Ask A Witch
Questions and Answers about Wicca, Witchcraft, Paganism, magick, the paranormal and more! If you’d like to submit a question to be answered, email me at Rowan@RowanPendragon.com.
Ask A Witch: Am I a Witch?
Aug 30th
Recently I received two different questions through Ask A Witch and they both deal with a similar issue and I thought I would address them together. Both individuals wrote in with questions about being a Witch; how do you know you’re a Witch and does a Witch have to be born or can a Witch be made. Here we’re going to look at both of these questions and see what information I can give to help sort out these questions for these two readers.
I have always wondered if you had to be born into witchcraft and all other or can you tap into it and learn? I have always wanted to learn and have always been very fascinated by it.
~ Maria
I do witchcraft as hobby but i would like to know if i am a witch. I am very sensitive when i watch scary movies.
~ Jessica
Thank you for your questions Maria and Jessica.
I think the best way to start out with looking at this is to address the issue of whether or not someone can be a Witch whether they were born into it or have come to the Craft our of personal interest. There are different schools of thought on this and it differs a great deal based on the tradition of Witchcraft that someone is talking about. So let’s break this down into some small and simple bits to try and make sense of.
Do you have to be born into Witchcraft to be considered a Witch? I don’t believe so and most people today don’t believe so either. That isn’t to say that there aren’t people that do feel this way, but by and large in the Craft today it is believed that people can become Witches by learning, studying and practicing. Here is why I believe this completely.
First of all, let’s consider being born into another religion or spiritual path. Many people, myself included, seem to come to Wicca or Witchcraft after having had a Catholic or Christian upbringing or being born into a family of one of these religions. Let’s say you’re born into a family of Roman Catholics; does the fact that your parents believe and practice the Roman Catholic faith automatically make you a better Catholic than someone that came to that religion on their own? Not in my opinion, no. Second, let’s consider whether or not you yourself subscribe to the beliefs and practices of your parents. Your parents may be Catholic but do you yourself fully believe and practice the Catholic faith? If you don’t, being born into a Catholic family doesn’t seem to have made much of an impact on your spiritual life. Now, I do think that by being born into a certain faith we are given a little bit more advantage within that faith because, just by the very circumstance, we are set up with a support system of people that thinking like we do, believe like we do and so on, making it easier for us to explore our spiritual side. But if we find that this particular faith doesn’t suit us and we begin to seek outside the family, we can find it to be a difficult search as well as a long search because we may not have the same amount of support in this exploration that we would have if we just stayed within the family faith, so to speak.
Many, many people come to Witchcraft and the Pagan religions after living by a “book religion” for a good part of their life and finding that the ideas, beliefs and principles do not match what they personally feel in their heart. There are people that may find certain talents that they naturally possess, like being psychic or having the ability to connect withe spirit world, is something that is shunned or seen as evil or sinful in their “faith of birth”. This may very well lead them to explore something like Witchcraft or Wicca in an effort to find answers and find other people that they feel they share something deeper with and whom they can connect to on a spiritual level. There’s nothing wrong with this and a Witch who comes to the Craft because of a spiritual calling belongs here just as much as someone who is born into it. In fact, I sometimes feel that those who had to really work their way into the Craft may deserve it more because of what they may have had to sacrifice to get there. But being born into a family that practices Witchcraft, just like being born into a family of practicing Catholics, doesn’t make you any more of a Witch, or a better Witch, than someone that came to the path on their own later in life. Just like there are many Catholics born into Catholic families who never fully embrace their faith, there are those born into Pagan or Witch families that never really embrace that path either. Everyone has to follow the path they were meant to follow, wherever that leads, even if that means moving away from the family spiritual lineage.
So, yes, a Witch can be made just as well a one can be born. It all comes down to a choice and decision by that individual as to whether or not the path of the Witch is the one they wish to walk. If you feel you are drawn to this path and you want to explore it, do so, but do so with an understanding that it’s a path that takes seriousness and dedication. It’s not the sort of thing that you can really develop when you treat it like a hobby or something that you can just pick up and put down and will and expect it to always work for you. Taking the time to study and develop your skills with an attitude of serious intention and gratitude for being given the chance to do this is going to give you far better results than just picking up a candle, following a spell from a book word for word, and not really knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing or saying what you’re saying because you don’t feel you have the time to put into really studying the path of Witchcraft. When you’re working Witchcraft like that it’s a crap-shoot. Things might work for a while and then they stop but since you haven’t really by studying along the way you wont be able to really discern why things went off track and how to get it back on again.
Everyone is born with some level of psychic ability but not everyone grows and explores that ability. When you decide that you want to be a Witch this is one aspect of your natural talents that will grow and change. Many people tend to see someone as having a natural affinity for psychic ability as being someone that is naturally a Witch, but natural intuitive ability and being a Witch are not the same thing. Being sensitive to energies around you is a good sign of having a strong connection to the psychic realm, but the real skill of it still needs to be developed. The same goes for Witchcraft as a whole; you need to work at it and study it to really know what you’re doing. And as for being sensitive to scary movies, lots of people have problems with watching certain kind of films and that doesn’t dictate their spiritual path. Take the time to really do some soul searching and some studying about the Craft to decide if it’s right for you. If it is, great! But if it isn’t, that’s fine too! Follow whatever path truly calls to your heart and then follow it with your whole heart.
Ask A Witch: Flowing bodies of Water
Aug 17th
I recently received a very interesting Ask A Witch question, one that I’m honestly surprised I haven’t been asked a hundred times before! It’s a great question that brings about the need for us, as magickal practitioners, to take into consideration our own personal perceptions of things verses what other people may say is the “way it is”. So here is a great question concerning the using of “large bodies of water” in magickal work and my double-edged response.
Hello. I have a question about utilizing the element of water, particularly the ocean, in spellcasting. I’ve come across a variety of spells that make use of running water such as a river or stream, which I understand, but they often indicate that not only lakes and ponds but also the ocean do not qualify as running water. This confuses me, since I see the ocean as one massive, continuously moving body of water. Why would so many people consider the ocean non-moving in regards to magickal purposing? Also, as someone who lives at the ocean, I’m particularly interested in working with this awesome force of nature. What types of magick do you feel would be best benefitted by working with the ocean? Thank you.
- Sunny
I have to day, Sunny, that is a wonderful question! There are really two different ways to look at this and I’m going to explore both and then let you decide what is best for you and your work. Remember, going with what you feel is the best for you is always going to lend more confidence and, in turn, energy and power to your work than doing what someone else says is “the way”.
As another Witch that lives at the ocean, I share your love of the this great, powerful representation of the Mother. I spent many years trying to find a way to live as close to the ocean as I could and finally, after a little magickal intervention, at the beginning of this year I was finally able to make that happen. But when it comes to using the ocean and certain types of magick we can find a little bit of an impasse.
