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tyrannicalhippies-blog · 8 years

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What is Wicca? A Short Guide For The New Wiccan

Wicca is a religion that focuses on nature, the moon and the Goddess. The majority of Wiccans worship the God who is the horned god and represents the sun, and the Goddess who is the triple goddess and represents the moon. Many feel more comfortable just confiding in the Goddess. Others take Gods and Goddesses from Egyptian, Greek, Norse or other paths. You can worship these deities as humanoid based figures, or simply as the sun and the moon themselves. There is a big importance in gender roles in Wicca. Fertility and the cycle of life are emphasised a lot with references to the womb of the Goddess being in all women, and the seed of the god being in all men. Some paths of Wicca aren’t so fond of this, but it is the general focus.

In Wicca there is a big emphasis is placed on ritual and celebration. There are eight holidays in Wicca called the sabbats, which follow the seasons of the year. These sabbats are;

Yule, or Midwinter

Imbolc

Ostara

Beltane

Midsummer

Lammas

Mabon

Samhain

The Wiccan also celebrates the coming of the full moon every month in rites called esbats. They preform a ritual for the Goddess and he God by casting a circle, giving offering and thanking them for all they do. This is also the time in which you would ask wisdom from the Goddess and God, or for help in a task you need confronting.

The religion has a significant law; An’ it harm none, do what ye will. What this means is that you can do what you like in your practise as long as It is not hurting yourself or others. Wiccans have something called the Threefold Law, which means that anything you put out into the universe will come back to you three times more powerful. Some people take that literally, others feel it means that it comes back in your mind, your body and your soul.

Other than this, Wicca is extremely diverse. Many people practise it in many different ways, so I encourage you to have a look around and see what type of Wicca fits you.

WICCA FAQ:

I read that Witchcraft and Wicca are the same thing. Is this true?

Nope! Wicca is a religion, Witchcraft is a practise. All Wiccans are witches, but all witches are not Wiccans. Most witches these days have nothing to do with Wicca, on tumblr at least. In the real life community there’s a lot more. You can be a secular witch, a Christian witch, a Weather witch… for more Witchcraft terms look here.

I read that Wicca is an old pagan religion. Is this true?

No. Wicca was created in the 1950’s by a man called Gerald Gardner. People who say it is older than this are confusing the terms Witchcraft and Wicca. It is important to note however that Gardner created Wicca with some of his own ideas, but for the most part ‘borrowed’ (and in some cases stole when he wasn’t meant to) traditions and practises from other religions and spiritualties. People often think Wicca is old because it is based on the Pagan idea of Goddess worship, but Wicca is in fact only around 60 years old. For a brief history on Wicca look here.

What is a Coven? Do I have to be in one to practise Wicca?

A coven is a group of Wiccans that practise rituals together and share the same selection of Wiccan beliefs. While Wicca started in Covens only, you do not have to be in a Coven to be a Wiccan. The majority of Wiccans are Solitary Wiccans, which means they practise alone.

What types of Wicca are there?

Here is just a few of the major types of Wicca.

You do not have to follow a specific one to be a Wiccan.

The books I’ve read say to use smudging, but many other people tell me this is wrong. What is true?

Smudging is a Native American tradition that Wicca stole. It was never meant, or allowed to be used in Wicca. Many Natives are distressed by this theft of culture, especially the fact that what Wiccans do is not actually smudging and is just smoke cleansing given the wrong name. For a little bit more on this matter, look here. Also keep in mind that Wicca has this awful grabby hands mentality with much of the craft. If you read something and you think it is disrespectful of a culture, or steals from it too heavily, please research it or come ask me about it. Some cultures are fine with sharing traditions, some are not. As is within their right.

