Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca 101

2011-02-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

Crystal Visions Enterprises

COMIING UP THIS YEAR AT BELTANE!!!

http://www.mountain-mysteries.com/Beltane.htm

The Queen is the new phase of the Goddess--between Mother and Crone. This is a new face of the Goddess for ALL of us women who aren't ready to become Crones yet. It is a new time for us in this world of ours.

We all live a lot longer than we used to in the "Olde Days" and we don't go straight from Mother to Crone anymore. In fact, a lot of us spend a really long time in this "no-woman's land" between the two. A Crone is a really OLD woman, full of wisdom and a joy to be around for sure, but really OLD.. My Mom lives with me now and she is 81 and she is a Crone. Even she still has a lot of life left in her. I don't know about you, but I am just not ready to sit by the fire in my rocking chair YET and I know that many of you aren't either. I've still got a lot to offer to this world and YOU ladies do too--no matter what the age--or childless by chance or choice; those who have started the "Strange of Life" early or late; and those who are still full of fire--for what is the Element of Queen-dom if not fire--we have hot flashes hourly--some of us? LOL

I recommend a great book by the original QUEEN, Donna Henes called QUEEN OF MYSELF. Here is a great quote from her book:

"From one of the leading spiritual practitioners writing and working today, a landmark work that celebrates a new mythic model for the middle years of a woman's life — the Queen!

Millions of women are now entering or in the midst of midlife. With unprecedented freedom, education, longevity, and wealth, they hold positions of unheard of responsibility and stature. No longer Maidens, nor Mothers, and not yet old Crones, the question arises: Where do these dynamic, accomplished middle-aged women fit into the traditional description of the three stages of womanhood?

In The Queen of My Self, Donna Henes proposes a completely original paradigm— that of the midlife Queen, a woman in her prime who has achieved wisdom, mastery, and self-esteem— that reflects more accurately the realities and needs of women today. Henes draws on history, mythology, and literature, her own life experience, as well as stories from women in many different societies, situations and stations to provide upbeat, practical, and ceremonial inspiration for all women who want to enjoy the fruits of an influential, passionate, and powerful maturity."

I attended Donna's workshops last Beltane in Connecticut when I was fortunate to be invited to be a part of their wonderful Beltane Festival there. I was hooked on the idea and now I am working to transform my own life according to the principles in her wonderful book. I want to share this with each and every one of you and with those of you who have mothers and daughters too who will benefit from understanding this new stage in the development of the Goddess that you are. I hope to teach one main workshop and then do a "Queening Ritual." Something tells me that this is going to blossom into a much longer weekend long intensive, but these are the first steps and I want to share this with all my wonderful Sister-Queens out there. Sisters--we are full of fire and have a long way to go until we can sit in our rocking chairs and just watch the fire. Right now, we ARE the fire and society and others around us will try to force us to comply with being old. Now is the time to realize our own potential and learn to nurture the fire inside of us instead of hate it or struggle against it.

Oh--there is so much more, but these are the basics. I will be posting more information on my blog at Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca and on my new site at Crystal Visions Enterprises on Facebook. I am working round the clock on this idea (and on my taxes--blash!) --so check back frequently because all is about to be revealed in a day or three.

See you on the 29th of April!
May Brighid bless and enrich your life---
BB
Paula

An incredible new story about St. Brigit in the Irish Times

2011-01-31T08:03:00.000-08:00

The Irish Times - Monday, January 31, 2011

St Brigit: no better woman for the times we live in

St Brigit's cross, woven from rushes

St Brigit, whose feast day falls tomorrow, was a negotiator, peacemaker and early community activist. Just the kind of person we need now, writes MARY CONDREN

‘BRIGIT, WITH her white wand, is said to breathe life into the mouth of the dead Winter and to bring him to open his eyes to the tears and the smiles, the sighs and the laughter of Spring,” wrote Alexander Carmichael.
This weekend marks a turning point in the Celtic year. February 1st is the festival of Imbolc, announcing the arrival of new life: never more needed, and never more welcome.

The whole month of February is also called Mí na Féile Bríde (Month of the Festival of Brigit). In Celtic myth, Brigit was goddess of poetry, healing and smithwork: in Christian history she was an abbess and saint. Her traditions are preserved today in ritual, story, artefacts and her Christian Lives stories.

However, one aspect of Brigit seldom receives attention: Brigit the Weaver. Her cross was made of newly plucked rushes; her crios (girdle or belt), of new straw; and her cloak was of woven material. Now the opening up of Eastern Europe expands our understanding of the importance of this connection.
Before mass media and travel, and great political rallies, societies were held together by fragile threads, and weaving tools signified a key responsibility: that of weaving the precious webs of life and tending the bonds of community.

Throughout European mythology and folklore, the wise women were spinners whose advice was ignored at one’s peril. Images abound of European women leaders holding distaffs, spindles, weaving swords or spears which were not used for war making but for practical and ritual purposes.

Some of the few surviving relics of Saint Brigit are thought to be her weaving or embroidery tools, held in Glastonbury, England. During Brigit’s festival, on February 1st, weaving or turning wheels was strictly forbidden in an honouring of Brigit the Weaver’s holy day.

Brigit was also a “peace weaver”, the name given to distinguished women in Old European times. Peaceweavers sometimes married into their enemy’s tribe, and their daughters carried gifts to weave peace. Such women had great negotiating skills and authority.

As with such peaceweavers, St Brigit caused mists to appear between opposing sides in order to prevent bloodshed. With her nuns she accompanied protesting warriors to the battlefield, rendering them unable to fight.

In historical times, the Abbesses of Kildare, who succeeded the historical 5th century Brigit, could pardon criminals encountered on their way to execution. They were revered figures of authority who were known as “Those Who Turned Back the Streams of War”.

In the 12th century, however, ominous events took place. Two abbesses of Kildare were raped, symbolically rendering them unfit for office. Twelfth-century church reform councils restricted sacramental offices to male priesthoods. The offices of weaver would be entirely superseded by the offices of sacrifiers, with wide-ranging social and political implications.

European grave excavations show that, whereas priestesses were buried with their spindles and distaffs, priests were buried with their knives. Subsequent European history, with its numerous wars, colonisations, and constant threat of violence, speaks loudly of the consequences.

Today, weavers and nurturers – community activists, parents, carers, and educators – continue to weave webs of empowerment. Their authority is fragile, rather than heroic. Their work is often unpaid, their views are unrepresented and their perspectives are silenced in the corridors of political or religious power.
This weekend, those in search of a new Irish spring, will celebrate the festival of Brigit and Imbolc at their holy wells, in their homes and communities.

Like community activists and nurturers, Brigit wove the fragile threads of life into webs of community. She invented a shriek alarm for vulnerable women travelling alone, she secured women’s property rights when Sencha, the judge, threatened to abolish them and she freed a slave-trafficked woman. Above all, her bountiful nature (23 out of 32 stories in one of her Lives concern generosity) ensured that the neart (life force) was kept moving for the benefit of all and was not stagnated by greed.

Today, the old religious and political structures have crashed all around us. In any new arrangements weavers and nurturers must be represented and their voices heard, loud and clear. No better woman than Brigit to inspire their efforts.

Mary Condren ThD teaches at the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies, Trinity College Dublin, and is director of the Institute for Feminism and Religion: instituteforfeminismandreligion.org

Discussion about Wicca history and meaning of Wicca

2008-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

Witchcraft and Wicca

"The spiritual path Gardner launched he called Witchcraft but eventually he came up with the name 'Wicca' after the Saxon name for Witch. Its appeal was the mystique of Witchcraft and the elaborate ceremonies, also equality of male and female and freedom from Christian puritan morals. So Wicca is a recent name for Witchcraft."

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Branwenn-Wow--NOT! A lot of this-above and below my info-is very inaccurate. Gardner called it Wica with one "c" and Gavin and Yvonne Frost claim that they are the first ones to use two "cc's" officially. Wicca and Witchcraft are not the same thing.
"The history of Wicca is a much debated topic. Gardner claimed that the religion was a survival of matriarchal religions of pre-historic Europe, taught to him by a woman named Dorothy Clutterbuck. Many believe he invented it himself, following the thesis of Dr. Margaret Murray and sources such as Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Godfrey Leland, and the practices of Freemasonry and ceremonial magic; and while Clutterbuck certainly existed, historian Ronald Hutton concluded that she is unlikely to have been involved in Gardner's Craft activities.

(I highly recommend both Ronald Hutton's book Triumph of the Moon and Charles Leland's Aradia: Gospel of the Witches. Also for those who are interested, there is a ton of information on the web and in my library about Gardner.)

While the ritual format of Wicca is undeniably styled after late Victorian era occultism, the spiritual content is inspired by older Pagan faiths, with Buddhist and Hindu influences. Whether any historical connection to Pagan religion exists, the aspiration to emulate Pagan religion (as it was understood at the time) certainly does.

Gardner probably had access to few, if any, traditional Pagan rites. The prevailing theory is that most of his rites were the result of his adapting the works of Aleister Crowley. There is very little in the Wiccan rites that cannot be shown to have come from earlier extant sources. The original material is not cohesive and mostly takes the form of substitutions or expansions within unoriginal material, such as embellishment of Crowley lines.

Philip Heselton, writing in Wiccan Roots and later in Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration, argues that Gardner was not the author of the Wiccan rituals but received them in good faith from an unknown source. He notes that all the Crowley material that is found in the Wiccan rituals can be found in a single book, The Equinox vol 3 no. 1 or Blue Equinox.

The idea of primitive matriarchal religions, deriving ultimately from studies by Johann Jakob Bachofen, was popular in Gardner's day, both among academics (e.g., Erich Neumann, Margaret Murray) and amateurs such as Robert Graves. Later academics (e.g. Carl Jung and Marija Gimbutas) continued research in this area, and later still Joseph Campbell, Ashley Montagu and others highly esteemed Gimbutas's work on the matrifocal cultures of Old Europe. Both matrifocal interpretation of the archaeological record, and the foundations of criticism of such work, continue to be matters of academic debate. Some academics carry on research in this area (consider the 2003 World Congress on Matriarchal Studies). Critics argue that matriarchal societies never actually existed, and are an invention of researchers such as Margaret Murray.

The idea of a supreme Mother Goddess was common in Victorian and Edwardian literature: the concept of a Horned God—especially related to the gods Pan or Faunus—was less common, but still significant. Both of these ideas were widely accepted in academic literature, and in the popular press. Gardner used these concepts as his central theological doctrine, and constructed Wicca around this core. "

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"In fact a Witch is simply anyone who has special powers and can be of any religion, for example a Jewish witch. So to be accurate Wicca is not another name for Witchcraft. In fact Wicca is a mix of various practices, ancient and recent put together like a badly fitting jigsaw puzzle by Gerald Gardner; each piece is valid but they didn't fit together right and some pieces were missing."

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Branwenn-Special powers have nothing to do with it. We all have the ability to have "special powers." Some of us are more in touch with this ability than others. A Jewish witch? I think this is pushing the envelope a bit, but there are books out about this type of thing. Magickal Judaism: Connecting Pagan & Jewish Practice (Paperback) by Jennifer Hunter (Author) I know lots of Wiccans who have their roots in Judaism, but that doesn't make anyone who practices magick a witch and most definitely not a Wiccan. See in the files section of this list my definitions of Witch, Wiccan and Pagan.

