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Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com


          

                   THE

              STANDING STONES

              BOOK OF SHADOWS


                                    by Scott Cunningham













          excerpted from:
          WICCA  A Guide For The Solitary Practioner
          PP. 111 - 187
          1989, Llewellyn Publications
          ISBN 0-87542-118-0

                                                                            1011          

                                  WORDS TO THE WISE ....

                    O daughters andsons of theEarth, adore theGoddess and Godand
          be blessed with the fullness of life.

                    Know thatThey havebrought youto thesewritings, forherein lie
          our ways of the Craft, to serve and fulfill the keepers of wisdom, the
          tenders of the sacred flame of knowledge.  Run the rites with love and
          joy, and the Goddess  and God will bless  you with all that  you need.
          But those who practice dark magicks shall know Their greatest wrath.

                    Remember thatyou are ofthe Craft. No moredo you trodthe ways
          of doubt.   You walk the  path of light, ever climbing  from shadow to
          shadow to  the  highest realm  of  existence.   But  though we're  the
          bearers of  truths, others do not  wish to share our  knowledge, so we
          run our rites beneath moon filled  skies enwrapped in shadows.  But we
          are happy.

                    Live fully, forthat is the purpose of life. Refrain not from
          earthly existence.   From it  we grow to  learn and understand,  until
          such time that we are reborn to learn more, repeating this cycle 'till
          we have spiralled  up the path of perfection and  can finally call the
          Goddess and God our kin.

                    Walk the fields andforests; be refreshedby the cool windsand
          the touch of a  nodding flower.  The Moon and Sun  sing in the ancient
          wild places:   The deserted  seashore, the stark  desert, the  roaring
          waterfall.   We are  of the Earth  and should  revere Her,  so do  Her
          honor.

                    Celebratethe riteson theappropriate daysand seasons,and call
          upon the Goddess and God when the time is meet, but use the Power only
          when necessary, never  for frivolous ends.  Know that  using the Power
          for harm is a Perversion of Life itself.

                    But for those who love and magnify love, the richness oflife
          shall be your reward.  Nature will celebrate.

               So love the Goddess and God, and harm none!

                                                                            1012          


                                   THE NATURE OF OUR WAY

                    * As  often as possible, hold  the rites in  forests, by the
          seashore, on deserted mountaintops or near tranquil lakes.  If this is
          impossible, a garden  or some chamber shall suffice, if  it is readied
          with fumes of flowers.

                    *Seek outwisdom inbooks, rare manuscriptsand crypticpoems if
          you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs  and
          in the cries of wild birds.  Listen to the whisperings of the wind and
          the  roar of water if you  would discover magick, for  it is here that
          the old secrets are preserved.

                    * Books contain words;trees contain energies andwisdom books
          ne'er dreamt of.

                    *  Ever remember that the  Old Ways are constantly revealing
          themselves.  Therefore  be as the  river willow that  bends and  sways
          with  the wind.    That which  remains  changeless shall  outlive  its
          spirit, but that which evolves and grows will shine for centuries.

                    * Therecan be no monopolyon wisdom.  Thereforeshare what you
          will of our ways with  others who seek them, but hide mystic lore from
          the  eyes of those  who would destroy,  for to do  otherwise increases
          their destruction.

                    * Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say
          yours are greater in power or wisdom?

                    *Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do
          shall return to you three-fold, good or bane.

                    * Be waryof one who would dominate you,who would control and
          manipulate your  workings  and reverences.    True reverence  for  the
          Goddess  and God occurs within.  Look  with suspicion on any who would
          twist worship from you for their own gain and glory, but welcome those
          priestesses and priests who are suffused with love.

                    * Honorall living things,for we are ofthe bird, thefish, the
          bee.  Destroy not life save it be to preserve your own.

               * And this is the nature of our way.

                                                                            1013          


                                      BEFORE TIME WAS

                    Beforetime was, therewas The One;The One was all,and all was
          The One.

                    Andthe vast expanseknown asthe universewas TheOne, all-wise,
          all-pervading, all-powerful, eternally changing.

                    And space moved.  The Onemolded energy into twin forms,equal
          but opposite, fashioning the Goddess  and God from The One and  of The
          One.

                    The Goddess and God stretched and gave thanks to The One,but
          darkness surrounded them.  They were alone, solitary save for The One.

                    So They formed energy  into gasses and gasses into  suns and
          planets and moons;  They sprinkled the  universe with whirling  globes
          and so all was given shape by the hands of the Goddess and God.

                    Light aroseand the sky wasilluminated by a billionsuns.  And
          the Goddess and God, satisfied by their works, rejoiced and loved, and
          were one.

                    From theirunion sprang the seedsof all life, andof the human
          race, so that we might achieve incarnation upon the Earth.

                    TheGoddess chose theMoon as Hersymbol, and theGod the Sun as
          His symbol, to remind the inhabitants of Earth of their fashioners.

                    All areborn, live, dieand are rebornbeneath the Sunand Moon;
          all things come  to pass thereunder, and all occurs with the blessings
          of The One, as has been the way of existence before time was.

                                                                            1014          


                                    SONG OF THE GODDESS

                    I am the GreatMother, worshipped by all creationand existent
          prior to their consciousness.  I am the primal female force, boundless
          and eternal.

                    I am thechaste Goddessof the Moon,the Lady ofall magick. The
          winds and moving leaves sing  my name.  I wear the  crescent Moon upon
          my brow and my feet rest among the starry heavens.  I am mysteries yet
          unsolved, a path  newly set upon.  I am a field untouched by the plow.
          Rejoice in me and know the fullness of youth.

                    I amthe blessed Mother,the gracious Lady ofthe harvest. I am
          clothed with the  deep, cool wonder of the  Earth and the gold  of the
          fields heavy with grain.  By me the tides  of the Earth are ruled; all
          things  come to  fruition according  to my  reason.   I am  refuge and
          healing.  I am the life-giving Mother, wondrously fertile.

                    Worship me as theCrone, tender of the unbrokencycle of death
          and rebirth.   I am the  wheel, the shadow  of the Moon.   I rule  the
          tides of  women and men and  give release and renewal  to weary souls.
          Though the darkness  of death  is my domain,  the joy  of birth is  my
          gift.

                    I amthe Goddess of theMoon, the Earth,the Seas.  Mynames and
          strengths are  manifold.   I pour  forth magick  and power, peace  and
          wisdom.    I am  the  eternal  Maiden, Mother  of  all,  and Crone  of
          darkness, and I send you blessings of limitless love.



                                      CALL OF THE GOD

                    I am the radiant King of the Heavens, floodingthe Earth with
          warmth and encouraging the hidden seed of creation to burst forth into
          manifestation.   I lift  my shining  spear to light  the lives  of all
          beings and  daily pour forth my gold upon the Earth, putting to flight
          the powers of darkness.

                    I am the master of the beasts wild and free.  I run with the
          swift stag  and soar as  a sacred falcon  against the shimmering  sky.
          The ancient woods and wild places  emanate my powers, and the birds of
          the air sing of my sanctity.

                    I amalso the lastharvest, offering upgrain andfruits beneath
          the sickle of time so that all may be nourished.  For without planting
          there can be no harvest; without winter, no spring.

                    Worshipme as the thousand-namedSun of creation,the spirit of
          the horned stag in the wild, the  endless harvest.  See in the  yearly
          cycle of festivals my birth, death and rebirth - and know that such is
          the destiny of all creation.

                    I am the sparkof life, the radiantSun, the giver of peaceand
          rest,  and  I  send  my  rays of  blessings  to  warm  the  hearts and
          strengthen the minds of all.

                                                                            1015          

                                   THE CIRCLE OF STONES

                    The Circle of stonesis used during indoor rituals,for energy
          raising, meditation and so on.

               First cleanse the area with the ritual broom.

                    For this circle you willneed four large, flat stones. If you
          have none, candles can be used to mark the four cardinal points of the
          circle.  White or purple candles can be used, as can colors related to
          each direction - green for  the North, yellow for East, red  for South
          and blue for West.

                    Placethe first stone(or candle) tothe North, torepresent the
          Spirit of  the North Stone. In  ritual when you invoke  the Spirits of
          the  Stones  you're  actually  invoking  all  that  resides   in  that
          particular direction, including the elemental energies.

                    After setting theNorth Stone(or candle), placethe East,South
          and  West  Stones.   They  should  mark  out  a rough  square,  nearly
          encompassing the working  area.  This  square represents the  physical
          plane on which we exist - the Earth.

                    Nowtake a long purpleor white cordand lay it outin a circle,
          using  the four  stones or candles  to guide you.   It takes  a bit of
          practice to smoothly do this.   The cord should be placed so  that the
          stones remain inside the circle.  Now  you have a square and a circle,
          the circle  representing the spiritual  reality.   As such, this  is a
          squared circle;  the  place of  interpenetration of  the physical  and
          spiritual realms.

                    The  size of the  circle can be  anything from 5  to 20 feet
          depending on the room and your desires.
               Next, set up the altar.  The following tools are recommended:

               * A Goddess symbol (candle, holed stone, statue)
               * A God symbol (candle, horn, acorn, statue)
               * Athame 
               * Wand
               * Censer
               * Pentacle
               * A bowl of Water (spring, rain or tap)
               * A bowl of Sea Salt (it can also be placed on the pentacle)
               * Incense
               * Flowers and greens
               * One red candle in holder (if not using point candles)
                    * Anyother tools ormaterials requiredfor the ritual,spell or
               magickal working

                    Set upthe altar accordingto theplan shown hereor accordingto
          your own design.  Also be sure to have plenty of matches, as well as a
          small  heat-proof  container in  which  to place  them  when used.   A
          charcoal block is also necessary to burn the incense.

                                                                            1016          


               Goddess                                                  God
               Symbol or                                              Symbol or
                Candle                                                 Candle  

                                          Censer


               Bowl of                     Red                        Bowl of
                Water                     Candle                        Salt


                                         Pentacle

                 Cup                                                  Incense


                                         Cauldron,
                                         or Spell
               Wand                      Materials                      Knife


               Bell                                                    Boline

                                  Suggested Altar Layout


                    Light thecandles. Set theincense smoking. Lift theathame and
          touch its blade to the water, saying:

               I consecrate and cleanse this water
               that it may be purified and fit to
               dwell within the sacred Circle of Stones.
               In the name of the Mother Goddess and Father          God,
               I consecrate this water.

                    As  you do  this, visualize  your athame  blasting away  all
          negativity from the water.
                    The salt is next touched with  the point of the athame while
          saying:

               I bless this salt that it may be fit
               to dwell within the sacred Circle of Stones.
               In the name of the Mother Goddess and Father          God,
               I bless this salt.

                    Now stand facing North,at the edge of thecord-marked circle.
          Hold your athame point outward at waist level.  Walk slowly around the
          circle's perimeter clockwise, your feet just inside the cord, charging
          it  with your  words and  energy.   Create the  circle -  through your
          visualization - with the  power flowing out from your  athame's blade.
          As you walk,  stretch the energy out until it  forms a complete sphere
          around the working area, half above the ground, half below.  As you do
          this say:

               Here is the boundary of the Circle of Stones.
               Naught but love shall enter in,
               Naught but love shall emerge from within.
               Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!

                                                                            1017               

                    When youhave arrived backat the North,place the athameon the
          altar.   Take up the salt and sprinkle it around the circle, beginning
          and ending  in  the North,  and  moving clockwise.    Next, carry  the
          smoking censer from the  altar, and finally sprinkle water  around the
          circle.    Do more  than carrying  and  walking; sense  the substances
          purifying the circle.  The Circle of Stones is now sealed.

                    Holdaloft the wand atthe North, atthe edge ofthe circle, and
          say:

               O Spirit of the North Stone,
               Ancient One of the Earth,
               I call You to attend this circle.
               Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!

                    As yousay this,visualize agreenish mistrising and writhingin
          the Northern quarter, over the stone.  This is the elemental energy of
          the Earth. When  the Spirit is  present, lower the  wand, move to  the
          East, raise it again and say:

               O Spirit of the East Stone,
               Ancient One of Air,
               I call You to attend this circle.
               Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!

                    Visualize theyellowish mistof Airenergy.  Lowerthe wand,move
          to  the  South  and repeat  the  following  with  your upraised  wand,
          visualizing a crimson Fire mist:

               O Spirit of the South Stone,
               Ancient One of Fire,
               I call You to attend this circle.
               Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!

               Finally, to the West, say with the wand held aloft:

               O Spirit of the West Stone,
               Ancient One of Water,
               I call You to attend this circle.
               Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!

               Visualize the bluish mist, the essence of Water.
                    The circle breaths and lives around you.  The Spirits of the
          Stones are present.  Feel the  energies.  Visualize the circle glowing
          and growing in power.  Stand still, sensing for a moment.

                    The Circleof Stones is complete.  The Goddess and God may be
          called, and magick wrought.

                                                                            1018          

                                     CUTTING A DOORWAY

                    At times you may have to leave the circle.  This is fine, of
          course,  but  as  previously  mentioned, passing  through  the  circle
          dissipates it.  To prevent this from occurring it's traditional to cut
          a doorway.

                    Todo this,face Northeast. Hold yourathame pointdownward near
          the ground.  See and sense the circle before  you.  Pierce its wall of
          energy with  the athame  and trace  an archway,  tall  enough to  walk
          through,  moving counter-clockwise  along the  circle for  about three
          feet.  Move the  point of the athame up at the  arch's center and down
          the other side until it is near the ground.

                    As you're doingthis, visualizethat area ofthe circle'senergy
          being sucked  back into  the athame.   This  creates a void,  allowing
          passage in and out of the circle.  Pull the athame out of the circle's
          wall.  You're free to walk outside.

                    Onceback inside, close the door by placing the athame at the
          lower North-Eastern point  of the archway.  With your athame trace the
          circle's perimeter  clockwise, as  if redrawing  that  portion of  the
          Circle  of Stones, again visualizing blue or purple energy flaring out
          from the  blade and converging  with the rest  of the  circle.  It  is
          done.



                                   RELEASING THE CIRCLE

               Once the rite is ended, face North, hold aloft the wand and say:

               Farewell, Spirit of the North Stone.
               I give thanks for your presence here.
               Go in power.

                    Repeat  this  same formula  to  the  East, South  and  West,
          substituting the proper direction  in the words.   Then return to  the
          North and hold the wand aloft for a few moments.

                    Lay the wandon the altar. Take up theathame.  Standingin the
          North,  pierce the circle's wall with the  blade at waist level.  Move
          clockwise around the circle, visualizing it's power being  sucked back
          into the  athame.  Literally pull  it back into the  blade and handle.
          Sense  the  circle dissolving,  shrinking;  the  outside world  slowly
          regaining its dominance in the area.

