Note #31...part #2 of Color Magick.
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BLUE: promotes happiness; peace & tranquillity; healing; aids in meditation as it connects to intellect and mind. WATER ELEMENT. SKY SYMBOL.
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LIGHT BLUE: aids tranquillity, understanding, patience and health.
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DARK BLUE: connects to depression and impulsiveness; changability in a negative manner.
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BLACK: the protector & shielder, good for Banishing and/or Binding Spells; this color aids self control, quiet power, resilience, as it absorbs negativity and destroys it; the strengthening and support in spells; also an aid during loss. SPACE SYMBOL.
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NOTE! Some lists are different so here they are,
separated by ...dots...
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Season Colors:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Winter.....white.....black
Spring.....green.....yellow
Summer.....red.......orange
Autumn.....blue......brown
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Month Colors:
^^^^^^^^^^^^
January red...........black
February purple........brown
March light blue....blood red
April white.........yellow
May green.........green
June cream.........orange
July blood red.....dark blue
August pale green....white
September dark blue.....medium blue
October rainbow.......rainbow
November yellow........purple
December medium blue...light green
Day Colors:
^^^^^^^^^^
Monday.....white....silver/grey...silver
Tuesday....red......red...........blood red
Wednesday..purple...purple........black
Thursday...blue.....orange........sky blue
Friday.....green....green.........orange
Saturday...black....blue..........green
Sunday.....yellow...white.........golden yellow
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NOTE: The names of our day were named as following:
Monday for the Moon Goddess; Tuesday for the Norse God of War, Tyr; Wednesday is for Woden (Odin) the main God of Norse beliefs; Thursday, for Thor, Norse God of thunder & lightning; Friday is the Norse Goddess of love, Freya; Saturday is for Saturn and Sunday for the Sun.
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Note #31a, FROM: MICHAEL KRUE, reposted with his permission.
Hi, DenElder,
Thanks for the other info. and thank you for asking me to share what I have.
ASTRAL COLORS
Primary Secondary
Aquarius --- Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Blue Green
Pisces ----- Feb. 19 - Mar. 20 White Green
Aries ------ Mar. 21 - Apr. 19 White Pink
Taurus ----- Apr. 20 - May 20 Red Yellow
Gemini ----- May 21 - June 21 Red Blue
Cancer ----- June 22 - July 22 Green Brown
Leo -------- July 23 - Aug. 22 Red Green
Virgo ------ Aug. 23 - Sep. 22 Gold Black
Libra ------ Sep. 23 - Oct. 22 Black Blue
Scorpio ---- Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Brown Black
Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Gold Red
Capricorn -- Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Red Brown
DAYS OF THE WEEK
Sunday Yellow
Monday White
Tuesday Red
Wednesday Purple
Thursday Blue
Friday Green
Saturday Black
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I also have the significance of the colors and will check them against your listing and will post if I see any difference. Most of them seem to coincide though. In fact, what struck me was the significance of the colors here and in the Catholic Church are much the same.
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Love to all,
Mike
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Note #31b, FROM: ROBERT THOMAS reposted with his permission.
Well, here's the version I was trained with:
Aries......... RED
Taurus........ GREEN
Gemini........ ORANGE and/or BLUE
Cancer........ DARK GREEN
Leo........... GOLD &/or YELLOW
Virgo.......... WHITE W/ BLACK VEINS, MARBLED CANDLES
Libra.......... LIGHT BLUE
Scorpio........ PURPLE &/or BLACK
Sagittarius.... ROYAL BLUE
Capricorn...... BROWN &/or BLACK
Aquarius....... ICE BLUE, PALE YELLOW
Pisces......... BLUE-GREEN
Hope it helps....
BBnL&L,
Gwydion
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Note #32...I wanted to talk about: Flame Dancing.
I'm not sure you can properly call this Fire Magick, nor if there is another more popular name. It's actually like the exercise of Donuting Clouds, which I've talked about. And will repeat, in case you missed it...lay on your back, stare up at a slow moving cloud and 'stare' a hole through the cloud to blue sky. This is an exercise of the mind in patience and discipline. I believe Granny taught me Flame Dancing, for the same purpose. This is the act of staring (looking) at a candle flame (lamp wick, in the old days), if the flame is calm, make it flicker; if it flickers, make it calm and steady; ultimately, you will flicker, calm, back and forth AND THEN snuff the candle flame. YES! IT CAN BE DONE! Not always of course, but when the Goddess is Alive and the Magick runs High - oh yes! it CAN be done. But HOW to do it. I'm not sure! I seem to reach out from my chest with energy to manipulate the flame. At times, it feels like I've stepped from body and am myself the flame. I can explain it no better, I'm afraid. I can say this, I don't make any hand motions or anything or breathe, to have this occur. I can't explain what a good Christian, like Granny was; was doing teaching me such things either!
