Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Purifying Atmosphere In A Tainted Room

Purifying Atmosphere In A Tainted Room Cover
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.

Books in PDF format to read:

Rodolfo Amadeo Lanciani - Pagan And Christian Rome
Maroth Miklos - Picatrix First Chapter In Hungarian

Labels: into instruction theory  book perfection  enochiana  rituel ritual magic  redemption witch century  strange energies powers  lucid dreaming device  

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Gothic Grimoire

Gothic Grimoire Cover

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

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Stephen Flowers - The Galdrabok An Icelandic Grimoire
Medieval Grimoires - The Secret Grimoire Of Turiel
Medieval Grimoires - The Grimoire Of Honorius
Austin Osman Spare - The Zoetic Grimoire Of Zos

Sunday, August 20, 2006

The Boline

The Boline Cover
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))

Books in PDF format to read:

Howard Phillips Lovecraft - The Book
Aleister Crowley - The Book Of Lies

Labels: pagan incense information  full ritual group  also snorre edda  detection chelmisforde essex  the lesser key of solomon  

Monday, August 14, 2006

The Natural Witch

The Natural Witch Cover 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.

Books in PDF format to read:

Anonymous - The Laws For Witches
Alfred Elton Van Vogt - The Witch

Sunday, August 6, 2006

Altars And Altar Setup

Altars And Altar Setup Cover
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.

Also try this free pdf e-books:

Aleister Crowley - Alice An Adultery
Aleister Crowley - Ahab And Other Poems
Aleister Crowley - The Star And The Garter

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