First, the issue of rivers and streams verse the ocean as a running body of water. Think about the way that an ocean moves as opposed to how a river moves. They both have definite movement, this is true, but they have very different flows and currents. The river moves in one distinct direction where as the ocean churns, the tides move in and out and roll back and forth on the shore. When we’re working a spell, like a banishing spell for example, and we create a representation of what we wish to banish or wash away from our lives and we need to toss it in a running body of water, using a river will fill this need a bit better than an ocean. With the river, we can stand at a distinct point and throw the object into the water and see it carried away from us, never to be seen again and thus taking away the unwanted energy (unless, of course, we went and chased it down to the mouth of the river). With the ocean, were we to stand at the end of the shore and toss in our magickal object for banishing to have the sea take it away, there’s a good chance that it’s going to roll back to the shore a number of times before it gets pulled out further into the water. This keeps the energy from swiftly leaving and it also can mean that this object, and the energy contained in and around it, could just as easily find its way back to us if the seas are too rough or not rough enough.
River...flowing and moving
Pond...small, quiet and still.
Ocean...laps, rolls and crashes on shore.
For certain types of magick the ocean is a great resource where a river might not be the best option. The ocean being a large body of salt water makes it the ideal place for cleansing magick where, with a river, you have to rely on the current for cleansing to carry things away. So if the river you have near you doesn’t have a strong current you may not find the cleansing power of that river to be terribly strong, but the river is always full of cleansing power and energy. As for lakes and ponds, their currents are very deep under the surface and do not have the same pull and flow that an actual, moving body of water has; typically because a lake or pond doesn’t have a visibly moving current they are not considered moving bodies of water (and for the most part ponds are stationary). While a pond or lake will have some sort of small run off or outlet, they aren’t current generating and aren’t considered a good option for spells and magick that call for water that will pull, move and cleanse something in the way that a river or stream will.
It all comes down to what you’re using the body of water in the first place. So consider first your purpose and what you’re using the water for. If you want the water to carry something away then you’re going to want a body of water that is going to be moving away from your in a distinct way. If you want to use water for cleansing or consecration you can use the salt water of the ocean and see the lapping waves as the hands of the Goddess cleanings you or you can use the freshwater of a lake to diffuse any negative energies from you or an object. Just consider the ultimate goal of the spell, the available body of water you’re looking to work with, and how that body of water actually moves and flows since that is going to impact the energy of your work. For example, at the ocean you can use a piece of drift wood, a wand, or your finger and draw symbols or words into the sand at the edge of the water with a wish or desire and then speak an invocation or prayer as the waves wash up and pull away your magickal images into the seas to churn away and create energy for your desire, knowing that once the images are completely smoothed out your spell is in motion. This isn’t something you could do at the beach of a lake because it doesn’t have the same sort of current or flow behind it.
All that said, I think that you should also work with what seems to make sense for you. If you see that ocean as once big moving body of what (which I don’t think anyone would ever deny is true) and you feel it will work for such spells, then try and see! If you find that, through experience, it works for you then you have found your answer. If you find that the results are less than what you’d hope for, then try working with a river or stream and see what different outcome you have. The best way to formulate how to work your magick is to work it and learn from your experiences. Magick never works the same for everyone.
Ask A Witch: Magpies
Jun 30th
Here is an Ask A Witch question sent in from Susan with a question about magpies. Remember, you can ask your questions to by clicking on the link at the top of the page for “Ask A Witch” and filling out the form!
I have had one Magpie over my house for the last 9 weeks what does this mean? I have never had any luck so is my life always going to be so bad?
- Susan
Hi Susan!
First, let’s look at the situation with what a magpie could be representing for you. You might find it particularly interesting to note that many of our ancestors actually saw magpies as a sign of good luck and abundance! Magpies are very resourceful birds that scavenge and collect items that they perceive as being valuable. Anyone that’s ever had magpie families living around their property will be able to attest that any sort of decoration or baubles, especially things that are gold, silver or otherwise shiny in their yards or on their porches, will quickly find their way around the nests and homes of the magpies. The rule of thumb with magpies is that if it isn’t nailed down, it’s fair game for the magpies. Because of the fact that the magpies often had many gold and often valuable items with them, it was though by many people of old that when a magpie or a family of magpies started to show up at your home, especially if they were making nests of their own and looking to share space with you, that you were in for good fortune and abundance and that the magpie was the one that would bring it to you.
Magickally magpies are thought to be able to connect to the realm of faery. It is thought that they can guide those that wish to explore the faery worlds into that part of the spirit world. They are seen as openers of doorways and gateways to change and transformation. Magpies are also seen as symbols of knowledge, especially occult knowledge. Their distinct black heads look almost like a hat or helmet of some sort and it’s thought by some that this draws attention to the knowledge held within. Magpies are also very vocal birds, especially when in a group of other magpies, and it’s thought that one of their teachings when they come to someone is that they are trying to help you learn to use your voice to get attention and to be able to vocalize your thoughts and desires.
It’s interesting that you talk about feeling like you never have any luck but yet a magpie has been in your space for nine weeks. I felt compelled to draw a few cards from my Gaia Oracle for you as part of this process. I do feel that the magpie is around you trying to help open the gate for you but you aren’t working with it. I drew three cards for you; one card for looking to see what the message that Magpie has for you and two to see how you can use that and work with that.
What is the message that Magpie has for you: Intuitive Communication
The message with magpie for you isn’t one of the speaking your voice so much as listening to your inner voice and accessing the knowledge that you hold within. With regard to your issue of not feeling like you ever have any luck, there is a need for clearing away and making room for change, luck and abundance to come through for you. This comes from listening to your intuition and listening to how you communicate with the Universe around you. Many of us are our own worse critics and are very good at negative self talk, but this often keeps us in these negative patterns or patters of “bad luck”. Thoughts are like actions or deeds and are a form of intuitive communication. So if you want good things you need to communicate positive thoughts and positive desires to the Universe and it will listen.
The two cards that help lend some other thoughts on how to work with this message: Yin Yang and Sacred Earth Mother
Harmony and peace are best found when we are in a place of feeling like we have balance around us. If you’re feeling out of balance and feeling like everything that is going on around you is either keeping you held back from having the things that you desire, it’s time to find the things that make you feel this way and start releasing them and letting them go. I feel as thought taking some time out of your daily routine, having some quite time for reflection and meditation can be helpful to clear out the clutter and the things that may be adding to this lack of balance. There is a lot of love that wants to come through for you I feel, love from those around you and the Universe as a whole, but you have become stuck it feels. You have allowed the “bad luck” patterns to have a certain amount of power of you that you have slipped into this belief that this is just what your life is and how things are, and that’s just not true. Again, taking time out to clear your head and your space will be most helpful in really discovering your true self and the light that you have within that, when it shines bright, draws all the good and positive things you desire to you.
In the end I would saw that the magpie is there to remind you that you need to listen to your inner voice, follow your inner light and guidance and let that light shine through. Since magpies love things that are bright and shiny they must see that light around you and are just waiting for you to see it too. 
On the somewhat practical side, if you haven’t ever read “The Secret” I would definitely recommend picking it up and giving it a read. If you have read it, give it another read as it may help to open up some doors for you with some positive visualization and affirmation techniques to get you to where you want to be.
Ask A Witch: How old do I have to be?
May 28th
hey, I can age 13 to be witches? hehe little translation program for this but then .. do you think I can it?
