Cyber Cauldron

Note: East – Air; South – Fire, West – Water, North – Earth

Early Preparations

Candles for the ritual will be made that day. Celebrant will make two white candles. Candles will be herbal and scented, and inscribed appropriately. Celebrant and mother will also bring something that symbolically (to them) symbolizes the rite of passage.

Ritual baths will be taken prior to ceremony, with Celebrant’s bath being drawn for her. Salt, herbs and scents appropriate to the occasion will be added to the bath, and it will be blessed prior to use. Mother will help Celebrant to the bath, where she will light a candle and incense, give words of love and comfort and instruction to the Celebrant, and then withdraw to assist in Circle Preparation.

Circle Preparation

Circle area will be cleansed and Circle constructed and consecrated in the usual manner. Altar will sit just West of Center of Circle to symbolize both the emotional aspects of the ritual, as well as the death/ rebirth aspects.

Added to altar arrangement will be the Celebrant’s two white candles. Also on the altar will be a mirror sitting behind and between the two white candles. Symbolic gifts will be placed beside the altar – the mother’s to the North symbolizing steadfastness, grounding, caution, and wisdom of the elder. The Celebrant’s will be to the South of the altar, symbolizing the fire, passion and impetuosity of youth.

Invocations

Guardian of the East
Hail to thee, Ancient ones of Air!
Blow soft around us this night
That the restrictions and pains of childhood
Will be but memories in the mind of the adult.

Guardian of the South

Hail to thee, Ancient ones of Fire!
Lend to us this night your passion and strength
Envelope us in your warmth,
That the fires of youth may be tempered within thee.

Guardian of the West

Hail to thee, Ancient ones of Water!
Wash over us with thy loving embrace
That the sorrows of days long past
Can give way to new understanding.

Guardians of the North

Hail to thee, Ancient ones of Earth!
Stand firm with us in our purpose this night,
That from the youth shall grow the adult
Full of purpose and wisdom.

Invocation to the Lady

Blessed Lady of a Thousand Names,
You who art Maiden, Mother and Crone.
Grant that this night the bindings of childhood will be broken
And the bond between mother and daughter be strengthened.
For the two, as so reflected throughout all creation,
Are but images of thee in thy divine Trinity.
Blessed Be.
In honor of thee do I pour this toast, and drink this wine.

Invocation to the Lord

Great Lord, Ancient one of the fields and Consort to our Lady,
We ask that thou wouldst give
a measure of your love and protection
to she who will soon join the battles of this life.
Fill her with the knowledge of thee as sanctuary
And grant that peace may follow her always.
In honor of thee do I pour this toast, and drink this wine.

Chalice is then passed to each of the coveners to share in the toast.

Drawing Down the Moon

Priestess/Mother stands facing the moon with hands upraised and palms turned upwards, cupwise. Drinking in the Lady’s essence, she says,

Come to me and fill me with thy light
Enter me, shine in me your fullness
That I may use your power for my good,
And for the good of All.

When appropriate, she blesses all within the Circle, and the rite that is about to be performed. Then, nodding to the Father of the Celebrant, says:

Bring forth your daughter,
that she might, this night,
cross the threshold of adulthood.

Father brings the Celebrant to the Eastern Gate.

Mother:

Is this the daughter I bore so many years before? Nay, it cannot be, for she was but a child when last I held her.

Daughter:

Mother, I am your child. Now grown and ready to throw away the things of childhood. Years it has been since my moonflow began and I became a woman. Now it is time that this is recognized.

Mother:

Very well, lead the child into the center of the Circle. There to have her sit in silence.

Father leads Celebrant to the center of the Circle, while mother re-closes the Circle. She then joins her daughter in the Circle’s center, saying:

Mother:

You sit now in the Center of the Circle; that which is known as the Cauldron of Hecate; the point of transformation; the mother’s womb, where beginnings end and endings re-begin.
I have heard your words, and weep for them; Tears of both joy and sorrow.
It was my body that cried out in pain and joy as you were born.
It was my mind that went in circles to provide for us.
It was my heart that broke when that which you wanted I could not give you.
But always did you have my love…and always shall you carry that love with you.
Behold in me the Three-Fold Goddess
She who is One in Three – Maid, Mother, and Crone
One in Three, as she is in you and all women,
And as you and they are in her.
Look upon her and know her,
That you, too, may be whole.
So I ask thee truly, art thou ready to face the woman within thee?
To see within thee the light and dark, and fear no more the dark?
To accept that which you are, and strive for that which you can become?
To leave behind the things of childhood,
But to continue to love and nurture the child which lives in all adults?

