Young Witch Discussion #8 - Colour Symbolism in Magick
As previously mentioned in a post, colour symbolism in Magick is quite important. The right colour means the right energy can be enacted. Like many other beliefs, such as Buddhism or Hinduism, colour is every bit as important. You've heard of Chakras? Right?
Well in Paganism, we believe the colours represent the following:
BLACK: Grounding, wisdom, learning, protection, safety, reversing, uncrossing, unhexing, repelling black magick (ironically), banishing negativity, releasing, shapeshifting, defense, pride.
BLUE: Communication, willpower, focus, forgiveness, good fortune, weight loss, truth, fidelity, patience, domestic harmony, organisation, removing bad vibrations, astral projection, water element.
BROWN: Blessing the home, animal/pet magick, earth magick, concentration, material goods, stability, locating lost objects, earth element, real estate, finances.
COPPER: Passion, money, fertility, career growth.
GOLD: Masculine divinity, great fortune, abundance, prosperity, male energy, understanding, divination, fast luck, sun energy, positivity, justice, health, attraction.
GREY: Loneliness, glamour, contemplation.
GREEN: Prosperity, abundance, money, physical and emotional healing, growth, luck, marriage, acceptance, weather, counteracting jealousy.
INDIGO: Spiritual guidance, psychic ability, stop gossip/lies, dignity, divination, overcoming depression.
LAVENDER: Knowledge, intuition.
LIGHT BLUE: Spirituality, tranquility, peace, protection.
ORANGE: Creativity, self-expression, intellectual matters, overcoming addiction, legal matters, joy, business, ambition, vitality, fun, action, opportunity, celebration, investments.
PINK: Love, compassion, nurturing, femininity, friendship, romance, partnership, protection of children, domestic harmony, self-improvement, maturity.
PURPLE: Wisdom, influence, contact with spirits, drive away evil, change luck, independence, break habits.
RED: Passion, carnal love, strength, survival, fertility, courage, mercy, fire element, independence, competition.
SILVER: Feminine divinity, stability, psychic awareness, intuition, dreams, victory, meditation, communication, moon magick.
VIOLET: Connection to higher self, Goddess, insight, clarity, tension.
WHITE: All purpose, unity, purity, protection, cleansing, peace, balance, spirituality, healing, innocence, rain, truth.
YELLOW: Pleasure, success, happiness, memory, persuasion, inspiration, imagination, confidence, air element, travel.
These colours can be enacted in rites for certain questions, themes or elements. Candles can be used and dressed accordingly, or failing that coloured silks. They can also be used to determine moods when read as auras (something clairvoyants are known for).
What do colours mean to you?
Blessed be,
Young Witch
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Clairaudience vs Clairvoyance
Young Witch Discussion #7 - Clairaudience vs Clairvoyance (I couldn't think of a catchy title for this one!)
As I mentioned in my first post, I am a clairaudient/voyant. I put the audient first as that is my dominant trait. So, to explain for those of you at home, here is the difference between clairaudience and clairvoyance a quick role-call of what that means:
Clairaudient
This is the ability to hear the inaudible, that is, that which cannot be heard by the average ear. In my case, I hear the spirits of those who have passed on. I tend not to tell people this as most think it idiotic, but these are my ramblings and I shall tell the truth. I first realised I possessed this ability when I was little, but every child has imaginary friends and so I didn't think much of it at the time. It was only when I got to be a teenager that I realised the voices wouldn't leave me alone, and so I had to learn to train myself. I'd often reply to someone calling me when nobody living had done. I'd like to take a moment here to tell you it's not like it is in the movies. I don't constantly have a stream of whispers in my head driving me insane. I have the odd comment, which gets worse as the veil thins (see my post about the Wheel of the Year). This may be different for different people and I'd like to hear their viewpoints on the matter. I'm a film student and I've started writing a short film called 'Insight' which focuses on a girl with this ability: watch this space for more in future.
Clairvoyant
Those of you familiar with linguistics and etymology will know that 'audient' means hearing, and so 'voyant' means seeing. A clairvoyant is often portrayed as a psychic looking into a magic ball, but actually the reality (in my case anyway) is very different. I first discovered that I was clairvoyant when I noticed my friends at primary school were all surrounded by light. Thinking that was what everyone saw I never really questioned it, and it was only when I was a young teenager and came across some reading about auras that I realised what I was seeing. Since then I have learnt to turn it on and off like a rainbow lightswitch, but it's quite fun at parties when everyone wants to know their colour. I see spirits too, usually only around the thinning of the veil, but sometimes all year round. I never really realise what they are until it's too late. They're solid, mostly, not like the translucent beings portrayed all over. And, unlike everyone seems to think, they're not all pre-1950s looking.
