Working With The Phases Of The Moon

Each phase of the moon brings with it a special energy for that lunar cycle. Everyone knows the moon affects the tides of the worlds oceans, but because we are mostly liquid ourselves, these phases also affect us. Understanding what these energies bring, help you to connect with and use those energies in your magikal rituals, meditations and even your daily life.

New Moon
Used for personal growth, healing and blessing of new projects or ventures. It's also a good time to cleanse and consecrate new tools and objects you wish to use during rituals, ceremonies or an up coming festival.

Waxing- 1st Quarter -
Between the new and full moon is a period of the Waxing moon. Used for attraction magik, inner love spells, protection for couples and healing energy for couples.

Full Moon
Used to banishing unwanted influences in your life. Creating protection magik and performing divination. Setting up plans and releasing old patterns or issues are all. Full Moon magik can be conjured during the 3 days prior to the rise of the Full Moon, the night of the Full Moon and during the 3 days after.

Waning- Last Quarter -
Between the full moon and the dark moon is the period of Waning moon. Used for banishing and rejecting those things that influence us in a negative way. Negative emotions, diseases, ailments, and bad habits can all be let go and special spells for clearing can be performed at this time.

Dark Moon- Void Of Course -
The Dark Moon period occurs 3 days prior to the New Moon. This is the time when you can't see the moon in any phase. Typically no magik is performed during this time. This is the time to give yourself a break, to turn to self and pamper or replenish your own energies. Vision quests and deep meditations are called for at this time to focus on personal matters, questions and answers.

Lunar Eclipse
A Lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into the Earth's shadow. This type of eclipse does not occur every year. But when it does, it's a wonderful and magikal night. When it does occur it lasts for only a few hours, so you need to plan your rituals well in advance. This one night is perfect for all purposes. Simply plan your spells to coordinate with the passing shadow. When the moon is in full eclipse, treat those few moments as if the moon was in it's Dark phase. Some witches forego magik work all together and use this time to honor the Goddess in a special ritual.

Penumbral
Occurs when the moon passes into the outer shadow of the earth. This type of eclipse is hard to spot unless the moon is 70% into that shadow. These type of eclipses are more common and generally occur at least once a year. When you can see it, the lower part of the moon becomes distorted. During a waning phase for instance, the lower half of the moon will look blurred or smudged. Once again it's a special night. This is the perfect night to honor the magik of the Goddess. No work or casting, just thankfulness and gratitude.

Above information recieved from http://www.paganspath.com/magik/moon.htm

Moon Types

WOLF MOON  
The fearsome nocturnal animal represents the "night" of the year.  Wolves were rarely seen in England after the 12th century.

Darksome night and shining moon Hearken to the Witches Rune. East then South, West then North Hear! Come! I call thee forth! By all the powers of land and sea Be obedient unto me. Wand, penticle, and thy Sword Hearken ye unto my word. Cords and censer, scourge and knife

Waken all ye into life. Powers of the Witches blade Come ye as the charge is made. Queen of heaven, Queen of hell Send your aid unto the spell. Horned Hunter of the night Work my will by magick right. By the powers of land and sea As do I say "So mote it be. " By all the might of moon and sun As I do will, it shall be done! Eko Eko, Azarak Eko Eko Zomilak Eko Eko Cerrunnos Eko Eko Aradia.

Air Earth Fire Water	Left are The Four Elements. Within these elements lie great power. The elements are often used in spells and rituals.
	The Chalice represents "The Female Aspect". It is used in magic and ceremonies to drink wine. In some ceremonies the Athame is placed down inside the chalice this represents "The Great Rite".
Great Rite	The Athame is symbolic of the male aspect. The chalice is symbolic of the female aspect. Above is the symbol of The Great Rite when the Athame is placed downward into the chalice. This represent the union "sex" of the male & female. God and Goddess. The picture to the left represents the "Symbolic Great Rite".
Pentacle	The five points correspond to the elements Air, Earth, Fire and Water with the top point corresponding to "Spirit". The pentagram in a circle may also represent a human with their legs and arms outstretched, surrounded by universal wisdom or the "Goddess" - humankind at one with the environment.
Triple Goddess	Left is a symbol of The Triple Goddess. This represents her in all aspects - Maiden, Mother & Crone.
Wheel of The Yr.	The Wheel of The Year symbolizes The 8 Pagan Holidays or Sabbats. It is representative of Nature Cycles.

Elementals

In brief elementals are the creatures associated with the elements. Below is a detailed description of elementals and what they represent. The information below comes from FireWind at Glasstemple.com.

Earth

Chiefly ruled by the Gnomes. These exist in a plane that is very close to the vibration level of the Earth.

