Kym's House o' Paganism

[matrixman]

Didn't realize you were Wiccan, Kymbierlee. Neat . A good friend of mine happens to be a Wiccan priestess. It's really not my place to speak for her, but I will mention this: my understanding of her is that it was the strict conservatism of her Catholic upbringing which led her to Wicca, a belief system much more in tune with her own sensibilities. She is a considerate and caring person, so it makes me quite angry to think that she suffered under rigid religious rules as a child. SRD isn't the only one whose least favorite word is "church."

[Avatar]

Aah, glad to see this thread has taken off. Sure people are glad to take a look from a different point of view.

I've always found this one to be quite handy, and, along with the one for protection of objects, is about the only one I still use from the days when I dabbled in Wicca.

Locating Lost Items
Picture the lost item in your mind, and chant the following:
"Bound & binding,
Binding bound,
See the sight,
hear the sound.
What was lost is now found,
Bound & binding,
Binding bound"

--Avatar

[Kymbierlee]

Matrixman wrote:

A good friend of mine happens to be a Wiccan priestess. It's really not my place to speak for her, but I will mention this: my understanding of her is that it was the strict conservatism of her Catholic upbringing which led her to Wicca, a belief system much more in tune with her own sensibilities. She is a considerate and caring person, so it makes me quite angry to think that she suffered under rigid religious rules as a child. SRD isn't the only one whose least favorite word is "church."

I think that is what leads a lot of Pagans to this path. I was lucky that I was brought up by a rather liberal mom- when I decided church wasn't for me, she let me stop going and find my own spirituality. Something always rang wrong with me about Christian church. I always felt out of place, and what the minister was saying felt wrong to me somehow. When I first found Wicca, it was becuse I stumbled across a book called "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham. Although the book is very basic it is a good starting point. I still use a lot of the knowledge I gained from Cunningham. He had written a lot of books on Wicca specifically,and earth magick in general, including books on herbal magick, stone and metal magick, candle magick, etc. before he died. Again, his works are very basic, but they provide a good starting point for anyone interested.

[Avatar]

I also recommend the books by Silver Ravenwolf, To Ride a Broomstick and Magic Cauldron as sources for a lot of information.

There's another one that I really liked, (by someone else) that was more a study of the sociological phenomenon of magic, but I'm damned if I can remember the title or author. Will let you know if I do.

--A

[duchess of malfi]

Kym, do you know any good blessings? One that you can place on another person? Where you could wish a lot of happiness towards somebody?

[Kymbierlee]

Kym, do you know any good blessings? One that you can place on another person? Where you could wish a lot of happiness towards somebody?

Duchess- I am staying over at my Mom's house tonight, and of course all of my books are at home. I have a lot of blessings there, though. I will try to get on the computer some time in the next couple of days and post some. Are you looking for anything specific such as health, prosperity, luck, or just plain happiness? Although, be aware, you absolutely MUST have a person's permission to cast a spell of any kind on them. (I will make an exception to this if the person is critically ill and unable to give me his or her permission for a healing spell directly. I will then operate under "implied consent"- you can tell I was an ER nurse for a lot of years, LOL!)

If you are looking for general peace and happiness, find a blue or pink candle; green for luck, success or prosperity; light blue for health;pink or red for love; yellow for inspiration; white for an all purpose type blessing.
You might also want to look for positive gemstones- I like to use amethyst or rose quartz. They are usually cheap and easy to find. You'll also need something that belongs to the person such as a lock of hair, or a photograph. I'll write the actual words to some spells when I get home to my books, but I find the best spells are the ones you make up for yourself. I will also post (again when I get home, I can't figure out how to access my email from here) some general circle casting spells and invocations of the Goddess and God that Avatar sent me. He sent me parts of his Book of Shadows which he managed to get onto the computer, so I'll use his. My Book of Shadows is still written out longhand. I am so technologically declined. Anyway, sorry for the delay, but I don't want to try to post any spell from memory and screw it up. It probably wouldn't matter as long as your intent is good, but no need to take a chance. Blessed Be and I'll get back to you soon.

[Kymbierlee]

I also recommend the books by Silver Ravenwolf, To Ride a Broomstick and Magic Cauldron as sources for a lot of information.

There's another one that I really liked, (by someone else) that was more a study of the sociological phenomenon of magic, but I'm damned if I can remember the title or author. Will let you know if I do.

