The Calling To The First Of Witch Blood An Invocation Of Cain

Book: The Calling To The First Of Witch Blood An Invocation Of Cain by Michael Ford

A short dedication to the Luciferian Sabbat and those seeking their own light within the gnosis of the Adversary. The initiation of the witch into the Circle of Cain, the living Son of Satan and Lilith, the great Harlot and Demoness, the Adversarial deific force of dark instinctual desire and willed continual existence.

Download Michael Ford's eBook: The Calling To The First Of Witch Blood An Invocation Of Cain

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Anonymous - The Teachings Of The Rosicrucians Of The 16th And 17th Centuries
Michael Ford - The Calling To The First Of Witch Blood An Invocation Of Cain

Magikal Path Labels

There are typically 3 labels used to define the practice or an individual within the Craft community.

* Solitaire - A person who has dedicated their spiritual life to a pagan path and are practicing alone or within their immediate family unit.
* Practioner - A person who has dedicated their spiritual life to a specific tradition and practices alone or within their family unit.
* Coven Memeber - A person who has been initiated within a formally organized coven, clan, grove or the like

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
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Liber Kkk Or Kaos Keraunos Kybernetos

Book: Liber Kkk Or Kaos Keraunos Kybernetos by Peter Carroll

Liber KKK is the first, complete, systematic magical training programme for some centuries. It is a definitive replacement for the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, which system has become obsolete due to its monotheist transcendentalism and its dependency on repressive forms of inhibitory gnosis now considered inappropriate.

Liber KKK is presented as a series of general magical techniques which the magician must develop into a workable programme using whatever symbols, instruments and forms of gnosis that appeal to him. It would be inappropriate for a Chaos Magic text to prescribe any particular beliefs or dogmas, except that magic works if certain general principles are followed. It would be inappropriate for any Chaos magician to slavishly adhere to the fine detail of any system. Much can be learnt from Liber KKK in the process of adapting general procedures to personal taste and objectives. Liber KKK may be attempted by any adult. The word "magician" applies equally to either sex and the use of the male personal pronouns in the text is merely a literary convention in the absence of neutral forms in English.

Liber KKK is a series of twenty-five magical operations or "conjurations". The five classical conjurations of Evocation, Divination, Enchantment, Invocation and Illumination are each performed on the five levels of Sorcery, shamanic Magic, Ritual Magic, Astral Magic and High Magic. Thus the whole work systematically resumes the entire tradition of magical technique, leading the magician from simple practices and the manufacture of tools towards the mastery of more complex experiments on the psychic level.

It is highly desirable that the magician has some form of private temple for his conjurations. Yet it is essential that the magician remains active in the world for the period of the work as a whole. The work does not entail any form of retreat from the world, but rather the world surrounding the magician is used as the proving ground for magic. Thus the business and social affairs of the magician are the prime focus for his magic. In performing that magic he gradually defines his style or spirituality. For it is senseless to define spirituality as other than the way one lives. If the Way of Magic is to have a spiritual component it can only be discovered through the performance, all strictures and exhortations are useless.

Download Peter Carroll's eBook: Liber Kkk Or Kaos Keraunos Kybernetos

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Robert John Stewart - Robert Kirk Walker Between Worlds
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Peter Carroll - Liber Kkk Or Kaos Keraunos Kybernetos

A Rebel And Witch The Historical Context

Book: A Rebel And Witch The Historical Context by Marylynn Saul

Morgan le Fay, alternatively known as Morgane, Morgaine, Morgana and other variants, is a powerful sorceress in the Arthurian legend. Early works featuring Morgan do not elaborate her character beyond her role as a fay or magician. She became much more prominent in the later cyclical prose works such as the Lancelot-Grail and the Post-Vulgate Cycle, in which she becomes an antagonist to King Arthur and Queen Guinevere: she is said to be the daughter of Arthur's mother, the Lady Igraine, and her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, so that Arthur is her half brother (by Igraine and Uther Pendragon).

The early accounts of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Gerald of Wales refer to Morgan in conjunction with the Isle of Apples (later Avalon) to which the fatally-wounded Arthur was carried. To the former she was an enchantress, one of nine sisters, while to the latter she was the ruler and patroness of an area near Glastonbury and a close blood-relation of King Arthur. In the early romances of Chretien de Troyes, also, she figures as a healer.

Though in later stories she becomes an adversary of the Round Table when Guinevere discovers her adultery with one of her husband's knights, she eventually reconciles with her brother, and even retains her original role, serving as one of the four enchantresses who carry the king to Avalon after his final battle at Camlann. She has at least two older sisters, Elaine and Morgause, the latter of whom is the mother of Gawain and the traitor Mordred. In Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur and elsewhere, she is married, unhappily, to King Urien of Gore and Ywain is her son.