Suggested Beginning Reading List:

I have included PDF versions of these books where I could find them. While many of the books I am about to recommend are wonderful sources of information, they are quite old. Because of this, and how knowledge and opinion changes over time, the things you see written may clash with some of my FAQs. But trust me, I know what I am talking about. :)

The Craft; A Witch’s Book Of Shadows by Dorothy Morrison

Complete Book Of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

Wicca; A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Witchcraft For Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

Wicca For One: The Path Of Solitary Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

Living Wicca; A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

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tyrannicalhippies-blog · 8 years

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Charging & Cleansing Crystals

The Aries Witch ♈

By clicking on the names of the crystals, you will be provided with information on that stone such as: Colours, associations, Metaphysical properties, and uses. Enjoy.

Agate - Banded/Zebra: Bury banded agate in the ground overnight.

Agate - Blue Lace: Use the light of the waxing moon to recharge blue lace agate.

Agate - Green Moss: Moss agate should be left in the presence of greenery overnight once every month.

Agate - Red: Red agate should be passed through the flame of a red candle.

Agate - Tree: Tree agate should be smudged with cedar or pine.

Alexandrite: Alexandrite should be smudged with sage or placed in a green place on a bright day but out of direct sunlight.

Amazonite: Use a mint infusion to recharge amazonite.

Amber: Leave amber under the noon sun for a few minutes.

Amethyst: Recharge amethyst under moonlight.

Ametrine: Ametrine should be recharged under the light of the full moon.

Angelite: Angelite should be put in a place of spiritual power and prayers for peace should be said.

Apache Tear: Recharge Apache tears under any source of light.

Apatite: Apatite should be left near fresh cut flowers or on the earth next to a herb or plant.

Apophyllite: Recharge under sunlight.

Aqua Aura: It does not need recharging very often but when it does aqua aura should be charged by exposure to a group of spiritually focused people so that it can absorb their positive thoughts.

Aquamarine: Leave aquamarine in a blue bowl of sea water (or water with a pinch of sea salt) overnight on the night of the full moon. Afterwards it should be rinsed in clear water.

Aragonite - Blue: Blue aragonite should be left in moonlight overnight.

Aragonite - Orange: Bury orange aragonite in a container of earth for twenty-four hours.

Aragonite - Yellow: Yellow aragonite should be left in very gentle sunlight for one hour.

Aventurine - Blue: Use (gentle) natural sunlight to recharge blue aventurine.

Aventurine - Green: Green aventurine should be placed amongst foliage and left there during daylight for the day.

Aventurine - Red: Pass it through the flame of a similar colored candle.

Azurite: Azurite should be recharged under starlight.

Bloodstone: Use running water or sunlight to recharge bloodstone.

Bowenite: Smudge bowenite with cedar or white sage.

Calcite - Blue: Recharge blue calcite by submerging it in running stream water, or under a tap if you do not have access to a stream.

Calcite - Green: Recharge green calcite by holding it under falling water. A waterfall is best.

Calcite - Orange: Orange calcite should be placed in your bath water with you when you take a candlelight bath. When it eventually crumbles you should bury it with a small prayer of thanks.

Calcite - Pink: Pink calcite may be recharged under the light of a crescent moon.

Calcite - Yellow: Recharge yellow calcite by smudging.

Carnelian: Carnelian can be charged under sunlight or running water.

Cavansite: Pray to your God for cavansite to be recharged.

Celestine - Blue: Blue celestine should be recharged by being wrapped in blue silk and being allowed to rest in a drawer or cupboard for two days.

Celestine - Orange: Stand a small bowl of water in sunlight for a few hours and then sprinkle the water on the orange celestine.

Celestite - Blue: Celestite should be recharged by being wrapped in blue silk and being allowed to rest in a drawer or cupboard for two days.

Celestite - Orange: Stand a small bowl of water in sunlight for a few hours and then sprinkle the water on the celestite.

Chalcedony - Blue: Blue chalcedony should be washed in running water.

Chalcedony - Pink: Pink chalcedony should be recharged under running water.

Charoite: Place charoite close to a source of running water. You should be able to hear the water.

Chiastolite: Chiastolite should be buried in soil overnight at least once a month.

Chondrite: Chondrite should only be recharged on the night of a lunar or solar eclipse.

Chrysoberyl - Yellow: Yellow chrysoberyl should be smudged with sage or placed in a green place on a bright day but out of direct sunlight.

