How a 15th-Century Book Fueled the Salem Witch Trials

 Theories about the causes of the Salem witch trials range from hallucinogenic mushrooms to psychological disorders and economic pressures.

However, a new scientific study may have identified the real cause behind the infamous events in Massachusetts that led to the trial of more than 200 people and the execution of 19 by hanging over 300 years ago.

The study points to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century as a crucial factor. By greatly increasing the spread of information, the press helped disseminate books on “demonology,” which fueled fear of witchcraft.

One such book, Malleus Maleficarum (or “The Hammer of Evildoers”), portrayed witchcraft as a sinister conspiracy against pious society, in contrast to earlier views of witches as isolated village figures or ignorant peasants....<<<Read More>>>...

How To Make And Use Poppets In Your Craft

A poppet is simply a figurine representing a person or animal. They are typically made from fabric cut into a humanoid form and stuffed with herbs, stones, powders, etc. Taglocks — something connected to the being you’re representing, anything from fingernails to just a photograph — are then added to form a link and voila, your poppet is complete.

If you only went by the movies, you’d believe poppets are for harming another and nothing else. Not the case at all! They can be used for health, protection, love, luck, wealth — anything. You’d also have no idea that the use of dolls to magically represent someone else goes back as far as ancient Egypt and even Greece. Witchcraft cultures all over the world have incorporated dolls into their magic as a way to represent another and either control or make things happen to that individual. And though they are often depicted as fabric dolls or wax figurines, you can make a poppet out of almost anything, fill it with anything, and make it work in many ways....<<<Read More>>>....

A traditional witch’s words to live by

There are many wiccan versions of the ’13 words to live by’ for wiccans, but these systems would not make sense nor sit well with a traditional witch so I thought I would write a traditional witches version for you all! Here goes…

1. It is not sufficient to just say you are a witch or to ‘dabble’ in witchcraft. You must live as a witch. Do not look for excuses for why you cannot follow the path. Embrace your journey, even if it twists and turns.
2. Accept responsibility for your failures as well as your successes. We all make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
3. Celebrate each day, the Moon and the changing of seasons but do not act on them because it is part of a ritual calendar or a certain phase is due. The seasons and the moon are special no matter where they are in the year and what phase they are in. Don’t wait for a special day, moon phase or season to do a spell: do it when you feel you need to. Every day is special and magical.
4. Honour your ancestors and recognise that all spirits, entities and those you honour are all equal.
5. Honour nature, honour the Earth. Only leave footprints, never leave litter, dangerous items, graffiti or vandalise. Give nature your full respect because without it, we are nothing. Responsibility toward the environment and the Earth’s inhabitants should be evident in the activities of your daily life.
6. Do not take more from the Earth than you need to live. We are mere visitors here; the Earth is eternal. Wealth and fame are not necessary ingredients for a magical life.
7. Know that the joy of life is a gift. Look after yourself and love yourself.
8. Embrace both your light and dark sides. There is light and dark within you just as there is in nature. Learn to use both sides of your power with intent. Learn when to use both sides and be wise in the fact that sometimes you need to be darker to actually protect the ones you love.
9. Power is a sacred gift and must be used wisely and with humility. Power should never be used to prove your ability or in any form of competition with others.
10. Be certain of your intentions when performing any act of magic. Magic is neither good nor evil, the intentions of the witch determine the path it will take.
11. Act always with honour and accept responsibility for your actions. It is honourable to protect your loved ones, but be willing to accept the consequences of your actions with honour as well.
12. Words are sacred, use them wisely. There is honour in truth.
13. Do no harm, but take no shit…

Every witch, whether traditional, wiccan or any other type of witch, is always on their own path. So whatever your path, walk it and live it every single day with authenticity....<<<Read More>>>...

The call of the wild, the call of our ancestors

 Have you ever been in the middle of an urban area and just longed to see some greenery? Or maybe you have a hectic and manic life and you wish for a simpler, more natural life. Sometimes you feel like you have walked the Earth before or that you are seeing signs pulling you to a different or more magical, natural world. This is the call of the wild.

