History of Wicca/Witchcraft As we all know witchcraft in itself is an extremly old religion, although Wicca (witchcraft in its modern day use) has only been around for the last 60 years or so, bought back to life by the likes of Gerald Gardener and Alex Sanders. Until 1951 many countries had laws against Masonry and Witchcraft, a holdover from earlier times. England was among them, and in that year it repealed restriction of Witchcraft. This sparked Gerald Gardener to write and publish many books on the craft and bring back to life one of the oldest religions on earth in its new form WICCA! One of his early publications 'Witchcraft Today' published in 1954 is well worth a read, and gives an insight into the world of Gardener. Since Gardener was initiated in 1939, we have had many faces in the history of wicca, some well worth researching are Alex Sanders (King of the witches), Doreen Valiente, Francis King, Louis Wilkinson (AKA Louis Marlow), Charles Cardell, Alaister Crowley and many many more. More Information on Gardener

About Me! I suppose a name may help you to start off with!! My real name is Louise, but I do go by the Wiccan name of Moonshadow or Loinaz. Well what can I say, I am Wiccan, but I do not follow a set path, I am neither Dianic, Gardenerian or Alexsandrian, I follow a path that involves parts of all the wiccan routes mixed together. Some may say that this is a little sloppy of me, however I can not say I agree with all the teachings that are going around these days. I tend to practice alone and have done so for the past 8 years. I am not going to publish any of my rituals or spells (sorry if this dissapoints) mainly because I do not want them to get into the wrong hands. I am starting to find a growing number of children dabbleing in Wicca and Paganism, and as old fashioned as it may sound, I really dont think one should start learning the craft until at least 18, mainly because there is so much developing going on, hormones etc etc, it is extremly difficult for a minor to control the effects of Magick. I do however offer advice to any youngsters facing problems due to dabbling with magick, I know it can be extremly scary when things go wrong. So should anyone want any advice they can email me at the following email address: biatch1978@hotmail.com. Aside from Wicca, I enjoy many other things, music, guitar, films, surfing, internet, drinking, clubbing, bands etc etc etc. Anyway I wont bore you with anymore information about me, as I am sure you are here to read about Wicca, and not my life!!

The Elements of Magick The "Elements" within magickal symbolism are the basic components of all that exists. These four Elements - Earth, Air, Fire and Water - are at the same time visible and invisible, physical and spiritual. From these Elements all things have been fashioned, according to magical thought. Our current scientific knowledge, which states that there are many more such "building blocks", isn't unharmonious with this statement, but is merely a more refined version. It is unwise to view the four Elements in purely physical terms. Earth, for example, refers not only to the planet on which we exist, but also to the phenomenon of Earthiness, of foundation and stability. Similarly, Fire is much more than flame. While there are many attributes to these Elements which are out of place in this chapter, a few words on each of them and why they are important in magickal workings is necessary. Since this is the magick of nature, using natural powers, tools and symbols, it is important to understand these powers. One of the ways this can be achieved is through the study of the Elements. The Elemental system was devised and refined in the Renaissance, but its roots stretch farther back into history. It can be viewed as nothing more than a convenient system of orginization for the various types of magick. Then again, it may be viewed as a very real system of powers which can be called upon to aid spells and rituals. How you view them is up to you. An understanding of them will aid your magickal work immensely. Though the Elements are described as "masculine" or "feminine", this should not be viewed in a sexist way. This, like all magickal systems, is symbolic - it describes the basic attributes of the Elements in terms easily understandable. It doesn't mean that it is more masculine to perform Fire magick, or more appropriate for women to use Water magick. It's simply a system of symbols. EARTH This is the Element we are closest to home with, since it is our home. Earth doesn't necessarily represent the physical Earth, but that part of it which is stable, solid, dependable. Earth is the foundation of the Elements, the base. It is in this realm that most of us live a good part of our lives. When we walk, sit, stand, crawl, eat, sleep, work our jobs, tend our plants, balance our checkbooks or taste salt we are working within the Element of Earth. Earth is the realm of abundance, prosperity, and wealth. While it is the most physical of the Elements this is not negative, for it is upon Earth that the other three rest. Without Earth, life as we know it could not exist. In magickal workings Earth "rules" all spells and rituals involving business, money, employment, prosperity in all its forms, stability, fertility and so on. Earth is a feminine Element. It is nurturing, moist, fruitful, and it is these qualities which make it feminine. Such attributes have impelled countless civilizations to envision the Earth as a great Mother Goddess, the all-fertile Creatress of nature. Earth rules the Northern point of the compass, because that is the place of greatest darkness and of winter. Its colour is the green of the fields and plants. It governs stone, image, tree and knot magick. AIR Air is the Element of the intellect, it is the realm of thought, which is the first step toward creation. Magickally speaking, Air is the clear, uncluttered, pure visualization which is a powerful tool for change. It is also movement, the impetus that sends the visualization out toward manifestation. It rules spells and rituals involving travel, instruction, freedom, obtaining knowledge, discovering lost items, uncovering lies, and so on. It can also be used to develope the psychic faculties. Spells involving Air usually include the act of placing an object in the Air or dropping something off the side of a mountain or other high place so that the object actually connects physically with the Element. Air is a masculine Element, being dry, expansive, and active. It is the Element that excells in places of learning, and which is at work while we theorize, think, and ponder. Air rules the East because this is the direction of the greatest light, and the light of wisdom and consciousness. Its colour is yellow, the yellow of the Sun and of the sky at dawn, and its season is spring. Air governs the magick of the four winds, most divinations, concentration and visualization magick. FIRE Fire is the Element of change, will and passion. In a sense it contains within it all forms of magick, sinse magick is a process of change. Fire magick can be frightening. The results manifest quickly and spectacularly. It is not an Element for the faint-hearted. However, it is most primal and for this reason is much used. This is the realm of sexuality and passion. It is not only the "Sacred Fire" of sex, it is also the spark of divinity which shines within us and in all living things. It is at once the most physical and spiritual of the Elements. Its magickal rituals usually involve energy, authority, sex, healing, destruction (of negative habits, disease), purification, evolution, and so on. Its magick is usually practiced near the hearth, or beside fires lit in wilderness clearings, or beside the flame of a single candle. Fire is masculine. It rules the South, the place of greatest heat, the colour red, and the season of summer. All candle magick comes under Fire's powers. WATER Water is the Element of purification, the subconscious mind, love and the emotions. Just as Water is fluid, constantly changing, flowing from one level to another, so too are our emotions in a constant state of flux. Water is the Element of absorption and germination. The subconscious is symbolized by this Element because it is rolling, always moving, like the sea which rests neither night or day. Water magick involves pleasure, friendship, marriage, fertility, happiness, healing, sleep, dreaming, psychic acts, purification, and so on. This is a feminine Element, and its colour is the blue of deep, deep Water. It rules the West and autumn months of the year, when rain showers wash the Earth. The magick of Water is wrought with mirrors, the sea, fog and rain. These, then are the four Elements. A thorough study of them can occupy a lifetime, but these are the basics.

