This is a book of shadows. It contains information, rituals, thoughts, spells, anything that you desire, it can be put into a book of shadows. This specific Book of Shadows contains some information to get you started, to help you find information to begin your own tradition. It will contain the ethics that I go by and the ethics that others go by. There is so much misinformation about paganism, Wicca, witchcraft, heathenism, etc. that it is important to know some of the generally accepted truths about these religions.
Witches and pagans do not worship Satan. He is a Christian creation and does not figure into Wiccan or pagan beliefs.
The pentacle is not a satanic symbol, it has many meanings, such as representing the elements, or the human figure or the Goddess. Not all pagans, witches or Wiccan wear pentacles, they have other symbols that have meaning to them.
Pagans have their own ethical and moral code. Wicca's follow the Rede, while other pagans, Druids and the like have their own systems of ethics. It is believed that every person is accountable for their actions.
These are some of the truths about witches, Wiccan and pagans. For a more complete list go to The Witch's Voice.
There are many moral and ethic codes out there. I will give the one that I follow and the Wiccan Rede.
The Norse Rede of Honor
I can't remember where I found this. I would appreciate it if anyone could tell me. Thanks.
In all that you do, consider its benefits or harm upon yourself, your children and your people.
All that which you do will return to you, sooner or later, for good or for ill. Thus strive always to do good to others, or at least strive to be just.
Be honest with yourself, and with others. "This above all; to thine own self be true."
Humankind, and especially your own family and folk, has the spark of divinity within it. Protect and nurture that spark.
Give your word sparingly, and adhere to it like iron.
In the world, your first trust and responsibility should be to your own people. Yet, be kind and proper to others whenever possible.
Whatever you have, HOLD!
Pass on to others only those words which you have personally verified.
Be honest with others, and let them know that you expect honesty in return, always.
The fury of the moment plays folly with the truth; to keep ones head is a virtue.
Know which battles should be fought, and which battles should be avoided.
When you gain power, use it carefully and use it well.
Courage and honor endure forever. Their echoes remain when mountains have crumbled to dust.
Pledge friendship and your services to those who are worthy. Strengthen others of your people and they will strengthen you.
Love and care for your family always, and have the fierceness of a wolf in their protection.
Honor yourself, have pride in yourself, do your best and forgive yourself when you must.
Try always to be above reproach in the eyes of the world.
Those of our people should always endure to settle any differences among themselves quietly and peacefully.
The laws of the land should be obeyed whenever possible and reason, for the main they have been chosen with wisdom.
Have pride in yourself, your family and your folk. They are your promise for the future.
Do not neglect your mate or your children.
Everyone of our people should work according to the best that she or he can do, no matter how small or how great. We are all in this world together, thus we must always help each other along.
One advances individually and collectively only by living in harmony with the natural order of the world.
The seeking of wisdom is a high virtue. Love of truth, honor, courage and loyalty are the hallmarks of a noble soul.
Be prepared for whatever the future may bring.
Life with all of its joys, struggles and ambiguities is to be embraced and lived to the fullest.
The Wiccan Rede
Credited to Doreen Valiente
Hear now the
word of the Witches, the secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destinys pathway, That now we bring forth in the light.
Mysterious Water and Fire, The Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden Quintessence we know Them, and we will keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all Nature, the passing of Winter and Spring,
We share with the life Universal, rejoice in the Magical Ring
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat, returns, and the Witches are seen,
At Lammas and Candelas dancing, on May Eve and old Halloween
When daytime and nighttime are equal, when sun is at greatest and least,
The four lesser Sabbats are summoned, again Witches gather in feast.
Thirteen silver moons in a year are, thirteen is the Covens array,
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year and a day.
The power has passed down the ages, each time between woman and man
Each century unto the other, ere times and the ages began.
When drawn is the Magickal circle, by sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies, in the land of shades of that hour.
Our world has no right to know it, and the world beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there, the great work of Magic is wrought.
For two are the mystical pillars, that stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of Nature, the forms and the forces divine.
And do what thou wilt be the challenge, so be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment, By Magick of old be it done.
Eight words the Witches Rede fulfill:
If it Harms none, Do what Thou Will!