               When you arrive at the North again, the circle is no more.

                                                                            1019          

                          VISUALIZATIONS FOR THE CIRCLE OF STONES

                    If  you wish, you  can back up  the circle casting  with the
          following visualizations as you form the circle itself:
                    Prepare asusual.  Approachthe Northand set theNorth Stone(or
          the candle)  on the  ground.   Then, visualize  a stone  slab standing
          upright two feet to the left of and behind the North Stone.  Visualize
          this as  being bluish-grey, two feet wide, two feet thick and six feet
          tall.  This stone represents the Goddess.

                    When thestone is really there- in your visualization- create
          another stone of the same size and  color two feet to the right of and
          behind the North Stone.  This represents the God.

                    Now visualize a capstone  resting on top of the  two upright
          stones.   It  is about  two  feet  by two  feet  by six  feet.    This
          represents The One before the Goddess and God, the source of all power
          and magick.  The Northern Trilithon is now complete.

                    Thestones form anarchway, a symbolof the gatewayto the realm
          of the element of Earth.

                    Firmlyvisualize this, then gazethrough the archformed by the
          stones.  See the greenish haze of the Earth energy.

                    Repeat the  entire procedure  to the East,  South and  West.
          Visualize the appropriate elemental color within each trilithon.

                    Now purify salt and water,cast the circle as usual, andcarry
          around the salt, censer, candle and water.

                    As youapproach each quarterto callits Spirit ofthe Stone,see
          the  trilithon firmly  in your mind.   Visualize  it in  all its Pagan
          splendor.  See the  elemental hazes within them, boiling  and writhing
          in  unmanifestedness.   Stretch  out  with  your  feelings; sense  the
          arrival of the spirit of each stone, then go on to the next.

                    With practice this comes easily, but such visualizations are
          never necessary.



          THE BLESSING CHANT

          The Blessing Chant can be said at  the beginning of any type of ritual
          as a general invocation.  Separate invocations of the  Goddess and God
          may follow.

               May the powers of The One,
               the source of all creation;
               all-pervasive, omnipotent, eternal;
               may the Goddess,
               the Lady of the Moon;
               and the God,
               Horned Hunter of the Sun;
               may the powers of the Spirits of the Stones,
               rulers of the elemental realms;
               may the powers of the stars above and the Earth below,
               bless this place, and this time, and I who am         with you.

                                                                            1020          

          THE SIMPLE FEAST

                    Hold up a Chalice of wine (or some other liquid) betweenyour
          hands to the sky, and say:

               Gracious Goddess of Abundance,
               Bless this wine and infuse it with your              love.
               In your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
               I bless this wine (or brew, juice, etc.).

                    Hold upa plate ofcakes (bread,biscuits) with bothhands tothe
          sky and say:

               Powerful God of the Harvest,
               Bless these cakes and infuse them with your           love.
               In your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
               I bless these cakes (or this bread).



          CONSECRATION OF TOOLS

                    Lightthe candles. Set the incensesmoking.  Castthe Circle of
          Stones.  Place the tool on the pentacle, or a plate of salt.  Touch it
          with the point of your athame (or your projective hand) and say:

                    Iconsecrate you, O Athame of steel(or wand of wood, etc.) to
          cleanse and purify  you to serve me within  the Circle of Stones.   In
          the names of the Mother Goddess and Father God, you are consecrated.

                    Send projective  energy into the  tool, cleansing it  of all
          negativity and past  associations.  Now pick  it up and  sprinkle with
          salt, pass it through the incense  smoke, through the candle flame and
          sprinkle  with  water,  calling upon  the  Spirits  of  the Stones  to
          consecrate it.

               Then hold the tool to the sky, saying:

                    I charge youby the OldOnes: By theomnipotent Goddess andGod:
          By the virtues of the Sun, Moon and Stars: By the powers of the Earth,
          Air,  Fire and Water,  that I shall  obtain all that  I desire through
          you.  Charge this by your power, Old Ones!

                    The toolshould immediately beput touse to strengthenand bind
          the consecration.  For  example, the athame can be used  to consecrate
          another  tool; a wand to invoke the Goddess;  the pentacle to act as a
          resting place for a tool during its consecration.

                                                                            1021          

          THE FULL MOON RITE

                    Perform this at night,in the view ofthe Moon if possible. It
          is appropriate  for crescents, white  flowers, silver and  other lunar
          symbols  to  be present  on the  altar for  this  ritual.   The quartz
          crystal sphere can be placed on the altar as well.  Or, if you prefer,
          use the cauldron (or a small  white or silver bowl) filled with water.
          Place a piece of silver into the water.

                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones.

                    Stand beforethe altar andinvoke the Goddess andGod, with the
          Blessing Chant and/or  any other invocations (see  Prayers, Chants and
          Invocations in this Book of Shadows).

                    Now gaze at the Moon, ifpossible.  Feel its energies sinking
          into  your body.  Feel its cool Goddess energy wash you with power and
          love.
               Now say these or similar words:

               Wondrous Lady of the Moon
               You who greets the dusk with silvered kisses;
               Mistress of the night and of all magicks,
               who rides the clouds in blackened skies
               and spills light upon the cold Earth;
               O Lunar Goddess,
               Crescented-One,
               Shadow maker and shadow breaker;
               Revealer of mysteries past and present;
               Puller of seas and ruler of women;
               All-wise Lunar Mother,
               I greet your celestial jewel
               at the waxing of its powers
               With a rite in Your honor.
               I pray by the Moon,
               I pray by the Moon,
               I pray by the Moon.

                    Continue chanting"I pray bythe Moon"  foras long asyou will.
          Visualize  the Goddess  if you so  desire, perhaps  as a  tall, robust
          woman  wearing silver jewelry and white, rippling, draped clothing.  A
          crescent  Moon may  rest upon  Her  brow, or  She may  toss a  glowing
          silvery white orb in Her  hands.  She treads the starfield  of eternal
          night  in  an eternal  round with  Her lover,  the Sun  God, spreading
          moonrays wherever  She goes.   Her eyes laugh,  Her skin is  white and
          translucent. She glows.

                    Nowis the timefor magick ofall types, forthe full ofthe Moon
          marks the  height of its powers, and all positive spells cast then are
          powerful.

                    FullMoons arealso excellenttimesfor meditation,mirror magick
          and  psychic workings, for such  are often more  successful within the
          circle.    Crystal-scrying  is  particularly  recommended;  flood  the
          crystal with  moonlight prior to the  ritual.  If you  have no crystal
          sphere, use  the cauldron filled  with water and the  piece of silver.
          Gaze at the  water (or at the  Moon glinting on the  silver) to awaken
          your psychic awareness.

                                                                            1022               

                    Lunar  liquids such as lemonade,  milk or white  wine can be
          consumed during the  simple feast  that follows.   Crescent cakes  are
          traditional as well.
               Thank the Goddess and God and release the circle.  It is done.

          YULE (circa December 21) 

                    Thealtar isadorned withevergreens suchas pine,rosemary, bay,
          juniper and cedar,  and the  same can be  laid to mark  the Circle  of
          Stones.  Dried leaves can also be placed on the altar. 

                    The cauldron, resting onthe altar on a heat-proofsurface (or
          placed before it if too large), should be filled with ignitable spirit
          (alcohol), or a red candle can be placed within it.  At outdoor rites,
          lay a fire within the cauldron to be lit during ritual. 

                    Arrange the altar, lightthe candles and incense, andcast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 
                    Stand before the cauldron  and gaze within it. Say  these or
          similar words: 
           
               I sorrow not, 
                  though the world is wrapped in sleep. 
               I sorrow not, 
                  though the icy winds blast. 
               I sorrow not, 
                  though the snow falls hard and deep. 
               I sorrow not, 
                  this too shall soon be past. 
           
                    Ignitethe cauldron (or candle),using long matchesor a taper.
          As the flame(s) leap up say: 
           
               I light this fire in Your honor, 
                  Mother Goddess 
               You have created life from death; 
                  warmth from cold; 
                  The Sun lives once again; 
                  the time of light is waxing. 
               Welcome, 
                  ever-returning God of the Sun! 
               Hail Mother of All! 
           
                    Circle the altar andcauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the
          flames.  Say the following chant for some time: 
           
               The wheel turns; the power burns. 
           
                    Meditate upon the Sun,on the hidden energies lyingdormant in
          winter, not  only in the Earth  but within ourselves.   Think of birth
          not as the start  of life but as its continuance.   Welcome the return
          of the God. 

                                                                            1023               

                    After a time cease and stand once again before the altar and
          flaming caldron.  Say: 
           
               Great God of the Sun, 
                  I welcome Your return. 
               May You shine brightly upon the Goddess; 
                  may You shine brightly upon the Earth, 
                  scattering seeds and fertilizing the land. 
               All blessings upon You, 
                  reborn One of the Sun! 
           
               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released.  
          YULE LORE 
           
                    Onetraditional Yuletidepractice isthe creationof aYule tree.
          This  can be a living,  potted tree which can later  be planter in the
          ground, or a cut one.  The choice is yours. 

                    Appropriate Pagandecorations are fun to make,from strings of
          dried rosebuds  and cinnamon sticks  (or popcorn and  cranberries) for
          garlands,  to  bags of  fragrant spices  which  are hung  from boughs.
          Quartz  crystals can  be wrapped  with shiny  wire and  suspended from
          sturdy  branches to  resemble  icicles.   Apples,  oranges and  lemons
          hanging from boughs are strikingly beautiful, natural decorations, and
          were customary in ancient times. 

                    Many enjoy the custom of  lighting the Yule log.  This  is a
          graphic representation of  the rebirth  of the God  within the  sacred
          fire of  the Mother  Goddess.   If you choose  to burn  one, select  a
          proper log (traditionally of oak or pine).  Carve or chalk a figure of
          the Sun (such as a rayed disc) or the God (a horned circle or a figure
          of a man) upon it, with the Boline, and set it alight in the fireplace
          at dusk on Yule.   As the log burns, visualize the  Sun shining within
          it and think of the coming warmer days. 

                    As to food, nuts,  fruits such as apples and pears, cakes of
          caraways  soaked   in  cider,  and  (for   non-vegetarians)  pork  are
          traditional fare.  Wassail, lambswool, hibiscus or ginger tea and fine
          drinks for the Simple Feast or Yule Meals. 
           
           
           

                                                                            1024          

          IMBOLC (February 2) 

                    Asymbol ofthe season, suchas arepresentation ofa snow flake,
          a white  flower, or perhaps  some snow in  a crystal container  can be
          placed  on the altar.  An orange  candle anointed with musk, cinnamon,
          frankincense or rosemary  oil, unlit, should also be there.   Snow can
          be melted and used for the water during the circle casting. 

                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 
               Say such words as the following: 
           
               This is the time of the feast of torches, 
                  when every lamp blazes and shines 
                  to welcome the rebirth of the God. 
               I celebrate the Goddess, 
                  I celebrate the God; 
                  all Earth celebrates 
                  Beneath its mantle of sleep. 
           
                    Light the orange taper fromthe red candle on the altar(or at
          the Southern point of the circle).  Slowly walk  the circle clockwise,
          bearing the candle before you.  Say these or similar words: 
           
               All the land is wrapped in winter. 
               The air is chilled and frost envelops the Earth. 
               But Lord of the Sun, 
                  Horned One of animals and wild places, 
                  unseen you have been reborn of the gracious Mother Goddess, 
               Lady of all fertility. 
               Hail Great God! 
               Hail and welcome! 
           
                    Stop before the altar, holding aloft the candle.  Gaze atits
          flame.  Visualize  your life blossoming with  creativity, with renewed
          energy and strength. 

                    If you need to look into the future or past, now is an ideal
          time. 
               Works of magic, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           IMBOLC LORE 
           
                    It istraditional uponImbolc, atsunset or justafter ritual,to
          light every lamp in the house - if only for a few moments.   Or, light
          candles in  each room  in honor  of the  Sun's rebirth.   Alternately,
          light a kerosene lamp with a red chimney and place this in a prominent
          part of the home or in a window. 

                    If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment,
          recalling the warmth  of summer.  With your projective  hand, trace an
          image of the Sun on the snow. 

                                                                            1025               

                    Foods  appropriate to eat on this day include those from the
          dairy, since Imbolc marks the festival of calving.   Sour cream dishes
          are fine.  Spicy and full-bodied foods in honor of the Sun are equally
          attuned.  Curries  and all  dishes made with  peppers, onions,  leeks,
          shallots, garlic or chives  are appropriate.  Spiced wines  and dishes
          containing  raisins  - all  foods  symbolic  of  the  Sun -  are  also
          traditional. 
          OSTARA (circa March 21) 
           
                    Flowersshould belaid onthe altar,placed around thecircle and
          strewn on  the ground.  The  cauldron can be filled  with spring water
          and flowers,  and buds and  blossoms may  be worn  as well.   A  small
          potted plant should be placed on the altar. 

                    Arrange the altar, lightthe candles and incense, andcast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God in whatever words please you. 
               Stand before the altar and gaze upon the plant as you say: 
           
               O Great Goddess, 
                  you have freed yourself from the icy prison of winter. 
               Now is the greening, 
                  when the fragrance of flowers drifts on the breeze. 
               This is the  beginning. 
               Life renews itself by Your magick, 
                  the Earth Goddess. 
               The God stretches and rises, 
                 eager in His youth, 
                 and bursting with the promise of summer. 
           
                    Touch theplant. Connect with itsenergies and, throughit, all
          nature.  Travel inside its leaves and stems through your visualization
          -  from  the center  of your  consciousness out  through your  arm and
          fingers and  into the plant  itself.  Explore its  inner nature; sense
          the miraculous processes of life at work within it. 

               After a time, still touching the plant, say: 
           
               I walk the Earth in friendship, 
                  not in dominance. 
               Mother Goddess and Father God, 
                          instillwithinme throughthis plantawarmth forall living
          things. 
               Teach me to revere the Earth and all its treasures. 
               May I never forget. 
           
                    Meditate uponthe changing of theseasons.  Feelthe rousing of
          energies around you in the Earth. 
               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           
           

                                                                            1026          

          EOSTRA LORE 
           
                    A traditional VernalEquinox pastime:go to afield andrandomly
          collect  wildflowers [Thank  the  flowers for  their sacrifice  before
          picking them, using a collection  formula such as can be found  in "An
          Herbal Grimoire" elsewhere in this Book of Shadows].  Or buy some from
          a  florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you.  Then bring
          them home and divine their magickal meanings by the use of books, your
          own intuition,  a pendulum  or by  other  means.   The flowers  you've
          chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions. 

