Charles Godfrey Leland Biography

In 1856 Leland married and became deeply devoted to his wife of 46 years ‘Eliza Bella “Isabel” Fisher’. While acting as an editor for Graham's Magazine, he published the first of his German-English poems “Hans Breitmann's Party” (1857). These he wrote in a mixture of German and broken English, imitating the dialect and humour of the Philadelphia Germans (also called Pennsylvania Dutch). Collectively they were first published in the 1860’s and 1870’s and so popularized Leland that he soon became a sought-after and prosperous writer. The poems were later collected in “The Breitmann Ballads” (newly edited in 1895).

It was about this time in the late 1850’s and during the build up to the American Civil War of 1861-65, that Leland developed strong pro-Union sentiments, and founded the Continental Monthly, a pro-Union Army publication to support their views. He coined the term “emancipation” as an alternative to “abolition” in referance to the Union’s anti-slavery position. After the war broke out on the 12th April 1861, Leland enlisted in 1863 and joined an emergency regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war ended Leland traveled extensively throughout America developing his knowledge of folklore and the occult. On one occasion he tried his hand at prospecting for oil and on another while traveling through the old Wild West, he stayed for a short visit with General Custer at Fort Harker.

During his travels he lived and studied with the Algonquin Indians for months at a time recording their stories, myths and legends. He also studied the myths and legends of the Eskimos, the Finno-Ugric languages of the Finns and Lapps, and delved into the anthropology of a number of Mongoloid peoples. He found parallels in various Norse and North American Indian myths in as much as the Algonquin Indian stories could be related to Norse legends, he then developed a theory on their themes. He postulated that certain myths had spread from Greenland down to Canada and into Northeastern America. Leland’s studies led him to the conviction that the US did not have a meaningful legitimate folk ethos, and maintained that the American Indians understood nature and spirituality better than even Ralph Waldo Emerson or Walt Whitman.

In 1869 Leland’s father died, and with the inheritance from his estate together with the income he was generating from sales of his “Breitmann” poems, Leland abandoned journalism, being able finically to pursue his interest in folklore, mysticism and the occult. In 1870 he moved to England and began his study of the English Gypsies. Over the course of time he won the confidence of the then “King of the Gypsies” in England, Matty Cooper. From Cooper, Leland learned to speak Romany the language of the Gypsies, but it took many years before the Gypsy people accepted him as one of their own. They called him Romany Rye, meaning a non-Gypsy who associates with Gypsies.

Surviving the death of his beloved wife Isabel on the 09th July 1902, Leland himself died on the 20th of March 1903 in Florence. He had suffered with in ill health for the pervious seven years, and toward the end a bout of pneumonia and resulting heart problems caused his death. Leland was cremated in Florence and his ashes returned to America, where they were buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.

Elizabeth Robins Pennell, Leland’s niece who inherited much of his notes, letters and unpublished materials, wrote a two-volume biography on him: Charles Godfrey Leland: a Biography (published in Boston by Houghton, Mifflin and Co in 1906). Her biography is filled with comments on his early passionate interests in witchcraft, magic and the occult, of his passion she writes:

“As might be expected of the man who was called “Master” by the Witches and Gypsies, and whose pockets were always full of charms and amulets, who owned the Black Stone of the Voodoo’s, who could not see a bit of red string at his feet and not pick it up, or find a pebble with an hole in it and not add it to his store – who in a word, not only studied Witchcraft With the impersonal curiosity of the scholar, but practiced with the zest of the initiated”.

Sadly Leland departed without completing his work on Italian Witchcraft, however his legacy lives on through his books. Until his time, no other books existed claiming to contain material obtained directly from a practicing witch. His book Aradia: Gospel of the Witches became one of the most influential works to affect and influence Modern Witchcraft and Wicca. It is also one of the few books on witchcraft to remain in print for over one hundred years.

A select bibliography:

1855: Meister Karl's Sketch-book
1855: Mystery of Dreams
1856: Piaui es of Travel
1862: Sunshine in Thought
1862: Heine's Book of Songs
1864: Legends of Birds
1870: Music Lesson of Confucius
1871: Hans Breitmann Ballads
1872: Pidgin-English Sing-Song
1873: The English Gipsies
1873: Egyptian Sketch Book
1879: Johnnykin and the Goblins
1879: Life of Abraham Lincoln
1880: The Minor Arts
1882: The Gypsies
1883: Industrial Education
1884: Algonquin Legends of New England
1889: A Dictionary of Slang (with Albert Barrerre)
1891: Gyspsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling
1892: The Hundred Riddles of the Fairy Bellaria
1892: Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition
1893: Memoirs
1895: The Breitmann Ballads (newly edited)
1895: Songs of the Sea and Lays of the Land
1896: Legends of Florence Collected from the People (2 vols.)
1897: Hundred Profitable Acts
1899: Unpublished Legends of Virgil
1899: Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches
1899: Have You a Strong Will?
1901: Legends of Virgil
1902: Flaxius, or Leaves from the Life of an Immortal
1903: Kuloskap the Master, and other Algonquin Poems (with J. Dyneley Prince)

Free e-books (can be downloaded):

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Chapters Of Life
Marty Dodge - Reviews Of Leo Ruckbie Work
Aleister Crowley - The Confessions Of Aleister Crowley An Autohagiography

Grimoire For The Green Witch A Complete Book Of Shadows

Book: Grimoire For The Green Witch A Complete Book Of Shadows by Ann Moura

The author of the popular Green Witchcraft series presents her personal Book of Shadows, designed for you to use just as she uses it-as a working guide to ritual, spells, and divination. This ready-made, authentic grimoire is based on family tradition and actual magical experience, and is easily adaptable to any tradition of Witchcraft.

This is an excellent compendium of basic (non-Gardnerian, non-trad) wiccan/ witch ritual, theology and symbology. I believe it will be especially helpful for solitary (that is, not aligned with a coven or other group) pagans who are further along their paths than absolute beginners - people who need access to well-organized, non-fluffy material to bolster their personal practice. It would probably be a bit overwhelming for beginners, but that's not a bad thing as there are already too many beginning pagan books and not enough intermediate and advanced.

One of the most attractive qualities about Moura's writing is that she makes no extravagent claims of ancient lineage and she doesn't attempt to distort history to fit her version of the Craft; many Llewellyn books in the past have been rendered nearly useless by this tendency. The material is offered as neutrally as can be, and therefore it is easily adaptable for an individual's tastes and beliefs.

