Witchcraft 101
The following page is designed to give you a very basic outline of the key elements of Witchcraft, either to help you begin walking your path or just for pure curiosity. (More in depth details on the follwing subjects will be covered in later pages).
Everything is Energy.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only change form. Magick is a form of natural science that works with energies, understanding and changing them. All energy is made from protons, neutrons and electrons, which in turn are made up of quarks-or vibration waves. We use magic to send out a signal to the universe to attract or repel energy depending on our desires.
When we cast a spell we are either sending a message (healing, banishing) or we are looking to receive a desired response (inspiration, friendship).
Ethics.
Followers of Witchcraft do not have a formal written book of spiritual and religious laws. However since there is an oral tradition there are some very important laws that are followed.
'And it harm none, do what thou wilt' This refers not only to other people but also to yourself. We are all connected to each other at a variety of levels (spiritually, physically and ecologically) and you must be careful to weigh up your actions and their subsequent impacts and consequences.
'Lest in thy defense it be, ever mind the rule of three' This is abit like karma. What you do comes back to you threefold. This does not only apply to you but to those close to you aswell. However if some does you or those close to you wrong you are quite within your rights to defend yourself anyway you see fit, as long as your prepared to suffer the possible consequences.
The Pentacle.
This five pointed star is misunderstood by many religions but its an important symbol in Witchcraft. It represents the five elements and their associated energies.
The Pentacle is used for a variety of reasons, for protection, to promote personal power, a representation of religion and as a magical device depending on how it is drawn.
Invoking (Protective) Devoking (Banishing)
The Elements.
As seen each of the four directions (north, east, south and west) have corresponding elements, which represent different properties. Elements are invoked when casting circles during ritual work and for spell work. For more details see Witchcraft 102.
Earth: Air: Fire: Water:
Direction> North East South West
Colour> Green Yellow Red Blue
Season> Winter Spring Summer Autumn
Time> Midnight Dawn Noon Sunset
Tools> Pentacle Athame Wand Chalice
Properties> Grounding, Intellect, Passion, Emotions,
Endings, Psychic powers, Courage, Rebirth,
Material world, Knowledge, Energy, Intuition,
Focus
Nature> Trees, mountains Wind, sky Flames, volcanoes Oceans, lakes
Animals> Wolf, bear Hawks, eagles Big cats Dolphins, fish
The God and The Goddess.
The main image of the God is usually that of The Horned God. He is not evil, a demon, or worshipped by sacrificing animals as the Christians would have you believe, he is in fact the lord of the forest and of the animals. He is a lover, a hunter, a warrior and a father. He is the life force that runs through all of us. He is also known as the Green Man, Cerrunos, Osiris, Ra, Pan and Neptune. Animals associated with him include the bull, the stallion, the stag and the goat. He is there as a source of positive strength and power when we need it.
Witchcraft/ Wicca is one of the only religions that has the presence of a positive female image who is not reliant on a male deity. The Goddess is generally seen in one of three major aspects which correspond with the cycles of life.
The Maiden: The Mother: The Crone:
Aspect> Warrior, strong, playful Creative, healing, Teacher,
compassion cleansing, death/rebirth
Names> Diana, Persephone, Ariadne Isis, Demeter Hecate, Cerridwen, Kali
Moon Phase> New and Waxing Full Waning
Colour> Yellow Red Black
Animals> Dog, Doe, Hawk Elephant, Lion, Whale Mare, Sow, Owl
Rituals> Strength, Courage, Play Birth, Creativity, Healing Endings, Life cycles,
lessons.
The Sabbats.
There are eight holy days throughout the year, these are designed to honour the season and the God/Goddess, also to ask for their harmonious intervention in our lives in the coming months. Each celebration represents a pet of the cycle of life.
Samhain (Oct 31st): Celtic New Year and Halloween, honouring the dead.
Winter Solstice (Dec 21st): Yule, shortest day. Mid winter.
Imbolg (Feb 2nd): Candlemass, first light, end of winter.
Spring Equinox (March 21st): Ostara, equal length night and day.
Beltane (May 1st): May Day.
Summer Solstice (June 21st): Midsummer.
Lammas (Aug 1st): Lughnasad, first harvest.
Autumn Equinox (Sept 21st): Second harvest, equal length night and day.
Tools of the Craft.
Rituals generally do not require expensive tools, candles and incense etc but many people often find it helpful to use physical objects to focus energy and thought on. There are three ways of gaining the tools you need, one is to find them in nature or make them yourself, two is to receive them as a gift or three is that they will find you (attract you to them). However your tools enter your life they should be cleansed (by incense or saltwater), consectrated (dedicated to a spirit) and blessed (asking a spirit to fill the object with positive energy)before they assist you in your magic.
Athame (a-tha-may):
Better known as the sharp pointy thing. This is a misunderstood tool, the magical knife is only used for casting a circle, opening and closing the quarters, cleansing and enpowering items and directing energy, nothing else. It should have a black or dark handle and a double edged blade. It represents the male, the element of fire and air, and the direction of East.
Wand:
The wand or staff is used in invocations of the God and Goddess, for drawing magical symbols on the ground and for directing energy. It should be made of wood or copper and you can paint it, add feathers, beads or crystals if you wish. The type, size, adn shape of the wand should ultimately please you.
Chalice:
This is a type of cup used for salt water cleansings, filled with water on the altar to represent the element of water and the female form. It can be filled with wine or juice during ritual to celebrate or used to invoke the power of the moon.
Cauldron:
This is the symbol of the centre, a vessel of inspiration. It represents the lunar calendar, it is a repository of inspiration and magick. It is here that you can mix herbs and potions, heat things up, or leave spells to soak and gain energy. It should be cast iron and have either three legs to represent the three phase of the Goddess or four legs to represent the elements or seasons.
Broom:
Long associated with witches, the wooden broom is a good tool for psychically and physically cleansing your magical working space, sweeping away negative vibrations, expelling evil spirits. It is also used in weddings for the couple to jump over for luck and fertility and for banishing unwanted negative energies amongst many other spell uses. Representing the element of water.
Book of Shadows:
This is a collection of spells and rituals that you keep to chronicle your magical workings. It can be a hard bound blank book that you fill in, a folder of loose papers, a computer file, or a notepad its up to you. You can keep your book secret and only show it to select family and friends or pass it down to your predecessor or you can share it openly with the public to promote learning and understanding.
Other tools:
There are a few other important items that you need to help your magical workings. These include a Pentacle (