The Spirit's Room

Like all things, Witchcraft is different for each person. I cannot
provide an exhaustive definition, however I can provide some base
ideas that are generally shared by all pagans. Understand that
this is only general and may/will not apply to all.

1. Connection to the Earth and the changing seasons.
Each season has it's own unique energy and rythym.

2. Acknowledgement of the spiritual in everyday life.
A bird doesn't cross your path without a reason. If we
are open to all around us we learn from them.

3. Acknowledging that others follow different paths.
Each person has their own life to live and path to follow.

4. Belief in magick, that there is a energy in the world beyond the obvious.
Some refer to it as the force of nature. A good reference
would be 'The Force" in Star Wars.

5. Worship of more than one God.
God and Goddess are many and one.

6. Believing in Karma.
That whatever you do comes back to you threefold.

7. An emphasis of the feminine Goddess.
Not just the masculine, but all aspects of the God/Goddess.

Click on the picture above to read some more indepth information on Wicca and Witches.

Click on the picture above to see information on the traditional festival days of Wicca. These are just the 8 major holidays celebrated. Below you will find a link for the Full Moon days.

Click on the graphic above to take you to more information on Full Moon Names.

Click on the Picture below to see the entire

Wiccan Rede.

How to Make an Altar

An altar serves as a conscious reminder that you are spiritual. In the home, it can provide a sacred space for you to meditate, to pray, and even to perform rituals.

Here's One Way How:

Find a quiet space in your home where you can place your altar. If possible, have it face North. Trust yourself and use your intuition to find the "right" place for it. Some witches set it up in their back yards. Others don't have a permanent spot, but put it together for each ritual.

Cleanse and bless the space by sprinkling salt water, burning sage, or ringing a bell.

Ask the spirits of the North, East, South, and West to guard this sacred space.

Ask the Goddess and God to bless your altar space.

Place a low table or box in the spot.

Cover the table with a special cloth. You decide what makes it special. I use an old dresser scarf that use to belong to my grandmother.

Place your pentacle, a stone, or a bowl of salt on the northern side of your altar. This represents Earth energy.

Place an incense burner, a feather, or your wand on the eastern side of your altar. This represents Air energy.

Place a candle or your athame at the southern side of your altar. This represents Fire energy.

Place your chalice, a seashell, or a bowl of water on the western side of your altar. This represents Water energy.

If you have statues that represent the Goddess or God, place them on the altar. You can also use candles, stones, or any other objects that feel right.

If you have any other object that you associate with your spiritual practice, find a place for it on your altar. You might add Tarot cards, Runes, your Book of Shadows, or your journal. I have a two tiered end table, on the bottom shelf I keep my extra items.

Tips:

Feel free to arrange your altar as you wish. It is your personal expression of your relationship with the Divine. Keep it as ornate or as simple as you like. I know I move things around every once in awhile.

Respect your altar as sacred space and ask others to do the same. Don't allow random objects to be placed on it.

If you live with people who are uncomfortable with paganism, you can make your altar inconspicuous by keeping it on top of your bureau. Or make your entire room an altar!

The Wiccan's Tools

Different traditions have varing views when it comes to using tools. Taditional wiccans will tell you not only what kind of tools to have, but what they should be made of, where to get them, and how to consecrate them.
On the other end you'll find the kitchen witches. Those who don't use tools at all, or just use what's available in their kitchens at hand.
If you wish to use tools, here's a list of the four basic tools you could acquire:

The Athame

This is a ritual blade, usually dulled. The athame represents the element of fire or air, depending on the tradition you follow. It's used for making divisions and separations. During a circle-casting you'll use the Athame to define the boundary of the circle itself.

The Wand

Wiccans do have magic wands. The wand, usually associated with the element of air and represents the will. If you want to funnel energy into an object, you would use a wand.

The Chalice

The Chalice represents the element water. Water is associated with feelings and camaraderie.

The Pentacle/Pentagram

This is a five-pointed star within a circle. The pentacle represents the element of earth on an altar. The five points of the star correspond to the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) and the fifth element of the spirit. Using this symbol with one point facing upward, symbolizes spirit over matter. If you are uncomfortable using a Pentacle, place a bowl of sea salt on your altar.

Other Wiccan Tools

Here are a few items witches use a lot of:

Candles In different colors, different colors represent different power, they are often used in casting spells. The flame of a candle makes a good focus for meditation. During ritual they are used to represent the four directions, the Goddess and the God.

Incense and oils Another useful tool for ritual. Incense can be an effective way to create ambience with minimal effort. It also makes you feel better. Used also during spells to bring a certain attribute to bear. Different incense represent different desires. Alternatively use drops of scented oil in a bowl of water.

Divination tools You can use just about anything as a divination tool. I use Medicine Woman Tarot cards by Carol Bridges. Runes, pendulums, crystal balls and cauldrons are a few different tools you can use. As in all things, that which you feel most comfortable with is what you should use. Don't be afraid to experiement.

Bells and chimes A way to open or close a meditation or a ritual. Some use them to draw the attention of The Goddess and The God.

Ceremonial brooms Some wiccans insist they be made from certain kinds of wood such as oak or ash. Used for sweeping a space to clean it of dirt and bad energy. Mine is made from local items gathered in the woods. Placed under my bed for relationship harmony.

Colored cloth Used to cover an altar, to bind up a charm or to carry tools for outdoor trips. As with candles, different colors symbolize different things.

Herbs The use of herbs in magic is linked to the use of herbs for healing. There are too many to mention. But once you decide what ones you wish to use, grow them yourself. That way you are assured that no pesticides were used during growth. Or buy from a organic retailer.

Cauldron Used to transform things. Represents The Goddess. Made of cast iron or brass. Make sure you place it on something heat proof.

Setting Up the Altar

This is the place that the celebration revolves around. The things that are needed are here, either on the altar, or placed underneath it, where they can be easily reached.

Each of the four elements are present. Air in the form of incense and the Athame. Fire in the form of incense and the wand. Water in it's actual form and the Chalice. Earth in the form of salt and the Pentacle.

There should be a flame, usually a candle. Things should only be placed on or removed from the altar with your dominant hand. I often place flowers on my altar for The Goddess. This is just one view of the things that you can usually find on an altar.

More to come soon: