treat those who are under the age of 18? A few reputable groups have always had a policy of encouraging exceptional candidates, usually by a process of one-to-one support given by a senior member of the Coven, until such time as the ‘age limit’ has been passed. This support sometimes takes the form of supplying a formidable reading list and counselling patience, something which simply tends to alienate all but the most dedicated seeker. This is especially true as most of the better books were written a long time ago and were intended to be read by those who already had access to a group setting. In this day and age we have to recognize that from the age of 14, people are making decisions which could affect the rest of their lives, in exam choices for example, and at 16 they may set up home and/or marry.
There are also many mature people who live in the company of those who may not be tolerant of the study and practice of Witchcraft, and who may not be able to find, or travel to, a Coven which accepts newcomers.
The new enthusiast may set about discovering the Craft via the many books and websites that are available and quite often may end up setting off in the wrong direction, misled by some of the more dubious texts which abound. Additionally, and unfortunately, there have always been disreputable individuals and groups who are prepared to take advantage of earnest seekers, whether sexually or financially, and any Witch who turns away a prospective candidate is always aware that this is a lamentable possibility.
What I have set out to do with this book is to bridge these gaps and to dispel many of the misconceptions. Being a Witch, I believe that everyone is entitled to their own spirituality and that they are entitled to make an informed choice. Hence I feel there is a need to provide that information and in a way which is practical and usable under all but the most trying of domestic circumstances. This book is for all those who wish to explore this path whilst being sensitive to the needs of those around them.
Witchcraft has been described as ‘a thinking person’s religion’ and this is a serious book about the Craft. It is written for all those who are serious about studying and practising, whether on their own or in preparation for joining a Coven. Some of the content may seem a little dry to those who are keen to get on with the actual practice of Magic, but persevere, for all the parts are relevant to the understanding of the religion, ritual and Magic of Witchcraft. Think of the first couple of chapters as an introduction before the practical work of the rest of the book.
Use this as a workbook and make notes to record your own thoughts and feelings about what you are reading and in relation to the work you do in the Craft. In this way it will become not just a book to read, but also the foundation for your own Book of Shadows, the volume which forms the basis of every Witch’s practice.
So for all the ‘young in Craft’ who would take charge of their future, for those inexperienced in spiritual variety, for those whose search for their own path has been exploratory, I offer an introduction to practising the oft misunderstood and misconstrued belief system of the Witch.
Blessed Be
Kate
Witches are normal everyday people, the kind you pass on the street without giving them a second glance or thought. They are men and women from all age groups, who have all kinds of jobs and normal family lives. They are just like everyone else; in fact they could be just anyone else. But you wouldn’t think that if you were to look at the myths that have grown up about them.
The word ‘Witch’ conjures up many images. A Witch was a woman (for it usually was a woman) who lived on the edge of the village and who would heal the sick if treated well, but curdle your milk and spoil your crops if you upset her – or even curse your cattle, or your children, so that they would sicken and die. In return for her immortal soul she would have made a pact with the Devil for unnatural powers. And the Devil himself would accompany her in the form of a familiar, who in turn would feed off her flesh. Such Witches were supposed to gather together, flying by broomstick, so that they could join in orgies and meet the Devil in person.
A Witch might also be the old hag living alone in a tumbledown cottage in the forest, feared by all. In fairy tales, she would lure innocent children inside to eat them and drink their blood. Or the Witch might be a wicked fairy, not invited to the feast, who would curse the family as a result.
More recently the Witch’s image has been influenced by books, music, films and TV. From Bell, Book and Candle to The Craft, Bewitched to The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Witches are now frequently portrayed as younger, attractive women. They are shown as having control over others. Using ancient powers they perform strange rituals (with lots of modern special effects) and conjure up spirits who do their bidding. They are seen to make people fall in love, to gain revenge on their enemies and even to conjure up uncompleted homework! In books they are often linked with Satanists, whose extensive powers enable them to live in improbably wonderful houses. And somehow along the way, Witches have been linked to the imagery of Goth and other forms of music, with their vampiric fashions, archaic black clothing, heavy make-up and jewellery.
Other things linked to Witchcraft include broomsticks, cauldrons and black cats, hooked noses, warts, pointed hats and billowing cloaks (black of course). The Full Moon and Halloween are thought to be especially ‘Witchy’ times.
Now, within these stories and images there are elements of truth, but they are hidden by exaggerations, fabrications and even political intrigue. To understand how these images arose, it is necessary to know a little about the background and history of the Craft.
Before Christianity became established (anything from 1,600 to 800 years ago in the various parts of Europe), there were other belief systems. Often called nature religions, these were based around the phases of the Moon, the cycles of the seasons, the land and the animals which lived on it. Different groups held different beliefs and worshipped different Gods and Goddesses, without conflict as far as we know. Roman Gods and Goddesses had shrines or temples alongside those of the native population. At first Christianity was just another belief system and its churches also co-existed peacefully. However, as it became linked with the Crown and the Government it became more powerful and in order to maintain control it sought to eradicate those earlier beliefs.
The Gods of the nature religions now came to be called devils or demons and their followers were accused of laying curses and practising foul Magic which ruined crops, sickened cattle and caused children to fall ill or to die. They were even accused of child murder and sacrifice. Stories were invented or altered to discourage people, especially children, from seeking to learn more. Special agents were appointed to hunt out the ‘evil doers’. Special laws were introduced to cover their ‘crimes’. Incentives, in terms of the land and money of those convicted, were provided to encourage people to report those neighbours and fellow villagers who might be involved in such ‘demonic’ activities.
There is nothing unusual in this – it is a process that has been, and still continues to be, repeated whenever the people of one faith seek to take control over the land, property and power of those of another. In the same way that after the Reformation one part of the Church sought to outlaw and eradicate another, so the Arabs and Jews are still fighting over Israel to this day.
But to return to the takeover of the nature religions, as a result of the Church’s actions many innocent people were arrested, many were tortured and many were executed, some lawfully, others by the mob. Those who did wish to continue to follow the old religions did so secretly. They handed down their knowledge and beliefs by word of mouth and held their celebrations away from prying eyes. From the outside it appeared that Witchcraft had become a thing of the past, so much so that by the 1950s, it was no longer seen as a threat in Britain. The final remnants of the Witchcraft Act, first instituted in 1542, were finally repealed and Witches started, cautiously, to become more open once again.