#lesson five

This is the FINAL part :)

Supplementary Reading

This reading will give you more information than what is discussed in the course.

Reconstructionist

Asatru: http://www.asatru.org/index.php

Celtic: http://www.paganachd.com/

Hellenion: http://www.hellenion.org/index.html

Roman: http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page

Kemetic: http://www.aasorlando.org/

Neopaganism and Wicca

Z Budapest: http://www.zbudapest.com/

Starhawk: http://www.starhawk.org/

Druidry (ADF): http://www.adf.org/core/

Gerald Gardner: http://www.geraldgardner.com/

Raymond Buckland: http://www.raybuckland.com/

Dianic Wicca: http://dianic-wicca.com/

What is Wicca: http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

More about Wicca: http://paganwiccan.about.com/

Magic

Ceremonial Magic: http://altreligion.about.com/od/glossary/g/Ceremonial-Magic.htm

Chaoe Magic: http://www.barbelith.com/cgi-bin/articles/00000004.shtml

Green Magic: http://www.squidoo.com/greenmagick

Kitchen Witch: http://hearthwitch.tripod.com/kitchen.htm

Kitchen Witch: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/pagantraditions/p/KitchenWitchery.htm

Kabbalah: http://www.kabbalah.com/

Extended Reading

Note: These books are not necessary for an understanding of the course. They simply expand on what was said above. They are given simply for those who can access them and would like more information.

Information on Traditions in General

Raymond Buckland. Complete Book of Witchcraft. (Appendix A)

Christopher Penczak. The Inner Temple of Witchcraft. (Chapter Three; Flavors of Witchcraft)

Deborah Lipp. The Study of Witchcraft.(Chapter Two: Modern Wicca Described)

Margot Adler. Drawing Down the Moon.

Traditional Wicca

Gerald Gardner. Witchcraft Today.

Gerald Gardner. The Meaning of Witchcraft.

Doreen Valiente. Witchcraft for Tomorrow

Doreen Valiente. An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present

 Janet and Stewart Farrar. A Witches’ Bible

Raymond Buckland. The Tree: Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft.

Radical Wicca

Starhawk. The Spiral Dance.

Z Budapest. Grandmother Moon.

Z Budapest. The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries.

Merlin Stone. When God Was a Woman. (Though not strictly a radical work, more history than anything, it did motivate the feminist Pagan movement)

Gadon, Elinor. Once and Future Goddess.

Neo-Wicca

Scott Cunningham. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Christopher Penczak. The Inner Temple of Witchcraft.

McCoy, Edain. Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition.

Magic

Isaac Bonewits. Real Magic.

Aleister Crowley. Magic in Theory and Practice.

Janet Farrar. Spells and How They Work.

Kate Rheeders. Qabalah: A Beginner’s Guide.

Exercises

1. Research the tradition or magical system that seemed most interesting to you. Read about the beliefs, ethics and influences of that system. Compile this information into a reference for future use in your practice using any method you prefer. You can create a video, a poster, a reference sheet, etc. This can be later included in your Book of Shadows if you choose (more information on what a Book of Shadows is and what to put in it will be included in the next lesson).

2. Study one person in Wiccan or Pagan history.

3. For a practical exercise, we will start with meditation. Meditation is considered essential to many Pagans, Wiccans and Witches. It comes in many forms:

Repeating a phrase over and over, also referred to as a mantra. Many Wiccans will say “Blessed Be” over and over. This phrase means to bless everyone and everything that exists; it is not simply a catchphrase. Learn to understand this phrase. You can also use any term you want that helps you reach a meditative state.

Use music; ring a bell, drum, play an instrument, sing. You can even write your own song, if you enjoy doing so.

Do something physically active such as yoga, dancing or running. Concentrate on your breathing while doing this or focus on a colour (red is usually good)

Stare at a candle flame, focusing on the movement. 

Focusing on your breathing; simply breathe in and out, concentrating on the breath to focus your mind.

Sit outside in a calm space, surrounded by nature. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds.

Sit in a body of water or a bathtub. Create a pleasant atmosphere, using candles, some relaxing music, etc. Relax, feel the water and try not to think.

Complete as many of the above methods of meditation as you can until you find one or two which work best for you.

4. As a part of your journal, start to record your dreams immediately when you wake up. Your dreams can send you a message. If you would like to start interpreting your dreams, this would also be a helpful exercise.