Winter Solstice - 21st to 22nd December

The Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year but also the longest night of the year, it generally occurs around the 21st-23rd of December and it has been celebrated since the first days of Stonehenge; possibly even before then.

Winter Solstice also marks the time when light is returning, the cycle of the year is turning back to the times of Spring and new life. For some, the Winter solstice is also known as Yule. It was tradition in Europe to keep a special log in the home to promote health and prosperity, this Yule log is placed on your hearth to burn for twelve nights in that Season. Afterwards it is kept in your home to serve as a reminder of the times that have passed. Some prefer to bake a Yule log, there are many varieties and it is entirely up to you. You can serve it at a special Solstice dinner.

Other things to do on the Winter Solstice:

If you haven't already, put up your Christmas tree and decorate it with your family. Traditionally, you would decorate your tree with things you want in the year to come. Decorating it with holly, is thought to help women conceive, while decorating it with a theme of red honors the Sun King's return and the longer day-light hours.

Bake a Yule log with your family, children will love this activity.

Go for a walk in a nearby park.

Plan games and activities with the children, give the games a Yule theme.

I wish everyone a very Happy Yule, I hope this blog gave you a few ideas and thank you for reading.

Autumn soup

A lovely soup to have on a chilly Autumn day...

Ingredients

2 vegetable stock cubes
1 curry stock cube
1 bunch of Coriander finely chopped
3-4 oz of pumpkin
1 marrow diced
4 carrots
3 sweet potatoes
1 onion
1 tablespoon of butter

Method:

Cook everything together in a large pot of boiling water until everything has reduced and cooked, then pour out the soup into a sieve (make sure you catch the liquid underneath into a bowl). Then mash the softened vegetables, put the mashed veg back into the soup and cook until it has further reduced to a runny-thick consistency. This soup is really good served with garlic bread.

Tip: Once served into bowls, lightly pour cold single cream over each soup serving. It adds a lovely flavour and looks great if done in a little swirl.

Pumpkin Pie

A classic for Halloween and very easy to make...

Shortcrust Pastry
4oz plain white flour
4oz butter
tsp sugar
tsp salt
cup of water

Filling
1 cup 1/2 of pureed pumpkin
8 floz of single cream
2 eggs
4-5 oz of brown sugar
1 tsp all spice
1 tsp of ground ginger

Method:

Roll out the pastry over a pie dish and fit into the corners, then mix together the filling in a bowl. Just pour the filling into the pie case and bake in a pre-heated oven at Gas mark 5/ 375degrees F for 40-45 minutes.

Samhain/Halloween October 31st 2011

Happy Halloween to you all!! The 31st of October is known to many people as Halloween, but it is also called Samhain, the day of the dead or just a day for spending time with family. Samhain also marks the end of the Seasonal year, when the cycle of the year finishes and starts again with All Saints day on November 1st.
Now is the time for being thankful for what nature has brought to you, for the fortune that may have come to you this year, for what you have yet to do and for what you need to improve on in the year to come.
Samhain is also the Day of the Dead, when you remember those that have passed away. Taking a walk outside is a brilliant way of clearing your head and fully appreciating the Season.

There are other ways to celebrate Samhain depending on your culture, beliefs and even time you have available to you.

• Put together a party and invite your closest friends and family, make or buy a banquet of little foods.
• Pumpkin Carving is my personal favourite, then use the insides for a homemade soup or pumpkin pie.
• Get busy in the kitchen and do some baking.
• Put together a Samhain alter and make an offering to your chosen Deity.
• Relax at home with your family and have a quiet dinner, make time for your family and have a Halloween themed movie night.
• Go for a walk and collect some fallen leaves to go on your Samhain Alter.
• Get creative and decorate your home
• Work on your Book of Shadows

Those are only a few ideas, there are millions of things you could do on Samhain. I hope everyone enjoys their day! Thankyou for reading!

Song for Autumn

Whispering trees and chilly winds,

This is the song that Autumn sings,

Warm sun and dark mornings,

Welcome us to the time of falling.

Mabon 21st-23rd September

Autumn is here! My favourite time of year because of it's colour and business. This is also the time of sacrifice. Mabon is used as a time to recognise that all things mus whither and die, but they will return in another form.

This is a good time to take a walk outside, to experience and feel the season surrounding you. Take photos of the changing leaves, watch for animals and listen to the sounds of Autumn.

Now is also the time for cleaning and preparing your home for Autumn, clean your windows, wash your curtains, clean out the fireplace and hoover. Don't forget to stock up on food, just as our ancestors used to make the Summer's harvest into jams and preserves to last through the Winter. Time is different now, and we can simply go to the Supermarket, but I still like to do it the old way.

Meditate on what the Summer has brought to you and how you plan to welcome the Autumn, how you celebrate it is of your own choosing. Making an alter, creating your own spells or leaving an offering are good ways to honour Mabon.

Happy Mabon to you all! Blessed Be.

Wiccan Recipes - Lammas loaves

Lammas Loaves

1 1/2 cups warm water
1oz yeast
3 tsps honey
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 ozs butter

Melt extra butter for the topping

Method:

Mix honey, butter and salt into a bowl, pour in the warm water then stir well. Stir the 2 1/1 cups of flour gradually into the mix. While the mixture cools, dissolve the yeast in water then pour it into the mixture. Mix well, then add the 2 cups of whole-wheat flour. Turn the dough out onto a floured board with floured hands, to prevent sticking. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, then place in a greased bowl with a damp cloth over it.

Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours. This time knead the dough for 5 minutes, shape the dough into a loaf shape, or separate the dough into two then shape. Place the dough into a greased loaf tin, then let it rise again for an hour.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375-degrees for 45 minutes, once done and cooled. Eat the loaves with your family during a Lammas picnic or make the loaf part of your offering to the Divine!

Love, light and blessings to you all!

Lughnasadh - 1st August 2011

Merry Meet everyone, Lughnasadh (Lammas) has come around again. Right here in England the weather is changeable, but the best of the Sun does shine through occasionally, warming the ground and improving the harvest for this Summer. Personally, I am eagerly awaiting the Autumn months when nature changes into the most gorgeous colours.

I thought I might post some background information on the festival of Lughnasdh. This festival is also known as Lammas and it celebrates the first harvest of the year. The days are waning and Autumn is coming, so we begin to see the plants of Spring withering now, their fruits are dropping and getting ready to seed for the coming year.

Bread can be baked from the first grains of the harvest, a feast can be lain from the Summer fruits and vegetables of the harvest. From the old celtic religion, the feast would honour the foster Mother of Lugh, who died from exhaustion after planting the crops.

This is also the time to give thanks to the Sun God and the harvest, as he is now ageing and it was his loving rays of light that brought life to our harvest.

With the colder months approaching, don't forget to store your Summer harvest for the Winter. You can do this by preserving fruits and vegetables in cans or freezing.

To celebrate Lughnasadh, here are some tips to enjoy the festival:

• Have a family picnic with Summer food
• Purify and ready your home for the Winter months by cleaning, wash the curtains, clean the fireplace or clean out your cupboards.
• Bake fresh Lammas loaves with your family
• Work on your Book of Shadows
• Do some work in your garden
• Have a day to yourself, take a long bath with some essential oils and meditate on what you have achieved since last Winter. But also think about what you want to achieve in the future months.

I will be posting a new section on Wiccan recipes soon, so look out for the recipe for Lammas bread. Blessings to you all and have a lovely Lughnasadh!

Blessing Moon - 15/07/2011

Happy full moon everyone, Blessing Moon tonight. The full moon of July is known to represent work, tolerance and learning. The spells to do during this time, may relate to your work life, personal relationships or concentration.

There are many activities to do, to fully appreciate Blessing Moon. For each Wiccan it is different, I have listed some possible activities below.

• Set up a Summer altar, you can simply decorate it with Summer colours/fruits or pictures.
• Perform a ritual, thanking your chosen Divine for the fortune that has recently come your way, whether it be a new job, a good harvest or a successful cooking experiment.
• Be creative, choose now to create your own potions, spells or add to your Book of Shadows. As now is the perfect time for any magic!

Blessings to you all!

Sun Blessing

Here is a simple Sun Blessing, which can be used in many ways. Before using the spell, think about how you want to convey the spell. You can do this by sitting in a ritual with your chosen candles, or simply by walking outside amongst nature and the Divine.

Bless you Sun, for all you bring

To me, life and everything

I hope you bless us with your light

Forever more and with delight.

As the moon is currently waning, now is a good time to learn spells. 

Lunar Eclipse - 15th June 2011

Now is very special, as it is the longest Lunar Eclipse we have seen in over a century. Parts of Europe and most of Asia will be able to see the full eclipse, while the North parts of Europe, South America and Britain will be able to see it partially.

It will appear in a dark orange/red colour, and for the UK and surrounding areas it will appear at 'moonrise' or 9:20pm. Blessings and special rituals are very important right now because of this special event, the energies are at their most potent, and the Sun King's power is also very influential right now with the closeness of the Summer Solstice. I would suggest casting any spells to do with, wealth, health, prosperity, passion and creativity.

Remember, this month's full moon is not only called Strong Sun Moon, it is also called Lover's moon. So spend time with your special someone tonight.

Here are some links to live feeds of the lunar eclipse ->

http://www.astronomylive.com/channel/lesds-channel
http://live.saros.org/


Blessings to everyone and have an eventful day!

Strong sun moon - 15th June

In June, the sun is at it's highest point and the plants are basking under the glorious rays. So it makes sense for this month's full moon to be called the Strong Sun Moon. This moon is also known as Lover's Moon.

Your magical workings should focus on maintaining and enhancing what you already have, so it is a brilliant time for bonding with family, nurturing your garden, career and soul.

Litha - 20th - 23rd June

Litha is approaching, this sabbat is known most commonly as the Summer Solstice. This is the time when the Sun is at it's most powerful and it is also the longest day of the year. Litha is generally celebrated on the 21st but it varies between the 20th and 23rd. This is dependant on the Earth's rotation around the Sun.

Litha has been celebrated since the Ancient times and honouring the Sun's power is still a very important rite, as it gives life and prosperity. Showing your dedication to the Sun King can be shown by performing a rite as most Covens would do, for those that are solitary it does not have to be in the form of a ritual. Below I have listed the many possible ways you can honour the Sun King on Litha.