Download Marylynn Saul's eBook: A Rebel And Witch The Historical Context

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Marylynn Saul - A Rebel And Witch The Historical Context

Hierarchical Titles In Witchcraft

Titles are a little different than labels. Titles are labels that are earned. Not taken on to be impressive or to create a false sense of importance. So when it comes to saying you're a Shaman, Priest or High Priestess, make sure you have the right to take on those titles and you're not misrepresenting yourself to others. There are many Hierarchical labels, Wizard, Mage, Sage, Sorcerer/Sorceress and so on. Each tradition might take on a variation of these labels to represent different initiation levels within the tradition as well. Or to represent different roles and/or responsibilities.

The most common titles are:

* Initiate -
A person who has been invited to join a specific coven. Most traditions have varying levels of initiation. The first is always an invitation by the coven to join their group. Each level after is often based on learning, knowledge and demonstrating one's ability within the coven and beliefs of the practice.
* Junior Initiate -
A person who has been invited to join a specific coven and who has reached the second level of initiation within that coven.
* Senior Initiate -
A person who has been invited to join a specific coven and who has reached the third level of initiation within that coven.
* Priest/Priestess -
A person who has completed the training of a specific coven and has demonstrated their ability to teach and lead. Then has been initiated by another Priest or Priestess into that traditions Priesthood.


Here's another example in detail. Within my clan each level of membership defines an individuals role within the Clan and the Clan community at large. These titles are earned, they are not given out just by being a member of our organization.

* Member at Large -
A 1st level initiate. A practioner of the faith and member of the Clan. Some take on the label Celtic or Clan Witch to define this role within our community.
* Clan Administrator -
A 1st level initiate. A volunteer within the Clan who is assigned to administrative duties within the Clan.
* Clan Mentor -
A 2nd level apprenticing initiate, assigned to mentor other members of the Clan in a specific specialized area of study.
* Clan Sage
A 3rd level initiate dedicated to sharing the knowledge and wisdom of the faith and a specialized area of study such as divination, magik, or healing.
* Clan Shaman / Shamanka (Clan Leaders)
A 4th level initiate dedicated to sharing the knowledge and wisdom of the faith, proven gifts of divination, expert knowledge of Holistic Healing, with leadership capabilities of the Clan, and it's practices.
* Clan Elder
A 5th level initiate dedicated to providing services, leadership and teachings to all members within and outside the Clan. Who through action and deed has continually demonstrated a high level of ethics, knowledge and wisdom.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Michael Harrison - The Roots Of Witchcraft
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The Complete Idiots Guide To Wicca And Witchcraft

Book: The Complete Idiots Guide To Wicca And Witchcraft by Denise Zimmermann

An invaluable resource for beginners and adepts alike, this best-selling and frequently Recommended book on wiccan magick and witchcraft has been updated and revised, now featuring a Year-and-a-Day calendar for the solitaire who is beginning to explore Wicca on his or her own.

- Loads of new spells
- New for this edition—a Year-and-a-Day calendar
- Expanded information on creating a personal grimoire and book of Shadows—the witch’s spell manual and "bible"

This guide offers a beginner's look at the history of paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft, from the Druids and Celts to the witches of today who practice an earth-based religion, cast spells, and perform natural magic. The book, written by a practicing witch, reveals details of the witches' Sabbaths, ceremonies, and altars.

Don't get me wrong, fellow pagans, I recommend Cunningham' Guide for a Solitary Practitioner and other well known books. But sometimes it is easy to start from the very beginning. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, does just that. It lays the foundation for other works (such as those by Cunningham) to contiune the way. This book introduces you to concepts and theories as well as jargon and even how to lead you in circle casting and ritual work. It presents the information in an easy to understand and comprehend manner. It breaks down complex ideas and explains them to you one piece at a time. It also offers tidbits of information throughout the book that are fun and informative.

This book has gone on my top ten of books to recommend to new people. I also recommend this book to people wanting a refresher on Wiccan basics. Kudos!

Buy Denise Zimmermann's book: The Complete Idiots Guide To Wicca And Witchcraft

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Your Magical Name

Why a Magical Name?:
Ah, the magical name. So many people find wicca and decide right off the bat that they’re going to name themselves Lady Such-and-Such or Lord Whatsis. Go to a pagan event and you’ll meet more fifteen-year-old Lady Morganas than you can shake a stick at. And it’s virtually guaranteed that within about three months, Lady Morgana will decide her magical name, sometimes called a craft name, is really supposed to be Starfluffle or Moongypsy, and she’ll change it.

In fact, she’ll probably change it two to three times a year.

The Name-of-the-Month Club:
This odd phenomenon, known as the Name-of-the-Month Syndrome, happens most often because the person in question hasn’t taken the time to research and learn, which is crucial to finding the right magical name.

A magical name is unique to the practitioner, and there are several ways to find yours. When you find the right name, you’ll keep it for a long time. In some traditions, it‘s customary to wait until you‘ve studied a year and a day before claiming your magical name. Some Pagans have two magical names -- one which they use in public and one which is known only to the gods and members of the person’s coven.

