Cyber Cauldron

A simple ritual for New Years Eve, this ritual is designed so you can add extra elements to make it personal. The ritual it’s self is based on a pledge (resolutions) of the things you wish to achieve you will notice that the open of the circle has been changed from the common format that many will use but the unwinding of the circle reinforces the idea of change.

I have provided this ritual in several different versions for download, as the pledge should be committed to the element of Fire to activate.

Word version download

PDF text version download.

Image version download JPG

PDF image version download

Ritual Below

I known as ___________ to you my Goddess  ___________ and to you my God __________ pay notice to this pledge, as I will need you to aid me.

To the East I call the ever-living Air the voice of the divine in elemental form! Come witness.

To the South I call the ever-powerful Fire the desire of the divine creative and destructive in elemental form.

To the West I call the ever-fulfilling Water cleansing and purifying the divine in elemental form.

To the North I call the ever-stabile Earth secure and eternal the divine in elemental form.

Now I add spirit thine own to seal this space of divine works.

Welcome my Goddess __________ and My God ______ I have invited you here to bare witness and fill me with the strength to complete the things on this list.

In 2012, I wish to be happy and closer to thee, for myself I wish to change:

In my thoughts grant to me the will the strength-

I do not wish for personal gain or to cause another any pain but this thing I wish to change will grant more confidence to me and will let me be the person you know I can be.

So mote it be.

Sign ____________________

Now is the time to undo this place and return to mortal space. So I call back my spirit filled now with the strength to unseal this sacred space.

To Air your song undo the song of the divine to my ear is now undone.

Now to the North shake your ground to my mortal self be found.

To the West the song-undone wash away the circle we are nearly done!

Finally the south this ritual ends in new moons fire my pledge I send to my weakness your strengths you lend.

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Originally posted 2011-12-30 11:12:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Litha, which means to stand still or stopping, is the name given to the pagan Mid summer ritual. The Summer solstice which happens around the 21^st / 22^nd of June depending on the position of the sun.

As pagans we celebrate the summer solstice as part of the wheel of the year and their some slight differences in the symbology. Some pagans see the summer solstice as the time where the Goddess took over the earth from the horned God at the beginning of spring and she is now at the height of her power and fertility. For some Pagans the Summer Solstice marks the marriage of the God and Goddess and sees their union as the force that creates the harvest’s fruits.

For me it the time when the god and goddess of the light half of the year are at their most fertile and radiate life. The God is at his peek but from this point forward he will weaken until he is final defeated and killed by the god of the dark half of the year and is reborn in mid winter.

For me this time of year is about balance and enjoying the best times while you have them it is also it a big reminder that nothing will last forever.

This is a time to celebrate growth and life for Pagans, who see balance in the world and are deeply aware of the ongoing shifting of the seasons it is also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more towards winter.

When celebrating midsummer Pagans draw on diverse traditions. In England thousands of Pagans and non-Pagans go to places of ancient religious sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury to see the sun rising on the first morning of summer.

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Originally posted 2011-06-19 11:44:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A solitary pagan path can be one of the most difficult paths to follow and you can often find yourself with out warning resting along the way. As with all things in a pagans life it all about the ebbs and flows the circle of the year.

With this there come your own natural ebbs and flows there are times when everything flows perfect your home life, work life and health all seem to be working in perfect harmony and your spiritual life just fits in perfectly.

But there are times when one or more of these life aspects fall out of harmony sometime causing major problems with your life and your health. When these aspects fall out of balance that happen for a reason. They cause us to spend more time focusing on our lives in greater detail.

These times can affect us greatly and our spiritual selves can take a back seat or we can over rely on them to see us through. When we are in a group our group members can help support us, or offer advice cast spells to assist us, ritual can be created to help us. But the solitary does not have that luxury – the solitary is never truly alone thou they do have friends in the craft that will do workings for them and support them.

The solitary witch or pagan has chosen a path which relies of a personal understanding of the divine and their place within the structure life, the universe and they understand that sometimes that their attention has to focused on mundane things such as work, relationships, and money which can put a strain on their spiritual practice or it can seem that way.