Avatar- I actually had the privilege of meeting Silver Ravenwolf at a Witch's Ball 5 or 6 years ago. She is terrific! We hung out until 4am drinking beer and BS'ing. Her books are really a lot of fun. Her writing style is humerous, and the pages fly by. She also includes a lot of basic information that progresses the further you read into the series. Did you read "To Light a Sacred Flame?" It came after "To Stir a Magick Cauldron" and was much more involved than "Broomstick." She allows the student to grow along with the books, and that's another thing I love about her works. There's another one, I think it's just called "Halloween" with lots of cool stuff in it. She might not write the deepest, most philosphical books on Paganism out there, but I bet hers are the most fun. If you think of the name of that other book/author, let me know.
Merry Part!
Kym

[Kymbierlee]

Boy am I glad I had the opportunity to delete the last bit of idiocy I just posted. It's so time for bed. Night all, and Bright Blessings to you!

[Avatar]

...the best spells are the ones you make up for yourself...

Agreed. As far as I'm concerned, the actual technicalities of ritual are far less important than the intent. As with anything though, the driving force is faith and/or Will.

And that's one of the beauties of witchcraft. There is no Dogma. Anybody is free to interpret and practice as they wish, to rewrite the rules and laws as becomes necessary, and apply their own understanding to what they believe/have learnt.

There is only one law that is sacrosanct, and not subject to revision, and that is "Harm ye none". Everything else is pretty much up to you.

--Avatar

[Fist and Faith]

(I will make an exception to this if the person is critically ill and unable to give me his or her permission for a healing spell directly. I will then operate under "implied consent"- you can tell I was an ER nurse for a lot of years, LOL!)

Boy am I glad I had the opportunity to delete the last bit of idiocy I just posted. It's so time for bed.

ARGH!!!! What a cruel post this is!!! LOL

[Gadget nee Jemcheeta]

Wow! I'm so glad this conversation is going on!
I had no idea it would get a good response from others oin the board, although I should have.


As far as catholicism to paganism goes.... well, I think it's not just how strict catholicism is. I think there's more to it than that. I practice ritual magick, indoors... because it's winter. I go outside and try to attune myself with the natural world when it's warmer.

The thing that really threw me for a loop about magick is that its worked for me, repeatedly, in obviously direct ways. Totally changed my worldview.

But back to catholicism.... well, remember, the catholics have a great focus on ritual. The ritual causes effects... the ritual of communion 'magickly' changes a wafer into the body of christ, through a series of words and gestures.
Think of the priests altar...
hmm... a wooden bowl with bread in it. A cup. Candles...
It isn't just chance that we have traditional fire earth and water symbols as a part of every service.
The ritual magick that I practice... it's so funny how I got into it. First I got some tarot cards, kind of as a joke. It was supposed to be kind of silly, I throw some random cards down and its supposed to predict the future.

Then I had to learn how to interpret them, which wasn't a real focus at first as much as having fun... but then I did start learning, and that's where I found the largest wealth of analysis on human symbols and human experience that I've ever come across. And that's still true today, by the way. Learning the Tarot has changed my life.

I was a failing college student who didn't do any work at all, but I studied the fool, and meditated on my potential and my place in life, and decided I needed to change things.

I studied the Magician, which represents directing your will into manifestation... read: do something with yourself, make things happen for you

So I got a job at progressive auto insurance, because no one else was going to do it for me, and I had the power to do it for myself.

I studied the high priestess, the mysterious feminine energy, and learned that there are some things that you can't just hunt down and own. There are things that rational thought is ill-equipped to deal with. I learned that I couldn't just logic my way to happiness.
I also learned to love my girlfriend without understanding her, and that part of our love was in not knowing each other perfectly.

I came to terms with my mother when I studied the Empress. That affected so many aspects of my life.... I realized that in all my romantic relationships I was either running towards the basic characteristics of my mother (like caring, and love, and kindness and patience, etc.) or running away from them, by dating evil girls with psychotic disorders
The emperor..well, that'd be coming to terms with my drunk dad, and that's where I'm stalled now

But beyond that, I started throwing the cards, and I noticed that it was working. Really really well. It gave me a perspective on my situation, of course, because any deep thought and analysis on a subject will do that. But it also actually predicted things to come, with near perfect success, once I learned to clear my head and think freely.

So I thought, wow, I don't understand this at all. I mean, I've always been the overly rational, hyper scientific type... but here was something my teachers obviously didn't know about.

I have to wonder: When did people forget that magick was real?

What do you think, Kym?

I know that the tarot is very different from paganism, but you're giving spells now, and I think some people might not be able to take that seriously.


Oh, yeah, Faith, you'd said

Although my definition of spiritual isn't recognized by many, I try to live it all the time.

I think I might know what you mean. Tell me, is spirituality in the feeling of things, as opposed to saying "This is true, my beliefs are true"?

