Monday, 7 May 2007

The Golden Dawn

Book: The Golden Dawn by Morwyn

Taken from the Book "Secrets of a Witches Coven" by Morwyn.

During the same time, ceremonial magic, which followed the patterns of ficino, Mirandola, the Roscrucians, and the Freemasons, was evolving. Alphonse Louise Constant (1810- 1875), better known by his nome de plume Eliphas Levi, was a magician who borrowed from treatuses dating back to Paracelsus. Trained as a preist but never ordained, he attempted to reconcile religeon, science, and mysticism in his writings. He proposed that the adept could receive spiritual teachings from a high plane by tapping into what he called the "astral light of divine power" by force of will. He was also the first to connect the twenty-two trumps of the major Arcana of the tarot with the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Levi's influence on end-of-the-century magicians was immense. Some people believe that Aleister Crowly was his reincarnation, since Crowley was born shortly after Levi died.

Download Morwyn's eBook: The Golden Dawn

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Zoroaster - The Chaldean Oracles
Starhwak - The Spiral Dance
Franz Bardon - The Golden Book Of Wisdom
William Wynn Westcott - Historic Lecture Golden Dawn
Morwyn - The Golden Dawn

Friday, 4 May 2007

Advanced Witchcraft Go Deeper Reach Further Fly Higher

Book: Advanced Witchcraft Go Deeper Reach Further Fly Higher by Edain Mccoy

I have read all of McCoy's books, some very good, others that just didn't reach me. But that's my subjective viewpoint. As witchcraft grows in scope and knowledge, so does the liturature available to us, or at least it should. Advanced Witchcraft is an incredible piece of work directing readers to find their own inner tree of the universe and encourages them to climb to the top using their own inner-gifts and by finding their own challenges. I've already read parts of this book twice. Advanced Witchcraft has raised the bar as to what Witches must now expect from writers and elders. As always, McCoy does not dictate what is or is not right for anyone else, but with this book she has opened a huge door for us to enter and she points us in the direction where we may seek our own wisdom on our own spiritual path.

Edain became a self-initiated Witch in 1981 and has been an active part of the Pagan Community since her formal Initiation Into a large San Antonio coven in 1983. Edain has researched alternative spiritualities since her teens, when she was first introduced to Kaballah, or Jewish mysticism. Since that time, she has studied a variety of magickal paths including Celtic, Appalachian folk magick, and Curanderismo, a Mexican-American folk tradition. Today, Edain is part of the Wittan Irish Pagan tradition, where she is a priestess of Brighid and an elder.

An alumnus of the University of Texas with a BA in history, she is affiliated with several professional writer's organizations and occasionally presents workshops on magickal topics or works individually with students who wish to study Witchcraft.

This former woodwind player for the Lynchburg (VA) Symphony claims both the infamous feuding McCoy family of Kentucky and Sir Roger Williams, the seventeeth-century religious dissenter, as branches on her ethnically diverse family tree. In her "real life," Edain works as a licensed stockbroker.

Edain is the author of fifteen books, including Bewitchments; Enchantments; and her most recent release, Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring.

In the beginning everything is fresh and new. Learning how to cast a circle, work magick, and honor the God and Goddess on esbats and sabbats can be exhilarating. But once you've mastered the basics of Witchcraft comes the real challenge of living your faith every moment of every day. Living as a Witch is knowing that you are the magick. Advanced Witchcraft doesn't contain any “Wicca 101” information-it assumes that you're already familiar with the nuts and bolts of the Craft. Instead, this book challenges you to think critically about your beliefs and practices, what they mean to you, how they've changed, and where you're going. Along the way you'll also learn many techniques for intermediate and advanced Witches, including:

- meeting your shadow
- advanced warding and psychic self-defense
- power animals, familiars, and shapeshifters
- working the labyrinth and the maze
- advanced tree spirituality
- advanced augury and divination
- magick and ritual using the fine arts of storytelling, dance, music, art, and drama
- the art of Wishcraft
- the healing arts
- spirits and lost souls
- banishing and closing portals
- surviving the dark night of the soul

Buy Edain Mccoy's book: Advanced Witchcraft Go Deeper Reach Further Fly Higher

Books in PDF format to read:

John Linwood Pitts - Witchcraft And Devil Lore In The Channel Islands
Charles Wentworth Upham - Salem Witchcraft And Cotton Mather A Reply
Douglas Ezzy - Practising The Witchs Craft Real Magic Under A Southern Sky

Thursday, 26 April 2007

An History Of Magic Witchcraft And Animal Magnetism

Book: An History Of Magic Witchcraft And Animal Magnetism by John Campbell Colquhoun

Modern doctrine of Animal Magnetism, which, indeed, was, until lately, entirely unknown. Facts are generally related and attested by various authors of reputation and credit ; and they have been laid before the reader of this work with as much accuracy as a diligent inquiry could insure. The various authorities for these facts have been adduced when possible ; so that the reader may have an opportunity of testing the accuracy and the value of the evidence upon which the different narratives rest. With these prefatory observations, the author submits his labours to the judgment of the inquisi- tive and candid reader. Some time after the preceding portion of this Preface was written, my ingenious and respected friend, Dr BRAID of Manchester, was kind enough to transmit to me a copy of his recently published " Observations on Trance, or Human Hyber na- tion;" in which some curious cases are narrated of individuals who permitted themselves to be buried alive.