This strain manifests in shorter rituals or basic observance of special days and much less magickal workings. Now many beginners to a solitary pagan path often feel the moment something starts going wrong in the daily lives that magick is the solution so out come the wand and Book of shadows.

When a beginner starts to use magicks to solve their problems a number of things can happen either the spell works and problem solved only to return at a later time stronger and with more devastation or it fails leaving you feeling worse off and let down by your deity.

The moment we start to use magicks to improve our lives is the moment we stop dealing with life correctly. I have found over the years that issues arise where magick seems to be the simple solution but when I have used magicks the issues would arrive in a different and more pronounce form at a later time often causing more distress.

As pagans and witches we stride two worlds the worlds of mortals and the worlds of magick these two worlds come together during ritual and each world influences the other at other times.

Our mortal dealings are never smooth but are filled with many experiences which help us to develop spiritually each adversity we over come leads us to a greater understanding of our self and we grow as people it is through our experiences that we learn to help others and empathise with them making us better people.

The old adage these thing are sent to test comes to mind and it reminds me that the goddess is mother and the god is father and like good parents they want us to learn those that learn that mum and dad will not bail them out every time grow into strong people who know that they have to stand on their own two feet to truly succeed while those that rely on their parent never truly fully grow as people and cope badly when things go wrong. Using magick to solve your mortal problems is like running home to mummy and daddy asking for help it not an ideal solution.

Your parents can guide you the same way the goddess and god can guide you ask for their advice this can be done in the form of meditation /prayer think of meditation / prayer as phoning home to mum and dad you may not like what they have to say but they will give the right advice.

When I have difficulties I know that my energies will be lower than normal and my mind is filled with the mundane and these things should not be taken into ritual so my ritual work often drops off and is replaced with meditation /prayer below is a prayer I use in difficult time.

Mother Moon and Father Sun always with me always present.

My life is filled with problems the silliness of daily life. (Insert your problems feelings and fears don’t list them talk about them)

Help me find the solution the way through the dark.

Father Sun, lend me your strength and wisdom to face each day, as I must.

I know you have face the same as each day weakens you I have seen you carry on

Each I now battle I face (Insert your problems feelings and fears don’t list them talk about them)

Empower me with your wisdom and help me carry on

Mother Moon, be kind and gentle as always,

Hold me and cuddle me and tell me it will come right

Let me hear your caring song once more and let me find the rest in you arms.

Hear my woes and sorrows and guide me on my way.

(Insert your problems feelings and fears don’t list them talk about them)

Mother Moon and Father Sun thank you for your time, guide me to the solution set the sign clearly to guide me through this time

Feel free to adapt to your own needs.

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Originally posted 2011-04-01 17:38:22. 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

Although now days it easier to buy already mix and blended incense it is still a good idea to mix your own for special ritual. Now there is nothing wrong with premixed Incense it does the job, the only issues you may feel is important is that you don’t know what energy the incense picks up. The only way you can be 100% sure that your incense is blended using the correct energy for it purpose.

Below is a list of common Incense Blends, which are perfect for any ritual and are very simple to make.

Please note some ingredince can cause an allergic reactions

Abramelin Incense

2 Parts Myrrh
1 Part Wood Aloe
a few drops Cinnamon Oil

Burn to contact spirits during rituals or as a simple consecration incense to sanctify the altar or magickal tools.

Air Incense

4 parts benzoin
2 parts gum mastic
1 part lavender
1 pinch wormwood
1 pinch mistletoe

Burn to invoke the powers of the element of Air, or to increase intellectual powers; to obtain travel; for communication, study and concentration, or to end drug addiction. Smoulder during divinatory rituals.