Chrysocolla: Leave overnight in a copper bowl or container.

Chrysoprase: Chrysoprase should be left out in a light shower of rain.

Citrine: Leave citrine in morning sunlight but do not expose to intense sunlight too often.

Copper: Copper should be recharged under the light of the full moon.

Coral - Blue: Sprinkle blue coral with sea water or sea-salted water.

Danburite: Wrap danburite in a soft pink cloth and leave somewhere warm and dark for twenty-four hours.

Desert Rose: Desert rose should be cleansed by moonlight.

Diamond: Polish diamond with a soft cloth and smudge it.

Diopside: Diopside can be recharged by smudging.

Dioptase: Dioptase should be recharged by gently swinging an amethyst or rose quartz pendulum over it.

Emerald: Emerald should be wiped with a soft, natural cloth and recharged under a waxing moon.

Falcon’s Eye: Leave it under a blue sky for a day.

Fluorite - Clear: Use running water to recharge clear fluorite - under moonlight if possible.

Fluorite - Green: Leave in a stream of water under the moon overnight. A bowl of water will do if you do not have access to a stream.

Fluorite - Purple: Purple fluorite should be recharged under running water.

Fuchsite: Recharge fuchsite under starlight.

Garnet - Green: Green garnet should be polished gently with green silk whilst praying for cleansing and empowerment.

Garnet - Red: Garnet should be recharged under a cloudy sky overnight.

Goldstone - Blue: Blue goldstone should be left on a windowsill on a starry night.

Goldstone - Brown: Brown goldstone should be left on a windowsill on a starry night.

Hawk’s Eye: Leave it under a blue sky for a day.

Heliotrope: Heliotrope should be recharged under sunlight or running water.

Hematite: Hematite should be smudged with cedar or sage.

Howlite - Blue: Blue howlite should be placed next to amethyst in order to recharge it.

Howlite - Natural: Put in a white ceramic bowl in the place of a happy gathering within your house.

Iolite: Iolite should be recharged under natural light.

Iron Pyrites: Iron pyrites should be passed over the flame of a grey or silver candle.

Jade: Smudge with peppermint or sage.

Jadeite: Smudge with peppermint or sage.

Jasper - Brachiated: Brachiated jasper can be recharged by passing through the flame of a red or brown candle.

Jasper - Brown: Pass brown jasper through the flame of a brown candle.

Jasper - Dalmatian: Place dalmatian jasper in a pot of herbs and leave for twenty-four hours.

Jasper - Green: Sprinkle green jasper with seawater or sea-salted water.

Jasper - Leopardskin: Leave leopardskin jasper outside on a windy day.

Jasper - Orbicular: Sprinkle orbicular jasper with seawater or sea-salted water.

Jasper - Red: Pass red jasper through the flame of a red candle.

Jasper - Sea: Sprinkle sea jasper with seawater or sea-salted water.

Jasper - Yellow: Empower yellow jasper by leaving it in sunlight.

Jet: Bury in soil overnight.

Kunzite: Recharge kunzite under the light of a waxing moon.

Kyanite: Leave kyanite near plants for the hour after dawn.

Labradorite: Labradorite should be recharged under a rainbow.

Lapis Lazuli: Lapis lazuli should be charged under starlight.

Lepidolite: Recharge lepidolite with a watermelon tourmaline wand or with an amethyst or clear quartz pendulum.

Malachite - Green: Wash green malachite under water. Note: Malachite will eventually crumble from this and should then be buried.

Meteorite: Meteorite should only be recharged on the night of a lunar or solar eclipse.

Moldavite: Ideally, moldavite should be left outdoors on the night of a meteor shower. It can also be recharged by leaving out overnight in the presence of a tiny piece of pumice. The pumice should be buried afterwards.

Mookaite: Use a sage infusion to recharge mookaite.

Moonstone: Leave moonstone under the light of a full moon from moonrise to moon set.

Moonstone - Rainbow: Leave rainbow moonstone under the light of a full moon.

Mother-Of-Pearl: Wash with sea water or sea-salted water.