~ Ellen
Thanks for your question Ellen!
Age is one of the things that a lot of new Wiccans and Witches as about, and it’s a good question! I think we all come to this path at different times in our lives, it comes to us (or we come to it) when the time is right and when we are ready to explore and experience what this path brings us. I was 13 when I made my first dedication to the path and there are many others who are in their teens when they get started; I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that! In fact, I think that at that age we’re still willing to be open to accepting many of the ideas and concepts of magick and spirituality that can be harder to accept as we get older.
You’ll hear some people say that you shouldn’t start working with magick or studying the Craft until you’re a bit older, usually between 18 and 21. There are a couple arguments for this.
One argument says that until you get to the age of about 18 you are typically still living under the roof of your parents and are considered a minor. As a minor many people feel you should be doing and following whatever beliefs and traditions your parents wish to have you adhere to in their home. Not everyone’s parents are open to the idea of their children practicing Witchcraft, but then some are. For example when I was 11 and discovered Wicca my parents were OK with it and I was able to ready and study, eventually leading me to decide at 13 that this was the path I wanted to walk. But for some people their parents are not as open accepting to this path of spirituality and may even be completely opposed to it. It’s always important to honor your parents and their feelings, so I would recommend talking to them about it before diving head first into study and practice if you are living with them.
Another reading some give for waiting is that at 13 you are not fully aware of what you’re deciding and may not be mature enough to make such a decision. I don’t think this is true in all cases but I do feel it’s true in some. There are many teens that turn to Witchcraft as a way of trying to get back at someone (thinking they can curse someone that has upset them, use magick to pass a test, etc) and others that use it to get attention or to intentionally upset their parents. But there are many that are drawn to the Craft because it is a spiritual calling and not a way for seeking some sort of revenge on someone or as a way to boost their ego. So I think this is subjective and each individual needs to take time to seriously ask themselves why they want to study the path of Witchcraft and why they feel called to practice the Craft.
And the last, and for some the most important thing that makes them decide when to start practicing, is the fact that many covens will not teach or take on a new member who is under the age of 18, or in some cases, 21. Many covens adhere to this rule because of the question of maturity, many do it because they feel that it is the right and responsibility of the parents of a minor to decide what spiritual path a child to be exposed to, yet for many covens and coven leaders it’s a combination of the two that make them follow this rule of thumb. It is a good rule in larger scheme of things, and today with the internet and all the readily available information on Wicca and Witchcraft both online and off (most major bookstore chains have whole sections dedicated to new age, metaphysical and magickal books), there is plenty to keep one occupied studying on their own until they are old enough to find a coven to join. I think it is a great help to anyone who might want to join a coven later down the road to take the time in-between to study and practice on their own so that when the time comes to join a coven they are ready for the intense experience that they will have.
So, can you study and become a Witch at 13? Yes. But be sure that you take the time to really think about why you want to do it and if you’re willing to really put the time, work and effort into this path that it takes. You will spend a lot of time getting to know yourself in a way that you never have before and it can be a difficult thing to go through, but one that brings you to a wonderful new life on the other side. You have your whole life ahead of you so there’s no need to rush; take your time and enjoy to ride.
Ask A Witch: What is the old faith?
May 13th
Whats the old faith? Where can i get more information? Books, are there books on this? Do your own written spells work better than a borrowed spell?
- Tara
Thanks for your questions Tara.
Typically when people speak about the “old faith” or “old religion” they are referring to Paganism as a whole. Some people use this term to reference Witchcraft in a general sense and yet others use the term in reference in Wicca. It’s a term that has become very popular but doesn’t necessarily mean that something is “old”. Wicca, for example, has only been around for 60-70 years, and while that might be old to some people, it certainly doesn’t make it an ancient religion. Wicca takes many elements from many different traditions and faiths that came before it, but Wicca itself isn’t really an “old faith”, even though that might be how some people refer to it. If you’re just getting started with Wicca there are a number of books available to get you started. If you’re looking for books that are more historical in nature to learn about Paganism and the place where Wicca holds it’s roots, there are some books that can help you there as well. Here is a list of books that you can look for on both counts:
Recommended Beginner Book On Wicca and Witchcraft:
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Solitary Wicca for Life by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin
The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak
Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot
Spirit of the Witch by Raven Grimassi
Witchcraft Today by Gerald Gardner
Books Looking At History In Paganism:
Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton
Wicca by Vivian Crowley
A History of Pagan Europe by Prudenece Jones and Nigel Pennick
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in America by Chas S. Clifton
As for spells, spells that are borrowed, regardless of how old they are, are never inherently better than something that you create yourself. Spells that you write yourself will always have more truth and more power to them than something written and created by someone else. When you write your own spells the words you pick will have more meaning, deeper meaning, for you than words written by someone else. Also, the energy and time that you put into writing the spell, gathering the items for the spell, and putting it all together, add to the energy of the spell when you actually cast it. This lends more energy to your work than just taking a list of things from a book and going to a shop and grabbing things without really knowing why you’re using them other than it’s what the book stays. I have another article that I have written about this specific thing called “The Power of Words” that you might want to read to help answer your question.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Many Blessings!!
Ask A Witch: Dealing With An Ex
Apr 6th
Is there an easy spell that I can do to get rid of an ex-lover and keep him from taking something of mine with him?
~ Annette
Getting rid of the dreaded ex, and making sure he doesn’t try and take your stuff in the process, can be tough. I once had an ex that tried to take one of my cats when he moved out, so I know how ugly it can get!
Here is a very simple spell that you can use that can help with removing him from your life. The way that this spell works is by lighting these candles each day for a predetermined amount of time each day. The string is tied around the base of the candles and as the candles are lit each day you pull them apart from each other until the string is taught and the candles are as far away from each other as they can go with the string still attached. On the last day you cut the string and let the candles burn down completely.
You’ll need two candles and some black thread or string. With the candles you have a few options. When it comes to the shape of the candles you can either use two taper candles or you can use male and female figure candles. Color wise you can either use colors based on your astrological signs (you can find a list of colors in this post) or you can use white for yourself and black for him. Take the candles and with a pen, knife, or other sharp object, carve your name in your candle and his into his candle. Take the two candles and place his on the left and yours on the right. Take the black string and tie one end to each candle holder. You want to make sure that you have some slack between them (I would recommend measuring the amount of string you use by measuring it from elbow to wrist). Start with the candles being right next to each other. You’re going to want to light them and take some time thinking about how much you want him to go away and leave your life. Let the candles burn for the time that you have decided on ahead of time and then snuff them out. Each day, before lighting them again, pull the candles a part a bit to make the string a little tighter and to symbolize the growing distance between you two. On the last day, when you can’t pull the candles apart any further, and with pair of scissors, before lighting the candles, you’re going to cut the string. As you prepare to do this you can say something like:
As I cut this sting, I cut our ties,
And no more will I hear your lies.
As your flame burns and sends you away,
My flame lights the path to a new day.
Then cut the string, light the candles for the last time and let them burn out completely.
