THE PHILOSOPHY OF WITCHCRAFT
The Craft is a religion of love and joy. Its not full of the gloom and guilt of Christianity, with its ideas of “Original Sin”, with salvation and happiness possible only in the afterlife. The music of Witchcraft joyful and lively, again contrasting with the dirge like hymns of Christianity. Why? Why are Wiccans more content; more warm and happy? Much of it has to do with their empathy with nature. Early people lived in hand-in-hand with nature through necessity. They were a part of nature, not separate form it. An animal was a brother or sister, as was a tree. Wo/Man tended the fields and in return received food for the table. Sure, s/he killed animals for food. But then many animals kill other animals in order to eat. In other words, Woman and Man were a part of the natural order of things, not separate from it. Not “above” it.
Modern Wo/Man has lost much, if not all, of that closeness. Civilization has cut them off. But not so the Witch! Even today, in this mechanized, super sophisticated world that this branch of nature (Woman and Man) has created, the Wicca retain their ties with Mother Nature. Witches have always known this. They speak kindly to plants. It's not unusual to see a Witch walking through the woods and hug a tree, or walk barefoot across a field. Today's Witches hold rituals according to the turning of the seasons, the tides of the moon, and personal needs. Most rituals are performed in a ritual space marked by a circle. We don't build church buildings to create this sacred, ritual space, all of Earth is sacred and in touch with the Goddess and so any place, indoors, or out, may be consecrated for this ritual use.
The main tenet of Witchcraft, The Wiccan Rede, is..."An it harm none, do what thou wilt." The Wiccan Rede / Creed Do what you will...but don't do anything that will harm another. Its as simple as that. In April 1974, the Council of American Witches adopted a Set of Principles of Wiccan Beliefs:.....
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment of life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called “supernatural”, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine an feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the source of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. and we see in the inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercise. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
6. We don't recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a word view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft-the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a Witch-but neither does heredity itself, nor the collection of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its constitutions have claimed to be “the only way” and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12. We don't accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as “Satan” or “The Devil”, as defined by the Christian tradition. We don't seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
A PLEDGE TO PAGAN SPIRITUALITY
I am a Pagan and I dedicate Myself to channeling the Spiritual Energy of my Inner Self to help and to heal myself and others.
I know that I am a part of the Whole of Nature. May I grow in understanding of the Unity of all Nature. May I always walk in Balance
May I always be mindful of the diversity of Nature as well as its Unity and May I always be tolerant of those whose race, appearance, sex, sexual preference, culture, and other ways differ from my own.
May I always be mindful that I create my own reality and that I have the power within me to create positive in my life.
May I always remember that whatever is sent out always returns three fold.
May I always remain strong and committed to my spiritual ideals in the face of adversity and negativity.
May I always act out of Love to all other beings on this Planet--to other humans, plants, animals, minerals, elementals, spirits, and to other entities.
May I always be mindful that the Goddess and God in all their forms dwell within me and that this divinity is reflected through my own Inner Self, my Pagan Spirit
ALTARS
As the physical center of your religious observances, the altar is of prime importance.
**The altar can be of any shape. Many Wiccans use round ones to symbolize the Goddess.
**The image or symbol of the Goddess can be placed to the left of the altar, and the image of the God to the right.
**Tools associated with the Goddess (the chalice, bells, brooms, cauldrons) are often placed to the left.
**Tools associated with the God (swords, wands, the white handled knife, salt, the censer) are often placed to the right.
**Candles are usually placed where they can't be knocked over.
**Leave space on the altar for your opened Book of Shadows, if not, create or find a small stand on which to place it.
**The altar is sacred, thus, only objects directly connected with Wicca and/or magickal rites performed in the circle should be placed on the altar.