For some, the call of the wild is subtle and creates gentle openings of the heart. For others, the call of wild resounds more loudly and may emerge from a challenge or crisis situation, which opens the awareness to new possibilities that would otherwise not be considered. As the call becomes clearer, news paths unfold ready to take you on a journey, but do you dare take that first step? And is it really a new journey? No. You are being called back. Back to nature by your ancestors.

The call of the wild and, of course that of our ancestors, speaks uniquely to each soul. It may be creative inspiration that emerges, or an opening of the heart that creates a desire to share and give more to others. It may come through a healing relationship which transforms life totally and unexpectedly. Inner wisdom and intuition can flower in the most unusual of circumstances, as spiritual connections are always speaking to us through both our inner and our outer lives, calling us, showing us signs, offering the chance of rebirth back on our original path, should we want it....<<<Read More>>>....

Climate change fueled witch hunts....Then and now

[SOTT]: European witch hunts of the 15th to 17th centuries targeted witches that were thought to be responsible for epidemics and crop failures related to declining temperatures of the Little Ice Age. A belief that evil humans were negatively affecting the climate and weather patterns was the "consensus" opinion of that time. How eerily similar is that notion to the the current oft-repeated mantra that Man's actions are controlling the climate and leading to catastrophic consequences?

The first extensive European witch hunts coincided with plunging temperatures as the continent transitioned away from the beneficial warmth of the Medieval Warm Period (850 to 1250 AD). Increasing cold that began in the 13th century ushered in nearly five centuries of advancing mountain glaciers and prolonged periods of rainy or cool weather. This time of naturally-driven climate change was accompanied by crop failure, hunger, rising prices, epidemics and mass depopulation.


Large systematic witch hunts began in the 1430s and were advanced later in the century by an Alsatian Dominican friar and papal Inquisitor named Heinrich Kramer. At Kramer's urging, Pope Innocence VIII issued an encyclical enshrining the persecution and eradication of weather-changing witches through this papal edict. The worst of the Inquisition's abuses and later systemic witch hunts were, in part, empowered by this decree.

This initial period of cooler temperatures and failing crops continued through the first couple of decades of the 16th century, when a slight warming was accompanied by improvements in harvests. Clearly, the pogrom against the weather-changing witches had been successful!...<<<Read More>>>...

SAGE, Black Magic Witchcraft and Mindful Immunity

The actions of the 40+ behavioural psychologists at SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) have had a devastating, and far reaching, effect on the UK public. Thanks to these determined and deliberate strategies, a large percentage of the UK public have been reduced to gibbering wrecks! 

They are fearful of each other, and truly believe that a supposed virus with a 99.8% survival rate is going to kill them! Not only that, they have been programmed to believe that everyone is a carrier of this 'deadly' virus ... even if you have no symptoms you are a carrier of the virus.

It is trauma based mind control, and also black magic ... classic witchcraft. Huge sways of people are under the spell of these black magicians and will willingly do the bidding of these death cult satanists ... sadly. The are partaking in a black magic ritual ... and have freely given their souls over to the death cult!

BUT, not everyone has been affected by the persuasions of these behavioural psychologists. No matter WHAT has been put out there, a proportion of the UK public appear to be immune to the witchcraft! We are part of that group ... and find it interesting that nothing is scaring us. Nothing is swaying us toward the social distancing, or mask wearing or the gene therapy jab. Nothing SAGE has the government do ... or have the Media announce ... affect us. And we know of so many who are all the same. 

We are seemingly immune to the witchcraft ... and it would be interesting to find out the common denominator that creates this immunity (And we're pretty sure that SAGE would love to know why too). I'm sure, with me personally, that a life working as a Psychic Medium has helped. I use mindfulness and know my own mind, and my own thoughts. I cannot be hypnotised and find it hard to get intoxicated; I understand altered states of consciousness ... and understand the mind games that SAGE are employing.