{Celebrant has answered accordingly to each of the questions, at which time the Mother now exhorts the Celebrant to stand and face the altar.}

Mother:

Daughter, I ask you now to look deep within the mirror. See yourself reflected there. Look into your eyes and know yourself. Repeat after me: “I come to commune with my Soul.”

Daughter:

I come to commune with my Soul.

Mother:

Look into the reflection of your eyes, and name one thing about yourself that you love.

{Celebrant and Mother will continue this, alternating between what the Celebrant thinks is both good and bad within her…}

After the last question, the Mother then says:

Mother:

Daughter, within thee is both light and dark. Know always your shadow side. If something is there which offends thee horrible, give it up. For others to love you as an adult, you must love yourself first. And loving yourself means giving up any self- hatred you’ve carried over from young years. Now is the time to cut these things from thy life. They are the bonds of childhood which have held you limited. Free yourself from them, and know that thy spirit flies free.

Now look again into the mirror. Look at yourself with love. See the Goddess shining within thee. She is strong; no man has dominion over her. She knows herself and loves herself. She will give herself to those who are worthy of her affections, and turn from those who try to debase her. Let the Goddess within thee shine through thee, that the nobility and strength of woman is clear for all to see.

Now, come with me.

Mother embraces daughter and leads her to each of the four quarters. After each challenge, the Celebrant must answer as she sees fit, and asks the Guardian’s Blessing. The Covener at each gate will then bless the Celebrant, and offer a gift for adulthood, such as strength, courage, etc…or a physical gift pertinent to the rite and Gate.

Covener at Eastern Gate:

Hold! I am the wild wind and fury of the storm!
That which buffets thee without shelter.
How will you survive?

Covener at Southern Gate

Hold! I am fire and passion
That which will consume thee with lust.
How will you survive?

Covener at Western Gate

Hold! I am floods and weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I am loneliness and frustration.
How will thee survive?

Covener at Northern Gate

Hold! I am chaos and turmoil
Plans gone wrong and dreams that die.
How will thee survive?

Mother faces daughter (Priestess mode ON here)…

I am the Lady, thy Mother…
I shall be with thee no matter how far thou shalt roam.
And when loneliness besets thee,
Thou needs only gaze upon the moon,
To see my face and my love reflected there to you.

Father approaches daughter and turns her to face him…

I am he who is father to thee now.
I shall stand behind and beside thee always.
And when loneliness besets thee,
Thou needs only to step out into sunlight
To feel my warmth and love within thee.

Mother takes daughter by hand and returns to the altar. Daughter picks up her gift of childhood and presents it to the mother, saying…

This I do give you as a symbol of childhood now behind me.
Hold it and cherish it as you remember me.

Mother picks up her gift of adulthood and presents it the Celebrant, saying…

This I do give you as a symbol of your adulthood,
and my recognition of it.
Hold it and cherish it as you remember me.

Draw a pentagram above the celebrant, with an affirmation at each of the five points:

Point one:

In the name of Inanna, Queen of Heaven

Point two:

In the name of Athena, warrior Goddess, but also of Peace

Point three:

In the name of Astarte, warrior Goddess, and protector of young females

Point four:

In the name of Diana, she of the bow and arrow, Goddess of Light

Point five:

Do I bless thee, and call thee “Woman”.
May their strength and independence, their love and virtue, be thine all the days of thy life.
I recognize the child no more, but she the child who lives in all of us.

Mother stands with a space between her and her daughter and presents the new adult to the coven.

Feasting (and in our case, a birthday celebration) follow.

Quarter Guardians are thanked, and blessings are asked of the Lord and Lady upon the group, as well as the Celebrant.

Blessed Be * Lady Shyra *

Originally posted 2011-05-16 08:18:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

You will need:

• 2 white candles anointed with sandalwood oil.
• 1 purple candle anointed with sandalwood oil.
• Photo or personal articles of the person the spell is for
• “Personality ” candle, appropriate to the recipient of the spell
• Sandalwood incense

Altar should be arranged as below:

_____________________________________________________________________ | | | O (white candle) O (Personality candle) O (purple candle | | (1) (3) (4) | | | | O (white candle) Photos or personal object O (incense) | | (2) (5) | | | _____________________________________________________________________ 

Light white candles (1& 2)light personality candle (3) light purple candle (4), light incense (5).Repeat the following invocation:

“Hail Mother of the World!
Nanna, Isis, Astarte, Selene, Holy Sin (pronounced Sheen).
See me, look upon me
See me, look upon me
See me, look upon me
Protect me and my people tonight.
Send your white light around me.
Send your protective light around ______________
That they may be protected
As they travel and as they dream.
Send only good and lucid energies their way.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

You can either let the candles burn out by themselves, or snuff them in reverse order and let them burn a little each night if the person will be on an extended trip. On the last night let them burn down on their own. NEVER blow our or pinch out the candles. This destroys the luck.