• Spend time in nature, this is the time when the Sun will shine the most. Go out and enjoy it, take a long stroll or have a picnic in the park.

• Watch the Sun rise and set.

• Help your local community and pick up rubbish in the park, donate old clothes and items to a charity or even help out a neighbour.

• Have a bonfire! Get together with friends and family to celebrate the Sun God. Some believe the fiery aspect of the bonfire symbolises the Sun. If you are among Wicca friends, you may wish to perform the Midsummer Night Fire ritual. This rite can be performed by lighting a bonfire, expressing your gratitude to the Elements and maybe performing a spiral dance... if you wish.

• On a much quieter note, you may want to spend the day to yourself, work on your spirituality or learn a new skill such as herb properties.

• Clean your house, wipe the slate clean as they say.

• Be with your family and bond with them, go to the park, zoo, museum or cinema. Or just stay at home and do some baking. 

• BBQ! Very popular in my family, invite friends and family to an afternoon of lovely summer food and fun. Organise some games for the kids and enjoy the sunshine. You can also take the opportunity to decorate your home in the colours of the Sun.

• Our ancestors had been celebrating the Summer Solstice and marking it with rituals long before us. Honour the season like them, with ritual and prayers. You must recognize the sun and it's power. You can set up a litha altar, by putting midsummer fruits on it, candles, solar symbols and many more.

• ABOVE ALL and the most important part of Litha, is repecting and honouring the Season.

Dark Moon - 01/06/2011

Dark Moon is here, watch for the Goddess tonight. You may not see her in the sky, but she is there and still ominous in her presence. If you can avoid it, do not perform magic tonight. As the energies from the moon are not there and your spell may not work. Blessed Be.

Brilliant Oracle Cards

For a long time I have been using Jessica Galbreth Oracle Cards in my Tarot sessions. Not only are the cards lovely pieces of artwork, but they are marvellous tools to use in Tarot. If you follow the link here it takes you to Amazon where you can get the cards for around £15.

Creating your Sacred Space

Many Witches have an altar, where they practice their Spell-craft and rituals. The first thing to consider before any rite or ritual is preparation, so selecting a special place to practice is important. You need to consider whether you will be disturbed and for some Witches, they prefer to practice within nature, perhaps in the garden or a field. But I would advise on safety, before you consider venturing out by yourself into a quiet countryside area.

For Covens, they use specific tools to represent the Element and the Divine. These are listed below:

• Altar and Altar cloth
• Pentacle
• Symbols of Earth, Air, Fire and Water
• Symbols of the God and Goddess
• The Chalice
• The Athame

But for Solitary Witches, some of these tools can be unattainable or you may simply have a reaction to an incense. So I have listed a few substitutions:

• Altar and Altar cloth - You do not need to have both, some Witches just have a cloth. This does make it easier to practice the Craft whenever and wherever you want.
• Pentacle - This symbol is usually placed at the centre of your Altar, you do not need to have it as some fancy ornament. But you can draw it on a stone or trace it with salt.
• Earth - Generally represented by salt or dirt, but I recommend a small stone because it is less mess.
• Air- It is common to use a incense, but as I said some people may have a reaction to it. So I would suggest a feather or flower.
• Water- As simple as a cup of water, but if you want to be creative use a Sea shell.
• Fire - Generally a candle is used but you can use a gemstone which may have a similar colour.
• Symbols of God - Both of the Divine can be represented by a simple tea light, but if you want specific symbols. The God can be a piece of wood, your Athame, sprig of holly, simple leaf, a painting or a special statue.
• Symbols for the Goddess - A statue, painting, stone with a hole in it, a fruit, flower or your Chalice.
• The Chalice - This is a special cup set aside only for spell-making, giving rites and rituals. This can be as grand or simple a cup as you wish. It might even be a good idea to get a simple plan coloured cup, then draw your own symbols on it. As you know, your own personal touch has the most influence on your magic. Also don't forget, you do not need to have wine when drinking from your chalice, you can also have fruit juice.
• The Athame- Generally in the form of a black or white handled knife, however, some Witches will not bring metal into the circle, and being in possession of a knife can raise issues with your family if they were to happen upon it. So, a very logical substitution can be your wand which can be made from wood, bone or stone. Your wand can simply be a straight stick which you have selected from nature, but don't just start taking from nature and changing the natural order. Just pick something that has already fallen. It can be decorated by yourself or you could simply buy a special made wand from the shop. But I would suggest making it yourself.

Those are just a few substitutions, but your own personal and creative touch is by far more effective. So explore your options when deciding the tools to use on your Altar.

The Wiccan Book of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is a book which contains all of your spells, rituals, recipes and many other Wicca related things. In Covens it is generally given to a Witch when they have been Initiated, or some Covens have one Book of Shadows which everyone contributes to. The Book of Shadows can contain the Coven's traditions, beliefs, Sabbat notes, ritual workings, religious texts and any other notes which the Coven have deemed worthy to put in the Book.

Solitary Witches often make their own Book of Shadows, below I have listed some things which you may wish to include in your Book of Shadows.