It is really frustrating to go to local supermarkets and be surrounded everywhere by the brainwashed human sheeples that are under the SAGE spell. No matter what is said to them ... no proof or independent research will break them free ...

For real change to happen ... there needs to be a comprehension of how to become immune to the black magic persuasions and compulsions put out there by the death cult. Their techniques are many and are in full force everywhere. Somehow I remain immune ... but for how long?

Image of the Day - 'Tha deireadh ar beatha gu lèir faisg air làimh'

THE LEGENDARY PENDLE HILL

 

Law of Threefold Returns

The Law of Threefold Returns is a concept most often followed by Wiccans but some other traditions of witchcraft also observe it.

This law simply states a theory of how magickal energy functions in our universe:

Whatever energy you send out (good or bad),
returns to you times three.

This admonition has generated a great deal of support not to mention comparable criticism over the years. Those who support the concept feel it helps outsiders understand why witches who have the power to hex anyone who crosses them generally don't. It also prevents errant witches from committing harmful acts of which the witchcraft community does not approve.

Negative energy breeds negativity according to the Threefold Law of Returns....read more>>>....

The Easiest Way to Break a Curse or Hex (and Keep It Broken!)

[exemplore.com]: If you are cursed, then it is most likely low-end magick practiced by an amateur. Professionals are generally occupied with more important things. However, amateurs can have a lot of raw power even when their technique is lacking, and their curses can be very dangerous.

Hexes are intentionally malevolent spells. A hex is never accidental and is usually cast by someone with knowledge in witchcraft. Curses, on the other hand, are sometimes less intentional and can be set in motion when someone simply thinks or speaks ill against another.

There are a couple of ways to deal with a curse. The first is to become an initiate in some tradition of magick and learn to protect yourself. This is not for everyone (no matter what some of the books may say, not everyone is suited to magick) and is extremely time-consuming, difficult, and brings its own dangers.The second way is to use a simple spell that anyone can do without real training. You don't need practice, but you do need to follow all the instructions carefully and conscientiously...read more>>>...

Blackthorn: the Dark Crone of the Woods

Blackthorn is depicted in many fairy tales throughout Europe as a tree of ill omen. Called Straif in the Ogham, this tree has the most sinister reputation in Celtic tree lore. The English word ‘strife’ is said to derive from this Celtic word. A long hard winter is referred to as a Blackthorn Winter.

To Witches, it often represents the dark side of the Craft. It is a sacred tree to the Dark, or Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, and represents the Waning and Dark Moons. Blackthorn is known as ‘the increaser and keeper of dark secrets’.

The tree is linked with warfare, wounding and death, associated with the Scottish Cailleach - the Crone of Death, and the Irish Morrigan. In Scotland, winter begins when the Cailleach (also the Goddess of Winter) strikes the ground with Her Blackthorn staff. According to Christian folklore, Blackthorn is seen as a sinister tree and associated with Witches. Blackthorn was often used for ‘binding and blasting’. A black rod is a Blackthorn wand with fixed thorns on the end, used to cause harm to others. In British folklore, a Witch will use a Blackthorn stang in rituals of cursing. The sharp thorns were reputedly used by English witches to pierce poppets in their curses, called the ‘pins of slumber' ... read more>>>...

The Fylgja

Remember the cats, ravens, and other familiar spirits who are often the companions of witches in European folktales? 

These are fylgjur (pronounced “FILG-yur”) in the plural and fylgja (pronounced “FILG-ya”) in the singular. The fylgja is generally perceived in an animal form by those with second sight, although human fylgjur aren’t unheard-of.

It’s an attendant spirit whose well-being is intimately tied to that of its owner – for example, if the fylgja dies, its owner dies, too. Its character and form are closely connected to the character of its owner; a person of noble birth might have a bear fylgja, a savage and violent person, a wolf, or a gluttonous person, a pig. In a sense, this helping spirit can be seen as the totem of a single person rather than of a group.

