The path of the Bard

It sometimes seems like Witchcraft has thousands of paths and traditions. I don't know about that, but I'm aware of dozens of the more common ones.

Some traditions seem very "fluffy bunny" to me, and I admit I run a mile the moment I hear of any path where people call themselves "White Witches" or "Lightworkers".

Likewise, I get a bit antsy at the strictly feminist / female only traditions. Although I'm a feminist, my view is that both female and male are needed for balance.

The tradition I follow includes a bardic path, which is unusual. Many traditions just seem so much alike that I can't tell them apart - they all do the same thing, all offer the same content within their degrees.

I trained within several Temples, plus the tradition I now follow, and many of the Traditions I could barely tell apart. Even now, I struggle to remember which Trad was which - only the names and people seems to differ - and sometimes even the people were the same!

In the Tradition I follow now, and have been following since 2003, a large part of my training and work has included training and involvement in ritual music and its creation, as well as music and poetry performance.



That Tradition also includes training for people in other areas - such as herbology and the path of the warrior - but I chose the bardic path and its work to follow after my basic degrees.

Or it chose me.

For me, music lies at the heart of my practice - I cannot imagine working in a group without using the resonances provided by music and chant.

That doesn't mean that all rituals include music or are based on sound. It just means that a lot use these forms of power-raising, which are incredibly valuable both in solitaire and group work.

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Image from Nene-ane.

Why is Witchcraft different?

Witchcraft is very different from many mainstream religions in a lot of ways.


Sacred ground

There is a very real sense of the sacredness of the earth, so the craft is very much a path for this day and age.

Instead of holding the view that humans have a free pass to use and abuse the planet, our place is generally seen very much more as being just another part of the world.




Immanence

Many Witches believe in the concept of immanence, and that the spiritual world permeates the non-spiritual.

Thus the Divine is not something separate from the physical, but is here with us, within us, now.

Interestingly, this concept in many ways correlates, rather than clashes, with what we are learning in the field of modern high energy (particle) physics.


Interconnectedness with nature

The sense of connectedness and the belief in interrelatedness found in the craft also ties neatly with the practices of permaculture and our increasing understanding of ecological networks and niches.



Many Witches believe that our actions will directly reflect back at us. Many are politically active, seeking to better the world for other people and for animals, and some choose to be vegetarian or avoid meat, thus lowering their impact and ecological footprint.


The ability to change our world

Witchcraft teaches that we have the power to change our world, both physically and magically. Even observation of the world is a form of magic, changing the world in which we live, as recognized by Erwin Schrodinger.

As an adjunct to this, Witchcraft supports belief in the power of will and magical action in transforming reality.

As an example of this, as any elite athlete will know, the influence of belief (a form of magic) can be incredibly strong and effective.


Working and celebrating outside

Many crafters also prefer to work outside, in the open air. This increases the sense of connectedness, and awareness of natural cycles and rhythms. Following the lunar and solar cycles also supports this.

Although many celebrations do occur inside, especially in winter, whenever possible work is taken outside. This is very different from many organised religions.




Part of the natural world: The Wheel

The recognition of our being a part of the natural world is also the reason many practitioners follow the turn of the year, known as The Wheel of the Year, according to where they are in the world, rather than according to some specific defined character.

So, for example, in Christianity Easter is celebrated at the same season around the world - even in autumn in the southern hemisphere - although it is clearly a spring festival. However, in Witchcraft most southern hemisphere Witches prefer to celebrate Ostara (our equivalent) according to the season itself (in September).

So in Christianity the return of new life and the surplus of eggs is being celebrated in New Zealand and Australia just when everything is closing off and dying down for the year, and poultry are decreasing their egg-laying.

But in Witchcraft, Ostara is celebrated in Spring when the world is flourishing with new life, everything is green and fresh, and poultry are laying more eggs than their keepers can sell! The festival and the season are once again connected.


Female equality

Witchcraft has attracted a good share of feminists, due to the equal, sometimes overly equal, representation of various forms of the Divine feminine.


Individual responsibility

Witchcraft demands individual responsibility, thought and action from its crafters. It is not a path for layabouts. You can't just turn up once a week, say a few words, then do nothing the rest of the week. It is an active path, requiring dedication and independent thought.


