Welcome to the Christian Witches Book of Shadows

When I came into the Craft there were no real books for the Christian Witch. This is
because Christians have only now begun to embrace the magik that once was theirs as
much as any other religion. If you are following a Christian Craft path, then you know
that there are people who disregard what you are doing on both sides of the practice.
The Christian religion still holds that the faithful cannot practice magik and the
Pagan sides of the Craft hold that you cant practice the Craft.

This is because there is a misunderstanding of language. The Craft or Witchcraft is a
practice that is separate from religion. You will see this explanation many times because
I think it is important for everyone who practices Craft to understand this sole notion.
There are Wiccans and Pagans who follow many pantheons and have their own unique
practices and then there are Christians, Jews, Hindi, Muslim, and Buddhists who
practice their own ways of religion. Then there are those who practice witchcraft within
their own religious disciplines. Wicca and Witchcraft are not one and the same.

This Book of Shadows is an amalgam of knowledge that I have collected and spells
that I have done and lore I have read. It is not authoritative and I include a rather
extensive bibliography so you may consult any of the books that I have read and
studied for yourself. What I have done is try to understand this wisdom and lore and
how to relate to it from my own unique perspective.

Witchcraft is not the path for everyone. Anyone getting into the Craft must know this
up front. It doesnt necessarily make your life easier nor does it lead to automatic
acceptance. In fact, it may isolate you more from people around you. What it can do is
bring you closer to the divine and help you gain overall confidence.

Within these pages you will find out how Christianity can see witchcraft as a viable
practice within your own religious beliefs. This means however that you must, in addition
to studying the Craft, study the Bible and you must look at it from various translations
and examine the words of the original texts and modern translations. You must not only
be a scholar of the esoteric mysteries of magik but a true Bible scholar and a historian of
the days the scriptures were written and the times they were written in and the days they
were translated and the politics and social beliefs the period they were written in.
Placing the Bible in these contexts helps us to understand the ways in which magik and
the Bible work together.

Above all, if you at any time feel uncomfortable about your practice of the Craft along
side your Christian practices and beliefs, by all means do not practice magik. Magik is
not about conversion or changing ones most fundamental beliefs. It is about relating to
the natural and supernatural world around with the help of the Creator of all Life.
There are many different types of Christian witch. Even among Christian witches I am a
rare bird. Many Christians who practice witchcraft embrace the notion of the Goddess.
I simply dont. I dont judge those who do, I simply dont. There are some who see
themselves as completely pantheistic, embracing all notions of the Deity, including the
Pagan/Wiccan notions. I dont do that either. I am, for lack of a better term, a Jesus
Only witch. I stick to the Holy Trinity, the angels and Saints and the forces of nature,
which are expressions of Gods presence on earth. I do acknowledge the sacred feminine
in the form of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus, but I don not worship her as divine.

But I understand the ways of my Pagan Brothers and Sisters and do not white wash the
pain and anguish the Pagans experienced at the hands of the Christians during times
of Crusade and Inquisition. These are simple, albeit, ugly truths. I respect those who
have gone on before because I have studied them and learned so much from them. They
have been my teachers and I appreciate them.

The intention of this book is to record my own experiences as a witch and to help those
who may be interested in the Craft. There are wonderful spells, basic information about
the Craft, about herbs and the cycles of the moon and the art of divinations and the use
of tools and symbols. There is some history here and advice. But above all, there is faith
and wisdom and belief that the age of miracles is not over, it simply is time to reclaim
the wisdom we knew before it became more politic to forget them.

Brightest Blessings Be
Aslinn Dhan Dragonhawk




















The Foundation of Life

This ritual is based on a Cherokee ritual used when the entire tribe was in trouble or
danger. This ritual is meant for the world entire.

Materials

Salt Wine Feather or Feather Fan Bread Cauldron Fruit Sand White Candle
Water Wand
Chalice Shamans Coat Flowers Anthame Incense

Cleanse your sacred space and call the corners, just as in any ritual.

Begin with the Lords Prayer. Create your circle of salt and place the white candle in
the center. Using your wand, intone:

The salt is a sacred circle of protection; the flame is the light of the world. We are all
responsible for the preservation of the light in ourselves and the light in others. If we
preserve our light we can be a beacon to the lost and helper in times of trouble. May the
protective influences of this circle of salt create the soul of charity in each of us. 1
st

Corinthians 13: 1-2 says:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels and have not charity, I am become
as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy and
understand all mysteries and have all knowledge and though I have all faith so that I
could move mountains and have not charity I am nothing.

Light incense. If you use cones, sit it in your bowl of sand. Incense represents the prayers
of the people to God. Using your feather, fan or wand waft the smoke to the four
corners intoning:

God ordered the burning of incense in the temple. Angel of the four corners, ask for
Gods favor and hear our prayer. Amen

Take your Chalice and pour in a bit of wine. Add a little water. Raise it to your cross
and bless it with your wand in the sign of the cross and intone:

The Water in this chalice represents the tears of the world. Let these tears be consumed
so that people will be comforted. The wine is blood spilled in anger, crime and war. Let
me consume the wrath and give it new meaning as the water of hope. (Add a pinch of
salt) Let the salt purify the wine and water and what they represent. When I consume it,
let it purify me from greed, prejudice, and hatred, the source of all pain in the world.

Drink all of the wine and announce: Blessed Be!

Take the bread and bless it with your wand, making the sign of the cross. The elements in
this service echo holy communion but not in this case. It is a symbolic meal to consume
the evils of the world threatening the harmony of the world. The worker of the ritual is
also symbolically feeding the world. In order for this ritual to have full meaning, the
witch must also work to feed others: give money and time to a soup kitchen or pantry,
prepare dinner, something of that type to engage the witch with the workings of this
ritual.

Bread is the staff of life feeding the world. Though I do not starve, this bread is my
spiritual offering for food for the world. (Add a pinch of salt) May this salt protect
the world from hunger and strengthen me to help those who suffer from hunger.
Consume the bread and announce: Blessed Be

Take the fruit. The fruit can be any fruit. With your wand, bless it intoning:

Fruit reminds us of the importance of protecting the earth. If the earth is damaged then
she will not yield fruit, vegetables and grain that feed the world. (Add a pinch of salt to
the fruit) May this salt offer protection to Mother Earth, given to Adam by God and
may sterile lands yield and fruitful land bear that people will eat and be satisfied, that
they shall beat their swords to plowshares and learn war no more.

Consume the fruit and announce: Blessed Be Now pray the Shepherds Prayer:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.
Yea though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil
For thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
Thou annointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen.


I call now on the Angels of the four corners. Carry the sentiments of this ritual to God
in Heaven. May all of the elements of this ritual enlighten me and help me to minister
to those who suffer.

Perform closing ritual

This closes the Foundation of Life. (make the sign of the cross) Blessed Be







Binding Spells

Binding spells are cast to protect the witch or the seeker of the spell and to protect the
object of the spell from harm. This is very good for the timid or the physically small and
it is pretty simple and there are many types.

Binding Spell One

Materials

Anthame Bowl White and Black Candle paper and pen wand Incense Sacred Fire
salt water

Perform cleansing and the calling of the corners to begin each spell.

Pour some of your water into a bowl and bless it with the sign of the cross. Using salt,
cast your protective circle and light the white candle from your sacred fire. Place the
candle in the center of your circle and with your wand intone:

Angels of the four corners, hear my cry.
Carry my words to your Master and mine.
Within this space stands one who believes
Protect me and give me the strength I need.

Write the name of the one who is harassing you. Roll it like scroll or fold it and lay it
in your sacred space.

On this paper is the name of who is vexing me. Bind them from harassing others, and me,
from harming others or me. The harm they inflict comes back to them. By the power of
three make it be. May their heart grow heavy with regret but may they make amends. St.
Michael the Archangel, I ask your help in this matter.

Burn or otherwise destroy the paper. Say the Lords Prayer. Take up your wand and say


___________ I admonish you from harming yourself and others. Your hurtful ways harm
not only others but yourself, Angels of the four corners, protect him from harm and
protect others from being harmed by him.

Announce: Blessed Be!

Angels of the four corners carry the sentiment of this spell to God in heaven. May all
of the elements of this spell enlighten me to help me to withstand evil and encourage
those around me to put aside their evil ways that are harmful to themselves and to
others. May all we do come back to us seven times.

Perform closing ritual.



Binding Spell Two

This is a quickie spell for when you dont have time for a full-fledged ritual casting.

Write the name of the person who is harassing you on a piece of paper. Put it in a
bottle bound with black thread. Fill with salt and protective herbs. Seal the bottle and
bury the spell.

Binding Spell Three

Make a poppet of black cloth, fill it with earth and piece of paper with the persons
name ( I would add salt) intone with wand:

Creature of earth thou art
Now creature of flesh and blood you be.
I name you __________
No more shall you do me harm or say evil against me
Nor will you interfere in my life or the lives of my loved ones.
By the power of God it must be (make the sign of the cross over the poppet)
(With black thread)
I bind your feet from bringing you to do me harm.
I bind your hands from doing me harm.
I bind your mouth from speaking to do me harm
I have bound this person from doing harm and by the powers of God I fix this spell and
set it free.
Twill give no harm to return to me.

Bury the poppet or some other appropriate conclusion.

Close the ritual.

There are ways to simplify these rituals. If you cannot bury the object in dirt, you can
crush or drown the object in water. If you are unable or uncomfortable with poppets, you
can write the name on a piece of paper and destroy it that way. Some witches even
prefer to eat their spells. Use what you are comfortable with.

An Unbinding Ritual

A binding is when a witch feels harassed or in danger of harm and the witch performs a
binding spell to keep the harasser from harming the witch, himself or others. If a witch
feels they may be bound in a binding and cannot work the Craft successfully, the witch
may be under a binding. Before performing an unbinding ceremony, the witch must
examine her conscience.

1. Have I broken any of Gods commands?
2. Have I intentionally worked the Craft for evil or greed?
3. Have I been uncharitable?
4. Have I worked a spell against someone who is innocent?
5. Have I carelessly worked a spell or ritual?

If your answers are yes, go to confession, and do an act of penance. If you have gained
from an evil worked through the Craft, donate a cash gift equal to the gain to charity.
If possible, ask for forgiveness of the person harmed by your spell. If you are unable to
that, do some act of good in their name. If you carelessly worked a ritual, refrain from
the Craft for a moon cycle. During this moon, study your rituals and meditate on your
calling to the Craft.

If you answered no truthfully to the questions, then do this unbinding ritual:

Begin with cleansing and calling the corners.
Materials

Wand Anthame Bottled Water Salt Rose Oil Lilac Dragons Blood Gardenia
Vanilla Broom

Begin with the Lords Prayer and the Shepards Prayer. With the salt, draw a protective
circle around your altar stone. Place a few drops of the oils in the cauldron and begin
cooking it together.

With your wand intone:

Beleaguered am I and I call upon my personal angel, __________and ask him to cast
his protection around me. Wave your wand around your head in a halo motion.

Strengthen me to wield the Craft in the name of social concern. Unbind me and remove
all hindrances to my service to God from whom comes all my strengths and knowledge.
By the power of three let this evil flee from me!

With your anthame, make the sign of the cross to the four corners.

I cut the bindings surrounding me and ask God and all of the angels to protect the one
who has done me disservice. Protect him and guide him that he may turn his Craft to the
service of God.

Say Prayer to St. Michael, submitting the name of your personal angel guarding you.
Bless yourself and your sacred space with the potion. Spend some time in your sacred
space and meditate.

Close ritual




Banishment Spell
Materials

Oils: Rose and Patchouli
Herbs: Cloves and Salt
Candle: Silver
Sacred Fire
Pen and Paper
Wand and Anthame
Bottled Water
Cauldron

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners.

Write down your concerns or the object of your banishment.

With your wand raised, intone
I am on my path but there is an obstacle in my way called _______Remove it!
Place three drops of rose in cauldron with water
I have envisioned my goal but this obstacle_______is in my way. Remove it!
Place three drops of patchouli in cauldron.
I see myself climbing over this obstacle __________and overpowering it. It is removed.

Place cloves in cauldron

I light this candle to guide me over the obstacle _______ so I do not stumble over it. It is
removed.
Jesus said if I had faith I would move mountains. I trust in you Lord Jesus. It is
removed!

Closing ritual and destruction of the obstacle. Use the potion for seven days as an
aromatic or as an ointment for the pressure points



Spells for Attraction

There are three spells in this next grouping which can be worked together. Witches are
often asked for spells for love. Witches know that love spells and potions are
dangerous. In place of love spells and potions, the witch can prescribe spells for
confidence, for beauty and courage. These qualities in and of themselves are conduits to
attraction and love.

Spell for Courage

Materials

Oils: Rose and Dragons Blood
Candles: Blue and silver
Paper and Pen
Caldron and Wand

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners, draw your salt ring. Write the name of the
person for whom you are working and place it in the center of your salt circle. With
wand in hand intone:

Courage of soldiers, Priests and Believers, Courage of Lovers, Witches and Seers
embolden _________ strength of heart to do what is right and give no harm. Make them
eloquent of speech, compassionate and true to attract the one they wish to woo. Help
them to plant the seed of hearts love to grow. This is what I ask and by the power of
three make it so

Light the candles

May this flame burn like the love in __________s heart.

Mix oils

May this potion remind ___________of their courage

Close the spell or continue with the next.

Spell for Confidence
Materials

Oil: Lemon Verbena, Orange
Candle: Yellow
Pen and Paper
Wand

Light the candle. With wand in hand intone:

I must speak before crowds, give me eloquence. I must present my best inspiration, give
me vision. I must speak to one I care for; untie my tongue with the feelings of my heart.
Give ____________ the power of confidence. Give _____________faith in himself as a
creature of God. Give__________understanding of all circumstances helping and
hindering his intended goal.

By the power of three, let it be, let it be!

Close Spell or continue with the next.






Beauty Spell
Materials

Oil: Rose and Cloves (if you are performing this spell with courage and confidence, you
need only cloves) Catnip, Orange and Green Candles Pen and Paper Sacred Fire and
Wand.

With wand raised, intone:

All people have the spark of beauty. With this candle let it strike the flame of
recognition of beauty within myself and others. (light the candles) ______seeks beauty
within themselves, make them see their own personal beauty without and within and may
those they love see their beauty and appreciate and love it. Write their name on a piece
of paper if it hasnt already been done and place it in salt circle)

With wand raised intone:

Help this person recognize their own self worth for all things of value has its own
intrinsic beauty. So it must be.

Combine your herbs and oils to the cauldron and with wand intone:

Rose of beauty, Cloves of purity, catnip of playful charm and grace combine your
essences and make beautiful _______s face.

Blessed Be!

Close spell.


Banish Loneliness Spell

Materials
1 Yellow Candle
High Meadows Oil
Frankincense
Sage
Picture of Wolf
Cauldron
Bottled Water
Wand
Anthame
Mirror

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners. Light sacred fire and draw sacred circle.
Annoint candle with High Meadows oil. Light Candle
With wand intone:

See my candle dispelling shadows. I am free from being lonely. Comfort me with golden
glow as through this world I go.

Light Incense. With Anthame

The lonely witch draws moonlight
Calling the children of the night
Lovely music of the wind
And of the lonely wolf within
A magical tune will sing with delight
And reflect a dancing light
Each time a wolf makes a friend
And put loneliness to an end.
So it mote be.

Close ritual



Predivination Ritual

Materials

Incense Runes Paper and Pen Cauldron Sacred Fire Tarot Nutmeg Cinnamon
Vanilla Yellow Candle Purple Candle Water Shamans Coat.


Cleanse your sacred space and prepare it with the protective circle and the lighting of
the sacred fire. Call the corners.

Merry Meet! Young men will dream dreams and young men will see visions.

Meditate on your essential question
Mix and lay out your tarot deck
Study, interpret and record
Shake and toss your runes
Study, interpret and record.

You should spend a lot of time studying your layments and considering their meaning.
Record all castings and if they occur mark them as fruitioned. If only a few of your
castings fruition dont be discouraged, they either were not to happen in this present
future, have already happened or happened without notice from you.

Close ritual
Meditation Ritual

Materials

Incense
Sacred Fire
Intention Candle
Paper and Pen
Rosary/ Prayer Book
Bible
Bottled Water

Light the sacred fire.

Fire is symbolic of the fire of faith, the fire of the Holy Spirit and the fire of hope. May
it bless my meditation and my intentions.

Write down intention

I place this intention in my sacred space and from my sacred fire, I light my intention
candle and place it over my sacred space.

Light a cone of incense

Read a special prayer or say the Lords Prayer
Say your rosary
Remove your intentions and burn them

Intone:

I leave my intentions to the keeping of God.

Proceed to your next ritual or close devotions, announcing Blessed Be.


Healing Spells

Healing is an important part of the Craft. Though all belief in the power of the healer
is important, it is equally important to encourage the person for whom you cast to seek
conventional modern treatment. The Craft is a complimentary part of healing and is
not a substitute for modern methods of treatment and healing. It should be noted that
even modern medicine uses herbs and narcotics extracted from healing plants. As a
healer of the Craft, your role is to help people deal with physical and mental problems
associated with illnesses using their own body and faith. The first of these spells is a
Relaxing Spell.

Relaxing Spell
Materials

Oils: Lavender, Gardenia, Chamomile
Herbs: Thyme and Sage
Candles: Red and light blue
Sacred Fire
Cauldron
Paper and pen
Wand Anthame Salt.

Begin with cleansing and calling the corners. Write the name of the person in need and
the name of the disease if known on a piece of paper. Place it on the altar stone and
encircle it with salt. With your wand intone:

____________I encircle you in a protective circle of salt. From this circle, I banish all
anxieties from your life.

Light your angel candle. Take up your anthame and intone:

St. ___________the Archangel, protect ____________from all anxieties and worries.

God is the creator of all things. He loves those who serve him. I beg him now to protect
you (make the sign of the cross over the candle with the anthame.)

Light the light blue candle:

______________I light this candle of relaxation and as it burns let all of your
anxieties be burned away. Mans great adversary is Satan, the author of deception, of
misery and evil. Pick up your anthame:

I defeat you Satan and force you to end this torment. I abjure you for contributing to
the suffering of ____________.

Say the prayer of St. Michael.

I defeat you Satan, as Christ said we should by telling you to get behind me. I command
you to stop your vexation of this person. (Make the sign of the cross to the four corners
with your anthame.

Say Hail Mary

I defy you Satan and commit the well being of __________to God the Father and his
Son Jesus Christ who defeated you by defeating death. May the power of God
protect_________. Make the sign of the cross with anthame.

Mix your oils and herbs together

These oils and herbs represent my desire for ___________. May their mixture and
aroma send them protection and peace.

Blessed Be!

Close the spell.
A Healing Spell
Materials

Oils: Lavender and Gardenia
Herbs: Thyme and Salt
Candle- Red
Sacred Fire
Cauldron
Water
Wand
Anthame
Paper and pencil

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners. Write the persons name and place it on the
altar. Draw a protective circle of salt around the persons name. Spend some time in
meditation. Light the red candle from your sacred fire and with your wand intone:

I light this candle for _________who is suffering from______________. May the light
of this candle and this circle of salt surrounding them bring them healing.

With the anthame, turning to each corner intone:

I call upon the angels of the four corners:

Michael, defender of the weak, commander of the heavenly host protect ______as they
battle illness and give them strength.

Gabriel, holy messenger and bearer of good news, deliver ______good news of healing
and carry my prayer to God our Creator.

Uriel, servant of the earth and the inspiration of Healers, guide the hand of the doctors
and nurses and medical staff trying to deliver _______ of their suffering.

Raphael, bringer of wisdom and knowledge, give inspiration, hope and compassion to
____through those who love and support them and give them confidence of a cure.

Mix the herbs and oils together and with wand intone:

May this potion seal my casting and may healing come for________. Blessed be.

Spend some time meditating on the person for whom this spell was cast. Close the spell.


Antipain Spell

One of the things that people dread about illness is pain. Pain is real whether it is pain
from wounds disease, surgery, treatments like chemo or radiation or pain in the mind
caused by stress or anxiety. Esoteric healers or practitioners of the Craft or Witches
deal not only with the spiritual but the physical. We are not however licensed doctors
(unless we happen to be a doctor who also practices the Craft) and our roles are
metaphysical and magikal.

In days of old, witches practiced pharmacology and used herbs with narcotic
properties. Now, as responsible healers and practitioners of the Craft, we encourage
sufferers to consult with physicians and therapists and specialists. Practitioners of the
Craft do not mix, dispense, or give drugs, legal or illegal to patients, nor do we
encourage or advocate the use of illegally obtained or illegal narcotics.

In this spell, it calls for the use of opium but it is not true opium, the drug obtained from
the poppy. It is an essential oil representing the healing and pain relieving properties of
the poppy.

Materials

Oils: Opium and Lavender & Chamomile and Gardenia
Herbs: Thyme and Salt
Cauldron
Water
Sacred Fire
Green Candle
Wand and Anthame
Incense-Sandalwood
Pen and Paper

With your wand intone:

___________, this candle has been lit in your name. May its glow send my spell to you
and may your pain lessen and stop so you can concentrate all your being on healing
mind and body.

Mix your oils and herbs together in the cauldron. With your wand intone:

May these herbs and oils send a calming perfume to you. May you know painless sleep,
relaxation and calm and hope and love from God and from friends and family and
from the sender of this spell.

Say the Lords Prayer, The Shepards Prayer, Hail Mary, and Prayer to St. Michael.

Announce Blessed Be and close this spell.

General Healing Spell

Materials
Wand and White Candle.

Cleanse Space and Call the Corners

This spell works for the four facets of health: Physical Health, Emotional Health,
Spiritual Health and Social Health.

With your wand intone:

I call upon the archangels of the four corners to minister to ______________who needs
your help.

Uriel, Archangel of the North, Guardian of Healers and Herbalists, protect the
physical health of ____________. Let no pain, no sickness, no fever, no congestion, no
infection of any kind come upon them. Hear me!

Michael, Archangel of the South, Guardian of the Defenseless and defender of
Heaven, protect the emotional health of _________. Let no worry or anxiety or fear or
trouble, let no sleeplessness or doubt or depression come upon them. Hear me!

Gabriel, Archangel of the West, Guardian of the intuitive, protect the spiritual health
of ________. Let no doubt, no falter, no denial of faith disrupt the spiritual
relationship with their God and the practice of their faith. Hear me!

Raphael, Archangel of the East, Guardian of the seekers of knowledge, protect the
social health of ________. Let no bigotry, racism, genderism, classism, ageism,
discrimination or hatred cloud their ability to see the value of the children of God and
their service to those facing social injustice, poverty and need. Hear me!

Light Candle

As you guardians of the compass points guard us all, great and small as walk in the
service of God in our divergent paths. Help us greet one another with love and
understanding and the basic truths that God exists for all of us whether we believe or
not. We all live on one earth and all we all depend on one another.

Close Spell.





Samhain Ritual

Samhain (sowin) or All Hallows Eve is the beginning of the New Year for witches who
practice the Craft. It is the time when the seeds of flowers and grasses have dropped to
the ground and the days are shorter and the world is dormancy.

It is a time when the spirits of those who have gone on before us and the Saints await
our prayers and remembrances. So, just as Catholics remember the dead, so Samhain
celebrates the lives and the deaths of our loved ones and remember them with love and
grace and we pray for them and ask for their prayers, too.

Materials
Shamans Coat
Candles (White and Lt Blue)
Incense (Frankincense and Evergreen)
Chalice
Wand
Anthame
Wine
Salt
Paper and Pen
Sacred Fire

Begin your ritual for the New Year with a meditation ritual. During your meditation
time, write down the names of loved ones who have gone on to the next world and a
second list of faults and goals. After meditating do your cleansing ritual and call the
corners. Say the Lords Prayer, the Shepards Prayer, and the prayer to St. Michael.

Take now your white candle and light it:

Merry Meet and happy Samhain. May God bless those who have gone before us and
are in the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and
among the angels and the saints. May God bless those who sleep in purgatory. May
they awaken soon and be admitted into glory.

Samhain contains the mystery of sleep and rebirth. On this night, the spirits of those
who have gone before are present among the awaiting seeds of life in the great circle of
life, death and resurrection. Just as Jesus was born, died and resurrected in glory, so will
ourselves and our loved ones be.

Light the Light Blue Candle

This candle represents my prayers to God for you, my thankfulness to my creator. May
he hear my words and have mercy on me

This night of renewal, accept these faults and help me erase them from my life. Create in
me a desire for growth and wisdom and inspiration to aid my fellows from your divine
being and from my Craft, which comes from you Lord.

This night of renewal, accept these goals. Help me to understand your will and
strengthen my search for knowledge, new and ancient. Help me devote my Craft to the
glory of God in service to my fellows

Pour some wine in your chalice

This wine was made from the fruit of the vine, a thing crushed and destroyed and
transformed. So shall we all be. I celebrate with this cup the souls of those who have
gone on and those who will be. Merry Meet and Blessed Be until we are all together.
This wine is my covenant between God, thee and me.

Drink the wine. The ritual is over.

Close the corners and clear your space.

Continue celebrating with friends and family with music and stories.


Materials

A Samhain Activity
Materials

Masks or mask shapes
Feathers
Lace
Stickers
Markers or Pens or Pencils
Glue
Glitter
Ribbons
Tape

Create an inner self and an outer self mask or masks representing the four corners or the
many facets of your personalities.


Blood on the Moon

To honor the deceased, excellent to perform as a part of your Samhain ceremonies. Also
good for Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or days that loved ones are passing over.

Purple Candle
Frankincense
Myrrh
Lavender
Evergreen (or other tree oil)
Simmer Cauldron
Pictures of loved ones (or list)
Wand
Athame
Salt
Anise Star herb
Incense (your choice)

Mix the oils and a crushed anise star in the simmer cauldron and begin warming. Take
some of the oil and anoint the candle Light the incense and candle and with wand
intone:

The Circle round the pearly moon
Pulls the spirits from their tomb
We invite you to our circle of live
From here on earth to heaven above.

Grands and parents, sisters and brothers
Gone before, we invite you to hover
Be our guardians and our guides
As we honor you tonight.

With Athame, intone:

Warriors, knights, soldiers and braves
For our freedom your lives you gave
We honor you for your sacrifice
And pray you have found your paradise

We honor you and hold you near
Join us now, the veil is sheer
Open your heart and receive us well
Blood on the moon, we cast this spell.

Welcome loved ones, friends and guests
Touch our hearts as you do best
Blessings and prayers we offer you
And thank you for these moments few

Blessed be and Merry Meet
So Mote it Be




Spirit Aid

No materials are needed. As you say the spell X3 make the sign of the cross in your
palm with your wand hand and encircle it deosil (clockwise) while chanting:

Gather Spirits to this hour
To protect me with your power
Harm and fear are out to get me
In your love, Im in your keeping
Thank you for your gracious aid
Ill with blessings to you repay
Gird and empower against the force
As I go along my course
Blessings Be, oh benevolent ghosts
And Merry Meet o loving host
So mote it Be


To Protect the Home

2 white candles
1 black candle (a dark blue will work)

Sandalwood incense or Frankincense
Wand

Intone while lighting a white candle:

Here I light the candle
Which symbolizes my need
My home will be a fortress
As I secure its safety

The angels influence now take sway
To bless my home in every way
To protect it through the days sunlight
Protect it through the dark of night
(light black candle)

Energy white, energy bright
Strengthening my charm tonight
Powerful protection my energy
As my spell is made lovingly
(Light white candle)

With your wand

May this spell protect from harm
And keep the house from all alarm
Working through the day and night
Angels guard us, hidden from sight
Safe from harm our powers keep
This no trouble shall permeate
The walls angel energy penetrate

The wall make an energy all their own
And my spell sets the tone
A mighty shield shall it be
Keeping my home danger free
From robbers and murderers and harm that be
Keeping my family safe and free

Now my charm is done at last
And my spell is now cast
Merry meet and blessed be
So mote it be





Exorcism

Materials
Holy Water
Salt
Wand
Anthame
Paper and Pencil
Red Candle
Sacred Fire

Exorcisms are dangerous and any witch must be very careful before taking on an
exorcism. Though it is a simple ritual with elements similar to a banishing spell, the
exorcist must be strong of mind, spirit and body.

Cleanse Sacred Space
Call the Corners

Begin the ritual by casting your sacred circle and writing down the name of the person
who is vexed and placing it in the sacred circle. Say the Lords Prayer, the Shepards
Prayer and the Prayer to St. Michael. Light the red candle as you say St. Michaels
prayer.

Intone now with your wand:

I charge this person___________to the care of St. Michael and all of the angels in the
heavenly host. Make the sign of the cross with your wand.

As a worker of the Craft, I have sworn to help the helpless. ___________is vexed by the
enemy of God, the deceiver of man and the father of lies. I call upon God, Our Father in
Heaven to cast out this demon from________and restore him to his service.

I commend this soul to St. Benedict, who rebukes Satan and drives him out of his victim
and commands him to leave ________in peace to love and serve the Lord.

I commend this soul to St. Michael, who does battle with Satan now and will do
ultimate battle with him soon. Protect and strengthen _________and keep them from
harm.

I commend this soul to the sweet Virgin Mary. She is the refuge of sinners and the great
intercessor to the throne of God. Take my prayers on behalf of __________ and bring
them peace.

Burn the persons name and place the ashes in a small bowl. Place ashes on a small
square of paper and tie it with a black string and bury it or otherwise discard.

Close the ritual.

This ritual can also be done with a poppet. Use the poppet in the place of the persons
name or with the persons name. If you have one, use a St. Benedicts charm with the
poppet



Various Blessings

There are various blessings for everyday things and for anytime rituals. These are a few
I have collected so far.

Water Blessing

My God, I call upon you, in need of your help.
Bless this water (Hold up bowl of water)
With your power, purification and healing
May this water harm none
This spell is done
So mote it be
Blessed Be.

Room Blessing

With blessed water intone:

Where this holy water is cast
No spell or thing of darkness lasts
Thats not in harmony with me
From this moment to be free
Through this holy water pure
No negativity endures
Consecrated as you should
Dedicated to God thou be

As I will it, So Mote it Be


A Witches Ladder

You should have a long blue cord and seven symbols or trinkets or charms, sprigs of
herbs, whatever seems right. Charge it by holding it in your hands and intone: This rope
is my ladder, to blessings I climb, Bless this my ladder in this space and time.

There are two possible charms to say as you make your knots, and there are more, I am
sure,

Charm One

By the knot of one, the spell has begun
By the knot of two, my words are true
By the knot of three, it comes to me
By the knot of four, may the spell be strengthened more
By the knot of five, may the spell come alive
By the knot of six, the spell is fixed
By the knot of seven, by the power of heaven it is given
By the knot of eight, may the power be great
By the knot of nine, I thank God divine
In the name of God, the spell is cast
So mote it be.

Charm Two

Rung #1 This is the first rung to be climbed by_____. May their journey be easy and
their burden be light.

Rung #2 This is the second rung, ___is on their way. Bring them good luck, good health
and a good day.

Rung #3 This is the third rung, climbing toward hope. _________is making their way
up this ladder of rope. Give them good blessings to hang on and cope.

Rung #4 This is the fourth rung, the place for concerns. May ________leave their
troubles well behind.
Rung #5 This is the fifth rung, the journey nearly done _________is climbing to heaven
above.

Rung #6 This is the sixth rung, completion in sight. Guide _______through the day
and the night.

Rung #7 This is the seventh rung, my spell at an end. May all good blessings come to
my friend.

For Rain

May the rain come down in parched places
Not the tempest nor the flood
Blessed water from above
Nourish the land and people with love.
Bring to life withered plants
Awaken fertility in a divine bath
End the dry and the drought
Give drink to the earth within and without.

Restoring and Refreshing Magik Powers
Materials

Wand anthame Sacred Fire Candles (Purple and white) Cloves Myrrh Lily of the
Valley mint cedar sage sandalwood jasmine frankincense a small bell pencil and
paper.

Cleanse sacred space and call corners, light the sacred fire and draw sacred circle.
Anoint the purple and white candles with the oils and light them. In the bowl mix the
salt and sage. Write down goals or intentions. With your wand intone:

The circle is cast
The watchtowers are set
The guardians and God assists
Draw in power
Infuse these works
Each step a process
To bring in the right
Whether in sunshine or shade
Sunrise or set
My life, love and works attend.
Do this for strength renewing
And so it is and so it must be.
With the sage and salt, place in the heated water in the cauldron

Salt quickens and makes all things savory
Sage brings wisdom to this hour
Water binds our great work
And drives off evil where it lurks.
I ring the bell times three
So it must be, Merry Meet and Blessed Be

Sprinkle the room with your potion

Close spell.

Spell for Generosity
Materials

Green Candle
Helping hands
Incense (your choice)
Pen and paper

Cleanse your sacred space, call the corners, light sacred fire, draw sacred circle. On a
piece of paper write or draw a character being poor and a character being rich. Fold
the paper together. Anoint your hands with oil and hold the paper between them

As these symbols show
The rich will know the way to go
Let the plight of the poor show
And he who shares his blessings grow
Let generosity in the world spread
Until Poverty is a word dead
Generous people of stature and wealth
Aid the needy in life and wealth
So it must be blessed be and merry meet.

Close spell

A Spell for a Peaceful Home
Materials

Brown candle Chamomile oil salt water musk incense, rosemary and mint and a
small bottle and cauldron and sacred fire

As always, cleanse sacred space, light sacred fire, call the corners and draw sacred
circle.

Anoint candle with oil and light the candle and the incense. Add herbs with water in
cauldron and start to simmer. With the potion, sprinkle the home and intone:

I conjure this power of tranquil peace
Make all trouble disperse and cease
Encompass our home like a united nation

Rosemary, salt and mint
I conjure the power of wolf and raven
To make our home a more peaceful haven
So must it be.

Close ritual

Talisman/ Charm
For a Brave Heart

Materials

Red Candle
Dragons Blood
Myrrh
Salt
A trinket, charm or bead
Red cord, string or ribbon

As always, cleanse your scared space, call the corners, draw sacred circle. Light sacred
fire, place string/trinket and candle in center. Anoint red candle with dragons blood
and light candle and incense. String trinket on the string or cord and pass amulet
through the smoke of the incense intoning:

Over my heart, I conquer the dark
Upon my breast, I feel my quest
With this charm, Im never alone
No weakness nor wave for I am brave
So must it be.



The Witches Book of Shadows is the book where witches write down spells, blessings and
rituals and keep notes on their results if known. They also record the results of the
divinations they perform and evaluate their skills carefully. Not every witch is adept
with all forms of magic.

The next two blessings are to bless a new book of shadows. Witches can hand write their
book of shadows or they can type in into a computer. Usually, though, a witch will write
at least their first copy of a book of shadows and transfer it later into a computer file.

Blessing a Book of Shadows One

Prep: It should be blessed on a night of the full moon.

In the light of the full moon, draw your pentagram or other magical symbol and write
your Craft name and date and time and any other astrological information you think
pertinent.

Intone:

Here as the full moon shines on me
Bless this book I have made tonight
I humbly ask this of thee
Underneath your sacred light

I serve and give reverence to God
Standing firmly balanced on earth
Yet open to the winds of heaven
And enduring through time
May God witness my words.

Blessing a Book of Shadows Two


Harken as the witches word
Moon above and earth below
Skys cool blue and suns hot glow
In this right and ready hour
Fill these pages with thy power
May no unprepared eye see
The secrets which trusted be
To I who walk the hidden road
To find the hearthstones calm abode
Guardians from the four directions
Hear me and lend my protection
Powers of the north, the earth below
Help me to learn, to live, to grow.
Powers of the wind, the sky,
Watch over these pages with thine eye
Powers of the south, fire and hearth
Help me learn the magikal art
Powers of the west, the water and sea
Change and growth are granted by thee
Your wisdom and knowledge, for these I ask
That this book be worthy of the task
Bless these pages with all you know
That righteous learners may learn and grow
And to the unschooled eyes that see
Confusing words and sophistry
For free will to all and harm none
As I have willed it, it is done.



A Candle Blessing

To send a blessing through a candle, write the persons name on the candle and place
the candle over the name. Burn the candle for seven days and with wand intoning:

_______, may you be blessed.
May all good things come to you
May nothing whatsoever harm you
May your heart be light
May your travels be safe
May your health be good
May your mind be sound
May your friendships sustain you
May you be blessed in every way.

Wolf Protection Spell

Materials

2 Green Candles
1 White Candle
A picture or symbol of wolves
Essential oil
Salt
Water
Wine
Wand
Cleanse sacred space and call the corners

Light the candles and with wand intone:

Candles three, green and white
Bring protection here tonight
The moon is full, the sky is clear
Misfortune and evil disappear
The mighty wolf shall ever reign
And be protected from harm or bane
Come hither, Come hither
Spirits of the wolf, strong and great
May I be guarded by this circle for life

Drink wine and announce Blessed Be

Close spell.

Dedication of a Poppet

Materials

Poppet
Poppet Blanket
Poppet Box/ Case
Red Candle
Myrrh
Wand
Sacred Fire

Cleanse the sacred space and call the corners. Light the sacred fire and draw sacred
circle. Lay the poppet in the center of sacred circle and with wand intone:

May this Poppet assist the healer
Blessed Be, Blessed Be
Become the person that I see
Blessed Be, Blessed Be

Light the red candle.

I dedicate this poppet to the healing work of the Craft.

Take a drop of myrrh and rub it into your hands and lay them on or over your poppet

I anoint this poppet to the healing work of the Craft. Let it send the good work of my
craft them and bring them healing.

Wrap the poppet in its blanket and place it in its case and close the spell

Use the poppet in any healing ceremony. Just place it in your sacred circle and perform
the healing spell of your choice.



Poppet Blessing Number Two
Materials

Poppet
White Candle
Anointing oils (Frankincense and Myrrh)
Wand

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners and draw your protective circle.
Lay poppet in the center of your circle and take some of the anointing oil and intone

Little one I made you, now I give you life
I name you________
Its body is your body
Its breath is your breath

Now with wand intone

Its passion is your passion
Its blood is your blood
Though Separate you were
Now you are one.

Proceed with the appropriate healing ritual you desire




Handfasting 1
Best performed at the New Moon

Materials
Flowers
2 White Candles
Incense
Wand
Rings
Wine
Chalice
Cakes
Shamans Coat

Officiate- a priest or priestess of the Wicca practice or a witch

May the power of this rite be consecrated by God as we are gathered here in a ritual of
love with two who would be wed.

Calling of the corners

Gabriel be with us here, oh being of the air. With your angels fingers tie closely the
bonds between these two.

Michael be with us here, oh being of fire. Give their love and passion your own all-
consuming ardor.

Raphael be with us here oh being of water. Give them the deepest love and richness of
the spirit.

Uriel be with us here oh being of earth. Let your constancy bind them together for as
long as they wish.

Blessed Lord we ask for your love and protection. Blessed be.

Officiate now places the couples hands together palm up and places the rings in their
palms. With a wand intone:
Above you are the stars and below is ancient earth and above us all the Eternal God.
Remember, like the stars, like the earth and like the Eternal God your love should be
constant and firm. Be close but not to smother; possess but give freedom and above all
have patience for one another through the storms and winds of life. Love with
compassion and let no word or action by others separate you. For God is with you, now
and forever.

The officiate then takes the rings and to the person on the officiates right, give them the
ring they are to give and ask:

Is it your wish _______ to become one with ___________.

Answer: Yes

Place this ring on the finger of your beloved.

Repeat for the other.

Does anyone here object?

The officiate then takes the chalice and offers it to the couple intoning:

This wine is the cup of blessings and promises. Let it seal your binding.

Couple drinks from the cup.

With the ribbons or cords, bind their wrists together and intone:

Like the umbilical at birth, you two are one. You are now fasted to one another.

Then as God and this gathering are witness to this rite I now proclaim you love and life
mates.

The ceremony is finished and wine and cakes are served.

Handfasting Two


(Longer ceremony) Commonly, the structure of a wedding ceremony includes some or all
of these elements: Processional, creation of sacred space, welcoming of guests,
declaration of intent, charge, exchange of vows, rings and the final benediction, closing
and presentation.

Opening:

Couple and Officiate are at the altar

We stand before this company on this beautiful day/evening to join ______and
_______. Welcome are you friends and family. Today, before you and God, you will
witness transformation as _________ & ________ become one in their vows: Blessed be
to all who attend this celebration and blessed be our lovers about to be joined.

Charge:

To the couple:

You stand before this company and before God seeking to become one with each other.
You have entered into this union with open eyes and a full hearts. If either of you or any
of these present know of any reason why these vows should not be made, speak now.

Declaration of Intent:

_______ &__________ you stand before me, God and this holy company desiring the
bond of marriage. Do this of your own free will; coming here today without coercion by
any means.

Answer: We do.

Do you consecrate your life to truth, honesty, trust, communication, and leave your
solitary road to walk together?

Answer; We do.
Will all of you witnessing this handfasting support and assist this couple as they begin
their lives together?

Answer: We will.

So must it be.

Vows:

We will now hear the vows.

I _______do take you_______as my true love. Never will I seek to do harm and always
will I strive for your happiness. Your love is my treasure in poverty, my healing in
sickness, my comfort in sadness, my guiding light in darkness and I promise to be the
same for you.

Blessing of the rings:

These rings, a token of your love, serves as a reminder that in all life is a cycle: all comes
to pass and passes away and returns.

May the four elements bless these rings:

Air- the element of renewal- renew each day the love of this couple.
Fire- the element of passion- may you burn for each other today and forever.
Water- the element of harmony- bring fulfillment and contentment to this couple.
Earth- all life springs from the earth- bless this couple with life and prosperity.

Exchange of rings:

_______this ring I give you is a symbol of our love and the vows we have made.

Answer ____I will wear this ring as a symbol of our love and the vows we have made.

Binding:
(A cord or several ribbons should be braided or knotted together before hand. I t should
contain the colors: Red, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Green, and Orange)

Woven in this cord and imbued in its fibers are all of the hopes of your friends and
family for your new lives together. With this knot I tie all the desires, dreams and love
and happiness wished here in this place to your lives together. (Tie the couples wrists
together)

Blessings and benedictions:

Lord, in Your sight these people have promised themselves to one another, made vows
before You and have been handfasted. Bless them in their new life together.

Closing and Presentation:

You have witnessed the promises made by _____and _______one to another and
exchange the symbols of their union. They are now soul mates under heaven to
experience life together and meet challenges and rewards together through their lives. I
am honored to present to you ______ and ______.

Blessed Be



Full Moon/New Moon Ritual
This ritual is to be done when you do a ritual on the first night of the new or full moon,
which are the most sacred times of the month for witches. Your altar should be set up
ahead of time.

Materials

Candles for the Angels of the Four Corners and for your intention
(Uriel-North-Earth-Brown; Michael-South-Fire-Red; Raphael-East-Air-Yellow; Gabriel-
West-Water-Blue)
Sacred fire
Wand
Holy Water
Paper and Pen
Salt

Light your sacred fire and from your sacred fire, light your candles clockwise, starting
with the candle of your particular guardian angel. After the candles are lit, bless the
area with holy water. Take a moment to meditate on your intention and write it on a
small piece of paper and place it in your circle of salt. With your wand intone:

This circle of protection is cast for me and those I love. Within this circle I commit the
concerns of all my family.

Light the candle(s) representing your concerns.

Close the ceremony or continue with the ritual or spell you wish.

Dressing a Candle

Use the corresponding oil that symbolizes your intention. To draw something toward
you, rub the oil toward you, to repel, rub away. Keep drippings for talismans and
charms.

As you rub intone:

Candle of power, candle of might
Create my desires here on this night
Power streams from this candles fire
Bring to me my hearts desire
My words have strength, the victorys won
So say I, this spell is done





Imbolc Ritual
February 1

Imbolc is the early spring renewal festival. It is an excellent time for cleansings,
rededications, and the celebration of light and warmth and thanksgiving.

Materials
Milk Wand Water Sacred Fire Bread Cauldron Oils(Frank.&Cypress)
Sandalwood Incense Candles (white and Pink) Herbs (rosemary and sage)

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners and light the sacred fire.

Merry Meet and Nollog Imbolc. We celebrate this feast thanking God for seeing us
through the harshness of winter and showing us the promise of spring.

Light white candle and place it in the center of your altar stone. With your wand
intone:

The winter snows are falling
The frigid air remains
But we our blessings find
In the promise of spring days
This candle burning brightly
Like the golden sun it shines
To remind me of the warmth of life
And of God divine.

Light incense and intone:

This a time of renewal, preparing for spring
May the sandalwood bring blessings
For every little thing
May it bring warm winds
And sweet and gentle rains
As we wait in darkness for the suns sweet rains

Light pink candle:

Purify this hour, purify this space
Purify this ritual in its place
So above in heaven
So on earth below
May God give his blessings
To all of us who know.

Place oils in cauldron of water

Frankincense bless this place and this craft
Cypress make the worker steadfast.

Add the herbs

Rosemary purify me and with Gods world make us one
Sage give me wisdom and success in all thats done.

Raise bread

This is bread, the staff of life
A man who has bread, has a wife
Bless oh Lord this holy gift
Heal all wounds and mend all rifts

Raise Milk

This milk the wine of the babe
Nourishing from birth to the grave
Bless oh Lord this sign of love
As on earth in heaven above.

Spend some time in meditation and close ritual.



Good Sleep Spell
You can use this spell as part of a ritual in closing or you can simply stand in front of
your altar and intone it with no accoutrements.
If part of closing:

Materials
Lavender and chamomile
Sandalwood incense
Blue candle

Light blue candle and incense and mix oils and rub it on body, especially the head,
intoning:


This blue candle is the candle of sleep
The four angels my spirit you keep
Guard me through the night and day
Hasten to my spell I say
Give me rest and give me sleep
Until the sun I merry meet.

Extinguish candle. Good night.

Anti Nightmare Spell
Materials
White candle, black candle
Paper and pen

Nightmares are useful warnings dreams and should be recorded in a dream journal for
interpretation. On a small piece of paper, write the basic details of the dream or main
theme of the dream. Light white candle and intone:

Peace be to all who see this light
Peace be to all through the night
Merry meet and blessed be
Let this nightmare flee from me.

Light black candle

Peace be to all who see this light
Peace be to all through the night
Protect the one who sleeps tonight
And repel the evil blight.
Merry meet until the dawn
Blessed be and all is calm.

Burn the nightmare in the firelight and extinguish candles.

A Dimming Spell

A witch cannot really be invisible but they can work a charm that makes the witch
unobservable to anyone around them. It requires no tools or magikal objects. The spell
should be said three times.

Veil of smoke; veil of mist
Cover me from anothers midst
Give me eyes to see it all
And ears to hear secret talk
Make me a shadow; make me a shade
Make me thin as the thinnest blade
First they see me, now they dont
Make me as incorporeal as smoke.

Dimming Spell 2
Materials
Black Candle
Frankincense

Done at the waning of the moon. Imagine being surrounded by a one way mirror and
repeat:

The energy you send
Cannot reach me
It cannot find the target
Behind the wall
You cannot see.



Renewal Spell
Materials

Red Candle
Black Candle
White Candle

Arrange the candles left to right: Black, red, and white

Lighting black candle intone:

Remove all stress around me.

Lighting white candle intone:

I affirm the peace inside me.

Lighting red candle intone:

I am full of energy and vitality

Meditate until you feel centered. Extinguish the candles and intone:

With Harm to none, so mote it be.

Cure Illness
Materials

Light Blue Candle
Sandalwood Incense

Light candle and incense and intone:

Sickness,
Vanish into the sky.
Pain, fly up into the air.
Burning vapor
Rise up into the air
So that the wind may
Take thee away
So that the storm may
Chase thee to far places
Where neither sun nor moon gives light
Where no hot wind burns the flesh

Close spell.

Protection of Ancestors Spell
Materials

Pictures of Ancestors or those who you love who have gone before you in a circle on your
altar. If you dont have pictures, write the names of the deceased on a piece of paper.
Light a candle ( lt. Blue) and sandalwood incense
Clear your mind and say:

Here I see the line of love,
Stretching down from above
Kinsmen whose love never leaves
Protect me in my time of need

Add a picture of self.

See the circle of love around you and know you are blessed. Blow out the candle and
visualize the smoke from your candle and incense carrying wishes to your loved ones.

Serpent Stone Spell

Find an egg shaped stone and bathe it in spring dew. Set it in a dish of spring water or
bottled water or rainwater. Pick some spring flowers and spread the petals on the
surface of the water and set it aside for three days. Consecrate the stone and use it for
healing, protection, fertility or spiritual growth.

Consecrate a Divination Cloth
Materials

Cloth and Tarot cards

Spread out cloth and cards and say:

Tools of power, tools of art
Tools that see the hidden heart
Tools that tell the path before
Be you blessed by ancient lore

Wrap your tarot deck in the cloth

Now together be you bound
Cards and cloth that wrap around
One in two and two in one
By these words my will be done.

Keep your cloth wrapped around your deck.

Morning Dew Blessings
Materials
A clean cloth

For healing, beautification or blessings, use a cloth and gather dew. Wipe down with it
saying:

I wash my face in water
That has neither rained nor run.
And I dry it on a towel
That has never woven or spun.

Allow the dew to air dry on skin. Dry your cloth but do not wash it.

For May New Moon

On the new moon in May, spend some time organizing and cleansing your Book of
Shadows. Buy new spell books or spend some time on the net to get new spells to add to
your BOS.

House Renovation Spell

Anoint a black candle, green candle, and yellow candle with patchouli. Burn the
candles intoning:

To change this space
And make it mine
To finish the job
In reasonable time
For weather fair
And no cost overrun
May it be as I envision
When it is done.
Increasing Will Power
Materials
Oils- Cloves, Cinnamon
Herbs- Ginger
John the Conqueror
Dragons Blood

Red candle with your name on it. Add the symbol of the thing you want to accomplish.
Anoint the candle with the oils and say, lighting the candle:

God increase my will power
So I may achieve my goal
Give me the power to resist
Anything that may block my path
So mote it be.

Antiterrorism Spell

Light a red candle and ask:

May all of our leaders be guided toward a world that honors the spirit in everyone and
accepts any differences in peoples lives, beliefs, and cultures. May no one religion seek
to oppress others either by terrorism or dictatorship. So mote it be.

Stones of Change Spell

Make a small bowl and place it on your altar. Begin collecting small pebbles, one a day
and place them in your bowl. As your bowl fills, so will your bank account.

Spread Peace Spell
Materials

White candle
Evergreens
Anthame

With your anthame carve symbols for love and peace on your candle. Decorate it with
evergreens. Anoint candle with Gardenia oil and light and chant X3.

May I find peace and love that resides in me. May I feel the peace and love of God
and nature and the Holy Spirit. May I share peace and love with all. May I know love
and peace wherever I go.

Let the candle burn out.

To Find Lost Things

Walk around the room where you last had the object now lost and intone:

I invite the elements
As I walk around
To help my lost item
Soon be found



Beltane Spell
For May 1
st


Materials
One Blue Candle
One Yellow Candle
Patchouli oil
Opium or Patchouli Incense
Ginger powder
Pen and paper
Blue string

Anoint both candles and light with the incense. Write down the thing you need help
with and fold and tie with string. Anoint the paper with oil or hold in your anointed
hands. Say the incantation and burn the paper:

Ancient ones
I ask for your help
I need your assistance
Read these ashes
And open your heart
And come to my aid
So mote it be.

Positive Growth
For Beltane
May 1
st


Materials
One Yellow Candle
One Red Candle
One White Candle
White Solstice Oil (or Gardenia)
Pinch of lavender
Spearmint
Bottled water and cauldron
Clean white cloth

Anoint all candles and light them and the incense. Add all herbs with the water in the
caldron. Self visualizing, see all of your positive qualities coming together and all the
negative energies leaving you. Add white solstice to the water. With your cloth, dip it
into the water and begin your ritual cleansing intoning:

As the Spring arrives
Rebirth and change are not denied.
Like the risen Christ and Beloved Mother
Bless me with eternal bliss
I ritually cleanse to mark the start
Of rebirth and celebration in my heart.
Almighty God will show
Within me, possibility, happiness and peace will grow.
This is my will so mote it be.

A Witches Cleansing
Full moon in May
Materials

Three white candles
Moonlight Oil
Frankincense

Anoint three white candles with moonlight oil. Light the candles and incense. Stand in
the middle of your sacred space and stretch out your arms toward the heavens.
Visualize the full moon and the elements sweeping over the body, cleansing your mind
and spirit of anything negative. Recite the incantation over and over again. When you
feel energized, extinguish the candles and know you are cleansed.

Incantations:

In this time of the growing season
Stand in the moonlight for this reason
Let the moons shining light
Purify me in its cleansing sight
Banish negative energy and feeling
Promote good health while sealing
The promise of cleansed spirit and mind
Leaving negativity behind
By the power of three
So mote it be.

Protected Places

Materials

4 small blue candles
Lavender Oil
Frankincense
Cauldron
Salt
Lavender leaves
Cloves
Bottled water

Anoint 4 candles with lavender oil. Light the candles and the incense. Place them either
in the four corners of the room or four corners of your altar. Combine salt, lavender
leaves, cloves in the cauldron with water. Sprinkle the area and then to the four corners
intone:

God protect this home and hearth
Bring positive energy from our earth
Protect this house from evil and sadness
Do away with corruption and madness
Banish anger and toil
Draw the positive to our soil
Only love and happiness will fill this home
Protect the place I call my own.
So mote it be.

Negative No More
Materials
Large white candle
Rose oil
Incense (any scent that makes you feel good)
Wine
Chalice
Paper and Pen

Best done on February 1 or 2.

Anoint candle with rose oil. Light candle and incense. Pour wine into chalice. Write
down positive influences and goals or negative things that you want to get rid of.

Gathered here on Candlemas night
To chase away our negative plight
Wine is our witches brew
To bring about something new
A little taste of sweet and sour
Makes the old have no power
Swirling in my chalice womb
So goes away the negative gloom
Start the waters of life flowing
Keep the good and new growing
Drink wine and burn the bad
Consume positive energy that I have.



Chastity Belt
To promote chastity for a short time or a long time or for a period before a marriage or
handfasting. This can be a belt or a bracelet.

Materials

One blue candle
Chamomile oil
Incense
A black cord
Two crystal beads
18 black beads
White beads= to age
Three Ornate beads for the Trinity

Anoint the candle and light it and the incense. Tie a knot in the end of the cord. Add a
crystal bead, a trinity bead, 6 black beads, a trinity bead, 6 black beads, and a final
trinity bead and all of the age beads and end with a crystal bead. Tie a knot. Wear it
as a bracelet, and anklet or a belt. Pass the belt through the incense smoke deosil
intoning:
When the full moon rises in haste
Create a cinch for those who are chaste
If the wearer has tasted of lust
Then kiss the beads in ultimate trust.
But if the blush of purity is on thy face
Then circle it round the flam in haste
The first act a knot then a crystal bead
Honor you the Father of the trinity.
Add six beads and when you are done
Honor the Fathers only Son.
Add six more beads in solemn black
And honor the Holy Spirit at last.
A Token to God my chastity
Now add your age for your sagity
And a final crystal for the magic it brings
Now tie the knot and finish the sash
Dark as pitch and black as ash
And may you wear it for purity
For a day or eternity.
So mote it be.

To Protect the Home

2 White candles
1Black Candle
Sandalwood or Frankincense incense
Wand

Intone while lighting the white candle:

Here I light this candle
Which symbolizes my need
My home will be a fortress
As I secure its safety

The angels influence now takes sway
To bless my home in every way
Protect it through the days sunlight
Protect it through the dark of night
(Light black candle)

Energy white, energy bright
Strengthening my charm tonight
Powerful protection, my energy
As my spell is woven lovingly
(Light white candle)

With Wand:
May this spell protect from harm
And keep the house from all alarm
Working through the day or night
Angels guard us, hidden from sight
Safe from harm our powers keep
This no trouble can permeate
The walls angel energies penetrate

The walls make an aura all their own
And my spell sets the tone
A mighty shield shall it be
Keeping my home danger free
Robbers and murderers and harm that be
This charm will keep far from my family and me

Now my charm is done at last
And my spell is now cast
Merry meet and Blessed Be
As I will it so mote it be.




Stop Gossip Spell
If you are doing this charm on the spot all you need is paper and pen. Simply tear up
the charm when you are finished. Otherwise:

1 Black candle
Pen and Paper
Bowl or cauldron

Write the Gossips name on one side of the paper seven times. On the other draw a
smiley face. Light the candle .While intoning the charm make small xs on his lips

This mouth I bind this very day
Binds fast the evil this mouth will say
Never more causing stress and alarm
Never more to cause harm

Truth and justice enters here
A quality most hold so dear
To counteract the many lies
In the mind where slander resides
Destroy the Gossip Face and throw it away. This can be done by burning or by
drowning.











No More Delinquents


Paper Poppet
Incense (your choice)
4 Red Candles dressed in Myrrh

If known, write the name of the delinquent on the poppet. Surround the poppet with the
red candles. Light a candle deosil after each verse

These candles I light do symbolize
The troubled soul thus inscribed
God give them strength to change
And become better each day

Here is love to guide their life
And keep the young one from strife
Hoping one day they will lead
A life of serving others needs

Understanding comes their way
Beginning now, this very day
For this child cannot manipulate
Nor will they be led astray

Now give me patience with this child
Because I can teach them to be mild
I can in straight paths this child lead
And guide them care for humanity

Child, grace and courage has come to your side to resist negativity in your life. For
good you live and strive and a good name you take pride. Only that which is right stays
forever in sight. A leader you will be for all humanity. Doing whats right for the entire
world to see.

Blessed Be and Merry Meet
As I will it, so mote it be.


St Francis Spell

1 Blue Candle
Catnip
Eucalyptus Oil
Frankincense
St. Francis Medal or Holy Card
Paper and Pen

Anoint candle and light along with incense. Hold the medal or holy card in your
palms. Write the name of your pet on a piece of paper or on the back of the holy card.
Hold card in your hands and intone:

We dont mean to cause alarm
Just keep our pets safe from harm
This Saint will bless all animals and pets
From every wind and storm be warned
Humble Francis will protect from hate and neglect
This spell shelters from the young and the old
Safe and sound, all pets will be found
This is my will, so mote it be.
Midas Touch

1 Green, gold and orange candle
Midas oil (Jasmine, Patchouli, Mint, Opium, Orange oil)
Opium or Musk incense
Green Bead and cord or ribbon.

Anoint candles with Midas Oil. Do the same with the bead and cord. Light candle and
incense and pass bead on cord through incense smoke deosil

For the wealth we have and the wealth to come
To guard it well, grant me this wisdom
Protect us always from those who dare
To take all we have without care
Good Lord above hear and answer my plea
An it harm none, so mote it be.

Wear the talisman when you play the lottery, pay bills, or work.

Wisdoms Fire

White candle
Honey Suckle oil
Opium Incense
Lavender and Sage herb
Simmer Cauldron
Bottled water
Wand

Anoint Candle with oils, rubbing from the wick to the base. Mix the oils and herbs with
a couple of teaspoons of water in simmer cauldron and set to heat. Light the candle
and incense. With wand intone:

The Golden wisdom of the law of three be with me
Make me as wise as Solomon and Moses
With these herbs in my cauldron
I infuse these waters with wisdom
Give me grace, purity, and knowledge divine
Rise now in heart and mind
So mote it be.
Use the potion to cleanse a work space, or a sacred space.



Gargoyles at the Gate

4 Blue Candles
Witch Hazel
Frankincense
4 Gargoyle images (pictures or statues)
Athame

Anoint the candles and light the candles and the incense. Place each gargoyle in a
corner of your home. Wave incense into the four corners. With your athame before your
altar intone:

Positions at the towers and gates
Gargoyles watch in earnest haste
For Protection of the house and grounds
And all things of sight and sound
Keep us safe from danger and harm
Watch over us in every storm
Jump from the roof tops if in need
To frighten away all evil deeds
So Mote it Be!
Keep the Gargoyles in their places and refresh each year by reciting the charge to the
image.



All Patched Up

1 Pink Candle
Friendship Oil (Rose, Cedar, Lavender oil)
Patchouli Incense
Turquoise Bead
White cord thread or ribbon
Paper and Pen

Anoint candle with friendship oil. Light the candle and the incense. Visualize you and
your friend reconciling. String the bead and pass it deosil 3x in smoke. Do the same
with the piece of paper with the friends name on it. Carry both in your pocket until
reconciliation.

A turquoise stone to find
Harmony and peace; leave differences behind
Disagreements and hurt taken out of our hearts
Our true friendships shall not part
Let pink burn bright throughout this night
To reconcile this troublesome fight.
So Mote it Be!

For Strength

1 Red Candle
Dragons Blood oil
Pinch of salt
Dragon charm or picture or red bead and thread.

Anoint the candle and the charm or bead and intone

With the crimson of this cord
Ancient powers or strength are born
Herbs will stir beneath the form
Creating energies with talismans worn
Boost the body with greatest power
As if Mars is in tune with a full moon hour
Place the strength upon my feet
And all my powers now complete.
So mote it be.
Respect

1 Yellow Candle
Patchouli and Dragons Blood
Spicy Incense
Paper and Pen
Gold tone Bead
Brown Bead
Red String
Bowl

Anoint candle. Light Candle and incense. On paper, list 9 characteristics of respect.
String beads. Anoint palms in oil and hold the paper in your anointed palms. Burn the
paper and take the ashes and rub it in the talisman and pass talisman deosil through
the smoke. Carry your talisman in your mojo or tie around ankle or wrist.








To Pay Karmic Debt
After you have been through a rough patch

1 Pink and 1 white candle
Opium oil
Fave Incense
Sage
Water
Check (or a piece of paper)
Simmer Cauldron

Anoint and light candle and incense. Put a bit of water and sage and opium oil in the
simmer cauldron and heat. Fill out your check:

Date: Date of Ritual
Pay to the Order of: Karmic Debt
Amount: All
Amount: Live, Learn, Love, and Grow
Memo: Truth and Peace
Signature

Burn Check and add ashes to cauldron. Stir cauldron while intoning:

Karmic Debt is a wonderful thing
Through this process, my soul takes wings
This check is now due
I can start anew
To live learn love and grow
Till truth and peace is all I know
So mote it be.

Sprinkle potion around the room

Witch Charms

5 white candles (Tea Lights, birthday candles)
Low John Oil (Cinnamon, eucalyptus, and sandalwood oil)
Salt
Sandalwood Incense
Amulet ( Star, medal, cross etc.)
Piece of cord
Small cup or bowl

Anoint amulet with oil. With salt draw a pentangle placing a candle at each point.
Light incense. Pass amulet deosil through the incense and then lay it in the center of the
pentangle. Light each candle, intoning at each candle, moving deosil:

On this day of the year
Witches have no fear
Love, beauty, passion and energy
And our brethren far and near
By blessings of God an amulet is born
That protects from evil each time it is worn
A magical charm that wards off all alarm
So mote it be and none it harm.


World Peace
One of the ways that you can bring world peace is to work to have peace in your corner
of the world. If you can bring peace to yourself and to the people around you, you can
encourage peace around the world.

1 blue candle
Peace oil (Sandalwood, Musk, Rose, Gardenia)
Sandalwood incense
Salt
Lavender leaves
Simmer cauldron
Pounded Lavender leaves
Bowl
Alcohol
Bottle

Anoint the candle with the peace oils. Mix left over oils, salt, lavender leaves and pass
the cauldron through the incense smoke. Once the incense is burned down and the ashes
are cooled, add it to the cauldron. Heat the potion in the simmer bowl for thirty minutes,
then cool and decant into bottle. The oil is placed on the altar and lasts for a year.
After you fill the bottle, intone over the opening:

Angels all around us, where ever we may be
In our small towns and great countries
Around the world please hear our call
To guide and heal us one and all
Protect us from each others harm
Reverse and rid bad energy til its all gone
Bring peace and love to every kind
All around our world will be
Happiness, peace and harmony
Heal us from our heart within
So we will judge no other friend
Forgive us our sins and protect our hearts
From fears we have within us all
Religion and politics and whatever we believe
From each hurt protect and heal
May we receive blessings be
Until we again merry meet

So Mote it be


Thanks For Giving
To honor God for the first harvest by making a harvest basket totem. Can be done to
celebrate Thanksgiving or the new moon of November.

1 White candle
Musk and Lavender oil
Small basket
Chalice
Wine
Fruit, Cheese, Meat, Bread, Cookies
Plastic fruit and veggies
Silk Flowers
Slips of paper with at least six blessings

Anoint candle and light. Arrange the little basket with the plastic fruit and veggies
and flowers. Intone over the basket and your small ritual meal and chalice with wine.
Place the blessings with the fruit arrangement.

Little basket full of good
Sent by God, our blessed food
Grown from the ground with care and love
Watched by the spirits from above
Gathered from the bountiful harvest
From the fields and the forest
To Mighty God that be
With thanks we offer this bounty
This is my will, so mote it be.

Libate and drink the wine from the chalice.

Blind Justice

For truthful testimony in court. Dont use if you intend to lie.

1 Gold Candle
1 Gray Candle
1Purple Candle
Rose, Vanilla, and Musk oil
Myrrh Incense
Purple bead and cord

Anoint the candles and light. Light incense. String the bead and pass deosil intoning:

A winged courier now takes flight
Aid me in my legal plight
Shame the devil, truth be told
Habeas Corpus in this court
Grant me favor of legal support
Release the magik and be just
Hear my plea and statement of trust
As I will it, so it must be




Spread Peace Spell

White Candle
Evergreens
Athame
Gardenia oil

Carve symbols of love and peace in your candle. Anoint with gardenia oil. Decorate
with evergreens. Chant times three.

May I find peace and love that resides in me
May I find peace and love in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
May I share peace and love with nature and wisdom
May I know love and peace wherever I go

Let the candle burn out.

To Find Lost Things

Walk around the room where you last saw the lost object and intone:

I invite the elements
As I walk around
To help my lost item
Soon be found

Dressing Candles

Use the corresponding oil that represents your intention. If you dont have the
particular oil, use a bit of olive oil. To draw something toward you, rub the oil towards
you, from wick to base. To send something out or to repel something, rub from the base to
the wick. Save wax from your candles, making little discs to use as talismans and to put
in mojos.

As you rub, intone:

Candle of power, candle of might
Create my desires here on this night
Power streams from this candles fire
Bring to me my hearts desire
My words have strength, this victorys won
So say I, this spell is done
As I will it, so mote it be

Continue with spell or ritual.


Help of the Innocents

Blue and Yellow Candle
Patchouli Oil
Spicy scent incense
Ginger
Bowl
Blue String
Pen and paper.

Mix the oils with the ginger in a bowl. Anoint both candles. Light candles and incense.
Write the thing you need help with and tie with the blue string. Anoint the paper or
hold between your anointed hands. Intone the spell and burn the paper.

Ancient Ones
I ask for your help
I need your assistance
Read these ashes
Open your heart
Come to my aid
So mote it be

Positive Growth

Yellow, red and white candle
Gardenia Oil
Bottled water
Pinch of lavender or some oil
Simmer Cauldron
Mint oil
Clean white cloth

Anoint all candles and light them with the incense. Add water to simmer cauldron and
put in herbs and oils. Allow to heat for about 10 minutes. Meditate on powerful
positive energies coming together to come into you body and spirit and negative
energies going away. Dip your cloth carefully into cauldron and begin to wipe yourself
off. Intone as you do:

As spring arrives
Rebirth and Change are not denied
Like the risen Christ and his beloved Mother
Bless me with holy bliss
I ritually cleanse and anoint myself
To mark the start
Of rebirth and celebration in my heart
Within me possibility, happiness, and peace will grow
This is my will, mote it be so.

New Moon May Cleansing

Three white candles
Bowl
Lily of the Valley
Lavender
Dragons Blood
Frankincense Incense or other spicy

Anoint three candles in the mixture of the oils in the bowl. Light candles and incense.
Raise your arms to the heavens and intone as many times as you feel you need to.

In this time of the growing season
Stand I in moonlight for this reason
Let the moons shining light
Banish negative energy and feeling
Promote good health while sealing
The promise of a good health and clean mind
Leaving negativity behind
By the power of three
So mote it be


Spell to Make Work Go Faster

Angels of heaven, angels above
Here I have work that I loathe
Help me to start, help me complete
Help me quickly make my house neat
By the power of three, Blessed Be, blessed be
Make my house neat and sparkling clean.

The power of three in Christian practice is always Father, Son and Holy Spirit but it is
also Creativity, Intuition, and Empowerment.



Protected Places

4 small blue candles
Lavender oil
Bottled Water
Frankincense
Salt
Athame
Simmering cauldron
Cloves
Wand

Anoint four candles with lavender oil. Light them and place them on the four points of
the altar. Combine all the ingredients in the simmer cauldron. After the potion simmers
for a few minutes, sprinkle the potion around the house. Holding both wand and
Athame, intone:

God protect this home and hearth
Bring positive change from our earth
Protect this house from evil and sadness
Do away with corruption and madness
Banish anger and fruitless toil
Draw the positive to our soil
Only love and happiness will fill this home
Protect the place I call my own.
So mote it be

Negative No More

Yule or Samhain
Full or New Moon

Large white candle wine paper/pen incense(your choice) rose oil, chalice, sugar

Anoint candle with rose oil. Light candle and incense. Pour wine into chalice. Write
down positive influences or goals you want to reach, or negative things you want rid of.

Gathered here on this full moon night to chase away our negative plight
Wine is our witches brew to bring about something new (add pinch of sugar)
A little taste of sweet and sour makes the old have no power
Swirling in my chalice womb so goes away the negative gloom
Start the waters of life flowing; keep the good and new a growing
Drink the wine and burn the bad or conserve the positive things I have
As I will it, so mote it be.

Ties that Bind

One black candle
Dragons Blood
Myrrh Incense
Cinnamon
Pen and Paper
Black ribbon or string
Bowl

Anoint candle with Dragons Blood and cinnamon. Light the candle and incense. On
paper, write down all negative things bothering you. Roll the paper and tie it with
black string. Pass the scroll through the smoke widdershins (counterclockwise). After the
incantations burn scroll.

