Brightest Blessings! The Witchcraft Dawning Newsletter will be conducting a general education on Witchcraft for the next couple of mailings. For this Newsletter, we will address the general principles of Rituals, Magick and Spells, as well as some information and ideas on the upcoming Sabbat: Lughnasadh. This newsletter will come in two sections because the GetReminded server says it's to long... go fig :) ********************************************************************** Magick is the art of diverting and influencing the original path of energy currents. When performing a specific magickal act, the person or group is attempting to alter or influence the possibility of an event happening (or not happening). In other words, magick is an attempt to influence chance through the will and energy of the performer. While it is the Mind that shapes the energy, the energy is still the basis of the magickal working, just as it is the basis of everything. Since it is the Mind that shapes the energy, magick is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. It is the use of the power that determines the polarity. An example to consider here is a hammer, generally used as a tool to drive nails into a piece of wood for the purpose of building a structure. If one chooses to use the hammer to whack another person in the arm, it is the person using the hammer that has determined the negative focus of energy. The hammer is a tool and obviously does not have any say in the way it is wielded. Therefore, "there is no Black Magick, only Black Souls" (Markus). A ritual is a focused mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual ceremony to either honor or thank you're chosen deities, ancestor, or to perform a specific magickal working. Rituals are designed to unify all aspects of our being and from the unison we draw our greatest abilities; neither separating the aspects nor gathering them in pairs, but pull the trinity together. Obviously this is not an instant achievement and takes much practice, but the complete unison is the ideal. Rituals can be performed at any time: either weekly, during Full or New moons (or any phase), called Esbats, or on specified holidays, called Sabbats, which fall on the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters (as defined the Equinoxes and Solstices). During magick rituals the performer extends personal mental, emotional, and spiritual energy, spoken aloud or to oneself, written, drawn or even danced. To be effective, spells should be clear, concise, focused, and emotional intent. The focus of intent must be present at all times to bring any spell to a successful culmination. Many say the "Need" must be present for a spell to work. This is not entirely true. One who is determined will be just as successful; the idea of "need" is the Cause of the determination. Truly, need is a more effective way of building determination, but it is hardly the only way. Unfortunately, power lust is another big builder. The principle is that the words, motions, and thoughts cannot be of the "going through the motions" attitude; emotional involvement is necessary (hence, "need" makes a very effective motivator). You need the energy and belief that your magick is going to work in order to most appropriately focus the energy. For best results, (Markus interjection: *smile* sounds like the directions on the side of a cooking box, "for best results, marinate in a spicy cajun sauce and allow to simmer for 10 to 15 mins" -- *cough* sorry) various forms of ritual preparation are very helpful. Taking a ritual bath, meditation, or both, can help to cleanse your body and mind in preparation for the proper focus of your ritual and magickal energies. For ritual baths, many people use some type of cleansing spice or mineral; for example salt on a washcloth. Some people focus on certain colors that are relaxing for them during meditation. Whatever manner of mental centering works for you, that's the best one. Indeed, meditation is just not for some people, they are just to fidgety (for example, my girlfriend, who can't sit still for her life even if she tried *smile* -- Markus), and that's okay. This allows your mind, body, and soul to prepare for the event. You "tune in" to the psychic channels required and "tune out" distractions such as stress etc. Magick is always secondary in a witch's life, the primary aspects of their life are just like the "normal" persons, consisting of eating, sleeping, working, and having fun. A witch's time is committed to benefiting life! (This does at times include using magick to benefit self.) Magick is a tool with which a witch promotes and benefits life. Wiccans use of magick is secondary to their worship of the Lord and the Lady (the God and Goddess). Traditional Witchcrafters concentrate on their primary purpose of benefiting life and reverence of ancestors to which their use of magick is secondary. We will point out that not everyone wields magickal energy with high moral or ethical standards (we'd be extremely naive to believe that). The majority of the magickal people do wield the energy within an ethical boundary. Article by, Sapphire SunDove ********************************************************************** Part 2: Lughnasadh The Wheel of the Year holds several purposes, both theological and practical. Theologically, the story of the Wheel often varies depending on the Tradition. The Wheel gives the accounts of the mythological events that repeat throughout the year as well as a vague "history" of the Gods and Goddesses involved within the pantheon. For the newbies, by "Tradition" we mean "denomination"; for example Wiccan, Celtic, Druid, Native American, etc. On the more practical side, the Wheel trains us to be able to deal with death and the inevitability of re-birth that follows. Paganism teaches that death, a natural function of the universe, is a part of life; a dramatic change that is the beginning of a new experience, and something to be celebrated at the proper time not feared (not condoning