                    It isimportant at thistime ofrenewed life toplan a walk(or a
          ride)  through gardens,  a  park, woodlands,  forest  and other  green
          places.  This  is not simply exercise,  and you should be  on no other
          mission.  It  isn't even just  an appreciation of  nature.  Make  your
          walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself. 

                    Other traditionalactivities include plantingseeds, workingon
          magickal gardens and  practicing all  forms of herb  work -  magickal,
          medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic. 

                    Foods intune with thisday (linkingyour meals withthe seasons
          is a  fine way of attuning  with nature) include those  made of seeds,
          such as  sunflower, pumpkin and  sesame seeds, as  well as  pine nuts.
          Sprouts  are  equally appropriate,  as  are  leafy, green  vegetables.
          Flower dishes such  as stuffed nasturtiums or carnation  cupcakes also
          find  their place here. [Find a book  of flower cooking or simply make
          spice cupcakes.   Ice with pink  frosting and place a  fresh carnation
          petal on each cupcake.  Stuff nasturtium blossoms  with a mixture made
          with cream cheese, chopped nuts, chives and watercress.] 
           
           
           
          BELTANE (April 30) 
           
                    If possible,celebrate Beltanein a forestor neara livingtree.
          If  this  is  impossible,  bring  a  small  tree  within  the  circle,
          preferably potted; it can be of any type. 

                    Create a small token or charm in honor of the wedding of the
          Goddess and  God to hang upon the  tree.  You can  make several if you
          desire.   These  tokens  can be  bags  filled with  fragrant  flowers,
          strings of  beads, carvings, flower  garlands - whatever  your talents
          and imagination can conjure. 

                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 
               Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised: 
           
               O Mother Goddess, 
                  Queen of the night and of the Earth; 
               O Father God, 
                  King of the day and of the forest, 
                          IcelebrateYour unionas naturerejoicesin ariotous blaze
          of color and life. 
               Accept my gift, 
                  Mother Goddess and Father God, 
                  in honor of Your union. 

                                                                            1027          

           
               Place the token(s) on the tree. 
           
               From Your mating shall spring forth life anew; 
                  a profusion of living creatures shall cover the lands, 
                  and the winds will blow pure and sweet. 
               O Ancient Ones, 
                  I celebrate with You! 
           
               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           
          BELTANE LORE 
           
                    Weavingand plaiting are traditionalarts at thistime of year,
          for the joining together  of two substances to form a third  is in the
          spirit of Beltane. 

                    Foods traditionally come from the dairy, and dishes such  as
          marigold custard (see recipes - food)  and vanilla ice cream are fine.
          Oatmeal cakes are also appropriate. 
           
           
           
          MIDSUMMER (circa June 21) 
           
                    Before the rite, make upa small cloth pouch filled withherbs
          such as  lavender, chamomile, St. John's Wort,  vervain, or any of the
          Midsummer herbs listed  in "An  Herbal Grimoire."   Mentally pour  all
          your troubles,  problems, pains, sorrows  and illnesses, if  any, into
          this petition as  you construct it.   Tie it  shut with a red  string.
          Place this on  the altar for use during the rite.  The cauldron should
          also  be  there or  nearby.   Even  if  you  use candles  to  mark the
          quarters, the red candle in a holder should also be on the altar.  For
          outdoor rituals,  light a fire  - however small  - and drop  the pouch
          into this. 

                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 
               Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised: 
           
               I celebrate the noon of summer with mystic rites. 
               O great Goddess and God, 
                          allnaturevibrateswith YourenergiesandtheEarth isbathed
          with warmth and life. 
               Now is the time of forgetting past cares and banes; 
                  O fiery Sun, 
                  burn away the unuseful, 
                  the hurtful, 
                  the bane, 
                  in Your omnipotent power. 
               Purify me! 
               Purify me! 
               Purify me! 
           

                                                                            1028               

                    Lay thewand onthe altar. Take up theherbal petitionand light
          it in the red candle on the altar (or, if outdoors, the ritual fire). 
          When it is burning drop it into the cauldron (or some other heat-proof
          container) and say: 
           
           
               I banish you by the powers of the Goddess and         God! 
               I banish you by the powers of the Sun, 
                  Moon and Stars! 
               I banish you by the powers of the Earth, 
                  Air, 
                  Fire and Water! 
           
                    Pause,seeing thehurts andpains burninginto nothingness. Then
          say: 
           
               O Gracious Goddess, 
                  O Gracious God, 
                          onthis night of Midsummermagick I pray        that You
          charge my life with wonder and            joy. 

                    Help me in attuning with the energies adrift          on the
          enchanted night air. 
               I give thanks. 
           
                    Reflect  upon the purification you have undergone.  Feel the
          powers  of nature flowing through  you, washing you  clean with divine
          energy. 

               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           
           
          MIDSUMMER LORE 
           
                    Midsummeris practically theclassic time toperform magicks of
          all  kinds.   Healings,  love  magick and  protections  are especially
          suitable.    Herbs  can  be  dried  over  the ritual  fire  if  you're
          celebrating  outdoors.   Leap the  fire for  purification and  renewed
          energy. 

               Fresh fruits are standard fare for Midsummer. 
           
           
           

                                                                            1029          

          LUGHNASADH (August 1) 
           
                    Placeupon the altarsheaves of wheat,barley or oats,fruit and
          breads, perhaps a  loaf fashioned in the figure of the Sun or a man to
          represent the  God.   Corn dollies,  symbolic of  the Goddess, can  be
          present there as well. 
                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 
                    Stand before the altar, holding aloft the  sheaves of grain,
          saying these or similar words: 
           
               Now is the time of the First Harvest, 
                          when thebounties ofnaturegive ofthemselvesso thatwemay
          survive. 
               O God of the ripening fields, 
                  Lord of the Grain, 
                          grant methe understanding ofsacrifice as Youprepare to
          deliver Yourself under the sickle of the Goddess and journey to the   
                lands of eternal summer. 
               O Goddess of the Dark Moon, 
                          teachmethe secretsofrebirth asthe Sunlosesits strength
          and the nights grow cold. 
           
                    Rub theheads of the wheatwith your fingers sothat the grains
          fall onto the altar.  Lift a piece of fruit and  bite it, savoring its
          flavour, and say: 
           
               I partake of the first harvest, 
                          mixing itsenergieswithmine thatImay continuemyquestfor
          the starry wisdom of perfection. 
               O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun, 
                  gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses, 
                  I offer my thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth. 
                    May the nodding grain  loose its seeds  to be buried in  the
          Mother's breast, 
                  ensuring rebirth in the warmth of the coming Spring. 
           
               Consume the rest of the fruit. 
           
               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           
           

                                                                            1030          

          LUGHNASADH LORE 
           
                    It is appropriate toplant the seedsfrom the fruit consumedin
          ritual.  If they sprout, grow the  plant with love and as a symbol  of
          your connection with the Goddess and God. 

                    Wheat  weaving (the  making  of corn  dollies,  etc.) is  an
          appropriate  activity for  Lughnasadh.   Visits  to fields,  orchards,
          lakes and wells are also traditional. 

                    The foods of Lughnasadh  include bread, blackberries and all
          berries,  acorns (leached  of their poisons  first), crab  apples, all
          grains and locally ripe produce.  A cake is sometimes baked, and cider
          is used in place of wine. 

                    If youdo make afigure of theGod from bread,it can beused for
          the Simple Feast. 
           
          MABON (circa September 21) 
           
                    Decorate the altar with acorns, oak sprigs, pine and cypress
          cones, ears  of corn, wheat  stalks and other  fruits and nuts.   Also
          place there a small rustic basket filled  with dried leaves of various
          colors and kinds. 

                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 
                    Standbefore the altar, holdingaloft the basketof leaves, and
          slowly  scatter them  so that  they cascade to  the ground  within the
          circle.  Say such words as these: 
           
               Leaves fall, 
                  the days grow cold. 
               The Goddess pulls Her mantle of the Earth around Her as You, 
                  O Great Sun God, 
                  sail toward the West to the lands of 
                  Eternal Enchantment., 
                  wrapped in the coolness of night. 
               Fruits ripen, 
                  seeds drop, 
                  the hours of day and night are balanced. 
               Chill winds blow in from the North wailing laments. 
               In this seeming extinction of nature's power, 
                  O Blessed Goddess, 
                  I know that life continues. 
               For spring is impossible without the second harvest, 
                  as surely as life is impossible without death. 
               Blessings upon You, 
                  O Fallen God, 
                  as You journey into the lands of winter 
                  and into the Goddess' loving arms. 
           

                                                                            1031          

               Place the basket down and say: 
            
               O Gracious Goddess of all fertility, 
                          Ihave sownandreapedthe fruitsofmy actions,goodandbane.
                    Grantme the courageto plantseeds of joyand lovein the coming
          year, 
                  banishing misery and hate. 
               Teach me the secrets of wise existence upon this planet, 
                  O Luminous One of the Night! 
           
               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           
          MABON LORE 
           
                    A  traditional practice is to  walk wild places and forests,
          gathering seed  pods and dried  plants. Some of  these can be  used to
          decorate the home; others saved for future herbal magick. 

                    The foods ofMabon consistof the secondharvest's gleanings,so
          grains, fruit and vegetables predominate, especially corn.  Corn bread
          is traditional fare, as are beans and baked squash. 
           
           
           

                                                                            1032          

          Samhain (October 31) 
           
                    Placeupon thealtarapples, pomegranates,pumpkins, squashesand
          other  late autumn  fruits.   Autumn  flowers  such as  marigolds  and
          chrysanthemums are fine too.   Write on a piece of paper  an aspect of
          your life which  you may wish to  be free of; anger,  a baneful habit,
          misplaced feelings, disease.   The cauldron or some similar  tool must
          be present  before  the altar  as  well, on  a  trivet or  some  other
          heat-proof  surface (if the legs  aren't long enough).   A small, flat
          dish  marked with an eight-spoked  wheel symbol should  also be there.
          [This is just  what it sounds like. On  a flat plate or dish,  paint a
          large circle.  Put a dot in  the center of this circle and paint eight
          spokes radiating  out from the  dot to the  larger circle.   Thus, you
          have  a  wheel  symbol  -  a  symbol  of  the  Sabbats,  a  symbol  of
          timelessness.] 

                    Prior toritual, sit quietlyand thinkof friends andloved ones
          who have passed away.  Do not despair.  Know that they have gone on to
          greater things.   Keep  firmly  in mind  that the  physical isn't  the
          absolute reality, and souls never die. 

                    Arrangethe altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the
          Circle of Stones. 
               Recite the Blessing Chant. 
               Invoke the Goddess and God. 

                    Lift one  of the pomegranates and,  with your freshly-washed
          Boline, pierce the skin of the  fruit.  Remove several seeds and place
          them on the wheel-marked dish. 
               Raise your wand, face the altar and say: 
           
               On this night of Samhain I mark Your passing, 
                  O Sun King, 
                  through the sunset into the Land of the            Young. 
               I mark also the passing of all who have gone          before, 
                  and all who will go after. 
               O Gracious Goddess, 
                  Eternal Mother, 
                  You who gives birth to the fallen, 
                          teach meto know that inthe time of the        greatest
          darkness there is the greatest            light. 
           
                    Taste the pomegranate seeds; burst them with your  teeth and
          savour   their  sharp,  bittersweet   flavour.    Look   down  as  the
          eight-spoked symbol on the plate; the Wheel of the Year,  the Cycle of
          the Seasons, the End and Beginning of all Creation. 

                    Light a firewithin the cauldron(a candle isfine).  Sitbefore
          it, holding the piece of paper, gazing at its flames.  Say: 
           
               Wise One of the Waning Moon, 
                  Goddess of the Starry Night, 
                          I createthis firewithin Your cauldronto      transform
          that which is plaguing me. 
               May the energies be reversed: 
                  From the darkness, light! 
                  From bane, good! 
                  From death, birth! 
           

                                                                            1033               

                    Light thepaper in thecauldron's flames anddrop it inside. As
          it  burns, know that your  ill diminishes, lessens  and finally leaves
          you as it is consumed within the universal fires.  [The cauldron, seen
          as the Goddess.] 
                    If  you wish, you may attempt scrying  or some other form of
          divination, for  this is  a  perfect time  to look  into  the past  or
          future.  Try  to recall past lives  too, if you  will.  But leave  the
          dead in peace.  Honor  them with your memories but do not call them to
          you.    [Many Pagans  do attempt  to  communicate with  their deceased
          ancestors and friends  at this  time, but it  seems to  me that if  we
          accept  the  doctrine  of  reincarnation,  this  is a  rather  strange
          practice.  Perhaps the personalities that we  knew still exist, but if
          the soul is currently  incarnate in another body, communication  would
          be difficult, to say the least.   Thus, it seems best to remember them
          with peace and love - but do not call  them up.]  Release any pain and
          sense of loss you may feel into the cauldron's flames. 
               Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. 
               Celebrate the Simple Feast. 
               The circle is released. 
           
           
           
          SAMHAIN LORE 
           
                    It is traditional on Samhain night to leave a plate of  food
          outside the home  for the souls of  the dead.  A candle  placed in the
          window guides them to  the Lands of Eternal Summer, and burying apples
          in the hard-packed earth "feeds" the passed ones on their journey. 

                    Forfood, beets,turnips,apples, corn,nuts, gingerbread,cider,
          mulled  wines and pumpkin dishes  are appropriate, as  are meat dishes
          (once again,  if you're  not vegetarian.   If so, tofu  seems ritually
          correct). 
           
           
           

                                                                            1034          

          A RITUAL OF GESTURES 
           
                    Stand in the ritualarea.  Stillyour thoughts.  Breathedeeply
          for half a  minute or so until composed  and calm.  Turn your  mind to
          our Deities. 

                    Face North. Lift bothhands to waistheight, palms down. Press
          your fingers  together,  creating  two  solid,  flat  planes.    Sense
          solidity,  foundation,  fertility.   Invoke  the powers  of  the Earth
          through the gesture. 

                    Moments Later, turn toward the East. Raise your hands a foot
          higher,  your palms facing away from  you (no longer parallel with the
          ground), and elbows slightly bent.  Spread your fingers and hold  this
          position, sensing movement  and communication.   Invoke the forces  of
          Air through the gesture. 

                    Face South. Lift your handsfully above yourhead.  Keepingthe
          elbows straight, grasp  your fingers  into tight fists.   Feel  force,
          power,  creation and destruction.   Invoke the forces  of Fire through
          the gesture. 

                    Turn to the West.  Lower your hands a  foot or so.  Bend the
          elbows,  turn  your palms  upward and  cup  them, pressing  the thumbs
          against  the  forefingers.    Sense fluidity,  the  ocean,  liquidity.
          Invoke the forces of Water through the gesture. 