Is it just me, or is the overall quality of pagan books going up recently? Kudos to Llewellyn for finally putting out a quality witchcraft reference!
Grimoire for the Green Witch offers a treasury of magical information- rituals for Esbats and Sabbats, correspondences, circle-casting techniques, sigils, symbols, recitations, spells, teas, oils, baths, and divinations. Every aspect of Craft practice is addressed, from the purely magical to the personally spiritual. It is a distillation of Green practice, with room for growth and new inspiration.

It is extremely thorough, well written as a ritual and spell book, and NOT a teaching book at all. If you are looking for a teaching book, get "Green Witchcraft III." This is the compilation of all the rituals and magical work from her earlier books, all written out and put into one manual. They are easy to find, easy to follow, flow together very well, and she includes a ton of extra information so it is right at your fingertips. No more hunting around and thinking "Where did I read that??" You will LOVE this book!

Born in 1947 and raised in a family oral tradition of at least three generations, Ann Moura began writing about her heritage as a Green Witch in 1993 when her mother passed away. Her maternal heritage is Brazilian/Celtic-Iberian through her mother and grandmother. From them she learned folk magics and Craft concepts that included Rules of Conduct, spiritism, herbal spells, candle magics, reincarnation belief, calling upon the Elementals, and working with “The Power.”Ann holds both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in History and writes from the perspective of her personal experience and family training. Her books are sold internationally in English, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and Russian. Ann is the author of Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore, & Herb Craft, Green Witchcraft II: Balancing Light & Shadow, Green Witchcraft III: The Manual, Green Magic: The Sacred Connection to Nature, Grimoire for the Green Witch: A Complete Book of Shadows, and Tarot for the Green Witch.

Buy Ann Moura's book from amazon.com: Grimoire For The Green Witch A Complete Book Of Shadows

Books in PDF format to read:

Sekhet Sophia - The Alexandrian Book Of Shadows
Oberon Zell Ravenheart - Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard.pdf
Gerald Gardner - The Garnerian Book Of Shadows

Short History Of Pagan Altars

In many of the world's religions, practitioners reserve a place in their homes where deities are honored with prayers and offerings. Petitions are made to the gods of the home altar for things desired or needed: health, wealth, success, love, protection, and other blessings. This practice originated in ancient magickal ritual. Places of spiritual significance can be found in the dwellings of the earliest civilizations

Exactly what goes on the altar varies by Witchcraft tradition. Some common elements include: candles, a bowl of water, salt, incense (and incense holder or censor), a statue or picture of gods or goddesses (either gods or goddesses related to the specific ritual being performed, or gods or goddesses that are special to you). Flowers, berries, crystals and rocks, leaves, twigs, just about anything natural, wine glass (and ceremonial wine).

Representations of the elements (earth, air, water, and fire, for most Western traditions, or the five Chinese elements of metal, water, wood, fire, and earth), a ceremonial knife (called an athame), a wand, any ingredients for the rituals or spells to be performed, any special tools of your Witchcraft tradition, and anything that you feel helps connect you to the divine or to Witchcraft.

Whether permanent or temporary or some combination of both, the altar becomes a personal expression of your spirit, your spirituality, and your magick. Your altar should be both decorative and functional. Your altar should "feel right" to you.

Churches were frequently built over ancient sacred Pagan sites. The Christian altar was placed on the East side of the church, however, a Pagan altar was sometimes included and was placed by the North door.

Churches in as late as the 11th century had a Pagan altar. These north doors of most churches were walled over from the 1300's onward as Witches were less tolerated. ~Taken from Squido~

Also try this free pdf e-books:

Joseph Ennemoser - The History Of Magic Vol 1
Samuel Croxall - The Secret History Of Pythagoras
William Phelon - Our Story Of Atlantis

Tags: biblia cabalistica  born 1930s  astronomical geomancy  study kabalah  have witch tools  assembly sages  heptameron magical elements  invocation horned  magus bennett aleister  history period  odin song  dogma rituel magic  

Biddy Early The Healer The Wise Woman The Witch The Tulla Woman

The name Witch comes from the Celtic word Wicca meaning wise one. Biddy Early was born on Faha Ridge to a poor irish farming couple John & Ellen Connors, she was baptized as Bridget Ellen Connors, but she became known by her mothers maiden name of Early, Biddy's mother Ellen taught her many herbal recipes and cures as she was also known as a wise woman and her gifts she passed onto Biddy

As a child Biddy spent most of her time alone and was said to talk to the faeries, she could not read or write,but this was common for the poor classes & country people of that period in time, coming from the country Biddy spoke Gaelic, she was also known to speak Shelta, the language of ancient mystics and Irish travellers, this is a secret language with no written code.
When Biddy was 16 years old, her mother died of malnutrition, leaving Biddy in charge of the household. Just six months after her mother's death, Biddy's father died of typhus and as biddy had no means to pay the rent she had to leave their home, homeless she wandered the county roads, working where she could along the way and experimenting with herbal cures. she had a period of living in a poor house, finally she met and married Pat Malley who was twice her age, but I suppose biddy felt the need to be looked after, and they had a son whom they called Paddy. They lived in a three room cottage in Feakle, and once settled Biddy began to earn a reputation for her cures, as local peasants couldn't afford to pay for a doctor they would turn to Biddy for help, she never requested money for her services, but allowed her clients to decide how to compensate her. Whiskey and poitin were common trade items in those days, so her house was frequently stocked with an abundance of alcohol and eventually became known as a place where people could also go to drink and play cards.

Biddy’s cures are the main reason she became well-known, but she was also an independent and stong willed woman, life had thrown hard circumstances at her, she had survived the poor house, the famine, and outlived four husbands, but she triumped against all odds and had the courage to stand up against priest and landlords.
The Catholic church did not approve of Biddy’s activities, but none the less she encouraged people to listen to the priests. In contrast, the priests openly disapproved of Biddy and discouraged people from visiting her. They mistrusted the herbal medicine folklore and mystism that surrounded her. Biddy acquired a bottle that became as famous as she was. She would frequently look into the bottle, which contained some sort of dark liquid, when considering possible cures for her visitors. She took the bottle everywhere, and it was even with her when she died.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Tobias Johansson - The Crucible And The Reasons For The Salem Witch Hunt
Zenaide Alexeievna Ragozin - Siegfried The Hero Of The North And Beowulf The Hero Of The Anglo Saxons
Joanne Pearson - Wicca And The Christian Heritage Ritual Sex And Magic
Aleister Crowley - Book Of The Heart Girt With The Serpent
Frater Achad - The Egyptian Revival Or The Ever Coming Son In The Light Of The Tarot

The Book Of Shadows

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Most Wiccan traditions treasure a Book of Shadows. Such books are rarely published or even shown to non-initiates. In them, the Tradition's specific beliefs and modes of worship are thoroughly or sketchily outlined. Though contents and organization of these ritual manners vary, most Books of Shadows include instructions for the circle casting and banishing; religious rituals; the consecration of tools; laws; coven organizational notes magical rites; prayers and perhaps herbal lore. Some contain lists of the Traditions pantheon, training exercises for new students and, finally, initiation ceremonies.

