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@alderlyncurium
This should be used for ‘What does a Gardnerian ritual look like?’ Gardnerian High Priestess, Eleanor Bone (also known as the Matriarch of British Witchcraft), with her coven in the Italian documentary ‘Angeli Bianchi, Angeli Neri’ (White Angel, Black Angel) by Piero Umiliani (1969), also known as ‘Witchcraft ‘70’ in its English Version
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A Problematic Glimpse Behind the Veil of Initiation
Text by: Wade MacMorrighan
Whilst I agree that the Mysteries must be preserved, I cannot help but be struck by the hypocrisy that American Witches nowadays hold Seekers to a far different set of standards than was the norm for practitioners of only a previous generation. During the 60s and 70s many folks throughout the Eastern and the Southern U.S. traded initiations amongst themselves as casually as shaking one’s hand. It all depended upon who one new, and I have always objected to nepotism since it privileges certain individuals above those who may be far more worthy. Some, during these decades, even made arrangements for initiation of others and flew them hither and thither for the express purpose of gaining themselves initiation! Heck, with all due respect, Patricia Crowther initiated Leo Martello to 3rd degree–bypassing the training involved, not to mention the previous two degrees–within the Gardnerian Trad (complete with the entire BOS) for what ultimately amounts to a “just because”!
I have even noticed that some teachers within particular Trads. of renown hold their students to a standard that they likely would not hold themselves to from what I have personally observed. According to one teacher in particular, if they were to give you an assignment you had better get back to them ASAP. Any delay, whether imagined or not, was taken by this teacher as a sign of lack of sincerity as a Seeker for this Trad. Meanwhile the teacher in question could take their sweet time in getting back to you or perhaps never at all. Because….their time must be more valuable than their’s…or something. Nevertheless, you were just supposed to understand that they are withdrawing their teaching privileges from you without a word, which I personally believe isn’t very responsible for a teacher.
Then again, there are those with far more access to a variety of trads than the average pagan can shake a proverbial stick at; and they tend to collect initiations into more than one tradition like a Girl Scout collects badges. Yet, I have been told in areas where access is restricted (often due to limitations such as access to a coven even accepting students) that students are really put through the wringer in a sense, in terms of training (not that this is always bad on the face of it). That is, if they can even find a Coven to train and elevate them since personality conflicts may inhibit this process altogether. This is a situation that those with access to more Covens and traditions does not have to worry about. How these folks do not feel privileged to such an ease of access is a true mystery to me. What’s strange to me is how little sympathy they have for anyone without the ease of opportunity that they have by little more than luck of birth and the ability to move elsewhere. Some traditions have compounded this even farther by requiring that for an initiate to be valid, their lineage MUST be traced to the nearest Coven local to their residence. So, if a Coven will not initiate you–despite the fact that one might be an exemplar initiate–than, you are just out of luck and will likely need to relocate to a different part of the country where there is much more opportunity.
@macmorrighan I cannot presume to know what the standards of the people you have met hold, but I can tell you that tell you that the standards to which I hold the people I guide, why could be considered ‘high’ by others, are usually less severe that the ones I hold myself to — because the instinctive reaction of any HP/HPS is to try to make it ‘easier’ for the future generations. That’s also why we walk the path first. For context, I am a Gardnerian HP, from the Basque Country. Back when I was a Seeker there were no initiates in Spain. I had to travel all the way to the Netherlands to be initiated in a proper Gardnerian coven. Back then I was studying with no income, which meant any ‘going out money’, birthday and christmas gifts were cash, and saved to travel to coven meetings. Right now, being in Poland for work, I travel all the way to the UK on Saturday and come back on Sunday, more than once a month. From March to September, due to flight schedule changes, that means 10h of travel on Saturday via London, and the same back on Sunday, just to almost literally land on the ritual room and be with my coveners.
And, still, I don’t feel I am in a place where I can complain — since I have brothers and sisters in Chile who had to travel all the way to Europe.
I always try to empathise with Seekers’ situations... but, after reading you post, my question is: What do you want?
Do you want an online initiation with a certificate? Do you want to come over and give you a ‘lift-weekend-initiation’ and get you on your way?
What is it that you truly want?
You talk about ‘Mysteries needing preserving’. I do not preserve the Mysteries, the Mysteries need no preserving — they preserve themselves. What drives the decision of taking time to prepare someone for initiation is not about us or the Mysteries — it is about you. And about whether you are at the right moment for those Mysteries to crystallise properly.
That, is my responsibility as a member of the High Priesthood of the Wica.