Take these problems, fears and doubts, bind them now, inside and out
Release me from this negative plight; remove the darkness from my sight
Leave me positive in my thoughts; a balanced life is what I have sought
The day is done and buried deep, removed forever and put to sleep
As I will it, so mote it be.

Old Haunts

To release an earthbound spirit
Burning cauldron or bowl
Mirror
Myrrh Oil
Frankincense
Grey, white, or black candle

Burn some incense in your cauldron or bowl. Anoint and light your candles and place
them around your mirror. This becomes your astral door for the spirit to leave.

Wandering soul, nameless spirit, come to my voice when you hear it.
Welcome to my circle round, unleash the bonds where you are bound
Enter in this dance of smoke, down and in as I invoke
The smoking cauldron is your gate to release you from your daunted fate
Gather here for your release, spirit gone and haunt to cease.
As I will it, so mote it be.


Happiness
Full Moon, especially in October

Yellow Candle
Lavender oil
Catnip and lavender leaves
Chamomile and Mint tea
Cup of hot water
Burning Cauldron
Piece of paper

Anoint and light candle. Mix the herbs and fold into a small packet. Steep the tea. In
the cauldron burn the packet of herbs and intone over the tea:

From this being, sadness is gone, you have been depressed too long
Happiness fills you, self esteem takes over
Looking forward to a new dawn
Open your eyes, help you see, how joyous life can be
A positive attitude will be the notion with happiness and joy in this potion
Lavender and catnip turned to ash, ensuring happiness will ever last
Chamomile and peppermint tea prevents sadness, makes it flee.
As I will it, so mote it be.

Drink the tea.


Soul Release
To rid yourself of other troubles

Yellow candle
Sandalwood Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Paper and Pen
Bowl
Incense (favorite)

Mix sandalwood and eucalyptus oil to make Forgiveness oil. Light candle after it is
anointed with the forgiveness oil. Write down your troubles, as you burn the paper,
intone.

As these troubles burn and turn to ash
Release the soul from the past
In a prison of painful feelings
Let this soul begin its healing
So Mote it Be

Astras Energy
Full or New Moon

Purple candle
Catnip
Lavender incense
Cinnamon and lavender oil
Oil medium or alcohol
Small Bottle

Anoint the candle with cinnamon and lavender oil. Mix oils and catnip together with
oil medium or alcohol and decant. Light candle and incense. Pass the bottle of the oil
through the incense smoke deosil. Oil will then be used as an aromatic or fumigant or
perfume. While incensing intone:

As the moon shines its wondrous beauty
The power of three is called to duty
Creativity, Intuition and Empowerment
Will bring the user much relief
The flames reach high with intensity
As negative energy loses density
May happiness and rebirth win the heart
May this joyful feeling never part
With each tiresome feeling
Open the bottle and feel the healing
The moon shines bright with beauty
And now I take it inside of me.

So Mote it Be






Respect

One yellow candle Patchouli or Dragons Blood Gold tone bead
Brown bead Musk or other spicy incense Red string
Paper and pen Bowl

Anoint candle. Light candle and incense. On paper list nine characteristics of respect.
Fold paper and hold in anointed hands. Burn the paper with the flame of the yellow
candle. Rub ashes on the talisman and pass deosil in the incense smoke. Carry the
talisman at all times.


Stormy
To conjure rain and wind

Purple candle
Particle of Low John or Ginger
Dragons Blood oil
Simmer Cauldron
Bottled water
Broom

Anoint candle with the dragons blood. Cast a circle and place the candle in the center
and light it. Mix dragons blood and low john in the simmer cauldron with about four
ounces of water. Anoint the broom with the potion and sweep in each cardinal direction
intoning, each time replacing the direction:

Watchtowers of the ___________
Carry my prayers to heaven
God, shed tears of rain
Storm the earth in appropriate moisture
We ask in the name of the Lord
So Mote it Be


Anger Be Gone

1 Grey/silver candle Lavender herb Favorite incense 1 Blue candle Sage herb
Envelope or blue mojo bag rose oil salt

Anoint candles with rose oil. Light incense. Place lavender, sage and salt in the
envelope or mojo bag. Light candle and pass herbs widdershins 10 times through the
incense, incanting:

Thoughts of darkness now take flight. Anger and hate will purge with right
In our lives we need not bitter images in our thoughts
From our minds and our hearts send the light to what was dark
Light our spirits and make them bright, make the wrong into the right
As I will it so mote it be

Use herbs for bath or as a talisman.








Honoring the Tree of Life
CoCreated by Aslinn Dhan Dragonhawk and Tanith LunaCrevan

Ideally you should have access to a tree or a grove of trees or you may wish to take the
opportunity to plant a tree. If not, a symbol of a tree will suffice

Materials:
3 white altar candles (tea candles) set up in a triangular formation to define sacred
space
1 green, yellow, red and blue candle to represent the elements
Cedar oil (if unavailable, a good olive oil will suffice)
At least ten 1 square pieces of paper
Pen
Favorite incense
10 freshly minted pennies
Chalice
Wine/Cider, bread, fruits and nuts and other treats to eat, share with friends or leave
for the creatures of nature.

On scraps of paper, write ten affirmations (positive/growth words) Attach these pieces
of paper to the tree with small stick pins or tacks or some other that will not harm the
tree . Anoint all candles and your pennies. Place the elemental candles around the tree,
calling the elements with a simple call of the elements. Set up the altar candles and
place your chalice, drink and food inside the triangle. Light all of the candles and your
incense.
Intone:

Holy nine woods of lore, lend me your ears through the spiritual door
Willow, elder, oak, pine, birch, sycamore, ash and hazel
Your roots do grow and intertwine
Wise willow, she whose branches reach the earth, beloved of the moons rise and rebirth
Ancient oak, he who reaches to the heavens, beloved of the sun and earths strength
Venerable Elder, favorite of our Virgin Lady, open the door of life and death
Beloved Pine, golden child of the woods, stir our minds to imagination
Illuminating birch, doorway to intuition, guide us to visions and new beginnings
Gracious sycamore, rod of divinations, help communicate and receive instruction
Loving Ash, teacher and guide, instruct us in the way of wisdom and sacrifice
Shy hazel, seeker of secrets, show me the unknown magikal ways
Holy Hawthorn, wand of creativity, endow us with magik and fertility
Wands and brooms and holy leaves too
Magical gifts we receive from you
The trees of life we honor you
In our hearts we find your roots
Joined with earth and divinity
Source of life eternally
Shed on us your wisdom and light
As our roots intertwine with the Tree of Life
The tree of life in Eden stood
And then our Christ, nailed in your wood
The stately tree, our forest priest
We your children of the heath
Offer us hope from violence and strife
Past, present, future; death, rebirth and life
We celebrate with libation
This symbol of Christs salvation
So bless us now, o holy one
We bring our hopes, our ritual now done
Brightest Blessings Be
Our circle eternally
And for that we honor and praise
God above all our days

So mote it be

Offer libations to the tree and eat and drink in celebration with friends and nature..





Accept Me
To inspire the world to accept all people of good will

1 White candle
Patchouli
Lemon Grass
All Spice or Anise
Rosemary
Red Bead and String
Symbols of all religions or simply words
Incense (patchouli or musk or nag champra)
Envelope

Anoint candle and light with incense. Combine spices in envelope. Add religious
symbols (words) and amulet in the envelope. Hold the placket between your palms and
intone:

Freedom is what I long to find
From all people with closed minds
My wishes in my hands and heart
My choices protected from all harm
Freedom is what is right for me
Acceptance will now abound
Judgments will not my choices impede
But tolerance for me and thee

As I will it, so mote it be.


Youre Fired
To get rid of negativity

Gray Candle
Dragons Blood oil
Small Envelope
Mirror
Piece of paper (Especially pink) with Youre fired written on it)
Bowl or burning cauldron

Anoint and light candle. Write down negative aspects of your life you want to get rid
of. Hold the list between your palms and burn the paper. Take the ashes and throw
away.

Intone:
From the winters ice to summers fire
I call out for aid in my desire
Bind the negative as in a tomb
To receive the bounty from its gloom
Mirror its face so it shall see
The effect it used to have on me
Join in the banishment as negative goes
Ashes to ashes fresh winds away evil blows

As I will it, so mote it goes.
Free at Last
Ending Addiction

1 White and 1 gray candle
Jasmine and gardenia oil mixed
Frankincense
Paper and pen
Burning Cauldron

Anoint candles and light incense. Write the nature of the addiction on a paper. Hold
the paper in your anointed hands and intone.

By the powers of three
Take this habit from me
Take from me the power of need
Bad habits no more shall I feed
This is my will, so mote it be

Burn the paper in the cauldron

I am an ex ________
By the power of three
Take these thoughts from me
This is my will. So mote it be

The Flame Dance
To accept change

Heather, chamomile, and Sandalwood oil
Small bottle and cap or stopper

Mix the oil and anoint yourself. Intone:

Change may be scary and sometimes sad
But we must remember not all change is bad
Change is serious, and not a jest
But change is always for the best
In the days ahead help me find
The strength I feel has been left behind
And give me the courage to enjoy
The new beginning I employ
I must remember not to shy away
At the uncertainty of coming days

So mote it be




Well Being Witch Bottle Spell

Cinnamon incense (or other spicy) and Cinnamon oil
Orange or gold candle
Picture of the sun
Small Marigold flower
Wineglass or chalice
Water
Small jar or bottle
Teaspoon of alcohol

Light the candle and incense. Anoint your hands with cinnamon oil. Intone:

May the suns eternal power
Found in this gentle flower
Grant me good health
From this hour.

Place the flower and water and alcohol in the bottle. Intone:

That which I seek
So might it speak
That I would know
I will understand so
That I would receive
So I might achieve
That wisdom comes near
Let it begin here.
As I will it, so mote it be.

Keep your bottle in a safe place where it can be seen and handled for access to the
power of the sun.


Dawntide Spell
To achieve beauty

A green candle in a jar
Silk or fresh flowers in a vase on your altar

Light the candle and intone

In the east, I honor the element of air
In the south, I honor the element of fire
In the west, I honor the element of water
In the north, I honor the element of earth

I call upon the Lord God, creator of green fields and creators of sky, water and earth,
the essence of nature. To reflect in me the Lords glory and natural beauty.

Repeat the spell nine times. Blow out the candle and light it each day and intone spell
until it is completely gone.



Healing Cauldron Spell
To heal grief and emotional pain

Black candle
Penny
Bowl
Bottle or small box
Small dark stone
Water and Wine (about a teaspoon each)
Salt
Spoon or stir stick

The bowl will act as your cauldron. You can substitute vinegar for wine. As you intone,
stir the cup and its contents

Light the candle intoning:
Light upon grief, cast out all pain
Tears to be lost, happiness gained
Place the coin in the bowl, intoning:
Ties are now rent, anger is spent
Place the stone in the bowl, intoning:
Banish the frown weighing me down
Pour a bit of water into the bowl, intoning:
Hence the last teardrop passed
Pour the wine in the bowl, intoning:
Bitterness soothed in the tears of my sorrow
Sprinkle the salt into the bowl, intoning:
The earth soaked up the last of this cup

Place the wet contents in a small bottle or box, acting as a casket for the objects of the
bowl. Discard it.





Bale Fire Spell
To destroy worries or concerns

1 tea light candle
Pen with red ink
Paper
Envelope

Light the candle. Write your worries on a piece of paper with the red ink. Burn the
paper, intoning:

By this bale I root you out
By this boon I cancel you
Troubles be gone
Sweetness anon

Place the ashes in the envelope and discard. Let the candle burn down.

Ouroborus Spell
For Balance

Dark or black candle
White candle
Pen and paper
Nine strands of floss (3black, 3red, 3white)
One grey thread
Nag Champra Incense or other spicy

Light a dark candle and incense and light white candle intoning.

Eternal God
Grant this boon of perfect balance

Draw the symbol pictured on the page. Pass the picture through the smoke of the
incense. Braid your threads. (all except the grey one) When you have braided all the
threads, wrap your ouroborus symbol around the string. The wrap your grey string
around the charm. Tie the ends together and wear the charm until it falls off. You can
wear it around your ankle or your wrist.





Sunflower Spell
Happy Disposition
Frankincense (incense or oil)
Orange Candle
Symbol of the sun
Yellow Thread
Sunflower Seeds
Small gold coins or shiny copper pennies
Yellow Mojo bag

Light incense or anoint candle with oil and light. Intone:

Sister Sun, empowered by God
You are honored here
Shine your blessing down
On me, your earthly child.

Hold the Sun symbol in your right hand and intone: Your power to pass to me
Eat some sunflower seeds:
Your strength to abide in me
Place the symbol and the remaining seeds in your mojo and rub it on your body and
intone:

Happiness reside within me
Sister Sun blessed be
May I give as I receive

Hang the mojo near your bed.





Lavender Spell
Restful Sleep

Lavender colored candle
Lavender incense or oil
Tea light
Holly twig
Purple string or ribbon

Do not work this spell on a Saturday.

Make a circle of your holly twig or decorate a holly cross with the purple ribbon. Add
purple flowers or beads if you chose. Anoint the amulet and the candle and intone:

The purity of light
Guide thy way to perfect sleep
Hence may I be known
For the peace that I keep
This amulet opens the door to dreamland
With this I shall pass
To my sleeping world and find my rest at last
As I will it, so mote it be
This Amulet is good for a year. Hang it near your bed.

Spider Spell
For Happy Dreams

Tea Light
Water
Opium incense or oil
White mojo pouch
Nugget of gold, glitter, or coin or penny
Picture of a spider
Picture or medal of the Blessed Virgin

Light the tea light and intone:

There is a lady with a crown of twelve stars
And the moon under her feet
The spider spins the ladys veil
A veil of sweetest dreams

Place the gold symbols in the bag with the symbols of the spider and the Blessed Virgin.
Anoint your hands with the oil and hold the mojo in your palms or pass it deosil
through the incense smoke and intone:
Spider spirit, weave your threads
Wrap all beauty in your web
Happy themes enter my dreams
As I will it, so mote it be.

Hang the mojo by your bed.



Spread Peace Spell

White Candle
Evergreens
Athame
Gardenia oil

Carve symbols of love and peace in your candle. Anoint with gardenia oil. Decorate
with evergreens. Chant times three.

May I find peace and love that resides in me
May I find peace and love in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
May I share peace and love with nature and wisdom
May I know love and peace wherever I go

Let the candle burn out.



Tattered Cloak Spell

1Purple Candle
Wicca Oil (Frankincense, vanilla, rose, honeysuckle, sandalwood, lilac, cinnamon,
gardenia, orange oil equal parts)
Myrrh incense
Thirteen strips of paper with prayers or intentions
Cloak or other sacred garment
Needle and thread
Salt
Mojo bag

Anoint candle and mojo bag with the Wicca oil. Light candle and incense; place the
intentions in the bag.

Intone over cloak or clothes:

Around the moon and around the sun
Empower these prayers gathered as one
Release your energy as we invoke
All the power in this cloak (these clothes)

Secret prayers in this suit I weave (sew the mojo inside the clothes)
Magikally empowered and stitches within
Power from each stitch delight
In the blessings of moonlight
Wearer and bearer of this cloak
Its warmth and power I shall know

Empower this witch, wearer of this cloak
To do no harm to any of my folk
So mote it be

Heavens Power
To Increase Psychic Power

Purple Candle
Heather oil
Lavender oil
Frankincense
Lt. Blue Bead
String cord

Anoint candle. Light candle and incense. String bead and pass deosil through the
smoke. Intone:

When the night has pulled his shades down tight
And the moon rides full and high
We gather round the things we need
To help us with second sight
A purple candle anointed
Blue moon is on the wick
Incense burning steady
Frankincense is our pick
Our protection now in place
Our minds open and clear
Send to us wisdom
And understand what we hear.

So Mote it Be


Good Wife Tisane Spell
For general good health

Pale blue candle
Dandelion Leaf and flower
Chamomile mint tea
Tea cup
Hot water
Sweetener

Light candle and steep tea. Place hand over cup and intone:

By the goodness in this brew. Sickness slay and life renew

Drink tea until you have just a sip left and use the dandelion to anoint the room or
yourself.

House Guardian Spell
To protect the home

One white candle
One black or dark candle
A picture or medal of Mary or other saint

Light black candle, light white candle, and intone:

May Mary and all the saints
Witness and empower my spell
Defend this home by holy power
Let no evil pass through my door
Keep this house safe by the hour
To this task I do implore.

So mote it be

Knitbone Pouch Spell
To knit quarrels

Frankincense oil
Eucalyptus oil
Cloves
Rosemary
Low John
Sage wand/Incense
Red Bag
Small stone
Blue Candle

Light blue candle intoning:

Let peace be among us now and forever

Anoint stone with the oils. Place stone and cloves into sack and intone:

Let healing be among us now and forever

Put in Low John, rosemary and passing the bag deosil through the smoke of the incense
or smudge and intone:

May quarrels end and hurts a-mend
Each heart shall be whole again
So mote it be

Elf Shot Spell
To keep troublesome relatives at bay

Red candle
Favorite incense
Black pouch
Black stone
Salt
Plate

Do this spell on Tuesdays during the Mars hour (12:00 midnight) during a full moon.

Light the candle and place stone before it. Light the incense and draw a circle of salt
around the stone

Intone:

By the dark of the moon
By the energies of Mars
This spell is made
In fire I forge thee
My intent will empower thee
As I will it, so mote it be.

Put the salt and the stone in the pouch and place near the door.

Harmony Spell

Pink candle
White candle
Tray
Lavender oil
Lavender leaves
Orange oil
Anise/Cloves oil
Small jar

Draw a pentangle on the pink star and intone:

Star of love
Star of peace
Witness and empower
The work of this hour

Mix the oils and herbs together in a bowl. Light the white candle and begin to melt the
wax into a disc shape on the tray. Before the wax cools, add drops of the oil to the disc.
Do this until you have used up the candle. Allow all the discs to cool and place them in
the jar. Intone over the jar:

May all changes come with love
May love come with change
The circle is open, the spell unbroken
So mote it be

Melt one when you need a little harmony.

Magik Jar Spell
Perform on a Saturday
For Protection

Black or dark candle
Nail
Sun Symbol
Jar
Chilis or chili powder
Stickers with chilis

Put the stickers on your jar along with any other decorations you wish.

Light the candle. Intone:

Saints around us, saints be praised
Bless this spell and the power raised
All who wish us ill are spurned
With all evil thrice returned

Place the nail in a jar

Throw yourself upon this thorn
And only your blood will be drawn

Add powder or chili

Every spite that shall be given
For each bite you shall be bitten

Add sun symbol

Fire from the sun about
Fly into a spiteful mouth

Pass the jar around the candle widdershins
I abjure thee from harming others
And prevent you from harming yourself

Place jar in a window facing east

Earth Dragon

Green candle
Sandalwood incense
Patchouli oil
Green Pen and Paper or Dragons Blood ink
Dragon or dragon fly charm
Green cord or string
Small jar or bottle

To be performed in early spring or on a new moon

Light the candle and incense. Anoint the charm with patchouli. Intone, wafting charm
in the incense smoke deosil

Within and around me
The power of earth
A creature eating fire
Come through the air
Come by water
And make this good earth home

On paper write Draco Erce Venit. Place it in the small bottle and wear your
dragon/fly charm as you plant your garden. Bury the bottle in your garden.



Imbolc Seed Spell

Packets of seed
White candle

Light candle and intone

Brigid you are welcome
Times three you are welcome
She blesses the seed upon the earth
Her warmth will bring new seeds to birth
Holy Brigid bless all who lives
Between my right and my left.

Let the candle burn for an hour.

Imbolc Brigids Spell

White candle
Small bowl
Three small stones
Salt
Water
Pouch

Light candle. Put the stones into the bowl. Name each stone an ailment. Sprinkle Salt
over them. Breathe on them muttering

By my breath (put your hands over them)
By my flesh (pour water over them)
By the waters of St. Brigid may health prevail
And good reside

With palms out to candle

Earth, water, flame, work in Brigids name
Earth water and flame work my desire

Put the stones in the pouch and carry them with you, place them on your altar, or put
them on your hearth.

Imbolc Cloutie Spell

Myrrh Incense or oil
White Candle
Purple Candle
Pen
Small pieces of white ribbon
Dead Branches or a Yule tree

Light white candle and incense or anoint the palms of your hands

Blessings are here

Light purple candle

And justice will come

Write down the injustices committed against you on white ribbons. The Cloutie is a
prayer ribbon or rag. Hold ribbons in incense smoke or hold in anointed hands

Bless these rags and may justice come
Tie to branches or Yule tree intoning:

Pity this branch
As it lifts up my cause
And brings justice to my enemies
May the earth hear me
And the air hear my cry
May the sun take up my pleas
And the moon decry it
And may blessings be on my side
My cause to heaven will rise

So mote it be

Keep the prayers there for three days and three nights. The chop them up and throw
them away.

Eostre Door Post Spell

Frankincense and myrrh incense
Black or dark candle
White candle
Oil (sweet oil or sandalwood oil)
Salt in a small dish
3 Plates
2 incense holders

Place dark candle on the left and white on the right with plate in the middle of the
floor. Light the incense (myrrh) and the black candle intoning:

The pillar on the left is night
All things within it is held in potential

Light white candle and Frankincense

The pillar on the right is day
All things within are held in fruition

Anoint knees, breast, mouth and forehead with oil

I make myself sacred to enter sacred space

Pour a bit of salt onto the plate and intone

I make myself pure to enter a sacred place

Place the plate on the floor and gently place one foot then the other in the salt

In the doorway of the year
Between the vale of night and day
I have a small word to leave: Balance
And a big word to take

Close your eyes and wait for the word. Never doubt it will come. It will be the key to
attaining balance through the year.

Beltane Almond Spell
For firm Promises

Besom
2 Green Candles
Small bowl of Almonds
Mojo Bag

Place besom across a path with candles at each end. Intone as you light the candles:

Here is Mary, mother of Jesus
Here is Joseph, her beloved earthly spouse

Hold your bowl of almonds in your palms. Intone:

These are my troubles, bitter in my mouth.

Eat three almonds. Intone:

These are my solutions, sweet in my mouth.

Eat three almonds and step over the besom. Intone

Sweetness comes to those a firm promise make
Bitterness then goes with each step I take

Take three almonds and put the m in the mojo bag and tie it to the besom. Pick up the
besom and sweep toward the door. Use the broom to rid yourself of problems when
troubled. Good for one year.


Beltane Ribbon Spell
To Attract a Lover

Best worked at Beltane but can be worked on the full moon anytime.

A tall green candle
Rubber Band
Red, Green and Gold Thread
Heart Charm
Red Pen
Paper
Ylang Ylang Oil

Anoint candle with ylang ylang oil. Wrap the rubber band on the candle about an inch
from the top. Light the candle. Braid the threads. Write the name of two lovers or write
someone special and braid it into the threads. Add the heart to the end; anoint it with
ylang ylang oil. Hold it between the palms and intone:

This charm I endow with my fond vow
He/She should seek me and find me now
And He/She be kind that I not repine
And He/She be loving send him/her to me
And he/she bring love Ill thank heaven above

Allow the candle to burn to the rubber band and blow out the candle. Move the rubber
band down an inch each day and burn the candle to the band each day for seven days.
Carry the charm in your pocket.





Lughnasadh
Winnowing Well
For blessings and ridding bad habits

1 Orange Candle
Pen with brown ink
Paper
Cauldron or bowl

Spend some time making two separate lists. One with blessings and one with bad habits.

Light the candle and intone:

Come the harvest, come the truth
Those I need and those I dont
Some Ill keep and some I wont

Light your bad habits list. Use the ashes to bless the Blessings list (mark with the cross
and pentangle) Now burn the blessings list.

Blessings and curses come from the harvest
Return to earth and nourish us next year.

Place the ashes in your garden. Great spell for Samhain too.

Fortunas Wheel
To turn bad luck to good
Waxing moon on Tuesdays

1 Purple candle
Three sticks at least six inches each
Purple thread 2 yards
Water
Lavender oil
Salt
Bowl

Light the candle. Pour water and lavender oil and salt into bowl. Make an equidistant
cross and weave the purple threads in and out of it until it looks like a disc. Anoint it
by baptizing it with the potion, intoning:

Lady Madonna, robed in royal purple
Turn your wheel for me and my fortune is blessed
Weaver weave in what is best
By the warp and by the weft.

Hang it on your hearth.

Mojo Luck Spell
Six nights after a new moon

1 cream colored candle
Red thread
Red pouch
White pebble
Silver pen
Paper
Small nail
Religious picture or medal
Sage
Shamrock

Light a cream colored candle. Take the pebble and draw small pentangle on the surface
with the silver pen. Take red thread and tie knots in it. You might want to do a simple
witchs ladder. Each knot will represent a wish. Write your wishes down on paper with
your pen. Place everything in mojo. Hold the mojo in your hand and intone:

Hear me!
I stand between light and dark
Between a high place and a low place
And none that inhabit these places
May gainsay or cross the luck I seal within
All within is pure and safe
That within is without
And without is within
Let the charm begin
So mote it be

Seal the bag shut. Carry it with you wherever you go. Lasts a year.



Berry Necklace Spell
Waxing moon on Tuesday, the hour of Mars (midnight)
If done at Yule, hang it on your tree

Red candle
Green Candle
Needle and thread
Berries or red beads

Light the red candle: Health and heart prevail
Light green candle: Wealth and weal prevail

String berries or beads and intone:

Berries in your house of light
Never hold your bounty high
Berries in your house of red blood
Keep me hail and do me good
Holly berries for my sake
Happy find and merry make
Three bright things I would possess
Health, wealth and happiness
Health show, wealth grow, and happiness I will know
All in this row.

Hang in an eastern facing window or on your Yule tree.



Herb Garden Spell
To protect your home from burglary and theft

White candle
Black or dark candle
Small nail
Plate
Sage
Dragons Blood oil
Black ribbon
Small Pin

Light the black candle. On the plate, loop the piece of ribbon in the familiar memorial
ribbon. Pin it with the small stick pin. Light the white candle and drip wax where the
ribbon is joined. While wax is hot, add the small nail, some sage and dragons blood oil.
Let cool and intone:

As the planets and stars turn
My guardian angel protects my home
Evil deeds and words
Are banished from my home

Hang near the front door.

Mexican Eye Spell
Guard against the evil eye

Orange candle
Frankincense
Two twigs about 6
Embroidery floss in : Black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Cinnamon oil

Light incense and candle. Intone:

Power of the mighty sun
All seeing eye
Light upon all enemies
Who dwells beneath the sky
Find them out
Put evil to rout

Cross the twigs and weave threads, nine turns per color in the order on the list. When
you are finished, anoint your hands with cinnamon and hold the talisman between the
palm. Intone, spinning in incense deosil.

I seal and proclaim you
Let no one defame you

Hang over the bed.

Snap Dragon Spell
To guard against spite
Tuesdays on a waning moon

Waning moons are the usual time to cast removing spells.

Red candle
Nail
Rosemary
Picture of Bee
Red pouch
Witch ladder
Sandalwood or Dragons Blood incense

Light the incense. With a nail etch a triangle on the red candle. Sprinkle some rosemary
into the bag. Take witch cord and tie seven knots reciting:

Power of one the mighty sun
Power of two right and true
Power of three sting of the bee (place the bee in the bag)
Power of four all harm deplore
Power of five voice of the five (buzz into the bag)
Power of six, all harm desist
Power of seven all harm be driven

Hold the bag over the incense smoke; visualize the energy of the bee. Place the witch
cord in the bag and tie or sew it up and carry in your pocket for your own protection.

Herb Poppet Spell
To protect against hardship

Black/Dark Candle
Sage wand
Small sack with human shape drawn on it
Dandelions
Thyme
Rosemary
Salt
Thorns
Pen

Write the name of the person you are working for. Light your incense and candle. Fill
the bag with your flowers and herbs. Close the top. Intone:

Guard my wealth
Guard my weal
None to envy
None to steal
Walk in the ways of fortune
Protect all I need
Guard against wrath
Avarice and greed
As I will it, so mote it be.



Health Spell
To Bless the Spiritual Health of the Home
Waxing moon on Sunday or Monday

Cinnamon Incense or oil
Red Candle
12 straight twigs
White or purple twine

Light incense and candle. If you use cinnamon oil, anoint the candle first. In a square
design tie the twigs together.

Intone:

Holy Brigid of the holy flame
Bless this charm made in your name
I call upon the four winds
To blow gently on this house
And call upon Brigids blessing
Upon this sacred hour
So mote it be

Hang talisman over the hearth. Good for a year.

Shield Spell
For stressful situations
Best on a waning moon on Tuesday

Black or dark blue candle
String or cord
Plate
Coffin (small box or bottle

Light the candle and intone:

Banish my fears. Now visualize with closed eyes a shield coming up around you,
completely covering you. As you visualize your shield, tie knots in your string or cord,
enumerating your stresses. With the dark candle drip wax on each knot, intoning:

My stresses are trapped.

Place the cord in the coffin.

You cannot escape, you are my prisoner.

Keep the coffin in a safe place for a year. When the year is over, throw away the coffin.

Salt and Water Spell
Self blessing during times of trouble

Frankincense
White Candle
Salt
Water
Chalice

Light the candle and incense intoning:
I walk the path of courage
Where truth brings light
May God hear me in the darkest night

Pour salt in your left hand and put right hand over the chalice with water.

Wash away all evil

Place your right hand over your left hand and intone:

Salt cast out impurity and evil

Add the salt and anoint your body with the brine. Anoint feet, knees, navel, breast, and
forehead. Pour some salt around you in a clockwise motion intoning:

God walk with me in my footsteps.

Meditate on finding solutions to your problems.



Major Arcana Tarot Spell

Purple candle
Major Arcana of the Tarot deck

For me, the deck means the Rider Waite deck, the traditional deck of all witches, but
you may use other oracle decks if you are comfortable with them. You may also use the
face cards of a regular deck of cards.

Light the purple candle and intone:

Fortunes angels look kindly
On my quest for truth
Not for vanity but protection

Shuffle the cards and lay them in a circle. Using your wand or wand hand, chose three
and lay them left to right in the order they were drawn.





Problem Effects Outcome

Add up the numbers at the top of the cards. If it is even you are expected to seek the
truth. If the numbers are odd, you are being deceived. If the cards depict mainly males,
your outcome will come very soon. If the cards are mainly female, you will have your
outcome in a year. If you have mainly couples, get out of your situation quickly, you are
in danger.

If there is a cup in your cards (heart) then you can look for positive outcomes. If there is
a sword (spade) look for negative outcomes. If you see a wand (clubs) look for magik or
divine intervention or spiritual help. If you see a pentangle (diamonds) seek the counsel
of another wicce or witch.

Celestial symbols of the sun, moon, or stars suggest that your judgment or intuition is
correct, Animals mean justice served, water foretells change.





Ancient Knot Spell
To find a solution to a problem

Light Blue Candle
Sage Wand
Witch cord

Light incense and candle and intone:

You who know the secret
Of the unhewn Stone
Whose light shines in the darkness
Light my way

Begin tying knots at the end of each line of this spell

One for the sun that brings the light
Two for the stars that shine at night
Three for the moon that sails through the sky
Four for the clouds that pass it by
Five for the Babe inside the moon
Six for the question on my tongue
Seven for secrets yet unknown
Within a senight all undone
As I will it, so mote it be.

Cord and Candle Spell
To diminish the power of a deceitful person

White household candle
Iron Nail
Piece of paper with deceivers name
Thread

Draw the outline of an eye on the candle with the nail
Light the candle, Role the paper with the name of the deceiver written on it into a small
scroll and wrap with black thread. Intone:

___________ if thou be a liar
You sins shall find thee out
And all thy deeds be marked to thee
As I will it, so mote it be.

Burn candle until the eye is consumed and burn scroll.

Seat of Thorns
To get rid of a bully
Always report threats of physical harm to law enforcement

1 black or dark candle
Name of bully on a piece of paper
6 pins
Small bottle with a lid

Light candle saying

I cast you out
I send you hence
Let none protect you
And none defend
Your rule of force
Is at an end

Burn the paper and put the ashes and pins in the bottle

I hold the means of your dismay
Until your cruelty goes away
As you are cruel
So these thorns will be
When you are kind
Youll kindness find.
As I will it, so mote it be

Severing Spell
To break with the past

1 Black or dark candle
Myrrh incense
Black thread

Light candle and incense intoning:
By this token I am freed and walk toward the light.

Tie a knot on each end of the cord. The knot on the left side is the past and the knot on
the right is the future. Burn the knot in two and burn the past knot completely. Keep the
future knot in a safe place.

Tyr Amulet
To gain Employment

Yellow candle (Wednesday)
Red candle (Tuesday)
Small Flat Stone
Red Sharpie Pen

Light the candle intoning:

Spirit of sure victory
Look well and kindly on me

Hold the pebble in your hands and visualize yourself going to work and having money
in your pocket

Blow on the stone and intone:

By my breath I charge thee






Paint the above symbol on the stone. Carry it wherever you go until you get your job,
then discard in natural running water.

Solar Cross Charm
To find your career path.

Yellow candle
Myrrh and cinnamon incense
Black thread or cord
A paper tag or piece of paper
Pen in gold, orange or yellow

Light incense and candle and intone:

Eternal sun, Throne of Christ
Lamp of the universe
Shine upon and bless my pathway
Light my way forward.









Draw this symbol on the tag. The best tag is the little tags they put keys on, but a piece
of paper with the talisman drawn on it will work just as well, Pin it inside your coat or
carry it in your wallet.


Teachers Good Luck Spell

White candle
Sage Wand
Apple (uncut)

Light the candle on your desk and smudge the room with your sage wand. Intone:

The summer is over, the school bell has rung
Give me good luck in the year to come
Quiet excited mouths and open little minds
Make trouble makers absent and hard workers try
Help me inspire all who sit in my class
Make them want more than just to pass
Help me be prepared and have great notes
Pass on relevant knowledge they need the most
Give me patience to help the one who is slow
Give me compassion for those with worries and woes
Today give me strength and have no fear
So I can relax and teach and really care
As I will it, so mote it be

After casting, eat the apple. Its now full of good luck


Casting a Circle With an Athame

East- I call upon you, powers of air to witness this rite and guard this circle.
South- I all upon you, powers of fire to witness this rite and guard this circle.
West- I call upon you, powers of water to witness this rite and guard this circle.
North- I call upon you, powers of earth to witness this rite and guard this circle.

This circle is bound
With power all around
Between worlds I stand
With help in my hand.

Banishing a Circle with an Athame

East- Depart in peace o power of air, my thanks and blessings to you.
South- Depart in peace o power of fire, my thanks and blessings to you
West- Depart in peace o power of water, my thanks and blessings to you
North- Depart in peace o power of earth, my thanks and blessing to you

The circle is open though it still remains
Around and through me
Invested with its power
I feel its blessings and magik

As I will it, so mote it be






Michaelmas Spell

Protection for those in war. Generally cast on September 29, but can be cast on
November 11.

Image of St. Michael
Red Candle
Eucalyptus oil
Musk incense
Athame

Anoint and light candle and light the incense

With Athame pointing toward the image of St. Michael, intone:

Armies gathered on the field
Neither side will yield
Give protection in the fight
And comfort those who die

Bless the ones who protect
The free from evil kings
And those who are fallen
And the sadness their deaths bring

Remember those who have served
And need the help they deserve
Help them in their injury
Of soul body and mind

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil
May God rebuke him we humbly pray
And do you o prince of the heavenly Host
By the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
Prowling about the earth
Seeking to destroy the spirits of men

So mote it be

The image of Michael is now charged and may be used as a talisman.

Baptize a Crystal

Small bowl
Salt
Crystal
Candle
Altar stone
Mugwort
Small dinner plate

Draw a circle on the altar stone. Place the small bowl in the midst. Lay the crystal in
the bowl and sprinkle mugwort over it. Leave for an hour to charge in the light of the
moon. Best done in the full moon. Keep the stone in small box or cloth. Do monthly.



Womanhood Spell
1
st
Day of Menses

Favorite treat
Milk
Chalice
Wand
Athame
White Candle
Musk Incense

Light candle and incense. Pour milk in chalice. With wand intone:

Here is the milk of comfort
From the breast of Mother Earth
And here is sweet celebration
For our womanhood night feast

With Athame:

Angels of the four corners I call
To comfort our sisters hurts
Help her rest and be comforted
As she releases her menses

With hands raised in benediction:

Virgin to mother she passes
Good Craft folk raise your glasses
Make a toast to our daughter.

May Holy Mother Mary
And all holy women of God
Accept our little sister
Into our fold
So mote it be

Libate and jump into bed.

Ancient Ones Harvest Spell

Sage Wand
Small Basket
Twine
Ribbons of Harvest colors (Purple, brown, orange, yellow and red)
Scissors and tags
Pen

Tie the colored ribbons to your basket. Twine, scissors and tags, pen and basket are
smudged with the sage wand intoning:

Consecrate the produce of our land
Bestow prosperity and peace
In the name of God and our forefathers

So Mote it Be



Giving Thanks Spell

Thank you O God for your abundance
Thank you O God for your generosity

So mote it be





Celtic House Blessing

St Joseph may your blessings be
On our home and family
Bless us by day
And bless us by night
Bless our children
As they sleep tight

Blessed Be, So Mote it Be

Witch Ball Spell

A glass, plastic, or Styrofoam ball

Some purists say it must be a hollow ball, but magic is about removing obstacles, not
creating them, This is also a great activity for young people (witches or not) and great
for both Yule and Samhain.

Bows, ribbons, beads, pins, pictures, glue, scissors, glitter etc
Favorite incense

Decorate your balls however you wish and attach hangers to them. Light incense and
pass deosil through the smoke, intoning:

Globe of power, globe of creation
Give me protection and every nation
Bring on blessings, bring on peace
Witches ball, evils release

So mote it be



Nostradamus Divination Spell
December 14- Nostradamus Birthday

Tarot cards
Two white candles
Bowl and water

Light the candles. Washing your fingers in the scrying bowl intone:

I wash myself of all confusion and distractions
I cleanse myself from selfishness
I come with pure intent

Hold your cards in your hand

Grant me clear vision
Let me see clearly through the veil
Give me strength to accept truth
Wisdom to make choices based on my vision

Perform the readings and record

May I gain wisdom from what I have seen
To serve others and help those in need.
So Mote it Be

Home Safety Spell
White Candle
Frankincense
Pictures of people traveling

Light the candle and the incense and intone:

May my family be blessed with protection
Clear thinking
Vitality
Energy
Peace
Harmony

May God bless my loved ones
As they make their way to me
With harm to none
So mote it be done

Home Protection Spell
A small piece of paper
Pen
Small Bottle or Box

Draw a picture of a house and place it in the bottle or box. Repeat the spell three
times:

In the days to come
This home be guarded
My will be done
From fire, disaster or robbery
This home be safe
So mote it be

As long as the container is sealed, the house is protected

Wishing Well Spell

Take a coin and rub it with frankincense and carry it with you until you come to a
fountain and can make your wish. As you rub it with oil intone:

Silver coin
I will set you free
In this pool
I release thee
Boundless as drops in the sea
Unlimited wealth
Now it comes to me
So Mote it Be

Scarecrow Spell
Great for Samhain

Drawing of a scarecrow
Candle
Bowl

On the scarecrow write down your troubles or bad habits. As you burn the scarecrow
intone:

Strawman, I fill you with my weakness, troubles, fears and doubts.
Strawman I rid myself of any weakness, troubles, fear and doubts.

Burn the strawman

Thank you for preparing me for a brand new year
Thank you for setting me free to dream
Thank you for making a better me

So mote it be

Sweep Away the Past

Salt
Bell
Incense (cedar or sandalwood or sage wand)
Besom
Water and bowl

Clean your house and sweep, vacuum and mop. Dustin short clean your whole living
space. Use the magikal floor wash. When everything is clean and you have had a bath,
light incense, ring the bell and begin to sweep the room, back to front Sprinkle salt water
around the room.

Many in the magikal community argue about whether or not one should actually sweep
the floor or ground with your besom. Your broom may be a conventional broom blessed to
ritual use or it may be a nice ornamental broom. Do what seems right to you. Whether
you sweep or dont sweep is up to the individual. Your goal is not to physically clean but
to spiritually clean. The real cleaning should take place before hand.

As you sweep during the ritual, intone:

I sweep out the old and gather in the new

Take your incense and move around the room, smudging the room

By air and fire I cleanse and bless my home
Let it be a place of wisdom and love

Using the salt water

By water and earth I cleanse and bless my home
May it be a place of healing and sanctuary

With your blessings O Lord this rite is done

So Mote it Be




One Clean Sweep
Cleanse Life
1 White Candle
Eucalyptus Oil
Sandalwood Incense
Besom
Holy Water
Resolutions on paper
Bowl
Anoint white candle and light with sandalwood incense. Write a list of resolutions.
Intone

Black and void I sweep away
All I want to keep away
I present this list to put to rest
That soiled energy that was a pest

Burn the paper

My life is now free from this woe
Knowing I have cleared my soul
I take up my besom and sweep
Ive cleansed my life with one stroke

So Mote it Be

Sweep the room




Phantoms of Fear
Anti-Nightmare Spell

Black candle
Musk oil
Opium Incense

Light anointed candle and incense

Phantoms that creep into my fears
Now will vanish and disappear
I wear this potion over my heart

Anoint heart

When negativity will never start
This holy rite destroys the foul
Of fear and evil that lurks and prowls
No longer living near my thoughts
Phantoms be gone I destroy the lot

So mote it be

Sticks and Stones

Purple Candle
Wand (plain)
Dragons blood oil or incense
Wire and Crystals (you can use semi precious beads from a craft store)
Frankincense oil or incense

Anoint candle and light with incense. Decorate wand with crystals and wire. Intone:

Little crystals and some wood
Channel the magik, as it should
Harness the power within this wand
Adhere to me and my bond

Unleash the magik as I invoke
Concentrates energy with every stroke
Charges by earth and holy power
God blessed by day and hour

Anoint wand

Wand of earth, wand of stone
Harvest the magik I have grown
Incense of wisdom and power
Release the magik of my desire

So mote it be.













Turning Spell
1 White candle
1 Brown Candle
1 Black Candle
Sea Salt
Pen and Paper
Bowl
Plate

Set up candles: on the plate. Pour a salt circle around
them deosil. Write down the nature of your conflict. Intone, lighting candles from the
left to right, black candle first:

Black, brown, white candle aflame
Into my life bring positive change
Let misunderstandings become understood
So what was once bad now will become good
So mote it be

Burn you conflict. Allow candles to burn down.













Getting Over Grief

Pink Candle
Black ribbon
Paper and Pen
Bowl

Tie black ribbon around the pink candle. Write the name of the person you are
mourning. This can be someone who has passed away or someone you once had a
relationship with. Intone:

Sacred fire cleanse my grief with your flame
Warm my heart and soothe my soul once again
By the divine love of the Lord Jesus Christ and Mother Mary
I do make this most fervent request

As I will it, so mote it be

Burn the paper and allow the candle to burn for an hour.

Banishing Nightmares

Lavender oil

Anoint self on the head, wrists and the bottoms of the feet. Intone:

Unwanted nightmares
I bid you farewell
Now and forever more
My hands help me
My hands wake me
From bad dreams
Blessed be
My hands help me
My hands wake me
From my bad dreams
Blessed Be

So mote it be




Free From Stress Charm
1 Blue Candle
1 White Candle

Light the candles and intone:

I am now full of stress
And feelings of excess
I am now free of worry
And no longer feel buried
I am completely free from stress
And any feelings of excess
I am completely free from worry
And no longer feel hurried
I am free from stress
And filled with bliss
May I now be blessed
So mote it be

Banishing Stone
To rid yourself of illness or bad habits

A small stone
Water
Salt
Bowl

Hold the stone in you hand and intone:

Banishing stone,
Fill yourself with all my pains and hurts
So that I may be well again
Blessings be on me from thee
So mote it be

Stir three pinches salt into the water, stirring widdershins (counterclockwise). Add the
banishing stone. Stir once more widdershins and throw the stone away.




Addiction Spell
Small white candle (birthday candle)
Pen and paper
Sage Wand

On paper, write the name of your addiction then strike it out with an x. Smudge both
candle and paper with the sage wand and intone:

Sacred sage cleanse me of this addiction
Let my strength burn bright and dim
I no longer need___________
I know I am healthy and bright
Today, tomorrow and the next day
So mote it be

Break the candle as a symbol of breaking your addiction. Announce:

I am no longer addicted to_______________

Tear up the paper and announce the same thing and throw the bits of candle and
paper away.





Tree Power Magik

You should be near a tree or have a symbol of a tree. Intone:

I am the tree
The tree is me
And together we live forever
As one

So mote it be

Trees are an excellent place to remember ancestors.





A Healing Circle

Salt in a bowl
White Candle
Water in Chalice
Athame
Sandalwood incense
Altar stone
Crystal

Place salt in the north position, water in the east, candle in the south, and incense in the
west. With your athame acknowledge the corners

Element of the (north, south, east, west) let your healing powers come into this circle.
Blessings be.

In the center of your newly formed circle, place your crystal. Intone:

I thank the Sacred One for its power upon this rite.
Upon this hour come into this circle. Blessed Be. So mote it be

Perform your rituals, spells or rites as you chose.

Closing the Healing Circle

Facing the west intone:

Element of the west (south, east and north) we thank thee for your healing powers. Be
thou released from our circle with thankfulness.

Intone of all the directions. Pick up your crystal and present it to the heavens:

I thank the Sacred One for its power upon this rite
Upon this hour be thou released from this circle. Blessed Be. So mote it be




Reversing Your Spell Work

Go back over the spell you have cast and perform it up to the point of releasing the
spell and intone the out:

Backward, o backward, o time in its flight
Unfetter the binding of magik and might
Reverse the intent with love and space
Disperse and return to your original state

Make statement of reversal and sprinkle the spell materials with holy water and
discard all of the materials. This is your sacrifice you pay for the ending of the spell.
Intone:

The spell is reversed without hatred or curse
So mote it be

Always be careful with spells. Think things through before you cast. Ask yourself why
you are casting this spell. Is it about revenge or anger? Is the spell about helping
someone? Is there a way you can bind this person from harming others or themselves
instead of cursing them with a baneful spell? Spells are powerful and potentially
dangerous and could harm someone, and because of the law of return, they can harm
you. Remember the Rede: Harm none.


Holiday Prosperity
Draw a picture of the Elixir of the Moon









Red, Gold, silver white and black candles
Favorite incense
Favorite oil
Birthday candle

Anoint the candles and light the incense. Light the black candle, red candle, white
candle, gold candle and silver candle in that order. Intone, holding the talisman in
your anointed hands.

Out of the black, into the red
Out of the red into the white
Out of the white into the gold
Out of the gold into the silver
Out of the silver into the world

Where my hand is laid, enchantment is made
Out of the void into action
Out of action into the spirit
Out of the spirit into the world
Where a witches hand is laid, magik is made

Say three times and wave the talisman deosil in the incense smoke. After saying the
charms three times end with:

I manifest love, luck, and happiness and serenity during the holiday season.

Light the birthday candle and intone:

I activate the power of the sun and the moon, Mars and Mercury, Venus and Jupiter
for luck and happiness, love and serenity, energy and vision and all rewards for the
season.

With candle wax from the white candle, draw and pentangle of wax and carry the
talisman through the holiday season.

Astral Nasty Trap
A small box
Mirror or foil
Small magnet
Holy water
Black marker
Hexagram paper talisman

Make a hole in one end of the small box and paint the inside black. Glue the mirror or
the foil on the bottom of the box and the lid. Sprinkle the talisman with holy water and
glue the talisman in the box. Place the magnet on the altar and with your fingers
encircle it with a triangle shape and intone:

Little magnet of darkest grey
Work my will this very day
Pull towards you all that is ill
Catch it up in darkness till
Its gobbled up by pure white light
Vanquished by this sigil bright
Kept from doing what is not right
As I say it, so it will be done

Place the magnet in the box and place it under the bed

An astral nasty can be any energy, force or spirit that causes any pain
or distrust, depression anger or sickness. Sigils are great instruments and easy to draw
or carry around. Drawing it as you need it is always the best policy because it makes
your talisman strong.







Time to Move On
Cauldron
Candle
Black ribbon
Bottled Water
Rose Oil
Wand
Salt
Paper and pen
Bowl
2 Birthday candles

Create your sacred space by calling on your angel guardians. On a piece of paper write
the name of someone or something you wish to lay down as a burden. Light an anointed
candle and place the birthday candles on each side. Mix your oil and water and salt in
your cauldron. With wand intone:

I light this candle for the Lord Creator
And the Holy Trinity
For the four elements: Earth, air, fire and water
For memories of those I have loved and lost who must travel to the other world.

The hopes of the future I see
Make me healed with no feelings of pain
Dispel evil spirits who plague me
So Mote it Be

With the oil mixture anoint yourself first with the sign of the cross and then the sign of
the pentangle. Light the birthday candles. Intone:

Blessings be for one who seeks harmony love and peace

Roll your burdens in a tube and tie with the black string or twine with wand intone:

Water blesses and renews
Oil anoints the chosen few
Now that I am truly blessed
Let go the past go to whats next

So mote it be

Burn your burden. Decant any potion you have left or use it to bless the room.


Nine Sisters Spell
Mix water, salt, eucalyptus, and lemon oil and bless home or sick room with the wash.
Smudge same with sage wand. With hands down over the person or wound say:

Nine were the sisters
Fever disappeared and then there were eight
Eight were the sisters
Cramps disappeared and then there were seven
Seven were the sisters
Sweats disappeared and then there were six
Six were the sisters
Inflammation disappeared and then there were five
Five were the sisters
Pain disappeared and then there were four
Four were the sisters
Infection disappeared and then there were three
Three were the sisters
Congestion disappeared and then there were two
Two were the sisters
Cough disappeared and then there were one
One sister left and away she flew
The sickness is done, bright blessings to you
As I will it, so mote it be

Money and Prosperity Spell
Small black bag
Coins
Mint leaves or oil
Garlic
Bell
Pepper
Paper and pen
Paper pentangle drawn with silver ink or with grey pencil

Write your name, the amount of money you need and the words a little extra. Place
paper into bag with a pinch of each herb or after having anointing the coins and chant:

Money, money come to me
Bring to me prosperity
Silver coins and ringing bell (ring bell)
Silver star, the money swells
So mote it be

Say this spell three times. Add the pentangle at the last to the bag.


Anti- Stalker Spell
Performed at night, especially midnight

Patchouli Oil
Low John or Ginger Root
Name, picture or description of stalker
World or Justice Tarot Card
Athame
Small padlock and key or a picture of one
Bottled water
Small bottle or jar

Mix a few drops of patchouli oil into the water with a sliver of low john or ginger. With
athame call the corners.

To the spirit of the Bull of the North (Snake of the East, Lion of the South, Eagle of the
West) Ruler of the valleys and mountains (of the seas, of fire, of wind,) Master of the
forces of Protection (transformation, growth, courage) Attend this circle, guard this
space from all perils seen and unseen in this lane and the next.

Heavenly Father, Blessed Mother, help me in this hour of need

Everyone knows you reap what you sow
Captured and caught your folly is known
The dead have arisen the hound is at your door
You will be called to settle a score
Pester me not from earth air or sea
Ive locked you away and tossed away the key
So mote it be

Place the bottle and paper with vitals in the box. Seal the box with the lock. Bury the
box or throw it away.

Remove an Enemy and Promote Harmony
Seven small charms (can be small beads in various colors)
String: 3 pieces at 30 inches
Patchouli Oil
Pen and paper
Birthday candle
Sandalwood incense

Braid and string the seven charms. Anoint the candle with patchouli oil. On a piece of
paper write down the names of things and people you need protection from. Slide paper
into the braid and braid and knot at the end. Light the candle and incense. Smudge the
talisman in the incense and turning deosil intone:

O Gracious Virgin bring to me
Peace and acts of harmony
Banish Evil, make it flee
As I will it so mote it be

Repeat as many times as you feel or need to recite it.




Fools Card Spell
To clear a path, remove obstacles, protect those who are traveling

Fools Card from Tarot or the Joker Card from a playing deck
White Candle

Light candle and place it before the card

All who wander is not lost
May we be protected on our way
Help us to reach our journeys end
And find love and joy with our friends
All who wander are not lost

So mote it be

Blow out the candle and carry the card with you.









Accepting Change Spell
To cope with the stress of change

Note: Many people outside the Craft or occult practices do not understand the
relevance of the Death Card as a symbol of change. If you are working for someone who
and they do not understand the symbolism, use the ace of spades from an ordinary card
deck.

Black candle (or dark blue)
Opium oil
Death card or ace of spades
Anoint and light the candle and place it before the card. Intone:

As the seasons turn so does change occur
It is not always bad and does you good
Help me to deal with sudden change
And explore possibilities as they take shape

Blessings be and So mote it be

Carry the card until you feel comfortable in your new situation.




Trouble Me No More
Lavender oil
Lavender incense
Pen and Paper

Write down the nature of your problem and anoint your palms with oil

This problem has troubled me for the last time
I banish it from my heart and mind
I have been put through the test
Now I command trouble to rest
With lavender I soothe my head (anoint your head)
And lighten a heart that felt like lead
Trouble me no further and go
As above, so below

So mote it be.

The phrase as above so below acknowledges the bliss of heaven and the desire to feel
that comfort on earth. Likewise it is also a statement of faith and a belief that all you
empower on earth comes from the power of God.



Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

The ingredients mentioned in Simon and Garfunkles song Scarbourough Fair are
ingredients for a bath sachet to bring love. A couple of equal pinches of each herb are
placed in a nylon rice bag like those filled for weddings with bird seed or in a coffee
filter, folded around the herbs and stapled securely like a tea bag or tied in a thin linen
handkerchief and knotted. This sachet may then be thrown in the water.

As you mix the herbs intone:

Parsley protect me from a broken heart
Make a lover take my part
Sage give me wisdom beyond my years
Defeat the things that which cause me tears
Rosemary give me beauty to behold
So the one I love loves me til I am old
Thyme bring me love that is best
And my broken heart will forget the past

So mote it be.

If you make the sachet for someone else, have them chant the charm as they put it in
their bath.

Ritual Bath

Ritual baths are performed before esbats and sabats. You should already be clean
before you take the ritual bath. Run a bath of a desired nature or draw a large bowl of
warm water to simply wash key parts of the body. Add oil: Lavender, lily of the valley,
gardenia, and three pinches of salt.

Intone:

Bless this bath
May it calm the senses
Quiet the nerves
Open the mind
Bless this bath
Infused with the purity of salt
And soothing oils
To prepare my body for the esbat (sabat)
Bless this bath
With the element of water
Remind me of birth waters
Remind me of Baptism
Prepare my mind to the esbat (sabat)

So mote it be



To Blow away a Burn
Blowing on the burn intone:

Old clod beneath the clay
Burn away, burn away
In the name of God thou be healed
So mote it be

This is a part of the Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow Christian spell working tradition.

Healing Spell
Visualizing the sick person

Arise o Faithful One
Through Christ be thou healed
In blood, marrow and bone
May the sickness die in midair as I make the sign of the cross

Make the sign of the cross

So mote it be.

Lovers Known
A full moon spell

A clean sock
Parsley
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme

Stuff the sock with the herbs and put the sock under your pillow.

Moon, moon tell unto me
When my true love I shall see
What fine clothes am I to wear
How many children shall I bear?
For if my love comes not to me
Dark and dismal I shall be

Sleep with the sock for seven nights. You should discover all you need to know. If you
dont, repeat the spell in three months.



To Stop a Lovers Quarrel

Rose oil
Picture of a rose
Pen
White candle

Anoint the candle with rose oil. Write down the name of the people arguing on the
picture of the rose. While burning the candle, holding the picture in your anointed
palms intone:

Lovers quarrel, lovers fight
Let their anger cease tonight
Full of doom, full of gloom
May passion fill the lovers room
Making up and making love
May blessing come from heaven above
Let these lovers tryst tonight
In the moons pale night light
So Mote it Be



A Wish Box Spell
1 white candle
Piece of Paper and pen
Small Box

Light the candle and write your wishes on the paper. Intone:

Merry Meet and Blessed Be
This is my wish I give to thee
It could be love, it could be luck
The little box, the wish I give
By the Power of three
My dream fulfills.

So mote it be

Place the wish in the box. Each wish you make intone the spell. At the end of the year
burn the wishes to set them free.

Headache Spell

Lavender oil
Chamomile oil
Purple candle

Anoint the candle with both oils. Anoint the forehead and the temples and glands of
the throat. Light the candle and intone:

Headaches hurt very bad
Feeling like a tight steel band
Lavender will calm the ache
And chamomile the stress will take
I banish you from my brain
And from now on will feel no pain.

So mote it be



To Charge a Crystal Ball

Bottled water
Pinch of Mugwort
Bowl (big enough for your crystal ball to sit in)
Crystal ball

On the first night of the full moon place water, mugwort, and crystal ball in bowl and
intone:

Clear orb, magik eye
Gather power from the full moon light
Show me the future
Show me the past
So I will know the right path
Angels above and holy God
Let me bridge the unknown gorge
So I can protect the ones I love
With messages from heaven above.

So Mote it Be

Expose the crystal to one hour of moonlight

Petals of Love
Fresh flowers, especially roses
White candle
Small vase or bowl
Water

Place fresh flowers in a vase or bowl. The flowers should be real but can be as simple as
dandelions, wild violets or buttercups. Pour some water in the bowl for the flowers. With
the candle lit and hands outstretched toward the flowers intone:

I see love
I breathe love
I hold love
I feel love
I nourish love

Love is before me
Love is behind me
Love is beside me
Love is above me
Love is below me
Love is within me
Love flows from me
Love comes to me
I am loved
And I love

So mote it be

A Silver Spell
To Draw Money
Small bowl
7 dimes
Green candle
Paper and pen

This spell works over a period of seven days. Write your affirmation I will have money
and add it to your bowl. Every day for seven days, drop a dime into the bowl. On the
seventh day, light the candle and intone:

Money flow
Money shine
Money grow
Moneys mine

Repeat the charm seven times, surrounding the lit candle with the dimes. Then take the
dimes and give them away in a charity bucket or leave as a part of a tip.

To Bless a Gift to be Given

Lay your hands on the gift and intone:

Perfect love and perfect peace
The world will dance as one
I dream the wish to make it real
The magik now is done
So mote it be



Triple Circle Casting
Cast deosil using your wand or athame

1
st
pass:

In this place the circle round
I consecrate this sacred ground
With golden light this space surround
All power here contained and bound

2
nd
pass:

From earth with the things that manifests
From air the things of mind
From fire the things that motivate
From water the soul is refined

3
rd
pass:

And yet no place or time there be
Between the words my wand (athame) and me
Welcome Father, Son and Holy One to see
This place is sealed, so mote it be



Success Spell
You may want to knot a witches ladder or charm a braid as you repeat this spell

Let go my troubles are no more
I am I will begin what I have planned
I conceive the things that I need
I accept my very next steps
I know the way I must go
I believe I know I will achieve
So mote it be, send my desire to me

Let Go
I am
I conceive
I accept
I know
I believe
I will it to be


Purification Spell for Earth Signs
Carve the earth signs on a green candle, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
Taurus charms are: Medals of the Blessed Virgin, keys, bells, paper with the
Taurus symbol. Charms for this sign best made on a Friday.

Virgo charms are: Purple stones, medals of the Blessed Virgin, Silver crosses,
brown stones, nails, and the Virgo sign on a piece of paper. Charms for this sign best
made on Wednesday.
Capricorn charms are: Black beads, zircon or crystal beads, holly twigs,
Capricorn sign on a piece of paper. Charms for this sign best made on Wednesday.

Hold the green candle with the carved earth signs in your hand and intone:

Earth to earth
Angels to ancestors
Riches to riches
Treasure to treasure
Hearth to hearth
Bring blessings of the Virgin Mary
Upon me and upon the earth
So mote it be.

Purification for Fire Signs
Carve a red candle with the signs for fire: Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries.

Cat charms or symbols, suns, gold beads, tigers eyes, Leo signs, best on a
Sunday.

Unicorns, holly twigs, arrow heads, turquoise beads, purple stones, tin charms,
Sagittarius signs, best on a Tuesday.

Gold coins or charms or beads, iron rings or nails, red beads, coral, crystal
beads, and the symbol of Aries. Best on a Tuesday.

Fire makes the magik go
Inner peace begins to flow
Rise o flame and purify
Enchant this place, ground and sky
So mote it be

Purification for Water Signs
Carve symbols of water: Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio. Use this for the birth of a baby, to
end a drought, to protect people on and in the water. Use a blue candle and set it in a
bowl of water, about 1/4 an inch.

Silver beads, moon images, silver rings, nails, sea shells, Cancer symbol, best
on a Monday.

Amethysts, images or charms of fish, yellow beads, silver, Pisces symbol best on
Wednesday.

Pennies, copper beads, silver rings, charms or beads, Scorpio symbol, best on a
Tuesday.

Water protects the embryo
Ancestor, love of long ago
Tides and rivers dance and flow
Enchant this place let magik go
Revive! Bring Change! Make it so!

Purification for Air Signs
Carve symbols of air signs on a yellow candle. Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Use
incense with this spell and a bell.

In pairs: Any color beads, any holy medals, symbols of Gemini (everything in
twos), best done on a Monday.

Pennies or copper beads, sword pendants, gold beads or charms, Libra symbol,
best done on a Friday.

Aluminum foil, silver beads, bits of coral, moons and stars, nails, blue
beads, best done on a Saturday.

Air flows pure, spirit unbound
Inspiration, sky to ground
Bring creativity all around
Realize energy, love and imagination with this sound.

Ring the bell or clap your hands 7 times.

Use the zodiac symbols for any charm using the persons sign.


Spider Healing Spell

For any and all diseases or illness.

Picture of a spider or spider charm strung on a red cord hung over the bed

Here the spider spirit came in
She had her web in her hand
She said that you were her steed
She laid her cords around your neck
You began to set off from this land
As soon as they came from the land
Then they began to cool
Then the sister of the steed came in
And put an end to it
And she swore oaths
That the rider should never hurt
The sufferer of illness
Or the witch who can cast this charm
So mote it be.



























Heart Chalice Spell
For Self Esteem

Frankincense
Green Candle
Pale Blue Candle
Nail
Chalice or wine glass
Rosemary
Apple Juice
Water
Shiny penny

Light incense and green candle blue candle. Grind just a couple of leaves of rosemary
to a fine powder. With nail, scratch your initial on the penny inside a heart. Place it in
the chalice and intone:

By whom I hold dear (add rosemary)
By which I love best (add water)
By which I value (add apple juice)
By that which is sweet and pure (pick up chalice)
May I hold myself dear
May I love myself well
May I be that which I value

Leave the chalice on the altar for an hour. Drink the potion. Place penny in your
garden.

Four Winds Spell
For Harmonious Living
Bowl of water
Bowl of salt
Frankincense
White candle
Black candle
Pale blue cord
Bowl

Cast a magikal circle and place your elementals at the four corners with the black
candle in the center. Tie four knots in the pale blue cord. Arrange the knots in a circle
around the black candle. Intone:

I stand between the darkness and the light
I invoke the east wind by my breath
I invoke the south wind by my bodys heat
I invoke the west wind by the water in my blood
I invoke the north wind with my flesh and bones
Place the cord in salt and intone:

I show you to earth (add water)
I show you to water (pass deosil over the incense)
I show you to air (pass over black candle deosil)
I show you to fire

May all around me balanced be
Whenever the four winds blow on me
May I retain true harmony
Blessed and so mote it be

Keep the cord on your altar- good for one year.

Close your circle.




Peace Spell
One white candle
Sandalwood or myrrh incense
Bell
Wand

Cast your circle and place the candle in the center. Light incense in the center. Moving
wand deosil intone:

Mary Queen of Peace aid me in my quest (ring your bell)

Intone the following spell over and over until you feel peaceful and calm:

Air flows within and around me
Air flows around me and within
Life flows within and around me
Life flows around me and within
Fire flows within and around me
Fire flows around me and within
Water flows within and around me
Water flows around me and within
Earth flows within and around me
Earth flows around me and within

When you have repeated the spell enough times, end the spell with:

Grant me peace and solitude
So mote it be

Ring bell when chant is ended
Close your circle.

Candle Thorn
For Improved Mental Health

Pale blue candle
1 Black candle
Pins to represent your troubles
Incense
Household candle

Light incense and black candle and blue candle. Place household candle in the center,
and place the pins in the candle near the top. Light the candle and intone:

I baptize thee ________ (name your troubles)
As you burn you shall release anxiety
Which shall cease as you burn
The thorns shall fall away and so shall my worries
And shall be cast away





Enter Sandman
For Sleep and Good Dreams

A teaspoon of salt
5 drops of each oil:

Opium
Chamomile
Opium

Small blue bag
Lt blue candle
Bowl

Add as you wish any relaxing herb

Mix the salt, oils and any herbs. Place in the blue bag and tie it up. Hold it between
your palms and intone:

Sandman take a hand
Give me entry to dream land
Sprinkle your dust
Good sleep I trust
Let me rest
In my little nest
So mote it be
Put your dream bag under your pillow.








To Bind a Witch Using Dark Magik
Black candle
Frankincense Oil
Nag Champra Incense

Anoint candle with the oil. Light the incense.

I call upon the spirit of light
Angels and faeries, sylphs and sprites
Surround this troubled darkened soul
Empty of purpose in his role
Allow no harm to come to him
And protect his inner zen
A child of light has wandered far
Because of anothers mindless harm
Bind his powers, make him seek
Earths healing power we hope hell meet
If he continues to harm those around
His powers shall remain bound
Angels and saints, friends and fay
Take his evil powers away
And should he try to return this spell
May it come back to us in blessings and health
For to harm we do not seek
As we are taught and blessings be
Protect us all in positive light
Through the day and through the night
As above so below
From the heavens our love shall flow
As I will it an it harm none
So I have spoken, so mote it be done






To See a Past Life
1 White candle
3 Blue candles

Place the candles in a circle. Walk widdershins around the circle then sit in the center.
Intone

I call upon the ancient powers
To turn back this sacred hour
Return me now to a life Ive known
To understand the now I own
As I will it, as time I turn
So mote it be, my lesson I learn.

Meditate, throw the tarot, do divinations to get insight onto your past life.





Hexes and Spellwork of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Part of the practices of the Plain people (the Amish, Mennonite, Quakers), also known
as Pow Wow is primitive Christian magik. It is also known as Hex, the German word
for Spell. The master of Hex is called a Hexenmeister, and they use hex work to heal,
protect and bind.

To Stop Bleeding
1 White candle

Intone:

Jesus Christ dearest blood
That stoppeth the pain and stoppeth the blood
In this I help you _________
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost

As I will it, So mote it be

Pow Wow spells have no accoutrements but I add simple Craft elements. These may be
used as the witch wills it.




Protection against Slander

Intone, making the sign of the Cross

Dullix,ix,ux. Yea you cannot come over Pontio; Pontio is above Pilato

Psuedo words are important to Pow Wow. It is also used in muttering. Muttering is
when the witch intones under the breath repeating the charm 3,7, or 13 times depending
on the need. If I were to mutter this spell, I would do it over a glass of water and then
give it to the person to drink.



To make a Wand to find Water or Ore

Water witches have a history outside of Craft. Dousing for water was an important
ability and a lucrative one. Not everyone is a douser but everyone can try it. This is a
Pow Wow prescription. This wand might also be used to find natural sacred spaces to
optimize magikal workings outside.

On the first night of Christmas, between 11 and 12 midnight go outside to find your
wand. The twigs must be forked and dedicated to the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.

To use the wand, hold the forks firmly in both hands, with the third fork to pointed
toward the ground. Bless the wand saying:

Archangel Gabriel, I conjure thee in the Name of God, to tell me where water (ore or
sacred space be). As I will it, so mote it be. Bless the wand with the sign of the cross. As
you hold the wand, allow the energies from your wand to lead you. If the third arm of
the wand draws downward, you have found your water, ore or sacred space.





To Release a Person from Evil

White Candle
Sandalwood Incense
Oil (frankincense or myrrh or a combination)

Anoint the candle with oil, light the candle and incense. Anoint the afflicted with oil
(or use a poppet) with the sign of the Cross or pentangle. Intone:

Three evils have attacked ___________
A bitter heart, a sharp tongue, an envious eye
Three Holies shall help____________
Father, Son and Holy Ghost

As I will it so mote it be



To Stop Bleeding

Laying hands on the victim

There was a man born in Bethlehem
Whose name was called Christ Jesus
Baptised in Jordans Holy Flood
This Holy Child meek and good
To this task the water stood
So I for __________desire the blood
In the Name of God
Father, Son and Holy Ghost

As I will it so mote it be

To Ease Fear

Take the right of the patient in your right hand and a small stone in your left hand

I forbid the hellish fevers
From all humors, winds and rains
And all the fevers God ordained
Out of head, out of heart
Out of mind, out of soul
Out of the fingers, out of the toes
Out of the body, into the stone
Find another harmless home
In the names of Peter and Paul
And all the saints in heaven
Pray to God for us all
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
As I will it, so mote it be

Throw away a stone or place it in a bowl of cool water






Three Magi Spell

Frankincense and Myrrh oil
Sandalwood incense
3 White candles tied with red ribbons
Gold or Copper coin
Paper with victims name

Anoint the candles and tie red bows on the candles calling upon Caspar, Melchior and
Balthasar. Light incense and intone:

Caspar with his myrrh be gone
The presents to unfold
Then Melchior brought Frankincense
And Balthasar brought gold
Now he that of these holie kings
The names about shall bear
The falling sickness by grace of Christ
Shall never need to fear
Heal this person, set them free
As I will it so mote it be.

Who you gonna call Ghost Busters

This usually a spell undereducated people need to get rid of sance provoked spirits or
ghosts. This may sound harsh but any witch will tell you that unless you are a psychic or
experienced channeler medium you have no business summoning the dead. You simply do
not know enough about the spiritworld to keep out an invading or intrusive spirit or
ghost.