Different Types: Gnomes, dryads, hamadryads, elves, satyrs, pans, brownies, sylvestres, goblins, and tree spirits.

Area of Work: Tend to work with rocks, stones, gems, metals, minerals, and plants. In humans and other animals, they tend to work with the bones.

Ruled by: Gob; hence, Goblins.

Appearance: Most earth elementals are generally small. Some are short and stocky (ever seen the Hobbit? :) tree spirits tend to look like the plant in which they live. Sometimes it is said that the spirits of poisonous plants are frightening to look at.

Personality: Most are slow to trust, but devoted when trust is won. Never betray an earth elemental, however; since they can be vengeful and formidable enemies. It is said that some like to eat a lot, and like to collect things. Sometimes they guard treasures (like the pot of gold).

Society: Sometimes the gnomes live in groups, and have families, society, culture and government; female gnomes are called gnomides. Hamadryads live in the plants that they take care of, and their bodies look like their host plant; these are also known as tree spirits. Satyrs and pans tend to live in the forests.

Air

Chiefly Ruled by the Sylphs. The element of air has the highest rate of vibration.

Different Types: Sylphs, Fairies,

Area of Work: They form snowflakes, and cast the winds. They also work with the undines to make clouds. Sometimes it is said that they cause dreams, and prophesies. In the human body and other creatures, the Sylphs work with the gasses, and the nervous system.

Ruled By: Paralda.

Appearance: They appear as very airy spirits, and some of them have wings. Fairies are said to be very beautiful, active, and very benevolent.

Personality: They have great intelligence, and see the true natures of things. They change their mind quickly, and are generally very happy. Sometimes you can see the evidence of their dances in the grass in the mornings.

Society: They tend to live a very long time, and don't have any kind of sickness of disease. They like to live on the tops of mountains, and their ruler lives on the top of the highest mountain in the world. They don't like to stay in one place very long, however, and tend to wander around a lot.

Fire

Chiefly ruled by the Salamanders. These are the most powerful elementals of all.

Different Types: Salamanders, Acthnici.

Areas of work: Without the Salamanders, it is impossible to make a fire. In the human body and other creatures, they tend to work with the emotions, the liver, the blood stream, and they help to regulate body heat.

Ruled by: Djin.

Appearance: They appear as the ball of light in the center of a flame. Other people said that they looked lizard-like; appearing in the flames. Sometimes the acthnici appeared in the masts of ships as balls of flame; this was called St.Elmo's Fire.

Personality: Nobody really knows for sure, since it is almost impossible to communicate with them. Probably they are passionate, quick to anger, and highly energetic. They do tend to be most attracted to people with passionate natures, or quick tempers.

Water

Chiefly ruled by the Undines.

Different Types: Undines, Water sprites, mermaids, limoniades, oreades, naiades, nereides, potamides, sea nymphs, and perhaps the Lady of the Lake.

Areas of work: They cause the ocean waves and help the tides. Some guard streams, lakes, and fountains. It is said that every streamlet and fountain has a guardian spirit. They also have the job of bringing beauty to the world. They love flowers very much, and also work to protect them. In the human body and other creatures, the Undines work with the fluids.

Ruled by: Necksa.

Appearance: They are usually described as being very beautiful. They are most graceful of all the elementals; usually they are depicted as being female.

Personality: Their names usually derive from the body of water which they guard. Sometimes they take on human form and interact with humans. They tend to be very emotional and graceful, and benevolent.

Society: They usually live in their chosen source of water. They sometimes live in coral reefs and caves under the ocean. Some live in waterfalls

"Voodoo is a type of magick, not a type of Witchcraft."

I have nothing against VooDoo but I do feel that Witchcraft & VooDoo are two completely different intities with many differences. First of all, I am not adept in the practice of Voo Doo. In my studies of it and the people that I have met that practice Voo Doo it appears that it is more like Christian Magick than Witchcraft. I may be inaccurate on these points but I have done a few studies on the practice and I believe the following are pretty accurate of some practitioners of VooDoo.

The following is not the belief of all VooDoo practitioners but some make claim to the below information:

1. Many practicioners of VooDoo worship God more in the Christian sense.

2. Studies have proven that the "zombies" of VooDoo priests & priestesses were nothing more than enducement into a near death state by the use of a poison (teterododoxin, extracted from a blowfish).

PLEASE NOT BEFORE YOU GET OFFENDED THE ABOVE IS NOT ACCURATE FOR ALL PRATITIONERS OF VOODOO. I DO BELIEVE THAT MANY PRACTITIONERS OF VOODOO ARE SPIRITUAL & POWERFUL AS ARE TRUE WITCHES. THERE ARE FRAUDS IN WITCHCRAFT AS WELL AS EVERY OTHER RELIGION KNOWN TO MAN AND I EXPLAIN THAT IN MY RANTS SECTION.

