Phoenician Pantheon

August 12, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

pheonician prstess

The system of gods and goddesses in Phoenician religion was influences and has influenced other cultures. As indicated below, there are too many similarities to be overlooked. In some instances the names of gods underwent very little change when they were borrowed.

Even the legends maintained major similarities. For example, Ashtarte in Phoenician and Aphrodite in Greek or Adonis in both. Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian and others had their influences on the Phoenician faith system and borrowed from it.

The Phoenicians worshipped a triad of deities, each having different names and attributes depending upon the city in which they were worshipped, although their basic nature remained the same.

Phoenician baaalThe primary god was El, protector of the universe, but often called Baal. The son, Baal or Melqart, symbolized the annual cycle of vegetation and was associated with the female deity Astarte in her role as the maternal goddess. She was called Asherar-yam, our lady of the sea, and in Byblos she was Baalat, our dear lady. Astarte was linked with mother goddesses of neighboring cultures, in her role as combined heavenly mother and earth mother. Cult statues of Astarte in many different forms were left as votive offerings in shrines and sanctuaries as prayers for good harvest, for children, and for protection and tranquility in the home. The Phoenician triad was incorporated in varying degrees by their neighbors and Baal and Astarte eventually took on the look of Greek deities.

Pheonician AsherahWhat remains to be said is that Phoenician faith system evolved and changed as it was influenced by invaders who brought along their own deities. Hence, Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman gods found their way to Phoenician temples. This is evident in the writing of Herodotus as well as in the archaeological records.

The GODS and GODDESSES


ADON: (Adonis) The god of youth, beauty and regeneration. His death happens around the love affair between him and the goddess Ashtarte which another god envied. He, in the form of a wild boar, attacks and kills Adonis and where his blood fell there grows red poppies every year. However, as Ashtarte weeps for his loss, she promises to bring him back to life every spring.

AKLM: Creatures who attacked Baal in the desert. Some say these creatures are grasshopper-like.

ANATH: This was a Love and War Goddess, the Venus star. She is also known for slaying the enemies of her brother Baal much in the same way Hathor slaughtered much of mankind (Anath is heavily related to Hathor). After the Defeat of Mavet and Yam, a feast was thrown for Baal. Anath locked everyone inside, and proceeded to slay everyone (as they had all been fickle toward Baal with both Mavet and Yam, as well as Ashtar). Baal stopped her and convinced her that a reign of peace is what was needed. She also has confronted Mavet and was responsible for Baal’s liberation from the underworld. She is the twin sister of Marah. Daughter of Asherah. She is also known as Rahmay- “The Merciful”, and as Astarte. Astarte is the Canaanite Name of Ishtar; just as Ishtar is the Babylonian Name of Inanna. In all cases the Name means, simply, “Goddess” or “She of the Womb”.

ARSAY: She of the Earth. Daughter of Baal. An underworld Goddess.

ASHERAH: The Mother of the Gods, Qodesh (just like El), Lady of the Sea, Wife of El. (see El). When the gods decided to entreat Yam to ease his reign of tyranny, it was Asherah who went to him and even offered herself. The gods agreed to let her do this, except for Baal who was enraged at the idea. (See Baal). Asherah is said to have given birth to seventy gods.

ASHTAR: Possibly a male version of Ishtar (Astarte in Canaan), the Venus Star. When Baal was killed by Mavet, Asherah had Ashtar, her son, placed on the throne. However, Ashtar was not big enough to fill the position, and resigned (quite possibly a relation of the Venus star being the last star to shine before the Sun takes over). I believe one of his titles is Malik (the King) and other names for him are Abimilki and Milkilu.

ASTARTE: A Name of Anath which means “Goddess”, or literally “She of the Womb”. Astarte is simply the Canaanite version of the Name Ishtar.

ATIK: The Calf of El. Enemy of Baal slain by Anath.

phoen_baal2BAAL: He is the Canaanite Ruler God (like Marduk). Baal and Yam-Nahar originally competed for kingship of the gods. The matter was brought before El, who decided in favor of Yam. Yam then proceeded with a reign of tyranny over the gods, and none of them felt they had the power to defeat Yam. So, they sent Asherah to entreat him to loosen his grip. Asherah even offered herself to Yam. Upon hearing this, Baal was enraged, and decided to defeat Yam. Yam got wind of Baal’s plan and sent messengers to El with the demand that Baal be delivered to him. El, afraid, agreed. Baal then taunted the gods for their cowardice and went to face Yam. He had two weapons made, Yagrush (chaser) and Aymur (driver). He struck Yam on the chest with Yagrush to no avail. Then he struck him on the forehead with Aymur and fell Yam to the earth. After Yam’s defeat, Baal had a palace built for himself; closely resembling the story of Marduk. It also resembles Marduk’s story in that the Primeval Waters threatened the gods, and the High God and others were afraid to face them, with the exception of the soon-to-be Ruler God. The Baal epic then continues to describe his fight against Mavet. Baal is also a Storm God like Marduk, and a fertility god like Tammuz. Dagon is his father. Baal is the Canaanite God-force (the goddess force seems to be split between Anath and Asherah). Baal’s proper name is Hadad, relating to his storm-god aspect. Baal is really a title, meaning “Lord”. Baal’s residence is upon Mt. Zaphon. He is known as Rapiu (Shade) during his summer stay in the underworld.

BAALAT: Patron Goddess of Gubla. Fertility Goddess associated with Hathor and Isis.

DAGON: A vegetation God (especially corn). Father of Baal.

phoen_ElEL: The Father of the Gods, the Creator of Created Things, the Kindly, Kodesh. Asherah is his wife. When he was young, El went out upon the sea, and there met Asherah and Her companion Rohmaya. He then roasted a bird and asked them if they would be His wives or daughters. They chose to be His wives. El mates with these Goddesses and Shachar and Shalim (Dawn and Dusk) are born. This family then builds a sanctuary and lives in the desert for eight years. This episode may be the closest we have to a Creation story involving El. El wears bull horns upon his helmet, and He is a grey haired and bearded patriarch. He resides at “the Source of Two Rivers” upon Mt. Lel.

ELSH: Steward of El and Baal’s house. His wife is the steward of the Goddesses.

ESHMUN: God of healing. A great God of Sidon.

GAPEN: A messenger of Baal. His name either means Vine or Field. Probably the former.

HADAD: See Baal. Originally the Sumer-Babylonian “Adad”

HELEL: Or Lucifer. The Light Bringer, the Morning Star. Son of Shachar. Helel once attempted to take his Father’s Throne, but failed (another myth concerning Venus’ place as the last star in the sky each morning, as if trying to defy the Sun). This is the very Myth which spawned the Christian Myth of the War in Heaven (see Issaiah 14:12- which, in Hebrew, says “Helel”, and not “Lucifer”).

HIRIBI: God of Summer.

HIRGAB: Father of Eagles. Husband (?) of Sumul.

HAURON: A God that is related to Ninurta of Mesopotamia and Horus of Egypt.

ITHM: God of sheep.

ISHAT: “Fire”. The Bitch of the Gods. Enemy of Baal slain by Anath.

KOSHAROTH, THE: The Wise Goddesses. These may be somewhat along the lines of the Greek Graces, or the Seven Hathors of Egypt. As we see them, they are called to set up a Wedding. They are also sometimes symbolized as sparrows or swallows, which indicated fertility. They were Goddesses of childbirth. They are also known as the Daughters of the Crescent Moon, and thus are the daughters of Yarikh.

KOSHAR U KHASIS: “Skillful and Clever”. Craftsman of the Gods. Also known as Chousor and Heyan (Ea) and identified with Ptah. Built the palaces of both Yam-Nahir and Baal. He also fashioned the two clubs that Baal used to defeat Yam.

KOSHARTU: Wife of Koshar.

LEVIATHAN: Another Name for Lotan or Tannin. See Lotan.