Think Long-Range:
One method by which people sometimes find their magical name is to simply choose something they like. A problem with this method is that what we like on one day, we may find silly a year down the road. If you’re going to choose a name based on whether it sounds cool or not, stop and think about it. What is it about the name that appeals to you? Ten years from now, are still going to feel comfortable saying, “Hi, I‘m Fairypuddle,” when you meet a new person?

Names with Meaning:
Choose a name not only for its sound, but its attributes as well. For example, someone wishing to convey strength in their name might include “oak“ or “iron“ as part of their moniker. A person who is highly creative might select a name that reflects their art or craft. You may want to choose a name based rooted in folklore or mythology. Many people include the name of an animal that resonates with them. A cautionary note here: in the Pagan community, certain animals pop up all the time. You’ll meet two dozen Ravens and just as many Cats, but it’s unlikely you’ll encounter anyone calling himself Wombat or Penguin.

Names to Avoid:
Another bit of advice -- generally, the titles Lord and Lady are reserved for people who are elders or have a significant amount of leadership experience under their belt. To name oneself Lady So-and-So without any credentials is considered presumptuous by many Pagans. Likewise, in many traditions it’s seen as hubris to give oneself the name of a deity. You may want to choose a name that indicates your dedication to a god or goddess, but don’t co-opt their names. It’s just rude. If you're a dedicant to Apollo, don't call yourself Master Apollo, call yourself something like Apollonius instead.

Using Your Birth Number:
Another popular method of finding a magical name is to choose one that corresponds with your birth number. To find your birth number, begin by adding the digits of your birth date.

If your birthday was September 1, 1966, you would start with the numbers 911966 = 9 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 6 + 6 = 32.

Now take those two numbers (3 and 2), and bring it down to a single digit: 3 + 2 = 5. That number -- in this case, 5 -- is your birth number.

Use the grid below to find a name that corresponds to the number 5, by calculating the sum of the corresponding letters.

1 = A, J, S

2 = B, K, T

3 = C, L, U

4 = D, M, V

5 = E, N, W

6 = F, O, X

7 = G, P, Y

8 = H, Q, Z

9 = I, R

Let’s say you’ve decide you like the name Willow. Using the letters in “Willow” you would take the numbers 5 + 9 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 5 = 32. From there, 3 + 2 = 5. If the name you like doesn’t match your birth numbers, try some creative or alternate spellings to see what happens.

A Gift from the Gods:
In some cases, you may be fortunate enough to have your new name bestowed upon you by a god or goddess. In these instances, you may encounter someone in a dream or a vision who tells you, “Your name is Such-and-such.” While you may choose to add to it or come up with a variation on it later, if this happens to you, accept the name as the gift that it is.

Whatever method you end up using, think carefully before you finalize your new name. While it’s okay to change your name later on as you evolve spiritually, changing your name every few weeks or every time you see a new episode of “Charmed” is probably not the best course of action. Find the name that is right for you -- and when it IS the right one, you will know.


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Witchcraft As A Means For Subduing Female Influences

The subservience of women to men was a common theme in early Christian writings -- an outgrowth of both traditional patriarchal attitudes and the extreme hierarchical nature of the church itself. Groups which did not hold to hierarchy in any form were attacked immediately. There is no shared authority between the genders in traditional Christianity, either in the church or in the home. Homosexuality would be particularly threatening to this ideology, as it raises the potential of redefining gender roles, especially in the home.

Witness how the recent attacks upon homosexuality in society has progressed hand-in-hand with the mindless promotion of vague "traditional family values," particularly those which "put women in their place" and reinforce male dominance in the home. With a married couple of two women or two men, who exactly is supposed to be in charge and who meekly obedient? Never mind that the Christians who fear such relationships will never be asked to make those decisions themselves -- the mere fact that people are making such decisions on their own rather than obeying someone else's religious proclamations is quite enough to give them fits of apoplexy.

The perception of women as inferior to men, and possibly the enemy of proper religious or social order, has survived down through this day in the most conservative and fundamentalist religious movements around the world. Religious institutions and doctrines are a primary repository for ancient beliefs about the social, physical, political, and religious inferiority of women. Even if the rest of society is moving on and improving women's status, religion remains a main source of beliefs and attitudes which retard that progress in the hopes of reversing it completely. And, where women cannot be attacked directly, they are attacked indirectly through negative stereotypes about "feminine" values as compared to positive stereotypes of "manly" or "masculine" traits.

It would be a mistake to assert that the Christian persecution of witches and witchcraft was nothing but an attempt to suppress women and feminine influences. Christian society, politics, and theology at the time simply wasn't that simplistic. At the same time, it's hard to overestimate the role misogynistic attitudes and repressed male sexuality played in the persecution of witches. It seems likely that if they didn't exist, the extreme violence directed at women and alleged witches probably wouldn't have occurred.

