Feel free to read My Dreams of a Church, a page on my website. It talks about my desire to build/create a Church with ChristoPagan beliefs; perhaps even a religion of it. No, not a cult; a religion and church. I hope you’ll find it an interesting read! =]
Lady Cerridwen Brighid Morrigan
Some practicing Witchcraft have a hard time coming to terms with the “W” Word: Witch. Society often views Witches in a negative way. So it is only natural for people to not want to be called something—or be afraid to be called something—often seen as negative, evil, or bad.
For me, it wasn’t a bad transition. Although I wouldn’t say it to others, I would admit it to myself. Actually, I was proud to be a Witch! In actuality, I did want to go by “Witch” because it was something I have always found cool since I was little. Of course, now the notion has changed, but I still find it—dare I say—cool.
The other day I was talking to a Pagan Wiccan friend of mine whom I haven’t talked to in ages. To him, I called myself a Witch. It was a step for me, but it wasn’t all that difficult. In my conversations with other friends, normally we beat around the bush and don’t bring up the “W” word.
Still, sometimes, it is strange when I even say it to myself! But, to me, the word is very powerful and it shows all of the power and abilities a Witch possesses. It is a good word to me. It’s beautiful and, yes, mystical. I enjoy it quite a bit!
For you Witches out there, have you come to terms with the “W” word?
– Lady Cerridwen Brighid Morrigan
I highly recommend the following book to anyone interested in Witchcraft, Meditation, or Psychic Abilities. It is the best book I have ever read when it comes down to teaching the Craft from the beginning. It doesn’t talk about Spells but rather how to make them work, why they work, how to develop Psychic Abilities, how to Meditate, etc. This is all the foundation for Witchcraft! I remember feeling lost because I felt like all the other books just jumped into Spells but I didn’t even know how to do the Spells! This takes all the guess work out. His following books in the series go more in-depth.
The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development (Penczak Temple Series)
Previous posts of mine talked about Witches, what my view of a Witch is, and so on. But this post is going to bring about 3 new sides to Witches and Witchcraft. Well, kind of.
In Christopher Penczak’s book, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft (check the bottom of the post for more information about this amazing book), he mentions 3 different ways to see Witches:
I found this very interesting and it is something that should be presented to those wanting to know more about Witches. If you’re saying “Witches scare me,” “Witches are evil,” or asking “What else is a Witch?” then this will help give you more information!
A Witch is a Healer. Long ago, Witches (namely Priests and Priestesses) would heal others and it was an Energetic process; it was far better than the medicine of the time. Lately, you may have heard of “Holistic Medicine” or “Alternative Medicine” popping up as we are heading once again in this healing direction. Most Witches are very interested in healing and may, themselves, be a Healer.
A Witch is a Walker. From Christopher’s book, he defines this as “a walker between the worlds.” Basically, a Shaman. This means a Witch can communicate with Spirits and receive infromation and healing Energy. In another “world” (non-physical) Witches can communicate not only with Spirits but Gods and Goddesses. Witches can help others become more Spiritual, if they are open to it!
A Witch is a Weaver. They manage to weave together the Spiritual World with the physical one. They blend elements of both together to live life how they please. Witches work everyday Magick due to this; no Spells necessary!
What else do you think Witches can be called?
– Lady Cerridwen Brighid Morrigan
I highly recommend the following book to anyone interested in Witchcraft, Meditation, or Psychic Abilities. It is the best book I have ever read when it comes down to teaching the Craft from the beginning. It doesn’t talk about Spells but rather how to make them work, why they work, how to develop Psychic Abilities, how to Meditate, etc. This is all the foundation for Witchcraft! I remember feeling lost because I felt like all the other books just jumped into Spells but I didn’t even know how to do the Spells! This takes all the guess work out. His following books in the series go more in-depth.
The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development (Penczak Temple Series)
Now, I have to admit that I am not a very organized person if I don’t get organized from the start. So every time I start a new project I have to get organized from the first task or else things just fall apart. Now, many Witches have something called a “Book of Shadows” which is unique to each Witch. Well, I have five.
As a whole they are my Grimoire which I see as all of my magickal and life-doings. It’s basically me down on paper. My Grimoire has five Books which, in time, will grow and I may have several books but the five Books are my different sections of my Grimoire (even though each Book may have several books that continue information). Make sense? No? That’s okay; I confused myself, too!
Now, my first one is what I called my Book of Shadows & Light which is what you may see as my Spell Book and such. I keep my Spells, recipes, information on Gods and Goddesses, information on the Sabbats and Esbats, and so on in here. It’s my book of information, basically; a reference book. Now, I have named it as such because this Book brings together who I am, both on the inside (“Shadows”) and on the outside (“Light”). Also, I see this book as bringing together my Spiritual side (“Shadows”) and physical side (“Light”). Who I am stems from this Book. This is put into a 3-ring binder so I can always add to it, rearrange the pages, etc. This will help me get organized.
The next four Books are more like journals. They don’t go into 3-ring binders because they are written in day-by-day so they are like diaries but serve a special purpose.
My second Book is my Book of Shadows. For me, “Shadows” means who I am on the inside, the person others may not always get to see, etc. It’s my soul at its best, I guess. This is my Magickal Journal. In this I keep track of what Spells I Cast, what results were seen, what Spiritually happens to me, what Rituals I have done, etc.
Next we have my Book of Light which is my Personal Journal. This covers everything happening to me outside of my Magickal and Spiritual life. It talks about what I’m worried about, what I’m doing, who I’m fighting with, who I met, why I’m mad at my car, the weather, etc. It’s my way to keep grounded and here on the physical plane, I guess. It’s that reality check I need at times. For me, “Light” means who I am on the outside, the person everyone sees, etc.