Vodun, like Christianity, is a religion of many traditions. Each group follows a different spiritual path and worships a slightly different pantheon of spirits, called Loa. The word means "mystery" in the Yoruba language. Yoruba traditional belief included a chief God Olorun, who is remote and unknowable. He authorized a lesser God Obatala to create the earth and all life forms. A battle between the two Gods led to Obatala's temporary banishment.

There are a number of points of similarity between Roman Catholicism and Vodun:

Both believe in a supreme being.

The Loa resemble Christian Saints, in that they were once people who led exceptional lives, and are usually given a single responsibility or special attribute.

Both believe in an afterlife.

Both have, as the centerpiece of some of their ceremonies, a ritual sacrifice and consumption of flesh and blood.

Both believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons.

Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a met tet (master of the head) which corresponds to a Christian's patron saint. Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a soul which is composed of

two parts: a gros bon ange or "big guardian angel", and a ti bon ange or "little guardian angel". The latter leaves the body during sleep and when the person is possessed by a Loa during a ritual. There is a concern that the ti bon ange can be damaged or captured by evil sorcery while it is free of the body.

Vodun Rituals

   The purpose of rituals is to make contact with a spirit, to gain their favor by offering them animal sacrifices and gifts, to obtain help in the form of more abundant food, higher standard of living, and improved health. Human and Loa depend upon each other; humans provide food and other materials; the Loa provide health, protection from evil spirits and good fortune. Rituals are held to celebrate lucky events, to attempt to escape a run of bad fortune, to celebrate a seasonal day of celebration associated with a Loa, for healing, at birth, marriage and death.

   Vodun priests can be male (houngan or hungan), or female (mambo). A Vodun temple is called a hounfour (or humfort). At its center is a poteau-mitan a pole where the God and spirits communicate with the people. An altar will be elaborately decorated with candles, pictures of Christian saints, symbolic items related to the Loa, etc. Rituals consist of some of the following components:

a feast before the main ceremony

   Creation of a veve, a pattern of flour or cornmeal on the floor which is unique to the Loa for whom the ritual is to be conducted shaking a rattle and beating drums which have been cleansed and purified

chanting dancing by the houngan and/or mambo and the hounsis (students studying Vodun). The dancing will typically build in intensity until one of the dancers (usually a hounsis) becomes possessed by a Loa and falls. His or her ti bon ange has left their body and the spirit has taken control. The possessed dancer will behave as the Loa and is treated with respect and ceremony by the others present.

   Animal sacrifice; this may be a goat, sheep, chicken, or dog. They are usually humanely killed by slitting their throat; blood is collected in a vessel. The possessed dancer may drink some of the blood. The hunger of the Loa is then believed to be satisfied. The animal is usually cooked and eaten. Animal sacrifice is a method of consecrating food for consumption by followers of Vodun, their gods and ancestors.

Pagan Beliefs about the Afterlife

Every spiritual path has it's own belief in what happens once you pass on from this world. One thing all of these beliefs have in common is that the soul leaves the body and moves on into some type of divine spiritual realm or through a divine realm into a new incarnation.

The concepts of life after death are clearly laid out in many cultures and religions through books. Such as the Egyptian or Tibetan Books of the Dead, the Torah, The Holy Bible and so on. The Celtics however, did not have books in the same fashion, but rather a rich and colorful oral tradition. These stories were kept alive by poets, story-tellers and druids who recited traditional lore within a collection of verses or legends.

What happens to us after we die? Although no-one really knows, all of us, Pagan or non-Pagan have wondered what happens to our spirit, our soul or essential being, when our body gives up the ghost.

Additional Information

Pagans, almost without exception, believe in reincarnation, but the form that it might take varies widely. Our earliest ancestors seem to have understood this concept, since many ancient bones have been found that are smeared in ochre, a red earth, symbolising re-birth, and the simple existence of grave goods indicates a belief in either the actual or spiritual continuation of life after death, requiring earthly marks of rank and/or tools to help the dead in the afterlife. Perhaps the most sophisticated of these graves belong to the Pharos.

The oldest long barrow, or tomb, in Britain, built at the same time as the earliest Egyptian pyramids, is a long, narrow shape, a shape associated with death but inside, the tomb itself is divided into 5 rounded chambers, uncannily resembling the shape of a woman: birth within death.

