CHAPTER ONE
WICCA, WITCHCRAFT, AND PAGANISM:WHICH WITCH IS WHICH?
You may have noticed by now that I’m using the term “Witch” in a general way to refer to those who follow a modern Pagan spiritual path. In truth, it is a little more complicated than that. Here’s a simple explanation of the difference between Pagans, Witches, and Wiccans—or at least as simple as it gets. You can decide for yourself which term to use, or if none of them applies to you. I tend to use them all interchangeably, because in my particular case, they all apply, but which one I use will often depend on the conversation or who I’m talking to at the time.
Pagan is a general term that is used for those who follow a nature-based religion, often one that is polytheistic (worshipping more than one god, usually both gods and goddesses). Going back in history, most cultures started out as Pagan, because people lived on the land and depended on nature for survival. In fact, the word Pagan actually means “dweller in the country,” because when Christianity moved into Europe (during the early Middle Ages, from about the fifth century on), it took hold in the big cities first and then slowly moved outward. Those who still lived in the country, closer to nature, gave up their beliefs reluctantly, or hid them beneath an outward practice of the accepted religion.
All Pagans are not Witches. In fact, in some cultures, the word is considered to be an insult. For example, most Native Americans are Pagans, but in their practice, a Witch is someone who practices evil magic. Other Pagan cultures simply have nothing to do with modern Witchcraft as we are discussing it. Some people use the term neo-Pagan to differentiate between general Pagans and those who practice modern Witchcraft. So, all Witches are Pagans, but not all Pagans are Witches.
Confused yet?
Think of it this way: all Episcopalians are Christians, but not all Christians are Episcopalians.
Witch is a more general term which covers a large spectrum of people who are Pagans (practice a nature-based religion and are polytheistic), and who also practice magic in one form or another, often as a facet of their spiritual paths. Modern Witches embrace the “old ways” while putting a more updated spin on them, and may draw from many different cultures and backgrounds for their inspiration. Some people, me among them, are actively working at reclaiming the word “Witch” as a positive and powerful affirmation of who we are.
Wicca is a specific subset of modern Witchcraft practices that started around the 1950s with a British man named Gerald Gardner. As his followers split off and started their own groups, and other people adapted the basics he had introduced to America, numerous different lines emerged. Some women adopted goddess-only practices as a reaction to the all-male religions in which they’d been raised. Other folks focused on a particular culture—such as Celtic or Norse or Egyptian—and worshipped those particular gods and goddesses.
All Wiccans are Witches (and therefore Pagans), but not all Witches are Wiccans. But Wicca is probably a better-known term, and is the one that is often used by Witches when they are trying to explain to others who and what they are.
These days, many of us practice a kind of Eclectic Witchcraft, which means that we take the bits and pieces from various different origins and put them together to make a spiritual and magical path that works for us. There is no one “right” way to be a modern Witch—only the way that is right for you.
Perhaps you already know what that is, and what you wish to call yourself. Perhaps you are just starting out on your journey and will need time and experimentation to figure out which way is your way. Either way, I’m just going to use the word Witch, and you can feel free to substitute anything else you like. Goddess worship is a lot less about names than it is about how you chose to live your life and walk your talk.
So how do you know if you are a Witch? While the word means something different to different people, if most of the following apply to you, you are probably a Witch:
You are drawn to nature, the natural world, and its creatures.You tune in to the natural cycles, especially those of the moon and the changing seasons.You connect with deity in a feminine form, whether that is one goddess or many. And/or you worship the Old Gods, in one form or another.You accept responsibility for your own actions, both magical and otherwise.You use magic to create positive change in your life.Maybe you already know you are a Witch. Maybe you are just beginning to explore this path and figure out if it is right for you. Either way, here are some basic questions and answers.
WHAT IS MAGIC AND CAN ANYONE DO IT?
Magic—often spelled “magick” in Witchcraft books to differentiate between our kind of magic and that done by stage magicians—is another one of those terms that is difficult to find one universal definition that everyone agrees upon. What is magic, and can anyone do it or do you need to be born with some kind of special gift?
My favorite definition, from Eileen Holland’s book, The Wicca Handbook, says that magic is “the manipulation of energy to achieve a desired result.”1 It is also sometimes described as “will made manifest” or tapping into the powers of the universe.
