Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Winter Solstice
Well, winter solstice is almost upon us. What shall I do for it? Spend a brief time with the Goddess and God? Try to find a local coven open to letting other celebrate with them? I guess I have a few days to figure it all out. At least here in California it wont be a freezing winter solstice. I wonder what the rest of you have in mind.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Your Book of Shadows
*A Book of Shadows (BOS), less commonly known as a Grimoire, is information for Witches' reference. A Book of Shadows is similar to a Magical cookbook with recipes that are ineffective to anyone not properly trained in Magical Working.
*Witches can accurately record all of their Magical information, important dates, research, where supplies are purchased, and other information and have this information in one place. The Book is unique to each Witch.
*There is no one true BOS. Every Witch has one and Covens may have a main book. Coven members usually keep individual copies that are similar to the Coven BOS but individualized by each Coven member.
*The BOS is an ongoing and never-ending creative work. This will continue through your entire Wiccan life. As you continue to grow during your study of the Craft, the Book will reflect this and grow with you. The BOS shows your history and progress of a Solitary Witch or Coven.
Purchase a Book
*You can purchase a BOS ready to be filled up for around $10 to $25 each on average. Some are leather, embossed with pentagrams, etc
*Beautiful one of-a-kind books with varnished covers, locks, etc are available. But some are at big prices. They can run from $60 to $100 each.
*Some come with lined or unlined paper. If its hard for you to write in a straight lined, I would go with lined paper from experience.
*They also sometimes come styled as three ring binders. This is an advantage when needing to add paper or rearrange pages.
*You can go to your local Wiccan Shop, Online Wiccan Stores, or even try eBay.
*A cheaper way is to purchase a school notebook. Lined or unlined.
*Another way of creating a BOS is to purchase a blank book, like the ones found in book stores and stationary stores. These also come lined or unlined. I'v seen them at Borders, but they are everywhere.
Making Your Own
*You can keep your BOS on your computer. There is also software designed to keep your personal BOS organized. Always remember to back up your BOS on some external source.
*You can also purchase a three ring binder(s) and paper. An advantage to this is being able to add paper an also moving sections around as your BOS grows. Also, you are able to taje out sections and put them in their own Books.
*Most prefer a black BOS as black repels negativity. However, some Covens choose a certain color and require the color to be used for each members BOS.
*You can also create your BOS from scratch. You can take poster board or thin pieces of wood the same size for front and back, you can use ribbons or yarn to tie the pages and outside cover together.
*Making your BOS from scratch can be lots of fun. And you can make it special and just how you want it.
Decorating
*This will personalize your book and also place some of your energy in each book you create.
*You can use artwork, markers, paints, glitters, or purchase stencils. Fabrics, such as silk, can be used to create a new cover, too. You can use your computer for fancy fonts for cover lettering or calligraphy.
*You can also attach stones, gems, etc to the cover as well. Remember. though, when storing anything with these attachments to allow extra room to store so they do not come off.
*Making each book individual will make each one special. Maybe your book on Rituals work can have a cover of moon phases. The possibilities are endless, and they are an ongoing project. You will add to the cover as you grow.
Stationary and Pens
*The stationary you use can be simple and inexpensive as you want or can be very elegant and come with a big price tag.
*You can buy reams of 20lb recycled white paper (I prefer recycled personally) at a local discount store. Then you can type and run off your BOS pages on the computer printer. You can then use a three hole punch. One ream of recycled white paper is around $7. These stores also carry colored papers as well. You can also buy page dividers for your BOS sections.
*Quite a few premade BOS also include some parchment paper. Parchment paper looks and feels beautiful. It comes in many colors and can really dress up a book. It can also be ordered over the internet if you cant find it locally or if it's too expensive. Parchment paper is also heavier and will take up more room in your BOS. A ream of dove grey 26lb paper is around $25 to $30.
*If you want to use parchment paper but the price is out of range, consider using it for just Rituals, for page dividers, for your cover page, Book Blessings, etc. Many office supply stores sell different grade and types of paper by ream, by sheets of 25 or 50 pages or by the sheet.
