Category: Sabbats

Witches of The Craft and Coven Life Now Under 1 Owner

After 18 years and being a pioneer on the world wide web with her award-winning site Witches of The Craft Lady of the Abyss is retiring.

Lady Abyss and Lady Beltane talked on the phone earlier today after hashed out the finer points of everything it was decided that Lady Beltane will be taking it over with monthly payments to Lady A so WOTC does not go to a stranger.

WOTC format will be staying basically the same but the number of posts will be going down. If you want to check what Tarot cards and Ogham are pulled for the day and some of the other things WOTC is known for just go there to find them.

Coven Life will still be having open chats, Esbat and Sabbat gatherings in the CL chatroom. The online school for witchcraft for novice through priestess/priest level studies is not going to change at all.

If you have found that either website contains information you enjoy reading and/or using please consider making a donation to help Lady Beltane cover the cost of keeping these two websites up and running smoothlas as her only income is a SSI check. In advance thank you very much for your help and being part of the WOTC/CL online family

Beltane/Samhain Sabbat Gathering April 30, 2019

This month’s Northern Hemisphere was written by and will be led by Lady Beltane. The Southern Hemisphere was written and will be led by Priestess Hypatia. The calling of the Watchtowers will be done by both. The circles will be cast at the same time for each hemisphere by the Elder that is leading it.

WHEN:

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Social hour 6:00 to 6:59 PM Central Time

Sacred Circle cast at 7:00 PM Central Time

WHERE:

Coven Life’s Chatroom

Beltane or May Day – Is the Sabbat that celebrates fertility. We will be honoring Beltane/Beltain/Beltaine the May Queen, a.k.a. Queen of the Fairies, to bless our gardens of all kinds be they vegetable, flower, herb or a seed we plant within our spirit to help us grow as a person and witch. The Fea Folk take the essences of the food and drinks offered to them they do not have need of the physical item as they can recreate it from the essences when they have a use for it.

Samhain – As the third and final harvest. This Sabbat heralds the commencement of the dark winter half of the year. Traditionally the veil between the spirit and physical realm is thin. This is the time the Dark Mother (Crone) and Father (Her aged Consort) are paid due respect A candle is often placed in the window to assist the ancestors to find their way home and offerings of food left at the altar and the doorstep for the wandering spirits. With the coming of darkness, nothing is what is seems, therefore for your own protection, a concentrated circle should always be performed prior to performing any ritual.

Making your own Samhain Incense 

1 part Dittany (oregano from Crete that is thought to be highly protective)

½ part Pine

1 part Sandalwood

¼ part Patchouli

¼ part Benzoin Resin

Few drops of Pine oil

P.s- please feel free to be creative with whatever ingredients you have available.

Burn your incense on charcoal if you choose.

Burn this before, during and after the ritual if you choose.

What You Need in Northern Hemisphere:

Any type of bell – the louder the better

A Small Glass – Glass

Spoon

1 ounce Warm Milk

1 small pad Melted Butter

1 teaspoon of Honey – if you have a beekeeper close by asking them or use are honey if possible

Mix in either one or all of these spices 1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger or 2-3 thin slices of fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 3 whole cloves Oh can also set these spices on the treat/offering plate separately

What You Will Need in the Southern Hemisphere

  • Black candle that represents the dying God OR a yellow candle inscribed with a solar symbol (sun)
  • Offerings of flowers, fruits and grains
  • Divination tools that can include tarot cards and runes, use others if you wish
  • Cornbread to offer to the spirit of the dead
  • Samhain incense above

 

Watchtowers

Lady Beltane: We call Earth into the watchtower of the North to help to remember to always stay grounded.

Priestess Hypatia: We call Air into the watchtower of the East to help us keep an open mind when exploring and learning about different paths of witchcraft.

Lady Beltane: We call Water into the watchtower of the West to help to put us in someone else shoes to see things from their point of few when we are angry about something they had said or done to us.