                    Face Northagain.  Throw yourhead back and raiseboth hands to
          the  sky, palms up, fingers spread.   Drink in the essence of The One,
          the  unknowable,  unapproachable ultimate  source  of  all. Sense  the
          mysteries within the universe. 

                    Lower your projective hand (your writing hand) but keep your
          receptive  hand high.   Pressing  the third,  forth and  fifth fingers
          against the  palm, lift the  forefinger and  thumb to  create a  rough
          crescent shape.   Sense the reality  of the Goddess.   Sense Her love,
          Her fertility,  Her compassion.  Sense  the powers of the  Moon in the
          gesture; the force of the eternal seas - the presence of the Goddess. 
                    Lower your receptivehand; liftyour projective hand. Benddown
          the middle and  forth fingers toward the palm, and  trap them with the
          thumb.   Lift the forefinger and little finger up to the sky, creating
          a horned image.  Sense the reality of the God.  Sense the power of the
          Sun  in the  gesture; the  untamed  energies of  the  woodlands -  the
          presence of the God. 

                    Lower yourprojective hand. Laydown flat. Spread yourlegs and
          arms  until you've  created the  pattern  of a  pentagram.   Sense the
          powers  of the  elements running through  you; merging  and coalescing
          into your being.   Sense them as emanations from  The One, the Goddess
          and God. 

               Meditate.  Commune.  Communicate. 
               When finished, simply stand up.  Your rite of gestures is over. 
           
           
           

                                                                            1035          

          THE LAW OF THE POWER 
           
                    1.  The Power shall not be used  to bring harm, to injure or
          control  others.  But  if the need  rises, the Power shall  be used to
          protect your life or the life of others. 
               2. The Power is used only as need dictates. 
                    3.The Power can be usedfor your own gain, aslong as by doing
          so you harm none. 
                    4.It is unwiseto accept money forthe use ofthe Power, for it
          quickly controls its taker.  Be not as those of other religions. 
                    5. Use not the Power forprideful gain, for such cheapens the
          mysteries of the Craft and magick. 
                    6. Everremember that the Poweris a sacred giftof the Goddess
          and God, and should never be misused or abused. 
               7. And this is the Law of the Power. 
           
           
           
          INVOCATION OF THE ELEMENTS 
           
          Air, Fire, Water, Earth, 
          Elements of Astral birth, 
          I call you now; attend to me! 
           
          In the circle, rightly cast, 
          Safe from psychic curse or blast, 
          I call you now, attend to me! 
           
          From cave and desert, sea and hill, 
          By blade and wand, cup and pentacle, 
          I call you now; attend to me! 
          This is my will, so mote it be! 
           
          [This invocation may  be chanted  while moving or  dancing around  the
          altar to raise elemental energy for magickal workings.] 
           
           
           
                   PRAYERS, CHANTS AND INVOCATIONS 
                              OF AND TO 
                         THE GODDESS AND GOD 
           
                    These prayers can be used toinvoke the Goddess and Godduring
          ritual,  just after  the circle  casting.   Of course,  any which  you
          compose or are inspired to say and be used as well. 
                    A fewchants arealso includedto raise energyor tocommune with
          the deities. 
                    Someof theseinvocations rhyme, andsome donot. But recall the
          power of  rhyme -  it link  our conscious mind  to the  unconscious or
          psychic mind, thereby producing ritual consciousness. 
                    Some of these are  related to specific deities but,  as Dion
          Fortune wrote:  "All the gods are  one god; and all  the goddesses are
          one goddess, and there is only one initiator." 
           
           
           

                                                                            1036          

          INVOCATION TO THE GODDESS 
           
          Crescent One of the starry skies, Flowered One of the fertile plan, 
          Flowing One of the ocean's sighs, 
          Blessed One of the gentle rain; 
          Hear my chant 'midst the standing stones, 
          Open me to your mystic light; 
          Waken me to your silver tones, 
          Be with me in my sacred rite! 
           
           
           
          INVOCATION TO PAN 
           
          O Great God Pan, 
          Beast and man, 
          Shepherd of goats and Lord of the Land, 
          I call you to attend my rites 
          On this most magickal of nights. 
          God of the wine, 
          God of the vine, 
          God of the fields and God of the kine, 
          Attend my circle with your love 
          And send Your blessings from above. 
          Help me to heal; 
          Help me to feel; 
          Help me to bring forth love and weal. 
          Pan of the forests, Pan of the glade, 
          Be with me as my magick is made! 
           
           
           
          ISIS INVOCATION 
           
          Isis of the Moon, 
          You who are all that ever was, 
          All that is, 
          And all that shall be: 
          Come, veiled Queen of Night! 
          Come as the scent of the sacred lotus 
          Charging my circle 
          With love and magick. 
          Do descend upon my circle, 
          I pray, 
          O Blessed Isis! 
           
           
           
          PRAYER TO THE HORNED GOD 
           
          Horned One of the wilderness, 
          Winged One of the shining skies, 
          Rayed One of the spen'drous Sun, 
          Fallen One of the Samhain cries- 
          I call amidst the standing stones 
          Praying that You, O Ancient One, 
          Will deign to bless my mystic rites- 
          O fiery Lord of the Blazing Sun! 

                                                                            1037          

          NEW MOON CHANT TO DIANA 
           
          Waxing, waxing, growing, growing- 
          Diana's power is flowing, flowing. 
                                      (repeat) 
           
           
           
          CALL TO THE GOD 
           
          Ancient God of the forest deeps, 
          Master of beast and Sun; 
          Here where the world is hushed and sleeps 
          Now that the day is done. 
          I call You in the ancient way 
          Here in my circle round, 
          Asking that You will hear me pray 
          And send Your Sun force down. 
           
           
           
          INVOCATION TO THE GODDESS 
           
          Gracious Goddess, 
          You who are the Queen of the Gods, 
          The lamp of night, 
          the creator of all that is wild and free; 
          Mother of woman and man; 
          Lover of the Horned God and protectress of all the    Craft: 
          Descend, I pray, 
          With Your Lunar ray of power 
          Upon my circle here! 

          INVOCATION TO THE GOD

          Blazing God,
          You who are the King of the Gods,
          Lord of the Sun,
          Master of all that is wild and free;
          Father of woman and man,
          Lover of the Moon Goddess and protector of all the    Craft:
          Descend I pray,
          With you Solar ray of power
          Upon my circle here!



          GODDESS CHANT

          Luna, Luna, Luna, Diana
          Luna, Luna, Luna, Diana
          Bless me, bless me, bless me, Diana,
          Luna, Luna, Luna, Diana
                            (repeat)

                                                                            1038          

          EVENING CHANT TO THE GOD

          Hail fair Sun,
          Ruler of day;
          Rise on the morn
          To light my way.
                     (to be said while watching the sunset)



          EVENING CHANT TO THE GODDESS

          Hail fair Moon
          Ruler of night;
          Guard me and mine
          Until the light.
                     (to be said while Moon-gazing at night)



          GODDESS CHANT

          Aaaaaaaaaaaaah
          Oooooooooooooh
          Uuuuuuuuuuuuuu
          Eeeeeeeeeeeeee
          Iiiiiiiiiiiiii

          [These are obviously, the  vowels of the English language.   Pronounce
          them as: A-"Ah," O-"O," U-"Oo," E-"E," I-"Eye."  Extend the  vowels as
          you  vocalize  them,  stretch  the  sounds.    This  produces  Goddess
          awareness, and rouses the psychic mind]

                                                                            1039          

          THE LORE OF NUMBERS

                    To be used in ritual and magickal workings.  In general, odd
          numbers are related to  women, receptive energy and the  Goddess; even
          numbers to men, projective energy and the God.

          1.     The universe; The One; the source of all.

          2.        The  Goddess and  God; The  perfect duality;  projective and
          receptive   energy;   the   couple;   personal   union   with   deity;
          interpenetration of the physical and spiritual; balance.

          3.     The Triple Goddess; the Lunar phases;  the physical, mental and
          spiritual aspects of our species.

          4.        The elements;  the Spirits  of  the Stones;  the winds;  the
          seasons.

          5.     The senses;  the pentagram; the elements plus Akasha; a Goddess
          number.

          7.       The planets which  the ancients knew;  the time of  the Lunar
          phase; power; protection and magick.

          8.     The number of Sabbats; a number of the God.

          9.     A number of the Goddess.

          13.    The number of Esbats; a fortunate number.

          15.    A number of good fortune.

          21.    The number of Sabbats and Esbats in the Pagan year; a number of
          the Goddess.

          28.    A number of the Moon; a number of the goddess.

          101.   The number of fertility.

          The planets are numbered thus:

          Saturn      3           Venus       7
          Jupiter     4           Mercury     8
          Mars        5           Moon        9
          Sun         6

                                                                            1040          

          THIRTEEN GOALS OF A WITCH

             I.   Know yourself
            II.   Know your Craft (Wicca)
           III.   Learn
            IV.   Apply knowledge with wisdom
             V.   Achieve balance
            VI.   Keep your words in good order
           VII.   Keep your thoughts in good order
          VIII.   Celebrate life
            IX.   Attune with the cycles of Terra
             X.   Breathe and eat correctly
            XI.   Exercise the body
           XII.   Meditate
          XIII.   Honor the Goddess and God





          RECIPES FOR FOOD



          CRESCENT CAKES

              1 cup firmly ground almonds
          1 1/4 cups flour
            1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
              2 drops almond extract
            1/2 cup butter, softened
              1 egg yolk

                    Combinealmonds, flour,sugarand extractuntil thoroughlymixed.
          with the hands, work in butter and egg yolk until well-blended.  Chill
          dough.  Preheat  oven to  325 degrees F.   Pinch  off pieces of  dough
          about the size of walnuts and  shape into crescents.  Place on greased
          sheets and  bake for  about 20  minutes.   Serve during Simple  Feast,
          especially at Esbats.

                                                                            1041          

          BELTANE MARIGOLD CUSTARD

            2 cups milk
            1 cup unsprayed marigold petals
          1/4 tsp. salt
            3 tbsp. sugar
            1 to 2-inch piece vanilla bean
            3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
          1/8 tsp. allspice
          1/8 tsp. nutmeg
          1/2 tsp. rose water
              whipped cream

                    Using a cleanmortar and pestle reservedfor cooking purposes,
          pound marigold  petals.  Or, crush with a spoon.   Mix the salt, sugar
          and spices together.   Scald milk with the  marigolds and the  vanilla
          bean.  Remove the vanilla  bean and add the slightly beaten  yolks and
          dry ingredients.  Cook on low heat.   When the mixture  coats a spoon,
          add rose water and cool.
               Top with whipped cream, garnish with fresh marigold petals.



          SOFT MEAD

            1 quart water, preferably spring water
            1 cup honey
            1 sliced lemon
          1/2 tsp. nutmeg

                    Boil together  all ingredients in a non-metallic pot.  While
          boiling, scrape  off the rising "scum"  with a wooden spoon.   When no
          more rises add the following:

              pinch salt
              juice of 1/2 lemon

                    Strain andcool.  Drinkin placeof alcoholic meador wineduring
          the Simple Feast.



          BEVERAGES

                    If you  wish to avoid the  use of wine, which  has long been
          utilized  in  religious  and  magickal rites,  there  are  many  other
          beverages  that  can be  used to  toast the  Goddess  and God.   These
          include (but certainly aren't limited to):

          Sabbats: apple juice, grape  juice, grapefruit                  juice,
          orange juice,  pineapple juice,                 black  tea, soft mead,
          guava nectar,                cinnamon coffee, ginger tea, hibiscus tea

          Esbats:  lemonade,  apricot nectar, mango  nectar,                pear
          nectar, papaya nectar, peach nectar,          jasmine tea,  peppermint
          tea, rosebud tea,          milk

                                                                            1042          

          RECIPES FOR INCENSES

                    To make incenses, simply grind the ingredients and mix  them
          together.  As you mix, sense  their energies.  Burn on charcoal blocks
          in the censer during ritual.



          CIRCLE INCENSE

            4 parts Frankincense
            2 parts Myrrh
            2 parts Benzoin
            1 part Sandalwood
          1/2 part Cinnamon
          1/2 part Rose petals
          1/4 part Vervain
          1/4 part Rosemary
          1/4 part Bay

                    Burn  in the  circle for  all types  of rituals  and spells.
          Frankincense, myrrh and benzoin  should definitely constitute the bulk
          of the mixture.



          ALTAR INCENSE

          3 parts Frankincense
          2 parts Myrrh
          1 part Cinnamon

                    Burn  as a general incense on the  altar to purify it and to
          promote ritual consciousness during rituals.



          FULL MOON RITUAL INCENSE

            2 parts Sandalwood
            2 parts Frankincense
          1/2 part Gardenia petals
          1/4 part Rose petals
              a few drops Ambergris oil

                    Burn during Esbats or simply at the time of the Full Moon to
          attune with the Goddess.



          SPRING SABBAT INCENSE

          3 parts Frankincense
          2 parts Sandalwood
          1 part Benzoin
          1 part Cinnamon
            a few drops Patchouly oil

               Burn during spring and summer Sabbat rituals.

                                                                            1043          


          FALL SABBAT INCENSE

          3 parts Frankincense
          2 parts Myrrh
          1 part Rosemary
          1 part Cedar
          1 part Juniper

               Burn during fall and winter Sabbat rituals.



          RECIPES FOR OILS

                    To create oils, simply mix themin a bottle.  Wear for ritual
          purposes.



          SABBAT OIL #1

          3 parts Patchouly
          2 parts Musk
          1 part Carnation

               Wear to the Sabbats to promote communion with the deities.



          SABBAT OIL #2

          2 parts Frankincense
          1 part Myrrh
          1 part Carnation
          1 part Allspice

               Use as the above formula.



          FULL MOON OIL #1

          4 parts Gardenia
          2 parts Lotus
          1 part Jasmine

               Anoint the body prior to Esbats to attune with Lunar energies.



          FULL MOON OIL #2

          3 parts Sandalwood
          2 parts Lemon
          1 part Rose

               Another like the above.

                                                                            1044          

          GODDESS OIL

          3 parts Rose
          2 parts Gardenia
          1 part Lemon
          1 part Lotus
          1 part Ambergris

               Wear to honor the Goddess during rituals.



          HORNED GOD OIL

          2 parts Frankincense
          2 parts Cinnamon
          1 part Bay
          1 part rosemary
          1 part Musk

               Wear to honor the Horned God during rituals.



          ALTAR OIL

          4 parts Frankincense
          3 parts Myrrh
          1 part Galangal
          1 part Vervain
          1 part Lavender

                    Anoint thealtar withthis oilat regularintervals topurify and
          empower it.