Such books are vitally important to the establishment and maintenance of all Wiccan traditions, for without them, the tradition's specific rites and other lore must be carefully memorized and passed down by word of mouth. This always leaves room for error, misinterpretation, and even loss of the material. Don't misunderstand this: no Wiccan tradition has been able to record every single bit of information. Much is verbally passed from teacher to student. Still a tradition's Book of Shadows provides and unchanging guide and memory trigger for the practitioner.

There are many different Books of Shadows today. Some are used by hundreds of Thousands of Wiccans. Others are created by Solitary Wiccans and never shown to others.

Information from Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

To me the Book of Shadows is a very special book. Mostly because it is innermost thoughts that come from your heart and soul As you study and Learn you will fill that book up with all kinds of things from Spells to Thoughts, To just writing how you are feeling about things. And it doesn't matter what kind of book of shadows you have whether it is a three ringed binder to a home made book. How you wish to organize your Book of shadows is up to you. Just make sure that you put as much love and care into as you do yourself. Cause that will always be a very special and important book in this Life's Path. And May the Goddess Shine Brightly in your Heart for Always.

Suggested e-books:

Aleister Crowley - The Book Of The Law
Gerald Gardner - The Garnerian Book Of Shadows
Sasha Fierce - The Book Of Shadows

Tags: black magic beginners  the ancient egyptian book of the dead  black magic satanism  candle magic colours  wiccan horned god  free magic spells  witches grimoire  free voodoo magic spells  

Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Vi A Mithriac Ritual

Book: Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Vi A Mithriac Ritual by George Robert Stowe Mead

The next instalment in the Echoes series was the translation of a fourth-century manuscript which had only recently been discovered by the German scholar Albrecht Dieterich in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris in 1900 and published by him in 1903. Prior to this edition, the knowledge of Mithraism was based on a few fragments; for the first time an entire text became available. Mead added an Introduction and a commentary to his translation.

Echoes from the Gnosis(1906) is a series of monographs under the title Echoes from the Gnosis (recently republished in a centennial edition) summarizing his insights into the formation of the Gnostic world-view. By this time Mead had published eight works on various aspects of the early Christian world and on “The Theosophy of the Greeks.” Together With his outstanding Translations of the Hermetic books, these works established his reputation as one of the foremost English scholars in his broadly chosen fields. Mead was the first modern scholar of Gnostic tradition. A century later, the corpus of his work remains unequaled in breadth and insight.

Download George Robert Stowe Mead's eBook: Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Vi A Mithriac Ritual

Downloadable books (free):

George Robert Stowe Mead - Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Iv The Hymn Of Jesus
George Robert Stowe Mead - Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Vii The Gnostic Crucifixion
George Robert Stowe Mead - Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Vi A Mithriac Ritual

Magick In The Life Of A Child

Whether by birth, adoption, or association with another parent, the entrance of a child into one's life is one of the finest and greatest experiences that life has to offer. An ancient Chinese proverb states, "It is the wise parent who gives his child roots and wings."

Our roots are the ties that bind us to one another by blood and make us a family. They are the collective totality of our shared experiences, both good and bad. They are the stories we tell time and again over shared meals, they are the tears that we shed at a common pain.

Our roots teach us the value of history, and learning from those who have gone before. Roots are fostered with daily doses of quality time, the ordinary things that you do together in any given day, the family traditions that make sense only to you and yours.

Our roots are present at the very moment of our conception in our mother's womb; however, we sprout our wings the day that we are born. From the moment that we take our first breath in the world, we take the first steps on our journey of becoming who we are. Though we are momentarily dependent on those who take care of us, we are striving ever forward on our journey to wholeness. Whereas our roots are the ties that bind us together, our wings represent the gift of free will, and the things which define us as individuals.

Our wings carry us through daily experiences, and most notably during those rites of passage that all must face at the appointed hour. Those moments that tell us that we are where we are supposed to be, the first love, the triumph of obtaining our driver's license, graduation, our first paycheck, the first time we make love, the first time we become parents ourselves..........

As the wheel of life revolves, we may one day have children of our own, and pass on to them the gift of roots and wings. If not to our own children, then to the child of another, for it has been said that 'it takes a village to raise a child.' And as the waters of the Earth run to the Sea, we too return to our own roots, as our progeny carries forward with this, their legacy; those intangible things more common that air, or dirt; more priceless than gold, or rubies. The child that you love becomes that adult that you respect, and the one that holds your hand when it is your time to journey to the Summerland.

Books in PDF format to read:

Naomi Janowitz - Magic In The Roman World
Aleister Crowley - Magick In Theory And Practice

Labels: turris commentary  tablet hermes original  magie french  analysis volsunga saga  historical studies christian  

Anodea Judith Biography

Anodea Judith is an American author, spiritual teacher, poet, artist, songwriter and musician, an expert on the Chakra system, mind and body integration and somatic therapy, a Yoga therapist and a Reiki master. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Therapy, a Doctorate in Health and Human Services from Columbia Pacific University, and has done additional doctoral work in Systems Theory at Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. She is a past president of the Church of All Worlds (CAW) and a founder of Sacred Centers, a school for the study of sacred principles and transformative arts.

Born Judith Anne Mull on the 1st of December 1952 in Elyria, Ohio, Judith was the youngest and only daughter of three children, her middle brother is called David Mull while her eldest brother is the comedian Martin Mull. Judith spent most of her formulative years on her grandmothers farm in Northern Ohio, and there gained an early appreciation for nature and animals. In the late 1950’s her family relocated to Connecticut and Judith was enrolled at New Canaan High School to begin her formal education. During her teens while studying mythology at school, Judith began to identify with various aspects of the Greek Goddesses, and this caused her to re-evaluate Christian deities and research more into alternative religions.

Judith was aided in this quest when her mother married for a second time to a devout Christian Scientist, who kindled her interests in healing. Their belief is that all illness stems from the mind, and that the use of positive thinking techniques can perfect mind, body and spirit to effect cure. “This taught me how our consciousness can effect our reality, which is one of the foundational principles of magic”, she said. Applying such techniques in high school, she quickly became known as the healer. Christian Science as a religion however, had no appeal for Judith and she sought other systems in which to apply the same principles.