I won't repeat the Fire Magick spells, mentioned in note #7. Fire can also be used as a scrying tool. Whether a leaping bonfire, quiet fireplace fire, candle flame or even the red hot embers...FIRE soothes and quiets the mind. You don't even have to work at it, just relax and stare deeply into it. Use Aromatic Magick by throwing on some cedar, juniper, or sandalwood and breathe deep. Not necessary, of course but VERY NICE touch! Breathe deep and relax and after awhile your Psychic Mind and the Unconscious will come alive. Troubles find solutions, past life memories walk once more, and even the future can perform there in front of you. APing is possible now, let your Spirit take flight, and soar. Let it go! And WALK the WIND!
Fire is burning and destructive power. Give it your troubles, as in the notes thrown in. Give it your bad habits, your anger and hatred to burn it away clean. It is the Great Cleanser, empower it with your inadequate feelings and self hatred, your doubts and cares.
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And a last word concerning CANDLE MAGICK...do NOT use candles that are cracked. The energy with which you will be working tends to 'leak' through the cracks. However, if you have candles that cracks have occured in, do this: light another small candle and take the cracked one and slowly move it near the flame, along the crack. Melting and softening the wax in a manner that you can 'heal' the crack back over. Either melt it together and away and/or aiding it by pressing the seams together as you work it. As you work this, empower healing thoughts into the wax, and thoughts of 'wholeness'.
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And last but not least: DON'T BURN THE HOUSE DOWN!
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Note #33...starting the Water Magick notes.
FROM: Lady RAVEN GRIMASSI *reposted with her permission*
SUBJECT: FUTURE / note on Water Scrying...
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This technique is a very ancient one, and common among Shamanistic Traditions. Divination is the ability to see what patterns are forming towards manifestation. What you "see" is actually what is likely to occur if nothing changes the pattern being "woven". Here is a technique which I teach: Pour some bottled water into a cereal bowl. Mix either a blue or a green food color into the water, so that the liquid is dark enough to hide the bottom of the bowl. At this point you have a reflective surface. Place two candles as your source of light, so that the light does not reflect upon the liquid (off a foot or two, in front of you should do it). Next is a series of hand passes over the liquid, slowly and deliberately. Magically speaking, the right hand is of an electrical nature/active charge, and the left hand is of a magnetic/receptive charge. Right handed pass will strengthen the image and left handed passes will attract the image to form. Begin by making left handed passes over the bowl, in a clockwise circle, just a few inches above the water (palms open and facing down). Stop, and gaze into the dark liquid, not At the liquid, but INTO the liquid. You will need to repeat these passes as you go, from time to time. Alternate between the left hand and the right hand. This requires patience, and time. Use your intuition as you sit before the bowl. Make sure the area is quiet and there are no distractions.
Drinking some Rosemary tea, prior to Divination, can aid in the work. There are several herbs which aid the Psychic Mind, this is just one of them (careful though, Rosemary can be toxic in large quantities). Well, I hope this is of some help to you. Have a great Future !!
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Many Blessings,
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Raven
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Thanks to Lady Raven for allowing me to post her Water Scrying note. She also has wonderful notes on the Old Ways, under that so-named subject. WELL WORTH catching!
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NOTE: the hand energies are what I describe as Projective for right hand in right handed persons; and Receptive in the left hand of same. Swith if Left handed. DenElder
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Note #34 WATER Magick!
In Note #8, I first touched on this subject:
WATER Magick, sustaining and life giving; deep and mysterious; cleansing. Many uses can be incorporated with what type of water you have: pond or lake; stream or well. There is water scrying, and dowsing. Empower a rock with your cares and throw it very hard out into a lake or ocean, to take your troubles with it. Lie in a swift running stream to ground, and cleanse Self. Wash your troubles away! And who hasn't used a 'Wishing Well'? A Diana Mirror: go on a Full Moon night, to a still pond or lake, that reflects the Moonlight. Invoke Luna, Selena, Diana or any other favorite Moon Goddess, and stare into the bright reflection upon the black waters. This is good for divining, scrying, meditation and other works in need of connecting to Psychic Self. The old saying, that evil can't cross running water is true. I prefer saying negativity, myself but running water does indeed purify, ground and neutralize. So THAT's why I often recommend a shower!