Priestess Hypatia: We call Fire to the watchtower of the South to remind us to always keep kindness burning in our mind, heart, and spirit towards others in our minds.

Casting the Sacred Circles

Lady Beltane – Nothern Hemisphere: (Each time starting in the East) I walk this circle with Beltane the May Queen/Queen of the Fairies three times. First to close it with Fire that any negative thing will be burned up before it can harm those in this circle/ Second to close it with Air to blow away anything Fire has burned. Third to close it with Water so Fire cannot make it to hot in our circle. (Standing between the circle and altar facing North) Next, I lay my hands flat on the floor then stand slowly while slowing turning clockwise bring my hands to waist level – I call on Earth to protect us from below. Lastly, I raise my arms over my head and walk clockwise while bring them down to meet Earth at waist level – I call upon Spirit to protect us from above.

Priestess Hypatia – Southern Hemisphere: Cast your circle and build up your energy of protection around you, begin to burn your Samhain  Incense Invocation of the God and Goddess by saying:

‘As the veil between the two worlds thins, I ask for your blessing Dark Mother and Dark Father,

I greet those who have gone before me, my ancestors and loved ones.

May the circle only be entered by those who wish me well.

We greet all those departed before us and who are free of all Earthly ties.”

EVERYONE: Please type in your first or pagan name and what country or state you are from. DO NOT include your towns name, please.

Beltane Ritual – Northern Hemisphere

In your small glass mix together the milk, honey, spices, and melted butter. Now while ring your bell why you say:

We invite the Fea Folk into our yards and gardens to help our, plants and trees to grow.

To the Fea Folk that only have mischief on their minds, you are not welcome on my property or in my vegetable and/or flower pots.

We honor you Queen with this offering of milk, honey, butter and spices she enjoys as a sign of good faith that we will treat her people with respect and supply them with an offering every month that we have given to you, Your Highness.

Stop ring your bell for now. When you take the offering outside for the Fairy Queen after our circle has opened then ring the bell three times three waiting about 10 seconds in between the sets of three rings. Slowly pour the mixture under the tallest tree in your yard so that the last drop comes out on the last ring of the bell (the 9th ring). Every month when you take the offering out to the Fea Folk that are helping you ring your bell in the same way as you did to signal the Queen.

Samhain RItual – Southern Hemisphere

This is the time to spend a few moments thinking of your loved ones.

Then say:

“We thank you for your presence here tonight”

Next- Light the God candle

Then say:

“This candle symbolizes the Sun Lord- its passing and quenching. Tonight it is the wheel of the year turning allowing all you dead souls to walk amongst the living. We are grateful as we pass through and into the shadow of darkness. In honor of the Gods and Goddesses, we thank you for your glorious gifts received from the summertime. As the Lord of the Sun moves from us and as the wheel turns, so it will turn again until the Sun rises from the moon.”

Wait for 2 minutes contemplating the prayer and blow out the black God candle. Do not light the God candle until Yule.

Now acknowledge the Crone aspect of the Goddess and say:

“Oh, Great Goddess of both wisdom and magick speak to us of your power and wisdom.  We thank you and acknowledge your gifts of the decreasing moon and the glorious stars. They will be used wisely. Grant us your energy and force so that our spells, rituals and divinations will be enthused. Understand great Goddess that they shall bring no harm to your creatures.”

Dismiss the spirits and ancestors by saying: “Go in peace and aid us as we look beyond the long dark days.”

Afterward: Use your divination tools to gain perspective for the coming months, hold a simple feat, close the scared circle and finally bury the offerings in the earth and leave a plate of food for the wandering spirits.

BOTH HEMISPHERES:

Dismissing the Watchtowers

Northern also Dismissing Spirit and Earth

Opening the Circles

Lady Beltane – Final Blessing – We go in peace and harmony, though the circle is open our coven shall never be broken. Blessing of good fortune my dear Brothers and Sisters

May Your Ostara or Mabon Sabbat be a Happy and Blessed Time

Well, I just learned something new about the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the fall equinox in the southern hemisphere. The spring equinox is at 4:58 PM CT on March 20th while the fall equinox is at 8:58 AM AEDT in the southern hemisphere. Which means we are experiencing the equinoxes at the exact same time just in different time zones and because of the international date line on a different date.

