefs. Some religions change your mind and then you believe something new. But it is important to not use religion as a buffet, where you can pick and choose the parts you believe and the parts you don’t. So if you read this and find it resonates with you and you believe in it then this may be the right path for you.
What is Wicca? Wicca is a nature based religion, focusing on attuning ourselves to the natural rhythm of life. We use prayer, spells, rituals and meditation to better ourselves and to help others. We believe in reincarnation and in Gods. Wicca does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation or class. In fact we do not forbid any activities unless they cause harm to yourself or another. Our holidays are based on the seasons and the celebrations usually include food and beer. We have “church” groups that are called Covens, but some people are not in a Coven and are referred to as solitaries.
How can Wicca improve your life? Wicca does not make you feel guilty or judged and does not promote hate of any kind. In Wicca there is a lot more freedom to find your own path and focus on things you need to focus on. Many people find meditation and other spiritual practices relieve stress and promote health. Some people find it easier to work on themselves and "find themselves" when practicing Wicca. Many people who convert to Wicca do so because they believe in a higher power but don’t like many of the rules and constraints put on them by other religions. The only rule in Wicca is "Harm None", though some people like the longer version called the Wiccan Rede.
Whatever your reason for reading this, I hope you find a path that is right for you. If you look at the other chapters I have written (the subjects are listed on the right) you can read about all the different aspects of Wicca.
Merry meet and merry part, until we merry meet again.
What is Wicca? Wicca is a nature based religion, focusing on attuning ourselves to the natural rhythm of life. We use prayer, spells, rituals and meditation to better ourselves and to help others. We believe in reincarnation and in Gods. Wicca does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation or class. In fact we do not forbid any activities unless they cause harm to yourself or another. Our holidays are based on the seasons and the celebrations usually include food and beer. We have “church” groups that are called Covens, but some people are not in a Coven and are referred to as solitaries.
How can Wicca improve your life? Wicca does not make you feel guilty or judged and does not promote hate of any kind. In Wicca there is a lot more freedom to find your own path and focus on things you need to focus on. Many people find meditation and other spiritual practices relieve stress and promote health. Some people find it easier to work on themselves and "find themselves" when practicing Wicca. Many people who convert to Wicca do so because they believe in a higher power but don’t like many of the rules and constraints put on them by other religions. The only rule in Wicca is "Harm None", though some people like the longer version called the Wiccan Rede.
Whatever your reason for reading this, I hope you find a path that is right for you. If you look at the other chapters I have written (the subjects are listed on the right) you can read about all the different aspects of Wicca.
Merry meet and merry part, until we merry meet again.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Book of Shadows
A Book of Shadows is a collection of spells and religious information and records kept by an individual or a coven. While sharing knowledge is encouraged, Wiccans should never share their Book of Shadows because they are very personal.
In the beginning of every Book of Shadows there is a Book Blessing, which usually rhymes. Here is mine:
Book Blessing
No evil shall enter
The pages held here;
For this book holds things sacred,
This holds memories dear.
May this book be blessed,
May this never be broken.
For with the All,
Only good words are spoken.
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