*If you are using your computer printer for your BOS, remember to make sure the paper will go through your printer ok before making a large quantity purchase. Some of the heavier bonds might not make it.
*Always keep a special pen or marker for you BOS use only. Some Wiccans prefer using a special ink and feather tip cut for use as a pen. Though this can be a very slow process for writing, but its possible.
*Some office supply stores have beautiful pens. If using markers, make sure they are water resistant. One stray drop from the Chalice during Ritual could wipe out your carefully written ending to our Summer Solstice Ritual.
*One item to remember when writing Ritual items is to use darker ink, and use legible, larger lettering. You will most likely be reading this by candlelight. Some of your fancier more elaborate lettering and fancy fonts are very hard to read in subdued light. If using the computer typeset at 14 or higher with bold or using Franklin Gothic, Georgia, or Impact fonts usually works. Fancy fonts looks wonderful but can be a challenge to read.
Chapters
*Below is a list of possible chapters to your BOS. This list is not complete nor is it a list of topics that are required for your BOS.
-Affirmations
-Altar Designs
-Animal Magic
-Artwork
-Astrology
-Astral Projection
-Candle Magic
-Chakra Research
-Chants
-Charge of the God
-Charge of the Goddess
-Circle Casting
-Color Magic
-Book Blessing
-Definitions/Jargon
-Divination
-Dowsing
-Dream Work
-Earth magic
-Elemental Magic
-Esabat Ritual
-Gem Magic
-Ghost magic
-God Research
-Goddess Research
-Graphology
-Herb Magic
-Magical Alphabets
-Magical Correspondence Tables
-Meditations
-Miscellaneous (Rules, things to remember)
-Pantheon Research
-Poetry
-Prayers
-Quotes
-Ritual Work
-Rune Research
-Sabbats
-Sabbat Corresponding Work
-Songs
-Spells
-Spellwork
-Tarot Research
-Telepathy
-Tools of the Craft
-Vision Questing
-Wiccan Rede
*As your Wiccan library and cupboard crow with books and supplies, you may wish to keep lists of the books and authors that you have and lists of supplies you have (altar clothes, candle colors, herbs, etc) in your BOS (or somewhere at least) so you know, at hand, what you have. Also, if you start running low on something, make sure you make note of it.
Content
*The content is up to you but note your source.
*There aren't copyrights on BOS and much of any BOS is taken from various sources.
*Ethically, please annotate where you received the information. Book source, author, websites, etc. are all important to credit.
*Witches rely on each other for information. It will get mixed up with your information, spells, etc. in your BOS so that it becomes part of you.
*One thing many Witches feel is required is a Book Blessing. This should be the first thing you see as you open your BOS (or wach BOS if you have multiple).
Storage
*Storage of your BOS is important. Also, it depends on if you are in the closet or open. You will want to keep it dry and out of harms way.
*You will want to make sure others dont touch the BOS so negative energy wont transfer to your book. Since touching your BOS would be the same as touching your Altar or Ritual Tools.
To Sum It All Up
*The main thing to remember is the Book is to be You. Use the colors, covers, papers, ink, and writing utensils that You want. You can get ideas from other places but the final decision is Yours!
*Witches can accurately record all of their Magical information, important dates, research, where supplies are purchased, and other information and have this information in one place. The Book is unique to each Witch.
*There is no one true BOS. Every Witch has one and Covens may have a main book. Coven members usually keep individual copies that are similar to the Coven BOS but individualized by each Coven member.
*The BOS is an ongoing and never-ending creative work. This will continue through your entire Wiccan life. As you continue to grow during your study of the Craft, the Book will reflect this and grow with you. The BOS shows your history and progress of a Solitary Witch or Coven.
Purchase a Book
*You can purchase a BOS ready to be filled up for around $10 to $25 each on average. Some are leather, embossed with pentagrams, etc
*Beautiful one of-a-kind books with varnished covers, locks, etc are available. But some are at big prices. They can run from $60 to $100 each.