CONTACT ME Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have, I will post them along with answers on the site as they come in. You can email me from the contact page. Email me!

YOUR COMMENTS In here I will post all your comments and questions, along with the answers, I will also email a copy to your personal email address. Blessed Be What is Witchcraft? "Witch" is a wise person. "Craft" means a method or technique. Witchcraft is the responsible study and application of the laws of Nature and the Divine therein. A full application of this craft would include not only magick, but shamanic journeying and active study of the spirit world. What is Wicca? It has evolved into a blanket term for the restructuring of the local witchcraft practices of a particular area, originating with Gerald Gardner in 1954. There was not a universal religious system for all of western Europe. Each region has their own witchcraft practices, of varying ages and origins. Though modern Wicca began in the 1950's, Wicca today is evolving into Traditions that move beyond Gardner and Valiente's original formation. It is not an original rendering of the old ways, even within fam-trads; of necessity, practices were changed, adapted and redefined under the masks of the times for reasons of survival. Though the origins are ancient, the practices have not remained unchanged. Do all Witches need to know the Tarot? No, it is not a requirement, though it is a very popular divination tool among witches. With proper study of the symbolism, it is a great resource for personality archetypes. I recommend "Secrets of the Tarot" by Barbara Walker, and "Tarot Revelations" by Richard Roberts and Joseph Campbell. What is a "handfasting?" A Wiccan or pagan wedding ceremony. A handfasting can be a legal marriage (depending on state law), or a commitment for "as long as love shall last." Many people do a handfasting for a year and a day before taking the legal step. How do you distinguish white and black magick? Magick unto itself is not "black" or "white." It is a tool by which we achieve a goal. The intent, however, can be considered as black or white dependent on whether the magick is being worked for harm or good. Two people could use the exact same rite to work magick, but if one's intention is to manipulate and the other to aid, then they have created the black/white distinction themselves. The magick itself is neutral. Is magick real? Yes. It is the responsible application of the laws of Nature to effect change. If you are looking for something that transcends those laws, this is not magick, but movie fodder. Are curses real? Yes, they can be very real depending on the circumstances. I don't believe that one can be cursed unknowingly and have it be very effective. The stronger you are in self, the more inate protection you have given yourself, and the less harm can be done to you. However, someone can use physical means against you to fulfill a curse, which means you must always be aware of the nature of whomever you deal with, and deal with all situations wisely. Can dabbling in Wiccan rituals be dangerous? Dabbling in anything can be dangerous. You have to know what the Hel you're doing before performing a ritual. If your intent is muddied by lack of understanding, the result may be totally different than what was expected. Is there such a thing as a "natural born witch?" Everyone is born with inherent psychic and related talents. Talents can be latent or exceptional from birth, but these are raw only; the techniques must be learned. A witch is someone who has learned to utilize those abilities ethically, and work with Nature's Laws. So, my answer would be no, there are no "natural-born" witches, because it's not just about having a natural skill. Persons with strong natural abilities can be of any religion; they are not necessarily destined to be witches. How do you work with a familiar? Interact with the familiar as a working companion. It has skills and knowledge in different areas than you; accept with respect what it has to offer. Your attitude will be returned in equal measure. Be polite, don't demand. Treat it as you would a friend, and remember to show your appreciation for its efforts. How do you work with a "totem animal?" Give it the same respect you would any other animal. Study and understand its nature, so you can discern nuances in behavior and interpret what is is trying to convey. Approach it with a good attitude, as the animal psyche is extremely well-attuned to negative and positive intent. Don't ask for more than the animal can give. At what point is someone who is "interested" or "looking into" the Craft considered a Witch? When they consider themselves as such; it is no one else's decision (although everyone will have plenty of opinions!). Someone is a Witch when they accept their path as a viable one for them, honor and respect Nature's laws as their guidelines for moral and ethical choices faced in life. In short, when they walk the path of a wise person. What is the difference between a "male Witch" and a "warlock?" Both male and female witches are called witches. Warlock is the word in the old Scottish language meaning "oath-breaker" or liar. If you called a male witch a warlock, it would be considered a slur.