This is a Guidance page for those interested in learning about the Ancient Craft of Wicca. Guidance will be posted on a monthly basis. There will be an assignment to submit at the end of the Month. Please send to [email protected]. This course is designed to be internet based, with the chance for you to research, read and learn the Craft. The Course will last for a year and a day. There will be a Certificate of Completion at the end of the Course. This is a free course, as We believe all knowledge should be free for all. Daughters of the Moon can be contacted on the Facebook Community Page. We are available 24/7 to help if your have any problems.
Many Blessings on your new journey....
Jhyenan O'Shea/HPs.....
Daughters of the Moon
)0(
Many Blessings on your new journey....
Jhyenan O'Shea/HPs.....
Daughters of the Moon
)0(
The First Year Within the Craft
In Wiccan belief, the Divine is ultimately seen as one. In general, witches believe in the creative polarity of feminine and masculine principles in nature. Deity has male and female aspects that exist together in harmonious balance. These beliefs are evident in all that a witch does.
They inform the practice of magical arts, and can be seen in the way that witches set up their altar, carry out their rites and rituals and celebrate the stages of the year.
Wicca's view of the balance of nature of deity stands in contrast to other religions, which either play down or dispense with the female aspect entirely.
For witches, the dynamic creature tension of female and male is part of the general theory of polarity, where all things rely on opposites for their existence. The concepts of day and night, dark and light, content and form positive and negative attraction and repulsion. Each need the other to exist.
The Wicccan attitude can be expressed by Chinese concept of Yin and Yang. Yin is the female, negative, dark aspect of creation. Yang is the male, positive light aspect. Together they make up the Whole.
The emphasis is given to both Goddess and God, although this varies in different traditions and their covens.
For Wiccans, deity is immanent! Meaning it is to be found in all things and pervades existence. The Universe is perceived to be alive and the individual is but a cell on its enormous body. Everything is therefore sacred, and this gives witches an enormous respect for all life.
On the other hand, many witches believe the ultimate nature of deity is unknowable. beyond names and forms, perhaps beyond mortal comprehension. Generally, witches believe that goddesses and gods are representative of certain kinds of energy within existence. Witches do not use the language of science to express these forces because on one level, they feel science provides only partial answers to the questions of existence, believing that there is much within the universe, science knows nothing of and that the language of science is incapable of speaking to the human soul.
Our spirits thrive on the use of poetic and symbolic imagery. The fact is that in many humans we are genuinely deeply moved and motivated by images of a god and goddess and feel that they have come to a more profound understanding of existence because of them. Also, using such imagery makes the forces knowable to an extent and allows the individual to work with them in their life on a material plane.
The Wheel of the Year
Wiccans see nature as a cycle, embodying the polarity of deity, interweaving of male and female forces in the Wheel of the Year. The Goddess is personified by the Earth and Moon. She is the Eternal Mother who creates all life from the Elemental forces of which She is composed.
green and fresh in Spring
Magnificent and Powerful in Summer
In the later half of the Year, She falls into repose, when she dresses in sombre shades of brown and grey.
As the Goddess Luna - she is the silver shape shifting Queen of the Heavens governing the tidal forces, as well as the monthly and nightly cycles of life on our planet.
The God is embodies in the Sun, who travels over the Sky in his great chariot of Fire. At full power - Midsummer - He provides the Goddess Earth with the energy to grow strong. From this point, he gradually looses ground, until finally he dies after the autumn Equinox. he is born again at Mid Winter, he grows and climbs through the early months of the year to eventually rise, trimphant and fertilises the Goddess around the Spring Equinox. He governs the annual cycles of life and the rhythm of our days.
The seasonal cycles and the parts played by the Goddess and God are celebrated in the Greater and lesser Sabbats. However, the Goddess and the God are not only thought of as the embodiment of the Earth, Moon and Sun.
Lesson One
Different Traditions of Wicca
There are, as in any belief, there are influential people or as they are known "Founders" These are people of who have gained notoriety due to their particular beliefs. They are the Tradition’s founders. Each have developed their own path or tradition.
On order to understand the path you have chosen, it is essential that you research and discover as much as you
can about its founders. I have listed a brief account of them, but you over the next month will need to research as much as you can about them. There will be an assignment to submit on the Founders Of Wicca at the end of the month. Wicca was revived during the 1950's onwards. Covens were established, or witches remained solitary in their practices. But gradually the knowledge and belief system was becoming public, mainly due to Gerald Gardener. (1884-1964)
The Gardnerian Tradition
The founding father of Wicca was “Gerald Brosseau Gardner” (1884 – 1964)
He was a wealthy owner of tea and rubber plantations in the far east.
His interests were diverse, and included Spiritualism, Free- masonry, Buddhism and Tribal Magic.
Gardner claimed he was initiated into a coven in 1939 by a little known witch called Dorothy Clutterbuck, who called herself a “new forest witch”. There has been some doubt cast if this was actually the case, and if she really existed, however, Dorothy Valiente and Professor Ronald Hutton researched her and discovered that she had existed and proved it by finding a copy of her birth certificate.