All Purpose Incense

1 tbsp rosemary
1 tbsp cinnamon
Dry peel of one lemon
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp lemon extract
5 drops of favorite scent (essential oil)

ALTAR INCENSE

(General incense on altar to purify area and to promote ritual consciousness during rituals.)
3 parts frankincense
2 parts myrrh
1 part cinnamon

Aries Incense

2 Parts Frankincense
1 Part Juniper
3 Drops Cedar wood oil

Burn as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers.

Astral Travel Incense

3 Parts Sandalwood
3 Parts Benzoin
1 part Mugwort
1 Part Dittany of Crete

Burn a small amount in the room to aid projecting the astral body.

Aquarius Incense

1 Part Sandalwood
1 Part Cypress
1 Part Pine Resin

Burn as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers.

Banishing Incense

Bay leaves
cinnamon
Red wine
Rose petals
Myrrh
Salt

Eliminates all bad spirit forces. Should be burned in a ceremonial room during services. Also used in uncrossing (removes evil forces and hexes).

Beltane Incense

3 Parts Frankincense
2 Parts Sandalwood
1 Part Woodruff
1 Part Rose petals
a few drops Jasmine oil
a few drops neroli Oil

Burn during Wiccan rituals on Beltane or May Day for fortune, favours and to attune with the changing of the seasons.

Cancer Incense

2 Parts Myrrh
1 Part sandalwood
1 Part Eucalyptus
1 part Lemon peel
(or a few drops of lemon oil)

Use as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers.

Capricorn Incense

2 Parts Sandalwood
1 Part Benzoin
a few drops Patchouli Oil

Use as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers.

Ceremonial Magick Incense

3 Parts Frankincense
2 Parts Gum Mastic
1 Part Wood Aloe

This formula is from the Key Of Solomon is typical of grimoire type recipes. It can be used in general magickal workings to raise power & to purify the area. Other recipes include such ingredients as mace, Brandy and Vervain.

Divination Incense

1 Part Clove
1 Part Chicory
1 Part Cinquefoil

Smoulder during or directly before using Tarot cards, Runes, etc. But beware: this incense doesn’t smell good!

Dream Incense

2 Parts Sandalwood
1 Part Rose petals1 Part Camphor
few drops Tuberose bouquet
few drops Jasmine oil

Burn a bit in the bedroom prior to sleep to produce psychic dreams. Remove the censer from the room before retiring. Use only genuine camphor

Earth Incense

2 parts pine resin or needles
1 part patchouli
1 pinch finely powdered salt
a few drops cypress oil

Burn for invoking the powers buy drugs online no prescription of the element of earth for money, stability, etc

Esbat Incense

4 Parts Frankincense
3 Parts Myrrh
2 Parts benzoin
1 Part sandalwood
1 Part Gardenia petals
1/2 Part Orris
1/2 Part thyme
1/2 part Poppy Seed
1/2 part Rose petals

Fire Incense

3 parts frankincense
2 parts Dragon’s Blood
1 part red sandalwood
1 pinch saffron
a few drops musk oil

Smoulder for summoning the powers and beings of Fire. Also use for success, strength, protection, health, passion and other similar goals. Genuine Saffron is expensive, so only a pinch. You can use Orange peel instead

Full Moon Ritual Incense

2 parts Sandalwood
2 parts Frankincense
1/2 part Gardenia petals
1/4 part Rose petals
a few drops Ambergris oil

Burn during Esbats or simply at the time of the Full Moon to attune with the Goddess.

Gemini Incense

2 Parts Gum Mastic
1 Part Citron -or-
1 Part mixed Orange and Lemon peel
1/2 Part Mace

Use as a personal altar or household incense to increase your powers.