BB Rowan Moonstone

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Originally posted 2011-05-18 09:07:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

I can remember when I was first starting that I wanted all the best tools but money was an issues so I used to troll around car boot sales, charity shops and flea market trying to find things that I could use for my alter. You will quite surprised on what you can pick up for just a few quid.

Over the years I have replaced all my second had stuff with brand new stuff and some of it is more pretty that practical (who does not have a chalice with a loose liner) but it makes me think what tools do you really need? To be really honest you don’t really need any tools, fingers can replace wands and athames and a chalice can be replaced by cup etc.

You can spend thousands of pounds buying robes; alter statues, wands, athames, Chalices, Crystals to dress your altar,pots and dishes and  cauldrons  and pointless things like hand bound virgin parchment paper leather bound book of shadows but having expensive tools does not make you a good witch or even a competent witch. When building your tools worry more about what feels like than what it looks like, just remember to cleanse second hand items full before use.

So what do you need for a basic alter from my point of view a candle and a joss stick works fine but if want to add more to that then you can. Here are some ideas for low cost replacements to expensive altar equipment.

I have found that I have better rituals with altar equipment that I have created myself they may not be the prettiest but they have all the energy that I poured into them when made them.

A good idea is to join a pottery class and make what you need. Remember that no one has the right to tell you should not put something on your alter create what you feel is right for yourself.

When your first trying out a pagan path there are two very good reasons why you should create your own personal tools rather than buy direct from a catalogue or internet shop, the first is it will help you empower the items with greater ease due to your personal connection the second is paganism is not for everyone and why spend a fortune on something your not going to continue.

There is one thing that never seems to get mentioned in regards to altars and that a tape deck MP3 Player or CD player as music is important in raising energy I will chat about music in rituals in next posting, but insure what ever technology you use to play your music just make sure it is ease to control and that you can pause and play with out to much trouble.

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Originally posted 2011-05-12 16:40:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

This is a simple blessing ritual designed for 2 or more people. This ritual is perfect for moots and small group meeting. It Can be adapted for your own needs so feel free to add you own twist to it.

Equipment-

Candle – one for each person plus one for altar

Incense

Goblet / Glass of water (pure spring or well)

Crystal – one for Buy Acomplia Online Without Prescription each person (nb*)

Place all items on altar (nb**) and bless and cleanse facing the altar balance and centre yourself. Turn and face the person(s) you are you are going to bless.

Say – we are gathered in friendship and in love to share in the elements. Through this blessing we will gain balance and understanding.

Turn and face altar and light candle and incense take a moment to focus on what your about to do. Pick up incense turn and face the first person.

Say – I bring you the blessings of air, let air clear your mind of negativity and inspire ideas and dreams (nb***)

Then move to the next person continue to everyone has been blessed with air. Return to altar pick up the unlit candles and give to each person in turn and return to altar pick up the lit candle and turn to first persons.

Say – I bring you the blessings of fire, within in it warmth may you find comfort and protection, may its light guide your way, may its fury burn away regret and fear. Light their candle. (nb***).

Then move to the next person continue to everyone has been blessed with Fire. Return to altar and pick up the goblet and turn to the first person.

Say – I bring you the gift of water let your emotion be as pure as water, let water cleanse your body of illness offer the goblet and let them sip, (nb***)

Do this for each person and return to altar and pick up the crystals and turn and face the fist person.

Say – I bring you the gift of earth may it make you as stable as the ground you stand on, as strong as the mountains and as adaptable as clay. (nb***) offer them a crystal.

Do each person in turn and return to the altar. Turn and join hands creating a circle.

Say – we are bound by the element in a circle of love and friendship, which has no beginning or end.

All Say – So mote it be.

Say – we are all blessed as we are the children of the goddess and I thank you all for sharing this time together. Release hands and continue with sharing of food and drink.

NB* a bag of small mixed crystal such as a gem bag works perfect as it as you never know what crystal your gonna get and the crystal you get should be looked up to see it meaning plus they can be added to charm /medicine bags or Mojo bags.