MYSTIC SYMBOLS FOR THE HOME
The symbols in your home have a life and spirit of their own, and they are constantly affecting the energy in your home. A symbol can act in two ways. First, it can be used to focus and project your energy through it. Second a symbol can function as a magnifier and transmitter of energy, even if you are not focusing attention on the symbol. To input the power of symbols into your home you can draw the symbol on a piece of paper, wrap the paper in silk and tuck it into places, such as underneath your bead, or in a chest of drawers. You can have paintings or drawings of symbols on your wall, or you can have sculptures or structure in the form of symbols. After you have made or obtained symbols for your home it is important to consecrate them. Metal symbols may be passed through fire or bathed in clear, “charged” water. Paper symbols may be held to the wind or passed over smoking incense.
TYPES OF SYMBOLS AND THERE MEANINGS
CIRCLE ~ one of the most potent symbols. It represents eternity, completion, unity, the universe, wholeness, perfection and the Great Mystery. The power of the World always goes in circles. The great round sun rises and sets in an enormous circle, as does the moon.
TRIANGLE ~ the triangle embodies the power of the pyramids. It relates to the combined power of body, mind and spirit, of mother, father and child, or past, present and future, of the Holy Trinity. The triangle has the power of protection.
SQUARE ~ the square symbolized the four elements: air, water, fire, and earth, and the four directions. It represents stability and strength, the four seasons, and represents the material world. This is a good symbol if you desire your home to be a template of prosperity, abundance and achievement.
CROSS ~ the symbol of the cross pre-dates Christianity and is perhaps the oldest talismanic symbol of the world. It symbolizes eternal life, resurrection and divine protection from evil.
PENTAGRAM ~ symbolized the human body with each point representing one part of the bodies extremities-the head, hands and feet comprising each point of the star. It is used for protection and to invoke the powers of the goodness with the single point upright
INFINITY ~ looks like the number eight laid on its side. This is a very powerful and cosmic symbol. It will give your house energy.
STOCKING YOUR MAGICKAL CABINET
CHOOSING A STORAGE AREA
Proper care of your magickal tools and accessories is important for the success of any magickal endeavor. If you allow someone with a culmination of negative energy to handle your tools, it will lessen or even negate their effectiveness until you cleanse and consecrate them again. The storage area you choose should be able to hold everything.
FILLING YOUR AREA
Buying, trading, and making “goodies” for your magickal work is one of the most enjoyable areas of Witchcraft. the guidelines for tools and accessories are simple, but important:
1. All tools and accessories should be cleansed and consecrated prior to use (even for adornment). This holds true if you have made them for yourself, they have been given to you, or you have purchased them.
2. No tool or accessory should be used for anything other than the express purpose of magick or ritual celebrations.
3. Never, ever touch someone else's tools and accessories without their permission. Likewise, never allow anyone else to touch your magickal items unless you are absolutely sure that the persons energy is synergetic with yours
When you receive or purchase a magickal item, it is necessary to both cleanse and consecrate it. Cleansing it removes any negative residue from the piece, and consecration empowers it with positive energy. When stocking your cabinet don't run out and buy (or order) products that are beyond the seams of your wallet, or that you wont use. Adding to your collection is fun, but it is with wisdom that your collection grows
WHAT ELSE WILL YOU FIND.....? Not everyone's collection of magickal items will be the same, but here are some suggestions:
altar cloths
amulets
athame
baskets
beads (for making jewelry, etc.)
bells
bolline
book of shadows
bowls (for salt, water, oils, etc.)
broom
candles (all colors, styles)
candle holders
capes & costumes
cauldron
chalices (ceramic & glass)
compass
corn (dried & powdered)
crystals & gems
crystal ball
decanter (for wine/mead)
divination tools (wide variety)
earth feathers (all colors)
glass bell jars w/screw on cap's)
glue (various)
herbs, dried plants & spices
holy water
holy oil
images of the Goddess & God
incense
ink (for writing spells on parchment)
lighters
magick mirror
magickal jewelry
mortar & pestle
musical & subliminal tapes
oils (various)
parchment paper
pens
pendulums
pentacles
pentagrams
pitcher
platters
pocket knife
potpourri pot
pouches
quill pens
runes
rope
scales
scissors
sea salt
seeds
statues
string
talismans
tarot cards
wands
wooden boxes
wooden spoons
