GoddessofWisdom
September 29th, 2001, 08:52 PM
I found this on a really excellent site......It's pretty long but worth reading. When I remember the URL i'll post it
Important Note
First of all I should say this. Traditional Witchcraft is NOT Wicca, and is NOT Eclectic Witchcraft.
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Traditional Witchcraft pre-dates all of the other religions of the planet, however it is less understood and even less documented, and sadly also one of the least known about religions. Witchcraft has been around since Ug and Ogg started drawing on cave walls to document a hunt, and is a continuation of the beliefs of our ancient european ancestors (pre-dominantly British ancestors,) both their beliefs and their practices. Traditional Witchcraft as it is practiced by most Traditional Witches today is of British origin, although other european origins exist. Most Traditional Witches will add a little of their local environment and cultural background to it making it unique to them.
With regards to our European ancestors beliefs, we do know a few things about them and their view of life. The native people of Europe believed in spirits and/or gods, usually associated with the Earth, Sun, and Moon, and they saw their lives and the lives of the spirits and/or gods as having a circular pattern, following the yearly cycle of seasons. The latter part is typical of native peoples everywhere. When one lives by agriculture or hunting and gathering, knowledge of nature is vital to existence.
Most of our knowledge of European witchcraft comes from the writings of Christian conquerors and priests, with some more accurate information coming from acheological digs and family tradition Witches coming forward with details now that Christianity is not openly tying people to stakes and burning them. In fact, it was the Christians who first called the practice Witchcraft. Before Christianity began its suppression of the native European religions there was no need to give the religion a name. It was simply what all people were brought up to believe. Specialized roles sometimes existed with special names, though this was more a local preference. Unlike Wicca with its degree's of initiation Traditional Witchcraft normally just has a leader of a Coven who's only qualifications are knowledge, experience and a willingness to lead.
Christianity adopted many of the rituals and customs of the Pagan's, Druids and Witches, Yule becoming Christmas, Oester becoming Easter, and so on until all of the pagan religions festivals where incorporated into the Christian tradition, as Christianity suppressed the native religion. Some may think this strange however this is quite normal for any religion attempting to conquer another. The conquering religion will incorporate some of the beliefs, festivals or deities or the conquered religion, brandishing the rest as evil.
However, not all Witches abandoned their beliefs. Many of them simply went underground and their religion was passed from generation to generation through family lines. Since most people could neither read nor write, these oral traditions were the only means of keeping the knowledge alive. Without written records, we know very little of these ancient traditions. The records we do have are often distorted, having been written by Christian Priests of the Inquisition or taken from the Inquisitions records themselves. That isn't to say that we know nothing of Traditional Witchcraft. Some knowledge has trickled through the ages and scholars often preserved the mythologies of conquered peoples. Archaeological evidence helps a little too. The neo-pagan revival has attempted to recapture the spirit of the ancient religion, if not its actual practices. Be a little skeptical of those who profess to practice the Old Ways, unless they recognize that they are reinventing those ways rather than reviving them.
Beliefs
Traditional Witches are not monotheistic nor do they follow any revealed scripture (Torah, Gospels, Quran, Book of Mormon, etc.). Traditional Witches do not worship any entity as their superior, though they recognize the existence of other entities. They believe in the equality of all beings in the Universe, seeing them as different, separate, but never superior or inferior. This difference is often a source of confusion. A Traditional Witch may speak of the God and the Goddess, referring to the female and male aspects of Nature, but while they revere and respect Nature, they do not worship it or its representatives. Traditional Witchcraft, is polytheistic and animistic, meaning that they incorporate a number of elements and spirits into a meaningful whole. Let me make this a little clearer by example.
When a Wiccan calls upon the Goddess and the God in ritual, she/he means exactly that - "the" Goddess and God, the ones who appear so prominently in the mythologies that form their beliefs and the rituals associated with it. Their Goddess is a Triple Goddess and may be called by different names in different circumstances, but most Wiccans believe these different names and personalities are aspects of the one Goddess rather than different entities.
Traditional Witches may call on the Goddess and the God, but ONLY as focal point representatives of the creative force of the Universe, acknowledging these forces but never worshipping them or regarding them as deities, (in essence they are merely giving these forces a name,) but will usually call on other spirits as well, each being seen as a separate and equal entity. In Traditional Witchcraft there is a Spirit World or Other World where these other entities reside. Most do not see this as actually separate from this world, but rather a part of it that is usually unseen. Thus, the spirits who are contacted during ritual are already there but may be conjured or evoked to facilitate communication. This is an important point in that Traditional Witches see the interaction between this world and the Other World as constant and not wholly dependent on ritual. There are some who say that Traditional Witchcraft is not a religion at all, because no deities are worshipped. However, to say that denies the spirituality and beliefs of Traditional Witchcraft, and a religion is simply what you believe in. For many Witches today, it is the spiritual enlightenment offered by the practice of Traditional Witchcraft that draws them to it, even if the lack of deities makes it somewhat different than the majority of other religions. However many religions do not have any sort of deities at all, Buddhism being the most well known.