Here’s my take, for what it’s worth. I believe that magic (the noun) is a form of energy that is all around us. It isn’t anything innately spooky or supernatural, any more than gravity or electricity are supernatural just because we can’t see them when we look around. Science simply hasn’t found the tools to measure this particular energy yet. Remember that there was a time when people thought that electricity was magic, because they didn’t know how it worked. Personally, I still think cell phones and televisions are completely inexplicable …
I have been an intuitive energy healer for many years—kind of like Reiki, for those of you who are familiar with that modality, except it is just something that came to me as a gift, not something I was taught—and I can tell you for certain that even though you can’t see the energy I use, you can feel it, and it gets results. Magic is much the same. You can’t see it, but if you believe it exists, and focus your will and intent, it can truly produce results. Magic (the verb) is the act of using that magical energy in a purposeful way.
Which brings us to the next question: can anyone do it?
Absolutely. Yes, there are probably people who have an innate gift for it, like those who are born with the gift for mathematics or music. But just like math and music, everyone can learn the basics, and most of us will get better with practice. Doing magic is mostly a matter of figuring out the general rules, exploring the various tools that work the best for you, and then practicing it until you get good at it.
So maybe it is more like cooking. Either way, you get my point. Yes, magic is real. And yes, you can do it. You just have to believe you can tap into the invisible energy to create positive change and then take the steps required to do it.
The steps themselves are simple. Deceptively so, since simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. These four steps are widely accepted to be the basic components for doing magic:
To Will—Will is the desire to create positive change. It is the engine that powers your magical work. The more you will a thing to be so, the more energy that goes into your magic. Magic can be done with small amounts of Will (like wishing on a star or simply lighting a candle and saying “Please help me, goddess.”) and they may still work. But if something is very important to you, there will be more “oomph” behind your magic. Belief that the change you desire is possible is a part of Will, too.To Know—There are two parts to knowing. The first is to know what it is you are trying to achieve. It is important to have a clear idea of what your goal is, so you can really focus on it. The second is to know how you are going to go about achieving your goal. This is, in part, whatever goes into doing your spell or ritual, and in part, what you intend to do afterward to follow up. (Yes, you have to follow up. We’ll talk more about that later, but if you don’t do the work, no amount of magic is likely to help you.)To Do—This is the actual magical working. Focus your energy. The more energy you put into the spell and the more focused that energy is, the better the likelihood of a positive result.To be Silent—I realize this doesn’t seem like a step, but it is actually quite important. There is always the temptation, especially in the early days of practicing Witchcraft, to do a spell and then tell everyone about it. It doesn’t have to be a secret, but talking about the magical work can actually take away from the energy you put into it. Once you have done the work, simply get on with the practical aspects of life and let the energy continue moving out into the universe to do what it is going to do.Note: Remember that as with everything else we do in life, sometimes magic does what we want it to, and sometimes it doesn’t. This doesn’t mean that magic isn’t real and can’t work. Maybe you had a hard time focusing, or didn’t have a clear enough goal. Maybe you need to be patient and wait for things to happen. Or maybe it wasn’t the right time or what you asked for simply wasn’t possible. (If every Witch who asked to win the lottery actually won, it wouldn’t be much of a lottery, would it?)
Sometimes the gods know better than we do, and like benevolent parents, don’t give us what we ask for if it isn’t good for us. Maybe you asked for a particular job, but it would have turned out to be a disaster. Or maybe you asked for true love, but you just aren’t ready. The universe is a mysterious and inexplicable place. Sometimes magic doesn’t give you what you want exactly the way you want it. But it might give you something even better, or something you hadn’t even thought to ask for. Have faith. You never know what will happen …
WHAT DOES WITCHCRAFT MEAN TO TODAY’S WOMAN?
Obviously, it will mean different things to different people, but here are a few general reasons why modern Witchcraft is so well suited for the kick-ass modern woman.
Personal empowerment—To me, this is the best part of being a Witch. (Not that all the rest of it isn’t great, and really, this issue of personal empowerment is fed by the other aspects and benefits of being a Witch.) Many of us are feeling disenfranchised and helpless in the face of the current political and socioeconomic climate, which is really just a fancy way of saying that we feel as though we don’t have any power. Even worse, that we are actively under attack in many cases. Witchcraft gives us a goddess to embrace who looks like us, celebrates the feminine instead of demeaning it, and gives us the tools to make positive changes in our lives. Additionally, it is a spiritual path that is easy to combine with the busy lives we are already leading, and how we choose to integrate the two is completely in our own hands. In fact, the great thing about Witchcraft is that you make all the decisions about how to practice. No one (especially no man) will tell you that there is only one right way. How refreshing and freeing.A deity we can identify with who represents us—For those of us who grew up in one of the Judeo-Christian religions (and presumably others that fall outside that umbrella, but I don’t know enough about them to say for certain), we were presented with “God” as a stern patriarchal male figure. I grew up Jewish, and traditionally women, while valued, were often treated as “less than” men in many areas, especially religious power. These days, there are women rabbis and women ministers, but that is a fairly recent development. When I was growing up, God looked like a man and acted like a man. Goddess worship is completely different. On this spiritual path, everyone is equal, and we have a deity who reflects what we see in the mirror every day. How wonderful is that?A way to connect more strongly with nature—Early Pagans had no problem connecting with nature. They lived on the land, and their survival was directly linked to the seasons, the weather, the abundance of animals, and the success of the harvest. (Which is why, in the eight Sabbat cycle of holidays known as the Wheel of the Year, there are three holidays dedicated to the celebration of the harvest.) But for us modern Witches, it can be more difficult to feel as though we are a part of the natural world. Those who live in more urban areas, especially, may struggle to make that connection. Witchcraft, with its emphasis on the lunar and seasonal cycles, can help us to bridge the gap between our modern lives and our Pagan roots. It also provides us with simple ways to strengthen that connection every day.A way to connect with the wise women, healers, and Witches who came before us—All of us have some form of family genealogy, although not everyone knows what theirs is. But some people have family relationships that aren’t healthy or happy or don’t fulfill our needs for acceptance and connection. (Yes, I use that word a lot. For me, it’s a big part of what this spiritual path is all about, in various different forms.) As Witches, we are part of a lineage of women going back thousands of years. Women who gazed up at the moon and murmured prayers to the goddess. Women who protected their homes and loved ones by integrating magic into the food they cooked and the clothes they wove and the brooms with which they swept their floors. When we walk this magical journey, we tread the path worn by many women before us, and there is something truly powerful about knowing that to be true.Simple everyday rituals that feed our spirits—Many religions focus on specific holidays, and other than for the most devout folks, they aren’t really a part of the day-to-day lives of those who follow them. I have friends who go to church every week, and consider themselves to be part of that community, but even they rarely do anything outside that weekly visit. One of my favorite aspects of Witchcraft is the ease with which it can be integrated into my everyday life. Greeting the gods when I wake and go to bed, practicing kitchen alchemy when I make my morning mocha, lighting a candle on my altar and sending up a prayer when I need a little help: those are just the tip of the iceberg. I follow my spiritual path when I compost leftover food or grow plants in my garden. Each of us can find easy ways to add meaningful ritual to our lives, in whatever forms those might take for us. You can, too. Rituals performed together can connect us in important ways that may not be available to us in the rest of our lives. And healing rituals can be very powerful. Studies have demonstrated the power of prayer to actually alter the course of illness. Magic can do that, too, since they are much the same.PRACTICAL MAGIC—EMBRACING PERSONAL POWER
For me personally, and perhaps for you, a spiritual path has two basic aspects: one that elevates, and the other that grounds.
By this I mean that my religious beliefs sometimes take the form of acts that lift my spirit. That is their sole purpose. Or “soul” purpose, I suppose. That includes things like prayer, meditation, positive affirmations, and the like. It can be as simple as walking by the ocean or gazing up at the moon. These manifestations of my Witchcraft practice feed my spirit and lift my heart.
Then there are the acts that have more practical applications. Ritual and spell work, for instance. Although some rituals can be purely celebratory in nature, they are often used to channel energy and power for some specific purpose. Any magical work, whether done as pragmatic kitchen magic (where you mix in a little magic with the act of cooking) or lighting a candle at your altar and saying a spell for healing or love or prosperity, I would consider to be types of “practical” magic. That is to say, you do them in expectation of a result, in the hope of some form of positive change.
Needless to say, there is some overlap. For instance, if you do a healing ritual, the ritual itself will probably be uplifting, even though you are doing it for a particular reason and hoping for concrete manifestations of your spell work. And the act of praying or meditation may calm you, thereby creating positive changes, too. It isn’t an either/or proposition, thankfully.