A calling

Many view Witchcraft as a calling - a path that was always theirs long before they claimed it (or it claimed them). They may continue to practice their previous faith, but Witchcraft is where their heart lies.

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Images by Get Outdoors and Tarotastic.

Is Witchcraft evil?

Witchcraft is a craft, or a tool. Like all tools, it can be used for positive or negative purposes, and by positive or negative-intending people.

The strength and quality of the tool depends upon the ability of the user. Just like carpentry or plumbing, there is shoddy work and good craftsmanship. There are excellent people who know what they are doing, and there are hacks who dabble and cause more harm than good.

Learning to use the tools of Witchcraft properly, and taking time to learn the Craft itself returns more effective results.



But to say that the craft is evil is as foolish as saying that a knife is evil because it can be used to harm, or that an ordinary workshop hammer is evil because it can be used to crush a skull if swung at an opponent.

Both are valuable, powerful tools, and should be treated with respect; both can be used for positive or negative purposes, but neither is evil.

Can I incorporate elements of Witchcraft into my own religion?

Yes, although your work might not be as effective or powerful as someone who dedicates themselves solely to the craft.

Some organised religions, due to their monotheistic nature, do not at first glance sit comfortably with Witchcraft.

However, upon closer inspection, even Christian teachings, for example, encourage the individual to search for the Divine and open our minds, rather than immediately accept what is given to us by those in authority:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Gospel of Matthew 7:7

"Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All." - The (Apocryphal) Gospel of Thomas v2.

Jesus himself is instructing his followers to search for the Divine: to ask, and to seek.

The Craft is a powerful tool by which we can search for the Divine and understand the world better, no matter what religion we happen to be.


How can I find a teacher?

There is an old saying that says when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

In my life and experience, I have found this to be true. However, it pays to be wary of anyone in long, flowing robes spouting claims of lineage from Lord-so-and-so. Especially beware of anyone asking for anything more than what seems like fair payment for classes.

And I have never met anyone who fulfilled the classic role of "wise master" or "guru" familiar to us all from movies like Star Wars and Harry Potter. The Obi Wan Kenobis and Dumbledores of this world simply don't exist - that's fiction. No teacher is infallible.



Often the best way to learn, instead for searching for the perfect teacher, is to share the study with trusted friends and learn together.

The internet is also a place where much can be learned, although there is a lot of repetition of basic knowledge, and not much deeper learning to be found. While this is for good reasons, it can also be frustrating for the newcomer.

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Image from Elishams.

What is Witchcraft about?

No, Witchcraft isn't what you see on TV - all robed figures and colored flames and silver jewelry and flashing lights.

In fact, if you see someone walking along the street draped in black with lots of eyeliner on and making a lot of noise with every step from all the cheap silver Indian jewelry they're wearing, chances are they're not a Witch - they're just a poser wanting you to think they're a Witch.

Or they're a beginner Witch without any real power wanting everyone to notice they're starting to find themselves a bit.

Real Witchcraft is about understanding and respecting the cycles of the earth, attuning oneself to the breath and life force of nature that is all around us, every day.



It is the ability to see the Divine in the commonplace, and to find the sacred within the ordinary.



There is a belief among Witches that you must be born a Witch. It is not something you choose to be - it is something that chooses you.

And Witches can be found within all religions and religious groups - there are Jewish Witches and Christian Witches, Pagan Witches and Muslim Witches.

Witches may be male or female - and male Witches are still "Witches", not "Warlocks" or "Wizards". This is real life, not Harry Potter!



Witches do not worship Satan. That is what Satanists do.

Depending on the culture around them, Witches may choose to keep their identity and skills secret. Or they may be open and public in their workings and their craft.

If they are secret, it is not because they are doing anything wrong. It is because the society around them fears them and may persecute or hate them, out of their own fear of the Witch's power.

Over the coming time I will discuss more about what Witches do, share some basic workings with you, and include spells and recipes for magic.

If you are interested and would like to follow the blog, you are very welcome. You can also follow via the RSS feed, which is completely private and confidential.

Welcome.

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Images courtesy of I am Marlon, Batikart and Philipp Klinger.