                                                                            1045          

          OF GATHERING FLOWERS, HERBS AND PLANTS:

                    Before cutting with the Boline, attune with the plantthrough
          visualization.  Feel  its energies.  As you cut,  say these or similar
          words:

                    Olittle plant of (name, such as hyssop,          etc.) I ask
          that you give of your bounty that      it may aid me in my work.  Grow
          stronger by        my  stroke, stronger and more powerful, O          
          plant of (name)!

                    If it isa tree, substitute theappropriate word (tree ofoak).
          Gently cut  only what you  need, and never  from very young  plants or
          more than twenty-five percent of the growth.  At the base of the plant
          leave  an offering: a  silver coin, a  bright jewel, a  bit of wine or
          milk, grain, a quartz crystal and so on.  Cover the offering and it is
          done.



          OF THE CIRCLE

                    The magick circle may be  fashioned with garlands of flowers
          sacred to the Goddess  and God. Alternately, flowers can  be scattered
          around the perimeter of the circle.
                    The  point stones may be ringed with fresh flowers and herbs
          suitable to the elements, such as:

              North: corn, cypress, fern, honeysuckle, wheat, vervain
                    East: acacia,bergamot,clover, dandelion,lavender,lemongrass,
                   mint, mistletoe, parsley, pine
                  South:basil, carnation, cedar,chrysanthemum, dill, ginger,    
                    heliotrope, holly, juniper, marigold, peppermint
                    West: apple blossoms,lemon balm,camellia, catnip,daffodil,  
                elder, gardenia, grape, heather, hibiscus, jasmine, orchid

                    Fresh flowers  may be present on  the altar or,  if none are
          available, greens such as ferns may be used.

                    When casting the circle around a tree, youcan use the fruit,
          leaves,  nuts  or flowers  of that  tree to  mark  out the  circle, if
          desired.

               All of these can be used in addition to the cord and stones.

                                                                            1046          

          OF THE BALEFIRE:

                    If you wish to build a fire for an outdoor ritual, it can be
          composed of all or any combination of the following woods:

               Rowan              Dogwood
               Mesquite           Poplar
               Oak                Juniper
               Pine               Cedar
               Apple

                    If these are unavailable, use native woods. Rites run on the
          seashore  can  be  illuminated   with  balefires  of  dried  driftwood
          collected prior to the rite.



          OF THE HOME CIRCLE:

                    Magickal plants growing outside the home incontainers can be
          placed around  the circle  or  on the  altar during  ritual.   If  you
          primarily  work indoors,  choose an  odd-numbered selection  of sacred
          plants  and  grow these  in  your  ritual area.    If  they need  more
          sunlight, simply move  them outdoors and  bring inside during  ritual.
          Give them  energy and love,  and they'll aid  you in your  worship and
          magick.

                    Though anybut poisonousplants canbe used,such plantsas these
          are recommended:

               African Violets    Red Geraniums
               Cacti (all types   Rose
               Ferns (all types)  Rose Geranium
               Holly              Rosemary
               Hyssop             Ti (Cordyline terminalis)
               Palms (all types)  Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)



          OF THE CELEBRANT:

                    Wearfresh flowers and herbs in yourhair and on your body, if
          you prefer, during the rites.  Crowns or caplets of flowers are always
          appropriate for spring and summer rites.  Wear oak and pine during the
          winter rituals.

                    You may wishto wear anecklace ofherbs and seeds,such astonka
          beans, whole nutmegs,  star anise,  acorns and other  seeds and  nuts,
          strung on a natural  fiber.  Strings of small  pine cones may also  be
          worn.

                    For Full  Moon rituals  held at night,  wear night-blooming,
          fragrant flowers to suffuse yourself with Lunar energies.

                                                                            1047          

          OF THE TOOLS:

                    These are suggestions for dedicating the tools prior totheir
          first use or formal consecration,  if any.  Perform these  with proper
          visualization and ritual intent.

          The Athame or Sword:

                    Rub the blade with  fresh basil, rosemary or oak  leaves, at
          sunrise, outdoors  where you will not  be disturbed or seen.   Lay the
          sword or  Athame on  the ground  with its  point to  the South.   Walk
          clockwise around  it thrice, scattering bay  leaves (preferably fresh)
          over it.   Take up the sword or Athame, stand facing East and, holding
          it upward  but with arms lowered, invoke the God to infuse your Athame
          or sword with His strength.  Point it to the sky, invoking the Goddess
          to charge your blade with Her love and power.

                    Wrap yourAthame or swordin red cloth andtake it home. It may
          be stored in the cloth, if desired.

          The Bolline:

                    Early in the morning, goto a forest (or park, garden,or your
          indoor garden).  Choose the most beautiful and vibrant  plants.  Touch
          the point of the Boline gently  to these in turn, forging a connection
          between your Boline and the plants (and, thusly, the Earth).

                    Next, siton the Earth. Ensuring thatyou are quitealone, draw
          a pentagram with the Boline's point on the ground.  It is done.

          The Wand:

                    If the wand is of wood, take it outdoors at sunsetand rub it
          with fresh lavender,  eucalyptus or mint leaves.  Raise  it in the air
          toward the East (or the Moon if it is visible) and invoke the Goddess.
          At sunrise, take it again outdoors, rub with the fresh fragrant leaves
          and invoke the God by raising it to the East.

          The Pentacle:

                    Place the pentacle on bare Earth.  Lay upon itdried parsley,
          patchouly, mistletoe, or  fresh jasmine or  honeysuckle flowers.   Sit
          before  it facing North for several  seconds, visualizing the pentacle
          absorbing the Earth's energies.  Then pick it up and scatter the herbs
          or flowers to the four quarters, beginning and ending in the North.

                    Ifthis must bedone indoors, filla small dishwith fresh Earth
          and place the pentacle on this.  Proceed as above, saving the herbs or
          flowers to be scattered outdoors at a latter time.

                                                                            1048          

          The Censer:

                    Fume purerosemary, frankincenseorcopal withinthe censerprior
          to its first use.  Do this for about an hour.

          The Cauldron:

                    Takethe cauldron toa stream, river,lake or ocean. Gather the
          leaves  of some plants growing  nearby (at the  sea, perhaps seaweed).
          Dip the cauldron  into the water to fill it.   Place the leaves in the
          cauldron,  then set it on  the water's edge where  it is on both water
          and sand.   Place your  hands on the  cauldron and dedicate it  to the
          Goddess in any words you like.

                    Emptyand drythe cauldron, andreturn home. Thecharge has been
          made.

                    Ifperformed inside, placethe cauldronin alarge basinof water
          or the bathtub, in a candle-lit room.  Add a bit of salt to the water,
          which should be cold.  Proceed as above.

                    Salt water corrodes metal. Thoroughly wash the cauldronafter
          immersion in sea or salk water.

          The Chalice:

                    Anoint the base withgardenia, rose or violetoil and fillwith
          pure  spring water.  Then set  afloat a sprig of ivy,  a small rose, a
          fresh gardenia or some other appropriate flower or herb. Gaze into the
          Chalice and invoke the Goddess  to bless it.   You might also wish  to
          take  it outside  as night,  filled with water,  and catch  the Moon's
          reflection within it.

          The Broom:

                    It canbe fashioned from anash staff, birch twigsand a willow
          binding.  Brush the broom with chamomile, willow, lemon balm, elder or
          mallow  stalks and branches, then bury these  with due solemnity.  You
          might also wish to carve a crescent Moon upon its handle.

          The Crystal:

                    Onthe night ofa FullMoon, rub thesphere with fresh(or dried)
          mugwort, then take it outside.   Hold it up  so that it drinks in  the
          light and energies of the Moon.   Gaze at the Moon through the crystal
          by holding it before your eyes.  Repeat at least thrice yearly for the
          best benefits.

          The Book of Shadows:

                    Sewinto the cover of the Bookof Shadows leaves of the sacred
          herbs vervain, rue,  bay, willow or others, if you  wish.  They should
          be  well-dried and  secretly placed  by the  light of  the Moon.   The
          covers of the Book of Shadows should, of course, be covered with cloth
          for this purpose.

                                                                            1049          

          The Robe:

                    If you choose to wear one, lay it among sachets filled  with
          lavender, vervain and cedar when not in use.  Sew a bit of rosemary or
          frankincense into the hem  while fashioning it, if desired (and if the
          resulting stains won't show after washing).


          OF THE HERBS OF THE SABBATS:

                    Tobe used asdecorations on thealtar, round thecircle, in the
          home.

          Samhain:
                    Chrysanthemum,  wormwood,  apples,  pears,  hazel,  thistle,
          pomegranates,  all grains,  harvested  fruits and  nuts, the  pumpkin,
          corn.

          Yule:
                    Holly,  mistletoe, ivy, cedar, bay, juniper, rosemary, pine.
          Place offerings of apples, oranges, nutmegs, lemons and whole cinnamon
          sticks on the Yule tree.

          Imbolc:
               Snowdrop, rowan, the first flowers of the year.

          Eostara:
                    Daffodil,woodruff,violet, gorse,olive,peony,iris, narcissus,
          all spring flowers.

          Beltane:
               Hawthorn, honeysuckle, St. John's wort, woodruff, all flowers.

          Midsummer:
                    Mugwort, vervain, chamomile, rose, lily, oak, lavender, ivy,
          yarrow, fern, elder, wild thyme, daisy, carnation.

          Lughnasadh:
                    All grains, grapes, heather, blackberries, sloe, crabapples,
          pears.

          Mabon:
                    Hazel, corn, aspen, acorns, oak sprigs, autumn leaves, wheat
          stalks, cypress cones, pine cones, harvest gleanings.



          OF THE HERBS AND PLANTS OF FULL MOON RITUALS:

                    Placeupon thealtar allnocturnal, whiteor five-petaledflowers
          such as  the white rose, night-blooming  jasmine, carnation, gardenia,
          cereus, lily,  iris; all  pleasingly-scented flowers which  shall call
          forth the Goddess.  Camphor is also symbolic.

                                                                            1050          

          OF OFFERINGS:

          To the Goddess:

                    Allwatery and earthy flowersand seeds suchas camellia, lily,
          water  lily, willow stalks; those  flowers used in  Full Moon rituals;
          white  or purple blooms such as hyacinth, magnolia, heather and lilac;
          sweet-scented  herbs and flowers; those  dedicated to Venus  or to the
          Moon; rue, vervain and olive; or others that seem suitable.

          To the God:

                    All  fiery  and  airy  herbs  and  flowers  such  as  basil,
          chrysanthemum, snapdragon, clover,  lavender, pine;  strongly-scented,
          clean or  citrusy herbs and flowers;  those ruled by Mars  or the Sun;
          yellow  or red  blooms such  as sunflower,  pine cones,  seeds, cacti,
          thistles and stinging herbs; orange, heliotrope, cedar, juniper and so
          on.

                                                                            1051          

          OF THE SACRED HERBS OF THE GODDESSES:

          Aphrodite: olive, cinnamon, daisy, cypress,             quince.  orris
          (iris), apple, myrtle
          Aradia: rue, vervain
          Artemis:  silver fir, amaranth, cypress, cedar,         hazel, myrtle,
          willow, daisy, mugwort, date        palm
          Astarte: alder, pine, cypress, myrtle, juniper
          Athena: olive, apple
          Bast: catnip, Vervain
          Bellona: belladonna
          Brigit: blackberry
          Cailleach: wheat
          Cardea: hawthorn, bean, arbutus
          Ceres: willow, wheat, bay, pomegranate, poppy,        leek, narcissus
          Cybele: oak, myrrh, pine
          Demeter: wheat,  barley, pennyroyal, myrrh,  rose,        pomegranate,
          bean, poppy, all cultivated crops
          Diana: birch,  willow, acacia, wormwood, dittany,        hazel, beech,
          fir, apple, mugwort, plane,          mulberry, rue
          Druantia: fir
          Freya:  cowslip,  daisy,  primrose, maidenhair,                 myrrh,
          strawberry, mistletoe
          Hathor: myrtle, sycamore, grape, mandrake,            coriander, rose
          Hecate: willow, henbane, aconite, yew, mandrake,       cyclamen, mint,
          cypress, date palm, sesame,        dandelion, garlic, oak, onion
          Hekat: cypress
          Hera: apple, willow, orris, pomegranate, myrrh
          Hina: bamboo
          Hulda: flax, rose, hellebore, elder
          Irene: olive
          Iris: wormwood, iris
          Ishtar: acacia, juniper, all grains
          Isis: fig,  heather, wheat, wormwood, barley,             myrrh, rose,
          palm, lotus, persea, onion, iris,     vervain
          Juno: lily, crocus, asphodel,  quince, pomegranate,     vervain, iris,
          lettuce, fig, mint
          Kerridwen: vervain, acorns
          Minerva: olive, mulberry, thistle
          Nefer-Tum: lotus
          Nepthys: myrrh, lily
          Nuit: sycamore
          Olwen: apple
          Persephone: parsley, narcissus, willow,               pomegranate
          Rhea: myrrh, oak
          Rowen: clover, rowen
          Venus: cinnamon,  daisy, elder, heather, anemone,        apple, poppy,
          violet, marjoram, maidenhair          fern, carnation, aster, vervain,
          myrtle,           orchid, cedar, lily, mistletoe, pine, quince
          Vesta: oak

                                                                            1052          

          OF THE SACRED HERBS OF THE GODS:

          Adonis: myrrh, corn, rose, fennel, lettuce, white      heather
          Aesculapius: bay, mustard
          Ajax: delphinium
          Anu: tamarisk
          Apollo:  leek, hyacinth, heliotrope,  cornel, bay,       frankincense,
          date palm, cypress
          Attis: pine, almond
          Ares: buttercup
          Bacchus: grape, ivy, fig, beech, tamarisk
          Baldur: St. John's wort, daisy
          Bran: alder, all grains
          Cupid: cypress, sugar, white violet, red rose
          Dagda: oak
          Dianus: fig
          Dionysus: fig,  apple, ivy, grape, pine,  corn,           pomegranate,
          toadstools, mushrooms, fennel, all    wild and cultivated trees
          Dis: cypress
          Ea: cedar
          Eros: red rose
          Gwydion: ash
          Helios: oak
          Horus: horehound, lotus, persea
          Hypnos: poppy
          Jove: pine, cassia, houseleek, carnation, cypress
          Jupiter: aloe, agrimony, sage, oak, mullein,            acorn,  beech,
          cypress, houseleek,  date palm,          violet, gorse,  ox-eye daisy,
          vervain
          Kernunnos: heliotrope, bay, sunflower, oak, orange
          Kanaloa: banana
          Mars: ash, aloe, dogwood, buttercup, witch grass,     vervain
          Mercury: cinnamon, mulberry, hazel, willow
          Mithras: cypress, violet
          Neptune: ash, bladderwrack, all seaweeds
          Odin: mistletoe, elm, yew, oak
          Osiris: acacia,  grape, ivy, tamarisk, cedar,             clover, date
          palm, all grains
          Pan: fig, pine, reed, oak, fern, all meadow           flowers
          Pluto: cypress, mint, pomegranate
          Poseidon: pine, ash, fig, bladderwrack, all            seaweeds
          Prometheus: fennel
          Ra: acacia, frankincense, myrrh, olive
          Saturn: fig, blackberry
          Sylvanus: pine
          Tammuz: wheat, pomegranate, all grains
          Thoth: almond
          Thor: thistle,  houseleek, vervain, hazel, ash,          birch, rowen,
          oak, pomegranate, burdock, beech
          Uranus: ash
          Woden: ash
          Zeus: oak, olive, pine, aloe, parsley, sage,          wheat, fig



                    Asthe Craft, wewill takeonly that whichwe need fromthe green
          and growing  things of the  Earth, never  failing to  attune with  the
          plant before harvesting, nor failing to leave a token of gratitude and
          respect.