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Witchcraft And The Inquisition

As the Inquisition proceeded through the 1400s, its focus shifted from Jews and heretics towards so-called witches. Although Pope Gregory IX had authorized the killing of witches back in the 1200s, the fad just didn't catch on. In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued a bull declaring that witches did indeed exist and thus it became a heresy to believe otherwise. This was quite a reversal because in 906 the Canon Episocopi, a church law, declared that belief in the existence and operation of witchcraft was heresy.

The additional persecution of anything which resembled feminine religiosity went to interesting lengths in that devotion to Mary became suspect. Today the figure of Mary is both popular and important in the Catholic church, but to the Inquisition it was a possible sign of overemphasizing the feminine aspect of Christianity. In the Canary Islands, Aldonca de Vargas was reported to the Inquisition for nothing more than smiling at hearing mention of Mary.

As a result of this, church authorities tortured and killed thousands of women, and not a few men, in an effort to get them to confess that they flew through the sky, had sexual relations with demons, turned into animals, and engaged in various sorts of black magic. The image here depicts what Christians imagined went on at a court of witches where Satan presided.

People typically fear that which they don't understand, so witches were doubly damned: they were feared because they were allegedly agents of Satan seeking to undermine Christian society and they were feared because no one really knew what witches did or how. In the place of real knowledge or information, Christian leaders made things up and created stories which were certain to cause people to hate and fear witches even more.

People trusted their religious and political leaders to provide them with accurate information, but in reality the "information" provided was simply whatever furthered their leaders religious and political goals. Creating an enemy of out witches served the goal of increased religious and political cohesion because people would want to draw closer together in order to confront the enemy who wanted to destroy them. Isn't that ultimately more important than whether the stories were true or not?

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Witchcraft And Christianity

The earliest Christian document to examine witch craft was the Canon Episcopi, which appeared in round year 906, even though it may have been written centuries earlier. The canon was intended as a guide for the use of bishops in carrying out their duties.

Year 1324 in Ireland, in one of the most bizarre cases in the history of witch craft, this barrier collapsed as sorcery and rising religious concepts of the devil became inextricably entwined. The victim, Ireland’s first major witch, was neither helpless nor an aging crone, and desire for her property and power was certainly a significant motivation behind her trial. For lady Alice Kyteler was the wealthiest woman in Kilkenny when she was accused of being a witch. Her accuser, Bishop Richard de Ledrede, a Franciscan trained in France, was at the time less powerful than Lady Alice.

Among the charges brought against Lady Alice were that she denied Church allegiances, parodied religious ceremony, sacrificed animals, using the words ‘fi, fi, fi, amen’, creating powders and ointments containing worms, herbs, parts of dead men and unborn baby, and engaged in intimacies with a man who appeared as a cat and a black dog.

Even though she certainly was involved in practice of some sort of ritual magick, Lady Alice fought the charges repeatedly before finally seeking refuge in England. Unfortunately she left her maid Petronilla behind, and Petronilla was tortured until she admitted that her mistress was a sorceress of extraordinary talents and a participant in lavish nocturnal orgies.

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What Is The Magic Ritual In Witchcraft

In nearly all witchcraft traditions, the ritual is a type of ceremony or practise that is designed to invoke a magical God or Godess. The ritual itself, creates a link between the physical and spiritual worlds, calling on and harnessing the power of natural and spiritual energies.

Therefore, in our magical work, the ritual is used as a way of connecting with the spiritual world - to celebrate, ask for guidance, make requests or to simply give thanks.

It is important to keep in mind, that the ritual always follows a recognised sequence of steps each time (hence the term 'ritualistic'). It is vital that in parallel with following the steps of the ritual, you make a real conscious effort to engage your mind, body and soul; without which, you will simply be 'going through the motions' of ritual and not truly 'connecting'. This 'engagement' comes quite quickly, with a little practise and confidence. You'll be surprised how soon you can feel yourself connecting to the elements of nature and spirit entities.

In natural magic, the ritual is most often used to celebrate one of the main eight festivals (or sabbat's) of the year; such as 'Mabon' celebrating the second harvest, or 'Yule' celebrating the winter solstice. The main festival on the witchcraft calendar is Samhain (pronounced Sel-wain), which takes place at Halloween (31st October) and is generally known as the witches new year.

The magic ritual is not always linked to one of the main sabbats. Rituals are also done at other key times outside of the main festivals, particularly during a full moon, where the strong lunar energy is harnessed to conduct the full moon ritual.

During such rituals, the main purposes is to focus your intent and energy on your objective. Therefore, for any ritual, you must clearly and precisely state the objective, whether working alone or within a group. Within a group ritual, everyone must be equally clear and agree to the purpose of the ritual. It is worth mentioning at this point, that at first, many people can feel self conscious or embarrassed, particularly when working in a group setting. Don't worry about this - it is quite normal - just persevere with it and in no time at all, you will feel much more confident and at ease working rituals and begin to reap the rewards of natural magic.

