shadows

Creating your Altar:

Table cover with a white cloth (cotton, silk, muslin), you can put a decorative cloth over the white one.

Athames (or witch's knife) used for directing energy, Kept dull, handle made of dark wood, leather, or bone.

Bells used to invoke the Goddess and bringing in good energies when performing rituals.

Bowls used to hold water & salt

Candles (in colors of your choose depending on spell or ritual)

Chalice (cup) holds water, made of brass, earthenware, glass, crystal, or silver.

Pentacle Tiles used to place amulets, charms or other object to be ritually concecrated. also used to call Goddesses or Gods, can be hung above windows or doorways for protection, made of wood, brass, silver, earthenware or marble.

Wands represent the Air element, used to direct energy & to draw circles or symbols.

Broom used to sweep the Altar and ritual areas. (21" long & handmade)

Cauldron (the one every sceptic has fun with) a cast iron or earthenware pot used for burning incense or holding herbs.
also simmering herbal mixures for teas, can be as small or large as you see fit.

Motar & pestle used for grinding herbs.

Familiars :

They are the Psychic Communcication between Human and Animal spirits, or spiritual entities. dating back to Shamanism, to animal totems associated with clans. They used to create a psychic link with the living creature.

Ritual:

A word meaning "Worship" and communicating with the Dieties or Spirits.
How we gain access to the world of the spirits, It is our connection and realization that the Deities are within us at the point of our "circle".
Connects us with the energies of the Seasons, Solstices & Equinoxes.

The Law:

We are of the old ways, amoung those who walk with the Gods & Goddesses and recieve their Love.
Keep the Sabbats and Esbats to the best of your abilities, for to do otherwise is to lessen your connection with the God & Goddesses.
Harm none, Shed not blood in ritual, those of our ways are kind to all creatures.
Misery is self-created, so to is joy, so create joy.
Teach only what you know, to the best of your ability, to the students you choose, but do not teah to those who will use your instructions for descruction or control. She who teahes out of love, shall be enfolded in the arms af the Goddess & God.
Remember to always keep the law close to your heart, and never break the oldest of these laws. Hurt None!

(Wicca- S. Cunningham)

Sabbats:

February 2 - Bridid   (Candlemas, coming of spring)

March 20 -23 Ostard   (Spring Equinox)

May 1 - Beltane (May Eve, natures renewal)

June 20-23 - MidSummer   (summer soltice, longest day)

August 1 - Lughnasadh   (days become shorter)

September 20-23 - Mabon   (Fall Equinox, day & night equal, Harvest)

October 31 - Samhain   (Hallows Eve, iur New Year)

December 21 - Yule   (Winter Soltice, longest night)

A few Facts:

Witches do concern them selves with Ecology;
They have not forgotten this basic fact; the world is not our enemy, neither is it inert, dumb matter. The earth and all living things share the same life-force.
They are composed of patterns of intelligence, knowledge and divinity, all life is a web.
We are woven into it as sisters and brothers of All. Witches need to be grounded in both worlds and awake to their responsibilities for both worlds. It is only by being responsible human beings that we can be responsible Witches and only responsible Witches will survive.

In the religion of Witchcraft we view the pentacle as an amulet or symbol of protection;
the five pointed star represents the human body and the earth, in combination the start surounded by the circle, represents the human body encompassed by the protective God/Goddesses force.
The Pentacle is a symbol of Universal Wisdom.

The word "Witch" has a deep and rich history;
As defined by the English Oxford Dictionary "Witchcraft" is a Celtic (pronounced kell-tick) word meaning the wise, good poeple. "Wicce" (wick-kay) designates a female Witch were "Wicca" (wick-kah) designates a male Witch.

Witches do use Witchcraft as science, art or religion;
They use their knowledge and magic in harmony with the Universe and Nature around them.

Witches do use Spells;
A spell is a thougth, a projection or prayer. Others religions use meditation, rituals, prayer & projection to
produce an intended result. The word spell does not have anything to do with evil.

Witchcraft is a legally recognised Religion;
Many states and countries have aknowledged Witchcraft as a legal Religion.

Witches do not worship Satan!;
I Like to put this topic in the words of Laurie Cabot, "simply put, he's their boy...NOT OURS!"
Witchcraft does not a satan or devil or anyother eveil Deity.
Witchcraft is a religion that underscores polarity and views the God and Goddess as equal entities.

("Power of the Witch" by Laurie Cabot)

In the realm of magick this book doth reside
None but the chosen shall see what's inside
If breathe be to air as passion be to fire
let harm come to none
this is my desire
If life be to earth as water be to emotion
then this book be filled with magickal potions
May the Gods protect it & keept it from harm
and upon it bestow power, magick & charm
None without wisdom shall peer at its pages
nor knowledge inside handed down throughout the ages
This book be mine, to me it harbors no fears
the knowledge obtained through my blood, sweat & tears
My magick is my passion
the spirits my guides
the love of the Goddess I hold deep inside
This book may she bless it with spiritual light
let only her children read of it's rites!
For those of the Wiccan truley can see
that this is my will, So mote it be!