The tricky part can be finding the right balance between the two aspects of this spiritual path. And by right, of course I mean right for you. What works best for me isn’t necessarily what will be the most satisfying or empowering for anyone else. On the other hand, it has been my experience that for most people, it helps to find that balance between the arcane and the pragmatic. Meditation is all very well and good, but at a certain point you have to get up off your cushion and actually do something.
On the other hand, focusing purely on the practical and ignoring the spiritual nature of Witchcraft isn’t necessarily a great solution either. If you spend all your time mixing potions and casting spells, and never take a quiet moment to walk among the trees or commune with the goddess, you are probably missing out on something important.
So how do you figure out what works best for you? To some extent, it is like anything else—trial and error. You try things and say, “Yes, this really feels right,” or “Meh, I don’t see the point in doing that.” It’s a little bit like figuring out what you like to eat. The more things you try, the better equipped you will be to make choices. They might be general (I don’t like seafood) or specific (I hate raw oysters).
Some Witches love group rituals, for instance, and others much prefer solitary magic. You may not know which is right for you until you try them both. And you may discover that some things work for you under specific circumstances, and not for others. Group rituals may appeal to you when you are celebrating the holidays, but not when you have serious magical work to do for a specific goal. Or you may like group rituals, but you don’t have access to other people with whom to practice, so you simply have to make do on your own.
Many Witches derive satisfaction from work that helps the natural world in some way. This is an important component of my personal path. Because Witches believe that we are a part of nature (and not that it belongs to us and therefore we have the right to despoil it for our own gains), most of us try to walk as lightly on the Earth as possible. Because human beings have the power to impact the environment so strongly, we have a duty to be as benign in that impact as possible.
Many of us actually consider this to be a part of our commitment to the gods, and act as we believe they would wish us to, as their physical representatives here on the planet. For me, that means not only appreciating the beauty of the natural world, but trying to help its creatures (whether that is an endangered species or the birds that come to my yard in the winter looking for food), minimizing my negative impact in practical ways (like composting and recycling and driving an energy-efficient car), and championing causes that will ensure its continued survival (fighting global warming and fracking, for instance).
If these things don’t appeal to you, there are plenty of other approaches. Lots of folks who practice Witchcraft like to garden, for instance, as a form of connection with the natural world. City Witches, or those who don’t enjoy digging in the dirt, can grow a few herbs on a sunny windowsill. Or buy locally grown produce at a farmer’s market. Even if you live in an apartment, there are compost bins that will work in the kitchen. Composting is not only a great way to reduce kitchen waste, but it is an acknowledgment of the circle of life and how life energy gets transmuted and reused.
Many of us connect to nature by bringing some element of it into our homes or yards. I have what some might consider to be a slightly over-enthusiastic collection of gemstones and crystals, as well as bowls filled with rocks and shells I’ve picked up on various beaches. Of course, I am a Taurus and therefore perhaps more drawn to the element of Earth than most. Or maybe I just like shiny rocks …
Candles and fire pits and fireplaces can connect you to the element of fire. Barbeque grills, too. The act of cooking over a flame of any kind might be considered to be a fire ritual.
Indoor fountains or garden ponds help you embrace the element of Water. In the summer, I often sit by the pond in the middle of my garden, listening to the sound of the waterfall and communing with the frogs who showed up as soon as I put it in. When I can, I journey to the ocean, where I can hear the Great Mother’s voice in every wave.
To connect with the element of Air, just open a window and let the breeze flow through your room. Or take a walk outside and let it mess up your hair. What do you smell on the wind? Does it whisper secrets to you? Burning incense is a good way to combine fire and Air.
To figure out the aspects of a Witchcraft path that work the best for you, I strongly suggest reading some books—there are lots of good ones out there. (I’ve included a list of some of my favorites in Appendix III at the end of this book.) Talk to other Witches, if you know any, or find some to chat with online (keeping in mind that like everything else online, not all Witchcraft information is created equal … if something seems wrong to you, it probably is).
In addition, however, experiment with different approaches to see what makes you feel powerful and uplifted. That’s the whole point, after all.