In natural magic, rituals are often designed to make you think about what it is in your life that is holding you back as a person - it could be a job, another person, or simply having a lack of confidence in yourself. By releasing these issues that are holding you back through the ritual, you are creating space for newer and more positive aspects to come into your life. But it is well worth remembering, that what you release through this process may not just disappear overnight; very often a situation that is dis-empowering us, is just an indicator of a situation that has a root cause further back in our life.

Rituals are used to create a time and space where you can switch off from the everyday and become connected to the bigger universal picture. Once connected to theses energies, you are then able to develop a greater understanding of them. They also help you to develop a greater understanding of yourself and to bring change not only in a physical way. i.e. more money - better job etc., but perhaps more importantly, to bring change to your spiritual/inner self.

Natural Magic as a modern approach to witchcraft teaches our students how to access and harness these incredible natural energies that our ancestors did and teaches them, through practical easy lessons - how they too can harness these energies - empowering them to experience a completely new, enlightening and liberating dimension to their life and how they want to live it. Natural Magic has enabled them to tap into and release the previously dormant but incredible magic spirit that resides in all of us.

Could Natural Magic be what you've been looking for?

My name is Andrew Vaughan and I was introduced to Natural Magic by my wife nearly 10 years ago. My wife is one of the founder members of the Natural Magic group who practise in and around Sussex in the UK.

Her experience with Pagan, wicca and Natural Magic goes back nearly 25 years and with the help of other founder members, the group have produced a comprehensive course which teaches the Natural Magic approach.

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Paul Huson - Mastering Witchcraft
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Tantra And Witchcraft Defamed As Black Magic Tricks Violating Moral Ethics

"Both - tantra and witchcraft - were defamed as black magic tricks violating moral ethics of society... tantric practitioners in India and witches all over the world were killed en-mass during ancient and medieval periods of history." - I stated the well-known historical fact in front of Eva. "Were they really magicians?" - She looked at me in disbelief.

"Honesty is the biggest magic - not the Black Magic using evil magic tricks - and they were honest to the core of their heart. And when their heart said, "Love", they did. How could our artificial moral ethics - that we humans have built our monumental culture on the foundation of - tolerate getting jolted at its very base? They charged them with immorality, satanic ritual abuse, blood libel, spells, necromancy, idolatry, wicca and shamanism; which ultimately resulted in large scale repression of the both - massacre of the saivist tantra practitioners in Kashmir by the proponents of yoga and witch-hunts along with witch-burning at the hands of people and religious and political establishments of the lands and the times the world over!" - I dug a little bit of history to her. "Yes, I heard things like that." - She was looking to be in pain. I stopped for a while... to play the game of life a bit slower...

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Tupman Tracy Ward - Theatre Magick Aleister Crowley And Rites Of Eleusis
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Salem Witchcraft Trial

The Salem witchcraft troubles all began in New England in the winter of 1692, a year of political uncertainty throughout the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the kitchen of the Salem parsonage, a West Indian slave named Tituba amused the minister's 9 year old daughter, Elizabeth Parris and her 11 year old cousin, Abigail, with Witchcraft, tricksand spells and tales of the occult. Sometimes Tituba told fortunes by studying patterns of egg whites in a glass, a pastime that to the 17th century Puritan was devilry, but one that captivated the adolescent neighbour girls who visited Tituba's kitchen.

As winter wore on, the girls began to behave bizarrely. When the village doctor called and could find nothing physically wrong with the girls, he concluded that the evil hand is on them.

Mr. Parris begged the afflicted girls to name the witches, and so Elizabeth blurted out the name of Tituba and other names such as Sarah Good, a despised pipe-smoking beggar, and Sarah Osborne, who had scandalized the village by living openly with a man before marriage. At a hearing in early March the Salem Witchcraft Trial began. Tituba confessed that she was indeed a witch. She also claimed that she was one of many witches in the village and that a tall man from Boston had shown her a book listing all the witches in the colony.

With that, the Salem Witchcraft trial began.

In seven months time, seven men and thirteen women were executed for practicing Witchcraft, many on the basis of the testimony of ghosts and specters. Those who would not confess were killed and Tituba was spared and sold by the Parrises.

When the frenzied accusations reached the apex of colonial society, public opinion turned. Within 18 months, Governor William Phips had pardoned all suspected witches who had not been executed, even the executed were exonerated, though the name Salem endures as a symbol of societal madness.



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Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
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Medieval Witchcraft

Witchcraft refers to the use of certain occult and spiritual practices to seek the assistance of the supernatural powers in resolving the problems whose solutions can not be achieved through the known rational means. The process involves reciting prayers and performing rituals in a certain specific format or craft. Prayers and rituals when performed with utmost sincerity and faith do quite often fructify into the desired results. Since there is no reasonable explanation for the manifestation of the result, they are termed miracles or magic. witchcraft is therefore considered synonymous with magic.

