The Real Witches’ Handbook: The Definitive Handbook of Advanced Magical Techniques. Kate West

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      Witches believe that the divine is both male and female, equally and in balance, and that we should strive for that balance both in ourselves and in our lives. Speaking practically, we believe that there is a Goddess as well as a God and that both are equally powerful, although some festivals and workings may be more appropriately directed to one or the other.

      Both the Goddess and the God may be referred to by different names at different times, but this does not mean that each Witch believes that there are many Goddesses and many Gods. To illustrate this, think of a ball with many facets, similar to the kind seen at some concerts or discos. If each face of the ball is a different face of the Goddess or the God, there is still one ball, just as there is one Goddess and one God. If you were, say, working Magic with the aim of increasing your ability to study, you might wish to choose a different image, or facet, of the Goddess than you would if you were hoping to bring relief from illness for a friend.

      Seeking the balance of male and female within us does not mean that we are seeking to become bi-sexual, rather that we respect and acknowledge the so-called male and female elements within our make-up. It is commonly thought that being assertive, logical and in control are masculine traits, whilst being sensitive, emotional and expressive are feminine ones. But we each have all these attributes to a greater or lesser degree and not accepting this, or being unable to use these skills, can make us very unhappy. Also, there are other, older stereotypes linked to gender: light, the Sun, daytime and good are seen as male; darkness, the Moon, the night and bad as female. Bringing these opposites into balance and seeing them for what they really are can enable us to see ourselves for what we are and what we are able to achieve. This personal balance is not simple to achieve, but is a task which accompanies us throughout life.

      RESPECT FOR NATURE

      We believe that we should respect nature and not take more than we need from the world around us. This does not mean that we worship nature, rather that we should care for our world and the things which grow and live upon it. We should also respect the natural order of things.

      This takes many forms:

      

Being economical with resources – not using the car when it isn’t necessary, for example, and offering a lift to friends when we’re all going the same way.

      

Being aware of how much damage is done to the environment in order to satisfy our desires – for example, many crystals are mined from the Earth by strip mining and the use of explosives, devastating acres of land and the habitats of wildlife and people in order to supply a market for ‘healing’ stones, whereas the stones you collect yourself can be imbued with healing properties.

      

Not buying unnecessary things made from non-replenishable resources.

      

Taking our litter away with us and disposing of it thoughtfully. This includes not leaving candle wax, dead flowers, etc., at stone circles or other sacred sites, or burying items there. Don’t change the site, let the site change you.

      

Not throwing things away which could be passed on to friends or given to a charity shop.

      

Using recycling facilities.

      

Thinking carefully about the way we keep and treat our pets and animals. This is not to say that your cat should not be house-trained or that your dog should be allowed to bite, rather that you should think twice before making them perform foolish tricks just because you want to appear clever. It also means making sure that you provide the animals in your care with the best environment for them to live as normal as life as possible. Keeping a snake in a tank or a bird in a cage may be fashionable, but does it show any respect for the creature?

      

Making appropriate protest when we feel that unnecessary damage is being done to the environment – and not just because we don’t want something in our neighbourhood. Deciding what is appropriate protest can be quite difficult, but it is worth remembering that protests made with enough support, at the right time to the right people, through the formal system, are more likely to succeed than something newsworthy just as the bulldozers move in. A lot of publicity at that late a stage will not save a lost cause! Remember, politicians count one well-written letter as representing the views of 100 people.

      FREEDOM OF SPIRITUAL CHOICE

      We believe that everyone is entitled to their own spiritual beliefs, so long as they harm no one else. This means that people are entitled to practise whatever they believe is right for them as a religion, spirituality or faith, as long as they do not harm anyone else or use any kind of force or coercion to persuade others to take up those beliefs. Witchcraft is a non-proselytizing religion, which means we do not seek converts. Speaking personally, that means I am quite happy to explain what I believe and what I do, and if you choose to read this book that is your choice, but I would not force you to do so.

      Witches do not feel that it is necessary to change the way other people approach their version of the divine, nor that it is important to be one of a large number of others all believing the same thing. Other faiths do not always feel this way and many seek to change the way those outside their faith believe. They seek converts, believing that theirs is the ‘one true faith’, and to this end they preach to the young, often from pre-school age onwards. They will frequently express as fact beliefs which are a part of their faith.

      However, part of allowing everyone to follow their own beliefs is the concept of informed choice. Hence Witches prefer to encourage their children to examine many belief systems objectively, fostering questioning and discussion. I would not prevent my child from attending, for example, a church, although I know of few other religions whose members would be prepared to find out what happens at a Wiccan festival, let alone allow their young to attend.

      PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

      We believe that what you say and do is your own responsibility. We believe this is true for everyone – although we do not force people (or even expect them) to believe the same. You can blame no outside agency – whether the Devil or your parents! – for making you behave the way you do.

      Whilst we are all, to a certain extent, conditioned by what has happened to us in the past, once we reach СКАЧАТЬ