LOTAN: This may be another story like Apophis, Zu, Asag, and Leviathan where it is not an actual creation story, but still involves the same energies, with Baal and Lotan fighting for supremacy. It is representative of rough winter sea-storms which calmed in the spring and which were preceded and accompanied by autumn rains (represented by Baal) which ended summer droughts and enabled crops to grow. Lotan is a seven headed serpent defeated by Baal with the help of Mavet. Anath also claims a role in the defeat of the Serpent. Also known as Tannin or Leviathan.

MARAH: Merciful Goddess of the Waters. Twin sister of Anath. Daughter of Asherah.

MAVET: God of Death and Sterility. His name means Death. In one hand he holds the scepter of bereavement, and in the other the scepter of widowhood. His jaws and throat are described in cosmic proportions and serve as a euphemism for death. A son of El. After Baal defeated Yam, he then sent a message to Mavet demanding that he keep his domain in the underworld city of Miry where he belonged. Mavet was enraged by this and sent a threatening message to Baal, who was afraid and attempted to flatter his way out of it. This, however, was to no avail and Baal was forced to face Mavet. Mavet defeated him and held him in the underworld until Anath tracked him (Mavet) down and defeated him herself. Mavet did not actually die, as he and Baal had to face off once more seven years later. Neither defeated the other, but Mavet did give in (at the command of Shapash) and proclaimed Baal the King of the Gods.

MELQART: King of the City, the Hunter, Fire of Heaven. Patron god of Tyre, he was the god of the Metropolis and the monarchy at Tyre and Carthage. May have been a dying and rising vegetation god, and associated with the sacred marriage like the Sumerian Dumuzi. He was ritually immolated in an annual festival. He was also a god of the sea and was pictured mounted on a hippocampus.

NIKKAL: Consort of Yarikh. (S = Ningal). Goddess of the fruits of the Earth. Daughter of Hiribi.

PIDRAY: Girl of Light. A daughter or consort of Baal.

QADISH-U-AMRAR: The two messengers of Asherah fused into one God. He dredges up provisions to entertain her guests from the sea with a net.

RAHMAYA: A goddess impregnated, along with Asherah, by El. The Goddesses then gave birth to the twin gods Shahar and Shalem, though I don’t know who gave birth to whom.

RADMANU: Or Pradmanu. A minor servitor of Baal.

REPHAIM, THE: “Shades”. Underworld Deities. They move in chariots, on horseback, and upon wild asses.

RESHEPH: Probably a War God. Lord of the Arrow. Has gazel horns on his helmet. He destroys men in mass by war and plague. He is the porter of the sun Goddess Shepesh (this seems to resemble Khamael of the Hebrews). He is also called Mekal (Annialator), and could be related to the Hebrew Michael (Mikal) who is also a War God (Archangel). Related to Nergal of Mesopotamia.

SHACHAR: “Dawn”. God of dawn. Either a son of Asherah, or of Rohmaya. According to Isaiah 14:12, He is the father of Helel (or Lucifer) the Light-Bringer and Morning Star.

SHALEM: “Dusk”. God of sunset. The Contemplation of Day. Either a son of Asherah, or of Rohmaya.

SHAMU: Sky God who was the chief of the pantheon at the Syrian city of Alalakh.

SHAPASH: Sun Goddess. The Torch of the Gods.

SHATAQAT: “Drives away”. Demoness sent by El to drive away Keret’s (a Canaanite Mythic hero) disease.

SHEGER: “Offspring of Cattle”. God of Cattle.

SIN: Moon God. Also a Babylonian God.

SUMUL: Mother of the Eagles. She ate the body of Aqhat (a hero in a Canaanite Myth).

TALLAY: Girl of Rain. A daughter or consort of Baal.

TANNIN: Another Name for Leviathan or Lotan. See Lotan.

TANIT: Lady of Carthage. Face of Baal (Hammon, not Hadad).

UGAR: A messenger of Baal. His name either means Vine or Field, probably the latter. He may be the Patron God of Ugarit.

YAHWEH: Yahweh is added here because there was a short time in which He was simply part of the Canaanite pantheon. He was a Son of El; and he was part of the court of El as cupbearer along with Baal. Later, as the National God of Israel, Yahweh was equated with El, and Asherah became His wife.

YAM-NAHAR: Yam-Nahar is the Primordial Waters that were defeated by Baal (see Baal and Asherah). His name means Sea-River. He was originally given kingship by El, and ruled as a tyrant over the Gods. Baal finally rose up against him. He may also be Lotan.

YARIKH: Moon God. Illuminator of myriads of stars. Lamp of Heaven. Lord of the Sickle (the crescent moon?), and therefore father of the Kosharoth. Patron God of Qart-Abilim.

YBRDMY: Daughter of Baal.

YELLOW ONES OF MAVET: Mavet’s henchmen who are slain by Baal upon his resurrection from defeat at Mavet’s hands.

ZABIB: “Flies”. Enemy of Baal, slain by Anath. There’s an obvious relation between this Demon and Baal Zabib (Beelzebub- Lord of the Flies).

Utilizing the Gods and Goddess

August 12, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

There are literally thousands of different deities out there in the Universe, and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows. However, many modern Pagans and Wiccans describe themselves as eclectic, which means they may honor a god of one tradition beside a goddess of another. In some cases, we may choose to ask a deity for assistance in a magical working or in problem solving. Regardless, at some point, you’re going to have to sit and sort them all out. If you don’t have a specific, written tradition, then how do you know which gods to call upon?

A good way to look at it is to figure out which deity specifically would be interested in your purpose. In other words, what gods might take the time to look into your situation? This is where the concept of appropriate worship comes in handy — if you can’t take the time to get to know the deities, then you probably shouldn’t be asking them for favors.

So first, figure out your goal. Are you doing a working regarding home and domesticity? Then don’t call upon some masculine power deity. What if you’re celebrating the end of the harvest season, and the dying of the earth? Then you shouldn’t be offering milk and flowers to a spring goddess. Consider your purpose carefully, before you make offerings or prayers to a particular god or goddess.

Although this is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the gods and their domains, it may help you a bit to get an idea of who is out there, and what sorts of things they may be able to help you with:

  • Artisanship For assistance relating to skills, crafts, or handiwork, call upon the Celtic smith god, Lugh.
  • Chaos When it comes to matters of discord and upsetting the balance of things, you may want to check in with Loki, the Norse prankster god.
  • Destruction If you’re doing a working related to destruction, the Celtic war goddess the Morrighan may assist you, but don’t trifle with her lightly. A safer bet might be working with Demeter, the Dark Mother of the harvest season.
  • Fall Harvest When you celebrate the fall harvest, you may want to take time to honor Herne, the god of the wild hunt, or Osiris, who is often connected with grain and the harvest. Demeter and her daughter, Persephone, are typically connected with the waning part of the year. Pomona is associated with fruit orchards and the bounty of trees in fall. There are also a number of other harvest gods and gods of the vine who may be interested in what you’re doing.
  • Feminine Energy For workings related to the moon, lunar energy, or the sacred feminine, consider invoking Artemis or Venus.
  • Fertility When it comes to fertility, there are plenty of deities out there to ask for assistance. Consider Cernunnos, the wild stag of the forest, or Freya, a goddess of sexual power and energy. There are a number of other fertility gods out there as well, each with their own specific domain.
  • Home and Marriage Brighid is a protector of hearth and home, and Juno and Vesta are both patronesses of marriage.
  • Love and Lust Aphrodite has long been associated with love and beauty, and so has her counterpart, Venus. Likewise, Eros and Cupid are considered representative of masculine lust. Priapus is a god of raw sexuality, including sexual violence.
  • Magic Isis, the mother goddess of Egypt, is often called upon for magical workings, as is Hecate, a goddess of sorcery.
  • Masculine Energy Cernunnos is a strong symbol of masculine energy and power, as is Herne, the god of the hunt. Odin and Thor, both Norse gods, are known as powerful, masculine gods.
  • Motherhood Isis is a mother goddess on a grand scale, and Juno watches over women in labor.
  • Prophecy and Divination Brighid is known as a goddess of prophecy, and so is Cerridwen, with her cauldron of knowledge. Janus, the two-faced god, sees both the past and future.
  • Underworld Because of his harvest associations, Osiris is often connected with the underworld. There are a number of other deities of death and dying.
  • War and Conflict The Morrighan is not only a goddess of war, but also of sovereignty and loyalty. Athena protects warriors and imparts them with wisdom. Freya and Thor guide fighters in battle.
  • Wisdom Thoth was the Egyptian god of wisdom, and Athena and Odin may also be called upon, depending on your purpose.
  • Seasonal There are a number of deities associated with the various times of the Wheel of the Year, including the Winter Solstice, Late winter, the Spring Equinox, and the Summer solstice.