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"Wiccans are the present-day guardians and priesthood of what is known as the Western Mystery Tradition which has at least some of its roots thousands of years old and many Wiccans spend much time and effort researching the missing pieces. Wicca is now mainly a modern spiritual path geared to today's society and needs, a path to self knowledge and self improvement. Each and every Wiccan is his or her own Priest or Priestess, the implication being there is no intermediary between them and deity - no religious hierarchy."

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Branwenn: Hmmm--well at least it is one of the paths of the western mystery traditions. Wicca's literal roots are in the 1940s and 1950s, but the material that Gardner and others drew from is as old as time itself. I do like the idea of Wicca as a path to self-knowledge and self-improvement. That is what Wicca is in many ways to me. I think the idea is to educate yourself and to experience enough to be able to become your own priest or priestess. You are your own highest authority and the responsibility of that is sometimes overwhelming.

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"In the 60s and 70s many people became interested in Eastern esoteric religions and spiritualities such as Krishna Consciousness, completely unaware that we have our own indigenous mystery religion."

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Branwenn-Umm, yeah, but it's definitely not the same. Unless you are native American, our own indicenous mystery religion is a poor choice of words. My preferred culture is the Celtic path and this combined with Wicca and a lot of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell type psychology and philosophy is what CVCW rounds out to be.

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"Modern Wicca is mostly practised in groups or by solitaries. Some work in small groups called covens. Strictly speaking Wicca is not a religion but the esoteric study of Western Paganism. However Wicca is practised on many levels and the definition of Wicca has become blurred so that Wicca itself is often regarded as a religion. A Wiccan coven is like a religious mystery school."

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Well--this is a place to start at any rate, although I still differ much from this point of view. The ultimate goal will be a coven that functions like a church and a school and a family as well, in some aspects. It is a lot to ask of one's spirituality, but I think it is important.

Have you checked out ALL my blogs?
http://crystalvisionsceltiwicca101.blogspot.com/
http://travelswithbranwenn.blogspot.com/
http://cvcw.blogspot.com/

IMBOLC RITUAL for 2008

2008-01-29T13:04:00.000-08:00

(This ritual is a combination of my own rituals over the years and several Imbolc rituals from the web which I have woven together here to celebrate this Imbolc of 2008. My blessings to each of you who have assisted me in this creation. If I have used any portions of your work here for the greater glory of the Lord and Lady, I thank you and I ask you to write to me to express how you felt about what I have done with your work. I have included a list of works at the end of this ritual as a bibliography. Thank you and Blessed Be to all my brothers and sisters at Imbolc.)

This ritual celebrates: the return of energy; the return of Spring; the transition of the Goddess from the Crone (the White Lady of the dark time) to the Maiden of the Light (full of healthy energy and the glorious promise of increased light and life vibrating across the Earth). It is actually two rituals in one to celebrate the many aspects of Imbolc and Brighid, my special Goddess. There are many aspects to be celebrated and this ritual touches on only on a few of them.

As with all your rituals, call upon the elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth as well as the Goddess and the God to be with you. My outline is only a suggestion.

FIRST COMPLETE THE SALT AND WATER PURIFICATION
Then, purify the circle by:
1. Earth & Water-Asperging
Everyone turns to face outward from the circle.
All chant while one covener chosen by the HPS asperges the circle---
Purified be this circle, sacred be this space
(repeat the chant three times).
2. Air-Smudging
3. Fire– carry the Fire Candle (from the altar) around the circle deosil that all may feel the heat and transformative power of Fire.

CAST CIRCLE-
HP reads the words of the circle casting while the HPS casts the circle with her sword or athame:
So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightning’s flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
The Circle's cast; and Blessed Be!

After as many transits as the Priestess feels to be necessary around the circle, the Priestess returns to the circle and takes the hand of the person to her left and states…
Hand to hand we cast this circle with perfect love and perfect trust…coming together to celebrate the re-awakening of the Maiden and of the reanimation of the energy of the Lord and Lady in our circle and in our lives.

CALL THE QUARTERS-you can use these words or invocations of your own creation
EAST: O Guardians of the Eastern Tower,
Airy ones of healing power
I do summon, stir and call
See these rites and guard us all!
Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
(All) Hail and Welcome and Blessed BE!!!

SOUTH: Oh fiery ones of Southern Power
Thus I invite you in this hour
I do summon, stir and call
See these rites and guard us all!
Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
(All) Hail and Welcome and Blessed BE!!!

WEST: Western ones of water's flow
Help to guard us here below
I do summon, stir and call
See these rites and guard us all!
Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
(ALL) Hail and Welcome and Blessed BE!!!!

NORTH: Earthen ones of Northern place
Bless and guard our circle space
I do summon, stir and call
See these rites and guard us all!
Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!
(All) Hail and Welcome and Blessed BE!!!

HP:
Imbolc is the first celebration of spring, the first stirring of the seeds of life beneath the ground. The shortest days and longest nights of winter are over; the power of the Crone, the White Lady, is waning and the Goddess takes on the robes of the Maiden. Fertility returns to the Earth along with the energy of the ever earlier rising SUN. The God is seen as a young man, the strong, lustful Lord of the Forest, the Horned One.

HPS:
By Earth and Water, Fire and Air
I invoke the Goddess here!
INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS IN THE PRIESTESS’S OWN WORDS
Now we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!

HP: Earth and Water, Fire and Sky
I invoke the God on high
INVOCATION OF THE GOD IN THE PRIEST’S OWN WORDS
Now we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!

To honor the transition of dark to light and to celebrate in and build up the rising energy of the Maiden and the young Forest Lord, take a black candle to represent the Goddess as Wise One and a white one to represent her as Maiden.

Light the dark candle and say, 'This light is the light of the Crone, the Wise One who has ruled over the winter months, the resting time'.

Spend a few moments thinking of all that has passed during the darker months of introspection, especially of what you have learned in this time. Thank the Crone for these wonderful insights.

Next say, 'Now it is time for the Crone to turn away and become once more the Maiden, Lady of Spring, full of healthy energy and of great promise'. Light the white candle and extinguish the dark one with love and a kiss.

Hail to the Maiden, Bright Lady of Spring!

All: The Maiden has returned.She walks in strength, full of vibrant health and beauty.
Blessed BE!
The light has returned. The days grow warm and the fields grow green with the bounty of the Earth.
Blessed Be!
Prosperity has returned! Our days grow longer, rich and peaceful, filled with the abundance of our lives
Blessed BE!
Passion has returned! Our nights grow warmer, filled with the sensual passion of the Lord and Lady’s love.
Blessed BE!

Now spend a little time thinking about what you would like to begin in this new season.

Imbolc is a celebration of beginnings, initiations, and circle startings. Deep in the cold of Winter, thoughts of life begin to stir. Reflection has chosen the seeds of new works to be accomplished in the coming year. The Goddess reigns supreme as that internal reflection begins its transition to external actions. Now is the time when wants and needs are expressed. But beware; wishes expressed on Imbolc have a way of coming to pass. Be sure you wish for what you truly need and not just what you want. Take time to think deeply and decipher your innermost bliss. Find what you must do and take steps to do it.

Create a list on small pieces of paper, one for each goal, with nine goals and nine pieces of paper.

Decorate your Ostara tree for the next Sabbat with these affirmations.

Then, take some ice, a large piece if possible, and, taking it in your strong hand (your right if right handed, your left if left handed), hold it over a bowl and say, 'This represents the Crone, Lady of Winter, of the time when the land is still and resting. But as winter's thaw begins, so the Lady casts off her robes of stillness and becomes once more the Maiden. Strong, healthy, beautiful, full of movement, like the cool waters of spring, she flows once more to bring life and hope to all the land'.

(Once the ice has fully melted, keep the resulting water to put on your favorite plant, either indoors or in the garden. Please wait until the water has reached a reasonable temperature before you do this, otherwise you will freeze the poor thing's roots!)

Spirit of Earth, Spirit of Air, Water and Flame -come to us here.
Bright Poet Queen, we seek your advice - Brigid return from the kingdom of ice.
The Imbolc flame burns higher and higher –we call to Brigid our mother, the goddess of fire.
We offer her mead and light every light - Brigid please come to our home on this night!

Gather together onto the altar all the seeds that you plan to plant in the coming growing season.

Have the Grain Dolly lying in the Bride's Bed (basket) with the Priapic Wand and the acorns nearby. Sit quietly meditating within the cast Circle for a little while... When you feel ready, begin with these words:

"Blessed be this season of Imbolc,
Blessed be the Goddess, waiting Bride of the returning Sun God.
Mother Earth stirs from Her long slumber.
The fields and forests hear Her whisper to awaken.
The creatures of Her realms answer Her summons.
Everything waits in anticipation for Spring."

Tap the altar gently, three times with your Wand, and say:

"This is the Festival of the Maiden
Who gives to all the breath of life.
This is a time of waxing light and receding darkness.
This is the season of purification, a renewing of life.
This is the time of the quickening.
At this time and in this place between the worlds,
I come into the presence of the Lord and the Lady
That I may gain wise and truthful counsel."

Now comes a time of silent meditation while you ask the God and Goddess for inspiration and guidance for the future...

When you feel ready, tap the altar again gently with the Wand, three times and say:

"O Ancient Ones,
I know my life's path is within Your keeping.
Only with Your help and guidance can I hope to avoid any pitfalls
And reach my destination safely."
Light the White Candle on the left side of the Cauldron and say these words:

"I salute the glorious Maiden Goddess,
Preparer of new life out of darkness.
This is Her Season of the Wheel of the Year
When She spreads Her blessings over the land."

Light the Green Candle on the right side of the Cauldron and say these words:

"Behold, the Lord of the Forests
As he caresses the dreaming Earth.
As there is a renewal within the plants and animals,
So shall there be renewal in my life also."

Take up your athame and touch the tip of it to the heart of the Grain Dolly, and say:

"Groom of Heaven and Earth,
Come now to claim your waiting Bride."

Light all of the candles that are around you. This symbolizes the young Goddess turning the Wheel of the Year back to Spring.

Then say:
"From this union comes the Light of the World.
Be fruitful, oh Bride,
And turn our Earth gently again to Spring."

Add the acorns into the Bed with the Bride.
(The nuts are a fertility symbol and are meant to seal the words you have just spoken.)

Then gently lay the Priapic Wand across the Grain Dolly, forming an "X", and as you do, say:
"Blessed be the Sun God, coming back to us this day."

Asperge around the box or basket of seeds with the salt of the Earth and water.
Smudge with the smudgestick around the box or basket of seeds with air.
Lift the main altar candle and carry it clockwise around the basket of seeds to bless it with fire
Then take the candle around the Circle with you at least three times, to symbolize the coming of the Light.
Sit and quietly reflect or meditate on the meaning of this sabbat to you.

May these seeds be blessed by the power of the Lord and the Lady
And of Earth, Air, Fire and Water to produce in great abundance
As the Wheel of the Year turns and the Earth flowers and fruits in Her abundance.

Harming none—SO MOTE IT BE!