One of the other extra added things that you can do along with this, especially if he’s still bothering you, is to take his name written on a piece of paper and place it inside a freezer bag of water and place it in the back of the freezer. Do this with the intention of “freezing” him out so that he can’t have any impact on your life. You had also mentioned that there was something that he might try and take of yours and you can also write that down on the paper and add that to this to “freeze” him from being able to take your stuff.
The key in all instances here is intent with what you are doing and strongly visualizing your desire of seeing him out of your life and moving on without him having any effect on your any longer. Not knowing what it is specifically that he might try and take, I’m not sure how to approach that for you, but I think you can easily add in the intention of him not taking your stuff with the candle spell as well (as he moves away from your the ability for him to take your things becomes harder for him to do). But I’d be happy to help with something more specific if you’d like to give a little more detail. 
Hope that helps!
Ask A Witch: There are bones on my steps.
Mar 29th
I got an interesting question from a reader name Dan and while I’d love to be able to give Dan some great answers and help with his questions, I don’t know that I really have an answer for him! So check out his question and my response and feel free to comment with your thoughts as well if you think you might have more help to offer! I know some of you out there may be more versed in the use of bones and other animal material in spell work and can give some possible answers to Dan’s question.
A few years ago, I was in the process of moving to a new location to accept a job. Some time during this period, I found a scattering of bones on the first landing of the outdoor steps that led to my door (someone had to climb a flight of stairs and deliberately place them). I know two or three women who are involved to some degree with witchcraft. The bones were pork bones, as I found the wrapper discarded on the driveway, and I could not tell if there was some specific arrangement of the bones. Does this sound like a spell or curse of any kind that you are aware of?
Thank you
I wish I could give you some specific answers about your situation and what you found on your doorsteps, but not knowing more about the way they were laid out it’s hard to say. Bones are used in different magickal practices for different things. Some use them for revenge spells, others specifically for necromancy to call on certain spirits to come and cause trouble to an individual. Your specific situation, not knowing more about the state of the bones at the time you found then and then any issues or problems that you might have had that you think could have been connected to this makes it hard to say what it could have been. Do people do thinks like place bones in someone’s path (like in the doorways or on a front door step) in order to have some magickal effect? Sure. But it’s hard to say if that was the intention or purpose of your specific situation.
Maybe we can get some help from another reader to help.
Ask A Witch: Do I have to use this stuff?
Mar 23rd
Here is another great question for “Ask A Witch” this time coming from Tracey!
When doing a ritual or spell is it imperative that you use exactly what is required in that spell as i live in the Southern hemisphere it is very hard to come by a lot of the requirements asked for in a spell or ritual as most of the books are from the Northern hemisphere. Any comments you or anyone else leaves will be most appreciated.
Thanks for the question Tracey. It’s a really good one because it’s a question that a lot of people have, especially when they’re getting started, regardless of where they’re located. There are a few different factors that play into this but I’m going to just point blank answer your question and then we’ll get into details and specifics.
Do you have to use all the exact items that you find listed in a spell or ritual from a book (or any other source, really)?
No.
You want to consider a few different things when you’re looking at spells books. First of all, are the spells in the book more “ancient” and I mean that in a really loose way; are they written from the point of trying to portray old or ancient spell methods, or are they more modern day type spells. Some books, like “The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells” by Judika Illes, contain spells that are legendary folk spells from various parts of the world and contain material that is meant to give a sense of how certain types of spells were done, or may have been done, in time past. Some of these spells contain ingredients and elements that are either impossible to find or might seem unethical in today’s world of magick (depending on your beliefs and tradition of course). Then you have situations like yours were it just might be extremely difficult to find certain items because of where you might be located. It’s possible that a specific herb isn’t native to where you live and might be hard to come by or in short supply.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “where there’s a Witch there’s a way.” I think this is a great axiom to have in mind whenever you’re doing magickal work. Just because an item you find in a spell written by someone else either doesn’t feel right or can’t be obtained doesn’t mean you can’t work that spell. Making substitutions and making them confidently is an important part of any Witch’s practice.
If herbs are part of your concern you might want to get a copy of a book on herbs used for magickal purposes that has a good section on substitutions. A book like “Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs” by Scott Cunningham is a great reference to have on hand. There are also a number of great number of online resources that can help you with this. Something like a list of herbs and their magickal uses can help go a long way. The came can be said for a list of magickal properties for crystals and stones. When it comes to other items, like specific types of candles or incenses, again, modify and use what you can get. There’s no reason to have to bend over backwards to try and find a spell item that you isn’t easy to get or costs a ton of money. Remember the herbs and candles and stones are tools and they are not magickal in and of themselves; it’s the energy and intent you put behind them with your spellwork that makes them useful.
So if you come across an item that you can’t locate try these tips and steps to help you find out what you can use in its place that you can locate.
- Do some research on the item. Find out what it is (if you’re not even sure of that much…is it a flower, a root, and herb, etc). Find out what its magickal properties and uses are. Once you know what it’s specifically used for you can start to find something else that will work with it.
- What other associations can you find out about it? In the term of plants and herbs, find out what it’s astrological properties are, the parts that are used, is it poisonous, etc. When you have the magickal purpose and then these additional bits of information you can use them to find a substitute that matches this as closely as possible.
- Don’t feel that you have to follow a spell in a book to the letter. Modify and change things up; write your own incantations and be sure to insert your specific energy and intent into what you’re doing. The intention of an author who writes a book of spells is never going to be the same as yours and your intention and desire is what ultimately drives your work.
Really, when it comes to working with spells from books, it’s best to treat them like guidelines and suggestions. They aren’t sacred or holy texts and if you make changes to them, as long as you understand what you’re changing, what its original purpose was and why you’re changing it to what you’re changing it to, then you’re fine! Don’t be afraid to do it! These are the first steps to learning to write your own spells, which should be the ultimate goal of any competent and serious Witch.
Ask A Witch: Teen Craft on a Budget
Feb 11th
Catching up on “Ask A Witch” questions (thank you everyone for your great questions…replies are coming), we have one today from Zoe, a teen solitary practitioner, looking for some help.
Hello, my name is Zoe and I’ve been Wiccan for about 8 months now. I’m a solitary practitioner, and my life has been so busy that I’ve kind of shoved it to the wayside and haven’t really been involved. My New Year’s resolution was to get more involved in my religion and become more connected to it. So I’ve been looking around for altar supplies and candles and things, but they’re all so expensive!
Do you have any advice for a teenage witch looking to practice the Craft without breaking her budget?
Thank you!
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust
)O( Zoe
Merry Meet Zoe,
I can understand exactly where you’re coming from with regards to trying to get together supplies and altar items when you’re a teen. I was 12 when I started working with magick and I not only didn’t have the money for any expensive altar items but I didn’t have the means to get them either. At least not how most people go for them today. I didn’t have the internet to shop off of and there weren’t any Pagan shops around where I lived until I was 16. Even if you can find the items today they can be really expensive. There are two things that I would recommend for you.