• The Cover can have your name or simply 'Book of Shadows' on it
• Write out your Dedication to Wicca in the front
• Write out what you want your book to do for you, what do you want to include in it?
• How do you want to organise your book, with sections? With tags?
• Many books include the following information: your traditions, beliefs, your initiation ceremony, your God and Goddess, dedications, rituals, spells, Sabbat rituals, Divination, magical recipes and religious texts.
• Having all of that information, can muddle up your book. So I would suggest, having it in the form of a three ring binder or just as a number of volumes.
• You can also have illustrations, dried herbs in the pages, a record of all the Wiccan books you have read and many other special items.
• Do you want to handwrite it or type it? I suggest hand writing it, as it transfers your energy to the pages and it makes it more personal.

Those are just a few suggestions, it is entirely up to you on how you design your Book. I suggest not having one until you have performed a Self-Initiation, as you can bless your Book along with the rest of your Wiccan items. Also, having the book in front of you during any spell making is useful, as you can add notes while you are in the Circle.

Different types of magic

There are many different types of magic, which exist in different traditions, religions and beliefs. Some are listed below:

Sympathetic - In this type of magic, a Witch would act out what they want to happen; based on the belief that 'a like will produce a like'. An example of this would be if a farmer wanted their crops to grow tall, then they would arrange a dance and leap high into the air, this would make their crops grow tall.

Divination - Seeing or predicting the future, using your Inner mind.

Thaumaturgy - Invoking Supernatural powers

Extrasensory Perception (ESP) - The power to perceive things which are not normally seen or felt.

Theurgy - Performed by Witches to bring the Divine into their dilemmas, rituals or meditation.


Ceremonial/Ritual - A practice or meditation which calls on the Elements and the Divine for a specific reason.


Alchemy - The ability to turn stone into precious metals, metals into gold. This is considered both a magic and science.


Necromancy - Conjuring up the dead for prophesying. It is performed along with the use of evil spirits to produce supernatural effects in the world.

Herbs and remedies

The use of herbs and plants are a very old practice which go back to our early Ancestors. Having knowledge of some of our most common herbs, is a start to learning about their healing and magical properties. Some Witches aspire to have a few herbs in their garden, or at least go to a healthy foods Supermarket. But I suggest growing your own herbs in the garden, as you feel linked to nature and there is a feeling of accomplishment when you use them. However, be careful when making remedies and stick to the common herbs at first, as some plants are very toxic when consumed. Only choose to explore further once you have become quite skilled in the properties of herbs. Below I have listed some of the common herbs, their properties and what they are used for.

Herbal Infusions/herb teas


For making a herb drink, just pour hot water over a table spoon of herb leaves. Leave for a few minutes then strain into a cup. If you are taking the tea for medicinal uses, then drink the tea three times a day.


Camomile - A soothing and relaxing tea which helps in the relief of anxiety. Can also be given to children to aid sleep. Used in baths and will help someone that has greasy hair or skin. In ritual camomile can be burned to break bad habits and drive away bad thoughts.

Elderflower - Good for colds and eases sinus problems

Fennel - Eases the digestive system and stops bloating in the stomach.

Peppermint - Eases nausea and bloating. This herb aids in concentration and study, rubbing this herb on your skin can increase your energies before you have a ritual.

Raspberry leaf - Soothes the digestive track

Rose hip - Very high in vitamin C, when combined with hibiscus flowers it has a lemony flavour

NOTE: Pregnant women are advised to avoid any herbal teas, with the exception of peppermint, lime and camomile as they help women with their morning sickness.

Herbs in cooking


There are so many different herbs which are common in the use of cooking, I will only list a few of the most popular herbs.

Basil - Generally used in tomato dishes, basil is good for the nervous system

Bay - Stimulates and aid the digestion, bay leaves can be used in soups and casseroles

Chives - Often used in potato, egg and soup dishes. Chives help the digestion

Coriander - Can be used for treating a urinary infection. Very good in the use of curries, salads and sauces

Dill - Used in soups and pickles, Dill can relief gripes and a gassy stomach.

Fennel - Aids the digestive system and is generally put in stuffing for fish

Mint - For savoury dishes and deserts, very good for colds and aiding digestion

Parsley - Good for many foods and drink, parsley can be used as a stimulant to menstration and is very good for bad breath. It can be eaten both raw and cooked.

Rosemary - Used in lamb and chicken dishes, a stimulant to the nervous system and soothes digestion. Also very good for concentration and can be put into the bath.

Sage - Used in stuffings of meat, good for indigestion, sore throats and sweating. It aids in weight loss and stimulates the metabolism.

Thyme - Very good for aiding a cough and catarrh, also good for the digestion. Can be drunk at night as a mild sedative and is used in many foods.

There are many more types of herbs to use in cooking, before experimenting I must advise that you DO NOT put something in your cooking unless you are absolutely sure you know what it is is and what it's properties are. I also advise you read a few Herbal books, as they will contain a larger bank of information on different herbs. For an introduction into herbs I suggest you read Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies by David Hoffman.

Initiation into Wicca

When you have been studying Wicca for some time, you may feel it is time for you to commit to Wicca and start your Spiritual journey. I found that after my Initiation, I felt my Soul move and I officially felt One with nature, the God and Goddess.

