The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Medieval Witches
22:47 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 549

Medieval Witches

From Pagan Practice to Witchhunts

© Paula Stiles



Oct 28, 2006



Medieval witches were more unusual than many may think. But once the witchcrazes took hold, they swept through Europe with a vengeance.

Witchcraft dates back to ancient times. The legendary Medea of the Argonauts, a demigoddess- turned-goddess who was revered in Corinth and on the Black Sea, is variously called a witch, a sorceress and a shaman by modern historians.



Because of its popularity in the pagan Ancient world, early Church fathers frowned on beliefs in witchcraft as survivals of pagan practice. Rather than persecute people for practicing witchcraft, they reprimanded those who accused and persecuted witches for holding onto outdated beliefs. Charlemagne, for example, gave the same penalty to those who accused and attacked suspected witches as witches had previously received: death. This was similar to our current hostile attitude toward modern witchcrazes in places like South Africa.



The Church's attitude did not change for a long time and we are still not certain why it did when it did. But it appears to have been connected to the rising obsession with heresy (the subject this week's blog) and increasingly unreal blood libel fantasies about out-groups like Jews and Muslims between the 11th and 14th centuries. The first notable legal case of witchcraft occurred in England in 1324. Alice Kyteler, a Norman-Irish noblewoman, was accused of witchcraft by her stepchildren after she cut them out of the inheritance they felt they deserved.



Some later characteristics of witchcraft accusations first appeared in Dame Alice's case: she was accused of poisoning her victims (the fathers of her stepchildren) and sacrificing animals to advance her position; she was also accused of witchcraft after her accusers had lost against her in court. Dame Alice's case was an early example of how the legal charge of witchcraft, like slander, could become a way to use the legal system against one's rivals.



Witchcraft did not really heat up as an accusation until near the very end of the Middle Ages, with the publication of Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches) by the Dominican friar Heinrich Institoris in 1486. Incidentally, the Dominicans had been the primary inquisitors in the Templar Trial. This malignant book laid out in lurid detail how to detect, identify, interrogate and destroy witches. The book became almost a manual for prosecuting a witchcraze over the next two centuries.



Ironically, the Catholic Church during the Reformation continued to frown on witchcraft as an accusation, even banning the Malleus Maleficarum in 1490. Though heresy continued to preoccupy the Papacy (John XXII made witchcraft a heresy in 1320) and the Dominicans continued to participate in witchcraft trials, the dreaded Inquisition actually discouraged witchcrazes in places like Italy during the 16th and 17th centuries.



The witchcrazes appear to have been most savage and unrestrained in northern Europe, notably in the Holy Roman Empire and the British Isles. The English Puritans even spread beliefs in witchcraft to the New World, where they culminated, and were eventually discredited, in the trials at Salem in the Massachusetts Colony in 1692. Europe saw a similar drop in witchcraft beliefs and prosecution after 1700. By the 19th century, the witchcrazes were considered completely bogus and a flagrant historical example of malignant superstition, mass hysteria and fatal ignorance.



This was, unfortunately, far too late for the victims of the witchcrazes.

Celtic Friendship Rite
22:45 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 550

The Celtic People of ancient Britain practiced a ritual they called "Anamchara" formalizing friendships in the same way that a marriage ritual formalizes a union of two people.



Like Native Americans who performed blood brother rituals(is that valid?*Anna note here), The Britain people of long ago did this ritual pronounced(ahn- im-KAR-uh) . This translate as "Soul friend". Soul friends are partners and equals who discuss problems and shave advice. They balance each other out with one's weakness and strengths.



By performing the Anamchara ritual you outwardly formalize your inner feelings about your friend, deepening the spiritual connection, and emotional ties. A soul friend is not a crutch, however, rather than bearing all your burdens, she/he shares them so that your load is lightened and you have a shoulder to cry on.



Thru the Ages

It originated in Ireland, where druids functioned as Christians, and bonding was popular in Irish monasteries.



The Ritual



You need: 3 candles and holders, 3 cups , a gift for your friend, an altar cloth, and a box of tissues.



1. draw the magic circle, Place the items above between you and the friend.

2.Each of you in turn should sip from a small cup and then pass to the other to sip. Pour the remaining contents into the other cup and state your friendship intentions aloud:

I am your friend, I am your teacher, I am your student, I am dependent, I am solace for you, I am your shield, I am your child,sister, mother. Each should recite this, then take a drink from the third cup.

3. Light your candles, each lights their own then together light the third one, when the third one is lit both should recite together: By this ritual I am bound to you as your friend of the soul, See the flame burns bright and is hotter and stronger as each moment we stand together. All my wisdom and all my secrets I share with and as long as life endures I will be here for you. (use tissues here if needed)



4..Exchange gifts, whether it be a necklace, a bracelet, or crystals something that each will recognize the meaning of the gift.



5. End by removing the circle and grounding..

Weather Magic
22:42 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 551

" One of the oldest accusations against Witches was the raising of a storm, especially with a view to wrecking ships at sea. Sailors in some places will still buy the wind from a witch before setting out."





Many Spells are taught to children in an attempt to brin good weather. Probably the most common of these is the chant "rain rain goaway" so as to maintain balance of wet and dry. Whilst children may want to keep the rain away, lest it spoil their fun, spells to produce rain are useful as well. Similiarly, douse a besom and shake it in the wind. Douse a cat and let him shake it off to bring rain, are some other folklore magic. To raise wind, perhaps, to dry your wash, stand with your back to the clothesline and whistle into whatever slight breeze there might be. Of course, the ability to 'whistle up the wind' has long been said to be a sure sign of a witch. To conjure sunshine place 7 orange candles in a circle with one gold one in the center. Light the orange candles starting east, moving clockwise around the circle lighting the center one last.

Quarter lights
22:41 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 552

Quarter lights are candles or lamps placed at the four quarters or the circle.



Their purpose is to define the quarters and to help mark the boundary of the circle. IN outdoor locations they also serve as the purpose of making sure peopl dont step into holes. It should not be necessary to have indoor quarters lights, as you should be able to remember the quarters. Indoors, candles used as quarter lights can be placed in any usual holder, or special ones. When used for big celebration rituals, such as handfasting, these holders can be highly decorated. When used outside it is necessary to ensure flames are shielded from the wind.

Self Blessing Rite
22:39 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 553




Self Blessing Rite



Adapted from "True Magic" by Amber K



Gather together a candle (white or pale blue if possible), a little

salt, a beautiful rose, and a chalice of wine or pure water.



Cast a circle and invoke your favorite Deities, sprinkle the salt on

the ground, and stand skyclad on it if you wish. Hold the candle for

a few moments, feeling its warmth and comfort. Then take up the

chalice, breathe deeply, and lift the chalice to the image of the

Goddess as you visualize Her before you. Say the following aloud:



"Bless me Mother, for I am your child."



Dip your fingers into the chalice and anoint your eyes, saying:



"Blessed be my eyes, that I may clearly see Thy path before me."



Anoint your lips, saying:



"Blessed be my lips, that I may speak Thy truth."



Anoint your breast, saying:



"Blessed be my breast, that I may love well, and feel Thy love for

me."



Anoint your loins, saying:



"Blessed be my loins, which have brought forth life and pleasure, as

Thou hast brought forth all creation to please Thee."



Anoint your hands, saying:



"Blessed be my hands, that I may do Thy work with strength and skill."



Anoint your feet, saying:



"Blessed be my feet, that I may ever walk in Thy ways."



Present yourself with the rose, knowing that it is Her gift of love

and blessing to you. Holding the rose, meditate quietly for awhile,

playing a tape of beautiful music if you wish.

8/19 The Goddess Companion
22:27 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 556

The Goddess Companion



The Priestess invited the men to her high temple,

built in the side of the cliff at Euboea, where caverns

and tunnels make a hundred mouths through which

she would speak her answers to their queries.

Just as they reached her, the priestess called out,

and her face changed color, her hair flung out

in wild disorder, and her body thrashed about

in frenzy, she seemed to grow in size, and her voice

no longer seemed human as she spoke her oracles.

~Roman poet Virgil, the Aeneid



The desire to consult oracles is a human one. Virtually every society known has

had its own oracular traditions, whether that be the throwing of bones or the casting

of cards, whether the omen be found in the flight of birds or the entrails of animals.

No matter how hard we may strive to be centered in the moment, there are times

when we feel an urgent need to know about the future. When we are in love, when

someone we love is in pain, when our future seems uncertain - those are times we

feel inclined to look for an oracle.



But the true oracle rests within the heart. No one, and anyone, can be an oracle to

the open heart. The fall of light upon an open book can speak volumes. An overheard

word, a fragment of music, these are as powerful as any runes or cards, for an oracle

is only the voice of the inner self.

)0(

by Patricia Monaghan - From "The Goddess Companion"

8/19 Goddess of The Day: Olwen
22:25 Aug 18 2009
Times Read: 557

Goddess of The Day: Olwen

Eisteddfod (Wales)



Themes: Arts; Creativity; Excellence; Sun

Symbols: Late-blooming Flowers; Red or Gold Items; Rings



About Olwen: A Welsh Sun Goddess whose name means "golden wheel," Olwen

overcame thirteen obstacles to obtain her true love (symbolic of thirteen lunar months),

and she teaches us similar tenacity in obtaining our goals. Art portrays this Goddesses

having a red-gold collar, golden rings, and sun-colored hair that shines with pre-autumn

splendor on today's celebrations.



To Do Today: Announced thirteen months in advance, this celebration preserves Welsh

music and literature amid the dramatic backdrop of sacred stone circles. The Eisteddfod

dates back to Druid times; it was originally an event that evaluated those wishing to obtain

bardic status. Follow these hopeful bards' example and wear something green today to

indicate your desire to grow beneath Olwen's warm light. Or, don something red or gold

to generate the Goddess's energy for excellence in any task.



You can make an Olwen creativity charm out of thirteen different flower petals. It is best to

collect thirteen different ones, but any cloth over the petals inward three times for body, mind,

and spirit, saying with each fold,



"Insight begin, bless me, Olwen."



Carry this with you, releasing one petal whenever you want a little extra inspiration.

)0(

By Patricia Telesco ~ From "365 Goddess"