In 1971 after completing high school, Judith enrolled at Clark University studying psychology. She had intended a career as an analyst/therapist, but then changed her mind in favour of Art. She moved to California and took up studies at the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, with additional courses at John F. Kennedy University. After finishing college she spent the next few years living and working out of an artists ‘attic studio’ in Berkeley, where she made a name for herself painting murals and “cloudscapes on ceilings”.

In 1975 realising that health and consciousness were essential components to the quality of her artistic expression, she determined to transform her spiritual self. She gave up smoking, turned vegetarian, became bisexual and started a on a serious study of yoga and mediation. This led her onto a life long study of the Charka system, as well as Acupressure, Bioenergetics, Yoga, Gestalt therapy, Radical psychiatry, Ritual magic, Shamanism, Psychic readings and Alternative healing. The results of her cumulative studies later lead to the publication of her first book: Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System (Llewellyn - 1987, revised 1999).

As part of her studies Judith spent two months living alone in a tent atop of a California mountain, where a friend had given her a five-acre plot of land. She describes him as “A crazy Israeli chemist, who disappeared after bequeathing it to me”. She spent her time there becoming one with the elements, during which she felt and received direct teaching from the Goddess. This caused her to re-think her name and change it to Anodea Judith (Anodea is an anagram of: Ano - meaning year of or one of, and Dea – meaning the Goddess). To Judith the meaning is clear - “One who serves the Goddess”).

After the initial success of her first book the: Wheels of Life in 1987, Anodea became a sought after teacher and speaker on the workshop circuit, presenting and lecturing at such well known events as the Starwood Festival and the WinterStar Symposium (*see additional information below). However, due to the demands of her travelling workshops and other commitments, her active involvement with CAW gradually declined, although she still remains a member of the Church Clergy.

Since then Anodea has spent the last 20 years working as a somatic psychotherapist, and now travels the world teaching through her own organization called “Sacred Centers”. Through Sacred Centers, she also runs an intensive Certification Program training other teachers and therapists in the use of her work.

Into the new millennium, as well writing books, she has ventured into the Audio/Video market and in March 2000 released a six-tape audio course called The Chakra System: A Complete Course in Self-Diagnosis and Healing. She followed this in 2004 with an award winning DVD, The Illuminated Chakras, co-created with her son, artist and animator Alex Wayne, and in 2006 produced a popular spiral-bound box set called Chakra Balancing.

Also in 2006 she wrote a double award winning book called Waking the Global Heart: Humanity’s Rite of Passage from the Love of Power to the Power of Love. This is a book that charts human history as a developmental process, and argues that we are now undergoing our global initiation from cultural adolescence to adulthood, moving from the third Chakra of power to the fourth Chakra of love as a social organizing principle. More books are planned for the future, she say’s.

Downloadable books (free):

Marion Crawford - The Witch Of Prague
Ross Arthur - English Old Norse Dictionary
Swain Wodening - Anglo Saxon Witchcraft

How To Make Your Own Wand

The Wand corresponds to the South and the element of Fire. Its color is Red, its season Summer, and its time Noon. The wand is associated with the Witch's will and it is used to direct, or move energy.

Traditionally, the wand is roughly the same length as that from your own elbow to the tip of your smallest finger and about as thick as your thumb. It can be painted, decorated with symbols, tipped with crystals, or left plain.

The Wand is consecrated when the Full Moon is in a Fire Sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) on the day (Tuesday, Sunday, Thursday) and in the hour (Mars, Sun, Jupiter) of that sign's planetary ruler.

Traditional lore, dictates that to make your own wand one must rise early on the morning of the Full Moon. Next, go alone to a wooded area with a new, unused axe and find a healthy living tree. One must then ask the tree for permission to take one of it's branches in order to make your wand. If the permission is not given, you must respect the answer and seek another tree.

Once the permission is given, you then cut the branch in one swing of the axe and wrap it in special cloth. Before returning home the tree which donated a part of itself to your cause is given a ritual offering for it's sacrifice.

The branch is then reduced to correct size (long as the space between your elbow and the tip of your smallest finger) and stripped of all bark. The branch is then wrapped up again and allowed to dry for a week. Afterwards, use sandpaper to smooth down the nubs left from the twigs.

At this point, the wand can be embellished in several ways including the following:

* Hollowing out the tip(s) and setting crystals in the sockets.
* Painting or Staining the Wand.
* Using a wood burning tool to inscribe symbols on it's surface.
* Wrapping the handle in leather or ribbon for better gripping.

How you embellish your wand, or not, is completely up to you and whatever you choose will be right for you. Once the wand is finished it is important that it be ritually blessed and consecrated. (See Bath of the Elements, this page)

For those who don't feel up to this process, there are easier methods. For instance. In the early days of my craft I purchased a wooden dowel from a local hardware store, which I then soaked in chamomile tea (which is known to be a fiery herb), which acted as a natural stain. I then allowed the wand to dry and to personalize it, I anointed it with three drops of my own blood before cleansing and blessing the wand.

I've even used a decorative wooden spoon as a wand.

Books in PDF format to read:

Julia Phillips - History Of Wicca In England
John Sebastian Marlowe Ward - The Master Masons Handbook

Labels: witch hunts  welcome community  children rise paganism  occult magical book  book appin  consecrate charge talisman  testament solomon  moon names  manuscript known necronomicon  elizabethan witchcraft  liber england  interview exploring magic  religious communities  book that things  witch books  

Witches Recruiting And Compatibility

Pagans and Wiccans do not have any active recruiting and converting methods (Some people may try to convert, but that is looked down upon). We are very open teachers. Some people like our beliefs and philosophies enough to become Pagan or Wiccan. But there is absolutely NO pressure. It is important for each person practicing the Craft to be honest about who they are, and what they want out of life. If you are pressured into the Craft, or coerced, then that's worse than not having you around at all. To most Pagans it is very important that you are comfortable with what you believe, no matter what it is you believe.

The Pagan/Christian duality is an interesting one... Myself, I do not see Christ as the son of god... Because of my Relationship with the Universe, I believe that we are all the sons and daughters of God. I do believe that Jesus was an absolutely incredible philosopher and teacher, and I have great respect for him.

I have many Pagans on my site that are both Christian and Pagan. Because of a lot of Pagan beliefs were incorporated into Christianity to convert the original Pagans to a unified belief system, the two blend together very readily. Again, it would take time for you to fit the pieces together to create your own beliefs. There are often problems, however. Usually these problems come from the close-mindedness of Christians who were always taught that Pagans were devil worshippers. It is difficult to defend yourself against something like that. Usually because it is something they have been taught their whole life, yet without any real support or evidence.