SYMBOLIC GREAT RITE AS MEAD
BLESSING
Priest: “Be it known that man is not greater than woman.”
Priestess: “Nor is woman greater than man.”
Priest: “For what one lacks,”
Priestess: “The other can provide.”
Priest: “As the athame is to the male,”
Priestess: “So the cup is to the female,”
Priest: “And when conjoined,”
Priestess: “They become one in truth.”
Both: “For their is no greater magick in all the world Than that of love!”
The Priestess touches the athame to the Cakes and says: "Buried in the womb of our Lady, nourished by the waters of life, given breath by the winds of the Four Old Ones, brought to growth by the fires of our Lord, harvested by the children of the universe, and brought to this rite in love and trust -- I consecrate and bless this offering."

THANK THE LORD AND LADY
Priestess: Maiden Lady, Flower of Imbolc
Bestow upon us in overflowing measure
Thy youthful passion for love and life
As we rejoice in the sensual stirrings of the season.
Hail, Farewell, and Blessed Be!
All : Hail, Farewell, and Blessed Be!

Priest: Sovereign Satyr Lord, Pan of the Pagan Ways, At this Sabbat of Springtime's coming promise of warmth,
Bestow upon us the heated breath of Thy lust for living
As we depart this sacred space with the joyous blessings
Of Thy Imbolc benediction.
Hail, Farewell, and Blessed Be!
All : Hail, Farewell, and Blessed Be!

TAKING DOWN OF THE CIRCLE BY THE PRIESTESS

HPS: Thus I release the East and West
Thanks to them from Host to Guest
Thus I release the South and North
With "Blessed Be' I send them forth!
The Circle's open, dance we so
Out and homeward we shall go.
Earth and Water, Air and Fire
Celebrated our desire.
Winter's cold is gone away
Now we celebrate Imbolc Day
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
Our circle's done; and Blessed Be!
All: Blessed Be!

Once, twice, thrice…I release all energies here…
Depart in peace and love
The circle is open, but never broken-
(All loudly):Merry Meet, Merry Part
And Merry Meet Again!!!!!

I give thanks to this wonderful website for much of my materials here.

http://www.magicspells.in/imbolc_candlemas.htm

If it works for you, why tear down what works for others?

2007-12-30T12:27:00.000-08:00

"If it works for you, why tear down what works for others?" This is a great point. To a certain extent, I completely agree with you. I don't EVER wish to tear down another's belief systems. There are important elements of truth in ALL religious systems, even Christianity, which I personally believe has been distorted from its original intentions by centuries of misinterpretation and mistranslation.

I agree with the idea that we are all blind men feeling different parts of the elephant. The point I am trying to make is that I DO want those who wish to learn about Wicca to analyze WHAT they believe and WHY and make sure they are building their belief system on a rock foundation instead of a paper one. I don't think we all start with the same information. I love both Scott Cunningham's and Vivianne Crowley's books, but there is a world of difference in what they wrote. Both have elements of truth. Some of us read critically, study deep and ask questions. Others blindly accept what a "teacher" tells them.

I have been a teacher at several times in my life and I have taught different things at each of these times. People evolve and so do spiritual philosophies or they wither and die. I think we especially fall prey to scholarship. If it has been researched and well-documented, then it is truth. Is it? If my own inner bell is screaming out--THIS IS NOT TRUE, NOT FOR ME--then why do I have to accept it as truth just because three authors wrote it down and documented it back to what someone reportedly said in 1500 BC.

I think reading everything you can get your hands on critically is the key. Allow the information (note that I said information and not knowledge) to sink into your brain and then YOU decide what works for you. But make darn sure it is a well-informed decision and also remember that what you believe today could be washed away by some new revelation tomorrow.

I choose Wicca as my path right now because there are some wonderful psychological bases for its premises. Read Carl Jung, read Joseph Campbell, read Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and read Vivianne Crowley's Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age. Think about what they have to say and whether it speaks to you.

Then continue to read the authors, psychologists and philosophers whose writing excites your brain. I think that what some folks see as me tearing down another's path is just me being critical of that path as not the one that speaks truth to me. If I teach, I must teach what I believe deep in my heart and mind. I speak freely and many mistake my own Virgo picky tendencies for a not so constructive criticism of their own personal path.

I just worry because I see so many people teaching, doing advanced spell work, binding rituals, and other more advanced Wicca craftwork without having really studied in depth what it is that they are doing. This astonishes me and worries me. I then start to preach a return to basic Wiccan teachings and values and this is misinterpreted as Wiccan fundamentalism. I just feel very strongly that before we try a wild idea of a Pagan flight of fantasy ritual, we should make sure we are well-grounded in the basics.

Response to my last post

2007-12-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

XXXXXX@yahoo.com writes:

I've noticed the 'discussions' too. like, if you don't cast a circle or use the right color candle, it 'doesn't count'

****Thank you for commenting****

Answer from Branwenn:

Do you cast a circle or not? This is one of the first questions I hear. I think you should, but I also think that EVERYTHING counts. Nothing is right or wrong--it is what works best for you. BUT, there are some good reasons WHY Wiccans DO things the way they DO. Not all of it is just arbitrary, although it can be at times. Mostly, there is a good reason for casting a circle. (One often overlooked is respect for the Energies/Entities with whom you are working.)

It is also one of the small differences between Wicca and other types of Paganism like Druidry or Asatru. Some folks cast a circle to create a feeling of safety and protection; some to shift between the physical and "etheric" planes (this is the idea of standing between the worlds, one foot equally balanced in each plane); and, some see the circle as a container used to store energy until the right moment to release that energy towards a certain goal. All are correct; which one you clearly know and feel should determine which one you use.

"A circle is regarded as a space "between the worlds," neither in this world nor yet in the next. It is a place to commune with the deity and be at one with the gods."
(Raymond Buckland)

"The circle is constructed with personal power which is felt (and visualized) as a stream from the body through the Athame and out into the air. When completed, the circle is a sphere of energy which encompasses the entire work area." (Think more than 3 dimensions here-Branwenn)
(Scott Cunningham)

"By creating a circle we are psychically sweeping that area clean of any negative influences or any inappropriate energy, and then creating a wall or boundary around it so that none might enter while you are working."
http://www.psychicwise.biz/casting_a_circle.htm

***************************************************
Response continued: It reminds me of when I investigated Christianity and went to a bunch of different denominations with different traditions, all 'right' of course and the others wrong. There are the 'high church' Catholics and Episcopalians with rigid dogma and traditions and the 'low church' Baptists and Pentecostals who actually have fun in church. They all think the others are going to Hell. They don't see where they are similar, only concentrate on the differences, and then kill each other for them (Ireland, e.g.) I recently heard a word I like for those who are rigid and think they are the only ones right: Episcopagans. I also like Episcopagians. So, some of us are high church and some are low church. Let’s concentrate on the similarities and not stoop to Christian tactics

*****************************************************

Branwenn responds: Hmmm--First of all-I am NOT advocating rigid beliefs of any kind. Killing one another over religion is one of the stupidest things that can happen in this or any century. The "troubles" in Ireland are so complex and so political and still, completely incomprehensible and stupid to me, even as a life-long, Protestant-raised, Irish descendant of those same "troubles." I am against ALL kinds of fundamentalism, even Wiccan fundamentalism. I do not wish to impose my beliefs ON anyone.

BUT, I think we need to take the time to clearly define what it is that we believe and why. Is it stooping to Christian tactics--or is it just clearly defining for yourself exactly what it is that you believe? I am eclectic by some Wiccan traditionalist standards and dogmatic by some more liberal neo-Pagan standards. So which am I? I think by knowing yourself, understanding who and what you are and what you believe, you aid your development and learn to live the way you were meant to live.

You "find your bliss" according to Joseph Campbell or you realize your "WILL" according to Aleister Crowley (Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law. Love under will.) The idea is that your "WILL" is the path that you MUST do. I studied briefly with the William Blake Camp of the OTO. They explained it to me this way. (Thank you, Paul Hume, for trying to pound this into my thick Wiccan skull.) Your WILL is that which you cannot help but do. You have to do it to become whole. It is known as "your path" and "your bliss" and as the "Great Work" to some.

If you are doing your WILL, then you are and will be happy, balanced and successful and continue to grow and flourish. If you do not do your WILL, well--look around you. We are a society of people who are cut off from our true selves, from our WILL. Look at the fragmented lives and personalities. Look at the pain and suffering, unrest and misery. This is what comes of not doing your WILL.

So, I say, KNOW THYSELF, just like in the mystery traditions of ages past. And also, remember, I am putting together my thoughts coherently so that I can begin to follow my own WILL again and re-find my own bliss.

What is Wicca Today?

2007-12-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

There is so much disagreement and controversy about Wicca. Pagans I meet are telling me, "Well, I am Pagan, but I am not too crazy about those Wiccans." We seem to be viewed as the stuck-up older sisters and brothers of today's "new" Pagans. The entire problem seems to center around the idea of hierarchy. I was first initiated into a very egalitarian Starhawk-oriented coven--this was long before the "Reclaiming Tradition" was ever named. Secondly, I was initiated into a so-called Gardnerian coven of what I still feel is dubious nature. They said they were Gardnerian. I'm not too sure they weren't Alexandrian or a mish-mash of both and none of it too solid. The High Priestess disappeared and I never heard from her again after my Second Degree Initiation. I found that I liked the first coven--wide-open, liberal left as they come, insistently sexual and skyclad as they were--a lot better than the stuck-up Gardnerian group with their $100 dress-up robes.

What's this she's saying? I thought she operated her own group according to the degree system? Huh? How does this make sense? Well, sometimes I am a mass of contradictions. Common sense is a path of moderation between too extremes. Everything in moderation, even moderation.

One of the biggest problem we have in Wicca today is that we are tied to our traditions instead of enhanced and enlightened by them. We are afraid to change, but if we don't change, we will wither and die like any other organism in a static state. Growth means change, evolution. But how fast do we change? What do we change? Why? How? These are the questions that many do not take the time to ask themselves. "This is the way we have always done it," is the lament you her when the dedicants ask, "Why?" Is that a good enough reason? What do YOU think?

I have found myself staying away from the Pagan community. All of the bickering, disagreement and back-biting has led me to wonder about our entire path from time to time. Of course, I mostly seem to have these problems with Pagans who aren't all that crazy about Wiccans. I sometimes wonder if we even belong in the same category with the other Pagans? We're not better, just different, on so many ways. What has been your experience with the greater Pagan community if you define yourself as mostly Wiccan in your orientation? What have been the differences as you see them?

PLEASE post comments here and I hope to get us into a good discussion of the differences between the Wiccan path and other pagan paths.

The Witches pyramid/ "The Four laws of the Magus,"

2007-11-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

This is a fabulous principle-good, sound advice if nothing else-that you don't hear much about lately. It seems to have gone "out of fashion." The old teachings are fading away and this is not good. This "new" Wicca is an eclectic mish-mash of stuff taken from anyone and everywhere. I can be accused of it myself at times to be brutally honest. YOU MUST LEARN TO READ WITH A CRITICAL EYE. I recently reconnected with the idea of the Witches Pyramid-excellent! Tell me what you think.
Branwenn

The Witches' Pyramid
also known as the 4 Powers of the Magus
To know, to dare, to will, to be silent.

The Witches pyramid, also called "The Four Laws or Powers of the Magus," is very old. It is ceremonial magick, but of great value to Witches, too. I suggest making special note of these four building blocks of Wicca. The Four Laws are matched to the Elements and give good advice to any Witch.

