Little Witch

AN ALTAR IS…

A Wiccan altar is a raised structure or place used for communing with the Divine or your own Spirit, upon which a Wiccan practitioner places several symbolic items for the purpose of Divine reverence, casting spells, and/or saying chants and prayers. An altar is an important aspect of the Wiccan religion for many practitioners — a value that goes way beyond having somewhere to put all your magical things. 

A symbolic manifestation of your innermost self.

A reminder of your ideals.

An echo of your beliefs and wishes.

An expression of your heart’s longing and your soul’s potential. 

A focal point and container for magical energies.

An amplifier for Divine interaction.

And, perhaps most importantly, an altar is like a magical conductor for your success and well-being.

We each have a temple in our inner hearts. And any spiritual process is about entering and worshiping there. But it’s not easy to access something so abstract. So, like your symbols and tools and Gods and Goddesses, you create something that comes through the gate of your senses. Something you can see and smell and touch. Even hear and taste, if possible.

The more senses you engage, and the more you balance your sense perceptions, the more you can access the spiritual levels that you seek. In this context, altars are not some esoteric mystery, but the most natural expression of what has value to you.

So, in the broadest terms, an altar is any collection of items that are personally meaningful. Almost everyone has one–That collection of photographs on the bedside table. The mementos that gather on the mantelpiece. These are altars to your loves and your life.

When you want to make an altar dedicated to your spiritual life, you simply focus a little more. You put only items that uplift your spirit and remind you of your ideals.

SETTING UP YOUR ALTAR

An altar doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. You don’t really need anything other than what you have on hand, or can easily find for free. You don’t even need a specially designed altar table. Many people set up altars in convenient places, like an end table, a dresser, a mantle, even on top of the tv. For a private altar, a hutch with closing doors, or a bedside table can work well. And don’t forget your outdoor spaces that are also perfect for altars: old stumps, hollows or nooks in trees, on top of stones, beside creeks, small caves, etc. Anyplace you aren’t likely to step or sit on it, you can set up a little altar.

BASIC ALTAR SETUP

Some people will try to tell you that you absolutely must have this or that on your altar. If so, smile politely, say thank you, and walk away. It’s your altar. And it’s your spiritual Path. There are no rules for what kind of items you put there - do what works for you. When making an altar, let your heart speak. Let your inner magical child express the wonder and delight in the world that you once had.This is your pure divine self expressing itself. And that’s what spiritual practice is all about. 

Altar tools don’t have to be complicated or costly. You don’t really need anything other than what you have on hand, but you might want the customary Tools of the Trade. Ritual tools are as individual as the practitioner who uses them. But it helps to know what the basic tools are and how to use them to get an idea of what you want on your altar and how you want to use the items. 

Atar Setup Example: 

Athame

(It is pronounced like this.) The ritual knife, or athame, is one of the prime altar tools. Traditionally black-handled, the athame lives in the East, the direction that represents mind, thought, and choice. An athame doesn’t have to be metal. You can find ones made out of wood or carved stone, if you prefer. It’s not used as a physical knife, anyway, but a symbolic one. Athames hold yang energy. Athames are used to direct energy, typically in casting ritual Circles and recalling them. They may also be used to cut energetic ties. Ordinarily, an athame is not used to cut anything on the physical plane.

Bell

Bells are like the ‘Voice of the Goddess.’ When you ring one, it brings the Divine’s attention to you, and your attention to the Divine. A bell with a lovely tone will call beautiful, healing energy to you. Bells can also be used to clear energy. At the end of a ritual is a good time for this, but if unwanted energy crops up during a ritual, you can use the bell to disperse it.

Candles - Direction Candles

One candle for each of the directions, color coded, are often used on an altar. One would go in each appropriate direction.  Candles are used to invoke and hold the Powers of each direction.

For North: black, green, or brown

For East: yellow or white

For South: red or orange

For West: blue or aqua

For Center, where you aren’t using God and Goddess candles: white, silver, or gold.

Candles - God and Goddess Candles

Often large candles, such as pillar candles, are used to represent the God and the Goddess. They are often represented with a black and white candle. These are usually set on either side of the Pentacle, or somewhere in the center of the altar. These candles invoke the Energies of the Divine.