And yes, I have met people who I thought were ready for initiation right away. Most of them have specifically asked to go through pre-training and take their time. Even when I joined another coven, being a HP already, went through a period of ‘guesting’ and learning the ropes of that particular group, and went through the degree to that particular group (although this is usually more of a personal choice).
We are not ‘teachers’. The Craft does not come into a set of lessons that we handout for you to pass and conquer. It is a journey.
If all you want is initiation, at all costs, the Craft (at least this form) might not be for you. We are a coven-based cult. More important than the degrees is your affinity to the group — that’s another of the reasons why we get to know you. If you are here to simply get your degrees, we do not want you.
By the time you have gone through all the degrees, you will have mastery over the Circle and the Rites that are performed within it. Mastery over our tools and ways of practice. Mastery over the power that we invoke. But, more importantly, you will have certain mastery over yourself, your life, and ability to guide other in the same path. That, is also my duty as a High Priest. And that, is the standard to which I will hold you.
In the past many things were done differently. The Craft was dying-out, which is not the case now. But mainly:
There wasn’t such a big need for ‘un-learning’ as there is now (and your message clearly shows this... How am I going to expect you to trust me if you are already making blanket statements about the entire Gardnerian priesthood and assuming you know better?)
People were left to their own devices... and it was TOUGH. I have met several priestesses and priests fo the ‘old guard’, and many times they just didn’t know what to do. As year passed and more people have tread on that path, it has become a trodden path, much easier to follow, and with the same rewards. We should be thankful for that.
I don’t know what your situation is. I don’t know the people with whom you’ve come across. But there is one thing I can tell you:
The above, won’t make this specific situation better. If anything, it will make it worse.
What can you do?
If you really think this is a path for you (although, again, I would ask you to reconsider it if initiation is all you are seeking), reach out to groups around you. And, if the time for initiation is not now (due to financial or familiar reasons), focus on your own personal practice. I can recommend the Gardnerian Wicca Seekers and Initiates Facebook Group as a starting point.
All the best!
Who is Lumiel?
Lumiel is the Archangel of Earth. He is often identified with Lucifer, the Lightbringer, Christ, Lugh, Adonis, Baphomet, and other lightbearing persons. He is teaching angel par excellence. His symbol is the Tau Cross entwined with a serpent.
Lumiel/Lumial/Lumael is a highly complex figure within certain Traditional Craft currents, especially the Cultus Sabbati. If one obtains a copy of The Book of Fallen Angels by Michael Howard, therein is a ritual known as The Lover’s Call to the Angel of Witchblood and was written by Andrew Chumbley, and in that ritual he further elucidates the Mysteries of Lumial as follows: “Myself to myself I offer, this Holy Rite to begin. By Lightning-bolt, by Flaming Torch, by the Serpent’s Fire within: Let all that I have attained in eternity be manifest in the Present Moment of I: Absolute. O’ Azra-Lumial! Angelick Soul of the Master Cain! Initiator of the Draconist Mystery, Opener of the Gates to the Crooked Path! Hear my call, for I entreat Thee! The vessel of the Heart is opened unto Thee! Behold I stand alone in Void, within the Empty Circle of the Royal Arte; My Lover’s Call goeth forth to Thee, O’ Angel of the Peacock-quill! The Lamp of the Hermit awaits the Flame of Thy Presence: My Heart awaits the Adamantine Light of Thy initiation! O’ Az’ra-Lumial! Solely Manifest of the Eleven Elder Gods, Thou are XON: Light from all Nullity revealed unto Man. Thou art the Begetter of the Four Sovereign Watchers and The Sixteen Faithful Gods. As Man thou art born – fire amidst clay – from their wiseblood and cunning seed; Self-from self, eight times Thou art begotten on the Wheel of The Year and a Day. O’ Az’ra-Lumial, descend as Flesh, the Living Word; The One of Light, seven times adorned in the rainbow’s promise! O’ Az’ra-Lumiel, arise as Gnosis, the Mind of Heaven: The Great Dragon, seven-headed, crowned and victorious!”
The page images are taken from The Pillars of Tubal Cain by Michael Howard and Nigel Aldcroft Jackson and is an indispensable tome for any doing work in traditional currents. Also, the image of Lumael was drawn by Nigel Aldcroft Jackson and was taken from the same book. The excerpt of The Lover’s Call to the Angel of Witchblood is taken from The Book of Fallen Angels, again, by Michael Howard.
**(No copyright infringement intended and only sharing for educational purposes.)**
#lumiel
When you are confronted with something that is uncertain, and cannot figure it out — what do you do?
It was only recently that I realised the prominent role of ambiguity, and our ability to deal with it, in the Craft. If you work in a corporate environment, or in a sector that deals with market and, more specifically, customers (i.e. project management), you might have noticed the resemblance as well.