1. You don’t need to buy everything you’ll ever need for your altar or for spellwork/ritual right away.
2. Remember that the object itself is not magickal.
Let acquiring your magickal items be part of the journey of discovering who you are as a Wiccan. You don’t have to have a wand, or even an athame, you can use your hands and fingers. Wands and athames are an extension of yourself, the energy that flows through them and that ultimately is directed either toward your goal within the Universe or to cast your circle, flows from you and out into the Universe. Using the wand or athame just helps as a tool and triggers for your magickal mindset. You don’t have to run out and get them right away and you certainly don’t need to get the fanciest thing you can find. A twig that you find on a meditation walk can work perfectly for your wand and a pretty letter opener that you find in a second hand store, once it’s cleansed and charged, can work as your athame. You do not have to purchase an “official” athame from a Pagan shop or website for an item to serve as an athame.
Also, your tools will change over time. A wand you use today you might use for the next handful of years and then you might find that a plain wooden wand doesn’t suit you anymore and now you want one with an amethyst tip that’s engraved with magickal symbols. Your tastes will change, your magickal goals will change and your use of tools will change, so personally I think that when it comes to your first set of tools getting crazy with buying expensive items isn’t best. Instead find tools and items that are meaningful and if you know that you want that amethyst tipped wand at some point, just know that when the time is right you’ll find a means to have it on your altar and in the meantime a fallen oak branch you can strip the bark off of, mark and decorate yourself will be just as magickal if not more so.
The reason that I point out that the objects themselves are not magickal is because that will help you to put some more perspective on the idea of purchasing ritual items and deciding how much money to spend. They are tools and triggers and obviously things that you feel drawn to are going to call to you will be best, but if you find that you can’t afford to get those things, you can always use something else. The energy and the magick always from from within, it comes from you. You fill the candles and herbs and tools with the energy for your magickal intention.
You mention candles, and that’s one area that always makes me scratch my head. A red candle purchased at the dollar store to do a love spell with will work just as well as a candle that is sold as being “Witch crafted and magickally charged for your intent” and costs $10. Yes, those kinds of candles can be really nice to work with (I am especially a fan of candles from Coventry Creations, White Magick Alchemy, and Zena Moon) but they can be expensive so sometimes they are just a little something special to have. If you look at the grocery store in the isle where they have ethnic foods, you’re find an area with the Kosher food which will also have boxes of white Shabbos candles (these are candles used in the Jewish tradition for candlelighting ceremonies). They’re about 4 inches tall and a box of (about) 75 is usually somewhere around $10. And white candles can be used for anything! But just with candles, you certainly don’t have to go and spend $10 per candle to have “the right candles”.
Herbs you can get at the grocery store (herbs from the supermarket are no less an herb than the ones sold in Witch shops). When it comes to things like statues of Gods and Goddesses, you can use images printed off the internet and either hung on the wall around your altar or placed in frames and put on your altar. A chalice can be a pretty wine glass that you find at Target. You can get a cauldron at Target too! Look in the camping or outdoor section and look for a small cast iron cauldron or pot (the cauldron that I use the most for ritual work is one that is meant for cooking in a campfire but it’s still a cauldron…this is specifically the one I use and when I originally bought it, it was at a department store like a Target). My cauldron collection has grown over the years and I have a few really large ones that have pentacles or triple moons on them but I always go back to the old faithful one the most and it is by far the cheapest one I’ve ever bought and it was meant for outdoor cooking.
Don’t feel that because you don’t have a specific physical object on your altar that you can’t work magick and live your path. Wicca is a spiritual path first and foremost and connecting to the God and Goddess should be your ultimate goal. Working magick and needing all those tools and trinkets is something else entirely.
One other suggestion would be to check the book “Instant Magick” by Christopher Penczak. This book specifically deals with working magick instantly and effectively without tools.
Hope this helps!
Ask A Witch: I’m new…HELP!
Jan 19th
Here’s a new Ask A Witch question from Sammi. If you would like to ask a question, feel free to use the form located in the link at the top of the page for Ask A Witch and send in your questions!
Sammi says…
hi um this may be weird but im new to wicca and i dont know much and i have no one to help me, could you give me a few pointers please?
That’s a pretty loaded question, Sammi, but I’ll see what sort of help I can throw your way.
Let me start by giving you some direction in getting started rather than giving you Wicca in a nutshell. Information on the God and Goddess, the Sabbats, doing rituals and spells, all of that is easy enough to find. But not knowing exactly what you’re specifically looking for pointers on, I’ll help direct you toward getting started in general. At this point, not knowing what you know already, what you’ve read or studied or just now “new” you are, I’ll do what I can to answer your question but if you have OTHER questions, like anymore more specific, please ask!
When it comes to venturing into the world of Wicca there are two ways of doing it. You can dive in feet first and start reading books and following along with the rituals and work that you find in the books or you can take things slow and really make your way on a solid path. Personally, I prefer for ANYONE to take the slower path. Honestly, anyone can follow a spell in a book just like anyone can bake a cake from a recipe in a cookbook, but developing true magickal skills, connecting to the Gods and learning to really to meditate and visualize take time and require a lot of work. It’s better to start with those things and start slow than to rush. You’ll have a lifetime ahead of you for casting spells.
To get started one of the best places to start is with reading books. Each author is like a teacher and each one is going to bring you a different perspective on things. Some you’ll like and some you wont and there will be ones that people will recommend to you that you will find just don’t work for you. And that’s fine! Take the time to try different books and different authors and find the ones that resonate with you.
Some books that I would recommend for getting started are:
“Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” by Scott Cunningham
“The Truth About Witchcraft Today” by Scott Cunningham
“True Magick” by Amber K
“The Witch’s Bible” by Stewart and Janet Farrar
“Wicca for Beginners” by Thea Sabin
“The Power of the Witch” by Laurie Cabot
The next thing that I would recommend would be finding email groups or maybe discussions groups on places like Facebook where you can find like-minded people to chat with. Having people to ask questions to when something pops up is a big help, and personally I think that having the possibility of being able to gain multiple perspectives from many people is even more helpful.
If you want to try and get some basic info on Wicca online here are a few websites to check out:
The Basics on The Witches’ Voice
Witch/Wiccan FAQ on The Witches’ Voice
A helpful article on how to get started in Wicca on About.com
Again, if you have specific questions about practicing Wicca, the Gods, the Sabbats and Esbats, feel free to ask.
Ask A Witch: Buying Tarot Cards
Dec 3rd
Here’s an Ask A Witch question about the idea of buying tarot cards versus receiving them as a gift.
Hi Rowan,
I read your post you made about the All Hallows Tarot and I spent some time checking it out and really liked it. I’m new to tarot but the cards seemed my style so I was thinking about buying them. I have heard that you’re not supposed to buy your own decks and that people are suppose to give them to you as a gift. I thought about asking for them for Christmas but my family doesn’t really know about my interest in these things and I don’t know how they would react to seeing “tarot cards” on a Christmas list. Is it ok for me to buy my own cards or is it really bad luck?
Ali
That’s an interesting question Ali, and one that’s not all that uncommon! This is one of those traditions that some keep and some don’t and not many people know where it came from. It is believed that in the mid-1400′s that tarocchi cards (what eventually evolved to our tarot cards today) was given as a wedding give to a newly wed couple (mostly those in higher classes) as a way to help see what the future of their marriage may hold. This may be one of the possibly origins of the idea of receiving the cards as a gift rather than buying them yourself.