Besom (broom)
Salt
4 Candles

Create a circle with salt but leave an opening of a few inches as an astral door in the
north end, Put your candles on the direction points but do not light them.

Begin sweeping with your broom around the room and toward the astral door. As you
sweep, intone:

Spirit I release you
I revoke my invitation
Spirit I did not mean to disturb you
I revoke my invitation
From the astral plane you have come
Through my home you havd freely roamed
With no malice in my heart
I command you to this spot.

Seal the astral with salt. Light the four candles, dedicating them to the four corners.

I call upon the 4 angels
The elements and the directions
Protect me and my family and home
Angels of the four corners
Escort this beloved spirit to the place it belongs
And beg its pardon for disturbing it

Sweep the salt into a pile and throw the salt away or pour it down the drain with warm
water. Intone

As above, so below
As I will it, it must be so

And whatever you do, so not have any more sances. Once your exorcism is over,
sprinkle holy water or holy oil over the room or incense it.



Love Spells

Always remember we never cast spells to hamper a persons free will to love that they
chose. These spells simply bring destined people together and enhance the casters best
qualities.

Symbols of Love Magik

2 Pink candles
Rose oil
Piece of Paper
Book of Love Poems
Salt

Anoint pink candles and light. Draw a salt circle deosil around the candles. On the
paper write the names of the lovers and draw love symbols around them. Intone:

Two lovers guided by an unseen hand
Two lovers guided by loves sweet command
From here to eternity
These lovers are now you and me
As I will it so mote it be

Say the charm three times and fold the paper and place it in a book of love poems. Let
the candles burn an hour.

Soul Mate Charm
Paper and Pen
White Candle
Rose oil
Salt water
Small white stone

Anoint candle and light. Draw the salt circle and anoint the stone. Take the stone and
hold it in your hand

By the intercession of St. Valentine
I pray show me my soul mate
In this flame, in this fire
Show my soul mate to me
As I will it so mote it be

Meditate into flame and write what you see. When meditation is ended fold the paper
and seal with wax. Carry your talisman until you meet your soul mate.

Loving Angel Affirmation

Photo of Lover
White, pink and red candle

Light candle and look at picture and intone

You are my loving angel, my love
My delight, my joy, my day and night
Every love song was written for you
My spirit sings every moment with you
I love to be in your arms, wings unfurled
May we be as one
As above, so below
As I will it, mote it be so

Loving You Placket

A placket is a piece of colored paper, usually the color of the type of spell you are
casting.

Red candle
Placket
Photo of Lover
Pen and Paper
Rose oil
Salt

Anoint candle. Write I love you on placket. Place photo and name inside your placket.
Hold the placket in your hand and intone:

Loving you delights me
Loving you excites me
Loving you empowers me
Loving you inspires me

Put placket under your bed for 30 days


Love Card Spell

To draw love or to give someone courage to woo

Materials: The Lovers card from the Tarot deck or the king of hearts for a woman (or a
gay man) and the queen of hearts for a man (or a gay woman). A pink candle and rose
oil.

This card is the one I love
Let this card draw my love to me
This card is the one I love
Blessed Be, Blessed Be
This card is the one I love
Blessed Be

Carry the card in your pocket and approach the object of your affection.



Give Peace to a Troubled Person
1 White Candle

Light the candle and lay hands on the afflicted person

Within a man of light
There is lightour universal light
He lights the whole of the world
With us, the universal light
When we do not shine
There is universal darkness

Jesus is our universal light
When we are filled with the Universal Light
We know the truth
And the truth is thus
And Jesus said: I give thee what eye has not has not seen
What ear has not heard
What hand has not touched
What has not risen in the hearts of men

To loose your troubled mind
He says I am the light that sparks the Universal Light
I am the beginning and end
All is attained through me
The Kingdom of the Father
Is the heart of Jesus
When Jesus rises up in our hearts
So is the Kingdom there also

May your heart be troubled no more
Peace becomes the marvel of us all
And all things great and marvelous are a part of us all
We understand this because we are part of the Universal light
We blow away our troubles as we blow out this candle (blow out the candle)
As I will it so mote it be





A New Beginning

1 White candle
Floss or cord
Small square of green cloth
Key
Iris or violets (real or artificial)
Chamomile or daisy petals
White ribbon

Write your name on the candle and intone:

Fresh and clean with flame so pure
My old life I now obscure

Light the candle and visualize a new life for yourself. Place the floss on the cloth. Take
time and visualize one end as the life you are leaving behind and the other as the life
you want. Intone:

Remove all obstacles, liberate me from my troubles

Place the key in the center of the cloth and intone:

Doors locked to me will now open wide

Place the violets or iris in the center of cloth and intone:

I cross the bridge to what I wish

Place chamomile or daisy in the center. Intone:

Jesus, you make all things fresh and new
Hear my prayer and plea
As I will it, so mote it be

Tie up the bundle with the white ribbon. Intone:

A brand new life, I start today
I seal my old life, out! Away!
I now embrace what comes to me
In growth and opportunity

Let the candle burn down and carry the pouch with you in your pocket, purse or
briefcase.






Amethyst Spell

Rose oil
Tea candle and holder
Piece of amethyst
A picture of your lover
Wand or Athame

Anoint the amethyst with rose oil. Hold it in your hand and intone:

Near or far
I shall be in the good part of your memory
Remember me in your heart
We shall never part
As I will it, so mote it be

Place the amethyst in front of the photograph and draw a circle of protection around
the picture and the amethyst with your wand or athame. As you do so, intone:

An it harm none, so mote it be

Anger Stone

A small black stone and some sandalwood oil

Anoint the stone with sandalwood. Intone:

This stone is my anger
Black as Pitch
Harm none says the rede of the witch
I throw this stone far from me
As I will it so mote it be

This spell can be worked for worries, problems, and conflicts.

Throw the stone away.

Subtle Spell for Protection

Say this spell before working a spell in public

Only in my mind
The spell takes shape
Power lies still
And cant escape

Proceed with the spell




Abundance Spell

Bread
Water/tea
White candle
Patchouli incense

Light Incense and intone:
O Lord God, creator of the universe
Thank you for my many blessings
Protect me and guide me from step to step
I seek blessings and abundance with this bread
And this chalice, the symbol of plenty
In respect and honor may I live in peace

(light candle)

In the name of the Holy Trinity
And the angels and saints and the spirits seen and unseen
This charm is done, blessed be

Three Kings Protection Spell

Water
Salt
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
Symbols of the three Magi
A small piece of wood or cardboard with the initials CMB on it
Gold Candle

Light the gold candle. Set up symbols of the kings and their gifts. Bless the token and
the symbols with the salt water and intone:

Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar
Protect me this year from danger
Of fire, water and wind
And let no thief or murderer within
As I will it, so mote it be

Place the token near the door.

Wishing Spell


Pen and paper

Write your dearest and most secret wish and while folding and unfolding the paper
intone:

For the good of all
With harm to none
As I wish
So it be done

Place the paper on your altar




Blessing Pets Spell

Picture of St. Francis
Brown candle
Symbol of pet

Create sacred space by calling the corners. Light the candle and intone:

By air I seek knowledge
To keep my pet safe
By fire I will the power
To do what must be done
By water I call love
To bless them throughout their life
By earth I pledge their soul
To thee loving Francis
Bless their health and protect them all their life
As I will it so mote it be

Release Negative Energy Spell

Your favorite incense

Light incense and intone:

Smoke that rises take away
Negative Energy
These thought cant stay
Anger, misery, worry and doubt
Smoke please carry them out, out, out
As I will it so mote it be

Melting Estrangement

Silver or white candle

This is the coldness between ______ and me (light the candle)
Warming, heating, melting, diasappearing
There will no longer be coldness between ______and me

When the candle burns out announce: So Mote It Be


Fun at Work

Light a red candle

No more the dull and dreary days
Of mundane work, no time to play
With this spell I bring a change
Let fun infuse and rearrange
Smiles I bring and laughter be
The spell is cast, so mote it be

Inspiration

5 candles yellow or white
Small bowl with ice cubes

Light the candles and place them on the plate in the shape of a pentangle. With hands
over the bowl of ice, intone:

Nut to tree, seed to flower
Nurture my creative power
Growing as it fills this dish
Inspiration is my wish
As I will it so mote it be

When the candles burn down and the ice melts, drink down the water.

Personal Healing

Lilac or purple candle
5 Small white or clear stones
Small dark bag

Encircle the candle with the stones. Light the candle and intone:

As the moon returns from darkness
So shall my healing begin tonight?
By the power of the Queen of Heaven
You shine upon the world with healing light
Shine upon me now
So mote it be

Let the candle burn down and put the stones in the small bag and carry them as a
charm.

Full Moon Blessing
1 Red candle
Frankincense

Create sacred space and intone:

Lady Mary, mother of God
I who am I your child
Stand between the worlds in sacred space
As once more I affirm my joy in life
And my union with you
And God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
You set me upon my path
I honor you Holy Mother, Maiden of the Moon
And My God and my Savior
Thank you for the light and beauty
You bring to my life
Thank you for the blessings you give me
Empowered to walk with grace in the world
So Mote it Be


Empathy Mirror

Small Mirror
Candle

Light this candle and intone:
Open me, open mind
Open us in kind
I see similarity
To treat all with charity
Open me, open mind
Mystery unwind
So Mote it Be


Meditation for Change

See in your mind the last injustices you saw
Now imagine yourself righting that wrong
So mote it be

See in your mind the last hurt you witnessed
Now see how you can heal that hurt
So mote it be

See in your mind the last abuse you witnessed
Now see how you can undo the abuse
So mote it be

See in your mind the last uncompleted task you witnessed
Now see the task completed
So mote it be

See in your mind the last person in need you saw
Now see yourself meeting that need
So mote it be

Now be the change you want to see in the world
As I will it, so mote it be






To Gain a Goal

A tea light or birthday candle is the only material. Light it and visualize your goal and
intone:

Candle of power, candle of might
Create my desires this night
Power stream from the candles fire
Bring to me my hearts desire
My words have strength, the victory is won
So I say it, this spell is done

So mote it be.

Let the candle burn itself out



The Rune Spell

1 candle in the color that reflects the intent of the spell
Rune symbol

Upon this candle I will write
What I receive from the Lord tonight
Grant what I wish for me
As I dedicate this rite to thee

(Scratch the rune symbol on the candle

I call the earth to bond my spell
Air speed its travel to me well
Fires give it spirit from above
Water quenches my spell with love

So mote it be.

Allow the candle to burn down



Overcoming Addiction

Paper Poppet
1 White candle
Patchouli
Myrrh Incense
Bowl

Perform during a waning moon
Write addiction on the paper poppet. Anoint the candle with patchouli (rubbing away
from base to tip) Light candle and incense. Intone over the dolly

Here is __________ addiction (the name of the person addicted)
I name it ___________(name of addiction)
Already this bad habit grows weaker
Spiritual strength comes to your side
A strong faith within you resides
A conqueror you will be
Over the enemy you see victory
Conquered enemy youve been done away
From you I am free today
Only good health will now remain

So mote it be

Burn the dolly





For Knowledge

1 Light Blue Candle
1 Yellow Candle
Pen and paper

Write your topic of interest or area of knowledge or special skill. Light yellow candle.

Light of knowledge shine this way
Dispelling ignorance today
As we learn, we understand
The truth revealed with each new day
Once was blind but now can see
As understanding comes to me
So Mote it Be

Repeat the charms times three. Allow candles to burn for an hour. Repeat the spell for
three days allowing the candle to burn all the way down on the third day.

Uncrossing/Unbinding
Waning Moon Spell

2 White candles
1 Black candle
Patchouli Oil (anoint from base to wick)
Pen and paper and bowl

Anoint candles with patchouli oil. Place the black candle between the white candles.
Anoint yourself with patchouli. Write down your problem and the name of the person
crossing you. Intone:

Protection comes to you this day
This crossed condition no longer has sway
Im returning this negativity
To the one who has crossed me

Light black candle

Surrounding me is a crossed condition
From which I desire to be set free
Soon is dispelled this bad energy
Blessed Be, Blessed Be

Burn the paper

Light one white candle and intone:

This candle will do its best
To uncross and free you day and night
From the North, East, South and West
Dispelling evil sent my way
Uncrossed and happy
You will be set free from attacking energy

Blow out black candle

Light the second white candle

Consumed by this mighty flame
Your evil will no longer reign
As all things come to an end
Your victim does now smile again

As I begin my life anew
No harm to any can you do
I send your evil to a place of rest
Leaving your victim to a life that is best

Blessed be, so mote it be

Burn the white candles everyday for an hour until they are burned out.




Death to Bad Habits
Waning Moon Spell

Black Candle
Patchouli oil
Bowl
Death Card or Ace of Spades
Pen and paper

Anoint candle with patchouli and place it before the card. Light candle. Write a list of
things you wish to get rid of from your life

A witchs work is never done
Herself always to improve
I make now lists of things I loathe
And habits to remove
So now I call upon the winds
To blow my faults away
For better things to clear my mind
For a better day
I commit my faults to you my friend
I know you will do them in
And kill off all my bitter ways
And make a better end

So mote it be

Burn the list

Spider Healing Spell
For any and all disease

A picture or talisman of a spider

Hold the talisman in your hand and intone:

Here the spider spirit came in
She had her web in her hand
She said that you were her steed
She laid her cords around your neck
And began to set off from the land
As soon as they came from the land
Then they began to cool
Then the sister of the steed came in
And she put an end to it
And she swore oaths
That the steed should never hurt
The sick person or the witch who could pronounce this charm

So mote it be.

Hang the spider amulet over your bed

World Health Spell

A picture of the Blessed Virgin
A picture of the earth
White candle
Rose oil

Anoint the candle and light and place before the picture(s). Intone:

Hail Mary, Queen of Heaven
Hail Lady of the Angels
Salutation to thee, root and portal
Of Christs humanity
To thee the light of the world was born
Our Lord Jesus Christ
I ask for your blessings in the form of world healing
Heal the sick and wounded
And may the passing of the dying be eased into your embrace
Call forth the power of curative forces
That they be understood and used to heal
Particularly in __________(name a specific disease)
I affirm your love Blessed Mother of God
Brightest Blessings Be, So Mote it Be




Blessing Medicine Spell

Witches use modern medicine along side magikal healing techniques. Both compliment
each other. After much care, witches ask for blessings over medicine.

Blessed God, you were at the beginning of the world
You who command the energies of love, peace and healing
Bless and consecrate this medicine given to me
Bring health and healing to my body
I believe I deserve better health, happiness, joy and contentment
May this medicine work for me
And work for my body the way it is intended

So Mote it Be

Restraint Spell

Paper Towel
Paper and Pen
Black candle
Bread
Nail
White candle

Tear the bread into the shape of a poppet and draw a circle on a piece of paper and
write the name of the person you must restrain and place it on top of the bread. Wrap
the bread in a paper towel. Light the black candle and intone:

The darkness you have created is bound to you
I do not own your darkness
You own your own darkness
You may not share this darkness with others

Light white candle

As this bread rots so shall your negative power
Your evil shall be banished
The process begins now

So mote it be

Allow the candles to burn down and take the bread and allow it to grow stale and
moldy and begin to deteriorate. When it is done, discard the bread.



Caduceus Spell to Resolve a Fight

A small forked twig
2 pieces of paper and a pen
White candle

This spell is best done outside but can be done inside

Write the name of the two combatants and tie them and twist them onto the forked twig.
Light the candle and intone:

I beseech and call upon thee O Lord in the hour of my need
It is I, ________, who seek the wisdom of your counsel
I set before you a symbol of healing
To resolve arguments of men and beasts
And bring Harmony to our earthly life
I ask thee O Lord to activate this symbol and find resolution between _______and
_____
Hold talisman in the middle of your altar and intone:

Sun to moon and moon to sun the evil is broken and harmony is won
It has been done
So mote it be

Throw away the talisman




Spring Blessings for the Garden

4 pretzels

Turn the soil of your garden well and bury the four pretzels at the four corners of your
garden. Use unsalted pretzels.

Fresh turned earth filled with treasure
I give the garden my love and pleasure
I work the magik 3 times three
To plant great joys and harmony
Bugs be gone with other pests
Elemental magik weave your spell
Keep my plants both strong and well
As I will so now is done
By leaf and vine and rain and sun
So mote it be

Lore: the pretzels twisted shape represents praying angels. They are being called to
protect your garden




Thunderstone for the Home
Protect from Storms

Tiny mirrors or sequins or a small square of aluminum foil
Small stone

Glue the mirrors or sequins or wrap the stone in aluminum foil

Intone:

To guard, to protect, to ward off evil
Keep my world safe from upheaval
Thunder to shatter, lightening to blast
So mote it be, the magik is cast
As above, so below
This magik is sealed
Make it so
Empower the stone over thirty days by repeating the charm over the stone every day.
Best begun during a thunderstorm

Skin Spell
To clear the skin of acne

A bowl of clean water (bottled is the best, but tap will do)
Clean washcloth
Candle
Pen and paper

Draw a picture of a monster and call it My Acne

May you now be consumed as a coal upon the hearth
May shrink as dung in the hot sun
May you dry up as water in a pail
May you become as small as a linseed grain
And even smaller than the hip bone of an itch mite
May you become so small you are nothing
And never abide in me again

Burn the picture. Fill a bowl with water. With a cloth begin wiping your face with the
water intoning:

I conjure the holy drink of earth
Water of the moon, sun and stars
And in the name of the Most High
Transmit your healing energy
So that as this water touches my skin
I will recover and heal
So mote it be

Do this spell every evening, burning the picture and wiping your face each evening.




Spirit of Acceptance Spell

Envelope
Paper and Pen
Clover
Mustard Seed
Incense (your choice)
Crystal or clear glass beads

Place all of these things in an envelope along with things you should accept. Passing
envelope deosil once and widdershins twice through the incense smoke intone:

Crafted so it does no harm
With magik I enchant this charm
Winds of change blow through me
This I command, so mote it be

Place the charm under your pillow for at least thirty days or until you feel yourself
accepting the change in your life.





Bursting Bubbles Spell

Pen and Paper
Purple candle
Bowl
Sandalwood Incense
Small bottle of bubbles

Write down personal issues you need to rid yourself of. Do this slowly and take your
time. Light the candle and incense and begin reading your issues. As you mention an
issue, blow some bubbles. As you read each issue intone:

I release _______
Go forth and harm none
And never return to me
So mote it be

Burn your list when you are finished.

Get Over It Spell

Favorite incense
Paper and Pen
Candle

Write your problem on a piece of paper and burn it. As it burns, intone:
Smoke furl, paper curl
By the power of this scent
I expel you from my thoughts
You have no power over me
Door jamb, door slam
By the power of three
This chapter of my life is finis
So mote it be

Burn the paper if you havent already

One Big Thing Spell

Pen and Paper
Incense (spicy and strong)
Salt

Write the one big thing you wish for your life on a piece of paper. Present the paper to
the four corners. After the presentation of the wish, tear it up into tiny bits and sprinkle
the wish like confetti over the altar. After your spell is cast, sprinkle the bits with salt
and sweep up.

Guardians of the north
Powers of earth and clarity
Make this spell reality
Guardians of the East
Powers of air and thought
Make this spell work as sought
Guardians of the South
Powers of fire and energy
Make this spell work immediately
Guardians of the West
Powers of water and emotion
Put this spell into motion
As I will it, so mote it be

Zodiac Charm
See pages____ and ____ to find out what goes on your charm
To be worked at Midnight

Go ahead and make your charm, use as many of the elements associated with your sign
or intent. At Midnight, hold the charm in your hand and intone: Light a candle and
burn your favorite scent

By moonlight and midnight
By starlight and insight
By smoke and candlelight
I accept my birthright

At the four corners:

Charged on this day and this hour
To help me grow and let me flower
By the power of this watchtower
This talisman stimulates my power
By the power of this watchtower
This talisman stimulate my power

Do this at each direction and carry the talisman with you. It lives for 30 days and must
be taken apart (killed) for seven day before you can remake it,

Chess Family Charm

Chess Pieces representing the family
Runes or stones to encircle the family
White candle
Frankincense or myrrh incense
Salt
Paper and pen
Water

Light the candle and place in the center of the circle made of stone or runes. Set the
family pieces and incense in the center of the ring. Write down your hopes, desires and
concerns about the family. Draw the salt circle. Call the corners and intone:

Mother, father, siblings and more
Spread to the corners four
Let them be healthy, wealthy and wise
Let them have success, win every prize
No matter how close or far away
Let them gather together another day
Blessings upon parents who love us all
May we be safe in loves protective walls
If one of us should be led astray
Angels watch over us to the end of days
Give us all patience to deal with one another
Siblings father and mother
May we be blessed by the power of three
Until we again Merry Meet

So mote it be

Goals, Hopes and Dreams

Paper and pen
Your favorite incense

Clearly identify your goal and the steps you have taken to reach your goal. Decide how
long you will need to reach your goal (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, a year) On a piece of
paper, begin your count down in numbers of days. Ex: 1 year is 365. The second day is
364, the third in 363 and so on. Each day intone:

I am strong
I am determined
Nothing will distract me or divert me
Or prevent me from reaching my goal

So mote it be


Footsteps Goal Spell

A map- either hand drawn showing a straight line from point a to point b or one from
an atlas
Orange Candle
Red pen
Pentangle, either drawn over your map or on a separate piece of paper
Dragons Blood incense or other spicy scent


Draw the map in red (or outline route on map) ex

Home Job

Draw footsteps going from home to job. Draw a compass


North


West East



South

Draw a pentangle around the map and compass

Light the candle and incense and intone:

By Mary and Joseph
In their footsteps I follow
As I will it, so mote it be
I will work in this industry
My foot is in the door
I can offer this job more
Let my interview be great
And a good impression make
So mote it be



Star of Hope Spell

Star Tarot or Ace of Diamonds
Tin Box
White feather (or one made of paper)
Pentangle
Paper and Pen
Incense (sandalwood or myrrh)

Beginning on a new moon, write your secret hope on the paper. Place paper and star
card in the tin. Waving your secret hope in the smoke of incense moving deosil and
intone:

Mother Mary, hear my cry
I send to you this bit of hope
I name this box Marys Box
And if it will do no harm
I ask you to fulfill the hope
You will find within

Place wish and feather in the box and keep it on your altar until the full moon. On the
full moon, burn some incense and intone:

Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven
Receive my hope


Repeat the spell until the wish feels empowered. Then consign the wish to the flame


Lore: The Amish and Mennonite people still recognize the power of the pentangle and
use it to protect them and their homes and farms and animals from evil hexes. The word
hex means spell in German and is neither light nor dark, though in more modern times,
the word hex is associated with dark magik.




The Lord of the Air Spell

Piece of white paper with wish written on it.
Your favorite cologne
Sage Wand

Light the sage wand (or your favorite incense) and waft the wish in the smoke deosil.
Intone:

Creator God, Father of the Universe, Grant my wish if it be fair.

Repeat until you are satisfied. Tear into tiny pieces and shower your altar with your
wishes.

Ocean Mother
Full Moon Spell

1 Blue Candle (can be white or silver)
Sandalwood Incense
A piece of white or blue paper
Flowers, seashells, crystals or clear beads
Picture of the Blessed Virgin or a medal
Pale blue thread (three pieces)
Silver coins

Braid the flowers, seashells, clear beads or crystals, picture or medal, and your greatest
wish written on the paper into a charm. Wave the charm deosil in the incense and
intone:

Mother Mary, star of the sea
Hear my plea and answer me
Mother of God, Queen of Heaven
Accept my gift and grant my wish
By the power of midnight which you rule
Grant my wish with the times three rule
So Mote it Be

Leave the silver coins on your altar and carry the charm with you for 7 days then
disassemble and recharge.

Alphabet Spell
Midnight on a Friday Night

2 sheets of nice paper or stationery
Pen with green ink or blue ink
A green candle
Incense (your favorite or a smell you associate with love)

Write the alphabet A-I on the left hand side of the paper, moving down the page,
leaving a bit of room. Write J-Z on the back, doing the same. Begin writing attributes,
affirmations and desires for your life. When you finish it, fold it up and place it on your
altar for one week. Each day, look at your list and tweak it, adding details and bits and
pieces. The following Friday, make another list and list the best parts of you, the worst
parts of you and the parts of you that you can improve. Fold both papers together and
during the following week, tweaking both of them each day. On the final Friday, fold
and unfold the papers many times and wave in the incense smoke intoning:

So long as it will do no harm
Grant these wishes of my heart
Trust be deep and trust be strong
Trust be true and last long

If this is a spell to find love, the spell will take a third week. Do a list for an ideal mate
and tweak over a weeks time. Then with all of the lists fold and unfold over and over
again and wave into the incense smoke and intone the first spell and add the following
spell:

So long as it will do no harm
Lead us to each others arms
Love be deep and love be strong
Love be true and last life long

So mote it be.

Bury, burn or drown the lists.

Broadcast Spell
Love Charm

Pink Candle
Rose Oil
Pen and Paper

Anoint paper and candle. Write the name of the person you love and your own name.
Fold paper and light candle. Hold the paper in your hand and intone:

Hear ye, hear ye spirits of love
I call from below and above
I call from need and not from greed
I call only what will be good for me
And do no harm to thee or me
So mote it be







Come Back to Me Spell
From One Full Moon to the Next


Pentangle
Red Candle
Any small artifacts that remind you of your lover
Your lovers favorite song, playing softly
Bowl or candle holder
A piece of paper with your lovers name
Small box with lid

Place star, paper and objects in box and put a lid on it and light it. Extend hands over
it and intone:

As these words aloud are spoken
Repair the ties that have been broken
If it harm none and is meant to be
Valentine, patron of love, bring ____to me
If it agree with the universe
Restore _______to me with this verse
Valentine, counselor of lovers
Please return _______ to my life
As these words aloud are spoken
Heal the bond that has been broken

So mote it be

Place the container under the bed. Light the candle once a day and intone spell. If at
the end of month the spell does not work, it may be against the universal plan for you to
be reunited. Consult divinatory tools.

Home Blessing Spell

Water
Salt
Chalice
Fresh Rosemary or Garden grasses
Blue or white cord or ribbon

Mix water and salt in chalice. Toe rosemary or garden grasses together to create an
aspergant. Dipping the aspergant into the water intone:

Lord Jesus, Holy Trinity
Grant blessings in this home of mine

Sprinkle the whole house or living space.



Abundance Spell

Green and Orange Candles
Wine
Bread
Salt
An old credit card or debit card
Chalice

Place the card between the two candles. Set the bread and wine in the chalice and salt
on the altar. The bread is symbolic of plenty, the wine symbolic of joy, and salt the spice
of life and purity and favor.

By the bread of earth
And the salt of the sea
By the fruit of nature
And the purse of plenty
I welcome abundance in my life
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel
St.s Augustine, Francis, Clare, Patrick, Jude, Therese, and Bernadette
By the will of God
And the Blood of Jesus
And the Holy Chalice
And the Bread of Haste
May I know the wealth of Heaven
To be benevolent to others
May I know the multiplication of fishes
That my family never know hunger
I command abundance into my life

So mote it be

Burn the candles once an day for five days. Immediately consume the bread and drink
the wine and meditate on all the blessings of this spell.

Chalice of Fertility Spell

Milk
Chalice
Incense (opium or dragons blood or patchouli)
Bowl
Symbols of Creation
White candle

Three days before lovemaking or other creative project, this spell is great for couples
that want to have a baby or someone about to begin a creative project. For example,
you would want to use this spell to bless your garden tools. You might also use other
symbols for any other project you are undertaking. While pouring milk from your
chalice into the bowl containing your symbols of creation, intone:

The milk of human kindness
Poured out upon the earth
Just as milk comes from mothers breast
Mother Mary, please bless ______

So mote it be

Be creative and thoughtful. Dry your symbols and clean your chalice and bowl and
continue the spell for three days.





Protective Shield of Michael
For Protection and Defense

A piece of card board or paper in the shape of an heraldic shield
Picture of St. Michael
Pictures of Family
White candle
Dragons Blood oil
Salt
Glue or tape

Fix pictures on your shield. Decorate the shield with symbols and words associated with
family. Use both sides if you like. Anoint candles and light

Powers of God, Powers of Michael
Through the year and around the clock
Protect us better than a lock
Powers of God, Powers of Michael
Across, about, between, together and alone
Protect all that is our own.

So mote it be

Display the Shield in your house, room or sacred space. When there is trouble or danger,
repeat the spell.


Witch Bottle Seven Blessings Spell

Small bottle with a cap or cork
Pentangle
White candle
White sugar
White salt
Any protective herbs up to five
Bowl

In layers, pour the herbs into the bottle until filled. Close bottle and seal it. Tape the
pentangle on the bottle. Light candle and intone:

With health and happiness enchanted be
With love and prosperity enchanted be
With peace and protection enchanted be
With good fortune enchanted be
Whether in the house or the yard
Make life better and less hard

Drip candle wax over bottle and when completely sealed, bury it near house or place it
somewhere in the house. This same spell can work over home made soup. Leave out the
sugar or add just the barest pinch. Intone:

With health and happiness enchanted be
With love and prosperity enchanted be
With peace and protection enchanted be
With good fortune enchanted be
Simmered in soup, seasoned to taste
Let all who eat it good blessings take

So mote it be.





Bad Kitty Spell

A cat statue
Black candle
Egyptian sandalwood or musk oil
Blue beads as a small collar
Bowl or plate

Anoint cat statue with oil and place blue beads around the neck. Anoint candle and
light. Call the cats name and intone:

Its okay for cats to play
Or laze away a sunny day
But kittens who make stinky messes
Add to witches daily stresses
Feline will now behave
And enjoy a spank free day
Kitty cats that use kitty litter
Are happier, friendlier, and fitter

So mote it be

Burn the candle for three days for an hour each day.

Healthy Clan Spell

1 Small green tower candle
Rose, Orange, Cinnamon, Cloves, Lavender, Dragons Blood and Vanilla oil

Carve the sign of the cross and the names of the family. Anoint the candle with the
combined oils. Light it and intone:

Power of light
Candle burn bright
As it glows
Our health grows
By the power of God
I wish good health to everyone

So mote it be



Wings of Michael Spell

A red pillar candle
Carving tool

Carve the sign of the cross and the personal sigil for Michael the Archangel.






Intone:

Michael with me in the light
Michael with me in the night
Angel mighty, angel mild
In thy wings protect your child

Work the spell for 14 days for an hour every day. If the candle is not completely melted,
throw away remainder.

Silver Bullet Spell
Done on a full moon

A silver candle
Pen and Paper (felt tip red or black pen)
Pentangle
Pen with silver ink (or grey pen)

Carefully identify your problem. Sum it up in a couple of words. Draw a red bulls eye
(or black) deosil around a pentangle drawn in silver or grey. Light your candle and
drip the wax widdershins around the pentangle. Intone:

Hail Mary, queen of Heaven
Patroness of the Witch
I call upon thee Full of Grace
Mother of God, Mystical Rose
Please help me
Holy Virgin
I call upon thee
Steady my right hand
Let me do no harm
And make my work true

So mote it be

Bullet speed through the dark
Straight on course to the source
Find your target, hit your mark

By candles light
By bullets flight
Queen of Heaven
Make things right
Mary Mother of Jesus Christ
Let a good solution be mine

Discard paper. If a solution has not come by the next full moon reconsider the source of
your problem and redo the spell.

King of Peace Seven-Day Spell

Blue pillar candle
Patchouli, sandalwood, or sage incense
Small bag
Small stone
Seven coins (dimes)
Small picture of Christ

Light candle and burn a stick of incense. Place one of the dimes and the small stone in
a small bag. Place the bag at the foot of the candle and lay the picture of Jesus on top
of it. Light the candle.

Place hand over the bag and intone:

Jesus, King of Peace
Salvation of the world
Brother of humanity
Bringer of peace and harmony
I charge this bag and its elements with positive energy
Jesus by your power
This bag is charged with your power.

For peace with myself

For peace with my past
For peace with my present
For peace with my future
For peace with my path
For peace with those who love me
For peace with those who dont

Hold the remaining coins in your hands

For peace of mind
For peace of heart
For peace of spirit
For peace at home
For peace at work
For peace in the family
For peace in the world

Burn the candle for an hour each day for seven days, adding a coin and repeat the spell
but add:

By the power of seven
By the clouds of heaven
With blessed peace and harmony
This bag enchanted be

On the seventh day completely seal the bag, placing the picture of Christ inside the bag.
Carry it with you for a year. After a year, tear open the bag; give the coins to charity or
place in the offering plate at church. Discard the candle if it has not been completely
consumed.

Crossroads Uncrossing Spell
Black candle
Purple candle
Holy Water
Salt
Pepper
Dish
Pen and paper

On the paper, write down nine things you seem to having trouble with. Turn over the
paper and draw a pentangle. Light the black candle and put the paper on the plate
and drip wax over the pentangle. Let the paper cool. Light the purple candle now.

By the power of nine
A positive cycle will be mine
Fruition and culmination
An end to thee

Repeat the charm nine times

Intone to close

Hard times are done
Good times begun
By the power of nine
A positive cycle is mine

Throw away the paper

Lady of Bright Inspiration

Purple pillar candle
A length of black cord
Purple and silver beads
Lemon oil

Dress the candle and dedicate it to St. Brigid. Bead the beads on the cord and tie it to
the candle. Light and intone:

St. Brigid be my guide
Bless this candle with the flame of inspiration
St. Brigid be my guide
Bless this candle and talisman with the spirit of inspiration
St. Brigid be my guide
Enchant the spell with inspiration

So mote it be

Burn the candle and handle the talisman when you need inspiration

Ancestors and Family Honored Altar Spell

Assemble your altar with pictures of relationships and symbols of your culture and
Craft. Light a green candle and intone:

These are the ones I love
Sent to me from heaven above
Some have passed and some remain
Keep us safe till we are together again

So mote it be

When you need help or one of your family needs help, light a candle and intone the
spell. If there are ancestors without pictures, find a beautiful angel card or picture and
write the loved ones name on it and place it and the picture in a frame for your altar.

Boundary Spell

Paper and pen
Salt
Black candle
Picture of your house
Picture of St. Joseph
Envelope


Make a list of invasions of property. This can include housemates, neighbors, and work.
Put this list away for 24 hrs and review and add to the list as needed. Now define your
boundaries and include things you will and will not allow. Write strategies to put these
boundaries in effect. Put this list away for 24 hours and review and add to the list as
needed. On the night of the spell take the list to the altar and place them under your
picture of the house and encircle it with salt. Place light black candle in the center of
salt and intone:

St. Joseph, guardian of the home
Protect me from every annoyance, interference, and incursion
From harassment, intrusion and invasion
From all that besieges, poaches and encroaches
From all that creeps, seep, and prevent sleep
From all pressures, stresses and trespasses
From all that disrupts, interrupts, pushes, assails and infringes
Beloved Joseph, spouse of our Lady
Protect me from all that is rude, crude or intrudes
From all crowds that are too loud
Protect me from everyone and everything
That would overstep my boundaries

So mote it be

Place lists, salt, pictures of house and St. Joseph in the envelope and seal with black
wax. Place on threshold.




Our Ladys Nightmare Spell
Besom
White candle
Rosemary
Pentacle
White ribbon
Picture or Medal of Our Lady

Tie the white ribbon with picture/medal of Our Lady of Grace and the pentacle to
besom. Place besom near bed and sprinkle with rosemary or tie the sprig to your besom.
Sweep around the bed and intone:

Nightmares will not torture me
I will not torture myself
In the name of Our Lady of Grace
I banish my nightmares
In sleep let me not find them
By day let me not mind them
Nightmares, my Lady binds them
My nightmares are banished.

So mote it be

Burn the white candle all the way down and leave the besom near your bed for three
days.

Per Diem Work Charm

Nag Champra or Patchouli incense
Yellow or green candle
Pen and paper

Write down the name of the job you want. Be specific. Place the list under the candle.
Light the candle and incense and intone

The phone must ring
Each day to bring
Good jobs my way
For decent pay
Per Diem Work
I will not shirk
If a safe place needs me
To keep it.

So mote it be

Insanity Protection Spell

To protect the loved ones of a mentally ill person and to keep the ill person from
harming himself.

Black string
Small box
Black or dark paper
Silver pen
Sandalwood
Black candle
Salt
Lavender
Opium oil
Mirror
St. Michael card

On black paper write the name of the afflicted. Roll the paper into a tight scroll and
wrap with the black string. Anoint the candle with opium oil and light with incense.
Waft the scroll in the smoke and intone:

In madness you live
Like a turning tornado
Sucking everything in your path into your vortex
We do not need your insanity
But you shall look into a mirror
(show the scroll the mirror)
And see the sickness in your face
You will turn to the angels
And they will lead you into the light of sanity
You will seek professional help
But no more shall you hurt others
I will not allow you to hurt yourself
You shall be calm and seek help
Be free of your demons
Free those who love you from their pain

So mote it be

Place scroll in the coffin and place the lavender leaves and St. Michael card and salt
and close the coffin. Work this spell for 30 days and kill the spell by burning the scroll
and discard everything but the angel card. Place it in your prayer box.

Healing Stone Spell
On the Waning Moon

Sharp Iron Nail
Candle
Small bag
Flat pebble
Chalice or bowl
Water

Etch a cross into the candle intoning:

All things are crossed out
And sickness brought to rout

Light the candle and take stone and rub it over the body of the person who is in need of
healing. You may use a poppet for distance healing. Intone:

The waning moon shall shrink to bone
And take with her what is in this stone

Tie the bag and place in bowl or chalice and drown the bag and stone in water for an
hour and throw away.

Clock Spell
To reverse the fortunes of an evil doer

This spell has some real ethical implications. Examine your reasons for working the
spell and remember three fold law. On the flip side, you might do this spell to reverse bad
luck.

Do this spell on the waning of the moon, finishing on the stroke of midnight.

A clock with hands
A hearth or similar (a hearth high bookcase)
Black or dark candle (or white candle if your are reversing the bad luck)
White candle
Black pen and paper (or yellow pen and white paper if reversing)
Black thread (white thread)
Bowl

Place the clock in the center of your mantle. Place white candle on the right of the
candle and the black candle on the left and intone:

May all ill deeds be wiped out (light the white candle)
And good take their stead (draw 0 on the paper and fold it twice and wrap with black
thread intoning)

This spell I intone shall see thee undone
By circle and line by flesh and by bone
By sea and by sky
By sun and by moon

At the stroke of midnight, turn the arms of the clock back one-hour intoning:

For each ill thought I set you back one hour again

Turn the clock back another hour

For each ill word I set you back one hour

Turn the clock back another hour

For each ill deed I set you back one hour

Burn the paper and intone:

There you will stay until you pay
May ill luck grow until you know

It is my will mote it be so

Throw away the ashes.

If you want to do this to fix a case of ad luck follow the spells beginning. Set up the
clock, this time with two white candles. Light the right and then the left and intone:


May bad luck be wiped out
And good luck take its place

Draw a 100 on the white paper in yellow ink and bind with the white thread. Intone:

This spell I intone to see good luck come
By circle, by line, by flesh and bone
By sea and by sky
By sun and by moon

At the stroke of midnight, turn the arms of the clock forward one-hour intoning:

For each positive thought I set you forward one hour again

Turn the clock forward another hour

For each positive word I set you forward one hour

Turn the clock forward another hour

For each good deed I set you forward one hour

Burn the paper and intone:

Here you will stay until each and every day
May good luck grow until happiness grows

It is my will mote it be so

Throw away the ashes


Triangle Spell


Purple candle
Sandalwood incense
Piece of paper

Light the candle and incense. Draw the triangle






Visualize your wish as you draw it and intone:

Gift of gifts
Need of needs
Leave my dreams
And come to me
As I will it so mote it be

Hang from bedroom ceiling until you get your wish




The Triskelion Spell

Blue candle
Shell
Sharpie Pen
Paper
Salt

Light candle and intone:

Spirit of waters
Spirit of movement
Look well upon ________
That they may be hale going out
And hale going in

Draw Triskelion

Once it is drawn, sprinkle it with salt, blow breath upon it and pass it over the candle
flame (but do not burn it) It should be carried by the traveler

Note: You should never pass over a spell because you think you cant draw it. Do the
best you can. Magik understands and you have imprinted your magikal intention on
the talisman.

The Daeg Rune Spell
To fight deceit

Gold or orange candle
Chalk
Flat stone
Salt

Light the candle and whisper the name of the person who is being deceitful. Draw the
daeg rune on a stone with chalk. Pour or sprinkle salt over the symbol. Hold it toward
candle and intone:








Let it be uncovered
That which was hidden
And ____ tell the truth
As he/she is bidden

Blow away the salt. Set the stone outside, exposed to rain until the rune is washed away.
You should find out the truth in 3 months.

Sigil Spell
Waxing Moon on a Sunday

Yellow and white candle
Pen with green ink
Paper

Light your candles and on a piece of paper inscribe CVTR on the paper on the center:





Write around the sigil: Sol Omnipotens Axillio Ab Alta Sol Victorioso

Fold the paper and hold hands intoning:

Victory be mine
Fortune be kind

Carry this in your pocket to important meetings


Black Pepper Spell
For Concentration
Waxing Moon Saturday

Add the oils together with the water and place them in your simmer cauldron to warm
while you set up your altar and prepare for the spell


Yellow candle
Water
Cauldron
Pepper
Corks or knots of cloth
Mojo Bag
Sweet oil
Lavender
Cinnamon
Mint

Light your candle and intone:

I summon the element of air
To bring me clarity of purpose
To aid me in my firm intent
And help me keep my mind in focus

Add pepper to your cauldron. Dip your corks or knots and place them in your mojo bag
and hang it in your study area.


Iron Spell
To promote confidence and courage for interviews and exams
Waning moon Tuesday

Heat a couple of tablespoons of water in your simmer cauldron. Add a couple drops
each of basil and sage , either oils or herbs and salt.

Other Materials:

Red candle
Saucer
Nail or athame

Light the candle and intone:

Sword of Michael, commander of the heavenly host
Pierce timidity
Iron Sword
Give me courage

Pour a bit of the potion into the saucer and rub it lightly over the center. Shake some
salt into the plate and with the nail or athame write the word fear. Shake the salt to
make it disappear. Draw a circle with an equidistant cross in the center and place the
candle in the center and allow it to burn for about an hour. Blow out candle and pour
off the salt. Add a pinch of the salt to the mojo with the nail.








Arrow Spell- for promotion

Red candle
Yellow candle
Red Pen and paper
Red paper clip

Light both candles and place piece of paper in between. Draw an arrow







Fold it after a few minutes and make like an accordion fan and press it together and
put it in the paper clip. Intone:

This arrow should fly straight
To direct this spell
May I earn the promotion
I deserve so well

Chant six times

Wind of change, carry forward
Flight of arrows, carry me onward

An it harm none, So mote it be

Carry it with you when you put in for the promotion. Burn candles once a day for a few
minutes till you get your promotion or until a month is over.

Dandelion Spell
To be recognized for achievement
Waxing Sunday

2 Yellow candles
2 Dandelion heads
Pinch of lemon grass
Magnolia or sweet oil
Lemon or orange oil
Small bag

Put the anointed dandelions with a pinch of lemon grass and close the bag. Place the
bag between the two candles. Light the candles and intone:

Power of the sun
Caress me
Flower of the sun
Bless me

Rub mojo over body. Carry bag with you wherever you go. Good for six months.

Sesame Spell
To remove obstacles
Sesame seeds or oil
Water
Bowl
Sage
Black candle
Dandelion greens or sweet grass
Small bottle with cap

Mix oil, seeds, sage and finely chopped garden grasses in a bowl. Anoint the black
candle with the mixture. Light the candle and intone:

Holy oil, mover of barriers
I anoint my hands to push away obstacles
Turn all things to work
No hindrance remains
Away all that chokes
Anoint my way
So mote it be

Decant the oil and use it before you begin a difficult task

Fire Stone Spell
For inspiration at work
Frankincense
Cinnamon oil
Red Candle
Stone
Copper or gold pen or paint
Clear nail polish to seal the design

Light incense and candle and intone as you anoint your hands with the cinnamon oil.

Like lightening it will come
Sweet inspiration
Fire of imagination
To me come

Paint the lightening shape on the stone. Pass it through the incense in your anointed
hands.

Ideas come
Fire of inspiration
Sweet imagination
Like lightening it will come
As I will it so mote it be

Seal the symbol with the nail polish. When inspiration is needed, rub the stone. Store the
stone in your personal charm bag.

Silver Candle Spell
Aid in study and the workplace

Silver candle
Yellow paper
Pen with silver ink

Light the candle intoning:


Angels, silver winged
Lend me your swift aid
Let my head judge quickly
Gift my wits with speed

On each corner of the yellow paper draw the image of mercury on each corner then from
the center of the paper draw a spiral outward, Hang your talisman where you do your
thinking.

Air Incense Spell
To make your Ideas known

Yellow Candle
Favorite incense
Lavender oil
Salt
Lavender leaves
Pine or Tree leaves or Pine oil
Water
Bowl
Small bag
Wand

Light incense and candle. Mix small amounts of the dry ingredients in a bowl. With
wand, intone.

I invoke the element of air
To witness and empower my spell
Flower of Uriel, angel of earth, bring me courage
Drink of Raphael, angel of water, purify this mix
Light of Michael, angel of fire, charge this work
Messenger Gabriel, angel of air, send blessings to this spell

Place a drop of water and a drop of oil on the dry mix and incense the bowl deosil and
place all the contents of the bowl in a small bag. Carry this talisman to your next
business meeting.
Owl Charm


Yellow candle
Image of owl
Small white stone
Small pouch

Light candle and place small stone in bag. Place the image of the owl on top of the bag
and intone:

This flame I light in honor of wisdom
This flame I light in honor of learning
This flame I light in honor of Owls spirit

Great Spirit you know my thoughts
Help me bring them to paper
Great Spirit you know my wishes
Help me bring them to pass

Hang the bag in your workspace



Tarot Spell
To find an Advisor

1 White candle
1 Lilly (real or artificial)
Sage Wand
One Tarot Card (empress for a woman, emperor for a man)

Light candle and sage wand and place card before the lilly.

Good counsel I invoke thee
Bring fair advice to me
Bring fair words
Bring fair counsel
Generous counselor and wise
Look to me with friendly eyes
Before another moon is past
Seek me out to give advice
And make me wise enough to think of it
As I will it, so mote it be

Keep card in front of mirror for 30 days or until the advisor appears.





Ivy Spell
Success in Business

Blue candle
Green candle
Sandalwood incense
Ivy (artificial)

Mother Mary smile upon your child (Light the incense and blue candle)
Mother ever Virgin smile upon my work (light green candle)

Twist the ivy into a crown and hang on your bedpost

Steadfast and pure
Hold fast and endure
Semper, Semper, Semper,
Guard and protect me
I harm none, so mote it be

Hang crown on your mirror

Magnet Spell
To draw good business

Water
Lavender oil
Tea light
Needle
Yellow paper
Magnet
Silver pen

Anoint the candle with lavender oil. Draw a stick person on the candle in the middle.
Draw a spiders web in silver ink on the yellow paper and put it front of the candle.
Intone:











I draw you forth by the power of north
I draw you in like a spider spins
Stick close by as the web to the fly
By Iron, web and sting I draw you to this ring
As I will it so mote it be

Hide magnet and web inside business.



Broomstick Spell
Commerce and prosperity for business

Sage wand
Green Candle
Yellow candle
Besom
Rosemary
Green ribbon
Mint oil
Small bag
Flowers and greenery to decorate

Light the sage wand and green candle intoning:

Earth witness my spell

Light yellow candle

Air carry it well

Decorate the besom with ribbons and greenery and flowers. Put the rosemary and mint
oil in the bag and tie it to broom. Anoint the broom handle with mint oil

Once I invest thee
Twice I impress thee
Thrice I bless thee

As I will it so mote it be

Hang your besom over the door of your business


Sunburst Talisman Spell
Revive good fortune

Frankincense
Orange or gold candle
Small tag with a hole
Gold or yellow pen
Yellow thread or ribbon

Light incense and candle intoning

I call upon the infinite sun
To shine upon my business

With gold or yellow pen write on one side of the tag:

Bell, Sol, Solve






On the flip side draw the sunburst. Swing the talisman gently in the incense smoke in a
deosil direction and hold it between your palms, which have been anointed with
cinnamon oil. Hang the talisman in your business or place of work

Quarter Days Cleansing Spell

Sage wand
White candle
Salt
Water
Small Bowl

Light white candle in sacred space and light sage wand. Smudge the house, intoning:

I ask God and his elements air and fire to cleanse this house of negativity

Take salt and sprinkle in water. Sprinkle the water around the room intoning:

I ask God and his elements earth and water to clear this house of negativity

End spell by intoning:

Lord this house is clear
Bless all occupants I hold dear
As I will it so mote it be

Broken Heart Spell
To prevent two former lovers from hurting each other


Jasmine and Chamomile Oil
Opium Oil
Bowl
Paper and pen
White or pink candle

Write the names of the couple breaking up. Tear their names apart from each other.
Light the candle anointed in the oils and intone:


_________ and __________are breaking up
May their hearts find comfort
Though they have hurts and bad luck
They shall not hurt themselves or others
As I will it so mote it be

Burn candle for 7 days

Peace in the Home Spell

Pentangle (drawn on paper)
Gardenia oil
Lavender oil
White tea light
Opium Incense
Wand
Athame

Mix oils anoint candle. Place pentangle in front of candle and incense. With wand
intone:

Peace dispel the shadows of doubt
Give this house harmony inside and out
Salve broken nerves and give us peace
Give tranquility to this family

With athame intone:

Defend our home with evil discord
Do not allow us to be annoyed
Dispel the negativity of worry and doubt
Protect all who live here within and without

As I will it so mote it be

With athame and wand together

Happiness be with us joined
Patience be lovingly employed
Blessed in and blessed out
Blessed be without a doubt

An it harm none so mote it be

Display your pentangle in sacred space or place it near the door

Love Triangle Spell

White candle
Dark paper
Silver pen

Draw and label three little stick people holding hands

Tearing the three people apart intone:

Here are three people who used to be
Good friends for life
Two of them were a couple
One caused the strife

Roll each piece of paper and bind with thread into separate rolls

I bind you and protect you
From this love come to an end
I bind you and protect you
And this triangle I rend

An it harm none, so mote it be

Tie the scrolls and everyday for three days burn one of the scrolls, intoning the spell




Tarot Card Banishing

Purple candle
Magician or Hermit card


Burn the candle before the card and intone:

Energy of the ancestors, far and near
Bring your protective powers here
Banish one who seeks to do me harm
Keep me in your loving arms
As I will it, so mote it be

You can use the devil card if you are not bothered by the imagery. You may also use any
of the major arcana cards that seem right to you.

Frankincense Bad Habits Spell

Frankincense oil
Cinnamon oil
Mint oil
Myrrh Scented paper
Red pen
White candle

Mix a little of all of the oils together and dress the white candle. Anoint the paper with
myrrh

Light the candle. On the paper write the name of the addicted. Burn the paper

This should be preformed on the 1
st
night of the waning moon

Banish Gossip

Ginger or Hi/Lo John

Create a small mojo bag and make a smiley face on the front. Place the John in the bag
and tie it shut. Carry the mojo with you until the problem is solved.

Cleansing

Frankincense oil
Sandalwood oil
Myrrh oil
Four candles

Anoint candles with the oils and place the candles in a circle and sit in the middle of it.
Intone:

Frankincense, sandalwood and myrrh
Come and bless my home
I thank the energies for coming hence
And blessing my home with these healing scents

Meditate on cleansing energies


Invocation of St. Michael
For help in the courtroom

Red candle
Picture of St. Michael
Sandalwood incense

Light candle before a picture of St. Michael. Intone, lighting incense:

Michael to the right of me
Michael to the left of me
Michael above me
Michael below me
Michael within me
Michael all around me
Michael with your flaming sword
Protect me as on my way I go

As I will it so mote it be

Saxon Protection Spell
May you trouble me no more

Black candle
Patchouli
Paper and pen

Anoint candle. Write the name of the person or trouble. Light candle and burn paper.
Intoning:

May you be consumed as a coal form the hearth
May you shrink as fat upon a hot grill
May you dry up as water in a pail?
May you become small as the linseed grain
May you become so small you become nothing
As I will it so mote it be

Taken from ancient Saxon texts

Four Elements/ Four Winds Sending to the Afterlife Spell
This ritual will take one moon cycle to complete.

Black candle
Vetiver
Spirit Money
Sandalwood Incense
Salt
Pepper
Paper with the name of the beloved dead

Anoint and light the candle and draw circle around it with salt.

________ Listen to me:
The four winds blow
The elements show
South and west, fire and water (Burn the paper with the name)
North and east, Earth and air (light incense)
Send their spirit to the otherwhere
Cool their anger, comfort their fears
Your responsibility is finished here
Move on our loving one, move on our dear
Take your gifts (burn money)
The moons door is open, the way is clear
Hold not to the past which restrains thee here
May your spirit fly free

As I will it, so mote it be

Burn the candle for a few minutes every day and intone the spell.
















Magik with Words Alone
Not all magik is done with tools, either herbs or wands or athames or cauldrons or any
other form of magikal tool. Some magik is performed with words alone. These are spells
intoned, empowered by God, will and visualization and belief that the spell you cast
will work for you.

To Remove an Obstacle
There is an obstacle in my way
I sweep it all away today
Obstacles I will remove
And make my path clean and smooth

So mote it be

To Promote Peace

In this world or war and discord
I chant this spell to push peace forward
May hate and spite disappear
So we call live without fear

So mote it be

To Heal Minor Hurts

Scrapes and burns and paper cuts
Even bouts of bad luck
Be healed and vanish away
As I go along my day

So mote it be

Pretty Spell

Inner beauty come forth
Vanquish feeling ugly
Because I am pretty
Now make others see

So mote it be
To Calm Down
Turbulent seas today I sail
I am being rocked by the waves
Calm the winds that make me ill
And make me calm today

So mote it be

For Headaches
My head hurts
About right here
Make it stop, make it clear
Let it dissolve in midair

So mote it be

Protective Spell
You are trying to hurt me
And fill me with fear
But you will not harm me
As I am safe right here

So mote it be

Energy Spell
My batteries are running down
My energies really low
But I must get up and do my share
Now my energy is here

So mote it be

Stop Gossip or Verbal abuse
I will not hear your words of abuse
Your evil talk I will refuse
You will cease to speak of me
Or to you it will return times three

So mote it be




Against all fears
I fear nothing on earth
Dreams nor anxieties nor doubts
I am strong in the Lord
I fear nothing on earth




Against Sadness

With token in your hands intone:

Sadness flees from me
Like the dust on the breeze
No longer in sadness shall I be


For Sorrow

With the token in your hands intone:

I release the pain of sorrow
There is a new tomorrow
What I have lost is gone
There is a new tomorrow



Against Sorrow of Death

My beloved one who is dead
Nothing really dies
I believe you have gone to better place
Nothing really dies


Appreciate Life

Life is the spark of God
I will respect all life in nature and my fellow man
I will not trample upon a single precious life
Life is the spark of God


For Beauty

For I am beautiful
Only look to see
I am Sheba
For I am beautiful to thee







Springs Fertility

Mother Earth is gowning
In her multi floral robe
The spring is here and flowering
Mother Earth is gowning




Dividing Lovers

These lovers suffer
Because the love they have is not true
They hurt those around them
Because the love they have is not true


Protection from Earthquakes

I live upon the shivering land
Protect the place Ion which I stand
Earth be still and do not shake
Till I and those I love in safety wait



Suffering in Death

My beloved is suffering
And waits upon death
Give them peace o angel of mercy
My beloved is suffering



Power of the Eclipsed Sun

The midnight sun is before us
May we be blessed in this noon time darkness
Give us the powers of warmth and life
As the sun reveals herself again


For Fertility

Do not leave me barren
Of Earths fertility
Give me precious children
As life you give to me





To Fight Evil

I am the guardian of the innocent
The helpless I do defend
Give me strength and power
To put evil at its end



Fear of Death

Our mortal bodies die and become the dust of the earth
Through this, our bodies are immortal as we feed each flower and seed
Our souls are the immortal gift of God
We go on to become one with him in the heaven of heavens







To find Passion

I have no desire
But want it in my life
Fill the cup of desire
To do the best and the right
Help me to find love, or keep it in my life
Or drive me to accomplishments to fulfill my life


For creativity including fertility

Make me creative
And give birth to new ideas
Make me creative
To make the world I want to live in



For eternal Youth

I can be a fresh young babe
Or the oldest of the oldest
But my heart and mind shall be
Youthful eternally


Inner Strength

I call out for inner strength
Make me mighty in my ways
Let me have no fear or faultering
Through my busy days





Freedom from Bad Habits

Human we are
And sometimes weak
I have bad habits
From which I must be free



Given in Love

My beloved I give you
This symbol of my love
Carry it with you
A gift of heaven above




Good Fortune

Good fortune comes my way
Today and everyday
I call upon the sacred powers
To bring me good fortune this very hour


Good Health

I call upon the hand of God
To bring good health to me
As I walk this ancient sod
Keep me strong and healthy











Harmony with the Earth

The Earth is my Mother
From her God brought me forth
The elements are my siblings
Earth, Wind, Fire and Water


Heavenly Assist

I call upon the angels four
To help me in this hour
I am in need of their heavenly aid
Assist me with your power











Suns Healing Power

I stand in the light of seventh heaven
On Mother Earth I stand
Brother Sun I call now
Bring healing to me and my land


For Wisdom

I am Gods ignorant child
But I seek to be wise
So I may serve my fellow man
In any way I can












Improve Health

I am sick
Raise me up from this bondage Lord of Hosts
I am suffering
Raise me up from my pain Lord of Hosts




Inspire Passion

Where the heart is cold there is no love
Bring my beloved fire from heaven above
Where there is no love, good does not grow
Make in his heart as above so below








Invoke the Help of God

Father we trust in you
We are your children
We claim the inheritance you gave us
That all we do in your name is granted us


For Long Life

Not the tares, but the wheat
Preserve me to work for you
Give me strength and good health
So I may proclaim your glory











Magik of the Scarab

We learn all things from nature
From the humblest of Gods Creation
The lowly beetle does labor for his keep
So shall I learn to labor for my Lord


To Overcome Winter Sadness

The days are grey and dark
And the earth continues her sleep
I am sad because the trees and flowers and birds hide from me
Make me remember the promise of spring













Power Amulet

The moons phases are the power of God
His eyes are upon me
As in heaven so on earth
The power of God endows me


To Uncover Deception

Evil ones are all around me
Each step I take they confound me
Remove the plague of lies
Scatter them like pesky flies








Protection from Evil

The evil one is around me
I look to God to protect me
As he protected the Children of Israel
With Moses snake and staff



Protection from Fire and Flood

Protect my home
From the destruction of Fire
Protect my home from the Flood
Fire and Water are my elemental siblings
We shall have no enmity









To Protect Heritage

I am as old as the first of our people
And the youngest of our children unborn
Grant me wisdom to teach our culture
And young minds transform



Help of the Moon

The moon is the celestial carriage
Of our Great and Noble Lady
Send your sign to protect us o Mary
And keep us in our ways











Protection on the Sea

We go upon the waves
Traveling over earths holy womb
Protect us from the wind and waves
Till we meet again with you



Refreshing the Spirit

I weary of the way I have traveled
My days are long and full of strife
Give me strength to walk my path
Now and all my life








Safe Travel

We travel far and wide
To the sea and the divide
Protect us as on our journey we go
For strange places and places we know


To Soften a Hard Heart

We all have troubles and strife
As we go through our life
Some times it makes a heart of woe
So soften it now for peace to know










Speak to the Dead

The ones who have gone before
Do not always enter heavens door
They come to us our beloved dead
Help us understand the thoughts in their head


For Stability

Think of the spider in her web
So slender, so delicate, yet strong her silken home
So shall the bonds of family be
Gentle, silken but holding us firmly









Sun Healing

The warm and gentle rays of the sun
Bring health to everyone
Clearing of the mind of body
Banisher of pain and disease


Increase Creativity

I have a project or idea
That needs prompting from my mind
Into the world
Show me the way to do it




To Invoke the Powers of the Sun and the Moon

The sun and the moon are our elders
We look to them for power and energy
The power of the tides and the winds
Shall be in our lives


To Control Fleshly Desires

Obsession is bad for any of us
Tempered we must be
Control is the way to be for us
So mote it be









To Fight the Demonic

Evil is all around us
Demons and imps interfere
We know that God will protect us
And around us angels appear


To Seek Wisdom

It is good to have all wisdom
And understand the ways of God
But true wisdom is knowing
No one knows it all









Protection from Evil Forces

We know the world has evil in it
In the form of demons, criminals and war
We are the servants of peace
And will allow evil to rule us no more


To Understand the Spiritual

We are as children to the Lord
And the Lord is the Great Mystery
Open us up to the Riddle
Of Gods Spirituality




To Win Love

I am lonely and my heart aches to love
Send me the truest heart that seeks me out
Make me wise to know my beloved at first sight
And open their eyes to me


To Win Power

I cast my web to the winds of the world
To catch within it power
I will use it to do good for all my brethren
Come to this holy hour





Understanding Life and Death

I embrace the understanding that life is Gods Gift
There is also another gift I must embrace and understand
That death is nothing but physical, the spirit is eternal
And nothing ever really dies, man, beast or flower



Understanding Great Wonders

The age of Miracles is not over
We still see miracles today
Healing, uplifting and visions
Are parts of our wise way






For Wealth

I am poor
As the widow with her mite
Give me wealth
So I may help the world to right



Lose Weight

I take more than my fair share
Of Gods beautiful earth
I ask him now to help me
Lose my heavy girth








For Winter Warmth

God made us naked, like innocent Babes
Now we are cold in the world he made
The fox has its fur and the wolf its den
And we have the fire God gave to mortal men




For Wisdom

Sometimes we make decisions
Great and foolish
We ask for wisdom
To know the difference





For Seeking Wise Counsel

We stand at a crossroads
Unable to make a decision
Send us wisdom
To find the right direction


















































The Turning of the Wheel
Come all ye gentle witches
Come all ye of good will
The feasting table is laden
The drinking vessels are filled
Come gather with rejoicing
A holy day is here
With songs gladly voicing
All the turning of the year
At Samhain we celebrate
The blessed dead is hallowed
The darkness holds no fear
When the fields at last lie fallow
At twilight of the year
The yew and hazel showing
Rebirth and vision true
The lights of need fires glowing
Shall mark the passage through
The Yule comes in with gladness
Though weather be unkind
And banishes all sadness
From every heart and mind
The spruce and pine and holly
The proof that life will last
The Yule log burning brawly
Defies the icy blast
With candles all a glowing
There comes the Imbolc maid
With milk and honey flowing
Our winter hungers laid
The apple in sweet flower
Shows our beloved star
The fire of early springs hour
Will break the winters hold
With day and night in measure
Our Jesus is our King
Who brings us sweet salvation
And the seed that sparks the spring
Safe in Gods holy keeping
All ill has been fast bound
The spring fire wakes from sleeping
The green things underground
With ribbons spiral winding
We dance the Beltane pole
The angels light inviting
Divided worlds made whole
The hawthorn brings in whiteness
The blessings of the May
On high the balefires brightness
Ill fortune drives away
When day is at its longest
Folk, fields and flocks all thrive
The sunlight at its strongest
Feeds everything alive
The stately birch most splendid
Brings all good things within
The summer fire is tended
To be bright suns twin
For Lammas to our Lord is given
The first fruits of the grain
Oats and barley riven
But rises up again
The oak is the door of wonders
The blessed shade it bears
The fire of Lammas sunders
All sorrows and all care
At Mabon we thank the earth who feeds us
And raise the harvest home
The frosts with light steps lead us
To dance the seasons come
Ash links the worlds intertwining
Our world with God and angels
The bonfire blesses, shining
Our food, our drink, ourselves
So the wheel starts again
Turning to each Sabat Day
And we good witches
With the Lord comes out to play.



Celebrations of the Seasons
All religions have recognition of the seasons. The pagans of antiquity and of the
present celebrate the seasonal changes of the earth. The warm wet days of spring, the
hot steamy days of summer, the cool crisp days of the harvest in the fall and the cold
barren days of winter turn like calendar leaves from old black and white movies to
denote the passage of time. So do the Christians, whether they are witches or not.

Admittedly, may of the dates we celebrate as dates marking events in the life of Christ
are arbitrary but they are more than just a way to understand the passage of time but
the cycle of life. In the fall we have we have the secular celebrations of Harvest Home,
secular Halloween, Veterans day and American Thanksgiving. We also have religious
feasts such as All Souls Day and All Saints Day. In the winter we have secular New
Years Eve and religious Christmas. In the spring, we have secular Mothers Day and
religious Easter and Marys Crowning Day. In summer, we have secular Independence
Day and religious Corpus Christi.

For Christians, when formalizing the calendar of feast days we had more than one
reason for setting our celebrations on the times as old Pagan feast days. One is the
simplest reason and that was to take advantage of an already set routine of feast days
and days of celebration. The second and most complicated was to replace feasts
celebrating the old gods and goddesses in the minds of former pagans with the events of
the life of Christ in an attempt to obscure the old beliefs and practices of an earlier
time.

The fact that Christ was probably born in the spring or summer has very little meaning
to me. Fact is the only date we can point to with any level of accuracy is the time of
Jesus arrest, trial, death and resurrection. What interests me is the preservation of the
cyclical year with the seasons and the faith. It acknowledges the movement of nature
and the natural world and the movement of God and the world of the supernatural.

To acknowledge both nature and super-nature is the truth of all basic religious paths.
We read mythology of ancient times and acknowledge the simple and basic truths that
run as an undercurrent of all religious calendars. But what of Magik? Why celebrate
magikal feasts? Whether traditional Christians wish to acknowledge magik or not the
life of Christ is full of magik we can draw from. From his conception in the unsullied
womb of his mother to his life of miracles all the way to his death magik surrounds us as
we celebrate these wonders.

We often speak of Mother Earth. Is it okay to think of the earth as a mother, to revere
the earth and seek to protect and love her? Certainly. In many ways she is the first
woman in our lives, just as Eve was our human mother and just as Mary is our spiritual
mother. God created the heavens and the earth with the clap of his hands, the ultimate
big bang. He shaped Mother Earth with his hands, molding her mountain breasts,
flattening her belly of valleys, filling up her ocean womb. Then, God, with a sweep of his
hand planted the seeds of trees and flowers and herbs and grasses.

Like a child with bits of clay, God created the creatures. Form tiny aphids to the
gigantic lizards we only know about from their tattoos deep in the earth, the Lord made
them in all their tiny details. Gods master design was in play. And earth recorded her
own story in her own body. Days of sun and icy storm, of drought and fire to tumultuous
flood, of the rising of species to their fall, Mother Earth preserved these snap shots of
eons of change and natural revolutions and uprisings and evolutions.

The fact that the Earth evolved does not detract from the hand of Gods creative force.
In fact, it reveals the grace of Divine origins. As Mother Earth went through her cycle
of seasons, so did the creatures of Gods design. What a wonderful mind to have, in the
blink of Gods eye to have created this world and the creatures who live on it.

God created the ritual of the seasons. To ignore these rituals is to ignore the creative
and divine forces of God. Mother Earth, like any fine lady, clothes herself in riotous
colors. Not just from the leaves and flowers and grasses but the soil itself. Think of the
silken champagne colors of the deserts, the azure seas, the reds and silvers of clay and
the rusts of Iron stained stone. Earth is a gypsy who clothes herself in bright colors.

The most amazing colors come from the change of seasons. The dark greens of summer,
the lighter greens and yellows and pinks of Spring, the ermine of the snows of winter
and the red, gold, and purple of the fall. The Church changes her colors too. Royal
purples of Easter, reds for martyrs, whites for virgins and initiates, greens for ordinary
times, blacks for the passing over mark the calendar of the churchs cyclical year.
Again, to recognize these changes is to recognize Gods plan, his glorious hand in the
seasons and nature and in human thought.

So we begin to examine the cyclical year and how it works in faith and in the practice
of witchcraft and how it applies to the Christian Witch.





Samhain

Samhain is the witches new year. During this celebration, we cast off old regrets,
remember those who have passed from this life into the next and look forward to renewal
and rebirth. We long for the revelation of hope in this season that just as there is the
rebirth of the earth, so shall we be reborn to eternal life in heaven.

Primitive man, not unlike modern man today, feared the mystery of death. To
contemplate mortality was to try to penetrate the mind of God. We observe the simple
violence of nature. Creatures eat and are eaten; wars in miniature are fought over
valuable hunting and living space. So it is with man.

We struggle to find meaning in the violence of nature. We die, sometimes by our own
hand, by accidents, by war, by crime, and by disease. We ask like Job why this is so and
God answers Where were you when I created the earth? Later, God answers our
questions of suffering and death with the life and death of Christ so that if we embrace
the teachings of Jesus we will understand the will of God. Death need not terrify us.
Death becomes the passage way through which we travel to the ultimate blessings of
heaven.

The dead become one with the celestial being of God. As God speaks to every one of us,
so we are spoken to by the dead in the form of dreams, visitations and memories. We
celebrate this oneness by recognizing the relationship between the dying back of the
earth and in our physical mortality.

During the feast of Samhain we invite those who have gone before us to come and
celebrate with friends and family and to bear witness to us that those who die wait their
own time of rebirth. We forget about the pain, struggles and sadness of the year before
and we embrace the promise of the season to come. We promise God and our beloved
dead that we shall remember them and the lessons they taught us.

We look to the future. We divine the symbols of dreams and portents and visions and
rituals to understand what the future holds. Not just for ourselves but the future of the
earth and her children. There is no fate. Fate is unavoidable, written in stone. Instead
we have the future, mutable, changing and free to be acted upon. This is the purpose of
the feast of Samhain.




Yule

For primitive man wintertime was a desolate time of darkness and cold. It was a time
when the nights were longer, the temperatures were lower and food was scarce if the
primitive man had not prepared himself sufficiently. But primitive man knew that
spring would come and bring with it the season of plenty. To assure himself and to
prove his faith in the seasons that God had created, he made a great feast celebrating
the coming of salvation from the cold, the dark and from hunger.