Witchcraft has existed since man was born and he had to struggle for his survival against the unpredictable and unmanageable forces of nature such as famines, rains, floods, epidemics or some other occurrences at personal level which could not be easily explained. Witchcraft had all the more reason to exist in the medieval times when human knowledge was still at a rudimentary stage and there appeared no other solution to day-to-day problems that confused and befuddled the people of those times.

In their desperation to seek the desired results, some times the practitioners of the witchcraft went out of the way of prayers and resorted to certain extreme practices and rituals such as the use of blood and so on or invoking evil spirits for help. Moreover witchcraft, like every other branch of knowledge, was manipulated and misused by vested interests. A few such cases here and there gained wide spread notoriety and provided the ecclesiastic powers, which commanded influence in formulating the secular policies of the kings and rulers of those times, an excuse to brand the witches or wizards as agents of the evil or Satanic powers. Now Satan is considered the greatest enemy of the Church and therefore God. Consequently any person who was suspected to be indulging in witchcraft was hounded out and persecuted with the punishment of death through hanging or burning at stake.

Persons accused of practicing the witchcraft were labeled as heretics. Once caught, the victim was coerced into confessing his crime through inhuman tortures and was either hanged or burnt alive during the inquisition. The law against the witchcraft was further exploited by the vested interests to score personal vendetta or to snatch the property or land of victims. Some influential persons in the society, in collusion with the priests, would manage to arouse suspicions against their targets as being witches or wizards. They victims were arrested, made to confess and killed.

Witches were generally portrayed as ugly old hags so as to make them the target of dislike and hatred, but the matter of fact is that they were and still are quite normal men and women and in some case witches were and are quite pretty and presentable ladies.

The witches used scrolls for witchcraft in those times. Some of them survive even today. Besides the spells, the witches also used some herbs and animal parts to make potions to cure some diseases and heal the wounds. Potions were brewed in cauldrons in order to combine them properly. Cauldrons were often made of wood, but other materials such as stones were also used. These potions, though denigrated as superstitious, were quite efficacious in those times as they are equally efficacious now.

A widely used tool of witchcraft was a broom. The use of broom can be traced to the peasants, both men and women, who used them to fertilize their crops. They would, then, ride on the top of them as horses.

In some cases, the priests were genuinely concerned about the souls of the ‘witches’ and burnt them alive for their salvation. The case of Joan of Arc, who was later canonized as Saint Joan is one of the most glittering examples of such acts of papal fanaticism. She was branded as a heretic or a witch and burnt alive on stake.

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Medieval Grimoires - The Picatrix
Mike Nichols - Eight Sabbats Of Witchcraft
Paul Huson - Mastering Witchcraft

Make A Ritual Robe

Many wiccans and Pagans prefer to perform ceremonies and rituals in special robes. If you're part of a coven or group, your robe might have to be a certain color or style. In some traditions, the color of the robe indicates the level of training a practitioner has. For many people, donning the ritual robe is a way of separating themselves from the mundane business of everyday life -- it's a way of stepping into the ritual mindset, of walking from the mundane world into the magical world. Most people prefer to wear nothing at all under their ritual robe, but do what is comfortable for you.

It's not uncommon to have robes for the different seasons, symbolizing the turning Wheel of the Year. You can make one in blue for spring, green for summer, brown for fall, and white for winter -- or any other colors that symbolize the seasons for you. Do take the time to put some thought into your color selection -- it used to be that most Wiccans wore white robes, but many people prefer to use earth tones, because it's a way of establishing one's connection with nature. Some people choose to avoid black, because it sometimes has negative connotations, but use the color that feels right for you.

Anyone can make a robe of their own, and it's not hard to do. If you can sew a straight line, you can make a robe. First of all, for experienced sewers, there are a number of excellent commercially available patterns out there. You can check catalogs at your local fabric store under "Costumes", which is where most of the good robes are hiding out, especially in the "historical" and "Renaissance" categories. Here are some that look nice and can be made without too much sewing experience:

•Simplicity 4795: Believe it or not, this is a set of patterns for a passion play. There's an angel design in here that's fantastic for a ritual robe. You may want to reduce the drop in the sleeves a bit, though, just to keep from setting yourself on fire while lighting candles.
•Simplicity 3623: This pattern is for a Scottish-themed costume, complete with tam. However, it also includes a pattern for a muslin underdress to be worn beneath the bodice and skirt -- this makes a great ritual robe, and can be assembled in just a couple of hours.
•Simplicity 3616: Sure, the wizard costume seems campy, but if you eliminate the trim and the long white beard, it makes a version of the ritual robe that is far more masculine than some of the other patterns.
•McCalls 4490: For more advanced sewers, this lovely Renaissance-style dress can easily be adapted for a ritual robe.