When it comes to the “buy vs. receive” I firmly believe it all depends on personal belief. Many people who believe that the cards should be gifted are told that when the cards are acquired by the individual on their own that the readings will not be clear or will be outright inaccurate. Frankly I think that if you believe that your readings are going to be wrong regardless of the reason, then you’re going to draw that sort of energy to your readings and you’ll be second guessing yourself. I don’t believe that how you get your cards really has anything to do with how your readings turn out and I feel it’s nothing more than superstition. I have purchased just about all of my decks myself and other than just not connecting with a deck, I haven’t had a deck “not want to read for me” or bring me bad luck or anything like that.
Personally I think that you should buy your cards if you feel drawn to doing so. Find a deck that you feel has images that you are drawn to and that you connect with and work with them. Take the time to get to know your cards, become comfortable with them in your hands and listening to what they have to say. Know that they will answer you with truth and honesty as long as you’re open to the message they have for you.
Like anything else the cards themselves do not hold magick, it’s the energy we give them that draws either positive or negative energy and experiences. Go into your experience with your cards in a positive light and you’ll have nothing but years of positive experiences with your cards.
Ask A Witch: Releasing Negativity
Nov 16th
It’s time for another Ask A Witch question! Have you sent in yours yet? I put together a form for submitting questions for Ask A Witch to make it a little easier for those that would like to participate. Up at the top of the page you’ll see an “Ask A Witch” page tab. Just click on that and fill out the form and you’ll see your question here with an answer from me. So on to our latest question!
Hi. I have a question that has been bothering me for awhile. There was this girlfriend that I got into a huge argument with recently and broke up with. I accused her of cheating with someone ( whether I am right or wrong is still unclear ), and prayed that she would come to see the truth. She’s convinced I put a hex on her especially since I recently purchased a witchcraft book ( although this was for the sole purpose of using the clairvoyance chapter as I am trying to fine tune my psychic abilities, I am not the least bit interested in witchcraft ), and so her and her friends have been getting together and putting hexes on me. For instance, the bus I always take, they put the letters HX ( obviously stands for hex ) on the back windows and seats. I’ve noticed that suddenly strange things have been occurring like I’ve been having a lot of bad luck and I’ve seen a lot of black cats cross my path or suddenly appear and just stare, and I even had a few dreams about the devil or demons calling to me and trying to hurt me, so I’m worried about what kind of spells these people are doing, as I have done nothing to deserve this. Can you tell me how to undo negative spells or hexes, and also protect oneself against them? Thank you so much.
SG
The first thing that I would recommend in the way of protection is to not give the whole thing as much energy as you might be giving it. The more energy, focus and concern you give to something the more power it has over you. So if every time you see a black cat you think it’s a harbinger of bad luck then that’s what it’s going to be and you’re going to create that bad luck energy in your life. Like attracts like, especially where magick is concerned, so if you think you are experiencing bad luck, then you’re going to attract bad luck to you.
I can say that I haven’t ever seen this HX inscription before but that’s interesting. The closest thing that I could thing this would be, if not what you feel it “obviously” meant (because nothing is ever really as it seems when it comes to magick), would be the runes Hagalaz and Gebo.
Image from Tarahill.com
Image from Tarahill.com
As far as these runes go, I could understand using Hagalaz as it represents things like destruction, sudden loss, drama, karmic lessons, etc. Gebo is a little different but with Hagalaz I could maybe see it working on a negative side. Gebo often deals with gifts, personal relationships, and generosity through sacrifice. However in a negative context Gebo carries the energies of loneliness, greed, alienation, and sorrow. Neither of these runes can be reversed so you would see them always inscribed like this (since Hagalaz is the letter H in the runic script it’s entirely possible to see this written like our traditional capital H). With Hagalaz first it would amplify the negative aspects of Gebo and together this could be quite the bad luck charm.
So how can you counter this?
I’m going to go out on a bit of a limb and say that your ex used rune magick and I would be inclined to recommend using rune magick for protection as well. Since you said you have no interest in Witchcraft I would be a little hesitant to do magick to counter what you feel has been cast on you. If your intent is strong and your belief in what you’re doing is strong, then give this a go.
You’ll need:
1 black taper candle
a bowl
water to fill the bowl
A few of the following herbs: basil, pepper, rosemary, sage
A knife
A lighter
Olive Oil (if you have access to magickal supplies and can get banishing oil that’s good too)
1. Take the candle and the knife and inscribe the following runes in the side of the candle. (Algiz and Naudhiz)
Image from Tarahill.com
Image from Tarahill.com
You can engrave them once or you can engrave them three times around the candle. Do what you feel drawn to doing.
2. Hold the candle in both hands and take a few minutes to center yourself and visualize the negative energy and the hex that you feel has been put on your leaving you. See yourself being protected and all that bad luck being banished. When you have the images in your mind hold them for as long as you can and then take some of the oil and rub it into the candle from the bottom to the top. While you’re doing this rub the oil into the candle with intent and see it as rubbing in your intentions and desires into the candle.
3. Take the candle and hold it over the bowl and with the lighter melt a little bit of the bottom wax of the candle to and seal it to the bottom of the bowl. You can also by candle adhesive to do this as well but since you’re going to be filling the bowl with the water it’s best to do this with the wax. You want the candle to be able to stand up in the bowl with the water.
4. Pour the water into the bowl. You don’t need to fill it but it should come close. This is also why the candle should be tall or you should use a fairly shallow bowl.
5. Take some of the herbs that you have chosen (you really only need to pick two or three) and rub them together in your hands. When they being to feel warm sprinkle them around the candle into the water going counterclockwise.
6. Now light the candle. Spend some time watching the candle. Visualize the negative energy around you being drawn to the candle and being placed into the water in the bowl. Let the candle burn down. It will eventually come to the water and the water will put it out. When this happens take the bowl outside. Dig up a hole and pour the water into the hole then take the candle from the bowl and place it into the hole as well. Then cover and walk away without looking back knowing that you have buried your problems and the curse.
You might also want to go and check out an article I wrote recently about witch bottles. You might want to make one of these to use for protection around your home as well.
Good luck!
Mood: good
Asking A Witch About Samhain
Oct 29th
As Samhain approaches, I’ve had a few different Ask A Witch requests about the holiday and I thought I would put them all together in a sort of mega Samhain post. I had been planning to do a “13 Days of Samhain” but things have been too nuts for me to make that happen, so we’re going to work with what we have here. And as always, email your Ask A Witch questions to me at rowan@rowanpendragon.com with “Ask A Witch” in the title!
Here is our first question…
Hi Rowan,
I am starting to wonder if Wicca might be right for me. Every year when Halloween comes I start to think about it more and this year I’m curious to learn a little more about it and why Halloween seems to be such a big deal for Wiccans. Can you help?
Thanks!