Here are a variety of possibilities for a modern Witchcraft practice, both spiritual and practical, that may empower your own practice:
Explore various goddesses to see which ones speak to you (literally or figuratively).Set up an altar (either a simple, general one or one dedicated to a particular goddess).Greet the gods or a goddess every morning (this doesn’t have to be anything more elaborate than looking out the window and saying, “Good morning! Thank you for the new day.”).Light a candle and say a prayer (you can pray to the goddess in general, “great goddess,” or one in particular with whom you feel a connection), or ask for help.Try some simple spells, like the ones offered later on in this book, to address issues in your life (then follow up with practical actions to reinforce the energy you sent out).Make an effort to connect with nature by spending some time outside in as natural a surrounding as possible. Oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes are great, as are woods, meadows, parks, or even cemeteries, if you live in a city and green spaces are hard to come by—cemeteries by their very nature tend to be quiet and peaceful. If you live in a city, take special note of the unexpected bits of nature surviving in a hostile environment and cheer them on. Maybe become a guerilla gardener, and toss some seeds into a vacant lot.Take it one step further and climb a mountain or go deep into a forest or even into an underground cave—someplace where you will be surrounded by nature. (If you are going into the wilderness on your own, be sure to be safe, take the proper supplies, and make sure someone knows where you are … just because we worship nature doesn’t mean we don’t respect her ability to hurt us.)Go for a walk. Especially at dawn or dusk, but any time is good. Listen to the sounds around you, smell the air, look for signs of divinity in the smallest things.Observe the changing moon. Gaze with wonder at the moon when she is full, and watch her wane and then wax again. It is traditional to blow a kiss to the Full Moon, which symbolizes the goddess in all her glory. Try it, and see how it makes you feel. Can you feel Her gazing back?Take connecting with the moon one step further and try following the energetic cycle of the moon, either with your magical work or your everyday life or both. The waxing moon is the half of the month when the moon is growing larger, starting with the day after the Dark Moon. It is associated with increase. This is a good time to do work for things you want more of (prosperity, for instance). The waning moon, which is when the moon is getting smaller every day, starting with the day after the Full Moon, is associated with decrease. This is the time you would focus on things you want less of (if you are still doing spell work for money issues, try getting rid of debt or bad spending habits).If you only have time to do magical and/or spiritual work once a month, use the night of the Full Moon. That is when the lunar power is at its height, and the pull of the goddess is the strongest. Even if you don’t want to do anything magical, take a moment to stand outside in the moonlight if you can, or look out the window.Eclipses—both lunar and solar—are considered to be especially powerful times. If nothing else, they are extremely cool to experience. The same goes for any other unusual phenomena, like meteor showers. Try tuning in at these moments.Walk outside and look at the stars, no matter what phase the moon is in. Think about how large the universe is, and how small our place in it truly is. Connect with the beauty of the night sky.Connect with nature through mindful eating. This can be as simple as being really present in the moment as you eat an apple, taking in the scent and texture and taste, or trying to be more conscious of what you eat and how it affects the entire ecosystem. At the very least, send out gratitude for the food and for those who got it to your table. (Farm workers labor incredibly hard, often under terrible conditions and for little pay.) A simple, “Thank you goddess for the day and for the food,” will do. Of course, it is also great if you can eat locally grown food at least some of the time. This supports your local growers, and the food is fresher and better for you in many cases. Check out your local farmer’s market if you have one, or check to see if your grocery store carries locally grown food when it is in season. If you can, eat at least some organic food (pesticides are really tough on the ecosystem, not to mention the human body) and if you eat meat, see if you can find some that is humanely raised. (Some people practice vegetarianism as a form of mindful eating. This is a very personal choice, but even if you do eat meat, you can do so with awareness and gratitude.)Use normal daily activities as a way to integrate simple magical practices. This mostly means adding purpose and intent to things you do anyway, like cooking or even bathing. While making dinner, try adding herbs to your food (like basil for prosperity or rosemary for healing). When you shower, envision the water washing away negativity, or draw a protective pentacle on the steam it leaves behind on your mirror. If you are already doing things like meditation or saying affirmations, see if you can find a way to make those things a part of your magical and spiritual practice.Witches have used herbs for many purposes throughout history. Try experimenting with everyday herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. (And lavender and rose petals and even catnip.) Many of the herbs we are accustomed to seeing in our kitchens also have magical and medicinal uses as well. Pick up a good book on magical herbalism (I recommend Scott Cunningham as a good place to start). Ignore the exotic and the poisonous, and just play with the ones you can use cheaply and safely.Write your own spell. It doesn’t have to rhyme, and you don’t have to worry about making it perfect. It can be as simple or complicated as you like. Just make sure you are careful with your phrasing and know what you are asking for. If you are at all concerned about a spell going wrong accidentally, you can always add “For the good of all and according to the free will of all,” afterward.Share a simple ritual with friends and like-minded acquaintances. If you don’t know any other Witches, you can celebrate neutral occasions like the Summer Solstice or the Winter Solstice (Yule), which is the root of most Christmas traditions.Read, play, and explore!Here are some Witchcraft basics you might find helpful.