After-life / Reincarnation
When we die as Witches we travel to the plane of existence called the spirit world, also known as the other-world. This is where we rest before continuing our journey. When we continue our journey we may be born into a new life, reincarnation being commonly believed in by many Witches, and is also where the phrase "Once a Witch, always a Witch," comes from. It does not mean just one lifetime but many. However another alternative is that we meld into nature becoming one with it, or we become a land spirit, one reason why we always show respect for the spirits as they are the spirits of those that have passed before us.
Fate / Karma
Many people believe in Karma, including Wiccans, however this is not a part of Traditional Witchcraft, as the concept of Karma is a Hindu/Buddhist concept and not one of western europe. What Traditional Witches do believe in is fate. We all have a fate, what that is however we may not know until it happens, or perhaps we may be born with knowledge of what this is. Our fate is one of the many mysteries that unfold as we grow old.
Ritual
Traditional Witches observe the sabbats as these days correspond to solstices and equinoxes, but do not relate them to a specific mythology, such as can be seen in other pagan religions. In Traditional Witchcraft it is the seasonal changes themselves that are honoured, not the lives of any Gods or Goddesses that other religions associate with them. Traditional Witches observe Moon phases and other natural phenomena also. The full moon being of significant importance. The Esbats (full moons) being more important than the Sabbats even.
In Traditional Witchcraft, all space is sacred and all life is ceremony. When ritual or magic is performed, the Traditional Witch is likely to go to a place that has special qualities such as a stream or mountain, but practitioners also recognise that the local park or someone's garden is equally sacred.
It is often difficult for urban witches to gain any practical experience of the countryside. Perhaps the absence of daily opportunities to be in direct contact with the Nature draws so many of them to the more formal and symbolic rituals of Wicca. The separation from natural settings may also have led to the intense concern with environmental issues among Traditional Witches and other pagan based believers.
Magic
Magic is central to Traditional Witchcraft, whereas many Eclectic Witches, Wiccans or Pagans do not practice any magic at all. ALL Traditional Witches do, although not in the same ritualistic way that a Wiccan would. It could be a simple spell cast whilst cooking to improve the taste of food, to a Earth healing spell done in the sanctuary of a private garden. All religions use magic, as it may be defined as any attempt to effect the outcome of a given situation by supernatural means (though in Traditional Witchcraft these means are seen as natural). Prayer, for example, is a form of magic, however the majority of the religions of the world deny this as being magic.
When practiced, the magic of Traditional Witchcraft is very practical. Herbal healing, for example, is a traditional practice. Also, the magic of Traditional Witchcraft may include hexes and curses without a specific rule to prevent such acts, (see Ethics section,) though their use is only in the most extreme of cases.
When casting spells and performing rituals a Traditional Witch will keep everything simple and practical, ignoring the type of ritual that Wiccans would do. If a Traditional Witch doesn't have the right herbs or stones they won't worry, they'll just carry on regardless. In many cases they will never use any additional spell ingredients other than their mind and willpower. Traditional Witches follow a folk magic system rather than the High Magic system that Wicca employs. Many people believe that Witchcraft itself is a magical system however that is an incorrect belief. Witchcraft is a religion, yet it employs a magical system. The magic of a Traditional Witch is simple, practical, and powerful.
A more important difference, however, concerns the presence or absence of spirituality in magic. Some say that magic is never spiritual. Since there are often spirits or deities involved, a better way to look at it might be to consider the relationship between the Witch and the spirit in performing magic. The idea noted above in relation to defining religion is also applied to magic, that when witches work with spirits in performing magic, it is generally not considered to be spiritual unless the spirits are worshipped. Regarding spirits as a natural part of the Witch's environment and as equal beings in the Universe would technically deny any spirituality to the magic of Traditional Witchcraft. Wiccans, on the other hand, perform magic in which a Goddess or God is appealed to for aid and paid homage to during the magical act. By the previous definition, this would be seen as spiritual. However the spirituality is in seeing the elements and spirits as natural, and enlisting their aid without worshipping them does not in anyway reduce the magic of Traditional Witchcraft to something that is merely practical and without a spiritual component.
Grimoire/Book Of Shadows
Wiccans and Eclectic Witches have what they refer to as a Book of Shadows, a book that they are required to create themselves creating their notes, spells, and anything else they feel like. Traditional Witches also have something similar to this which we call a Grimoire.
A point to note however is that these BoS's and Grimoires are recent things. This causes a lot of confusion amongst many people who believe that their ancient ancestors would have had a Book of Shadows or Grimoire containing everything to do with their religion. This simply isn't true as many people several hundred years and further back were illiterate, and to have any written evidence of their beliefs come lead to their death if it was found. Today we have Grimoires for ease of reference. With our everyday lives there is a lot to remember and having our spells, reference details, and everything else written in a Grimoire is easier for us, and in these more enlightened times we aren't going to be burnt at a stake or hung for being found with such a book.
Rites of passage
In Traditional Witchcraft Covens, there are few rites of passage if any at all, as Traditional Witchcraft Covens are less hierarchical than say Wiccan Covens. In some cases, rituals are performed at different stages of a person's life, while in other cases, rites may reflect the individual's choice to dedicate herself to some aspect of the Craft. The only thing that can be said with certainty about rites of passage in Traditional Witchcraft is that they are variable, and are determined more by the specific group or individual than by a conventional structure. A solitary Traditional Witch however would create their own, or chose to ignore such rites of passage if they chose to. Freedom to do so is one of the rights of being a Witch.
Ethics
Traditional Witchcraft has neither the Wiccan Rede nor the Threefold Law, (these were included into Wicca by Gerald Gardner to ensure a defined form of moral code.) There is no morality test, only personal responsibility and honor. Also, there is no good or evil, only intent. Humans have the ability to make decisions and act on them, and they may choose and act with good or evil intentions. Traditional Witchcraft does not set out laws as to what actions and intentions are evil, but followers of this path take responsibility for their own actions. In practical terms, this means that using curses, hexes, and the like are not ruled out on principle. If provoked or threatened, the Traditional Witch may act for self-preservation or the protection of family and home. These are considered honorable acts. Yet if there are negative consequences, the Traditional Witch is willing to suffer them.
Witchcraft teaches that you should follow your heart and take responsibility for your actions. There is no good or evil. There is only the intent that one has when commiting an action. For example, a tornado, which causes a lot of destruction, is not good or evil..... It just is. Emphasis is thus placed on the intent of the action. This concept can be seen within a quote from a magical tradition that says, "The whole of the action is the sum of its consequence." Energy is not constant. In terms of returned energy, this means that the energy can have many things happen to it along the way including: deflection, absorbtion, transformation, etc.
As we do not follow a Rede, or any Law except that which is written within our own hearts, we take full responsibility for our actions. Things are brought into the perspective of survival and intent of the individual. Many Witches look at this in terms of protection of house or clan, family, and self. So, many will take action to curse or hex if they feel threatened.
The Witch's Mind
The way you perceive the world around you has a lot to do with how your life-path will travel. The Witch should always been sceptical in nature, possessing an open but critical mind. Having an open mind is truly a wonderful thing, but not if it's so open, you believe everything you hear. Gather as much information as you can, listen to everything, use the scientific methods, and then make decisions about how things are. As Witches, we should search for the connections between all things and strive for balance. This means being considerate and courteous, understanding and diplomatic. You will be silent at times, vocal at others, naturally knowing what time is best for each. There is no need to show off your talents and draw attention to yourself. Someone who strives for attention will get it, and eventually it will lead to undesirable attention from potentially dangerous persons. It is also important to realize that all paths lead to the same source, so respect all paths, even if you don't agree with them. Stand up for your beliefs, but don't belittle others for their views. Always be confident and respect your body mentally and physically, for it is your temple. Your mind and will are powerful tools, and combined with a relatively healthy body, can bring about incredible change, and really, this is all you need to "do" magic.
Attitude to Sex
To a Witch sex is sacred and special, it is not something to be shunned into a dark closet as dirty and evil, but enjoyed and revered as a blessing. Wiccan's believe that the act of sex/love making is a gift from the Goddess. Traditional Witches see it as a gift and/or blessing from nature. Many Witches use the inherent power of sex to power spells, which is one reason why Tantric Sex is widely practised by Witch couples. The magical aspects of tantric sex can be harnessed by a Witch couple working together to greatly enhance a particular spell they are casting.
The Pentagram
The Pentagram is the symbol of Witches, and many other Pagan's. It is used mainly for Protection, Healing and Magic. The Pentagram itself signifies the basic elements and spirit. From top going clockwise (deosil) they are spirit, earth, (north,) air, (east,) fire, (south) and water, (west.)
Thirteen Goals of a Witch
These are not any official instructions to being a good Witch, more suggestions, and idea's for people to follow or ignore as they see fit. As a Witch, you'll know in your heart which is right for you.
1.Know yourself.
2.Know your Craft.
3.Learn.
4.Apply knowledge with wisdom.
5.Achieve balance.
6.Keep your words in good order.
7.Keep your thoughts in good order.
8.Celebrate life.
9.Attune with the cycles of the Earth.
10.Breathe and eat correctly.
11.Excercise the body.
12.Meditate.
13.Respect nature.
Words to live by
1. It is not sufficient to say you are a "Witch" or to practice magic. You must also live as a Witch.
2. Do not look for excuses for why you cannot follow the path. Accept responsibility for your failures as well as your successes.
3. Celebrate the phases of the Moon and the changing of seasons. Do so not because it is part of a ritual calendar, but rather because these acts keep you in tune with Nature and Spirit.
4. Honour Spirit & nature, but recognise that the spirits of all entities in the Universe are equal.
5. All life is sacred; all acts are ritual. Your actions should reflect your own humanity and that of all beings.
6. Achieving balance with the Earth is essential for a magical life.
7. Responsibility toward the environment and the Earth's inhabitants should be evident in the activities of your daily life.
8. Do not take more from the Earth than you need to live. We are mere visitors here; the Earth is eternal.
9. Wealth and fame are not necessary ingredients for a magical life.
10. Know that the joy of life is a gift. Know it as a cat knows it, in his bones and blood.
11. Power is a sacred gift and must be used wisely and with humility. Pride in ones power will ultimately cause failure.
12. Power should never be used to prove your ability or in any form of competition with others.
13. Power should be used to create happiness, not sorrow.
14. Be certain of your intentions when performing any act of magic. Magic is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. The intentions of the caster determine the path it will take.
15. Act always with honour and accept responsibility for your actions. It is honourable to protect your loved ones, but be willing to accept the consequences of your actions with honour as well.
16. Words are sacred, use them wisely.
17. There is honour in truth.
18. Your word is sacred. Others must know that they can depend on you absolutely.
Traditions of Witchcraft
There are many different traditions of Witchcraft, and peoples views and beliefs can differ greatly from Traditional Witch, to Wiccan, to Eclectic. Where a Traditional Witch acknowledges no Deities, but simply believes in the male and female spiritual and sexual polarities of nature. A Wiccan incorporates the Kabbalah and Eastern practices into their tradition of Witchcraft worshipping the male and female of nature as a God and Goddess. An Eclectic Witch however chooses a pantheon of Gods and Goddesses to represent the different area's of nature and desire to worship.
Even within these three main traditions of Witchcraft there are subheading traditions, such as Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca, Dianic Wicca, etc, etc. Eclectic Witchcraft differs based on the pantheon of deities used, be they Norse, Roman, Greek, or ancient Pagan.
However they all share the same core belief, and that is that nature is sacred, and as children of nature we should learn to live within nature, and care for it as much as we are humanly possible.
The Number 13
Many people believe that the number 13 is unlucky, and especially if the 13th day of the month falls on a friday. This friday the 13th is reputed to have its origins in the arrest of the Knights Templar on October 12th and their trials and tortures on the 13th, (a friday) which were said to be so awful that the surviving Knights said that the day itself (friday 13th) was evil. 13 has had notiriety as unlucky in superstitions such as 13 people sitting at dinner. The first to rise will be the first to die.
As Witches though we know that no number in itself can be unlucky, nor any particular day. If anything the number 13 is lucky as it is the number of full moons during the year, and reverred by many Witches as a very lucky number. Something to remember the next time someone looks worried that friday the 13th is coming up soon.
Craft Names
If I become a Witch do I get to make up a craftname for myself ?? Simple answer NO !! Craftnames have absolutely nothing to do with Traditional Witchcraft, and are a Wiccan invention. Now you might ask "But isn't EchoWitch a craftname?" And the answer there again would be NO.
Some of you may want to have a craftname anyway but Trafitional Witchcraft doesn't have them, and from some of the craftnames I've seen they come across as very pretentious with everyone naming themselves after Deities, and calling themselves Lord this or Lady that. Even some Wiccans, Pagans and Druids I know feel that the idea of a craftname is daft. Nature knows who you are, not by any name but by your presence within nature. Names mean nothing to nature.
Important Note
First of all I should say this. Traditional Witchcraft is NOT Wicca, and is NOT Eclectic Witchcraft.
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Traditional Witchcraft pre-dates all of the other religions of the planet, however it is less understood and even less documented, and sadly also one of the least known about religions. Witchcraft has been around since Ug and Ogg started drawing on cave walls to document a hunt, and is a continuation of the beliefs of our ancient european ancestors (pre-dominantly British ancestors,) both their beliefs and their practices. Traditional Witchcraft as it is practiced by most Traditional Witches today is of British origin, although other european origins exist. Most Traditional Witches will add a little of their local environment and cultural background to it making it unique to them.
With regards to our European ancestors beliefs, we do know a few things about them and their view of life. The native people of Europe believed in spirits and/or gods, usually associated with the Earth, Sun, and Moon, and they saw their lives and the lives of the spirits and/or gods as having a circular pattern, following the yearly cycle of seasons. The latter part is typical of native peoples everywhere. When one lives by agriculture or hunting and gathering, knowledge of nature is vital to existence.
Most of our knowledge of European witchcraft comes from the writings of Christian conquerors and priests, with some more accurate information coming from acheological digs and family tradition Witches coming forward with details now that Christianity is not openly tying people to stakes and burning them. In fact, it was the Christians who first called the practice Witchcraft. Before Christianity began its suppression of the native European religions there was no need to give the religion a name. It was simply what all people were brought up to believe. Specialized roles sometimes existed with special names, though this was more a local preference. Unlike Wicca with its degree's of initiation Traditional Witchcraft normally just has a leader of a Coven who's only qualifications are knowledge, experience and a willingness to lead.
Christianity adopted many of the rituals and customs of the Pagan's, Druids and Witches, Yule becoming Christmas, Oester becoming Easter, and so on until all of the pagan religions festivals where incorporated into the Christian tradition, as Christianity suppressed the native religion. Some may think this strange however this is quite normal for any religion attempting to conquer another. The conquering religion will incorporate some of the beliefs, festivals or deities or the conquered religion, brandishing the rest as evil.
However, not all Witches abandoned their beliefs. Many of them simply went underground and their religion was passed from generation to generation through family lines. Since most people could neither read nor write, these oral traditions were the only means of keeping the knowledge alive. Without written records, we know very little of these ancient traditions. The records we do have are often distorted, having been written by Christian Priests of the Inquisition or taken from the Inquisitions records themselves. That isn't to say that we know nothing of Traditional Witchcraft. Some knowledge has trickled through the ages and scholars often preserved the mythologies of conquered peoples. Archaeological evidence helps a little too. The neo-pagan revival has attempted to recapture the spirit of the ancient religion, if not its actual practices. Be a little skeptical of those who profess to practice the Old Ways, unless they recognize that they are reinventing those ways rather than reviving them.
Beliefs
Traditional Witches are not monotheistic nor do they follow any revealed scripture (Torah, Gospels, Quran, Book of Mormon, etc.). Traditional Witches do not worship any entity as their superior, though they recognize the existence of other entities. They believe in the equality of all beings in the Universe, seeing them as different, separate, but never superior or inferior. This difference is often a source of confusion. A Traditional Witch may speak of the God and the Goddess, referring to the female and male aspects of Nature, but while they revere and respect Nature, they do not worship it or its representatives. Traditional Witchcraft, is polytheistic and animistic, meaning that they incorporate a number of elements and spirits into a meaningful whole. Let me make this a little clearer by example.
When a Wiccan calls upon the Goddess and the God in ritual, she/he means exactly that - "the" Goddess and God, the ones who appear so prominently in the mythologies that form their beliefs and the rituals associated with it. Their Goddess is a Triple Goddess and may be called by different names in different circumstances, but most Wiccans believe these different names and personalities are aspects of the one Goddess rather than different entities.
Traditional Witches may call on the Goddess and the God, but ONLY as focal point representatives of the creative force of the Universe, acknowledging these forces but never worshipping them or regarding them as deities, (in essence they are merely giving these forces a name,) but will usually call on other spirits as well, each being seen as a separate and equal entity. In Traditional Witchcraft there is a Spirit World or Other World where these other entities reside. Most do not see this as actually separate from this world, but rather a part of it that is usually unseen. Thus, the spirits who are contacted during ritual are already there but may be conjured or evoked to facilitate communication. This is an important point in that Traditional Witches see the interaction between this world and the Other World as constant and not wholly dependent on ritual. There are some who say that Traditional Witchcraft is not a religion at all, because no deities are worshipped. However, to say that denies the spirituality and beliefs of Traditional Witchcraft, and a religion is simply what you believe in. For many Witches today, it is the spiritual enlightenment offered by the practice of Traditional Witchcraft that draws them to it, even if the lack of deities makes it somewhat different than the majority of other religions. However many religions do not have any sort of deities at all, Buddhism being the most well known.
After-life / Reincarnation
When we die as Witches we travel to the plane of existence called the spirit world, also known as the other-world. This is where we rest before continuing our journey. When we continue our journey we may be born into a new life, reincarnation being commonly believed in by many Witches, and is also where the phrase "Once a Witch, always a Witch," comes from. It does not mean just one lifetime but many. However another alternative is that we meld into nature becoming one with it, or we become a land spirit, one reason why we always show respect for the spirits as they are the spirits of those that have passed before us.
Fate / Karma
Many people believe in Karma, including Wiccans, however this is not a part of Traditional Witchcraft, as the concept of Karma is a Hindu/Buddhist concept and not one of western europe. What Traditional Witches do believe in is fate. We all have a fate, what that is however we may not know until it happens, or perhaps we may be born with knowledge of what this is. Our fate is one of the many mysteries that unfold as we grow old.
Ritual
Traditional Witches observe the sabbats as these days correspond to solstices and equinoxes, but do not relate them to a specific mythology, such as can be seen in other pagan religions. In Traditional Witchcraft it is the seasonal changes themselves that are honoured, not the lives of any Gods or Goddesses that other religions associate with them. Traditional Witches observe Moon phases and other natural phenomena also. The full moon being of significant importance. The Esbats (full moons) being more important than the Sabbats even.
In Traditional Witchcraft, all space is sacred and all life is ceremony. When ritual or magic is performed, the Traditional Witch is likely to go to a place that has special qualities such as a stream or mountain, but practitioners also recognise that the local park or someone's garden is equally sacred.
It is often difficult for urban witches to gain any practical experience of the countryside. Perhaps the absence of daily opportunities to be in direct contact with the Nature draws so many of them to the more formal and symbolic rituals of Wicca. The separation from natural settings may also have led to the intense concern with environmental issues among Traditional Witches and other pagan based believers.
Magic
Magic is central to Traditional Witchcraft, whereas many Eclectic Witches, Wiccans or Pagans do not practice any magic at all. ALL Traditional Witches do, although not in the same ritualistic way that a Wiccan would. It could be a simple spell cast whilst cooking to improve the taste of food, to a Earth healing spell done in the sanctuary of a private garden. All religions use magic, as it may be defined as any attempt to effect the outcome of a given situation by supernatural means (though in Traditional Witchcraft these means are seen as natural). Prayer, for example, is a form of magic, however the majority of the religions of the world deny this as being magic.
When practiced, the magic of Traditional Witchcraft is very practical. Herbal healing, for example, is a traditional practice. Also, the magic of Traditional Witchcraft may include hexes and curses without a specific rule to prevent such acts, (see Ethics section,) though their use is only in the most extreme of cases.
When casting spells and performing rituals a Traditional Witch will keep everything simple and practical, ignoring the type of ritual that Wiccans would do. If a Traditional Witch doesn't have the right herbs or stones they won't worry, they'll just carry on regardless. In many cases they will never use any additional spell ingredients other than their mind and willpower. Traditional Witches follow a folk magic system rather than the High Magic system that Wicca employs. Many people believe that Witchcraft itself is a magical system however that is an incorrect belief. Witchcraft is a religion, yet it employs a magical system. The magic of a Traditional Witch is simple, practical, and powerful.
A more important difference, however, concerns the presence or absence of spirituality in magic. Some say that magic is never spiritual. Since there are often spirits or deities involved, a better way to look at it might be to consider the relationship between the Witch and the spirit in performing magic. The idea noted above in relation to defining religion is also applied to magic, that when witches work with spirits in performing magic, it is generally not considered to be spiritual unless the spirits are worshipped. Regarding spirits as a natural part of the Witch's environment and as equal beings in the Universe would technically deny any spirituality to the magic of Traditional Witchcraft. Wiccans, on the other hand, perform magic in which a Goddess or God is appealed to for aid and paid homage to during the magical act. By the previous definition, this would be seen as spiritual. However the spirituality is in seeing the elements and spirits as natural, and enlisting their aid without worshipping them does not in anyway reduce the magic of Traditional Witchcraft to something that is merely practical and without a spiritual component.
Grimoire/Book Of Shadows
Wiccans and Eclectic Witches have what they refer to as a Book of Shadows, a book that they are required to create themselves creating their notes, spells, and anything else they feel like. Traditional Witches also have something similar to this which we call a Grimoire.
A point to note however is that these BoS's and Grimoires are recent things. This causes a lot of confusion amongst many people who believe that their ancient ancestors would have had a Book of Shadows or Grimoire containing everything to do with their religion. This simply isn't true as many people several hundred years and further back were illiterate, and to have any written evidence of their beliefs come lead to their death if it was found. Today we have Grimoires for ease of reference. With our everyday lives there is a lot to remember and having our spells, reference details, and everything else written in a Grimoire is easier for us, and in these more enlightened times we aren't going to be burnt at a stake or hung for being found with such a book.
Rites of passage
In Traditional Witchcraft Covens, there are few rites of passage if any at all, as Traditional Witchcraft Covens are less hierarchical than say Wiccan Covens. In some cases, rituals are performed at different stages of a person's life, while in other cases, rites may reflect the individual's choice to dedicate herself to some aspect of the Craft. The only thing that can be said with certainty about rites of passage in Traditional Witchcraft is that they are variable, and are determined more by the specific group or individual than by a conventional structure. A solitary Traditional Witch however would create their own, or chose to ignore such rites of passage if they chose to. Freedom to do so is one of the rights of being a Witch.
Ethics
Traditional Witchcraft has neither the Wiccan Rede nor the Threefold Law, (these were included into Wicca by Gerald Gardner to ensure a defined form of moral code.) There is no morality test, only personal responsibility and honor. Also, there is no good or evil, only intent. Humans have the ability to make decisions and act on them, and they may choose and act with good or evil intentions. Traditional Witchcraft does not set out laws as to what actions and intentions are evil, but followers of this path take responsibility for their own actions. In practical terms, this means that using curses, hexes, and the like are not ruled out on principle. If provoked or threatened, the Traditional Witch may act for self-preservation or the protection of family and home. These are considered honorable acts. Yet if there are negative consequences, the Traditional Witch is willing to suffer them.
Witchcraft teaches that you should follow your heart and take responsibility for your actions. There is no good or evil. There is only the intent that one has when commiting an action. For example, a tornado, which causes a lot of destruction, is not good or evil..... It just is. Emphasis is thus placed on the intent of the action. This concept can be seen within a quote from a magical tradition that says, "The whole of the action is the sum of its consequence." Energy is not constant. In terms of returned energy, this means that the energy can have many things happen to it along the way including: deflection, absorbtion, transformation, etc.
As we do not follow a Rede, or any Law except that which is written within our own hearts, we take full responsibility for our actions. Things are brought into the perspective of survival and intent of the individual. Many Witches look at this in terms of protection of house or clan, family, and self. So, many will take action to curse or hex if they feel threatened.
The Witch's Mind
The way you perceive the world around you has a lot to do with how your life-path will travel. The Witch should always been sceptical in nature, possessing an open but critical mind. Having an open mind is truly a wonderful thing, but not if it's so open, you believe everything you hear. Gather as much information as you can, listen to everything, use the scientific methods, and then make decisions about how things are. As Witches, we should search for the connections between all things and strive for balance. This means being considerate and courteous, understanding and diplomatic. You will be silent at times, vocal at others, naturally knowing what time is best for each. There is no need to show off your talents and draw attention to yourself. Someone who strives for attention will get it, and eventually it will lead to undesirable attention from potentially dangerous persons. It is also important to realize that all paths lead to the same source, so respect all paths, even if you don't agree with them. Stand up for your beliefs, but don't belittle others for their views. Always be confident and respect your body mentally and physically, for it is your temple. Your mind and will are powerful tools, and combined with a relatively healthy body, can bring about incredible change, and really, this is all you need to "do" magic.
Attitude to Sex
To a Witch sex is sacred and special, it is not something to be shunned into a dark closet as dirty and evil, but enjoyed and revered as a blessing. Wiccan's believe that the act of sex/love making is a gift from the Goddess. Traditional Witches see it as a gift and/or blessing from nature. Many Witches use the inherent power of sex to power spells, which is one reason why Tantric Sex is widely practised by Witch couples. The magical aspects of tantric sex can be harnessed by a Witch couple working together to greatly enhance a particular spell they are casting.
The Pentagram
The Pentagram is the symbol of Witches, and many other Pagan's. It is used mainly for Protection, Healing and Magic. The Pentagram itself signifies the basic elements and spirit. From top going clockwise (deosil) they are spirit, earth, (north,) air, (east,) fire, (south) and water, (west.)
Thirteen Goals of a Witch
These are not any official instructions to being a good Witch, more suggestions, and idea's for people to follow or ignore as they see fit. As a Witch, you'll know in your heart which is right for you.
1.Know yourself.
2.Know your Craft.
3.Learn.
4.Apply knowledge with wisdom.
5.Achieve balance.
6.Keep your words in good order.
7.Keep your thoughts in good order.
8.Celebrate life.
9.Attune with the cycles of the Earth.
10.Breathe and eat correctly.
11.Excercise the body.
12.Meditate.
13.Respect nature.
Words to live by
1. It is not sufficient to say you are a "Witch" or to practice magic. You must also live as a Witch.
2. Do not look for excuses for why you cannot follow the path. Accept responsibility for your failures as well as your successes.
3. Celebrate the phases of the Moon and the changing of seasons. Do so not because it is part of a ritual calendar, but rather because these acts keep you in tune with Nature and Spirit.
4. Honour Spirit & nature, but recognise that the spirits of all entities in the Universe are equal.
5. All life is sacred; all acts are ritual. Your actions should reflect your own humanity and that of all beings.
6. Achieving balance with the Earth is essential for a magical life.
7. Responsibility toward the environment and the Earth's inhabitants should be evident in the activities of your daily life.
8. Do not take more from the Earth than you need to live. We are mere visitors here; the Earth is eternal.
9. Wealth and fame are not necessary ingredients for a magical life.
10. Know that the joy of life is a gift. Know it as a cat knows it, in his bones and blood.
11. Power is a sacred gift and must be used wisely and with humility. Pride in ones power will ultimately cause failure.
12. Power should never be used to prove your ability or in any form of competition with others.
13. Power should be used to create happiness, not sorrow.
14. Be certain of your intentions when performing any act of magic. Magic is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. The intentions of the caster determine the path it will take.
15. Act always with honour and accept responsibility for your actions. It is honourable to protect your loved ones, but be willing to accept the consequences of your actions with honour as well.
16. Words are sacred, use them wisely.
17. There is honour in truth.
18. Your word is sacred. Others must know that they can depend on you absolutely.
Traditions of Witchcraft
There are many different traditions of Witchcraft, and peoples views and beliefs can differ greatly from Traditional Witch, to Wiccan, to Eclectic. Where a Traditional Witch acknowledges no Deities, but simply believes in the male and female spiritual and sexual polarities of nature. A Wiccan incorporates the Kabbalah and Eastern practices into their tradition of Witchcraft worshipping the male and female of nature as a God and Goddess. An Eclectic Witch however chooses a pantheon of Gods and Goddesses to represent the different area's of nature and desire to worship.
Even within these three main traditions of Witchcraft there are subheading traditions, such as Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca, Dianic Wicca, etc, etc. Eclectic Witchcraft differs based on the pantheon of deities used, be they Norse, Roman, Greek, or ancient Pagan.
However they all share the same core belief, and that is that nature is sacred, and as children of nature we should learn to live within nature, and care for it as much as we are humanly possible.
The Number 13
Many people believe that the number 13 is unlucky, and especially if the 13th day of the month falls on a friday. This friday the 13th is reputed to have its origins in the arrest of the Knights Templar on October 12th and their trials and tortures on the 13th, (a friday) which were said to be so awful that the surviving Knights said that the day itself (friday 13th) was evil. 13 has had notiriety as unlucky in superstitions such as 13 people sitting at dinner. The first to rise will be the first to die.
As Witches though we know that no number in itself can be unlucky, nor any particular day. If anything the number 13 is lucky as it is the number of full moons during the year, and reverred by many Witches as a very lucky number. Something to remember the next time someone looks worried that friday the 13th is coming up soon.
Craft Names
If I become a Witch do I get to make up a craftname for myself ?? Simple answer NO !! Craftnames have absolutely nothing to do with Traditional Witchcraft, and are a Wiccan invention. Now you might ask "But isn't EchoWitch a craftname?" And the answer there again would be NO.
Some of you may want to have a craftname anyway but Trafitional Witchcraft doesn't have them, and from some of the craftnames I've seen they come across as very pretentious with everyone naming themselves after Deities, and calling themselves Lord this or Lady that. Even some Wiccans, Pagans and Druids I know feel that the idea of a craftname is daft. Nature knows who you are, not by any name but by your presence within nature. Names mean nothing to nature.