When I read this I felt it covered more than just a blessing for Ostara and Mabon. I felt it was a blessing to carry with us all through the year.

Northern Brothers and Sisters: May what you sow this spring come to a bountiful harvest in the fall.

Southern Brothers and SIsters: May what you sowed in the spring be bring you a bountiful harvest this fall.

Remember we can sow different things for our own reasons they do not have to be something we plant in the ground and watch grow, they can be something we change in our lifestyle or in our spiritual or magickal path. Then when we harvest them they become part of us and who we are.

March’s Coven Gathering – N.H. Ostara/ S.H. Mabon Sabbats and Full Moon Esbat

Because of the Sabbats falling so close to the full Moon this month I decided to have the rituals combined into one instead of having two gatherings within two days. -Lady Beltane

This Sabbat and Esbat ritual was written by two of Coven Life’s Coven Adepts. Their names are Country Moon and Druantia Earth-song. Druantia Earth-song will be leading the gathering. Please remember that both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres Sabbats are being celebrated and the full Moon you need to stay in the circle until all the rituals are fully done. You are welcome to do both Sabbat rituals if you want to.

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 20. 2019

Socialization 6:00 to 7:00 PM Central Time Zone

Circle Cast at 7:01 PM Central Time Zone

Please DO NOT enter the chat room after 6:59 PM Central Time so the sacred circle does not get broken and have to be recast. Thank you.

WHERE:

Coven Life’s Chat Room

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

                            1  Black candle for the God.
                            1 White candle for the Goddess.
                            1 Black candle for the spell.
                            2 small pieces of paper.
                            A pen or pencil.
                            Your favorite or a Clear Quartz Crystal – have it pre-cleansed.
                            A fire-proof bowl or small cauldron.
‘                           A ceramic tile or another type of hot plate to put under the bowl or cauldron
                            Matches or lighter.
                            A good Spring of your choice or Rose or Lavender incense and incense burner for the Northern Hemisphere.
                            A good Autumn of your choice or Cedar or Pine incense and incense burner for the Southern Hemisphere.
                            Chalice with Egg nog, white wine or milk for the Northern hemisphere, plus offering plate with a hot cross bun and butter.
Chalice with Red wine or fruit juice for the Southern Hemisphere, plus offering plate with a slice fruit bread and butter.
        Pentacle platter if desired.
Altar set-up:
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: You can decorate your altar up in Spring color’s[Blue, pink, green, yellow, white]. You might like to dye or decorate some eggs prior to the ritual and place them in a basket on your altar [or use a vase of the first Spring flowers instead]. Situate this at the top center of your altar. The White Goddess candle is situated at the top left corner, the Black God candle at the top right, the bowl or cauldron at the top center on the tile or hot plate below the vase of flowers, and the Black spell candle just in front of it[or inside it , in a small candle holder]. Place the paper, pen or pencil, crystal and matches or lighter on the right-hand side. Have your incense burner with the incense in it at the top right and your Chalice at the top left, in front of the Goddess candle. Place the offering plate and bun at the middle right and a Pentacle platter in the middle[if there is room]
Altar set-up:
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: You can decorate your altar up in Autumn color’s[Red, orange, green, black]. You might like to scatter Autumn leaves around the altar[or use Autumn evergreen branches in a vase instead.]Situate this at the top center of your altar. The White Goddess candle is situated at the top left corner.
The Black God candle at the top right, the bowl or cauldron at the top center, on the tile or hot plate, and the Black spell candle just in front of the Cauldron [or inside of it in a small candle holder].Place the paper, pen or pencil, crystal and matches or lighter on the right-hand side. Have your incense burner and incense at the top right, in front of the God candle and your Chalice at the top left, in front of the God candle. Place the offering plate and bread at the middle right. You may choose to have a Pentacle too[if there is room]
***Please be fire safety aware. Keep any flammable items away from the candles. It might also be a good idea to open a window to release any smoke.

