Brightest Blessings... here it is, the next edition of the Witchcraft Dawning newsletter.
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Editors Notes:
Unfortunately, this newsletter will be shorter than expected. Ralph suffered a terminal harddrive crash and he lost 2 Gigs of everything he ever collected for his pc, which included his article which was intended for this newsletter. He is still recovering and recollecting software and will not have time to produce his article on Meditation techniques, however, he is hoping to have it done for the next newsletter.
Sapphire has put out a great article, as usual, and I put together an introduction to Divination article. While this newsletter is a bit short, we apologize... but expect the next newsletter to be outstanding and extensive. Thanks for your patience and support.
Peace and Love,
Markus
Witchcraft Dawning Webmaster
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Wicca: Magickal Tools
Certain objects or tools are used in Wicca for ritual purposes. These tools invoke the God and Goddess, get rid of negativity and direct energy through our touch and intention. These tools aren't necessary to the practice of Wicca, however, tools enrich rituals and symbolize energies. The tools alone have no power except for that energy which we lend to them. You may want to collect at least some of these tools by searching through various shops. Some people prefer to make their own tools instilling their energy as they work on making them. All tools should be cleansed and consecrated before ritual use.
*The Broom (Besom):
The broom is used to clean out sacred space before each ritual. While sweeping, the Wiccan visualizes the broom sweeping out the astral buildup that occurs where humans live. This cleansing is done both inside and outside, but the bristles don't need to touch the ground to remove negative energies. Witches are associated with riding brooms because in the early times witches would straddle their brooms and hop over crops to promote fertility and growth.
Brooms are often laid at the openings of magick circles, used to relay information to friends by astral projection, posted next to doorways and/or windows for protection, or used in celebration.
To make your own broom you could simply cut a branch from a pine tree. Make sure you thank the tree for its gift.
*The Wand:
The wand is one of the prime magickal tools. It is an instrument of invocation and of directing your energy to a specific person, place, or thing. The God and Goddess may be called upon with the uplifting of the wand to watch the ritual. It is also used to direct energy, draw magickal symbols or a circle on the ground, or even stir brew in a cauldron.
You can make your own wand with a fallen twig from a tree and decorating it to your liking. Research should be conducted on the magickal properties of trees in your local area to make the best selection. Infuse it with energy and power as you are cutting it and working on it.
*The Censer:
The censer holds smoldering incense during rites. Any bowl or cup half filled with sand or salt will serve well. You may even use a large simple seashell to put your cone, block, or powdered incense in. I use stick incense and a regular stick incense burner. Sitting while breathing slowly and watching the smoke can be an entrancing act, and you might step into an alternate state of consciousness.
*The Cauldron:
The cauldron is a multipurpose tool. It is a vessel for cooking and brew making, the container in which magickal transformations occur, and is often a focal point of ritual. It may be filled with fresh water and flowers or a simple, small fire. The cauldron can be an instrument of scrying by filling it with water and starring into it's depths, interpreting the images that appear within.
The cauldron is a tool which is highly symbolic of the Goddess. Traditionally it is a round bowl which is narrower at the opening than at it's widest point, and supported on three legs to mirror each aspect of the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone). My cauldron is a small brass bowl with three legs, but they come in all shapes and sizes.
*The Athame (pronounced a-tham-ay like whammy):
The magick knife, or athame, is a double edged knife, traditionally black handled (but doesn't have to be), which is never used for physical cutting purposes. It is used to direct energy raised during rites and spells. It is seldom used to invoke or call upon the Deities because it is an instrument of commanding and power manipulation.
The knife is used in ritual to direct energy when casting a circle, and sometimes energy raised within the rituals is channeled into the knife for later use.
I purchased my athame online for $10!!
(!!!!! A cautionary note: Double-edged blades are considered concealed weapons by almost ALL law enforcement agencies. Indeed, (outside Craft) double-edged blades serve no other purpose than killing. Carrying these tools to outside celebrations or on your person at anytime can result in confiscation of the blade and/or criminal persecution. Please be careful. -- Markus !!!!!)
*The Bolline
The bolline is traditionally a white handled, single edged blade, used for cutting physical material such as herbs, string, carving wands or candles, etc. Wiccans typically (like the Athame) reserved it for magickal workings and not for your T-bone at dinner. ;)
*The Chalice:
The chalice is simply a wine glass of sorts, and is a symbol of fertility and emotional energies. It is used to contain the ritual fluid, or to hold a beverage for the cakes and ale ceremony at the end of rituals. At times, more than one chalice may be needed for ritual.