Sex is NOT a requirement for initiation into Gardnerian Craft. Period.
With that ‘too-long-didn’t read’ header I might have said it all — or nothing. I know I might be opening a can of worms — or maybe addressing the elephant in the room. But before I go into it, let me clarify two key points:
The above DOES NOT equal: ‘Abuse/predatory behaviour does not happen in Gardnerian Craft’. We are not going to pull the typical ‘Oh well, if he did that, then he never reaaally was a *true* Gardnerian’. (Very) unfortunately, it does happen — and we have to own that.
There IS a place in Gardnerian Craft for sex. If you have read enough about the Cult, you probably have a slight idea. But there is a place, a context, and a form for it. More below.
Now, let’s cut to the chase. I recently came across with Sarah Anne Lawless’ articles on abuse in the community and Neopaganism (they also led me to Greer’s article). If you have read them, you can I guess how I felt: devastated. If you have read them you will probably assume that I felt really attacked, and that this entire post is just a #NotAllCovens. No BS in this article...Of course I felt attacked for the first 2 seconds — when one holds something very dear (even sacred) and someone else portrays it in a different way that one has experience it, this is meant to happen. After those 2 seconds, and probably due to my involvement on consent culture (and probably as well to my corporate growth mindset) I switched to ‘What can I do?’: ‘Should I clarify it?’ (Because mansplaining always works y’know), or ‘Maybe I can say that’s not welcomed!’ (Because that helps a lot, of course). At the end I just decided to tweet the article. I also took the chance to try to stand up against dear Shelley Rabinovich, who tried to show off her alleged Gardnerian-ness and WitchQueen-ness in order to defend one of the men named in the article (and I say alleged because, nope, as crazy as it may sound, receiving a copy of Gardner’s BAM from Doreen when you visit her, or claiming lineage via the nonexistent Mary Buckle, does not make you a Gardnerian). Then I felt absolutely powerless. In all this conversation (not just the articles) there was a clear call out on the lack of action from so-called leaders. I have been raised, Craft-wise, in a consent-aware environment. I am not a leader, nor a BNP, I don’t have a big audience, and I doubt the majority of members of own tradition even know who I am. Because of how the cult is shaped, my authority extends (as I like to say) ‘just about 9 feet away’ — nor more nor less. I keep addressing and stressing it in the articles I write in Spanish for seekers. Also driving the consent conversation in different fora. There are no specific names mentioned in the articles so I cannot drive a conversation in the community around specific individuals. Right. That’s what I have done, or what I can’t do. Now, what CAN I do? I can speak up. I can listen. I can provide advice. I can offer my support/help. I can confirm/clarify.
I have been listening to all the discussions on these topics (and open to listen to more). I am speaking up. Let me clarify some aspects, and end up with the advices. The support for help is an ongoing one.
Now, before I ‘clarify’ I want to make something clear. The below is not intended to make a victim feel like an odd exception. Repeat with me ‘Abuse DOES happen’ yes, in Gardnerian Craft too. This is not ‘Oh, I guess it happens...It never happened to me, though...’. These are points for Seeker who are still in doubt about some aspect on Gardnerian Craft and sex:
Gerald Gardner/BDSM: As a victorian man, he was definitely against homosexuality. There is an account about him being very fond of some-BDSM practices in ritual. I am not going to ‘defend his virtue’. What needs to be clear is that he did not pass down BDSM as a form of sexual practice, or practice to generate any form of arousal. To put it very bluntly, having someone getting randomly aroused in the Circle, or getting sexual in it would be weird AF — and I would ask the person to leave immediately.
There is a place for Sex in Gardnerian Craft: And that place is a place of consent; usually between partners and in private. And I say ‘usually’ because there might be consenting coven members who might decide and agree to raise sexual energy together. Never seen or heard of it, but who knows. The part that is not ‘usually’ or negotiable is consent. As Sarah mentioned in her article about other traditions, in Gardnerian Craft is one single initiatory rite where sex might take place — usually between partners. Always consensual. Never by surprise. Always discussed first. Never a requirement — most (if not all) covens, offer alternatives for that rite.
Consent is (should be) embedded in Gardnerian practice: Usually, it’s the controversial bits that are highlighted: the nudity, the sex, the BDSM-style of some practices... But, in fact, and maybe because of that, Gardnerian rituals are shaped, from the very beginning, in a consensual manner. One of the most vulnerable rituals, when the candidate is first brought in, is full of milestones and consent questions where the candidate is asked over and over again if they want to continue to the next step. They have to provide explicit, verbal, consent to virtually every single step — being the first time they are in the Circle. On top of that, each candidate is assured that they can, at any time, stop the ritual and leave —without any animosity from the group’s side.