A unifying factor in Pagan philosophy is a disbelief in a tortuous hell-like environment. Whilst many of us understand the need for judgement, it is seen as a time to learn from our mistakes and successes rather than something to anticipate with dread.

Historically, Odinists believed that the souls of women who die in labour and warriors who die in battle are cared for by the Valkery, a band of warrior women, who accompany them to Valhalla, or a land of contentment. Recognising that the life of a modern Odinist may not have as much to do with war and childbirth ending in death that the tribes of Northmen had to deal with, Odinists now share much in their beliefs about the afterlife with other Pagans; that death is not an end, but simply another beginning.

Dianics, women who worship the Goddess alone, as well as many Pagans of all faiths, hope for a return to the source, to the Ultimate Mother. "Mother" may be a representation of a Goddess, Diana, Kali, Brigde, but it is more likely to be The Goddess Herself, an all-embracing feminine creative and destructive power to which we all return to become a part, part of the power. This is very close to the Native American traditions, which explain that everything is simply an expression of a Holy energy; buffalo and grass and human are blobs of divineness from the same source to which we return at death to replenish, which will, in turn, create us again.

Some Pagans trust in the Summerlands, a peaceful and enjoyable place of rest where they can recover from their past life, be helped to assess it and prepare to be reborn.

Amenti, the ancient Egyptian land of the Gods, would be the preferred destination of Pagans following the Egyptian Mysteries. To get there, they are accompanied by Anubis, the jackal-headed God of the death, to a place of judgement. Their heart is weighed against a feather and they are asked 42 challenging questions about the way they behaved in life, another way of assessing it. If they really were very bad and just about to give up hope of Amenti, the final question by the 42nd Assessor is "Is there one upon the earth who is glad that you lived?" Of course, there is almost always one, a stranger perhaps, who benefited from this person's existence, and this will allow the dead person, having learned something about how to live, to move on to the next life, to be with the Gods.

Most Pagans believe in a reincarnation of their physical body too, through decomposition or a returning of ashes to the land. Our decay feeds the land and we become part of it. The land feeds plants, the plants are eaten by animals and so, we are reborn by helping to sustain new life.

Samhain, the Celtic New Year on the 31st October, is the time of year when Pagans celebrate our ancestors and our dead. The mortal and other worlds are very close, and we can ask for advice, talk with our dead to tell them how their descendents are getting on, and appreciate our long personal heritage and wider community. Samhain is also the season when the first stirrings of Winter approach. Winter still means death for many elderly and infirm people, and the land appears to die too along with the weakening of the sun itself, appearing feeble and bleak for a good part of winter. But again, we trust the seasons to move round, for the Sun to begin its ascent in the sky again around the winter solstice, or Yule on December 21st.

Pagans do not particularly relish the thought that they must die. It is still a painful and difficult reality to come to terms with, but the knowledge that we are not going to suffer hellish torment and that death is simply another life helps us bow gracefully to the inevitable

  The Pentacle
  

The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other.

It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism ... in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day WitchCraft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram.

  The Pentagram

  

The pentagram tends to be THE religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompases our elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed".

The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Sumer ... roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol ... the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star.

Each point of the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the ancients. The topmost point represtents Spirit, The upper left point represents Air, the upper right point represents Water, the lower left point represents Earth, and the lower right point represents Fire. In this fashion, the pentagram represents Spirit ruling over the four elements.

The pentagram is readily worn as jewelry and used upon the altar for spell work. As jewelry it can bring protection, wisdom, and empowerment. For spell work it connects us with the five elements

 

Invocations: Many people tend to confuse the term invocation with evocation. An invocation is bringing something into your physical body. The definition of an invocation is "A ritual to call energies into oneself from outside, sometimes in the form of a deity." Invocations in my opinion should be done only by the experienced practitioner. When invoking you open doorways so that "deity or spirit" may enter your physical body. This is no game, when you open doors you must know how to control what lies behind them. Furthermore, once you invoke you must know how to make them leave. Many times they know they can not stay but when toying with certain energies at times they may not wish to leave immediately. This is where experience comes into play. Please hear my words do not do this if you are not a trained practitioner. In reference to opening doors, many energies reside on the other side and when you open a door and bring things over to our side, you must know how to handle this. Closing the doors are as important as opening them. Remember, invocations are not a game to be dealt with lightly. Blessings to you all and I hope that this brief information has helped you understand invocations

Shamanism is very important to me, my grandmother was a Shaman and though I am not I feel that it is a beautiful path. This page is dedicated to my grandmother, a Native American Cherokee Indian. I believe many of her strengths reside within me and I am thankful to her for that.