Suicide!) Through the ideas of Heaven and Hell, Christianity teaches a deep fear of death, and this spurs our society's horror of death. We are always trying to find new and improved ways to beat death, but we will never succeed. It is sad our society portrays death as such a terrifying experience; we would certainly have less emotional pain and suffering in the world if death could be seen as what it is: a transformation, nothing more. In this section you will find a rendition of the upcoming quarter of the Wheel of the Year. Included will be the mythological lore and some traditional practices for the celebration, along with some ideas for activities and decorations. *Date/Name: August 1, 1997 holds the date for the next Sabbat: Lughnasadh (pronounced "LOO-nahs-ah"), or Lammas, begins the last quarter of the Celtic/Pagan year. *Background Information: Lughnasadh is the beginning of the grain harvest, and the harvest season in general. The importance of grain to life is depicted in almost every pantheon on Earth. The preparation of the grain is symbolic of the life cycle. The growth, havest, and sown seed directly mirrors the life, death and rebirth of all life. The day of the festival was originally on the first day of harvest, even if it varied from year to year. Alternately, when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo, usually around August 5th, Old Lammas was celebrated. This Sabbat can also be known as: Lammastide, First Harvest Festival, Old Lammas, The Sabbat of First Fruits, Ceresalia (Ancient Roman for the Grain Goddess Ceres), Festival of Green Corn (Native American), Feast of Cardenas, Thingtide, Elembious, Cornucopia (Strega), Harvest Home, Feast of Bread, and August Eve. Various spellings also include: Lughnasad, Lughnassad, Lughnasa, Lunasdal, or Lunasa. The most common name is Lammas, meaning "loaf-mass," taken from Anglo-Saxon dialects, while Lughnasadh means "The funeral games of Lugh," referring to the games he hosted in honor of His foster-mother Tailltiu. *Meanings: Lughnasadh celebrates the first harvest of the year, which typically produces grain and early sprouting fruits. It is therefore typically associated with the Sun Gods and Agricultural Goddesses. In modern times, Pagans do not (usually) harvest their own foods, not since the invention of supermarkets, but this does not negate any of the meaning of the celebration. It is a time of thanksgiving and sharing, not only of physical subsistence, but of knowledge and spiritual growth as well. With the passing days, remember the warmth and bounty of Summer in the food consumed, and remember that nothing in the universe is constant. It is a time to take a break and enjoy the fruits of your labor, as well as a time of health and erotic energy. It is considered in many traditions a taboo not to share food and thought with others. Natural energies are geared toward prosperity, abundance, and good fortune, as well as career, financial gain, and health. On an additional side note, all four Quarter festivals were seen as being times of a weakening in the "veil," the boundary that separates the physical plane from the spiritual plane; "crossing over" was easier, as well as magick workings more potent. *History/Mythology -- Celtic: There are many Traditions that celebrate this Sabbat differently and it would take a book to add all the Sabbat Lore, so we will concentrate on two of the most popular areas: Celtic and Wiccan. Lughnasadh is named for Lugh (pronounced "Loo"), the Irish Sun God. The four Celtic Fire Festivals vary greatly in celebration customs, often by tribal regions, however, the religious theme remained consistent. Within Celtic traditions, the masculine principle is sustained through the cycle of birth, death, and re-birth, while the feminine principle holds immortality. The Triple Goddess goes through the metamorphosis of Maiden, Mother, and Crone because of her maternal longing to create and sustain life. The Goddess sustains the God by never allowing Him to reach old age. In the cycle, she is the Mother who gives him birth, the Crone who teaches him, and the Maiden who becomes his lover. This is not an act of incest as many people chose to see, but rather symbolic of the shifting seasons and transformations we all take on during our life. From the unison of God and Maiden Goddess, comes Tanist, the God’s other self. At Lughnasadh, the Maiden Goddess "betrays" the God and gives herself to the son, Tanist, who is the God of the dark half of the year. No, this is not like the God of Good and the God of Evil, rather a division of the years daylight patterns: one God for the lengthening daylight, and Tanist for the half of waning daylight. With the Maiden Goddess, Tanist will sow the seed of rebirth at Lughnasadh, that allows the God to be reborn again at Yule. Lugh, the God of the Light half of the year is not killed, but rather the ability to grow is taken from him. In ancient times the stolen growth aspect was symbolized through the maiming of the king. The king was tied to an oak tree by his hair with one foot on a cauldron and the other lashed to the back of a horse or sow (both which are representative of the southern quarter and symbolic of the Goddess). The horse or sow was sent from under him, causing a tear through the genital region and destroying his fertility but not his life. His life was not taken until just before Samhain when Tanist began his reign. The seeming betrayal is not out of hate or disgust but rather out of the love the Goddess has for the God. The Goddess will give rebirth to the God at Yule and he will rise to slay his rival at Bealltainn. This battle of light and dark keeps the seasons in balance, as well as the cycle of birth, death, and re-birth. During the Bronze Age the God King, the predecessor of the High Kings, was elected to serve for a year and a day, where after that time, he gave his life in sacrifice and honor of the Goddess, as well as for the welfare of his people. The King's physical incarnation represents the fertility of the