Instructor Note: These are only a few practices of many. If you would like to know more about one, or would like me to address another belief system in a future post, please comment below.

With the many terms today to describe the craft, it is important to note the differences in definitions and practices. Here are some basic points and short summaries of other practices:

• All Wiccans are Witches but not all Witches are Wiccan
• All Witches are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Witches
• Some Pagans practice witchcraft, but not all choose to

Pagan

• From the Latin “Paganus”
• Literally translated to ‘hicks from the sticks’
• Originally used to describe people living in rural areas due to the fact that as Christianity blossomed, the people who lived in rural areas were usually the last practicing the old ways

Wicca

• Founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s
• Based off of the old ways but not exactly the same
  • Hence, all Wiccans are pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccans.
• Polytheistic/monotheistic/pantheistic/duotheistic
  • Depends on sect of Wicca
• Believe in reincarnation with rests in the Summerland between lives

Druidism

• Based on Iron Age practices of the Celts
• Promotes harmony, connection and reverence for the modern world including all beings and the earth itself
• Devotion to ancestors, primarily those from prehistoric ages
• Nature Centered Spirituality
• Polytheistic
• Awen
  • The Druidic concept of spirit or divinity
  • Inspires poetry and art

Heathenry

• Also called Heathenism, contemporary Germanic Paganism or Germanic Neopaganism
• Uses historical, archaeological and folkloric evidence to maintain practices of the Iron Age and Early Medieval European Germainic people
• Polytheistic with different beliefs in different areas of practice

Instructor’s Note: As June Draws Nearer, my goal is to incorporate lessons about special dates on the calendar as well. As always, comment with your thoughts, opinions, analysis, and any questions you may have including requests for more information on a particular subject. Please remember that we will advance in practical magic and ritual as a group to ensure that nobody gets into trouble with something they may not understand.

June 2019

• 1st – England’s Witchcraft Act of 1653 is enacted
  • Prohibited witchcraft from being practiced. Was not repealed until 1951
• 9th – Celtic Tree month of Hawthorn ends
• 10th – Celtic Tree month of Oak begins
  • Continues until July 7th
  • The first of the 20 victims in the Salem Witch Trials, Bridget Bishop, is hanged
• 13th – The founder of modern Wicca, Gerald Gardner, is born in 1884
• 17th – Full Moon (4:31 am)
• 21st – Lithia – Summer Solstice
  • In the Southern Hemisphere, Yule is celebrated
• 27th – Birth of renowned Wiccan author, Scott Cunningham in 1956

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.

Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.

To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.

Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,

let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.

Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,

and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.

When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart’s desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.

When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.

When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.

Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God’s

insight.   Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.

Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.

White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.

Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady’s tree burn it not or cursed you’ll be.

Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it’s now Samhain.

When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.

As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.

When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.

When the Sun has reached it’s height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.

Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you’ll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you’ll know.

When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.

Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.

When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

“An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will”

Instructor Note: Please comment with your thoughts and analysis 🙂