Final Note:
Even with these lists of ethics it is still up to the practitioner as to what to follow. Part of building a mature practice or even a well grounded mundane life is to know what you believe as well as what your morals and ethics are. Without this knowledge
Meditation is usually an important feature in a pagans life. It allows the practitioner to ground and center his/herself. There are many methods to meditation. Many involve the stilling of the mind and body. I will include a few of those methods and also a few methods especially for women. The ones for women tend not to emphasize stillness of mind and body but celebrate the movements and cycles that go on inside of a woman.
The Meditations
One quick reminder, meditation takes practice; it is not something that is accomplished automatically. Position and comfort are of great importance in meditation. I will suggest positions with these exercises. Also check out books and other sites dedicated specifically to meditation, use what you find to create a system that works for you.
Relaxation is important in meditation. Find a place that is relatively quiet, a place that is comfortable and you will be undisturbed. Sit in a chair or cross legged on the floor, if needed sit with your back against a wall, it is important that the spine is straight for it allows you to breath freely.
Start with relaxing your body, focusing on one area at a time. Start from your toes up to your head. Don't forget to relax your face. This is difficult at first as the body is usually in a constantly tense state. Once you are relaxed your body will feel tingly. This is normal. Remember to breath deeply, some prefer in through the nose out through the mouth while others prefer in and out through the nose. Just find what works for you. Continue with this exercise until you have mastered it. When mastered you can play with it, experiment.
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This exercise is usually recommended for women but can be done by anyone
This exercise is used to explore the process of breathing. It is an introductory way of relaxing the body and focusing. This exercise can be done in any position, what ever is comfortable for you. You can have your eyes open or closed, but as you relax your eyes will naturally close. Your mind will shift through periods of focus and then wander off. This is normal, when you find yourself doing this just gently shift back to focus on your breath.
As you breath in and out, you can focus on several different things, you can focus on the feeling of the air as it goes through your nose and down your throat, you can focus on the motion of your body as you breath, etc. As you breath like this for awhile your mind may drift, This is normal, when you notice, as said before, just gently shift back to breath.
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This meditation is used to connect yourself with the Earth and its energies.
Sit on the ground, so that your spine is straight and tall, let your weight drop through your hips and focus your awareness on the area where your body connects with the ground. If you need to sit with your back against a wall or tree or other support.
Focus where your tailbone and buttocks touch the ground, imagine them stretching down into the ground like the roots of a great tree, feel these roots draw energy up into the pelvis and spine. Slowly follow with your awareness the energy flow up your spine into your head, let it rest there for a few seconds and then follow the energy flow down the front of your body back into the ground. Repeat the cycle over and over again for about ten minutes. Feel the connection with the Earth, notice if the flow feels as if it is slowing down or speeding up. Enjoy the connection you have with the Earth. As you end the meditation take a minute or two experience the cycle standing up. Finish the exercise with that feeling.
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This meditation or exercise really is used to get into a general meditative state, what you do there is up to.
Get in a comfortable position and take a couple of minutes to breath deeply and get relaxed. Once you feel relaxed visualize in your mind a blank area. Next in this blank area visualize the color red and the number seven, you will be counting down into a meditative state. Continue down until one, using the color spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. You will still be aware of the things that are going on outside but also in different state. After you countdown it will be up to you what you do. To come out of this exercise count up to seven and visualize yourself in this plane again.
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This is a way to find your safe place, a place where you can come to save memories and relax. You can have others there with you or have it to where no one can enter but you,
Go through the relaxation exercise. Once you are relaxed visualize a place that feels safe to you. It can be a forest, or a beach, anything that makes you feel comfortable. Give it detail, feel the places with your senses, what can you touch, what can you see smell, hear, or taste. Walk around, discover and explore your place. Stay as long as you wish. Don't worry if the mind wanders at first, don't worry it takes practice. You may be totally alone in your place or animals and people may come and communicate with you, giving you help. To come out of the visualization slowly become aware of the room around you, when you become fully aware open your eyes. Shake your hands and jump up and down a couple of times, to establish yourself in this plane also eat something, it will accomplish the same thing.
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In getting started there are two websites that I would recommend. One is "The Witch's Voice" and their basics site. Click here to go to it. Another site is Oldways.com, it is an e-zine. I really enjoyed the first cycle course, it can be found here. Both of this sites really helped me in finding my path. I really don't have much to say about getting started other than research, research and research some more. Also don't worry about being part of a group when you first begin, your trying to find yourself and what you are becoming, becoming part of a group is a large commitment. A couple of other hints are to do and take in only what feels comfortable to you and take each thing you read and learn with a grain of salt.