Gardner then went on to set up his own coven. He initiated Doreen Valiente, who helped him to write his ceremonial
practices which then became known as“Gardnerian Wicca” This included "The Charge of the Goddess", a beautiful piece, said to be the Goddess's own words.
He became an authority on Wicca and among other books, wrote “A Goddess Arrives” and “High Magic’s Aid” in 1930’s through to 1940’s. These were fictional works.
He then went on to write “Witchcraft Today” and “The Meaning of Witchcraft” in the 1950’s. These were factual works and were partly responsible for the growth of Wicca and were the only published source of knowledge of the Craft at that time. Gardnerian Wicca is generally Coven based. However, Solitaries have come to adapt it for their own practises.
There is an Oath of Secrecy, protecting the knowledge of the rituals, and rites, but these days it is mainly redundant. Knowledge is finally in the hands of the public and is easily accessible with modern day advances such as the internet, Library growth etc.
He incorporated an initiation system of Three Degrees to qualify as a Witch. Each lasted for a year and a day.
The Three Degrees for initiates.
First - Year and a day
Second - Year and a day
Third – on completion of this year and a day - the initiate could then become either a High Priestess or Priest.
Traditionally it was accepted that only another Witch can initiate a new Witch, however, it is now generally agreed that it is possible to self- initiate. We will be looking at self- initiation in another lesson.
Gardnerian’s celebrate and embrace both the Goddess and God. They hold seasonal celebrations called "Sabbats" which are based on the Wheel of the Year and have monthly meetings around the Full Moon. These are called "Esabats". They incorporate and practice a wide range of Spell-craft and Magick.
In Conclusion, Gardnerian Wicca has provided the foundations for a variety of individuals and groups to develop and create their own distinct traditions.
Alexandrian Wicca
Alex Saunders and his wife Maxine created this tradition of Wicca in the 1960’s.
Alex claimed he was initiated by his grandmother into Wicca, although this has now been refuted. The generally agreed concensus is that he adapted Gardner’s “Book of Shadows” and rewrote it for his own use.
As for the title of Alexanderian Wicca, His wife, Maxine was quoted as saying that the title of “Alexanderian Wicca” was not named after Alex, but after the Library of Alexandra. She said this name was given to their tradition as it was suggested by “Stewart Farrar”, who was an influential and famous witch and a friend of theirs at the time.
Alex was trained to First Degree Level. His practice was coven based with the same Three Degrees for initiates. The emphasis was based on gender polarity. They worshiped a god and goddess and celebrated the seasons and monthly Moons.
All these followed the Gardnerian tradition, but incorporated the use of Magic Tools and Deity and Elemental names. Along with the incorporation of the Kabbalah, and Ceremonial and Enochian Magic.
Many witches feel that initiation into one, qualifies for another, so syntheses exist, such as the “Algard Tradition,” created by Mary Nesnick in America.
Seax-Wicca
Raymond Buckland and his wife, Rosemary were both disciples of Gardnerian Wicca. In 1962 they moved to
America, and introduced it there.
Raymond wrote “ A Complete book of Witchcraft” which allowed students to study and achieve the knowledge base of a
Third Degree Witch. It also gave them the opportunity to develop their own particular style of Wicca. This was a first and opened the doors of secrecy.
Seax Wicca differs from Gardnerian or Alexandrian by having no degree structure, no oath of secrecy.
The High Priest and High Priestess are chosen by coven members by elections annually and will serve the coven for a
year and a day.
Seax Wicca focuses on the Saxon Deities, Woden and Freya. The God rules the winter and the Goddess rules the Summer.
Dianic Wicca
This tradition was created in the 1960’s and coincided with societal changes.
It was the first feminist tradition. Created by Zsuzanna Budapest and Morgan Mcfarland, who were both female feminists with a strong emphasis on women’s rights and sexual equality.
Often, only the Goddess is honoured although some Covens work with God forms. Although its major approach is different, many view its beliefs as similar to mainstream tradition.
The Feri Tradition
Was created in the 1950’s by Victor and Cora Anderson. They were heavily influenced by Gardners “Witchcraft Today”
Victor created traditions using Fairy Folklore. This tradition is joyous, creative and sensual. It works with a variety of Goddessess and gods to realise practical magic and self -development. The most famous member of this tradition was Starhawk.
Hereditary Witches
Hereditary witches claim lineage independently of Wicca. They are usually family based. Some base their traditions on family
customs such as Fortune Telling, Folk Magic and some forms of Shamanism.
Solitaries
Solitary witches are ecletic, and highly creative. They write their own rituals, prayers and invocations. Some self- dedicate. The solitary path is not an easy one and needs determination and self-discipline.
Hedge Witches
Hedge witches also practice alone, usually from home. They focus on practical aspects such as Herbalism, Magic, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Earth Mysteries and the Elements.