This rite of passage can be seen as a change in your life, some have called it the 'rebirth into Wicca'. Wiccans that belong to a Coven, have a ritual performed with an Initiator where the power is passed from them to you. Being Initiated with a Coven also stops the danger of feeling too overwhelmed and missing the whole meaning of your Initiation. Generally there are three degrees of Initiation, they are listed below:

1st Degree - A ceremony that centres on the theme of Rebirth, there is an ordeal and vow. At the end, the Initiate is pronounced Witch or Priestess. Ideally, you would be wearing your chosen Ritual Robes for any future Rituals.

2nd Degree - The Wheel of the year has to pass in order for you to progress into the 2nd degree, this ceremony focuses on the Horned One. Again, there is usually an ordeal or vigil. After this Degree, you assume the title of High Priest or Priestess, from this point you can teach the beginners to the Craft.

3rd Degree - Generally taken after years of study and active work in the craft, the ceremony centres on the relationship between the God and Goddess. This degree allows you to feel the balance and transformaion of Wicca.

Note: Each Coven will have different traditions when it comes to Initiation, most Witches will only reach the 1st degree as it is the 'entrance' to Wicca while the other two are elevations.

Not every Witch belongs to a Coven, Solitary Witches can carry out their own Initiation (Self-Initiation). This form of initiation is just as valid as the Coven performed rituals, if you feel 'Changed' after the ritual then you have been Initiated into Wicca. A Solitary Witch can choose to do whatever they want for their Initiation, there is no 'right' ritual. But I will make a few suggestions.

Self-Initiation - Some witches prefer to perform a ritual with the elements and all of your chosen ritual tools such as: your Book of Shadows, chalice, candle, knife and ritual clothing (any item of clothing). You would write your own vow to the God and Goddess, at this time you can also name the God and Goddess you wish to follow (if you have chosen them), if you haven't you can refer to them as the Lord and Lady. You can also present your chosen Wiccan name which you will only use in ritual and spell-making. After this is done and you have closed the circle you may feel, 'Changed' and fully dedicated to the Path of Wicca.

Note: Choose the date of your Initiation wisely, as the phase of the moon can effect and improve the power of your Self-Initiation.

Covens and types of Witches

Covens are a group of people that come together to practice the art of Wicca, to participate in ritual and festivals. Each coven generally has a High Priest and Priestess, these people are responsible for the well fare of the Coven, teaching the ways of Wicca and organising events for the Coven to come together.

The Priest and Priestess are Witches that have gained enough wisdom deemed adequate to run a Coven. Traditionally, they have come from another Coven and have broken away after having permission from their teachers to leave. To become an official member of a Coven, depending on the traditions of that Coven, you may be required to take an Initiation/Dedication. A traditional Coven is not meant for everyone, many people may not feel comfortable practising with other people and they may prefer to practice in solitude. 

If joining a Coven is not for you, there are many different types of Witches that practice in Solitude, these people tend to be Eclectic and they prefer to teach themselves about The Craft. There are more specific types of Witches such as, Hedge Witches, these Witches practice their magic in the Kitchen more than anything else, they are known as healers and Herbalists. There are many more types of witches, please feel free to research into it. I would call myself an Eclectic Witch and I prefer to practice in Solitude.

Candle magic

Candle magic is a simple and traditional technique. It has been around for many years, an early example of it would be in the Lascaux caves when the caves would go in so deep that carrying a flame was necessary, it was thought that the flames would create a liminal boundary between the living and the dead. Candle magic is a very powerful form of Sympathetic magic (For a list of different types of magic click here).

Candle magic is good for drawing positive energy and focussing your inner mind. You can request for something or ask the God/Goddess a question. However, like any other form of magic, whatever you do will return to you three fold, always keep to the Wiccan Rede. Be very careful with the words you use, as your request may come true in a very unconventional way. Some Candle magic is performed over a couple of days, while others can be performed during a specific moon phase. It is a good idea to place your candle on an alter, to keep it safe and out of the way.

A candle can be blessed and consecrated. It is also important, that you pick the colour of your candle wisely. As each colour has a specific meaning. Below is a list of different colours and their meanings:

Green - Growth, health, fertility and love

Yellow - Intellect, inspiration, creativity and confidence

Red - Strength, fertility, passion, attraction and power

White - Balance, cleansing, purity, healing and truth

Black - Protection, new beginnings, hex-breaking and healing

Pink - Devotion, faith, friendship, peace and the purest form of love

Gold - Protection, wealth, masculinity and luck

Lavender - Mother spirit, selflessness, understanding and calming

Blue - Truth, peace, wisdom and protection

Purple - Power, wisdom, psychic powers, confidence and divination

Brown - Balance, home, prosperity, learning and concentration.

I find that the white candle is the most effective during any ritual, I generally use that colour all the time because it is untainted and pure. Note: If you can avoid it, don't use a scented candle, because I find it distracts your senses when meditating.

The Pentagram

The Pentagram is an ancient Wiccan symbol that has been seen throughout history, it has been labelled as an evil sign. But in the Wiccan religion it has several meanings and uses, for the most, it has been used for protection against negative energies; many Witches wear one for this purpose.


The points represent Spirit, Water, Air, Earth and Fire. Some Wicca practices draw a pentagram in the air to cast a circle which helps invoke the elements. Then when releasing the circle, the pentagram is drawn in the opposite to release the elements.


Drawing pentagrams on your doors and window sills is not uncommon in Wicca, to keep out the bad spirits and negative energies.