NB** altar can be a table place in north or east depending on your tradition.

NB*** You will often find that you will free flow this part and you can direct the element to assist the person with personal needs.

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Originally posted 2010-11-24 19:24:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Many neo pagan paths will use tools as part of their ritual work. Pagan ritual tools can be bought or made, although the majority of pagan tools will require a high degree of skill to construct.

Although no witch or pagan needs tools to perform magicks, cast spells or for ritual work it is nice to have them. But what should you buy and for what reason, below is a list of pagan and craft tools, I have separated the tools in to primary, secondary and tertiary craft tools

Primary tools of the craft

These tools are use in a majority of neo pagan paths and are common tools of the craft.

The Athame

The Athame (pronounced ah-thah-may) is a double-sided dagger with either a straight or flame shaped blade with a black handle. The blade is blunt so it does not accidentally cut someone, if Athame blade comes in contact with blood would render it useless and polluted. The Athame is never used to cut only to direct energy and is used in casting a circle.

The Athame is associated with the East and Air or South and Fire depending on which pagan path you follow. The Athame is also associated with the Male deity due to it phallic shape and is often used in conjunction with the Chalice and cauldron to symbolise the union of the god and goddess.

Besom Or Bossume

The traditional witches broom use to sweep away negativity and is used in Handfasting ceremonies witches are often depicted flying on a besom, The Besom is constructed from bundle of birch twigs, a staff of ash or oak, and a binding made from willow wands and is associated with the west and water.

Book of shadows

This is a book were possible leather bound and hand made but normally a large book containing rituals, spells, recipes, tables of correspondences and notes it possible to find that the contents may have been written in a magickal language such as runes or Theban. Their are coven Books of shadows and indervidual books of shadows

The Cauldron.

The cauldron has many uses within neo pagan paths and witchcraft; it is used for cooking, potions and food, scying, spell work. The cauldron is a three-footed pot with lid that comes in a range of sizes from tiny to mammoth size.

The cauldron is associated to the goddess and is seen a womb and a grave and places of hidden mysteries. The cauldron is associated with the west and water but can be used with any element with out conflict as the cauldron can be placed on earth or in fire filled with water when heat creates steam (air).

The censer

The censer is used to burn the incense that is often offered to the Deities, as well as being used to invoke the spirits of the Air, the Sylphs and Faery. The censer can be swinging brass burner or a few incense sticks held together and by wafting will become a censer.

The censer is a tool of the element Air.

Cup or Chalice

The Cup or Chalice is closely associated with the cauldron and is often called a bowl and is used to contain salt water, or wine for libation. The cup, chalice or bowl is normally made from brass, animal horn, crystal, glass or ceramic; some paths may have one Chalice for libation and other Cups (bowls) on an altar.

The Chalice represents the goddess and the west and water and is often used in conjunction with the Athame to symbolise the union of the goddess and goddess.

Cord Or Cingulum

The cord is used in some initiation rituals to bind the applicant; the cord is also used to mark out the circumference of a circle.

The Pentagram

The symbol of the pentagram is often worn a jewellery, engrave and printed on fabrics or ornaments and tools of the craft. The pentagram is also used as an altar plate where spells are constructed or offerings are places. The pentagram is associated with the goddess and the direction north and earth but can be associated with any element depending on the way it has be cast.

Wand

Often used as a replacement or alternative to the Athame wands can be made from wood or metal and it is possible to have more than one wand as wand can be created for specific purposes.

The wand is associated with the god and depending on tradition is either associated with the south and fire or east and air.

Secondary tools of the craft

The secondary tools are important but are not used in all pagan paths they are often associated or akin to primary tools.

Bells

The bell is often use to symbolise a beginning or completion or used as a source of vibration to help add energy to your working associated with east and air.

Candles

Although no ritual seems to be complete with out candle light candles are used in ritual as symbols or representations of the elements, the deities a person or for spell work. Candles are associated with the south and fire but the corresponding colours can be used to invoke other associations.

The Staff

Basically a staff, is a big wand and has the same associations and uses but it can also be used as a symbol of leadership.

The Sword

The Sword is a big Athame with the same association and is used in the same way and can be used as a symbol of leader ship.

Tertiary tools of the craft

The tools of the craft are not required for every ritual but no doubt every pagan and witch will have most if not all of these items.