To Know (Air)
To know means to study and learn everything you can about magick and the way it can be used. As a Witch, you must know what you are doing when it comes to magick. It is a big responsibility for all Witches. Many times spells backfire because the Witch did not do her/his homework. These lessons will guide you in the right direction for a beginner/First Degree-Priest/Priestess, but you still must also read as many books as you can, do research at a library and/or on the Internet, and ask other EXPERIENCED Witch's opinions. Continue to do this for the rest of your life!

To Dare (Water)
As a Witch you must dare to practice what you have learned.

To Will (Fire)
Once you have decided to practice magick, you must be strong enough to will the manifestation (to make the spell come true). The fear of failure or of a spell backfiring is always there, creeping into the apprentice's mind, or the fear of not being strong enough to carry a spell. "What if nothing happens?" If you have read Wicca 101 books, they allow readers to practice simple magick. Build your confidence by doing simple magickal works first. Try candle magick and gem magick. These are the easiest to perform and excellent for beginners. Start performing magick for yourself. As you gain more confidence in your own magickal abilities, you can move on to perform more complex spells adding your own flair to them, as well as performing magickal works for others.

(Always ASK their permission! I shouldn't have to say this, but I do. ALWAYS ASK!)

Everyone makes mistakes, even though we do our best to avoid them. This is normal; do not torture yourself if one of your spells goes wrong. A wise Witch will record everything in her/his Book Of Shadows. Then he/she will re-read what happened carefully looking for any problems. Also-Who says rites have to be big and flamboyant? Do you really think the Goddess will look down upon you if your rite is small and simple? I do not always have the time or find myself in the right place to perform a full ritual, so I keep them simple. KISS

To Keep Silent (Earth)
Witches must keep quiet about the work they are doing. Every time Witches talk about their magickal work, part of the energy is given away. Also, the Witch may be telling someone who, for whatever reason, does not want the Witch to succeed. That person, knowing what is being done, can counteract the results. This is not a usual occurrence, but it can and does happen. In silence there is knowledge. You are the master of your thoughts, but a slave of what you say.

This, above, is a conglomeraton of my writing and the thoughtsof thers on a web page I browsed recently. These four principles are as old as the Wiccan Rede--maybe older--and we need to remember these basics and fundamentals before we try to do any magic at all.

MY Wiccan Lineage-Branwenn WhiteRaven

2007-10-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

Everyone always asks--where did you learn Wicca? Who were your mentors? Who taught you?

So--in the picture above you see the basic Wiccan Lineage ending with Vivianne (and Chris) Crowley who have been my biggest influences over the years. Add to that psychologist Carl Jung and my hero, Joseph Campbell, and then add any from the listings below as my mentors, teachers, influences and initiators--

Mary Etta West, my Cherokee great-grandmother who taught me to love herbs and healing ways.

Florence Irene Powell, my Irish Grandmother, who taught me to respect and love the little people/the fairies, to be proud of my Irish heritage, and the incredible magick of being a "simple kitchen witch."

Selena Fox, my first teacher, by phone-LOL:)-in 1982 and Diana Paxton--her novel White Raven inspired both my Craft names

John, my first husband, who opened me up to novels by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Robert Heinlein and was Pagan at heart even though he never realized that his Pagan name was Sean.

Kevin, my first gay male friend, who taught me to envision a shower of white healing light surrounding my patients at Providence Health Care Center where I spent several years a Social Worker

DeWayne, my Tibetan Buddhist roommate and friend, who opened my eyes to other cultures and ways of life

Dr. James Flannick, Psychologist, who talked me into going back to school to start my Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology

Bran, my second husband, who started off with me on the journey, but I somehow lost along the way

Larry Cornett and the Vision Weavers coven from Northern Virginia

Patrick Maritz-now deceased-my dearest friend and mentor and Jenny, his mentor

Ric Campbell, my dear friend and coven shaman-brother

Shireonay--my first Wiccan magickal partner and my first Pan-also now deceased

Myth, dear sister and Vickie, my first HPS

Frater Steven-my Ceremonial magickian friend-who introduced me to Sacred Sex and helped me found my first coven which he HPed until he moved on.

Paul Hume-campmaster of the William Blake camp of the OTO who made "the BEAST" a little less beastly for me :)

Thaddeus Venar /Gaffer who taught me the Greenleaf healing tradition

The other Founding Members of the Church of the Olde Religion (COR) and Morgan ap Tairn, my friend and brother

Elspeth and Nybor from Haven

Gavin and Yvonne Frost

Chief of the Free Cherokee-Wohali Agvnige

Lady Morgaine-(supposedly initiated by Vivienne Crowley) who assisted in my Second Degree Initiation

Lady Breid Starsong-Gardnerian HPS who gave me my Second Degree Initiation

Lord Sagebrusher-who shared my Third Degree Initiation-my first soul mate.

The members-official and unofficial-of the first Crystal Visions coven-Lori, Donny, Steve, Chris, Kat, Randy, Chris, Brandon, Rob, Beth, Steve, Jen, Susan, Morgan, CC, Joy, Gaffer, Russell, all the many others who touched my life at that incredible, magickal time

Crystal Dragon-Fire Coven-Lord StormDragon, Bob, CC, Claire, Ed, Goia, and many others-a short, but very educational experience

Ariana Lightningstorm and the members of KIVA-present and past

Snehan Farish and The Eclectic Pagan Wiccan Fellowship in Charlottesville, VA (EWPF) and all of the members from year's past

My third family and third coven-unofficially-never did we actually CALL it a coven-comprised MOSTLY of the founding members of the Blue Ridge Pagan Alliance-Brother York, Quark, Lord Emrys, Lady Joyannah, Lady Serafina, Lord Red Dragon, Lord Dragon of Ember, Kushiel, Ed, Steve, many others

Mark, my third husband from Scotland, who kept me in Scotland and Ireland just long enough for me to never want to leave-

My husband, magickal partner, second and last soul mate, life partner, and the TRUE LOVE that I have been searching for all my life--Jamey

More as I remember 21+ years of Pagan studies-1982-2003-with countless Pagan influences before that--Robert Heinlein's novels, Marion Zimmer Bradley's novels, Whitley Strieber's novel Cat Magic, Morgan Llewellyn's novels, Mary Stewarts's novels, Diana Paxton's novels, many, many more

And finally, although they may not be happy to know it, my Mom and Dad, who adopted me and loved me more than any other parents could have, encouraged me to think for myself, to get a good education, and to stand up for truth and for what I believe in and hold close to my heart

A special thank-you to my "biological mother", wherever she may be, who had the wisdom to give me to loving parents and name me Hope May before she passed me on to them--You may have thought then that "Hope May"--but I can assure you that Hope most certainly did become all and more that you may have dreamed...

Overview of Basic Candle Magick: Class # 5 ; Intro to Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca 1o1

2007-10-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

This class was taken from a wonderful page about Candle Magick.
http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/candles.html#CANDLES%20101
I don't know Joelle personally, but from what I have read of her web site, it looks like incredibly good reading and very educational. I heartily recommend that you read any or all of the items on her extensive site.
http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/map.html

(material drawn from many sources)

Early candles were made of vegetable waxes produced from plants such as bayberries, candelilla leaves, candletree bark, esparto grass, and various varieties of palm leaves such as carnuba and ouricury. They were also made of animal tissue and secretions, such as spermaceti (whale oil), ambergris, and beeswax (insect secretions). Sometimes entire animals such as the stormy petrel and the candlefish of the Pacific Northwest were threaded with a wick and burned as candles. Tallow candles were made of sheep, cow, or pig fat. All these candles were rather crude, time-consuming to make and smoky.

Of the two kinds of candle fuel, beeswax was considered the better since it burned cleaner than tallow and had a lovely odor compared to tallow's rancid, smoky smell. Being scarce, beeswax was expensive. Only churches and the wealthy could afford beeswax candles.

By the 17th century, European state edicts controlled the weight, size and cost of candles. In 1709, an act of the English Parliament banned the making of candles at home unless a license was purchased and a tax paid.

Matches were invented in 1827, using poisonous phosphorus but were improved by the end of the century, eliminating the need for sparking with flint, steel, and tinder, or for keeping a fire burning 24 hours a day.

Probably most important of all, Paraffin was refined from oil around 1850, making petroleum based candles possible. The combination of paraffin, which burns clean and without odor, and stearins, which harden soft paraffin, with new wick technologies developed in the nineteenth century, revolutionized the candle industry, giving us the tools and materials we still use for candle manufacturing.

Candle Shapes

Container: Any candle that is poured into a container and intended to be burned in the container is a container candle. These candles are often made of soft wax and would not be able to stand on their own outside their enclosures.

The container also prevents soft wax from dripping. Since these candles are safely contained in a vessel, they are often used in restaurants and in religious rituals that require long-burning candles.

Pillar: A thick candle with a geometrical cross section such as a circle, oval, or hexagon is called a pillar. It is usually referred to by its diameter followed by its height. For example, a 3-by 6-inch pillar would be 3 inches in diameter and 6 inches high. Some pillars come in standard sized for commercial and religious use but you can make many variations of pillars by using molds.

Novelty: These are irregularly shaped candles made by molding, sculpting and/or pouring.

Taper: These are the long cylindrical candles that kindle memories of historic candle-dipping. Tapers can be made by dipping wicks into melted wax, by pouring wax into a mold, and by rolling wax around a wick. No matter the method, the result is always candles made to fit into a holder.

Tapers are generally made 1/2 inch or 7/8 inch in diameter at the base because most holders are designed to fit these two sizes. There are, of course, exceptions, such as birthday candles (3/16 inch) and Danish tapers (1/4 inch). Some specialty candleholders are designed to hold a taper larger than 7/8 inch.

Votive and Tea Lights: Although these candles originated in the church, the term now refers to small plug-type candles that are 1 1/2 inches in diameter by 2 to 3 inches high. This shape has become popular for scented candles because their small size allows them to fit easily into small rooms, such as bathrooms.

As votives melt and become liquid in their containers, the wick uses up all the liquid fuel. If you burn a votive on a plate, the burn time will be shorter because the wax will drip and the wick will be unable to use it.

Tea lights are small votives used to warm pots of potpourri and to heat foods. They fit in smaller-than-standard votive cups.

CANDLE COLORS

WHITE: --Self; Protection; Purification; Full Moon Magic; Purity; Innocence; Centering; Truth; Sincerity; Meditation; Peace; Power of a Higher Nature; Greater Attainments in Life; Spirituality.

RED: -- South; Protection; Strength; Blood; Passion; Courage; Health; Power; Fire Elemental; Sexuality; Vigor; Energy; Enthusiasm; Will Power; To conquer fear or laziness.

LT. BLUE: --Healing; Patience; Happiness; Psychic Awareness; Quests; Intuition; Opportunity; Tranquility; Understanding. Ward Depression; Safe Journey; Harmony in the Home; Peace.

DARK BLUE: --The Goddess; West; Water Elemental; Inspiration; Truth; Dreams; Protection; Change; Impulse; Fidelity; Deep Emotion; Peace; Meditation; Changeability; Psychism.

GREEN: --North; Money; Fertility; Growth; Employment; Earth Elemental; Herb Magic; Luck; Healing; Balance; Prosperity; Courage; Nature type Faerie-magic; Garden blessing; Abundance; Generosity; Renewal; Marriage.