                                                                            1053          

          SPELLS AND MAGICK

          PROTECTIVE CHANT

                    Visualizea triplecircle ofpurplish lightaround youbody while
          chanting:

               I am protected by your might,
               O gracious Goddess, day and night.

               Another of the same type: visualize a triple circle and chant:

               Thrice around the circle's bound,
               Evil sink into the ground.



          A MIRROR SPELL OF PROTECTION FOR THE HOME

                    Compose analtar: place acenser inthe center beforean imageof
          the  Goddess.  Have a twelve-inch (or  so) round mirror there as well.
          Ring the  altar with nine  white candles.   Burn a  protective incense
          (such as sandalwood, frankincense, copal or rosemary) in the censer.
                    Beginningwiththe candlemost directlybefore theGoddess image,
          say these or similar words:

               Lunar light protect me!

               Repeat as you light each candle until all are glowing.
                    Now,holding the mirror, invokethe Goddess inHer lunar aspect
          with these or similar words:

               Great Goddess of the Lunar Light
                  and Mistress of the Seas;
               Great Goddess of the Mystic Night
                  and of the Mysteries;
               Within this place of candles bright
                  and with Your mirror nigh;
               Protect me with Your awesome might
                  while ill vibrations fly!

                    Standing before thealtar, holdthe mirror facingthe candlesso
          that it reflects their flames.  Keeping the mirror toward the candles,
          move  slowly,  clockwise, around  the  altar,  watching the  reflected
          firelight bouncing off your surroundings.

                    Gradually increaseyour speed,mentally invoking theGoddess to
          protect you.  Move faster  and faster; watch the light  shattering the
          air, cleansing it,  burning away  all negativity and  all lines  along
          witch the ill energies have traveled into your home.

                    Charge your homewith the protectivelight of theGoddess. Race
          around  the candles until you've felt the atmosphere change, until you
          feel  that  your home  has  been  cleansed and  guarded  by the  Great
          Goddess.

                    When finished, stand once again before the image.  Thank the
          Goddess in any words you wish.  Pinch out the candles one by one, bind
          them  together with white  cord and store  them in a  safe place until
          (and if) you need to use them again for this same purpose.

                                                                            1054          

          A SPELL TO BREAK THE POWERS OF A SPELL

                    Ifyou believe that a spell hasbeen cast against you, place a
          large black candle in a cauldron (or a large  black bowl).  The candle
          must be tall enough to  extend a few inched above the  cauldron's rim.
          Affix the candle to the bottom of the cauldron with  warmed beeswax or
          the drippings of another black candle so that it will not tip over.

                    Fill the cauldron tothe rim with fresh water,without wetting
          the candle's wick.   An inch or two of the  candle should remain above
          the water.   Deep breathe,  meditate, clear  your mind, and  light the
          candle.   Visualize the suspected spell's power as residing within the
          candle's  flame.   Sit  in  quiet  contemplation  of  the  candle  and
          visualize the power flowing  and growing with the candle's  flame (yes
          the  power against  you).  As  the candle  burns down,  its flame will
          eventually sputter and go  out as it contacts  the water.  As soon  as
          the  flame has  been  extinguished by  the water,  the  spell will  be
          dispersed.

                    Break your visualization of the spell's power;see it explode
          into dust, becoming impotent.

                    Pourthe water intoa hole inthe ground,a lake orstream.  Bury
          the candle.  It is done.



          TO PROTECT AN OBJECT

                    Withthe firstand middle fingers(or yourAthame, ifyou have it
          with  you), trace  a  pentagram  over  the  object  to  be  protected.
          Visualize electric-blue  or purple  flame streaming from  your fingers
          (Athame) to form the pentagram.  Say this as you trace:

               With this pentagram I do lay
               Protection here both night and day.
               And to the one who should not touch
               Let the fingers burn and twitch.
               I now invoke the Law of Three:
               This is my will, so mote it be!

          CRYSTAL MAGICK

                    Crystals andstones are gifts ofthe Goddess and God. They are
          sacred, magickal tools which can be used to enhance ritual and magick.
          Here are some of the ways of Earth magick.

                                                                            1055          

          PREPARING THE CIRCLE:

                    The magick circlecan be laid out withcrystals and stones, if
          desired, rather than with herbs.

                    Beginning and ending in the North, lay 7, 9, 21 or 40 quarts
          crystals of any  size around the circle, either inside  the cord or in
          place of it.   If the ritual to be conducted within the circle is of a
          usual spiritual  or magickal  nature, place  the quartz crystals  with
          points outward.  If of a  protective nature, place with points  facing
          inward.

                    If youuse candlesto markthe four quartersof themagick circle
          rather than  large stones, ring  each candle  with any or  all of  the
          following stones:

               North: Moss Agate, Emerald, Jet, Olivine, Salt, Black Tourmaline
                East: Imperial Topaz, Citrine, Mica, Pumice
               South: Amber, Obsidian, Rhodochrosite, Ruby, Lava, Garnet
                      West:Aquamarine,Chalcedony, Jade,Lapis Lazuli,Moonstone,  
                 Sugilite



          A STONE ALTAR:

                    Tomake this altar, searchthrough dry riverbeds and seashores
          for a  variety of  smoothly-shaped stones.   Or  check rock  shops for
          appropriate pieces.

                    Create thealtar itself ofthree large stones. Two smallerones
          of even  size are  used as  the base,  while a  longer, flat  stone is
          placed on top  of these to form  the altar itself.  On  this place one
          stone to the left of the  altar to represent the Goddess.  This  might
          be a natural,  river-rounded stone,  a holed stone,  a quartz  crystal
          sphere,  or any of the stones related  to the Goddess which are listed
          below.

                    Tothe right of the altar, placea stone to represent the God.
          This might be a piece of lava, a quartz crystal point, a long, thin or
          club-shaped  rock or  a  God-symbolic stone  such  as those  presented
          below.

                    Between thesetwo stones placea smallerstone with ared candle
          affixed to it to represent the divine energy of the Goddess and God as
          well as the element of Fire.

                    Beforethis, place a flat stone to receive offerings of wine,
          honey, cakes, semi-precious stones, flowers and fruit.

                    A small,cupped stone (ifone can befound) should be setto the
          left of  the offering stone.   Fill this with water  to represent that
          element.

                    To theright of the offeringstone place aflat rock. Pour salt
          upon this to symbolize the element of Earth.

                    Additionally, another  flat stone  can be placed  before the
          offering stone to serve as an incense burner.

                                                                            1056               

                    Use along, thin,terminated quartscrystal as awand anda flint
          or obsidian arrowhead for the Athame.

                    Any other tools which are needed can simply be placed on the
          altar.  Or, try to find stone alternatives to them.

               This can be used for all types of Craft rituals.



          STONES OF THE GODDESSES:

                    In general,all pink, greenand bluestones; thoserelated tothe
          Moon or Venus; Water and Earth-ruled stones, such as peridot, emerald,
          pink tourmaline, rose quartz,  blue quartz, aquamarine, beryl, kunzite
          and turquoise.
               Stones which are related to specific deities follow.

          Aphrodite: salt
          Ceres: emerald
          Coatlicue: Jade
          Cybele: jet
          Diana: amethyst, moonstone, pearl
          Freya: pearl
          The Great Mother: amber, coral, geodes, holed stones
          Hathor: turquoise
          Isis: coral, emerald, lapis lazuli, moonstone, pearl
          Kwan Yin: jade
          Lakshmi: pearl
          Maat: jade
          Mara: beryl, aquamarine
          Nuit: lapis lazuli
          Pele: lava, obsidian, peridot, olivine, pumice
          Selene: moonstone, selenite
          Tiamat: beryl
          Venus: emerald, lapis lazuli, pearl



          STONES OF THE GOD:

                    Generally,all orange and redstones; stones relatedto the Sun
          and  Mars; Fire and Air-ruled stones, such as carnelian, ruby, garnet,
          orange calcite, diamond, tiger's  eye, topaz, sunstone, bloodstone and
          tourmaline.

               Stones which are related to specific deities follow.

          Aesculapius: agate
          Apollo: sapphire
          Bacchus: amethyst
          Cupid: opal
          Dionysus: amethyst
          Mars: onyx, sardonyx
          Neptune: beryl
          Odin: holed stone
          Poseidon: beryl, pearl, aquamarine
          Ra: tiger's eye
          Tezcatlipoca: obsidian

                                                                            1057          


          [Pearl  and coral  have  been mentioned  in  these lists  as  "stones"
          because they were anciently thought to be such.  Our knowledge of them
          as products of living creatures leaves us with the ethical question of
          whether or  not  to use  them in  ritual.   This  must be  a  personal
          decision.   Beach gathered coral and  shells (mother of pearl  is from
          shells)  can be  used  without conflicting  with  the above  statement
          because the  creature has already died by the time the item was found.
          If you decide not to use them, just remember leather is also a product
          of a living creature.]



          CAIRNS:

                    Inearlier times, throughout the world,people built mounds or
          piles of stones.  These  were sometimes formed to mark the  passage of
          travelers,  or  to commemorate  some  historic even,  but  such cairns
          usually had ritual significance.

                    In  magickal  thought, cairns  are  places of  power.   They
          concentrate the  energies of the stones  used to create them.   Cairns
          are  rooted  in the  Earth but  lift upward  to the  sky, symbolically
          representing  the interconnectedness  of  the  physical and  spiritual
          realms.

                    Duringoutdoor circles, a smallcairn, composed ofno more than
          nine or eleven rocks, can be fashioned as each point of the  Circle of
          Stones.  This can be done prior to creating the circle itself.

                    The nexttime you're insome wild, lonelyplace with aprofusion
          of  stones, clear a  place among them  and sit.   Visualize a magickal
          need.   As  you visualize,  grasp a  near-by stone.   Feel  the energy
          beating  within it  - the  power of  the Earth,  the power  of nature.
          Place it  on  the  cleared  ground.   Pick  up  another  stone,  still
          visualizing you need, and set it next to the first.

                    Stillvisualizing, continue toadd stones, buildingthem into a
          small pile.   Keep  adding stones  until you  feel them  vibrating and
          pulsating before you.   Place the last  rock on top of  the cairn with
          firm ritual  intent - affirm to  yourself, to the cairn  and the Earth
          that with this final magickal act you're manifesting your need.

                    Placeyour hands oneither sideof the pile. Giveit your energy
          through your visualization.  Nurse it.  Feed it strength  and see your
          need as being fulfilled.

               Then leave the cairn alone to do its work.

                                                                            1058          

          A QUARTZ AND CANDLE SPELL:

                    Have a candle of  the color symbolic of your  magickal need,
          according to the following list (or as your intuition tells you):

          WHITE       Protection, Peace, Purity, Truth, Sincerity, Spirituality

          RED         Strength, Health, Vigor, Sexual Love, Passion, Protection,
                                Courage,Danger,Warning,Anger,Element ofFire,God 
                    oriented, Male aspects

          LIGHT BLUE  Tranquility, Happiness, Understanding, Patience, Health,  
                     Element of Water, Goddess oriented, Feminine aspects

          DARK BLUE   Impulsiveness, Depression, Changeability, psychism

          GREEN       Finance, Fertility, Luck, Growth, Employment, Element of  
                     Earth, Goddess oriented, Feminine aspects

          GOLD/YELLOW Attraction, Persuasion, Charm, Confidence, Intellect,     
                                Study,Divination,ElementofAir,God oriented,Male 
                    aspects, (Gold) The Great God, The Sun

          BROWN       Hesitation, Uncertainty, Neutrality, Healing Animals,     
                     Poverty

          PINK        Honor, Love, Morality, Friendship

          BLACK       Protection from, absorption Evil, loss, discord &         
                                Confusion,Lackofcolorandvibrations, Neutrality, 
                   Element of Akasha, Spirituality, The Divine, The Void

          PURPLE      Relief from; Tension, Calming, Healing of severe Disease, 
                                Spiritualism,Meditation,Protection,PsychicPower,
                    Element of Akasha, The Divine

          SILVER/GRAY Cancellation, Neutrality, Stalemate,(Silver) The Great    
                     Goddess, The Moon

          ORANGE      Encouragement, Adaptability, Stimulation, Attraction,     
                     Energy

          GREENISH YELLOW     Sickness, Cowardice, Anger, Jealousy, Discord

                    With the tipof acleansed, terminated quartzcrystal, scratcha
          symbol of your  need onto the candle.  This might be a heart for love,
          a  dollar sign for  money, a fist  for strength.   Alternately, use an
          appropriate rune or write your need on the candle with the crystal.

                    As you scratchor draw,visualize your needwith crystalclarity
          as if it had already manifested.   Place the candle in a holder.   Set
          the crystal near it and light the wick.

                    As the flame shines, again strongly visualize.  The crystal,
          candle and symbol will do their work.

                                                                            1059          

          A SELF-DEDICATION RITE

               Prepare yourself by doing the Ritual Bath and Self Blessing.
                    If you,reperforming this ritual at the sea or a river, bathe
          there if you so desire.

                    As  you bathe,  prepare  for the  coming  rite.   Open  your
          consciousness  to higher levels of  awareness.  Breath  deep.  Cleanse
          your mind as well as your body.

                    After bathing, dry and dressfor the journey. Go to aplace in
          the wild where you feel safe.   It should be a comfortable spot  where
          you won't  be disturbed  by others,  an area where  the powers  of the
          Earth and  the Elements  are evident.   It  may be  a mountain  top, a
          desert canyon or  cave, perhaps  a dense forest,  a rocky  outcropping
          over the sea,  a quiet island in the center of  a lake.  Even a lonely
          part  of a park or  garden can be  used.  Draw on  your imagination to
          find the place.

