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An Introduction to Pecti-Witta



I finally got this done! Enjoy!

General Info

The Scottish tradition began in the highlands of Scotland by the Picts (actually the area was called Pictland and it was not until the 11th century that it was named Scotland). There is actually little information on the history of the Picts, partially due to the loss of their language when the Scots began to immigrate into Pictland from Ireland around or after the 5th century CE. What we do know comes from Greco-Roman historians, various missionaries, the Pictish Chronicles (a simple list of the Kings of Pictland). Yet, the most valuable resources, their art -the stone reliefs (the Picts may well have been the inventors of the Celtic knot) elaborate jewelry, and metalworkings that have survived to this day.

The Picts, at first glance to outsiders could have been regarded as barbarians. This was due to the lack of clothing they wore (men wore little, save an iron collar) and the tribal like tattoos the most often covered their naked bodies. Their homes were sod covered huts that when viewed from a distance looked like small hills. They hunted for their food and fought with long spears. They did have a strong fleet of ships that were very simple in design. When one takes a closer look you find that their society was as modern as any other at the time, being skilled craftsman, diplomats and warriors. The people were divided into tribes/clans, and land into providence's and their was the normal social hierarchy (kings, lords, high preist/ess, bards, etc).

The religious tradition of the Picts was a solitary one. It was only on rare occasions that a clan would celebrate a holiday together. The craft is one that is centered around the earth and their personal connection to it. There is very little worship of gods or deities. I feel this is because the Picts believed that they honored the gods everyday by incorporating the craft into their everyday life. This is apparent by the slew of superstitions- one example of this only serving food and drink deisiel (clock-wise). As a matter of fact, they began just about every important undertaking by walking in a circle three times clock-wise. I believe this is related to the rotation of the earth and solar bodies. Every event a Picts life seemed to have had a certain mini ritual attached to it, whether it ensuring the fishermen ensuring good weather for the day by walking by monoliths on cliff 7 times before setting out in the morning, or carrying lucky penny (talisman) wherever they go. There is a great sense of connection to the gods through the earth and honoring the land and knowledge that was gifted to them. They seemed to have flowed with the laws of the earth, thus eliminating the need for mass rituals, preformed on special days honoring a particular god. As a matter of fact, the Pecti-Witan (those who practice the Scottish tradition) very rarely cast spells or perform elaborate rituals. Spell casting is reserved for an important need, never want and for the most part it was to serve the community and ensure it's well being. It should be noted that after quite some time, Pecti-Wita absorbed Druidism into the repertoire during the medieval period.

Scottish Magick

This is an interesting sect of witchcraft. It is not easy to find information n Pecti-Wita, but with that comes a lack of ritual instruction. There are, however, some basic instruction and I think the objective may be to develop your own ritual use a sort of template. The time of year, days, time of day and moon phase (though quarter moons are favored at times, consecration rituals take place at sunrise) are unimportant. Rituals begin by centering yourself to draw up the earth's energy from your feet, driving out negative energy. Then by walking three times around clock-wise in a circle, it is cast and the rituals moves from there. When the ritual is over, you release the power back into the earth.

They believed profusely in the power of mind though and will combined as magick itself with the help of the power of the earth. The mind was first used to achieve a goal rather then a spell, for they believed that it was the mind that made the magick. They were practical witches as well and lived off the basic human needs. Initiation usually involved a vision quest similar to that of some American Indian tribes. A big part of their practice was 'riding the wind' which is essence is astral travel. Seership was often common in the highlands of Scotland and there where quite a few well known psychics throughout Scotland. One example is 'The Brahan Seer' who is as famous in Scotland as Nostrodamus is elsewhere. MAnother neat working in this tradition is that of poppets. Poppets are similar to voodoo dolls but are filled with acorns. The acorns represent strength and by putting them it the poppet, the person it is being used for will receive strength to reach the needed result. Unlike Voodoo dolls reputation, Poppets were made to heal the sick, including yourself, or as representations when casting a spell to help someone else.

The ethics are similar to Wicca if not the same. Yet, this is a very elusive trad because it has molded to it many other traditions. The Picts and the Scots molded into one and so did their religion. Much of the history of the Picts is lost to us forever and surely along with it the history of their religion. From what we do know the Scottish Tradition is very shamanistic in nature, very informal and made to be practical to make the tradition a part of everyday life.

I didn't go over the tools though I said I would but Megan did a good job with that all ready. I would like to add, however, that the Picts believed the more you use your magickal tool in your everyday life the better it will serve you.

Resouces
Raymond Buckland's Scottish Witchcraft
More Info on holidays, gods and tools

Blessed Be Everyone

Blue

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