To make a basic robe without buying a pattern, you can follow these simple steps. You'll need the following:

•A piece of material in the color of your choice -- make sure you select something that will be easy to sew and comfortable to wear. On the average, you'll need about three yards, but if you're heavyset or extra-tall, add in some more. A flat bedsheet is actually the perfect size for this.
•Scissors, thread, tailor's chalk, and a measuring tape.
•A sewing machine.
•A length of cord or light rope, approximately 6 feet long.

You'll need some help for this first step, because you need to measure yourself from wrist to wrist with your arms outstretched. Unless you have a third arm, get a friend to do this for you. This measurement will be Measurement A. Next, figure the distance from the nape of your neck to a point even with your ankle -- this will be Measurement B.

Fold the fabric in half (if the material has a print on it, fold it with the pattern side in). Using your A and B measurements, cut out along the lines indicated in Figure 1, making a sort-of T-shape. Don't cut out along the top fold -- that's the part that will go along the top of the arms and shoulders.

Next, cut a hole for your head (X) at the center of Measurement A. Don't make it too big, or your robe will slide off your shoulders! On each side, sew along the underside of the sleeve, leaving an opening at Y for the arms (Figure 2). Then sew from the armpit down to the bottom of the robe. Turn your robe right-side out, try it on, and adjust it for length if needed.

Finally, add a cord around the waist, as shown in Figure 3. In some traditions the cord may be knotted to indicate degrees of training or education. In others, it acts simply as a belt to keep the robe from flapping around during ritual. You can also add trim, beadwork, or magical symbols to your robe. Personalize it, and make it yours. You may also wish to consecrate your robe before wearing it for the first time.


Books You Might Enjoy:

Benjamin Rowe - A Ritual Of The Heptagram
Aleister Crowley - Ritual Viii
Marian Green - A Witch Alone

How To Practice Witchcraft Spells

When one thinks of witchcraft and spells, the tendency is to imagine a haggard woman of the wood reciting an incantation to hex her neighbor. This is unfortunate and completely inaccurate. To practice true Witchcraft Spells means to accept personal responsibility for one's actions and their consequences. So, before you fire up your cauldron, learn how to properly practice witchcraft spells.

How to Practice Witchcraft Spells Instructions

Things You'll Need:

* Spell supplies and materials, as appropriate

Step 1. Decide on the spell you wish to perform. This will depend on your goal or intent, whether it be to increase financial abundance, find a new job or promote good health.

Step 2. Practice responsible ethics. Accept that we cannot always change what is meant to be, nor should we try to. Likewise, life is full of lessons that are intended to be learned from. So, examine your motives carefully before resorting to using a spell to bring about change through witchcraft.

Step 3. Follow the Witch's Pyramid when performing any spell. This is a set of four pillars (or principles) that are integral to success. They are: To Know (understand the mechanism of the spell and its effects), To Will (the ability to focus on your intent), To Dare (to believe that you are worthy of receiving this blessing) and To Keep Silent (don't negate the positive flow of energy set in motion by talking or bragging about your spell).

Step 4. Prepare the area for spellwork by walking in a circle three times deosil (clockwise) while cleansing the space once with sprinkled salt, again with blessed water and the final time with the smudging of incense, such as frankincense or myrrh.

Step 5. Consecrate any tools you intend to use when casting spells, such as a wand, pendulum or an athame (a special knife used for ritual, not cutting). To do this, set up a lit candle, burning incense, a bowl of blessed water and a bowl of salt to represent the four elements. Then pass the object over the candle flame (Fire), through the incense smoke (Air), sprinkle it with the water (Water) and then the salt (Earth). Finally, recite the following: Elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, to this tool of the magick now give birth. Blessed and consecrated in this hour, be thou (name object) of strength and power.

Tips & Warnings

* Do not perform any spell that affects another person unless you have that person's explicit permission to do so.
* Abide the Witch's Rede, which states, "An' it harm none, do as ye will."




Books You Might Enjoy:

John Dee - The Practice Of Enochian Evocation
Louise Huebner - Witchcraft For All
Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
Paul Huson - Mastering Witchcraft
Cassandra Eason - A Practical Guide To Witchcraft And Magic Spells

How To Learn Witchcraft

Witchcraft or wicca is a pagan religion--a religion of nature.

The first step to learn witchcraft is to study the religion itself.

You can do this by studying as many books and journals both offline and online. This will enable you to understand the basic tenets and beliefs of the witchcraft. Since witchcraft is the religion of nature, it would do you much good to directly go into the lap of nature to experience its feel, to read books from brooks and sermons in stones. Watch the flight of birds through the glorious sunrises and sunsets across the mountains and seas. Look with wonder at the earth and sky, which are the bodies of the God and Goddess. Now take a notebook and write down why you want to become a witch. How do you visualize the God and Goddess? Be honest. Later on this notebook shall become your Book of Shadows.