*Some come with lined or unlined paper. If its hard for you to write in a straight lined, I would go with lined paper from experience.
*They also sometimes come styled as three ring binders. This is an advantage when needing to add paper or rearrange pages.
*You can go to your local Wiccan Shop, Online Wiccan Stores, or even try eBay.
*A cheaper way is to purchase a school notebook. Lined or unlined.
*Another way of creating a BOS is to purchase a blank book, like the ones found in book stores and stationary stores. These also come lined or unlined. I'v seen them at Borders, but they are everywhere.
Making Your Own
*You can keep your BOS on your computer. There is also software designed to keep your personal BOS organized. Always remember to back up your BOS on some external source.
*You can also purchase a three ring binder(s) and paper. An advantage to this is being able to add paper an also moving sections around as your BOS grows. Also, you are able to taje out sections and put them in their own Books.
*Most prefer a black BOS as black repels negativity. However, some Covens choose a certain color and require the color to be used for each members BOS.
*You can also create your BOS from scratch. You can take poster board or thin pieces of wood the same size for front and back, you can use ribbons or yarn to tie the pages and outside cover together.
*Making your BOS from scratch can be lots of fun. And you can make it special and just how you want it.
Decorating
*This will personalize your book and also place some of your energy in each book you create.
*You can use artwork, markers, paints, glitters, or purchase stencils. Fabrics, such as silk, can be used to create a new cover, too. You can use your computer for fancy fonts for cover lettering or calligraphy.
*You can also attach stones, gems, etc to the cover as well. Remember. though, when storing anything with these attachments to allow extra room to store so they do not come off.
*Making each book individual will make each one special. Maybe your book on Rituals work can have a cover of moon phases. The possibilities are endless, and they are an ongoing project. You will add to the cover as you grow.
Stationary and Pens
*The stationary you use can be simple and inexpensive as you want or can be very elegant and come with a big price tag.
*You can buy reams of 20lb recycled white paper (I prefer recycled personally) at a local discount store. Then you can type and run off your BOS pages on the computer printer. You can then use a three hole punch. One ream of recycled white paper is around $7. These stores also carry colored papers as well. You can also buy page dividers for your BOS sections.
*Quite a few premade BOS also include some parchment paper. Parchment paper looks and feels beautiful. It comes in many colors and can really dress up a book. It can also be ordered over the internet if you cant find it locally or if it's too expensive. Parchment paper is also heavier and will take up more room in your BOS. A ream of dove grey 26lb paper is around $25 to $30.
*If you want to use parchment paper but the price is out of range, consider using it for just Rituals, for page dividers, for your cover page, Book Blessings, etc. Many office supply stores sell different grade and types of paper by ream, by sheets of 25 or 50 pages or by the sheet.
*If you are using your computer printer for your BOS, remember to make sure the paper will go through your printer ok before making a large quantity purchase. Some of the heavier bonds might not make it.
*Always keep a special pen or marker for you BOS use only. Some Wiccans prefer using a special ink and feather tip cut for use as a pen. Though this can be a very slow process for writing, but its possible.
*Some office supply stores have beautiful pens. If using markers, make sure they are water resistant. One stray drop from the Chalice during Ritual could wipe out your carefully written ending to our Summer Solstice Ritual.
*One item to remember when writing Ritual items is to use darker ink, and use legible, larger lettering. You will most likely be reading this by candlelight. Some of your fancier more elaborate lettering and fancy fonts are very hard to read in subdued light. If using the computer typeset at 14 or higher with bold or using Franklin Gothic, Georgia, or Impact fonts usually works. Fancy fonts looks wonderful but can be a challenge to read.
Chapters
*Below is a list of possible chapters to your BOS. This list is not complete nor is it a list of topics that are required for your BOS.