Raven's note talked of scrying in a bowl of colored water, however the first bowls of 'water', were urine and already colored and empowered with the person's energies. Of course, not always, and dyes or herbs, etc were used. Another common scrying and divining spell was 'spit'. Recently on Lonesome Dove, the cook had one of the main characters, spit on the wagon floor so cook could tell him if he would ever marry again. Actually, this is a an excellent means because again, you had water already empowered to the person.
Most water magick is thought of as dowsing with a forked wooden switch, that is: the person walks around with the stick to find water hidden out of sight underground. But by now you can see, there is much more to it and that dowsing is only a part of the many possibilities. My parents loved to fish and I drove them quite crazy. First, I wasn't especially interested in catching a creature by the means applied. And second, it was more fun to just sit in the boat, dangling over the side to 'stare' into the water.
One of the pleasurable memories I have is sitting and staring into ponds and lakes. Sometimes it was the plants, insects and fish. Fascinating! And sometimes, it was the sinking of the spirit, down into the water itself. Not a fearful thing, but a heavy feeling such as one feels under water. Somewhat the feeling as when one AP's but different. You can walk the past, see the future, see yourself in away I would describe as being able to step back and honestly see one's good and bad points realistically. And depending on your ability, you can stop the fish from 'biting'! <giggle>
Of course this can be done with running water, too. The feeling is different, then. Exciting and bursting with energy and life! Energizing and cleansing! This has got to be one of the most satisfying means of grounding away your cares, troubles and negativity.
Water. Most of our world is covered with it, SALT water at that! Our body is mostly made of it, too; again SALT water. From water are we born, both as a species and as human babies. As we work to clean our precious Air, let us remember that Water is just as precious.
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Note #35...We are born with whatever name that our parents or guardian sees fit to bestow upon us. Some of us legally change this mundane label to one that better suits our Self. Some settle for a nickname. Some then have a callname, such as once made famous by CB'ers, those using Citizen Band Radios especially truckdrivers who still use this important communication system amongst themselves. On the P* network, many use these 'handles', which are a fun part of the P* experience.
Then we have those names, more seriously used amongst the Folk. More than just a nickname or handle, they are representative of how we and others see us. And behind these names are yet more names, at this level we get into more secrecy, more Magicking, more of Self that is taken out of hiding to share with others of likemind. To freely give another knowledge of these more secretive names, is an honor & vote of confidence that says - I trust you.
So I start with the question - 'How do you guys find your names?' First realize that many here are still at the 'playing' level, taking a fun name. Which is fine! But here we want something that 'speaks' to Self, a favorite name, song or lyric, just whatever you like, and of course these can get changed fairly often. More seriously taken, you hunt more seriously & carefully for this name. It takes on a more deeper meaning, more spiritual, less easily changed at a whim's notice. Often it speaks of a hidden characteristic, to which we are addressing, true or not; but as Self perceives Self. But still at a fairly superficial level.
Next comes the seeker of a more meaningful & Magickal name. Here, we mean business. Here we want something that more sincerely harmonizes to Self. This name is one used amongst your close group, be it friendly clique, Circle, or Coven. Many will have a name per group.
WHY? For several reasons...among the foremost reasons being to hide your true identity. We have much to fear from those who think we are Satanists, crazies, cultist nuts, murders, etc. etc. If you don't know my real name, you can betray me, you can't hunt me down, or bother my family. You can't betray me. Yes, we are a suspicious lot but see to history to figure out why. Right now on this board, we have people being persecuted because they are not followers of JudeoChristianity. You also have people who say this is my name & my belief, thus standing up for their beliefs!
Another reason for a Magickal Name, is protection and empowering energies. You hopefully share some of the energies generated by the name itself. Liking one's name, certainly makes you more positive about yourself. It can mean another layer to your protective shield by the imagery brought to mind. These reasons will change from one Pagan to another, remember.
Now to me the most Magickal of names will be numerological correct. Now Numerology can be a very indepth field of study, one quite beyond this writer; however it is very simple to apply Number Magick to one's name. And in the next note, we will use Buckland's system to try and help YOU, find your name.
more>>>
Note #36...You now have an idea of a name you like, you're drawn to it, this is IT! Or is it?
