TYPE 4

Within this sacred circle, two main activities occur: celebration, and

the practice of magic. Celebration is most important at the major

seasonal holy days, the Sabbats. At these times, the myths of that

particular holiday are enacted in ritual drama, and dancing, singing,

feasting, and revelry are all part of the festivities. On these

occasions we celebrate our oneness with life on Earth, as well as

assimilating on the deepest level myths and archetypes which map and

assist our own life-passages. Magic is more often performed at smaller

gatherings, called Esbats, which coincide with the phases of the moon.

Types of magic practiced include psychic healing sessions, the focus and

direction of energy to achieve positive results, and work toward the

individual spiritual development of the coven members. Magic is an art

which requires adherence to certain principles, and a conscious

direction of will toward the desired end. We believe it to be an

attribute of magic that results toward which the will is directed return

to the sender threefold.Therefore, Witches are very conscientious in

their use of magic. When the celebration, teaching, or magical work is

finished, the blessing of the Goddess (and God) is called into food and

drink which are shared by all. The circle is opened, and the space is no

longer consecrated.

The Tools of a Witch

To create the circle, and in the working of magic, we use tools to

facilitate a frame of mind in which the psychic state necessary for this

kind of work can be achieved. The tools are part of a complete and self-

consistent symbolic system which is agreed upon by the participants and

provides them with a "map" for entry into unfamiliar psychic spaces.

Such a system, like a map, is arbitrary and not "true" in an absolute

sense; it is a guide to a state which is ineffable and can be most

clearly reached through the arts (poetry, music, dance, drama) and

"starlight" vision.

A primary tool, which is owned by most Witches, is an athame or ritual

knife. The athame is charged with the energy of the owner and is used as

a pointer to define space (such as casting a sacred circle) and as a

conductor of the owner's will and energy.

Other important tools are the symbols on the altar which denote the

"Aristotelian" Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water (some "maps"

include Spirit). A pentagram or pentacle (a five-pointed star sometimes

surrounded by a circle) is often used to symbolize Earth and its

properties -- stability, material wealth, the body, and practical

affairs. Alternatively, a small dish of salt or soil can be used to

symbolize the Earth Element. A thurible (or censer) or a bell can be

used to symbolize Air and its properties -- communications, vitality,

intellect and understanding(A sword or wand may be used to symbolize Air

or Fire, and many "maps" disagree on with which element the sword or

wand should be associated.) A candle or small pot of fire may

symbolize the element of Fire and its properties -- will, transmutation,

life-force, and power. A chalice of water is used to symbolize the

element of Water and its properties -- cleansing, regeneration, and

emotion. In the traditions which include the element of Spirit, an ankh

or quartz crystal is used to symbolize Spirit and its properties --

perfection, summation, balance, illumination and eternity.

There are many other minor tools which are used for some specific

purposes within magical workings, but the tools described above are the

basic ones used in the practice of Witchcraft, and many of the minor

tools are extrapolations of the basic ones (e.g. the broom of the wand,

the sword of the athame, the cauldron of the cup, etc.) Personal

Development. Since these tools are merely the conductors of personal

energies, as copper is a conductor for electrical energy, most covens

provide at least some degree of training in psychic skills and healing

practices to strengthen each member's ability to participate in the

religious activities. Each individual decides what level of such

training is useful for them. We see psychic abilities as a natural human

potential, and are dedicated to developing this as well as all of our

positive human potentials.

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