Jenna
Here is another questions from someone about Halloween traditions…
Hello Rowan Pendragon,
Ever since I was young I’ve wondered where the traditions of Halloween came from. My family is Christian and became born again after a family tragedy when I was 11 and we stopped celebrating Halloween because we were told that it was the Devil’s Day and The Witch’s Sabbath. When I would ask my parents why we had to stop and what was so bad about what we did, they told me not to even talk about it. I’m in my 20′s now and have done some reading but I’d be curious to see what an actual Witch would have to say about these traditions and how people practice them today.
Happy Halloween!
Tyler
And we have one last one from a newer practitioner who’s looking for some guidance on performing their first Samhain ritual…
Hi Rowan,
My name is WinterMoon and I’m 27. I’m a new Wiccan, having only been practicing as a solitary for about a year. This will be my first Samhain and I’m thinking of doing a very small ritual to honor the holiday but I don’t know where to start. I have read about some ritual practices that really seem out of my league and I don’t want to do anything that could upset or anger any spirits, especially on Samhain! Can you help guide me on something simple, either an actual ritual I could do or some suggestions, so I can honor the holiday correctly?
Blessed Be!
WinterMoon
Well, first off let me say a Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to all of you and everyone reading! This is one of my favorite times of year and the Gods are being kind to me this year and giving this New England born and breed Witch some very traditional fall-like weather in Southern California. It’s nice to have to put on a sweater in October rather than shorts!
So let’s look at some of these questions and some information on Samhain that will help those that are new to the Craft understand this holiday better as well as info about the traditions of Halloween and why we do the things we do.
Is it Halloween or is it Samhain?
One of the questions that we need to first answer is what is Halloween and what is Samhain? Are they the same or do they have some differences between them?
Samhain, pronunced Sow-en, comes from both the Irish and Scots Gaelic work that means “summer’s end” as well as November. Samhain is one of the most principle of Harvest festivals in the Celtic year as this was the last change to really bring in any late season crops as well as slaughter animals for the winter. By the time October was over and November began the weather would become much colder and harsher with the ground freezing up. This means no grass would really be left for free roaming animals to feed off of and now would be the time to make sure that meat is stored because it would keep during the freeze of winter. Other than the agricultural aspects of Samhain there was the spiritual side which still managed to tie into the work of the land. Offerings would be made to the Gods, sometimes in the forms of the bones of slaughtered animals of the harvest placed in bonfires, to offer thanks for the harvest but also to ask for protection for the tribes during the harsh winters. It was inevitable that not everyone would make it to the spring thaw but it certainly never hurt to have the Gods on your side.
Blood sacrifice was also common during Samhain. Performed by the Druids these sacrifices, both animal and human, served two purposes; this was believed to appease the Lord of Death but also helped them to divine the future for the winter and the coming year. When animals were sacrificed their entrails would be read for omens of the future and when humans were sacrificed in large wickerman structure, the sounds of the screams as they died, the size and shape of the flames, the color and direction of the smoke and the appearance of the ash and remains all helped the priests to see what was to come for the next year and who would live and who would die during the season.
In the fourth century A.D. the Christian religion was declared to be the lawful religion of the land by the Roman Emperor Constantine and with that the practices of the Druids were now considered illegal. The sacrificial rites practiced at Samhain were outlawed as well and in the year 61 A.D. Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, a Roman General (not to be confused with Suetonius the Roman historian who lived around 70-130 A.D.), ordered that all the known groves and ritual sites of the Druids be blessed and consecrated in the name of Christ, and temples to be destroyed, and for Druid priests still practicing and defying these laws to be murdered. The Druids that escaped took their Samhain celebrations underground with them and while they went into hiding it is often though that the practices continued in secret and carried into future generations, eventually becoming traditions know to the Celts and others in later years (this would only stand to reason given that the Druids weren’t recordkeepers, so the traditions had to be carried on somehow).
In the seventh century Pope Boniface IV created and introduced to the people All Saint’s Day, a day that would honor the dead but specifically those that died while doing the work of the Christian God, fighting for their belief of the Christian religion while working to convert the Pagans. The original date of the holiday was May 13th, which was the culmination of a Pagan celebration Feast of the Lemures, a period of three days, May 9th, 11th and the 13th, where restless and harmful spirits were exorcised from homes to end any disturbances that may be taking place. Many years later, sometime between 730 and 740, Pope Gregory III changed the date to November 1st. There are a few theories about why this was done however it seems to be most thought that Pope Gregory III was making attempts to convert the remaining Pagans to the Christian faith with less violence than had been used in the past and had decided to use this Christian celebration of the dead to replace the Celtic celebration of the dead, Samhain, essentially co-opting their holiday and putting a Christian spin on it. A bit later on, in (or about, depending on who you ask) 998 St. Odilo of Cluny established All Souls Day on November 2nd. So where All Saints Day would commemorate those of sainthood and nobility in the Christan faith who had died, the following day of All Souls Day would honor all the faithfully departed. It was the hope of the church that this would help to ease some transition from Samhain into the practices of Christianity for the Pagans.
So how did this become Halloween? That has mostly to do with the name. Halloween takes place on October 31st which is the day before All Saints Day which was also called All Hallows, with the word “hallowed” meaning “holy”. The night before All Hallows was known as All Hallows Eve which eventually became All Hallow’een and eventually Halloween.
But is Halloween the same as Samhain. No, it never was in the past and it isn’t today. Today we all know Halloween to be more of a secular holiday that does have some traditions that originate from the Celtic traditions of Samhain. Between Samhain, All Saints Day, All Souls Day and All Hallows we end up with a large conglomerate of a holiday that today embraces aspects of each and has become it’s own monster, as it were. There are Christians and Wiccans alike that do not celebrate Halloween because of the implications that it has on their spiritual practice while others of both faiths, as well as many others, just see it as a night of fun for kids and adults, a night to get dressed up in costumes, eat more candy than we should ever normally do (because by magick the calories don’t count on Halloween) and have a few scares and a lot of fun.
The Witch’s Sabbat of Samhain
Today Wiccans celebrate Samhain as the Witches New Year; it’s the time that one year ended for the Celts and another year would begin. It is considered by many to be the most sacred of the eight Sabbats, or holidays, in the Wiccan year. Samhain is a night where Witches come together and honor their beloved dead, both known and unknown in this lifetime. It’s a night for honoring Ancestors and Witches of the past. The celebrations of Samhain begin at sundown on October 31st and continue until sundown on November 1st. This is one of two times during the year that it is said that the veil between the worlds is at it’s thinnest, allowing the spirits of the Underworld to pass through and visit with the living during the night. This also happens at Beltane, known to some as May Day, from sundown on April 30th until sundown on May 1st. These two celebrations, Beltane and Samhain, are the markings of the summer and winter halves of the Celtic year and they work together and complement one another as Beltane is the celebration of life and Samhain the celebrations of death.