-Affirmations
-Altar Designs
-Animal Magic
-Artwork
-Astrology
-Astral Projection
-Candle Magic
-Chakra Research
-Chants
-Charge of the God
-Charge of the Goddess
-Circle Casting
-Color Magic
-Book Blessing
-Definitions/Jargon
-Divination
-Dowsing
-Dream Work
-Earth magic
-Elemental Magic
-Esabat Ritual
-Gem Magic
-Ghost magic
-God Research
-Goddess Research
-Graphology
-Herb Magic
-Magical Alphabets
-Magical Correspondence Tables
-Meditations
-Miscellaneous (Rules, things to remember)
-Pantheon Research
-Poetry
-Prayers
-Quotes
-Ritual Work
-Rune Research
-Sabbats
-Sabbat Corresponding Work
-Songs
-Spells
-Spellwork
-Tarot Research
-Telepathy
-Tools of the Craft
-Vision Questing
-Wiccan Rede
*As your Wiccan library and cupboard crow with books and supplies, you may wish to keep lists of the books and authors that you have and lists of supplies you have (altar clothes, candle colors, herbs, etc) in your BOS (or somewhere at least) so you know, at hand, what you have. Also, if you start running low on something, make sure you make note of it.
Content
*The content is up to you but note your source.
*There aren't copyrights on BOS and much of any BOS is taken from various sources.
*Ethically, please annotate where you received the information. Book source, author, websites, etc. are all important to credit.
*Witches rely on each other for information. It will get mixed up with your information, spells, etc. in your BOS so that it becomes part of you.
*One thing many Witches feel is required is a Book Blessing. This should be the first thing you see as you open your BOS (or wach BOS if you have multiple).
Storage
*Storage of your BOS is important. Also, it depends on if you are in the closet or open. You will want to keep it dry and out of harms way.
*You will want to make sure others dont touch the BOS so negative energy wont transfer to your book. Since touching your BOS would be the same as touching your Altar or Ritual Tools.
To Sum It All Up
*The main thing to remember is the Book is to be You. Use the colors, covers, papers, ink, and writing utensils that You want. You can get ideas from other places but the final decision is Yours!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Basic Spell Writing Part One
Just some points (broken up in a few parts so nothing is too long) to help me (and you if you wish) with some basic spell writing
*Your first steps in writing or creating a spell come with your very first thoughts or desire about bringing change. This can be a thought as simple as a wish or inner comment about something you would like to do, see, or have.
*Magic is the act of manipulating energy to bring about positive change in ones life. Our thoughts and emotions have a direct effect upon the energy around us.
*We must make a decision as to whether or not our desire is one we truly would like to bring about in perfect love and perfect trust.
*Intention and magical ethics go hand in hand and are the solid foundation of all magical spells are built upon. When used as a first step, they are the balance that is needed to insure a well-grounded and stable spell.
*Be prepared to accept the responsibility involved with spell workings. You do this by considering the foremost concepts in Wicca known as 'The Wiccan Rede' and 'The Threefolds Law'.
*The basic and foremost teaching of the Rede is "And if it harm none, do as you wish" always consider this when you first begin the idea of spell working.
*We must insure that our workings will not directly affect the free will of another.
*Never direct a spell toward another person without that person's consent.
*The Three Folds Law works with karma. What we send out is what we get back times three.
*When we abide by magical ethics we are creating a balance between our magical efforts and nature.
Banishing and Manifesting
*There are two major types of spell workings to consider when writing spells. They are banishing, sending energies away or getting rid of, and manifesting, bringing energies in or creating.
*It is important to determine what you are trying to accomplish with our spell and considering these two categories help to begin.
*Spells to manifest are spells you use to bring something into your life or create a positive thing or change. Spell types used for these purposes are wishing spells, attractions spells, spells that bring positive energies into our lives. These types of spells are usually worked when the moon is waxing (or growing in appearance and approaching fullness) or when the moon is full, also when the tide is coming in, or approaching or at high tide. The energies you are working with are those of a drawing nature and intended to bring or create.