YELLOW: --East; Air Elemental; Intellect; Creative Work; Learning; Changes; Confidence; Attraction; Harmony; Clairvoyance; Charm; Imagination; Power of the Mind; Gentle persuasion; Action.

BROWN: --Earth Elemental; Animal Health; Endurance; Steadiness; Houses & Homes; Physical Objects; Overcoming uncertainty and hesitancy; Attract Money and Financial Success; Concentration; ESP; Intuition; Study.

PINK: --Love; Peace; Femininity; Friendship; Honor; Morality; Emotional Love; Affection; Romance; Spiritual Awakening; Healing of the Spirit; Togetherness.

ORANGE: --The God; Attraction; Stimulation; Energy; Healing; Vitality; Encouragement; Adaptability; Luck; Pulling things to you; Clearing the Mind; Dominance, Sudden Changes; Change Luck.

PURPLE: --Power; Dignity; Spiritual Development; Meditation, Spirituality; Intuition; Ambition; Spirit Communication; Tension; Business Progress; Healing Severe Diseases; Occult Wisdom; Success; Idealism; Higher Psychic Ability; Break Bad Luck; Drive Away Evil; Honors.

GOLD: --The God; Solar Energy; Physical Strength; Power; Success; Mental Growth; Skill Sought; Healing Energy; Fortune; Divination; Creative Work; Intuition; Money; Fast Luck; Attracts Higher Influences.

SILVER: --The Goddess; Lunar magic; Removes negative forces; Opens astral gates; Conducts Energy; Meditation; Creative Work; Protection; Money; Psychic Development; Success; Balance; Ward Negativity; Remove Negative Energy; Stability; Victory.

VIOLET: --Self Improvement; Intuition; Success in searches; Creative Work.

BLACK: --Endings; Closing of Doors; Psychic Work; Death; Ward Negativity; Remove Hexes; Protection; Spirit Contact; Truth; Remove Discord or Confusion; Reversing; Releasing; Repel Dark Magic and Negative Thought Forms.

GREENISH-YELLOW: --To Negate; Discord, Sickness, Anger, Jealousy, Cowardice, Anger.

INDIGO:--Meditation; Spirit Communication; Karma Working; Balance; Learn the Ancient Wisdom; Neutralize Another's Magic; Ward Slander, Lies or Undesirable Competition

GRAY: --Non-Nature Faerie Magic; Travel to Otherworld; Vision Quests; Veiling; Cancellation; Hesitation; Competition.

LAVENDER--Spiritual Development; Psychic Growth; Divination; Sensitivity to the Otherworld; Blessings.

MAGENTA: --Very High Vibrational Frequency that tends to work fast so usually burned with other candles; Quick Change; Spiritual Healing, Exorcism.

CANDLE MAGIC

Candle magic can be quite a complicated procedure, but these steps should help make it a little easier.

1. Choose an appropriate color: The color of the candle you use is your first concern. You must correlate color with the goal you have in mind. (See my list of candle colors for reference.

2. Cleanse the candle: Now that you've chosen the appropriate color of candle, your next task is to remove energies infused into the candle during the manufacturing process (Unless you made the candle yourself with a particular goal in mind).

3. Saturate a tissue with rubbing alcohol and, holding the candle in your hand, cleanse its surface, moving from bottom to top. This expels energy from the candle (If you are working with a glass encased candle, clean the exposed wax and the glass with the alcohols.

4. Consecrate the candle: Next, dedicate the candle to your purpose. There three methods in which to do this, any or all may be used

5. Carve symbols into the candle: Take a sharp object (Such as your athame or a toothpick) and carve appropriate symbols into the side of the candle (or the top if glass-encased). If you are working for prosperity and dollar sign may be appropriate, if the goal is romance a heart would work. Astrological signs, runes, element signs, or personal signs may also be used. Think intensely of your goal while you carve. Even better is to repeat a verbal formula, such as an incantation or affirmation.

6. Oil the candle: Most metaphysical stores carry a wide range of oils for sale, some pre-mixed for particular goals, choose one of these or mix your own. Dip your fingers into the oil and anoint the entire surface of the candle with it. If you want to attract good, oil the candle from the top to bottom. If you want to expel something from your life (such as a bad habit, illness, or an unwanted situation) oil the candle from bottom to top. If you can't decide which direction to oil from, try an alternative method; begin at the center of the candle and apply the oil upward toward the top, then from the center down. If working with a glass-encased candle, oil the exposed wax: clockwise (deosil) to draw good, counter-clockwise (widdershins) to expel negativity. It's important to use a verbal formula while you oil the candle, for this focuses your mind on the work at hand.

7. Spray, sprinkle, or anoint the candle with water. Purchase a water (such as Prosperity, Love, Success or Healing Water) from a metaphysical store, and pour some into an atomizer or plant mister. Spray the entire surface of the candle as you repeat your affirmation or incantation. If you don't have an atomizer or plant mister, simply sprinkle the candle, or dip your fingers in the water and anoint the candle as you would with oil.

A cleansed and consecrated candle should be used for one purpose only. If you prepare a candle for prosperity purposes, don't use it for anything else. You should decide how often and for how long a time you are going to burn your candle. Choose your candle size according to your purpose. If your goal is very important, you may wish to burn your candle every day for several days; this means you must use a very large candle. An alternative is to use several smaller candles and burn one each day. If you choose to use smaller candles remember to cleanse and consecrate each one before use.
When you light your candle, do so consciously. Be aware that fire has an affinity with the spiritual plane.

Remember the Rule of Three and the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what ye will".

Class # 4; Intro to Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca 101

2007-10-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

WICCAN INFORMATION SHEET: MAGICAL TOOLS AND THEIR USES

Item Element Direction Purpose

Athame Air East Definition, delineating, altar tool of the air element

Bell Air East Change, summoning

Sword Air East Truth, delineating, circle casting

Candle Fire South Illumination, altar tool of the fire element

Stang Fire South A forked staff symbolic of the Horned god

Wand Fire South Intent/focus, altar tool of the fire element

Cauldron Water West Potential, void, magical crucible for potions

Chalice Water West Healing/libations, altar tool of the water element

Shell Water West Holding incense, smudge, candles or water. Sacred to the Goddess

Pentacle Earth North Protection, altar tool of the earth element

Salt Earth North Cleansing/protection

Crystal Earth North Representation of Earth on Altar

Holey stone Earth North Protection, good luck, goddess blessing-Union of God and Goddess with phallic crystal

Herbs Various Various Invocation, empathic magic, cleansing, divination

Familiar Astral/earthly Various Protection, ally, shamanic power animal, guide

Broomstick Cleansing, banishing, protection, astral travel

Book of Shadows A Witch's personal bible, record of experiences

Class # 3; Intro to Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca 101: Basic Moon Lore

2007-10-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

NEW MOON
When the moon is new, Her face is hidden within the darkness, taking the time to internalize time passed. Rituals at this time offer new beginnings and self/hidden knowledge.

WAXING MOON
Moving from new to full the moon's face begins to show slowly. This buildup of light offers time for rituals that require energy of the following: increase, growth, and gaining new insight in all aspects of life. The waxing moon gives us the opportunity to intensify what is already going well within our lives.

FULL MOON
The moon is at the height of her energy; therefore, this is the best time to raise the most amount of energy during workings. She is in full Mother aspect at this time and offers the most visible glory of the moon's power. Because of this, it is easier to draw down the energy when learning of her mysteries.

WANING MOON
Moving from full to new the moon's face begins to diminish. At this time, rituals can be done that help rid ourselves of problems, addictions, attitudes, or anything else that we need to lessen. (Remember ALWAYS “harming none”.)

BASIC WICCAN WHEEL OF THE YEAR

S A M H A I N
(pronounced “sow-in” the sow being pronounced like cow)
(October 31st -Nov 1st) also known as: Halloween, ShadowFest, Martinmas, Old Hallowmas. The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the times to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing" (divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life.

NOVEMBER’S FULL MOON
is also known as Snow Moon, Dark Moon, and Wolf Moon. The Earth lies sleeping beneath a blanket of snow, gathering strength for new life in spring. This is the time for healing and communication. The zodiac association is Scorpio.

DECEMBER’S FULL MOON
is also known as Oak Moon, Cold Moon, Winter Moon, and Wolf Moon. This is the time of the Dark Lord; the Oak is his symbol, and the wood traditionally used for the Yule log. This is the time for rebirth. The zodiac association is Sagittarius.

YULE
(Around DECEMBER 22nd) also known as: Yuletide, Alban Arthan. Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice had been associated with the birth of a "Divine King" long before the rise of Christianity. Since the Sun is considered to represent the Male Divinity in many Pagan Traditions, this time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess

JANUARY’S FULL MOON
is also known as Ice Moon, Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, and Cold Moon. Ice was deemed safe at this time for walking over in the northern cultures. This is a time for introspection, diverting your energy from worrying about others and concentrating on yourself. The zodiac association is Capricorn.

I M B O L C
(February 1st or 2nd) is also known as: Candlemas, Imbolg, Imbolgc Brigantia, Lupercus, Disting The earliest whisperings of Springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months. Imbolc is known as Bride’s Day in Ireland.

FEBRUARY’S FULL MOON
is also known as Ice Moon, Storm Moon, and Hunger Moon. At this time of the year, the waters of the earth are beginning to flow once again. This is still the time of blizzards and snowstorms. This is a time of growth and looking ahead towards the future by setting goals. The zodiac association is Aquarius.

Oak MARCH’S FULL MOON
is also known as the Storm Moon, Seed Moon and Maple Moon. The Oak moon was named for the king of trees as worshipped by the Druids. Now is the time to be realistic when making life decisions. The zodiac association is Pisces.

O S T A R A
(around March 21st but date may vary by more than two days )
also known as: Spring Equinox, Ostara, Alban Eiler, Esther, Eostre, Ostarun, ôstartag', Eastre, Eoastrae, Oestre The first true day of Springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length as the Young God continues to mature and grow. We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise.

APRIL’S FULL MOON
is also known as Chaste Moon, Growing Moon, Hare Moon, Maiden Moon, and Planting Moon. This was the time when one began to notice the days getting longer, one could hunt again and could feel the return of the Maiden. This is a time of returning balance back into your life. The zodiac association is Aries.

B E L T A I N E
(April 30-May 1 - Western Hemisphere) also known as: Mayday, Walburga, Galan Mai, Shenn da Boaldyn, Bealtinne, Beltine, Beltain, Beal-tine, Beltan, Bel-tien, Beltein, Bealtuinn and Bealtaine The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love for Her. This is a time of joyous reveling as the first flowers of Summer are gathered in Their Honor. Also, the time of the famous Blue Ridge Beltane Festival---a never miss event!

MAY’S FULL MOON
is also known as Seed Moon, Hare Moon, and Bright Moon. The earth is becoming fertile again. This was the time for the planting rites. Now is the time for connecting with other beings and recommitting yourself to the Gods and the Earth. The zodiac association is Taurus.

JUNE’S FULL MOON
is also known as Mead Moon, Strawberry Moon, Honey Moon and Flower Moon. This moon lets us know that summer is coming, and we can start looking forward to the warm moonlit nights. This is also the time for lovers. Before the height of summer, use this time to strengthen your weaknesses. The zodiac association is Gemini.