SPELLCASTING INSTRUCTIONS
Here are the basics of spellcasting for those who are just beginning their practice.
WHEN TO CAST A SPELL AND WHEN NOT TO CAST A SPELL
I call spells “the Witch’s power drill.” Sometimes you need a power drill and sometimes you only need a screwdriver. It is up to you to determine whether or not it is an appropriate time to cast a spell.
When to cast a spell:
When you have exhausted all the mundane options, but still need to achieve a goal (the spell not only puts your intention out into the universe, but is also a way of asking for help).When the spell will affect only you (such as casting a spell to open yourself to love).When you know what you want and are willing to do the work required to get it (like putting in applications at appropriate places after asking for the perfect job).When only good can come from the spell.When not to cast a spell:
When there is a simple solution that doesn’t require magic (you need to lose five pounds, haven’t tried a diet yet, and have plenty of time).When casting a spell would interfere with free will (casting a love spell to get a particular person, for instance).When you aren’t sure what you really want to achieve (if you are uncertain of the end results you want, it is hard to truly focus enough Will to make a spell work).When there is the possibility of causing harm to yourself or to others.CRAFTING THE SPELL
Decide on your specific goals.Figure out which tools (if any) will work best to boost the spell. These include herbs, gemstones, candles, statues or pictures, offerings to the goddess (such as flowers or small gifts), incense, sage smudge wands, salt and water, or any representations of what you are asking for help with.Write the spell. You can pick a specific goddess to appeal to if you want to do so.Choose to rhyme (which is traditional and can add formality to focus the Will) or not to rhyme. If you aren’t comfortable trying to make a spell rhyme, please don’t worry. You’ll be fine without it. You’ll notice that I didn’t rhyme the spells in this book, mostly because what I was doing didn’t lend itself to that.Decide whether to make the spell short and memorized versus longer and written down. Some people prefer to be able to memorize a spell so they can use it anytime and anywhere. I have a few like that, like my favorite prosperity spell. But if you aren’t good at memorizing things (I’m not either) or need a longer spell, it is fine to have it written down. Or to even read it out of a book.Choose your words carefully, though, to avoid a result you don’t want.Be careful to avoid the “no-nos.” Never write a spell that will cause harm or interfere with free will (no casting spells on/for others without permission, please). If you are concerned about inadvertently causing harm, you can add “for the good of all and according to the free will of all” to be on the safe side. If you have to ask yourself, “Will this harm anyone else?” you might want to think twice.You can cast your spell in formal circle by calling on the four quarters—east, south, west, and north, and goddess invocations, or just stand by an altar or out in the woods. This is completely up to you, and will depend on the complexity and urgency of the spell, personal preferences, how much time you have available, and what works best for you.BASIC SPELLCASTING INSTRUCTIONS
If you are doing a formal spellcasting and using some or all of the tools suggested for a particular spell, you would generally do the following:
Cleanse yourself and the space you are using. You can do this with a sage smudge stick, which you would light and waft the smoke from head to toe and around the area and/or a mixture of salt and water, which you can sprinkle around your circle, and also use your fingertips to apply the mixture to your forehead, lips, and heart to represent thought, word, and feelings. My group and I do both, but you can do one or the other if you choose. You will find, if you use these with all or most magical work, that after a while the mere smell of the sage and the actions you take with the water will put you immediately into the proper frame of mind for spellcasting.Cast the circle by outlining the space. Use an athame, a piece of chalk or string, or by pointing your finger (visualize a white light surrounding the space and then filling it). If you are working with a group, you can also pass the circle hand-to-hand (the first person takes the hand of the person standing to her left, that person takes the hand of the person to her left, and so on around the circle until everyone is linked) or by passing a candle or flower or other symbol.Call the quarters. To do this, turn first to the east, then south, west, and north in turn and ask the powers of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth to join you in your circle and keep you safe. Invoke the goddess (and a god, if you so desire). You can call on a specific deity if you wish, or simply say “goddess” and “god.” If you are invoking the gods, you may want to have a small gift for them on whatever you are using as an altar. Flowers are always appropriate, or some kind of food or incense.Take a few minutes to ground and center. If it helps, you can envision yourself as a