The Book of Small Articles About This and That
Contents
The Major Classes of a Magician……………………………………….………..3 What is a Witch…………………………………………….…………………………….6 Witch vs. Wiccan……………………………………………………………………….11 Before Casting Spells…………..…………………………………………………….15
The Major Classes of a Magician
White Magician – Expert of Protective and Healing Spells. Black Magician – Expert of Destructive Spells. Mage – Expert at Psychic and Mental Control and Spells of Willpower. Druid – Masters of Nature and Natural Forces. Enchanter – Experts at Area Effect Magic (Blessings/Curses). Diviner – Experts of Future & Fortune Telling. Conjurer – Experts at Summoning Spirits & Entities. Healer – Experts at Manipulating & Sustaining Life Force. Necromancer – Experts at Manipulating Death and the Dead. Sorcerer – Freelance Offensive Casters of All Types: Mainly focuses on Black Magic. Wizard – Freelance Defensive Casters of All Types: Mainly focuses on White Magic. Priest – Calls on God to defend them & to work with their situation. Satanist – Calls on Satan to indulge their desires.
What is a Witch?
What a Witch Is Ask 10 Witches and you will get 10 different answers. That is because a Witch is truly special and unique in each of their own ways! But, since that is probably not an exceptable answer, here are some definitions given by other Witches:
“A Witch is not of evil pretense or Satanism, but rather one who is in sync with nature, it’s powers and connections. One who uses magic only for the purposes of good. To learn more of our world and it’s mysteries. A Witch pays honor to the Goddess and the God, who’s moon and sun we follow as the Sabbat’s we hold. One who holds the Pentagram sacred and knows of it’s elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Spirit – of which all things are. A Witch is someone who respects all around, life people, earth and abides by the one law most important. -Adrienne Audentia Vanoca “A Witch is a person who walks with the cycles of the Earth, who knows that magic is real, knows that we are a part of the world and that we can borrow the magic’s of other creatures. Witches walk a different path, part of the world, but separate from ordinary society in our perceptions, sometimes our abilities, and hopefully in our actions.” - Minerva, friend to author Shewolf Silver Shadows
“A Witch is the first someone who is aware that all things have life and all things are connected. Someone who knows the powers of the universe are therefore the sharing and using toward wanted outcomes. A Witch is someone who can marvel at the simple little things as well as the big events because both are equally valuable. A Witch is someone who can see beyond what is right in front of them and know that it is truly there. Someone who can take all these things in to realize the true potential of life.” - Celtic Wolf, friend to author Shewolf Silver Shadows Over the years, Webster’s Dictionary has had it’s own ideas on the definition of a Witch: Published 1828:
1.) A woman who by compact with the devil, practices sorcery or enchantment. 2.) A woman who is given to unlawful arts. Published 1913:
1.) One who practices the black art, or magic. 2.) One regarded as having supernatural or magical power by compact with an evil spirit especially with the Devil. 3.) A sorcerer or sorceress.
Published 1998: Please see 1913 Even today in 2010, you will see the same type of definitions only they added in “A believer in Wicca” on Webster’s Online Dictionary. I tend to agree with the definitions given by my fellow Witches and find Webster Dictionary to be riduculously stuck in the foolish minded times of the 1300’s.
What a Witch Isn’t A witch is not a practioner of evil, nor does a Witch worship Satan. Satan was brought about as part of the Christian Religions, not Witchcraft. As with everything, even Christianity, there are always going to be some bad apples in the bunch. But as a whole, a Witch is not evil, does not deal with the sacrifices of animals or things of that nature. There are those in this practice and other practices that do, but again, as a whole, Witches do not. Like our search on the definition of a Witch, there are many theories of what a Witch is not. As we become more educated in our practice, we will discover our own meaning of what a Witch is and what a Witch is not.
Witch vs. Wiccan
This might be one of the most confusing areas you come across in your researches. There are witches that are wiccans and wiccans that are witches. At the same time, there are witches that are not wiccans and wiccans that are not witches. They are two separate things, yet many times they go hand in hand. Wiccans are those who follow the Wiccan religion, while Witches are those that practice the art of witchcraft. Neither is more right than the other and although many times (as you will find) they are referenced as one, they are two different things. As with many things, and I can’t emphasize this more, you will have to decide what you believe in. No one else can tell you what do think or believe, you decide what is right for you! If it feels wrong, it IS WRONG for you. If it feels right, go with it. I came across a question that was asked to Rose Ariadne, longtime practitioner of witchcraft. It is below and I think it Question: Do you have to believe in a God or Goddess to practice
Witchcraft?