Do you have any abilities such as these? I'd be very interested to know your thoughts.
Blessed be,
Young Witch
As I mentioned in my first post, I am a clairaudient/voyant. I put the audient first as that is my dominant trait. So, to explain for those of you at home, here is the difference between clairaudience and clairvoyance a quick role-call of what that means:
Clairaudient
This is the ability to hear the inaudible, that is, that which cannot be heard by the average ear. In my case, I hear the spirits of those who have passed on. I tend not to tell people this as most think it idiotic, but these are my ramblings and I shall tell the truth. I first realised I possessed this ability when I was little, but every child has imaginary friends and so I didn't think much of it at the time. It was only when I got to be a teenager that I realised the voices wouldn't leave me alone, and so I had to learn to train myself. I'd often reply to someone calling me when nobody living had done. I'd like to take a moment here to tell you it's not like it is in the movies. I don't constantly have a stream of whispers in my head driving me insane. I have the odd comment, which gets worse as the veil thins (see my post about the Wheel of the Year). This may be different for different people and I'd like to hear their viewpoints on the matter. I'm a film student and I've started writing a short film called 'Insight' which focuses on a girl with this ability: watch this space for more in future.
Clairvoyant
Those of you familiar with linguistics and etymology will know that 'audient' means hearing, and so 'voyant' means seeing. A clairvoyant is often portrayed as a psychic looking into a magic ball, but actually the reality (in my case anyway) is very different. I first discovered that I was clairvoyant when I noticed my friends at primary school were all surrounded by light. Thinking that was what everyone saw I never really questioned it, and it was only when I was a young teenager and came across some reading about auras that I realised what I was seeing. Since then I have learnt to turn it on and off like a rainbow lightswitch, but it's quite fun at parties when everyone wants to know their colour. I see spirits too, usually only around the thinning of the veil, but sometimes all year round. I never really realise what they are until it's too late. They're solid, mostly, not like the translucent beings portrayed all over. And, unlike everyone seems to think, they're not all pre-1950s looking.
Do you have any abilities such as these? I'd be very interested to know your thoughts.
Blessed be,
Young Witch
Sunday, December 16, 2018
I Now Pronounce You Witch and Witch
Young Witch Discussion #6 - Handfasting and Marriage
(NB: Witch is the term for both male and female practitioners)
Okay, so this discussion point is mainly for me to gain your ideas and experiences as I've never actually been to a handfasting myself, so at this point I'm all theory, but as today is my parents wedding anniversary I thought I'd blog about it.
My understanding is as follows:
Handfastings are not a legal form of marriage in the UK, but are ceremonies performed by a High Priest or Priestess. Two people promise to pledge their lives to each other, as in a Christian wedding. Handfastings are usually performed outside. Their hands are tied together with a knot, which is where the expression 'tying the knot' comes from. That's as far as I know. At some versions there is a ceremonial jumping over a broomstick which I suppose is to symbolise jumping from single life to married?
My Mum told me that a handfasting, as it's not a legal ceremony, can be performed in three ways: you can pledge yourselves to each other for a year, for life or for eternity. What are your thoughts on this? I like the idea of eternity, but then I believe in true love.
So here is what I would like to do for my handfasting:
I would like three bridesmaids who are representative of the three stages of the Goddess: Maiden, Mother and Crone.
I would like to be bare foot so I can be one with the Earth.
I would like to get handfasted in the woods.
I would like nobody to wear white, not even me. Pastel colours will be the theme.
What are your thoughts? Let me know.
Blessed be,
Young Witch
(NB: Witch is the term for both male and female practitioners)
Okay, so this discussion point is mainly for me to gain your ideas and experiences as I've never actually been to a handfasting myself, so at this point I'm all theory, but as today is my parents wedding anniversary I thought I'd blog about it.
My understanding is as follows:
Handfastings are not a legal form of marriage in the UK, but are ceremonies performed by a High Priest or Priestess. Two people promise to pledge their lives to each other, as in a Christian wedding. Handfastings are usually performed outside. Their hands are tied together with a knot, which is where the expression 'tying the knot' comes from. That's as far as I know. At some versions there is a ceremonial jumping over a broomstick which I suppose is to symbolise jumping from single life to married?