Spiritually, this was a time to contemplate the soul, to figure out mans relationship with
God. If a man had no particular religious faith, then he walked a time of darkness in
his soul. If he was at peace with his souls wanderings and knew what he believed and
had faith in that, then the feast of Yule was just another way to celebrate the promise of
rebirth of the seasons in spring and to rejoice that he had with him his family and his
people. For those who are Christians, or became Christians, the Yule season was a time
for expectation, waiting for the recreation of the birth of the Christ Child. When a man
felt that his soul was dark, he could recall the light of a blazing star and the three
Magi who followed this celestial herald to a cave where a small child, the light of the
world, was lying in both glory and poverty in a stable, with straw underneath him in his
manger cradle. The star had told the Magi that the child was the redeemer, who would
die for the sins of man and free all men who accepted his gift from the darkness of the
soul.

We imitate these far away magi in the giving of gifts. Though in modern times,
Christmas, or Yule, has been made an obscene commercialized thing, we should remember
who it is we imitate when we give a gift, who the receiver is to us. When we give a gift at
Christmas, we tell the person we give it to that we recognize the Divine Christ residing in
their own hearts. Even when we give a gift to a person of another religion or creed, we
are telling them we see the Sacred Spirit in their soul and we honor them.

We also celebrate the season with the colors we so desperately miss, by bringing
aromatic evergreens and holy and smilax and mistletoe into the house. We buy
poinsettia plants and red and green candles and decorate with tinsel representing the
treasures fit for a king. We set up our crche and remember the babe born to bring the
light of the world and the magikal strangers who saw his beacon in the dark night. We
gather with friends and family to go to church or come together in the home and feast
and celebrate and remember that the winter is not so long after all.



Imbolc

We celebrate the feast of Imbolc in February. Imbolc was known as the milk feast as the
new spring lambs are born in the darkness of the late winter nights. It is appropriate
that this feast should be represented with the lamb as this is the time to contemplate the
sacrifice of the Lamb of God. In Christianity, Imbolc occurs very near to the Mardi
Gras/ Lenten period of the Church calendar. The Christian Witch can, therefore, use
the feast of Imbolc to prepare for the greater feast of Ostara or Easter.

Christians prepare for Easter by examining their lives, confessing sins and other short
comings, and repairing relationships or preparing for new ones. It is also a time of
letting go of regrets and setting goals for the coming year and cleaning out not just
their homes but their spiritual selves. Fasting, prayer and celebration of the season and
letting go of negativity energize us, helps us refocus and prepares us for the rebirth of
nature.

For the Christian Witch this is a time that we can rededicate old tools, dedicate new
ones, look at the past year of workings and sorting out or herb closets and our Book of
Shadows for good spells, so so spells and rituals that simply dont work for us. It is
also a time when initiates prepare for final tests and prepare for their initiations. They
may also take this time to gather their basic tools of chalice, wand, athame, cauldron
and broom. They may also buy their first hard bound Book of Shadows and decorate it
to prepare for the writing if their own spells and lore.



Ostara

Ostara or Easter is the feast of rebirth and resurrection. It is also the time for initiates
to become a part of the Church and take steps into the ways of the wise. While
initiations can take place anytime during their year and a day of study the tradition is
to complete the full year and a day and it is a good rule. It is a period of collecting
your basic knowledge and tools and it forces you to invest in the act of learning. It
makes you anticipate the moment that you have invested in to become entitled to be a
witch.

During this feast, we rejoice and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the dawning age
of salvation and righteousness. We consider the mystery of Christs death and
resurrection and the faith, and even the lack of faith, of his disciples as they waited to
see if prophecy would be fulfilled or were they to wait for some other.

Christ is God made flesh and his life, from birth, to youth, to ministry to trial to death
and finally to resurrection mirrors the passage of time. He is the great seed, planted
and expended and reflowering and with this feast we celebrate the promise of life
everlasting and the power to do all things in his name. We are his Brothers and Sisters,
filled with the spirit of God and able to do all wonders. We are taught by his example
that all things may pass away only to be reborn.



Beltane

Beltane is the feast of the mother: Mother Earth, our birth Mothers, the Mothers of our
Craft and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ. We crown her with flowers
and show her honor and respect promised her by the angels and by her cousin Elizabeth
when she was recognized as the mother of Christ. We remember that Mary was the first
Christian, accepting Christ in the most personal and intimate way. She is the true royal
blood line which gives Christ his noble human ancestry tied with his divine being.

We also celebrate the fertility of women and of Mother Earth. We acknowledge that
the earth is primed for sowing that intimate act of readying the ground for planting.
We relearn the first command God to Father Adam and that was to care for his
Garden of Eden and to care for the plants and herbs and creatures who lived in it.

It is also a time to show respect and gratitude to the women who imitated Mother Eve
and Mother Mary and gave us life. There are human complications, of course, not all
of us were blessed with loving and caring mothers as I was, but even if this is the case
for you, you can give this same love and respect to the women who treated us as their
own, who cared for us and gave us love and support though they did not physically give
birth to us.

Beltane is also the time when we celebrate the women of the Craft who taught us the
ways of the wise and guided us in understanding herbs and spells and charms and
talismans, who preserved the knowledge from antiquity and gave it to us with the love of
any mother for her child.


Litha

Litha is the feast of the fathers. We honor God the Father, creator of the heavens and
the earth and who gave us life in our mothers wombs. He adopted us into the royal
blood line of Christ who called us all brothers and sisters.

We also celebrate our earthly fathers. These may be our biological fathers or they may
be men who stepped up and loved and cared for us. There are men who are fathers and
them there are sperm donors, that is a sad fact, that it why it is important to celebrate
these men who are real men and real fathers.

There are also the fathers of the Craft. These are men who joined female witches and
learned the way of the wise. Though this wisdom was not limited to women, it took a
long time for men to realize that they could benefit from the knowledge women had
known for centuries.

Because the Craft and the Craft culture is female centric, when men came into the Craft
it began to balance the female centeredness of the Craft with the male centeredness of
religion and society. As Christian Witches we embrace this balance of male and female
through God the Father and Mary the celestial spouse. We draw energy from this
balance and learn to combine both energies



Lammas

Harvest begins in the late summer with the gathering of the first fruits of the harvest.
Early grains, gourds, squashes, grapes come as the promise of even greater abundance
at Mabon and Samhain. We honor the plentiful bounty of the first fruits and thank
God for his love and care.

It is also the time to begin counting your blessings. Not just from your garden but the
blessings of life. Think of the health of your family and friends, your work, even your
struggles are blessings and you grow and learn and gain wisdom.

This notion of gratitude is lost on modern men and women. Our self-centeredness and
greed makes us forget about gratitude. We forget that our lives are intertwined and we
depend on each other and God.

Many countries and cultures have a day of gratitude or thanksgiving. These three
feasts of Lammas, Mabon and Samhain are the periods of thanksgiving when we show
our gratitude to God, the earth and the ancestors and each other.


Mabon
Mabon is the second feast of gratitude. It is also a time of self examination. This is not
only for your blessings but for your failings in life as they are lessons we learn to be
better people and better Christians and better witches. Since we follow not only the
Golden Rule but the Witches Rede we must consider our lives and how we impact
each other.

Have we done all that we can to protect, honor and respect each other? Have we served
God and the Craft? Do we harbor hatred and pettiness against others? Have we
reached all of our goals? Have we honored ourselves with rest, good healthy food, and
work and play in equal parts?

Mabon is that time to find balance, seek guidance, forgive others and ourselves and to
ask for forgiveness, resolve conflicts, and dedicate ourselves to improving our lives for
others as well as for ourselves. Remember, Harm None applies to all of us, even
ourselves. Do not burden your soul with negativity.


















Samhain Ritual One
October 31

Samhain (sowin) or All Hallows Eve is the beginning of the New Year for witches who
practice the Craft. It is the time when the seeds of flowers and grasses have dropped to
the ground and the days are shorter and the world is dormancy.

It is a time when the spirits of those who have gone on before us and the Saints await
our prayers and remembrances. So, just as Catholics remember the dead, so Samhain
celebrates the lives and the deaths of our loved ones and remember them with love and
grace and we pray for them and ask for their prayers, too.

Materials
Candles (White and Lt Blue)
Incense (Frankincense and Evergreen)
Chalice
Wand
Athame
Wine
Salt
Paper and Pen
Sacred Fire

Begin your ritual for the New Year with a meditation ritual. During your meditation
time, write down the names of loved ones who have gone on to the next world and a
second list of faults and goals. After meditating do your cleansing ritual and call the
corners. Say the Lords Prayer, the Shepherds Prayer, and the prayer to St. Michael.

Take now your white candle and light it:

Merry Meet and happy Samhain. May God bless those who have gone before us and
are in the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and
among the angels and the saints. May God bless those who sleep in purgatory. May
they awaken soon and be admitted into glory.

Samhain contains the mystery of sleep and rebirth. On this night, the spirits of those
who have gone before are present among the awaiting seeds of life in the great circle of
life, death and resurrection. Just as Jesus was born, died and resurrected in glory, so will
ourselves and our loved ones be.

Light the Light Blue Candle

This candle represents my prayers to God for you, my thankfulness to my creator. May
he hear my words and have mercy on me

This night of renewal, accept these faults and help me erase them from my life. Create in
me a desire for growth and wisdom and inspiration to aid my fellows from your divine
being and from my Craft, which comes from you Lord.

This night of renewal, accept these goals. Help me to understand your will and
strengthen my search for knowledge, new and ancient. Help me devote my Craft to the
glory of God in service to my fellows

Pour some wine in your chalice

This wine was made from the fruit of the vine, a thing crushed and destroyed and
transformed. So shall we all be. I celebrate with this cup the souls of those who have
gone on and those who will be. Merry Meet and Blessed Be until we are all together.
This wine is my covenant between God, thee and me.

Drink the wine. The ritual is over.

Close the corners and clear your space.

Continue celebrating with friends and family with music and stories.

A Samhain Activity
Materials
Masks or mask shapes
Feathers
Lace
Stickers
Markers or Pens or Pencils
Glue
Glitter
Ribbons
Tape

Create an inner self and an outer self mask or masks representing the four corners or the
many facets of your personalities.


Blood on the Moon

To honor the deceased, excellent to perform as a part of your Samhain ceremonies. Also
good for Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or days that loved ones are passing over.

Purple Candle
Frankincense
Myrrh
Lavender
Evergreen (or other tree oil)
Simmer Cauldron
Pictures of loved ones (or list)
Wand
Athame
Salt
Anise Star herb
Incense (your choice)

Mix the oils and a crushed anise star in the simmer cauldron and begin warming. Take
some of the oil and anoint the candle Light the incense and candle and with wand
intone:

The Circle round the pearly moon
Pulls the spirits from their tomb
We invite you to our circle of live
From here on earth to heaven above.

Grands and parents, sisters and brothers
Gone before, we invite you to hover
Be our guardians and our guides
As we honor you tonight.

With Athame, intone:

Warriors, knights, soldiers and braves
For our freedom your lives you gave
We honor you for your sacrifice
And pray you have found your paradise

We honor you and hold you near
Join us now, the veil is sheer
Open your heart and receive us well
Blood on the moon, we cast this spell.

Welcome loved ones, friends and guests
Touch our hearts as you do best
Blessings and prayers we offer you
And thank you for these moments few

Blessed be and Merry Meet
So Mote it Be

Samhain Ritual Two

Materials

Black candle
Frankincense or other pleasant scent
Pictures of loved ones now gone
Moon symbol
Chalice
Wine
Cookies or cakes

Dress your altar as you see fit with small pumpkins and gourds and fall leaves. Play
music that inspires you to the season like Camille Sansans Danse Macabre or a
requiem mass. This sabbat should be performed at midnight.

It is sabbat; the holy hour chimes (a bell may be rung)
Let us keep the season, let us mark the times
God of creation, God of Craft, God of Good and God of life
Be with us now, the time is right.

Pour wine in the cup and raise it

We pour this wine in sweet libation
Open the doorways between life and death
Send away evil and strife
Send those we love to celebrate with us tonight

Set the cup with the cakes or cookies

By the mystery of night
And the silvery moonlight
By our most sacred rite
Join us in merriment and delight.

Light the candle and incense

Through the flickering candle glow
Let your presence to me show
In the incense smoke so dense
Thy blessed presence we sense
Though death does part us, this you know
In love and trust I do you show
In celebration I drink and feast
Merry meet and blessed be

Drink from the chalice and eat some of the cake or cookie as a token

Return beloved dead with the morning sun
Our midnight revelries are now done
Return to heaven with break of day
Let peace and blessings guide they way
Blessed be and merry meet

The Ritual is complete

Blow out the black candle and save it for spells requiring the intervention of the
ancestors.








Yule Ritual One
December 21

Small green and red and silver and gold candles
All spice or cinnamon oil
Frankincense or myrrh incense
Small Yule log
Holly and evergreens
Small nativity set

Dress your altar to celebrate the Christmas season. Play Christmas Carols. Light the
candles and incense and intone:

God our Father, Glory of Heaven
Hear our heartfelt praise
For the Lamb of God comes to us
Born on Christmas Day

You are the child of promise
The Lord of Light is born today
Blessed be on all this night
Blessed be o Child of Light

In this season of Joy and Delight
Love and laughter on our side
A child is born of a Virgin Bride
Defeating death and bringing life

Lord of Life we call to thee
Let the reign of goodness be
Come to us this sacred night
And live within our inner sight

Warm us, heal us, bring us joy
Blessed Marys baby boy
The curse of death is broken now
We have our souls salvation vow
Upon the earth below blessings from above
Purer than a snow white dove
In perfect sacred love
In perfect sacred trust

Good witches all this blessed Yule
With Gods own Son we do commune
We thank the Lord for this time of mirth
In celebration of Jesus birth

Brightest blessings be, this sabbat is done

Yule Ritual Two

Nativity scene with the three Magi
Wand
Athame
Wine
Chalice
Evergreens
Simmer Cauldron
Cinnamon or All Spice oil
Green and red candles
Ginger and anise spice
Water
Yule log with four tea light candles
Sacred fire
Christmas cookies
Frankincense and Myrrh incense
Pen and Paper

This ritual is to celebrate the Three Magi who came to visit the Christ Child and the
mages who have taught us our Craft. Cleanse your sacred space and decorate your
altar for the Yule season. Light the red and green candles, placed on either side of your
nativity scene. With your wand intone:

Red is the color of the blood of our Salvation from the one born in this blessed season.
Green is the color of everlasting life. May the light of these candles bless this season.

Set up the log and light the first candle. With wand intone:

This first candle is represents the three Magi, mystics and wizards and stargazers and
seers. You searched for the Christ child in fulfillment of prophesy and faith. May all of
us who seek esoteric knowledge remember your devotion to God and the Craft.

Light the second candle. With wand intone:
This second candle represents the witches and wizards who have come since and shared
their knowledge. May their natural works and esoteric wisdom thrive among the
generations and bring us together.

Light the third candle and with wand intone:

This third candle represents the wise people in my family and in my life, the ones who
Crafted naturally, who dreamed dreams, moved things with the powers of their mind,
called the animals in their own spirits, made charms and talismans and totems and
speak to the beloved dead all around us. I remember you and ask that you guide me.

Light the fourth candle and with wand intone:

This fourth candle is for me, that I grow in wisdom of the Craft, allow the Craft to
imbue me and celebrate my magikal self. I thank God for my knowledge, energies and
skills.

Pick up your Athame:

I promise to defend all, to champion the weak, fight injustice and seek the strength and
wisdom and courage to do all in the name of God.

Light your incense. With wand intone:

This incense represents the skills I wish to learn or improve. I ask the angels of the four
corners help me obtain knowledge and the skills I seek. (if you have not already done so,
write down the skills you wish to learn or improve) Place the list on your altar before the
nativity scene.

Mix water, cinnamon, cloves, anise and ginger in the cauldron and intone:

This potion is the blessing of the earth, water, stars, and fire. I bless my sacred space to
encourage my work. (sprinkle your sacred space)

Pour the wine into the chalice

I celebrate the esoteric life of the Craft and thank God for all his blessings and the
blessings I receive working for others.

Take your small plate of cookies and intone with wand:

May life be as sweet as this small treat and may I celebrate the sweetness of life.

This sabbat is ended, brightest blessings be.







Imbolc Ritual
February 1

Imbolc is the early spring renewal festival. It is an excellent time for cleansings,
rededications, and the celebration of light and warmth and thanksgiving.

Materials
Milk
Wand
Water
Sacred Fire
Bread
Cauldron
Oils(Frank.&Cypress)
Sandalwood Incense
Candles (white and Pink)
Herbs (rosemary and sage)

Cleanse sacred space and call the corners and light the sacred fire.

Merry Meet and Nollog Imbolc. We celebrate this feast thanking God for seeing us
through the harshness of winter and showing us the promise of spring.

Light white candle and place it in the center of your altar stone. With your wand
intone:

The winter snows are falling
The frigid air remains
But we our blessings find
In the promise of spring days
This candle burning brightly
Like the golden sun it shines
To remind me of the warmth of life
And of God divine.

Light incense and intone:

This a time of renewal, preparing for spring
May the sandalwood bring blessings
For every little thing
May it bring warm winds
And sweet and gentle rains
As we wait in darkness for the suns sweet rains

Light pink candle:

Purify this hour, purify this space
Purify this ritual in its place
So above in heaven
So on earth below
May God give his blessings
To all of us who know.

Place oils in cauldron of water

Frankincense bless this place and this craft
Cypress make the worker steadfast.

Add the herbs

Rosemary purify me and with Gods world make us one
Sage give me wisdom and success in all thats done.

Raise bread

This is bread, the staff of life
A man who has bread, has a wife
Bless oh Lord this holy gift
Heal all wounds and mend all rifts

Raise Milk

This milk the wine of the babe
Nourishing from birth to the grave
Bless oh Lord this sign of love
As on earth in heaven above

Spend some time in meditation and close ritual.

Imbolc Ritual Two
Spring-cleaning for the soul

Large White candle
Pen and paper
Patchouli Incense
Cauldron

Beforehand, write down your regrets, problems, desires for the coming year. Light the
large white candle and incense and intone:

This is our Sabbat rite
The holy hour is struck
We celebrate before the cauldron of life
Our cauldron of renewal

We await the coming of spring
As the signs of renewal begins
Winter comes now to her close
The world slumbers but the waking will soon begin.

I have lit a candle to Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth
Mother of Earth, Mistress of Angels
Guide us now and protect us
As we contemplate the miracle of life, death and rebirth

We release our needs, habits and troubles
To the flames they are consigned (burn your paper)
We trust them to your keeping
To bring before the God divine

Mother of Christ, Gods Virgin Bride
Approve our act of love and faith
May we be renewed and prepared for new growth
The spirit of the Sabbat has been kept

Brightest Blessings Be




Easter Sabbat One

White Flowers for Altar
Purple candle
Empty Cross with purple ribbons draped
Athame
Wand
Pentangle
Bible

Play light, happy music or favorite hymns

Easter sabbat is upon us
The Holy Day of Resurrection
The day of salvation
We call upon God the Father
And give thanks for God the Son
Life and death and eternal rebirth
The day is given to us
Blessed Be

In the blessed sabbat we celebrate
The word made flesh
Who brings all wisdom
And endows it upon all who bears the name of witch
I see the symbol of God the Son
The Cross of Sacrifice
I see the symbol of the witch
The star of the night sky
I see the Bible, the word of God
I see my rod and my sword
Living by the rule of God
And the witches rede
I seek balance in my life
In perfect love and perfect trust
My Lord God, I serve thee
As I bear these symbols of my faith.

I believe in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
I believe in the continuing Age of Miracles
I believe in the balance of prayer and Craft
I believe in the salvation of the Cross

God is present in our hearts and minds
God is present in the four compass points
God is present in earth, air, fire and water
God is present in every human soul
God is present in every living child of nature

I believe in patience with an unbelieving world
I believe in humble charity
I believe in the sincerity of all religion of light
Blessed be the wisdom of prophets and seers
Blessed be those who suffered for their knowledge

Good Christians all, brothers and sisters of the Cross
Good witches all, brothers and sisters of the Craft
Let us go forth to heal the world
Increase our knowledge and guide our lives
And may the God of Light guide our paths forever

Merry Meet and Blessed Be


Easter Sabbat Two
Easter Eve Midnight

White Candle
Spring Flowers
Bowl of Water
White Stone
Salt
Incense
Nuts and Wine
Chalice

Clean and decorate your altar. You may use the materials from Easter Sabbat One as
well as those above,

Light the candles and incense and intone:

Farewell to winter
Turn the wheel
Here is your memory
And your promise
This day the promise is fulfilled
Hand and flower thank and bless
In the heavens and in earth
This is the beginning, this is birth
In all that creep, walk, swim and fly
Here is newness and here is day
And Our Lady Virgin Sweet
Comes to us mild and meek
And in kindness to our need

Drink a bit of the water from the bowl

Dancing water of sacred birth
The darling secret of a virgin girl
In love and praise
That she may guide us
In our ways


Dark before light we sleep and wake
Our souls were in darkness and now stands in the day
We acknowledge the one who like the seed was buried
Who now is our risen Jesus

Through his sacrifice we have rebirth
In the power of Marys Holy Son
We are born again
Life renewed and scared, we are born again


Blessings upon all powers of renewal
Upon all things made new
And shines with the radiance of the risen Lord

Announce: Christ is Risen alleluia

Lady Mary this day is the day of shining
The seed of salvation, broken and buried has risen
Lady Mary this day is newly made water, earth, air and fire
And Christ from death arises

In our hearts you make us new
In Jesus name the world is new
In our minds you give us light
Jesus is the light of the world
Blessed is the name of the Lord

Drink some wine

This is the Spring, the moment of the day of salvation
And Blessed is the Sacred Son, resurrected and reborn
He brought us our redeeming grace
On his cross he took our place
Through him all life increase
Through him all life is blessed be

Eat some nuts and drink the wine in libation.



Beltane One
May 1

Celebrated on Marys Coronation Day, it is a celebration of the Blessed Virgin, Mother
Earth, and the mothers of the Wise who taught us the Craft, and planting the new
plants of the year.

Athame
Wand
Chalice
Green candle
Musk incense
Flowers
Wine
Fruit
Chocolate
Salt
Sage
Envelope
Seed packets

Nollog e Beltane, merry meet and blessed be! I celebrate the beginning of Spring and the
beginning of our growing season.

Light the green candle and place it in the center of the altar. With wand intone:

This light is the spark of life. So shall my garden be blessed with life and the herbs used
to heal, enrich, and savor life.

Light the incense. With the athame intone:

Blessed Mother, I am your champion. Guide my hand in all I do to the glory of God,
Our Father and your blessed Son, Jesus.

Mix the salt and sage in an envelope and lay hands palm down over it,

I remember the mothers who have taught me the way of the wise. Salt protects us and
sage imparts wisdom. Help me be wise and protect all I love, like those who taught me
way to wisdom.

Pick up seed packets and intone:

Bless these seeds so that they may die to the soil and be resurrected as life and health
giving plants. May they grow and give energy through their life force.

Pour wine in chalice

I celebrate the coming of spring, the warm air and the healing sun, and the blessed rest.
I lift my chalice to the coming fruit and vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Blessed be

Drink from the cup

May the earth yield to our love and care nourish us from her breast. I celebrate the
earths fertility and my responsibility to her

So mote it be

Eat and drink in celebration.
Beltane Ritual Two

White candle
Pictures of Mary and Jesus
Flowers
Seed packets


Light the candle and set the pictures on each side of it. Intone:

Blessed Virgin, Queen of Heaven
We celebrate your blessed day
And in grateful remembrance
We let God have his way

Just as when the angel came
And you replied to God So Mote it Be
With this simple act of grace
The Lord Jesus came to thee

Through thee we came to know salvation
And from thee we learned perfect trust
From thee we learn intercession
To God in heaven above

From Christ we learned perfect love
Which like flowers his love does bloom
Bless these seeds to grow and flower
To remind us of your healing power

Upon this day, this moment, this hour
I bless your name, our source of power
Each spell I work, each act of healing
I invoke Christs name the core of my being

I celebrate the Queen of Heaven
And her Beautiful Son
With each flower, herb and seedling
Gods work to be done



Litha Ritual One
June 24

This ritual is a cleansing ritual and can also be used to celebrate the men in our lives,
from God the Father to our birth fathers or the fathers of the Craft who taught us the
wise ways. In preparation, clean your home and sacred space box and bag things to
donate, recycle and throw away.

Red fire
Bible
Sun symbol
Wine
Chalice

It is sabbat, let all evil and negative things flee before the God of Light. Let our home
and temple be cleansed by Gods might.

God of the Universe, God of Light
Attend us during our sabbat rite
Bless this temple and our lives
As we dedicate to you our lives

May God bless this circle
And bless those who come
To gather before God our Father
We light this candle
To celebrate his presence with us

Light the candle

This is the light of all lights, the flame of all flames
It represents the powers given to us as His servants
We are the children of God, brothers and sister to the Christ
And we are empowered with His great might
May the God of Love and Light and Life
Bless thee and all thy works
Brightest blessings be

As this flame represents our God
So it also represents our wisdom
We praise those who teach us the way of the wise
We are the guiding light who lives in the world of darkness


So Mote it Be

Litha Ritual Two
The Feast of Our Fathers
June 24

Flowers
Chalice
Wine
Pictures of Fathers
Cross
Dark Blue Candle

Decorate your altar with flowers and pour wine in the chalice. Light the candle and
intone:

Nollog e Litha

We celebrate our feast in honor of our Fathers. God the Father Creator who with his
loving hands created the universe, the planets and our Mother Earth. He is the celestial
gardener who placed us in the home second only to our heavenly home.

Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On Earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom
And the power
And the glory
Amen

We celebrate our fathers who raised us, nourished us, protected us and taught us. They
held us in love and gave of themselves. This does not speak only of biology but those
men who claimed us as their own and made us one blood with their love and
commitment.

We celebrate our Spiritual Fathers, who came to us as preachers, pastors and priests
who taught us the love of our Heavenly Father and shows us all compassion.

We celebrate our Fathers of the Craft those we know personally and those we know only
through their words. From them we have found our calling and know the way of the wise.

Raise the cup in libation:

We celebrate the fathers who guide us along our paths and remember all those living
and dead

Drink form the cup

Brightest blessings be to the fathers in our lives and may we be forever blessed




Lammas Sabbat
August 1

Red candle
Wine
Chalice
Bread
Spicy Incense (especially cloves)
Cornucopia

This feast is the feast of the first harvest. This is the first fruits, nuts, grains and
vegetables.

Dress the altar and light the candle and incense and pour some of the wine in the
chalice.

This is the sabbat of the first harvest, the holy day of the God of Life, the celebration of
the earths fertile bounty and the turning of the year. As the days shorten and the
nights become longer, let us celebrate with the Lord and give him joyous thanks for the
love he so richly bestows upon us.

Good witches partake of bread and wine and celebrate the goodness of the Lord. You
have sustained by his love. We give thanks for the fruits and vegetables and herbs and
trees that give us nourishment and sacred power through the love of God.

Eat some of the bread and drink some of the wine

Lord of life, be thou blessed. May we be forever blessed. May we acknowledge the
wonder of Gods love and generosity to us through the gifts of nature and may we
always find the Face and the way of God through out our lives.
Blessings be as we keep our sabbat


Lammas Ritual Two

Red candle
Wine
Chalice
Bread
Cauldron
Paper and pen

Take some time before hand and make a short list of all the things you have been blessed
with. Light the red candle and intone:

Jesus Christ the Living Bread
Hear this our gratitude
For the wealth of the year

Burn your paper and place it in the cauldron

Jesus Christ, Son of the Father
Giver of eternal life
You make the world new
Hear our gratitude for every gift
On the first day of the harvest

Blessed Mother of God
You brought Christ into the world
For the good of us all
We acknowledge our love to you
And our ties with all creation

Raise the chalice and intone:

As the night is the womb of the day
And the day of the night
And man a part of woman
And woman of the man
All that is born dies
And that which dies is born again

We celebrate our oneness with the elements
We celebrate the blessings we have received
And having been blessed
We are empowered to bless
And all that is loosed is bound
And all that is bound is loosed
With each sorrow there is joy
And with each joy there is sorrow
Thus we know the balance of nature
Thus we know the Lord
And thus we know the Craft

Drink from the chalice.

All good witches, this we know, we are blessed by heaven above. We go forth now in
perfect love and perfect trust. Brightest Blessings Be




Mabon Ritual One
September 21

Mabon is the feast of balance, of self-examination and preparation for Samhain.
Think about the events of the last year and your triumphs and failures and any
injustices you are suffering in your life or any injustices you have inflicted on others.
Think about your hasty words, your disrespect to your brothers and sisters, your
pettiness.

Think now about what you would like to happen in your life. Though Samhain is a time
of renewal, this feast can be the time of thoughtful meditation, repentance and
understanding the consequences.

Red flowers
Sliced fruit
Red, purple and yellow candle
Chalice
Wine
Bread
Jam
Justice card
Strength Card
Judgment Card
Pen and paper
Cauldron

Write your list of troubles and regrets. Set up your altar with the tarot cards before
each candle. Set up your chalice and fruit and bread. Light the candles and intone:

We celebrate this sabbat and turn the great wheel. Now is the time of preparation for
the great Witches Day. Now we recall our failings, regrets, and great and small deeds,
of goals reached and goals yet to attain. This is the hour of mercy and miracles from
our Blessed Lord.

Light the candles and the incense:


Before us lies Justice, the great karmic leveler. Those who have done us harm will feel the
hand of karma in their lives. And we will accept our good karma with thanks for the
lessons we have learned and let go of our regrets and move to the next great thing in
our lives.

Before us lies strength. We call upon the strength of the Lord to serve him. Through
service to God, we are blessed and all blessings we share with others and bless him for
his generosity. We take upon us the mantle of strength to welcome the turning of the
year so we may start anew.

Before us lies Judgment. We know that we all stand in judgment before the Lord. We
ask for mercy for our wrongdoing and the fortitude to judge not and let the power of the
Lord be our defender.


Pour the wine into the chalice:

Come the comfort that we seek
Come the blessings from his glory
We have taken the bitter with the sweet
Into joy we pass from our mourning

Drink form the chalice

We have reaped what we have sown
The fruit of redemption or the meat of woe
Help us o Lord on our path
To love and nurture those who cannot
And forgive those who do not
And use our knowledge only for good

Eat some of the fruit
Come Lord of Creation
Come God of Justice and Might
Celebrate with we good witches
On this wonderful sabbat night

Burn your list in your cauldron

Brightest Blessings Be

Mabon Ritual Two

Red Candle
Green Candle
Blue Candle
Yellow Candle
Fall flowers
Cornucopia
Spice incense
Wine
Chalice
Fruit
Bread


We stand in grateful observance of this harvest feast and thank the Lord for his
bounty. We thank the Lord also for the blessings of the Craft and renew our vows to
work for the good of all.

Call the corners of the elements and intone:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
In the name of earth, air, water and fire
We gather together in gratitude
For the wealth of the earths bounty
And the blessings we have received from God our Creator

To receive gifts, we must give them
Through or devotion and love
To receive great blessings
We must bless those around us

Pour the wine in the cup and raise chalice and plate of food

We have given food to the hungry
And drink to the thirsty
We have given the captive the breath of freedom
And shared enlightenment with the spiritually blind
We have given strength to those who falter

Set the chalice and plate back on the altar

Now we call upon the sacred power
To strengthen us for the coming year
We libate in celebration
And celebrate the gifts of the Lord
We are a part of all
We give and are given

We thank the Lord of Creation
For his gifts to us on earth
As above so below
As we will it, mote it be so

Brightest blessings be

Eat and drink the feast




Christian Witch Christening

Some Christians practice infant baptism in imitation of the ritual purification of
Orthodox Jews, called a mikvah. This generally occurs a few days after birth. In the
case of males, the mikvah occurs about the same time of the circumcision.

Some Christian Churches may wait for baptism as they consider it a sacrament of free
will, undertaken after they formally and publicly accept Christ as their Savior.

Other churches perform a Christening. A christening is not a baptism but a ceremony
where the baby is introduced to the church and the congregation vows to teach the child
the Christian faith and is then blessed with water.

Christians who practice witchcraft may wish to have a baptism or christening done by
their priest or pastor and then have a Christian Witch Christening. Wiccans and
pagans call this a Wiccaning.

The Christian Witch Christening is the opportunity to vow before God and their coven
or circle to not only raise their child in the Christian church but to teach it the wisdom of
witchcraft.

This service may be restructured for a traditional Wiccaning.

Materials
White candle dressed with violets
Bowl
Water
Sweet Oil
Book of Shadows
Clothes
Cross
Pentangle (these two items should be given as gifts to the child)

We gather together to bless this beautiful child. He/she has been blessed and vows
undertaken to teach him/her of the Lord Jesus. Now we bless this child and vow to share
the wise ways of the craft so that they shall know the nature of Gods Creation and the
powers and gifts of Mother Earth.

The parents bring the child to the altar

Name now this beautiful boy/girl

The parents name him/her

_______you stand before this circle of love and life. From us and your parents you will
hear the whispers of the wind, speak to the stones, dream dreams and see visions. You
will know past, present and future.

Parents and congregation: Blessed Be

______you will count the stars, seek wisdom from the flowers and herbs of the fields and
embrace the creatures of the earth.

Parents and Congregation: Blessed Be

________you will learn the ancient wisdom and know magik as your ally.

Parents and congregation: Blessed Be

_________ our beautiful boy/girl we call upon the ancients and the wise ones of our
way and of our family to teach you the Craft. I bless you with the element of water, the
drink of life.

The priest or priestess dampens his fingertips and makes the sign of the cross and the
witches star on the babys forehead.

________ our beautiful boy/girl we call upon the ancients and the wise ones of our way
and of our family to teach you the Craft. I bless you with oil and make the sign of the
witches star on your forehead.

The priest or priestess turns to the congregation.

We have a responsibility brother and sister witches. We must teach our beautiful
boy/girl the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ and the way of the Craft. Those who promise
seal this rite with So Mote it Be

Congregation: So Mote it Be

Brightest blessings be and may God bless you in all your days and through all your
ways.




Sending Forth of the Soul
The Christian Witches Funeral

Many witches, regardless of religious practice, practice in secret, that is, in the Broom
Closet. Because of this, the Ritual of Sending Forth will likely be a memorial service.
Funerals, after all, are for the family and friends. This service not only reflects the loved
ones Christianity but their witchcraft practice. This ritual may be adapted for the
Pagan or Wiccan beloved dead.

Materials

A white candle
A picture of the deceased
White flowers
Incense
White tablecloth
Pentangle
Crucifix
Bible
Book of Shadows

When the ritual begins, the officiate should light the candle.

Welcome brother and sister witches and brightest blessings be

We gather together to send forth our beloved brother/sister witch. He/She stands now
before God our Creator, one with the elements and the seasons who loved his/her work
he/she did in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

We mourn his/her absence from our presence but rejoice in his/her peace with God with
His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He/she stands with Mary, our Mother, and sings
the praises of heaven with the angels and the saints.

On Earth, he/she practiced the way of the wise and danced in unity to the pulse of
nature. The flowers called him/her brother/sister and the beasts called him/her friend.
He/she followed the path of the sun and worked by the phases of the moon.

Our brother/sister witch lead his/her life by the golden rule and by the witches rede.
He/she consulted the stars, divined the future and protected the innocent. He/she cast
spells for the benefit of all.

We thank God for our brother/sister witch and thank Him for allowing us to know
him/her and work with him/her and practice Craft with him/her. Comfort us as we let go
of our sorrow and rejoice in his/her sending forth into the heaven you have prepared
him/her.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again

Brightest Blessings Be




Handfasting One

Best performed at the New Moon

Materials
Flowers
2 White Candles
Incense
Wand
Rings
Wine
Chalice
Cakes


Officiate- a priest or priestess of the Wicca practice or a witch

May the power of this rite be consecrated by God as we are gathered here in a ritual of
love with two who would be wed.

Calling of the corners

Gabriel be with us here, oh being of the air. With your angels fingers tie closely the
bonds between these two.

Michael be with us here, oh being of fire. Give their love and passion your own all-
consuming ardor.

Raphael be with us here oh being of water. Give them the deepest love and richness of
the spirit.

Uriel be with us here oh being of earth. Let your constancy bind them together for as
long as they wish.

Blessed Lord we ask for your love and protection. Blessed be.

Officiate now places the couples hands together palm up and places the rings in their
palms. With a wand intone:

Above you are the stars and below is ancient earth and above us all the Eternal God.
Remember, like the stars, like the earth and like the Eternal God your love should be
constant and firm. Be close but not to smother; possess but give freedom and above all
have patience for one another through the storms and winds of life. Love with
compassion and let no word or action by others separate you. For God is with you, now
and forever.

The officiate then takes the rings and to the person on the officiates right, give them the
ring they are to give and ask:

Is it your wish _______ to become one with ___________.

Answer: Yes

Place this ring on the finger of your beloved.

Repeat for the other.

Does anyone here object?

The officiate then takes the chalice and offers it to the couple intoning:

This wine is the cup of blessings and promises. Let it seal your binding.

Couple drinks from the cup.

With the ribbons or cords, bind their wrists together and intone:

Like the umbilical at birth, you two are one. You are now fasted to one another.

Then as God and this gathering are witness to this rite I now proclaim you love and life
mates.

The ceremony is finished and wine and cakes are served.



Handfasting Two
(Longer ceremony)

Commonly, the structure of a wedding ceremony includes some or all of these elements:
Processional, creation of sacred space, welcoming of guests, declaration of intent,
charge, exchange of vows, rings and the final benediction, closing and presentation.

Opening:

Couple and Officiate are at the altar

We stand before this company on this beautiful day/evening to join ______and
_______. Welcome are you friends and family. Today, before you and God, you will
witness transformation as _________ & ________ become one in their vows: Blessed be
to all who attend this celebration and blessed be our lovers about to be joined.

Charge:

To the couple:

You stand before this company and before God seeking to become one with each other.
You have entered into this union with open eyes and a full hearts. If either of you or any
of these present know of any reason why these vows should not be made, speak now.

Declaration of Intent:

_______ &__________ you stand before me, God and this holy company desiring the
bond of marriage. Do you do this of your own free will; coming here today without
coercion by any means.

Answer: We do.

Do you consecrate your life to truth, honesty, trust, communication, and leave your
solitary road to walk together?

Answer; We do.

Will all of you witnessing this handfasting support and assist this couple as they begin
their lives together?

Answer: We will.

So must it be.

Vows:

We will now hear the vows.

I _______do take you _______ as my true love. Never will I seek to do harm and always
will I strive for your happiness. Your love is my treasure in poverty, my healing in
sickness, my comfort in sadness, my guiding light in darkness and I promise to be the
same for you.

Blessing of the rings:

These rings, a token of your love, serves as a reminder that in all life is a cycle: all comes
to pass and passes away and returns.

May the four elements bless these rings:

Air- the element of renewal- renew each day the love of this couple.
Fire- the element of passion- may you burn for each other today and forever.
Water- the element of harmony- bring fulfillment and contentment to this couple.
Earth- all life springs from the earth- bless this couple with life and prosperity.

Exchange of rings:

_______this ring I give you is a symbol of our love and the vows we have made.

Answer ____I will wear this ring as a symbol of our love and the vows we have made.

Binding:
(A cord or several ribbons should be braided or knotted together before hand. I t should
contain the colors: Red, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Green, and Orange)

Woven in this cord and imbued in its fibers are all of the hopes of your friends and
family for your new lives together. With this knot I tie all the desires, dreams and love
and happiness wished here in this place to your lives together. (Tie the couples wrists
together)

Blessings and benedictions:

Lord, in Your sight these people have promised themselves to one another, made vows
before You and have been handfasted. Bless them in their new life together.

Closing and Presentation:

You have witnessed the promises made by _____and _______one to another and
exchange the symbols of their union. They are now soul mates under heaven to
experience life together and meet challenges and rewards together through their lives. I
am honored to present to you ______ and ______.

Blessed Be.





The Way of Merlin

We know Merlin through the legendary tales of King Arthur. Though we understand
that the story of Arthur and his knights of the round table and the search for the grail
is an allegory, many of us do not understand the significance of the tale in real history.
Those of us interested in the Arthurian legend, try to see it in a historical context.

Historically, we do not know if Arthur really existed. We believe that Arthur may have
been a regional or tribal king of questionable birth. As he gains power and his story is
told and retold, this question of his birth takes a magical turn.

Arthur may simply be symbolic of the move from Celtic Paganism to early Christianity.
We can suppose that Arthur may well have been a Pagan in his youth and childhood
but later becomes a Christian. It may even be that he converted for the love of
Gueneviere, who may have been a cradle Christian. He may have converted to stabilize
his claim of kingship, if he were chosen by the One God to be king who would oppose him
and his rule?

But has Arthur become a Christian in name only? Or has he developed a sense of early
Christo-Paganism? This question comes because of his close ties with Merlin, the Pagan
counselor. If Arthur was a committed Christian, why didnt he have a Christian priest
as his counselor? This suggests that Arthur may have been clinging to the past of the
Pagan culture and faith. This is further supported by the ill fortunes that strike Arthur
and his kingdom, suggesting that his clinging to the Pagan past and the use of his
wizarding counselor Merlin is the source of all the evil that follows.

But who is Merlin? Many scholars suggest that he was a real person, really two people.
The Merlin we know from Arthurian legend may be an amalgam of these two historical
men and a generous wash of mythology. Merlin is a Pagan, clinging to the old ways,
tapping into the symbol of the source of magic: the earth, which in some Celtic cultures is
said to be a great dragon, imbued with all of the elements and the powers of creation.

From the beginning of Arthurs story, there is Merlin. It is said that Merlin possessed
the power of the earth dragon and had the power of creation: the creation of earth and
all of its creatures and energies. It is also the power of creation itself. According to the
tale, Merlin called upon the dragon and caused Uther Pendragon to transform into
Cornwall, his enemy and husband to Egraine, the most beautiful woman of the empire.
Uther seduced Egraine in the form of her husband, even as he died on the battle field
and that night conceived a son, who was promised to Merlin in exchange for the magic
that killed Cornwall and made it possible for Uther to possess Egraine and the
kingdom. The problem is, now he is a King of bad repute and bound to be overthrown.
The magical sword Excalibur, the sword Merlin gave Uther to symbolize his kingship,
was driven into the stone to keep it out of anyone elses hands. At the moment of the act,
Merlin casts a spell on the sword, keeping it imbedded until Arthur would have the
opportunity to claim it as his birthright as heir to the throne of the kingdom.

To understand Celtic kingship, you must look to the tales of the Irish and Scottish kings
who felt the pull of Christianity later. To be a Celtic king, you must have no blemish,
physically or spiritually, even in battle, or men who were whole and healthy replaced
you. And the kingdom did not always pass through the blood from father to son, but
rather to those who had proved themselves in battle and in wisdom.

But Arthurs place as king is assured because of the sword. The sword was the kings
symbol of the right to rule in Celtic culture. It was only through might that the King had
the right to claim his leadership. A king must not only be able to expand his kingdom
but to protect it. This strength is endowed by the gods, and later by the Christian God
who made kings and gave them God given rights to rule absolutely.

The sword, Excalibur, we are told was given to Merlin by the water nymph known as the
Lady of the Lake. Merlin calls her out of the waters with his magical connection to the
earth dragon. But how does Merlin access the earth dragon? He has a charm, the charm
of making.

Lets just think about the Charm of Making. What does its title mean? What are we
making? He is not making anything in and of himself. Merlin is simply invoking the
energies of the dragon to come out of the earth and into the lives of men. His charm of
making opens a door to invite the energies of creation (the dragon) to come and dwell in
the lives of human beings.

Was there a real charm of making? We may never know for sure. The writers of the
early legends of Arthur and Merlin do not even speak of a charm like this. Early Celts
did not write much in the way of their religion or practice. What little was written was
destroyed or lost with first the conquering Romans and then the conquering Christians.
Between Pliny and Venerable Bede Celtic religion was a vicious savage religion that
was Satanic and evil. What we have a seed of imagination and inspiration. And that,
after all is the power of the dragon, the art of creation. We also have a wonderful film
called Excalibur.

Excalibur was a film by John Boorman and filmed in Ireland. Ireland, by the way may
well have been the fabled Avalon, though some place it on the Isle of Man. In the
opening scenes we see a gruesome battle scene with Merlin walking through the smoke
and the chaos calmly, as though he walked through a quiet meadow. Uther quarrels at
Merlin because he does not come when he is called. He takes Uther to receive the sword
and then takes him to parley with Cornwall. The peace is made and they feast. At the
feast, Uther sees Egraine and is enraptured with lust. He breaks the peace and calls to
Merlin to use his magic to have a night with her. Merlin takes Uther to the standing
stones, on top of the hill equal with the entrance of Cornwalls castle fortress. There he
speaks the charm: anail nathrach, ortha bhais is beatha, do cheal deamaimh. The charm
is said in Irish and translates to: Serpents breath, charm of death and life, thy omen of
making.

The question I can hear you asking are: Is this real? Or it just for the movies? Does it
have any cultural facts or it just for entertainment? You can look at it like that. But
remember what the charm is meant to do. It is the Charm of Making, calling the earth
dragon of creation to release its earth magic to us and take the form of whatever
creative project we desire.

So, since I am writing this Book of Shadows for Christian Witches, what might the
Christian Charm of Making look like in the Irish language? Dia nathrach, ortha bhais
is beatha, do cheal deamaimh. Gods breath, charm of death and life, thy omen of
making.

The Other Red Riding Hood

Rebecca lived in a deep forest in a little cottage. The forest was nestled in the deepest
hollow and was inhabited by many creatures and plants and flowers. No one could
want for food so long as they knew what plants and herbs they could eat. Few town
people made their way into the wood but Rebecca was never afraid because she knew
that the wise folk, people we call witches today, lived all around her. Though they lived
far apart within the mountains and hollows, they always gathered at the new moon and
the full moon to praise the Sacred Spirit and to celebrate the bounty they had from the
forests and to teach the younger generation.

Rebecca was such a girl and was excited because on this full moon, she was to become
one of the wise people, a witch. She had made a basket of cookies and cakes for the
celebration and had also a jar of honey and a jug of wine. She put on her little red cap,
the cap of the student and headed out to the meadow where the wise ones always met,
where the moon in her fullest looked enormous and gave the innocent children of nature
more than enough light for their frolic and worship.

She headed out and walked alone in the deep shadows of the forest. She was not afraid
because she knew the forests well and she could see the dark cottages of other people as
she made her way to the sabbat. Along her way, she heard a noise and sensed some
movement. Though she was not afraid, she knew that she must be very aware of the
things around her because her teacher had told her that she would encounter a test and
how she reacted would tell whether or not she was a good student of the Craft.
Suddenly, walking along side her was a large old gray she wolf, loping along as if she
had nothing better to do.

Good evening little sister, where are you going this evening? asked the Wolf.
I am going to the sabbat, Mother, she answered the She Wolf.
I see you have a red cap, are you being initiated this night? asked the Wolf.
Yes Mother, and I have brought good cakes and honey and wine, answered Rebecca.
You must have wonderful eyes to see through the darkness, commented the Wolf.
Not like your own large eyes Mother. Tell me, do all wolves have such eyes as yours?
asked the girl.
Yes, for we see far into the future and understand the past, answered the Wolf.
And those claws, they must be very helpful. Do all wolves have such wonderful claws
Mother? asked Rebecca.
Yes, for we dig deep for the knowledge of the world and the secrets of the earth,
answered the Wolf.
And those wonderful teeth, Mother, like athames we use for directing energy and
defense against evil. Do you use them that way as well? asked the initiate.
Yes, we care for all of the innocent children of nature and guard them all from evil and
protect the wild things from disease as we hunt the weakest of them, said the Wolf.
You are very wise my Mother Wolf and have taught me much during my walk, for I
have never thought of the wolves as one of the wise ones before. Is there nothing I can do
for you? asked Rebecca of the Red Cap.
You can take me to sabbat with you. I have been a witches familiar for these many long
years and now the crone is dead. I was hoping that one of your teachers would
appreciate my service to the wise one and make me human so I can be a teacher, too and
live out my life a human, answered the Wolf.
I shall take you to sabbat and be honored and take you before my teacher, for she is
very wise and will surely know what to do in this matter, said Rebecca.

They walked along in silence and came finally to the moon bathed meadow. The whole
group was astonished to see the initiate in the company of such an enormous wolf. She
walked quickly to her teacher and made her a little bow and said:

Teacher, as I was walking to sabbat tonight, I met this she wolf and she told me many
things. She was the familiar of a wise crone and now her mistress is gone to the
Summerland and she wishes to become a human now and live out her days as a wise one
and teach her knowledge. Can we help her? asked the young girl.
I remember the wise one with the wolf companion and wondered what became of her
familiar when she journeyed to the Summerland. You were very brave my little student
and took the time to understand the Wolf. You have passed your test and will be
initiated tonight. Sister Wolf, your wish will be granted. Brother will you help me? the
Teacher said, motioning to a large man who carried an axe on his belt. He nodded.

The Wolf wheeled around to face the man and stood up on her hind legs. In one swift
motion, the man used his axe and opened the chest and belly of the Wolf and out came
an older woman, peeling away the skin and standing in the moonlight. The wise ones
came to her and led her to a stream and helped her bath and gave her clothes to wear.
Rebeccas teacher turned to the people and said:

Our sister has no home and needs a place to live out her days. Who among you can
take her to your hearth? asked the wise woman.
Teacher, I should like to offer my humble home to Mother Wolf if she will stoop to
share it with me, said Rebecca.
I should be happy to share your home my daughter, said Mother Wolf.

The night was a great one. Rebecca was initiated and given a black cap in place of her
red cap, her cakes and honey and wine were considered superior and she had someone to
share her life with and to learn from and the She Wolf got her wish and became a
human and a wise one and found a home with a lovely young witch.

Blessed Be


Herbs and their Substitutions


Ambergris- the spicy discharge from whales- can be subbed with synthetic amber oil or
with patchouli

Lions Tongue- subbed with dandelion leaves.

For the drug opium you can use non-narcotic poppies, poppy seeds or opium oils and
scents. For love spells you can use purple leaves, red leaves, or heart shaped leaves and
long thin vine leaves can sub for deers tongue.

Lettuce or cucumber or chamomile can sub for feverfew. Used to calm a fever or to cool
a love affair.

To improve potency, in men prescribe cucumbers, asparagus, long cut green beans,
squash, whole tomatoes, bananas, and green onions. For women, peaches, eggs (boiled),
nuts, milk (suggested for both) eat roses (naturally grown with no pesticides or
fertilizers), strawberries with cream, share an apple with your partner, cut vertically
exposing the pentangle star)

Eat chocolate with sex spells and spicy foods (but beware of your tummy.

If spells call for bones, use a calcium pill or an antacid with dietary calcium.

For carrier oils when mixing potions use castor oil, sweet oil, mineral oil, light extra
virgin olive oil, sunflower oil or almond oil.

Graphite can be used in place of lead and magnets for lodestones.

When spells call for body fluids, use these substitutes for health reasons:
Blood with iodine
Urine with vinegar
Semen with milk or salt water paste
Tears and sweat with salt water dilution

If you must work a spell at a cross roads but this is impractical, draw a crossroads or
print out a map with a crossroad clearly marked.

If you must cast a spell at a cemetery and one is not near you or conveniently private,
print a picture of a famous cemetery and anoint with patchouli, a sub for grave yard
dirt.

Rule of thumb for measures:

3 drops of oil
3 pinches of herb
12 inches of cord

Mugwort can be subbed with marigold, mustard, eucalyptus, basil, anise, witch hazel,
vanilla, sandalwood, pepper, and parsley.

Asofetida can be substituted with ammonia

Vetiver can be subbed with patchouli and mint

Grave Yard Dust can be substituted with dragons blood and patchouli

If you need a jack-o-lantern but you cant lay your hands on one, use a pumpkin scented
candle

If you still need a jack-o-lantern make one out of paper.

If a spell calls for using the Devil card, use a joker card from a regular deck of cards.

If you are asked to use licorice root, use licorice scent, clove oil or anise oil or herbs. Use
anisette liqueur.

Pregnant women should avoid handling slippery elm or mugwort. They can cause
miscarriages.

Starch can substitute for arrowroot

Herbal teas can be subbed for some roots and herbs, simply read the package.

If the spell you are casting calls for animal parts, use pictures of the animals, organs,
or simply draw representations of organs.

High or Low John can be subbed with ginger

Bend over oil is a mixture of anise, cloves and all spice

Substitute cinnamon for hot sauce

Envelopes make excellent spell coffins

Kill a spell (send) by drowning, burning, or by shredding and dispose of far from home

Regular nails can be used in substitution for coffin nails

Sweet Flag can be substituted with anise star and a bit of sugar

Exotic cows milk or goats milk can be subbed with milk from the grocers (give me a
small Wiccan break)

Spells calling for coffee can use instant coffees or with coffee scented candles

If you cant find Jobs or Apache tears, use glass brown beads or wooden beads

If flax is called for, use cotton thread

Silver ink or paint, glitter and aluminum foil can be used to substitute mercury or lead

Exotic or out of season fruit can be subbed with an apple

Wormwood can be substituted with a mixture of vinegar, lime, dill, lemon, and ammonia.

Fenugreek grass can be subbed with sour grass or wild shamrock

A whole ginger root will substitute a mandrake root

Where creek water or rainwater is called for and unavailable, use bottle water. Where
seawater is needed, add a pinch of salt or use saline solution

A Christians Charge of the Moon

The moon is the symbol of Mary, who stands with her feet on the moon and wears a
crown of twelve stars on her head. She is the sacred feminine, the mystical spouse of God
who bore the Son of God, our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. This ritual invites her in
her glorified state as the Queen of Heaven to attend us as we worship and glorify her
Son.

With hands upraised to the full moon, the symbol of Our Lady Mary, Queen of Heaven
we intone:

Brightest Blessings Be Children of the Christian God.

Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month as the night orb rises, we go to
quiet secret places and stand in the light and adore the spirit of God and call upon the
Queen of Heaven. There shall we who call ourselves witches assemble and learn all
magik, teaching a sharing our knowledge as we have come to understand it from God
and from our brothers and sisters who have gone before us. There we will work all signs
and wonders known and learn the things unknown. Her attendance to our rites blesses
us.

We are free from slavery, the slavery of closed minds and prejudiced thinking and
judgmental attitudes. We shall be innocent in our rites and we shall dance and sing
and love all in praise of God from whom all good things come. For here is the ecstasy of
the Spirit and here is joy on earth, and here is the law that we love all our brothers and
sisters as we love ourselves. In your rituals keep pure your highest ideal, strive forever
toward it, let no man tell you in which way to serve God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and His
Blessed Mother. For here is the secret door which opens to the land of youth, here is the
cup of Life, the cauldron of plenty, healing and knowledge, the grail of everlasting life.

Here we find our Blessed Mother, the Queen of Heaven, and the Maid of God.
Mary is the gracious mother, given to us by Christ at the cross. She is the gift of purest
joy unto the hearts of all who claim Jesus as their King and Brother. Upon earth she
taught us that service to the Lord is brightest blessing and she lives beyond the kingdom
of death, but in the Realm of Life Everlasting. She is Co Redeemer with her Son. She
gives us peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before. Her heavenly
Spouse, God, the Father and Creator does not demand sacrifice for our redemption, for
his Son has redeemed us all. His love has been poured out upon the earth.

Lady Mary, Mother of Christ, God Incarnate, is the beauty of the green earth, the
white moon is her footstool, she is the mystery of the waters and the object of mans
yearning. She calls upon my soul. I call upon us to rise and come into her midst for she
is the soul of nature, the new Eve, who gave life to Christ and the universe. From her
inviolate womb came the Savior of the World and from him all things must come as our
physical natures return to earth so our eternal souls go to the Christ.

Mary is beloved of all the women on the earth and in heaven and she is the source of
our rapture and our ecstasy. Her devotion to God is found within each heart that
rejoices for all acts of love and compassion are her rituals. Let us reflect her gentleness
in our rejoicing. Let there be beauty and strength and power and compassion and honor
and humility, mirth and reverence.

If you behold her with your eyes then your searching is over. She is revealing to you the
mystery, that what you seek is not inside you but in the mind of God and you will not
find this knowledge unless you embrace him in your heart. She has been with us from the
beginning, as God knows the coming and going of us all. She is the model of perfect
grace and the Mother of us all.

As I will it, so mote it be

Much thanks to Mother Crone Doreen Valiente, who wrote The Charge of the Goddess
and who inspired this Christian Charge of the Moon.

The Christian Witches' Creed
Inspired By Doreen Valiente

Hear Now the words of the witches,
The secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway,
That now we bring forth into light.
Mysterious water and fire,
The earth and the wide-ranging air,
By hidden quintessence we know them,
And will and keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all nature,
The passing of winter and spring,
We share with the life universal,
Rejoice in the magical ring.
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat
Returns, and the witches are seen
At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Eve and old Hallowe'en.
When day-time and night-time are equal,
When sun is at greatest and least,
The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned,
And Witches gather in feast.
Thirteen silver moons in a year are,
Thirteen is the coven's array.
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry,
For each golden year and a day.
The power that was passed down the age,
Each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other,
Ere time and the ages began.
When drawn is the magical circle,
By sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies,
In land of the shades for that hour.
This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught.
The Father God is invoked there,
The Great Work of magic is wrought.
For the two are mystical pillars,
That stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of nature,
The forms and the forces divine.
The dark and the light in succession,
The opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as God and Our Lady:
Of this our ancestors teach.

Christ the Lord lights the dark night
We have no reason to fear
He is the king of quiet places
Of forests, woodlands and of glades

Lady Mary, Mother of God
Our Lady of the Moon
With 12 stars for her diadem
Bless the witches rune

The ancient ways of magic,
That dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever-renewing,
With power to free or to bind.
So drink the good wine to the Old Gods,
And Dance and make love in their praise,
Till Heavens fair land shall receive us
In peace at the end of our days.
And Do What You Will be the challenge,
So be it Love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment.
By Magic of old, be it done!

How do you define Witch?
I was reading Judika Illes book, The Element Encyclopedia of the Magical World A-Z,
and she begins her book with a question "How do you define the word witch?" And I
had to really think about it. How do I define the word that I and others would apply
when describing myself? To tell you the truth, I had more ideas about what a witch is
not:

1. I do not cast spells to control people.
2. I do not worship the devil.
3. I do not sacrifice animals or people to the afforementioned devil.
4. I do not play quiddich
5. I am not a hag (though I might soon be a crone)
6. I have a black cat but he is not my familiar spirit or daemon (which is not the same as
the devil)
7. I am not Wiccan (but not all Wiccans are witches)
8. I am not one of the Charmed Ones
After much thought I came up with this: It is by no means complete but it is a jumping
off place. Maybe this is the way it should be, always evolving as we grow. We are never
the person we were from one year to the next, so perhaps this truth should also apply to
being a witch and how we see ourselves as witches.

A witch is someone who has a personal relationship with their sacred spirit, who
acknowledges, embraces, and loves the energy endowed to them by their sacred spirit. A
witch is someone who seeks not only to serve themselves but help others explore, embrace,
and cherish the sacred for themselves.

A witch studies and enriches themselves and immerse themselves in multiple traditions
and disciplines so they have a wealth of wisdom from which to draw protective, healing
and intuitive powers to help others from diverse paths find their own notion of the
sacred.

A witch serves their sacred spirit through their Craft and from their sacred spirit comes
their Craft. A witch, above all things is a believer.

So throw away all those stereotypes of the witch. Accept and love yourself and your
sacred spirit and your witch self.

I am a witch

And I love the person I am.

Working with herbs
First off, be careful with herbs. Some folk may be allergic or sensitive to the herbs you
use. Second of all, herbs are pretty basic and many of them can be easily grown or
bought, sometimes fresh, at your local grocery or Asian or Ethnic food store. Some can
even be bought in Health food stores, so don't let the idea of herbs bother you.

There are basic herbs. Lavender is a great all purpose herb for nerves, anger, fear and
any type of calming. You can get lavender at your local florists, or at art stores where
you can buy sachets of lavender. You can get lavender oil, but I will talk about oils a
little later. There are some teas that contain small amounts of lavender in them.
Lavender is used primarily in sachets or mojo bags or as a bath packet. You can make a
herbal bath packet by gathering the leaves or spices you want and folding them into a
coffee filter and stapling the filter shut so the herbs don't come out.

Chamomile is a another great herb. It is a soother as well. It is also great for stomach
complaints and headaches and tired eyes. You can get this in a tea form. Drink for
stomach complaint just as you normally would. Headaches the same. For tired eyes,
make your tea but do not add milk or sweetner and when it cools, take a clean wash
cloth and soak your cloth in the tea, wring it out and place on the eyes.

Mint is great for many things. Mint can be used as a tea to drink for stomach
complaint or indegestion. You can use it as a muscle relaxer by soaking in it in a tub of
water. It is good for chest colds and complaints, and good for skin trouble if strained
and used straight as a facial rinse (no milk or sugar, please) Esoterically, it can cleanse
the house of troubles and quarrels and be used in love rubs or potions.

Garlic has been an old time herb for health. Just seasoning food while it cooks or
making garlic butter, whatever you like in garlic makes the dish healthier for you. You
can use it as a muscle rub...but brother do you smell afterwards. It is also sovereign
against evil spirits, ghosts, and monsters of all sorts. Wearing a piece of it in your mojo
or having it at your door protects you and your house.

Salt, humble and common is great as a gargle for sore throat, cleanser for mind
abrasions, wash for the face, add savor to any food, preserve meats, vegetables, even
breads. It is also sovereign against evil spirits and if you believe in the faery folk, it will
keep them out of your house.

Sage is great for all fowl and fish and dressings and pork. It is also good for clearing
the mind for careful thought, just sprinkle a little in some tea. It is good for smudging,
which is burning like incense. If you don't have a sage wand, take a small square of
paper and place a half teaspoon in the center and twist the sage up into the paper and
place in a heat resistant bowl. Light the paper and waft the smoke toward your room or
the person you wish to bless. Caution, sage has a very strong grassy smell, almost like
marijuana, so be careful if you are practicing in secret.
Thyme is another great herb. Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are true and real love
herbs and can be used to make a love bath and sachets for the love bed. Thyme is also
good for physical and spiritual healing in teas for sleeplessness and anxiety and head
aches and in baths for aching and sore muscles and as aromatics for congestion. Thyme
is good for meditations and clairvoyance as it does open the mind.

Ginger, preferably in root form but good in powdered is great for seasoning Asian food
and pork some fish. It is also good in a tea for menstrual cramps along with cinnamon
and nutmeg. It works well, especially in root form, sliced in a coin sized slice, to draw
success or to increse personal power.

Rosemary is good for chicken and fish in cooking. It can be added to teas especially
floral teas. Rosemary can be used in ritual anointing to dedicate someone or
something. It can be used in blessings like a wiccanings or hand fasting. Used in wisdom
and inspiration spells and potions, it can open the mind. It can be added to catnip and
used as a beauty wash. Its fragrant scent can be used to chase away negative energy.

There are all sorts of ways to use common kitchen herbs and many of them are extremely
easy to grow. You don't need a lot of room and you don't need really great soil and
once they are established the herbs do okay if they aren't watered everyday like flowers.
They are great to grow in containers, you should especially grow mint in containers
because they spread and are invasive.

Learn all you can about herbs and flowers. Many times, archaic and exotic herbs,
plants and roots are members of more common families that you can find easily. When
you harvest your herbs, harvest in the full moon so you get the most of the plant's
energies. Learn how to dry the herbs and how to clean and store them. If you can't grow
your own herbs, do the best you can with the herbs you can get at the grocery store.
Magik understands.
Sex, Magik, and the Goth Life

This is probably the most sensitive subject to discuss as a practitioner of the Craft.
Witches have for years been accused of practically anything and everything and one of
the things they are accused of is immorality and sexual deviance. There simply is no
evidence of sexual immorality, even among my Pagan and Wiccan colleagues. That
having been said, I want to discuss the Great Rite.

The Great Rite is the joining of the priest and priestess of a coven of Wiccan/Pagan
practitioners. This can be either a symbolic union or it is an actual act. In The Witches'
Bible by the Farrars, the Great Rite can be accomplished by the priest and priestess by
drawing the athame (which is male energy) into the chalice (which is female energy)
joining the powers of both great opposites and charging the ritual with that conjoined
energy. If it is enacted physically, the priest and priestess are generally alone and take
place in the sacred space while the rest of the coven waits outside of the sacred space
for the conclusion. In most cases, and this is suggested by the Farrars, the couple is in a
loving and stable marriage and or other committed relationship. Usually the priest and
priestess is a couple anyway, or at the very least a loving partnership from which they
run the coven. It does not break down into an orgy and there are no minors involved. If
you are a young person joining a coven and the priest or priestess says that you must
have sex, get away from them. Wicca does not believe in forcing anyone to do anything
that is against their convictions. The same with Pagans.

So, do Christian witches have the Great Rite? Perhaps, but this is a personal matter for
practitioners. How about solitaries? The symbolic reenactment can suffice, I suppose,
but I see no need in it. I am a celibate. I have made a vow of celibacy and have
dedicated myself to the service of God and the study of the Craft and developing my
practice to reflect my devotion. Some witches from many different disciplines take
temporary or permanent vows of celibacy. This form of self dedication is very important
and should not be taken lightly.

This dynamic grouping of differing disciplines reflects the differing social groups in our
world. One of those social groups in the world today is Goth. The Goth Life is often
mixed up with the Victorian spiritualist movement. The Goth movement is an off branch
of the 1950's beatnik movement. The Beats believed that the world was shrouded in
delusion and they fostered a mix of truth telling and cynicism. They went against the
grain of society and sought to expose truths about the "Leave it to Beaver" "Ozzie and
Harriet" world that society and popular media wanted to sell us. They did not believe
in phony optimism and dressed, spoke and behaved in a way that ran at odds with what
their families thought were "normal".
Today's Goth movement seeks to do the same but while the Beats desired to wake up the
generation and get them to change, I am sorry to say that the Goths seem to thrive in a
sort of unrelenting gloominess and belief that there is no hope for themselves or society.
They are socially depressed and often emotionally as well. They also get to rebel. They
wear black and dye their hair black, they wear clothes that harkens back to the days of
the Victorian spiritualist and they have rather romantic views about the desperate lives
they are living. They think death is a wonderful release and the only truth.

I think too, that the Goth movement tends to wallow in a sort of perpetual pity party.
Life is grim on the whole but for the individual, life can be pretty good and it can be as
rich and fulfilling as you want. Nothing can stop you from believing in yourself. Goths
also have a reputation for dabbling in the occult. They should be careful. The
supernatural is nothing to play with and dabbling is always dangerous.

And it was not my intention to be rude; I just think it needed to be said as plainly as
possible. Finding something positive to believe in is important, it doesn't have to be
church, or God, or the Craft, or anything else. It can be just about yourself and your
potential, and no one elses.

Should We Shun the Word Witch?
Aslinn Dhan Dragonhawk

I was reading the latest issue of PanGaia magazine and in one of the letters to
the editor; the writer explores the use of the word Witch. Witch is of course a word
coming from the word Wicce, which means wise and is the root of the word witch. The
word has come to have negative connotations associated with the Burning Times. It is
also used today to describe a disagreeable woman, along with the word Bitch, a word so
popular in modern music today.
But should we taboo a word so many of us have worked so hard to accept about
ourselves and now use with pride? Is the word witch the same as derogatory words used
to denote and degrade others because of their race? Or is there a hidden agenda to
make witchcraft a Pagan/Wiccan only club.
There is an argument inside the witchcraft community that they, through past
life regression, have discovered that in one of their past lives they were witches of the
Burning Times, had the name witch hurled at them, and they underwent horrible torture
and degradation and ultimately to die with the word being shouted at them as they were
burned or hung. Because of these uncovered memories, witch has become a word of
trauma and unease and brutality, in short has become a derogatory word.
The meaning of the word, I would argue, is older and has a more reverential
meaning from before the time of Christianity. Just as Jew has its own reverence and glory
before the Holocaust, Jews do not shudder at the word because what was suffered by
them or their kin. Indeed, the word Jew has become synonymous with being strong, noble
and a survivor. Simply because one was accused of being a witch should not sully the
word witch.
Being called a witch simply is not the same as being called a derogatory word
like the N-word. Opinions vary, but generally the use of the N-word by whites to or about
Blacks is a derogatory word and is inappropriate. African Americans are of the
feeling that use of the N-word by and among African Americans is appropriate
because it gives the word new meaning within the community. I am a woman and
despise the use of the word bitch regardless of who says it, male or female. I am also
Irish and the words once used to describe Irish people are all but forgotten in America
simply because we do not use those words anymore. But, again, being called a witch is
not the same as being black and being called the N-word.
So what is the real reason? Is it another form of deliberate prejudice hidden by
an agenda for reform in the magikal community? I called on Clover Little Cat, a
Christian Mystic and Witch about the word in question. She said:

We in the Craft community have always had a problem with words. Particularly in
modern times, we have had a great deal of confusion about words and language as
more and more Crafting communities come together to create their own groves and
temples of worship. When I first became a witch, I was a Wiccan, following a pantheon
of gods and goddesses. Then I went back to Christianity and rediscovered my love of
Christ and saw the notion of witch and witchcraft in a different light. Many people
believe that Witch and Wiccan is the same word, but it isnt. Wicca and Paganism are
two of many nature-centered religions. Witch is a person who practices witchcraft and
can be of any religion. It seems to me that this is an attempt to do away with the word
witch so that magik is associated simply with only non-Christian religions. This is an
insidious move on the part of the Wiccan/Pagan community to shun whole other parts
of the Craft community. While I hate to use euphemisms from Harry Potter (as much as
I love the books) we Crafters from other religious communities are being made mud
bloods, especially those of us who practice witchcraft as Christians.