The next step is to explore the magic.

Magic is not a hocus pocus way of bending the laws of nature to suit your needs. The magic of the witchcraft is to raise and channel energy that is within you to bring it in harmony with the nature to achieve the desired result.

For this you need to understand the fundamental principles of

* casting circles,
* calling quarters,
* invoking God/ goddess,
* raising and directing the energies
* and finally, grounding, centering and closing the circle.

Try to understand the various phases of the moon, its waxing, growing full and waning and their effect on your moods and body.

You must also do some meditation and visualization exercises to increase your concentration and focus. Learn to derive strength from the earth, sun, moon and stars. Learn to be still, calm and quiet and hear the voice of God and Goddess when they call you.

Now you can begin your basic spell work starting with your new moon ritual.

Do not go after the word-for-word rituals that you read everywhere. These are only the guidelines. Write down your own rituals. Having done that you should dedicate yourself to the Witchcraft. Then you may join some coven or network of your fellow Wiccans. You must be particular about the ethical aspect of performing witchcraft. If you try to harm someone with your magical powers, you will face the results of your ill intended actions very soon.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Michael Harrison - The Roots Of Witchcraft
Gerald Gardner - Witchcraft Today
Paul Huson - Mastering Witchcraft

The Abyss And Tabaet A Study Of Adversarial Mythology In Magick

Book: The Abyss And Tabaet A Study Of Adversarial Mythology In Magick by Michael Ford

The purpose of the following essay is to not only examine masks worn by the fallen angels throughout history as well as to examine the etymology of the spirit of self-liberation and opposition from the praxis of occult thought. The very passing of power in the Circle of Witchcraft And Sorcery is the averse way of bringing into union Daemon and Man, the intent of the Adversary is life and the immortality of the spirit. As “Luciferian Witchcraft” and “Liber HVHI” provide a foundation of sorcery which incorporates an interwoven praxis of Antinomianism and self-deification, the essential origins of the Daemonic Feminine and Masculine should be further understood by its origins.

What is regarded as common knowledge depicts that the Luciferian spirit, what is found are the associative traits and that the Adversary has existed long before Christianity. The Avestan texts as well as the Denkard provide a wealth of knowledge of Ahriman from a right hand path point of view, consider as such a veil which can only be passed through by the Great Work of initiation.

The names and cultural expressions of the Adversary are briefly explored as an Introduction, from the ancient Persian, Hebraic and even Norse, the Adversary appears in each. As tempter, war maker, wisdom bringer and devouring predatory spirit. Look to the common aspects which make the Opposer as a force of initiation.

Lucifer/Ahriman/Samael is a spirit which is made viable through the Adept his/herself, this force is expressive of the individual, thus each manifestation unique as the initiate in question.

Download Michael Ford's eBook: The Abyss And Tabaet A Study Of Adversarial Mythology In Magick

Books in PDF format to read:

Joanne Pearson - Wicca And The Christian Heritage Ritual Sex And Magic
Lisa Mcsherry - The Alchemy Of Abundance Practical Money Magic
Michael Ford - The Abyss And Tabaet A Study Of Adversarial Mythology In Magick

Miracle Deliverance Power Of Pagan Names And Christian Names

Book: Miracle Deliverance Power Of Pagan Names And Christian Names by Pat Holliday

My friend from Nigeria, Pastor-Evangelist Michael T. Adenitire writes: God hates idolatry and if it remains unresolved, the enemy has a legal right to accuse and oppress. Combing the biblical principle of the visitation of the sins of the fathers on the children with clinical data from deliverance sessions, we observe a connection between genealogical sin and oppression in generations. Satan’s goal is to perpetuate his strongholds.

The signification of names according to Pastor Adenitire and their significance to their stature in the Bible. “No longer shall your name be called Abram. But your name shall be called Abraham; For I will make you the father of multitude of nations,” (Genesis 17:5). God wanted to expand his coast and territory. This shows that names have effect on a persons’ life. Then he explains how Satan adopts the same method of distributing evil from generation to generation.

Download Pat Holliday's eBook: Miracle Deliverance Power Of Pagan Names And Christian Names

Free e-books (can be downloaded):

Pat Holliday - Miracle Deliverance New World Pagan Idolatry
Pat Holliday - Miracle Deliverance Power Of Pagan Names And Christian Names

Teutonic Or Nordic Tradition Of Witchcraft

Teutonic (Nordic) Tradition: From ancient times the Teutons have been recognized as a group of people who speak the Germanic group of languages. A Teutonic Witch finds inspiration in the traditional myths and legends and in the Gods and Goddesses of the areas where these dialects originated.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Michael Bailey - Historical Dictionary Of Witchcraft
Bylaws - Unicorn Tradition Of Wicca