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~*~*~Maga's Magickal Site~*~*~
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Witchcraft General Info
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The Counsel of Witches
Creed
From the Council of
American Witches, 1974
****** The
Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define
modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs. We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any
person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through
Our own
being.
As American Witches, We welcome and respect
all life-affirming teachings and traditions,
and seek to learn from all and to share
Our learning within Our Council.
It
is in this spirit of welcome and cooperation that
We adopt these few principles of Wiccan belief.In seeking to be inclusive, We do not wish
to open ourselves to the destruction of Our group by those on self-serving power trips,
or
to philosophies and practices contradictory to these
principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are knowledge and beliefs,regardless or race, color, sex, age,national
or cultural origins, or sexual preference.We
therefore ask only that those who seek to identify with Us accept these few
basic principles:
We
practice rites to attune Ourselves with the Natural rhythm
of Life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
We recognize that Our intelligence gives
us a unique
responsibility toward our environment.
We
seek to live in harmony with Nature, in
ecological balance offering fulfillment
to life and consciousness within
an evolutionary concept.
We
acknowledge a depth of power far greater
than is apparent to the average person.
Because it is far greater than
ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural",
but we see it as lying within that which
is naturally potential to all.We
concieve of the Creative Power of the
Universe as
manifesting through
polarity as masculine and feminine --
and that this same creative Power lives
in all people, and functions through
the interaction of the masculine
and
feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each
to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment
of Life, and as one of the sources of
energies used in
magickal practice and religious worship.
We
recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological
worlds -- sometimes known as the Spiritual
World, the Collective Unconscious,the Inner Planes, etc. -- and we see in
the interaction of these two
dimensions
the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises.We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
We
do not recognize any authoritarian
hierarchy,
but do honor Those who teach, respect
those who share their greater
knowledge
and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously
given of Themselves in leadership. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living
as being united in the way one views the
world and lives within it a
world
view and philosophy of life, which we identify as
Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.
Calling
oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch
-- but neither does heredity itself, or
the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations.
A Witch seeks to control the forces within Him/Herself that make life
possible in order to live wisely
and
well, without harm to Others, and
in harmony with Nature.
We
acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment
of life,in a continuation of evolution
and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we
know, and to Our Personal role
within it. Our only animosity toward
Christianity,
or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life,
is to the extent that its institutions
have claimed to be "The One TrueRight and Only Others and to suppress other ways of religious practices
and belief.
As
American Witches, We are not threatened by debates
on the history of the Craft, the origins
of various terms, the legitimacy of
various
aspects of different traditions.
We
are concerned with Our Present, and
Our Future.
We
do not accept the concept of "absolute evil",
nor do We worship any entity known as
"Satan" or "the Devil" as defined
by Christian Tradition. We
do not seek power
through
the suffering of others,nor do We accept
the concept that personal benefits can
only be derived by denial to another.We work within Nature for that
which is contributory to our health and
well-being.