Important Influential Personalities
As Wicca has now become a new age modern old religion, there have been some influential personalities worth
mentioning here.
Margaret Murray (1863-1963)
Margaret Murray became an Assistant Professor of Egyptology at the University of London in 1924. In 1926 she became
a Fellow of Britain’s Royal Anthropological Institute. At age 90, she became the President of the Folklore Society. She wrote “The Witchcult in Western Europe”. This was her best known work. Many Wiccan terms derive or are influenced by Margaret Murray. Such as “Old Religions” “Covens” “the Esabat” “the Wiccan Wheel of the Year” “ The Horned God”. It is said that her ideas had a profound effect on Gardner.
Doreen Valiente (1922 – 1999)
Doreen has been regarded as a co-creator of Wicca. She joined Gardner and help him create rituals. Valientine also wrote poems for Wiccans and books. She wrote “ An ABC of Witchcraft” “Where Witchcraft Lives” “Natural Magic” “Witchcraft for Tomorrow” Doreen resided in Brighton, East Sussex and is well known for her writings, teachings and poetry.
Starhawk
Starhawk trained in the Feri Tradition. She wrote “The Spiral Dance” in the late 1970’s. This was one of the best- selling books on Wicca. She developed a feministic style of Witchcraft. The Feri Covens are creative places, infused with healing, therapy, art and playfulness. They encourage and allow the individual to break free from their human enforced chains and realise their full potential. This style has been influential in America and Europe.
Cunningham
Scott Cunningham was born in Michigan June 27, 1956. He stated to learn about Wicca while in High School and practiced elemental magic for twenty years. He researched, experienced then wrote about what he learned. He then re wrote it sometimes quite a few times until he got it just right to his high standards. He has written more than 30 books both fiction and non fiction. His style is simple and direct. He passed from this plane March 28, 1993. But his work and words will live on.
Homework for Month 1........
Research the above founders and write an essay on the founders and paths of
modern wicca.
please email your essay to
[email protected]
Many Blessings of Love and Light
Jhyenan O'Shea/Hps
Daughters of the Moon
)0(
In Wiccan belief, the Divine is ultimately seen as one. In general, witches believe in the creative polarity of feminine and masculine principles in nature. Deity has male and female aspects that exist together in harmonious balance. These beliefs are evident in all that a witch does.
They inform the practice of magical arts, and can be seen in the way that witches set up their altar, carry out their rites and rituals and celebrate the stages of the year.
Wicca's view of the balance of nature of deity stands in contrast to other religions, which either play down or dispense with the female aspect entirely.
For witches, the dynamic creature tension of female and male is part of the general theory of polarity, where all things rely on opposites for their existence. The concepts of day and night, dark and light, content and form positive and negative attraction and repulsion. Each need the other to exist.
The Wicccan attitude can be expressed by Chinese concept of Yin and Yang. Yin is the female, negative, dark aspect of creation. Yang is the male, positive light aspect. Together they make up the Whole.
The emphasis is given to both Goddess and God, although this varies in different traditions and their covens.
For Wiccans, deity is immanent! Meaning it is to be found in all things and pervades existence. The Universe is perceived to be alive and the individual is but a cell on its enormous body. Everything is therefore sacred, and this gives witches an enormous respect for all life.
On the other hand, many witches believe the ultimate nature of deity is unknowable. beyond names and forms, perhaps beyond mortal comprehension. Generally, witches believe that goddesses and gods are representative of certain kinds of energy within existence. Witches do not use the language of science to express these forces because on one level, they feel science provides only partial answers to the questions of existence, believing that there is much within the universe, science knows nothing of and that the language of science is incapable of speaking to the human soul.
Our spirits thrive on the use of poetic and symbolic imagery. The fact is that in many humans we are genuinely deeply moved and motivated by images of a god and goddess and feel that they have come to a more profound understanding of existence because of them. Also, using such imagery makes the forces knowable to an extent and allows the individual to work with them in their life on a material plane.
The Wheel of the Year
Wiccans see nature as a cycle, embodying the polarity of deity, interweaving of male and female forces in the Wheel of the Year. The Goddess is personified by the Earth and Moon. She is the Eternal Mother who creates all life from the Elemental forces of which She is composed.
green and fresh in Spring
Magnificent and Powerful in Summer
In the later half of the Year, She falls into repose, when she dresses in sombre shades of brown and grey.
As the Goddess Luna - she is the silver shape shifting Queen of the Heavens governing the tidal forces, as well as the monthly and nightly cycles of life on our planet.
The God is embodies in the Sun, who travels over the Sky in his great chariot of Fire. At full power - Midsummer - He provides the Goddess Earth with the energy to grow strong. From this point, he gradually looses ground, until finally he dies after the autumn Equinox. he is born again at Mid Winter, he grows and climbs through the early months of the year to eventually rise, trimphant and fertilises the Goddess around the Spring Equinox. He governs the annual cycles of life and the rhythm of our days.