I have literally seen arguments that went like this:

"You are a devil worshipper!"
"Uh, no I'm not. There is no devil in the Craft"
"Yes you are! The Bible says so!"
"No it doesn't."
"Well you still are! I know it!"
"Uhm... I do not worship the devil. I worship nature."
"Don't try to trick me!"
"(Sigh) I hope you do as much research into my religion as I've done into yours one day. Until then, goodbye."

The same holds true for many religions and faiths, honestly. The Pagan religions are very flexible and forgiving by nature. Every now and then you'll meet up with a religion that is too close-minded and strict to allow for any kind of mixtures of beliefs. But then, usually followers of those faiths are either really not interested in the Craft, or are perfectly willing to leave their old religion behind.

The rings you talk about are usually specific to the person. Often you'll see rings with commonly used symbols. However, there are no rings that carry meaning the same way as a wedding ring does (for example).

The direction you should face when you are practicing Magick depends on the spell. If there is no direction specified, East is a preferred direction, for exactly the reasons you mentioned.

As for candles/herbs/scents, use whatever feels right. Most spells give a list of ingredients such as this, but it's often just a starting point. If you think you want to use a scent not listed, or change a candle's color, than that makes the spell more personal to you, and therefore more likely to succeed.

Bright Blessings

Downloadable books (free):

Josh Norton - Charging An Enochian Tablet
Charles Wentworth Upham - Salem Witchcraft And Cotton Mather A Reply
Louise Jackson - Witches Wives And Mothers
Tom Peete Cross - Witchcraft In North Carolina
Kathryn Paulsen - Witches Potions And Spells

A Witchs Guide To Faery Folk How To Work With The Elemental World

Book: A Witchs Guide To Faery Folk How To Work With The Elemental World by Edain Mccoy

Working on the idea that faeries are not merely mythological creatures or elemental archetypes, but actual beings who can aid in pagan rituals and magic, McCoy tells the reader where to find them, how to call them (or protect against them), spells and rituals involving the little people and a rather helpful dictionary of faery folk from around the world. I'm impressed with the amount of actually helpful Information which McCoy has included in this book.

Work magick with help from the little people. All over the world, people have reported encounters with a race of tiny people who are neither human nor deity. This book reclaims that lost, rich heritage of working with faery folk that our Pagan ancestors took for granted. Edain McCoy teaches how to work with faeries in a mutually beneficial way. Practice rituals and spells in which faeries can participate, and discover tips to help facilitate faery contact. These capricious creatures can help with divination, past life recall, scrying, and spiritual quests. Also included is a dictionary of more than 230 faeries that include goblins, gnomes, elementals, seasonal faeries, and angels.

Section one explains the nature of fairies, the fairie Experience aroung the globe, how and where to find them, how to protect yourself from the bad ones and a "guided Meditation to fairyland". Section two has ideas on spells and rituals for you and the little people and how to create your own fairy beings and section three is a dictionary of the "Fairies of the world". It is REALLY a great book! The descriptions are so detailed! I just opened up to a page and scanned in one of the descriptions of a fairy: Alven - Land of Origin: Netherlands. Other Origins: None known. Other Names: Ottermaaner. Element: Water. Appearance and Temperament: Alvens have bodies thatlight as to make them almost invisible. They are not winged but they can travel through the air by becoming encased in a water bubble. Occasionally they will show themselves while wearing the skins of otters. Their malice towards humans extends only to who choose to desecrate their homes and sacred plants. Time Most Active: At night. Lore: Alvens are creatures of the moon under whose light they dance and play. They are water faeries who live in ponds, lakes and rivers, but the River Elbe is sacred to them and in it they make principal home. They cherish night-blooming plants and will harm any human who attempts to pick or destroy them. Fish are their only known enemies, and they prefer to live in water enclosures there are none. Where to Find Them: In the River Elbe, an easy journey on the inner plane. How to Contact: Look for them in Faeryland and try approaching them as a friend, someone who also loves the moon and nature. Magickal and Ritual Help: Undetermined, but they may be useful in protective and healing spells for a night-blooming garden or for the marine environment. That is just an example of one type...a few other names: Ballybogs, Baraboas, Brownies, Coblynau, Domoviyr, Elle Maids, Fireesin, Gnomes, Gremlins, Hobgoblins, Jack Frost, Knockers, Lesidhe, Lorelei, Merrows, Nokke, Oakmen, Pixies, Portunes, Saleerandees, Spunkies, Twlwwyth Tegs, Undines, Wag-by-the-way, Zips... the list goes on! There is a great resource guide in the back and suggestions for making up stories, etc...

Buy Edain Mccoy's book: A Witchs Guide To Faery Folk How To Work With The Elemental World

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The Book Of Secrets

Book: The Book Of Secrets by Solomonic Grimoires

According to Lewis Spence in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism, the Oupnekhat or Oupnekhata (Book of the Secret) is a work written in Persian providing the following instructions for the production of visions: "To produce the wise Maschqgui (vision), we must sit on a four-cornered base, namely the heels, and then close the gates of the body. The ears by the thumbs; the eyes by the forefingers; the nose by the middle; the lips by the four other fingers. The lamp within the body will then be preserved from wind and movement, and the whole body will be full of light. Like the tortoise, man must withdraw every sense within himself; the heart must be guarded, and then Brahma will enter into him, like fire and lightning. In the great fire in the cavity of the heart a small flame will be lit up, and in its center is Atma (the soul); and he who destroys all worldly desires and wisdom will be like a hawk which has broken through the meshes of the net, and will have become one with the great being." Thus will he become Brahma-Atma (divine spirit), and will perceive by a light that far exceeds that of the sun. "Who, therefore, enters this path by Brahma must deny the world and its pleasures; must only cover his nakedness, and staff in hand collect enough, but no more, alms to maintain life. The lesser ones only do this; the greater throw aside pitcher and staff, and do not even read the Oupnekhata. "

This book is possibly a revision of one of the Hindu Upanishads. Oupnekhata is probably from a nineteenth-century German translation titled Das Oupnekhat; die aus den Veden zusammengefasste Lebre von dem Brahm (Dresden, 1882), derived from an earlier Latin edition of 1801.

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Solomonic Grimoires - The Book Of Secrets

Witches Claim Religious Discrimination After Church Ban

A group of witches is claiming religious Discrimination after church leaders banned them from using its social club. Sandra Davis - High Priestess at the Crystal Cauldron - had reserved Our Lady's Social Club in Shaw Heath, Stockport for her Pagan group's Annual Witches' Ball.