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1) First step is finding your Birth Number. This is done by adding the date digits together, until you have a single digit, and THIS single digit is your Birth Number & often Lucky Number, as well.
Zeros get dropped. It's VERY EASY! Our example:
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(month, day, year)
Sept.16, 1972 birthdate = 9 + 16 + 1972 = 1997 =
1 + 9 + 9 + 7 = 26 and 2 + 6 = 8 the Birth Number.
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2) We now assign numbers to letters:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The goal is to match
a b c d e f g h i the sum of the name
j k l m n o p q r numbers to the birth
s t u v w x y z number, here it's 8.
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I like the name: F I R E B U G, which is the numbers:
6+9+9+5+2+3+7 = a total of 41 =
4 + 1 = the total #5. NO MATCH! But don't despair just change the spelling! Say we add another U which is 3:
Then we have F I R E B U U G and
6+9+9+5+2+3+3+7 = total of 44 = 4 + 4 = 8.
And a match of numbers.
Sometimes you just need to be creative in your name spelling. But if I can do this - YOU CAN!
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Your Birth Number cannot change, by aligning yourself with that number, you are sinking roots, stabilizing, take it as seriously as you did looking for a religion. And if another system feels better to you, do that one instead!
Another thought to those into Crystal Magick, note in my posted files there has been a vibratory number, it usually ends the file; these numbers should correspond positively with the number above for a Lucky Stone. HOWEVER, numbers and I do NOT get along and this doesn't work for me, but it MIGHT for you...
If you want to REALLY get into this, get yourself a translation of runes, then spell your letters in runes instead of our alphabet. Makes a great Magickal signoff to written spells, engraving candles, & numerous other purposes. To really drive a nosey person crazy, impose these types of letters ON TOP of each other to get a name, only a few symbols involved, they can be quite undeciphorable! And after awhile, that symbol can take on power.
With closing let me advise you, the neophyte: do NOT ask another person their Magickcal Name. This is quite rude and as bad as asking them their Matron and/or Patron Diety's name. If they don't mind you knowing, they will offer, often as a sign of deep friendship, respect, and trust. To ask after a name used on the public board is different, it has already become public knowledge. (What an understatement!)
And don't get discouraged, often a name takes a while finding you. Just take your time, be creative; no need to steal another's name. Then when you least expect it, there it is putting a comehither on you. And if you DON'T find it, don't worry. It's hardly the end of the world!
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Note #37...From my glossary I pulled the following in, to get this note started: ALTAR: a table of sorts, on which is done magick. Sometimes round to Symbolize the Goddess, or square and represents the Elements. Best made of wood, and facing East toward the rising of both Sun and Moon. The left 1/3 is for the Goddess, center for both Diety and right 1/3, for the God. Suggested layout (S. Cunningham / Solitary Practitioner):
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#1.....................................................
........................flowers........................
.......Goddess Symbol......................God Symbol..
.........or candle......censor..............or candle..
.......................................................
.......water bowl.......red candle.........salt bowl...
.......................................................
........................Pentacle.......................
.......................................................
...chalice or cup.....offering plate......incense......
.......................................................
.......wand.............cauldron..........athame.......
.......................................................
.......bell...........spell material......bolline......
.......................................................
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#2...(Cunningham is contradictory, note the two censors! so added the next from his writings, as another possibility.)
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Goddess symbol flowers God symbol
cup cauldron censor
pentacle censor wand
bell pentacle athame
crystal bolline
cauldron
Now the question was, 'what's all that junk for?', which was sincerely asked and not meant scornfully. So I thought it was time to get into the subject because I think if you've been a Rambling Reader, by now you are ready for this.
First off, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN ALTAR!!! Remember, it's just another tool like everything else. NOR do you have to have it set up on a permanent basis. NOR do you have to have this fancy contraption with all the trimmings.
That said, although your altar can be ANYTHING you have handy; I'm going to address the socalled 'proper' by the book type altar and 'what all that junk is for'. Remember YOU decide what YOUR altar is made of and YOU decide what materials and 'junk' go upon it and where these items are placed.