My Mum told me that a handfasting, as it's not a legal ceremony, can be performed in three ways: you can pledge yourselves to each other for a year, for life or for eternity. What are your thoughts on this? I like the idea of eternity, but then I believe in true love.
So here is what I would like to do for my handfasting:
I would like three bridesmaids who are representative of the three stages of the Goddess: Maiden, Mother and Crone.
I would like to be bare foot so I can be one with the Earth.
I would like to get handfasted in the woods.
I would like nobody to wear white, not even me. Pastel colours will be the theme.
What are your thoughts? Let me know.
Blessed be,
Young Witch
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Deck the Halls with Bows of... Wait, That's Pagan!?
Young Witch Discussion #5 - Yule VS Christmas
To the untrained eye all of the merriment and decorations currently available in shops are innocently staples of 'Christmas', but how many people truly know the origin of the items they are decorating their houses with?
As a Pagan, I celebrate a festival called Yule, or Yol, which was Scandinavian in root.
I'd also like to be clear - I am not against Christianity. At all. I am, however, against the uneducated. I don't know about you, but as a Pagan the amount of times I've been asked why I'm decorating a tree or hanging holly or setting up stars (5-pointed) at this time of year when I don't believe in the Christianity of Christmas sets my teeth on edge. If half of the people who asked these questions did even one iota of research into the items THEY are decking their halls with the world would be a more tolerant place.
So, to clarify for those who are unsure, here is what actually puts the Christ in CHRISTmas (and I went to a church school, I'm not just preaching with no practice):
1) Nativity: Yhup, Mary, Joseph, Jesus in the Manger (NOT the 5-pointed star). All those adorable plays of kids with tea-towels on their heads is definitely a church thing.
2) Jesus: Yes, he was a person and nothing to do with Paganism, except that he was created to put an end to Pagans.
3) Saint Nicholas (not Santa Claus) - A gift-giver from Greece revered as a Saint by Christians. In deed, yes, he is Santa Claus. In appearance, no.
4) Carols - singing about the things taken from Pagans, or the birth of the Saviour. Excluding: Deck the Halls, Holly and the Ivy, and O' Christmas Tree, of course.
What is PAGAN about Christmas:
1) The 5-pointed star, i.e. the pentacle.
2) Yule log - firstly, YULE is in the title. Secondly, it was not originally a chocolate log but an actual log that was brought in and burnt after the festivities ended.
3) Christmas trees - Vikings would bring in large boughs and fir trees to symbolise fertility.
4) Holly and Ivy - In pagan times, Holly was thought to be a male plant and Ivy a female plant. An old tradition from the Midlands of England says that whatever one was brought into the house first over winter, tells you whether the man or woman of the house would rule that year! But it was unlucky to bring either into a house before Christmas Eve.
5) Mistletoe - dates back to Norse times (again) as a symbol of fertility, but was also used by druids at weddings.
6) Elves - Or more importantly, Tomte or Nisse, are house guardians who dwell in buildings all year round, but are celebrated especially at Christmas time. One of their jobs is to let Santa in to the houses where no chimney is present.
7) SANTA CLAUS - Or specifically his appearance. The original bearded appearance and green robes is a throwback to the appearance of the Norse god Odin, or the Celtic horned god or Green man. Red only started when Coca-Cola decided they'd use Santa as a marketing tool.
8) The date - The early Christian church hijacked December 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus because they saw that everyone was already having a good time and decided to take advantage of it.
9) Lights, or specifically - candles - which would light the long night on December 21st when early Pagans celebrated the rise of the new sun.
10) Presents - Despite popular belief, the customs of giving presents did NOT come from the three wise men. Instead, present giving comes from the Roman festival Saturnalia which used to be celebrated around December 17.
11) Food - the Roman feast of Mithras was celebrated on December 25th and would celebrate the God of Light with food galore (and we all know from Key Stage 2 Romans that they could EAT).
12) New Years Eve - another Roman festival to honour the God Janus, who had two faces and so could look back on the old year and forward to the new.
13) Bows and greenery - Wiccanism centres around worshipping the Earth and its abundance.
14) Robins - The Holly King is believed to take the form of a robin at this time of year, with the Oak King taking the form of a wren.