Goddess Incense

1/2 dram Cypress oil
1/2 dram Olive oil
1/2 oz dried rose petals
1/2 oz White willow bark
3 dried Rowan berries
1 tsp anise seeds

Cyber Cauldron Shop Pagan and New Age shop Tree & Plant Incense Resins
Myrrh for Contemplation 50grms £2.53	Sandarac to Ease Stress & Tension 50grms £3.75	Frankincense & Myrrh for Spiritual Healing 50grms £2.53	Arabic Gum (Acacia Gum) for Purification 120grms £5.50	Pine Resin (Colophony) for Purifying 120grms £3.64
Frankincense for Meditation 120grms £4.96	Moon Magic for Astral Travel 120grms £5.05	Guggul (Bdellium) for Rejuvenation 50grms £3.04	Copal to Promote Peace 120grms £4.82	Benzoin Gum For Wealth 120grms £5.60

Originally posted 2010-10-29 08:34:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

There are many different herbs that are used by pagans and witches. Plants and herbs have many different meanings and uses and can be confusing to what herbs should be used for which ritual. Here is a basic set of herbs with their correspondences, as with all plants for use in rituals and spell it is advisable to collect your own product rather than buy the where practical if you choose to collect your own herbs and plants it is advisable to buy a good plant identification book so that you don’t get herbs and plants mixed up and end up collecting something dangerous or better still grow your own.

Below is a list of plant commonly used in rituals or spell work -

Agnus Castus Berries - Mystical uses in love and fertility spells and incense.Ideal in incenses for meditation and protection rites. Considered to be an aphrodisiac hence use in love spells.

Used in herbal medicine to reduce PMS symptoms of irritability headaches and cramping and is effective for women suffering from infertility and irregular periods.

Bay Leaves (Laurel) - For Mystical uses burn Bay Leaves as an incense to enhance psychic powers and for purification, exorcism and protection. Place under your pillow as you sleep to bring inspiration and visions in your dreams.

Used in herbal medicine as a tea to soothes stomach aches, relieves aches & pains and assist sleep.

Calendula Petals (Marigold) - Used in spells and charm pouches for bringing Good Luck in Money Matters and especially at Games of Chance. Place in a green cloth and put under your pillow to induce powerful,prophetic lucky number dreams.

Used in herbal medicine to ease skin problems, stings, sunburn and rashes.

Dill Seeds - Dill is used mainly for protection, money and love. Hang in sachets above the front door to protect the home, hang in sachets on a cot to protect the baby, use Dill seeds in money spells. Inhaling the fragrance of Dill seed is believed to cure hiccups. Add a sachet of Dill seeds to the bath to make you irrisistable, for lust inhale the fragrance.

Lavender: This herb is good for providing clarity and vision. It is also a common ingredient in love and fertility spells. It is marketed by aromatherapy companies as a stress reliever and insomnia cure. Used dry or burned as an incense it can aid with divination practices.

Used in love spells and attraction sachets. Hang in sachets with clothes to attract a partner, use sachets with lavender flowers to attract love, burn lavender heads to induce sleep. Scattered around the home, lavender heads induce an atmosphere of peace and serenity.

Used in herbal medicine as a tea to treat headaches and lift deepressive moods

Licorice root: Don’t confuse this herb with the candy of the same name. The flavor you taste in the candy is anise- there is very little actual licorice in there. The root is sweet but not as much as candy. It works well in love spells. It has a slight toxicity but should ingestion should only be avoided completely by those with high blood pressure since it will raise it up higher briefly.

Used in spells and mixes for love and lust and to assure fidelity. Carry a small pouch of Liquorice root attract love. Chewing on a liquorice root is said to make you feel passionate, though does not taste like the liquorice sweets we are use to eating.

In herbal medicine it is used to ease bronchitis, help sooth ulcers & cold sores. It is mildly laxative and may help slow digestion. Liquorice root is a great source of the female hormone oestrogen. Do Not use if you are pregnant.

Lobelia: If you ingest too large of a quantity of the stronger forms of lobelia, it can cause severe nausea. But used wisely it shouldn’t cause any problems. It is good in spells of love and storms. It can also be used as a tobacco substitute even though it has no nicotine in it.

Long pepper: This herb is a warmer but sweeter alternative to peppercorn. It is considered to be an aphrodisiac (even earning a mention in the Kama Sutra) and is accordingly used in sex spells.