The seasonal cycles and the parts played by the Goddess and God are celebrated in the Greater and lesser Sabbats. However, the Goddess and the God are not only thought of as the embodiment of the Earth, Moon and Sun.
Lesson One
Different Traditions of Wicca
There are, as in any belief, there are influential people or as they are known "Founders" These are people of who have gained notoriety due to their particular beliefs. They are the Tradition’s founders. Each have developed their own path or tradition.
On order to understand the path you have chosen, it is essential that you research and discover as much as you
can about its founders. I have listed a brief account of them, but you over the next month will need to research as much as you can about them. There will be an assignment to submit on the Founders Of Wicca at the end of the month. Wicca was revived during the 1950's onwards. Covens were established, or witches remained solitary in their practices. But gradually the knowledge and belief system was becoming public, mainly due to Gerald Gardener. (1884-1964)
The Gardnerian Tradition
The founding father of Wicca was “Gerald Brosseau Gardner” (1884 – 1964)
He was a wealthy owner of tea and rubber plantations in the far east.
His interests were diverse, and included Spiritualism, Free- masonry, Buddhism and Tribal Magic.
Gardner claimed he was initiated into a coven in 1939 by a little known witch called Dorothy Clutterbuck, who called herself a “new forest witch”. There has been some doubt cast if this was actually the case, and if she really existed, however, Dorothy Valiente and Professor Ronald Hutton researched her and discovered that she had existed and proved it by finding a copy of her birth certificate.
Gardner then went on to set up his own coven. He initiated Doreen Valiente, who helped him to write his ceremonial
practices which then became known as“Gardnerian Wicca” This included "The Charge of the Goddess", a beautiful piece, said to be the Goddess's own words.
He became an authority on Wicca and among other books, wrote “A Goddess Arrives” and “High Magic’s Aid” in 1930’s through to 1940’s. These were fictional works.
He then went on to write “Witchcraft Today” and “The Meaning of Witchcraft” in the 1950’s. These were factual works and were partly responsible for the growth of Wicca and were the only published source of knowledge of the Craft at that time. Gardnerian Wicca is generally Coven based. However, Solitaries have come to adapt it for their own practises.
There is an Oath of Secrecy, protecting the knowledge of the rituals, and rites, but these days it is mainly redundant. Knowledge is finally in the hands of the public and is easily accessible with modern day advances such as the internet, Library growth etc.
He incorporated an initiation system of Three Degrees to qualify as a Witch. Each lasted for a year and a day.
The Three Degrees for initiates.
First - Year and a day
Second - Year and a day
Third – on completion of this year and a day - the initiate could then become either a High Priestess or Priest.
Traditionally it was accepted that only another Witch can initiate a new Witch, however, it is now generally agreed that it is possible to self- initiate. We will be looking at self- initiation in another lesson.
Gardnerian’s celebrate and embrace both the Goddess and God. They hold seasonal celebrations called "Sabbats" which are based on the Wheel of the Year and have monthly meetings around the Full Moon. These are called "Esabats". They incorporate and practice a wide range of Spell-craft and Magick.
In Conclusion, Gardnerian Wicca has provided the foundations for a variety of individuals and groups to develop and create their own distinct traditions.
Alexandrian Wicca
Alex Saunders and his wife Maxine created this tradition of Wicca in the 1960’s.
Alex claimed he was initiated by his grandmother into Wicca, although this has now been refuted. The generally agreed concensus is that he adapted Gardner’s “Book of Shadows” and rewrote it for his own use.
As for the title of Alexanderian Wicca, His wife, Maxine was quoted as saying that the title of “Alexanderian Wicca” was not named after Alex, but after the Library of Alexandra. She said this name was given to their tradition as it was suggested by “Stewart Farrar”, who was an influential and famous witch and a friend of theirs at the time.
Alex was trained to First Degree Level. His practice was coven based with the same Three Degrees for initiates. The emphasis was based on gender polarity. They worshiped a god and goddess and celebrated the seasons and monthly Moons.
All these followed the Gardnerian tradition, but incorporated the use of Magic Tools and Deity and Elemental names. Along with the incorporation of the Kabbalah, and Ceremonial and Enochian Magic.
Many witches feel that initiation into one, qualifies for another, so syntheses exist, such as the “Algard Tradition,” created by Mary Nesnick in America.
Seax-Wicca
Raymond Buckland and his wife, Rosemary were both disciples of Gardnerian Wicca. In 1962 they moved to
America, and introduced it there.
Raymond wrote “ A Complete book of Witchcraft” which allowed students to study and achieve the knowledge base of a
Third Degree Witch. It also gave them the opportunity to develop their own particular style of Wicca. This was a first and opened the doors of secrecy.
Seax Wicca differs from Gardnerian or Alexandrian by having no degree structure, no oath of secrecy.
