Witch 101 – Introduction to the Matter at Hand

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I have seen, over the years, more and more Witchcraft classes spring up online. I have found a few that I liked well enough to read. Others left me wondering where the writer had gotten the idea that this was a well presented lesson, because it seemed more rambling than focused. My philosophy on Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Earth-based Spirituality, etc. is that it is a path that calls to you or it doesn't. Some appear born to it, some raised in it do not always follow it, some trip over it and later say to someone 'oh, so that's what I've been doing!'. Hedge Witch or Ritual Tradition, makes no difference to the basics that I am talking about. Whether you call it a prayer or a spell it is a calling out for assistance in changing something you want changed. No matter if you believe the 'Energy' Comes From You or Works Through You, you are still directing the energy to a task. Herbs, Oils, Potions, Tinctures, Crystals, Colors, Materials, etc: these are a way to focus on specific properties we wish to invoke or employ. Depending on your teacher, and their background sources, the properties and correspondences for any material may vary from what another says. This is where your own judgment comes in. What Do You Feel Is Right? If you are confused that Madam S conflicts with Lady Z because they both assign different properties to Bismuth crystals, then it is time for you to do some research yourself. What are the scientific properties, what does it 'feel' like in your hand, odes one explanation seem to you to be more appropriate? Finally, you have to learn to trust your own instincts and KEEP NOTES! Eventually, there comes a time when the one common beliief issue that plagues all faiths creeps in. Ethics. The right and wrong dilemma. This has been a thorn in the side of humans since someone came up with the concept that just because you Want something doesn't mean that having it is right or that the method of getting it does not leave responsibility. Many of the world's Pagans debate, dispute and otherwise haggle over this, so do many other belief structures. To top it all off it's tangled in with all the business about free will, choice and the Law of the Land. Now there is an argument waiting for a place to happen if there ever was one. Can I tell you what is right and what is wrong? Up to a point, and then it becomes a judgment call on your part as to whether my opinion is 1) what you agree with and 2) doesn't interfere with your decision to do whatever you wanted to anyway. On Ethics I will give my opinion, you must decide for yourself. I'm not going to try and outline here what 'individual' lessons I may post will be. Part of it will depend on what I feel like writing on a particular day. These lessons will not earn you a rank or level or step or any other designation in any organization. I will attempt to answer questions anyone has on material that I post if you email me. If you try to get too in depth, we will have to discuss a regular teaching program - individual instruction - and I'm a Pain in the 'well-now-this-is-a-family-show'. You can ask anyone that I have taught in person. If you want rigid lesson plans that you can 'skip ahead' on - not happening - I don't work that way. Here Endeth this lesson. btw - I am considering putting some of my older guided meditation work on disc and MP3. I'll keep you posted