The Craft
Below you will find some basic information about the craft.
The day to day things that all witches
learn early on and will use for all their lives.
What are the tools you will use?
What about Holidays? Do witches have holidays?
Tools
Let's start with tools you will use,
You don't have to rush out and buy all these things today,
Take your time and gather them as they come to you.
I believe that like all things,
these tools will come to you when the time is right.
Alter ~ Athame ~ Insence ~ Candles ~ Bell ~ Figurines ~ Chalice ~ Two Bowls ~ Burin ~ dish of salt
Broom ~ Wand ~ Pentacle ~ Robes ~ Censer ~ Charcoal ~ Cauldron ~ Sword ~ Mortar & Pestle ~ Book of Shadows
These tools are an important part of our religion, as are the tools used in any religion.
They will help you channel your energy, but remember the power,the energy is inside YOU.
The tools listed above are the traditional tools used by most witches.
You may find other tools that will help your focus in whatever work or ritual you might be preparing.
When the time is right, they will find you,
I only recently found my beautiful green marble mortar & pestle.
They were hidden on an out of the way shelf in a thrift store.
Since they were of no significance to the store owner
and destined for the trash, I was able to purchase them for a song.
A magickal or ritual tool is any item that has been
cleansed and consecrated
for ritual purposes.
You might wish to put some of your energy into these items by customizing them.
Engrave on the blade or using simple techniques create a custom sheath.
The Elements
North
The direction of the Element Earth and the Power of Body. In nature,rocks, clay, sand, and soil.
East
The direction of the Element Air and the Power of Mind. In nature, the winds, the atmosphere, and the breath.
South
The direction of the Element Fire and the Power of Action. In nature, flames, lightning, and electricity.
West
The direction of the Element Water and the Power of Emotions. in nature,oceans, lakes, streams, rivers, wells, springs, dew,
precipitation, and fluids in the body.
The Sabbats
The Sabbats are the Wiccan Holidays.
Yule - {The Winter solstice}
Imbolg
Ostara - {Vernal Equinox}
Beltaine - May 5
Litha - Midsummer - Summer solstice
Lughnasadh- August 1 to 2
Mabon - Autumn Equinox
Samhain - The Wiccan New Year
Pentacles & Pentagrams
A pentagram is a five pointed star, within a circle.
It is always has it's apex pointing upward toward the Divine.
This is an ancient symbol with many different meanings.
One is that the four lower points represent the four elements of the world;
{earth, water, air, and fire}
with the fifth top point representing the divine spirit.
It is also used to represent the creative spirit over all creation,
in other words, mind/spirit over matter.
A Pentacle is a customized pentagram.
Used in some covens to represent of Earth.
It can also be called the "Shield" representing divine protection.
Covens may customize a pentagram into a pentacle
to symbolize it's focus or magick aspects.
For me the pentacle is a divine sheild of protection over my daily life,
my spiritual growth and my journeys as I walk this path.
The Moons of the month
The rotation of the earth produces 13 Full Moons during the year and each one has a magickal name or association.
Wolf
Moon
Storm Moon
Chaste Moon
Seed Moon
Hare
Moon
Pair {Dyad} Moon
Mead Moon
Green Plant {Wyrt}
Moon
Barley Moon
Blood Moon
Snow Moon
Oak Moon
Blue Moon |
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
28-day cycle * |
* Blue Moon:
When the moon appears twice in the same month during
it's 28 day cycle.
Usually occurs in months with 31
days.
Harvest Moon:
This is the Full Moon that appears nearest to the Mabon festival.
It can be used specifically to call in favors or to add extra
protection.
You may want to mark your yearly calendar
with
the moon phases and holidays in preparation for the coming year.
Copyright January 2003,
Raven Evensong
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