tree, stretching up to the sky and down into the ground. Or just breathe.If you’re using incense, light it before saying the spell.If you’re using a candle, you can light it before or as you say the spell.Other tools, such as herbs or gemstones, can be placed on the altar and can be touched or held while saying the spell or simply left to add to the spell’s energy.Focus all your attention and Will on your goal.Recite the spell out loud if you can. If necessary, it can be said silently, but the spoken word adds power to the magical working.After saying the spell, you should take a few moments to sit in silence. If doing a formal spellcasting, you may wish to partake of “cakes and ale” to ground yourself back to the mundane world.Dismiss the quarters after thanking them.Thank the goddess and bid Her goodbye.Open your circle. You can envision the walls of your circle dropping, or the light fading away as you rejoin the mundane world—if using an outline of yarn or salt, simply make an opening in the circle itself. Or you can turn counterclockwise (widdershins) while pointing your finger or athame.Note: A good resource for additional in-depth spell writing instruction is Composing Magic: How to Create Magical Spells, Rituals, Blessings, Chants, and Prayers by Elizabeth Barrette (New Page Books, 2007). You can also look at my book, Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook (Llewellyn, 2010).
RITUAL WORK WITH OTHERS—SOME BASIC GUIDELINES FOR WORKING IN A CIRCLE
Doing magical work with other people can have many advantages. You can raise more power together (if everyone is focused and works well with others, which is not a guarantee); it can be fun; and there is something incredibly empowering about coming together with women—or women and men—who believe as you do. Goddess worship can be a truly bonding experience as well. My Blue Moon Circle sisters are as close to me as family, although not all groups turn out that way.
But there are certain rules that need to be followed in order to make working with others enjoyable and satisfying, while also creating an environment in which your magical work can be the most effective. Follow these simple guidelines and you should be just fine.
Avoid distractions. Make sure everyone remembers to turn off or silence their phones (which should be left outside the circle boundaries). If you are inside and there is a land-line phone, don’t forget to turn off the ringer on that as well. If you are doing ritual work at someone’s home and others live there, you should go to a space where you can be undisturbed. Casual chatter should be kept to a minimum, so everyone can focus and concentrate on the magical work. An exception to this might be if your ritual has an informal component, such as everyone working on some form of magical craft, in which case some conversation is fine, but avoid distracting topics like politics.Show respect for the goddess. If you are able, stand during the quarter calls and the goddess invocation. Treat the ritual seriously. Never come to ritual drunk or stoned. Not only is this disrespectful of the goddess, but it makes it nearly impossible for the group to build up energy together during the ritual. (If you must take prescription medicines, that’s just fine.)Be respectful of the feelings of the other participants. Allow them to speak without being judgmental or critical. The circle is safe space, and all should feel safe there. Think of it as a very round, sometimes woody church. Be open and accepting even of those who may be very different from you. If your group is using a speaking stick (a stick or some other item that is passed around the circle, allowing each person to speak in turn while the others listen), be respectful of the person who is holding the stick. Some of us rarely—or never—have the opportunity to speak and truly be listened to. Give the person who is speaking your whole attention and never interrupt. Also, never touch another Witch’s tools, such as an athame or drum, without asking. Keep in mind that some people have allergies, so refrain from wearing perfume or cologne. If using scented candles or incense, try to stick to those made with essential oils. If someone is new to your gathering, you may want to ask them if they have any sensitivities. (My stepdaughter is allergic to lavender. This is such a commonly used herb, she may have to warn people ahead of time that she can’t be around it.)Don’t break the circle. Once the circle has been cast, that space is considered to be sacred and apart from the mundane world. If you simply get up and walk through the cast circle, you will disperse all the energy the ritual has built up. If someone needs to step out for a minute (a coughing fit, for instance, or the sudden urgent need to tend to a crying child in another room) one of the other participants can “cut” a hole in the circle wall by tracing the outline of a doorway with her finger or an athame. The one who has to leave steps out and the remaining Witch retraces the doorway to close it. When the person returns, she is let back into the circle the same way.When moving about inside the circle, you almost always walk clockwise, or deosil. For instance, if part of the spellcasting involves