The High Priest and High Priestess are chosen by coven members by elections annually and will serve the coven for a
year and a day.
Seax Wicca focuses on the Saxon Deities, Woden and Freya. The God rules the winter and the Goddess rules the Summer.
Dianic Wicca
This tradition was created in the 1960’s and coincided with societal changes.
It was the first feminist tradition. Created by Zsuzanna Budapest and Morgan Mcfarland, who were both female feminists with a strong emphasis on women’s rights and sexual equality.
Often, only the Goddess is honoured although some Covens work with God forms. Although its major approach is different, many view its beliefs as similar to mainstream tradition.
The Feri Tradition
Was created in the 1950’s by Victor and Cora Anderson. They were heavily influenced by Gardners “Witchcraft Today”
Victor created traditions using Fairy Folklore. This tradition is joyous, creative and sensual. It works with a variety of Goddessess and gods to realise practical magic and self -development. The most famous member of this tradition was Starhawk.
Hereditary Witches
Hereditary witches claim lineage independently of Wicca. They are usually family based. Some base their traditions on family
customs such as Fortune Telling, Folk Magic and some forms of Shamanism.
Solitaries
Solitary witches are ecletic, and highly creative. They write their own rituals, prayers and invocations. Some self- dedicate. The solitary path is not an easy one and needs determination and self-discipline.
Hedge Witches
Hedge witches also practice alone, usually from home. They focus on practical aspects such as Herbalism, Magic, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Earth Mysteries and the Elements.
Important Influential Personalities
As Wicca has now become a new age modern old religion, there have been some influential personalities worth
mentioning here.
Margaret Murray (1863-1963)
Margaret Murray became an Assistant Professor of Egyptology at the University of London in 1924. In 1926 she became
a Fellow of Britain’s Royal Anthropological Institute. At age 90, she became the President of the Folklore Society. She wrote “The Witchcult in Western Europe”. This was her best known work. Many Wiccan terms derive or are influenced by Margaret Murray. Such as “Old Religions” “Covens” “the Esabat” “the Wiccan Wheel of the Year” “ The Horned God”. It is said that her ideas had a profound effect on Gardner.
Doreen Valiente (1922 – 1999)
Doreen has been regarded as a co-creator of Wicca. She joined Gardner and help him create rituals. Valientine also wrote poems for Wiccans and books. She wrote “ An ABC of Witchcraft” “Where Witchcraft Lives” “Natural Magic” “Witchcraft for Tomorrow” Doreen resided in Brighton, East Sussex and is well known for her writings, teachings and poetry.
Starhawk
Starhawk trained in the Feri Tradition. She wrote “The Spiral Dance” in the late 1970’s. This was one of the best- selling books on Wicca. She developed a feministic style of Witchcraft. The Feri Covens are creative places, infused with healing, therapy, art and playfulness. They encourage and allow the individual to break free from their human enforced chains and realise their full potential. This style has been influential in America and Europe.
Cunningham
Scott Cunningham was born in Michigan June 27, 1956. He stated to learn about Wicca while in High School and practiced elemental magic for twenty years. He researched, experienced then wrote about what he learned. He then re wrote it sometimes quite a few times until he got it just right to his high standards. He has written more than 30 books both fiction and non fiction. His style is simple and direct. He passed from this plane March 28, 1993. But his work and words will live on.
Homework for Month 1........
Research the above founders and write an essay on the founders and paths of
modern wicca.
please email your essay to
[email protected]
Many Blessings of Love and Light
Jhyenan O'Shea/Hps
Daughters of the Moon
)0(
Lesson Two
Pantheons and Deities
Witches are Polytheists, who use a variety of goddesses and gods from different religions, depending on what aspect of the
divine male and female they wish to work with.
The deities of the Witches
Each coven, or solitary will have their own goddess or god that they use on a daily basis. A goddess can be chosen from one pantheon. A god from another - consistency is less important than the divine forces they are seen to represent.
The Divine Feminine
To ancient mankind, reproduction was a mystery of existence. Woman was the giver of life and the gateway to birth. She was able to bleed monthly, changing like the Moon changed, yet could self heal, survive and return to the same state unscathed. From her body, sprang life-giving milk and everyone was nourished and raised on it. She was a walking miracle, mystery and inexplicable. It comes as no surprise then that the goddess of Fertility revered throughout human existence and frequently allied with the Moon.
The Goddess was often depicted as a deity - Maid, Mother, Crone representing the different stages of female existence, but also echoed the waxing, full and waning aspects of the Moon. Witches feel that all three of these characteristics need to be portrayed if a representation of psychological wholeness is to be maintained.