Monkshood: This herb is extremely toxic. Avoid contact with the skin and do not ever ingest it. If it comes in contact with your skin and you begin to feel numbness or tingling in your mouth, get to a doctor. Those are the symptoms of monkshood poisoning. The herb is used to honor Hekate and in death or baneful works.

Mugwort: This herb is used for dream work and can thus be placed in or under the pillow, placed in bath water or sipped form a tea to help with slumber.

Myrtle: This herb is used to honor Aphrodite. In spell work it can be used for love or protection.

Nettles: Used as a wash to cleanse and remove negativity, break hexes and jinxes. At night cover your clothes with a dusting of dried nettle leaves, in the morning brush awa, or use in an incense and allow the smoke to cover you to remove jinxes. Can be used to return a curse to its sender or used as a herbal tea to protect from the inside.

Nutmeg: Often found in the spice rack, nutmeg encourages the feminine and can be used to honor the Divine. In spells, it can bring about love, money or luck. It is often used in the Winter Festivals.

Oak Moss: This herb has a forest smell about it but it is well regarded for attracting money. It can be carried with you in an amulet or mixed with other ingredients to form potent incense. Used in mixes and spells for money and wealth. Used as an incense for purification and carrying some will ensure good luck especially financial luck

Orris Root: This plant has a beautiful floral scent similar to violets. It can be used for dream work and divination. Sprinkled around a loved one will ensure they return the sentiment. It can also be used in protection spells. Strong and powerful powder used in spells and mixes to bring good luck in love affairs, romance, marriage and passion. Used in baths and washes for protection.

Patchouli: The oil of this plant is often used as a musky fragrance. It is supposedly an aphrodisiac and works well in love and sex spells. It can also be used in money or protection spells.

Used in spells and mixes for drawing love, money and for lust.Sprinkle some in your purse to attract money. Place some under the mattress to encourage lust in women.

Used in herbal medicine as a wash to ease acne, athlete’s foot, chapped and dry skin, eczema and dandruff.

Periwinkle: Periwinkle is used for love and protection spells. It is so well used in love spells that many countries consider it to be the symbol of everlasting love.

For more information on ritual herbs vistit our ritual herbs for spell work section

Cyber Cauldron Shop Ritual Herbs For Spell Work
Borage For Peace & Tranquilty 150grms £2.64	Borage For Peace & Tranquilty 50grms £0.88	Calamus order drugs without prescription Root For Control & Commanding Spells 50grms £2.01	Calamus Root For Control & Commanding Spells 150grms £5.85	Cardamom Seeds Aphrodisiac For Love & Lust Spells 50grms £1.55
Cardamom Seeds Aphrodisiac For Love & Lust Spells 150grms £4.58	Coriander Seeds Used for Health & Love Mixes 50grms £1.59	Coriander Seeds Used for Health & Love Mixes 150grms £4.69	Couch Grass (Witches Grass) For Happiness & Love Mixes 50grms £1.41	Black Cohosh Root (Black Snake Root) 50grms £2.53

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Originally posted 2010-12-20 14:34:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Most of my pagan friends will tell you that me and gardening is not a true match in fact a pagan friend of mine (someone who is now running their own coven) was told that I had spent weeks designing my garden to which he replied why did it take him so long to draw a square and write concrete ‘LOL’.

I always lived in London and gardening was a luxury but since I move out in to the middle of the country I have wanted improve my pagan practices with getting back to ground roots pagan life I could not cope with the “good life” (tv version) of going totally self sufficient but I did want to be able to grow a few herbs for spell and potions and some fruit over the last few years I have not had much success (explains the concrete comment), I have had the dog dig them up, slugs and caterpillars eat them and the frost kill them and the few bit that have survived have been never in time for any ritual or rite.

But this year I have managed to grow stuff that will be ready for the 1^st august it not much I have 1 melon a few raspberries a few black currents and 4 or five broad bean come on don’t laugh I know it not much.

This will be the first year that I will be able to perform a harvest ritual where the harvest will be a physical act, will be able to decorate my altar with something that I have grown and harvested on the day.