`
=More Info on the Pentagram= The circle around the five points represents the God/Goddess aspect, reflecting negative energy and drawing positive light energy, thereby providing an increase in life, psychic energy and protection to the wearer. The origins of the Pentagram go back as far as 8000 years. As far back as pre-Babylonian Sumer, it has been utilized and upheld by many cultures. To the Jews, it is referred to as the Pentateauch, the Five Books of Moses. It has been known under many titles, such as "The Druid's Root", "The Witches Star", and "The Star of Solomon". Followers of Pythagoras, called it the "The Pentalpha" being composed of five interlaced A's or Alphas. The Alpha being the first word of the alphabet, we can perhaps view it as showing forth unity in the midst of multiplicity. The individual as part of the Universe - the All. In other views, it can represent man with his arms and legs outstretched, symbolyzing health, life and power. =Meanings= EARTH: (lower left hand corner) stability, strength, healing, fertility FIRE: (lower right hand corner) courage, daring, emotions, passion WATER: (upper right hand corner) emotions, intuition, healing AIR: (upper left hand corner) intelligence, creativity, breath and the arts. SPIRIT:
(at the topmost point) the Great Spirit in us all; the Goddess/God
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The following is a simple explanation
of some of the more common terms which are used within the Pagan community. Included is a brief history of the word and its modern usage. The definitions of many
words tend to change over time, and so its always good to understand both a modern and historical definition of any word to
ensure proper understanding of the term. Heathen The term heathen was historically used to refer to a person who "dwelled near the hearth"
or alternately, "who lived on the heaths." The heaths were rocky outcroppings that existed in the countryside and more rural
areas. In ancient times, the hearth was the center of the home and the place where the family gathered for entertainment,
food, religious observances, and other important activities. In historic texts, the term heathen is often used to refer to those who continued to follow and adhere to pre-Christian beliefs and practices. Some of the activities
which were attributed to those referred to as heathens included ancestor veneration, gathering at frith-spots, worship of
trees, and other such activities. Pagan The term pagan comes from the Latin word paganus and can be modernly equated to a "dumb
stupid hick" in American slang and was considered a derogatory term. From the "New College Latin and English Dictionary,"
by John C. Traupman, PhD., the term paganus is defined as: Paganus Adj. Of a village, rustic; ignorant, untaught; m. villager, peasant; (as term
of contempt) yokelDuring the post-Christian era, the term pagan was applied to those who were unenlightened
by the Catholic church and the term continued to be derogatory and condescending in nature. From these origins, we come to
the more recent definition of pagan as a person who adheres to a religion or set of beliefs which is not based in Christian,
Judaism, or Islamic religion. Even morerecently, the term Pagan has become a generic term to refer to a wide umbrella of nature
oriented religions which largely focus on a God and a Goddess. Wicca Wicca is a modern religion which was created by Gerald Gardner in the 1940's and was
actively practiced beginning in the 1950's. Like most sects of Paganism, Wicca is a nature oriented religion with a God and
a Goddess. It was originally a blend of Western European folklore, Eastern philosophy, and rudimentary Cabalistic magic and
centered around a static ritual base. The actual term wicca came from the Anglo-Saxon language and can be defined as a male
practitioner of magic. Wicca contains a strict ethical standard which is clearly displayed in its rede, "An it harm none,
do what thou wilt." More recently, Wicca has become more eclectic and has developed into a grab-bag of different
cultures and religions which are rearranged into new religious mosaic by the practitioner according to his or her desire.
However, both the rede and the base ritual concepts and procedures remain the same. Witchcraft Witchcraft is a term which is used to refer to the beliefs and practices of ancient
Europeans. As the Catholic church became the dominant religious force, certain families managed to retain their culture, beliefs,
and practices. These traditions were passed down each successive generation. The term Witchcraft was something which the Catholic
church used to refer to these beliefs and practices, and was not necessarily the name chosen by the people who held these
beliefs and practices. Many people began to confuse the religion of Witchcraft with magic. As the old beliefs
were forgotten by the general populace, any practices associated with them were unknown, strange, and therefore must be of
a magical nature. Further, anything which was not of the Catholic church was considered to have been begotten of the Devil.
So, Witchcraft became wrongly associated with such things as magic, sorcery, the black arts, and the Devil or Satan. Even
the Devil later became portrayed as having cloven hooves, goat legs, horns, and carried a pitchfork - all imagery associated
with the various aspects of a Horned God. Online Resources The following is a list of online resources which may be of interest to you. As
the author of this article, I have no affiliation with any of these websites. These websites offer a variety of information
and are excellent places to begin your studies, or even advance them as the case may be.Clannada na Gadelica
- http://www.clannada.org Celtic revivalism, folklore, history, and learning center.House
Shadow Drake - http://www.shadowdrake.com Traditional Witchcraft and Celtic folklore.Starkindler Wicca
- http://www.starkindler.org British Traditional Wicca and general information about Wicca.Witches
Voice - http://www.witchvox.com Pagan networking, community support, and general information. The Pagan Community: Heathen, Pagan, Wicca, and Witchcraft! (c)2001 Aerlynn. (E-Mail: darkfae@tampabay.rr.com) *** Copyright Notice: This document may be distributed freely so long as it
is kept intact and complete. The copyright belongs to Aerlynn and she may be contacted at darkfae@tampabay.rr.com if you have
any questions, comments, or concerns. (c)2001 Aerlynn.
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