Shamanism is one of the oldest spiritual paths on Earth. It offers a way for people to wake up to their potential, and begin to explore
their spiritual relationship with the universe, with other forms of life, and with each other. Shamanism is a way in which humanity has
sought a connection to the world of healing, maintaining balance and harmony in society and with the individual and keeping our
connection with Mother Earth and All Creation.
The work of Y Tylwyth Teg is to help people connect their inner and outer worlds, to heal old wounds within, to become able to
bring dreams from the world of spirit into matter and thus enjoy a creative and fruitful life and dance the dance of joy and to become
a part of the solution instead of part of the problem of human life on Earth.

A Shaman walks with one foot in this world and one foot in the spirit world. Our outer world may be different, but our human
inner landscape has the same components as always. Our outer health and wholeness is an expression of our inner health and
holiness. We are here to bring spirit into matter and matter to spirit.

Many prophecies have been made about this period as a time of great change when the world as we know it will end and a new world
will be born. We can see the invitability of these changes in the state of things around us - the pollution of the air, the water, toxic
waste buried in the earth and sea, nucler radition leaks, demolition of the rainforests, reduction of the protective ozone layer, extreme
weather patterns and so on.

At a deep level each one of us knows it cannot go on, yet we do not know how to turn the tide. Now the teachings of Welsh/Celtic
Shamans who for thousands of years lived successfully in harmony and balance with the earth, the plant kingdom and the animal
kingdom, are available to help.

"The Shaman looks, the Shaman sees, the Shaman reached inside of me. He pulled the evil from my chest, and threw away the
nasty mess. I felt much better, my spirit clean, I am now nice, where I was mean. Thank you sir, you rang my bell. You
cured my ills and made me well. The Shaman woke and looked at me. You cured yourself he said with glee. Where you were
sick and now are well, you believed my words that I did tell. You opened up your heart you see. You felt your love reach out
to me..." Rhuddlwm Gawr

TRADITIONAL SHAMANISM
While a Shaman may exhibit magickal powers such as control over fire, wind or magical flight or as a healer, more than
anything else, Shamanism is a technique of ecstasy. The distinguishing feature of Shamanism is its emphasis on a ecstatic
trance state in which the soul of the Shaman leaves the body and ascends to the heavens or descends into the underworld.
The Shaman makes use of spirit helpers, with whom he or she communicates, while retaining control over his or her own
consciousness. Either women or men may become Shamans.

Traditional Shamans have developed techniques for lucid dreaming and what is today called the out-of-the-body experience.
Along with these techniques, the near-death-experience has played a significant role in Shamanic practice and initiation for
thousands of years.

This ability to consciously move beyond the physical body is the particular specialty of the traditional Shaman. These journeys
of Soul may take the Shaman into the nether realms, higher levels of existence or to parallel physical worlds or other regions of
this world. Shamanic Flight, is in most instances, an experience not of an inner imaginary landscape, but is reported to be the Shamans
flight beyond the limitations of the physical body.

SHAMANIC ECSTASY

From the Greek 'ekstasis', ecstasy literally means to be placed outside, or to be placed. This is a state of exaltation in which a person
stands outside of his or herself. Ecstasy may range from the seizure of the body by a spirit or the seizure of a person by the divine,
to the magical transformation or flight of consciousness.

There are three types of Ecstasy:

Shamanic Ecstasy
Prophetic Ecstasy
Mystical Ecstasy
Shamanic ecstasy is aroused by the rising of the soul of the Shaman into the heavens or its sinking into the underworld. These states of ecstatic
exaltation usually occur after strenuous training and initiation, and often under dangerous and distressing circumstances. The resulting contact
by the Shaman with the higher or lower regions and their inhabitants, and also with nature spirits, enables him or her to accomplish such tasks
as accompanying the soul of a deceased into its proper place in the next world, affecting the well-being of the sick and conveying the story of
their inner travels upon their return to mundane awareness.

The statements of the Shaman are in contrast with those who claim prophetic and mystical ecstasy. The prophet literally speaks for God,
while the mystic reports an overwhelming divine presence. In mysticism, the direct knowledge or experience of the divine reality, is discernible
in two ways: emotional and intuitive. It is not unusual for more than one form of ecstasy to be present in an individual's experience. However,
there are three perceptive levels of ecstasy.

The physical level, in which the mind becomes absorbed in and focuses on a dominant idea. The attention is then withdrawn and the nervous
system itself is partly cut off from sensory input. The body exhibits a feeling of inertia, involuntary nervous responses, frenzy.
The Emotional level of ecstasy refers to overwhelming feelings of awe, anxiety, joy, sadness, fear, astonishment, passion, etc.
The Intuitive level communicates a direct experience and understanding of expanded or altered states of awareness or consciousness.
While the physical response is always present, the emotional response may or may not be significant when intuition is the principal
means of ecstatic perception. Beyond the intuitive state there is a fourth condition in which a holistic perception exceeds mental and
emotional limitations and understanding.

