American Council of Witches - the Council of American Witches - The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief One issue that is often a bone of contention in the Pagan community is that we don’t have a universal set of guidelines – some of us may not even identify as Pagans, but as witches or something else. There have been repeated attempts to unify the various branches of the Pagan community, but in general, these are unsuccessful because we’re so diverse and varied in our beliefs and practices. Back in 1973, a group of witches decided to give this a shot. Seventy or so individuals from a variety of magical backgrounds and traditions got together and formed a group called the American Council of Witches, although depending on who you ask, they are sometimes called the Council of American Witches. Spearheaded by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke, the president of Llewellyn Worldwide, the Council attempted to define what the standards of modern witches and Neopagans could be. The principles are, according to the American Council of Witches, as follows: 1.
The Wiccan Rede One of the most often quoted "laws of Wicca," a variation of the Wiccan Rede appeared in the writings of Gerald Gardner. A similar rule is found in the work of Aleister Crowley around the turn of the century, in which he advised his readers, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the Law, love under Will." One version was made famous by Doreen Valiente in the early 1960s, and in 1974 a lengthier version, by Lady Gwen Thompson, was published in the Green Egg, a Pagan magazine. Thompson's version reads as follows: The Rede of the Wiccae Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones: Bide the Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. When the Lady's Moon is new, kiss thy hand to Her times two. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth. Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them quick a' burn them slow. Heed ye flower bush and tree, by the Lady Bless'd Be.
Magical and Ritual Tools Want to make your own magical and ritual tools? Here's where you'll find links to some of our most popular magical craft projects, with items for your altar, a ritual robe, your Book of Shadows, an altar pentacle, and more. Make a Snap Pouch Tarot/Crystal BagIf you’re someone who does anything at all with fabric, chances are good you’ve got boxes and boxes of leftover bits of material in your home. A great way to use these leftover small pieces is to turn them into bags and pouches to hold magical supplies such as crystals, herbs, or Tarot cards. Ritual Tool CraftsMany Pagans enjoy making their own ritual supplies and tools. Make a Beaded Wire Tree of LifeThe tree of life is a symbol found in many Pagan religions. How to Make a Magic StaffThe magic staff is used in many traditions of Wicca and Paganism. Make a Witch's LadderThe witch's ladder is a magical tool that has been around for a while. Assemble a Portable Altar KitMany Wiccans and Pagans like to create a portable altar kit.
Perform a Self-Dedication Ritual By Patti Wigington For many modern-day Pagans, being part of a coven is not an option. You may not live around any other people who share your beliefs, or perhaps you haven’t yet found the group that’s right for you. Or maybe you’ve just decided you enjoy being a solitary, eclectic practitioner. That’s fine, too. If you don’t have a group or High Priest to initiate you, what do you do? Quite simply, you can self-dedicate. By the very definition of the word, you can’t initiate yourself, because to initiate requires more than one person. It’s entirely up to you. You may want to wait until the time of the new moon to perform this self-dedication, because it is a time of new beginnings. This goal of this rite is to bring the dedicant closer to the Divine, as well as to declare your connection to your spiritual path. You should perform this ritual skyclad, if at all possible. Begin by grounding yourself. You will need the following items: Blessing oilHalf a teaspoon of saltA white candle
Candle Magic 101: An Introduction to Candle Magic Candle magic is one of the simplest forms of spell casting. Considered sympathetic magic, it's a method which doesn’t require a lot of fancy ritual or expensive ceremonial artifacts. In other words, anyone with a candle can cast a spell. After all, remember when you were a child and you made a wish before you blew out the candles on your cake? Same theory, only now instead of just hoping, you're declaring your intent (and by now you've probably stopped hoping for a pony). Decide on a goal Visualize the end result Focus your intent, or will, to manifest that result What Sort of Candle Should I Use? Most practitioners of magical systems will tell you that, much like a few other aspects of life, size really isn't important. You should always use a brand new candle for spell work -- in other words, virgin materials. When it comes to colors, you may wish to have a variety on hand for different magical purposes. Using Your Candle in Ritual