RITUAL

ADEPT DRUANTIA: Greetings all! Tonight or Today we are drawn together to celebrate three special times-the Full Moon Esbat and Ostara/Mabon sabbats. This is a powerful time, with the emphasis on death, birth, and rebirth[releasing, renewing and balance]. With our spells being brought forth on a Full Moon and Sabbats the two together will make them stronger.
Before we begin, let us all introduce ourselves and state where we are from.
EVERYONE: Please type your first or pagan name, state or country.

 

ADEPT DRUANTIA: We will now cast the circle and call in the Guardians of the Watchtowers

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Powers of Fire, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Powers of Water, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Powers of Earth, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.

Three times three the power is bound. As without, so within, All bad be gone znd good come in. As below  so above, A sacred place of light and love.” 

INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS:
         ” We call upon the Goddess Danu to bring growth and equilibrium to our circle. Oh great Danu, mother of both Earth and Moon, we are gathered here this night/day to celebrate your fullness. Now is your time dear Lady and I ask that you come forth and be welcome in our circle. Please be with your earthly sons and daughters as we celebrate the Ostara/Mabon sabbats, and honor you in your time of ripeness. We ask that you bless us with your presence and lend your powers to our workings. Great Danu, We invoke  you!”
EVERYONE: Please light the Goddess candle.
INVOCATION TO THE GOD:
         “We call upon the Greenman to bear witness to our rite. Oh great Cernunnos, Lord of the Wildwood and all it encompasses, We ask that you come forth and be welcome in our circle. Please be with your Earthly sons and daughters as we celebrate the Ostara/Mabon sabbats and honor the Lady in her time of ripeness. We ask that you bless us with your presence great Lord and lend your powers to our workings. Great Cernunnos, we call upon you!”
EVERYONE:  Please light the God candle
We will now begin our rituals … Beginning with the Northern Hemisphere. Southern Hemisphere, please wait until you are prompted.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

ADEPT DRUANTIA: At this time and in this place between worlds, we are gathered here, not only in honor of the Mother but also in honor of the Goddess Ostara. Just as she heralds the end of the dark phase of the year, so too do we release the dark within. Just as she signifies the awakening of the light phase, so too do we summon new growth and renewed energy.
EVERYONE: Please take one piece of paper and write down one to three things you wish to release (eg. I release all fears, I release my addiction to smoking, I release anger, I release guilt, I release depression, etc). If you have more than one thing, space them apart so that you can tear them off as you need to burn them. Once you have written it/them down, light the black candle. Spend 2 minutes concentrating on releasing the problem[s].
Then visualize it/them being attached to your body by a black cord. Individually put each problem into a bubble of white light and see a pair of scissors cutting the cord at the base to that attachment.  See the balloon of light flying off into the distance with your problem inside until it completely disappears. Do this with each separate problem, and as each is being released, light the paper in the candle flame one at a time, if you have more than one. Once burning well, throw into the heatproof bowl or cauldron and leave it to burn completely. You will have three minutes to burn the piece or pieces of paper.
Once you are finished type in DONE.
Now pick up the other piece of paper and write down one thing you would like to embrace or manifest in your life (eg: I embrace abundance and prosperity, I  embrace full mind, body, spirit wellness, I embrace good Luck, I embrace career success, I embrace happiness etc). Once you are done, place the paper down and pick up the crystal. Hold the crystal and concentrate on your desire. See it as it has already happened. Spend 2 minutes meditating upon your desire. Then place the crystal down with the paper underneath it
Once you are finished type in DONE
Now we will do the Southern Hemisphere. Northern hemisphere please be patient.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