15) Wreaths - The never-ending circle has been a Pagan symbol for hundreds of years, and traditional laurel wreaths are another roman hang-around.
"We celebrate the rebirth of the sun, not the son," said Kate West, High Priestess of a Wiccan coven in Cheshire.
So, next time someone tries to argue as to why Pagans get a bit angsty around this season, you'll have a fully formed argument to give back to them.
Blessed be, and seasons greetings,
Young Witch
To the untrained eye all of the merriment and decorations currently available in shops are innocently staples of 'Christmas', but how many people truly know the origin of the items they are decorating their houses with?
As a Pagan, I celebrate a festival called Yule, or Yol, which was Scandinavian in root.
I'd also like to be clear - I am not against Christianity. At all. I am, however, against the uneducated. I don't know about you, but as a Pagan the amount of times I've been asked why I'm decorating a tree or hanging holly or setting up stars (5-pointed) at this time of year when I don't believe in the Christianity of Christmas sets my teeth on edge. If half of the people who asked these questions did even one iota of research into the items THEY are decking their halls with the world would be a more tolerant place.
So, to clarify for those who are unsure, here is what actually puts the Christ in CHRISTmas (and I went to a church school, I'm not just preaching with no practice):
1) Nativity: Yhup, Mary, Joseph, Jesus in the Manger (NOT the 5-pointed star). All those adorable plays of kids with tea-towels on their heads is definitely a church thing.
2) Jesus: Yes, he was a person and nothing to do with Paganism, except that he was created to put an end to Pagans.
3) Saint Nicholas (not Santa Claus) - A gift-giver from Greece revered as a Saint by Christians. In deed, yes, he is Santa Claus. In appearance, no.
4) Carols - singing about the things taken from Pagans, or the birth of the Saviour. Excluding: Deck the Halls, Holly and the Ivy, and O' Christmas Tree, of course.
What is PAGAN about Christmas:
1) The 5-pointed star, i.e. the pentacle.
2) Yule log - firstly, YULE is in the title. Secondly, it was not originally a chocolate log but an actual log that was brought in and burnt after the festivities ended.
3) Christmas trees - Vikings would bring in large boughs and fir trees to symbolise fertility.
4) Holly and Ivy - In pagan times, Holly was thought to be a male plant and Ivy a female plant. An old tradition from the Midlands of England says that whatever one was brought into the house first over winter, tells you whether the man or woman of the house would rule that year! But it was unlucky to bring either into a house before Christmas Eve.
5) Mistletoe - dates back to Norse times (again) as a symbol of fertility, but was also used by druids at weddings.
6) Elves - Or more importantly, Tomte or Nisse, are house guardians who dwell in buildings all year round, but are celebrated especially at Christmas time. One of their jobs is to let Santa in to the houses where no chimney is present.
7) SANTA CLAUS - Or specifically his appearance. The original bearded appearance and green robes is a throwback to the appearance of the Norse god Odin, or the Celtic horned god or Green man. Red only started when Coca-Cola decided they'd use Santa as a marketing tool.
8) The date - The early Christian church hijacked December 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus because they saw that everyone was already having a good time and decided to take advantage of it.
9) Lights, or specifically - candles - which would light the long night on December 21st when early Pagans celebrated the rise of the new sun.
10) Presents - Despite popular belief, the customs of giving presents did NOT come from the three wise men. Instead, present giving comes from the Roman festival Saturnalia which used to be celebrated around December 17.
11) Food - the Roman feast of Mithras was celebrated on December 25th and would celebrate the God of Light with food galore (and we all know from Key Stage 2 Romans that they could EAT).
12) New Years Eve - another Roman festival to honour the God Janus, who had two faces and so could look back on the old year and forward to the new.
13) Bows and greenery - Wiccanism centres around worshipping the Earth and its abundance.
14) Robins - The Holly King is believed to take the form of a robin at this time of year, with the Oak King taking the form of a wren.
15) Wreaths - The never-ending circle has been a Pagan symbol for hundreds of years, and traditional laurel wreaths are another roman hang-around.
"We celebrate the rebirth of the sun, not the son," said Kate West, High Priestess of a Wiccan coven in Cheshire.
So, next time someone tries to argue as to why Pagans get a bit angsty around this season, you'll have a fully formed argument to give back to them.
Blessed be, and seasons greetings,
Young Witch
Friday, December 14, 2018
The Wheel of the Year Goes Round and Round...
Young Witch Discussion #4 - The Wheel of the Year
A non-Pagan friend of mine recently asked me why I seem to have a festival every few weeks and so I thought I'd break it down for them - and now for anyone else who is interested in my ramblings.
As I have stated previously although I am Hellenic Pagan I was raised Wiccan, I was raised with the Wheel of the Year. We have 8 festivals, 4 esbats and 4 sabbats, which a lot of the time are widely recognised amongst other religions if only by another name.
The Wheel of the Year begins on October 31st, on Samhain (or Hallowe'en). This is our New Year and the veil between the worlds of life and death is thinnest. For those of us who are clairaudient or clairvoyant this is a trying time of year. It can be draining to say the least and I don't think I slept a goods night sleep between October 10th and November 3rd. However, this is my favourite festival. It's a time when we remember our ancestors and look forward to what lies in store. Pagans acknowledge death as a part of life, which I will talk about in a later post.
Then comes Yule, the Winter solstice, on December 21st. This is one carried over from Scandinavia, and we celebrate rebirth and new life. We like to drum up the sun at our local stone circle and many of the staples of the holiday season come from this festival (see my next post).
February 2nd brings Imbolc, the festival of lights. We sing away the dark nights and celebrate the awakening of the land and growing strength of the sun.
The Spring Equinox, none as Ostara (sound familiar?) happens on March 21st. This is the festival of bloom and we start to look towards life rather than death. It's a time for merriment and abundance as the Earth awakens.
Beltane is the fertility festival and is celebrated on May 1st, or May-Day. We dance around a maypole and light roaring fires to celebrate the fertility of the land and our Goddess. This is said to be the time of the year when women are most fertile and therefore a lot of babies are conceived here. It is also the most popular date for Handfastings (see my later post). Contrary to popular belief not many of us dance around the fire naked.
Litha, the Summer solstice is June 21st. The Lord of Light is at his peak and it is a time for celebrating the growing harvest and celebrating.
Midsummer, or Lughnasadh/Lammas, is the first harvest and is celebrated on August 1st. We reap what we have sown and celebrate the abundance of the land. We give back to nature for what it has given us. We feast on this one.
The Autumn Equinox is the last stop on the Wheel of the Year. Also known as Mabon, darkness begins to creep back to the land. The final harvests have been reaped and we celebrate with feasts galore. We honour those of old age and look to the growing darkness.
And then the wheel turns anew and we start all over again.
If you have any special celebrations for any of these festivals I'd love to hear them.
Blessed be,
Young Witch
A non-Pagan friend of mine recently asked me why I seem to have a festival every few weeks and so I thought I'd break it down for them - and now for anyone else who is interested in my ramblings.
As I have stated previously although I am Hellenic Pagan I was raised Wiccan, I was raised with the Wheel of the Year. We have 8 festivals, 4 esbats and 4 sabbats, which a lot of the time are widely recognised amongst other religions if only by another name.
The Wheel of the Year begins on October 31st, on Samhain (or Hallowe'en). This is our New Year and the veil between the worlds of life and death is thinnest. For those of us who are clairaudient or clairvoyant this is a trying time of year. It can be draining to say the least and I don't think I slept a goods night sleep between October 10th and November 3rd. However, this is my favourite festival. It's a time when we remember our ancestors and look forward to what lies in store. Pagans acknowledge death as a part of life, which I will talk about in a later post.
Then comes Yule, the Winter solstice, on December 21st. This is one carried over from Scandinavia, and we celebrate rebirth and new life. We like to drum up the sun at our local stone circle and many of the staples of the holiday season come from this festival (see my next post).
February 2nd brings Imbolc, the festival of lights. We sing away the dark nights and celebrate the awakening of the land and growing strength of the sun.
The Spring Equinox, none as Ostara (sound familiar?) happens on March 21st. This is the festival of bloom and we start to look towards life rather than death. It's a time for merriment and abundance as the Earth awakens.
Beltane is the fertility festival and is celebrated on May 1st, or May-Day. We dance around a maypole and light roaring fires to celebrate the fertility of the land and our Goddess. This is said to be the time of the year when women are most fertile and therefore a lot of babies are conceived here. It is also the most popular date for Handfastings (see my later post). Contrary to popular belief not many of us dance around the fire naked.
Litha, the Summer solstice is June 21st. The Lord of Light is at his peak and it is a time for celebrating the growing harvest and celebrating.