So, is Clover right? Is there a hidden agenda or is the word witch truly that
traumatizing? For me, I am proud of being a witch. Witch, after all, is not a four-letter
word.

Clover Little Cat is a professor of folklore and mythology and an active member in her
Lutheran Church. She also runs a magikal grove for Christian and Christo-Pagan
witches in the Midwest.

Auras
By John Ravenwind

I remember being a child and seeing colored lights shining around the other children
and thinking this must be like the halos that are depicted in the religious cards and
icons of my Orthodox Christian faith. The first time I realized that not everyone could
see these colorful glowings was when I was sitting in the city park with my baby niece
and I told her that she looked like a fairy princess with that pretty pink light around
her and my aunt asked me what I was talking about and I said that she had a pretty
pink light glowing around her and my aunt told me to dry up, that it was just my
imagination. So I never spoke of it. I was eight

Auras are the energy waves that all creatures emanate. They are ultraviolet, meaning
they are invisible to most people. Those of us who see auras are born seeing them, some of
us develop the ability in early childhood and some of us train the ESP abilities that
most of us have and can develop through exercises and mediations. Those of us who see
auras can tell if a person is healthy, or sad, or sick, or evil and dangerous. We are also
sensitive to smells also and associate certain smells with certain problems and
situations, mostly illnesses and diseases.

Those of us sensitive to auras also feel that they can sense the past life of a person,
identifying them by aura the type of person they may have been in another life. Not all
auraists believe in or have developed this special ability. Others get an aura reading off
places and things, believing that even inanimate objects have souls. They may even
sense haunted places and the auras of people long gone.

There are some people that believe that auras can be photographed with Kirilian
photography done with a special heat sensitive camera but I believe that auras are not
heat waves but pure color phenomena. A Kirilian camera seems to photograph heat, the
way a heat camera takes infrared photos of heat signatures.

Christians who see auras understand this phenomenon as being similar to the glowing
countenance of Moses after being in the presence of God and the luminescence of holy
people encircled by the glory of the Lord, as the angels who visited the shepherds on the
night of the nativity. Christians who are sensitives and practicing witches often use
auras to help them understand the needs of a person who turns to them for healing or
exorcism.

Auraists develop their own sense of what colors in auras mean. Black generally means
fatal illness or coming death or possession, green signifies illness, gray or blue-gray is
depression, yellows and pinks are happiness, red are love or lust, but combined with
green can mean fever, dark blues or purple are feelings of being abused, lavender
denotes calm or shyness, white is impending traumatic experience or change of life.

If you wish to develop your sense of auras, meditate on people that you see. Study them
unaware of your scrutiny and relax your mind and your eyes. Not all people see auras
but you may open yourself up to the possibility of auras showing themselves to you.

John Ravenwind is a deacon in his Greek Orthodox Church and teaches Greek
language at the local High School. He is also a spiritualist and psychic medium and
ghost hunter in his town.

Why We Need Christian Witches
Cerrunos of the Wand

We Pagan and Wiccan covens are engaged in a hateful activity: We have become just
as bigoted as we accuse other religions of being. We have become the worst version of
ourselves. We are ignoring and persecuting Christian Witches. We ignore the fact that
we were once the main religion in its various incarnations and that we victimized the
Christians as their religion spread. We are arrogant in thinking that there are true
innocent religions that have never victimized another religion to protect or further our
own.

We are holding modern Christians responsible for the sins of early Christians. We
judge modern Christians by the dogmas of a few and do not open the doors to embrace
these fellow workers of the Craft, these brother and sister witches. We ignore them and
scorn them in an act of bitterness and hate. We cant do that and proclaim ourselves
disciples of the Witches Rede.

Witchcraft, I keep telling people, is a discipline, a practice, knowledge of the natural
and the supernatural. Witchcraft is not a religion. Wicca, Christianity, Judaism,
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam are religions and all have magikal and mystical traditions
which are being explored and uncovered and revived by witches of these faith systems.
These people are witches, just as I am, just as any Wiccan or Pagan is. W e must
embrace them, understand their approaches to the Craft, encourage their community
and teach one another.

May the Goddess thou bless o children of the God

Blessed Be
Cerrunos

Cerrunos of the Wand is a Celtic Culture reinactor and a priest in his grove in Leeds,
England with his priestess wife Bodicea Rain Fox. He also writes for various Pagan
and Wiccan newspapers and creates leather bound Books of Shadows.

Mary, My Mother
By Elizabeth Starwolf
Native Americans have a real love hate relationship with Christian religion because so
many of us were forced to become Christians and adopt white ways in all manner of our
lives. I hated going to church with my mother and father and brothers and sisters and
would have much rather have stayed in the kitchen with my Ulsi, or Grandmother, and
listen to her tell me stories of the Corn Mother and her daughters, the corn maidens. My
Ulsi said she was too old and too connected to her old ways to adopt a new religion. So
she was the only one who could be a pagan or heathen and we young ones had to go to
church.

We were Catholic. We went to the mission church on the reservation and I remember the
first time I was given a rosary and a little book and told by the catechist to learn the
rosary and be able to do it for the next Sunday CCD class. I resented it and remember
sitting on the kitchen stoop with my rosary and little pamphlet explaining how to pray
the rosary. My Ulsi came and sat down by me and looked at the booklet. You know
Elizabeth, your Mary looks like a pretty corn maiden we dress up for the Green Corn
ceremony. Wouldnt it be something if we were to discover that Mary is just another
daughter of the Corn Mother? I nodded and began to learn my rosary.

After that I went to church and began to love Mary a little more each time and
through her, I got to know and love her Son, Jesus, who always seemed so distant to me.
Knowing that he had been her little boy made him close to me.

I am now an old woman and my Ulsi long gone to the Nightland. I am a Christian
shaman and native healer and I still say my rosary everyday. My parents would not
have approved of my Ulsis methods but they did approve of my being a Christian all of
my life. And Mary has become my mother. Jesus gave her to us from the cross and many
people have seen her since. She is everyone to all people. If she appears to an Irish man,
she looks like an Irish woman. If she appears to a French girl, then she is French and if
she appears to a tribal person, she appears as a tribal person. My mother has many
faces so that all of her children will recognize her.

Elizabeth Starwolf is a Cherokee who was born and raised in Oklahoma. She now
resides in North Carolina in the Smoky Mountains of her peoples ancestral homelands.
She is a healer, teacher and story teller.


Sons of God and the Daughters of the Goddess
By Gaelyn Moonraven

I was brought up in an upper class Episcopal Protestant house hold. My
Grandfather was a minister and my mom taught Sunday School and confirmation
class. When I was 12 years old, I became interested in other pantheons and wondered
why people do not follow these Gods as well. I knew the Bible forbad worshipping other
deities before God, but what if they worked with God the Father of Christian tradition.
This is when I began to think of myself as both Christian and Pagan.
But this did not kill my love of God and Jesus and the Christian Faith. It simply
seemed that the pantheons of primarily the Norse culture was just as alive to me and I
just could find no reason that I couldnt honor both, within and without competition
between my Christian and Pagan religious beliefs. Because, for a while, I thought I
would have to choose when I read an interesting verse in the Book of Genesis. It was
concerning the Sons of Heaven finding the Daughters of Man fair and begetting a
race of giants with them. I contemplated this verse for a long time. The first thing I had
to do was ask who these people were. Were the sons of God celestial beings, fallen
angels? Were they the beings who taught the daughters of man the Craft? Maybe they
were. But what if the sons of God were the people of the one God and the daughters of
men were the people who served the goddess? What if this is the mystical marriage of the
God in the Judeo Christian Sense and the Goddess in the Pagan sense?
Now, my dear fianc is Catholic and embraces what she calls a sacred feminine
in the form of Mary, the Blessed Mother and I have come to love this celestial maiden
with the crown of twelve stars and the moon under her feet. But I also love the Goddess
Freya the mother goddess and goddess of love, marriage and fertility, and the Goddess
Kwan Yin, the goddess of compassion.
There are many men who complain about the goddess centeredness of the
Pagan/Wiccan traditions but the strategy here is to simply make time for God in
private and public worship. There is nothing wrong with demanding time for
recognition, invocation and praise of the God. And I mean God in the Christian and
Pagan sense. I am an oxymoron in my religious life as is my beloved fianc who is a
Christian witch. I personally believe that the mere existence of us is proof of balance
when we blend religions and practices and embrace the balance of all elements of deity
and magik.

Brightest Blessings Be and God/dess Bless You


The Bible and the Four Elements

By Siobhan FaeryWoman

Irish people have a long history of having a co-mingled relationship with their pre-
Christian past. So when I came to the conclusion that you could practice magik within
the Christian religion I felt as though I'd embraced a part of myself that I had long
denied. As Ireland has struggled for her independence, our identity as Celts and
Catholics have been undermined for the sake of unity. Being too religious or
overemphasizing your Celtic background is on many levels discouraged unless you are
contributing to the tourist industry in someway. So imagine my surprise when I met
Aslinn and her lovely man in a magik Shoppe in Dublin.

I was simply standing there when I see this young woman with a small hip bag
embroidered with a Celtic cross and a pentacle star in the center. I asked her if she
walked the path of the wise and she said she did through her Christian practice. I had
found another Christian witch.

I spent a great deal of time with this lovely couple and she and I had a great discussion
about the elements. The elements of earth, air, fire and water are very important to
Wiccans and Pagans but they are also very important to the Christian Crafter. The
Bible is full of references to the elements.

Earth of course is the first element and of course we first encounter the earth with the
creation story. Then we have the creation of humans and the Bible tells us that God
shaped man from the earth and blew the breath of life into him. Then we have references
of the end of life, that from dust we were made and to dust shall we return. In the New
Testament, Christ himself wrote in the dirt before a crowd of men who wished to stone a
woman to death for prostitution. Jesus took dirt and mixed it with his own saliva to
press upon a blind man's eyes.

Air is the second element. It begins with the Lord blowing the breath of life into
humanity, of the four living creatures caught up in the whirlwind, and the vision of
Christ's return in the air and his being caught up in the air to return to the Father.

Fire is also well spoken of. In the creation story, again, there is the fire of the sun, the
flaming sword held by the angel who guarded the entrance of the Garden of Eden and
the flames of the burning bush and the pillar of fire that led Moses out of slavery.
Moses himself had a change of countenance when he glowed with the glory of the Lord
so intensely that the people asked him to wear a veil. The sinful cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah were destroyed in a heat so great that it turned Lot's wife into a pillar of
salt when she looked into it. The presence of the Holy Ghost in the Upper Room on the
day of Pentecost was said to have been tongues of flame burning on the foreheads of the
apostle and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then there is the promise that the end of the
world would come with fire and the old world will be burned away.

Water is the final element. Water is there at creation, when the atmosphere is separated
from the water and seas separated from the fresh water. It is present in the flood which
purified the whole world from sinful men. It is the element of birth present in the waters
of the womb. We are baptized in water, Jesus turned water into wine, he walked on
water, and begged water from the Samaritan woman. Many of his disciples were
fishermen who harvested their crops of fish from the water. The rich man in Gehenna
begged Lazarus to come down from Abraham's bosom and give him a drop of water to
wet his mouth.

There are many references to the elements in the Bible, and many more I am sure than I
have mentioned. For those of you who walk the dual path of Christianity and
Witchcraft, take comfort that though you may not always honor the various sacred
spirits who come to a circle, you can rejoice in your connection to the elements.

Siobhan FaeryWoman is a spiritual counselor in hospitals and hospices. She runs a
small eclectic, Christ centered circle in Dublin and is an active catechist in her church.

The Meaning of the Broom
Mother Meave Stardancer

I remember my mum used buy a new broom every year. The local blind school made them.
What I loved the best about these brooms was what the brushes were round, bound with
hemp cord with neatly cropped wheat straws. The old brooms would go to my uncle who
would cut off the brush, sand stain and varnish the stick and put a rubber cap on them
to use as canes. Most of the ladies of the neighborhood would give him their old broom
and mop sticks that he would sell for 2 pounds.

I loved those brooms, I innately understood them. I knew they were more than simple
housekeeping implements. They were powerful tools, weapons and symbols. Even long
before I became a witch, I knew they were instruments of wise women and had their own
energies hidden in the stick and the broom.

I remember watching the film Bed knobs and Broomsticks. Angela Landsbury played
an apprentice witch in England at the beginning of World War II. I remember how
excited she was when her broom arrived by post. When I went to university the first
thong I ordered for my flat was a blind made broom. It arrived by post in a long box.

I became a witch in college. This was of course during the heady days of the 60s.
Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders had come screaming from the broom closet and
there were a lot of debates about what was witch and what wasnt. Many witches
ignored the sweet broom for the sword and Athame and wand and staff. Brooms were
far too annexed by Hollywood and secular Halloween. Few witches had a real ritual
broom.

The first Brooms were simple bundles of sticks, twigs and straws to brush out the debris
of daily living. As the simple brush evolved so did housing. Shelters became more
permanent homes and cleaning needed to be more efficient. By simply adding a stick to
the brush, the woman could be upright and sweeping could be a faster more thorough
chore. Many superstitions began to evolve:

Sweep the house from the back to the front and youll sweep away bad luck.
If a lazy girl allows another woman to sweep around her, she will never marry.
Never bring an old broom (domestic, that is) to a new house.
If a broom falls, company is coming.

In some communities, a woman set her broom by her back door to tell her friends she was
not at home. A broom by the back door with its brush up signaled she was home and
open for visits and gossip.

In earlier times, villagers came together for mutual support. If defense was necessary the
men might have a few swords among them but they also had pitchforks, axes, sickles,
and scythes and staffs and clubs and hand knives. Women too had their weapons and
her broom became her staff or club to fight with. The broom is a symbol of domesticity.
If the man was the king of his castle, the woman is the queen of the hearth. The broom is
her scepter.

How does the broom then become symbolic of the witch? Well there is an awful lot of
codswallop about priaptic wands hidden in the brush and hobby horses and squeamish
little details about witches flying brooms to black masses and murdering babies and
doing things with the fat. The truth is, brooms are associated with witches because they
are associated with women and the world of women. To demonize women is to demonize
their tools: witness the cauldron filled with cats heads and toads, where once the
cauldron was where the food came from, the recipe book which becomes the devils black
book of spells, the hen party which turns into a coven. Why not the broom as well?

But, imagine the woman with her broom, sweeping her house, deep in thought over her
family: Her worries over the harvest and her husband who sometimes works too hard, her
child who may be ill, her friend with a difficult pregnancy. As she ponders deeper and
deeper, as she sweeps she feels the tension flowing out, down to the floor, under the
broom and out the door. Perhaps she prays as she sweeps. Then the broom becomes
magikal.

Well, thats the way I think it happened, anyway. You are free to disagree. In the
meantime, I order my broom every year from the blind school and I have my ritual
broom, decorated with symbols, ribbons, flowers and bits and pieces by my hearth. No
witch should be without one.

Mother Meave Stardancer is a ritual toolmaker, herbalist and yoga instructor. She has
been a witch for forty years. She lives in London with her husband and her dog Shelby.

Handfasting
By Sybil Greyraven

As spring comes thoughts of love bring us to the topic of Handfasting, the witchs
wedding ceremony. On of my first acts as a priestess of my Christo Pagan coven was to
officiate a Handfasting ceremony. It was a lovely ritual in a public park for a lovely
gay couple that wished to have their relationship solemnized.

Though not considered a legal ceremony (yet) it is a popular service or ritual.
Surprisingly, I and other Crafters can confirm that it is popular among gay couples
who still seek a religious wedding ceremony. This is despite the fact that no state or
federal government regularizes same sex unions. These matters are of no concern for the
witch priest or priestess (regardless of your tradition) Even Christian and Christo-
Pagan priests and priestesses do not judge these couples that stand before us. We are
taught; after all, that we are not to judge any man, that judgment is dangerous and
thoughtless and goes against Christian and witchcraft philosophy.

There is no one set ritual for a Handfasting. The couple can write their own vows.
Elements like music, flowers, candles, and other details can be added to a basic ritual.
The format should include a processional or presentation, an introductory explanation
of what Handfasting is, the exchange of vows and or rings, the lighting of a unity
candle, the tying of wedding cords, stepping over the broom and final presentation of
the couple.

Handfasting can be made for a year and a day and can be used to solemnize an
engagement prior to a church/ legal wedding service. There may also be lifetime
bindings. Some people celebrate periodic Handfastings throughout the relationship. The
couple may Handfast for the traditional year and a day and at the five-year mark, the
fifteen-year and the twenty-five-year mark, celebrating each phase in their relationship.
Regardless of what you wish, the Handfast is a generous ritual that accommodates the
need of each couple.

In the matter of money, the priest or priestess should not set a dollar amount but allow
the beloved couple to make their own free will offering. There just simply is nothing like
a wedding in the spring.

Sybil Greyraven is a Christo-Pagan and Python magician and illusionist performance
artist. She makes Celto-Norse leather accessories. She lives in San Diego with her
partner Nicodemus Starstag


Psychic Vampires
How to be your own Abraham Van Helsing
Isaac Littleowl

You have this friend you dread to see coming because you know that by the time they
leave you will feel exhausted while they feel energized. They always say things like: You
always make me feel better and they make you feel like the flu is coming on by the time
you close the door on them. You may have even said something like They would suck the
sun from the sky And youd be right. Youve just met a psychic vampire.

Sometimes people dont know they are psychic vampires. This is usually because they are
more than a little self-centered. They have very little sense of apathy and are never on
hand to help anyone else in their time of need. To them, it is all about them.

They swear they hate the waves of trouble that wash over them, but we know they are
drama queens and kings. They come for advice and ignore it because they love the
trouble they are going through. Magikally they want constant tarot readings, ask for
charms and take no heed to your warnings. In short all they do is tire you out.

What should you do? Obviously you must rid yourself of the vampire. The most complete
way is to cut yourself off, make yourself unavailable to them. I know you want to help
them, but the thing is there is no helping them. They do not want your help. It may even
take the drastic step of you telling them you cannot be their friend anymore. Keep in
mind that the psychic vampire feigns emotions to their own purpose but the truth is the
only honest emotions the psychic vampire feels is the self-motivated, self serving ones.

Then clean your house. Make a simple alcohol spritz with alcohol, garlic, salt and
pepper and vinegar and spray it lightly around the house especially at doorways,
windows, and even on the favorite chair of the psychic vampire. You may smell the faint
scent of garlic around your house for a few days but as the scent dissipates, the residues
of the psychic vampire do as well.

Isaac Littleowl is a Kabala teacher and Jewish Mystic in New Jersey.

The True Holy Grail
Marc the Wise

I remember the furor caused by Dan Browns book The DaVinci Code. Let me say on the
outset there is no Priory of Sion, there are no bones of Mary Magdalene, and the
person sitting on the right of Jesus in the DaVinci painting The Last Supper is not
Mary Magdalene. If that figure is Mary Magdalene, then where is John the Beloved?
Why arent there fourteen people sitting at the table?
The first remark I want to make is that Brown does nothing that a good episode of In
Search Of or Mysteries of the Bible has done in the past. The legend that Christ married
at Cana (some say this is why Mary tells him that there is no more wine) and lived an
ordinary life including fathering children is an old one that has floated around for
centuries.

The second remark I wish to make is Dan Browns book is pure fiction, drawing upon
Judeo-Christian mythology, various anti-Catholic conspiracy theories and fractured art
theory and his own imagination. The book isnt even very articulate.

Mythology of the Holy Grail is the progression of ancient mythologies about cups or
cauldrons of plenty, healing, and wisdom. These stories evolved as Christianity was
thrown into the mix. It is a natural progression of the early religions to the Christian
religion.

The story of the Holy Grail, that is the cup of the Last Supper, are romantic medieval
tales where the knights bold and true and pure of heart went out to find the thing that
would heal the king and country. It may be a moot point but I would like to point out
Celtic kings could have no blemish, no wounds, no disease, no defect of mind and as pre-
Christian Celtic become Semi Christian Celtic kings (like the archetype of Arthur) where
Christian images and themes begin to mix and eventually supplant ancient Pagan
themes.

Legendary stories of the Christ and his marriage to Mary Magdalene were a part of
medieval mythos and this is where this mythos seems to begin. The myth seems to reflect
the growing Christian supremacy and the lingering Pagan imagery.

These tales float around for centuries and are the subjects of early religious art and
story telling and as this is happening the Church goes through periods of both peaceful
and violent transformations with the reformation and the counter reformation and
periods of Inquisition and witch hunts and Jew baiting and Crusades. It is from these
periods of turmoil within the Church that the stories are the most pervasive.

Something incredible then happened in the twentieth century. In the late 1940s a young
boy found a collection of scrolls that seem to suggest there is more to the New
Testament than the orthodox religions would like to admit. They are intriguing and
capture the imagination but are worthless unless you can read them in the original
languages. They have special insight into the lives of early Christians who heard not
only the gospels we are familiar with but heard mythos that were already forming even
during Christs life. Remember, Christ even asks the disciples What do they say of me,
who do people say that I am? But these writings which may have been very important to
read for people of the Christian faith except that their authenticity is compromised by
the attempt to translate into Elizabethan English to seem a part of the King James
Version of the Bible.

In the 1960s and the rise of feminism there was a sudden surge in interest in the old
Jesus and Mary Magdalene are married theory.

But what about Jesus blessed Mother? Mary of Nazareth was a direct descendant of
King David. According to Church Theology Mary was preserved from the stain of
original sin, Full of Grace she is called. When she was 15 and 16 years old she is
betrothed to Joseph who may have been considerably older than her and may have had
children from a previous marriage (women often died in childbirth was not uncommon).
This would account for Jesus having brothers and sisters in the Bible. At about the same
time, Mary of Nazareth is visited by an angel and told she would be the mother of the
Son of God. Then we are told that the Spirit of God overshadowed her and she
conceived a child. The church then teaches us that she remains a sexual virgin all her
life. (A fact argued by Protestants all over)

Feminists also ignore Mary, the mother of Christ. She is, they contend, a prisoner of
God, prisoner of her grace and her virginity and her submission to a patriarchal system.
Im glad God didnt have to depend on modern women to have the Son of God. Wed
still be waiting for his birth.

Christianity and Ecology
I remember there was a program on television hosted by William Shatner called the
Gaia Project. It extends the various world myths of Mother Earth or Mother Nature
and the idea that she is dying because her children were killing her with emissions and
the green house effect and with toxins polluting every one of her elements. This program
was decried by Christian fundamentalists who said that environmentalists were pagans
in disguise trying to "convert" people to the notion there was no heaven and that this
earth was all there was and that we must worship the earth instead of God.

Christians believe there is no reason for us to try to preserve the earth because there will
be a great tribulation and the world will be burned away anyway to make place for the
new earth. I believe in the end times myself but I also believe we have an obligation to
God that he gave us in the beginning. Man was place in the garden to tend it, to be a
husbandman and this spouse was his help meet. Just because we believe in a new heaven
and earth does not mean we should abdicate our job here on earth. St. Francis of Assisi
was a Christian mystic and naturalist and he wrote this poem in praise of God within
nature.

Most high omnipotent good Lord.
All praise, glory honor and blessings are yours.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong.
And no man is worthy to pronounce your name
Be praised Oh Lord, with all your creatures
Especially Sir Brother Sun, who brings the day and give us light through him.
How handsome, how radiant he is with great splendor
Of you, Most High, he bears your likeness
Be praised , My Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars.
In the Heavens you have formed them, bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, My Lord, for Brother Wind and for air, for cloud, for all weather
By which you give your creatures nourishment.
Be praised My Lord, for Sister Water, she is useful, humble, precious and pure.
Be praised my Lord for Brother Fire, by whom you light the night
How handsome, happy and powerful and strong
Be praised my Lord for our Sister, Mother Earth
Who nourishes and governs us and produces the flowers and fruits herbs.
Praise and Bless the Lord and give thanks and serve him with all humility.



Color and Magik
One of the simplest ways we work magik is the wearing of colors. We know through
research that color affects us emotionally and spiritually. One of the things that people
who are Catholic or Anglican/Episcopalian is the change in colors with the various
parts of the church calendar. For example, the colors predominately in our church now
are purple. On Good Friday, a catafalque will be draped with black cloth. On Easter
everything will be white.

So what about color in magik? First of all, take a piece of paper and make a list of the
primary colors. Think about what they symbolize to you. Your attitude about color may
be affected by culture or taboos.

From a western witchcraft perspective, the colors are thus:

Color Energy Magikal use

Red Stimulant Sexual excitement, Courage, blood
illness
Orange Cheering Depression, mental illness,
rheumatism
Yellow Inspiration Detox, Hormones, Menstrual
problems
Green Vibrant,Harmony Antiseptic, balancing, money
troubles
Blue Calm Insomnia, nerves, reflection
Purple Leadership Self Respect, courage, protection
Black the Occult Protection, discipline, binding
White Reflection Purity, initiation, curing, release
Gold Divinity Supplications, gratitudes
Silver Magik/Moon Emotional balance and
strengthening powers


These are just a few and they be different from tradition to tradition. When you work
spells you should try to use colors that correspond with the need or the person invoked.
For example, if you invoke God, you should burn a gold candle. For Christ, you should
use gold or a purple or both if you desire. For the intercession of Mary, you might use
white or blue or silver.

Some candles are tough to find, like black candles. You can sub them with either very
dark blue or brown candles or with white candles. With Halloween becoming an even
bigger decorating holiday that ever before, I stock up on these little black tea lights.



A Priesthood of Women

I am a Catholic, and while I write this I will be thinking in terms of the Catholic Church.
This should not make any of you feel slighted because I know there are many churches
who would not allow female priests. Not in the ordinary, anyway.

Women have a unique and sometimes problematic relationship with the Church. They
are like Janus with his two faces; dual sided entities, the two faces of the same sexual
coin. Woman is both Whore of the Devil (Eve) and Mother of God (Mary). Some of
the apostles loved women, some admittedly did not. But I never thought of women's
relationship to God as a popularity race and I never thought Jesus ever said anything
to exclude the woman from her own priesthood.

The hearth was the center of the home for many millennia. It was where the family could
find warmth, food, a face with softness to see into them and know what they needed.
Here, the early Christian, particularly in the early days of the Church under persecution,
would find the woman of the house cooking up a little unleavened bread, roasting a
little meat and stirring a little soup. Before the meal, she would take the crisp little
bread and a cup of wine, or maybe even water and sit it by her husband's place and he
would say "This is the body of Christ";"This is his Blood" and the family would remember
the Eucharist with each other. But what if she was alone? What if it was just her and her
little kids? What if she was all alone?

Then she would take the bread in her hand and give God thanks and praise and break
it and give it to her children and tell them to remember Jesus who gave up his life for
them and she would do the same with the cup. Any Christian who does not feel
empowered to remember Christ in the breaking of bread needs to examine their
relationship with Christ. Not the Church. I love my Church, I would die for my Church,
but I know that the Church is a human construct. But your relationship with God. Just
as I am empowered by my sisterhood with Christ as I am an adopted Child under the
contract of blood Jesus shed for me, so I may celebrate in the most profound symbols of
Christ's sacrifice. It is not something for women to fight over and screech like scalded
cats about. It is something for them to do when the time has come when gathering in
houses of worship will be dangerous and the home becomes God's kingdom on earth and
the hearth once again becomes the altar. That time has not yet come, but it may be in the
future.

Ironic though, the hearth is also the place of worship and Craft for the witch.



Which Bible for the Christian Witch

The Bible is full of esoteric knowledge, including herbals and rituals and affirmations
but what Bible should you use? Should you use the King James Version? The Catholic
Version? Which Edition? Translation? What about the Gnostic Gospels? While no one
edition, translation or version may be the right one, or the whole one, we must all begin
somewhere.

I was brought up a Protestant so all of my experiences were of the KJV Bible. When I
became Catholic in later life, and was going through my conversion process, I
demanded that the priest defend the doctrine of the Catholic Church with the KJV
translation of the Bible. Later, after I was a Catholic, I read the books that made the
Catholic version different from the KJV.

Catholics include in their Bible Deuterocanonicals, also known as Apocryphal books by
the Protestant Church. These books include I and II Macabees, The Book of Wisdom, I
and II Esdras, Sirach and Baruch and Tobit. They imparted critical cultural practices
of the Jews and told teaching stories and recorded historical events in the lives of the
early Jews. These books were written in Greek and were a part of the Greek Septuagint.
These Greek texts were not only known by the Jews but to many tribes of Gentile people
who loved and respected the wisdom contained here.

They were originally included in the King James Version of the Bible as the apocrypha,
non canonical but a part of Biblical history. It was not until England's increasing
tension with Catholics in Ireland the apocryphal books was removed.

If you want a good edition of the Bible with an extensive and non denominational
historical overview of the organization and translation of the Bible with the
Apocryphal books of the Bible included, get the Oxford edition of the Bible. It is
wonderful and very denomination neutral.

As for the Gnostic Gospels and or the Lost Books of the Bible, I have no problem with
reading them as well as books like the Book of Mormon for a sense of scriptural fullness
and wider view of how the Bible influenced or is influenced by these collections.

I also recommend the reading of the Talmud and the Koran. No scholar of the Bible
can ignore the interconnection of these books and faiths with one another.


What to do when friends take advantage

We have all been through it. We have a circle of friends that you relate to and you
share with them that you practice the Craft and suddenly, everyday you have someone
who wants "spiritual" advice in the form of tarot readings or other Craft work. And
though you spend a lot of time and effort and energy to work for them and give them
advice, they do not follow it or they completely ignore your advice and end up coming
to you over and over again. What should you do?

One of the things that you can do is explain that you cannot help them if they are not
willing to take your advice. You can also tell them that Craft work done on their behalf
is defeated if they are not willing to work with the energies you have made on their
behalf. If they work against it their situation will not improve.

Finally, you may simply have to tell them that you can no longer help them. Be
compassionate but firm. Tell them why you can no longer help them. They may be mad
at you but if they are true friends they will accept what you have said to them and
reconcile with you. If they don't they may have been those pesky psychic vampires we
witches speak of from time to time.

If you are ending a therapeutic relationship, it may be important for you to recharge
your energies and rid yourself of spiritual debris. Take a ritual bath, cleanse your
sacred space, and do a healing ritual for yourself. Remember, the rede includes you, too.


Is there only one path to God?

I know, I know, there are those who will say that to believe this way is counter Christian.
I know that there will be those who will even decry me as even unsaved but this is an
important issue and I think it needs to be said so that anyone who is reading my blog
will understand.

Often one of the things that is held up to me as insurmountable in my religion and the
Craft is the belief in sin and hell and the notion of salvation through Jesus Christ. Yes, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and the Son of God, who was born of the Virgin
Mary and was crucified for his beliefs and teachings and his miracles and that in three
days he rose from the dead and went into heaven with his father and to help us on earth,
he sent down the Holy Spirit who comforts and helps us and empowers us to carry on
Jesus work.

But, what of non-Christians? What of Buddhists, Hindi, Muslim and Jews? What of
Pagans and Wiccans? What of people who believe in nothing? What happens to them?

I believe that the afterlife is everything each and every one of us thinks that it is. If you
believe in Heaven like Christians do, you will go there if you have done all you can do to
live by the laws of Christianity. If you believe in Nirvana you will go there. If you believe
in the Summerland you will go there. If you believe that your soul is reincarnated, that is
what will happen to you. If you believe that you simply disappear, you will simply
disappear.

Do I believe that non-Christians will go to a Christian hell? No, I dont. Do I believe in
the punishment of sin? Absolutely. Sin is a concept in every faith system even if it is
called taboo or karma or self-centeredness. It is behaving in contrary of your particular
faith beliefs. What about those who do not have a faith system? They have ethics, and
unethical practices are criticized and punished by prison or social exclusion. There are
lands of the dead and Hades and hells and sheols for every principle faith system in
the world. It is simply an exclusion from the love and compassion of their sacred spirit.

So what do I do when I am questioned about this peculiarity in my Christian belief. I
tell them Jesus said judge not lest ye be judged.




The Christian Witch and the Pagan/Wiccan Community

As a student of the occult and witchcraft and a practitioner of Christian Witchcraft, I
am, of course, always on the look out for writings and opinions of the Christian Witch
community within the larger Craft community. I am currently studying the Christian
Wicca entry on Wikipedia and I am constantly writing a consulting various writings
and works on the subject. And the topic is growing, whether it is an essay for or against
the idea of Christian Witchcraft. Those who are against any form of Christian Wicca
or Witchcraft usually harbor the ugly prejudices one associates with the neo-Nazi
movement or with the ultra fundamentalists like the Phelpss and their queer philosophy
(no pun intended)about American soldiers who pay the ultimate price. But, increasingly,
I have noted a more open, progressive attitude, interested in understanding and
compassion and sympathetic support.

While these writers may not believe in what we do, they appreciate the fact that we
share much of the same knowledge and respect many of the same beliefs. The first time I
read an article about the practice of Christian Wicca in a Wiccan publication, was
when I read a copy of Llewellyn's 2004 Wiccan Almanac. The article was entitled:
"Jesus in the Circle: Blending Christianity and Wicca" by S. Tifulcrum. The article
explains that Christians simply use the Christian Archetypes and the Holy Trinity
where a Pagan would use the pantheon that appeals the most to them. They do this
because they more closely identify with Christianity but do not hold with all traditional
practices in the Christian Church or find that the traditional rituals of the Church are
lacking. Tifulcrum Writes: "It's easy to imagine a Christian witch when you consider
witchcraft as a set of techniques that can be employed by someone of any religion."
(233)

In his The New Encyclopedia of the Occult John Michael Greer writes of Christian
Occultism: "Despite two thousand years worth of stereotypes, Christianity and the
occult are far from strangers to each other..."(102) He further discusses the power of
faithful followers reciting from I Corinthians 12:8-10, "The gifts of the Holy Spirit
which includes healing powers, the power of prophesy, and the power to work miracles."
(102) He also discusses the active use of "white" magic by Medieval Christians and the
original rules of the Order of the Rosicrucian which said that you must be a Christian
or friendly to Christian symbols in the rituals of the order. Today, however the
Rosicrucian has become anti-Christian. Under the heading Christian Wicca, Greer
writes "Christian Wicca has not been well received by the wider Pagan community with
responses to the movement ranging from reasoned to the hysterical... Still, given that
modern Paganism champions absolute religious freedom (and makes room for such
dubious creations as Klingon Wicca....) it is hard to come up with a meaningful reason
why Christian Wicca should be excluded." (105).

Further in his entry for Magic, Greer writes: In fact with the exception of a few forms
of Protestant Christianity, every form of religion in the world deals with spiritual
powers by a combination of approaches. (289)

So, what is the problem? Is it that Pagan groups are still judging Christians by what
was done in the Church when the Church was more than religion but also government? Is
it that they have forgotten that at one time, the Pagan faith was the majority that tried
to stamp out Christianity as a dangerous cult through torture and martyrdoms, just as
in the Burning Times? Is it because so many Pagans were formerly some form of
Christian who for whatever reason felt put upon, maybe even abused and know have
simply become the Pagan version of some closed minded bigot? I hope not. At any rate,
they must simply get used to us, the Christian witches who are just as much a part of
their community as any other.


Where to find Magikal Makings

When I started to work the Craft, I thought you had to go to great lengths to get
magikal tools. I thought that I could only get a cauldron from a metaphysical store, I
thought I could only get herbs from an herbalist, I thought I could only buy incense from
a religious shop.

The secret to being a witch is that magik is supposed to be about simplicity. My friend
Celeste and I went to a flea market in my town and there was this dude selling all of
this cast iron stuff. I noticed this little three legged bean pot about four inches high and
about 12 inches around with a handle on it. Celeste pointed it out to me and told me
that I should get it because I had been talking about buying a cauldron. I bought it for
$10. My athame is an ornate letter opener that I used an electric engraving tool on. I
bought it for three dollars. I buy fresh herbs at the grocery store and at health food
stores, I buy oils and incenses from head shops and hippy stores and I have an
alternative medicine shop that buy things from that really doesn't cost that much. True,
there are times that you have to spend money, like some true essential oils are very
expensive, but I know you can buy a big box of kosher salt at most grocery stores.

Dollar stores are also okay places. You can find small boxes to store things in, you can
get candles fairly cheap and you can get many things like sacks of decorative stones to
make into charm stones. You can also get things like little toys to use as charms. Magik
isn't just about following a recipe, it's also about imagination.

And I understand about Wal-Mart. For the socially conscious person, Wal-Mart is a
problem and I recommend care when buying things, especially food and medicine from
there because it comes usually from China and India and may not be safe. If you have
to shop from Wal-Mart for things, ask yourself if you really need those things. If you
do, buy these things and wear then over and over until they are literally worn out. I
patch my pants and make them last a little longer, I take good clothes that I can't wear
any more to Goodwill (not the patched stuff) If a garment is too ragged to wear
anymore, I cut it up and put it in a rag bag and when I get enough, I braid and sew
rugs and cloaks and bags out of it. I use a thing until it is absolutely used up.

So don't be afraid to buy second hand, don't be afraid to use non-magikal sources of
goods, and if you have to patronize a box store, make sure you can't do without it and
if you can't, make it last a long time when you buy it.




Calling on Angels

As a Christian Witch, I use the heavenly energies that come from the blessed angels of
heaven. God placed us in the protection of the angels just as he placed people in the
Bible under their care. People like Job, Jesus, Joseph and Mary, Lot and Abraham.

During many of my protective spells and rituals, I call upon the four archangels.
Michael, the guardian of the south, and help of soldiers and police officers and
firemen. Uriel, the guardian of the north and help of doctors and healers and herbalists
and pharmacists. There is Gabriel, the guardian of the east and the help of speakers
and communicators and teachers and lawyers and all those who seek peaceful justice.
And Raphael, the guardian of the west and the aid of mystics and seers and
philosophers. They create a heavenly shield around me and sanctify my sacred space
and hear my spells and send me the help I need.

I also call upon the guardian angels. Since so many of us do not know the name of our
guardian angels, I simply call out to the guardian of _____and name the person for
whom I am working. Padre Pio, who is a saint and served God with humility and the
pain of the stigmata, wrote that often if he needed to speak to someone there in the
monastery or even in the town, he would speak to his guardian angel and tell this angel
to speak to the guardian angel of the person with whom he wanted to speak. That
person would feel an overwhelming desire to see Padre Pio. It was from him that I got
the notion of inter-angel communication.

So, if you have never worked with angels (and for my Pagan and Wiccan friends, you
may call upon angels or devas or djinn or faerie folk) give these sweet servants a try.
You will find a lot of comfort and help from them.






Is the Blessed Virgin Mary the Christian Goddess?

This topic is a lively one because witchcraft is a feminine centered practice and the
Wiccan religion is a Goddess religion. But what about the Christian witch? What if you
simply cannot integrate a Goddess into your practice, just as you may not be able to
incorporate the Gods and Goddesses of other pantheons?

Some open minded Wiccans and eclectic witches see the Blessed Mother as a Goddess
for Christian witches. Some see Mary Magdalene, particularly if you are a Gnostic
Christian who believes that Jesus actually lived an ordinary man's life before his
ministry and married and had children, as a Goddess. But what if you can't see that as
a part if your work in the Craft or it rubs uncomfortably against your faith system?

Well, this is the conundrum that many of us feel in our Craft work. This is how I deal
with it. Not all of us who practice Christian Craft are Catholics, and for those of you
who aren't, I can tell you that though it is helpful for energy balance to acknowledge a
sacred feminine, it is not necessary. For Catholics who practice craft, the issue of sacred
feminine is answered with Mary, the Mother of God.

Notice I call her sacred feminine. To me, she is not Goddess, but a sacred woman who
serves the will of the Lord, who ministers to her Son, Jesus, the God made man, and our
mother in salvation and our source of hope. She is "blessed among women" and "full of
grace" she is the woman "caught up in the heavens with the moon under her feet and the
crown of twelve stars". She is the female archetype for Christian Crafters, beloved and
trusted.

For the mater of simple observation, it is a shame that Protestants and Wiccans alike
ignore her nobility and the power in her sexual virginity. Mary is discarded as a simply
a vessel, an incubator for the Son of the Living God. If we follow that train of thought,
then that means that God abandons the woman he chose from the moment of her
conception, who bore the brunt of human scrutiny and derision and risked quite possibly
her own life to be pregnant and bear the Son of God.

No, God blessed her for her holiness and humility, protected and loved her, and when
her time came, made her the Queen of heaven, the co-redemtrix and the handmaid of the
Lord


Harry Potter and the Craft

I remember when the Potter books came out and everyone was in such a dither about
them. I resisted reading them for some years after the first book in the series came out. It
wasn't because of the subject matter, it was because I had heard excited whispers about
the books being well written and exciting and literate, as apposed to the silly,
underdeveloped offerings that are today's young reader's fare (that is also the way I
would categorize much of adult reading, by the way). Being a teacher, I feared that they
might be endlessly cute and silly but what I discovered when I first read Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer's Stone was that the book was literate and serious and very engrossing.

And then it seemed that is when I heard about the criticism that many in the
Fundamentalist Christian community were protesting the book because they felt that the
Potter books were promoting witchcraft. I had seen this sort of thing before with rock
music, videos, even cartoons so no, it doesn't surprise me that some Christians are
against the Potter books. I even saw a web site that said Harry Potter was a symbol of
the Anti-Christ, Hermione was the Whore of Babylon and Voldemort (get this) was a
Christ figure and Malfoy was a faithful believer. It made me wonder what edition of
Harry Potter they were reading. They even cast Nearly Headless Nick as the Holy
Spirit.

But, on some levels they are right. While we do not fly on brooms, nor do we play
Quiddich and there is no Hogwarts Express, there is a lot of classical alchemy,
mythology and lore hidden in the books if you care to investigate. But the students of
Hogwarts are not practicing witchcraft as religion, they are using magic as a part of
every day life, it simply is to them. It would be great to be able to wave my wand and
have my house cleaned, or at least conjure up a great little house elf, or to cook food
with a flick of my wand, or to apparate and have an extra hour of sleep before going to
school in the morning. But fantasy witchcraft is not what we do.

I love the Potter books. I love them not just because of the magic that is in them, I love
the message they teach and that is that good can triumph over evil and that the love of
your friends is greater than the love of one's own life and that sometimes good is harder
than evil.

I believe that someday, all people of faith will be like Harry Potter and his friends and
we will have to stand up against an evil that will be interested in eradicating all
religion; not just Christianity or Judaism, or Islam or Buddhism or Hinduism. This evil
will be after all people, even the Pagan and the Wiccan. We will then have to stand
together to survive. And that, I think is the true story of the Potter books, love one
another, help one another, honor one another, and protect one another.

It is a shame that some people can't see that.

Candle Magik
Candle magik is an ancient practice and it survives in most cultures in one form or
another. Even people, who would never consciously practice magik, do so when they
light candles on a birthday cake and then blow them out. How many of you, when you
were married, lit a unity candle? How many of you have had the misfortune of lighting
a candle at the shrine of a terrible event, like 9-11? How many of you light candles at
church or at home in front of an icon or statue?

Candle magik is one of the easiest ways to send out a spell. You can make the ritual of
preparing the candle as elaborate or as simple as you want. White candles are good
universal candles for all needs but some people find it useful to correspond the color of
the candle with the specific need of the person for whom the spell is being worked.
Spices, herbs and oils can be rubbed onto the surface of the candle and the candle can
be inscribed with a pin or a knife or, if you are very strict, a boline. The thing that you
have to remember is that you have to have a clear intent...what do you expect the spell
to do? Then, you have to visualize it happening. And as you work the spell, you have to
ask for the help of your sacred spirit. Because the candle is only a representation of
your spell, the sacred spirit is the one who makes or empowers the spell, through you. You
should allow the candle to burn itself safely out.

Here is a hint....tea lights are great candles and they only last for about four hours but
if you are doing a spell and it must be completed quickly, use a birthday candle. You
can buy them cheaply at the grocery store in various colors and they burn down in no
time at all.

How do you anoint a candle? If you do not have a lot of expensive oils on hand, a
good olive oil will do the trick. Just dip your finger in it and rub it on the candle. If the
spell is to draw something to you, you rub the oil from the wick end to the bottom. If you
want to cast it away from you, like a protection spell or a health spell to someone far
away, you anoint bottom to wick. It's that simple.


Celebrating the Witch in Me
I am
Healer
Advisor
Thinker
Fortune Teller
Spell Caster
Petitioner to God
Scryer
Believer
Faerie Seer
Talisman Maker
Student
Master
Moon Phaser
Crystal Gazer
Witch

Why would people fear?
They fear the words they hear.
Witch, Crone, Hag
Warlock, Sorcerer
Whore of the devil
Evil Necromancer
Notice, these words are not on my list
Only theirs
except
Witch
I am



Witch in the Workplace
OK, you are at work in one of these little cubicles or you are a teacher in the classroom,
or some other profession is it okay to display a small altar (a framed picture of the
elements or a pentacle or just a candle with a symbol on it)?

Some people would say that it is inappropriate to display anything of a religious or
spiritual matter in the workplace. This may be to protect people's rights to practice the
religion of their choice or it may be a way to keep down "witnessing" or proselytizing.
Others do it for professional reasons. At the same times, these businesses may not even
permit family photos or other objects that present a cluttered workspace.

Generally, however, I recommend that witches play it low key. If you are allowed some
personal objects in the work space, you may want to just have a small picture or a small
potted plant or simply wear something that represents the sacred for you and would
have no meaning to the casual observer.

The truth of the matter is that while the mundane world may not be actively burning us
at the stake right now, there are other ways we can be persecuted. And remember, one of
the ways of the witch is know, to do and to keep silent.

Coming out of the Broom Closet: Don't ask, don't spell

I have had conversations with many witches of diverse traditions. I have also met many
gay folk. Many gay folk who practice the Craft and they all say the same thing: I was
easier for me to come out of the sexual closet than the broom closet. I thought to myself
why that is, and with hopes that I don't offend any gay folk, this is what I have come up
with.

Gay folk are looked at as misguided folks who may be sinners but have done nothing
that God cannot forgive, but tell your family that you are a witch and images of
grotesque blasphemies rise up in the minds of your family. They assume you have done
something to commit the unforgivable sin and that is "Blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit".

And this simply comes from a place of ignorance. They believe all those scary stories
that have been told since the Middle Ages that we sacrifice children and have sex with
the devil and attend black masses. The thing is, a true witch would find that distasteful
to do something to insult another religion, the second thing is that the activities
themselves would have very little meaning to a true witch, as their religious beliefs do
not acknowledge the importance to such things as the black mass, as these are simply
parodies of a Christian activity. And no witch would harm a child, it is against the rede
and the legends of child sacrifice exist as a part of testimony only after torture by the
Inquisition.

For me, I believe that I will likely be in the broom closet all of my life. It doesn't bother
me, it simply is this way. The Craft does not require me to convert, in fact the Craft is
esoteric, but it is sad that the reason I can't be more up front about my practice is that
people refuse to accept the diversity of the world.

Experiencing Resistance: How to deal with rejection, even inside the Wiccan/Pagan
Community

Every human organization has its down side and this is also true about the Craft. As a
Christian Wicce, I have experienced many different problems with other disciplines that
close their door and knowledge to me because I am a Christian Crafter. Because of this,
I have always looked at any human organized group with a sort of healthy skepticism. I
have a feeling this is why I love and cherish my solitary practice.

I remember I went to a Metaphysical Fair years ago in the central part of the state
while I was in college. This was just when I was Craft curious and searching. I was
having a wonderful time, buying Celtic crafts and music and incense and candles and
broomstick skirts and blouses. I was talking to a lady who was selling tarot decks and I
was looking to buy an inexpensive set with a guide book. I bought them and started
toward a booth that caught my eye. This lady was selling beautiful pewter cups, swords
and athames and crystal balls.

"I'm Lady Midnight Gloomy Gus," (that was not her real name, I don't remember what
she said her name was, but I am a big fan of Dickens, who gave his characters names
that sort of described who they were.) "I belong to the celebrated Temple of the
Insufferably Doomed. To what magikal tradition do you belong and what is your
magikal name?" I was a bit taken aback, as you can imagine.

"I don't have a magikal name. I study with my friend, Celeste, over there," I answered,
nodding my head toward Celeste, who was juggling wax candles to amuse a small
group of kids while she taught them about spiritual concentration and balance. She was
always good about a teachable moment.

"What discipline?" she asked. Now, Celeste had been the one to call me a Christian
Witch or Wicce, so, I said : "Christian Witch," You know how you have just committed
a faux pas and you know you have offended someone? This lady certainly had that
look on her face. Sort of a face that I would recognize later as the look Malfoy gives
Hermione just before he calls her a mudblood.
On the way home, as I fingered the holes of the wooden flute I had bought, I told my
friend Celeste about the woman. She shook her head and rolled her eyes a bit as I told
her about the single blemish on my day. "Aslinn," she said, as she explained her take on
this situation. "The Craft community is split into two groups. One group is very militant
and very public and confrontational. They are primarily men and women who are
angry and have come into the Wicca/Pagan religion as angry former Christians. They
want to be the direct opposite of their families. The usual Lord and Lady of Darkness
are the witches the newspapers and TV reporters want to interview. They dress like
Dracula and Vampira 24/7/365. They tend to do what they claim to hate about
Christianity, they hate anyone who is not like them," she said. "Then you have us. We're
the hippy dippy witchies, the fluffy bunny witches. We are more tolerant but not any less
passionate about our beliefs. But we acknowledge magik exists in all religions. We may
look side ways at your pentacle and your cross and your Marian devotions but we also
know that we can rely on you to help us with a magikal problem and you know how to
use most any herb. You are a part of what I call the universal coven and your Craft is
just as important as anyone elses." she finished finally.


From then on I was never self conscious with my Craft and I offer no explanations or
apologies. I always strive to be better as a person in and out of the realm of the Craft. I
believe there will be hard times ahead and we will all be in trouble, regardless of what
you believe in. Someday it will be against the law to practice any form of religion,
whether you are Christian or Pagan, Wiccan or Jew, Muslim or Buddhist or a little mix
of everything and we will all have to stand together with whatever magikal or spiritual
tools we have and fight a monster that would have no God before him at all. Let us all
be Brothers and Sisters, in and out of the Craft and may we all stand together.



Oils and the Craft

Oils have been used as curatives for thousands of years and they have been used as a
part of religious practices for just as long. Oils were used as preservatives to keep the
body until burials could take place. They have been used in medicines as lubricants,
muscle relaxers and laxatives. Scented oils are very important in cures and ritual as
well. Many times oils were made of botanicals and purified animal fats and oils
collected from plants. It was time consuming work to extract purified oils from the
source and the herbs and flowers and resins used to perfume them were rare and costly.
That is the point of the tale of the fallen woman who anoints Jesus feet. Judas tells Jesus
off for allowing the woman to use the oils because they are costly and he feels that Jesus
is indulging in some selfish vanity by allowing her to anoint him. Oils were mostly used
by the wealthy and Jesus was supposed to be living the life of poverty and suffering.

Today, there are many types of oil that we call perfumed oils. Witches and Wiccans
and Pagans of all traditions are renowned for the purity of their oils and the materials
they are made from. Even if you are not a practitioner of any magikal art or tradition
but you enjoy making wax candles and soaps and lotions with wonderful scents in them,
then buy your goods from metaphysical shops. There are also the kinds that you find in
art and hobby stores and even at your local shopping center or grocery. These are
usually just fragrance oils that you put in simmer jars or on sachets to perfume a room.
These are often artificially scented and use petroleum oil as a carrier. Petroleum oils are
like mineral oils or oil for your car. They are made of the same oil that is pumped out of
the ground and refined to run our cars. It is not natural and is not good for mystical
purposes in most regards.

There are some mass produced brands of essential oils. Spiritual Sky is a popular one
and can be found in most "head shops" or hippy stores. It simply takes time to find
those dealers who sell the real deal. The most important are Myrrh, Sandalwood,
Amber, Dragon's Blood, Lavender, Peppermint, and Cinnamon. The corresponding
incenses are great to have, as well. If you need to make potion and need a carrier oil,
use sweet oil, or almond oil. If all else fail, use extra light, extra virgin olive oil or corn
oil or sunflower oil. They may have a bit of an odor but they work well. Sweet oil can be
found in pharmacies or grocery oils.

Now, I know that you see people drink potions all of the time in movies and shows, but
do not drink your potions. The potions you make are to be used in the following ways:
You may anoint candles with them. The way to anoint is that if you want your spell's
desire to come to you. You anoint from the top of the candle to the base of the candle. If
you want to the spell's desire to get away from you, you anoint from the bottom up. You
may anoint a person with them. If you are bringing them into the Craft, for instance,
you would want mix a potion used for dedication. Or if you were healing them, you
might want to gently massage the afflicted area. You can use it as a fumigant. You can
thin the potion by adding a teaspoon of whisky (or if you are a minor, rubbing alcohol)
to every two ounces of potion and sprinkle or spray the potion in a spray bottle around
the room to bless or exorcise or to bring healing, whatever you happen to be doing. You
can simmer the potion in a simmer pot to incense a room. You can also add herbs and
flowers to you potion as they are called for or if they match the energies of the oils you
are using.

This is by no means comprehensive; in fact it is pretty basic. So, the next time, I will give
you a book list that will help you study into your second and third degree. Some are
written expressly for young people, which are still good for the adult novice, and some
have a revolving value that comes with reading and rereading the books as you
advance in your studies.

What are the Druids and how are they related to Wicca?

As you read about magik and the mystical arts and the Craft, you will read about the
Druids. What are the Druids and how do they relate to us, the modern witches and
covens of today. No one is really sure about who the Druids are. There are some who say
they were some sort of ruling class, some where after the chief or king but above the
ordinary citizenry. They were the wise men and women who formed the basic legal
system, made decisions about crime and punishment, advised kings when and when not
to make war, alliances, marry and crown heirs. They functioned also as the leaders of
religion, presiding over marriages, divorces, births, funerals, coronations and religious
feasts, sports, and rites.

We know this very small bit not from Druids themselves, but from the invaders of
Europe, namely the Romans under people like Julius Caesar. In Julius Caesar's
Commentaries, he wrote that the Druids were blood thirsty, savage men ( ignoring of
course the roles of women in the Druidic culture) who sacrificed humans in large
quantities and ate human flesh and burned people alive in their wicker man festivals
before Samhain. And following largely in this same vein, writers like Pliny the elder
spoke of some elements of Druid religion, like the veneration of trees and the worship of
the moon and the sun and the use of mistletoe and some meanings of the varying woods.
But this is all we really know, and we should have some skepticism about histories that
were not written by the people themselves either through art or written language.

Did the Druids write their own history? I'm afraid the Druids themselves wrote very
little about their work and their religion or their knowledge. Most of the Druid's
knowledge was oral history, told from one Druid to another, taught from generation to
generation and handed down as legacy of sorts. It is thought, because no one really
knows for sure, they were a culture who believed in leading strenuous lives of hard work
and play. If things were written down, then no one need learn things and memorize
them, they could look it up anytime. So just as there were people who did wondrous
athletic feats, so too were there people who memorized millions of words of poetry and
formulas and spells. This is fantastic in and of themselves, but imagine now, the death
of the group of people! It would be the death of all that learning.

And that is what happened, and just all invaders do, they bring their pantheons of
Gods and Goddesses to replace the native Gods. Now, does that mean the Druid
religion and their magical practices are lost forever? No, but you can never call it
"Druid" again. There were people who remembered little bits, a spell here, a practice
there, maybe even a ritual or two and keep it in their hearts, teaching their family,
celebrating with others, adding to the parts they have forgotten with some new bit they
thought would enhance the rite and make it respectful and memorable for them in their
time. And over time, the faith system of the conquerors become absorbed by the
conquered, that is why we see Greek and Roman spirits and imagery of European
Wicca and Native American imagery in North America and we are now see in
Christian imagery in the Craft, as we have come to call it.

There are reasons for everything under the sun. There may be a reason why we don't
know must about the Druids. It may be that it was simply their time to go away from us.
Perhaps it was some divine way of teaching us to appreciate the Craft we have and to
help it grow as we see fit, just as the ones who remembered a few spells worked hard to
learn more. And we have to appreciate others. I have to thank my Pagan and Wiccan
brothers and sisters for writing those wonderful books I studied and read and learned
from and thank other Christian Wicces for coming out of the broom closet and telling
me that I was not alone.

And finally, thanks to all of those ancient Craft traditions who went before us all and
suffered for their Craft and taught us to never take learning for granted.

Witchcraft Without Tools
While we may not have to fear being burnt at the stake, at least only in metaphor, there
are those of us who cannot practice the Craft in the open. It may be that you are a
minor living at home with parents, who would not approve, or you may be in a prison or
in the military, or you may be sharing a residence with someone who would not approve
of your practicing the Craft. It may seem to you that this is unfair and do a lot of
rebelling and screaming and hair pulling, but you might also consider this a challenge
and a true test of your desire to practice the Craft.

All of those things that we use, the athame, wand, cauldron, pentacle, are magic only
because we imbue these things with our own magical energies. True, herbs, scents and
candles are sources of healing and spiritual comfort, but if there is a reason for not
being able to practice the Craft in a physical way, there is a mental way of practicing
the Craft. It is more difficult to master and requires more spiritual discipline and
concentration but it can be done. If you do not believe in your own magical powers, no
amount of cauldron brewing, candle lighting and wand waving can give you power to
work the Craft.

As with all magic, you must have an imagination. Being able to make images in your
head of the magic you wish to perform is essential. It is essential in physical magical
and essential in mental magic. Another thing you need is an understanding of the
elements and the cardinal directions. Being in tune with the moon is also essential.
Using the power and energies of the moon are crucial. Being creative and spontaneous
is great. Having some dramatic ability to make casting gestures is great, too. But most
of all, concentration is the key.

There are many times in life when just going through the motions are not enough but in
magic, sometimes going through the motions are just enough to send magik out on the
spot. If you have been working with your wand, then you know what hand you use to
work with it. For the sake of this discussion, I will simply say wand hand. The other will
be called your opposite hand.

When I need to use a wand and I have only my finger, I use one finger, my index finger,
to be my wand. Remember when your mom or dad told you it wasn't nice to point? This
is why, I think, because people believed that not only do witches use wands to cast, but
they can use their index finger too, and they were right. To symbolize the athame, I use
two fingers. If I need a cauldron, my opposite hand is the cauldron, cupped and ready.
Simple gestures and seeing the brewing, casting and cutting in the mind are the only
things that you need for mind casting. Imagine the simplest herbs, oils and flowers in
your cauldron. If we believe that all things have a soul, then we can call upon the soul
of our herbs and flowers and the four directions and the sun and the moon to help us at
a moment's notice.

Can we cast this way? Yes....all you have to do is believe that you can, through the
powers of God or by whatever way you define the creator, the elements and the magic
around you at all times. If you do not believe in all of these things then you are just a
potion maker or fortune teller and you are no witch. The Craft is about absolute belief in
your ability and your place in the magical world around you. You are magic, and if you
don't believe that then you cannot work the Craft. No amount of reading or casting will
work for you.

It is said that magik doesn't work if you don't believe in it and I believe that is true,
whether you are a Christian Wicce, or a Wiccan or Pagan, whether you practice dark
magic or light magic. This is a real test of who you think you are as a witch. Are you
fortunate enough to work with a great study group or coven? Or are you plodding on
alone and in secret to learn as much as you can?

Don't ever doubt the energies that each of us have and always think of the energies you
create with each casting or ritual. Study all of the time. Understand not only that
potions work but why they work. And always thank the spirits for the things you do.


Magical Clothes : Or Do I have to Wear that Conical Hat?

When people ask you to describe a witch, what do you hear? "Well, first of all, they
wear all black except for their red and white stripy socks!" is probably the firm answer
you will get from most anyone. And I admit that on a few Samhain celebrations I have
embraced the Witch Hazel in me. Besides, black is so slimming and sexy. But the truth of
the matter is, there simply is no correct ritual dress code for the working witch. One of
the rules of thumb is dress in clean clothes, wear clothes that symbolize the magical part
of you, and realize that color has meaning. Red can be healing or protection, black can
be binding or new moon spells, purple can be worn for divinations, white for dedications
or purifications. Greens and gold can be worn for fertility and handfasting, and silvers
and metallic gold can be worn for wiccanings (or christenings). Whatever you plan to
do during your ritual, think of clothes or colors that suit the occasion.

I have spoken of this briefly and it has to do with skyclad. Skyclad is being naked. If
you are a minor and are joining a coven and they demand that you have to have to be
naked, get away from that coven, no coven of the Craft that follows the Wiccan Rede
will demand nudity (most Wiccans won't allow you to join until you are in your
majority anyway) And no coven will demand sex as the entrance fee for your
acceptance into the coven. If they do, get away from them. Even sexual rituals are
private affairs between the High Priest and Priestess and do not involve the direct
energies of the coven. There are some Gardnerian tradition witches who do skyclad
work and that is something they do if they have adequate privacy and the weather is
with them. But skyclad has fallen out of fashion right now and like all groups and
systems it will take a while for another nudie witchy movement come back round. Even
Raymond Buckland states that there is some mild but none the less infantile curiosity
about your Witchy Brother or Sister's shape under their robes. One word of warning: If
you are wearing long ritual robes, capes or dresses, be very careful with candles, fire,
incense, and cauldrons.


Magik and Karmic Return

For those witches who don't know or don't understand the term Karmic Return, I'll try
to explain. The Witches Rede states that we are to harm none and that all we do either
magikally or otherwise comes back to us threefold. If you do good, then you are
rewarded with good times three. If you do bad, then you are rewarded with bad times
three.

I want to refer to a book called The Wiccan Rede by Mark Ventmiglia and reworked
the old lessons I made for myself when I was a novice witch. In a footnote he wrote:
"Restrained freedom is the practice of living a free life and executing one's free will but
not at the expense of others." I am free to live, work and believe and practice as I will
but I can't infringe on the rights of others or harm others, even if I perceive that they are
doing me some harm. If I believe in Karmic Return, then a person who does evil deeds
will be rewarded for their deeds and I for mine. One of the first things I ever learned was
to never cast in anger and I haven't yet, but boy, have I come close.

The Magikal Life and Health
The magikal life is directly affected by your physical, emotional and spiritual health. If
you are healthy in all aspects of your life, then your magik will be strong and positive
and will work to heal yourself and others. Because our rede says that we must harm
none, we must consider the spirit in which we cast, our emotional mind set and our
physical well being.

Physical well being means that we are healthy, that we try to eat balanced meals which
includes plenty of fruit and vegetables and water that we avoid harmful substances like
cigarettes and excessive alcohol and illegal drugs and take medications correctly. We
should be fairly fit. If you are chubby, that doesn't mean that doesn't mean you have to
diet and become reed thin, but you should try to eat sensibly and fast occasionally to
purify your system. Fasting may mean only taking small meals of fruits and vegetables,
avoiding heavy foods and foods full of fat. It is not required to be a vegetarian, but cut
back on heavier or fattier meats. Some of our Wiccan Brothers and Sisters are
vegetarians, and some feel that consumption of some meats are a part of the world life
cycle. If you smoke, like I do, you may want taper off your smoking and try to quit, like I
am. The Craft is full of spells and talismans to help you stop bad habits. Illegal drugs
or drugs we are prescribed and abuse are dangerous because they alter our perceptions
and hinder our judgments. The same for the excessive use of alcohol. If you are under
age, do not use alcohol in rituals. Use instead natural or organic juices and ciders.
Make your own juices to ensure their organic composition. Keep spiritually fit by going
to church, temple or the religious services of your choice. If you do not belong to a
religious group, meditate in your own spiritual way and speak to the creator in your
own way and your own voice.

Should you be depressed, do not hesitate to consult a counselor or mentor or religious
leader or the leader of your coven or study group. Depression is dangerous among
practitioners of the Craft because we are often so open to the spirits and elements and
supernatural movements that our emotional states can open us up to extremes in
positive or negative energies. And don't wait...Confide in someone now....Your problems
are never so small that they cannot be aided in some way by positive guidance.
Remember, the rede doesn't just mean the castings we do out to the world, it means we
must not harm ourselves as well

Magikal Ethics

One of the things I often hear is that witches or Wiccans can do anything so long as
they follow the rede and I would agree with that but does that mean there is no sense of
sin in the traditional sense. Not at all. The rede functions as our basic outline of the
rules of practice. It tells us to think carefully when we cast and think about what the
outcomes might be and whether it will harm anyone, even you. If you are declaring
yourself a witch and you are hurting people with it, then you are not following the rede
and you are not a true disciple of the Craft. As witches, we are to do all things for the
good of the earth and the health and welfare of our fellows on this earth.

When you prepare to work for someone or for yourself, you should examine your
conscience: Have I hurt anyone today in thought, word or deed? Have I hurt myself?
Have I polluted the earth needlessly? (There simply is very little you can do about your
car exhaust until they come up with a reasonable alternative, but have you littered?
Have you needlessly killed a living creature? Have you wasted a natural resource?) If
you have done any of those things, you must make atonement. You must pray to your
God, by what ever name you call them and you must try to correct your misdeed by
apologizing or by cleaning up your mess or seeking counsel from a professional or an
elder of your faith. If you are unable to make a personal apology, then you must do
some good in that person's name or do some anonymous good with that person in mind
if you don't know them. Simply praying or seeking absolution through some sacrament
or rite is not enough. You must act as well.

The second thing you must do is take a ritual bath or perform some other sort of
physical act of cleansing. This should be a part of regular practice anyway before you
do any work or ritual. You certainly wouldn't go to your church or a sabat dirty and
dressed in dirty clothes. You would want to present yourself to God, by whatever name
you call them, with high respect to them and yourself. Meditation is important too. If
you aren't doing some form of meditation, then you may well be dashing off a lot of
spells and rituals that have very limited powers and do very little. And remember,
everything you do comes back to you three fold, so don't be lazy and indifferent and
don't be careless. You want all good things to come back to you. If you aren't
meditating now, start a regiment of meditation and this can be 10 minutes or it can be
longer.

To meditate, you should be comfortable but not so comfortable that you fall asleep.
Sitting up in high back chair with your feet on the floor is best. Unless you are
practicing yoga and are adept, don't worry about getting into the lotus position either.
You should designate a focal point for yourself, a candle, a picture or a statue. Breathe
in through your nose and out of your mouth. Visualize a nice place, a spirit guide, your
guardian angel and have discussions with them in your mind. Be careful of using
visualizations of the dead and if they ask you to do something that is uncharacteristic
of them turn away from them and visualize yourself coming out of meditation. Some
people who meditate use a sacred sound like o-m (This is part of a Buddhist mantra. My
late husband and practicing Buddhist always taught me not say the word Om because
you should not contaminate the listener with the sound of the mantra in your voice.
When you see groups of monks chanting the mantra together, they do so after they have
perfected their ability to withdraw and hear the sounds of their own unique voice, not
the voices of their fellows.)

Drugs and the Craft do not mix. That include so called natural narcotics like
marijuana or hashish or opium or shrooms. Our native brothers and sisters practice a
form of the Craft that uses marijuana and shrooms in their religious work and these are
handled only by the Shamans or priests of the faith. And though the practitioners of the
Craft use wine, they warn against using too much. And witches do not use absinthe.
Sorry all of you Goths who dabble in the occult and the Craft....absinthe is a no-no. So if
you are using the Craft to get your buzz on, you are going against the Craft. Harm
none includes harming yourself. And any coven who asks or demands that you use
drugs and alcohol in their rituals are the sort you should keep clear of. Responsible
covens provide alternatives to wine, substituting cider, fruit juice or even non-alcoholic
ginger beer in their rituals or workings. And they would never serve the underage.

Grimoires, Books of Shadow, and Initiations
A grimiore is a fairly high level piece of magical writing and should be used only by
experienced people. This is a book that calls upon the secrets names of gods and spirits
to ask them do you a service. There are several grimoires out there. They are very
difficult to follow and call upon someone who has a very in-depth study of symbolism,
astrology, and the occult. For the beginner I suggest that they leave grimoires alone or
use them as study only. Not many witches are ready to practice the rituals set down in
grimoires. For those interested in seeing what a grimiore is, look up Key of Solomon, it is
a very good grimiore with excellent notes and original charts for consideration. But
remember; use it for study only until you are of sufficient level to use it.

A Book of Shadows on the other hand is a wonderful thing to have. It is your magik
book, where you write rituals, copy rituals from other people and record results of your
magikal work. Every witch has one. It is a dedicated book, meant for only one thing and
that is to preserve a witches personal learning. When you come to certain level and
have recorded successes then you can share your BOS with other learners. But as in all
things, remember that ours is an esoteric practice and you should be careful who you
share your BOS with. Teens should keep their BOS to themselves until they find others
who are of their faith. It is not something to show around and impress people with.

Now, there are a lot of commercially published Books of Shadows on the market, in any
mainstream book store you can go into the metaphysical department and buy a book of
shadows. There are a lot of people who do not believe you should buy a BOS. I myself do
not mind buying them and reading them and then altering them to fit my needs and I
still have a lot of success with it though I do alter it to fit my discipline. A good BOS
can also help you learn to think about your Craft and familiarize yourself ritual
formats and to learn about ingredients and significant symbols and colors and the
times of the lunar calendar and seasons. But eventually, you should seek to write your
own spells and rituals.

Many BOS are written for the coven in mind but increasingly you can see BOS written
for the solitary witch. There are plusses to covenry, which is that you have the
opportunity to work with others, to call upon the more experienced for help and you can
share what you know. But in a coven, as with all organized human groups there can be a
tendency to be fixed in one system of belief and some form of jealousy and a slight
disdain for people who do it a different way. This is not an indictment; it simply is the
way of human kind. So, in a lot of ways, being a solitary is much better because then you
can practice the Craft on your own terms and within the limits of your own discipline.

Whichever way you go, you will want to do some sort of initiation or rite of
confirmation, if you will. Many covens have their own rite and if you seek initiation
into a coven, then you must go along with their ceremony. Before you decide to initiate,
discuss your desires with the priest or priestess of your coven. They can help you decide
when to take the initiation and what are in the rites and answer your questions.