The Pentacle is the five pointed star within a circle, it symbolises the balance of the Elements. And is used on the Altar, at times it can be used to represent Earth. 

Divination

To find things that might be hidden, Divination can be practiced with or without tools. Nearly all Witches practice Divination in some form, I myself, practice with Tarot cards and I prefer to keep to the one Divination skill so I can perfect it. I would advise that method, but it is entirely up to you. Divination is not a way to contact Spirits, it is used to access the inner mind or your subconscious. It requires you to interpret the meanings of Divination for yourself, and not learn the meanings that someone else has written. Traditional forms of Divination are listed and explained below:

Tarot - A pack of cards are arranged into a spread, these cards generally have an Ethereal theme on them, they would have images of the Mother Goddess, Cernunnos and Death. But Tarot cards do come in many forms with different themes. Once they are in a spread, they are then interpreted. You may have asked it a question, or you may be searching the spread for an inclination to the future. The searchings into your inner mind will tell you the answer.

Runes - Runes are small pieces of wood, stone or pottery. Each rune has a different symbol and the symbols are interpreted once you pick them out. Runes are thought to be Norse in origin, before using them you must research each symbol to correctly interpret them.

Crystal ball - A round-shaped glass, which is used to focus the inner mind on whatever you wish to see.

Palmistry - A palm reader interprets the lines on both your hands, from your hands they can determine a person's character, future, skills and talents.

Tea leaves - A very old skill, tea is made in a pot and then poured into a cup without being strained. Once the tea has been drunk, you can interpret the tea-leaves left behind. Future events are generally interpreted.

Astrology - Everyone is familiar with the daily horoscopes, these are not true forms of Divination. Astrology is both an art and science, when interpreted accurately you can find true meanings behind the stars.

Full moon - May 17th

The Full Moon of May is known as the Flower Moon, it reminds us that all blossoms will be fading from this point and onwards. This is part of Life's natural cycle. During this time, the faded flowers teach us to take only what we need and store away things for later. The Goddess is in her phase of Mother at this time, so she is at her most powerful. Now is a good time to perform any rituals or magic, as your results are likely to be successful.

Phases of the Moon

In Wicca, the phases of the moon represent a different aspect of the Goddess, Witches use these phases to time their rituals and magic as they will be most attuned at this time. As you all know, the moon has a large role to play in the nature of our Earth. It influences the tides and even us, as we are mostly made up of water. For that reason, there will be monthly fluctuations in energies and concentration. Below I have listed different phases of the moon and the Goddess they relate to.

New Moon - The first moon of the cycle relates to the Goddess in her maiden aspect, this is the time for her to learn new skills. So for us we should start fresh and rejuvenate. You can cast any spells related to health, self-improvement, beauty and luck.


Waxing Moon - This is the period of time between the New Moon and Full Moon. Some believe it symbolizes the Goddess in the form of lover, this is the time for her to be assertive and adventurous. The spells you can cast should are centred around growth, whether it relates to fertility, healing, friendship or courage.


Full Moon - Magic and nature is at its most powerful during a Full Moon, the Goddess is in the form of Mother at this time, so the Goddess is at her most compassionate, nurturing and creative. The spells to cast should be related to fertility, love, romance, psychic abilities and artistic projects.


Waning Moon - As the moon is disappearing in the sky, this is the time for removing things from your life. The Goddess is in the form of Grandmother, this is the time for her to retreat and collect up her knowledge. The spells to cast during this time can relate to banishing bad relationships, bad habits and addictions.


Dark Moon - When the Moon is invisible in the sky, the Goddess is in the aspect of Wise Woman, at this time she is all wise and presides over death. It is thought that no magic should be performed during a Dark Moon, as the energies that you require to be attuned are not there. This doesn't have to be true, but I do believe that feeling the Moon's power does influence the workings of your magic.

Sabbats and the Wheel of the year

There are eight seasonal festivals and thirteen full moons. Over the year you can create eight Seasonal rites, this way you feel harmonized with nature and the Divine. Each festival can be dedicated to a specific God or Goddess, they each have their own individual rituals and they are great ways to celebrate the Seasons with the ones you love. Below I have listed the Seasonal festivals starting with the first of the year.

Samhain (31st October) - Also known as Halloween, Samhain is the most important Sabbat of the Witch's year. It marks the beginning and end of the Wheel of the year. The time when the Goddess returns as the Grandmother, she is past her bearing time but she can still pass on her wisdom through Spirit; for that reason, Samhain is a perfect time for you to practice your Divination skills.
In the Celtic calender, Samhain is considered to be a day outside the normal year, when a veil between the worlds of the living and dead were thinnest. For this reason, Samhain is also a day to commemorate you Loved ones, however, we do not summon the Spirits as it is not right to disturb the peace of those that have gone.
It is traditional to light a candle in the window, to welcome home the spirits and repel the bad ones. Another tradition is to honour the Horned one and go on 'The Wild Hunt'. The Wild Hunt is when the Horned one collects up lost souls, some covens enact the Hunt by setting a course and running though the woods.