                    Youneed take nothingwith you buta vial ofrichly scented oil.
          Sandalwood, frankincense, cinnamon or  any other scent is fine.   When
          you  arrive at  the place  of dedication,  remove your  shoes and  sit
          quietly for a few moments.  Calm your heart if you've exerted yourself
          during your travel.  Breathe deeply to return to normal, and keep your
          mind  free  of  cluttered thoughts.    Open  yourself  to the  natural
          energies around you.

                    When you're calm, riseand pivot slowly on onefoot, surveying
          the land  around you.  You're  seeking the ideal  spot.  Don't  try to
          find it; open your awareness to the place.  When  you've discovered it
          (and  you'll know when), sit,  kneel or lie flat on  your back.  Place
          the oil on the Earth beside you, Don't stand - contact the Earth.

                    Continue deep breathing. Feelthe energiesaround you. Callthe
          Goddess  and  God  in  any  words  you  like,  or  use  the  following
          invocation.   Memorize  these words  before the  rite so  that they'll
          spill effortlessly from you, or improvise:

               O Mother Goddess,
               O Father God,
               Answers to all mysteries and yet mysteries unanswered;
               In this place of power I open myself to Your Essence.
               In this place and in this time I am changed;
               From henceforth I walk the Paths of the Craft.
               I dedicate myself to you, Mother Goddess and Father God.

          (rest for a moment, silent, still.  Then continue:)

                    I breathe you energies intomy body,                         
                 commingling, blending,
                  mixing them with mine,
                  that I may see the divine in nature,
                  nature in the divine,
                  and divinity within myself and all else.
               O Great Goddess,
               O Great God,
                  Make me one with your essence
                  Make me one with your essence
                  Make me one with your essence.

                                                                            1060               

                    You may feel bursting with power and  energy, or calm and at
          peace.   Your mind  might be in  a whirl.   The Earth  beneath you may
          throb  and undulate  with  energy.   Wild  animals, attracted  by  the
          psychic occurrence, might grace you with their presence.

                    Whatever occurs, knowthat youhave opened yourselfand thatthe
          Goddess and God have heard you.   You should feel different inside, at
          peace or simply powerful.

                    After the invocation, wet a finger with the oil and mark the
          symbols  of the Goddess  and God somewhere  on your body.   It doesn't
          matter where; you  can do this  on your  chest, forehead, arms,  legs,
          anywhere.   As you anoint,  visualize these symbols  sinking into your
          flesh,  glowing as  they  enter your  body  and then  dispersing  into
          millions of tiny points of light.

                    Theformal self-dedication is ended. Thank theGoddess and God
          for  Their attention.   Sit and meditate  before leaving  the place of
          dedication.

               Once home, celebrate in some special way.

                                                                            1061          

          THE DAYS OF POWER


                    In the past, when peoplelived with Nature, the turningof the
          seasons  and the monthly  cycle of the  Moon had a  profound impact on
          religious ceremonies.   Because the Moon  was seen as a  symbol of the
          Goddess, ceremonies as adoration  and magick took place in  its light.
          The coming  of Winter, the first stirrings  of Spring, the warm Summer
          and the advent of Fall were also marked with rituals.

                    The Witches,heirsof thepre-Christian folkreligions ofEurope,
          still celebrate the Full Moon and observe the changing of the seasons.
          The Pagan  religious calendar contains  13 Full Moon  celebrations and
          eight Sabbats or days of power.

                    Four of thesedays (or,more properly, nights)are determinedby
          the  Solstices  and  Equinoxes,  the astronomical  beginnings  of  the
          seasons.   The  other four  ritual  occasions are  based on  old  folk
          festivals.  The  rituals give structure  and order to the  Pagan year,
          and also  remind us of the endless cycle that will continue long after
          we're gone.

                    Four of theSabbats - perhaps thosethat have been observedfor
          the longest time -  were probably associated with the  agriculture and
          the bearing cycles of animals.  These are Imbolc (February 2), Beltane
          (April 30), Lughnasadh  (August 1)  and Samhain (October  31).   These
          names  are  Celtic and  are quite  common  among Witches,  though many
          others exist.

                    When careful observationof theskies led tocommon knowledgeof
          the astronomical  year, the Solstices  and Equinoxes (circa  March 21,
          June 21, September 21 and December 21; the actual dates vary from year
          to year) were brought into this religious structure.

                    Who first beganworshipping and raising energy atthese times?
          That  question cannot  be answered.   However,  these sacred  days and
          nights are the origins of the 21 Craft ritual occasions.

                    Many of thesesurvive todayin both secularand religiousforms.
          May   Day   celebrations,   Hallowe'en,  Ground-hog   Day   and   even
          Thanksgiving, to  name some popular  North American holidays,  are all
          connected with ancient Pagan  worship.  Heavily Christianized versions
          of the Sabbats have also been preserved within the Catholic Church.

                    The Sabbats are Solarrituals, marking the points ofthe Sun's
          yearly  cycle, and are but half of the  Pagan ritual year.  The Esbats
          are  the Pagan  Full Moon  celebrations.   At this  time we  gather to
          worship She  Who Is.  Not that  Witches omit the God  at Esbats - both
          are usually revered on all ritual occasions.

                    There are 13 Full Moons yearly, orone every 28 1/4 days. The
          Moon is a symbol of the Goddess as well as a source of energy.   Thus,
          after  the religious  aspects of  the  Esbats, Witches  often practice
          magick, tapping into the larger amounts of energy which are thought to
          exist at these times.

                                                                            1062               

                    Some of the oldCraft festivals, stripped of theironce sacred
          qualities by the dominance of Christianity, have degenerated.  Samhain
          seems to have been taken over by candy manufacturers in North America,
          while Yule has  been transformed from one of the  most holy Pagan days
          to  a  time of  gross  commercialism.   Even  the  later  echoes of  a
          Christian savior's birth are  hardly audible above the  electronic hum
          of cash registers.

                    But the old magick remains on these days and nights, and the
          Craft celebrate  them.   Rituals vary greatly,  but all relate  to the
          Goddess and God  and to our home, the  Earth.  Most rites are  held at
          night for  practical purposes as well  as to lend a  sense of mystery.
          The Sabbats,  being Solar-oriented,  are more naturally  celebrated at
          noon or at dawn, but this is rare today.

          THE SABBATS

                    TheSabbats tell osone ofthe stories ofthe Goddessand God, of
          their relationship and the effects this has on the fruitfulness of the
          Earth.   There are many variations on these myths, but here's a fairly
          common one, woven into the basic descriptions of the Sabbats.


          YULE

                    The Goddess  gives birth to a  son, the God,  at Yule (circa
          December 21).  This  is in no way an adaptation  of Christianity.  The
          Winter  Solstice has  long been  viewed as  a time  of divine  births.
          Mithras  was said  to have  been born  at this  time.   The Christians
          simply adopted it for their use in 273 C.E. (Common Era).

                    Yule isa time of thegreatest darkness and isthe shortest day
          of the year.   Earlier peoples noticed such phenomena  and supplicated
          the forces of  nature to  lengthen the  days and  shorten the  nights.
          Witches  sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun
          rise as a fitting finale to their efforts.

                    Sincethe God is also theSun, this marks thepoint of the year
          when the  Sun is reborn  as well.   Thus, the  Witches light  fires or
          candles to welcome the Sun's returning light.  The Goddess, slumbering
          through the Winter of Her labor, rests after Her delivery.

                    Yule is remnantof early rituals celebratedto hurry theend of
          Winter and  the bounty  of Spring,  when food  was once  again readily
          available.  To contemporary Witches it is a reminder that the ultimate
          product of  death is rebirth,  a comforting thought  in these  days of
          unrest

                                                                            1063          

          IMBOLC

                    Imbolc (February 2) marks the recovery of the Goddess  after
          giving birth to the God.  The lengthening periods of light awaken Her.
          The God  is a young, lusty  boy, but His  power is felt in  the longer
          days.  The warmth fertilizes the Earth (the Goddess), and causes seeds
          to  germinate and sprout.   And so  the earliest  beginnings of Spring
          occur.

                    This is a Sabbat  of purification after the shut-in  life of
          Winter, through the renewing power  of the Sun.  It is also a festival
          of light and  of fertility, once  marked in  Europe with huge  blazes,
          torches and  fire  in  every  form.   Fire  here  represents  our  own
          illumination and inspiration as much as light and warmth.

                    Imbolc is also known as Feast of Torches,Oimelc, Lupercalia,
          Feast  of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of the Waxing Light, Brighid's
          Day, and probably by many other names.  Some female Witches follow the
          old Scandinavian custom  of wearing  crowns of lit  candles, but  many
          more carry tapers during their invocations.

                    Thisis oneof thetraditional timesfor initiationsinto covens,
          and so self-dedication rituals, such as the  one outlined in this Book
          of Shadows, can be performed or renewed at this time.

          OSTARA

                    Ostara (circa March  21), the Spring Equinox,  also known as
          Spring, Rites  of Spring and Eostra's Day, marks the first day of true
          Spring.  The energies of Nature subtly shift from the  sluggishness of
          Winter to the exuberant expansion of Spring.  The Goddess blankets the
          Earth  with fertility,  bursting  forth from  Her  sleep, as  the  God
          stretches and  grows to maturity.   He  walks the greening  fields and
          delights in the abundance of nature.

                    On Ostara  the hours of day  and night are equal.   Light is
          overtaking darkness; the Goddess  and God impel the wild  creatures of
          the Earth to reproduce.

                    Thisis a timeof beginnings, of action,of planting spells for
          future gains, and of tending the ritual gardens.

                                                                            1064          

          BELTANE

                    Beltane (April 30) marks the emergence of the young God into
          manhood.   Stirred by the energies  at work in Nature,  He desires the
          Goddess.  They fall in  love, lie among the grasses and  blossoms, and
          unite.   The Goddess becomes pregnant  of the God.   Witches celebrate
          the symbol of Her fertility in ritual.

                    Beltane (alsoknown as MayDay) has longbeen marked withfeasts
          and rituals.   May poles,  supremely phallic symbols,  were the  focal
          point of  Old English village rituals.   Many persons rose  at dawn to
          gather flowers and green  branches from the fields and  gardens, using
          them to decorate the May pole, their homes and themselves.

                    The flowers andgreenery symbolizethe Goddess; theMay polethe
          God.   Beltane  marks the  return of  vitality, of  passion  and hopes
          consummated.

                    May poles are sometimes used by Witches today during Beltane
          rituals,  but the cauldron is  a more common  focal point of ceremony.
          It represents, of  course, the Goddess - the essence of womanhood, the
          end of all desire, the equal but opposite of the May pole, symbolic of
          the God.

          MIDSUMMER

                    Midsummer, the SummerSolstice (circa June 21), also known as
          Litha,  arrives when the powers  of Nature reach  their highest point.
          The Earth is awash in the fertility of the Goddess and God.

                    In  the past,  bonfires were  leapt to  encourage fertility,
          purification, health and  love.   The fire once  again represents  the
          Sun, feted on this time of the longest daylight hours.
               Midsummer is a classic time for magick of all kinds.

          LUGHNASADH

                    Lughnasadh (August 1)is thetime of thefirst harvest, whenthe
          plants of  Spring wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as
          well as to ensure future crops.   Mystically, so too does the God lose
          His strength as  the Sun rises farther in  the South each day  and the
          nights  grow longer.   The Goddess  watches in  sorrow and  joy as She
          realizes  that the God  is dying, and  yet lives on inside  Her as Her
          child.

                    Lughnasadh, also known as AugustEve, Feast of Bread, Harvest
          Home  and Lammas,  wasn't  necessarily  observed  on  this  day.    It
          originally coincided with the first reapings.

                    AsSummer passes, Witches rememberits warmth andbounty in the
          food we eat.  Every  meal is an act  of atunement with Nature, and  we
          are reminded that nothing in the universe is constant.

                                                                            1065          

          MABON

                    Mabon (circaSeptember 21),theAutumn Equinox,is thecompletion
          of the  harvest begun  as Lughnasadh.   Once again  day and  night are
          equal, poised as the God prepares to leave His physical body and begin
          the great adventure into the unseen, toward renewal and rebirth of the
          Goddess.

                    Nature declines, drawsback its bounty,readying for Winterand
          its time of rest.  The Goddess nods in the weakening Sun, though  fire
          burns within Her womb.  She feels  the presence of the God even as  He
          wanes.

          SAMHAIN

                    At Samhain(October 31),the Craftsay farewell tothe God. This
          is a  temporary farewell.  He  isn't wrapped in eternal  darkness, but
          readies to be reborn of the Goddess at Yule.

                    Samhain, alsoknown as NovemberEve, Feast ofthe Dead, Feastof
          Apples, Hallows, All Hallows  and Hallowe'en, once marked the  time of
          sacrifice.   In  some  places  this was  the  time  when animals  were
          slaughtered to ensure food throughout the depths of Winter.  The God -
          identified with  the animals -  fell as well to  ensure our continuing
          existence.

                    Samhainis a time of reflection, oflooking back over the last
          year, of coming to terms with the one phenomenon of life over which we
          have no control - death.

                    The Craft feel that on this night the separation between the
          physical  and spiritual  realities is  thin.   Witches remember  their
          ancestors and all those who have gone before.

                    After Samhain, Witches celebrateYule, and so the Wheelof the
          Year is complete.

                                                                            1066               

                    Surely thereare mysteries buried here. Why is theGod the son
          and then  the  lover of  the  Goddess?   This  isn't incest,  this  is
          symbolism.  In  this agricultural story (one of  many Craft myths) the
          everchanging  fertility of the Earth is represented by the Goddess and
          God.  This myth speaks  of the mysteries of birth, death  and rebirth.
          It  celebrates the wondrous aspects and beautiful effects of love, and
          honors women who perpetuate our species.   It also points out the very
          real dependence  that humans have on  the Earth, the Sun  and the Moon
          and of the effects of the seasons on our daily lives.

                    Toagricultural peoples, the majorthrust of thismyth cycle is
          the production of food  through the interplay between the  Goddess and
          God.   Food - without which we would all die - is intimately connected
          with  the  deities.     Indeed,  Witches  see  food  as   yet  another
          manifestation of divine energy.

                    And so, byobserving the Sabbats, Witches attunethemselves to
          the Earth  and  to the  deities.   They  reaffirm their  Earth  roots.
          Performing rituals on  the nights  of the Full  Moon also  strengthens
          their connections with the Goddess in particular.