That's how it is for me. I lay no claims to the universal truth of my spirituality... I just know my life feels pretty shallow without it.

[duchess of malfi]

Kym, do you know any good blessings? One that you can place on another person? Where you could wish a lot of happiness towards somebody?

Duchess- I am staying over at my Mom's house tonight, and of course all of my books are at home. I have a lot of blessings there, though. I will try to get on the computer some time in the next couple of days and post some. Are you looking for anything specific such as health, prosperity, luck, or just plain happiness? Although, be aware, you absolutely MUST have a person's permission to cast a spell of any kind on them. (I will make an exception to this if the person is critically ill and unable to give me his or her permission for a healing spell directly. I will then operate under "implied consent"- you can tell I was an ER nurse for a lot of years, LOL!)

Actually, I was thinking of one of the patients in the hospital where I work when I was asking that. A twenty year old war hero, who, after many operations is finally walking again, but who will never see again (unless there is some huge breakthrough in medical technology in the future). I don't think I'm giving away confidential patient information here, as it was all in the local papers...but this guy was a noncom officer who threw himself between a bomb and his squad and took a lot of damage...he has a beautiful little toddler whom he can't see...if anyone would deserve a spell of happiness (of any kind) I would think it would be someone like that, willing to make a sacrifice like that for other people...

[Kymbierlee]

Duchess- that story is heartbreaking. I'll see what I can find if I can ever get home to my books. My heater core in my van went on Friday, effectively stranding me at my mom's. I have no books, no Book of Shadows, nothing. Sorry for the delay- uugh- I wanted to do this right. Hopefully the garage will have it fixed tomorrow (they promised me it would be done today) or I will turn them all into newts. (Just kidding, Law of Karmic Return....) Anyway, I will look for something specific for sight or healing of injuries. In the meantime, a general happinees blessing might be appropriate. Again, I apologize for not having my references with me so I can get back to you sooner.

[Gadget nee Jemcheeta]

Maybe if you turn them into newts you can end up as a REALLY BIG newt? I mean, if you're three times the newt... heheheh..

I'm so sorry you're stranded, and if spells do work, I'll be sending as much positive energy your way as I can I mean, that can only help, right?

[Kymbierlee]

Thanks, Jem. Yep- I would be the world's biggest newt. Maybe I could make my fortune at county fairs as newt woman or something. I appreciate the positive energy- you're right- it can only help. I'll be home tonight, and give my books a once over and try to come up with something for Duchess. In the meantime, if anyone has any other healing/happiness spells you want to throw out there, go ahead. It's best to read a bunch, get an idea of what you want, and then write your own. More personal positive energy=better results. I'll post some stuff on circle casting tonight, too. It's pretty simple, but the protection is necessary. Merry part until tonight, all. I am at work and can't get away with as much Watch browsing when I am working day shift!

[Kymbierlee]

OK, I am home and have my books, etc.

The first thing I want to talk about is circle casting. It is important to draw a circle of protection around yourself whenever you are doing any kind of even semi involved spell work. When you call the Goddess and/or God into your circle and invoke the elemental guardians (The four quarters- I'll talk more about them later), mischievous spirits may be nearby, and you do not want them interfering with the spellwork you are going to do. A properly cast circle will keep them at bay. In order to cast a circle, or do any kind of magick, for that matter, visualization is very important. You must visualize the energy flowing from your wand, fingertips, etc in order for the spell to manifest. Practice some concentration and visualization techniques before you try spell casting. Start with something simple, like an apple, and work your way up to something more complicated, like your best friend's face or your dog or one of your children's faces. When you can build and hold this image in your mind for several minutes, you are ready for more complicated visualizations like those used in spell work. In order to properly cast a circle, you will need some salt (I use sea salt), water in a bowl, and some incense to burn. The salt purifies and consecrates the water, or can be used to actually trace the outline of your circle on the floor or ground. I am going to post a basic circle casting ritual from Avatar's Book of Shadows. (Thanks, Avatar). Visualize the circle being cast as you walk around the perimeter three times. I usually visualize purple, blue or white light coming from my fingertips and surrounding me as I cast.

From Avatar:

Circle Casting, Solitary

Calling a circle for the solitary witch is done almost in an identical fashion to what a coven would do. The only main difference is that there are not different people to do different things, its just yourself. Below is a simplified version of the coven circle for the solitary witch. Use it, change it, make it fit YOUR needs!


Casting the Circle:

Starting at the east, and moving in a deosil (clockwise) direction, Carry with you the
bowl of consecrated water from the alter, sprinkling drops on the ground creating the
circle. As you sprinkle the water, say the following, or something similar.