The Celtic Pantheon

August 12, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

Goddess

A

Aphrodite: Greek; Goddess of passionate, sexual love. Aphrodite will assist you in pulling loving energy towards yourself

Aradia: Italian; Queen of the Witches, daughter of Diana. Aradia is an extremely powerful entity and a protectress of Witches in general

celtic_arianrhod

Artemis: Greek; Goddess of the Moon

Astarte: Greek; Fertility Goddess. Whether you wish to bear children or have a magnificent garden, Astarte will assist you in your desire

Athena: Greek; Warrior Goddess and Protectress. Someone giving you a hard time at work? Call on Athena to help you.

B
Bast: Egyptian; Goddess of Protection and Cats. Bast is great for vehicle travel as well as walkind down a dark allwy. Call on her essence in the form of a giant panther to see you through to your destination.

Brigid: Celtic; Warrior Goddess and Protectress. Brigid is also the Triple Goddess. She is strong and wise. Call on her to help protect your children in a tough situation

C
Ceres: Roman; Goddess of the Harvest

Cerridwen: Welsh; Moon and Harvest Goddess, also associated with the Dark Mother aspect of the Crone

celtic Demeter

D
Demeter: Greek; Earth Mother archetype. Excellent Goddess where birthing or small children are involved

Diana: Roman; Moon Goddess and Goddess of the Hunt. Diana is many faceted. She is a seductress (as she enchanted her brother Lucifer to beget Aradia in the form of a cat) as well as a mother figure for Witches

Dryads: Greek; feminine spirits of the trees

E
Ereshkigal: Assyro-Babylonian goddess of the underworld

F
Flora: Roman; Goddess of Spring and Birth. For beautiful flowers, babies, and all bounties of Mother Earth

Fortuna: Roman; Goddess of Fate Freya: Scandinavian; Moon Goddess and wife/lover of Wdin. Also commander of the Valkyries

G
Gaia: Greek Earth Mother

H
Hathor: Egyptian; Protectress of Women in Business. A Hathor’s mirror is very important for a Witch. Hathor was cunning as well as beautiful

celtic_hecate-1

Hera: Greek; Goddess of Marriage. If handfasting or some type of commitment is the issue, Hera is the Goddess to seek. Just remember she has a vindictive side

Hertia: Greek; Goddess of Home and Hearth. Building a house, remodeling, or apartment hunting. Safety in the home and the family unit.

I
Inanna: Sumerian; Goddess representation of the Mother

Isis: Egyptian; represents the Complete Goddess or Triple Goddess connotation in one being

J
Jagad-Yoni: Hinu universal yoni, womb of the world

K
Kali: Hindu; Creative/Destructive Goddess. Protectress of abused women. Kali-Ma should be called if a woman is in fear of physical danger. Her power is truly awesome

Kwam-Yin: of Buddhist China; goddess of compassion

L
Liban: Irish mermaid goddess; revel in the healing power of pleasrue

Lilth: Hebrew; Adam’s first wife and said to be turned into a demoness, however, if you have every read any of Zecharia Sitchin’s work, you may change your mind. In my opinion, Lilth was a Star Woman bred with Adam. This would make her a goddess of Higher Intelligence or a representation of the Star People

M
Maat: Egyption; Goddess of Justice, and Divine Order. Maat is the true balance of any situation. She plays no favorites and will dipense justice to all parties involed. Be sure your own slate is clean in the situation before you call her

Morgan: Celtic; Goddess of Water and Magick. Morgan was said to be married to Merlin. It was from him she learned her magick. She was also doubled with the Lady of the Lake

Muses: Greek; Goddesses of Inspiration who vary in number depending upon the pantheon used

N
Nephtys: Egyptian; Goddess of Surprises, Sisters, and Midwives

celtic_nornsNorns: Celtic; the three sisters of Wyrd. Responsible for weaving fate–past, present, and future

Nuit: Egyptian; Sky Mother. Often seen dipected in circular fashion cradling the stars

Nu-Kua: Chinese goddess

O
Old Spider: goddess of Micronesia

P
Pele: Hawaiian goddess of volcanos

Persephone: Greek; Goddess of the Underworld as well as the Harvest. Daughter of Demeter

Q
Qedeshet: of Syria; goddess of life and health

R
Rhiannon: Divine Queen of Wales

S
Sedna: of the Eskimos

Selene: Greek; Goddess of the Moon and Solutions. Appeal to Selene to bring a logical answer to any problem

T
Tiamat: of Babylon

U
Uttu: Chaldean-Sumerian goddess of weaving and vegitation

V
Valkyries: Scandinavian; women warriors who carried the souls of men slain in battle to heaven

Vasudhara: Hindu goddess of abundance

Venus: Roman; Goddess of Love and Romance

Vesta: Roman; Goddess of Fire

W
Wite Woman: of Honduras

X
Xochiquetzal: Aztec goddess of flowers, love, spinning, weaving, singing and dancing

Y
Yemaya: Nigerian Fish Mother, Brazilian Voodoo mermaid

Z
Zoc: Gnostic Acon of Life, Mother of all living


Gods

A
Adonis: Greek; consort of Aphrodite. Also another name for “Lord”. In Phoenician his counterpart is Astarte. A vegetarian God. Roman counterpart is Venus

Anubis: Egyptian; guardian of Isis. Jackal-headed God of Protection. Call on him to protect both home and person

Apollo: Greek and Roman; twin brother of Artemis. God of the Sun, Light, and the Arts

Apsu: Babylonian; his mate is Tiamat

C
celtic_CernunnosPlaqueStoneCernunnos: Celtic; Horned God and consort of the Lady. Also Kernunnos

E
Eros: Greek; God of Romance and Passionate Love

H
Horus: Egyptian; Head of a Falcon and body of a man. God of the all-seeing eye and healing

Hymen: Greek; God of Marriage and Commitment. His counterpart is Dionysus

L
Lucifer: Italian; Soulmate and Brother of Diana. Father of Aradia. God of the Sun and Light

M
Mithra: Persian; Sun God and bringer of Light. A soldier’s God

O
celtic_odinOdin: Scandinavian; counterpart of Freya. This is the God who hung on the Tree of Yggdrasil to obtain second sight. His familiars are the Raven and the Wolf. In his youth he is depicted as a terrible God, in his old age as a God of Wisdom and psychic sight

Osirus: Egyptian; counterpart of Isis. Over-all God form including vegetation and after-life

P
Pan: Greek; God of Nature and the Woods, Laughter and Passion. Also music and personal abandon

Poseidon: Greek; God of the Sea. His familiars are dolphins and horses

Ptah: Egyptian; Expert craftsman and designer. God of creative enterprise with the hands

Q-R
Ra: Egyptian; Sun God.