On Samhain covens and solitary Witches honor deity with rituals to honor the God in his aspect of The Dark Lord, Lord of Death or Holly King and the Goddess as the Crone. This is the night when the God dies and is brought to the Underworld by the Goddess where he will reside and rejuvenate to be born of the Goddess again at Yule, the Winter Solstice, where we celebrate the return of the Sun (or son in the sense of the God). This we can see as we observe nature to take our cues as we begin to see a significant change in the perceived amount of daylight each day around Samhain and the sun begins to make its return to the earth at Yule where, while only by seconds, we begin to gain more daylight each day culminating in the Spring Equinox, or Ostara. This brings us the very important spiritual aspect of Samhain, that of going inward and preparing for rebirth. We often take this journey with the God at this time and find ourselves working on inner spiritual work between now and Yule; we take this time to prepare ourselves, clearing out the old and reevaluating the past and looking ahead to the future, so that at Yule we too can be reborn in a spiritual sense and look toward the increased sun as a sign of our inner growth.
There are several different types of rituals held during Samhain. Typically rituals will center around the themes of Ancestor honoring/honoring the Mighty Dead and rebirth. One tradition, The Dumb Supper, is a common practice and one that many covens may observe if it falls into their tradition. The Dumb Supper is a feast held at a formal table setting where there are places set for all the human guests and one extra place is set for any spirits that may wish to come and join in. The dinner is held in complete silence so that those present can receive messages from loved ones that may be passing through on this night. Food is put out on the plate for the spirits and left as an offering for the night allowing the essence of the food to be used for energy by those that may be visiting. Many times there may be a somewhat informal altar set up in the dining area that acts as a sort of shrine for loved ones that have crossed over. Here mementos of the dead such as photos, jewelry, favorite images, and even favorite items like a class of a favorite alcohol, along with candles and offerings, will act as a place of honor for those that the living may hope to communicate with during the dinner. The foods served often reflect either favorites of those who have crossed over or things that hearken back to one’s heritage as a way of honor and connecting to those Ancestors that one never knew in life but is connected to through bloodlines.
Another common practice in the Craft on Samhain is divination. Because this is a night when the veil is thin and communication with the spirit world is quite easy, it’s a great time for getting and giving readings to see what the future holds. Doing readings with tarot cards or runes, scrying with fire or water, all can help one to either get answers to specific questions or to look to see what will come in the next year. One practice that I have personally done for years is to lay out a tarot card for each month for the next 12 months for myself and create a reading for the next year. I find myself often looking back at it when I have a particularly difficult month just to see what guidance I may have been given at Samhain and I often find myself pulling out bits of information from my Samhain reading that can help me months later.
Traditions of the Season
So what about the traditions we’ve all grown up with? Where did trick or treating come from? Why do we put out pumpkins carved into scary faces carved into them and why do we wear costumes? These and many other familiar Halloween traditions come to us from various folk customs of Samhain and the Celts.
Jack-o’-Lantern – The lit carved pumpkins that light our way trick or treating on Halloween night come from a folk legend about a man named Jack who was a terrible person, so bad that he when he died, after being rejected from Heaven, he was sent to Hell where he also found he was unwelcome. One version of the tale says that Jack had tricked the Devil and because of that the Devil wouldn’t allow him to stay in Hell but instead gave Jack a hollowed out turnip with a cola inside the light his way as Jack was banished to the earth, to wonder aimlessly eternity. The Irish would carve turnips and place coals inside would place them in front of their homes and long passage ways on the night of Samhain to help Jack and the other spirits that would be wondering the earth this might find their way. When the Irish began to immigrate to America they discovered that the pumpkin, a fruit that was not native to Ireland, proved to be easier to carve. The tradition of carving turnips on Halloween and placing them at doorsteps then became that of carving pumpkins as we know today.
Trick or Treating and Costumes- At Samhain it was customary to place a small offering out by one’s door for the souls of the dead that may come to visit you. The Druids felt that many of the spirits that would come back on the night of Samhain were mischievous, using this time of being able to return to the world of the living as a chance to come and cause harm to those they may have had problems with while living. For this reason the Druids would advise leaving food out for the passing spirits to appease them in hopes that they wouldn’t bother you, or haunt or trick you.
Another level of protection was taken in the form of wearing masks and dressing in clothing that wasn’t typical for the individual. The Druids would wear masks during the rites performed on Samhain so that they would be able to disguise themselves from any malevolent spirits that might make their way during the rituals. The people of the tribes began to follow this practice as well, presumably feeling that if the priests were worried about being recognized by the spirits they should disguise themselves as well. It became common for people to dress in the clothing of the opposite gender in order to confuse ancestors and potentially dangerous spirits.
When it comes to the tradition we know today it’s thought that these things along with a practice from the British Isles known as “Souling”, a tradition of begging. The poor would dress in costumes in order to disguise their true identity and they would travel across the countryside on this one night, going door to door and either offering prayers for the departed loved ones of the family or singing songs in exchange for a “soul cake”, a small oatcake made with currants in them, of an offering of other harvest foods such as apples and nuts.
These traditions all carried on with various changes being made to them and coming to America with families from Europe as they immigrated and eventually we came to have the traditions that we know today.
Honoring Samhain Today
Celebrating Samhain can be a very simple thing or it can be very elaborate. For those that are new to the Craft celebrating Samhain can be as simple as setting out an offering of food for the spirits that will come to pass or laying out images of family and friends and even pets that have passed on and lighting a candle for them. Sitting at your altar or anywhere that you feel comfortable and can be alone for some time and meditating on the meaning of Samhain can create a powerful personal experience with this Sabbat. Right and wrong for honor this or any other Sabbat is somewhat subjective. If you are learning and practicing a specific tradition of Wicca or Paganism you will likely have certain practices in place for the holiday. If you are solitary and trying to find the right things to do for the holiday, follow your intuition. It’s a day of honoring the God and Goddess and the dead. Allow yourself to explore that form of expression and find whatever you feel expresses your true and genuine love for your beloved dead and the Gods. Take the time to take stock and prepare for your own rebirth alongside the God at Yule.
Correspondences
Here is a list of correspondences and general information for creating your own Samhain rituals and honoring.
Deities – The Morrighan, Hecate, Persephone, Pomona, Hel, Odin, Cerridwen, Cernunnos, Demeter, Kore, The Crone, Holly King, The Dark Lord.
Activities – Honoring the dead, divination, pumpkin carving, baking cakes for the dead, clearing out the old and making resolutions for change
Colors – Black, brown, orange, red
Foods – Apples, meats, ciders mulled with herbs, mead, pumpkin, squashes, potatoes, seeds and nuts, pomegranates
Herbs- Oak leaves, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, hazelnut, hemlock, wormwood, mugwort, sage, rosemary, ginger, garlic
Animals – Cat, bat, owl, crows and ravens
Spell and Ritual Work – Releasing bad habits, clearing obstacles to goals, banishing, diviantion, past life regression work, protection, inner work and journey work, working with spirits, uncrossing.
Incense – Wormwood, sage, sweetgrass, mugwort, patchouli, sandalwood
Tools – Divination tools such as tarot, runes, pendulums, magick mirror or scrying bowl. Cauldron, besom.
Crystals – Jet, obsidian, onyx bloodstone, jasper, smokey quartz, carnelian
You can get some great recipes for Samhain here and there are some ritual and an example of a solitary Samhain ritual here.