Nephrite: Smudge with peppermint or sage.

Obsidian - Black: Recharge black obsidian under any source of light.

Obsidian - Snowflake: Use a small black and small white candle to recharge snowflake obsidian. Allow them to burn right down.

Olivine: Recharge olivine under the light of a full moon.

Onyx - Black: Recharge black onyx in sunlight.

Opal - Fire: Fire opal is delicate (like all opals) and should be washed gently in a little water.

Opal - White: Wipe with virgin olive oil or water. Do not expose to sunlight.

Pearl - Black: Clean with a silk cloth and recharge under an amethyst pendulum.

Pearl - White: Recharge white pearls in waxing moonlight once a month.

Peridot: Recharge peridot under the light of a full moon.

Petrified Wood: Place petrified wood near the roots of a tree for several hours.

Pietersite: Leave pietersite out in a thunderstorm or downpour for a short time.

Prehnite: Leave prehnite in any greenery for forty-eight hours.

Quartz - Blue: Recharge blue quartz using a clear quartz wand.

Quartz - Clear: Leave clear quartz in noon sunlight near or in some greenery.

Quartz - Rainbow: Sprinkle rainbow quartz with water and leave in sunlight.

Quartz - Rose: Cleanse and recharge frequently with a few drops of rose water.

Quartz - Rutilated: Leave rutilated quartz with a small gold object overnight in a bag.

Quartz - Smoky: Smoky quartz needs to be left on the ground at a sacred place for thirty minutes.

Quartz - Tourmalated: Set tourmalated quartz between two lit candles. One dark colored and the other light colored. Allow them to burn right down.

Rhodocrosite: Rhodocrosite should be smudged to recharge its energies.

Rhodonite: Recharge rhodonite by leaving it next to a small pink candle which should be allowed to burn right down.

Rhyolite: Leave rhyolite outside on a windy day.

Ruby: Ruby should be wiped with a soft cloth and left overnight under starlight.

Ruby In Zoisite: Use a rosemary infusion to cleanse and recharge.

Sapphire - White: Use a white silk cloth to wipe it gently and then surround it with white petals and leave for twenty-four hours.

Sardonyx: Leave sardonyx in a bowl of rose petal based pot pourri from dusk till dawn.

Schalenblende: Schalenblende should be passed over a silver-grey candle.

Scolecite: Wipe with a soft white cloth and leave for an hour in moonlight.

Selenite - White: Wash briefly in mineral water which has stood under the light of a full moon.

Serpentine: Pass serpentine through the flame of a brown candle.

Sodalite: Bury next to a fragrant herb for twenty-four hours.

Spectrolite: Spectrolite should be recharged under a rainbow.

Staurolite: Staurolite should be buried in earth in your garden for twenty-four hours.

Sunstone: Leave for one hour on each side around noon in the sun.

Tanzanite: Leave tanzanite on a rock during a storm.

Tektite: Leave tektite outside during an electrical storm.

Tiger Eye - Blue: Leave blue tiger eye under a blue sky for a day.

Tiger Eye - Brown/Gold: Brown tiger eye should be left out in the late afternoon sun.

Tiger Eye - Red: Leave in afternoon sunlight until the sun sets.

Topaz - Blue: Blue topaz can be recharged under a blue sky when the sun is still low.

Topaz - Golden: Golden topaz should be left outside at any time when both the sun and the moon are out at the same time.

Tourmaline - Black: Wash black tourmaline in running water and leave under moonlight overnight.

Tourmaline - Watermelon: Recharge watermelon tourmaline by leaving it outside during twilight for five consecutive evenings.

Tsavorite: Tsavorite should be polished gently with green silk whilst praying for cleansing and empowerment.

Turquoise: Turquoise should be smudged with cedar, sage, or sweetgrass.

Unakite: Unakite should be wiped with olive oil and then rinsed under running water.

Uvarovite: Uvarovite should be polished gently with green silk whilst praying for cleansing and empowerment.

Verdite: Place verdite amongst the leaves of any tropical plant.

Zinc: Zinc should be passed over a silver-grey candle.

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