S
Shiva: Hindu; consort of Kali. God of the univeral cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Shiva can be both kind and terrible

T
celtic_ThorThor: Scandinavian; God of Sky and Thunder. A kindly God of the common people, including farmers and sailors

Thoth: Egyptian; God of Reincarnation. Also a Moon God and favorable to science and wisdom

Atlanta Pagan Pride Day

August 11, 2009 in Featured by Luminias

We are happy to announce this years Atlanta Pagan Pride Day will be on:

Saturday, October 9th 2010

Atlanta Friends Meeting
701 West Howard Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030

All over the world, local coordinators host Pagan Pride celebrations. Pagan Pride Day fosters dignity in Pagan identity through education, activism, charity, and community.

Atlanta’s 2010 Pagan Pride Day event includes a public gathering where Pagans can network with each other and celebrate an Autumn Equinox ritual as well as a food drive Atlanta Community Food Bankto share our abundant harvest with others in need. Atlanta Pagan Pride Day benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank by asking participants to bring a minimal donation of non-perishable food, collected on Pagan Pride Day and delivered to the Food Bank.

There will also be merchant booths, classes, music and dance performances, and many other activities.

The Seven Planes

August 11, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

The planes are arbitrary divisions between the extremes of the Celestial and Physical. Energy (matter) is con­tinuously moving from unmanifestation (celestial) to manifestation (physical) and vice versa. The planes and their characteristics overlap and the boundaries move back and forth depending on the experience, need and will of the individual and the lesson being learned at that point. Life forms are actually existing on all planes at once but one rarely is able to translate the knowledge of the higher levels to the consciousness of the physical plane. The higher the degree of rate of vibration, the higher the plane, and the higher the manifestation of life occupy­ing that plane.

INVOLUTION:

A shrinking to a smaller size, an inward curvature or penetration, curled spirally as in a conch shell.

DEVOLUTION:

Degenerate

EVOLUTION:

Process of continuous change from a lower / simpler state to a higher / more complex state.

The Physical Plane

The world of matter as you perceive it through your five senses. It is your present life and carries the knowledge of the personal spirit guide and the higher and lower self.

The Etheric Plane

The plane of auras, devas, elementals. This is a plane of pattern, forming the structure or basis for the more dense manifestations of the physical plane. Ethereal substance is of extreme tenuity and elasticity and pervades universal space. It serves as a medium for transmission of waves of vibratory energy, such as heat, light, electricity, magnetism, etc. The Ethereal substance is a connecting link between vibratory energy known as “matter” on the one hand and pure energy or force on the other.

The Astral Plane

Also called the plane of emotions. It can be easily imprinted or directed with strong feeling and concentrated thought. Some people attribute the Akashic Records to this plane, while others place it on the Etheric Plane. This is the plane that most magick is worked on. Adepts and angels do most of their work here.

The Mental Plane

The plane of pure thought. It is the realm of the Master, the Archangels, lesser god forms and the Planetary regents.

The Spiritual Plane:

The consciousness of the solar system, cosmic spirit, Jesus, Buddha, other avatars all reside on the Spiritual Plane. Major god forms and archetypes (Isis, Amaterazu, Lugh, Pan, Kali, Thoth, Brigid) are also found here. This plane also holds the Elders of the race of manifested life, the advanced souls who have passed beyond individual body and mind, but yet have forgone the ecstasy of absorption by the All in order to help the race on its journey along the Path. But the belong to the Universe and are subject to its conditions and laws – mortal in that respect.

The Duadic Plane:

The Great Mother, The Great Father, the primary manifestation of the All outside itself in feminine and masculine form. Polarity and gender, spirit and matter, the All and the many, simply being two poles of the same thing, all between being merely degrees of vibration.

The Celestial Plane:

The Unknowable Infinite and the Eternal All. The All is absolute and everything within it is relative. Each particle of “matter” down to the cell, the nucleus, the atom, the miscroscopic universe of elec­tron and neutron vibrating in their orbits are but manifestations of the Mind-Consciousness of the All.

The Witches Pyramid

August 11, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

The witches pyramid is not a physical thing, yet it is built up from an interaction of physical, mental and emotional forces. It has four basic principles upon which it is made, and these are referred to as the sides. The first is imagination or visualization, the second is a will of steel, the third is faith or belief, and the fourth is secrecy.

Imagination or visualization

The ability to conjure sights, sounds and scenes within your minds eye so that every last detail is clear and vivid. Imagination to an extant goes beyond visualization, because you wish to call into play other senses, such as touch, sound and smell, wherever possible. It also means being able to picture events or people or places clearly whom you have never seen before — in other words, one must be able to create something they have not necessarily experienced in a feasible, logical and rational way. This often comes into play with spells concerned with creating what ‘could be’ instead of what ‘has been’.

Will

The primary driving force or impetus with which your desire and energy is propelled forth in order to act. Your will, in matters magickal only, should be like that of a stubborn child who refuses to take no for an answer. Persistence and determination can have the utmost effect on the outcome of your spells. You are using your will to make the bendable, moldable factors of the universe work towards your goal. Some things are achieved with less effort than others, but all require an output in proportion to the requirements of the final outcome.

Faith

In itself, it is a multi-faceted property. First, you must have, the faith that you do possess the necessary power to achieve your goal. Secondly, there must be faith in the operability or workability of your spell. And thirdly there must be faith in the ways and workings of the universe, and the fact that you have sufficient knowledge to be able to exert an influence upon the way it works. Faith is very important, for regardless of how strong your will is, or how clear your visualization, if there is no belief in what you are doing it will not work. Where there is doubt there is confusion, and confusion means scattered, not directed energies.

Secrecy.

If you are working a spell it is unwise to share this fact with unsympathetic people. Their disbelief and skepticism will work against the energies you have directed to your purpose, thus scattering and diffusing them. This is the basis of the old saying “Power shared is Power lost” This doesn’t mean that working with a group is  detrimental, for hopefully working with others will increase the amount you can raise and send. But frivolous chattering between group members on the working that is being done, or has just been done will also serve to take away from the overall effect.

The one exception to this rule of secrecy is when you are doing a working on or for a person. By telling that person when and how you are doing the working you open a channel within them that is receptive to you. Even if a person is somewhat skeptical of your abilities, you have planted the seed within their unconscious mind. Earth is also the material form in which a spell is directed.

Emotion

The base, or foundation of the pyramid. Most people delegate the emotion aspect under either will or faith, but I feel it deserves the base of the pyramid. Will is a rather cold quality, whereas emotion (regardless of what type) is a hot driving quality. Where there is no emotion associated with a working the outcome may be in doubt. Any spell, for maximum effect, must be performed with strong emotion as a part of its reason for being done. Whether it’s a healing or a request for knowledge or some other quality, you can raise more energy and direct it better when you are empowered by love, or great need. We all know that when we truly feel something is right and needful, we will put more energy forth than if it’s something we could care less about.

This is one of the reasons why witches use certain things in their rituals such as incense, oils, and candles. They help to set the mood and to arouse certain responses according to their various correspondences. Chanting and dancing also tends to help build and intensify the ‘atmosphere’, both inwardly and outwardly. All of these aids have been in use since the first religious ceremonies, and although magick can certainly be worked without them, witches should not discount their value, or view them as crutches.

This has been a very basic overview of the witches pyramid. Study, examine and USE this concept, for without a full understanding any application of magick will tend tip fall short of its expected mark. Many people, when confronted with a failure say “It wasn’t meant to be”, and sometimes this is very valid. But often as not it is a failure within themselves and their understanding of the means and methods they are attempting to use. Know your goals, examine why you desire them, and have a thorough knowledge of the haws and whys of magickal workings. This is the best guarantee for the effectiveness of your spells.