Nudity does not equal consent: Yes, we practice naked. No, that does not mean permission. If nudity doesn’t mean permission in a gym’s showers, or at the beach, it certainly doesn’t mean permission in the Circle.
Consent is an ongoing discussion: Gardnerian initiates talk, a lot. We just love talking and discussing. We have initiates-only platforms where we discuss. Guess what’s a recurrent topic: consent. This is an ongoing discussion. Like, literally, right now, there is an ongoing discussion on of the platforms about consent on a low level as greeting-hugging.
The main takeaway from the above should be: While there is room for sex and nudity in Gardnerian Craft, consent is paramount and non-negotiable.
And just so that we don’t loose the thread and think we are glorifying how consensual Gardnerian Craft is to erase any accounts of abuse events, let us repeat again: Abuse DOES happen — even in Gardnerian Craft.
Now, the tips/advice:
Call the police: Sarah already mentioned this on her article. But, in case there is any shred of doubt: CALL THE POLICE. If you think, for a moment, that doing it is going to be the cause of enmity between you and the wider Gardnerian community — Stop.Thinking.That. However, I do empathise with the fact that not everyone feels empowered to that themselves — or the abuse is not clear enough. Proceed to second point and we will help you call the police.
Reach out: We are here. Even if you have already gone to the police, let us know. Name them. This is not out of sheer curiosity — WE NEED TO KNOW. We need you to enable us to tackle this in parallel to the authorities. We don’t have a central authority and, as I said above, my own authority might only extend ‘about 9 feet’. But we are damn good witches, and we will make sure, to the best of our ability, that no Seekers are sent on that person/group’s way. We cannot ‘undo’ an initiation. But we definitely can, and will, outcast abusers from every single possible place. Where can you do this? You can reach out to us, public (and sometimes loud!), members of the High Priesthood, who are willing to support Seekers on this. We will make sure to socialise and give it the right amount of visibility.
Verify, verify, verify: While this might not completely prevent abuse from taking place (because, as we have said, abuse does happen) it might reduce the chances. There are two things you will want to verify:
That the person is a proper initiate: Whether they are truly Gardnerians.
That the person is a proper person: Whether they are initiates or not, you want to make sure there haven’t been issues in the past with them. Where? Again, you can reach out to us, anytime.
All of the above will not make up for those who have already suffered abuse. If it can prevent a single person from falling into it, I should be content, for my means are limited.
I guess this entire text could have been reduced to: Abuse in Gardnerian Craft should not happen, but it might and does happen. There is not a lot we can do, but we can do something.
The de-centralised, autonomous, mystery, hermetic, initiatory, character of Gerald Gardner’s cult (together with certain aspects like nudity), makes it an excellent place to foster and safeguard the most vulnerable, yet thrilling, and transforming, experiences. Unfortunately, the same character also makes it an excellent place to foster abuse in the form of gaslighting.
What we can do is let you know we are here, and we can help.
NB: Some interesting reading for Seekers that also tackles some of this topics and gives tips on identifying traditional groups ‘safely’ (also gives tips on first-contact, etc.) is @thornthewitch‘s ‘Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide’
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Wiccan Initiation - What’s the Deal Anyway?
This is a super-touchy subject, but it’s important too!
I’m initiated into two Wiccan traditions. One is the Swedish Traditional Wicca (SiW) and the other one is British Gardnerian Wicca. In Gardnerian I am also a High Priestess, and I’m working towards the same in SiW.
Sometimes, the subject of initiation comes up with non-initiated Wiccans or Wiccan seekers.
What is an initiation?
Why would you want to be initiated?
What’s the point of initiation?
What does it mean to be initiated?
These are what I’d like to talk about in this post. I’m aware that these bullet points overlap each other. =)
Right, so some people claim that you can’t be a Wiccan unless you are initiated. I don’t think that’s true, because you can worship the Gods and practice Wicca, and celebrate the Wheel of the Year, even if you’re not initiated. And this is in no way inferior to a practice you have acquired through initiation. We are all on our own path of spiritual development. For some people initiation is the right thing, for others it isn’t. Both are just as valid, and even if you are not initiated you can still be a Wiccan in your heart.
However, there are some differences between being initiated and not. My Wiccan brother Peter often talks about it with this illustration:
So, both practices overlap, both are Wicca. However, some information you can only get through initiation because it isn’t published by any initiated Wiccan as it is oathbound. Ok, that’s just the fact of the matter.