Yule (21st December) - Yule marks the Winter Solstice, days begin to lengthen and the rebirth of the sun is celebrated. It is traditional to bring evergreen plants into the house, to give a reminder of life returning. Holly represents the God and Goddess as the berries signify the Mother returning and the green leaves symbolize the Holly King, he reigns until this time. On Yule, it is traditional to make a Yule log, this is not the eating kind. The Yule log is a wooden log with candles lit inside it, each member of the family would light one and express a wish for the oncoming Season.

Imbolg (2nd February) - The first signs of Spring are appearing at this time, it signifies the return of the Goddess as the Maiden and the God is reborn as a young man. Imbolg means 'in belly', which can be interpreted to mean the land and animals are pregnant. Now can be a good time to plant seeds in your garden.

Oestara (21st March) Oestara marks the Spring Equinox, a time when day and night are equal, it is also the time for balance and for throwing out the old to bring in the new. This Sabbat is celebrated as a Spring Festival, as you can see the leaves, first buds and shoots of the corn. Oestara is also a brilliant time for 'Spring cleaning'

Beltane (1st May) - Beltane is the second most important Witch's festival, it is the marriage of the God and Goddess, the Goddess becomes the Mother and the God returns to reign beside her. Again, it is a day when the veil between our worlds are thin, so be very careful when working magic at this time, as the spirits are at their most mischievous and your results will not be as accurate. Due to the Great Marriage, this festival is also linked to fertility. Traditionally at a May Day festival, you would find a partner if you did not have one. Beltane is a time for Witches to Handfast (get married), they would make their promises to eachother, a gold and silver cord is fastened around their hands to symbolize their union.

Litha (21st June) - Litha marks the Summer Solstice, it represents the height of the Sun Kings power, after this day his power decreases as the days shorten. Now is a good time to have an outdoor barbecue or picnic with your family, as the hot and green days are at their most delightful. The Goddess is still in her phase of the Mother, with the coming harvest she is full of promise.

Lammas (1st August) - The harvest is brought in, this festival is often related to sacrifice and death as we have to repay what we have been given. A great feast would be made with the new harvest to celebrate the blessing of the land. Small cakes would be made in the shape of men to honour the Corn King, this is the origin of the Gingerbread man. Bread can also be made in the shape of a sheaf of wheat, this is the Lammas bread. Lammas is a good time for considering the positives in your life.

Madron (21st September) - Madron marks the Autumn Equinox, day and night are equal and again this is the time for balance. Madron is also at its height of Harvest, it is the time for returning things to the way they should be. This is a time for forgiveness and to make up for regrets, it is the festival of Healing.

And so the Sabbats continue on to Samhain, that is the Wheel of the Year.

The God and Goddess

In Wicca the divine is both male and female. The God and Goddess appear to everyone in the form that an individual wishes to see them in. In history, there have been many stories of different God and Goddesses from all kinds of cultures. It is easy to think that they are each different deities, but they are actually the same Divine with a different face. It is difficult to list all the God and Goddesses from each culture, but I will list a few that are popular in the Wiccan religion.

The God - The male side to the Divine has often been depicted as the Great Hunter, God of the Forest and Lord of the Animals. He represents life, death and rebirth. This is seen in the cycle of the Seasons. To honour the God, there are yearly festivals for the harvest and Seasons. Below are a list of popular Gods:

Cernunnos - 'The Horned God', he is often depicted with horns or antlers, he is associated with particular animals such as the stag and ram-horned serpent. He has been described as a peaceful God of nature and fruitfulness, but also as the Lord of Wild things. He has Celtic origin and has been referenced to in some form since the earliest times of the Upper Palaeolithic; the first evidence of this is seen in Lascaux Cave in France. Throughout history, there has been reference to the 'Horned one', for example on an archaeological site called Star Carr in England; large amounts of antlers were uncovered, it was thought that the site was used for Seasonal Festivals and the people wore the antlers on their heads. Cernunnos can also go by the name of Herne the hunter, although Herne has his own story, if you are interested in learning more about the Gods please feel free to research.

The Goddess - The triple Goddess or Mother Goddess is a universal deity with a strong Lunar depiction, at different phases of the moon, she is called the maiden, mother and grandmother. She represents nature, fertility, the powers of healing and death. The Goddess has been present since our earliest ancestors, an example would be the 'Venus figurines', their shape and fertility was emphasized because it was essential to the life of the people. The Goddess has an overwhelming number of forms, as does the God throughout human history. She has appeared in the Greek legends as Aphrodite and Persephone. In the Celtic religion, she can be known as The Morrighan and Cerridwen.

Studying both sides to the divine is essential for you to fully understand Wiccan Worship, it may also help you to pick a specific face of the Divine to worship. I find that if you pick one image of the God and Goddess, it makes it easier to picture the Divine in your mind. For example you may choose Cernunnos and Cerridwen. It is your choice entirely, and you may decide to worship a particular face of the Divine for each season or Sabbat.

The Elements and Zodiacs

All of nature is made up of four Elements, Witches believe that these Elements together with the fifth Element make up ourselves and the world.

The Elements are real energies, which can be accessed by understanding the way they work around us. They represent different aspects of our being, Air are our thoughts, Earth is our physical body, Fire is our passion, Water our emotions and Spirit is the force which is ourselves.

The Five energies are represented in the Pentagram, this symbol is worn by many Witches and appears on the alter at rituals. During a ritual, you can also invoke the pentagram of a specific Element if you wish to cast a spell that requires the strengths of that Element.

