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BASIC TECHNOLOGIES OF WITCHCRAFT
This is the outline for a collection of four semi-formal training
sessions for people interested in starting out in "The Craft" or
Neopaganism. It is intended to give enough grounding to effectively
participate in ritual, with the expectation that those that are really
dedicated, skilled, and/or interested will undertake further study.
Since this is for beginners, there are no textbooks, no required
reading, and the course only deals with such material as can be taught
in four 1-1/2 to 2 hour informal sessions.
I. DAY ONE: Neopagan Traditions
The first day's material is a basic overview of Neopagan history
and tradition, intended to make people more comfortable with the
subject.
A. History of The Craft
Examine two topics to show how they influence the modern
witch: how Neopagan witchcraft grew out of and borrows from
the Gardnerian Reformation, and how our Craft Law developed
from a variety of traditions and needs.
1. Origins, Ancient (?) and Modern
Fact before theory: discuss the evolution of witchcraft
from Gardner onwards, then overview the evidences that
witchcraft is a pre-Christian and (possibly)
pre-historic religion.
a. The Gardnerian Reformation
Discussion of Gerald Gardner and both the original
and modern versions of Gardnerian Witchcraft (with
a quick side-line into its off-shoot and
competitor, Alexandrian Witchcraft).
b. The Church of All Worlds and Neopaganism
History of the Church of All Worlds and its contri-
butions, including the word "neopagan" and "Green
Egg", the journal in which the framework of modern,
Neopagan witchcraft was developed from the
framework of Gardnerianism crossed with Greco/Roman
and Egyptian pagan traditions.
c. The Non-Pagan Branches of the Craft
Other types of witches: Feminist Wicca, Church of
Wicca, the Masonic Druids of England, and the
Family Tradition- alists.
d. Evidences of Stone-Age Witchcraft
Discuss some of the evidence that witchcraft
carries on a tradition with stone-age origins and a
10,000 year history, both pro and con. Emphasize
that there is no conclusive evidence one way or the
other.
2. Craft Law, Ancient and Modern
a. The Reasons for Craft Law
Discuss how the in-bred fear of of the Powers of
Evil, combined with the need to trust each other
against the Inquisition, gave birth to the concept
of Craft Law.
b. The Wiccan Rede
"An it harm none, do what thou will." Stress both
the libertine and the disciplinarian
interpretations of that law. Discuss the Law of
Karma, and how the Wiccan Rede (interpreted
properly) becomes more of a safety rule than a
Commandment.
c. The Rule of Secrecy
Gloss quickly over the Inquisition (everybody knows
enough), and examine some of the evidence that a
"witchhunt" is being begun. Encourage the students
to recognize that the decision to be public or
secretive has to be made by each individual, and
they have the right to expect others to respect
their privacy on this matter.
3. Magick in Theory and Practice
Magick is the unifying force in all of the Neopagan
Traditions. To lay the groundwork for Day Two, explain
the basic theories of magick, and how they influence the
design and practice of Neopagan ritual.
a. The Basic Rules of Magick
Explain that the central theory of magick is that
reality can be altered by a sufficiently strong
will, focused by the proper ritual. For comparison
and contrast, mention Bell's Hypothesis, from
quantum physics. Discuss seriously the possibility
that all that the magician alters is his own mind
and awareness of how the world works.
b. Magick and Neopagan Ritual
Define the two classic types of ritual: religious
and magickal, or (better terms) theurgical and
thaumaturgical. Show how magick is used in both,
and where the rituals diverge.
B. The Magick Circle
Even more than the pentacle, the Magick Circle is the central
symbol of Neopagan Witchcraft. The final topic for Day One
is the purpose, symbolism, and protocols of a pagan Circle.
1. Purpose and Symbolism
a. Ceremonial Magic and Qabbalism versus the Pagan Circle
Most people get their idea of what a circle is for
from the Ceremonial magicians and kaballists, who
use it for protection from outside magick.
Emphasize that the quantum leap that Gardner made
was to think of using the circle INSTEAD to keep
beneficial magick WITHIN the ritual area until it
is fully built-up, focused, and directed.
b. The Power of the Circle: The Five Elements
Discuss how the classic Four Elements of Greek
science are the symbols for four types of power,
four states of matter, four types of personality,
and so forth, showing correspondences. Highlight
the difference between elemental power, psychic
power, and divine power - and the similarities.
Explain how the elements are used in casting the
circle.
c. Ritual Tools
Discuss one-by-one the tools that a witch uses to
focus her mind - the athame, the elemental symbols
(salt or a pentacle for earth, a candle or lamp for
fire, the incense and the wand for air, the chalice
for water), the magic mirror, the sword, candles,
herbs, and the use of images.
2. Conduct within the Circle
Two final bits of information needed inside the circle:
the directions of casting and the integrity of the
circle.
a. Widdershins and Deosil
Define the terms (deosil = clockwise, widdershins =
counter-clockwise). Explain that widdershins is
often mistaken for evil, but show that the
difference is more accurately raising or banishing
power. Stress that, in order to get along, when in
doubt, go deosil.
b. The Integrity of the Circle
Remind people that, since no evil magick is
involved, there is no RISK involved in leaving a
circle. However, stress that since a circle is
supposed to CONTAIN energy it should not be
punctured hastily or unnecessarily. Teach how to
open and close gateways in the circle, and when to
and not to do so.
II. DAY TWO: MEDITATION AND VISUALIZATION
The second day's concentration is on the mental aspects of magick
and ritual work, and is mostly in workshop form.
A. Meditation
Describe meditation as a means of altering your mental state
by relaxation and concentration