"As this sacred water creates the circle, let it cleanse and bless this ground."

When you reach the point you started, place the water back on the altar, taking the bowl
of salt in your hands. Follow the same route that you followed before, sprinkling grains
of salt on the ground in the same place as you sprinkled the water. When you reach the
point you started at, place the bowl of salt back on the altar. As you sprinkle the salt, say
the following, or something similar.

"As this sacred salt creates the circle, let it bless and cleanse the circle."

At this point in time, you shall take the sword/wand/athame (or your finger) and starting at
the eastern point, walk deosil (clockwise) around the circle three times to scribe a triple
circle with the sword point (finger tip)
While this is being done, you should visualize the tip of the
sword/athame/wand setting a bluish fire that shall remain until the circle is broken.
Visualize the fire reaching up above, and below the ground to form a perfect sphere of
protection.
While tracing the triple circle with the sword/wand/athame, you should say
the following or similar.

"Closed may this circle be, Under the protection of the Mother Goddess, And of the
Horned God."
"Protect us and guide me within the circle O' Great Ones, for I am within and between the
worlds, Until such time as it be broken."
"Thrice about the circle is scribed, And thrice be it sealed!"

"The Circle is Cast, SO MOTE IT BE!"

After I cast my circle it is time to call the Goddess and the God to witness and assist in the rite. I wrote the following invocation myself, and use it every time I cast a circle.

Oh Silver Lady of Light and Shadows,
Of shining waters and starry nights,
Who greets her children with moon-drenched kisses,
and holds for them the eternal Light,
Join me now and guide my footsteps on your path
of Truth and Right.

Oh Golden God of Strength and Wisdom,
of sun-lit fields and forests deep,
Who protects his children and gives them comfort
in times of waking and of sleep,
Join me now and grant me knowledge
of how best your Rede to keep.

Oh Lord and Lady
Gold and Silver
Mother, Father,
Each half of the One,
Join me now and bless my workings,
Whether rites of moon or of sun.
As above then, so below here
This is my Will,
Let it be done.

Mote it Be

I then use a chant to call in the guardians of the four directions- North, East, South and West. These four directions are represented by the four Elements of Earth (North), Air (East), Fire (South), and Water (West). They are called the four Watchtowers, or Guardians, and are also there to protect you within the circle and witness your rite. Each is represented by a certain color- green for Earth, yellow for Air, red for Fire, and blue for Water. I usually light candles of these colors at the four points in my circle representing thier respective directions.

This is the chant I use- it was written by a friend of mine, and sounds much better when sung to the proper tune, but I don't know how to convey that here.

The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water, return return return return
The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water, return return return return
Ai yea ai yea ai yeh ai yeh ai yea ai yea ai yeah ai yea
Ai yea ai yea ai yeh ai yeh ai yea ai yea ai yeah ai yea
(Repeat three times)

You can proceed with whatever kind of magick you wish to perform from here. Since Duchess asked for a healing spell, I am going to post a simple healing and a simple general happiness spell here now. FOr spells done for another person, you should have something belonging to that person such as an article of clothing, a lock of hair, or a photograph of them and place it on your altar or sacred space. Remember to NEVER do spellwork for someone else without asking their permission first (Unless they are unconscious or something). This is considered manipulation (even if your intentions are good), and is forbidden


Happiness/Comfort Spell
You need
Jasmine oil (Jasmine petals in vegetable oil, or a pre-bought jasmine essential oil- most head shops sell essential oils)
Freshly picked flower (any kind will do)
Paper + Pen
Candle (Blue for tranquility, pink for happiness, or white for general blessing)
Container

Write down on a piece of paper who or what makes you sad or angry and burn the paper saying: "I burn this paper to bring me (or the person's name you are doing the spell for- Remember to ask his or her permission first!) happiness."

Then drip the jasmine oil on the flowers and burn the flowers saying: "I burn these flowers to bring me comfort." Pour the ashes into the container while saying: "Goddess, bring me happiness and bring me comfort." Repeat it three times then put the container somewhere cool. (i.e. fridge).


Long Term Healing Spell
Supplies:
· a feather
· rosemary oil
· a shell
· a stone
· an onion
· a horseshoe
Directions:
This spell is good for slowly healing long-term illnesses.
Write the name of the person you wish to heal on the onion. You can either use your athame (a ritual knife- I'll talk more about ritual tools another day) to inscribe it or use a pen; it's fine either way...
Plant the onion in a pot or garden. Put a stone to the north, 3 drops of rosemary oil to the south, a shell to the west, and a feather to the east. Cover the objects with soil.
Place the pot on the horseshoe, or place the horseshoe close by if the onion is planted in the garden.