As I sit and write my ritual for the 1^st August I am so aware that the physical act of the harvest plays such an important of the day, in previous years my harvest was the things that I was successful at I would metaphorically harvest them and use them as seed to grow more successful. Which in its own way lead me to the understanding that my spiritual needs where becoming less important that working daily life part of the reason I moved to the country. I started to realise that I had become caught up in the city and was losing my connection to nature so about 10 or so years ago I decide that I need to be in Dorset or should buy without a prescription I say the lady herself sent signs that I need to be in Dorset so I moved to Bournemouth which was much like the city and although I had the sea to connect with it still was not quite right, it was only when I move to where I am at present did everything full in to place.

Everything we do in that end up harvested sometimes we receive a bounty other times we end up with something that is rotten and spoilt but no matter what we receive we must accept our part in it creation and accept our responsibilities fairly and with understanding.

I hope that by reading this that you will think of the things you have harvested and work into your ritual something that will help you gain a stronger connection to the life the divine has provided you.

Cyber Cauldron Shop Cauldrons
Cauldron Altar Sized with Pentagram Design £11.99	Cast Iron Cauldron 17.5cms £24.99	Ceramic Mini Cauldron £4.99	Witches Cauldron Incense Holder £5.99	Wizard for Magic and Divination Skills £6.99
Runestar Pentagram for Creative Inspiration £7.99	The Rose Cross For High Magick £19.99	Double Pentagram for Powers of the Light £9.99	Open Pentagram for Magical Achievement £9.99	Pagani Pentagram to Increase Psychic Ability £14.99

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Originally posted 2010-07-29 16:32:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Many Neo-Pagans and Wiccan adopt at least one new name as a sign of the new person that they have become and as a sign of their belief. A neo pagan and Wiccan will normally have at least 3 names their birth or legal name, the public pagan name that is a name used at public meetings and the final name is the private name a name only known to members of the coven or group that they belong to.

The public working name is a name that a person chooses for himself or herself which can just be made up or contains the names of animals or crystals or magickal symbols or runes.

The private name is normally given by the high priestess to a new member this name will contain information that that person must seek out, you are called that name for a reason sometimes to bring humility and understanding other times to inspire greatness.

During the first few years a neo pagan may change the public name till they find a name that truly fits.

I choose my public name “Draco of the Dragonstar” as I have a very close affinity to dragons and their magicks and I wanted to honour the great dragon who has been my guide for many decades now. Although I do shorten it to draco in letters and emails many people think that my name comes from Harry Potter.

My Private name was given to me and I was a little disappointed that it was not something big and proud like Raven Hunter Hawk but as I sort out my name if found it fits me like a glove.

So how do you start to pick your own pagan name?

Well you can start with the archetypal gods and goddess names choose a deity whose strengths and attributes you would like to embody although I would research any deity you may wish to be called by as you will assume some of their traits positive and negative.

You could also choose mythical beasts or cultural hero as part of the name as well as animals precious stones or even a particular attribute you wish to embody.

If you having difficulties finding a name there are a few techniques such as meditation and asking the divine directly or even forms of divination such as (Tarot, Runes, Ouji Board, Lots, *Numerology and your power numbers, I-Ching) no matter how you find your name it has to be right for you their no wrong name.

(more…)

Originally posted 2010-11-06 09:39:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The year 2000, the new millennium, the bright new age of enlightenment, all brought a massive up-surge of information on all things Pagan, books by the score, mail order companies, distance learning courses, classes, and people claiming direct descent from ancient witches /druids /shamans etc.

The media always so fast to demonise anything pagan, had a field day! People from all walks of life flocked to paganism, and our numbers rocketed. A bright new era of inter-faith understanding happened over-night and we all lived happily ever after! But hang on!

True, with pagans now afforded legal rights as people of other faiths are, there has been progress – and I am sincerely, respectfully grateful to all those who fought long and hard to help to give us protection. But has it all sort of, well, backfired?