The Maiden
As the Maiden, the Goddess is young, fresh, magical and enchanting. She is bursting with the promise of new life and is associated with Spring. She caresses and explores the new landscape, and with her natural curiosity, enquires into the new experiences of the world. Coupled with this inquisitive and carefree nature is a vital streak of eroticism that is fascinating and enticing to the opposite sex. When respected and cherished, she is full of joy and elation. But, She is not to be crossed and is dangerous if treated poorly. She is portrayed by goddess figures who are Maidens, such as Persephone, the Greek daughter of the Corn Goddess Demeter, without whom Spring cannot exist, or Arcadia, daughter of Diana, who came to Earth to teach her mother's witchcraft.
The Mother
Upon reaching Motherhood, the Goddess becomes the creator of life, within her and without her. She is responsible for giving it form and ensuring its growth. In the placenta, the Mother's blood transfers nourishment to the unborn, her milk nourishes it, her arms form a loop of protection, none may breach. With far reaching vision, she is able to see all life before her and moulds it to her will and desires. She is emotionally and physically tough with an utterly ruthless destructive side, that can rear unpredictably when any threaten or harm the ones she loves. She is powerful and authoritative, she is a giver of sound advice and counsel and is the heart of the family and community.
She is the Mother and Love of the male, providing a balance for his masculine energy and can see deeply into his soul. she shows him the initial ways of the world and sets him on the path to manhood, it is she who arouses the ecstasy of the adult God and uses his seed to create new life.
The Great Mother is the embodiment of fertility on all levels with a plan that is harmonious and balanced. In a sense, she is the goddess Karma, who keeps equilibrium regardless of our human notions of mortality and fairness. Commonly in Wicca - She is seen as the welsh goddess of reincarnation - Arianrod,or the Canaanite Fertility goddess Astarte. Other times she is worshipped as the powerful Roman goddess Juno or the huntress Diana- most especially she is worshipped as the goddess Isis- greatest of all female deities.
The Crone
Finally, She is the Crone or Wise one, richly clothed and decorated by life's experiences. She is a wonderful repository of valuable knowledge and experience and has lived through all the ages of Femininity. a babysitter for the Mother, a watchful eye for the Maiden, a counsellor to the male, she still has valuable roles to play. Yet she is the reminder of decay and death, the inevitable end of life on this world. she shows us that all things must return to the Earth from whence they came. She can show us the way, by being out guide in how to meet our fate with dignity, and our leader through the Veil of death. she is often depicted as Hecate, dred goddess of the Moon, the Underworld and Magick.
A less popular way of representing the Divine Feminine within the Craft is to show the triple aspect through one particular female deity. such as the Greek goddess Hera - who at symphalus had three temples dedicated to her - as the child, wife and widow. Another would be the Hindu Bha'vani- referenced as the triple Universe- She is shown as the young crowned Woman who has the forces of creation latent within her, as a mother with the Sun and the Moon at her breasts and as the dark terrible figure of death and trans-fiction with a necklace of skulls.
Because Wicca's concept of the Goddess has three distinct phases it is able to provide Woman with a deity that reflects personal experiences of life and ensures Women can relate to Her. Also the various goddesses provide women with purposes and roles that are not dictated by society - allowing women to reject oppressive values and beliefs, giving women freedom to realise their true selves at all phases of life. For the male, the Goddess provides a way to explore Femininity, allowing him to recognise the female aspect of his psyche. This helps him to appreciate and interact with women as they truly are, and not how they have been led to believe as they should be.
The Divine Masculine
The idea of a God owes itself to the Hunt. It was the responsibility of the male to provide sustenance upn which the well-being of the group depended. Hunters horned attire likely became a symbol of power. Hunting skill would have been passed down from generation to generation. it is likely that they became an initiatory secret, when a male child reached a certain age. The secrets of the hunt were shrouded in mystery much like childbirth. What the Male provided was worshipped and honoured.
Wiccan's generally think of the God as being part animal, part human and part divine. He therefore encompasses the three natures of human existence.
The God of the Witches is often cloven hoofed, with the body of a man, and horns sprouting from his head. The God is intended to show the incarnation of Spirit on the material plane. He therefore represents the descent of Divine Light into the animal kingdom of our human bodies.
For Wiccan's, He is the Lord of Nature, upright and true, proud and verile like the Stag. he fears no-one and serves to protect, laying down his own life if necessary. He is a Leader, but must bow to the seasonal cycles of the Goddess. As her Consort, he reveres and honours her, making sure that her needs are met. Quick and sure-footed, he traverses the land, running free through the forests, over the plains and hills, he knows no boundaries or limitations.
The God is seen as also having a strongly sacrificial nature. This is based on the Cycle of the Sun. He begins the road to Death, directly after his Midsummer reign (21st June) where, having had his longest days and filled the land with light, his power weakens and wanes. His darkest time follows his sacrifice at the Autumn Equinox, where he crosses the line at the Equator, and the nights become longer than the days. Aleister Crowley referred to this as his Crucifixion- where he descends into the gloomy depths of Winter, so Mother Earth may take her repose before Her renewal.
