Welcome to Part 3 of the Wiccan thread that rarely has any Wiccans post in it.

I'll leave it up to Abra to post what this is all about.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft and Shamanism





Please note:

This thread is not limited to Wicca. We discuss all manner of the following.

Witchcraft
Shamanism
Law of Attraction
Eastern Mysticism
The Way of the Wizard
Yoga

And basically anything else of interest.

Ruth is the Host of the thread. If you say anything to piss her off the wicked witch of the west will devour your shoes!

Any and all comments, contributions or questions are welcome.

I'm a tenderfoot shaman just starting out on the path of witchcraft. I like to pretend I know what I'm talking about but don't pay me no mind.

And as always, it's nice to just drop in to "Just Say Hi!".

Just as a heads-up, we've been discussing some books that Ruth has recommended to me in my quest for knowledge of witchcraft.

The books that we've discuss (very lightly) are:

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham.

And some of the Temple Books by Christopher Penczak.

I'm personally starting in on the first three of his 'Temple' series.

1. The Inner Temple of Witchcraft
2. The Outer Temple of Witchcraft
3. The Shamanic Temple of Witchcraft

We would be very interested in hearing of any other materials, books or personal journeys.

Recently we've discussed very briefly, the following topics:

1. Circle casting
2. Meditation techniques
3. Visualization
4. Shamanic journeying
5. The 5 Tibetan Rites
6. The Witchyness of Catholicism.
7. Right-brain training and exercises

And Shamanic Drumming.

Please feel free to add new comments and material to the above topics of interest or bring up new topics or questions of your own.

I'm personally very interested in hearing anyone's experience with shamanic journeys of any kind.

Welcome to the new Witches!

And/or Witchy-like people.

Thank you, James!

The Magick Circle


I’ve been reading Penczak’s The Outer Temple ~ Lesson Seven ~ The Witch’s Circle.

I don’t intend to describe the lesson here as I am only just beginning to read it myself. However, already I’ve learned some interesting things.

First all, The Magick Circle is a concept that has been used in many cultures throughout the world and history. It has been called many names; The Witch’s Circle, The Shaman’s Circle, The Magician’s Circle, The Moon Circle, and in some North and South Indian cultures – The Circle of Fire.

However, despite the variety of names, the rituals are very similar. The circle is cast spiritually using psychic visualization of energy. Although many times physical markers are use as well. None the less, the circle itself is a actual a complete sphere of spiritual energy. The circle simply being the marker where the sphere intersects the surface of the earth.

The function of the Magick Circle (or sphere) is to create a bubble of spiritual (and/or psychic) energy. This energy is believed to create an ‘egg of creation’. Inside the Magick Circle (or sphere, or egg) is considered to be between dimensions or between worlds. It’s a sacred space that is between the physical and spiritual worlds.

The idea behind this Spiritual Circle is that the psyche energy of Intention can be magnified and intensified in ways that would not be possible without the circle. There are many reasons for this widely held belief. One is the very simple pragmatic idea that the entire ritual itself enhances the psychic intent of the witch or shaman and brings all of the emotional vibrations into intense harmony thus magnifying the intent to a far greater strength than would otherwise be possible before sending this out into the universe.

The circle works in two ways. First, it keep out all unwanted vibrations, and secondly, it contains or reflects back into itself all of the emotional and psychic vibrations that are emanating from the witch. Thus magnifying them intensely for a single burst of release. In fact, this is why many witches argue that only one spell at a time should be worked during a single casting of the Magick Circle. Although many witches do not agree with this, and conduct several works of magic within a single casting of a circle.

How many spells per circle casting might be a good topic for discussion.

Also, what constitutes a ‘spell’?

There are many works that can be done within a circle, from simply using it as a medium for communiqué with the spirits, to consecrating objects, to casting actual spells (manifestations).

I personally believe that the ‘casting’ of a spell, is the only work that is actually gets ‘cast out’ with the circle, but that’s my own personal view.

A second important idea of the circle is that since it is a space between worlds it’s like having one foot in the physical world, and one foot in the spiritual world so-to-speak, so for this reason it is believed that the spirits can actually enter the circle and participate in the ritual. This is one reason why it is important to cast a circle using a method that prevents evil spirits from entering the sphere and only allows the spirits that are invited to partake in the ceremonies. The witch or shaman always invites specific spirits to participate in the circle and almost always invites the spirits of the North, East, South, and West winds, which represent the four spiritual elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Which are consecutively; the Spirits of Manifestation, the Spirits of Logos and Wisdom, the Spirits of Passion and Creativity, and the Spirits of Emotion. These are the Elemental Spirits that do the bidding of the Gods. Of course the Gods are also invited as well.

A Magic Circle is Cast. The Gods and Spirits are summoned, and usually praised. Then the ‘work’ is begun, whatever it might be. A session of communiqué, a consecration of sacred objects, or a spell that will be cast out into the universe with the circle when the ritual is over. At the end of the ceremony the circle is not quenched by ‘released’ and cast out into the universe. The world between the worlds.

And the spell is cast with the casting of the circle. This is why many witches believe that only one spell should be cast with a single circle. I’m inclined to embrace this concept myself. Although I can actually see a single circle carrying more than one intent. But I suppose that is a matter of much controversy.

I hope everyone who made it through this rambling enjoyed it.

Blessed Be!

I will only cast one spell per circle. In fact, I will usually only cast one spell per moon phase. I feel my energy can get too fragmented by focusing on too many different things at once.

I don't usually cast a formal circle for my spell work. However, I do cleanse the area I am working in and visualize my own bubble (which is kind of what a circle really is) of protection and energy containment. I find the "circle" that I cast very useful for building up and storing the energy until I release it for spell completion.