If you are a solitary, you might write your own initiation. Some covens of various
disciplines believe you can only self initiate the first level, others believe you can self
initiate through the second and third levels. Others believe you can't self initiate at all. I
believe you can self initiate all the way to the third level. If you are self initiating, you
can write your own rite or you can find a ritual in a book or on the web and tailor it. Do
what feels right to you. You should have something for each ritual, like a ring or
necklace or bracelet that you can wear all the time or during rituals to celebrate your
initiation.

Broom, Cauldron and Wand: Magikal Tools

One of the things I suggest anyone who is seriously studying the Craft is to begin to
collect your tools. The most important of the magikal tools are a broom, cauldron, wand
and athame. These items have a great deal of significance to the witch.

Broom- why do witches use brooms if they do not fly on them? The broom is strong symbol
of the hearth and domestic life and a tool for cleansing. In antiquity there were those
who believed that witches flew on their brooms, using them as magikal conveyances to
Sabats. It was also symbolic of the May Pole, a fertility symbol and is also a sort of
phallic symbol among my Wiccan and Pagan friends. The broom is in reality a
"woman's" weapon. It is her staff and defender and her baton of authority in the home.
Modern witches use their broom to cleanse their sacred space and when used in a coven,
it symbolizes the sacred circle.

Cauldron- For my Wiccan and Pagan friends, it is a symbol of the Goddess, the
nurturing mother providing food and medicine for her children. For the Christian witch
it is the well of healing. In my cauldron, which is simple affair, I brew herbs for
ointments and washes, burn incense from time to time, light the Beltane fires from it and
consume negative energies in small fires in it.

Wand- My wand is a found holly branch which has been stripped of its bark and
smoothed and varnished using tung oil. It is about 16 inches long and hanging from its
grip are symbols of my faith, my culture and my magik. In and of itself, it is not
magikal, but used in castings, it is tool to direct my intentions. For the Christian witch it
is one of my weapons, my rod, with which I protect my family.

Athame- an athame is a dagger or knife that is used very much like a wand. I use it to
inscribe candles with intentions and to direct protective spells. It never tastes blood.
Contrary to many people's belief, the athame is not used to kill anything. Wiccans and
Pagans do not use the athame for blood rituals either. Wiccans do not have blood
rituals, Pagans may, I don't know, and I invite Pagan brothers and sisters to write to
me and let me know so I can up date my information.

Candles, the pentangle and other objects can be tools as well. Contrary to popular
belief, the pentangle is not a sign of the Devil. Even when inverted. Wiccan and Pagan
practitioners use the inverted pentangle to represent the forest god commonly thought of
as Pan or the Forrest Lord. Satanists have annexed the symbol to represent a horned
image they call Satan. I myself do not use the inverted pentangle, but I will use the
pentangle to represent the elements, the seasons, the four directions and the spirit of
God. Orthodox Christians such as the Amish have been known to use the sign of the
pentangle to ward off hexes and curses. Christians in antiquity used the pentangle to
represent the star of Bethlehem.


Esoteric Rites: Secrecy in the Craft

Secrecy in the Craft has been going on for millennia, or at least as long as there were
people who knew and did things other people didn't. Fortunately, the times have
changed and there is more tolerance for divergent beliefs and practices. But must
witches still be careful and remain secretive? Sure. And that is unfortunate. There are
many reasons why. Most are because of cultural attitudes that still linger about the
Craft and those who practice it. But the most important reason is that as you grow in
the Craft, the more powerful you and your castings become, but public acknowledgement
has the tendency to drain power from the witch and their castings.

For the Christian Witch this goes along with the idea of praying in private. Jesus said
that when you pray, you should go into your closet and pray in secret, that God, who
hears all in secret, is listening to you. We are also reminded that when we pray, we
should not stand in the streets or in the open places in the synagogue where everyone
can see us so we can get the admiration of those around us. If we do that, then we have
been rewarded already and God can disregard your prayer. So, if casting in a way is
praying with props, then you should do all in the privacy of your sacred space.

The witch, regardless of your discipline, is still a target for derision. This comes from
early writings from the Church, from history, and from social teachings that witches are
evil, that they pray to the Devil and they sacrifice babies and parody the sacraments of
other religions. The truth of it is, witches, while they may not be Christians, they are
certainly peace loving folk in tune with nature and the supernatural and trying to do
the best they can for the world. The witches whether they be Pagan, Wiccan or Christian
or any other discipline seek deeper and more intimate relations with the world and their
neighbors. They look to nature and the environment inside themselves and outside
themselves to learn how to heal and comfort their fellows. As I mentioned before, they
were the first doctors and pharmacologists and midwives in society.

The Burning Times, as many witches call the period of persecution, was a time of danger
not just for witches but for Jews and Muslims and anyone else of diverse faith or no
faith at all. But this was also a time of calamity! The ravages of the Plague and the
wars and crusades that killed so many for useless reasons and the problems of the poor
and the corrupt rich keeping them that way added to the troubles for the common
ordinary witch. The Church, in her arrogance, said they had all the answers. When
terrible things happened like the plague, the people asked the question why and the
Church didn't have the answer. But rather than admit that they didn't, they decided to
blame it on that ancient adversary, the Devil and just as there are representatives of
God on earth, there are representatives of the Devil on earth and that representative
was your local herbalist or midwife or wise woman or man. They were the ones to blame
and blamed they were. This is where the larger chunk of the need for secrecy comes from.
Witches will always be a scapegoat for the ills, physical, mental, social or spiritual of a
community. That is why witchcraft is esoteric or secret knowledge and esoteric in
practice.
Why be a Christian Witch and isn't that impossible?

One of the things that I am sure will be a question posed to me some time or another is
why be a Christian Witch and not just a Wiccan and isn't that impossible for you to
do? Believe me, I have struggled with that question and while I have not come up with
any sort of concrete answers, I know that I have made one of the most important
decisions of my life.

When I embarked on my journey, I encountered many people who call themselves
Sophia Christians and Christo-pagans and I don't have a problem with their view
point, it is their choice, but I decided fairly early on that I didn't feel their path was
necessarily my path. For those of you who don't know what a Sophia Christian is or a
Christo-pagan, a Sophia Christian believes that in addition to the male divinities of
Christ and God as Christians believe, there is also a female divinity called the Sophia
or Wisdom. A Christo-pagan believes in the Christian concepts of God and Christ but
also embraces the divinities of the Pagan cultures as equal divinities.

Modern Witchcraft has deep feministic views that eschew the male dominated
priesthood of Judeo-Christian and Islamic views of God. They believe that in order for
there to be balance there has to be a feminine divinity equal to God. This Goddess is the
co-creator of everything and works hand in hand with the male divinity. This, they
believe, is the way to bring harmony in all things in nature and the supernatural and the
various opposites that create energies that are the foundation of the Craft. They tend to
overlook strong women of scripture who play important roles in the Christian faith
because they see them as some how hampered by society or by orthodoxy or by modern
religion.

For me, the feminine is represented by Mary, the virgin mother of Christ. She is, I feel the
only female archetype. She was a young girl visited by an angel and overshadowed by
the spirit of the living God and through her all prophecies were fulfilled and the
promise of salvation was delivered to us. But is she a "goddess"? No, but she is blessed
on earth and in heaven and she is the mediator to the world and hears the prayers of
God's people. She is described in the Bible as the woman with the moon at her feet and
wearing a crown of twelve stars. She is caught up in the heaven of heavens and sits
before the throne of the Lord and her Son, Jesus Christ. She is the new Eve, redeeming
woman for the perceived crimes of temptation.

My Wiccan and Sophia Christian and Christo-pagan colleagues see her as a defeated
woman because she remained sexual virgin. But I would remind my brothers and sisters
in the Craft that there are many female divinities in antiquity who remained virgins and
had great power.

Because I could not give up my Christian beliefs, but believed in the power of the Craft, I
began a course of study and found that though there are many things I cannot reconcile
myself to, there are many things I can. And as so many of the books say that I have
studied, the Craft is elastic and can be molded to accept change. But what about other
Christians, what do I say to them? This is what I say. The Bible is full of the Craft. It
talks about seeing angels and mixing herbs for healing and ritual cleansings. It speaks
of dream interpretation and exorcisms and the laying on of hands. It contains rituals
that call for cymbals and bells and incense and candles and food offerings. It has the
supernatural powers of the bronze snake and it has the rod of Moses which is thought
of as a wand. There are even times when women will prophesy and testify and will even
act as the priest of the hearth. There is even astronomy and astrology. Astrology, for
instance when the three magi went in search of the Christ Child, they followed the star.
The star not only led them to the place he was born, but told the magi the type of person
born under that star. That is astrology.

Does that mean that if I read my horoscope and it tells me that I will have bad day
that I will cower under my bed? No, but I will be careful in all that I do. If I lay out a
tarot spread and it looks like a gloomy future ahead, will I give up? No, but I will try to
avoid the things that will be obstacles in my path. The Craft isn't about calling up
demons and blood sacrifices; it is about embracing the nature God gave us and the
nature God lives in and understanding it to the betterment of those around me. I have
heard it said that casting spells is "praying with props" and in some ways that is true
and while my colleagues who follow other magikal disciplines call upon their divinities,
I will be calling on mine.
I imagine there are a lot of people who wonder what I mean by being a Christian Witch.
It is simple. I am a Christian who practices witchcraft as a spiritual discipline. There
are fine lines I draw between witchcraft as a religious practice and witchcraft as a
discipline. I am a Christian, I go to church, I pray to God only and I identify myself as
a Christian. There are many Christian Witches who identify themselves as Sophia
Christians or Goddess Christians and I am not one of those. I don't have a problem
with what they believe; I simply don't share their belief.

I can hear you now: Doesn't the Bible prohibit you from practicing witchcraft? The Bible
prohibits me from practicing witchcraft if I depend on necromancy and child sacrifices.
I do not practice necromancy nor do I practice child sacrifice. I integrate a true
appreciation for nature and the natural and supernatural forces in the world today. I
use dream interpretation, tarot card readings and runes to understand the future and I
use castings and spells to heal, encourage, protect and purify myself and those who
come to me for guidance. I am also a student of the esoteric and spend a lot of time
studying my craft and how it works within God's will in my life.

Can anyone be a witch? Sure, as long as you are willing to dedicate yourself to study
and research and most of all understand that what you do comes back to you x3. You
should be willing to assume the responsibilities of your craft and take on the Witches
Rede: Do what thou will and harm none.

Will I be able to fly and hex people? Is what I am doing like Harry Potter or The
Craft? No, and we do not have a Quiddich team and we are not a bunch of girls
dressed as Catholic School girls. We are men and women who learn to be in tune with
nature and the supernatural and call upon the forces of healing herbs and the phases
of the moon and understand the good that comes from meditation and a belief that all
things are possible.

Do you worship Satan? No absolutely not. Even most Satanists do not believe in the
personage of Satan. In fact, as Christian Witch, I feel that it is my duty to use all my
powers and abilities to fight evil.

Should young people become witches? I would say that young people can become
witches and be devoted to the discipline required by the Craft, just as many young
people join religious groups and become devoted followers of a religious discipline. I do
advise a young person that they explore what they think witchcraft is and what they
think they will get out of it. And if they think witchcraft will give them license to do
anything they want without consequences, they are wrong. Even if you lean more
towards Wicca or Paganism, you will still be confronted with strict rules and taboos
and feasts and fasts. You can't do any brand of the Craft without some form of
structure, so be ready to give up certain personal freedoms to practice the Craft. This
means sex, drugs and alcohol. I am even giving up tobacco for the Craft so that my
mind and body is as clean as I can make it.

Being a witch is an important step. It is something you don't do at the spur of the
moment. If you are thinking of being a part of a coven or being a solitary witch, spend
at least a year reading and writing and learning, then dedicate yourself to a first year
of apprenticeship and practice to see if the Craft is for you. And remember, not all
witches are Wiccan and not all Wiccan are witches.


The Wise Witches Way
I found a wonderful web site called www.hedgewytch.com and it had all these random
proverbs so I took these proverbs and put them in verse.

In all the world it is known
The witch belongs everywhere and none
A citizen of the kingdom of God and Craft
Knower of knowledge now and past
A place of signs, the well spring of miracles
Of magikal beings and magikal wonders
The paths of magik vary from witch to witch
But on a crooked path there is no brother or friend
The path to the kingdom is narrow and straight
And to the wise one the paths are well made
But no more difficult a path is laid
To the witch-born, man or maid
The purpose of life is the experience of a day
Greif or joy on the wheel of fate
Of casting all the witches say:
Be careful what you wish for it may come to you this way
Be careful how you judge, as judging you must do
For what you condemn today will in the long run become you
And when you wish, wish boldly
Then conjure just the same
Believe it is yours and so mote it be today
Mind how you drink wine, in drunkenness do not cast
For a tipsy witch is foolish and makes of herself an ass
Regardless of what you do, do not forget to fast
But libate yourself once the spell is cast
Practice makes perfect, so we are taught
A wand is strengthened by the good work it has wrought
So say the witches of the of the arm that wields the rod
If you call upon the spirits, do so with faith
And speak to them daily with thanks and praise
In conversations with them, do not prattle, whine and bore
The spirits are your true friends you should not ignore
Remember those who have met their end
To the living and the dead be a good friend
For to forget the ancestors is to be a fool
In the matter of fools learn this basic rule
As it is wisdom for old and young
The truths in streets go naked
Beware the foolish lying tongue
With a silent mouth, as you are taught to do
What you learn under the full moon
Should stay secret in the sun
For silence and secrecy
Makes a witch a powerful one
Though you may have experienced the Mystery, whatever that may be
You may not understand all the ways of divinities.
Find your inner child and take a faery by the hand for they are friends to thee
Know ye the virtues of the best witch under the moon,
If a man is hungry she gives him a full spoon
If the land of his garden is tired he gives Mother Earth her ease
If the garden is crowded, she pulls up all the weeds
All witches have their secret garden
Extracting sweetness from the bitterest herb
And from her vast knowledge
Heals every wound and hurt
Brewing blessed potions to bring to a sick ones door
Keeping always in mind
The curing comes quickly but the healing takes more
The witches power is not simply in the palm of the hand
But a link to heaven between God and Man
A powerful witch is humble
Making good use of every spell
Nothing goes to waste, nothing goes to spoil
When troubles seem to haunt you
And bad luck is here to stay
Always remember where there is a witch there is a mighty way
Listen children, for this is wisdom
Each witch does surely know
Keep yourself to your own cauldron
Potions do not cook where the gossip goes
Never forget what the old ones say
What one witch cannot, another may
For even if you are of the witch ways born
Witchery must be learned, knowledge never scorned
Ever mind the old ones path
And embrace your families Craft
Of evil ones, beware their tricky contracts
No fair bargain, evil pacts
A warning to those new born to witches power
Evil as good oft masquerades in your weakest hour
Heed this rule of thumb for the witches mind
Leave all extreme notions behind
And to others who are different be courteous and kind
For always on your soul is known
Evil returns times three but good a hundred fold
Keep clean and clear your precious soul
For a clear conscience breaks the strongest curse
But understand sometimes
Tis a better blessing to lose
And of magikal tools and ways
Keep this wisdom all your days
An old wand in young hands is twice blessed
But two hands on one wand leaves both witches distressed
The wands, brooms and pots
In inept hands have magik not
For heavens power makes the witch in the eyes of God
Never forget who you serve
A witch is the hand of the Father on earth
Serve God by serving those in need
Follow these words, they are the key
Do not be so heaven minded that on earth you are of no use
Your job is to care for those who suffer illness and abuse
And any creature suffering is the blessed face of Christ
Doing good to those in need adds value to his sacrifice
In the learning of your Craft
Chose a teacher on the sacred path
One not only teaching the way
But learning magik every day
Ignorance is not forever, but ignorant you are doomed to be
If you do not inquire of a sage of witchery
When in sabats you revel
Do not forget sacred mirth
For where the witches cackle
Magik is given birth
When a sabat is overlooked
Do not in your heart be vexed
Sabats are all moveable feasts
And when remembered are twice blessed
Call all you love to your table
Man and woman and beast
If your food be humble
The company outshines the feast
When in covens you do pray
Embrace all in love and boon
Keep this wisdom in your heart
We are all equal under the moon
Of matters of divinations
And fortune telling of all kinds
Practice, have faith and know with a look
A pack of cards are an open book
To dream your dreams and not interpret
Is a letter left unlookd
And do not the messengers of God blame
If the crystals predict rain
Above all these things my witchy friends
Then my song is through
In perfect trust and perfect love
Is the best way to know and serve God
Brightest Blessings Be, from Me to Thee

The Thirteen Goals of Witchcraft

Know yourself. If you dont know yourself and your relationship to others, the
earth and the energies of the Craft, then you cannot have full access to the
wonders of working witchcraft

Know your Craft. Witchcraft is a system of life long work, study and devotion.

Reading one book or one web site will not do it. You must read, write and think
about your work in the Craft to be a successful worker of the Craft.

Apply knowledge with wisdom. Know when to work witchcraft and when to let
things be. It is not always good to cast. Pain and disappointment and failure
are sometimes necessary for learning and growth in and out of the Craft.

Learn. Avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. Learn from the
negative as well as the positive. Never assume that you know everything and
there is nothing left for anyone to teach you. Dont remain ignorant. Ask
questions. Seek knowledge.

Achieve balance. Learn to work, study and to play. As you ask, always thank.

Take nothing without leaving something behind in return. Plant as well as reap.

Teach as well as learn.

Keep your words in good order. It is not true that words will never harm you. So
watch the way you cast and watch the way you talk to others. You may be
hurting one anothers feelings.

Celebrate life. Thank your Sacred Spirit for the life you have and what you have
in the way of needs being met. Honor life and those coming into it and those
going out of it. Death is just the next thing in the adventure of life.

Keep your thoughts in good order. The ideas in your head usually come out of
the hole in your face. Try your best to keep good positive thoughts. They bless you
and those around you.

Attune with the cycles of the earth. Recognize and celebrate the changing of the
seasons and the changes of mother earth and the stars and the moon in his
phases and recognize our own connection with nature.

Breathe and Eat correctly. Getting plenty of air and eating a balanced diet will
help your body and mind be well and will help you rest and work and play and
work the Craft to your best potential.

Exercise. And this means mind, body and soul.

Meditate. Focus your mind and personal energy and draw upon your
relationship with the inner space of your mind and body and the outer space of
the world around you.

Honor God. God is the prime mover of everything you do, including the Craft.

The Wiccan Rede and the Christian Witches Rede

There are multiple editions of the Wiccan rede. The rede or rule of Wiccans is the
basic ethical guide for Wiccan and some pagan traditions. It is steeped in
primarily Celtic cultural tradition. The Wiccan Rede was recorded by Gerald
Gardner who is credited with the basic organization of Wicca as a new revival of
the old ways or the Old Religion. Since the Rede has undergone many revisions.

The Wiccan Rede I am familiar with comes from the book The Wiccan Rede by
Mark Ventmiglia. While Ventmiglia writes primarily for a Wiccan /Pagan group,
it examines the details of the Rede and gives a basic understanding of the ethics of
witchcraft. And though, like most witchcraft books, Ventmiglia define witchcraft as
a religion and plays My religion was mistreated worse than yours, it is worth a
look for any Christian Witch to read it, overlooking his sometimes uncharitable and
incorrect views of Christian belief.

The original Rede that he discusses is twenty-six lines long, but at the end, he
provides a shorter version for easier memory. It is this version I have revamped to
reflect the Rede for the Christian Witch.

Wiccan Rede

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must, In perfect love and perfect trust.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do as ye will.
And ever mind the rule of three; what ye send out comes back to thee.
Follow this with mind and heart, An merry ye meet an merry ye part.

The Christian Witches Rede which I altered for our use is just generic, which I think
reflects the truth about what is witchcraft vs. Wicca.

The Rede of the Christian Witch

To bide the wise law you must; in perfect love and perfect trust
Eight words the witches law fulfill; an ye harm none, do what thou will
An ever mind the rule of three: what ye send out comes back to thee
Follow this with mind and heart; an merry ye meet an merry ye part

What is Wicca and what is Witchcraft

Wicca is a religion framework which embraces many traditions of early shamanic and pagan
traditions, pre-dating Christianity. It recognizes a god and a goddess of multiple pantheons
and follows a basic cycle of eight major feasts. Some of these traditions practice witchcraft but
not all Wiccans are witches and not all witches are Wiccan.

Witchcraft is a magikal and natural practice, invoking the natural forces to bring change in
partnership with the deity which reflects your religious tradition. This means there are Wiccan
witches, Buddhist witches, Confucian witches, Hindi witches, Jewish witches, Muslim witches, and
there are Christian witches.
This notion is contentious and troublesome for many people on all sides of the argument
but this is the reality. The witch from another tradition is just as legitimate as any
other. To bash another serious practitioner of the esoteric arts is to fly in the face of the
Witches Rede, Wiccan or otherwise.

This bitterness seems to come from anger for a period that Wiccans call the Burning
Times. And they were terrible times of mistreatment for Wiccans but other cultures and
belief systems were just as abused by the Pagan peoples of pre Christian and early
Christianity. We are all guilty of abusing one another. The only answer is to stop
fighting among ourselves and try to help each other.

I always acknowledge the wisdom I gain from my Wiccan and Pagan brothers and
sisters. The power found in nature does not live only for the Wiccan or the Pagan. Its
life force and energies live for all who have the wisdom to know it and learn it and use
it. That is why I, as a Christian practicing witchcraft can use knowledge and work the
Craft as well as any Pagan or Wiccan.

Remember, prejudice is what caused terrors like the Burning Times and the Holocaust and the
Removal of the Cherokee and the Crusades and the Inquisition, and the early Christian
persecutions by the Pagan world, and the Slave trades in America and Europe. None of us
have clean hands in the matter of prejudice.


Reading Playing Cards
The Art of non-Tarot Fortune Telling
The playing cards with their four suits and two Jokers come from the Tarot cards of the
past. When tarot was considered taboo or just plain hard to come by, fortune tellers
simply transferred their skills to the playing card deck.

The tarot deck has 78 cards in it and is divided into the major and minor arcana. The
suits consist of the swords, pentacles, wands and cups. The major arcana are made up
of the emperor and empress, the Devil, the lovers, the magician, and hermit and a host of
other cards that represent people, the zodiac, and the elements.

The ordinary playing deck has four suits. The hearts (cups), clubs (wand), spades
(swords) and the diamonds (pentangles). The way I learned the meanings was first
based on the suits. Hearts are of course love. Clubs mean disagreements. Spades
represent news or gossip. Diamonds represent money, wealth or personal value.
Numbers correspond with intensity. For example, the ten of spades denotes important
news or a shocking revelation. Two of hearts denote small affection or loss of love. Five
of clubs represent a moderate disagreement. Nine of diamonds symbolize a sizable gift
or inheritance or even a debt due or owed. It all depends on the cards around them.

The royal cards or court cards represent people. The King and Queen of any suit are
older people or people who have power over their lives. The suit they belong to tells you
about their character. For example a king of diamonds might suggest that this man is
an older man who the querent sees as an important person in their lives. If this card is
surrounded by spades then the querent might wish to consult this person about
something important in the reading. The Jacks are usually young people. They can be
male or female. This is fairly intuitive. Take your time getting a feel for the identity.
Three of the cards show only half their face and are therefore considered untrustworthy.

Aces denote change. The hearts, change in the status of a love affair. Clubs change in a
relationship for the bad, usually after a big blowup. Diamonds denote a change in
money or in importance of a person. Spades however denote life change. This card
would be the Death card in the Tarot. It extends the notion in ultimate change but very
rarely death in the natural sense. If it is joined with other aces or a predominance of
one particular suit the situation is one that will cause ultimate change in ones life.

Intuition also comes into play if you are trying to figure out if the story is about
friendships or love relationships or about family. As you work the cards, take your time
with the reading. If you come up with number cards that repeat, for example, a nine of
clubs with a nine of hearts, you can look around and see if there are conflicts
concerning love. If the love card appears in the reading before the club card, you may
see that the love affair or friendship may be in trouble of being overcome by
disagreements. The situation would be reversed if you see the clubs card come first in the
reading with the hearts card coming later, meaning that love will overcome any and all
problems. You may look around and see if there is any face or court cards around. This
may denote problems with a rival or enemy.

Taking time to see the whole picture is important. With a basic understanding of the
cards you will amaze yourself with the level of understanding and insight you have of
the person you are reading for.

One of the most important parts of the ritual is to have the person touch the cards.
After you shuffle cards to blank them, have the querent cut the cards. Have them think
to themselves what they might like to know. The cards are not bound to answer their
question. They may have something else to tell the querent. But whatever you do, tell
them to keep the question to themselves. You do not want to be influenced by the
querents question. Spread the cards out and have the querent select ten cards from the
deck.
You can use any sort of spread to look at the cards, even a straight line going left to
right with the left hand cards being the near past and present and the far right cards
being the future. I use the celtic cross spread, which looks like this:













The center red card is usually the querent or the immediate situation. The blue card
suggests the immediate thing influencing the querent. The green cards are the
developing situation. All of the cards on the left are the near past and present. The
purple cards reading from the bottom to the top are the future.

Here are some rule of thumb hints for you to consider. Is the querent obviously
pregnant? Suggest the person to put off the reading until after the birth. You are
essentially reading for both and the futures may be for one or the other or both and this
will lead to a foggy reading. If the lay looks bad or seems like extremely bad news, wipe
the spread and recommend they not read today, the situation is bad for foretelling. And
you will know these spreads immediately. You intuitiveness will tell you that the reading
is bad. Dont tell the same person their fortune every day. There should be at least a
week, though two weeks are better, between readings.

If you have read for the person before and they call you up and ask for an emergency
reading, go ahead and do it. They have already touched the cards and you are
connected to them. Do not do readings for people without their permission unless you
are prompted by a troubled feeling for them. And phone psychics and phone in tarot
readers are not reliable readings. They have not offered you the cards for handling and
you have not made any physical connections.

In matters of money there are people who say they cant read for you unless you pay
them. Thats hogwash. If you wish to make money from your readings, set up a tip jar
and let them put in their own offering. I personally never charge for readings and have
only set out the tip jar once to raise money for charity. As a spiritual counselor, I never
charge money nor do I ask for a tip.
Also, if you decide to do readings, buy a deck of cards and commit them to that work.
They dont have to be expensive but should be fairly good quality because you are going
to be working them for a long while. As with any other tool, keep them in a special
pouch or cloth. To charge a new deck, just shuffle and sort them many times (at least
100). You should flip them over, sorting and shuffling them to get your psychic
impression on them.



Witchcraft and the Warrior Ways
A Christo-Pagan Perspective
Gaelyn Moonraven

These are troubled times. You know this, you read about it in the news papers and on the
web and you see it on the TV. The war, regardless of who gets the top job next
November, will apparently be going on for some time. Even when America leaves Iraq,
the civil war will begin and war will likely go on for a much longer time
I have a wonderful friend who is serving his third tour in Iraq. He is a Christo-Pagan
and a very bright and sensitive man. When he was between tours, he and I went to
dinner and over steaks and brews, I got to talk to him about his role in the war and his
Craft practice.
I know there are many people who are in and out of the Craft who say this war is
wrong, he explained. And to be entirely truthful, I think we were lied to by our
government. But I am there to try to help people who are eventually going to be greater
victims when we finally leave there.
What is your mission in Iraq? I asked. As a marine, my job is to protect indigenous
personnel, secure the safe zones against insurgents and support the military mission in
Iraq, answered my friend. As a witch I am trying to understand what constitutes the
way of the warrior.
Come to any conclusions? I asked. Some will disagree and say the you cant learn
warrior ways because the war is unjust, but I say I can. Folks are basing their opinions
on what they are seeing in the news. And like they always the news is always the same,
always bad. They dont see the good we are doing there. My friend looked at me, I am
not naive, I know exactly how bad things are. I have developed a real affection for the
Iraqi people. I worked securing our hospital post and a group of tribal Iraqis, sort of
like gypsies or nomads came to our hospital. We gave prenatal care to twelve women,
inoculated babies and children and delivered two more over the two weeks they stayed
near us. These people did not have this sort of care under Saddam Hussein. We help
people, we build schools and hospitals. I havent met anyone who says they regret
having us here.
So, how is this working with your Craft practice? I asked. Well, I am solitary and I
practice in the broom closet. But I receive such blessings from these people by being a
protector. You never get over the feeling of grabbing people, just ordinary people and
pulling them behind you to shield them during a raid or a firefight, to feel their
frightened hands at your back and you know they holding their breaths as you walk
ahead of them. And Im not just protecting civilians, I am protecting fellow Marines,
fellow Americans. In the end of the shift I tend to end up being something of a spiritual
advisor. It is as if they sense I get another kind ofpositive energy from my work. They
dont know I am a Christo-Pagan and they dont know I am a witch, but they pick up on
the vibe. This really is about warrior ways. My mission is not to harm other people if I
can help it.
Do you know if you have killed anyone? I asked. Yeah, Ive killed people. I dont know
how many. I suppose my COs have my ratios. I regret having to do it but when I do it, it
is protect fellow Marines, civilians, even POWs in our care.
Speaking of prisoners, how do you fell about Abu Graib? I asked carefully. That was
so bad on many different levels. But I have to believe in the law of return and that
justice will come to those who lose their humanity and do those unspeakable things. You
cant torture people, even if they are the enemy. Isnt that like the Inquisition? And
water boarding. Isnt this just witch cradling and swimming the witch all over again? I
know they will be repaid, he answered.
My girl, Aslinn made you something. What was it and how does it effect you? I asked.
He smiled. Aslinn made me a Christo-Pagan Scapular. She made a talisman with two
patches on it, just like a Roman Catholic Scapular. On one patch she sewed a cross
and the words Be Not Afraid and on the other patch, she sewed the pentangle with the
words Blessed Be. It means a lot to me because she acknowledges my journey in this
time and space and she acknowledges me as a warrior. It blesses me, he said frankly.
Now my friend is in Iraq and Aslinn and I both pray and cast for his safety. My
friend is a warrior, carrying on warrior ways and I have a profound sense of gratitude
towards him.


The Christian Power of Three
By Chrystal Moonchilde

I am guilty. I loved the series Charmed. I loved it not because it was a bastion of
Wiccan knowledge but because, as fictionalized as it was, there were some elements that
were dead on and one of them was the notion of the power of three. I loved it when the
girls at the last minute would come in chanting The power of three will set us free!! The
power of three will set us free!!

Of course the power of three for them was the three sisters and their sisterhood and their
unity. This of course harkens back to the maiden, mother and crone and the law of
return that all we do comes back to us. Three is a sacred number in many cultures,
especially in the Christian culture.

This led me to wonder if there was a power of three for us Christian Witches. There is of
course the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost and that is the most important
element. Then there are the three talents and abilities: To heal, to free, to comfort. Then
there are the three common sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confession.

To make these powers yours, think about them and how you use or interact with these
powers. Who is God the Father to you? When was the last time you contemplated him
and the wonder of the world he has created. How about God the Son? Have you taken
advantage of you full siblinghood with him and invited him to be your guide and
teacher and brother before God the Father? And who is the Holy Spirit? Do you
commune with the comforter and the source of miracles and power? Is the Holy Spirit
perhaps feminine to you, the Sophia? In order to create a closer bond with the Holy
Trinity, you must have spiritual conversations with them through prayer and meditation
and study. They will speak to you and guide you.

How about the second elements of the Christian Power of Three; the three talents? As a
witch are you healing people around you? Are you trying to heal the earth? Are you
learning to understand and appreciate differences in other people? How about freeing
those afflicted by negativity? Those who come to you afflicted by demons, either of the
underworld or the demons of abuse, addiction, troubles or worries or spiritual bondage?
How about comforting people? When was the last time you gave someone a kind word,
a bit of hope or encouragement? When was the last time you sat up with someone who
was afraid or sick? How about the lonely person who needed to know that they were not
alone?

And third element to our Power of Three: Are you close to a church or other spiritual
community? Are you interested in your own spiritual growth? Have you received
baptism? Holy Communion, either with a church or at your own hand? Do you speak to
God regularly about your good deeds and bad. Do you seek guidance from the Bible or
prayer group or minister or spiritual guide?

When you act on all of these elements and make them a part of yourself, your
Christianity and Craft then you truly have the power of three. And in the words of the
Halliwell Sisters: The Power of Three will Set You Free.

Chrystal Moonchilde is a Christian Witch and artist and dance instructor in classical
ballet in Virginia. She lives with her husband, incidentally named Cole and has two
little Christian Witches in high school where they run the schools Prayer Club.



The Symbol of the Tree in Christian Craft
Aslinn Dhan Dragonhawk

All cultures and faith systems have some connection with a tree. In the Craft the tree is
symbolic of ones inner connectedness with the earth and the sky and ones historical,
cultural, and Craft backgrounds. The tree has various titles based on tradition but it is
universally known as the tree of life.

In the Christian tradition there are multiple ways in which the tree is figured in
scripture, tradition and art. There are two very important trees figured in the Bible.
They are first mentioned in Genesis in the Garden of Eden. One is the tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is the tree Eve is said to have eaten from bringing
the downfall of man. To eat of this tree was to lose your innocence.

The second tree is the Tree of Life. To eat of this tree you would have immortality. This
tree is also thought of as foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ. The Bible tells us that
when Adam and Eve are cast out of the garden, God sealed the garden and sets an
angel at the entrance to keep humans from returning to it. When the flood occurred, the
garden disappeared for all tie and we do not hear from it again until we read of it in
the Book of Revelation 22:2 that the tree of life stands on either side of the river of life
that flows before the throne of God.

As a Christian Crafter, the tree of life as a symbol is important, as it is the symbol of
life renewing itself, reaching toward heaven and being in contact with the elements. Of
course, just all witches do of all traditions, we gather sticks as wands, seeds and leaves
for talismans and visualize the tree in our castings and spells and charms and brew
teas and potions.

Because we do not know the species of either tree (no, Eve did not feed Adam an apple,
that is artistic symbolism) we Christian Crafters keep the sacred trees of witchcraft
before us. The mighty oak, the wise old elder, the spiny hawthorn and holly, and many
other witches keep as sacred in the Craft of the Wise.

So Christian Crafters, never forget that the symbol beloved by Wiccans and Pagans
can and should be loved and respected by you. The trees are for everyone.





Balancing the Magikal and the Mundane
Michael Braveheart

Those who live with Magik in their lives love the lives they live. I personally love being a
witch; it is a part of who I am. But I also live in the mundane world and there has to be
a balance of magik and the mundane in the everyday world.

When I first became a witch, I wanted to live in a world of magik: intense, incredible
magik. But it can distract you from the necessities of life. There must be a balance.

One of the things to keep in mind is that you do not have to be working magik to have
magik around you. This is because you are magik, in and of yourself, bound to the forces
of earth all around you. Magik is natural. When you become aware, awakened to the
energy of the magikal world around you, it can have an intoxicating effect on the
neophyte witch.

One of the ways you can balance your magikal life is to incorporate short rituals into
your daily life. For example, when you shower or bathe, perform a magikal blessing on
you and the day. Schedule regular full moon and new moon rituals through the month.
If you attend church on Sundays, have a Saturday prayer and meditation session so
you can do divinations, any casting and healing services or simply work with your herbs
and oils.

Scheduling rituals and spell work helps you focus your energies, prepare in advance,
gather materials, and organize group activities making rituals and spell work
important, especially and truly magikal in a mundane world.

Michael Braveheart is an elementary school teacher and practicing Christo-Pagan.
Hes also very shy and living in Salem, MA

Celtic Christianity: The Link between Christ and Craft
Stephen MacClaine

Christianity may be identified by the symbol of the Cross, but like a flower of a thousand
petals, it is rich with variation and style. Even now Christianity is evolving, in ritual, in
philosophy and in doctrine. From its primitive beginnings as a Jewish fringe cult to the
Christianity we see today, its struggles, troubles, and triumphs prove its power to grow
and reflect the diversities of its believers.

As a person of both Irish and French heritage, I have studied Celtic culture. Folks are
tempted to identify Celtic culture as early British and Irish identity. The fact is, the
Celtic people stretched throughout the European landscape.

The spread of Christianity was slow and steady and often Christian communities were
established and then left to explore its Christian faith in isolation. Celtic Christianity
creates a dimension of Christian practice that reflects earlier beliefs in creator and
connects the Sacred with nature.
Though some would say this is simply a co-mingling of late Paganism with its mixture of
Celtic Mythology and Roman Mythology, but the truth is, Celtic Christianity is far
subtler. By the time Christianity comes to the Celtic people, the ancient Druid religion
has been supplanted to the Roman Pagan religion. Druidry is a faint memory, as even
the smallest bits of written history about the Druid religion are destroyed and practices
are largely forgotten.

These later Romano- Celtic people remember small bits of the Celtic religion and
practice it as well as they can with the Roman Pagan religion. As Christianity grows,
under the guidance of the Pagan Constantine, the early Christians simply do what they
have always done; blend the new religion with the old.

Nasty accusations about the ancient Christian Church being the church of domination
simply are not true. Christians seeking friendly conversions used a form of syncretism,
explaining dogma by using parallels from their own religion. The best-known example of
this is the story of St. Patrick explaining the Holy Trinity by using the shamrock clover,
a symbol of the Triple Goddess. These early Christians understood the Christian Gospel
in the simplest terms and created their special brand of devotion to a church whose
religious rituals were not well developed. There was no real regularization of ritual yet
and each region of the new Christian world had its own cultural mixture to the worship
and practice of the Christian faith. In Ireland, this Celtic Christianity is intact and
offers a great contrast to the Catholicism practiced in other parts of the world.

This uniqueness leads its followers to seek God in the trees and forests, in the myths of
the wee folk or faery people and the lingering Paganism contributes to the wonder and
beauty of such tales as of King Arthur, the Mabigon and the tales of Gerald of
Cambriesius and exists even today in the strong Marian devotion seen throughout
Celtic countries.

This special brand of Christianity shows not a destruction of Pagan/Celtic pantheons
but something of an evolution. Cerrunos and Cerwiden become Jesus and his Mother
and the Fay into the angels and saints who serve them. What this shows us is the
universality of images, of mythos and of faith and confirms a connection as religions
evolve and take on new shapes and roles.

Stephen MacClaine is a practicing Druid and Bard and studies and teaches
comparative religion in New York.

Come to the Freak Show
What to say to those who just want to watch
Sparrow Woodwitch

You have a circle of friends and you trust them with everything, including the fact that
you are a witch. For the most part, you have their respect. They ask you curious
questions and some even come to you for advice. Then you have one friend. You know
the one. This is the friend who is a tad obnoxious, who blurts out: Man, I would just
love to watch one of your witch things, you know, one of your rituals. Their eyes are all
lit up and they are excited about the idea.

It is the same look when they know they are going to see something weird and little scary
perhaps. It is the excited look of someone who likes to watch those really gruesome death
movies that show gruesome car accidents, crime scenes and disasters. They are the first
in line to freak shows and the tent exhibition of pickled punks, instruments of torture
and deformed animals or people.

Suddenly you know. This person thinks you are a freak. Perhaps you are asking yourself
if your other friends think the same way. You are the weird friend, the one who will
entertain them and spook them a little. It hurts deep down.

Chin up fellow witch. First of all, you are not a freak. Friends who say these sorts of
things say it because they have little or no knowledge about the craft except what they
have heard from others and what they have seen on TV or in movies.

Ask the person what they expect to see in a ritual or gathering. It is usually some
stereotype involving nudity or sex, blood letting or some extreme magik they have seen
on The Craft or Charmed.

This is your chance to educate. Explain to them that it is very true witches sometimes do
rituals in the nude and that yes there is a sexual ritual but these rituals are performed in
private, out of view and hearing of the group. Most times, witch rituals do not look very
different from an ordinary prayer meeting with readings, discussions and prayer and
songs. Demystify, defreakyfy the practice of the Craft. You will see the light go out of
their eyes and disappointment on their faces.

If they persist, ask them about their religion. Then ask if you can attend because you
hear (insert stereotype here). They may not appreciate it but they will feel what it feels
like for you. They will likely wander away angry and you may have lost their friendship,
but that is okay. It is their loss.

Sparrow Woodwitch is a Christian witch, freelance photographer and Craft educator.
The interviews for local newspapers and TV programs about the Craft all year long
except in October. Witches, after all, are not freaks.

Wand Work
Is it all just swish and flick?
Daphne Moonowl

I remember the first time I used a wand. I was six and I was a fairy princess and my
wand was a thin plastic stick with iridescent streamers and a star. Long after my
costume died a death at the foot of my closet, my wand hung on my mirror. Believe it or
not, I still have it, pack rat that I am, hanging on my wall in my home office.

When I became a witch some twenty years ago, I made the wand I still use today. It is
an oak wand, taken from a tree that had been struck by lightening and was chopped
down. I peeled off the bark and lightly sanded it and stained it and affixed a rose
crystal. But once I made it, it took me a long time to use it.

I didnt use it because I really didnt know how. The Wiccan books spoke of directing
energy and casting, but none told you how to use it. How does one use a wand? I felt
sheepish handling it, more than a little foolish and then I met a sister witch and
confided in her.

Wands are an extension of the hand. Think of the conductor of a symphony leading
with his baton. Think of the professor with his telescoping pointer. As a Christian
Witch, I was reminded of Moses and how this rod was elevated to bring the power of
God upon the earth.

Play with it, I was told Reach back into a time when you were the witch or the fairy
at Halloween. How did you do it then? So I went home and took out my wand and
played with it. I pointed it, made circles with it, even thrust and parry with it. I resolved
to work with my wand more.

A few years ago, my grandson and I were watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerers
Stone and Hermione was encouraging Ron to swish and flick as Professor Flitwick
had taught them. My grandson said, See grandma, even Ron can do it. just swish
and flick

Now I use my wand during all my spells, even if it is not absolutely necessary. I have
fallen in love with this simple tool and though I am sure that Professor Flitwick would
recommend that I go for remedial wand work, I feel closer to my wand than ever before.

Daphne Moonowl is a professional artist and book illustrator. She has been a witch in
20 years. She lives with her family in South Carolina.




Dragons
Like most mythological creatures, dragons are perceived in different ways by different
cultures. Dragons are sometimes said to breathe and spit fire or poison. They are
commonly portrayed as serpentine or reptilian, hatching from eggs and possessing
typically feathered or scaly bodies. They are sometimes portrayed as having large
yellow or red eyes, a feature that is the origin for the word for dragon in many cultures.
They are sometimes portrayed with a row of dorsal spines, keeled scales, or leathery bat-
like wings. Winged dragons are usually portrayed only in European dragons while
Oriental versions of the dragon resemble large snakes. Dragons can have a variable
number of legs: none, two, four, or more when it comes to early European literature.
Modern depictions of dragons tend to be larger than their original representations,
which were often smaller than humans.
Although dragons occur in many legends around the world, different cultures have
varying stories about monsters that have been grouped together under the dragon label.
Dragons are often held to have major spiritual significance in various religions and
cultures around the world. In many East Asian cultures dragons were, and in some
cultures still are, revered as representative of the primal forces of nature, religion and
the universe. They are associated with wisdomoften said to be wiser than humans
and longevity. They are commonly said to possess some form of magic or other
supernatural power, and are often associated with wells, rain, and rivers. In some
cultures, they are also said to be capable of human speech.
The term dragoon, for infantry that move around by horse yet still fight as foot soldiers,
is derived from their early firearm, the "dragon", a wide-bore musket that spat flame
when it fired, and was thus named for the mythical creature.

Jewish
In Jewish religious texts, the first mention of a dragon-like creature is in the Biblical
works of Job (26:13), and Isaiah (27:1) where it is called Nachash Bare'ach, or a "Pole
Serpent".

This is identified in the Midrash Rabba to Genesis 1:21 as Leviathan from
the word Taninim
and God created the great sea-monsters.
In Jewish astronomy this is also identified with the North Pole, the star Thuban which,
around 4,500 years ago, was the star in the Draco constellation's "tail".

However this
can also have been either the celestial pole or the ecliptic pole. The ancient observers
noted that Draco was at the top of the celestial pole, giving the appearance that stars
were "hanging" from it, and in Hebrew it is referred to as Teli, from talah - to hang.
[5]

Hebrew writers from Arabic-speaking locations identified the Teli as Al Jaz'har, which
is a Persian word for a "knot" or a "node" because of the intersection of the inclination
of the orbit of a planet from the elliptic that forms two such nodes. In modern
astronomy these are called the ascending node and the descending node, but in the
medieval astronomy they were referred to as "dragon's head" and "dragon's tail".
Greek
In Ancient Greece the first mention of a dragon is derived from the Iliad where
Agamemnon is described as having a blue dragon motif on his sword belt and a three-
headed dragon emblem on his breast plate.
Christian
In the biblical book the Revelation of John, Satan is portrayed as a dragon that can
emit a flood of water from its mouth.revelation 12:16
Chinese
Chinese dragons (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: lng), and
Oriental dragons generally, are usually seen as benevolent, whereas European dragons
are usually malevolent though there are exceptions (one exception being Y Ddraig
Goch, The Red Dragon of Wales). Malevolent dragons also occur in the mythology of
Persia (see Azhi Dahaka) and Russia, among other places.
Dragons are particularly popular in China and the 5-clawed dragon was a symbol of
the Chinese emperors, with the phoenix or fenghuang the symbol of the Chinese empress.
Dragon costumes manipulated by several people are a common sight at Chinese
festivals.
Modern Literature
In the 1937 fantasy novel The Hobbit, the major antagonist is a dragon named Smaug.
Smaug hordes a great treasure but is ultimately defeated by band of dwarves, the "men
of the lake" and a hobbit named Bilbo.
Speculation on the origin of dragons
Dragons may be mental representations of natural human fears of snakes, wildcats,
birds of prey, as well as teeth, claws, size, and even venom blending with fear of wildfire.
Others believe that the dragon may have had a real-life counterpart from which the
various legends arose typically dinosaurs or other archosaurs are mentioned as a
possibility but there is no physical evidence to support this claim, only alleged
sightings collected by cryptozoologists. Loren Coleman argues that monitor lizards
were the basis of some dragon tales and that the breath of the dragon is the fantastic
imagery of the steam from the warm Montane Valley monitors emerging from a body of
water into the cold air of some Asian locations.
Dinosaur and mammalian fossils were occasionally mistaken for the bones of dragons
and other mythological creatures for example, a discovery in 300 BC in Wucheng,
Sichuan, China, was labeled as such by Chang Qu.

Phoenix
A phoenix is a mythical bird with beautiful gold and red plumage. At the end of its life-
cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest
and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises.
The new phoenix is destined to live, usually, as long as the old one. In some stories, the
new phoenix embalms the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and
deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (sun city in Greek). The bird was also said
to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible
a symbol of fire and divinity.
Although descriptions (and life-span) vary, the phoenix (Bennu bird) became popular in
early Christian art, literature and Christian symbolism, as a symbol of Christ
representing his resurrection, immortality, and life-after-death (1 Clement 25). Michael
W. Holmes points out that early Christian writers justified their use of this myth
because the word appears in Psalm 92:12 [LXX Psalm 91:13], but in that passage it
actually refers to a palm tree, not a mythological bird,
[2]
however, it was the
"flourishing of Christian Hebraist interpretations of Job 29:18 that brought the Joban
phoenix to life for Christian readers of the seventeenth century. At the heart of these
interpretations is the proliferation of richly complementary meanings that turn upon
three translations of the word chol -- as phoenix, palm tree, or sand -- in Job 29:18."
Originally, the phoenix was identified by the Egyptians as a stork or heron-like bird
called a benu, known from the Book of the Dead and other Egyptian texts as one of the
sacred symbols of worship at Heliopolis, closely associated with the rising sun and the
Egyptian sun-god Ra.
The Greeks adapted the word bennu (and also took over its further Egyptian meaning
of date palm tree), and identified it with their own word phoenix , meaning the
color purple-red or crimson (cf. Phoenicia). They and the Romans subsequently pictured
the bird more like a peacock or an eagle. According to the Greeks the phoenix lived in
Phoenicia next to a well. At dawn, it bathed in the water of the well, and the Greek sun-
god Apollo stopped his chariot (the sun) in order to listen to its song.
One inspiration that has been suggested for the Egyptian phoenix is the flamingo of
East Africa. This bright pink or white bird nests on salt flats that are too hot for its
eggs or chicks to survive; it builds a mound several inches tall and large enough to
support its egg, which it lays in that marginally cooler location. The convection
currents around these mounds resembles the turbulence of a flame. In zoology, flamingos
are part of the family Phoenicopteridae, from the generic name Phoenicopterus or
"phoenix-winged."
Some medieval Jewish commentators comment upon the Hebrew word Hol () in the
biblical book of Job ("...Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days
as the sand (Hol)...", Job 29:18, the King James translation) as referring to phoenix
.

"Phoenix" is also the English-language name given to the most important bird in
Chinese mythology, the fenghuang, with its own set of characteristics and symbolic
meanings.
Related usage
In Persian mythology, Si'morgh, (Persian: , Middle Persian: senmurv) was a
winged, bird-like creature that was very large and extremely ancient. The Simurgh
appears in many Iranian literary classics such as Farid ud-Din Attar's Conference of
the Birds as instructor and birds leader, and in Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh (The Book
of Kings); Phoenix raised up and cherished Zaal or Zal, grandfather of Rostam.
The phoenix is a central figure in Lebanese ancient and modern cultures, as Lebanese
are descendants of the Phoenicians and often claim themselves sons of the Phoenix.
Lebanon, and Beirut particularly, is often depicted symbolically as a phoenix bird
having been destroyed and rebuilt 7 times during its long history.


The phoenix in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
In China, Fenghuang ("") is a mythical bird superficially similar to the phoenix. It
is the second most-respected legendary creature (second to the dragon), mostly used to
represent the empress. The phoenix is the leader of birds. In Japan, the phoenix is called
h-(kanji:"") or fushich (
?
); "Immortal Bird".
In Russian folklore, the phoenix appears as the Zhar-Ptitsa (-), or firebird,
subject of the famous 1910 ballet score by Igor Stravinsky. The phoenix was featured in
the flags of Alexander Ypsilantis and of many other captains during the Greek
Revolution, symbolizing Greece's rebirth, and was chosen by John Capodistria as the
first Coat of Arms of the Greek State (1828-1832). In addition, the first modern Greek
currency bore the name of phoenix. Despite being replaced by a royal Coat of Arms, it
remained a popular symbol, and was used again in the 1930s by the Second Hellenic
Republic. However, its use by the military junta of 1967-1974 made it extremely
unpopular, and it has almost disappeared from use after 1974, with the notable
exception of the Greek Order of the Phoenix).
In Jewish folklore, it is said that the phoenix was the only animal not to join Adam in
his banishment from the Garden of Eden

Unicorn

A unicorn (from Latin unus 'one' and cornu 'horn') is a mythological creature often
used in fantasy stories, picture book, and novels.Though the modern popular image of
the unicorn is sometimes that of a horse differing only in the horn on its forehead, the
traditional unicorn has a billy-goat beard, a lion's tail, and cloven hooves - these
distinguish it from a horse.
[1]
Marianna Mayer has observed (The Unicorn and the
Lake), "The unicorn is the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been
conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good,
selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful. He could be captured only by
unfair means, and his single horn was said to neutralize poison."

Medieval knowledge of the fabulous beast stemmed from biblical and ancient
sources, and the creature was variously represented as a kind of wild ass, goat, or
horse.
The predecessor of the medieval bestiary, compiled in Late Antiquity and known as
Physiologus, popularized an elaborate allegory in which a unicorn, trapped by a
maiden (representing the Virgin Mary), stood for the Incarnation. As soon as the
unicorn sees her, it lays its head on her lap and falls asleep. This became a basic
emblematic tag that underlies medieval notions of the unicorn, justifying its
appearance in every form of religious art. The two major interpretations of the
unicorn symbol hinge on pagan and Catholic symbolism. The pagan interpretation
focuses on the medieval lore of beguiled lovers, whereas some Catholic writings
interpret the unicorn and its death as the Passion of Christ. The unicorn has long
been identified as a symbol of Christ by Catholic writers, allowing the traditionally
pagan symbolism of the unicorn to become acceptable within religious doctrine. The
original myths refer to a beast with one horn that can only be tamed by a virgin
maiden; subsequently, some Catholic scholars translated this into an allegory for
Christ's relationship with the Virgin Mary.
The unicorn also figured in courtly terms: for some 13th century French authors such
as Thibaut of Champagne and Richard de Fournival, the lover is attracted to his
lady as the unicorn is to the virgin. With the rise of humanism, the unicorn also
acquired more orthodox secular meanings, emblematic of chaste love and faithful
marriage. It plays this role in Petrarch's Triumph of Chastity.
The royal throne of Denmark was made of "unicorn horns". The same material was
used for ceremonial cups because the unicorn's horn continued to be believed to
neutralize poison, following classical authors.

The unicorn, tamable only by a virgin woman, was well established in medieval lore
by the time Marco Polo described them as:
scarcely smaller than elephants. They have the hair of a buffalo and feet like an
elephant's. They have a single large black horn in the middle of the forehead... They
have a head like a wild boar's They spend their time by preference wallowing in
mud and slime. They are very ugly brutes to look at. They are not at all such as we
describe them when we relate that they let themselves be captured by virgins, but clean
contrary to our notions.
It is clear that Marco Polo was describing a rhinoceros. In German, since the 16th
century, Einhorn ("one-horn") has become a descriptor of the various species of
rhinoceros.
The ancient Norwegians were said to believe the narwhal to have affirmed the
existence of the unicorn. The unicorn horn was believed to stem from the narwhal
tooth, which grows outward and projects from its upper jaw.
In popular belief, examined wittily and at length in the seventeenth century by Sir
Thomas Browne in his Pseudodoxia Epidemica, unicorn horns could neutralize
poisons. Therefore, people who feared poisoning sometimes drank from goblets made
of "unicorn horn". Alleged aphrodisiac qualities and other purported medicinal
virtues also drove up the cost of "unicorn" products such as milk, hide, and offal.
Unicorns were also said to be able to determine whether or not a woman was a virgin;
in some tales, they could only be mounted by virgins.

The hunt of the unicorn
One traditional method of hunting unicorns involved entrapment by a virgin.
In one of his notebooks Leonardo da Vinci wrote:
"The unicorn, through its intemperance and not knowing how to control itself, for the
love it bears to fair maidens forgets its ferocity and wildness; and laying aside all
fear it will go up to a seated damsel and go to sleep in her lap, and thus the hunters
take it."
[3]

The famous late Gothic series of seven tapestry hangings, The Hunt of the Unicorn
are a high point in European tapestry manufacture, combining both secular and
religious themes. The tapestries now hang in the Cloisters division of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In the series, richly dressed
noblemen, accompanied by huntsmen and hounds, pursue a unicorn against mille-
fleur backgrounds or settings of buildings and gardens. They bring the animal to bay
with the help of a maiden who traps it with her charms, appear to kill it, and bring it
back to a castle; in the last and most famous panel, "The Unicorn in Captivity," the
unicorn is shown alive again and happy, chained to a pomegranate tree surrounded
by a fence, in a field of flowers. Scholars conjecture that the red stains on its flanks
are not blood but rather the juice from pomegranates, which were a symbol of fertility.
However, the true meaning of the mysterious resurrected Unicorn in the last panel is
unclear. The series was woven about 1500 in the Low Countries, probably Brussels or
Lige, for an unknown patron. A set of six engravings on the same theme, treated
rather differently, were engraved by the French artist Jean Duvet in the 1540s.
Another famous set of six tapestries of Dame la licorne ("Lady with the unicorn")
in the Muse de Cluny, Paris, were also woven in the Southern Netherlands before
1500, and show the five senses (the gateways to temptation) and finally Love ("A
mon seul desir" the legend reads), with unicorns featured in each piece.
Facsimiles of the unicorn tapestries are currently being woven for permanent display
in Stirling Castle, Scotland, to take the place of a set recorded in the castle in the
16th century.

Gargoyle
In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque with a spout designed to
convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building.
The term originates from the French gargouille, originally "throat" or "gullet";
[1]
cf.
Latin gurgulio, gula, and similar words derived from the root gar, "to swallow",
which represented the gurgling sound of water (e.g., Spanish garganta, "throat";
Spanish grgola, "gargoyle").
A chimera, or a grotesque figure, is a sculpture that does not work as a waterspout
and serves only an ornamental or artistic function. These are also usually called
gargoyles in laypersons' terminology,
[1]
although the field of architecture usually
preserves the distinction between gargoyles (functional waterspouts) and non-
waterspout grotesques.
Reproductions of statues representing gargoyle-like creatures, available in some
retail stores, although sometimes functional, are more often than not grotesques
modeled after famous gargoyles.

History

The term gargoyle is most often applied to medieval work, but throughout all ages
some means of water diversion, when not conveyed in gutters, was adopted. In Egypt,
gargoyles ejected the water used in the washing of the sacred vessels which seems to
have been done on the flat roofs of the temples. In Greek temples, the water from
roofs passed through the mouths of lions whose heads were carved or modelled in the
marble or terra cotta cymatium of the cornice. At Pompeii, many terra cotta

A local legend that sprang up around the name of St. Romanus ("Romain") (631
641 A.D.), the former chancellor of the Merovingian king Clotaire II who was made
bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster
called Gargouille, having the creature captured by the only volunteer, a condemned
man. The gargoyle's grotesque form was said to scare off evil spirits so they were
used for protection. In commemoration of St. Romain the Archbishops of Rouen
were granted the right to set a prisoner free on the day that the reliquary of the saint
was carried in procession (see details at Rouen).
Many medieval cathedrals included gargoyles and chimarae. The most famous
examples are those of Notre Dame de Paris. Although most have grotesque features,
the term gargoyle has come to include all types of images. Some gargoyles were
depicted as monks, combinations of real animals and people, many of which were
humorous. Unusual animal mixtures, or chimeras, did not act as rainspouts and are
more properly called grotesques. They serve more as ornamentation, but are now
synonymous with gargoyles.
Both ornamented and unornamented water spouts projecting from rooves at parapet
level were a common device used to shed rainwater from buildings until the early
eighteenth century. From that time, more and more buildings employed downpipes to
carry the water from the guttering at roof level to the ground and only very few
buildings using gargoyles were constructed. In 1724, the London Building Act
passed by the Parliament of Great Britain made the use of downpipes compulsory on
all new construction.
Gargoyles were also used to scare off demonic spirts. At that time no-one knew much
about the Earth and thought that evil spirits would come and take over their homes,
to keep these aways people used Gargoyles to make the evil spirits think there was
already a spirit there.
19th and 20th centuries

Monsters, or more precisely chimarae, were used as decoration on 19th and early
20th century buildings in cities such as New York (where the Chrysler Building's
stainless steel gargoyles are celebrated), and Chicago. Gargoyles can be found on
many churches and buildings.
One impressive collection of modern gargoyles can be found at Washington
National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The cathedral, begun in 1908, is encrusted
with the limestone demons. This collection also includes Darth Vader, a crooked
politician, robots and many other modern spins on the ancient tradition. The 20th
Century collegiate form of the Gothic Revival produced many modern gargoyles,
notably at Princeton University, Washington University in St. Louis, Duke
University and the University of Chicago.
Gargoyles in fiction
In contemporary fiction, gargoyles are typically depicted as a (generally) winged
humanoid race with demonic features: generally horns, a tail, and talons. These
fictional gargoyles can generally use their wings to fly or glide, and are often
depicted as having a rocky hide, or being capable of turning into stone in one way or
another
Mermaid

A mermaid (from the Middle English mere in the obsolete sense 'sea' (as in maritime,
the Latin mare, "sea") + maid(en)) is a legendary aquatic creature with the head and
torso of human female and the tail of a fish. The male version of a mermaid is called
a merman; gender-neutral plurals could be merpeople or merfolk. Various cultures
throughout the world have similar figures.
Much like sirens, mermaids would sometimes sing to sailors and enchant them,
distracting them from their work and causing them to walk off the deck or cause
shipwrecks. Other stories would have them squeeze the life out of drowning men while
trying to rescue them. They are also said to take them down to their underwater
kingdoms. In Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid it is said that they
forget that humans cannot breathe underwater, while others say they drown men out
of spite.
The Sirens of Greek mythology are sometimes portrayed in later folklore as mermaid-
like; in fact, some languages use the same word for both creatures. Other related
types of mythical or legendary creature are water fairies (e.g. various water nymphs)
and selkies, animals that can transform themselves from seals to humans.
Prior to the mid 19th century, mariners referred to Manatee and Dugongs as
mermaids.
Legend and myth


Ancient Near East
Tales of mermaids are nearly universal. The first known mermaid stories appeared in
Assyria, ca. 1000 BC. Atargatis, the mother of Assyrian queen Semiramis, was a
goddess who loved a mortal shepherd and in the process killed him. Ashamed, she
jumped into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the waters would not conceal her
divine beauty. Thereafter, she took the form of a mermaid human above the waist,
fish below though the earliest representations of Atargatis showed her as being a
fish with a human head and legs, similar to the Babylonian Ea. The Greeks
recognized Atargatis under the name Derketo, they have been proven to be real and
seen very often Prior to 546 BC, the Milesian philosopher Anaximander proposed
that mankind had sprung from an aquatic species of animal. He thought that
humans, with their extended infancy, could not have survived early on. This idea does
not appear to have survived Anaximander's death.
A popular Greek legend has Alexander the Great's sister, Thessalonike, turn into a
mermaid after her death.
[1]
She lived, it was said, in the Aegean and when sailors
would encounter her, she would ask them only one question: "Is Alexander the king
alive?" (Greek: ;), to which the correct answer would be
"He lives and still rules" (Greek: ). Any other answer would spur
her into a rage, where she transformed into a Gorgon and meant doom for the ship
and every sailor onboard.
Lucian of Samosata in Syria (2nd century AD) in De Dea Syria ("Concerning the
Syrian Goddess") wrote of the Syrian temples he had visited:
"Among them - Now that is the traditional story among them concerning the temple.
But other men swear that Semiramis of Babylonia, whose deeds are many in Asia,
also founded this site, and not for Hera Atargatis but for her own Mother, whose
name was Derketo"
"I saw the likeness of Derketo in Phoenicia, a strange marvel. It is woman for half its
length, but the other half, from thighs to feet, stretched out in a fish's tail. But the
image in the Holy City is entirely a woman, and the grounds for their account are
not very clear. They consider fishes to be sacred, and they never eat them; and though
they eat all other fowls, they do not eat the dove, for she is holy so they believe. And
these things are done, they believe, because of Derketo and Semiramis, the first
because Derketo has the shape of a fish, and the other because ultimately Semiramis
turned into a dove. Well, I may grant that the temple was a work of Semiramis
perhaps; but that it belongs to Derketo I do not believe in any way. For among the
Egyptians, some people do not eat fish, and that is not done to honor Derketo."

Arabian Nights
The Arabian Nights include several tales featuring "Sea People", such as Djullanar
the Sea-girl. Unlike the depiction in other mythologies, these are anatomically
identical to land-bound humans, differing only in their ability to breathe and live
underwater. They can (and do) interbreed with land humans, the children of such
unions inheriting the ability to live underwater.
British

Mermaids were noted in British folklore as both ominous, foretelling disaster, and
provoking it.
[3]
Several variants of the ballad Sir Patrick Spens depict a mermaid
speaking to the doomed ships; in some, she tells them they will never see land again,
and in others, she claims they are near shore, which they are wise enough to know
means the same thing. They can also be a sign of rough weather.
Some mermaids were described as monstrous in size, up to 160 feet
Mermaids could also swim up rivers to freshwater lakes. One day, in a lake near his
house, the Laird of Lorntie saw, as he thought, a woman drowning, and went to aid
her; a servant of his pulled him back, warning that it was a mermaid, and the
mermaid screamed after that she would have killed him if it were not for his servant.
On occasion, mermaids could be more beneficient, giving humans means of cure.
Some tales raised the question of whether mermaids had immortal souls to answer it
in the negative.
[7]
The figure of Liban appears as a sanctified mermaid, but she was
originally a human being transformed into a mermaid; after three centuries, when
Christianity had come to Ireland, she came to be baptized.
Mermen were also noted, as wilder and uglier than mermaids, but they were described
as having little interest in humans.
Other
Among the Neo-Tano nations of the Caribbean the mermaid is called Aycaya.
[10]

Her attributes relate to the goddess Jagua, and the hibiscus flower of the majagua
tree Hibiscus tiliaceus.
[11]
Examples from other cultures are the Mami Wata of West
and Central Africa, the Jengu of Cameroon, the Merrow of Ireland and Scotland,
the Rusalkas of Russia and Ukraine, and the Greek Oceanids, Nereids, and
Naiads. One freshwater mermaid-like creature from European folklore is Melusine,
who is sometimes depicted with two fish tails, and other times with the lower body of a
serpent. It is said in Japan that eating the flesh of a mermaid can grant unaging
immortality. In some European legends mermaids are said to grant wishes.
Also, some people claim they have seen dead or living mermaids in places like
Scotland, Malaysia, British Columbia and Haiti. Two recent Canadian reports took
place in the Strait of Georgia.
Mermaids and mermen are also characters of Philippine folklore, where they are
locally known as sirena and siyokoy, respectively.
Mermaids are said to be known for their vanity, but also for their innocence. They
often fall in love with human men, and are willing to go to great extents to prove
their love with humans (see mermaid problem). Unfortunately, especially younger
mermaids, often tend to forget humans cannot breathe underwater. Their male
counterparts, mermen, are rarely interested in human issues, but in the Finnish
mythology mermen are able to grant wishes, heal sickness, lift curses and brew magic
potions
Symbolism
According to Dorothy Dinnersteins book, The Mermaid and the Minotaur, human-
animal hybrids such as the minotaur and the mermaid convey the emergent
understanding of the ancients that human beings were both one with and different
from animals and that, as such, humans' "nature is internally inconsistent, that our
continuities with, and our differences from, the earth's other animals are mysterious
and profound; and in these continuities, and these differences, lie both a sense of
strangeness on earth and the possible key to a way of feeling at home here".
Representations in Art and Literature
One influential image was created by John William Waterhouse, from 1895 to 1905,
entitled A Mermaid, An example of late British Academy style artwork, the piece
debuted to considerable acclaim (and secured Waterhouse's place as a member of the
Royal Academy), but disappeared into a private collection and did not resurface
until the 1970s. It is currently in the collection of Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

The most famous in more recent centuries is Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale The
Little Mermaid (1836), which has been translated into many languages. Andersen's
portrayal, immortalized with a famous bronze sculpture in Copenhagen harbour, has
arguably become the standard and has influenced most modern Western depictions
of mermaids since it was published.
The most famous musical depictions of mermaids are those by Felix Mendelssohn in
his Fair Melusina overture and the three "Rhine daughters" in Richard Wagner's
Der Ring des Nibelungen. A more recent depiction in contemporary concert music is
The Weeping Mermaid by Taiwanese composer Fan-Long Ko.
Representations in Popular Culture
Like many creatures from mythology and folklore, mermaids appear regularly in
popular media. The two most ubiquitous images are surely the Disney character
based on the tale by Andersen (see "Art and Literature," above) and the logo for the
Starbucks coffee chain, which features a twin-tailed mermaid wearing a crown under
a star. In Disney the two-fold nature of mermaids is exploited to tell a coming-of-age
story in which the sea represents childhood and land represents adult life--a place
where one stands on one's "own two feet." For most of the story the adolescent
heroine is torn between the two worlds. The Starbucks mermaid echoes the nautical
implications in the name of the franchise (drawn from the famous Starbuck
character in Herman Melville's Moby-Dick) while the representation itself is
indebted to the pictures of mermaids often encountered on the "Star" card in many
Latin suited Tarot decks.
Bear

Bears (family Ursidae) are mammals in the order Carnivora. Bears are classified as
caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living
relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread,
appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere and
partially in the Southern Hemisphere.
Common characteristics of modern bears include a large body with stocky legs, a
long snout, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and a short
tail. While the polar bear is mostly carnivorous and the giant panda feeds almost
entirely on bamboo, the remaining six species are omnivorous, with largely varied
diets including both plants and animals.
With the exceptions of courting individuals and mothers with their young, bears are
typically solitary animals. They are sometimes diurnal, but are usually active during
the night (nocturnal) or twilight (crepuscular). Bears are aided by an excellent sense
of smell, and despite their heavy build and awkward gait, they can run quickly and
are adept climbers and swimmers. Bears use shelters such as caves and burrows as
their dens, which are occupied by most species during the winter for a long period of
sleep similar to hibernation.
Bears have been hunted since prehistoric times for their meat and fur. To this day,
they play a prominent role in the arts, mythology, and other cultural aspects of
various human societies. In modern times, the bear's existence has been pressured
through the encroachment of their habitats and the illegal trade of bears and bear
parts, including the Asian bile bear market. The IUCN lists six bear species as
vulnerable or endangered, and even "least concern" species such as the brown bear
are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade
of these most threatened populations is prohibited, but still ongoing.
Culture
Myth and legend
Some evidence has been brought to light on prehistoric bear worship, see Arctic,
Arcturus, Great Bear, Berserker, Kalevala. Anthropologists such as Joseph
Campbell have regarded this as a common feature in most of the fishing and hunting-
tribes. The prehistoric Finns, along with most Finno-Ugric peoples, considered the
bear as the spirit of one's forefathers. This is why the bear was a greatly respected
animal, with several euphemistic names.
This kind of attitude is reflected in the traditional Russian fairy tale "Morozko",
whose arrogant protagonist Ivan tries to kill a mother bear and her cubs - and is
punished and humbled by having his own head turned magically into a bear's head
and being subsequently shunned by human society.
There has been evidence about early bear worship in China and among the Ainu
culture as well. In the Korean mythology, Korean people identifies bear as their
ancestor and symbolic animal.
In addition, the Proto-Indo-European word for bear, *hrktos (ancestral to the Greek
arktos, Latin ursus, Welsh arth (cf. Arthur), Sanskrit *ka, Hittite hartagga) seems
to have been subject to taboo deformation or replacement (as was the word for wolf,
wlk
w
os), resulting in the use of numerous unrelated words with meanings like "brown
one" (English bruin) and "honey-eater" (Slavic medved). Thus four separate Indo-
European language groups do not share the same PIE root. The theory of the bear
taboo is taught to almost all beginning students of Indo-European and historical
linguistics; the putative original PIE word for bear is itself descriptive, because a
cognate word in Sanskrit is rakshas, meaning "harm, injury".