True, we see less of the hysteria including sensational press coverage of anyone who wares black and a pentacle and has tattoo being labelled a ‘Devil Worshipper’. In fact the media seems to be leaving us alone , even giving us positive coverage! Result! (Even if it’s possibly more about now having the aforementioned legal right, than a sudden sense of goodwill!). My Concern is about the possible dumbing down of our faith. I’m worried not just about my own pagan path, but all paths.

You see all those books – and lets be honest, the majority are crass, blatant rip offs of the ‘lets cash in quick’ type, which are being used by people to teach themselves (and others) the ‘correct way’ or what purports to be the real deal.

Fine, Okay. I know that any faith needs to meet the needs of the people as and when those needs change and evolve – or it becomes distant and slowly dies, so I am not protesting (too much) about knowledge being, er, interpretive. We’ve all probably read a score of naff American imports which all seem to say the same thing over and over again with out any true spiritual input.

These book are aimed at the fluffy bunny pagan you can say that it harmless to see a teenage girl reading “Teenage Girlie Witch spell craft book vol 3” – but I say it’s a waste of potential, Kids reading sugary so called spell books will try the spells contained with in find out they don’t work will lose heart and quit.

But what if said teenager found an honest, open account of what paganism actually is, the ethics, values and morals? What if they were then inspired to explore paganism, even attend a moot and speak with like-minded people?

This raises another question, fine, society is now more aware of pagans and the reality of who we are and the things we actually do –but at what cost? Altering rituals to be more acceptable to non-pagan audiences, the ‘softening’ of rites to be more conductive to interfaith movement, the merging of paths to mix elements of both into something that ends up being neither. These in my option are a problem.

Could it be argued that legal acceptance of paganism and it’s apparent need to become seen as safe and approachable is in fact sowing the seeds of destruction.

The earliest Christian missionaries here in Briton reported back the native populations spiritual beliefs and practices, the early church then slowly integrated Christian beliefs and practises alongside – and then slowly dropped the native stuff. The ancients were absorbed. My fear is that recent, apparent, acceptance is the beginning of a similar process – albeit one that may take decades or longer.

Occult means ‘hidden’ and I feel that we, as pagans, would do well to remember our history and ensure our rituals, rites and practices are kept safe and hidden from the fluffy bunnies and the more commercially – driven folk. If an individual is called to the ancient ways then they will find their way to a teacher eventually, regardless of how they start their journey.

I’m aware that there is no one answers to the questions raised here and I must admit that I have not only been tempted by and bought fluffy bunny pagan stuff in mail order catalogues myself! However we owe it to our faith to strive to keep our inner practices ‘occult’ as only in that way can we ensure they survive for the next generation.

Biarki.

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Originally posted 2010-11-16 13:34:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pagans have a long history of violence not only the fact that human and animal sacrifice where used but even today in the more enlightened times human sacrifice is heard of. The last being this year (2010) in April where a human Head and torso was found in A temple of Kali near Chotomakdampur village in the western district of Birbhuma in West Bengal India

Although many Western pagans and neo pagan groups would not consider a human sacrifice as part of their rituals as they see it as being against the Goddess wishes some tribal polytheistic religions still use animal sacrifice as part of their practice.

Now we all know that during our history (at least 50,000 years of history) across the world that human sacrifices where commonplace as way of appeasing the Gods. Even many of today’s rituals and festivals are link to sacrifices which would of in times past required animals to be slaughter as a minimal offering and this would escalate to humans if crops failed repeatedly or other hardships where faced.

During this time in our history no one was excused from being sacrificed kings and leaders would be scarified to. Even Christianity has a dark past when it comes to blood scarifies the Old Testament is littered with account animal and human sacrifice.

This link with human and animal sacrifice is often glossed over and is not spoke about much today and where possible is dismissed as history of primitive cultures and has no relevance today days pagan which then brings up the debate on blood in rites and rituals.