ADEPT DRUANTIA: At this time and in this place between worlds, we are gathered here, not only in honor of the Greenman but also in honor of the God Mabon. Just as he heralds the end of the light phase of the year, so too do we acknowledge the need for rest and retreat. Just as he signifies the coming of the dark phase of the year, so too do we plant seeds for positive new growth.
EVERYONE: Please take up one piece of paper and write down one to three things you wish to release (eg. I release all fears, I release my addiction to smoking, I release anger, I release guilt, I release depression etc). If you have more than one thing, space them apart so that you can tear them off as you need to burn them. Once you have written it/them down, light the black candle. Spend 2 minutes concentrating on releasing the problem[s]. Visualize each individual problem being attached by a black cord. Put the problem into a bubble of white light and see a pair of scissors cutting the cord at the base of this attachment. See the balloon of light flying off into the distance, with your problem inside until it completely disappears. Do this with each separate problem and as each is being released, light the paper in the candle flame one at a time if you have more than one. Once burning well, throw into the heatproof bowl or cauldron and allow to burn completely. You have three minutes to do this.
Once you are finished, type DONE.
Now take up the other piece of paper and write down one thing you would like to embrace or manifest (eg. I embrace abundance and prosperity, I embrace full mind, body, spirit wellness, I embrace good luck, I embrace career success, I embrace happiness etc). Once you are done, place the paper down and pick up the crystal. Hold the crystal and concentrate on your desire. See it as it has already happened. Spend 2 minutes meditating on your desire.
When finished, type DONE
THE OFFERING
EVERYONE: Please place your chalice in the center of your altar or on your pentacle. Hold your hands above the chalice and allow the light within you to flow from your heart and down your arms. See it flowing out of your hands and into the chalice. See the chalice glowing with light. Then raise it up high toward the Moon and say-
Dear Goddess and God, I offer you this drink as a token of my gratitude. Honor to thee  Oh Old Ones!”.
Then take a drink of the beverage and put the chalice back on the altar in its original place.
Next, move your offering plate to the center of your altar or onto your pentacle and hold your hands above it. Allow the light within to flow forth and down into the food. Once you have filled it with light, raise it up toward the Sun[or imaginary Sun] and say-
Dear Goddess and God, I offer you this food as a token of my gratitude. Honor to thee Oh Old Ones!
Then eat a bite of the food and place the plate back on the altar in its original place. Take a minute to finish your bite and then type DONE.
We thank the Old Ones for the food and drink they provide for us daily.
DISMISSING THE GOD AND GODDESS
O  Great Cernunnos, Lord of the Wildwood and all it encompasses, we thank you for honoring us with your presence and aid. Between two worlds, was magick made. Great Lord, we bid you Hail and Farewell !”
O Great Danu Mother of both Earth and Moon, we thank you for honoring us with your presence and aid. Between two worlds was magick made. Great Lady, we bid you Hail and Farewell !”
Now please visualize the God and Goddess going their separate ways, back to from whence they came. Then spend a moment releasing any energy you have retained. You can either bend down and touch the Earth or send it off to someone that is in need of healing. Either way, feel it and see it leaving your arms and going to its destination either deep in the earth to be absorbed and transformed or off to help someone. Once it has left you, stand up again.
DISMISSING OF THE WATCHTOWERS:
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell!”
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Powers of Earth, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell !”
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Powers of Water, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell !”
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Powers of Fire, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell !”
Three times three the power is ground. As without, so within, All bad be gone and good come in. As below  so above, A sacred place of light and love.”
ADEPT DRUANTIA:-
Our circle is open, but never ever  broken. Always shall it reside within our hearts.”
***After this ritual, please take the ashes outside and toss or blow to the four winds.Allow the black spell candle to burn down , but make sure it is in a safe place or transfer it to a bath tub or sink.The crystal should be placed in a window  that gets both sun and moon and set on top of your piece of paper. Leave it there for one Full Moon cycle.Your desire should have manifested by then…

Update Life in The Craft Newsletter

Well after many hours and hair pulling to figure out how to make this easy for you to read and print out the rituals and/or spells the sample issue of Life in The Craft Newsletter is just waiting for one thing to be ready to send to your inbox either tomorrow or Saturday.