each participant dropping a coin in a wishing cauldron, you would walk around the circle until you reached the cauldron, drop in your coin, then continue walking clockwise until you return to your spot. The only exception to this is a ritual in which you are purposely working to banish something, in which case you might walk counterclockwise (widdershins) for that portion of the spell.Respect the privacy of those who attend. For one thing, not everyone is out of the broom closet and openly practicing as a Witch. There are still certain careers, and certain places, where being known as a Witch can get you fired, or worse. (One of the people I practiced with years ago was in the middle of an ugly divorce, and he almost lost access to his children because of his spiritual practice. He had to promise not to ever have them at a ritual, even though they had been raised Pagan up until that point.) You might be amazed at how backward the attitude toward Witchcraft can be. Not so long ago, many people who went to group rituals used Witch names like Onyx or Raven, instead of their true names, for this very reason. Make sure you never say, “So-and-so was at our gathering this weekend” unless you know for sure it is okay with that person. For the same reason, never post pictures publicly unless you have permission from everyone in the photo. I get around this sometimes—with permission—by saying in a post, “Blue Moon Circle and invited friends at this weekend’s Summer Solstice gathering,” so that no one knows who is the Witch and who is the guest. We’ve also taken fun pictures with everyone’s back turned, so people can’t be identified. But unless you’re sure it is safe, it is better not to post pictures at all. At most public gatherings and conventions, those attending are asked to refrain from posting pictures containing anyone who has not given explicit permission to do so.What’s said in circle, stays in circle. If ritual space is going to feel safe to people, they have to know that they can speak about anything, no matter how private and sensitive, and have it be held in confidence. Never share information learned in circle, unless you have already been given permission to do so. Especially when the people you are practicing with are all women (as opposed to a mixed group), participants may talk about very intimate and sensitive subjects. Those secrets should never leave the sacred space of the circle.Find out the rules. If you are unfamiliar with the people putting on the ritual, by all means ask ahead of time if there are any rules you should know about. Those leading the rituals (including me, I’m afraid) often assume that new participants know what is expected of them, and then end up kicking themselves when someone gets up casually and walks out of circle to get something they forgot. (Yes, I’ve had that happen.) Ask if you will be expected to wear garb—which is usually some kind of witchy clothing, like a robe or a Ren Faire–type dress—or if there are people who attend who will be skyclad (naked). If there is going to be a feast after the ritual, which is pretty typical, ask if you should be bringing a dish to pass. If so, you may want to ask if there are any food sensitivities in other attendees that you should avoid. (You can always bring a small card with the ingredients listed on it, to leave by the dish.)Keep an open mind. This is especially important if you are new to practicing and things still seem a bit strange. I know that when I started out, it took me a while to really start believing in magic, although it was clear that those around me believed. But I knew I was in the right place, because it felt right from the very first ritual I attended, and because I connected with the god and goddess that first night. If your gut tells you this is the path for you, don’t worry if it takes a little while to get used to some of the aspects of modern Witchcraft that are so different from what most of us grew up with.Use the ten-foot-pole rule. On the other hand, if you go to a group gathering and your gut tells you that something is wrong, by all means use your best judgment and either leave right away or don’t go back again. Most group gatherings, whether a formal coven or a local group leading a ritual that is open to the public, are perfectly pleasant and safe. They may or may not fit what you’re looking for, but the worst that happens is that you are bored or a bit baffled by their approach, or find a couple of the people taking part annoying and decide this is not the group for you. (A few times, I went to rituals led by perfectly lovely people … who were perpetually disorganized, always ran way behind, and were usually stoned. After the first couple of times, I didn’t go back. It just wasn’t a good fit for me.) But occasionally there is a gathering that doesn’t feel right. Maybe it is led by someone who is controlling or unpleasant. Maybe the kind of magic that is practiced skirts too close to the negative, or goes right over that line. Maybe you just get the hair standing up on the back of your neck, even though you can’t pinpoint why. In that case, run, don’t walk, for the door, and don’t touch them with a ten-foot pole again.
Copyright © 2020 by Deborah Blake.