These ecstatic experiences of the Shaman go far beyond a feeling or perception of the sacred. They involve the Shaman directly and
actively in transcendent realities and lower realms of being. These experiences may occur in either the dream state, the awakened state,
or both. Dreams, and in particular, lucid dreams, often play a significant role in the life of a Shaman or Shamanic student.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A SHAMAN?

The Call to be a Faerie Shaman is often related to a near death experience by the person. Among the traditional examples are being
struck by lightening, a fall from a height, a serious life-threatening illness or lucid dream experiences in which the candidate dies or
has some organs consumed and replaced and is thus reborn. Survival of these initial inner and outer brushes with death provides the
Shaman with personal experiences which strengthen his or her ability to work effectively with others. Having experienced something,
a Shaman is more likely to understand what must be done to correct a condition or situation.

Although some have wondered if the experience of Shamanic ecstasy or flight makes a person a Faerie Shaman, we would say no.
A Faerie Shaman is more than someone with an experience. First, years of training under an experienced teacher are required before
one becomes a traditional Faerie Shaman. Second, a Faerie Shaman is not just an initiate who has received inner and outer training,
but is a master of Shamanic journeying and techniques of Shamanic ecstasy. Finally, a Shaman is a link or bridge between this world
and the next. This is a sacred trust and a service to the Craft community. Sometimes a community that a Shaman serves is rather
small such as a Coven. In other instances it may be an entire tradition.

One becomes a Faerie Shaman by one of three methods:

Hereditary means.
A Spontaneous spiritual call or selection by a Shaman.
Personal choice and Quest.
This latter method is less frequent and traditionally such a Shaman is considered less powerful than one selected by one of the two
preceding methods.

In any respect, the Faerie Shaman is not recognized as legitimate without having undergone two types of training:

Ecstatic (dreams, trances, etc.)
Traditional ("Shamanic techniques, names and functions of spirits, mythology and genealogy of the clan, secret language, etc.)
This course of instruction, given by the spirits and the master Shamans is equivalent to an initiation. It is also possible for the
entire process to take place in the dream state or in ecstatic experience. Thus, there is more to becoming a Faerie Shaman than
a single experience. It requires training, perseverance and service.

BISEXUALITY AND SHAMANISM
Shamans frequently encounter bisexual beings and spirit guides in their initiation journeys. They play a key role in the drastic
reorganization of categories that shatters the shaman's old perceptions of reality and opens him or her to the multiple dimensions
of existence. Along these same lines, gender ambiguity frequently characterizes many shamans themselves who were gay or lesbian.
Homosexuality and androgyny create a liminal status that helps to legitimize the shaman as an interpreter and go-between on
both social and spiritual levels.

If sexuality is considered on a scale with homosexuality at one end and heterosexuality at the other end, where both extremes
prefer one gender to the exclusion of the other, then all the scale in between, is bisexuality of one degree or another, and in
the center is pure bisexuality, which is actually a rare thing indeed; very few people can honestly say that they at no time
prefer one gender over the other, even allowing for shifts in that preference.

Heterosexuals think bisexuals are promiscuous to the point of ridiculousness, sexually attracted to anyone who draws breath.
Gays think bisexuals are halfway out of the closet, denying their gay-ness, either passing through a phase or simply passing.
In a way, the latter is the more brutal set of misconceptions. Heterosexuals tend to stereotype bisexuals; gays often seek to
deny them their very identity by denying the validity, or even the existence, of their preference.

There is another option, one that the faerie shamans of the Celts -- and the peoples they served -- embraced: recognizing
the spiritual and personal gifts that life in the craft gives bisexuals, and honoring their ability as go-betweens in many worlds.

As a walker between the worlds, a shaman is at home in places betwixt and between, regions that are neither this nor that,
concepts that resonate strongly with Celtic sensibilities.

Shamanism, forces a radical change in the shaman's view of reality. Reality itself is called into question, or more accurately,
the definition of words like reality and unreality are questioned. This is the first set of opposed pairs that the shaman is forced
by his or her own experience to put on a continuum rather than on opposite sides of an arbitrary line. Real and unreal become
relative terms, their relativity measured by how much borderland lies between.

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Differences between Witches and Wiccans

I can honestly say that the differences (Witch and Wiccan) are within the individuals. People regard the two separate practices as being the same and yet that is not truly the case under most situations.