*Spells of a banishing nature are intended to banish or get rid of situations, bad habits, negativity and unwanted from your life. Intentions might be losing weight, banishing negativity, or shedding a bad habit. By banishing we are sending away undesired energies. You are letting the Universe know that you are no longer in need of these energies. You usually work them when the moon is waning (or growing smaller in appearance) or when the tide is receding. Many banishing spells dont include actual ingredients. In spells such as these, extra energy will be added by matching correspondences related to timing, candle colors, elements, and directions. Banishing spells can be written in a way for you to "act out" the banishment. Such as, if you want to banish an old habit, you could write a spell that requires you to "step away" from your habit. As you speak the charm, you actually step forward, out of the old and into the new
*Your first steps in writing or creating a spell come with your very first thoughts or desire about bringing change. This can be a thought as simple as a wish or inner comment about something you would like to do, see, or have.
*Magic is the act of manipulating energy to bring about positive change in ones life. Our thoughts and emotions have a direct effect upon the energy around us.
*We must make a decision as to whether or not our desire is one we truly would like to bring about in perfect love and perfect trust.
*Intention and magical ethics go hand in hand and are the solid foundation of all magical spells are built upon. When used as a first step, they are the balance that is needed to insure a well-grounded and stable spell.
*Be prepared to accept the responsibility involved with spell workings. You do this by considering the foremost concepts in Wicca known as 'The Wiccan Rede' and 'The Threefolds Law'.
*The basic and foremost teaching of the Rede is "And if it harm none, do as you wish" always consider this when you first begin the idea of spell working.
*We must insure that our workings will not directly affect the free will of another.
*Never direct a spell toward another person without that person's consent.
*The Three Folds Law works with karma. What we send out is what we get back times three.
*When we abide by magical ethics we are creating a balance between our magical efforts and nature.
Banishing and Manifesting
*There are two major types of spell workings to consider when writing spells. They are banishing, sending energies away or getting rid of, and manifesting, bringing energies in or creating.
*It is important to determine what you are trying to accomplish with our spell and considering these two categories help to begin.
*Spells to manifest are spells you use to bring something into your life or create a positive thing or change. Spell types used for these purposes are wishing spells, attractions spells, spells that bring positive energies into our lives. These types of spells are usually worked when the moon is waxing (or growing in appearance and approaching fullness) or when the moon is full, also when the tide is coming in, or approaching or at high tide. The energies you are working with are those of a drawing nature and intended to bring or create.
*Spells of a banishing nature are intended to banish or get rid of situations, bad habits, negativity and unwanted from your life. Intentions might be losing weight, banishing negativity, or shedding a bad habit. By banishing we are sending away undesired energies. You are letting the Universe know that you are no longer in need of these energies. You usually work them when the moon is waning (or growing smaller in appearance) or when the tide is receding. Many banishing spells dont include actual ingredients. In spells such as these, extra energy will be added by matching correspondences related to timing, candle colors, elements, and directions. Banishing spells can be written in a way for you to "act out" the banishment. Such as, if you want to banish an old habit, you could write a spell that requires you to "step away" from your habit. As you speak the charm, you actually step forward, out of the old and into the new
Monday, February 8, 2010
My personal path
During the time I have been trying to learn my craft, I have been solitary. Not by choice, but lack of options. I would love to be part of a Coven or at least have a teacher. But, Im at a loss as to how to find such things, and my attempts at searching has brought forth nothing. Because of this and my own faults, I have been slow at becoming practiced. I know the beliefs (and that is the base) but still have much to learn. Though we always have room to learn. I have been studying for about 4 or 5 years at this point. I would still love to join a coven, but wonder how I would blend. I have not followed one single path. But have gathered what I have come to believe. Many covens follow one path, as well as having their own traditions. None the less, I still wish to find a teacher and friends in the craft with which to practice with. As humans, we are social beings in nature. Of course, those whom wish to practice solitary are no less then those whom decide to practice in a group. I just feel at this point to grow I would benefit with guidance and wish to seek some. This is my current position in regards to my craft. I hope I will expand my knowledge and practices soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
