Lesson Two: Beliefs

Deities

Most religions are the same. They have different names for the same gods. There is a Higher Power in the universe, and often we wish to communicate with it. God and Goddess, Horned God of Hunting and Goddess of Fertility (Wicca), Isis and Osiris (Egyptians), Shiva and Parvati (Hindus), Jesus and Mary (Christians). The ultimate deity is often broken down into masculine and feminine. 

Deities’ Names

What a person is experiencing in life will often dictate how they view the god(dess). They may be seen as different ages, and skin tones, among other characteristics. No matter the name or form, they are the same deity and are incomprehensible in their full forms.

The God and Goddess of Witchcraft

Witches may be bothered by Christianity leaving out the feminine form, but often do the same in reverse (revering the Goddess but excluding the God). Balance is needed but is often missing.

The name of the God(dess) is a personal choice and should be something you are comfortable with and can relate to. A name is a label, and the God(dess) knows you are talking to them. 

In many religions, there is a theme of life and death. Death and resurrection. Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.

Reincarnation

One sometimes carries over knowledge from their previous life. A child prodigy is an example. Reincarnation can explain the death of a child as being one who has learned all it can in this lifetime. In Witchcraft, all life has a soul (plants, animals, and humans) and when reincarnated that soul will stay within its own species. (Rather than seeing one life form as higher or lower than another.) 

Retribution

Often religions (specifically Christianity) believe a soul will be punished at the end of its life. Wicca says that debts (punishments and rewards) are given in this current life. It follows the three-fold law, which says whatever you do will come back to you times 3. Our job is not to sit back and let life take the lead. We should always be striving towards bettering ourselves into perfection. We create our own reality.

Between Lives

Guardian Angels and Spirit Guides. Time does not exist during the time between lives.

Your Temple

Using a compass, mark the alignment of the room (North, South, East, and West). Ideally, you should face East when standing in front of it (the altar therefore facing West). Altar candle and the representation of your God(s) and Goddess(es). Mark a circle on the floor and enter it from the east.

The circle will need an initial cleansing (page 29).

Ideally, your altar should be outside. But a small corner of an inside room will work too. 

Your Altar and Its Furniture

Better to have a table without iron or steel. The Witch’s wand/sword/knife are used to store and direct energy…iron and steel can interfere with that.

Altar “furniture”: candle(s), incense burner, a dish for salt and a dish for water, libation dish, goblet(s), figures to represent the deities. Add or subtract according to your own needs.

Incense is used to cleanse the space. No specific scent is necessary. 

Salted water = life

Salt = semen (The Symbolic Significance of Salt by Ernest Jones)

Wine/fruit juice to toast the gods. Deity statues are not necessary. Something else symbolic would work.

Magick - An Introduction

Timing is important in Witchcraft. When wanting to do something about growth/construction (love, success, protection, health, fertility), it should be done when the moon is waxing (growing). Magick for deconstruction (binding, separation, elimination, extermination) should be done when the moon is waning (decreasing). 

The feeling is also a basis of Witchcraft. We must truly want what it is we are asking for. It’s better to do our own spells as we will have more emotion/power behind it. Rhythmic chanting can help intensify feeling. Dancing can also raise our power.

Lesson Two Questions

1. This lesson deals with beliefs. Examine your present beliefs on reincarnation. Do you have any past-life memories?

I believe in species-specific reincarnation. Souls are reincarnated as the species they are assigned. Souls continue to learn and grow through each reincarnation. 

I don’t think I have any past life memories. Although I do occasionally have dreams that appear to come true. I believe people have past-life memories…prodigies or when you think you recognize someone but you’ve never met.

2. Construct/draw an altar table. Indicate what will be placed where and show their arrangement. 

3. Construct a diagram of a temple that would be ideal for your needs/ Indicate the area that would best reflect your affinities (outside, inside). What actual items would you like it to contain? Make this a realistic layout of what your temple will actually be like. 

4. List some examples of magickal workings appropriate for your needs that you would do during the waxing cycle of the moon.

Success, abundance, fertility

5. List examples of magick you would do during the waning cycle of the moon.

Anti-fertility, banishing, binding