THE DIARY OF A MODERN DAY WITCH
Being a modern day witch is a far cry from the stereotype image of the old crone boiling up her spells in her cauldron in some dank and dark place. Or even of a coven of witches who carry out black magic under cover of darkness - whilst stark naked of course.
Most modern witches are quite normal caring individuals who live in harmony with their natural environment. Many witches are solitaries like me. This does not imply that I live alone, far from it, only that I practice my spell craft on my own and not as part of a coven of witches.
Modern witches are often members of one of the caring professions or are involved in some way with their local community. Many work in complementary therapies as crystal or reiki healers. As well as being a 'white' witch I am also a hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and teacher. Far from seeking to harm others or our environment modern witches see themselves as having a sacred duty to helping others and ensuring the wellbeing of all creatures who inhabit our planet.
We live in accord with the seasons and the phases of the moon play an influential part in of our magic. The dark moon, when the moon is not visable, is the most secretive phase of the moon. When the first crescent of the moon appears it is known as a waxing moon and is a good time to cast spells for growth and abundance. The full moon is the time to make powerful spells for change. Whilst the final quarter of the moon is the waning moon and a time to cast spells to rid you of negative influences from your life.
The day of the week should also be taken into consideration when casting a spell. Sunday is a good day for spells concerned with success and ambition. Wednesday a day for communication and education. Thursday for wealth, power and legal matters. Friday is for love, beauty and the environment. Saturday rules karma and agriculture.
Before we cast our spell we cast a protective circle in our chosen space. The chosen space may be inside or if the weather is fine outside in any natural setting. Today as I write this article I am staying in a wonderful place in Tenerife - in the shadow of a mountain that overlooks the sea. Here I am in tune with all five elements, the air around me, water from the sea, fire from the sun, earth below me and spirit which flows through me.
We call on all five elements to mark the boundaries of our protective circle - lighting a candle for each of the five elements. Water and salt are mixed together and called upon to purify the space as we sprinkle the boundaries. To act as a wand I used part of an ash tree that had been blown down during a recent time of high winds. The wand is used to prescribe the circle and then the spell can be cast.
This is the 21st December and as such is one of the sacred sabbats known as Yule or the winter solstice. The darkest day of the year means the end of the old order and the beginning of the new. We celebrate the birth of the 'Star' child and the coming of a new cycle in our year.
Wiccan magick goes back in time many thousands of years and well before Christianity. It is the nature relgion of our ancestors and one that was taken away from us in the name of the new religion. Our 'Star' child is mirrored in the birth of Jesus because the new religion took over the festival dates of the old pagan religion. Yet - this is a new age - the age of Aquarius and it is a time when men and women look to find a new spirituality in their lives. So do not be afraid of Wiccan magick and those men and women like me who live in harmony with nature and all things spiritual.
Susan