MIDSUMMER
Summer Solstice, June 21st, also known as: Litha, Feill-Sheathain, Jani, Alban Hefin, Juhannus, Midsommarafton, Saint John's Eve. "Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." -- Maori proverb. Solstice is the time when the sun appears to stand still in His yearly migration across the heavens. Be it in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere, the journey of the sun pauses, deliberately and when his journey resumes the tide of the year has once again begun to ebb and flow. Together we journey into separate halves of the year, very much two sides to the same coin, each coupled to the other, as Light is coupled to Dark, without Light there would be no Dark as without Dark there would be no Light -- much like we find without a path there would be no journey...

JULY’S FULL MOON
is also known as Hay Moon, Wort Moon, and Mead Moon. Pagans celebrate the summer with dancing, drinking, and song. The mead is now made for the coming Lammas celebration. This is the time for relaxing and enjoying the warm comfortable days and nights. The zodiac association is Cancer.

LUGHNASADH
(on or about August 1st) also known as: Lugnasad, Lammas, Cornucopia, Thingtide, Lammastide, Lughomass, Festival of Light, Latha Lunasdal. Falling midway between Summer Solstice and Autumnal Equinox is the cross-quarter holiday of Lughnasadh, which is the first in the trilogy of harvest festivals, Lughnasadh, Mabon and finally Samhain. It is at the time of Lughnasadh when the days suddenly seem to shorten and the nights grow longer

AUGUST’S FULL MOON
is also known as Corn Moon, Harvest Moon, and Barley Moon. This moon marks the beginning of the corn harvest and of drying herbs. This is the time for celebration with people who are close to you. The zodiac association is Leo.

SEPTEMBER’S FULL MOON
is also known as Harvest Moon, Barley Moon. The harvesters would gain extra time in the fields by the light of the harvest moon. What a wonderful time to view the gorgeous colors surrounding this month. The leaves are beginning to show a rusty tinge and beautiful shades are coming into life. This is a time of organizing and preparing for the coming months. The zodiac association is Virgo.

M A B O N
(around September 22nd) also known as: Alban Elfed, Winter Finding, Virginia Pagan Pride Day. Others. AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON: (on or about September 21) The Second or Continuing Harvest. Now, as at Ostara, the days and nights are equal once again. Gardens are in full bloom and heavy with nature's bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which are to come.

OCTOBER’S FULL MOON
is also known as Blood Moon, and Hunters Moon. This is the annual slaughter of all but breeding stock that took place at this time of the year. This is the time of seeking inner peace and truth. The zodiac association is Libra.

Class # 2; Intro to Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca BASIC GROUNDING AND CENTERING EXERCISES-practice these daily!

2007-10-08T09:29:00.001-07:00

(I am not the person who wrote this lovely grounding exercise. I am unaware who the author is and if you are the author--please let me know so you can be credited and a link to your work be put with this wonderful meditation.)

Seat yourself on a chair or on the floor.
If you sit on a chair, make sure your feet are flat on the floor.
If you are sitting on the floor, make sure you have your feet arranged so that they are not crossed at the ankles as this inhibits energy flow.
Visualize your spine as an antenna.
The top is at the crown chakra, the bottom is at the base chakra.
Straighten your posture and shift your body until you find your alignment with the earth.
It may take only moments or you may have to work with it as you learn to attune yourself with Mother Earth.
Take your time.
When you are ready to proceed with the meditation:
Take two or three deep, cleansing breaths.
With each breath out, release any pent up tension or anxiety in your body.
Imagine yourself confined within an acorn.
Buried beneath the surface of mother earth, you can feel the top of the seed-covering pressing against the top of your head.
Your knees are against your chest, your arms around your knees.
Your base chakra is pressed against the bottom of the acorn.
You feel the warmth of the sun on the moist, warm earth above you. It is calling you to join in the dance of spring.
Your base chakra puts out a small feeder root that descends from the bottom tip of the acorn.
It wends its way between grains of rich, warm, damp earth, stopping every now and then to sample a delicious bit of pure, clean water.
Soon the root comes upon an underground stream of remarkable purity and sweetness.
As it sucks it up you feel the coldness of the water.
It invigorates you and your fill the acorn to bursting.
Father Sun is beckoning you to join him.
The top of the acorn bursts as a shoot emerges from your crown chakra.
It pushes its way up through the earth, emerging into the warm sunlight.
The gentle breezes brush the little tree, encouraging its tiny leaves to unfurl.
Deep in the earth, the root divides growing in all directions, providing a secure base for the young tree.
Each time nourishment is sucked into the tree the sapling grows larger.
Now the sun is warming the little tree.
Its leaves fairly glow as sunlight is absorbed and turned into energy.
The tops of the leaves are warm, almost hot, as the fire of the distant sun rains down.
Branches form, leaves erupt from new buds.
The little tree grows higher.
Its roots branch out further.
And with each breath you take, the tree grows larger.
The gentle wind ruffles the leaves.
The sun beams down.
The water beneath the tree provides cool nourishment and the earth provides stability and minerals needed for growth.
The tree continues to grow until an inner boundary is reached.
Perhaps the tree is a large sapling.
Perhaps it is a giant oak.
Or a world tree.
At some point, this tree has reached its ultimate.
The water continues to pour into the tree from the large root system.
Now there is more nourishment than the tree needs.
The crown chakra opens and a fine blue mist rises from the top of the tree.
Water rains to the ground around the tree, soaking back into the earth, returning to the land from which it came.
Beneath you, solid and protective, Mother Earth provides the base upon which your tree exists.
Feel the way your roots have sunk deep into her body. Taste the elements that rise to nourish your body.
Experience the feeling of being filled with energy.
All your needs are met and there is energy left to spare.
That which is not needed pours from your crown chakra.
From this, you can fashion all things magickal.
The trees leaves quiver as the wind trembles through them and the water is lightly buffeted by an addition of air.
You can combine air and water, creating a bubbly fountain.
The sun heats the top of the bubbly fountain and a steaming cloud rises into the sky.
Water, air, and fire have met and combined.
Continue to cycle energy through your tree body. Feel the effects of earth, water, air and fire.
Then, when you are ready to return, begin to withdraw your roots.
First a few, then more.
You find the energy that shot high into the sky from your crown chakra soon is just that which you need.
As the energy continues to diminish, you begin to shrink.
Your branches pull back until your arms appear.
Your roots contract until your feet stand upon the ground.
You stand alone upon the field where once a mighty oak stood. But you have changed. You are no longer the tiny acorn. You have experienced the power of earth, water, air, and fire.
At any time you wish, you can return to this place. You can reach deep into the earth for nourishment, take long drinks of pure water, feel the touch of the breeze and feel the strength of the sun. And from each you can weave a creative power.
Plan on spending 20 - 30 minutes the first time you do this meditation. The more often you do it, the faster it goes.
Commit to doing this once a day for a week.
The following week-do it twice a day.
The third week-three times a day. You will not be spending more than a few minutes at a time on it by then.
Next assignment-do it as often as you can remember to do it, shortening the time to a breath.
The goal is to learn to be grounded and centered at all times. If you work at this, you can eventually achieve a state where you will no longer notice that you are grounded and centered. You will, instead, only notice when you are not grounded and centered.

VISUALISATION
When you visualize something, you use your five senses in your mind. If you want someone to call you, sit down and relax. Breathe and then visualize on the phone ringing (sound) and see (sight) yourself going to the phone and picking it up. Feel (touch) the coolness of the telephone. Smell (Smell) the pot of flowers near the telephone. That is visualization.

MEDITATION
To meditate, sit or lie in one place with no (as little as possible) disturbances. Breathe. Breathe in 1-2-3-4-5 Hold 1-2-3 Breathe out 1-2-3-4-5 Hold 1-2-3 and repeat. When you breathing rate has lowered and you are in alpha state you are meditating. This is the time when you can do spells in your mind and send out energy for luck, health etc. You can also heal yourself.

CONE OF POWER
The cone of power is a cone of energy that is raised within a circle by witches. Physical movement such as dancing will achieve this. Tradition dictates that one should dance deosil for spells of increase or attraction, and widdershins for decreasing or banishing spells. Start steadily and gradually increase until you feel the energy building up. Then, while concentrating on the goal, release the energy to where it is needed.

Other methods of raising power in this manner include drumming, chanting, visualizing, and so on.

Meditation Exercises

1. Sit in a straight-backed chair, supporting your lower back with a pillow if necessary. Your chin should be level with the floor, eyes closed, back straight, hands resting on your knees, palms up and fingers relaxed. In this position, you should be comfortable and relaxed, the spine straight and the torso erect.

2. Breathe deeply for several minutes. Relax. Forget. Visualize the myriad tensions and worries of your everyday life exiting your body with you breath. Relax into the chair.

3. Now, open your consciousness. Allow your conscious mind to be receptive and alert. Commune and talk with the deities. If you wish, chant one of the names of the Goddess or God, or a group of them. This is an excellent tool for slipping into the twilight world.

Note: Select your time and place for meditation with care. Light should be subdued; candlelight is excellent. Burn specific candles attuned with relaxation or your purpose if you wish. A bit of incense is fine too, but too much smoke can (obviously) cause problems during deep breathing. Immediately after each meditation session, record all images, thoughts and sensations in your Book of Shadows.

Class # 1; Intro to Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca 101

2007-10-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

The first text we will be using is Timothy Roderick's WICCA: A Year and a Day. (You can pick this up at Alibris for about $5. I recommend Alibris, because no one should ever pay full price for a book these days. Also, Alibris is where I have my own used books listed for sale. I also have a book site on Ebay.)

Timothy Roderick's WICCA: A Year and a Day is by no means a definitive text, but it is set up into accessible small entries on each major topic of Wicca and is one organizational approach. There are as many Wicca 101 books out there now as there are types of Wicca and then some more on top of that. NONE of them is 100 % accurate for you. AND what resonates with YOU may not be 100% accurate for me. This is the part about Wicca that drives some folks absolutely crazy. There are no absolutes. First, read the introduction to Roderick’s book and the story about Cerridwen in his introduction.

THEN, read this first article about Cerridwen written by Kerritwyn, a priestess in the Order of the White Moon. This is your first, small foray into learning about Celtic Mythology. Celtic thought is full of contradictions and with the rise of the Celtic Reconstuctionists, different schools of thought contradict one another. PLEASE always read with a critical eye and know that there is no ONE interpretation of any bit of knowledge. If you learn anything from me in these lessons, I hope you come away with the idea that nothing is carved in stone and no one should be your absolute guru. Figure out what is right for you and then the rest will fall in place for you.

The Legend of Cerridwen’s Cauldron
Historical Myth By Kerritwyn kerritwyn@yahoo.com
High Priestess; Charter Member of the Order of the White Moon She has her own Yahoo Group and School, The Sacred Three Goddess School

Cerridwen is one of the Old Ones, one of the great megalithic pre-Christian Goddesses of the Celtic World. Although, in her story, she embodies all three lunar aspects of the Goddess, Maiden, Mother and Crone. She is primarily worshipped in her Crone aspect, by and through her Cauldron of Wisdom, Inspiration, Rebirth and Transformation. The cauldron has an intimate association with femininity. Together with the cave, the cup and the chalice, and the association of femininity with justice, wisdom and intelligence; this association goes back to very ancient times.1-4

The people of Wales originally worshiped Cerridwen. It is told that she lived on an island, in the middle of Lake Tegid, named after her husband, with her two children, a beautiful daughter, Creidwy, and a very ugly son, Afagdu. To compensate her son for his unfortunate appearance, Cerridwen brewed a magickal formula, known as "greal" 5, which would make Afagdu the most brilliant and inspired of men. For a year and a day, she kept six herbs simmering in her magickal cauldron, known as "Amen" 6, under the constant care of a boy named Gwion.