I consider myself a witch by definition. That was a personal choice; I choose the path to The Old Ways verses the more modern practice of Wicca. Yet I do find much wonderful information and learning within Wicca and wonderful people as well.

Wicca officially took form around 1949 by Gerald Gardner who was the founder of The Gardenarian Tradition and author of the popular book "Witchcraft Today" published in 1954. Gerald Gardner was a wonderful man who should be given much credit for bringing the Pagan beliefs back into the public eye.

Getting back to the main subject I must say that the two can be the same and the two can be different as well. I have met Wiccans who share the same beliefs as me and I have met some that do not.

Some practitioners may choose the word "Wiccan" over "Witch" because it tends to be more accepting in this day and age.

I have felt some differences between the two when relating to the practice of The Craft. Some differences that I have noted are simple things yet they are different.

Witchcraft for many is the ancient practices of The Old Ways. We tend to follow our instinct and get right to the point. Many witches do not follow any particular formality when practicing Magick. We tend to do what feels right at the moment. We write our own spells (which is popular throughout both practices). We are not big on formalities such as candle colors and such. My personal thought on candle colors is what feels right for me may not feel right for someone else, so I tend to disagree with a rigorous "must do" when pertaining to colors. We rarely place a lot of emphasis on lengthy wording and particulars in ceremony. When dealing with ritual we tend to be comfortable and we just follow our feelings and not a rehearsed script on particulars. I believe ritual is different for everyone so the need to do things one set way does not appeal to me. Witches also revere nature in all of her aspects both good and bad. I feel that this creates complete balance and one side should not be focused upon more than the other. Witchcraft is a way of life and we tend to follow our instincts rather than a set of rules. We inherently know right from wrong and we try to stay within the laws of nature. We are not shaded by color yet we are all individuals and practice what feels right to us at that moment.

Wicca is different for each practitioner. I can not speak for all; I can only give my version on it from the emails I have received and the web sites I have visited. Wicca is a more modern way of practicing The Craft. It appears to be very structured and pays close focus to detail (which is not necessarily a bad thing). I have noticed that references to the dark side are not often spoken of within Wicca and most emphasis is placed on the lighter side. Many Wiccans are followers of "The Rede" and "The Threefold Law" (as do many witches). It appears that many covens adhere to formal rituals and magick, in other words things are done a certain way; yet this is different depending on the practitioner and the coven. Wicca is both beautiful and enlightening in both beliefs and ways. Saying that all Wiccans are the same or they all practice the same is like saying that Baptist and Catholic is the same religion. Wicca is different for each person and that is what makes the religion a wonderful journey.

There are many Traditions within both Witchcraft and Wicca. The two share the same beautiful religious basis known as Paganism. There is no "right way" of practicing; I believe you should follow your heart and take each day as a learning experience. There is much to be learned from both ways of doing things. The choice is within the eye of the practitioner and each person should do what they feel to be correct and proper for them.

I hope this has been of some assistance. I always look forward to your thoughts. Blessings to you all and enjoy your beliefs. The Goddess and God care deeply for all of us no matter what our beliefs.

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AKASHA - The fifth occult element, the omnipresent power which permeates the universe. It embraces the other elements (earth, air, fire, water) which are said to stem from it. Some consider it the "other" of the two worlds that a witch walks between.

ALEXANDRIAN - That tradition of Wicca descended from the teachings of Alex Sanders.

ALTAR - A flat surface used for religious and magickal rituals, preferably of natural materials such as wood or stone.

AMULET - An object that is charged with specific energies to protect the bearer. It is often a natural object such as a feather, shell or stone.

ANKH - Egyptian "Cross of Life" which represents the union of male and female and was regarded as a universal life charm. The symbol is a cross with a looped, oval top. Also called the Key of the Nile.

ARADIA - Daughter of the Goddess Diana and Lucifer, God of the Sun (sometimes said to be her brother), Aradia is called the Queen of Witches. Though used in many Wiccan traditions, she is central to the Italian witchcraft tradition, Strega.

ARCANA - A deck of Tarot cards is divided into two halves or arcanas. The Major Arcana has 22 cards representing dominant events and forces in life. The Minor Arcana (lesser Arcana) has 56 suit cards representing smaller and/or more mundane events in life.

ARCHETYPES - Universal symbols that speak to us in the language of the subconscious. They are the ideal images of deities and other powers that embody concepts such as knowledge and beauty, and allow us to communicate such concepts to the subconscious in order to perform magick, divination and other rituals.

ASTRAL PLANE - The invisible "other" world that is unseen from our material/temporal world, another dimension of reality.

ASTRAL PROJECTION - The process of separating oneself (or one's self) from the physical body in trance states in order to visit other planes, times or locations.