If you are lucky enough to have room and a lack of nebby neighbors; you can set up outside. And for the outside altar, you could use a large rock, a nice big tree stump, or a cut log that has an end or side flattened out. Outside altars can be so very special, and to me are in a more natural setting for the Pagan follower.
continued >>>>>>>> Note 37, part B.
part B continued...For inside, you ideally are looking for a piece of furniture that LACKS ANY STEEL PARTS. It should be glued or pegged but you don't want bands, screws, or nails, etc. Brass is ok, but you don't run into that too often. WHY? Because we are dealing with energies. The energies you will work with in your magicking. The natural energies of items such as flowers, candles, crystals, etc. The energies in your tools that is stored, for directed during magicking. The ONLY metal you want around your altar will be from your knives, wand, sword, etc. But metal in the altar will be short-circuiting the magickal energy. Exceptable material that is NONconductive: brass, glass, gold, silver, stone, & wood. One of the best altar tops is one of marble!
The shape can be whatever is convenient and will FIT! Too many of us just doesn't have much room. But ideally you want to think about your worship practices. A round shape is natural because of how we work in circles of magick and round spheres are symbolic of the Goddess. However, to those who Call Watchtowers, many of these Folk prefer a squared shape, since it works for their 'four corners' method. YOU will have to decide this considering what space you have.
Right now, (at the time of this writing), I have a square topped 'cabinet' with an ivy circle stenciled on the top. And it's up against one wall. It also has doors that open in the front with shelves within, but I did make it myself (It looks it! Giggle!) This is why I usually don't use it but set up on the floor for rituals! But I've no room to do as I please. This altar is permanently setup though with some of the 'junk', I'll be discussing.
By now you understand that most everything we do is symbolic; the 'things' and tools that we use are to aid our Unconscious Mind to do as we direct it. To make it understand or program it, to our desire. The tools that are used upon the altar, represent several things: the Lord & Lady, the Elementals, etc. Now, most if not all these tools are covered and explained in the Glossary, which I expect you to have by now. The list coming up, will deal with the symbolism that goes with the tool. We don't view Deity living in the altar or like the Goddess statue BEING the Goddess, these are manifestations & symbols...
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continued on next note, #37, part C.
Note #37, part C...
LEFT THIRD/GODDESS SIDE:
Goddess symbol: A photo or sculpture that represents
YOUR image of the Goddess. Or a seashell, crystal
sphere, decorative rabbit or owl, etc.
or candle: represent Her with a green, silver, or
white candle.
water bowl: Water Element.
chalice: Water Element, symbol of marriage, abundance,
inexhaustible sustenance; as such could go in the
Middle Section.
cup: Water Element, Goddess symbol & of fertility.
wand: Air Element.
bell: Goddess symbol, also all the Elements.
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MIDDLE SECTION/BOTH:
flowers: Earth Element & Earth Goddess symbol.
censor: smoke is Air Element, fire is Fire Element.
red candle: besides making it handy to read by, if
it's dark; this represents both Deity, Life,
the Great Circle, and Magick itself.
pentacle: Wiccan religion, 5 Elements; see Glossary.
offering plate: Deity offerings as thanks for their
presence. Herbs, flowers, spices can be used.
cauldron: Symbol of the Goddess, Water Element,
reincarnation, immortality, & inspiration.
spell material: ingredients needed, self explanatory.
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RIGHT THIRD/GOD SECTION:
God symbol: statue or picture, or antler/horn, buck
deer, ripe grains, bull or falcon statues, acorns
& pine cones, etc.
or candle: use a gold, red, or yellow candle.
salt bowl: Earth Element & semen.
(Salt Water represents Life.)
incense: Air Element.
athame: Symbolic of the extremes between positive &
negative among other things, see Glossary.
bolline: working tool to help prepare herbs, snuffing
the candles. A candle snuffer could go here or you
might centrally locate it.
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KEEP MATCHES HANDY & something to put used ones in!
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North: is home to stable, fertile, Earth Element, represented by a bowl of soil, flowers, or salt. The Power direction!
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East: censor & incense, symbol of the Air Element, East is the direction of the Intellect. The direction of the rising Sun & Moon.
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South: is the direction of strong, passionate Fire Element.
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West: the emotional Water Element can be represented by the Water Bowl. Where the Sun & Moon set.
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Now of course these are just guidelines, hopefully as you read there will be an occasional, 'Hey I can do that or this.' I like the ideas of using seashells for the salt & water holders. Others will use mostly candles, I use mostly herbs and crystals. Some want everything placed 'just so', others couldn't care less.