Answer: Witchcraft is the way of life that encourages people to use
their inherent powers to influence the orderly sequence of cosmic rhythms that create everything in life. We do not have to believe in a God or Goddess to practice Witchcraft. In the early ages, there was no difference between religion and magick. All religions invoked deities who were expected to listen to our wishes and make them come true. Most people had implicit faith in their own power and this faith made them move mountains. Most deities worshipped were symbolized by natural things like rocks and trees. With the arrival of priesthood, the powers of the common people were negated one by one. As time went on, common people gave up their powers and believed that only specially appointed priests had the power to speak to the almighty. Although the world is a big mess with the most fanatical religions
playing their war games, Magick survives. We hope that it will be around forever as it was practiced from the beginning of time. Magickal people believe that we are all part of the same energy. We are the creator and the created. We have the power to change our future. Witches believe that using our inner energies to persuade the Universe works to effect the changes that we envision. God exists within us. By invoking our own powers through meditation and positive affirmations we can increase our spirituality, bring peace and happiness to our lives as well as the lives of other souls in the Universe. Another thing that might help: Found at answerbag.com Question: What is the difference between the terms Witch and
Wiccan?
Answer: The term Wiccan applies to a follower of the religion of
Wicca, while the term Witch applies to someone who practices the art of witchcraft. Wiccans can be witches and witches can be Wiccans but someone does not necessarily have to be both.
Before Casting Spells
Every Witch has their own of doing things, so don’t think what you read is the only way. The following information is merely a guide. Most of the information came from books I’ve read over the years and have wrote down the information I felt I needed for my personal knowledge.
Before Casting a Spell Before casting any spell you should research it. Make sure it doesn’t harm you or others, whether you follow the Wiccan way or not. The steps after that follow:
Intent Intent counts for a lot when doing a spell. Even if you speak the words and do everything right, if you don’t feel what you want, strongly, then the spell won’t work as well, if at all. The words and the items that you use in your spells are only a focus point for your will or intent. Magic can be influenced by many things, including the attitude you take into the circle. Part of the reason that Witches go through purification before casting their Circle is to calm themselves and put them in the right state of mind. The focusing of the intent can be aided by the use of candles, incense, cords or other props. These props can have properties that are magical but can’t power the spell. They can enhance the effects and your focus but the magic must come from your will. The props you use should help you keep your intentions in mind. Props and tools need to be significant to you. You should familiarize yourself with any items you use for your props. To do this, hold them in your hand and get used to how they feel.
Words are often the most common way of keeping intent focused. Rhyming, although not necessary, is used by many to aide in memorization and focus of the spell and the intent.
Preparation Always do preparations for your spells, no matter how small. Whether it is something as little as washing your hands, face and feet, or burning incense or oils, be sure to do all of the preparations. Soak in a warm bath with bath salts, followed by a cool shower to rid yourself of any negativity. If time does not allow for this, shower only or even just wash your hands, face and feet. You can also waft the incense over your face and body while picturing your negativity flowing out of your body. Whatever you do, you should be left calm and focused.
Meditation Meditation can help you practice stilling your mind. You can also meditate while keeping your mind focused on something. Find somewhere quite you can be alone. Sit in a comfortable position and begin to relax. A good method is to start with your toes and consciously relax every muscle as you move up your body. Once you are physically relaxed, start calming your mind. Slowly stop thinking about the day you had, upcoming events and work around the house that still is not done. If you are having trouble, try focusing on the flame of a candle or a mental image. Don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing and one day you will find that you can easily place yourself in a meditative state without effort. Even if this isn’t done before spell crafting, it is a great tool for everyday relaxation.
Practice Rehearse what you want to do. Practice what you want to visualize or feel. Go through the motions and familiarize yourself with your tools and the area you will be using to conduct the spell. For outdoor spaces,
be sure that you are comfortable with your surroundings and know if you will need shelter for the candles, or even if you will be needing bug repellant. Be sure to have a backup plan should the weather interfere.
Setting Where you do your spell does matter. If the place doesn’t feel right it can throw your spell off. When selecting a place, make sure of a few things: First, make sure it is away from any foot and motor traffic. Second, make sure the surfaces you will be using will work for what you need them for. For outdoors, make sure there are no thorns or sticks to trip over, or branches to get snagged on. For indoors, make sure no rugs or other furniture is in the way. Finally, make sure this is the place that you want and that feels right.
Clothing It is fine to wear whatever you like to any ritual or spell crafting. Think ahead to the weather, etc. The clothes you wear can enhance the effect. Wearing colors that will help with your spell craft is a great idea. Most importantly, wear clothing that is comfortable and allows you room to move freely.