Consecration of a new Book of Shadows

Materials: 4 votive candles, 1 taper candle, a chalice with salt-water, a
bowl of sand, a cone of sandalwood incense, matches.

Place the object in the middle of your alter. Create a Pentacle around it
with the corresponding votive candles, Yellow-East-Air, Red-South-Fire,
Blue-West-Water, Green-North-Earth. Then at the top of the Pentacle place
on taper candle of Purple or Black-Akasha-Spirit. Off to the right center
of alter place the bowl of sand, the chalice, and the incense.

Light the taper candle saying:

"I place before you my Book of Shadows and
ask the elements to assist my consecration."

Remove the taper candle from its holder and light the green votive, from
its flame, saying,

"I consecrate with the element of Earth."

Place the bowl of sand atop your BOS.

Light the blue votive, saying,

"I consecrate thee with the element of water."

With your fingers sprinkle a little salt-water on the BOS, and then
add some to the bowl of sand.

Light the red votive, saying,

"I consecrate thee with the element of fire."

Wave the flame of the taper candle close to the BOS, but not close
enough to burn it.

Light the yellow votive, saying,

"I consecrate thee with the element of air."

Place the cone of sandalwood incense in the middle of the sand, and
light it.

Place the taper candle back in its holder. With your right hand pick up the
bowl now containing the elements. Now with your left hand pick up the BOS.
Blow out the flame on the incense, (it should burn sufficiently now), and
wave the BOS over the bowl, making sure that it passes through the incense
smoke, saying,

"Consecrate and bless this Book of Shadows, that it may contain my personal
records, be my personal reference, and exude my personal devotion."

Place the BOS back in the center of the candle created Pentacle. Place the
bowl back on top of it, saying,

"By the powers of Earth, Sky, Star, and Sea, This is my will, So mote it be!"

You may either end the ritual by allowing the candles to burn until the
incense goes out, and then snuffing the candles, or you may want to go
forward with your Dedication of your BOS. Remember, rituals should be as
personal as possible.

Original Author Akasha Ap Emrys
fgill@gstworld.net

Wicca a New Religion or an Old Religion?

     Debate currently rages over whether Wicca is a new religion, or the oldest of all religions. Some say that it has been practiced in Europe since the Ice Age. Others say that Wicca is a neo-pagan faith, a 20th century construct.
     Wicca is actually both. Modern witches follow in the tradition of our earliest ancestors and are the shamans and healers of the 21st century. We are priests and priestesses of the Great Goddess; we practice the ancient art of sacred magic in the modern world. Certainly witchcraft has changed over the millennia. Methods and tools may be different, but the intent is the same: to help and to heal, to honor the Mother in all we do.
     Witchcraft has adapted when necessary - we are only just emerging from the siege mentality that the Burning Times imposed upon us. We are in the process of learning how to live openly as witches again. Witchcraft has also evolved - we no longer slay the sacred king each year. There are no more burnt sacrifices in Wicca, no shedding of animal or human blood to make spells work.
     Every Wiccan is a priest or priestess of the Goddess as well as a witch. We serve her in whatever ways we are able to serve, according to our talents, abilities and personal circumstances. Each Wiccan determines his or her own code of personal conduct and behavior according to the Rede.
     Wicca is an Earth religion - an accepting open minded faith that celebrates diversity and considers us all to be children of the same Mother. Our temples are gardens and forests, libraries and beaches, mountains and bookstores. Wicca consists simply of its witches and their collective beliefs and practices. It is a voluntary association of individuals who share one faith but practice it in myriad ways. No one is born Wicca - not even our children, for we expect them to choose their own spiritual paths when they're of age to make such choices. There's no dress code, but many witches wear pentacles.
     Wicca is an organic religion, one that's evolving and emerging as a worldwide faith. This isn't a faith that knocks on your door. It's one to which you make your own way. Wicca is a way of life, a belief system that reflects itself in the ways we interact with the world around us. Personal integrity and respect for Mother Nature are important parts of the Wiccan way.
     The Wiccan faith has two pillars - the Great Goddess and a poem called "The Wiccan Rede." The first step in becoming a witch is to find your way to the goddess. The second step is to establish an ethical system in which to use her gift of magic. How can someone get involved in the occult without being seduced by its dark side? The answer is that you must have an ethical belief system, one with which you keep faith.

Chant to Mother Earth

O Earth-Mother!
We praise thee,
Who seed springeth,
Who flower openeth,
Who grass waveth.
We praise thee for winds that wispers
Through the graceful elm,
Through the shapely maple,
Through the lively pine,
Through the shining birch,
Through the mighty oak.
We praise thee for all things.
O Earth-Mother!
Who givest life.

So Mote it Be )0(

(I don't post most spirituality/Wicca to that circle, but thought I'd share this one to a wider group). Yell if you want me to circle you for this stuff...

Chant is courtesy of Edward Branley and Celtic Wiccan Coven

New Moon Treasure Ritual - Spells

On the New Moon each month, you have 24 hours to work this magic ritual.
It is to attract money and other material goods, as well as better health, love and career conditions.

You need to make a ‘wish-list’ each month with up to nine wishes, good until the next New Moon.

You may ask the Universe for anything, but do not expect instant results!
You can repeat the list or any part next month. The more complicated (or expensive) the wish – the more time it may need for the Angels to gather it in for you.

Remember if you never get it, it never was yours to have!

Tools:

A treasure Map: Cut out and paste on a green paper/cardboard pictures for your wish list.

Abundance Check: Create a blank check form with columns marked Date, Pay To, Amount, Received.

A White Tea Light or Votive Candle.

Ritual:

Set the candle on a saucer in the center and surround it with all spare change. Place the Treasure Map and Abunsdance Check on either side of the candle.

Light the candle while reciting a prayer of your choosing and turning in the directions of the four Arch Angels, addressing them: South – Michael, West – Gabriel, North – Uriel and East Raphael

Fill in the Check sheet according to what you need, when, who for etc. Ask for blessings of your wishes and make sure you ask for nothing harmful for you or another! Karma never sleeps! Ask for nothing which belongs to somebody else (like a person or a job).

Always give thanks in advance, knowing the Angels )or who ever) will work on it for you and get it to you as soon as possible. 

NEVER!! blow out the candle or let a draft extinguish it, you cannot re-light it, it must be totally consumed! That’s why you must never reuse one or use too big a candle which will not burn out during the New Moon time. 

So mote it be!