On a side note....I have tried doing spells for other people but generally they are not successful. I think it's impossible to generate enough emotion for someone else in order to manifest a spell. When people ask me for spells now, I tell them what to do instead.

Oh my gosh!! YOU ROCK!! I love the way ya'll put it all in order like that, so organizational and convenient. ooooh, blue, pretty. smiles

James is very organized and posts a lot of good information.

I have to be jolly good and go to bed now, my sleepy time has finally hit me head on, I need to turn in the towel and call it quits now. Nighty night sweet people. Always be good, even if you feel bed, I mean bad, be good, huggles and blessings to all, (YAWN) tired, bed, now

Good night.

Every few months I have the same horrible dream. I dream I have to go back to work for LAPD and I'm totally unprepared. It's such a stressful dream and I hate having it.

That seems to point out a certain fear, but I have no idea how to rid yourself of it.
A Reiki Master told me to write these things on a piece of paper, and to burn it without looking at it again.
I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know whether it will work.

oh, that is an awesome idea! Thank you! Dark Moon ritual on the 27th will be the perfect time.

Witchcraft & Psychic Abilities

What is the connection between psychic ability and magick?

Does being psychic automatically make you a witch or magician?

Can you be a witch or magician if you have no psychic talents?

These are topics, which are rarely broached among the occult community. While investigations into both areas of paranormal research are often classified under the same heading, they are not identical and should not be viewed as such. Differences do exist between them.

Both witchcraft and magick are practices that involve the manipulation of natural energies through premeditated rituals or spells. These practices can also be associated with religion whereas psychic ability usually is associated more with science and the expanding biological resources of the human body.

A deep investigation of the forces that facilitate psychic ability may one day uncover patterns similar to those, which make witchcraft and magick possible. Until then, psychic ability and magick are considered separate by the simple distinction that science only has proof that one exists. Magick, which has no scientific evidence to support it is still considered by most researchers to belong solely to the realm of myth and legend. As we pass over into the new millenium, we will no doubt see a radical change in the scientific community's view of magick as new research provides additional evidence to support it (attitudes concerning psychic ability changed for the same reason).

Another difference between psychic ability and magick is that psychic ability almost always involves immediate results. Examples include, picking the correct card from many laid out in front of you or moving a tea cup a few inches across a table by the sheer force of your will. Examples of delayed results exist as well, but for the most part, psychic abilities yield faster results than magick or witchcraft.

Witchcraft and magick, on the other hand, usually involve an individual "mailing" his or her intent into the universe/void/unconscious/etc through the use of spells and rituals. If the action is successful, the result manifests itself in reality sometime later. Only rarely are spells expected to yield immediate results.

Furthermore, psychic ability through clairvoyance, clairaudience, telekinesis, telepathy, and mental dominance, is rarely thought to be associated (at least by scientists) with spiritual influences. The ability instead is thought to originate with the individual. Conversely, one third of the magickal and witchcraft practices do involve spiritual assistance, through a practice known as Spirit Magick (the other two branches being Will or Mental Magick and Natural Magick).

People involved in the occult often see psychic ability as the purest form of magickal practice because it involves no preparation. Individuals simply will things to manifest or become apparent to them and somehow (whether consciously or unconsciously) they do.

This might seem to indicate that all psychics are just really good magicians or witches. However, this is not entirely true.

Being psychic does not necessarily mean an individual is in tune with natural energies or their own destiny (one way or another, this is the goal of the accomplished magician or witch). Without focussing too deeply on religion, we have to consider that the slow and often unrewarding process of learning and waiting for spells/rituals to manifest, we learn about ourselves/our destinies. We learn our place in the world and how our interests can benefit us as well as the rest of the world.

Of course it certainly helps to be psychic! In fact being born psychic in a family of witches might gain you that title of "natural witch". The practice of magick or witchcraft may come easier to you. You may seem born for it. However, you don't have to be psychic in order to be a witch or magician. No inherent talent is necessary to take up the study of magick or the craft of the wise and likewise hereditary witchcraft does not ensure that you will be psychic.

Being psychic is like being good at basketball. You might come out of the womb dribbling or you may require lessons, but eventually you will figure it out. Some theories extend to the idea that our psychic abilities help to indicate how far up on the evolutionary ladder we have risen or how many lives we have gone through before reaching our present incarnation (life). Again, these are just theories. There is no proof a highly psychic person has lived many lives before their present life anymore than there is proof that a poorly psychic person in only on their third incarnation.

One point that is clear is that improving one's abilities as a witch or magician can have a definite impact on the degree of psychic ability he or she possesses. Indeed, your own attunement with the forces of nature will undoubtedly increase your psychic abilities beyond any you could have accomplished through traditional scientific methods alone.

Furthermore, the branch of magick you choose to pursue (Mental, Spiritual or Natural Magick) will not affect how quickly or strongly your abilities will grow. Harmony with nature comes just as quickly with all the branches (though you will probably see greater improvements after you have experimented with all three). Likewise, no magickal tradition or style of practice is superior to any other in improving your psychic abilities. You have only to choose the path that appeals to you most.

While a wide gulf may exist between magick/witchcraft and psychic abilities in the eyes of science, we shall no doubt see a narrowing of the waters as researchers learn what occultists have been saying for thousands of years.

The whole of the universe is identically reflected in the smallest fraction of matter, as the microsm (the smallest part of the universe from a single human being to a single electron) is identical to the macrosm (the universe as a whole).

In the dream, why would you feel that you "have" to go back to work? Because you need the work or because they need you?

Its always financial reasons and that's part of the stress of the dream.

Thank you all for your friendship but I will be leaving today, I have taken another road. Be well, bless you and yours in the name of love, hugs Nica

Have a great journey Lilwick!

Thanks for stopping by, we've enjoyed your company.