                    It is thewise Witch who celebrates on theSabbats and Esbats,
          for these are times of real as well as symbolic power.  Honoring  them
          in some fashion is an integral part of Witchcraft.

          THE ESBATS

                    When our  earliest ancestors  first painted images  of their
          religious rituals on the walls  of sacred caves and understood all  of
          Nature to be inhabited by Spirit, there can be little  doubt that they
          first reckoned time by the waxing and waning of the Moon.  The primary
          reason for this  is that the monthly  cycles of the Moon  are far more
          visible  than the slow and subtle changes  in the position of the Sun,
          even to someone  who is  not especially looking  for repeated  cycles.
          One  of the  earliest  calendars known  (although its  use is  still a
          controversy that may  never be settled) is a  30,000 year-old piece of
          bone from  Europe.   It is  pierced with variously  shaped holes  in a
          series  of sevens,  suggesting the  quarters of  the Moon,  in  a loop
          design, which  represents the Lunar  cycle from  New Moon to  Full and
          back to the New or Dark of the Moon.  The artifact, just a  few inches
          across,  describes three  such  Lunar cycles  -  three months  or  one
          season.

                    Because there are 13 Lunar months in a year, and because the
          first New Moon does not necessarily coincide with the first day of the
          first Solar month, the Full Moon, midpoint of the lunar month, may not
          always fall in  the Solar month that is given here.  And because there
          are  13 Full  Moons in a  Solar year,  one month  will have two.   The
          second Full  Moon to occur  in a Solar  month is popularly  called the
          Blue Moon.

                                                                            1067          

          JANUARY

                    To each Lunar monththe ancients assigned a namein accordance
          with  the nature of  the activity that  took place at that  time.  The
          Moon of deepest Winter  is the Wolf Moon, and its name  recalls a time
          when  our ancestors  gathered  close around  the  hearth fire  as  the
          silence  of the falling  snow was  pierced by  the howling  of wolves.
          Driven by hunger,  wolves came closer  to villages than  at any  other
          time of  the year, and may  have occasionally killed a  human being in
          order to survive.

                    The wolf innorthern countries wasat one timeso feared thatit
          became  the   image  of  Fenris,  the  creature  of  destruction  that
          supposedly will  devour the world at  the end of time.   The Christian
          version of  the myth would leave  it at that, but  the myth continues.
          Like  the  wolf in  the fairy  tale  of Little  Red  Ridinghood, which
          preserves  the full  idea of  the myth  but is  used only  to frighten
          children, the wolf is slain;  and the grandmother, like the world,  is
          brought forth once more.

                    As the lightof the new-born yearslowly increases andthe Wolf
          Moon  waxes full, it is  a good time to look  back upon that which has
          just ended  and learn from our experiences.  Bid the past farewell and
          let  it go  in order  to receive  the year  that has  just  been born.
          Learning to  let go of  that which  we would  cling to is  one of  the
          greatest secrets of magick.

          FEBRUARY

                    The Moon followingthe Wolf Moonis the StormMoon.  Whetheryou
          meet  with a  coven on  the night of  the Full  Moon, salute  Her in a
          solitary ritual, or simply blow Her a kiss, bear in mind the magick of
          this  night and  the nature  of the  storms of  February.   Unlike the
          boisterous storms of the light half of the year, which are accompanied
          by the  clashing of thunder  and the flinging of  lightning bolts, the
          storms  of  February  come in  silence.   They  blanket  the  world in
          coldness in  keeping with the nature of the  dark half of the Wheel of
          the  Year.  But  beneath the blanket  of cold and  silent snow, Nature
          rests, as we  do when in the realm of the Spirit that is called death;
          and like those in the world of Spirit, Nature prepares for life anew.

                                                                            1068          

          MARCH

                    The Moon following the Storm Moon is the Chaste Moon.   Like
          Diana, chaste  Goddess of the  Moon, all of  Nature at this  moment is
          pure  potential waiting to be fulfilled.   The Goddess has many forms:
          The maiden  pure and  lovely as  the snow  of February,  the seductive
          enchantress  of the  night, or  the Crone  ancient and  wise.   As the
          Goddess can  change Her form according to the Moon or according to Her
          will,  ever renewing  Herself, ever  beginning again,  se can  we, Her
          children,  always  begin again  by  discovering  new potential  within
          ourselves.   When you cast  the Circle  of the Chaste  Moon, when  the
          candles  have  been  lit and  the  incense  burned,  look deep  within
          yourself  to discover  what  potential lies  there  waiting, like  the
          Maiden, to be fulfilled.

                      As it is the time forthe planting of seeds on the material
          plane, so may it  be time to do so on the psychic  planes as well.  On
          the night that  the Seed Moon  (another name for  the Chaste Moon)  of
          March is  full, cast  your magick  Circle.  Then  before the  rite has
          ended, select the spiritual seeds  you would like to plant.   They may
          be  seeds of  wisdom,  seeds of  understanding,  or seeds  of  certain
          magickal skills.   Then by an  act of will, plant  these seeds in  the
          fertile soil of your  subconscious mind with the firm  commitment that
          they will be nurtured and cultivated in the months that  lie ahead, so
          that they will grow and flower and bear fruit.

          APRIL

                    Asthe Hare Moonof Aprilwaxes full,observe therabbits leaping
          and playing,  carefree in their mating and  joyful in their games, and
          as you  cast your  Esbat Circle  and  joyfully dance  the round,  feel
          within your heart the carefree nature  of the wild creatures that  are
          also children of the Old Gods.

          MAY

                    This time ofthe Sacred Marriage of the Godand Goddess is the
          Dyad Moon,  the time when  the two  become one, when  all things  meet
          their opposites  in perfect balance  and in  perfect harmony.   As you
          cast your  Circle this  night of  the Dyad Moon,  adorn it  with apple
          blossoms, and  light candles of white.  When the sacred round has been
          danced, sit a moment and reflect.  Seek harmony in all things.  As the
          dark  half of  the  Wheel of  the  Year balances  the  light, as  heat
          balances cold, recall  the words of the Goddess, "Let  there be beauty
          and  strength, power  and compassion,  honor and  humility,  mirth and
          reverence,  within you."  And then before the  rite is ended, if it is
          appropriate, become one with your working partner,  physically as well
          as spiritually.

                                                                            1069          

          JUNE

                    Afterthe spectacular flowers of May have passed and the bees
          have gathered their pollen and nectar, the hives are filled with honey
          that is waiting to  be gathered.  In ancient times much  of this honey
          was made into a drink called mead by a fermentation process similar to
          that of making  wine.  The "Moon in June" is  the Mead Moon.  Mead has
          been considered to have magickal and even life-restoring properties in
          many of the countries of ancient Europe, and  it was the drink of many
          of the great heroes of legend.

                    Thelegendary figureRobin Hood, whois acceptedhistorically as
          being a composite of several peasant leaders during the  reign of King
          Richard I,  is also generally accepted  by Pagans as being  one of us.
          One reason is that Robin was a popular Witch name, and also because he
          was always described as  being dressed in green, symbolic of the Green
          Man of Sherwood Forest.   Lincoln green, which is made from  woad, the
          dyestuff   used  by  the  Picts  of  ancient  Britain  and  the  Druid
          priestesses, is also a color  that symbolizes, historically, the Pagan
          peasantry.   Among the articles robbed from the rich by Robin Hood are
          "met and met."  This  probably means "meat and mead."  In  the myth of
          Odin, one of  His quests is for the Poetic  Mead of Inspiration, which
          He returns to the realm of the Gods where  it belongs, but a few drops
          fall to Earth, and this may be had by anyone who can find them.

                    Onthe night thatthe Mead Moonwaxes full, afterthe Circle has
          been  cast and  dancing  done,  fill  the  cup with  mead  (if  it  is
          available), sweet wine, or an herb  tea sweetened with honey.  Sip the
          sweet drink  and  sit quietly  and  make yourself  a vessel  ready  to
          receive the inspiration of the higher realms.  Become a mead cup ready
          to be filled, not  with the brew of everyday life but  with the clear,
          bright liquid of illumination.   Every time this ritual  is performed,
          even  if there  are  no immediate  results, you  are  becoming a  more
          perfect vessel for divine inspiration.

                    If the  night of the Mead  Moon is very close  to the Summer
          Solstice, the results  of this exercise can be very  powerful.  If the
          Mead Moon is full on Midsummer Night, then the priestess into whom the
          Moon is Drawn should be prepared.

          JULY

                    As the  Wort Moon of July  waxes full, this is  the time for
          gathering of  herbs.   The word  wort is  old Anglo-Saxon  for "herb."
          When  the magickal herbs have been gathered  and hung to dry, the time
          of the Wort Moon is the time  to give thanks to the spirits who  dwell
          in  the herb garden, and  to leave them  an offering.   Perhaps as you
          place an  offering in  the moonlit  garden, they will  whisper to  you
          other secrets of herbal magick.

                                                                            1070          

          AUGUST

                    One day atmid-month we realize that therobins and wrens that
          were nesting nearby  have simply  vanished.  Their  lovely songs  have
          been replaced  by the shrill calls of the bluejays, who were so silent
          during the nesting season.

                    As  August progresses the  days are still  hot but nighttime
          temperatures   are  beginning   to  cool,   and  the   late  afternoon
          thunderstorms  that bring the cooler air also bring about the ripening
          of tomatoes.

                    In thefields and meadowsand along roadsidesnow thereare wild
          herbs  to be gathered.   There are  goldenrod, Queen Anne's  lace, and
          milkweed  - all  awaiting the natural  dyer who can  extract from them
          tan, green, and bright  yellow respectively, for dyes and  for natural
          inks for talismans.  Among the medicinal herbs to be collected at this
          time is boneset,  which does not  help broken bones  to heal but  is a
          febrifuge that  was used  as  a remedy  for "Breakbone  Fever" in  the
          1840s.  Milkweed  pods with  their silken fluff,  goldenrod, and  wild
          grasses and grains  gathered now will  be dried in  time to adorn  the
          altar at the Autumnal Equinox.

                    As thearomatic herbs begin tofill the rafters inthe dry heat
          of  the attic,  and the  braids  of onions  and garlic  fill the  cool
          darkness of the root cellar, the golden grain and yellow corn ripen in
          the fields under the waning August Sun.

                    Tothe Ancients thiswas the Barley Moon,a time to contemplate
          the  eternalness of  life.  Just  as we  are descended  from the first
          woman  and the first man, who descended from the Gods, so is the grain
          of the bread that we eat descended from the first grain ever gathered.
          By ritually eating the Lammas bread we are participating in a chain of
          events that stretches back  through time to the Gods themselves.   And
          here before us in the ripening fields is the promise of the future.

                    Everywhere there is abundance -in herb garden, the vegetable
          garden, the field, and the orchard.  The pantry shelves are lined with
          glistening  glass  jars  that  are  filled  with  colorful  fruits and
          vegetables  preserved for  Winter  days;    quarts  of  red  tomatoes,
          cucumbers in slices or spears, dark red beets with cloves and cinnamon
          sticks, the yellow of  corn, the orange of  carrots - a feast for  the
          eyes  as well  as the  palate.   The house  is filled  with delightful
          aromas as  pickling spices  are added  to crocks  of brine  and exotic
          chutneys simmer on the stove.

                    But thetime of abundance isdrawing to a close. The fireflies
          of  June and July have given way  to katydids, whose scratchy calls to
          one another fill  the evening air of August with  the promise of frost
          in six weeks.

                                                                            1071          

          SEPTEMBER

                    Sincewine was, and is, such asacred fluid, the Pagans of old
          naturally named this Lunar month the  Wine Moon.  As you celebrate the
          night  of  the Full  Wine Moon  and dance  the  magickal round  in the
          moonlit Circle, pour some white wine in a silver cup.  Before the rite
          is ended, if possible, catch Her reflection in the liquid, then take a
          sip.  As the Moon-blessed  wine casts its inner glow, sit  quietly and
          feel your own spirit, of  which the wine is a symbol.  As  the body is
          stilled and the spirit soars, feel on this night of magick a sense  of
          the kind  of  transformation that  takes place  during true  spiritual
          initiation.

                    Today the term HarvestMoon is appliedto the Full Moonnearest
          to the Autumnal Equinox.  This is because, it is said, in  other times
          when harvesting was  done by  hand, as the  days grew shorter  farmers
          were able to work into the night in the brightness of Her light.

          OCTOBER

                    Atthis timeof yearthe abundanceof fruit andvegetables begins
          to slow.  It is  a time when our ancient ancestors  gathered what they
          could store and then supplemented their Winter diets either by hunting
          wild animals or by slaughtering domestic ones.  So this Lunar month is
          called the Blood Moon.  As you  cast the Esbat Circle on this  moonlit
          Autumn night  and fill the cup with blood-red wine, know that you will
          be  joined in  the sacred  dance not  only by  the unseen  presence of
          departed friends and family so close at this time of year, but also by
          the  spirits of animals  as well, perhaps  of those that  have died so
          that  we may have food.  In  this age of assembly line slaughterhouses
          and meatpacking  plants, it  is especially  appropriate  that on  this
          night of the  Blood Moon we who are on the Pagan path ritually ask the
          understanding  of our animal sisters and brothers, bless them, and bid
          them merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

                                                                            1072          

          NOVEMBER

                    As theWinter Sun wanes andthe Snow Moon waxesfull, cast your
          Circle in the warm glow of candlelight.  Salute  the Moon in Her snowy
          whiteness and breathe in the  coolness of Her light.  Become  as still
          as this Winter  night, and know  that the activity  of the warm  light
          months  is behind us.   Ahead are  the dark months  of the year.   The
          Spirit is most active when the body is most still.

          DECEMBER

                    The Full Moon nearestthe Winter Solstice is the OakMoon, the
          Moon of the newborn year, the Divine Child.  Like the Divine Child who
          is born to  die and dies to  be reborn anew,  the ancient Oak has  its
          trunk and  branches in  the material  world of the  living, while  its
          roots, the  branches  in  reverse,  reach deep  into  the  Underworld,
          symbolic  land of the  Spirit.  As  the roots probe  downward into the
          grave-like darkness of the Earth, its branches grow ever upward toward
          the light, to  be crowned by sacred Mistletoe.   At this most magickal
          time of the year, as the light of the old dying year wanes and the Oak
          Moon waxes to full, cast your  Circle wearing Mistletoe in your  hair.
          Let  this  token   remind  you  that  like  the  Oak,   we  too  dwell
          simultaneously in two  worlds - the world  of physical matter and  the
          world of Spirit.  As you invoke the Goddess of the Moon, ask  that you
          become ever  more aware of  the other side  of reality and  the unseen
          forces and beings that are  always among us.

                                                                            1073


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