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The Do's and Don'ts of Witchcraft Witches do not do evil - We believe that doing evil and harm is against all ethical and moral laws. Further, Witchcraft tells us "An ye harm none (not even yourself), do what ye will". Witches believe evil is eventually returned to the sender. Witches do not worship Satan - We do not have a Satan/Devil or any all-evil deity in our religious structure. Witchcraft is a religion that underscores polarity and views the God and the Goddess as equal entities. A male Witch is not a Warlock - The word Warlock is a Scottish word meaning "oath breaker", and became a term designating a male Witch during the "burning times". A male Witch is called a Witch. Witches wear clothing of every color and every style - Many Witches do choose to wear black clothing or ritual robes. The color black is the culmination of all vibrational rates of light on the material plane. Many Witches Do wear black. Black is not an evil color. Clergy of other religions wear black without criticism, although they have forgotten why. Black is the culmination of all things on the material plane. It absorbs light and energy, and helps Witches to be more psychic. White is the combination of all light frequencies, and Witches wear white at funerals to reflect the light and energy of the one who's died. Witches come from every socio-economic and ethnic background - Many Witches are professional people holding positions of responsibility such as Doctors, Nurses, Police Officers, Teachers, etc. Witchcraft does not discriminate against color or ethnic origin and does view everything as equal in the eyes of the Goddess and the God. Witches do use spells - A spell is a thought, a projection, or a prayer. Other religions use prayer, meditation, protection and ritual to produce an intended result. The word "spell" does not imply doing evil or harm. Witches do use magic wands - Often you see the use of magic wands in childrens cartoons and movies making the idea seem frivolous. In actuality they are used in healing for directing energy. Magic wands are much like "divining rods", and are used for the purpose of directing energy. Witches do use Witchcraft as a science, an art, and a religion - We use our knowledge and magick in harmony with the Universe and Nature around us. As a science they use their psychic abilities, as a religion by personifying Nature as a Goddess and God, and as an art by using magic to beautify. The word "Witch" has a deep and rich meaning - As defined by the English Oxford dictionary, "Witchcraft" is a celtic (pronounced Kell-tick) word meaning the wise, good people. "Wicce" (Wick-kay) designates a female Witch where as "Wicca" (wick-kah) designates a male Witch. In the religion of Witchcraft we view the pentacle as an amulet and a symbol for protection - The five-pointed star represents the human body and the earth. In combination, the star surrounded by the circle represents the human body encompassed by the protection of the Goddess/God force. The pentacle is the symbol for Universal Wisdom. The five points stand for the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, and the top point for the Divine Spirit. Witches do concern themselves with ecology - We have never forgotten this basic fact: the world is not our enemy. Neither is it inert, dumb matter. The earth and all living things share the same life-force. They are composed of patterns of intelligence, of knowledge, and of divinity, all life is a web. We are woven into it as sisters and brothers of All. Witches need to be grounded in both worlds and awake to their responsibilities for both worlds. It is only by being responsible human beings that we can be responsible Witches and only responsible Witches will survive. Witches Do Not have evil characteristics as portrayed in fairy tales, such as green faces, warts on noses, crooked teeth, stringy hair, or a cackle-like laugh. Witches are of all ages, and are of ordinary appearances. Witches Do Not ride on broomsticks. They find it much easier to use modern transportation. Witches Do use the natural psychic ability that all human beings possess. Witches use these abilities to heal, and to improve their surroundings. |
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A Pagan Alphabet To learn your letters you must start With a clever mind and a willing heart Each one is special, just like you And you will learn them all by the time we are through! A is Athame, the knife that we use B is for Beltaine, when partners we choose C is for Circle where we all are one. D is for Deosil, path of the Sun. E is for Esbat, when we gather round F is for Fire and its crackling sound G is the Goddess in beauty and love. H is the Horned One, our Father above. I is for Imbolg, candles light the way, J is for June when it's Midsummer's Day K is for Karma, the things that we do L is for Lammas, harvest's almost through! M is for Moon, riding way up so high, N is for Nighttime, which darkens the sky O is for Ostara, when we hunt for eggs, P is for Pan, with hairy goat legs Q is the Quarters and there are just four, R for the Rites when we open the Door S is for Samhain, end of the year, T is for Tarot cards, futures to hear U is Undines from the watery West V is Vervain for protection and rest W's Widdershins, the path of the moon. X is the sign that's the sign of the God Y is for Yule and the sun's return Z is the Zodiac, 12 signs to learn To learn them all you will have to try And now it is time to say goodbye Merry have we met, and Merry have we been Merry shall we part and Merry meet again |
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You can chose a subtle, elaborate, with or without a priest or priestess, jumping the broom, wreath cermony, rose cermony or a blessing of the hands. There are many varieties of handfasting and it is all up to a couple, group, same sex couples. Here I will go over some aspects such as jumping the broom, wreath cermony, rose cermony and a blessings of the hands. Also at the end of this page i will provide a link to a page that I found that has excellent information on handfasting, if you are interested in handfasting please check this site out. They go more indepth into the subjects listed above and even alot of aspects that I am not covering. Rose Ceremony
In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before or after being pronounced husband and wife. Blessing of the Hands
If desired, this can be inserted before the binding of the hands in the ritual, or anywhere else you see fit. Wreath Ceremony
An ivy wreath is being used as the base (introduced by a friend who will relate it to ivy's traditional meanings,
including the marital connection). Various friends and family members will add sprigs of various plants/flowers with traditional meanings related to marriage.