But when she rang to make payment arrangements she was told the event could not be held there and - despite already having printed tickets - another venue must be found.

The Diocese of Shrewsbury have since confirmed witches are not 'compatible with the Catholic ethos'.

Sandra, 61, said: "I'm appalled.

"My congregation is shocked that in this day and age there can be such religious discrimination.

"We're normal people who follow an earth-based religion and want to enjoy ourselves.

"We thought we were bridging the gap With Other religions but misconceptions still exist, like we sacrifice animals.

"Does the church check everyone's beliefs before allowing them in the club?

"Now we need another venue for at least 100 people with a stage for entertainment.

"At this point that's going to be very difficult."

Sandra, of Bridge Hall, set up the Crystal Cauldron as a pagan meeting place and hopes to turn it into a temple.

This year's ball was planned for October and Sandra agreed to hire the social club for ?175.

But the Reverend John Joyce, from the Diocese of Shrewsbury, said there was no way the event could go ahead.

"Parish centres under our auspices let their premises on the Understanding users and their organisations are compatible with the ethos and teachings of the Catholic church," he said.

"In this instance, we aren't satisfied such requirements are met."

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An Introduction To The Study Of The Tarot

Book: An Introduction To The Study Of The Tarot by Paul Foster Case

For six centuries Tarot cards have been used in Europe, ostensibly for games and fortune telling, but really to preserve the essentials of a secret doctrine. They form a symbolic alphabet of the ancient wisdom, and to their influence upon the minds of a few enlightened thinkers we may trace the modern revival of interest in that wisdom. The aim of this book is to show readers how to use the Tarot and how to understand the Kabbalistic and numerological correspondences of the Tarot cards to the letters of Hebrew alphabet and the Sephirotic paths of the Kabbalah. The book offers a concise explanation of the general plan of the Tarot, and a brief interpretation of its emblems, which the student must complete through own observation and meditation. The author says that there is a definite manner in which to approach the study of the Tarot cards, even as there are tunnels that lead to the heart of a gold mine and he provides a map of the mine. The treasure you must dig out for yourselves.

Download Paul Foster Case's eBook: An Introduction To The Study Of The Tarot

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Paul Foster Case - An Introduction To The Study Of The Tarot

Cottage Witchery Natural Magick For Hearth And Home

Book: Cottage Witchery Natural Magick For Hearth And Home by Ellen Dugan

Mrs. Dugan reprises with another absolutely fantastic book dealing with the elements of natural witchcraft and its connections to the hearth and home. Practical and amazingly easy to read and retain Information from, Mrs. Dugan takes the reader on a fantastic journey through the parts of your own home that seem to lack a magickal mystery, and insures her readers that the home is one, if not the best place to practice witchcraft. Jam packed with useful information, hearth magick seems less of an abstract idea and more of an accessible entity, completely surrounding you.

According to Dugan, a witch's cottage can take any shape, from a city apartment to a house in the suburbs. A self-described "Garden Witch" and psychic-clairvoyant, Dugan offers a Martha Stewart–like guide for setting up a magickal home, helping readers to "reconnect to the energies of the natural world," and "direct these magickal forces into [their] homes and everyday lives." A follow-up to Garden Witchery, this guide will appeal to a broad audience, from the serious witch hoping to align each room with magickal principles, to the interested dabbler looking for ways to draw magick into the kitchen or the newbie seeking an alternative kind of feng shui. Included are a range of interesting spells for "removing bad vibes," warding off unwanted guests and buying and selling a home, as well as a household journal with blessings for various rooms of the home, and a helpful glossary of terms. Dugan is at her best when explaining concepts like the history of different goddesses and categorizing elements like the magickal qualities of houseplants, yet her tendency to converse directly with the reader can be off-putting, as are her frequent personal tangents. Though Dugan claims often that this is a guide for any style of home in any location, it will be most useful to readers with easy access to nature.

As to her style, Ellen connects with her readers and steers clear of the "bow-down-to-my-almighty-knowledge" attitude that some writers stick close to when writing a book on the subject of Wicca. With ease and expertise, Mrs. Dugan writes what's in her own clever heart, but fully delivers the vast amounts of info one would deem necessary to have in order to practice this wonderful, natural craft, the Craft of the hearth and of the home. Does it really sound as if Mrs. Dugan is speaking to her readers in a tone one would use with a two year old? Personally, I don't see a hint of that. After reading book after book after book, the titles, the authors and the information, for me, seem to bleed together and become indistinguishable in a muddled, wordy mess. Ellen Dugan stands out among the rest who have attempted to write on this difficult and vast subject and fully utilizes the humor and wit she is know for.

Ellen Dugan, the author of Garden Witchery, is the ideal guide to show us how to bring the beauty of nature and its magickal energies indoors. Using common household and outdoor items-such as herbs, spices, dried flowers, plants, stones, and candles-she offers a down-to-earth approach to creating an enchanted home.

From specialized spells and charms to kitchen conjuring and color magick, this hands-on guide teaches Witches of all levels how to strengthen a home's aura and energy. Readers will learn how to use begonias and lilacs for protection, dispel bad vibes with salt and lemon, perform tea leaf readings, bless the home with fruit, invite the help of home faeries, perform houseplant magick, and create a loving home for the whole family.

Buy Ellen Dugan's book: Cottage Witchery Natural Magick For Hearth And Home

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Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Ii The Hymns Of Hermes

Book: Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Ii The Hymns Of Hermes by George Robert Stowe Mead

Like The vision of Aridaeus (Echoes 3) and the Chaldaean oracles I and II (Echoes 8 and 9), The hymns of Hermes originated in Alexandria in the first centuries CE. According to Mead, the hymns here presented were inspired by ‘the best of ancient Egyptian wisdom’ filtered through Greek philosophy. He greatly regretted the fact that only fragments had survived of the Hermetic literature. The discovery of the virtually intact Treatise on the Eight and Ninth Sphere, describing the spiritual experience of the divine world in a dialogue between Hermes and a pupil, has greatly increased our knowledge of the nature of Hermetic hymns. According to Roelof van den Broek (Hermes Trismegistus. Inleiding, Teksten, Commentaren) this text supports Mead’s claim that Hermetic communities must have once existed, offering instruction, rituals and initiations.