Let your imagination and creativity take over!
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Note #38...
Sometimes I wonder just what the new reader to Wicca, thinks 'Spells' are. Do they think we are deluded Samantha's and Endora's? And excapees from Bewitched and Warlock and other fantasy shows and movies. Maybe they believe, we believe we can twitch our noses, wave our wands, and furniture goes dancing. It just seems that out of the readers and visitors, everybody has a very expanded thought on the matter. And I chuckle to myself, wondering at where such very strange thoughts came to them from. It just seems (to me at least), that common sense would TELL you BETTER. Obviously not.
The highfalutin definition of a 'spell' is: "a magickal ritual wherein a person actively bends natural energies for a needed purpose." Or something similar. But all that means is that you have something needs doing, and you put your will power to getting it done. And if you DON'T have the willpower with help from natural talent, all the wandwaving, chanting, dressuping, won't get you anywhere!
Except maybe in trouble!
I still see subjects, 'Want a Spell for This', or a 'Spell for That'. Then these people wonder why nobody will answer them, get mad at being ignored. Well, TO THESE Sweethearts let me be blunt - if you knew ANYTHING about doing a spell, you wouldn't need detailed answers like you ask for. And since you DON'T KNOW this VERY basic fact, I'd be VERY surprised if a knowledgeable AND experienced Witch, would give you any help except to let you know your ignorance. And very likely, let you know in a rather rude manner! IF you ask such a question, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS MESSING WITH SPELLS! But then I DO see somebody giving advise, read between the lines of this note and it's obvious what I think of them!
You won't see any of the long time Witches/Wiccans bragging how they know it all. This is because we NEVER stop learning! So when some young thing comes along, pushing their self importance without caring what results, I suggest you not be stupid enough to take them up on their advice without checking about. Do they really know? Age certainly makes no difference! We have OLD FOOLS and YOUNG GIFTEDS.
Just remember, YOU will be responsible for catastrophes, boo boos and uh ohs. If it's an accident or not, YOU did it. And though no other person ever finds it out, "What goes around, Comes Around." And to those fools, who are playing the bigshot - "What goes around, COMES AROUND!" And that is a most earnest warning...
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Note #39...part #1.
I would recommend to my readers, that once you get started & find this is your path...delve more deeply into the Craft than just Cunningham and all the bandwagon-writers out there. We have a rich history, dating back pre - Judeo Christianity. We have roots stretching to many countries. New is good. Experimentation is good if positively done. But there are so many proven rituals, & ways of doing things. Don't pass by this knowledge, it's your heritage & these things STILL work!
You think I know so much, but I don't. I'm still learning. I just have the patience, time & willingness to help the new seeker. But Cunningham to Wicca is like baby food, at some stage you will very likely grow beyond this source of knowledge, looking for something more 'chewable'. I was raised among devout, faithful Christians practicing pagan exercises. I didn't have the opportunities to learn from those like Domi or Raven. I do now. Do not waste the chance you blessed Folk have. LEARN while you can from people who practice & LIVE a pagan lifestyle, no matter what tradition they follow.
And while I'm at it, I want to comment on something else. IF IT HARM NONE, DO WHAT YOU WILL. I know by now you have heard this umptine times. You know that it means no harm to others or other things or even yourself. BUT I hope you don't sit there on your butts, letting this passively work in your life. YES, don't go harming things. BUT I think it also means you should get out there in this world and DO SOME GOOD! If you have read through all my notes, you are not a complete novice. Likely you have self-dedicated.
Look at us! We are about CHANGE!
We do spells to enact a change for the good or health of the need involved. Rituals exercise CHANGE! That is what we are about. Our existence is to CHANGE in our very Spirits! We can not sit back and do nothing. Not being who and what we are. Look around your world, and ask 'what can I do?' Visit a lonely person, read a book to a child, recycle news- papers, get out and rally. See? Some things can be so simple and easy they aren't thought of. Others are dramatic & even dangerous. Plant a tree. Many of you are school students. That doesn't excuse you from doing something. Pick up trash from the street in front of your house. Help a classmate study or just a friendly smile. Don't pour household cleaners down the drain.
And foremost - take responsibility!
You are old enough to know right from wrong. So don't blame the bar who sold you wine when YOU knew you shouldn't have it. Don't blame cheating on a test to the kid in front whose answers weren't hidden by their body from your sight. Don't do bad things because the other kids are doing it. Have some pride in yourself. Be honorable and trustworthy.