In the arms of the bishopric of Freising (illustration, right) the bear is the dangerous
totem animal tamed by St. Corbinian and made to carry his civilised baggage over
the mountains: the allegory of the civilising influence of Christianity is inescapable.
A bear also features prominently in the legend of St. Romedius, who is also said to
have tamed one of these animals and had the same bear carry him from his hermitage
in the mountains to the city of Trento.
Imaginary bears are a popular feature of many children's stories including
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Berenstein Bears, and Winnie the Pooh.
The constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor represent bears.

Names
In Scandinavia the word for bear is Bjrn (or Bjrn), and is a relatively common
given name for males. The use of this name is ancient and has been found mentioned
in several rune stone inscriptions.
[16]
The name was also used by J.R.R. Tolkien in his
book "The Hobbit", where a bear-like character is named Beorn.
The female first name "Ursula", originally derived from a Christian saint's name and
common in English- and German-speaking countries, means "Little she-bear"
(dimunitive of Latin "ursa"). In Switzerland the male first name "Urs" is especially
popular.
In Russian and other Slavic languages, the word for bear, "Medved" (),
and variants or derivatives such as Medvedev are common surnames.
In East European Jewish communities, the name "Ber" () - Yiddish cognate of
"Bear" - has been attested as a common male first name, at least since the 18th
century, and was among others the name of several prominent Rabbis. The Yiddish
"Ber" is still in use among Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel, the US and other
countries.
With the transition from Yiddish to Hebrew under the influence of Zionism, the
Hebrew word for "bear", "Dov" (), was taken up in contemporary Israel and is at
present among the commonly used male first names in that country.
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf (Canis lupus), also known as the timber wolf or wolf, is a mammal of
the order Carnivora. The gray wolf is the largest wild member of the Canidae family
and an ice age survivor originating during the Late Pleistocene around 300,000
years ago.

Its shoulder height ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 meters (2636 inches) and its
weight varies between 20 (sometimes even lower) and 68 kilograms. DNA sequencing
and genetic drift studies indicate that the gray wolf shares a common ancestry with
the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and might be its ancestor.
[3]
A number of
other gray wolf subspecies have been identified, though the actual number of
subspecies is still open to discussion.
Though once abundant over much of North America and Eurasia, the gray wolf
inhabits a very small portion of its former range because of widespread destruction
of its habitat, human encroachment of its habitat, and the resulting human-wolf
encounters that sparked broad extirpation. Considered as a whole, however, the gray
wolf is regarded as being of least concern for extinction according to the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
Today, wolves are protected in some areas, hunted for sport in others, or may be
subject to extermination as perceived threats to livestock and pets.
Gray wolves play an important role as apex predators in the ecosystems they
typically occupy. Gray wolves are highly adaptable and have thrived in temperate
forests, deserts, mountains, tundra, taiga, and grasslands.
Wolves have been featured in the folklore and mythology of many cultures
throughout history. Norse mythology tells the legend of the giant Fenrir. More
sympathetic depictions include the suckling of Romulus and Remus in the Roman
creation story. Wolves have also appeared in Western fairy tales such as Little
Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, in which the wolf plays the role of the
villain.
Wolves function as social predators and hunt in packs organized according to
strict, rank-oriented social hierarchies.
[21]
It was originally believed that this
comparatively high level of social organization was related to hunting success, and
while this still may be true to a certain extent, emerging theories suggest that the
pack has less to do with hunting and more to do with reproductive success.
The pack is led by the two breeding individuals that sit atop the social hierarchy. The
breeding pair has the greatest amount of social freedom compared to the rest of the
pack. Although they are not "leaders" in the human sense of the term, they help to
resolve any disputes within the pack, have the greatest amount of control over
resources (such as food), and have exclusive rights to mating. While most breeding
pairs are monogamous, there are exceptions.
[29]
An alpha animal may preferentially
mate with a lower-ranking animal, especially if the other alpha is closely related (a
brother or sister, for example). The death of one breeding wolf does not affect the
status of the other, who will quickly take another mate.
[21]
Usually, only the breeding
pair is able to rear a litter of pups successfully. Other wolves in a pack may breed,
but when resources are limited, time, devotion, and preference will be given to the
alpha pair's litter. Therefore, non-alpha parents of other litters within a single pack
may lack the means to raise their pups to maturity of their own accord. All wolves in
a pack assist in raising wolf pups. Some mature individuals choosing not to disperse
may stay in their original packs so as to reinforce it and help rear more pups.
After the breeding pair, there may also, especially in larger packs, be a beta wolf or
wolves, a "second-in-command" to the alphas. Betas typically assume a more
prominent role in assisting with the upbringing of the breeding pair's litter, often
serving as surrogate mothers or fathers while the breeding pair is away. Beta wolves
are the most likely to challenge their superiors for the role of dominance, though some
betas seem content with being second, and will sometimes even let lower ranking
wolves leapfrog them for the position of breeding animal should circumstances
necessitate such a happening, such as the death of the previous breeding animal.
More ambitious beta wolves, however, will only wait so long before contending for
breeding position unless they choose to disperse and create their own pack instead.

Relation to the dog
Much debate has centered on the relationship between the wolf and the domestic dog,
though most authorities see the wolf as the dog's direct ancestor. Because the canids
have evolved recently and different canids interbreed readily, untangling the
relationships has been difficult. But molecular systematics now indicate very strongly
that domestic dogs and wolves are closely related, and the domestic dog is now
normally classified as a subspecies of the wolf: Canis lupus familiaris. The main
differences between wolves and domestic dogs are that wolves have, on average, 20%
larger brains, better immune systems, a better sense of smell, and are generally larger
than domestic dogs.

North American domestic dogs are believed to have originated from Old World
wolves. No known dog breed is derived from wolves indigenous to North America.
The first people to colonize North America 12,000 to 14,000 years ago brought
their dogs with them from Asia, and apparently did not separately domesticate the
wolves they found in the New World.
In folklore and mythology
Humans have a complicated relationship with wolves. In many parts of the world
they were a creature to be feared and held in distaste. This was notably accentuated
in European folklore beginning in the Christian era. Settlers brought this view with
them as they settled North America. The gray wolf, once found in every ecosystem
across the Northern Hemisphere, was one of the first species to be culled by settlers.
As technology made the killing of wolves and predators easier, humans began to
overhunt wolves and cause their numbers to dwindle significantly.
However wolves have also been revered and respected by humans. In Altaic
mythology of the Turkic and Mongolian peoples, the wolf is a revered animal. The
shamanic Turkic peoples even believed they were descendants of wolves in Turkic
legends. The legend of Asena is an old Turkic myth that tells of how the Turkic
people were created. In Northern China a small Turkic village was raided by Chinese
soldiers, but one small baby was left behind. An old she-wolf with a sky-blue mane
named Asena found the baby and nursed him, then the she-wolf gave birth to half
wolf, half human cubs therefore the Turkic people were born. Also in Turkic
mythology it is believed that a gray wolf showed the Turks the way out of their
legendary homeland Ergenekon, which allowed them to spread and conquer their
neighbours.
[57][58]
In modern Turkey this myth inspired extrme-right nationalist groups
known as "Grey Wolves".
The genesis story of the Turks and Mongols is paralleled in the Roman myth of
Romulus and Remus, the traditional founders of Rome. The twin babies were
ordered to be killed by their great uncle Amulius. The servant ordered to kill them,
however, relented and placed the two on the banks of the Tiber river. The river, which
was in flood, rose and gently carried the cradle and the twins downstream, where
under the protection of the river deity Tiberinus, they would be adopted by a she-wolf
known as Lupa in Latin, an animal sacred to Mars.
In Norse mythology, Fenrir or Fenrisulfr is a gigantic wolf, the son of Loki and the
giantess Angrboa. Fenrir is bound by the gods, but is ultimately destined to grow
too large for his bonds and devour Odin during the course of Ragnark. At that
time he will have grown so large that his upper jaw touches the sky while his lower
touches the earth when he gapes. He will be slain by Odin's son, Viarr, who will
either stab him in the heart or rip his jaws asunder according to different accounts.
Stories of werewolves can be found in virtually all European countries; these date
back from Ancient Greek legend of Lycaon, who in one story was transformed into a
wolf as a result of eating human flesh, and the writings of the Roman scholar, Pliny
the Elder.
[59]

Many languages have names meaning "wolf". Some examples include, for instance:
Scandinavian Ulf, Albanian "Ujk", Hebrew Ze'ev, Hungarian Farkas, Serbian Vuk,
Ukrainian Vovk, Romanian Lupescu/Lupulescu and Bulgarian Vlko.
In Japan, grain farmers once worshiped wolves at shrines and left food offerings
near their dens, beseeching them to protect their crops from wild boars and deer.
Talismans and charms adorned with images of wolves protected against fire,
disease, and other calamities and brought fertility to agrarian communities and to
couples hoping to have children. The Ainu people believed that they were born from
the union of a wolflike creature and a goddess.
[60]

Many Chinese proverbs use wolves as a description towards any ill-willed person
with a hidden agenda like Wolf hearted () which could also mean a bad
person can never be tamed, Wolf heart with a dog lungs () refer to an
ungrateful person who later betray you after you helped them. There are others
proverbs and meaning that refer to the wolf and many of them have a negative
connotation.
More familiar still are the fairy tales where the wolf appears as a villain such as in
Grimm's Fairy Tales, as well as the Aesopian Fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Raven
Raven is the common name given to the largest species of passerine birds in the
genus Corvus. Corvids are also commonly referred to as crows and other species in
the same genus include jackdaws and rooks.
In most of Europe and North America, raven is used as a synonym for the
widespread Common Raven, and much of the literature and culture surrounding
ravens refers to that species.
Ravens have high intelligence and are perhaps the smartest birds.
[1]
Their
intelligence might be on par with canids such as wolves and some breeds of Dog.
[2]

An obsolete collective noun for a group of ravens (or at least the Common Raven) is
an "unkindness".
The true crows are large passerine birds that comprise the genus Corvus in the family
Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-sized jackdaws
(Eurasian and Daurian) to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-
billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur
on all temperate continents (except South America) and several offshore and
oceanic islands (including Hawaii).
The crow genus makes up a third of the species in the corvid family. Other corvids
include rooks and jays. Crows appear to have evolved in Asia from the corvid stock,
which had evolved in Australasia.


Systematics
The genus was originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work Systema
Naturae. The name is derived from the Latin corvus meaning "raven".
[2]
The type
species is the Common Raven (Corvus corax); others named in the same work include
the Carrion Crow (C. corone), the Hooded Crow (C. cornix), the Rook (C. frugilegus),
and the Jackdaw (C. monedula).
There is no good systematic approach to the genus at present. Generally, it is
assumed that the species from a geographical area are more closely related to each
other than to other lineages, but this is not necessarily correct. For example, while the
Carrion/Collared/House Crow complex is certainly closely related to each other, the
situation is not at all clear regarding the Australian/Melanesian species.
Furthermore, as many species are similar in appearance, determining actual range
and characteristics can be very difficult, such as in Australia where the five (possibly
six) species are almost identical in appearance.
The fossil record of crows is rather dense in Europe, but the relationships among most
prehistoric species is not clear. Jackdaw-, crow- and raven-sized forms seem to have
existed since long ago and crows were regularly hunted by humans up to the Iron
Age, documenting the evolution of the modern taxa. American crows are not as well-
documented.
A surprisingly high number of species have become extinct after human colonization;
the loss of one prehistoric Caribbean crow could also have been related to the last ice
age's climate changes.
Crows and Humans
Certain species have been considered pests; the Common Raven, Australian Raven
and Carrion Crow have all been known to kill weak lambs as well as eating freshly
dead corpses probably killed by other means. Rooks have been blamed for eating
grain in the UK and Brown-necked Raven for raiding date crops in desert countries.
Hunting
In the United States it is legal to hunt crows in all states usually from around
August to the end of March and anytime if they are causing a nuisance or health
hazard. There is no bag limit when taken during the "crow hunting season."
According to the US Code of Federal Regulations, crows may be taken (i.e., shot)
without a permit in certain circumstances. USFWS 50 CFR 21.43 (Depredation
order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies) states that a Federal
permit is not required to control these birds "when found committing or about to
commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock,
or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a
health hazard or other nuisance," provided
that none of the birds killed or their parts are sold or offered for sale,
that anyone exercising the privileges granted by this section shall permit any
Federal or State game agent free and unrestricted access over the premises where the
operations have been or are conducted and will provide them with whatever
information required by the officer, and that nothing in the section authorizes the
killing of such birds contrary to any State laws and that the person needs to possess
whatever permit as may be required by the State.
In the UK, the crow is considered a pest and under certain conditions can be shot
under a number of general licenses issued by DEFRA.
In Australia it is illegal to kill native birds.


Tradition, mythology and folklore

Crows, and especially ravens, often feature in European legends or mythology as
portents or harbingers of doom or death, because of their dark plumage, unnerving
calls, and tendency to eat carrion. They are commonly thought to circle above scenes
of death such as battles. The Child ballad The Three Ravens depicts three ravens
discussing whether they can eat a dead knight, but finds that his hawk, his hound,
and his true love prevent them; in the parody version The Twa Corbies, these guards
have already forgotten the dead man, and the ravens can eat their fill. Their
depiction of evil has also led to some exaggeration of their appetite. In modern films
such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Damien: Omen II and
Exorcist: The Beginning, crows are shown tearing out people's eyes while they are still
alive. Crows have never been known for this behavior due to their high preference for
carrion.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Chaldean myth, the character Utnapishtim releases a
dove and a raven to find land, however, the dove merely circles and returns. Only
then does Utnapishtim send forth the raven, who does not return. Utnapishtim
extrapolates from this that the raven has found land, which is why it hasn't returned.
This would seem to indicate some acknowledgement of crow intelligence, which may
have been apparent even in ancient times, and to some might imply that the higher
intelligence of crows, when compared to other birds, is striking enough that it was
known even then.
In occult circles, distinctions are sometimes made between crows and ravens. In
mythology and folklore as a whole, crows tend to be symbolic more of the spiritual
aspect of death, or the transition of the spirit into the afterlife, whereas ravens tend
more often to be associated with the negative (physical) aspect of death. However,
few if any individual mythologies or folklores make such a distinction, and there are
ample exceptions. Another reason for this distinction is that while crows are
typically highly social animals, ravens don't seem to congregate in large numbers
anywhere but:
1. Near carrion where they meet seemingly by chance, or
2. At cemeteries, where large numbers sometimes live together, even though carrion
there is no more available (and probably less attainable) than any road or field.
Amongst Neopagans, crows are often thought to be highly psychicand are
associated with the element of ether or spirit, rather than the element of air as with
most other birds. This may in part be due to the long-standing occult tradition of
associating the color black with "the abyss" of infinite knowledge (see akasha), or
perhaps also to the more modern occult belief that wearing the "color" black aids in
psychic ability, as it absorbs more electromagnetic energy, since surfaces appear
black by absorbing all frequencies in the visible spectrum, reflecting no color.

Compendium of Materia Medica states that crows are kind birds that feed their old
and weakened parents; this is often cited as a fine example of filial piety.
In Chinese mythology, they believed that the world at one time had ten suns that were
caused by 10 crows. The effect was devastating to the crops and nature, so they sent
in their greatest archer Houyi to shoot down 9 crows and spare only one. Also
Chinese people believe that crows mean bad luck, probably due to the colour black.
Having a "crow beak" is a symbolic expression that one is being a jinx.
Gods and goddesses associated with crows and ravens

A very incomplete list includes the eponymous Pacific Northwest Native figures
Raven and Crow, the ravens Hugin and Munin, who accompany the Norse god
Odin, the Celtic goddesses the Mrrgan and/or the Badb (sometimes considered
separate from Mrrgan), and Shani, a Hindu god who travels astride a crow. In
Buddhism, the Dharmapala (protector of the Dharma) Mahakala is represented by
a crow in one of his physical/earthly forms. Avalokitevara/Chenrezig, who is
reincarnated on Earth as the Dalai Lama, is often closely associated with the crow
because it is said that when the first Dalai Lama was born, robbers attacked the
family home. The parents fled and were unable to get to the infant Lama in time.
When they returned the next morning expecting the worst, they found their home
untouched, and a pair of crows were caring for the Dalai Lama. It is believed that
crows heralded the birth of the First, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth Lamas,
the latter being the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Crows are mentioned often
in Buddhism, especially Tibetan disciplines. In Greek mythology, it was believed that
when the crows gave bad news to the goddess Athena, she flew into a rage, and
cursed their feathers to be black. Myths in India: In Hinduism, it is believed that
people who died will take food and offerings through a variety of crows called "Bali
kkka". Every year people whose parents or relatives died will offer food to crows as
well as cows on the Shradha day. A battle between crows and owls is said to have
inspired the final bloody night of the Mahabharatha war.

Bull (mythology)

The worship of the Sacred Bull was widespread in the ancient world. It is perhaps
most familiar to the Western world in the Biblical episode wherein an idol of the
Golden Calf is made by Aaron and worshipped by the Hebrews in the wilderness of
Sinai (Exodus). Young bulls were set as frontier markers at Tel Dan and at Bethel
the frontiers of the Kingdom of Israel. In other cultures, Marduk is the "bull of Utu"
and the Hindu God Shiva's steed is Nandi, the Bull. Nandi the bull can be traced
back to Indus Valley Civilization, where dairy farming was the most important
occupations. The bull Nandi is Shiva's primary vehicle and is the principal
gana(follower)of Shiva.
Aurochs are depicted in many Paleolithic European cave paintings such as those
found at Lascaux and Livernon in France. Their life force may have been thought to
have magical qualities, for early carvings of the aurochs have also been found. The
impressive and dangerous aurochs survived into the Iron Age in Anatolia and the
Near East and was worshiped throughout that area as a sacred animal. The
Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh depicts the killing of the Bull of Heaven, Gugalana,
husband of Ereshkigal, as an act of defiance of the gods.
From the earliest times, the bull was lunar in Mesopotamia (its horns representing
the crescent moon), though we cannot recreate a specific context for the bull skulls
with horns (bucrania) preserved in an 8th millennium BCE sanctuary at atalhyk
in eastern Anatolia. The sacred bull of the Hattians, whose elaborate standards
were found at Alaca Hyk alongside those of the sacred stag, survived in the
Hurrian and Hittite mythologies as Seri and Hurri ('Day' and 'Night') the bulls
who carried the weather god Teshub on their backs or in his chariot, and who grazed
on the ruins of cities. In Cyprus, bull masks made from real skulls were worn in rites.
Bull-masked terracotta figurines and Neolithic bull-horned stone altars have been
found in Cyprus.
In Egypt, the bull was worshiped as Apis, the embodiment of Ptah and later of
Osiris. A long series of ritually perfect bulls were identified by the god's priests,
housed in the temple for their lifetime, then embalmed and encased in a giant
sarcophagus. A long sequence of monolithic stone sarcophagi were housed in the
Serapeum, and were rediscovered by Auguste Mariette at Saqqara in 1851. The bull
was also worshipped as Mnewer, the embodiment of Atum-Ra, in Heliopolis. Ka in
Egyptian is both a religious concept of life-force/power and the word for bull.

Walter Burkert summarized modern revision of a too-facile and blurred
identification of a god that was identical to his sacrificial victim, which had created
suggestive analogies with the Christian Eucharist for an earlier generation of
mythographers:
The concept of the theriomorphic god and especially of the bull god, however, may all
too easily efface the very important distinctions between a god named, described,
represented, and worshipped in animal form, a real animal worshipped as a god,
animal symbols and animal maskes used in the cult, and finally the consecrated
animal destined for sacrifice. Animal worship of the kind found in the Egyptian
Apis cult is unknown in Greece. ("Greek Religion," 1985).

When the heroes of the new Indo-European culture arrived in the Aegean basin, they
faced off with the ancient Sacred Bull on many occasions, and always overcame it,
in the form of the myths that have survived. For the Greeks, the bull was strongly
linked to the Bull of Crete: Theseus of Athens had to capture the ancient sacred bull
of Marathon (the "Marathonian bull") before he faced the Bull-man, the Minotaur
(Greek for "Bull of Minos"), whom the Greeks imagined as a man with the head of a
bull at the center of the labyrinth. Earlier Minoan frescos and ceramics depict bull-
leaping rituals in which participants of both sexes vaulted over bulls by grasping
their horns. Yet Walter Burkert's constant warning is, "It is hazardous to project
Greek tradition directly into the Bronze age";
[3]
only one Minoan image of a bull-
headed man has been found, a tiny seal currently held in the Archaeological
Museum of Chania.
In the Olympian cult, Hera's epithet Bo-opis is usually translated "ox-eyed" Hera,
but the term could just as well apply if the goddess had the head of a cow, and thus
the epithet reveals the presence of an earlier, though not necessarily more primitive,
iconic view. Classical Greeks never otherwise referred to Hera simply as the cow,
though her priestess Io was so literally a heifer that she was stung by a gadfly, and it
was in the form of a heifer that Zeus coupled with her. Zeus took over the earlier
roles, and, in the form of a bull that came forth from the sea, abducted the high-born
Phoenician Europa and brought her, significantly, to Crete.
Dionysus was another god of resurrection who was strongly linked to the bull. In a
cult hymn from Olympia, at a festival for Hera, Dionysus is also invited to come as
a bull, "with bull-foot raging." "Quite frequently he is portrayed with bull horns, and
in Kyzikos he has a tauromorphic image," Walter Burkert relates, and refers also to
an archaic myth in which Dionysus is slaughtered as a bull calf and impiously eaten
by the Titans.
In the Classical period of Greece, the bull and other animals identified with deities
were separated as their agalma, a kind of heraldic show-piece that concretely
signified their numinous presence.
Alexander the Great's famous horse was named Bucephalus ("ox-head"), linking the
self-proclaimed god-king with the mythical power of the bull.

The bull is one of the animals associated with the late Hellenistic and Roman
syncretic cult of Mithras, in which the killing of the astral bull, the tauroctony, was
as central in the cult as the Crucifixion was to contemporary Christians. The
tauroctony was represented in every Mithraeum (compare the very similar Enkidu
tauroctony seal). An often-disputed suggestion connects remnants of Mithraic ritual
to the survival or rise of bullfighting in Iberia and southern France, where the legend
of Saint Saturninus (or Sernin) of Toulouse and his proteg in Pamplona, Saint
Fermin, at least, are inseparably linked to bull-sacrifices by the vivid manner of their
martryrdoms, set by Christian hagiography in the 3rd century CE, which was also the
century in which Mithraism was most widely practiced.
Irish Gaelic myth features the tales of the epic hero Cuchulainn, which were collected
in the 7th century CE "Book of the Dun Cow."
In some Christian religions, Nativity scenes are assembled at Christmas time. Most
of them show a bull or an ox near baby Jesus, lying in a manger. Traditional songs of
Christmas often tell of the bull and the donkey warming the infant with their breath.
The sacred bull survives in the constellation Taurus.
Hounds
A black dog is a spectral being found primarily in the folklores of the British Isles.
The black dog is essentially a nocturnal spectre, and its appearance was regarded
as a portent of death. It is generally supposed to be larger than a physical dog, and
often has large, glowing eyes.
It is often associated with electrical storms (such as Black Shuck's appearance at
Bungay, Suffolk), and also with crossroads, places of execution and ancient
pathways. Its Welsh form is confined to the sea-coast parishes, and on the Norfolk
coast the creature is supposed to be amphibious, coming out of the sea by night and
travelling about the lonely lanes.
The origins of the black dog are difficult to discern. It is impossible to ascertain
whether the phantom originated in the Celtic or Germanic elements in British culture.
Throughout European mythology, dogs have been associated with death. Examples
of this are the Cn Annwn, Garm and Cerberus, all of whom were in some way
guardians of the underworld. This association seems to be due to the scavenging
habits of dogs. It is possible that the black dog is a survival of these beliefs.
The myth been encouraged by smugglers who wanted to discourage nocturnal
movements by people who might witness the movement of contraband.
On mainland Normandy, the dog is referred to as the Rongeur Black dogs are
almost universally malevolent, although few (such as the Barghest) are held to be
directly harmful. Most are a portent of death, or are in some way associated with the
Devil. Some, however, like the Gurt Dog in Somerset and the Black Dog of the
Hanging Hills (below) may sometimes act benevolently.
Black dogs by locale
Some of the better-known black dogs are the Barghest of Yorkshire and Black Shuck
of East Anglia.
Various other forms are recorded in folklore:
England
In Lancashire the spectre-hound is called Gytrash, Trash, Striker or Shriker.
The Drummer of Tedworth sometimes manifested itself as a huge black dog.
In Tring, Hertfordshire, a fierce-looking black hound with red eyes is said to
haunt the middle of the road in the area where the gibbet once stood. Locally it is
known as Lean Dog, and is the spirit of a chimney sweep executed for murder. When
approached, the lean dog sinks into the ground.
The Gurt Dog of Somerset is an example of a benevolent dog. It was said that
mothers would allow their children to play unsupervised on the Quantock Hills
because they believed that the Gurt Dog would protect them. It would also
accompany lone travellers in the area, acting as a protector and guide.
The Black Dog of Winchester.
Padfoot of Wakefield.
A black dog has been said to haunt the Newgate Prison for over 400 years,
appearing before executions. According to legend, in 1596, a man named Scholler
was sent to the prison for witchcraft, but was killed and eaten by starving prisoners
before he was given a trial. The dog was said to appear soon after, and although the
terrified men killed their guards and escaped, the beast is said to have hunted down
and exacted revenge upon each murderer.
One has been said to have been Corsham in Wiltshire on April 28th 2008

Channel Islands and Isle of Man
In the Isle of Man it is styled Mauthe Doog, or Moddey Dhoo (black dog in
Manx). It is said to haunt the environs of Peel Castle. People believe that anyone
who sees the dog will die soon after the encounter with the dog. It is mentioned by Sir
Walter Scott in The Lay of the Last Minstrel

"For he was speechless, ghastly, wan
Like him of whom the Story ran
Who spoke the spectre hound in Man."
In the Channel Island of Guernsey, there are two named dogs. One, Tchico
(Tchi-coh two Norman words for dog, whence cur), is headless, and is supposed to be
the phantom of a past Bailiff of Guernsey, Gaultier de la Salle, who was hanged for
falsely accusing one of his vassals. The other dog is known as Bodu or tchen Bodu
(tchen being dog in Dgrnsiais). His appearance, usually in the Clos du Valle,
foretells death of the viewer or someone close to him. There are also numerous other
unnamed apparitions, usually associated with placenames derived from bte (beast).
In Jersey folklore, the Black Dog of Death is also called the Tchico, but a
related belief in the Tchian d'Boul (Black Dog of Bouley) tells of a phantom dog
whose appearance presages storms. The story is believed to have d'Os (bone-gnawer).

Wales
In Wales its counterpart was the gwyllgi, the "Dog of Darkness", a frightful
apparition of a mastiff with baleful breath and blazing red eyes. Also related are
the spectral Cn Annwn, connected with the otherworld realm of Annwn referred to
in the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and elsewhere; however they are described as
being dazzling white rather than black in the medieval text.

Cornwall
A black dog appears in Penzance harbour as a foreteller of someone's death.
The victim is the only one who can the see the dog, who is described as Labrador
Retriever sized, but not actually of this breed.
Shony is a Cornish ghost-dog whose appearance heralded a storm.

USA
In the U.S.A. a twin set of black dogs is said to roam the country sides of north
middle Tennessee near the county of Macon. Legend has it that two black puppies
were adopted by a cruel farmer who was so evil that the Devil would not allow him to
enter Hell, but gave him the job of hunting down unsuspecting travellers after the
stroke of midnight. Some stories state that death is quick; others say that death will
fall days, months, or years (this last is considered a catch-all) after viewing the
demonic beasts. Others say that death may not follow at all, but something "bad"
will happen to someone close to those who set eyes on the twin hounds. Lastly, some
stories skip the evil farmer and claim the hound to have multiple heads and is, in
reality, Cerberus the hound who guards the gates of hell. This story may have been
made-up to fit the satanic claims that some have made about the county.
The Black Dog of the Hanging Hills of Meriden, Connecticut is unique in that
it does not take the guise of a large, fearsome hound. Instead, it appears as a small,
sad black dog. The Black Dog of the Hanging Hills leaves no footprints and makes
no sound, even when it appears to be barking happily or howling. It also appears to
enjoy human company, somewhat ironically. Seeing the Black Dog of the Hanging
Hills once is supposedly good luck, twice is bad luck and three times means death.
Packs of black dogs with glowing yellow eyes are rumored to prowl U.S. Route
666, slashing the tires of passing motorists with their sharp teeth.
Along Sweet Hollow Road on Long Island, NY, there is said to be a black
dog apparition that walks on its hind legs and has glowing red eyes. Making eye
contact with it is supposed to cause death within a month.
2 black dogs inhabit highway 97 from Madras Oregon to Sunriver Oregon

Latin America
Black dogs with fiery eyes are reported throughout Latin America from
Mexico to Argentina under a variety of names including the Perro Negro (Spanish
for Black Dog), Nahual (Mexico), Huay Chivo (Mexico), Cadejo (Central
America), Familiar (Argentina) and Lobison (Argentina). They are usually said to
be either incarnations of the Devil or a shape-changing sorcerer.
There were also recent reports of a huge black dog with flaming red eyes
roaming the southeastern Brazil coast, haunting and scaring people. However, there
were no reports of any kind of physical harm caused by it
In fiction
One of the most famous black dogs in fiction is the Hound of the Baskervilles
from the book of the same name by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the book, the villain
uses the long-standing legend of a ghostly dog that haunts the Baskerville family in
his plan to murder them.

In Russell Hoban's novel Riddley Walker (1980), Riddley's post-
apocalyptic quest is initiated by a dog sacrifice and a folktale, "Why the Dog
Won't Show its Eyes." Death dogs are important in the "Eusa" story that guides
Riddley's quest, as is a companion black dog later in the quest.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, Harry comes
across what he believes is a Grim. He is told that it is a powerful omen of death.
In the Patrick Swayze trucker movie Black Dog, the legend is updated for the
motorized 20th century as a beast that is seen "when you've been on the road too
long and pushing too hard. When you get greedy, it comes to take everything away
from you."

In The Mighty Boosh, Series 3 Episode 4 "The Strange Tale of The Crack
Fox", Saboo mocks Dennis, the Shaman Council Leader, for his inability to handle
drugs: "You once used a glue gun and thought you saw the Black Dog".

In Goethe's Faust, the Devil Mephistopheles first appears to Faust in the form
of a black poodle which follows him home through a field.

In Supernatural (TV series) episode 2 "Wendigo" they mention the possibility
of a black dog being the creature that is killing campers. They also encounter
another mystery containing black dogs in season 2 episode 8 "Crossroad Blues"
The Moddey Dhoo is one of the many "guides" to appear in the webcomic
Gunnerkrigg Court.

In Black Dogs by novelist Ian McEwan, a character encounters two black
dogs that she believes to be evil incarnate.

Dracula transforms into a black dog to leap from from the boat to land when
he arrives in Whitby.
In the movie No Country for Old Men the main character, Llewelyn Moss,
comes across a stray black dog immediately before running into the botched heroin
deal. Later, he will die under tragic circumstances, being hunted down for the money
he found there.

In the book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson one of the pirates is
called Black Dog. He is the first to threaten and harass Billy Bones. As soon as the
unwelcome visitor is gone, Bones suffers a stroke. Also Jim Hawkins' father dies
shortly after Black Dog's visit.

In the movie The Omen, Damien the AntiChrist is guarded and protected by
black dogs.
Cerberus

In Greek mythology, Cerberus or Kerberos (Greek , Krberos or Srbrs,
the daemon or ker of Erebos) was the hound of Hades, a monstrous three-headed
dog
[1]
with a snake for a tail and snakes down his back like a mane, whose analogs in
other cultures are hellhounds. Other hell hounds included Orthus, his two-headed
brother. Cerberus guarded the gate to Hades and ensured that spirits of the dead
could enter, but none could exit (additionally, no living person was to come into
Hades). Among his siblings are Chimera and the Hydra. He is the offspring of
Echidna and Typhon. In Dante's Inferno, he is described as having a human head.
This symbolizes the possibility of Cerberus being more human than animal.
Cerberus was overcome several times, with the aid of gods or supernatural talents:
Heracles' final labour was to capture Cerberus, which he did by wrestling it
into submission.

Orpheus used his musical skills to lull Cerberus to sleep.

Hermes put him to sleep with water from the river Lethe.

In Roman mythology, the Sybil of Cumae lulled Cerberus to sleep with drugged
honeycakes in order to permit Aeneas fuller entry to the underworld.

In a Roman tale, Psyche also lulled Cerberus to sleep with drugged
honeycakes.
In The Inferno, Cerberus punishes the gluttons and is passed by Virgil and
Dante due to Virgil throwing into one of his mouths some of the putrid earth found
in the Third Circle.
In the Greek Oracle of the Dead at Cumae in southern Italy, the recently excavated
subterranean shrine was found to contain giant chains fixed to the wall for three
large dogs before the entrance to the shrine of Hades and Persephone. The three dogs
would have represented Cerberus in this ancient temple
.
Today, it also appears in
popular culture; for instance, Cerberus is the name of the "Smoke Monster" on the
popular television show Lost.

Twelfth Labour of Heracles (or Hercules)

In the last of his Twelve Labours, Heracles was to capture Cerberus from Hades, the
God of the dead and the ruler of the Underworld. After having been given the task,
Heracles went to Eleusis to be initiated in the Eleusinian Mysteries so that he could
learn how to enter and exit the underworld alive, and in passing absolve himself for
killing centaurs. He found the entrance to the underworld at Tanaerum, and Athena
and Hermes helped him to traverse the entrance in each direction. He passed Charon
with Hermes's assistance and his own heavy and fierce frowning. Whilst in the
underworld, Heracles freed Theseus, but the earth shook when he attempted to
liberate Pirithous, so he had to leave him behind. They had been imprisoned by Hades,
by magically binding them to a bench, because they had attempted to kidnap
Persephone. The magic was so strong, that when Heracles pulled Theseus free, part
of Theseus's thighs remained on the bench, explaining why his descendants had
notably lean thighs. Heracles presented himself before the throne of Hades and
Persephone and asked permission to take Cerberus, to which the gods agreed as long
as Heracles did not harm the hound in any way. Some say Persephone gave her
consent because Heracles was her own brother (both were children of Zeus). In any
case, Heracles wrestled the dog into submission and dragged it out of Hades,
passing through a cavern entrance in the Peloponnese. When he returned with
Cerberus to the palace, Eurystheus, the man who had assigned the task to Heracles,
was so afraid of the fearsome beast that he jumped into a pithos (large storage jar)
to hide. From the spittle of the dog which fell upon earth, the first poisonous plants
were born, including deadly aconite.
In Norse mythology, Fenrir or Fenrisulfr is a wolf, the son of Loki and the giantess
Angrboa. Fenrir is bound by the gods, but is ultimately destined to grow too large
for his bonds and swallow Odin whole during the course of Ragnark. He will be
slain by Odin's son, Viarr, who will use a shoe made throughout time using the
pieces of leather waste left over from repaired shoes to hold the lower jaw while he
grasped the upper up, tearing the beast apart and avenging his father.

Fenrir has two sons, Hati ('hate') and Skoll. Skoll chases the horses rvakr and
Alsvir, that drag the chariot which contains the sun. Hati chases Mni, the moon.
'Skoll', in certain circumstances, is used as a heiti to refer indirectly to the father
(Fenrir) and not the son. This ambiguity works in the other direction also, for
example in the Vafrnisml, where a confusion exists in stanza 46 where Fenrir is
given the sun-chasing attributes of his son Skoll. This can mostly be accounted for by
the use of Hrvitnir and Hrvitnirson to refer to both Fenrir and his sons.
Learning from the prophecy of the sybil (cf. Vlusp) and from his contest with
Vafrnir (related in Vafrnisml) that the children of Loki and Angrboa
would bring trouble to the gods, Odin had the wolf brought to him along with his
brother Jrmungandr and his sister Hel.
After casting Jrmungandr into the sea and Hel down into the land of the dead,
Odin had the wolf raised among the sir. Only the god Tr was daring enough to
feed the growing monster. The gods, urged by the wolf's increasing strength and by
prophecies that he would be their destruction, attempted to bind the great beast.
Twice he agreed to be chained and twice easily burst out of two successive fetters. The
first, made of iron, was called Lingr. The second, also of iron, but of twice the
strength, was called Drmi.
Odin then had the dwarfs forge the chain Gleipnir ("deceiver" or "entangler"). It
appeared to be only a silken ribbon but was made of six wondrous ingredients: the
sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, bear's
sinews (meaning nerves, sensibility), fish's breath, and bird's spittle. Skrnir, Freyr's
messenger, brought it back to sgarr.
Then, in the island called Lyngvi ("Heathery") in the lake called msvartnir ("Red-
black") (places unknown to us), the gods challenged Fenrisulfr to break this chain
also. But the wolf noted the thinness and fineness of construction of Gleipnir and
not unreasonably suspected a trick. He agreed to make the test only if one of the
gods was willing to place his hand in the wolf's mouth during the binding as a pledge
to free him if he failed to break the chain. No god was willing to do this, until Tr
stood forth and placed his hand in the wolf's mouth. Fenrisulfr strained to burst the
chain but the more he struggled the tighter he was held. When the gods would not free
him, the wolf bit off Tr's hand at the wrist, the point afterwards called "the wolf
joint". The wolf in his rage then tried to bite at the rest of the gods, but then they
thrust a sword in his mouth to keep him from biting at his bounds.

Then, as told by Snorri in Brodeur's translation:
When the sir saw that the Wolf was fully bound, they took the chain that was fast
to the fetter, and which is called Gelgja 'Thin', and passed it through a great rock
it is called Gjll 'Scream'and fixed the rock deep down into the earth. Then they
took a great stone and drove it yet deeper into the earthit was called Thvitiand
used the stone for a fastening-pin. The Wolf gaped terribly, and thrashed about and
strove to bite them; they thrust into his mouth a certain sword: the guards caught in
his lower jaw, and the point in the upper; that is his gag. He howls hideously, and
slaver runs out of his mouth: that is the river called Vn 'Hope'; there he lies till the
Twilight of the Gods.
It is prophesied that at Ragnark the wolf will at last break free and join forces
with the enemies of the gods and will then swallow Odin himself whole. After that
Viarr, Odin's son, will slay the wolf to avenge his father.

Reinterpretations of the legend
Many books, television serials, roleplaying games and video games use the name
"Fenris" or "Fenrir" in reference to a wolf or wolf-like character, including Harry
Potter, Doctor Who (as Fenric), Final Fantasy and the Narnia series, while several
modern comic books and fantasy novels have specifically reworked the story of
Fenrir.
In Mike Carey's fantasy comic book Lucifer, Fenrir appears with the Anglicised
name "Fenris", and his role in the book is similar to his role in mythology, as he
attempts to trigger the destruction of creation. In the Ragnark manhwa, Fenris
Fenrir is the reincarnation of the wolf Fenrir, while in Mythical Detective Loki
Ragnarok, Fenrir is freed from his bindings and comes to Earth as a small, black
puppy to find Loki. In volumes 5 and 6 of the Japanese comic book Oh My
Goddess!, by Kosuke Fujishima, a giant wolf by the name "Fenrir" embodies the
"programme for total destruction of the Earth" and calls himself "the Great King of
Terror". In the Guilty Gear X manga, Guilty Gear Xtra, a young boy named Tyr
has a giant dragon named Fenrir sealed inside his right arm.
In the novel, The Sight, by David Clement-Davies, the wolves believe in a male sun
god Fenris, and a female moon god Tor.
In World of Warcraft, Fenris is one of the final bosses in the Shadowfang Keep, a
dungeon in the game. He is portrayed as a large worg.

A Christian Speaks of Wicca and Witchcraft
by James Clement Taylor


I am a Christian and not a Wiccan. A Christian is one who has been baptized in the name of
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and who has made a personal, free-will decision to commit
himself and all his or her life to our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Both of these things
are true of me. I am a member of St. Mary's Eastern Orthodox Church, Calhan, Colorado. In
this paper, I am not speaking as agent for any church, but I am, entirely on my own
responsibility, speaking the truth in love, as we Christians are supposed to do.

A Situation of Strife and Shame:

There are many Christians today who believe that anyone who is not a Christian is doomed to
an eternity of suffering in hell. Any decent person, believing this, would be compelled to try to
save as many people from this fate as possible. But is this belief correct? Jesus Christ, having
noted the faith and righteousness of a Roman centurion, a Pagan, proclaimed:

"Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you
that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the
kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will
be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:10-12)

If we accept these words as true, and surely we should, then it is clear that heaven will contain
many who are not Christians, and hell will contain many who are! Clearly, throughout the
Gospels, Jesus Christ sets forth the criteria for entrance into the kingdom of heaven, and those
criteria include love, kindness, forgiveness, and a refusal to judge others:

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do
not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew
6:14-15)

"For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it
will be measured back to you." (Matthew 7:2)

"But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy and not sacrifice.'" (Matthew 9:13)

"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be
judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
(Luke 6:36-38)

Is it not clear? Anyone who fails in these things, will calling himself a Christian save him?
Anyone who obeys God in these things, will being unbaptized condemn him? Jesus said, "Not
everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Yet it is not by good works that we earn our way into heaven, because there is no way we can
earn the free gift of God's mercy and grace, which alone can save us. But it is clear that it is not
by faith, in the sense of sharing the Christian faith, that we are saved, either. The faith which
saves us is not faith in the goodness of our works, nor faith that we have the right theology
and/or belong to the right church. Rather, it is faith in God, and in His mercy:

"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy." (Romans
9:16)

But the Wiccans, you will say, do not have faith in God. Yet by their own theology, they
certainly do. Those who call them Satan-worshippers are entirely wrong. They do not worship
Satan, or even believe that Satan exists. Instead, they worship a Goddess and a God whom
they understand as manifestations of a higher and unknown Deity.

Now if you are a Christian, this will sound familiar to you, and it should. In the Bible we find
the following:

"Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, `Men of Athens, I perceive that in
all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of
your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:22-23)

The Wiccans worship the Unknown God, as manifested to them in the form of a Goddess and a
God. Therefore, our Bible tells us they worship the same God we do; and if they do not know this,
we should know it!

For those of us who are unable to simply stand on God's Word, and must prove to themselves
the truth of what it proclaims the holy Apostle John has given us the method for doing this. You
have only to attend any public Wiccan ceremony, and test the spirits which are there, to see
"whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). You will find that, while the power manifested there may
be less than what you have experienced as a Christian, that power is clearly the power of God.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, these people of Wicca have been terribly slandered by us.
They have lost jobs, and homes, and places of business because we have assured others that they
worship Satan, which they do not. We have persecuted them, and God will hold us accountable
for this, you may be sure, for He has said, "Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one
of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40)

Let us, from this point onward, repent of our misdeeds and declare that henceforth we shall obey
Christ our God, and not judge others or condemn them, so that He will not have to judge and
condemn us for our sins.

Can you be a Christian and a Witch???
Dawn Thebarge Hill 2001

This is a question I get a lot when I teach Intro to Wicca. My answer is, Of course you
can be anything you want to be!" Although I know there are many out there that
disagree with me the reasons I feel this way are not really all that complicated.

I have heard the debate rage from both sides of the fence. The Christian community is on
one side and the Pagan community on the other. "How can you be Christian and a
witch?" "Christian Witch is an oxymoron." "There's no such thing as a Christian
Witch! You can't be both." "Christian Witches are wannabe witches." "You can't be a
real Christian and a Witch." "You can't be a real Witch and Christian." "If someone
calls themselves a Christian Witch it is just because they can not face facts." They just
say that so people will accept them," etc.

Well, I hate to burst anyone's bubble (and you are definitely entitled to your opinion),
however, if you look at the true definition of Witch you will see that it is not an
impossibility to be both.
Witch" comes from the Anglo-Saxon wicce which derives from an Indo-European root
word meaning to bend or change. To me, and to many pagans out there, a Witch is a
person who moves, changes or bends energy. Therefore, ANYONE, who moves, bends or
changes energy is a Witch. So if you are a Christian, Satanist, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist,
Pagan, Druid, Wiccan, Shaman, or any other faith, and you move or bend energy you
can consider yourself a Witch.

The problem comes when we equate all Witches. This is not only wrong to do, but unfair
to those who are practicing the differing forms of Witchcraft. You would never lump all
Catholics, Baptists or Protestants together. They have differing beliefs but still consider
themselves Christian. This is how many witches feel. They are practicing different
religious doctrines but are still moving, bending and changing energy and consider
themselves Witches.

So, you may ask, if they are "true" Witches, why don't they just forget about their
Christian beliefs and embrace those Pagan traditions that they seem to be drawn to?
Why do they continue to straddle the fence on the issue? The answer is, that while there
are definitely Christian beliefs that they no longer personally believe, there also many
beliefs and rituals that they find helpful in finding and communicating with their sense
of the Divine.

In all honesty, my concern isn't really about the validity of calling one's self a Christian
Witch, or whether anyone does or does not believe in this term. It is about the reaction of
many people in the Pagan community to those that use the term. Aren't they allowed to
call themselves whatever they want? No one needs your judgment because they decided
to be part of a spiritual path that doesn't make sense to you. Is that not one of the
reasons so many of us get aggravated at people who preach to us? They do not believe
we can or should do what we want to do and that is unacceptable to us. The same can
be said to those of you who say to the Christian Witches that they cannot be both.
There seems to be a belief among some Pagans that one needs to completely renounce all
things remotely considered Christian in order to be a "real" Pagan. Why is this? If there
are things that still work for them then why shouldn't they keep them as part of their
spirituality? So long as they are causing no harm to themselves or others why does it
matter to you?

Most of us come to our Pagan path from a Christian one, and no matter how much we
want to deny it, it is extremely difficult to rid one's self completely of all Christian
beliefs, ritual and structure after having them indoctrinated in us for most of our lives.
It has made us, in some way, the persons we are right in this moment. If these folks see fit
to embrace that part of their lives then I say let them do so in peace and with
acceptance. This is not an "Us against Them" issue. It is about accepting and being
accepted for whom we are and not the label that is on us.

How to be a Christian Wizard
Ambrose Hawk

I have often written that Wizards Can Too Be Christians! The reverse of that
statement, however, may be even more startling. I firmly believe that a Christian should
be a wizard. Several of my articles have clearly implied such a theme. Each time I post
such a statement, someone writes me to ask, "How?" Actually, I've had a lot of trouble
answering that question. I was fortunate enough to be raised in an environment in
which the concept was obvious.
Christians believed in miracles, believed in the power of rituals to release the Divine power into
their world, believed in speaking with saints and angels and other spirits, and believed that every
created being was mystically connected to every other in a dynamic way. Furthermore, my
introduction to the Tarot was through books, which treated them as mystical illustrations of the
great questions of the spiritual path of the Christian. So when somebody asked me how to become
a Christian wizard, my response was, "be a Christian and practice magic." When pressed how
to start; I'd respond, "Pray as if you believe prayer works." Neither response worked very well.
Too many folks come from backgrounds in which it was assumed that magic and Christianity
necessarily was in conflict. Also, any mage with experience soon realizes that magic is not
prayer, though prayer can be an effective part of magic. After some years and reflection, I
believe I've found a better and more useful response; but first allow me to diverge on those two
concerns.
By the way, the answers addressed here to the specific problem of Christian wizardry should be
easily transformed to apply to other paths. After all, it is Judaism which gave us the Kabbalah,
and it was Islam which gave us many of the tools and tables that magicians rely upon today as
well. Alchemy, one of the basic features of the Hermetic path is an Arabic word.
While I've addressed the illusion that magic and Christianity are in conflict elsewhere, I'll briefly
discuss the issue again here. Just as folks assume that science and faith must be in conflict (even
though the father of science is Roger Bacon, a monk), their view is derived entirely from their

definitions. When "magic" is defined as working with devils and or demons to violate the Divine
order, well magic and Christianity are in conflict.
When magic is defined as using the subtle powers of our nature to access the energies and entities
on other planes, and in communication with them to harness these powers to create effects or
attain experiences which might otherwise be unattainable (drawing a big breath after that one),
then this is no more "evil" than driving a car, flying a plane, listening to radio, or watching T.V.
Of course, I must admit that many folks have gotten rather hostile to those behaviours on
"religious grounds" as well.
Around the turn of the century, the sermons preached against radio could be matched word for
word with sermons now being preached against paranormal studies. I'll never forget a cartoon I
once saw. Two angels are riding above the clouds on the back of a jet airliner. One says to the
other, "I don't know. If God had wanted us to travel this way, He would have given us tickets."
Every creature has powers built into it by design. Just as cars roll down highways, birds and
planes fly, we can be sensitive to and draw upon subtle powers and realms. If we could not, then
we could not even pray! As a Christian, I believe, that we are designed to do this so that we can
become effective conduits of the Divine Power. Moreover, as a Christian, I believe that part of
this design includes us building new things with this ability. Things which never appeared before
and which are truly the products of our own imagination and will can be made by humans not
just mundanely but magically as well. Indeed, true art is magic, and most great artists, authors,
and scientists all speak mystically of their inspirations.
How then is the practice of magic not just a form of prayer or prophecy? Again, it comes back to
the idea that it really is our own creation, our own fault. I've observed that when folks participate
in prayer, miracles happen. It is as if the power of God is magnified in manifestation when
people happily and freely join their wills and powers to Hers. Secondarily, we have rarely
considered the boundaries of the term miracle. Birth, evolution, reason, and the flight of the
bumble bee are all improbable "miracles." Yet they are also quite "natural." Each being has power
by design. It is my argument that magic is part of our designed abilities. Thus, we can submit our
work to union with the Deity, but also we can and all too often do build things outside of the
perfect will. Sometimes, these are good ideas, sometimes not. Either way, Deity is powerful enough
to anticipate, to make adjustments, and to let us take our lumps.
Thus the wizard or wise woman, even when uniting his or her will to the Deity, also has the
responsibility to consider the effects and boundaries of the action and to involve their own beings
in the miracle. This is an act of conscious will, and it does not require the magician to be
Christian. Healers of all paths work healing miracles. According to Christian theology, this is the
way it is supposed to be. Jesus taught clearly that healing comes from God alone and that it is
never forbidden. Of course, we might not realize just what is being healed. A bitter man suffering
advanced cancer may suddenly find harmony with his relatives and die. Has he not been healed
fully?
As the much maligned and misinterpreted St. Paul wrote: "It is God for His own loving purpose,
who puts both the will and the action into you." (Phil. 2:13) . Also: "Glory be to Him whose power,
working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." (Eph. 3:20). Further, the
visionary mystic St. John wrote: "God is love; and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God
lives in him." (I John 4:16b). Bluntly, all of these passages don't say word one about the sort of
conscious faith that evangelists seem to want folks to have. All of them speak of caring for
others and uniting with the power of God to do real things to help. Which is why I am not as
horrified by the average Wiccan as many of my Christian brethren. I can easily see the hand of
God in their concern for other living creatures, for respect for others, and for their dream of
healing harmonies. How many of your Wiccan friends have discovered "magical" healing? How
many of your Christian friends have discovered healing prayer?
. In such a manner, same God (though folks might not see this), same gifts, and same fruit. "By
their fruits, shall ye know them." It's right there in the Bible, though it's been my experience that the
so-called "fundamentalists" rising in every path from Buddha's to Zoroaster's seem to
misinterpret their foundational doctrines and to ignore the inconvenient inconsistencies. Just as
the onion has to pull those nutrients out of the ground and put them together with the sun and the
rain to make its sweetness, the wise woman and the wizard must pull together the spirits and
forces and the Divine power to create marvels.
Martha Stewart is merely paraphrasing the Creator when she declares, "It's a good thing." So
after abusing that poor carcass of a false issue, let's return to the original question. How do you
become a Christian wizard? Folks seem to expect a series of elaborate initiations and secret
teachings such as bedeck the famous esoteric orders. I will have to tell you that essentially all
such measures are outside of the question. What those initiations do is enable you to access and
to work with the energies and eggregore of those particular orders in a more effective and
harmonious fashion. Some of those orders, such as the Temple of Memphis Misraim or the
various societies descended from the Golden Dawn can be more amenable to a Christian than
others. These affect quite real changes in a person, enabling them to experience a new reality. In
Christianity, however, such rituals already exist that when properly embraced actually alter the
kind of being you are. Baptism, Confirmation (or Baptism of the Holy Ghost), and Holy Orders
create radical differences in their recipient. All of them focus upon the Eucharist as the
empowering force to affect radical events in the relationship between Deity and the Cosmos.
Each of them is a response to a call.
Be aware that I am not saying, nor do the orthodox theologians teach, that such rites make
anybody any better than anybody else. They make them different. They, as people still have the
same choices and may make the same mistakes. Just as our magical friends are full of irritating
foibles. It's easier to see the hypocrisy in a person who is proclaiming a path they fail to actually
attempt. On the other hand, nobody really perfects their ideals in one life (okay, I dodge the
question of reincarnation here ... I can claim I'm talking about Purgatory, for instance).
Having had these sacraments, however, such people naturally exist in a realm where they have
access to encountering the same trials on a different plane. If our magical friends have financial
difficulties, they may need to take the mundane steps to correct their budget and spending habits
just like anybody else. They also know that they need to also take steps to correct their occult
nature so that such errors are healed as well. Mundanely, you may campaign against higher
prices, but magically you seek to bind the obstacles to releasing your prosperity. Yet there are no
such transcendent rituals endowed specifically with the virtue of making you a Christian
Wizard.
So how do you become a Christian Wizard? If I were you, I'd begin with a ceremony in which you
ask the Deity to show you whether or not you are called to such a path. Knowing about
something is no license to practice it. Then after study, meditation, and signs which you submit to
folks whose spirits you trust to help you understand. Act. Create for yourself a ceremony in which
you commit to the path. Understand, however, that in esoteric paths there is nothing without price.
Greater knowledge means greater ordeals and greater skill means bigger jobs and responsibility!
I can just about guarantee that if you haven't already gone through such a wizard's ordeal you'll
not truly understand the nature of that warning!
Now in this ritual of commitment, understand that you are entering a special relationship with
the Deity. Such rituals are very similar to marriage. Yes, you're making a commitment, but the
Deity is also making a commitment. In this act, if you are called to it, the Deity is basically
promising to help you see how some things work so that you, yourself, can take care of them. There
are some companies that used to pay for scholar's training on the understanding that the
company will be their employer for at least a set period afterwards. In this case, you'll find not
only work related uses of your new skills, but plenty of entertaining uses as well. Pathwalking, for
instance, can be a tool for self-transformation and self-initiation; yet it can also be a fantastic
vehicle for sight seeing among the planes!
Not enough attention, I believe, is paid to the practical and to the fun applications of theurgy!
I've sometimes dreamed of flying into some cloud of a night and creating there the kind of lovely
light displays I've occasionally seen in summer storms. Again, it is like a marriage. Try to find
out what the angels and the Deity want to do for you. Believe me, if you are called to this path,
then thee are some marvellous gifts that God and the bright powers want you especially to share.
What are those gifts? I don't know. I don't know what powers anybody else has really, except as
they are used on me. We all receive our own special mix because we are all meant to work
together. You are not alone in the magical cosmos. You have brothers and sisters and team mates.
Just as the fullback might not count on the place kicker for a good block, neither does the coach
expect the fullback to kick the field goal! Such a relationship must be sealed by a promise. I've
found the oath of Diane Duane's lovely series of stories about children wizards to be excellent
and non-denominational.
Wizard's Oath
from Diane Duane "So You Want To Be A Wizard?"
"In LIFE's name, and for LIFE's sake, I say that I will use the "ART" for nothing but the
service of that LIFE. I will guard growth and ease pain. I will fight to preserve what grows and
lives well in its own way; and I will change no object or creature unless its growth and life, or that
of the system of which it is part, are threatened. To these ends, in the practice of my "ART", I
will put aside fear for courage, and death for life, when it is right to do so till Universe's End."
Note: The taking of this oath is made effective by the passing of an ordeal. No others can set this
ordeal for the speaker, but the ordeal shall reveal itself in the speaker's presence. The concept
"change to object or creature" means to make its essential self to alter. IE: You shouldn't
deliberately or irrevocably go around turning people into toads just because you think it might be
an improvement in their looks and personality unless they ask for and seem to truly to desire
that change as an assist in their growth! I'd also advise that somehow blood be involved in the
ritual. Biblically, all covenants must be sealed in blood. Now I'm not talking about slashing
yourself or some other poor creature. The "blood" can be and often is purely symbolic, as in red
wax, ink, or preferably wine. If you feel that "real" blood would have a stronger impact on your
psyche, then I'd advise you get one of those special tacks made to help diabetics get blood
samples for their blood sugar tests. Having made this commitment in this ritual, you then need to
take the ultimately vital next step.
Be a Christian and practice magic or practice magic and be a Christian. This is not nearly as
simplistic as it sounds. Examine yourself. Are a you Christian entering into the magical path?
Are you a wise one called to follow Jesus? If you are Christian first, I'd tell you to look at all the
marvels and gifts poured out by God in the Scriptures. Ask yourself what magical patterns you
see in this. Then go ye and do likewise. If you are a mage, look at your magic and ask yourself
why would Christ do this? Then go ye and do likewise. This means that when you create a charm
or a talisman, consider whom you should invoke and/or evoke. Think of how it should work and
imbue it with blessing. Remember that your purpose and your target are holy, respect them. Then,
when you are a Christian who wants to do magic, think, since I call upon God to achieve this,
how should I join the action, what did God give me with which I can enhance this work.
When you are a magus who wants to unite with the Deity, think what spiritual growth will this
act help? What angels and saints or other of God's servants might want to join this action?
Whom will I affect and how will I affect them? Both of you think of how this action will fulfil the
prayer: "For Thine is the Kingdom, the Glory, and the Power unto all ages. Amen." Okay, I can't
walk on water yet and my control of the storm is fairly spotty. Raising the dead is WAY out of
my league. Talking with Moses and Elijah, however, is not beyond my aspirations even now. I've
a friend who could probably duplicate the feat of walking through a crowd that was trying to
catch him. Folks have seen the angels that I've called and my totems guarding my sick bed. No
brag, just fact.

On the other hand, I've also seen folk miraculously healed, lives changed, and all that sort of
thing that some Sunday morning TV preachers like to shout about. I believe I see a connection.
God either loves me or hates me. What do I do about that? Well, I believe God loves me, and
frankly I rather think She's pretty marvellous too, but that's just my feelings. What I do know is
that in every major path He has always said true religion was quite simple. Take care of each
other. Care about each other. Care for each other. Not just people, but nurture the plants, tend the
animals, and build up the soil too. Build up a bright city that both excites and heals, with lovely
gardens to rest in and vineyards to party in. And to do this, we have to overcome the spirits of
the air, work with the angels, and use all the spiritual gifts of the heavens. Sounds like magic to
me, but it's all in the Scriptures. I believe that the Sacred Writings of other religions have similar
themes. So I practice "Christian magic." And, if you feel called to that, you can too.
Be Blest,
Ambrose Hawk

Perspective of a Christian Witch

Sometimes we do things in this life that are not easily understood by others. I have been
practicing the Craft for a number of years. At first, I thought I was the only person alive that
practiced yet still maintained a belief in Jesus Christ as one of the forms of the Divine. It was a
lonely feeling. I often struggled with integrating the concepts of the Craft with things within the
Catholic Church that I did not want to let go of. It was an unsolvable mystery to me that I could
believe in Pagan Philosophy, as I do and maintain an alliance with a Church that condemns
what I believe and live as a Magickal Practitioner.
It took a number of years to rectify these things within myself. But gradually over time, I began to
find my own way. There were days when I received pieces of my own truth that helped me to
realize that what I believe for myself is not wrong for me. It took time for me to understand that
great deceptions have taken place over many centuries; untruths intentionally spread to lead to
the downfall of the masses of practicing Pagans, when Christianity began its snowball of
growth. Even now wisdom overtakes me occasionally with wisps of the truths I still have yet to
find. In expressing this opinion, I do not seek to malign the Catholic Church. What was done
hundreds of years ago is not to be blamed on the masses who often are unaware of manipulations
of the powers that be. Nor should past wrongs be blamed on the present hierarchy of the
Catholic Church. I do not seek to assign blame. My only thought is to point out strands of truth
in the current beliefs of the Catholic Church that have helped me to see that my own truth is
validated from within that same church. I also wish to highlight inconsistencies within, that also
validate the wisdom of the Craft. Following is an example of my thinking, not only for myself,
but for others who may be trying to follow down the same road I once took. This past weekend I
took my children to Mass. That might seem like a conflict, since I do call myself Witch, but
some days it is not as contradictory as one would think. The first scheduled song was This Day
God Gives Me, apparently ascribed to Saint Patrick. The words are as follows:

THIS DAY GOD GIVES ME
This day God gives me Strength of high heaven,
Sun and Moon shining, Flame in my hearth,
Flashing of lightning, Wind in its swiftness,
Deeps of the ocean, Firmness of Earth.
This day God sends me Strength as my mainstay

As the congregation was singing this verse and the Priest walked down the aisle past me it
suddenly occurred to me that this is a song that contains Pagan and Christian philosophy. All
five of the elements are mentioned at least once in this same verse. The elements are written of as
God given gifts of strength. Isnt that how Witches view the elemental energies? I dont know
when the song was written; the first thing that occurred to me is that it was unintentionally
written as one of those tenets of belief that Christians and Pagans have in common. The lyrics
actually validate the idea that they are a gift of God that are to be relied on and used. The five
elements are the foundation from which all Magickal Practitioners draw their power for magick
and spellwork. How fascinating that this is perhaps unintentionally acknowledged by the
Christian Church. Mass this week was rather enlightening. The theme for the day was a reminder
of the importance of living life with wisdom. The Reading and sermon were based on the section
of the Bible: Wisdom (of Solomon) 6:12-16. In the King James Version of the Bible the closest
correlation is from Song of Solomon, yet this does not contain the verses I refer to. The Catholic
Bible contains more books than the Protestant version. In the Catholic Bible Wisdom 6:12-16
says:

Wisdom shines brightly and never grows dim;
those who love her and look for her can easily find her.
She is quick to make herself known to anyone who desires her.
Get up early in the morning to find her, and you will have no problem;
you will find her sitting at your door.
To fasten your attention on Wisdom is to gain perfect understanding.
If you look for her you will soon find peace of mind,
because she will be looking for those who are worthy of her,
and she will find you wherever you are.
She is kind and will be with you in every thought.

Further in these passages, in Wisdom 7: 17-20, it says:
It is he (God) who gave me true knowledge of the forces of nature,
what the world is made of; how the elements behave,
how the calendar is determined by the movements of the sun,
the changing seasons, the constellations, and the cycle of the years.
He has taught me about the nature of living creatures,
the behaviour of wild animals, the force of the winds,
the reasoning power of human beings,
the different kinds of plants, and the use of their roots as medicine.

There is so much of what Witches believe here, it is impossible to understand how at one time,
almost a millennium ago, Catholics could ever condemn the Witches of this world. In Wisdom 6
it is most obvious to me that the author is giving feminine attributes to the Lord God (of the
Christian Church). And indeed recently the Pope announced that God has masculine and
feminine traits. How could a God who is all things, be only male? There is no sense in the latter
words. So now the Christian Church (the Catholic branch specifically) validates the male and
female attributes of the Creator - an age-old mainstay of the Pagan belief system. In the second
Bible verse recorded above, Solomon speaks of allowing wisdom to open his mind and soul. As he
does all the secrets of nature are revealed to him... he understands the animals, the seasons and
stars and even herbal healing. How much is this the life of a Witch? The Bible, which Christians
cling to as the end all and be all of their faith, has at least one author that sees the wisdom of our
ways. He writes of only wisdom as necessary to hear the secrets on the winds of these things.
What does this mean to us, the Witches of the modern era, especially those who espouse a
Christian slant? It means that there are pearls of Wisdom in the Bible. There are truths and
secrets to be found, for those with wisdom in their ears. There is also corruption and
manipulation within: such as thou shall not suffereth a Witch to live(Exodus 22:18), ...Dont let
your people practice divination or look for omens or use spells,...and dont let them consult the
spirits of the dead. The Lord your God hates these people who do these disgusting things...
(Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
There was once much reason to turn the masses against their old Pagan ways, to drive people to
Christianity from fear. It meant growth to a newly forming Christian Church, political
advancement, powerful allies and money. What does a Catholic do when he or she prays to a
Saint, if not consult with the dead and this is most sanctioned and even encouraged by the
Catholic Church. As far as divination and looking for omens goes, how often does the Catholic
hierarchy look within to determine if the end of the world is near?
Every few years some group declares the end is near and the Church is quick to reassure its
members that the signs are not here. They could do nothing else, and yet are they not looking for
signs and omens, the same practice they so quickly condemn Witches for? What were the Three
Wise Men doing when they looked to the stars to tell them when and where their Saviour was
born if not practicing Divination? How does Solomon know what God hates and does not hate?
Was God whispering in Solomons ear or was perhaps Solomon assuming things that would help
the young Christian church prosper? I believe that the Wisdom we seek as Witches is found in
every heart and soul. The wisdom we need to live our lives with, the wisdom we need to use to read
the Bible or cast a spell for world peace and tolerance. Why is it right when a Priest does it, but
somehow different and even evil when a Witch does it? The truth is, it is no different. It cannot
be right for one group and not for another.
My point is, for those of us who are Christian Witches, that the truth for each soul is their own.
No one can say that there is only one truth; there are many. The Church knows this. Somewhere,
wrapped within the folds of History, lost in time, the truth lives. But only those with wisdom will
find it; the wisdom in and from the five elements: the wind, the sun, the water, the earth and the
Creator, as even the Christian Churchs own Saint Patrick acknowledges. It is there for the
taking. Reach out your hand. The Creator will give it to you. And it is not only for the
Christians; but the Hindus, the Moslems, the Jews, and the Witches as well...we all come from the
same Divine spark, no matter what name we choose to call God. So how can the direction each
of our own tiny flickers of light may take matter, as long as it comes from and returns to the same
Divine place? There is hope within. At some point, at some time, in some place, the Catholic
Church must realize how contradictory their unequivocal condemnation of Witchcraft is.
If the Church and its hierarchy truly seek truth and wisdom then it is inevitable that they must
someday see the error of their ways when it comes to their treatment of those who practice
magick. In the meantime, let those who practice as Witches with a Christian slant, take comfort.
Our ways are too quickly condemned. Find peace in the knowledge that we must not condemn
ourselves and this is so validated, although unwittingly, by the very group that tries the hardest to
keep us from the truth within.

Author unknown. Taken from:
http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/haveaniceday/witchvoxsubmit.html

What Is Christian Witchery?
By Tara
Christian Witchery, as I see it, is the combination of a Christian religious viewpoint and the
actual practice of magic and ritual. In order to properly understand the significance of
Christian Witchery, it is necessary to understand what kind of Christianity is being practiced;
likewise, what kind of magic is to be practiced.
For one to become a Christian Witch, one's understanding of Christianity must be relatively
liberal. Taking the Bible as one's only source for spiritual knowledge is a valid enough path, but it
would be immensely difficult to incorporate that with magical practice. Another definition of
Christianity would be much more flexible: a path that incorporates a version of Jesus at least
loosely based on Biblical (or Gnostic Christian/rejected canon) sources as its central figure.
Someone who believes strongly in Jesus Christ (and God, and the Holy Spirit, either as three
separate entities with one divine essence or three aspects of the All) can potentially still practice
magic.
The definition of magic is also important. By magic, are you referring to the desire to cast love
spells on your crush? Are you referring to more advanced Kabalistic ceremonies, or the Golden
Dawn esoteric rituals? Do you love the rituals and "poetic aspects" of witchcraft? Do you enjoy
practicing magic and being able to make changes in the world through supernatural means? Is
magic to you venerating nature? Honestly, becoming a Christian Witch is not necessary for one
to venerate nature; one can still be an environmentalist and love the earth and celebrate its
seasons without practicing magic. If you are only into magic to cast a single love spell or be
"cool," it's probably not your path. Magic, while it may not have any spiritual connotations still
should not be something to be taken lightly. The symbolism of magic and spell craft are not
exclusive to these things. It is possible to call yourself a Christian mystic and perform religious
prayer rituals that do not incorporate actual magic and changes caused by the individual as
opposed to a deity (this will be covered further in the "So You Want to Be a [Christian] witch
section). If you feel that you can and desire to make changes in your world through working and
practicing magic, but you simultaneously believe in the Christian tenets, then the practice of
Christian Witchery may be right for you. While it is difficult to define magic, due to conflicting
definitions, a good definition as defined by Crowley is "the art and science of change in
conformity to will."

One cannot take Christianity and Witchcraft, even when one has defined them, and slap them
together and call it a system. There are still limitations where some parts of Christianity cancel
magical practices out. For example, the importance placed on love and forgiveness in Christian
belief would restrict "harmful" spells. While it is fine for some witches to cast curses, and it does
not go against their ethical code, when a potential Christian witch is practicing magic, he or she
must take into consideration her own ethical code. Also, with Christianity's worship of God and
the belief in His presence in all things, I believe that magic would be hard to separate from
spiritual and religious presence in rituals.

So, why become a Christian Witch? Simply, if both Christianity and witchcraft are part of your
spiritual/magical/supernatural beliefs, and you are willing to "compromise" in some cases parts
of your beliefs in which the acts or faiths of one cancel each other out, you may be a match for
Christian Witchcraft. If you are unwilling to not take the entire Bible literally, or if you do not
want to be restricted by parts of Christian belief that would inhibit your magic, perhaps it is
better for you to limit yourself to one practice.