Fylgja literally translates as “follower,” but, as often as not, it’s depicted as traveling ahead of its owner, arriving at the intended destination before its owner or appearing in the dreams of someone who will meet the owner the following day. Intriguingly, the term is also applied to the afterbirth, but the connection is mysterious and unclear (Source: Norse Mythology.org)

The Wiccan Triple Goddess

The Goddess represents the feminine, nurturing side of Deity -intuitive, creative, and magical. She is the inner nature of Deity -the origin of the external Universe.

Thus the Goddess is the Creator, the Source - the God emerges from Her, when She sets the Universe into motion. The God is the Goddess’ Divine Child, formed from Her inner nature, Her “Other Self” as the Vangelo delle Streghe puts it. The God is also the Divine Consort, Whose union with the Goddess describes existence as we know it.

In this sense the Goddess and the God are the polar forces also termed Yin and Yang. Yin, the Feminine, spiritual, emotive aspect of Deity which is within all things and Whose presence gives all things life. Yang the Masculine, physical, volatile aspect of Deity which manifests in motion and action and Whose permutations build up the outer form of things.

In Wicca the Goddess is primarily revered through Her form as the Triple Goddess. As the God is often represented by the Sun, the Goddess is often represented by the Moon, and its three phases are taken as instructive as to the nature of Her being; the Waxing Moon representing creation and inspiration, embodied in the Maiden Goddess. The Full Moon representing fruition and sustenance, embodied in the Mother Goddess. And the Waning Moon representing fulfillment and endings, embodied in the Crone Goddess...read more>>>...

Wiccan Or Witch?

Psychic Revelation: What is the difference between the terms "Wicca" and "Witchcraft"? They are sometimes (often) used interchangeably but are not necessarily the same thing. The confusion comes because both practitioners of Wicca and practitioners of Witchcraft are called witches. To further complicate matters many, but not all, Wiccans practice witchcraft and vice versa.
Wicca refers to the religion; the worship of the God & Goddess (or just Goddess), and the Sabbat and Esbat rituals. Witchcraft, on the other hand, is considered a craft, and is sometimes called "The Craft." Witchcraft usually refers to the casting of spells and the practice of magic (the use of the "k" is to separate the term from stage magic).

Practicing witchcraft requires no belief in specific gods or goddesses and is a learned skill, not a spiritual path. There are also Pagan Witches, Christian Witches, Buddhist Witches, etc. who also practice witchcraft.

The distinction between Wicca and Witchcraft is not clear cut. There is a crossover between the Pagan/Neo-pagan religions and Witchcraft. However, the differences mentioned above are the general distinctions made between the two terms...read more>>>...

Power Objects

Llewellyn Worldwide: It has been said, power is effective energy. In the shamanic philosophy all aspects of the universe have energy, which has potential use and power. Developing a relationship with objects in Nature, or in Spirit, to use their energy is called developing a totemic relationship. Power objects are totems for the shaman. It is important to remember that power is not confined in an object. The power of any totem comes from the trusting, interactive relationship between the object and the shaman. Of all power objects, the shaman knows that the Self is the most sacred. Totems provide a symbolic link between the shaman and the highest aspects of Self, Nature, and Spirit. Power objects are found in a variety of ways. Most often, objects such as rocks, feathers, herbs, or other items from Nature appear in a way that seems special, unusual, or meaningful to the follower of the shamanic path. An object that has potential as a totem will make you feel strongly attracted to it. Like people of kindred spirits, the shaman and the totems are drawn together....read more>>>....

Law Of Three

What you do for good or for ill shall be returned to you threefold. As ye sow so shall ye reap. But three times more...

The "Threefold Law of Return" or "Law Of Three" is essentially a natural law of cause and effect. The Goddess charges all witches to take great care in all that they do, say, or think. The Goddess charges us to exercise great care in all that we, as Witches, do and say and even think.

This law appears to act as a prohibition (which it does at surface level) but it is also a blessing. Witches seek to help and heal all life and when working for good the good will be returned to you, only threefold. Quite a bonus! Work with bad intentions and that too is returned to you threefold.