From Avatar's BOS

Closing the Circle

Turn towards the Altar, athame/wand/sword to the sky, and you should
say the following or something similar.

"O Goddess of the Moon, Queen of the stars,
Lord of Life, Seed of Light, I thank thee for your blessing, and being with me during this
rite."

"Mother Goddess, As you depart, leave if you will, some small part of thy strength and
joy within me until next we meet."

"Blessed Be!"

"Oh Horned God, As you depart, leave if you will, some small part of thy strength and
joy within me until next we meet."

"Blessed Be!"

The candles should then be put out on the altar, starting with the east, and working widdershins (counter-clockwise).

I release the four Guardians here by doing the invoking chant in reverse order:

The Fire, the Water, the Air, the Earth, begone begone begone begone
The Fire, the Water, the Air, the Earth, begone begone begone begone
Ai yea ai yea ai yeh ai yeh ai yea ai yea ai yeah ai yea
Ai yea ai yea ai yeh ai yeh ai yea ai yea ai yeah ai yea
(Repeat three times)

From Avatar's BOS

You should then take up the sword/athame/wand/fingertip and starting at the east, proceed
docile (Clockwise) around the circle cutting it with the tip. Visualize the blue flame being
sucked back into the sword/athame/wand and the magick being released. Placing the
athame/sword/wand back on the altar, say the following or something
similar.

"Merry Meet, and Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again."
"The circle is closed, Blessed Be!"

I like to use the following closing chant:

The Circle now is open,
open but unbroken,
so Merry Meet and Merry Part
and Merry Meet again.

(Repeat three times)

It is important after working any kind of magick to ground yourself afterward by doing something mundane such as eating or drinking (We often call this part "Cakes and Ale," but you can eat or drink what you want) and by relaxing or meditating- preferably while in contact with the ground, so all excess energy will drain out of you and into the ground (aptly called "grounding" yourself) so you can relax again.

Wow- Long post- feel free to post any questions- this is just scratching the surface of everything I want to tell you all, but I want to make sure the interest is still there before I go babbling on and on like an idiot. Blessed be to all of you!
Merry Part.

Kym

[Avatar]

(Thanks, Avatar).

Anytime. Guessed that it would save you a little typing at least.

As you may have guessed, given the "Mind's Eye" topic, (if you've been reading it) one of my biggest problems was with visulaisation. I just can't do it. But I used to simply substitute sheer force of will, and it works just as well, as you probably know.

All ritual is, IMO, simply a focus for the will/imagination anyway, and is only necessary in so far as you require it to be.

--Avatar

[Kymbierlee]

All ritual is, IMO, simply a focus for the will/imagination anyway, and is only necessary in so far as you require it to be.

Exactly- the visualization just provides a focus for the will- if you can do it without, it will work just as well!

[Tulizar]

My wife is a Witch who practices by herself. I think it's a private thing for her, although she can easily discuss it with a few other Pagans she's met over the years.

I've always been open to all religions and philosophies and had a basic understanding of Paganism before I met her, but it used to be a little uncomfortable for her to talk about her religion with me because she hid it for so many years. For the longest time she assumed--for good reason--that family and co-workers would think she was a crackpot.

She's pretty much explained what it means to be a Pagan to her close family and friends, so talking casually about with me has gotten easier. Unforunately I haven't bothered to actually learn more than what we occasionally discuss every other equinox or holiday. This topic is incredible!! It's inspired me to get off my good-for-nothing lazy butt and try to truly understand why my wife does what she does.

btw I usually buy flowers for my wife every holiday, which reminds me to belatedly wish you a happy Imbolc.



.

[Kymbierlee]

Tulizar wrote:

btw I usually buy flowers for my wife every holiday, which reminds me to belatedly wish you a happy Imbolc.

Thank you very much, and Merry Meet! I'm glad to see we sparked an interest in you! I'm a solitary, too, but I do belong to a Unitarian Universalist church that has an earth-centered traditions group that meets on our quarters and cross quarters. I respect where your wife is with not wanting to proclaim herself too publicly- I went through it myself for a lot of years, but then I started to think how proud I am to be a witch and how beautiful Paganism is and decided to come out of the broom closet with horns blaring! Fortunately my friends and family are very understanding, although I still get snide remarks form the uneducated about being a "Satan-worshipper." The Pagan movement is growing, though, and more and more positive information is out there, so people are slowly coming around. Anyway- gald you are here, and hope to see more of you!
Blessed Be!