However, Death is just a stage in nature's Cycle, and the God is reborn at the Midwinter Solstice - 21st December from which point, the days become longer. Finally, He comes again to full strength at the Spring Equinox - 21st March where the hours of day are longer than the hours of night and the Goddess re-clothes herself in green. He is often portrayed by sacrificial or dying and resurrected gods such as Tammuz, Osiris, Dionysus Jesus and Balder.
But the God is not merely a deity of an annular cycle - he is also able to encompass the stages of Masculine life.
He is the newborn child, weak and fragile, dependent of others for comfort, but full of the promise of greater things. As He grows to maturity, He is the fecund and randy youth, full of hormones. Vitality and experiment in the passionate and wild revelry of Youth. Like Pan, He romps through the landscape and is given to an excess of physical pleasure, food, drink and sex. Like Loki, He is fond of playing tricks on others, enjoying baiting his Elders, at this delicate stage He needs the firm guiding hand, love and understanding of the Mother Goddess and Fatherly God. However, as He matures, he takes on the responsibility symbolised by the Stag and strives to become a worthwhile member of the Community. The young male learns to have respect for woman and begins to take on his role as contributor to the well-being of his family by providing the things necessary for its nourishment and survival, as well as protecting it from harm. He grows to be a worthy partner to the Goddess and can be seen as kingly Irish god, Lugh or Norse god Odin. He sacrifices the waywardness of his youth to the betterment of himself and others. Finally, at the end of his life, he is old and without physical strength - yet like the Crone, He still has a role to play. The new generation looks to his experience and wise counsel.
For the male Witch, He provides a model of masculinity that can readily be related to. "The God of the Witches" is not a "Pure" God representing a rarefied form of maleness beyond all belief, impossible to live up to. He takes into account what it means to be truly Male and shows how a man can play a constructive and useful role within the family and society. He does not have his head in the starts and his mind on the divine. He is a blend of the physical and the spiritual and resonates with what it means to be masculine.
In our society, we have failed to provide a positive role model to men - and young men are the group most at risk of committing suicide - for many Wiccans, the God provides the solution.
For the female Witch, the God provides a model of masculinity that she can be comfortable with. He is not a dominant patriarch, but an equal complimentary partner with whom she can grow and develop. This is a marked contrast to nearly every other religion today that seeks to subordinate and mould her into a masculine ideal.
Here are a few examples of well known and loved goddesses.
Goddesses
Arcadia
Most popular name for the Goddess in Wicca. According to Vangelo delie Stegne, She was the daughter of Diana and Lucifer and became the messenger of her mother.. Gardnerian Wicca regards her as a nature goddess and she is seen as a compliment of Cernunnos, Herne or Pan.
Arianrhod - Means Silver Wheel.
Only one story of her survived “The Romance of Math in Mavinogion” This portrays
her as abandoning her sons, Dylan and Lleullaw Gyffes, as she held power over lleu to prevent him from bearing
arms.
But her name hints at a great nature for the circumpolar stars that never set are known as Cacer Arianrhod (The royal
Residence of the Silver Wheel). These stars don’t obey the ever changing laws of the heavens. The moon has her phases, the sun
has its cycles, but these turning starts never set. Because of this some wiccans use them to symbolise the resting place of souls between
reincarnations. By this association, Arianrhod has become a goddess of reincarnation. And because she has two sons, she was likely intended to be a goddess of birth and as she withheld weapons from her sons, perhaps symbolises the power over initiation into manhood.
Hectate
Perhaps is most famous for being the protector of witches and is particularly portrayed as a goddess of the Underworld. She is
strongly associated with magic, especially dark magic. Originally she was regarded as the daughter of the Titans, Peres and Asteria, although a later tradition says she was born of Zeus and Hera. Traditionally she was the guardian of mariners and herds of sheep.
Her triple faced image, known as Triple Hecate was often placed at crossroads, where offerings were left on the eve of a
full moon. Her symbols include the key and the flaming torch. Her wisdom is said to unlock and illuminate all mysteries.
Her totem animal is a black dog. As a dark goddess she is associated particularly with the
crone.
Demeter and Persephone
The Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone (also known as kore) is famous. Demeter was a great corn goddess who doted on her
daughter Persephone and together they tended the Earth, causing vegetation to grow. Unknown to them, Hades, god of the Underworld had become consumed with desire for Persephone and one day he kidnaped her and dragged her down to the Underworld. Not knowing what had
happened to her, Demeter was desolate and despairing. She went and consulted Hectate, the great Crone, who advised that she contact Helios, the Sun god, who could see all things. Helios blamed Zeus, the king of the gods saying he had granted Persephone to Hades. In an attempt to command the release of her daughter, Demeter refused to let the crops grow, and the land became barren. Zeus finally gave in and commanded Hades to release Persephone, However, before she left, Hades persuaded her to eat some pomegranate seeds, a symbol of marriage that cannot be revoked. To save the situation, zeus proposed a compromise where Persephone would live two thirds of the year with Demeter aboue ground and one third of the year below ground. Rhea, Demeters mother persuaded her to accept this deal and she agreed that while her daughter was with her, the crops and plants would be able to grow.