Jumping the Broom
Many pagans, as well as non-pagans, now associate "jumping the broom" with pagan handfastings. For pagans not of African American decent, including a broom in the ceremony is appropriate. The broom represents a threshold. The handfasted couple, although still individuals, begin a new life together. Jumping over the broom represents crossing this threshold into new territory, a life vitally connected to another's. The leap that the couple takes over the broom is also symbolic. Starting a new life with another person does require a "leap of faith". But by taking the leap, the individuals make a gesture of dedication to working together through the tough times ahead. Brooms are also symbols of the hearth, the center of the new family being created. http://www.handfasting.info/ Colors of the Cord used in tying the Knot and their significance in the binding of the hands are as follows: Dark Blue - for a safe journey and longevity Light Blue - for understanding and patience Pink - for romance, honor, partnership and happiness Green - for health, prosperity, luck, fertility and beauty Red - for courage, strength and passion Yellow - for wisdom and harmony Brown - for healing animals and the home Silver - for creativity and protection Gold - for unity, prosperity, and longevity White - for peace, sincerity and devotion |
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December 20-23 -Yule, Winter Solstice
February 2 - Candlemas, Imbolc, Imbolg, Snowdop Festival, Brigid's Day, Festival of the Waxing Light, Brigid, Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Feast of Pan, Lupercalia
March 20-23 - Ostara, Vernal Equinox, Spring Equinox, Rites of Spring, Eostras Day, Eostar Ritual
May 1 - Beltane, May Day, Lady Day, May Eve, Bealtaine
June 20-23 - Summer Solstice, Midsummer Night, Litha, Midsummer
August 1 - Lammas, Lughnasad(h), August Eve, Feast of Bread, Harvest Home
September 20-23 - Autumnal(Fall) Equinox, Mabon
October 31 - Hallowe'en, All Hallows Eve, All Hallows, Samhain, November Eve, Feast of Apples, Feast of the Dead, Third Harvest, Ancestor Night, Felie ne Marbh
These dates are of course different in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia and New Zealand will have the same celebrations but due to opposite seasons the dates are as follows:
October 30-November 1 - Beltane
December 20-23 - Litha
February 2 - Lammas
March 20-22 - Mabon
April 30-May 1 - Samhain
June 21-23 - Yule
August 2 - Candlemas
October 21-23 - Ostara SABBAT INCENSE CANDLEMAS: basil, myrrh, wisteria SPRING EQUINOX:African violet,jasmine,rose,sage,and strawberry BELTANE:frankincense,lilac,and rose SUMMER SOLSTICE:frankincense,lemon,myrrh,pine,rose,and wisteria LAMMAS:aloes,rose,and sandalwood AUTUMN EQUINOX:benzoin,myrrh,and sage SAMHAIN:apple,heliotrope,mint,nutmeg,and sage WINTER SOLSTICE:bayberry,cedar,pine,and rosemary SABBAT CANDLE COLORS CANDLEMAS: brown,pink,and red SPRING EQUINOX:gold,green,yellow BELTANE: dark green SUMMER SOLSTICE:blue,green LAMMAS:orange,yellow AUTUMN EQUINOX:brown,green,orange,and yellow SAMHAIN:black,orange WINTER SOLSTICE:gold,green,red,and white SACRED SABBAT GEMSTONES CANDLEMAS:amethyst,garnet,onyx,turquoise SPRING EQUINOX:amethyst,aquamarine,bloodstone,red jasper BELTANE:emerald,orange carnelian,sapphire,rose quartz SUMMER SOLSTICE:all green gemstones,especially emerald and jade LAMMAS:aventurine,citrine,peridot,sardonyx AUTUMN EQUINOX:carnelian,lapis lazuli,sapphire,yellow agate SAMHAIN:all black gemstones,especially jet,obsidian,and onyx WINTER SOLSTICE:cat's-eye and ruby TRADITIONAL RITUAL HERBS OF THE SABBATS CANDLEMAS: angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, heather, myrrh, and all yellow flowers SPRING EQUINOX: acorn, celandine, cinquefoil, crocus, daffodil, dogwood, Easter lily, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine, rose, strawberry, tansy, and violets BELTANE: almond, angelica, ash tree, bluebells, cinquefoil, daisy, frankincense, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, marigold, meadowsweet, primrose, roses, satyrion root, woodruff, and yellow cowslips SUMMER SOLSTICE: chamomile, cinquefoil, elder, fennel, hemp, larkspur, lavendar, male fern, mugwort, pine, roses, St.John's wort, wild thyme, wisteria, and verbena LAMMAS: acacia flowers, aloes, cornstalks, cyclamen, fenugreek, frankincense, heather, hollyhock, myrtle,oak leaves, sunflower, and wheat AUTUMN EQUINOX: acorns, asters, benzoin, ferns, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, mums, myrrh, oak leaves, passionflower, pine, roses, sage, Solomon's seal, and thistles SAMHAIN: acorns, apples, broom, deadly nightshade, dittany, ferns, flax, fumitory, heather, mullein, oak leaves, pumpkins, sage, and straw WINTER SOLSTICE: bay, bayberry, blessed thistle, cedar, chamomile, evergreen, frankincense, holly, juniper, mistletoe, moss, oak, pine cones, rosemary, and sage |
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