land, which has ceased when his fertility was taken; a theme that is found within all Celtic mythology. In later times, this maiming was discontinued and the feast of Lughnasadh began. A feast by Lugh in honor of his foster mother, Tailltiu. *Mythology -- Wiccan: Lammas resides in the month of the Barley Moon. At Lammas, the Wiccan rendition of the Wheel of the Year, portrays a mysterious weakening in the God (which is associated primarily with the Sun). The Sun rises further to the South each day and the daylight shortens. The Goddess watches in sorrow, realizing Her mate is dying, but is also joyful in the knowledge that he grows in her womb to be reborn as Her child. The Wiccan Goddess retains the Trinity aspect of Maiden, Mother, Crone, but there is no Tanist to present a rivalry for the God, nor any betrayal of love for the Goddess to commit. The Mother gives birth to the God, the Crone teaches him, and the Maiden becomes His lover and He becomes His own father. When He dwindles and dies, He is reborn at Yule, when the sun starts to grow in strength again, and daylight lengthens once more. *********************************************************************** Apologies for the third part... this server kept saying I exceeded the maximum limit. I guess they expect people who don't do any work on their newsletters to use their machine. They guessed wrong... and without further delay, the final section of this weeks newsletter. ********************************************************************* *Decorations and Activities: Traditionally, the first grain is baked into a loaf of bread and offered to the Goddess on the alter and/or eaten ceremoniously. Berry pies are often baked to honor the sacrifice of the "Green Man," the spirit of all vegetation, whose death promises a bountiful harvest the following year. Necklaces of corn seeds were traditionally made, both as decoration and a practical way of storing seeds for next years sowing. Also Corn Dolls were fashioned from the last sheaf of grain which was cut by all the harvesters together. The would all stand away from the stalk and throw their sickles at it, the one who cut the stalk was honored later in the feast. Corn Dolls are sacred to the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. Corn Dolls can also be used as a fertility amulet, charged with energy during ritual and can be used as centerpieces for the alter, representing the Goddess. A very easy and fun decoration is the Sun/Corn Wheel, made to honor the Sun God of the festival (which ever it may be). Wire coat hangers (or anything) are fashioned into a circle, and the corn husk is attached to the perimeter. Ears of corn are connected from the perimeter to small wooden disk that rests in the middle of the circle. Wrapping extra husk around the outside of the wire circle, using glue or thread to bind it, and leaving some dangling decoratively improves the appearance even more. Try to keep the hanger hook to hang the finished product by. Another variation is the Corn Man Wheel, made in a similar manner, but with five husks to resemble the five points of the pentacle. (Greatly resembles a wire wheel with corn husk spokes.) Rhibo, a traditional Welsh game, is another (previously) common form of celebration. The pairs of people line up facing each other and link hands, creating a "bed" with their arms. A person is laid across the bed and tossed into the air, just as grain is sifted. This game was most likely a agricultural lore, designed to ensure a large grain harvest the following year, by sympathetically mirroring the activities that are in the final sections of harvesting the crops. Wiccans often hand bake bread and use it in ritual as an offering to the God and Goddess, and then consume it with thanks during the "Tea and Cakes Feast" afterward. Sometimes these loafs are fashioned in the shape of an ear of corn or wheat, symbolic of the harvest and work done to bring the food to them. Also very appropriate to plant the seeds of fruit consumed during ritual. If it sprouts, tend it with Love and a representation of your connection to the Divine. Other activities include: Horse racing (in water if possible, a rain lore for the following year); visits to lakes, wells, and/or orchards; mountain climbing; bonfire meetings to exchange learned lessons and stories. *Symbolic of Lughnasadh: Foodstuffs: Beef, broccoli, cherries, spinach, any type of early berry, corn, potatoes, homemade bread (particularly wheat, oat, and especially corn bread), berry pies, barley cakes, nuts, apples, rice, roast lamb, acorns, crab apples, summer squash, turnips, oats, and all grains. Drinks: Elderberry Wine, Mead, Ale, Meadowsweet Tea, and Cider Colors (for those who work with Candle Magick): Red, Orange, Yellow, and Gold. Also Green, Light Brown, and Gray. Stones: Yellow Diamonds, Aventurine, Peridot, Citrine, and Sardonyx. Animals: Roosters, Calves, and Pigs (sows in particular) Mythical Creatures: Griffins, Basilisks, Centaurs, and Phoenix Plants: Corn, Rice, Wheat, Rye, and Ginseng. Herbs: Acacia Flowers, Aloes, Cornstalks, Cyclamen, Fenugreek, Frankincense, Heather, Hollyhock, Oak Leaves, Wheat, Sunflower, and Myrtle . Incenses would includes: Aloes, Rose, Rose Hips, Rosemary, Chamomile, Passionflower, Frankincense, and Sandalwood. Article By, Markus ********************************************************************** Finally Done!!! Thanks for your time all... we are looking for some feed back on the newsletter. i.e. What you like, what you don't like, what you haven't seen that you Want to see, and your over all opinion. Just a few words from all 30 subscribers would be nice if you wouldn't mind. It will help us improve the information standard greatly. Please email one of the editors below... thanks in advance. ~Markus ********************************************************************** Edited by, Ralph Melancon ralphmj@hotmail.com & Markus Witchcraft Dawning Webmaster http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/4885/index.html witchdawn@hotmail.com