If you would like to receive this free issue of Life in The Craft newsletter please send your email address in the body of an email to LifeinTheCraft@outlook.com

Can There Be Witches That Are Also Christians?

This is a subject that has been hotly debated since Christianity first became an accepted religion and the debate I feel that will never have a definite answer.

Some people believe they can at least partially combine Christianity and Paganism usually by still thinking of Jesus as a  god or because many Christians already worship a triple god “the father, son, holy ghost or spirit” and saints to help them with certain things so jumping to a belief in a Triple Goddess and other goddesses isn’t that big of a jump. Many never call upon other gods than those they already believe in. Mostly the Christians that combine The Craft and Christianity are just bring the feminine divine back into their lives.

I have found over the years that the two were combined very early in the ancient history of religions. For example “In a way, Gnosticism is the best example of Hellenic Syncretism” ( see links below for more information). Another example of Christianity and Paganism crossing over is with two major holidays Easter and Ostara also Christmas and Yule. The early Christians trying to convert pagans purposely put the resurrection of Jesus close to Yule the Pagans celebration of the birth of Odin/the Oak King and the coming of the Maiden or spring time of year. So by putting Jesus birth in the wrong season, the Christians could use it to say something like . “See the son of our God is born now also.”

Let me interject here that it has been scientifically proven that the man known for the last 2056 years, give or take a year or two, as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth or by other names as well was born not born in the winter. There is a debate ongoing in the scientific community over which season and what exact year he was born. (Click the link below for more information) These are not the only holidays that Christians purposely used to convert pagans almost any Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year has a Christian holy day of some sort close to it or even on the same date. (Click on the link below for more information)

I have included a link for YouTube that presents the views of people who say they are Christian WItches.

Now my personal view is how can a person believe that there is a son of God that will cleanse them of all the wrongs they have done to others and/or themselves also believe in the Wicce Rede of “Do as ye will, lest it harm none.” and if you do harm someone with words and/or actions you need to take responsibility for the wrong and apologize or whatever to make what happened a thing of this past and most importantly forgive yourself. We as pagans do not ask a god or goddess to take away our wrongdoings to be free of them we free ourselves of the wrongs we have done. How can a person practice a religion that does not believe in a heaven or hell or satan when that is part of the core of Christianity? Part of the Christian dogma is the 10 commandments of which the first one is “Thou shall have no other God before me.” So does this mean a Christian Witch is breaking one of the main rules of Christianity if they use a different god and/or goddess for a spell and/or ritual? And if they do break the commandment do they ask the son, Jesus, of their one God to forgive them for doing so? Christians are also not supposed to worship idols (which if you go into some of the different denominations of the Christian churches you could see Jesus hanging dead from a cross and other statues of saints. Are they not all ready worshiping idols when they pray to them asking for their help with interceding with God to bring about something in their life? In my personal opinion and also from trying to meld Christianity and Paganism some may be able to justify what they are doing but I could not keep denying the feminine part of the dual nature of the Devine.

I have included in this post a link to a general search on how witches are talked about in all the Christian Bibles. Not one of them is a positive statement toward witchcraft. In fact, all of the passages condemn witchcraft in one way or another. So how can a Christian not follow the book that is supposed to be a guide in how they should live their lives? How can they practice Witchcraft when it is expressly forbidden by the commandments and other passages of the book their faith has been built on?

Some Information About Gnosticism

Some Views on When Jesus was Born

Pagan Holidays Used by Christian for Easier Convergence

Different views on Christians Witches

YouTube Videos on Christian Witches

Biblical View on Witches

I have tried to give you enough information to form your own opinion on whether or not a Christian can also be a Witch that practices Witchcraft. So I would like your viewpoint on whether a person can mix Christianity with Witchcraft/Paganism?