As you can see though, initiatory Wicca includes everything that you can find publicly, too. It just retains some secrets that you will only ever get from your High Priestess and High Priest when you have become initiated. Wicca is a mystery tradition, and that is kept alive through initiation. I don’t think that will ever change.
What is an initiation?
Initiation is basically to become reborn into the Wiccan religion and craft. You will go through a ceremony performed by the coven you are joining. It’s not a LARP experience, it is a sincere religious practice that we initiated Wiccans take extremely seriously and treat with the utmost respect. You will be vetted and go through rigorous training before you may be offered initiation.
That’s all I can say about it, the rest is oathbound because it is a mystery to non-initiated Wiccans. =) Infuriating, isn’t it?
Why would you want to be initiated?
This is different for each person, and there are no right or wrong answers per se. However, all I can say is, if you only want to be initiated because:
It’s a laugh
It seems cool
Your partner or friend is doing it
Then initiation is probably not for you.
If you want initiation because:
You want to deepen your worship of the gods
You want to develop spiritually
You feel the longing for following the Wiccan path with every heartbeat
Then maybe initiation is right for you.
What’s the point of initiation?
It is basically to deepen your own understanding of the mysteries.
What does it mean to be initiated?
Ok - so I can’t tell you what the ritual entails in any detail at all, because that’s… oathbound (shocker!)! But I can tell you a little about how it has changed my own life.
I feel closer to the Gods
I have gained a huge esoteric knowledge
I have developed massively as a person
I have gained a lot of knowledge into myself (this is of course ongoing, as are the other previous points)
Huge network of other initiated Wiccans
The deep knowledge that I am a Priestess who can work together with the Gods and nothing can take that away from me
So, these things might have happened anyway even without initiation, I don’t know that. However, for they have happened in conjunction with going through initiation into Wicca.
Perhaps that has shed some light on to what initiation is about. I know it’s difficult when you can’t find out what it actually entails to 100% before you go through it. However, that is actually part of the whole process. You will go through something you have no sodding clue about and really put yourself out there in a pretty vulnerable state. You must put your trust into the coven you are being initiated into 150% to be able to go through it and that’s the beauty of it all.
Are you initiated? Are you seeking initiation? I’d love to hear your opinions =)
Review: Traditional Wicca, ‘A Seeker’s Guide’ by Thorn Mooney
A few days ago I (finally!) had the pleasure of meeting @thornthewitch at Atlantis Bookshop in London for the presentation of her new book ‘Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide’ and ‘consummate’ our online friendship with wine! Like a good Aries I have been impatiently waiting for the book to come out, and my mind was set on reviewing it afterwards. However, as I was grasping it with my hands on my way back to Warsaw, the thought crossed my mind: ‘You are going to write a good review regardless, you have been fanboying her before it was cool!’. You see, I love providing feedback, but only when it is relevant. And when I do, I tend to be quite critic — seldom do things in life reach ‘perfection’ (whatever you want to understand by that). I finished reading in it a few moments ago, after which I remained silent, and religiously place it on my shelf. And my first impulse, is to start writing this...
COVER REVEAL. Pre-order at https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0738753599/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Oh yass!!
Wicca documentary from 1996 featuring Gardnerian High Priestess Vivianne Crowley.
Birth and death are closely entwined and have a connection with Initiation. An experience that can only take place through first-hand experience, which is often mistaken for elitism.
My latest article on WiccanRedeOnline
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Full Moons for 2017 | Silver Circle Moon Calendar Spanish version of the picture: phase occurs the 18th of December) More information about the Moon Calendar: http://wiccanrede.org/2014/05/the-silver-circle-moon-calendar-by-merlin/ Interactive Calendar: http://silvercircle.org/calendar/ You can purchase the physical calendar here: http://www.silvercircleshop.nl/c-2439921/kalenders/
Witchcraft reality
Guy: ...and I realised that this coachsurfing couple were naturists! Super nice, though. It was weird at first, but then it was fine. I mean, can you imagine? Me: Me? Oh no, never... 3:)
Has Internet had a big influence on our practices? It has facilitated a way to interact with fellow witches from remote places.
‘Another common belief is that Internet is driving disconnection. But is that really so?
It is true that we dedicate a huge amount of time to use Internet and Social Media, but we also interact on a daily basis with an amount of people that we could not possibly reach without them.
Is it really driving disconnection, or is it enhancing our ability to connect and reach others? Not just for social interaction, but also for campaigning, raising funds for social causes, or just sharing relevant content.’
Make sigils online by entering your will and saving your sigil!
This is freaking amazing, you can create your sigils online in seconds! Check it out!
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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‘Mirror...Mirror...On the Wall’
*looks up if there is anything retrograde at the moment to blame for random shit happening*