As we all know that blood and fluids from the body can be used for very powerful magicks and at the same time we have a moral obligation if not a ethical belief that the use of such materials is against the wishes of the divine as all life is sacred to the Goddess and God although there are some goddess and gods who appreciate blood and sacrifice Kali for one (and she is not the only one by far).

This idea of using blood in ritual has always caused much debate among pagans some are completely against the idea where other say a single drop from a pinprick is as much as you need.

Personally the idea of blood in rituals or spells is something that has always baffled me I have spells that require a personal connection to be made for example a healing or cursing poppet will work much better if it contains something that belongs to the person being heal (note this can be a piece of cloth from clothing right up to part of the person themselves ie hair, nail, clippings, spit or blood (blood being the most powerful connection)) which is given freely (for cursing (dark magicks) can be taken or stolen). Or the most common blood ritual that I have taken part in, the ritual of brotherhood commonly known as blood brothers or Blood oath where two people blood is mixed making them the same family. There are even less common blood rituals that I have been involved in which many would not even consider to be a blood rite Tattooing is a blood rite I have a number of tattoos which include pentagrams, god and goddess symbols and the caduceus as these are draw on to the body blood flows and the connection is made in the same way the blood brother rite works the blood and the ink mixing becoming one.

Now I now many Wiccan’s who believe that blood use in spells and rituals is wrong and at the same time have numerous pagan style tattoos and would not even consider them to be apart of a blood rite (but there are some people that you can even argue with as they think they know best).

And I have already said that blood rites baffle me I feel that any rite where the goal is to spill blood is totally wrong but at the same time there are blood rites like blood brothers and tattoos which I have been involved in, so it seem that I am some what hypocritical of blood in rites, but the use of blood is a very tricky subject as it is not black and white. A blood oath (blood brothers etc) is a promise that is bound by ones own essence yes other bodily fluids can be used but have less of an impact, it is common or was common practice to spit on you hand before shaking hand to seal a deal.

If I was to put a limit on how much blood should be used in a ritual or spell I would have to say a single drop from a pin prick was more than sufficient as it is a symbolic gesture of your life energy that is being offered and the important word in all of that is YOUR. You should never offer someone else blood as sacrifice or be part of any ritual where blood of another is spilt in the name of the divine or even offer Your blood to the divine as an offering as this is wrong and against the divine.

A blood rite is for binding YOUR energy to another person (blood brothers) or object (personal talisman or amulet tattoo) and no more and where possible other bodily fluids should replace blood. I can see no reason why blood should be used in any rite apart from Blood Oaths (no more than a single drop is needed) and Tattooing; personal talismans can be consecrated using other bodily fluids.

Other Bodily fluids that can be used: -

Tears – to be used in talisman and amulets to prevent hurt, lose or pain

Sweat – to be used in talismans for hard work and success

Saliva – general replacement for blood and used in protection amulets

Urine – used in bottle spells and charms such as the witches bottle for protection

Semen / vaginal fluid any love charm or spell also for fertility

Menstruation blood only woman  (not for use in blood oaths as it is seen as impure) used the same way as urine

Warning

Blood buying prescription drugs online must never be consumed EVER and you should be wary of blood born diseases, which can be transmitted through contact or can become air born. Never offer blood as sacrifice even your own it to precious.

Final thoughts-

I can only think of two rites where blood is important and both these rites are life time commitments only when you are sure that you are prepared to commit to a life long connection to a person or tattoo should you agree to be involved in a blood rite as the bond you make will remain for your whole physical life and in the case of a blood oath will last for all future life too

As an Individual you will need to make up your own mind about blood in rites and rituals do not be coerced into doing something you do not feel is right morally or ethically

If you know that another will be harmed or is in danger you have an obligation to contact the local police department and inform them even if you are oath bound to say nothing.

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Related articles

• Sacrifice Pumpkins, Not Buffalo, During Nepal’s Dashain Festival (animals.change.org)
• Killing for ‘Mother’ Kali (time.com)
• What’s Witchcraft? 6 Misconceptions about Wiccans (livescience.com)

Originally posted 2010-10-15 12:34:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter