Category: Articles
-
Scholarly Witchcraft: An Annotated Bibliography of Recommended Advanced Books
Categories: ArticlesTags: reading listsLet me preface this recommendation list by saying that it is not the be-all-and-end-all of advanced reading lists. In fact, it barely scratches the surface. It will be most relevant to Wiccans, although there are some titles that will be of interest to non-Wiccan Witches and Pagans as well. I’ve tried to give representation to…
-
Visibility and Interfaith Work as a Wiccan: How to be Taken Seriously in the Real World
Categories: ArticlesTags: priestesshoodFrom time to time, I’m asked to speak on a panel of representatives of various religions to educate students about the diversity they may encounter in their future professions. Usually, it’s me, a Catholic, a Muslim, a Jew, and an Athiest. And let me tell you, those days are the days I have the worst…
-
Esbats and Sabbats: Methods and Tools for Timing Observances
Wiccan practice is based on eight solar observances, called Sabbats and known collectively as the Wheel of the Year, and 26 lunar observances, called Esbats, each year. Some people hold very strictly to celebrating the moment, or at least the day, of the observance. Others are more relaxed about the time of the gathering, factoring…
-
The Witches’ Pyramid: The Theory of Making Magick
The Four Words of the Magus — to know, to dare, to will, to keep silence — were first written by Eliphas Levi, a 19th Century French occultist. Aleister Crowley added a fifth word later on — to go — and the basis of the Witches’ Pyramid was formed. The Witches’ Pyramid wasn’t referred to…
-
Dechristianizing Yourself: Making Peace With Unwanted Beliefs
Categories: ArticlesTags: dechristianizationPaganism is largely a religion of converts, and those converts generally come from some sect of Christianity. While it’s true that Wicca and other Pagan paths are now old enough that it’s possible for children and grandchildren to have been raised in the religion or to have come to Paganism from strong folk-religious backgrounds, that…