One day, while Gwion was stirring the cauldron, a few drops of the bubbling liquid spattered on his hand. Unthinkingly, and in pain, Gwion, sucked his burned hand, and, suddenly, he could hear everything in the world, and understood all the secrets of the past and future. With his newly enchanted foresight, Gwion knew how angry Cerridwen would be when she found he had acquired the inspiration meant for her son.

He ran away, but Cerridwen pursued him. Gwion changed into a hare, and Cerridwen chased him as a greyhound; he changed into a fish, and Cerridwen pursued him as an otter; he became a bird, and she flew after him as a hawk; finally, he changed into a grain of corn, and Cerridwen, triumphant, changed into a hen, and ate him.

When Cerridwen resumed her human form, she conceived Gwion in her womb, and, nine months later, gave birth to an infant son, whom she, in disgust, threw into the water of a rushing stream. He was rescued by a Prince, and grew into the great Celtic bard, Taliesin 7.

Rebirth and Transformation.
Cerridwen's cauldron is an ancient feminine symbol of renewal, rebirth, transformation and inexhaustible plenty 8. It is the primary female symbol of the pre-Christian world, and represents the womb of the Great Goddess from which all things are born and reborn again 9. Like the Greek Goddess, Demeter, and the Egyptian Goddess, Isis, Cerridwen was the great Celtic Goddess of inspiration, intelligence and knowledge, and was invoked as a lawgiver and sage dispenser of righteous wisdom, counsel and justice 10.

Symbolism.
The image of her cauldron, holding the magickal potion of wisdom, is the mythical origin of the Halloween image of a cauldron-stirring hag, making up her witch's brew 11. The brew had to simmer for a year and a day, a common passage of time in Celtic lore, and a standard time before magickal initiation. Today, many Druidic pagans believe that her shape-shifting chase after Gwion was meant to represent the different elevations of Druidic initiation rites 12. The chase can also be seen as representative of the many changes our souls must make, into different forms, and over different human lifetimes, before we can discover the very reason for our existence 13.

The potent nature of her brew has, today, transformed Cerridwen, in some eyes, into a goddess of fertility, creativity, harvest, inspiration, knowledge and luck 14. A festival in her honor is celebrated on July 3rd, and the pink sow, a symbol of fertility, good fortune and enrichment, is said to be her matron animal 15.

Metaphor.
The story of Cerridwen is often interpreted as being fueled by anger, but it can also be seen as a metaphor for the relationship of teacher and student.

Cerridwen was the teacher, and Gwion the student, and it is the job of a teacher to challenge the student, when the student is ready. The random drops of Cerridwen's special brew, which flew out of her cauldron, and onto Gwion, can be seen as sparks of knowledge, which, when they hit our being, run through us like wild fire, exploding with sudden meaning 16.

During the chase, Cerridwen forced Gwion to acquire new wisdom, as she shape shifted into the predator that could catch and kill the prey whose form Gwion had assumed. Cerridwen forced him to use the knowledge he acquired, as they ran, together, and, in the end, she devoured him, to bestow upon him a new and greater identity, that of the legendary poet, Taliesin. Thus, was he initiated into the mysteries. 17

Transformation.
Transformations of all kinds are an integral part of Celtic mythology, and the center of this mythical element is often a cauldron. In the Celtic Mystery Tradition, there are three types of cauldrons, the Cauldron of Transformation, the Cauldron of Rejuvenation and Rebirth, and the Cauldron of Inspiration, and Cerridwen's cauldron symbolizes the merging of all three of these aspects into one archetypal cauldron 18. The Celtic afterworld is called the Land of Youth, and the secret that opens its doors is found in Cerridwen's cauldron: the secret of immortality lies in seeing death as an integral part of the cycle of life, where every death brings rebirth, every ending a new beginning 19 .

Random Inspiration.
Gwion's sudden absorption of the three drops of brew from Cerridwen's cauldron also shows what appears, to humans, to be the random nature of greatness and inspiration. The three drops of Cerridwen's brew are an encryption of primal creative power. Gwion appeared to be a random recipient of the cauldron's bounty, yet, when he was reborn, he became the famous poet, Taliesin. The impact on Gwion was such that he literally had to be transformed, several times, and reborn, in human form, to assimilate the knowledge he had unwittingly gained 20.

The ancient cauldron of the Goddess was reinvented, by patriarchy, as the Holy Grail of Arthurian legend 21, and was transformed into a solar symbol, the Chalice used by Yeshua, or Jesus Christ, at the Last Supper 22. Very little of its mystical meaning was changed, however, and it is still, today, a symbol of enlightenment and spiritual transformation 23.

Notes.
1. Farrar, Janet and Stewart, A Witches' Bible, Phoenix Publishing, Inc., Custer, WA. p. 79.
2. Grimassi, Raven, The Wiccan Mysteries, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN., p. 195.
3. Ibid., fn. 1, p.157.
4. Eisler, Riane, The Chalice and the Blade, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, New York, NY., p. 69.
5. Farrar, Janet and Stewart, The Witches' Goddess, Phoenix Publishing, Inc., Custer, WA., p. 209.
6. Ibid
7. Monaghan, Patricia, The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN., pp. 82-83.
8. Ibid., fn. 4, p. 265.
9. Ardinger, Barbara, Ph.D., Goddess Meditations, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN., p. 53.
10. Stone, Merlin, When God was a Woman, Harvest/HBJ, New York, NY., p. 4.
11. McCoy, Edain, Celtic Myth and Magick, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN., p. 191.
12. Ibid.
13. Matthews, Caitlin, The Celtic Spirit, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, N.Y., New York, p. 316.
14. Telesco, Patricia, 365 Goddess, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, N.Y., New York, July 3rd.
15. Ibid.
16. Matthews, Caitlin, The Celtic Spirit, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, N.Y., New York, p. 385.
17. McCoy, Edain, Celtic Women's Spirituality, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN., pp. 39-40.
18. Ibid., fn. 2, p. 195.
19. Starhawk, The Spiral Dance, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, N.Y., New York, pp. 97-98.
20. Matthews, Caitlin, The Celtic Spirit, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, New York, NY., pp. 148, 375, 385.
21. Starhawk, The Spiral Dance, Harper San Francisco, Harper Collins, New York, NY., pp. 97-98.
22. Ibid., fn. 14
23. Ibid.
(PLEASE NOTE THAT I HEARTILY RECOMMEND READING ANDY AND/OR ALL OF THE ABOVE BOOKS. I HAVE SOME WHICH YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BORROW.)

***Question—How does the historical version of the legend compare and contrast to what is in Roderick’s book? Which do you prefer? WHY?***

Definitions of Wicca

Remember that there are as many definitions of Wicca as there are Wiccans. This is, to many of us, exactly how it should be. Each of us should create our own version of our path and then walk it. Wicca is a shamanic path to some, a magickal path to others, and spiritual path to yet another group. To some it is all three or any derivative thereof.

***Question—Which is it to you? Alternatively, is it something else altogether?***

Witch Defined
The concept of "witch" can be found in just about every world culture and language in some form or another. Be it kahuna, hexe, strega, bruja, baobh, bacularia or makhsheyfe; the thought that lies behind it is still the same.

So -- Where did the word come from? What does it exactly mean? How did it become such a universal principle?

Etymology
Etymology traces the development of a word-form from its earliest recorded occurrence in a language to the present day. Because language is a living entity, words, spellings and meanings are constantly changing. This means that the history of a word and its possible etymology *may not* necessarily coincide.

—WITCH—
Word's Origin
witch [1] n. -es [ME wyche, from OE wice, wic; probably akin to OE wïcan to yield, give way-more at weak]: any of several trees having pliant branches.
[2] n. -es [ME wicche, from OE wicca, masculine, wizard and wicce feminine, witch; akin to OE wiccian to practice witchcraft, MHG wicken to bewitch, to divine, OE wigle divination, wiglian to divine, wïg idol, image ON yé temple -- more at victim] 1.a dialect British : Wizard, Sorcerer b.(1) : a woman practicing c. (1) : one supposed to possess supernatural powers especially by compact with the devil or a familiar (2) : a magic spell : hex (it's) d. or witcher -s: dowser 2 : one that bewitches ; specifically : a particularly charming or alluring woman 3.a (1) : storm petrel (2) : grebe (3) or witch bird : animal b. also witch flounder: a small mouth blackish or brownish deep water flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) of the north Atlantic that is of some importance as a food dish c : witch moth.
[3] adjective : of , relating to, or used against witches <~cult> <~ doors used to ward off evil spirits>
[4] verb -ed /-ing/-es [ME wicchen, from OE wiccian to practice witchcraft] 1: bewitch 2 : dowse. [1]

Definitions and Meanings

Generic A witch is a person who practices sorcery. Sorcery can include a variety of aspects such as healing, divination, magic, alchemy, necromancy, spells, herbs, meditation, etc. These practices are often an avenue within an established spiritual structure. It is the Generic interpretation that is the common link among the cultures worldwide.

Christian A witch is a person who practices the black arts and possesses supernatural powers due to a pact with the devil -also known as Satan. The origins of this definition came from the medieval period circa 1500 when it also included heretics, eccentrics, lepers, Jews and anyone else who didn't conform to the Christian Church. During this time 'witch' usually referred to women, evidenced by words like hag and crone.

Modern A witch is a member of a particular spiritual construct often based on an amalgamation of different religious concepts and practices -and- who practices magic/sorcery within the scope of this faith. The Pagan community and other Earth based spiritualities make it clear that the practice of magic is the distinguishing factor for the description of witch. Basically, it is a mutually exclusive relationship that states: not all Pagans are witches and not all witches are Pagans.

Notes
1. Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Volume III
2. A History of Witchcraft—Jeffrey B. Russell; p. 24.
3. Encyclopedia of Occultism;Parapsychology 4th ed. Vol.2
4. Drawing Down the Moon, —Margot Adler

***Question: Once again—what is Wicca to you?***

A Short Dictionary of Terminology Necessary to our Studies

WICCA - A modern tradition of witchcraft based on the old earth religions of Europe. The term comes from an Old English word meaning “to bend” or “to have wisdom.”

SHAMAN - A word derived from the Tungas language of Siberia, it is a generic term for healers and spiritual leaders in tribal societies. Traditional shamans induced trance states through drums, dancing, ingesting hallucinogens, self-mutilation and deprivation and virtually any means by which one might achieve an altered state of consciousness. While in such a trance, the shaman crosses over into another world to get information for his people such as the cause of illnesses and other misfortunes. The shaman is the peoples’ link to the spirit world.

PAGAN A practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin a country dweller. Also considered any religion that is not Christianity.

ANIMISM Belief that a spirit or force residing in every animate and inanimate object, every dream and idea, gives individuality to each. The related Polynesian concept of man holds that the spirit in all things is responsible for the good and evil in the universe.