I've seen many things reading the boards over the past couple years, mostly good things but we are human, too. So let me close by adding some thoughts of interrelating with other pagans:
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Note #39...part #2.
1) What is right for YOU, may not be right for others. Don't press your own beliefs in a strident & argumentative manner that is detrimental to nerves and friendships.
REMEMBER: you are dealing with people who are VERY sensitive!
2) Tradition is WONDERFUL! It gives roots & stability, however I suggest you not allow yourself to be so mired in it, that you lose sight of the fact that when a Tradition, refuses to change or bend, it soon will no longer exist.
It will self terminate.
3) Who are YOU to say what is or is not tradition? Quite frankly, I make my OWN traditions, thankyou. And SO CAN YOU! Unless you come from Family Trads or have a person like my Granny, it seems to me that is what you have to do. Even this business with Gardner, maybe I'm wrong but sure seems like he took old and changed to make new.
I think if it WORKS, then don't worry about 'tradition'. Just make sure it is positive magicking, and if you don't want to follow more traditional traditions, don't!
4) Don't be something, you aren't. First off, you're messing around a bunch of psychics, and trying to hide a secret from such, is like calling the hounds to a hunt! Or running from a wild animal. It triggers a response to 'hunt out' the hidden. I know several people playing games, exaggerating, etc. THAT IS THEIR BUSINESS, not mine.
Listen to your inner intuition. Does it 'sound' & 'feel' right to you? And remember...YOU are the SUM of generations, of your upbringing & bloodlines. You are the SUM of what you remember of past lives, whether you consciously remember these or not. You are the SUM, of YOU! Do not doubt or question the merit of that sum! Don't let others PLANT DOUBTS in you of your own selfworth.
5) When you want to answer a question or add your 2 cents worth... do you know enough about that person to make an intelligent statement? You might know the subject at hand, but they don't or they wouldn't be asking. CONSIDER THEM! And consider that SOME questions deserve only SILENCE, as an answer!
Don't presume to answer & correct your 'betters', that is; persons who have earned R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!! I often see neophytes who correct lifers in the craft and verify their answer with 'and I read such & such book!', or 'I know because I'm a college student!' You can just SEE these people puffing themselves up with self importance NOT REALIZING they are making total fools of themselves AND cutting their own throats by alienating a possible gold mine of help & information. And gently trying to point out their lack of tact or knowledge is USUALLY like spitting in the wind. You'll get it right back in the face.
NOBODY, not even long-term practitioners - KNOW IT ALL! They will be the first to admit, they're still learning.
6) Do YOU have the right to push your own beliefs on somebody else? Good question for thumpers, actually! <VBG> But anyway, SOMETIMES I think you do. Ex being: don't use ouiji boards; don't do negative spells; etc. HOWEVER, try to be 'nice' about it. NOT condescending OR belittling - 'hey stupid, everybody knows better than that!' That's exaggerated but you know what I mean.
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Note #39...part #3. more of my OWN thoughts...
7) Not everybody is meant for group worship and involvement. I really hate it when somebody says 'covens are the only REAL way to do magick.' NONSENSE! In this day and age, practicing Solitary does have merit. I can't speak for in the past. And the worth of our many Solitaries, is their continued good works that float on the fields and winds. Groups are nice, especially when there is a great need; but they aren't the end-all of being a witch.
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8) I think and believe in my heart & soul, that if you are happy on your path. THAT is all that matters. Your positive exercises will show in good works & deeds and a fulfilling life. Sure bad things happen! Divorce, bodily deaths, accidents - but that is all part of the Great Circle, part of getting lemons.
Those who practice negative magicking, might be happy but these things will catch up to them. They are just sitting there, a ticking bomb! Just a matter of time and - KA BOOM!
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I guess to sum all this rambling up (2 1/2 notes worth!), is that I hope you try and see the other person's side, be sensitive and polite. Don't stomp on others' emotions and feelings. Everybody says things thoughtlessly from time to time but I hope you strive not to. To think!
And there is NO SHAME attached to making apologies. To admitting 'sorry, I don't know.' To showing tact, love, and sensitivity. To keeping quiet in the face of stupidity!
There are MANY paths between Self and Divine, by whichever path you choose - be the BEST follower, you know how to be! And may the Lord & Lady always bless you. And may One Above All, always guide you.
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