Download John Campbell Colquhoun's eBook: An History Of Magic Witchcraft And Animal Magnetism

Wednesday, 25 April 2007

Living Wicca A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner

Book: Living Wicca A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Selling more than 200,000 copies, Living Wicca has helped countless solitary practitioners blaze their own spiritual paths. Let the wise words of Scott Cunningham guide you toward a new level of practice.
Living Wicca takes a philosophical look at the questions, practices, and differences within Witchcraft. You'll learn how to create your own rituals and symbols, develop a book of shadows, and even become a high priest or priestess. Also covered in this Scott Cunningham classic are tools, magical names, initiation, the Mysteries, 120 Wiccan symbols, and the importance of secrecy in your practice.

Find Scott Cunningham's book in amazon.com:
Living Wicca A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner

Sunday, 15 April 2007

Outdoor Environments For Coven Ritual

If you chose to hold your gathering outdoors you have a lot of choices for creating your environment. There are many solitaries who have the ability to create an outdoor spiritual space and they want to share the environment with others. These areas can be elaborate recreations of Stonehenge, large copper piped pyramids, or simple groves in a wooded area that has been simply decorated with flowers, wooden artwork, or ribbons and bows. I know of a Shaman who built a covered deck area in the middle of his 3 acre property. It’s a beautiful 9 ft by 9ft structure, which allows his coven to meet outdoors yet protected by the elements when necessary.

These days, having a ritual with a bonfire in the center is a very popular practice. Many covens have acquired brass fire pits from their local home improvement store, to safely enjoy a bonfire for their ritual workings. And those really need to be used outside.

There is a huge range of ideas that can be incorporated in the ritual space when it’s held outside. It’s a chance to use your imagination and perhaps even connect with your spiritual teachers, guides and deities to solicit their energy in the creation of the space.

Wednesday, 4 April 2007

The Discoverie Of Witchcraft

Book: The Discoverie Of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot

Remarkable 16th-century classic attempted to disprove existence of witches. Rich full account of charges against witches, witch trials, Practice of the black arts. Excerpts From Inquisition, interviews with convicted witches, discussions of alchemy, astrology, much more. Indispensable primary source on witchcraft. Introduction by Montague Summers. 17 illustrations.

Download Reginald Scot's eBook: The Discoverie Of Witchcraft

Free e-books (can be downloaded):

Alexander Roberts - A Treatise Of Witchcraft
Michael Harrison - The Roots Of Witchcraft
John Mitchell - The Philosophy Of Witchcraft
Reginald Scot - The Discoverie Of Witchcraft

Sunday, 1 April 2007

A Coven Witchcraft Practice

The Pros:

In traditional covens/clans, an initiate is given a year and a day to decide if they want to take the path of a pagan within that coven group. This gives you time to learn, experience and socialize With Other group members. A time to gauge the workings of the group and decide if your beliefs can fit within it's balance. A Priest or Priestess or both traditionally conduct all rituals and ceremonies within a coven. Giving direction and guidance as needed. For those who like learning from a teacher, this path might be the right one for you. Again, traditionally; a Priest is charged with the training and education of female students, while the Priestess is charged with the education of male students. This method invokes the balance of God/Goddess, and enhances the training through the balance of male/female energies. These directors of the magikal service or events within the coven must also be skilled in magik and ceremonial practices. They must be mature, wise and very humble. But they must also have the gifts of leadership, being able to deal with adversity in a quick and fair manner. If you can find a coven that is governed by these kinds of people in a well organized and balanced environment, then there may be much you can learn from this group.

The Cons:

Interaction with members of any group is not always easy. Discord with an other member can affect your concentration and your ability to function within the group. Your personal Experiences might also be limited depending on the manor in which rituals are conducted. Often a Priest or Priestess performs all the ceremonial tasks, including playing the role of the Goddess or God in certain ceremonies. Finally, the structured beliefs of the coven may differ slightly from your own beliefs. Once again creating dis-harmony within yourself and maybe within the group.

Other Considerations:

For all those covens out there that are in harmony, I commend you.

If you're in a coven now and you feel as though there are things going on that are against the Principles of your beliefs, then leave. Nothing says you 'have' to stay. When you're looking for a coven, you must take it upon yourself to validate the claims of leadership and education of the Priest/Priestess. Those who have honestly taken the training, time to learn and become enlightened will not manipulate you or your path. They will not try to control your actions. They will not tell you what you can or cannot do, who you can or cannot associate with. Each of these manipulations take away opportunities for you to learn, experience karma and expand in your own wisdom. So beware when you're seeking a coven.

In addition - NO clan or coven has a legal right to educate anyone under the age of 18 without their parents permission. There are many covens who are dictated to teach anyone who asks. That might be fine within the confines of their traditional rules or practices. But on a legal front, it is not legal. So be wary of anyone who tries to solicit your participation, at any age, or who tries to find underage members to join their group.

Last thought - And I'm sure this will offend many, but there are reasons for this paragraph. NO ONE with limited experience has the ability to start or run a coven. There are so many new practioners, especially teens, who have decided that after reading a few books, they want to lead a coven. Please set this idea aside. Create a 'study group' not a coven and you'll put your workings to much better use. Being a coven leader is a major responsibility and requires a great deal of training. Not just in the history and knowledge of the religion and tradition, but in the essence of spiritual wisdom, practical management and leadership, as well as, vast experience. If you don't have it, don't try it. Just be in a study group; its much easier and simpler to share ideas.