Echoes from the Gnosis(1906) is a series of monographs under the title Echoes from the Gnosis (recently republished in a centennial edition) summarizing his insights into the formation of the Gnostic world-view. By this time Mead had published eight works on various aspects of the early Christian world and on “The Theosophy of the Greeks.” Together with his outstanding translations of the Hermetic books, these works established his reputation as one of the foremost English scholars in his broadly chosen fields. Mead was the first modern scholar of Gnostic tradition. A century later, the corpus of his work remains unequaled in breadth and insight.

Download George Robert Stowe Mead's eBook: Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Ii The Hymns Of Hermes

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George Robert Stowe Mead - Echoes From The Gnosis Vol Ii The Hymns Of Hermes

The Greater Key Of Solomon Part 2

Book: The Greater Key Of Solomon Part 2 by Solomonic Grimoires

he Greater Key of Solomon, Books 1,2 & 3 - The Key of Solomon, divided in two books, contains the conjurations and invocations to summon spirits of the dead (preferably in battle) and spirits from Hell (not specified whether demons or punished souls, but it is understandable from the purpose of the texts that those spirits are demons), and to protect the conjurer (called exorcist in the book) from them and against an attempt of possession. There are curses to oblige reluctant spirits to obey. The book gives details on how to prepare the ink to draw the magic symbols necessary for the experiments the magician is going to perform, using animal blood mixed with other substances. All substances needed for the magic drawings and amulets are detailed, as well as the means to purify and prepare them. Many of the symbols incorporate the Passing through the River occult alphabet. The conjurer must also purify himself before performing an intended experiment, and these rituals are also detailed, as well as the clothing he must use, the colours, etc.

The Greater Key Of Solomon is the most important works attributed to Solomon was The Key of Solomon. A manuscript of the work in Greek found in the British Museum may date from as early as the thirteen century, and other copies in various languages can be found around Europe. In 1559 the Inquisition pronounced the Key a dangerous book and prohibited its being published or read. Many of the later grimoires, however, show its influence. In 1889 Golden Dawn leader S. L. MacGregor Mathers published an abridged edition of the work collating some seven different versions of it from the British Museum collection. His translation then became a major source for Golden Dawn rituals. It was reprinted in 1909, and a slightly revised, pirated American edition was published by L. W. deLaurence. The book, even in its abridged version, offers detailed instructions for preparing and executing various magic rituals involving the summoning and control of spirit entities.

According to the Key of Solomon animals must be sacrificed as offerings to the summoned spirits as a sine qua non (essential) condition, which is common in medieval books on "black magic". The book contains instructions to practice necromancy, experiments of invisibility, to cause harm to others, etc., and the zodiacal time appropriate for each experiment. All the necessary magical instruments needed to perform the experiments are described in great detail, including how and also the form to make it. As a curious need, the conjurer must manifest that he is free of any evil action before attempting any of these experiments (many of them to cause evil), and invoke the protection of God. There is also lore that certain symbols of Solomon have the ability to trap a demon (preferably a possessed man) if it walks under or on top of it. (Very powerful works of magick contained here. step carefully my friend!!).

Buy Solomonic Grimoires's book: The Greater Key Of Solomon Part 2

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Healing Quarter Calls

East

Wings of Healing, wind of understanding
Carry me aloft to the clear blue sky
Wise and knowing, curious and wondering
Home to my mind, that I might know why

South

Flame of Healing, sweet determination
Power my belonging, make me strong
Wild and hungry, joyful and insistent
Home to desire, for the fire I long

West

Waves of Healing, serpent of the Mystery
Swallow me below to the tender deep
Strange and dreaming, wakening my wonder
Home to my truth, that my heart not sleep

North

Cave of Healing, rhythm of my heartbeat
Cradle me to silence, still my pain
Cool and patient, welcoming and wordless
Home to my bones, make me whole again

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Purifying Atmosphere In A Tainted Room

We had this problem when a housemate moved out--we didn't dislike her exactly, but our styles were very different, and for six months we had a room in our house that didn't belong to us.

Removing all mundane traces of the person is important. Take down their clippings, throw out the phone book with their notes scribbled in it, sweep the place thoroughly. Wipe down desktops and telephones and other grubby bits of furniture, maybe with a clean scent like pine in the wash water.

Sprinkling with salt water is a good idea--as far as I'm concerned any kind of salt will work. Incense or perfume can also work, but are more likely to annoy co-workers. For me, even better than sprinkling is walking the boundaries of the space and dabbing water by hand onto walls, doors, windows, etc.

Then put up something of your own to claim the place. It doesn't have to be explicitly pagan--photographs, perhaps a calendar with nature scenes, a cartoon clipping, whatever will help mark it as yours. Perhaps ask for a blessing on the room, if you are comfortable doing so, or make a dedication of it to your working purposes.

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Gothic Grimoire

Book: Gothic Grimoire by Konstantinos

In this day and age when Witchcraft & Wicca books are plentiful, it is rare to find something worthwhile and truly inspiring.

Let me tell you, this book is an exception and I cannot recommend it highly enough!! It was quite refreshing to see Lewellyn publishing something insightful and informative again, rather than re-hashing the same old topics cloaked in the latest "pantheon du jour."

Konstantinos' frank, descriptive writing style is one that is easy to relate to, both for the novice Witch and for those like myself who have been on this path long before the "Charmed" sect decided it would be fun to dabble in. And how nice to know that someone actually cracks open the "old school" tomes like Franz Bardon, Dion Fortune and RJ Stewart to bring that wisdom to the fore of Modern Witchcraft practice.

Too often, today's Witchcraft authors leave out the whys and wherefores of how the circle is cast, how a condenser is created and how energies can be directed and transformed. There's been too much glossing over of such important elements of the art, science and practicum of magick....its a wonder any modern students of the Old Ways are getting anything from ritual and spell work at all.

But let me tell you, as a woman who has been working with paganism for nearly two decades, this book is different. Not only is it is very apparent that the author has indeed tried to "walk his talk" in his Spiritual Path (another thing often lost on the newer generation of Witches), it's obvious that through intense study, trial-and-error and thoughtful practice he has actually gleaned the knowledge he espouses. What a concept!! To teach from serious first-hand experience rather than spouting rote diatribes!!

Any real Witch would know that Gardner, Sanders, Buckland and Valiente started from deeper roots of knowledge, and so too has this author. What a wonderful way to show how very important it is that the foundations of magickal practice not be glossed
over in haste.

By giving readers clues, hints and homework rather than blatantly
dictating his findings, the author encourages the reader to experiment and explore their magickal abilities until they find the core of truth within themselves. Not to mention his ground-breaking ideas of reconciling Dark Magicks.....a long time coming brother! Amen!

Readers of both this book and the companion, "Nocturnal Witchcraft," are in for a rare treat...an excellent writer and teacher.