Burin Or Bolline

A minor tool, a white hilted knife, is used for cutting herbs and any other use save magickal ritual in which the Athame is implemented. Many paths differ on the need for the Burin. Gardnerian Wicca absolutely forbids the use of the Athame for any purpose other than rituals. Seax-Wica on the other hand finds no need for it. It is a tool either abandoned or accepted by the various paths.

Crystals

Crystals use as altar decorations offerings used in spell work and healings.

Divination tools

Divination tools, such as runes, tarot cards, crystal balls used in spell work and affirmation

Herbs

Herbs used in incense as offerings in spell working and healing.

Poppets

Poppets or effigies these are either cloth or made from wax and are used in healing and spell work.

Sigils of the craft

symbols and charms and talismans used in jewellery, spell work healing and ritual works the most common Sigel is the pentagram.

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Originally posted 2010-08-24 11:59:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

(Pre Self Initiation Exercise)

By Karnayna Lilly

An Official Document of The Green Man Craft Tradition Copyright© 1999

I. Physical Preparations

In a convenient place, preferably in the North, set up a small altar. Cover the altar with a cloth of your choosing. Upon this altar have at each rear corner a candle. Use white at this time. Between these place a censer or incense burner. For this purpose a stick burner will work very well. Use incense that gives you a sense of power and connection with the Greenwood.

Images of the God and Goddess are a bonus however they are not mandatory. Framed images in this case work quite well. If you do not have images I will e mail you some to print. If you use them always remember that the Left side is for The Goddess and the Right, the God.

You will need a small bowl of water and one of salt.

Also a glass of wine or other suitable beverage. Any fruit juice works well however a good wine of your choice is best.

Finally you will need anointing oil. For this use Patchouli.

Your matter of dress is your choice. It is best to work in loose comfortable clothing and as you know Gardnerians work skyclad. At this point I want to make clear that my instruction will not make you an official Gardnerian because there is a strict rule that self initiation is an apostasy. You will however eventually self initiate yourself in the Green Man Craft Tradition.

II. The Ritual

Each evening approach your altar and sit before it. Use a chair if you must. Light the candles and incense and say:

 “I welcome you Great Lord and Lady and invite you to attend my ceremony”

Now, to the best of your ability imagine that you are surrounded by a sphere of white light. Not just a circle. When this is accomplished take the salt and lift it as in offering and say:

 “Lord and Lady (Your Choice of God Names will come later) I, a seeker of Thy mysteries do pray Thee, bless and purify this salt that it may be used for the good of all. So mote it be.”

Replace the salt and repeat the above with the water. Now place three pinches of the salt in the water. Hold up the mixture and say:

Lord and Lady Bless this union of earth and water that by Thy power all that is unclean will be cast away.”

Sprinkle the mixture in a CLOCKWISE direction three times. Replace the mixture and say:

 “Blessed Be”

Take the incense and say”

 “Lord and Lady Bless this union of fire and air that by Thy power all that is unclean will be cast away.”

Cense the incense in a CLOCKWISE direction three times. Replace the mixture and say:

 “Blessed Be”

Now return to your place in front of the altar. Meditate for a moment on why you feel that you are being called to the Lord and Lady. Take your time. You will find that each night you will learn something different. When you feel ready begin the invocation:

 “I invoke thee and call upon thee, O Mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness, by seed  and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit do I invoke thee to bless me and admit me into the company of Thy hidden children, So Mote it Be!”

Make a pentagram before the altar with the words:

“Of the mother darksome and divine, mine the scourge and mine the kiss; here I charge you in this sign, the five point star of love and bliss.”

Anoint yourself with the oil (forehead, solar plexus and above genital area)

Now invoke the Horned Lord:

Great Horned Lord, return to earth again!

Come at my call and show thyself to men.

Shepherd of Goats, upon the wild hill’s way,

Lead thy lost flock from darkness into day.

Forgotten are the ways of sleep and night -

Men seek for them whose eyes have lost the light.

Open the door, the door which hath no key,

The door of dreams, whereby men come to thee.

O Mighty Stag, O answer to me!”

III. The Proclamation

 “Gentle goddess powerful god: I am your child, now and always. Your breath is my life. Your voice Great Mother and yours Great Father speak within me, as they do in all creatures, if we but only listen. Therefore here in your presence and before the Mighty Ones do I open my self to your blessing.”

Lift up the cup of wine and say:

Bless this wine with your essence Great Lady, Great Lord that by partaking of it I may also take part of you. Make a toasting gesture and drink. After consuming the wine lift up the cup and say:

 “Flax Flags Fodder and Frig” (this is an old blessing )

Sit for a while in silent contemplation. Listen. You will hear the Gods within you. Speak with them and tell them why you wish to follow them. Afterwards put out the candles and thank the Lord and Lady for hearing you. Then Say So Mote it Be.