Chalices can be crafted out of any safe material, so don't make it out of Uranium or if you are Superman/woman don't make it out of Krypton. Ceramic, glass, clay, plastic are all fine. Decorate to your hearts delight!
*Pentacle:
The pentacle is a flat, circular piece of brass, gold, silver, wood or clay inscribed with a pentagram (the 5-pointed star), borrowed from Ceremonial Magick systems. It is used to place amulets, charms or other objects upon to be ritually consecrated, as well as protection, symbolizing balance, and evoking spirits. Poppets for healing work should also be laid in the center of the pentacle. Other sigils or symbols can be inscribed around the perimeter or within the pentacle for representation of any number of energies. My pentacle is a simple piece of blue cardboard with a glitter pentacle drawn on it. (handmade, of course, by me)
Pentacles can also be hung on doors and windows to act as protective devices. I have a grape vine wreath hanging on my door with golden ribbon forming the star of the pentacle. (handmade by me too)
*The Bell:
The bell is used to invoke the Goddess in rituals. It is also rung to ward off evil spirits, to halt storms, or to evoke good energies. Bells are sometimes rung in ritual to mark various sections and to signal a spells beginning or end.
As you collect each tool, you can prepare it for ritual. If old, it should be stripped of all associations and energies- you never know who owned it in the past or for what purpose they used it. Do this by doing a cleansing and consecrating ritual.
For new or handmade tools, you can cleanse and consecrate them as they are made or as soon as you bring them home. And for some outstanding ideas on how to produce your own tools at home see Ashlynn's Grove: The Crafty Crafter!
http://www.oocities.com/~ashlynnsgrove/crafty.html
Article by,
Sapphire Sundove
Sources:
Cunningham, Scott. "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner." Llewellyn Publishing.
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Divination:
It is human nature (or animal nature in general) to fear what we do not know. This aspect has shown in Every area of history, from the Inquisition to the Crusades to scary movies about aliens to extra dimensional horrors. One thing that humans have always feared (though most won't admit it) is the Future! It is something we can never absolutely predict and never understand, most likely because the future is unwritten and all possibilities exist until they pass. Out of our fear springs a multitude of divination techniques, from Tarot Cards, to Palmistry, to Dowsing. All legitimate techniques for catching a glimpse of the possible future.
*General principles of Divination:
Whatever form of divination you practice or are learning to work with, the major principle behind it is to interpret energies that manifest themselves before you. These energies are sensed by your Inner Self, the non-material deeper part of you that senses beyond the physical plane. From these manifestations, you can infer the general TREND of what the future will hold.
Even reading material aspects, such as the lines in your palm, are manifestations of energy, albeit, the energies transferring to flesh when you were born and shifting while you developed and grew.
*Primitive vs. Modern
It's not hard to understand how "primitive" man has developed so many naturalistic divination techniques. Many tribal groups still read dust trails made by wind to predict the future of the weather, or how birds fly to assess the strength of a storm. Many would argue that these techniques are inferior to our modern technology and forecasting. In personal experience: When I see the back of the leaves on deciduous trees, or my hair is curled tighter than usual (aka Knappy! *grin*) I KNOW it will rain within the next 24 or so hours. The weatherman can tell me to expect sunny skies and I will go roll up my windows and make sure the dog is inside, and 99 out of 100 times I will be correct.
It is curious how such "powerful" and "advanced" machinery can be so inaccurate at times when compared to basic awareness of natural patterns that make themselves visible to you at every turn. Perhaps the trouble science is having is that they don't understand, the easiest way to understand nature is by observing nature naturally. I see more in the weather patterns by watching birds and groundhogs than by watching the Weather Channel (tm).
Go outside before the weatherman says the next storm is coming. Take with you a notebook and a pen and sit in your yard, on your roof, on the stoop (cities show signs also, regardless of all the mechanical hubbub), or wherever. Look, Listen, Smell.... and most of all SENSE! Just let the breeze flow through you... what do you note? Try this exercise 3 or 4 times and I guarantee, you will begin to see patterns. In time and with practice, you will be able to tell the strength, direction, and time of the storm with more accuracy than the weatherman!
Happy Learning!
Article by,
Markus
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We are always looking for persons who are willing to contribute their thoughts and experiences with us. By submitting an article you are not signing your soul to us, *smile* one time articles are fine too. If you have some information or thoughts you wish to share with the other 60+ members on this list, by all means, EMAIL US! Share your thoughts with us, we grow together.
Editors,
Ralph M
ralphmj@hotmail.com
&
Markus
Witchcraft Dawning Webmaster
http://www.oocities.com/CollegePark/4885/index.html
witchdawn@hotmail.com
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