Midsummer, or Lughnasadh/Lammas, is the first harvest and is celebrated on August 1st. We reap what we have sown and celebrate the abundance of the land. We give back to nature for what it has given us. We feast on this one.
The Autumn Equinox is the last stop on the Wheel of the Year. Also known as Mabon, darkness begins to creep back to the land. The final harvests have been reaped and we celebrate with feasts galore. We honour those of old age and look to the growing darkness.
And then the wheel turns anew and we start all over again.
If you have any special celebrations for any of these festivals I'd love to hear them.
Blessed be,
Young Witch
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
The Rite Way
Young Witch Discussion #3 - Performing a Rite
Okay, so, this one may cause a bit of debate as everyone is different, but I'm going to walk you through what I was taught by way of performing a rite (or a ritual).
First, the tools for the job:
5 candles (white tealights will do, see my later post about colour symbolism)
A representation of the Goddess or God you wish to address
Salt (that has been blessed by the moon)
The spell or charm you wish to incite written down (or memorised)
Any items specific to the rite (such as a photo or focal point)
Silence
Matches or a lighter
Additional:
Objects to represent the 5 elements: Water, Fire, Air, Earth and Spirit.
A wand
A besom broom
1) In a space big enough to draw a circle that you can comfortably sit or stand in, start by casting a circle around yourself in a clockwise direction. This is the casting space. (NB: Make sure all aspects are within the circle, as you can't break it without breaking the protection until the rite is done. I'd place them by your feet before casting).
2) Then place the 5 candles in the four compass points in the following formation: Earth/north, Air/east, Fire/south, Water/west. The fifth candle should be placed in front of you for the spirit and the one the deity will be drawn to.
3) The candles should then be lit in the order they were placed and with each one you should say "I call upon the element of ... , I ask for your presence within this rite." Spirit should be lit last as you sit yourself behind it. With the Spirit candle you call upon the Goddess or God, not the element of spirit.
4) Centre yourself. Close your eyes and just meditate on the silence around you. Feel the magick and the presence of the elements. Fill yourself with their light. Breathe it in like oxygen.
5) Cast your rite. Speak your spell or perform your deed. Take as long as you need for it to be done, and even repeat it three times if need be.
6) Once finished, the candles should be extinguished in the same order to break the circle. As you extinguish each candle, say "I thank you for your presence within this rite." Once the Goddess has been dismissed take a moment to feel her leave.
7) Break the circle by sweeping away the salt, outward from the circle in a clockwise direction, either with your hand or the broom.
Spells are sometimes specific and so this has only been a basic rite.
I'd love to hear how your casting works.
Blessed be, and happy casting,
Young Witch
Okay, so, this one may cause a bit of debate as everyone is different, but I'm going to walk you through what I was taught by way of performing a rite (or a ritual).
First, the tools for the job:
5 candles (white tealights will do, see my later post about colour symbolism)
A representation of the Goddess or God you wish to address
Salt (that has been blessed by the moon)
The spell or charm you wish to incite written down (or memorised)
Any items specific to the rite (such as a photo or focal point)
Silence
Matches or a lighter
Additional:
Objects to represent the 5 elements: Water, Fire, Air, Earth and Spirit.
A wand
A besom broom
1) In a space big enough to draw a circle that you can comfortably sit or stand in, start by casting a circle around yourself in a clockwise direction. This is the casting space. (NB: Make sure all aspects are within the circle, as you can't break it without breaking the protection until the rite is done. I'd place them by your feet before casting).
2) Then place the 5 candles in the four compass points in the following formation: Earth/north, Air/east, Fire/south, Water/west. The fifth candle should be placed in front of you for the spirit and the one the deity will be drawn to.
3) The candles should then be lit in the order they were placed and with each one you should say "I call upon the element of ... , I ask for your presence within this rite." Spirit should be lit last as you sit yourself behind it. With the Spirit candle you call upon the Goddess or God, not the element of spirit.
4) Centre yourself. Close your eyes and just meditate on the silence around you. Feel the magick and the presence of the elements. Fill yourself with their light. Breathe it in like oxygen.
5) Cast your rite. Speak your spell or perform your deed. Take as long as you need for it to be done, and even repeat it three times if need be.
6) Once finished, the candles should be extinguished in the same order to break the circle. As you extinguish each candle, say "I thank you for your presence within this rite." Once the Goddess has been dismissed take a moment to feel her leave.
