Artist: Jonathon Earl Bowser - Used with permission

Why do I Call Myself a Witch?

The name 'witch' actually means 'wise' - and in the middle ages it was the 'wise women who had to be the local midwife, doctor, dentist, psychologist - in fact, all of the services that we now take for granted.

      She would be well-versed in the arts of making herbal remedies, oil tinctures ..... and where do you think that all of the so-called 'old-wives tales' came from?

      It was for this simple (but expert) knowledge that she would have been put to death - executed in the name of God.

      It will never be known exactly how many innocent people were tortured (oh, yes - they were tortured, too) but it is in their memory that those of whose who follow the wiccan way of life, call ourselves witches - because we, too, believe in the healing powers of herbs, oils, incenses, ..... and magick.

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~o00o~~

But There Is No Such Thing As Magick .... Is There?

      As Garfield once said, "Life is like a salad sandwich - you only get out of it, what you put into it".  If you think that life is magical, and look for that magic, you WILL find it EVERYWHERE - I promise you!  But I kinda get the feeling this isn't the kind of magick you're looking for....

    Wiccans believe that their is a psychic energy linking every plant, animal, every atom in our world - think of it as a spiders web.  By ensuring that all of the 'ingredients' in a spell are right - the moon phase, the time of day, the oils, incense and herbs, the words and, most importantly, the mind-power - we believe that we can tug on the threads of this 'spiders web' to make the spell happen,  But don't just take my word for it:

"Let me  give you an example  of a simple, psychic attack.  This happens often  in everyday life and involves the  discharge of negative energy, in the form of thoughts, aimed at you, your family and/or your home.  For instance, you have a serious disagreement with a work colleague  and they issue insults and  maybe even threats against you.  These negative  thoughts exist in the etheric  plane and form themselves into a kind of invisible dagger that, given the opportunity, will tear into the very fabric of your life."

                                  (excerpt from "The Psychic World of  Derek Acorah" who, to my knowledge, is a Christian - and a brilliant psychic)

      (If a person can create such a powerful weapon [sometimes without even knowing it] then why not create just as powerful a weapon to do good?)

      Derek then continues with a 'step-by-step guide to conducting a candle rite' for protection which is distinctly 'spell'-like.  What I am saying is that we all must keep an open mind because, invariably, 'progress' is proving the 'Old Ways' to be right.  For example, a quick walk down your local Chemist will produce a whole range of homeopathic remedies, whereas herbal remedies would have been scoffed at tin the 50s - yet their medicinal qualities are now proven - I need mention no more than 'Oil of Evening Primrose', St John's Wort and 'Senna'....

      NB:  We refer to our spell-work as 'magick' to differentiate it from the illusions of 'magicians' on television.

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~~o00o~~

I Would Never Do Magick!

         You may be saying this to yourself now, but I'm afraid that I have some bad news for you - the chances are that you already have.  (I can hear the surprised gasps from here!).  As a moderately successful free-lance writer I have had the following article (sxcerpt reproduced below) published which could not illustrate my point better:

      "... Every time we blow out a candle on a birthday cake we are carrying out magic to send our wishes into the cosmos.  When we eat a piece of lettered birthday cake we are taking into ourselves the good wishes it bears.  This began among th e worshippers of Artemis, the Greek moon goddess; cakes in the shape of the crescent moon would be decorated with candles on her day.

      Each time we 'touch wood', we are recalling the old Druidic practice of contacting the tree spirits.

      You may be surprised to learn that you have been practising witchcraft, in one form or another, for most of your life - let's take a look at some of the other superstitions which did, in fact, start out as witchcraft;

      The raven is generally considered to be a bird of ill-fortune.  And who hasn't heard of the well-known superstition that should all the ravens leave the Tower of London disaster will fall upon the country and its Royal Family.  A witches curse?

      Make a wish whilst stirring the Christmas pudding or cake and it will come true.  Doesn't this seem uncomfortably close to casting spells whilst stirring a bubbling cauldron?

      The tolling of bells after a death is believed to drive away evil spirits, as is the lighting of candles around the coffin.  Some believer that those who have died should nto be left alone or they will be claimed by the devil.

      After eating a boiled egg, crush the shell with your spoon to guard against misfortune, as superstition has it that witches use eggshells as boats!  [I'd need a drastic diet before my hips would squeeze into an egg-shell!]

      Many nurses take great pains to avoid combining red and white flowers in the same vase in their hospital wards - this combination is said to be very unlucky and signify death.  It is also considered to be unlucky for hospital patients to take home their flowers when they go home - it is said to mean that they will soon be back in their hospital beds.

      Everyone knows that it is deemed unlucky to walk under a ladder, but few may realise why.  It is said that when the ladder is raised against the wall it forms a triangle which resembles the Holy Trinity and to walk through the centre of it is an offfront to God.

      Pancakes are the traditional fare of Shrove Tuesday and if eaten on this day, they are thought to give you luck for the coming year.  You are unlikely to have an empty stomach or an empty purse.  It is said, however, that you are best to eat the pancake after eight o'clock at night.

      If you give someone a purse as a gift, you should always put a coin inside it before you give it to the person.  To fail to do this is to condemn (or curse) them to a life without riches.

      Smashing a bottle of champagne  ont he prow of a vessel has its origins in making a sacrifice (the champagne) to the gods to ensure good luck for the ship.      

      Spilling salt is said to be unlucky and you should throw a pinch over your left shoulder to blind the Devil, who sits there.

      And if this isn't witchcraft......

      If a girl wishes to see who her future lover will be, she should try sitting alone in front of a mirror in candlelight on Halloween, eating an apple.  A vision of her true love should appear in the mirror, looking over her shoulder towards the glass.  The girl should not turn around, but should go on eating the apple until the vision fades (I'd be out of the room!).

      To you these are merely superstitions which we take for granted - but hundred (perhaps thousands) of people around the world have been sentenced to death for heeding these same traditions ..... as witches."

      In fact, all of the superstitions that are an integral part of our everyday existence have links to witchcraft, magick or the world of faeries.  Need I say more?

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~~o00o~~

OK, So What Is Wicca?

(Author Unknown)

Wicca is a positive journery to enlightment through  Goddess-worship and  the mystical art of white magic.  It is a Shamanistic nature-orientated religion and a unique and exciting blend of traditional and eclectic that seeks neither to convert, conform or control. Unlike many other religions, Wicca does not claim to be the one and only way for everybody and it does not campaign against other religious traditions. Wicca is not anti-christian; however,  it does not acknowledge the existence of sin, the Devil or a judgemental, avenging God, as defined by Christianity.  Wicca encourages free thought, artistic creativity, individuality and personal, spiritual and psychic growth. It is a celebration of the circle of seasons and of life. Wicca is respecting and living in harmony with all living things.  Wicca is light, Wicca is love. Wicca is called the 'Craft of the Wise' and is both ancient and new. It is a path unlike any other in the World.

   
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