The Wiccan Rede

August 11, 2009 in Featured, Teachings by Luminias

EXEGESIS ON THE WICCAN REDE

by Judy Harrow

All religions began with somebody’s sudden flashing insight, enlightenment, a shining vision. Some mystic found the way and the words to share the vision, and, sharing it, attracted followers. The followers may repeat those precise and poetic words about the vision until they congeal into set phrases, fused language, repeated by rote and without understanding. Cliches begin as great wisdom – that’s why they spread so fast – and end as ritual phrases, heard but not understood, Living spirituality so easily hardens to boring religious routine, maintained through guilt and fear, or habit and social opportunism – any reason but joy.

On our Path, the mystic experience itself is shared, not just the fruits of mysticism. We give all students the techniques, and the protective/supportive environment that enables almost every one of them to Invoke the Gods. And yet, I want us to remain identifiably Witches and not meld into some homogeneous “New Age- sludge. For this, I think we need some sort of anchoring in tradition to give us a sense of identity.

Some of the old sayings really do crystallize great wisdom as well, Iife-affirming Pagan wisdom that our culture needs to hear. So I think it’s time for a little creative borrowing from our neighbors. Christians do something they call -exegesis;” Jews have a somewhat similar process called “midrash,” What it is, is something between interpretation and meditation, a very concentrated examination of a particular text. The assumption often is that every single word has meaning.

So I’d like to try doing some exegesis on an essential statement of the Craft way of life. Every religion has some sort of ethic, some guide line for what it means to live in accordance with this particular mythos, this worldview. Ours, called the Wiccan Rede, is one of the most elegant statements I’ve heard of the principle of situational ethics. Rather than placing the power and duty to decide about behavior with teachers or rulebooks, the Rede places it exactly where it belongs, with the actor.

EIGHT WORDS THE WICCAN REDE FULFILL
AN IT HARM NONE, DO WHAT YOU WILL.

I’d like to start with the second phrase first, and to take it almost word by word.

do what YOU will. This is the challenge to self-direction, to figure out what we want, and not what somebody else wants for us or from us. All of us are subject to tremendous role expectations and pressures, coming from our families, our employers, our friends, society in general. It’s easy to just be molded, deceptively easy to become a compulsive rebel and reflexively do the opposite of whatever “they” seem to want. Living by the Rede means accepting the responsibility to assess the results of our actions and to choose when we will obey, confront or evade the rules.

do what you WILL. This is the challenge to introspection, to know what we really want beyond the whim of the moment. The classic example is that of the student who

chooses to study for an exam rather than go to a party, because what she really wants is to be a doctor. Again, balance is needed. Always going so the library rather than the movies is the road to burnout, not the road to a Nobel. What’s more, there are others values in life, such as sensuality, intimacy, spirituality, that get ignored in a compulsively long-term orientation. So, cur responsibility is not to mechanically follow some rule like “always choose to defer gratification in your own long-term self interest,” but to really listen within, and to really choose, each time.

DO what you will. This is the challenge to action. Don’t wait for Prince charming or the revolution, Don’t blame your mother or the system. Make a realistic plan that includes all your assets. Be sure to include magic, both the deeper insights and wisdoms of divination and, the focusing of will and energy that comes from active workings. Then take the first steps right now.

But, beware of thoughtless action, which is equally dangerous, For example, daydreaming is needed, to envision a goal, to project the results of action, to check progress against goals, sometimes to revise goals, Thinking and planning are necessary parts of personal progress. Action and thought are complementary’, neither can. Replace the other.

When you really look at it, word by word, it sounds like a subtle and profound guide for life, does it not? Is it complete? Shall “do what you will in fact be “the whole of the law” for us? I think not. The second phrase of the Rede discusses the individual out of context, Taken by itself, DO WHAT YOU WILL would produce a nastily competitive society, a war of each against all more bitter than what we now endure, That is, it would if it were possible. Happily it’s just plain not.

Pagan myth and modern biology alike teach us that our Earth is one interconnected living sphere, a whole system in which the actions of each affects all (and this is emphatically not limited to humankind) through intrinsic, organic feedback paths. As our technology amplifies the effects of our individual actions, it becomes increasingly critical to understand that these actions have consequences beyond the individual; consequences that, by the very nature of things, come back to the individual as well, Cooperation once “merely” an ethical ideal, has become a survival imperative, Life is relational, contextual, Exclusive focus on the individual Will is a lie and a death trap.

The qualifying “AN IT HARM NONE, draws a Circle around the individual Will and places each of us firmly within the dual contexts of the human community and the complex life form that is Mother Gaia. The first phrase of the Rede directs us to be aware of results of our actions projected not only in time, as long-term personal outcomes, but in space – to consider how our actions may effect cur families, co-workers, community, and the life or the Earth as a whole, and to take those projections into account in our decisions

But; like the rest of the Rede, “an it harm none” cannot ho followed unthinkingly, It Is simply impossible for creatures who eat to harm none. Any refusal to decide or act for fear of harming someone is also a decision and an action and will create results of some kind. When you consider that “none” also includes ourselves, it becomes clear that what we nave here is  a goal, an ideal and not a rule,

The Craft, assuming ethical adulthood, offers us no rote rules, We will always be working on incomplete knowledge, We will sometimes just plainly make mistakes, Life itself and life affirming religion, still demands that we learn, decide, act, and accept the results.

originally published in HARVEST by Judy Harrow – Volume 5, Number 3 (Cimelc, 1985)

The Thirteen Virtues of Wicca

August 11, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

These virtues are the standard of ethics all initiates, priests, and priestesses of the Unicorn Tradition should strive to attain.

Tolerance

Tolerance is a form of wisdom which allows you to refrain from passing judgement.

Charity

Love, compassion and mercy, combined with an interest in the welfare of others.

Humility

True humility is the result of strength, and the absence of arrogance and pride.

Devotion

The dedication of oneself to an ideal or cause.

Patience

The facility for being calm and composed during suffering or provocation, or while performing demanding or boring tasks.

Kindliness

A sincere desire never to hurt another person or thing. Consideration of another’s feelings, and the demonstration of gentleness and sympathy.

Forbearance

Serenity of mind under provocation; it demonstrates self-possession, and is an exercise in humility.

Sincerity

The absence of deceit or hypocrisy, the desire to learn and practice that which is just and true.

Courage

Deliberate mental determination in the face of danger, it is the product of reason, and is distinct from bravery. Fools are brave, wise men and women are courageous.

Precision

Exactness, accuracy and definitiveness.

Efficiency

The ability to deal with your surrounding environment with a minimal expenditure of time, energy and materials.

Discrimination

The ability to discern the motives of others. True discrimination is the ability to see the real truth in any given situation.

Wisdom

Wisdom is knowledge, tested by experience, and matured by understanding.

The Book of the Law

August 11, 2009 in Featured, Teachings by Luminias

Compiled and edited by the Founder, Queen, and Matriarch of the Unicorn Tradition,The New Book of the Law is a compilation and modernization of other sets of Laws collected by Lady Galadriel.  The sources include The Book of the Law, The Old Laws for the Old Religion, The Great Book of the Law, and The Dragon Law

It is a detailed list of Laws that we hope to live by and which should help guide us.

1.         The Laws were created to give our lives form and order, that all might be balanced throughout all of the planes.  In truth there are two sets of laws which govern us — one setting forth the ways of the Wiccan, and the other the ways of the Universe.  Both are important; each should be observed with respect and treated with honor.  The Laws were shaped and molded to govern us, to teach us, to advise us, and to counsel us during our time of mortal life on earth.

2.         Honor the Gods, for They are the channels and the manifestations of the Source.  Honor yourself, for this divine Force also lies within you.  Love the Gods as They love you; for as you love yourself and your brothers and sisters, so the Gods shall honor you.  As the love of a man and a woman flowers and grows when nurtured with respect and cultivated with understanding and honor, so should you love the Gods.

3.         The Goddess is the Great Mother, the God is the Great Father, and we are Their children; and we worship Them, because They are the Rulers of the Universe and all that is therein.  Therefore, O Children of the Gods, try Them not, nor attempt to test Them, lest They show you that the Ways of the Craft are not to be belittled or mocked.

4.         Let the Power of the Craft flow from you only in love — or not at all.  For it has always been known that the energy webs which we weave and maintain shall eventually return to encircle their creator.  Thus our works become either the net which entangles and binds us, or the web of light by which we are linked to the Gods.

5.         Let the Rites of the Wicca be a way for the children of the Gods to be as One — for the Power flows only when the circle is unified.  Always should you revere the Earth, and heal and tend Her, for She is our life, our Mother Ship, on which we navigate the dark currents of space.

6.         When you reap the harvests of your lands, then you shall not reap one corner of the field, nor glean the herb gardens, nor the fallen fruits of the orchards.  These you shall offer to the Earth Mother, in direct return, or through offerings made to your circle, or to sustain its Priests and Priestesses.

7.         Always be proud to be of the Wicca, but never allow your pride to become vanity — for those who are self-important become as stumbling blocks, and like stumbling blocks, they are cast aside for their vanity.

8.         Observe and listen, reserving your judgment, for until all the silver is weighed, who can know the worth thereof?

9.         As like breeds like, even more does good beget love and joy.  Your life will be full of love and joy if you are honorable and happy.

10.       Your teachers are the servants of the Gods.  Their duty is to plant the seeds of knowledge within the minds of their students, and they shall use their power for the good of the Wicca.  Yet it is each student’s duty to tend the seeds which are planted, and to make the final harvest.  Those who misuse the power and trust of the teacher’s position shall have to answer to the Lords of Karma, and adjust the balance accordingly.

11.       The Temples of the Gods, which are Their abode on Earth, shall belong to all Their children, and each circle shall be as a special family.  Do naught against any of the Wicca, lest you do that thing against the Gods, and against yourself.

12.       You must not be a teller of tales amongst the children of the Goddess, and you must hold no malice or evil thoughts towards others of the Wicca.

13.       You must not lie, nor give false testimony before your Elders, or those who are of the Wicca — for liars are fools, and a menace unto themselves, and to the Wicca.  Be truthful in all your works and deeds, especially within the circle, for what you say within the presence of the Gods becomes manifest.

14.       You must not put stumbling blocks in the way of those who do not follow the way of the Wicca.  You must make no unrighteous judgments of their ways, and you should aid them with an attitude of love when it is asked for.  Yet ever should you keep the Counsel of the Elders, and reveal naught to others where our circles may be.  Nor may you reveal our ways without the consent of the Priestess.

15.       When you make a vow to the Lord or the Lady, or you swear an oath to another of the Wicca, then you must do all that has come forth from your mouth, for a covenant with the Gods, or with the Wicca, is your honor.  Woe and trouble shall befall those who care not for the fetters they attach to their souls by not keeping their word.

16.       The Great Mother and Great Father would not have Their children suffer the indignities of oppressors for Their sake, for what is within the hearts of Their children is dear and true to Them.  The Ancient and Mighty Ones shall cause the balance to be made for those who desecrate the worship of the Lord and Lady, Their Temples, or Their creations.

17.       Never shall you use Magick or the Craft to cause harm, for this is misuse of the Power, and is not to be condoned.  To cause pain and death of another through the Craft shall require pain and death of the self in sacrifice.

18.       Never betray any of the brethren, nor the lore of our people, for you are all servants of the Gods, and must live by the virtues of love, honor, and wisdom.  Let truth, loyalty and honor be your creed and your guides, but let them ever be tempered by love and wisdom.

19.       The order of the Gods shall you keep, and within Their Circles shall you walk.  You must not say “I believe” when in truth you doubt, nor shall you claim to obey the Lord and Lady’s word when you never enter into their presence.  You must not profess with your lips that which is not within your heart.

20.       Use not the names of the Gods in negative or evil ways, for They love and cherish Their children above all others.  All others They love, even those who know Them not.  Those who hate and curse in Their name shall have the Mighty Ones take the measure of their worth.

21.       In any disputes between the children of the Goddess, no one may invoke any laws but those of the Craft, or any tribunal but that of the Priestess, Priest, and Elders.

22.       No one of the Wicca may do anything which shall endanger the Craft, nor bring any of the Wicca into conflict with the law of the land, or with any of our persecutors.

23.       Your magickal tools are channels to that which is most precious and pure within you.   Cheapen them not by haggling over their price when you acquire them.

24.       Never accept money for the use of the Power.  It is sorcerers and charlatans who accept money for their fraudulent spells and prayers.  If you accept no money, you shall be free from the temptation to use the Craft for evil or unworthy causes.

25.       You shall never take unduly from any human, animal, or elemental that which is not yours to take: for if you steal from another, in the end you shall have to sacrifice something dearer to you in order to maintain the balance.

26.       Show honor to all people, that they may look up to you, and respect you; and their eyes shall become a mirror for your soul.

27.       Those who are of the Wicca shall not own slaves.  One person may not own the spirit of another; for only the Great Mother and the Great Father have our souls in Their keeping.  Nor shall you take as a pledge any person’s life, for to do so is to place yourself betwixt two grindstones.

28.       If strangers sojourn with you, you shall do them no wrong; they shall be treated as one of the Wicca, born amongst you, and you shall deal with them as you would with yourself.

29.       Just weights and just balances shall you use, and just value shall you give, and thereby receive threefold.

30.       Your altars must be kept clean, pure, and holy; and all that is brought into Circle shall be cleansed and blessed, for the joy of the Gods, and of the Wicca.

31.       A clean mind requires a clean body.  Keep clean your body, your clothes, and your house, doing this in honor of the Mother, Who gives these things to you.

32.       Let none die without honor, without love, or without respect, unless their actions have decreed otherwise.

33.       Couple not together if it will cause pain, jealousy, or deprivation to another by doing so.  Union for malicious or evil reasons such as these upsets the balance, and the Lords of the Universe shall make adjustments accordingly.

34.       Let those who would love one another, and would be as one and bear child, be handfasted.  For the sharing of love in this manner is beauteous, and love’s union shares in the energy of the Gods, and brings good heritage to the child.  It is important for children to know and to identify with those who brought them here.

35.       The Law of the Goddess is that they of the Wicca never take and wed someone whom they do not love, whether it is to harm another, or for some form of material gain.

36.       Remember that your children are Goddess-spawned, and are free spirits.  You do not own nor control them. They are your brethren, come to visit for awhile, that they may share in the vision of your love and wisdom.  Let each parent realize that we must teach and guide with love, yet the child shall also teach the parents, and aid them in their growth and development.

37.       The etheric web and energy vortices of the Earth are in constant flux and motion to adjust to the needs of the planet.  The sacred trust of the Wicca is to create and to maintain centers of light and knowledge, using the Divine spark within us to focus and channel the forces of the Universal fire.  These webs are the channels established between the worlds of the stars and the realms of the Earth, bringing in and regulating the Spirit flames which energize and activate all life forms.  Thus we tend and guard the threads of creation, and we weave the patterns of life and manifestation in an ever-evolving tapestry.

38.       Never use your heritage or position for self-glorification or gain.  Respect both your magick and our ways.  We must always recognize that while others may look to us to lead them, they too are our guides.

39.       Keep your body strong, your mind keen, and your purpose pure, for within your being you shall channel the Power, and it needs to be strong and pure.  And these are the keys to the path of Oneness, and to communication with the Gods. Yet first you must learn to speak to Them in such a manner as They can comprehend. For the children of the Wicca must aid the Gods, and work with Them, otherwise the Gods cannot aid and work with us.  Ever remember that the Priest and Priestess are the living representatives of the God and Goddess Forces, and likewise that all humans carry these forces within them, though they may lie dormant and unawakened.

40.       As the Great Mother and Father come unto one another and create with pure vibration of Love-Wisdom, so should you strive to make your Circle pure in vibration, a fitting place wherein you may invite the Gods.  Thus, your Circle should always be duly purified and cast; and likewise, those who would use the gateways and travel the Circle between the Earth and other Realms must also be duly prepared and purified.

41.       The Goddess hath said, “I shall not carry thee, yet neither shall I hinder thee, nor keep thee from having the same opportunities as all of My children.  Thou art free, yet thou shalt not be coddled like babes in the storm.  If thou hast true devotion within thee, then all obstacles may be overcome.”

42.       The laggard is but half a person — and though half is better than none, the whole is twice as good as the half.  Those who work not, or who lack the will and desire to learn the ways of the Gods, unto them it is said, “The Ancient and Mighty Ones shall not keep you within Their house, if ye learn not.”

43.       You shall make a sanctuary unto the Gods, that They may dwell amongst you.  And you shall fashion it to the best of your ability, according to all that your Elders shall show you, and pure energy shall you place therein.

44.       You shall make an altar unto the Lady, and you shall make due reverence unto Her, for every place where She enters is exalted.  She will come to you and bless you.  And you shall fashion your altar out of wood or stone, and burn incense and candles thereon, at the proper times, in observance of Her ways.

45.       You shall set aside at least one day during each Moon unto the Goddess.  On that day you shall do Her work; and on that day She will renew Her children and bless them.

46.       Learn to build your own Temple, and to craft your own sacred Circle, and all tools that are used therein — for to be a person of the Craft is to be a person of consequence.

47.       Let each of you inscribe your own record of our ways and teachings.  For the course of all Wiccans should be charted, that the patterns of their lifewebs may be made known and utilized.  Let all Wiccans keep their Book of Light with the teachings and lore of their Tradition, yet let every Book of Light contain the rites and ways of each individual, which are the harvest of each child of the Wicca, to use the wisdom of their heritage as the seeds of their own personal wisdom.  Thus shall our lore and knowledge continue to grow and unfold, like a beautiful flower.

48.       It is right to study and to understand the sigils, statues and stories of the Gods, for they shall guide your thoughts to Them, and They shall hear you.  Yet you must ever remember that you worship not the sign nor the statue, but the Gods which inspired them.

49.       If your Circle owns any land, let all guard it, and help to keep it clean.  Let all justly guard all monies of the Circle, as well as the rights and property of all members of the Circle.

50.       If any Wiccan truly labors, just payment becomes a personal right.  This is not considered the taking of money for the Art, but good and honest work.  Yet if any Wiccan works willingly for the good of the Craft, or a brother or sister without pay, then it becomes the cause of great honor.

51.       If any Wiccan should willingly forswear some pleasure or material indulgence in order to do service in the Circle, this person shall be blessed and remembered.  For the spirit shall be uplifted in any who gives for the greatest good of all.

52.       Know also that if you gift the Lady’s Priests and Priestesses, or Her Circles, this is an offering made unto the Mother Herself, for a true Priest or Priestess strives always to do Her work, and to be of service to Her children, so to honor and respect them is to honor and respect the Queen of All.

53.       And the offerings which are considered the most pleasing to the Gods are these:

the fruits of the orchards

the scents of the trees and herbs

the metals of the Earth

the waters of the Earth

the flowers of the meadows

and the milk of all mothers.

Yet offerings of labor or money are honest too, and these will also be accepted — more so if you work with love in your heart, for always there is work to be done for the Gods, and service to be given to the children of the Wicca.

54.       If your offerings are made to restore the balance, they must be of a nature that is not offensive to the Gods.  They must be of value, yet given with a free heart.  Thus shall the harmony be restored.  If your offerings are given with a heart filled with love and devotion, or are of service to the Gods, or to the Craft, then shall you receive blessings manifold.

55.       And when you make an offering unto the Gods, you should offer it through the most proper medium, at the proper times, and in such a manner as to make it acceptable.  Any and all remains of the rituals shall be consumed in the fire, or buried within the Earth, as a way of returning to the Source all that we use in the observance of our ways, thus ensuring the continuity of the cycle.

56.       All may use the Craft to help and aid them, or for the advantage of their Circle, or the Craft — yet only if you are sure that you harm none.  Let each Wiccan and Circle always debate these matters at length.  Only if all be satisfied that none be harmed in any way, may the Art then be used.  If it is not possible to achieve your ends one way, then perhaps the goal may be achieved by acting in a different way, so as to harm none.

57.       Throughout the world it has been many a year since Wiccans have been burned.  Yet misuse of the Power might raise the persecutions once again.  So never break the Laws, however much you might be tempted, and never consent to their being broken.  And if you know they are being broken, then you must work strongly against it.

58.       In days of old it was decided by the Mighty Ones who came before us that the Art might be used to restrain others from harming the Craft or its children, yet only after great consultation with all members of the Circle, and only then to deflect or to constrain them.

59.       And such were the ways of the Lady that She brought us forth in joy, and such were the ways of the Lord that His reign gave all life pleasure.  Offer love in your worship and all shall be joyous in beauty.

60.       In the dimly remembered dawn of ages past, the Wicca were truly free.  Then, in Atlantis came the Age of Misuse of Power, followed by the Ages of Persecution and Suffering.  So the people of the Wicca hid themselves and cloaked their knowledge, and wove veils of secrecy and silence.  And this is how the Ways of the Wicca have been preserved through the time of darkness.  Yet much of the knowledge of our people was lost in that darkness.

61.       Yet the cycle ever revolves – and the Age of the Earth Mother once again draws nigh.    We must be strong – one with our birthright, and one with our Gods, if we are to bring forth the balance.  Those who would harm us, or attempt to enslave us, we must overcome – yet only through light and love, and never through violence or the evil of chaos.  And through our efforts the time of our people will come into being once more.  In the times which lie ahead, there is much work to be done, so that once more the cycles of life are drawn to the path of light, and the balance achieved through the power of love.

62.       In order to bring the ways of the Light and Love and Light to the peoples of the Earth, our secrets are slowly becoming secrets no more, and it is good that this is so – for the age of shadow and secrecy is passing.  Yet the sharing of our ways needs always to be guided by wisdom and by love.  Let our rites and our mysteries always be sacred.  Let no one defile our worship or our heritage, for the defilement of our ways is loss of honor, both for self and for the Craft.

63.       Let each High Priestess govern her Circle with justice and love, and with the help and advice of the Elders and the High Priest, always heeding the messages of the Gods when they come.

64.       Ever remember that although the Priest is the force with which the Circle is built, the Priestess is the ruler therein – for it is through her that the Goddess created the world, and all things therein.

65.       Let each Circle of Light decide how it shall be known — whether by earthly name or magickal one.  For each child of the Wicca knows best the safety or dangers of the chosen homeland.

66.       Let each Circle of Light maintain and dedicate unto the Goddess and the God all things that are required for Their rituals,  for what is blessed in the name of the Gods rightly belongs to Them, and the Priest or Priestess shall be the caretakers thereof.

67.       Any of the Circle, who are of sufficient rank, and wish to form a new Circle, shall tell the High Priestess and the Elders of their intentions.  Members of the old Circle may join the new Circle when it is formed, but if they do so they must leave the other Circle, unless otherwise instructed.  For it is an old law that while each Wiccan may join the Circle of choice, no Wiccan’s energy should be divided between two or more Temples.

68.       The Elders of the old and new Circles shall meet in peace and with respect, to decide the level of interaction and connection between the Circles.  Yet it is known that the splitting of a Circle often means strife.  So only if it is truly in a spirit of peace and harmony should the Circles meet for the celebration of the Great Festivals.

69.       None shall enter the Circle with a sickness or an ailment which may be passed on to the Lady’s other children – for to do so causes harm to yourself, as well as to others of the Circle.  Rather should the Elders go unto the sick one, that through the love of the Gods they shall be made well and whole once more.