NOTE* Listen to your inner thoughts, feelings and dreams at all times while using this simple rite. The Lord and Lady will speak in many ways.

Do not underestimate the importance of this rite. It will prepare you for all further work.

Finish

Originally posted 2011-04-15 04:38:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Altar is the sacred space upon which tools are kept. Two main forms of Altars exist, round or pentagonal altars, which stand in the middle of the circle or rectangular ones, placed against walls or the far east of the circle. Both are fairly simple to make, although a pentagonal altar requires more work. Decorator tables are good, cheap altars, but can’t hold much weight. Chief among the “bonuses” of decorator tables is the fact that they either fold up or have removable legs for storage and transport. Some decorator tables are all wood instead of wood and metal, fulfilling the requirements of some traditions.

To make a round altar simply, take a wooden crate and glue a round piece of plywood to it, or attach three, four or five equal length “legs” to a single piece.

One modern Book of Shadows suggests five decorative posts, cut at slight angles, glued with silicone to a plate glass mirror. If you have a root worker who twists willow roots into stands and chairs, which would make a sturdier stand for a mirrored altar. Mirrored altars are fairly new, although The Sacred book of one Family Tradition has a reference to a two hundred year old one. As a practical matter, mirrored altars double your light, but they also scratch, break, and weigh a lot. They are wonderful stationary altars outside or in, but terrible if you plan to move a lot.

A “T” altar is easy to make, simply glue three pieces of wood together, for strength, add a fourth or fifth. They tend to tip when built too narrowly, so be careful.

A 6 piece “T” Altar for stationary use. Can be Glued, Nailed or assembled with a sliding joint assembly.

Altar Cloths are circular or square and hang about half way to the floor. Usually an altar cloth is White, although many lunar rituals use black or deep blue altar cloths. The Night Sky cloth, or Universe cloth is studded with small stars that is either “nail heads” bead work or embroidery and is sometimes used in fancier rituals.

If you are going to use an untreated cloth, make sure it’s cotton, because cotton doesn’t tend to burn quickly. To be safe, either put a piece of glass (round table glasses are available at many department) on top of the Altar or sprits the altar with water before the ritual.

An altar glass is a wonderful thing if you wish to use your cloth more than once, since wax is very difficult to remove from many materials.

A Glass is important if you intend to use velvet! Velvet burns fairly easily, reacts poorly to salt water and is nearly destroyed by better waxes (Like beeswax.) The Altar glass, backed by black velvet, can be used for Scrying, and, while not as effective as a mirror, does improve the amount of light your candles give. It’s not a staggering investment, and if you can keep it in one piece it saves money in the long run.

Make sure to felt the bottoms of very hard (like iron) candleholders before keeping them on the altar, and if your Athame is to rest unsheathed place a small square of cloth beneath it.

Altar cloths can be plan or coloured to match candle colour. Or be of a complementary colour personal choice is important, but most traditions use a coloured cloth with white candles or coloured candles with a white cloth. The Altar cloth colour is considered the same in meaning to a candle colour, so use the chart for candles for cloth colours.

”An Altar should be made from wood, no metal, excepting those Altars with compartments in which to hide the Blessed Book, which may contain metal if the metal is needed for the hidden space.” -A Fam-trad.

Family Tradition or “Fam-Trad” Witchcraft

The practices and beliefs of those who claim to belong to (or to have been taught by members of) families that supposedly were “underground” Paleo- or Mesopagans for several centuries in Europe and/or the Americas, using their wealth and power to stay alive and secret. The overwhelming majority of the people you will ever meet who claim to be Fam-Trad Witches are simply lying, or have been lied to by their teachers. Family Tradition Witchcraft is also sometimes called “Hereditary Witchcraft” or even “Genetic Witchcraft.” These latter terms are used by those people who think they must claim a witch as an ancestor to be a witch today or who think that such ancestry “proves” them to be better witches than those without such ancestry.

”We crafted our Altar from an old tree stump and by the second year it had been sprinkled so often that the wood had somehow sprouted a new tree….S suggested a mirrored Altar for the moonlight rituals…..this felt to us like it doubled the full moon that night.”-Wolf Moon Coven

Wolf Moon Grove is a Traditional Wiccan Coven, based in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. Wolf Moon is first out of Mystic Moon Coven, based in Davie, Florida.

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