Buy Konstantinos's book: Gothic Grimoire

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The Boline

Description: A sharp, single edged, white handled knife.

The blade doesn't have to be straight, as some have a curved blade, rather like a scythe. The blade is also usually shorter than the athame. I have seen bolines made from a variety of different materials, my own has a handle made from the tine of a white-tailed deer and the blade is short, curved and kept very sharp.

Element: I am not aware of an elemental association attributed to this tool, but I assign it to Earth because of it's uses.

Uses: The cutting blade for ritual use, this knife is for inscribing on candles, cutting or harvesting herbs, cutting cords, cutting wax, etc. Some traditions specify that this can only be used in circle, ours only specifies that it be used for a ritual purpose, such as cutting flowers from my garden for use on the Altar. They are a very handy tool to have.

((deffinition courtesy of Lady Bridgit))

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The Natural Witch

I was inspired by Mel's essay enough to write one of my own. Mel calls her craft Earth Magik. Which she has recently discovered that a lot of what she is practicing is the same as the Green witch practices.

My experience is based on the fact that I am a natural witch. I practice green witchcraft, and have since I discovered the craft. I call myself a natural witch because I try to keep things as natural as possible. Some may find that with me this is almost a contradiction. I am a beautician, my hair is colored, my nails are acrylic. Although I'm modern, I'm still natural. I work a lot in the woods.

My essay is about some experiences I have had in the forest across from where I live. I do a lot of my practice there, at a clearing I came across a little more than a year ago. My alter there is a jagged tree stump that apparently was struck by lightning or taken by fire.

I have performed many wonderful rites and spells there. One in particular that I will never forget, happened not too long ago. It was dusk and I walked over to my "hideaway" to perform a protection spell on a friend who was having a complicated pregnancy. As I began to meditate, I felt a warmth come over my body. I hadn't even started the spell, but I opened my eyes to see that I was surrounded by a pale green light, almost indetectable and the color of mossy water (is that a bad comparison?). It was warm, it was friendly...it was safe. I closed my eyes and visualized breathing in the light. I then visualized breathing this light into the bubble around my friend. When I was finished, I closed the circle and grounded the energies. Only days later, my friend called me and told me that she'd be feeling better than she had in days.

It may sound crazy, but I believe that the power and the love inside me made it possible. I was guided by the divine and was able to make it a little easier on my friend by removing the negetive energy around her. It was such a wonderful feeling.

Lately, I have heard a lot of people around here asking about ways to "make" thier own tools. A natural witch uses nothing but home-made tools (well, the witch who has financial problems anyway). I like to use moss and leaves, and different things I find in the forest to aid me in my spells and rites.

I am thankful that I have found this place...I wish that everyone could join me in my little part of the woods. The God/dess led me here, and I have made wonderful friends, and that's the best experience of my life.

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Altars And Altar Setup

Your altar does not have to be elaborate. It can be a small table, a mantelpiece, windowsill, a shelf in a bookcase, or what ever else is handy in the house. It can be round, to represent the Goddess, square, symbolic of the elements, rectangular or oval. It may be a small area of ground in a field or wood.

You may decorate it with crystals, talismans, herbs, flowers, or my favorite, feathers. Anything that has special meaning to you. It is a reflection of the person who puts it together.

It is considered best to place the altar facing north. This direction symbolizes the power flow from darkness to light. It is associated with the Earth. Some face the south with their altars to honor the sun as it rises.

The altar is usually stands in the center of the circle.

We do not believe the Goddess or God actually "inhabit" the altar. It is a place of power. We are not "idol worshipers". These are manifestations of the creative forces found in nature everywhere.

It may be set up permanently or dismantled after use.

Altar Setup

The Goddess is associated with the left side of the altar. The Goddess may be represent by a white, silver, or green candle. A sculpture or some sort of figure may be used. Tools that are associated with the Goddess are the Cup, Pentacle, Bell, crystals and Cauldron. If the Cauldron is large, it is usually placed on the floor to the left.

The God is associated with the right side. A sculpture or a figure of some sort may be used to represent the God. A red, yellow or gold candle is appropriate. Tools associated with the God are, the Censer, Wand, Athame, and Boline.

The Censer and Cauldron are sometimes set in the middle for offerings to both Goddess and God.

The Pentacle is sometimes set in front of the censer. It marks the Directions and/or Elements.

Many Wiccans mark North, South, East and West with candles on the altar, space permitting.

Unless you have a very large altar, you will need a stand for the Book of Shadows, or place it on the floor where you will not step on it.

As you can see, it is up to you to find what is pleasing.

Altar cloths are sometimes used. The color changes for the holidays or ritual.

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The Master Grimoire Of Magickal Rites And Ceremonies

Book: The Master Grimoire Of Magickal Rites And Ceremonies by Nathan Elkana

I use the above title because the rituals described in this book DO WORK!! i repeat, the rituals in this book DO WORK!!!!this is not another new age book full of filler!this is a practical grimoire of ceremonial magick!it teaches you to use SERIOUS powers!! this book uses egyptian & caballistic magick, two of the most POWERFUL systems of magick known,i believe this to be the reason for the author's use of a pseudonym because the Golden Dawn system draws heavilly upon egyptian and caballistic magick and their members are sworn to secrecy regarding their use.i wish i had found this book sooner!this book is hard to find so i ordered a copy directly from it's publisher, finbarr international. also it's listed quite often on ebay.get your hands on this book however you can! (reader's review)

This book was the first and only book I personally have a success story with. I have on my path purchased many books from beginner to complex. This one I have always been drawn too. I received my copy from a friend of my father who had willed it to me. Since recieving this book I have had a whirlwind of fun in my life. I have the best Pals and family life i could ever hope for and I started and now own my own business. I would love for anyone to get just a small peice of what i have received. As i was told by Mr. Scott many times before his passing. "You hold the key to all the Magick ,you just need direction" And "trust me all the magick works" words I will forever adhere too and spread to those around me. Thanks and Thanks to Nathan Elkana for publishing this awesome practical Text. (reader's review)

This book is fabulous! shows incredible magic spells, are simples and effectives, shows real and complete rituals to get money, love,unhex, defence,and a great metod to make charge and consacrate talismans. Nathan Elkana probably is the psedonymous of some powerful and famous black witch. Definitively this author reveled some of REAL spells(black and white) on this simple but powerfull grimoire. (reader's review)

Buy Nathan Elkana's book: The Master Grimoire Of Magickal Rites And Ceremonies

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Nathan Elkana - The Master Grimoire Of Magickal Rites And Ceremonies