It would be very easy, as a witch, to take measures to exact revenge on someone who may richly deserve it. But justice, not revenge, is the Witches' way. Rather than exact revenge yourself (and have it returned threefold to you) simply ask the God and Goddess for justice to be done.

Wiccan beliefs assure that what is merited by a persons actions will come to pass. You need only to ask the God and Goddess for "justice to be done". This is in line with natural laws and the promises of the Ancient Ones. Once you have asked in the correct manner you can rest assured that the situation will be taken care of. The issue can then be released and you can go about your normal business. (Psychic Revelation)

Happy Witches New Year Everyone!

Pagan Wiccan: Samhain is known as the Witch's New Year. Samhain is a night when the veil between our world and the spirit world becomes very thin, and it's a good time to do some divination! Samhain falls on October 31 every year in the Northern Hemisphere, although in some traditions it may be celebrated on November 1. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is on May 1. Unlike solstice and equinox celebrations, this date does not change from year to year in most NeoPagan traditions. However, it's important to note that in some branches of Paganism, sabbats are celebrated based upon the astronomical calendar rather than the specific date. If you're part of one of these traditions, your Samhain celebration may need.

Wicca & Witchcraft - Circle

Psychic Revelation: 'The Circle is without one of the most important elements of Wicca and witchcraft. Almost everything takes place within this area. You will find various different ways to cast or open a circle. No one way is THE way. This is the way that many of our Wiccan members cast their circle. It is important when you are ready to do spell work that you cast a circle, or create a Sacred Space, to provide protection and keep out undesirable energies. This also contains the power which you will raise until it is time to release it to the Universe...read more>>>...

A Word on 'Four Elements'

Psychic Revelation: 'The four basic elements are Earth, Air, Fire, and Water and are considered in metaphysics as the four basic components that make up life itself. These elements all have different vibrations which, when properly aligned, can help to produce the desired results in your magic. The following list will give you information relating to each of the four elements and their correspondences...read more>>>...

A Word on 'Wicca & Witchcraft'

Psychic Revelation: 'The exact origin of Wicca is unclear. Wicca is a belief system as well as a way of life. Wicca requires a belief in the God and Goddess (unlike Witchcraft which requires no belief in God or Goddess but is simply a learned craft and is often referred to as "The Craft"). As practitioners of both Wicca and Witchcraft are called Witches there is understandably a lot of confusion to the uninitiated. Male Witches incidentally, are still Witches and are not referred to as Warlocks. Wicca itself has its roots as a very simple "homegrown" religion the origins of which date back several thousand years long before the term Wicca came into being. It was a faith for those who not only lived close to the earth but knew it intimately. Practitioners were wholly in tune with its ebb and flow. Most practitioners of that time were solitary Witches, who from choice, chose to do their worship and spell work on their own. Others worked within their close-knit family groups. Magick was usually performed with simple items that were readily available. The approach back then was far more simplistic than it is nowadays. Gathering many herbs and using elaborate or complex tools to perform a particular spell was just not practicable' ... read more>>>...

The Use of Spells/Magick in Modern Times

Spells are works of creativity to protect a person or persons from impending unpleasantness. As Meya Deren wrote in The Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti, London, 1953, "Magic is an individual action, undertaken because the cosmos is not believed to be benevolent by nature, or at least, not benevolent enough to that person.“ This excerpt was taken from Judika Illes' book Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells. Anything that occurs naturally on earth can be considered magic, and any action taken using what the earth offers us, can be considered a spell. The spelling of magic or magick does not alter the meaning. The usage of the spelling magick is to differential between optical illusion magic and the spell magic. A mother in her kitchen adding peppermint to her baby’s bottle for colic can be considered using spell magic to heal her baby, for example. Spells were developed long ago as a means to heal or as a dance to bring rain. Many cultures have used spells in one way or another as a means to bring about a desired effect. Many traditions are built around a spell, and many may not even realize that they are practicing a spell...read more>>>...