Here are just a few examples of deities. A Pantheons are groups of Deities related to a certain culture. Please research the Nordic, the Chinese, the Roman and Greek, the Celtic, Indian and Egyptian Pantheons. List a brief description of the main Dieties within each Pantheon that you feel particularly drawn too and why. There is no word limit for this piece. Also, please return your completed work to [email protected]
Many Thanks and Brightest Blessings
Jhyenan
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Below is a picture of Persephone
Lesson 3
Crystals and Stones From Mother Earth
Crystals are formed or birthed from deep within the Earth, they carry energy and emit a high frequency. Crystals carry these resounding energy vibrations, and can subtly help to bring their
energy vibrations within your body and aura and enable a healthy and vibrant balance.
We are surrounded by vibration at all times, The galaxies of the Universe, the stars and planets of the solar system, vibrate and pulsate and the rocks and crystals, along with every living thing on our planet all vibrate. We must acknowledge the energies of the Universe withing them, and the creatrix of all these incredible forces.
Their energies can be utilised and used charge your spell work. Crystals can be used as magical charms with the energy to manifest into physical reality! You should have a working set or two. At the very least, a healing set. A protection set. An everyday set.
Assignment.
Remember, your crystals should be no further than 100 yards away from you at all times.
Research 50 crystals, find their metaphysical properties. List them in your assignment. There is no word limit.
Put together your own working set.If you can afford them, Either physically or hyperthetically.
Find crystals that you attune to, Crystals that speak to you.
Describe how you would cleanse and charge your set.
How you look after them and how and when will use them.
energy vibrations within your body and aura and enable a healthy and vibrant balance.
We are surrounded by vibration at all times, The galaxies of the Universe, the stars and planets of the solar system, vibrate and pulsate and the rocks and crystals, along with every living thing on our planet all vibrate. We must acknowledge the energies of the Universe withing them, and the creatrix of all these incredible forces.
Their energies can be utilised and used charge your spell work. Crystals can be used as magical charms with the energy to manifest into physical reality! You should have a working set or two. At the very least, a healing set. A protection set. An everyday set.
Assignment.
Remember, your crystals should be no further than 100 yards away from you at all times.
Research 50 crystals, find their metaphysical properties. List them in your assignment. There is no word limit.
Put together your own working set.If you can afford them, Either physically or hyperthetically.
Find crystals that you attune to, Crystals that speak to you.
Describe how you would cleanse and charge your set.
How you look after them and how and when will use them.
Lesson 4
Herbs.
Why are Herbs used in
Magick?
What is a Herbal Correspondence?
In what ways can we use
herbs?
Herbs have been used through the centuries to heal and to prevent illness. They are used in their natural form, dried, as oil, as incencenses. They are also used in Magick for their Vibrations or Essences. Herbs,like people have gender, are ruled by a plant, an element and are often sacred to a God or Goddess. This is called the Herbal correspondence.
Growing and nurturing herbs in your own magical garden can give you the advantage of having your own energies already influencing the planet. Eg. A Plant such as Angelica, ruled by the Sun, will then have all of the influences of the Sun and fire, along with your own personal energies.
Research 10 Herbs and their uses, for both healing and illness prevention and their magickal use. Then put together a table to show your favourite herbs. Please indicate:-
1. What they are used for
2. Their medicinal uses
3. Their magickal uses
Please include a summary of a few words at the end of your piece to explain the different ways we can use them in their
different forms.
Have fun!
Why are Herbs used in
Magick?
What is a Herbal Correspondence?
In what ways can we use
herbs?
Herbs have been used through the centuries to heal and to prevent illness. They are used in their natural form, dried, as oil, as incencenses. They are also used in Magick for their Vibrations or Essences. Herbs,like people have gender, are ruled by a plant, an element and are often sacred to a God or Goddess. This is called the Herbal correspondence.
Growing and nurturing herbs in your own magical garden can give you the advantage of having your own energies already influencing the planet. Eg. A Plant such as Angelica, ruled by the Sun, will then have all of the influences of the Sun and fire, along with your own personal energies.
Research 10 Herbs and their uses, for both healing and illness prevention and their magickal use. Then put together a table to show your favourite herbs. Please indicate:-
1. What they are used for
2. Their medicinal uses
3. Their magickal uses
Please include a summary of a few words at the end of your piece to explain the different ways we can use them in their
different forms.
Have fun!
Lesson 5 - The Wheel of the Year
The major Wiccan celebrations are shown in this picture.
Research them, and explain the meaning of each celebration.
We also celebrate Esabats. These are Moon celebrations and there are thirteen throughout the yearly cycle. Research them and explain a little about each moon, include its name.
Research them, and explain the meaning of each celebration.
We also celebrate Esabats. These are Moon celebrations and there are thirteen throughout the yearly cycle. Research them and explain a little about each moon, include its name.