7) Break the circle by sweeping away the salt, outward from the circle in a clockwise direction, either with your hand or the broom.
Spells are sometimes specific and so this has only been a basic rite.
I'd love to hear how your casting works.
Blessed be, and happy casting,
Young Witch
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Wherever the Spirit (Animal) Takes You
Young Witch Discussion #2 - Spirit Animals
Spirit animals (also known as totems) first appeared with First Nation beliefs, i.e. Native Americans, Canadians and Aboriginals all had 'spirit animals'. Like many elements of these beliefs, spirit animals have been adopted by Pagans the world over as a way of understanding or guiding the magick we practice. The concept was displayed in Philip Pullmans 'Dark Materials' in the form of daemons, and such as daemons I have come to believe that spirit animals can change. For instance, my Dad's totem has changed in my lifetime.
I was taught that my spirit animal, like familiars, would appear to me and appear it did. For those who are interested, my spirit animal is a raven, and Thatch, as he calls himself, appeared to me in a dream when I was 15 years old. He flew into my window one morning and, when I told my mum, was adamant it had been real.
Ravens in-particular get a bad rap for being dwellers around churchyards and therefore bringers of death, but they also come to represent intelligence, ambition and foresight. The Norse God Odin had two ravens named Huginn and Muninn, who are the bringers of news and wisdom. And, actually, I often find that when I see ravens in real life they are in twos. If I'm struggling at that point I am always grateful that they should present themselves to me.
As a clairvoyant I can often inform people of their spirit animal by looking at them, which more than often is confirmed. Some get offended if I tell them an animal they think is associated with negative tropes (such as a mouse), but with a little bit of research it can be seen that these animals who lend their traits to us are often misunderstood. Spirit Animals can take many forms, but here is a summary of the spirit animals of my family and friends, and what they are taken to represent:
Barn Owl - Wise, mature, understanding, family.
Doe - Quiet, observant.
Dragon - Secluded, introverted, quick to anger.
Horse - Matriarchal, caring, solitary, a doer.
Hummingbird - Quick to change, fleeting, flamboyant.
Stag - A leader, reserved.
Hedgehog - Follower, keeps to themselves but also like to be friendly.
I recommend a website called Whats-your-sign.com for great information on what animals can mean.
I'm interested in knowing about your spirit animals, if you have them. How did they appear to you? How did you know the reason for the message?
Blessed be,
Young Witch
Spirit animals (also known as totems) first appeared with First Nation beliefs, i.e. Native Americans, Canadians and Aboriginals all had 'spirit animals'. Like many elements of these beliefs, spirit animals have been adopted by Pagans the world over as a way of understanding or guiding the magick we practice. The concept was displayed in Philip Pullmans 'Dark Materials' in the form of daemons, and such as daemons I have come to believe that spirit animals can change. For instance, my Dad's totem has changed in my lifetime.
I was taught that my spirit animal, like familiars, would appear to me and appear it did. For those who are interested, my spirit animal is a raven, and Thatch, as he calls himself, appeared to me in a dream when I was 15 years old. He flew into my window one morning and, when I told my mum, was adamant it had been real.
Ravens in-particular get a bad rap for being dwellers around churchyards and therefore bringers of death, but they also come to represent intelligence, ambition and foresight. The Norse God Odin had two ravens named Huginn and Muninn, who are the bringers of news and wisdom. And, actually, I often find that when I see ravens in real life they are in twos. If I'm struggling at that point I am always grateful that they should present themselves to me.
As a clairvoyant I can often inform people of their spirit animal by looking at them, which more than often is confirmed. Some get offended if I tell them an animal they think is associated with negative tropes (such as a mouse), but with a little bit of research it can be seen that these animals who lend their traits to us are often misunderstood. Spirit Animals can take many forms, but here is a summary of the spirit animals of my family and friends, and what they are taken to represent:
Barn Owl - Wise, mature, understanding, family.
Doe - Quiet, observant.
Dragon - Secluded, introverted, quick to anger.
Horse - Matriarchal, caring, solitary, a doer.
Hummingbird - Quick to change, fleeting, flamboyant.
Stag - A leader, reserved.
Hedgehog - Follower, keeps to themselves but also like to be friendly.
I recommend a website called Whats-your-sign.com for great information on what animals can mean.
I'm interested in knowing about your spirit animals, if you have them. How did they appear to you? How did you know the reason for the message?
Blessed be,
Young Witch
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