So hopefully with me explaining that, you can understand how I bring my Spiritual Life with the Book of Shadows together with my Personal Life’s Book of Light to make the Book of Shadows & Light!
Next, we have a Dream Journal of mine. It is said that Dreams are a Mirror to the Soul. Hence, I have called mine the Book of Mirrors because it is a reflection of my sub-conscious. I write down the Dreams I remember, what I think they might mean, and later on, if something happens, what they actually meant.
Last, but not least, we have my Book of Reflections which is my Divination Journal. By “Reflections” I mean what I see in my tools of Divination which, most of the time, are Tarot Cards. It is said that Tarot Cards reflect the knowledge that is within you. So in here I keep information on my Readings, what happened in the long-run, etc.
The last four Books are just Journals, as you can see, so I bought some books that you can find online to use as journals. No need to move around pages. If I need to add more information, I buy another! Each has a different symbol on the cover. My Book of Shadows just says Book of Shadows on the front; simple enough. My Book of Light has a Pentagram to show all areas of life coming together. My Book of Mirrors has the Triple Moon symbol on it to show the Maiden, Mother, and Crone; moons remind me of dreams and hidden knowledge from within—hence dreams. My Book of Reflections has a Triquetra on it because, for some reason, it just felt right.
Now, this is very confusing but it helps me organize things. You may wonder how I go about using this confusing system so here is a brief example of a day. Now, I may not use all the Books in a day, but this is an example of me using all the Books.
I woke up early in the morning. My dream was about birds flying all around me and a storm rolling in over desrt-like hills. I wrote this dream down into my Book of Mirrors along with my interpretation. After breakfast I did a brief Tarot Reading on finances for the coming month. I wrote down the Reading and my interpretation into my Book of Reflections. After lunch I found a new Spell to try for health. I wrote it in my Book of Shadows & Light to use later. Before dinner I consulted my Book of Shadows & Light for a friend to get direction on making a Mojo Bag. That night I used the Spell from earlier. I wrote down my experiences in my Book of Shadows and then wrote down on the Spell page in my Book of Shadows & Light the date that I Casted it so that I can refer my Book of Shadows in the future to see how it is doing. Before bed I journaled in my Book of Light about the rainy weather, a friend getting ready to move, how much I love my new bed, and everything else that happened that day!
If you have multiple “Books,” what are they?
– Lady Cerridwen Brighid Morrigan
In 1974 the Council of American Witches adopted a statement, “Principles of Wiccan Belief” to inform and educate the general public and fellow Witches. In their eyes, this is what a Witch believes. Now, I am going to list the document using the blockquote function and then my response below it. In my response you will find whether or not I believe what they list, what I don’t understand, etc. It is my belief that you should be able to pick your own beliefs. So, here we go!
A Drawing of the Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, and Crone
The Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs.
While I find it great that they want to define modern Witchcraft, I am not thrilled with the idea of having it describe all Witches; Witches of a certain group, sure.
We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being.
Sounds good to me!
As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from all and to share our learning within our Council.
Also sounds nice.
It is in this spirit of welcome and cooperation that we adopt these few principles of Wiccan belief. In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.
Apparently I am one of the excluded since I don’t follow all of their principles. But I do enjoy that they are open to anyone and everyone interested in the Craft. It is inviting and doesn’t discriminate.
We therefore ask only that those who seek to identify with us accept these few basic principles:
Guess I can’t identify with them.
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
This is something I do agree with as it seems to be the basis of any earth-based Pagan Religion.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
This is something else I agree with and it seems just about all Witches have some interest in the environment. Since coming upon Paganism, I have found myself more in tune with the environment and more caring about it.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called “supernatural,” but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
I love the above and agree with it 100% for myself!
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity—as masculine and feminine—and that this same Creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
I agree, as well; I feel there has to be a balance to make the Universe exist, anyway.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds—sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscios, the Inner Planes, etc.—and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
That is such a huge part of my beliefs and life!
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
Very important!
7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it—a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.
Although I’m not Wiccan, I do agree.
8. Calling oneself “Witches” does not make a Witch—but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.
I do agree with this, although I also feel that each person has their own definition of “Witch” and we shouldn’t tell someone that aren’t a Witch if their defintion—their “truth”—is otherwise.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
I like it!
10. Our only animonsity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be “the one true right and only way” and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
I feel this way toward any Religion that isn’t open to their way not being the right way. Who are we to judge what is right or wrong?
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspect of different tradition. We are concerned with our present, and our future.
Although I feel the present and the future should be focused upon, the past is also important so I feel that with this statement it is almost like saying “We don’t want you to know our past.” It may shut some people out.
12. We do not accept the concept of “absolute evil,” nor do we worship any entity known as “Satan” or “the Devil” as defined by Christian Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.
I do believe in absolute evil; while I am far from worshipping Satan, the Devil, I do believe in him in some way, shape, or form. I don’t know if I believe of him as a figure or more just various Energy or entities; I’m still trying to figure out what I believe when it comes to this.
13. We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
I like that above statement, as well.
So although I do agree with most, there are still some things I don’t agree. I tried to point them out. But perhaps I will change my mind in the future. Who knows?
What do you agree or disagree with?
– Lady Cerridwen Brighid Morrigan
Silver RavenWolf gets mixed reviews but you can check out her book to see for yourself. Although you may not like everything about the bok nor agree with it, there are some gems within these pages! I wouldn’t recommend this to a total beginner, but someone with some knowledge of the Craft and/or their Path can find this useful as they can pick what information they want to keep and what to throw away. I recommend reading it at some point just to see what you can get from it for yourself! Buy it used for less than a dollar on Amazon (click below); it’s well-worth the money.
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