ARCHETYPES Universal symbols that speak in the language of the subconscious. They are the ideal images of deities and other powers.

EARTH-CENTERED SPIRITUALITY- In Earth-Centered Spirituality, it is the Earth and Nature that is sacred. This sacred power is called the Divine Spark, Higher Power, Great Spirit, God, and/or Goddess. Those who practice Earth-centered Spirituality find Divinity in the natural world and because they love, honor, and respect the environment, many Earth-Centered practitioners work to protect Mother Nature.

EARTH MAGICK - A form of magick in which the powers of the Earth are sought and used to conduct ritual and magical workings.

EARTH RELIGION A religion whose main tenet is that the worshipper is in harmony with the Earth and with all life. Such religions oppose the idea that the world is a resource to be subdued and exploited.

IMMANENT (ĭm'ə-nənt) adj. Existing or remaining within; inherent: believed in a God immanent in humans.

IMMANENCE (ĭm'ənəns) [Lat.,=dwelling in], in metaphysics, the presence within the natural world of a spiritual or cosmic principle, especially of the Deity. It is contrasted with transcendence. The immanence of God in the world is the basic feature of pantheism.

KABALA - Mystical teachings from the Jewish-Gnostic tradition that formed the basis of ceremonial magick and the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca as put forth by Alex and Maxine Sanders. An elaborately structured Tree of Life is central to the system of study. Also Qabalah and Cabala.

PANTHEISM - literally means "God is All" and "All is God". It is the view that everything is of an all-encompassing immanent God; or that the universe, or nature, and God are equivalent.

***Question: Which of these terms appeal to you? Which do not? Why?***

Why Are We Studying and How Will We Learn?

2007-10-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

The first two posts in this blog/class address the questions who and what. "Who is Lady Branwenn WhiteRaven?" and "What is Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca?" The next few posts will deal with when, where, why, and how. The Charge of the Goddess also offers subtle answers to some of these questions. As I teach, I will seek to combine all three elements of CVCW together into a (we hope) coherent whole.

These elements are the THREE aspects I mention in the previous lesson:

Neo-Pagan and Wiccan Tradition
Celticism
The Mythic Journey and Jungian Psychology

Each lesson will combine one part of each into a finished product. I WANT you, the reader, to spell-check me, grammar-check me and content-check me. COMMENTS are welcome! I want to hear what you have to say about this "Great Work." (See Aleister Crowley for more information on the idea of the "great Work." )

2007-10-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

What Is “Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca”© ?
An Emerging and Evolving Personal “Mystical Tradition”
according to Lady Branwenn WhiteRaven

CVC Wiccans acknowledge that all life is composed of both light and shadow and realize that most of our living falls somewhere in between. No one is perfect, but anyone may aspire to advance to a higher level of being and understanding. You are a beloved child of the Lord, the Lady, and the Universe; you must learn to also truly love and accept yourself completely, both your positive and negative characteristics, before you can overcome difficulty or large obstacles that may seem insurmountable at times.

When I say that I am a Crystal Visions Celtic Witch, I mean that I am a student first and always, a healer, a teacher, and a Priestess who is struggling to follow a path of balance and harmony seeking to evolve to a higher level of being. At the same time, I am able to relax and enjoy the here and now and to be content in what the Universe has brought my way today.

My own cultural heritage is Irish, Scottish, and Welsh (along with some German and Cherokee.) Thus, I am fascinated by the Celts and the recent resurgence of the ideas of Pan Celticism. “Pan Celticism, according to its advocates, is recognition by the Irish, Scots, Manx, Welsh, Bretons, and Cornish of the special relationship they have with one another due to their common Celtic origins.” (Peter Berresford Ellis, Celtic Dawn: Celtic Survival in the Modern World, 1993, page 19.)

My grandmother was the daughter of a first generation Irish immigrant who still spoke his native language and grew up near Galway in County Clare. Legend has it that Grandmother Florence Irene Mullan was born on the way over on the boat from Ireland. Since my Irish grandmother was the single, most influential person in my life, I choose the Celtic legends and pantheons as one of my pathways to self-development. Studying the Celtic myths and legends is just one of the myriad ways that one can acquire self-knowledge. Applying the lessons of these mythic heroes and spiritual leaders to our own lives may help us toward enlightenment, wisdom or, perhaps, (just) another learning experience.

There are many definitions for Witch, Wiccan or Wicca, and much controversy over which definition is correct. There is perhaps even more controversy currently over the idea of “Celtic Wicca,” an idea which is held in great disdain right now by a large part of the Celtic Reconstructionist community. Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca is an eclectic belief system and lifestyle based upon combining the “attempted reconstruction” of pre-Christian traditions originating in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales with the neo-Pagan religious framework created by Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, Alex Sanders, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Vivianne and Chris Crowley and others.

The pre-Christian Celts followed a primarily oral tradition, so accurate “reconstruction” is difficult at best. Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca seeks to add the dimension of the mythic experience and the archetypal psychological traditions started by Carl Jung and furthered by Joseph Campbell, and other more recent practitioners of this path, to its two primary characteristics of neo-Pagan traditions and Celticism. These three paths combined together form a strong foundation, I believe, for a healthy quest for positive self-evolution.

CVC Witches see life as a never-ending journey of personal self-development and magick as a side effect of that self development, albeit usually a positive one, but not the entire thrust of the tradition, as in some Wiccan cultures and traditions. CVC Witches do not claim to have the one answer to all of life’s questions, or even the best answer. The best rationale I can find for the gathering together of these elements is that they “work” for me, and have worked effectively for others over the years. This is an evolving tradition. Perhaps you may find the idea of having the words “evolving” and “tradition” side by side to be an oxymoron, but the end of evolution is stasis, stagnation and death. CVC Wicca is a living tradition---ever changing and growing in the search for new truths---either recently discovered by personal experience or from antiquity.

What CVC Wicca strives for:
The idea of balance in each and every aspect of life is central to all the teachings of CVC Wicca. CVC Wicca is a positive, life-affirming, spirituality that encourages its students to think for themselves and find the religious or spiritual path that is “right” for them. We encourage commonsense, learning, scholarship and the development of the ability to learn to listen to your own “inner bell” to determine what is specifically right for you in this world. We stress the divinity of all living things and therefore respect for all life. We strive to live our lives in balance with the four elements, with both the male and female principles inside each of us, and also with both the God and Goddess representations of Spirit which is both immanent (inside us) and eminent (outside us-the Universe) . No blame is given to anyone or anything outside ourselves for the daily happenings in our lives. We assume full responsibility for the course and actions of our lives and for balancing and maintaining a positive equilibrium of healthy growth in our lives.

The phases of the moon, the wheel of the year’s eight seasonal celebrations, and the natural ebb and flow of the cycles of the Earth and our own lives compliment and enhance our spirituality. CVC Wicca emphasizes living in harmony and achieving balance with all things. We do not cast “spells” as much as we do creative visualization exercises which lead us towards healing our inner turmoil both physical and emotional and empowering us with harmony and creativity. CVC Wiccans believe that Spirit, represented by the Goddess and the God, exist in ALL things and make up the ONE, the UNIVERSE, the unknown web of life that surrounds us and connects us in an intricate relationship to ALL things around us. Every action we take has an effect on our entire universe. Snow, animals, plants, both outdoor and houseplants, the oceans, each other and all creatures, even things made by man, are ALL aspects of the divine. This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and for ALL life upon the Earth.

CVC Wiccans see life to be composed of powerful symbols, myths and archetypes which we employ to help us make sense of our Universe. We also work with the symbolic attributes of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water - the classical four elements - which along with Spirit comprise and bring forth all creation. We do not look at our path as the only way, but as one path among many to the same end. We do NOT seek to convert new members to think the same as we do. We are willing to share what we have learned with those who are seeking and questing along this path. We will not LEAD seekers to our own personal truths, but allow them to find truths of their own. We seek balance, the Middle Path, and try not to discriminate against other religions even those who seek to persecute us practicing tolerance, creating harmony and moderation in all things, even moderation itself.

Who is Lady Branwenn WhiteRaven?

2007-10-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Branwenn’s interest in Paganism descends from a Pagan, Irish (Galway and County Clare), maternal grandmother (born on the way over from Ireland on the boat according to the family legends) and a half-Cherokee, herbalist, paternal great-grandmother.

Branwenn met Selena Fox (by phone) in 1982 and attended her first Pagan festival, Pagan Spirit Gathering, that year. In 1988, she moved from the Pittsburgh, PA area to the Washington, DC area and joined her first real coven, Vision Weavers, facilitated by Larry Cornett. During her time with Vision Weavers, she met with and studied with amazing folks whom she still calls brothers and sisters, Ric Campbell, Myth, Byron, Julie, Patrick Maritz and Shireonay, the latter two now sadly deceased.

As a member of Vision Weavers, Branwenn was honored to have a chance to meet and circle with Janet and Stewart Farrar during their first trip to America. She also was influenced by meeting once again, Selena Fox and her husband, Dennis Carpenter at the last Esotericon convention in Newark, NJ, At Esotericon, she also had the chance to meet and take classes with Ray Buckland and Isaac Bonewits.

In 1990, Branwenn left Visions Weavers to form the first of her three covens, Crystal Visions, and became a co-founder of the Church of the Olde Religion and the COR Coffeehouse held for a few years in Springfield, VA. During her time with COR, Branwenn was fortunate to meet many incredible Pagan and Wiccan elders, teachers, musicians and writers who influenced her own path greatly.

At COR, she first met Gavin and Yvonne Frost who founded the Church and School of Wicca, now located in Hinton, WV; Nybor, an amazing Pagan artist, and Elspbeth, his wife, founders of the Haven Community Church in Keyser, West Virginia. She also met Ariana Lightningstorm, founder of the DC area Pagan band, KIVA; Kenny Klein, a musician, writer, and photographer currently living in Los Angeles; Tzipora Katz, Priestess of the Blue Star Wiccan tradition (started by Frank Duffner in 1975); Wohali Agnive, of the Free Cherokee and many others.

In 1992, she was initiated as a second degree Gardnerian and immediately left that tradition for British traditionalist Celtic Wicca as taught by Vivianne Crowley. Branwenn was initiated as a third degree Wiccan Priestess on a firefly lit summer night in 1993, the most memorable night of her life so far. In 1996, she re-dedicated herself to the Priestess hood at the Standing Stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. In 1997, she became a Daughter of the Flame, at Brighid’s Holy Well just outside Kildare, Ireland.

Today, Branwenn practices and teaches a mix of her own brand of Eclectic Wicca called Crystal Visions Celtic Wicca. CVCW is composed of both traditional and more eclectic Wicca combined with Jungian psychology, the mythic quest made popular by Joseph Campbell and others and Celtic mythology. Branwenn is a legally registered and ordained reverend in the state of Virginia. She is founder of the Celtic Crystal Visions Community Temple of Lynchburg, as well as founder and past President of the Blue Ridge Pagan Alliance.

Branwenn has been published in Circle Magazine, PagaNet News, and soon, many other publications, including her own newsletter for the Celtic Crystal Visions Community Temple, which is published eight times a year. The International Library of Photography has featured her photos of the sacred archaeological sites in the British Isles in a collection of award-wining photographs, A Timeless Journey, published in October of 2004.