Elements are also linked to the seasons, astronomy and the zodiacs. Below are some definitions of the Elements and their relation to the Zodiacs.

Air - The place of mind and body, source of logic and thought. This is the part of us that wants to learn, it is also the curious and youthful side to us. Air signs are good at making a point and starting anew. Although, Air signs can also seem detached and impersonal with their approach. The zodiacs associated with Air are: Aquarius, Libra and Gemini.


Fire - Fire heats the blood and is the source of sexuality. It is active, exciting and makes things happen. It is also renewing and purifying, as fire transforms, changes and destroys the ground for new growth. The passion from fire can bring love, life and creativity, it is also freedom and courage. However, those associated with fire are hot-tempered and argumentative. While fire is passionate, its intensity can also consume, it is impatient and never stops unless it is has burned itself out. The zodiacs associated with Fire are: Sagittarius, Aries and Leo.


Water - Accepting and tolerant, Water overcomes difficulties instead of confronting them head-on. It brings sorrow, love, compassion and empathy. It also brings fear and can overwhelm. Water is the well of information, it brings knowledge from meditation and knowing one's self. The zodiacs associated with Water are: Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces.

Earth - Earth is the physical body, its qualities are dependability, endurance and protection. It has a pleasurable side as it governs the source of life through sensuality. Earth can also be greedy and it can demand things in excess. It is important to appreciate both Earth's sense of peace and destruction. The zodiacs associated with Earth are: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.


Not everyone will feel linked to their Element, but some people find aspects of themselves within another. However, it is important not to deny your Element as it still holds a part of you.

The Art of Magic and becoming a Witch

Witches believe in the practice of magic, it is a real force that can make changes to your life by the force of will. To continue down the path of Wicca, you must understand that it involves the development of magic and psychic powers but also the wisdom to use them. It requires you to understand that magic is not to be used mildly, but with respect and understanding.

If Wicca is indeed the path you have chosen, then studying all you can about the Craft is essential before you can become a 'Witch'. The basics you need to know are as follows:

The Gods and Goddesses, Sabbats, Candle magic, Divination, knowledge on the Elements, Herbalism, creating an alter, communing with nature, Environmental awareness and Spiritual awareness.

Only after you have learnt about these things, can you fully understand the art of Wicca. After you feel you know all you can know, you may then perform the Self-Initiation to officially enter into the Craft as a Witch. I will post about Self-Initiation in a later post.

Rules behind Wicca

The Wiccan Rede

With Wicca there is a rule that all Witches must strive to follow, and by which they measure their actions. It has the following key phrase:

An it harm none, do what though will


This means you should do what you feel is right for you, but in doing so, you must not harm others. At times, doing what is right can still hurt others, in that case, if you are willing to accept the consequences you are required to make a moral judgement.
The Wiccan Rede can come in a much more poetic and lengthier form, but I find that, that one phrase is enough to remind me of the Witch's Rule.

The law of three-fold return


When practising magic, every Witch must be aware of the consequences their magic will have upon themselves and the surroundings. The following term is generally applied to this warning:

Whatever you do, be it good or ill, will be returned to you threefold


Every Witch must have this in mind before they practice any magic.

An introduction to the Wiccan Path

Dear reader,

To begin your journey into Wicca, you must be fully aware of what this path contains. I will also like to take the opportunity to welcome you to my blog, which is dedicated to the art of Wicca and all its practices.

I will be posting about specific rituals, Sabbats, spell-making, candle divination, tarot reading and much more. So please read my blog often for the latest posts.

Now, Wicca is a nature based religion, it has a God, Goddess and a system of magic. The followers of this religion are called Witches, they are magic makers, healers and worshippers of the God and Goddess.
In Wicca, the divine is both male and female, equal and opposite to each other. There is only one God and Goddess, but both are referred to by different names at different times.

Another important aspect of Wicca, is respecting nature and all things that grow and live in it. While you can worship nature, a Witch must care for all things that live upon our world in order to truly practice the art of Wicca.

Simple ways of doing this do not always entail spell-making and calling upon the Goddess. But making a difference in your immediate environment, by being economical, collecting litter, recycling, giving old items to a charity shop and caring for your pets.

In the Wiccan religion, it is very important that you understand that everyone has a Spiritual Choice. Whether it is to follow the Christian or Hindu religions. It is someone's choice to believe in the Divine, as it is a person's path and they are solely responsible for their destiny. However, everyone is entitled to their own Spiritual choice, as long as it harms no one else.

Starting the path of the Witch requires you to learn and grow, this means you must do the hard work. You can choose which specialities you would like to study and you are not forced to keep by a specific schedule. However, if you are in a coven. The High Priest and Priestess may ask you to do certain tasks or perform rites for the yearly Sabbat. Studying in Solitude would not require you to do those things if you did not wish it.

If you are fortunate enough to have a teacher for Wicca, you must respect that they will not do the work for you. They are only there to advise and guide you through the motions of Wicca. I have found, that if you set up personal goals for your learning, the task flows much more easily.

And that is it for the introduction to Wicca. I will be posting much more information regarding Festivals, Elements and the Divine very soon. Thank you for reading.

Blessed Be.
Rose