Tools of the Craft When people first discover Paganism or Wicca, they often rush to go buy every single magical tool they can find. After all, the books tell us to buy this, that, and the kitchen sink, so you better hustle on over to Ye Local Wytchy Shoppe and get stuff! But once you get it, what do you DO with it? It is important to understand that magical tools have an actual purpose, before you go out and grab one. Tools are often representative of one of the four classical elements, which may help you select the tool you need for your purpose. Most Wiccan and Pagan traditions use the following tools in some capacity. 1. Image © Patti Wigington 2008 Clichéd as it may sound, the wand is one of the most popular magical tools in Wicca, as well as in some ceremonial magic traditions. 2. The cauldron is a symbol of the Goddess, and it's all about femininity. In some traditions, a cup or chalice is used in place of a cauldron, and in others the cauldron and cup are used together. 3. 4. 5. 6. Image © Getty Images
How to Get Started in Wicca - Wicca for Beginners - Getting Started as a Pagan Question: I’m interested in Wicca or some other form of Paganism - how do I get started? Answer: That's a question that comes up a lot, and unfortunately it's not a simple answer. It's not like you can just fill out an application and get your handy membership packet. Instead, there are several things you should think about doing. For starters, evaluate where you stand and what your goals are in studying Paganism or Wicca. Get Specific. In addition to these basics, you should probably read over the following articles for references of use to new Seekers: Beginner's Reading List: This is a list of 13 books every Wiccan or Pagan should read. Finally, if you're a teenager, read My Parents Won't Let Me Be Wiccan and Ten Things to Learn Besides Wicca. Want to share your advice with new Seekers?
Book Review: Growing Up Pagan For years, people in the Pagan community have often bemoaned the fact that there are very few books available as instructional tools for young children within Wiccan and Pagan families. At long last, author Raine Hill has created something that serves that very purpose, and she does it with style, fun, and a sense of magic that will appeal to kids of any age. Growing Up Pagan, A Workbook for Wiccan Families fills a need that has been increased as more Pagans grow up and have children of their own. Available from Schiffer Publishing, this workbook is a great start for teaching your kids about Pagan spirituality. Growing Up Pagan, A Workbook for Wiccan Families is unique in that it's not just a book for Pagan or Wiccan parents on how to raise their kids. The book opens with a simple explanation of what Wicca is, and how it ties into the moon as a symbol of the Goddess, and the sun as a symbol of the masculine God. One of the things I really loved about this book was the tone.
Tarot Crafts - Tarot Themed Craft Projects Looking for some craft ideas inspired by Tarot art and imagery? Whether you like Tarot jewelry or other craft projects, here's our collection of Tarot-themed ideas. Tarot Jewelry Image © Patti Wigington 2010 Looking for a way to express your love of Tarot with jewelry? Make a Zippered Tarot Pouch Image © Patti Wigington 2011 If you're a Pagan who's often on the go, it can be easy to lose track of your magical gear - especially those really small items that always seem to disappear! Make a Tarot Card Box Image © Patti Wigington 2009 Want a great idea for a box to store your Tarot cards? Drawstring Tarot Bag Image © Patti Wigington 2008 Once you've found the Tarot deck that's right for you, it's a real treat to have something special to keep them in. Making Your Own Tarot Cards Image © Digital Vision/Getty Images Many people have made Tarot cards throughout the course of the centuries. Decoupage Tarot Tea Tray
Measure Bag - Make a Measure Bag - What is a Measure Bag? A measure bag is used in some Pagan traditions, including a few forms of Wicca, as a way of forming a magical link between an individual and the group to which they belong. The measure bag is often incorporated into a practitioner’s initiation ritual. If you practice as a solitary, you can still use one as part of a self-dedication ritual to the gods of your tradition. The term “measure bag” comes from the phrase “taking one’s measure.” To make a measure bag, you’ll need the following: A drawstring pouch Embroidery floss or fabric paint A length of cord Some sort of taglock or magical link to yourself Decorate the outside of the bag with either fabric paint or embroidery floss. Use the cord to measure the distance from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. Finally, you’ll add another magical link to yourself into the bag. Consecrate the bag as you would any other magical tool, and put it someplace where it won’t be disturbed by others.