70.       It has been judged that if any of the Craft need a house or land, and none will sell, it shall be lawful to incline someone’s mind so as to be willing to sell, providing it harms none and the full price is paid without haggling.

71.       The High Priest or High Priestess shall heed all complaints of all Pagans and Wiccans, and strive to settle any differences between them, with reason and with justice.

72.       In the matter of quarrels or disputes between the members of the Circle, the High Priestess shall convene the Council, and inquire into the matter.  The Council shall hear each person privately, and then both together.  And they shall decide justly, not favoring one side nor the other.

73.       If an agreeable resolution cannot be reached, then the dissenting Wiccan must void the Circle, for a Circle of Light cannot be properly formed where there is disagreement and discord.  And when a Circle is not properly formed, the energy within is either dissipated, or turns ugly, festering like a hidden sore.  So let dissenters leave, but only with love in their hearts and yours, for even though your paths may diverge, you are still all children of the Wicca, and there must be no violence between us.  Bear no grudges, hold no thoughts of vengeance, for this will rot away the foundation of your power.

74.       It has ever been recognized that there are some people who can never agree to work under any others.  At the same time there are also people who cannot rule justly.  To those who must ever be chief there is but one answer: “Void this Circle, and seek another one, or if ye be of sufficient rank, then form a Circle of your own.”  To those who cannot rule justly, the answer shall be: “Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you”.  For none may circle with whom they are at variance, because to do so angers the Gods, and hinders the Craft.

75.       Those that do wrong without knowledge shall be held innocent; those that do wrong through carelessness shall be judged lacking in wisdom, and dealt with according to the nature of the transgression.  Those who do wrong with deliberation and forethought shall be thrice punished, and the Lords of Karma shall lay low their pride.

76.       Each person must make a balance between words and actions, and the judgment of the Elders should incline toward making good come from the injustice or wrong-doing.  Many are the ways to restore the balance, so let the judgments of the Elders and the Priestess be in keeping with this.

77.       Do not turn aside those who seek the ways of the Wicca for want of an offering or lack of a robe.  You are the servant of the Gods, and the servants of Their people, and those that seek for the Gods you must aid in their quest.

78.       When you meet with those who would inquire as to the ways of the Goddess, or who wish to become of the Wicca, you shall search their hearts, and even into their spirits shall you look, as you are able.  For the Wicca do not look to acquire mere numbers.  Let none be turned away whose heart is true, and whose desire is earnest.

79.       The hidden children are like the strings of a harp; each one may give a clear note,  and when gathered together in sympathy and accord, they give rise to a beautiful symphony.  Yet when struck without reason or thought, these notes may cause discord or disharmony.  Therefore the Gods decree to Their Teachers and Priests that all must be taught to master their instruments, that there may be no discord or imbalance.

80.       Choose the Priests and Teachers of the Wicca with diligence and with care.  The qualities that you should search for within them are Wisdom, Faith, Belief, Knowledge, Ability, Patience, Leadership, Humility, and a loving nature – for they must lead and teach the children of the Goddess, and will thereby have the power to do great good, or to cause great imbalance.

81.       Let the greatest of the Priests and Priestesses guide the rituals within each of the Temples of the Old Gods, and let all worshippers strive to be content with the advice and guidance given by them.  Yet each rite and ritual must be given so that it is clear and understandable, for within the Temple of the Wicca there walk only free men and free women who must be able to recognize and to understand our ways and their implications.  Therefore those Priests and Priestesses who will not or cannot explain the inner workings, or give just cause and reason for their decisions, may be questioned, and the wisdom of the advice weighed.

82.       Let the Priestess and Priest lead as long as they are able, and let their leadership be wise and strong, and to the benefit of the Wicca.  Yet if their health is ill-favored, or if the next generation needs to try its hand, then let them have the vision and the wisdom to step away from their position, and pass the duties of the Circle to another.  Let them not become overly attached to the office, nor too fond of the power.

83.       If a Priestess or a Priest should tire of the Temple’s duties and charges, then she or he may step down, but only after having trained and acknowledged a successor.  But a Priest or Priestess who deserts the Circle loses the right to lead again within this life, so great is the trust that has been broken.  If such a person returns to the Circle within one turn of the Wheel, and shall be judged to have true atonement, and gained new insight and growth, then she or he may be forgiven, and allowed to return to the Circle.  Yet that person shall worship only, and hold no office or title.  Leadership is a sacred commitment and an honor, and it will not be committed twice to those who have shown that they cannot be trusted with such responsibility.

84.       Any Priestess, Priest, or Elder who consents to a breach of the Laws regarding the use of the Craft to cause harm to others must immediately be relieved of office, for it is the lives of the children of the Goddess which they endanger, as well as the honor of the Craft.

85.       The High Priestess may take a Sabbatical from her Circle, if her personal life and duties require it, for up to a year and a day.  During that time, the Maiden shall act as High Priestess.  If the High Priestess does not return at the end of a year and a day, then the Initiates of the Circle shall name a new Priestess.  Unless there is good reason to the contrary, the person who has done the work of the Priestess should reap the reward.  If someone else is named, then the Maiden should continue in that office.

86.       Each Priestess and Priest shall choose their own consorts, yet let them select from those who are wise in the learning of our people, and thus others shall abide by the wisdom of their choice.  Yet if the Circle feels the decision is ill-advised, or that they cannot abide and work in honor and trust with that consort, then they may request a gathering of all concerned to meet and to talk, and to resolve the balance with love and honor.  For only those who are pure and strong, keen and wise, patient and loving, can effectively and properly carry out the duties of a Keeper of the Circle.

87.       Those of the Priesthood shall not neglect their mates, or their children, or their house, nor anything which is in their possession; nor shall the sick and the needy be neglected for the sake of the Circle.  Therefore let them adjust the one thing against the other, that neither should suffer, and that which is given by the Gods is treated with love and respect.

88.       Long ago, at the time of Creation, it was deemed that the female should hold the power of life-giving.  So mightily was the male force drawn to the love and beauty of the Creation of life, that he surrendered unto her keeping the force of his powers in the furtherance of life.  Yet the Priestess must always remember that the flames which light the fires within her come from the Priest.  Therefore she must use the force wisely, and only with love, and she must honor and respect him, who is the activator of the Life Force.

HERE ENDS A NEW WICCAN BOOK OF THE LAW.

The Rule of Three

August 11, 2009 in Teachings by Luminias

Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

There is a set amount of energy in the universe (although we would perceive it as limitless using our physical methods of measuring). This energy is con­stantly changing form which gives the impression that it is being created out of nothing and then withers and dissolves back into nothing. When one changes the form of an energy pattern (breathing, eating, walking, talking, thinking, doing) it is like throwing a rock into a still pond and creating ripples or waves of energy moving outward from the cause. The first three ripples or effects are the ones felt most intensely and understood most effectively. After that the wave (ripples) are too far removed and subtle to be related as a result of the original action.

The Rule of Threefold Returns does not mean that every action creates a reaction three times as intense (large, etc.) as the original because you are not really creating energy (or anything else). You are changing the form of energy that already exists and cannot be destroyed.

The Rule or Threefold Returns does mean that the effect comes back to you from the closest ripples (waves of change). These changes are felt and perceived on the Physical, Emotional and Intellectual levels.

This is the Threefold Return: the understanding of the effect of ones every thought, word and deed (consciously or not) on these three levels constitutes the RETURN and LESSON to be learned. If the LESSON is com­pletely absorbed on the Physical, Emotional and Intellectual levels then it is of course understood on the Spiritual.

Of course, it is already understood on the Spiritual since that is where the impetus for action springs from. It is just that our human minds need the Physical, Emotional and Intellec­tual assimilation for the lesson to be fully effective and understood on the Material Plane.

“AS ABOVE, SO BELOW,

AS BELOW, SO ABOVE.”

The energy you send out always comes back to you. If you act in a violent way, you become violent. If you act in a peaceful way, you become peaceful.