ATHAME - A double edged knife used in rituals to cast and open circles, serving the same function as the magickal sword. It is the Witch's ceremonial knife, never to be used for mundane purposes (cutting anything on the material plane).

BANE - An archaic word for bad, evil, destructive.

BANISH - To magically send away or repel negative energies or entities from the person, home, or ritual area.

BESOM - The witches' broomstick. Often used to sweep away negative energies from a space before casting a circle there.

BALEFIRE - The traditional bonfire of the sabbats, still used in many pagan celebrations.

BELTANE - An ancient Celtic Fire Festival celebrated on May 1. The modern version still celebrates the marriage of the Goddess and the God, and the passage of the Goddess from Maiden to Mother. Fertility rituals are commonly a part of this Sabbat. Also spelled Bealtaine and Beilltaine.

BIND: To magically restrain something or someone.

BLACK MAGICK - Any negative magick performed to harm or manipulate people or situations in a negative way.

BLOOD OF THE MOON - A woman's menstrual cycle and her most powerful time, especially if it occurs on a Full or New Moon.

BOOK OF SHADOWS - A book of spells, rituals, recipes, and other guides and materials written by a witch or coven. It is often hand-written, though today many witches write their book on computers. Also, traditionally, the book was kept secret, either by the individual witch or the coven, though many such books are now published on the internet (never with all of the secrets however). Also called the Book of Lights and Shadows or grimoire.

BURNING TIMES - Reference to the period during the Middle Ages when many people were executed by the church or by public officials for practicing witchcraft. Some estimates suggest as many as nine million were killed while other estimates are far more conservative. Also, it is unlikely that they were all witches in that this became a favored means for officials to get rid of personal enemies or any unwanted person in the community. While burning was the method of execution in Scotland and some parts of Europe, in other areas the convicted "witches" were hanged.

CANDLEMAS - The Celtic Fire Festival, held on February 1, commemorating the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden again. The festival, also called Imbolc, celebrates the passing of winter and the coming of spring.

CALL - To invoke divine forces, as when one calls the Guardians of the Watchtowers before casting a circle.

CARDINAL POINTS - North, South, East, and West, often marked by candles of green, red, yellow, and blue.

CAULDRON - A favorite tool of witches, this three-legged cooking pot has many uses. It may be used to cook potions, for scrying, and as a censer. On an altar, the cauldron symbolizes the Goddess.

CHAKRAS - Seven major intersections of energy located on the vertical axis of the body. Each is associated with a color and an area of the body. They are also associated with life experiences such as love and may be used when meditating on those experiences. Starting from the tailbone, they are Root (Red), Sexual/Generative (Orange), Solar Plexus (Yellow), Heart (Green), Throat (Blue), 3rd Eye (Indigo), and Crown (Violet).

CHALICE - A witch's tool which can be used to represent the element of water and may also be used to hold the juice or wine for the offering.

CHANNELING - A New Age word for mediumship, channeling involves allowing a spirit entity to speak through the channeler. The process is virtually impossible to prove and therefore does not enjoy a particularly good reputation.

CHARGE OF THE GODDESS- Originally written by Doreen Valiente, the charge gives the story of the message from the Goddess to Her children. The High Priestess often recites the charge at the Full Moon Esbat.

CHARMS - May be a gemstone, amulet, talisman or other object that has been charged with power for a specific task.

CIRCLE- The sacred space in which ritual and magickal workings takes place. A circle may also refer to a loosely organized group of Witches or Pagans choosing to work together in a somewhat less formal manner than a coven.

CONE OF POWER- Energy or power raised within a circle by either an individual or group for a specific purpose. After the power is raised and visualized it is released to work the magick.

CLEANSING - The process of removing negative energy from an object or place. May be accomplished through replacing negative energy with positive energy, sweeping with a besom, burning sage sticks and other means.

CONSECRATION - The act of cleansing and blessing an object or place by charging it with positive energy.

CORRESPONDENCES - Sets of ideas, concepts or objects that are regularly associated in a particular way. Most magickal workings involve the use of correspondences. For example, the Moon is associated with Monday, moonstones, the color white, and purity, among other things.

COVEN- An organized group of Witches, usually thirteen or fewer, who meet regularly for religious rituals.

COVENSTEAD- The meeting place for a coven.

CROSS QUARTERS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane,and Lammas, the Sabbats that do not fall on the solstices or equinoxes.

DAYS OF POWER - See SABBATS

DEDICATION - A ritual in which a Witch dedicates herself to the Craft and vows to remain steadfast to the path she has chosen.

DEGREE - Levels of