The most important thing to remember is that religion is deeply personal. Your personal
relationship with the divine transcends any piece of literature, whether a Book of Shadows or the
Bible, that states what the right path is. If you disagree with this article, it is, after all, a piece of
literature, and your religious practices are your own business. In religion, where nothing is
definite, it is better to "pick and choose" beliefs than to take a mold that does not fit who you are.
If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. But if it does, there is no reason to change your practices and
beliefs.

Hellfire Fears:
It is nearly impossible to have encountered Christian Witchery without ever hearing threats of
Hell coming from either side, as well as others who say that Christian Witchery is impossible
without a literal translation of the Bible.
Is that really true? The Bible is not taken literally by a great number of practicing Christians
today; my Episcopalian congregation, for example, takes the Bible as a guideline, but not
necessarily the be all and end all of the Christian faith. But even looking at the Bible, it can be
seen that possibly Witchcraft condemned in the Bible may refer to pure malignant witchery.
Seeing as those who are not followers of the Bible are not bound by Biblical law, and those who
are Christian witches and that follow the Bible already have a "Harm None" clause in their
ethical system, it is not difficult for Christian Witches to follow this rule. The original Hebrew
word in the Old Testament in the famed passage "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus
22:18) was not witch but m'kashepah, meaning a woman who uses spoken spells to harm others.(1)
In Deuteronomy 18:10-11, seven other Hebrew words are used, in addition to m'kashepah, most of
which refer to others who contact the dead or spirits that are not "of God." A few, however, refer
to those who practice divination. Again, however, it is a purely personal decision whether to
follow the Bible totally in these cases. In the New Testament, the original word now taken to
mean "witch" in Galatians 5:19-20 and Revelations 21:8 was the Greek pharmakeus, meaning
one who poisons others, a person practicing "poisonous' black magic. Some interpreters take the
term to mean one who spreads enmity and 'poisons" people's minds.

And is Hell itself anything to worry about? Hell too might be a Biblical mistranslation. Aside
from the logical contradiction of a loving god sending His people to eternal flames, the terms
most often used for Hell: Sheol and Gehenna(2), do not mean "hell" at all. Sheol was a proper
noun, the Jewish term for the land of the dead, where even good Jewish patriarchs were said to
have gone. Gehenna was a burial ground outside of Jerusalem. More on Biblical mistranslations
of Hell and its eternity and pain can be found in the essay "To Hell With Hell," by J. Cleveland.
Even if you do feel uncomfortable practicing Christian Witchery with its Biblical connotations, it
is also clear that modern day versions of the Bible may be inaccurate in their translation, and
knowledge of the "original" Bible is necessary before making any decisions. But again: if it makes
you uncomfortable, don't do it.
1: All material in this paragraph concerning Biblical terms now translated as "witch' was taken
from http://www.religioustolerance.org
2: All information from this passage concerning the Biblical mistranslations of "Hell" is from
"To Hell With Hell," by J. Cleveland. His essay can be found at the following address:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/PaleHorse13x/Hell.html.

So You Want to Be a [Christian] Witch?
Is Christian Witchery the right path? Certainly it has been considered a controversial one by both
Christians and Witches alike, but is that any reason to not follow what you believe is right? After
all, if Jesus himself hadn't preached what he believed instead of traditional doctrine, the world
would have been a drastically different place. But that does not mean that Christian Witchery is
necessarily the right path for you. A surefire way to determine that Christian Witchery is not
your path is if you want to be a witch, but you're too scared of Hell to back out of your religion.
This has problems for many reasons: you're still going to be feeling guilt even in your new path.
Likewise, if you are frightened of your own religion, it indicates some severe discomfort that needs
to be examined before you add to your spiritual path. Finally, if you aren't wholeheartedly sure of
what you want to be, it's foolish to use Christianity as a safety net. Only be Christian if you
believe in Christianity; only use magic if you're sure that's what you want.

A second "wrong reason" for becoming a Christian witch is, in my opinion feeling that
Christianity is missing feminist aspects or a connection to a goddess/Mother Earth. While that
is certainly a plausible feeling, magic is not going to suddenly make Christianity more feminine.
Neo-Wiccan or pagan elements can be incorporated into your belief systems without actually
practicing magic. Feminist-wise, the study of female mystics like Hildegard of Bingen, the
mythology surrounding Mary Magdalene, and the study of the personification of the Holy
Spirit as Sophia in Gnostic Christian mythology is recommended, not magic. Likewise, if you
want to venerate the earth and its cycles, you don't have to totally change your religion or start
to practice magic to do so.

Finally, there is the Christian who is really interested in ritual and the symbolism involved in
magic. Having been this kind of Christian, I really thought that Christian Witchery was for me.
However, using great symbolism in rituals, even rituals at home, that are worshipful and involve
petitioning a deity through "magical" and "spell" phrases and incense or Tarot card symbolism
is really prayer, as opposed to magic. Granted, it is a type of prayer more intricate and
ritualistic than most prayer. The mysticism involved in this is not magic. If you are this kind of
seeker, I would recommend the term "Christian mystic," which is how I label myself, and the study
of other mystics who longed to experience the divine and ecstatic experiences of God is
recommended. It doesn't mean it is any less legitimate to rely on a deity instead of one's own will
in a ritual; it just means it is a prayer instead of a spell. For those that are really interested in
symbolism and ritual, but are not interested in actively performing magic, I would recommend
doing as I am currently doing and looking into the Roman Catholic branch of Christianity.
If you do magic and feel no qualms about it or guilt, but you simply cannot give up Christian
beliefs and feel no need to, if you love magic and feel that you can positively influence your life
through it, then Christian Witchcraft is quite possibly your path.

Jesus, Magic, and Me: My Experience
I never believed in Hell for non-believers. Whatever else I believed as a child, that was constant.
Growing up as a liberal Episcopalian Christian, I changed my religion constantly: I was Hindu
one day, Sikh the next, and even, horror of horrors, a fluffy pseudo-Wiccan, reading a basic book
and finding something in it I believed. I was only eight or nine, then, not old enough to grasp the
concept of intense study. I never found something to really hold on to until I was given an
assignment (in fifth grade, at the age of eleven) to write about what I believed in religion before
starting to study the Bible from a literary perspective in English class. Then, whatever was bottled
up began to flow. I wrote three pages instead of a paragraph; I felt completely released as I
documented unorthodox beliefs about God, Jesus, and the universe. That essay proved the basis
for my novel, Father Luigi's Chameleon, when I tried to incorporate creative writing and my
decidedly unorthodox worldview. It was around that time that I started to do more research. For
a while I considered myself pagan-undecided and cast a few spells as a witch, worshipping a
Goddess who resembled Alanis Morissette from Dogma as the Mother of Christ, an enlightened
man. Eventually I realized that, despite my qualms about sharing a religion with those who
believed in Hell, a faith that I could never reconcile myself with, and the concept of sin, I could
not take my faith away from the idea of the Trinity and Jesus Christ.
I considered Gnosticism for a while, but that too seemed wrong. An interest in witchcraft left over
from my fluffy days and desire for ritual, paired with my Christo-centric beliefs and inspiration
from reading the novel Quo Vadis, about Christianity in ancient Rome, provided the basis for a
few months as a Christian Witch. I really thought I had found a perfect fit; I had reconciled my
love of ritual with unorthodox Christianity. This was ninety-nine percent right, but not perfect.
My definition of magic was ritual; I never cast spells as much as symbolic prayer. It simply
didn't feel right to me. I began to look deeper into my love of magic. It wasn't the "power" that I
liked; it was the smell of the incense and the sight of the flickering candles, all arranged and
charged with meaning. My rituals were unions with God, not energy manipulation and whatever
power there was came from God, not from me. It was not magic; it was mysticism.
This led me to discover Catholicism. It seemed to me, in spite of a belief in Hell that, at least, was
slightly subdued from the "fundies" I had encountered, to be what was right. I believed in the
basics of Christianity: Jesus was divine, God was good and a Creator, an artist who longed for
beauty in His world (a theme inspired by Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray) and a
father who wanted to love His children, the Trinity existed, Mary was a virgin, Jesus message of
love was supreme, and the rituals, such as the literal belief in transubstantiation, seemed to make
Catholicism the closest things to my beliefs. I still practice rituals at home, and that is an
important part of my spirituality. But still, as a mortal who is as yet unenlightened, I'm still
learning.
A Sample Devotional/Petitioning To Perform
1. Choose a day and time associated with whatever you are asking for.
2. Perform a symbolic action, like turning on a light, which symbolizes entering into the spiritual
mentality.
3. Light sandalwood, lotus, or lavender incense for spirituality, along with a candle of the
appropriate color for what you want.
4. Take a bowl of water. In it mix herbs and oils corresponding to your desire.
5. Place symbolic tarot cards for your desire in front of the altar. I also recommend the Queen of
Cups as good symbolism for God.
6. Take three glasses/chalices of water, along with a pitcher. Pour water into the first cup,
symbolizing God the Father containing divine essence. From this cup, pour water into the other
two cups, representing the Son and Holy Spirit/Sophia, but always leave a little bit in the first
cup. Keep on replenishing the first cup and pouring almost all of the water into the other cups
until all three are filled. This is symbolic of God, with an infinite amount of divine essence, giving
"birth" to the other two parts of the Trinity, which now also contain divine essence.
7. Let the smoke from the incense pass through the Tarot cards, and then through the water-
symbolic mixture. Anoint yourself with this water, and pray for your desire. Ask for divine
blessings.
8. When and if you feel the reply of God giving you His blessing, take some of the "Holy" water
and anoint yourself with this, feeling His divine love overcoming you.
9. Perform a closing ritual and symbolic action.

Christian Witchcraft

Recently, witchcraft has become almost solely
thought of as the domain of Pagans and Paganism. Many
people think of the Earth-based Neopagan religion Wicca
when they hear the word witchcraft. This all started in the
1950s when Gerald Gardener proclaimed the Wiccan
religion as The Olde Religion and started calling it
Witchcraft. Both of these alternative names are incorrect.
The Olde Religion speaks of Paganism, traditional
Pagansim, as a whole and Witchcraft is a very old craft
that includes many things. Practices such as divination,
herbal healing, and alchemy are all under the subject of
Witchcraft and the domain of witches. These things, like
reading tarot cards, crystal gazing, and using herbs to heal
are not associated with any religion.
Many people seem to think you cannot be Christian
and a Witch, however you can. Christians have many
systems of magick nearly custom tailored for them. You do
not have to be of a certain religion to meditate, practcie
divination, or any other sudject of witchcraft and nor must
you worship the Wiccan God and Goddess. Should you
wish to Christianise a certain ritual or spell you can
substitue the God or Goddess names for the name of a saint
or simply with God or Jesus or Mary. You do not have to be
a Pagan to practice witchcraft.

Saint Magick
If you've been here before, you'll notice this page has
changed. I have added more in depth information on some
of the saints I am more familiar with. The older page has
more saints, however less indepth. If you would like the old
page, Click here. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the
newer page and the indepth format. Saints are helpful
when they are prayed too. Some saints even have rituals
which are specifically for them. There are saints with their
own sacred places, items, and even objects. When I was
younger a common spell I heard was "something's lost,
can't be found. Please Saint Anthony look around!" when
objects went missing around the house. As well as that,
there are Saint Joseph statues to bury in your yard
whenever you wish to sell your home and The Virgin Mary
statues many people set outside their homes for protection!
Saint magick is a very powerful form of magick, and an
ideal practice for a practising Christian.


SAINT FEAST DAY CANDLE/EMBLEM
MATTERS
CONCERNING
The Infant Jesus
of Prague
25
December
Monday Red or Orange
Special requests,
guidance,
wisdome, health,
and surgery
The Infant Jesus
of Atocha
25
December
Monday Gold or Yellow
Court matters,
law matters, and
sickness
Our Lady of
Fatima
13 May Tuesday White
Freedome from
binding situations
and protection
against evil.
Our Lady of
Grace
21
January
Friday Blue
Calming anger,
fidelity in
marriage, finding
love, and speical
requests
Our Lady of
Guadelupe
12
December
First of the
month
White, Pink, or three
colours: Green, white,
and red.
Sickness, help,
luck for the
month, and peace.
She is patroness
of the Americas
and Mexico.
Our Lady of
Charity
8
September
Saturday Yellow
Protection of
family and home,
bring new love, or
money, and return
love.
Our Lady of the
Immaculate
Conception
8
December
Monday White
Fertility, general
health, and help
in sickness.
Our Lady of
Loretto
10
December
Saturday White
Protection when
traveling by
place, peace in
the home, and
help in finding a
place to live.
Patroness of
Aviators.
Our Lady of
Lourdes
11
February
Wednesday White
Help to regain
health and
special favours
Our Lady of
Mercy
24
September
Sunday White
Needed justice
and release from
jail.
Our Lady of the
Miraculous
Medal
27
November
Wednesday Blue and White
Breaking bad
habits, averting
danger, health,
and special
favours
Our Lady of
Hope
1 August Thursday Blue
Enemies and
protection in
times of war
Our Lady of
Perpetual Help
7 March Sunday White or Blue
Protection of
Children
Our Lady of
Relga
7
September
Friday Blue
Fertility, money
problems, and
protection of
children
Our Lady of
Mount Carmel
16 July Saturday White or Brown
Invoke protection
from sudden
death or
accidents.
Patroness of
Chile
Our Lady of
Prompt Succor
1 August Saturday Gold
Sickness,
epidemics, and to
bring change.
Patroness of
Louisiana.
Saint Agnes
21
January
Friday
White or Blue. A
Lamb.
To find a mate,
sincerity in
relationships, and
problems with
fertility.
Saint
Ana/Anne/Ann
26 July Monday White
Helpt for the
deaf or blind.
Patroness of
housewives,
women in labour,
cabinet makers,
and Canada.
Saint Barbara
4
December
Saturday Red. A twer
A protector of
women, drives
away evil,
protection during
storms, and for
love problems.
Patroness of
builders, artillery,
architects, and
storms.
Saint Maria
Goretti
6 July Friday Pink
Concerning
fideilty in
marriage and
abusive
relationships.
Saint Brigid
(Bride) of
Kildare
1
February
Sunday Yellow. A Cow
Protection from
fire, fertility,
childbrith, love,
animals, and
husbandry.
Patroness of
Ireland and dairy
workers.
Saint Claire of
Assasi
11 August Monday White. A Monstrance.
Help with drug or
alcohol problems
and protection
against evils of
body and soul
Saint Catherine
of Alexandria
25
November
Saturday
Yellow or White. A
Wheel
Fertility, love,
beauty, femininity,
healing, jealousy,
dreams, and
visions. Patroness
of jurors,
philosophers, and
teachers.
Saint Dymphna 15 May Monday
Blue. Sword or a book
with a sharmrock crest
Family, Nervous
disorders,
afflictions,
obsession,
insanity, demons,
and family.
Saint Cecilia
22
November
Wednesday Green and the organ
Success for
composers, poets,
singers, and
organ makers.
Patroness of
those also.
Saint Francis
Xavier Cabrini
13
November
Sunday White
Health and
education
Saint Helen of
Jerusalem
18
August
Friday Red or Pink. A cross.
Return of love,
love, and
overcoming of
sadness.
Patroness of
archaeologists.
Saint Joan of
Arc
30 May Tuesday Grey. Suit of Armour
For courage,
freedom from
containin
situations, and to
overcome enemies.
Patroness of
France.
Saint Lucy
13
December
Wednesday
White. Two eyes in a
dish
Tempations, eye
problems, and
legal problems
Saint Martha 29 July Tuesday
Green and White. A
dragon.
Money problems,
domestic
problems, to draw
love, to keep a
partner faithful,
and beat
ememties.
Patroness of
housekeepers,
happy homes,
innkeepers, and
dieticians.
Saint Philomena 11 August Saturday
Pink or Green. An
anchor
Expectant
mothers, priests,
child problems,
unhappiness in
the home, the sick,
money problems,
mental illnes, and
sterility.
Saint Rita of
Cascia
22 May Sunday
White. Wound on
forehead.
Abusive
relationships,
healing wounds,
loneliness, and
tumours.
Patroness of
hopeless cases.
Saint Therese of
Lisieux
1 October Wednesday Yellow. Roses.
Drug and alcohol
problems and
protection from
enemies.
Saint Anthony of
Padua
13 June Tuesday
Depends on the
request:: green for
money, brown for
special requests, and
orange for marriage.
To find lost items,
improve memory,
love or marital
problems, bring
back strayed love,
and overcome
financial
problems.
Saint Alphonsus
Liguori
1 August Thursday Purple
Arthritus, gout,
rheumatic fever,
and ailments that
afflict muscles,
bones, and/or
joints.
Saint Aloysius 21 June Wednesday Blue
Epidemics,
plagues, and
invoking cases for
fevers
Saint
Bartholomew
24
August
Tuesday Red. Butcher knife
Protection
against violence,
surgery, and truth
Saint Benedict 11 July Saturday
White. Raven and
brandy cup
Kidney disease,
protection
against infections
disease, ending
fevers, safe
labour, healing
sick animals, and
assistance at a
time of death.
patron of monks
Saint
Alex/Alexis/San
Alejo
17 July Sunday Pink. Crucifix
To keep enemies
away and patron
saing of Beggers
and Alexian
Brothers
Saint Florian 4 May Sunday
Red or Orange. A
burning hose.
To protect the
home against fire
and protection
from danger.
Saint Christopher 25 July Wednesday Red
For protection
against
accidents, sudden
death, and safe
travel. Also to
cure contagious
diseases. Patron
saint of travelers.
Saint Gerard
Majella
16
October
Monday
White. Crucifix and
Lily
To become
pregnant, for
expectant
mothers, ecstasies,
channeling,
prophecy,
mediumship, and
healing. Also for
when falsey
accused.
Saint Francis of
Assiasi
4 October Monday Brown. Sitgmata
Peace, detection
of evil plots,
conservation, and
animals.
Saint George 23 April Tuesday
Red. Shield with white
cross. The dragon.
To overcome
jealousy, fear,
and skin
problems. Also
the patron saint
of England.
Saint Ignatius of
Loyola
31 July Saturday
White. The Book and
plums.
To protect the
home from
intruders and evil
spirits.
Saint Joachim 26 July Friday
Green. Two doves
seated in a basket.
For a faithful
husband.
Saint John Bosco
31
January
Sunday Yellow
For temporal
needs, problems
with children, and
for students.
Saint Joseph
19
March
Sunday Yellow. Lily
For protection,
finding
employment, to
end famine,
selling a home,
married couples,
and happy death.
Saint Jude
28
October
Sunday
Red, white, and green.
Medal and a staff
For impossilbe or
hopeless cases,
help against drug
addictions, and
to get out of jail.
Saint Patrick 17 March Sunday
White. Shamrock and
Snakes
Against
snakebite, for
prosperity, luck,
guidance, and
spiritual wisdom.
Patron Saint of
Ireland
Saint Raymond
Nonnatus
31
August
Tuesday
Red. Monstrance and
a plam with two
crowns.
To stop gossip
and the
protection of
unborn children.
Saint Thomas
Aquinas
28
January
Monday White. Star.
To improve
memory, exams.
Saint Michael
the Archangel
29
September
N/A
Red, purple, and
green.
For deleverance
from enemies,
protection from
evil, victory, and
protection of the
home and
business
Saint Raphael
the Archangel
29
September
N/A Pink.
For safe journey,
reunited with
loved ones, to
cure all sickness,
keep out evil
spirits, and to
protect from
possession, and
for any time of
need.



Christian Candle Magick
There are many forms of Christian witchcraft. While
Christians certainly can use the candle magick system I have
already mentioned on this webpage, there is a more specifically
Christian system some may want to use more. Many spiritual
stores and Catholic Supply stores carry Seven Day Vigil lights.
These candles may or may not be dedicated to certain saints,
however should you wish to work with a saint there is no candle
for most people use one that matches the colour. Like any spell,
be sure to match the candle to the spell you are working. Also,
these candles are not ordinary candles and will burn much
longer. You cannot replace them and have the same effect you
would with a seven day vigil candle.
When the candle is first lit, should it emit a black smoke it is
beginnin to remove negative energy from your desire. Once the
smoke becomes white, your prayer will be answered. A strong
flame indicates the candle is working with a lot of energy to
bring about an answer to your prayer; the stronger the flame the
more rapidly the prayer will manifest. A low or weak flame
indicates that the candle is slowly working to remove an obstacle
or answer your desire. Jumping flames
indicate spiritual warfare on your behalf. Should the smoke
blow towards you, your prayer has been acknowledged. If the
smoke blows away from you it's a sign that you will need
perseverance to obtain your desire. Smoke turning toward your
right is a sign you need more patience; success will come
through using your head; towards the left means you are
becoming too emotionally involved with the situation and are in
danger of subconsciously sabotaging your prayer. If the candle
crackles, the saint is pleading for your case on your behalf, the
stronger the crackling the stronger your opposition. Should you
notice the glass breaking, whatever was working agianst you
(curses, bad luck, etc.) has broken.
The glass of the candle also may affect your reading of the
spell. If the glass of the candle remains clear as it burns,
despite opposition, your prayer will be granted. If the glass
begins to turn black at the top, but clears at the bottom this
means someone is working against you. The darker the glass,
the stronger the opposition; however this does not mean your
prayer will not be answered, try not to give in to negative
thoughts. Should the glass turn black the whole way down you
have major obstacles blocking you from your goal. Maybe an
uncrossing for yourself would be a good idea; this may indicate
you are a victim of black magick. If this is the case, a stronger
counter than candles is probably a good idea.
Working with these candles is quite simple really. Set them
upi n a line on your altar, also use a saint candle in front of a
picture of the saint you are invoking to help. It's tradition to
leave these candles burning continuously until they burn
themselves out. Do NOT touch the glass of the candles, it will
be much too hot to touch. Before you begin burnning set the
candle in a bowl or metal pan in cale the glass breaks so it
won't drip all over. However, the glass breaking is rare because
it's usually very thick. In most traidional cases zodiac or
astral candles are not used with vigil lights. The name of the
person/people involved is written on paper and the paper is
then placed under the candle or taped to the side.

Name Colour Use
Adam & Eve Red or Pink
Pink is used to initate
friendship or love, red
is used to bring two
people closer together
Ajo Macho Green To restore health
Allan
Kardec
Two coloured,
gold and green
Good fortune, to turn
away evil
Anima Sola
(lonely soul)
Red
To find lost items,
bring back lost love,
and for peace to
those mentall
disturbed. Also,
should be burned if
there is a spirit in the
home.
Attraction Red
All purpose candle
used for attracting
love and other things;
including money,
health, or to keep a
person attracted to
you
Bayberry Green
Seven day bayberry-
scented candle for
money drawing and
to keep prosperity
within a home.
Black Cat Black or White
To change bad luck
to good luck
Black
Tobacco
Black
This is a Voudoun
candle containng
herbs along with
black tobacco used to
win court cases.
Block Buster
Two colour
candle, either
dark with black,
gold and pink, or
pink and green.
Situation
determines
colour.
All block buster
candles are used to
break up any kind of
working, spells,
curses, etc. someone
has cast against you.
Break Up
White, Black, or
Red
Breaks up any kind of
love affair or
friendship. Black can
be used witht he white
to substitue for a
grey. Red is good for
creating strife and
arguments between
people.
Buda
Pink, Gold, or
Green
Pink is for marriage,
green of health and
harmony, and gold
for wealth.
Chameleon Red
Good fortune, luck in
love and lust
Chango
Macho
Gold
Change bad fortune
into good fortune.
Come to Me Red
To bring a person to
you, or bun with Fast
Luck candle if you
wish for luck.
Commanding Purple
To gain power over
or control a person or
situation
Controlling Orange (only)
Mostly the same as
Commanind but
directed toward
controllingp people.
Cross of
Caravaca
Yellow
Also known as "the
wishing cross" use
with tonka bean to
bring good luck and
open your roads.
Divine Red General protection
Saviour
Don Pedrito Red or White
Burned in times of
sickness.
Dume Black
Revenge, to give bad
luck.
Elluga White
To delay a court
case.
Fast Luck
Green, or two
coloured: Gold
and Green,
Green and Pink
To Bring Luck
Get Away
Two coloured:
Black and Red
To send someone
away from you and
keep them there.
High John
Conquerer
Purple
Draw money, coquer
another, or good
forune
Holy Trinity Yellow
Protection against
evil, to escape jail.
Indian Spirit Red
Burnt as an offering
to Indian Spirits for
protection, courage,
and to turn away
black magick.
Hunchback Red Gambling luck.
King
Solomon
Purple
For control and
domination over
others.
Lodestone Red
Many purposes.
Love, money, health,
etc. When burned
with other candles
will only represent the
one desire you need at
that time.
Nino
Fidencio
White
Burned to invoke the
saint for a general
protection.
Reversible
Three
combinations:
White and
Black, Black and
Red, Green and
Black.
To reverse or send
back black magick,
bad luck, against
envy, the evil eye, or
someone interfering
with your love life.
Three Skulls
Black, Red, or
White
Evil doings, Peace, or
Love
Uncrossing Purple or White
To remove negative
or crossed conditions.

There are other purposes though where you may need to
make a candle yourself. These are plain seven day vigial
candle correspondences. To make the positive candle
represent the negative qualities (sort of reverse it) add
black wax on top of that candle. The negative things must
be made my you in this way. As with any magick, charge
your materials for your desire before use!

Colour Positive</U< b> Negative


White
Breaks crossed
conditions and
curses
Impurity,
timidity,
weakness,
corruption,
devility,
impotence, and
infirmity
Pink
Represents
honour, morality,
friendship, love,
and overcomes
evil.
N/A
Red>
Love, lust,
sexuality, and
passion
Anger, anarchy,
cruelty, hatred,
revenge, violence,
and war
Orange
Ability to
concentrate,
attraction, and
strenght
Inconsistency,
cowardice,
distrust,
adultery, and
perfidy
Yellow or
Gold
Attraction,
charm,
confidence,
persuasion, and
joy.
Decay, adultery,
lack of ambition,
and disease and
illness.
Green
Luck, fertility,
money, good
crops, and
harvest
Envy, avarice,
disharmony,
resentment,
suspicion,
jealousy, and
greed
Blue
Health,
tranquility,
general
happiness, peace,
and
understanding.
Lack of
emotions, apathy
sorrow, tears,
loss of love,
depression, and
frigidity.
Purple
Power, tension,
ambition, and
expansion of
what you already
have
N/A
Grey (if
unavailable
black and
white together
may be used)
neutrility
Stalemate and
cancellation
Brown N/A
Uncertainty,
hesitation, and
doubt
Black N/A
Loss, mourning,
confusion,
sadness, and
discord
Seven Colours
General love,
luck, and health
N/A



Psalms
Psalms have been used with candle burning for prayer
works. Though the psalm may not have a connection with the
problem it has been kabbalistically they have been shown to
change the condition.

Psalms for Illness or Pain:
2 - For sever headaches
3 - For frequent headaches or backache
6 - For healing various diseases or pain in the eyes
9 - To restore health of a male child
12 - To protect from major injury or danger
13 - For serious eye problems
15 - For those with mental illness or depression
18 - When a sick person is having difficulty recovering
20 - Protection from danger or pain for twenty-four hours
37 - For safety while under the influence of alcohol
49 - To aid a person with a difficult fever
67 - To remove fever brought on by negative influences
84 - To remove body odors from a long illness
89 - For a quick recover from a long wasting illness
91 - For those troubled with incurable disease
`02 - To cure a three day type fever
106 - For fevers lasting three days
107 - For fevers lasting one day
119:121-128 - For pain in the left hand or arm
119:1-8 - For those with palsy whose limbs quiver
119:81-88 - For swelling or infection to the right side of teh
nose
119:57-64 - To relieve pain in the torso
119:25-32 - To cure or remove pain from an injury to the left
eye
119:17-24 - To restore eyesight to an injurted person
119:145-152 - To heal an injury to the left leg
119:97-104 - For pain or paralysis to the right hand or arm
119:129-136 - For swelling or infection to the left side of the
nose
119:153-160 - For pain and infection from a boil in the right
ear
119:161-168 - For sever headaches
119:49-56 - For those who are spiteful or depressed

For Business:
8 - To secure a good business partnership/relationship
36 - To protect from unjust defamation of character
108 - For success in all business dealings
114 - For success in your business or your occupation

Concerning Bab Habits:
56 - To be free of excessive habits of passion and to rid
oneself of temptation of the senses
137 - To release deep rooted hate, envy, or spite from the
heart

Dealing with Enemies:
7 - To overcome an enemy plotting in secret against you
9 - To protect against the power of an evil enemy
44 - To be safe from hostile people
48 - To overcome people who hate you out of envy. To strike
fear in your enemies.

Friendship Issues:
47 - To be liked by all
85 - To be ronciled with a former lover or friend (say with
123)

Marriage:
45-46 - To have peace between husband and wife
113 - To resolve disloyalty of a mate
139 - To keep and increase love and marriage
140 - To remove increasing hate between husband and wife

Pregnancy:
1 - To prevent premature delivery
10 - For problmes with delivery in pregnancy
33 - To protect a child's life at the time of their birth
102 - For women who find it difficult to conceive (say with
103)
127 - To protect an unborn from evil influences or natativity
128 - To have a safe pregnancy and delivery

School and Study:
134 - For those entering college/University
119:9-16 - To improve your memory. To broaden the
intelligence and increase the desire to learn.
19 - To be able to learn and study easily.

The Many Faces of
Christianity

There are many forms of Christianity. From
Catholism to Protestant denominations there are
great differences in ideas and practices.
However, loosely defined to be a Christian you
must accept Jesus Christ as your savuoir. This is
how I define Christiantiy, and for the sake of
simplicity this is what this section the site will
focus on. I can only list a few denominations
here but hopefully will add as I can.

Roman Catholic Christianity - Also called
"Catholic" but this is it's more official name. The
Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian
Chruch. I have a seperate page on the Catholic
Chruch and it's beliefes, and another on it's
history, because it is such a great amount of
information.

Eastern Orthodox - This denomination was
formed early on in the history of the Church. It is
found in Greece, Serbia, Russia, and most of
Eastern Europe and the Eastern Roman Empire.
This is a conservative church and was formed
after the Pentacost by the Apostles. They believe
the Bible is God's inspired word, but not exactly
in "the Bible;" overall they believe in God. This
denomination uses Holy Icons which are pictures
as reminders of the Presence and glory of God.
In Orthodox temples there are no statues however
you will find icons. (Some more information can
be found on the Catholic History page.)

The Amish - The Amish began as a sect of the
Swiss Mennonites and was founded by Jacob
Amman. Amman based his beliefs and practices
on the writings of Menno Simons and the
Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith
(1632). In the 1720's many Amish settled in
Lancaster County, PA and some groups moved
to Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, New York, Illinois, and
Missouri also. They have tried to preserve the
elements of the European rural culture of the 17th
century and reject most developments of modern
society. They are a concervative faith and their
belifes are the same as those of Fundamentalist
and Evangelical Christian churches, a literal
interpretation of the Bible and baptism are two
examples. Some belifes unique to this group are:
their belife in remaining separate from the rest of
the world, rejection of involvement with warfare
or the military, traditionally avoided attempts to
seek converts although recently some groups have
become actively evangelical, and the Ordnung is
an oral tradition that regulates the Amish way of
life, details will differe among different church
districts. Another interesting thing about the
Amish is they have no centralised Amish
organisation. Some practices among traditional
gropus of Amish are: members usuallyu speak a
German dialect called "Pensylvania Dutch"
(Deutsch) and High German is used durning
worship while at school they learn English, the
schools are one room buildings run by the Amish
and formal education beyond 8th grade is
discouraged though many youth are given further
education at home after they have completed 8th
grade, members do not own or use automobiles,
electricity, radios, or televisions, they celebrate
traditional Christian holy days and observe a
Fast Day on the 11th or October. Marriages
outside the faith aren't allowed and couples who
plan to marry are "published" in late October
and they are married in one of their homes during
November or early December. According to laws
of the Hebrew Scriptures men grow beards but do
not grow mustaches, and usually dress in plan,
dark coloured suits. Women usually wear plain
coloured dresses with long sleeves, a bonnet, and
an apron; if they are married women wear a white
prayer covering, if she is single it is black.
Women are usually buried in their bridal dress,
often a blue or purple. Funerals take places in
the home without flower decorations, eulogies, or
other display with plain,unadorned caskets and
simple tombstones. Religious services are held in
members homes biweekly on Sunday and meet in a
different home each week. They do not take
photographs. Nor do they collect social security,
pension plans, unemployment insurance, or
welfare; they maintain mutual aid funds for
members who need help with medical costs and the
like.

Christan Science - Christian Science was founded
by Mary Morse Baker Eddy, who studied
alternative medicine, in 1870. This church is
based on the teachings and words of Jesus Christ.
There is no orgaisation creed but seeking and
finding God is a large part of this practice.
Christian Scientists daily study the Bible and
Science and Health.

The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -
This is the chruch of the Mormons. Mormons are
a conservative Protestant Christian group. They
follow the "Word of Wisdowm" and do not
smoke; they also avoid black teas, harmful drugs
(ecspecially abused prescription drugs and street
drugs), coffee, and alcohol. Some Mormons even
avoid caffeinated sodas. There are about 68
Mormon temples worldwide and aren't open to
the general public. Members must have a
personal "temple recommend" from their biship
before attenting one. Unlike most conservative
Christian groups the Mormons discourage rather
than support the spanking of children. They
support huge missionary movements and dedicate
two years of their life to seeking converts. It is
rare for a Morman to date a person not of their
faith and about 70% of the population of Utah is
Mormon. Mormans believe in the truthfulness of
the Bible as it was originally recorded by the
books' authours, atonement, resurrection, tithing,
and the influence of angels and of Satan and his
demons. They oppose equal rights for
homosexuals and women's access to abortion.

Community of Christ - This Chruch was formally
known as the Reorganised Chruch of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints, or RLDS. They were
organised in 1860 in Amboy, IL but finally
settled in Independence, MO in 1920 after many
moves. They do not refer to themselves as
"Mormans" because they do not believe this was a
part of the original church and it's associats with
polygamy. The temple was dedicated in
Independence, MO in 1994. Unlikes the LDS
they do not baptise or marry by proxy their
ancestors, they reject the "Eternal Progression"
theory, they reject the sexism of the LDS (Women
have been ordained since 1984), and they reject
polygamy (and always have). They see God as
teh "eternal Creator, source of love, life, and
truth." They believe in Jeusu Christ, and his
crucifixion and resurrection. Salvation and
eternal life in heaven after death are available to
those who accept the gospel; those who do not
accept the gospel will have a second opportunity
after their death. God's revelation expands in
the present day. There are eight sacraments: the
blessing of children, adult baptism by immersion
and the laying on of hands, confirmation of
membership, the Lord's supper (communion),
marriage, administration to the sick, ordination,
and the evangelists blessing.

Gnosticism - Gnosticism is a philosophical and
religious movement that started in pre-Christian
times. They claim to have secret knowledge about
God, the rest of the universe, and humanity. It
was one ot the three main belief systems in the 1st
centruy Christianity. This faith was remembered
for it's unusal beliefs about Gods, the Bible, and
the world that was different from other Christian
groups, it's religious tolerance, and lack of
discrimination against women. They believed they
alone really understood Christ's message and
other streams of Christianity had misinterpreted
Jesus' sayings and mission, knowledge had a
redeeming and liberating function that helped the
individual bread free of bondage to the world, the
Supreme Father of God (or Supreme God of
Truth) is remote from human affairs. God
created a series of supernatural finite beings
called Aeons, one was Sophia, a virgin, who gave
birth to a defective, inferior Creator-god called
Demiurge. The lower God created the earth and
its life forms. Another beliefe is the spirit is of
divine origin and good, the body is inherently
earthly and evil. Salvation is attained by
learning secret knowledge of their spiritual
essence; a divine spark of light or spirit.
Humanity was also divied into three groups: the
spirtiual, who would be saved irrespective of their
behaviour on earth, the Soulish, who could be
saved if they followed the Gnostic path, and the
Carnal, who were a lost cause. An interesting
thing to note is that many Gnostic texts were
written by, or attributed to, women. Mary
Magdelene played an important role in many
Gnostic writings, sometimes second only to Jesus.
Both male and female images were used for the
Supreme God. In some Gnostic groups members
were expected to remain celibate while in others
ritual sex magick was practiced.

Quakers - Also called the Religious Friends of
Society. The Religious Society of Friends rely
heavily on spiritual searching by individual
members, individual congregations and meetings.
Some basic belifes of the founder, George Fox,
were: every man and woman has direcet access to
God and that no priests or churches are needed,
every person is of equal worth, there is no need in
one's religious life for elaborate ceremonies,
rituals, creeds, dogma, gowns, or the like, and
following the inward light would lead to spiritual
development and towards individual perfection.
He also encouraged his followers to worship in
silence. Longstanding Quaker belifes are
simplicity, pacifism,a nd inner revelation. Many
do not see the Bible as the only source of belief
and conduce and rely upon their intuition and
take advantage of science and pholosophy.

Seventh-Day Adventist Chruch - Seventh-day
Adventists follow most conventional
conservative Christian belifes such as: the
creation, fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden,
origiinal sin, the virgin birth, divinty of Christ,
nature of the Trinity, belife in Satan, the
scriptures, the resurrection, salvation by the
atonement of Christ, and the like. However Ellen
White is recognised as a phrophet. They deny the
concept of "innate immortality" and believe
people are not naturally immortal; when a person
is dead they are unconscious until resurrected
eternal life is a gift God gives only to righteous
Christians, and that the second coming of Christ
is immiment. They observe Saturday (from
sundown Firday to sunset Saturday) as the
sabbath. Baptism into church is done by full
immersion. Members are expected to abstain
from tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco and
avoiding red meat. Members are also expected to
dres simply and modestly. They should only
watch uplifiting entertaiment and avoid "worldly
amusements" like dance adn theater. Inter-faith
marriages are discouraged. Divorces are only
premitted under certain conditions
(adultery/fornication or abandonment by an
unbelieving spouse, or physical violece.
Adultery/fornication includes child sexual abuse,
homosexual behavior, and incest. Abandonment
by a fellow SDA member is not grounds for
divorce. Remarriage is only allowed if one's
spouse is guilty of fornication/adultery.

United Pentecostal Church International - There
are many non-traditional beliefs in this church.
They believe that the ability to speak in tongues is
a necessary indication of a valid religious
conversion and deny the legitimacy of the
conversion of "born again" Christians from other
denominations where tounges are rarely if ever
spoken. As with other "oneness pentecostals"
they baptise in the name of Jesus Christ only.
Also they believe anyone not baptised in the name
of Jesus only will not be accepted into heaven
upon death. They reject the traditional concept
of the Trinity and do no believe God is composed
of three persons. Their service includes
footwashing and members are forbidden to join
the Masonic Order and other "secret societies."
Members are not allowed to attend movies or
watch televisoin. Strict dress and hair codes are
followed, especialy for women.

The Angel Hierarchy

Angels are a pretty accepted fact in Islam, Judaism,
and Christianty. They are considered to be mindless,
bodieless spirit entities that who prefom various services
for God or for people on God's behalf. They are
considered to be "good" and are frequently mentioned in
the Bible, Koran, and Torah. Angels are classified by
rank. Each type of angel has a different duty. There are
three tirads of angles.
The First
Triad
(highest)
The
Second
Triad
The Third
Triad
(lowest)
Seraphim
The
Dominions
The
Principalities
Cherubim
The
Virtues
The
Archangels
Thrones
The
Powers
The Angels

The First Triad

Seraphim
Seraphs are the highest order of God's Angels. They
stand by God's throne chanting "Holy, Holy, Holy is the
Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory"
(Isaiah 6:3) or "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh." These are
being of pure light and thought and have direct
communication with God. They appear with six wings
and four heads glowing with the Fire of Love. There are
only four Seraphim according to Enoch which correspond
to the four directions or winds. It was later interpreted
that this means there are four princes who rule over the
Seraphim. These four are Gabriel, Kemuel, Nathanael,
and Matatron or Satan. There are passages which refer
to Seraphim as "fiery serpents." There is a lot of
confusion in the ranks of angels and some of the
Seraphim are also considered Archangels; despite that
Archangles are ranked signficiantly lower than the
Seraphim. Metraon is identified as Satan, Prince of
Darkness, or "old dragon" sometimes and is said ot have
thrity-six wings and many eyes.

Cherubim
"On the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a
flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way
to tree of life." (Genesis 3:24)
The Hebrew word "kerub" is usually transalted as "one
who intercedes" but it may also mean "knowledge." The
Karibu were the terrible, monstrous guardians of the
temples and palaces in Sumer and Babylon. There were
similiar guardians in the Near East and there were
winged, eagle-headed deities that guarded the Assyrian
Tree of Everlasting Life. These are said to have four
faces and four wings. In Exodus 25 it is said the Ark was
to be decorated with Cherubim but Samuel 4:4 states the
Lord is "enthroned between the cherubim" on the Ark.

Thrones
The Thrones are also known as Galgalin or Ophanim.
They are God's actual chariots. Galgal in Hebrew means
both "pupil of the eye" and wheels. They are said to reside
either in the third or fourth heaven. They inhabit a region
in which Heaven meets Earth. Raphael is thought to be
their ruling Prince.


The Second Triad

The Dominions
These are the angels that "regulate" angels' duties
according to Dionysius. They are described as Lords,
Kuriotetes, Hashmallim, or Dominions. They reside in the
second heaven, the same place where the celestial letters of
the Holy Name are. There ruling Princes are said to be
Muriel, Yahriel, Zadkiel, and Hashmal (also known as
Chasmal or the "fire speaking angel").

The Virtues
Also called Tarshishim, Dunamis, and Malakim they are
known as "The Brilliant or Shining Ones." These are the
angels that bestow blessings usually in the form of
miracles. These are the angels which escorted Christ to
Heaven during the Ascension. They were also present at
the birth of Cain according to the Book of Adam and
Eve. The leaders are said to be Michael, Gabriel,
Raphael, Bariel, Trashish, and before his fall Satanel.

The Powers
Also known as the Authorities, the Potentiates, and the
Dynamis they are said to have been the first angels
created by God. They reside along the border between the
first and second heavens. It is their job to guard against
demons. The leader of the order is Camael who's name
means "he who sees God." The Magus suggests that he is
one of the seven angels who stands in the presence of
God. Camael is said to have the body of a lepard.
Another intersteing fact is that Camael is also identified
as a Duke of Hell. Some people associate him with the
god of war, Mars. He is a commander of Vengeance,
Punishment, Destruction, and Death and as Kemuel a
mediator between Israel and the Hierarchs of teh seventh
heaven. Camael is said to be the angel who wrestle Jacob,
appeard to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsmane, and tried
to prevent Moses from receiving the Torah from God.
It is the powers who guide the soul. They are the angels
who attempt to balance the good and bad in hopes the
bad will not overpower the good leaving the individual to
fall to the darker sie. They also guide soulds who have
left the body and lost their way.


The Third Triad

The Principalities
These are the angels who are in charge of great cities and
nations on Earth. Later they were interprated as the
protectors of religion. There is no one leader, but many
possiblitiels. One possible leader is Nisrock; an Assyrian
diety sometimes considered the chief chef to the Demon
Princes of Hell. Anael, one of the seven angels of
creation, is another possiblity. Anael is governor of the
second heaven and associated with human sexuality.
Another Principalitie is Hamiel, the angel who
transported Enoch to Heave (despite that he is called the
Chaldean diety Ishtar). Cervil, the Prince of Strenght
who helped David to slay Goliath is also a principalitie.

Archangels
In Chrisitan and Jewish traditions there are seven
Archangels, however, in the Koran there are only four.
Also in the Koran, only two of the four archangels are
named. The two named are Michael and Jibril (Gabriel).
There is a difference in who the Jewish and Chrisitan
sources in who they are named. They do agree that
Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, and Michael are archangles.
The three other archangles are either Remiel, Sarile,
Raziel, Raguel, Anael, and Metatron. The archangles
are in a constant battle with the Sons of Darkness. They
are the m ost important intercessionaries between God
and Man.

Angels
The Angels are the last order of the hierarchy. The angels
are intermediaries between Man and God. The term
"angel" comes from the Greek "angelos." The Greek took
"angelos" from the Persian "angaros"which means couirer
from the Sanskrit "angeres." Finally we come to the
Hebrew word "mal'akh" which means "a messenger."


The Black Madonna

Just to clarify, there are two kinds of "black madonnas" in the world today. There are
Black Madonnas, and black Madonnas. For the latter, another term for these figures is
"intercultural" Madonnas. These figures are not what will be discussed on these pages. These
images are important in that they show the unirversiliaty of Christ and Christianity. Some of
these images are recently created by many individuals of varying backgrounds. Other black
Madonna images are much older created in Africa and these images have been for the most
part largely ignored.

The Black Madonnas discussed here are statues or paintings of mainly medieval origin of
dark coloured or black features whose exact origines are unknown or difficult to determine.
The prominence of the Black Madonna is said to be due to the miraculous character of the
image. They are popular among the faithful and hundreds exist at various shrings. Some well
known Black Madonnas exist at Our Lady of the Hermits in Einsidedeln, Switzerland, Our
Lady of Jasna Gora (Czestochowa, Poland), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexic City, Mexico),
and Our Lady of Tindari in Sicily.
Many authours used to equate the "Black Virgins" to pagan goddess images of similiar
appearance, however recently feminist writers have suggested that the Black Madonna is
indicative of a perspective on Mary not strongly emphasized in traditional Christian belifes.
Whatever their purpose, they have proved to be devotional aids for many people. Important
early studies of dark images in France were done by Emile Saillens, Jacques Huynen, and
Marie Durand-Lefebvre. The first notable study of them in English was presented by Leonard
Moss in 1952. Based on a study of about a hundred samples from all over the world, Moss
gave three categories for the images:
I. Dark brown or black madonnas with skin pigmentation and features matching that of the
indigenous population.
II. Various forms of art that have turned black as a result of physical factors (like
accumulated smoke from the use of votive candles, accumulation of grime over time, and
deterioration of lead-based pigment for example).
III. No explanation.
A percentage of black images falls into the first group, which seems obvious. African features
accompany dark colour in African images. The second explanation is also cited often and it
applies to some Black Madonnas. An example of this is the statue of Our Lady of the
Hermits in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
However, some images dark colour is left unaccounted for. Artistic liscense is of course a
popular theory. One strong theory as to why these images where darkened intentionally is to
illusrate "I am black but beautiful" from the Song of Songs. This is supported by the fact that
many black madonnas exist in France and are dated to around the Crusades when Bernard of
Clairvaux wrote many commentaries on the Canticales. It is also said he visited many shrines
of the Black Madonna. Another likely theory is that the Black Madonna is an ancient earth-
goddess who was integrated into Christianity. This is supported in that many goddesses were
depicted as black. Ceres and Isis for example were depicted as black. Ceres is the Roman
goddess of agricultrual fertility (her Greek counterpart is Demeter). Being an earth mother,
and the best and most fertile soil being black, this theory could be tied together. Many other
practices and dieties were placed in Christian terms so this is likely.




Astrology and Tarot
Have you ever felt as if you were unconsciously driven to live your life in a specific way, even though you think you'd
rather not? Have you ever been fascinated with a certain profession to the point where you'll defy everyone around you
to follow it?

To answer could be "karma." What you have or haven't done in previous lifetimes is at the root. But if you're not
aware of this, you can feel as if you're not in control of your own life. A young man once demanded to know why his
former girlfriend had elected to become a nun. Her answer? "I have no choice."

The unconscious mind especially when it stretches back over millennia is the most complex and bewildering factor in
our world. Your Sun Sign provides a clue, however, and can help shed a little light on your karma. The main point to
remember is that extremes in one life need to be balanced in another one.


Aries:
In previous lifetimes, you always did the proper thing. You ate, dressed, worked, and lived just the way everyone else did.
Conforming made you feel comfortable and accepted, yet at times you went too far, going against your principles
because others believed differently. Now you're meant to stand up and be counted. Your point of view, your chosen way
of life, is just as valid as anyone else's.


Taurus:
You love nice things, but often you deprive yourself of them, even when you can afford it. After all, do you really need to
buy that bestseller when you can get it at the library? In several lifetimes, you were, frankly, a miser. You lived like a
pauper when you had plenty of money. Now, you need to accept that it's all right to enjoy nice things. They are part of
the gifts of the Earth.


Gemini:
The simple things in life fascinate you: clouds, flowers, ripples on the creek. You could walk or sit for hours, observing
whatever you encounter. Throughout many incarnations, you were a scholar, caught up in higher knowledge: law,
philosophy, theology, science. You rarely took the time to notice the simple things and the profound truths they
represent. In this life, you're meant to notice them. Keep it up!


Cancer:
You love your home, and there isn't a place on Earth you'd rather be. Your family is top priority and, as a result, you're
very deeply loved. But you weren't always this way. There were lifetimes in which you cared about nothing but business.
Whether you were a king, a merchant, or a simple farmer, you probably knew your associates better than you knew your
family. This lifetime should balance the scales.



Leo:
Are you often teased because of your big ego? It's OK! You're meant to acknowledge your own magnificence now,
because previous personalities were too busy taking care of the poor and downtrodden. You treated each and every one
as if they were part of your own family. Now it's your turn. The secret is to be quietly aware of your strength without
coming off as a braggart.


Virgo:
Priest, priestess, monk, nun, healer you've been them all, dedicated to the spiritual life, retiring from the world, though
willing to help others in their time of need. In this life, you may have found yourself cast into the world of mundane
commerce. You're responsible for administration, management, personnel, and such. You may still long for the cloister,
but learn this lesson first.


Libra:
Society and its expectations of you tends to be very important to you. Your manners are impeccable, you feel most
comfortable when you behave in a way that others consider acceptable. In past lives, you didn't. Previous personalities
may have been egotistical, arrogant, and somewhat selfish. Therefore, it's your job in this life to behave yourself and to
be very nice to everyone.




Scorpio:
Do your friends think of you as secretive? Chances are, this is true. You never reveal anything about yourself or anything
if there's any way you can avoid it. In long-ago lifetimes, however, you may not have been that way. You probably had
very few secrets, sometimes bordering on giving too much information. The lesson to be learned here is to find a balance
between the two.



Sagittarius:
You enjoy a good time, but often your idea of fun is different from that of your friends. There are times when you'll pass
on a good party to attend a lecture on a highly intellectual subject that would bore most people. You probably came to
terms with frivolity in lifetimes in which you learned most of what you knew from observing life. You do that still, but you
prefer intellectual puzzles.



Capricorn:
In spite of the fact that you're a very career-oriented person, there are times when you long to spend all your time at
home. This results from previous lives in which your home was your entire world. In this life, you're meant to be successful
in the world outside your home and probably, you are. But don't forget to channel energy into your home as well.
Remember, the keyword is balance.



Aquarius:
Do your eyes well up with tears when you hear about victims of war or famine, people whom you'll never know, but still
feel a connection with? In prior incarnations, you never even thought about these people. Your family and friends were
all that you cared about. Now, in this incarnation, you're meant to look beyond your immediate circle and realize that
we're all one family. Think about it!


Pisces:
As a native of the twelfth sign of the Zodiac, your previous lifetimes have covered almost all the lessons outlined above.
The main one for you, however, is embracing spiritual practices and expressing your feelings about life through art. In
past lives, you were very practical and down to earth, perhaps too much so. In the present lifetime, you're meant to look
above and beyond it all.

Tarot
Astrology and the tarot are two ageless, powerful tools for divination and reflection. Combined, they form the ultimate
pair for self-discovery.

Did you know that each sign of the zodiac corresponds to a Major Arcana tarot card? Knowing your personal card
can enhance your astrological knowledge. In addition, you can deepen your self-understanding by learning the card's
characteristics, strengths and symbolism.

If you have a copy of your natal chart, try the following technique to experience the powerful interaction of astrology
and the tarot: First, look at the sign ruling each of the 12 houses in your birth chart. Next, write the name of the
corresponding tarot card next to each house cusp. Now, picture the symbol or character of the card "living" in that
house, and see your chart really come alive!

For a quick introduction to astrology and the tarot, read on for a sign-by-sign correlation. The connections just may
surprise you!

Aries
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, which begins on the Spring Equinox. Those born under the sign of the Ram are
marked by a heated determination to take control. Equally as passionate as they are intelligent, Aries are born leaders
with incredibly strong wills.


Tarot Card Associated with Aries: The Emperor
As expected, the Emperor of the tarot is an illustration of the authoritarian side of Aries' personality. The stern
commanding figure depicted in the Emperor card represents that same leadership trait common to Rams, as well as
their love of power and order. The Emperor carries a vision through the action stages and toward fulfillment.

Taurus
Notorious for being practical, determined and extremely focused, Taureans can be amazingly stubborn. Usually quite
stable, their preoccupation with security can be overwhelming. As a general rule, Bulls enjoy living well, and make
excellent educators, teachers and guides.


Tarot Card Associated with Taurus: The Hierophant
The Hierophant is a teacher or sage, and deals with belief systems, social structures, and established organized groups.
Typical of Taureans, with their strong sense of remaining true to themselves, the Hierophant is the epitome of ordered
things that do not alter over time. This is most apparent in the arena of guarding universal spiritual truths.

Gemini
The most elusive sign of the zodiac has to be Gemini, the Twins - the sign of duality, complexity and contradiction.
Consistency is not one of Gemini's strong areas, yet flexibility and agility are their forte. Although excellent
communicators in speech and writing, they can have mercurial moods that change rapidly.


Tarot Card associated with Gemini: The Lovers
With duality so strong in the Gemini personality, the Lovers card is the perfect match. This card signifies the art of
making decisions and crucial life choices, where both sides of the picture must be seen. The Lovers applies not only to
love relationships and marriages - it pertains to any relationship where people may be drawn together. It is also the
card of uncertainty - a familiar Geminian trait.

Cancer
Cancer, the least clear-cut of the astrological signs, can be imaginative, sensitive, moody, creative and home-loving.
Known for being easily hurt, those born under the sign of the Crab tend to be highly receptive to others, and can recall
events with great detail. Cancers never forget, and rarely forgive an insult.


Tarot Card associated with Cancer: The Chariot
The Chariot represents the ego and the ability - with the passionate desire - to make dreams or wishes real. Victory over
adversity is what the Charioteer races for in the end. Determination, assertiveness, and persistence are all qualities that
Cancerians possess, but may not expose publicly. The Chariot also reminds us of the importance of balancing
conflicting emotions, triumphing over obstacles, and sustaining an effort to reach a goal.

Leo
Leo, like the king or queen of the jungle, is proud, dominant, and easily the most forceful of all signs. As expected, Lions
are extremely extroverted. Ambitious and courageous, they know what they want, and they thrive on adversity. On the
negative side, they tend to be arrogant and stubborn.


Tarot Card associated with Leo: Strength
The Strength card, depicting a gracious queen-like figure and a wild lion, shows that real strength has to be combined
with graciousness and gentleness to become a force. It symbolizes inner strength, determination to overcome obstacles,
self-knowledge and self-discipline, as only when we know ourselves and act in a responsible manner will we be able to
deal with challenging situations and overcome difficulties successfully. In every way, the Strength card corresponds
with what it means to be a Leo.

Virgo
The only sign represented by a woman, Virgos are creative and highly refined. Often they appear as remote, even cold.
Calculating and observant, they are shrewd and aristocratic in temperament. Reliable, refined Virgos are patient
teachers, and excellent with children.


Tarot Card associated with Virgo: The Hermit
Contrary to popular belief, the Hermit is not solely about isolation. This card represents the search to find one's self.
The Hermit also encourages one to seek the truth without interruptions, or pursue a vision without distractions. Like
Virgo's temperament, the Hermit symbolizes deliberation about which path to follow, careful assessment of achievements
and goals, and taking the time to diligently reflect and plan.

Libra
Libra is the only sign that is an inanimate object. Considered by some astrologers as the most desired sign, those born
under it are perceived as kind, generous, knowledgeable and mellow. They enjoy living well, and place a great value on
aesthetics, even if they are quiet about enjoying luxury.


Tarot Card associated with Libra: Justice
The scales represent weighing options (and decision-making is always hard for Libras). The scales on the Justice card
are all about making choices. The Justice card is equally concerned with making the right ones with respect to all
involved. Based on the realization that life is ultimately fair and just, the Justice card symbolizes balance, harmony, and
fairness in our lives - right in line with the karmic destiny of Libra.

Scorpio
Hands down, Scorpio is the most profound sign of the Zodiac. Although they may appear controlled by their amazing
minds, it is their emotions that rule. Like a volcano, the Scorpion can go off without warning. Incredibly deep, Scorpio
natives usually have penetrating eyes and magnetic personalities that make them highly desirable.




Tarot Card associated with Scorpio: Death
Initially a nameless card, the Death card very seldom literally means death. Instead it is the image of profound
transformation, the ending of one cycle, and the transition into a new state. It symbolizes sudden and inevitable change,
death of the old self so that the new consciousness can emerge. Scorpios are driven by their emotions and their demands,
and deep, intense, life-altering changes are often the result.

Sagittarius
With a reputation for being enterprising, energetic, versatile, and willing to experience whatever comes their way,
Sagittarians are ambitious and optimistic. They are also trustworthy, and as a rule generous. With a strong sense of
right and wrong, Archers have short fuse, but high principles.




Tarot Card associated with Sagittarius: Temperance
Moderation is the key for temperance. This card represents compromise, cooperation and finding a balance, an area
that is a sore spot for those born under the sign of Sagittarius. Not overdoing it is the purpose of this card. In
Temperance, an angel between heaven and earth blends different elements into a harmonious substance, which
represents a bridge between polarities like heaven and earth, masculine and feminine, beginning and end.

Capricorn
Stability is a feature common to Capricorns. Serious, independent, rock steady, Sea Goats are confident and
hardworking. They finish what they start no matter what happens. They are fair, but can be demanding. Capricorns,
ruled by Saturn, are also the keepers of tradition and structure.


Tarot associated with Capricorn: The Devil
Accepting the shadowy side in us can help channel the energetic powers that the Devil represents. By understanding
that the chains that tie us down can indeed be lifted by confronting our dark side, and not letting self-hatred and shame
take over, we are empowered to be free. Like Capricorn traits, the Devil card warns us that excessive ambition, rigidity,
and abuse of power in the emotional as well as the material realm can lead to our downfall.

Aquarius
Aquarians come in two types. The first type of Water Bearer is lively and outgoing, nearly exhibitionist. The other type
is shy and patient. Capable of being very deep, the latter hide their shyness behind an air of frivolity and lightness.
Social settings are a natural for Aquarians, and they like attention.


Tarot card associated with Aquarius: The Star
If Aquarians are hopeful and like to shine, the Star card couldn't be a better match. The Star card is not about rational
actions or practical reality. It is about knowing, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that your dreams are attainable,
desirable and worth pursuing. Like the encouraging Water Bearer, the Star protects the future and gathers the forces
necessary to expand our knowledge and develop emotionally and spiritually.

Pisces
Pisces are incredibly popular due to their patient, gentle personalities. Easygoing Fishes tend to be more concerned with
others than themselves. They can be prone to living in worlds of their own imagination. Intuitive and versatile, they
listen well and are open to new ideas.




Tarot card associated with Pisces: The Moon
Wishes and dreams, imagination and illusions are the subjects of the Moon. On the flip side, the Moon can indicate
hidden fears, or continued anxiety. Much like Pisces, who is concerned with things that are beyond the here and now, the
Moon card represents those things we desire, and our apprehension in obtaining them. The lessons of the Moon lie in
patience, understanding cycles, and trusting one's intuition.

Herbs, Oils, Woods, Incenses, and Foods and Their Magikal Uses

Some herbs are extremely hard to get. If you cannot find a particular herb or plant, go the next
herb. Most spells or potions require three of the particular herb. If you have the oil, use the oil
as substitute. If you have the incense, use the incense. Remember, magik is about accessibility. If
you dont have a particular herb, look for a substitute.

Astral/ Spirit People- honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemongrass, cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, cypress,
dittany, orange, tangerine, hibiscus, lily, poplar, anise, bay, carrot, cloves(banish evil spirit
people), garlic (same), hawthorn, juniper(protect), mugwort, tobacco/hemp, deers tongue.

Balance- Bergamot, birch, benzoin, Chamomile, jasmine

Banishing- Lilac, cedar, patchouli, cloves, rose, garlic, salt, eucalyptus, pine, basil, hyssop,
rowan, penny royal,

Beauty- cat nip, rose, rosemary, clary sage, lavender, lemon, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar,
cypress, frankincense, and thyme.

Business- Benzoin, cinnamon, basil, dill, ginger, honeysuckle, spearmint.
Calm- Lavender, Chamomile

Cat Magik-Cat nip

Clairvoyance - Honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemon grass, Cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, vanilla,
rosemary, lily of the valley, sage, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, orange, cloves,
mugwort

Cleanse Negativity- rosemary, salt, garlic, lilac, cedar, patchouli, cloves, rose, eucalyptus, pine,
basil, hyssop, rowan, pennyroyal.

Communication- cypress, dittany, orange, tangerine, lemongrass, lily, poplar, caraway, dill,
fennel, lavender, sweet marjoram, lemon verbena, mustard, parsley

Confidence- fennel, ginger, thyme, black pepper, onion,

Conscious Mind- peppermint, rosemary, balm of Gilead , basil, hyssop, lily of the valley, thyme,
sage, cloves, coffee, costmary, dill, caraway, petit grain, rue.

Courage- fennel, ginger, thyme, black pepper, onion.

Divinations- Honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemon grass, Cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, vanilla, rosemary,
lily of the valley, sage, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, orange, cloves, mugwort

Dreams- clary sage, cloves, pink or red carnation, jasmine, lemon balm, meadowsweet, myrrh,
sweet cicely, wisteria, anise, chamomile, dandelion, hibiscus, holly, lavender, marigold, mistletoe,
mugwort, calendula, mimosa,

Energy- bergamot (lemon or orange zest), lavender, patchouli, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger,
benzoin, galang galang, nasturtium, nutmeg, saffron,

Female Health- ginger, rose, grapes, hops (beer), lily

Fertility- ginger, rose, grapes, hops (beer), lily, basil, garlic, cucumber, walnut, sunflower seeds,
poppy seeds

Forgiveness- sandalwood, cypress, and cedar.

Friendships- rose

Frigidity-- ginger, basil, heather, catnip, musk (synthetic, harm none) gardenia, apple (fruit,
preferably red, cut across the core to reveal the pentangle) tomato, vanilla, opium, orange,
jasmine, honey, honeysuckle, chocolate, patchouli, licorice, lemon grass.

Gossip- cloves, all spice, anise star, asphoetida (ammonia), vinegar

Grief- cat nip, rose, rosemary, clary sage, lavender, lemon, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar,
cypress, frankincense, and thyme. fennel, ginger, thyme, black pepper, onion,

Happiness- Lavender, Chamomile , basil, cumin, frankincense, rose, valerian, st. johns wort
almond, basil, bergamot (orange or lemon zest subs) bryony, chamomile, cinquefoil (or domestic
clover), cloves, High John (ginger subs), hyssop, Jasmine, mint, patchouli, pine, sage, sassafras,
vervain, wheat (can use flour)

Home- Lilac, cedar, patchouli, cloves, rose, garlic, salt, eucalyptus, pine, basil, hyssop, rowan,
penny royal, angelica, cyclamen, dill, fennel, fern, hyssop, mistletoe, mullein, peony, rose,
geranium, rosemary, rowan, rue, St. Johns wort, snap dragon, tarragon, vervain.

Inspiration- cloves, rosemary, lily of the valley


Learning - cloves, rosemary, lily of the valley, agrimony, borage, chervil, cumin, endive (lettuce
sub), hyssop, sage, thyme, violet.

Legal Matters - marigold, mandrake (sub with dragons blood or fresh ginger) salt, cloves,
sage.

Longevity- sage, garlic, salt, frankincense

Love- ginger, basil, heather, catnip, musk (synthetic, harm none) gardenia, apple (fruit,
preferably red, cut across the core to reveal the pentangle) tomato, vanilla, opium, orange,
jasmine, honey, honeysuckle, chocolate, patchouli, licorice, lemon grass.

Male Health- ginger, basil, garlic, cucumber, walnut, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds

Magikal Energy- bergamot (lemon or orange zest), lavender, patchouli, vanilla, cinnamon,
ginger, benzoin, galang galang (aka ylang ylang- can be subbed with gardenia or jasmine),
nasturtium, nutmeg, saffron,

Magikal Tools- myrrh, sandalwood

Marriage- ginger, basil, heather, catnip, musk (synthetic, harm none) gardenia, apple (fruit,
preferably red, cut across the core to reveal the pentangle) tomato, vanilla, opium, orange,
jasmine, honey, honeysuckle, chocolate, patchouli, licorice, lemon grass.

Meditation- chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense

Melancholia- cat nip, rose, rosemary, clary sage, lavender, lemon, patchouli, sandalwood,
cedar, cypress, frankincense, and thyme. fennel, ginger, thyme, black pepper, onion,

Memories- cloves, honeysuckle, salt, water, sage, coriander, evergreen, pine, cypress, rosemary,
cedar, frankincense, sage, chamomile, opium, eucalyptus. (to ease the pain of memories)

Mental Health- Lavender, Chamomile, basil, cumin, frankincense, rose, valerian, st. johns wort

Mental Powers- Honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemon grass, Cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, vanilla,
rosemary, lily of the valley, sage, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, orange, cloves,
mugwort- peppermint, rosemary, balm of Gilead , basil, hyssop, lily of the valley, thyme, sage,
cloves, coffee, costmary, dill, caraway, petit grain, rue.

Money- almond, basil, bergamot (orange or lemon zest subs) bryony, chamomile, cinquefoil (or
domestic clover), cloves, High John (ginger subs), hyssop, Jasmine, mint, patchouli, pine, sage,
sassafras, vervain, wheat (can use flour), cabbage leaves,
Obstacles- grave yard dirt (patchouli sub), clover, comfrey, fern, heather, horsetail, nutmeg (aka
mace), and vetivert

Nightmares - clary sage, cloves, pink or red carnation, jasmine, lemon balm, meadowsweet,
myrrh, sweet cicely, wisteria, anise, chamomile, dandelion, hibiscus, holly, lavender, marigold,
mistletoe, mugwort, calendula, mimosa, Lilac, cedar, patchouli, cloves, rose, garlic, salt,
eucalyptus, pine, basil, hyssop, rowan, penny royal,

Peace- Lavender, Chamomile, basil, cumin, frankincense, rose, valerian, st. johns wort
Powers- Honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemon grass, Cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, vanilla, rosemary, lily
of the valley, sage, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, orange, cloves, mugwort- peppermint,
rosemary, balm of Gilead , basil, hyssop, lily of the valley, thyme, sage, cloves, coffee, costmary,
dill, caraway, petit grain, rue.

Prophecy- Honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemon grass, Cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, vanilla, rosemary,
lily of the valley, sage, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, orange, cloves, mugwort-
peppermint, rosemary, balm of Gilead , basil, hyssop, lily of the valley, thyme, sage, cloves,
coffee, costmary, dill, caraway, petit grain, rue.

Prosperity- almond, basil, bergamot (orange or lemon zest subs) bryony, chamomile, cinquefoil
(or domestic clover), cloves, High John (ginger subs), hyssop, Jasmine, mint, patchouli, pine,
sage, sassafras, vervain, wheat (can use flour)

Protection- Lilac, cedar, patchouli, cloves, rose, garlic, salt, eucalyptus, pine, basil, hyssop,
rowan, penny royal, angelica, cyclamen, dill, fennel, fern, hyssop, mistletoe, mullein, peony, rose,
geranium, rosemary, rowan, rue, St. Johns wort, snap dragon, tarragon, vervain.

Purification- anise, basil, bay laurel or bay rum, dragons blood, elder, frankincense, hyssop,
lavender, lemon, lovage, myrrh, orange, rue, saffron, peppermint, pine, rosemary, sandalwood,
Solomons seal, salt.

Regeneration- vanilla, rosemary, salt, mint, dragons blood, thyme, myrrh, lavender, parsley,
lemon, basil, anise, patchouli, cowslip, oak, sage

Releasing Love- witch hazel (wood or astringent) cinnamon, thyme, lavender, sage,
sandalwood, opium, eucalyptus, asphoetida (ammonia), gardenia, mint, salt.

Remembrance- evergreen, pine, cypress, rosemary, cedar, frankincense, sage, chamomile, opium,
eucalyptus. (For the ancestors and those gone before us)

Self Esteem/Image- cat nip, rose, rosemary, clary sage, lavender, lemon, patchouli, sandalwood,
cedar, cypress, frankincense, and thyme. Fennel, ginger, thyme, black pepper, onion,
Sleep- Lavender, Chamomile, clary sage, cloves, pink or red carnation, jasmine, lemon balm,
meadowsweet, myrrh, sweet cicely, wisteria, anise, chamomile, dandelion, hibiscus, holly,
lavender, marigold, mistletoe, mugwort, calendula, mimosa,

Spirituality- sandalwood, gardenia, myrrh, frankincense, nag champra

Success- ginger, cinnamon, mint, allspice, patchouli, cloves, jasmine, opium, orange, mustard,
anise, nutmeg (also known as mace), honeysuckle, cedar, rose, chamomile

Transformation- myrrh, cloves, rosemary, lily of the valley, sage, tobacco, dandelion, dog bane,
camphor

Travel- cypress, dittany, orange, tangerine, lemongrass, lily, poplar, caraway, dill, fennel,
lavender, sweet marjoram, lemon verbena, mustard, parsley

Visions/Vision Quest Honeysuckle, lilac, rose, lemon grass, Cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, vanilla,
rosemary, lily of the valley, sage, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, orange, cloves,
mugwort- peppermint, rosemary, balm of Gilead , basil, hyssop, lily of the valley, thyme, sage,
cloves, coffee, costmary, dill, caraway, petit grain, rue.

Wisdom- cloves, rosemary, lily of the valley, agrimony, borage, chervil, cumin, endive (lettuce
sub), hyssop, sage, thyme, violet.

Youth- vanilla, rosemary, salt, mint, dragons blood, thyme, myrrh, lavender, parsley, lemon,
basil, anise, patchouli, cowslip, oak, sage





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