Other options are having just one large candle for the Great Goddess, or three (white, red, and black) for the Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

Chalice

The chalice could be considered one of the most important altar tools. It signifies the Mother Goddess. As such, it is a “yin” altar tool. Some people like very fancy bejeweled cups for their altar chalice, but this is not necessary. A cup or wine-type glass of any material will do, or even a bowl. Something that holds water and, ideally, is round or curvy is good. Silver is always nice for Goddess tools - a silver chalice is a perfect practitioner chalice. The altar chalice is placed in the West, the direction of Water and the yinnest of the yin. The chalice is used for ceremonial drink, offering libations to the Divine, or holding the salt-water solution.

Deities

Images or representations of any gods and goddesses who are special to you are always welcome on an altar. Though of course we could not respectfully consider them “altar tools.” They are more than reminders of Divinity. Statues of the gods and goddesses can actually hold the vibrations of the Divine. So your altar becomes a living temple - a place where the Divine dwells.

Libation Dish

A small dish, bowl, or cup can go in the center ready to receive offerings for the Divine. You can also use your altar chalice or cauldron for this purpose. Later, pour or bury the offerings in the Earth, or into living water (rivers, lakes, etc) to carry them to the Divine.

Pentacle

The Pentacle, a 5-point star within a circle, usually is placed in the center of the altar. The pentacle is one of the most important altar tools, offering protection and power in magical work. You can use it to charge your magical items. 

Salt Water

A small bowl of water with salt dissolved in it, for cleansing. This would be appropriate in the center  Alternatively, the altar chalice may be used to hold the salt water. Water and salt are both purifying agents, not only in the physical realm but the energetic as well. Salt water also represents the energies of earth and water united, the ocean womb which gave birth to all life on the planet. So while this may seem an insignificant addition to your altar tools, it holds great power.

Scent or Feather

Some representation of air, commonly something scented like incense, essential oils, or smudges, or else a flying bird’s feather goes in the East, to represent Air. Sacred scents are used to cleanse an area energetically, call in certain powers, or help practitioners shift consciousness. Feathers can also be used to cleanse energy fields, and to fan incense or smudge smoke.

Stones or Crystals

For the Earth element, in the North, stones and crystals are sometimes used. These bring in Earth energy, which helps with grounding (except perhaps for quartz crystals). Another option is to have elements of nature such as plants or animals represent Earth.

Wand

Wands can be used for divination and channeling magical energy. They can be used to cast and recall circles, in place of the athame. The magical wand goes in the South, for the power of will, magic, and transformation. It also represents yang, or god, energy.

The wand is like a portable, handy version of a broom. A wand can be made of any natural material. Wood is traditional. Since all woods have unique Powers, you may like to choose the wood to suit your particular needs.

Broom

A broom is not necessarily classified among altar tools, but it is indispensable for energetically cleansing sacred space. While handy to keep nearby, brooms are usually too unwieldy to put atop an altar.

Cauldron

Traditionally cast iron, a cauldron is like a 3-legged rounded cooking pot. You can get them in sizes from huge to tiny. Cauldrons are handy items for burning things, like incense and herbs. This is one of the reasons it is one of the most common altar tools. Put an incense charcoal in the bottom, and sprinkle the herbs and powders onto it for very pagan incense. (Caution is required when burning anything, of course. Cast iron on legs, if made properly, will keep the heat from the surface it’s standing on, but check to make sure. Also be aware of anything flammable nearby or above the cauldron - particularly sleeves and hair!) Cauldrons can also be used to hold “brews,” that is, magical spells in liquid form. These range from simple salt-water purifications to complex spells.

Working Knife

A knife you use to cut things, draw lines in the Earth or runes on candles, and other functions. Traditionally the working knife is white-handled. This knife usually distinct from the Athame, which is a symbolic knife only and not used for other purposes by most practitioners. Not all practitioners count the working knife as one of their altar tools, but just a functional implement.

Sword

Some people like to use a sword for casting in groups. (The difficulty may be emotional safety in addition to physical safety. The symbolic hostility inherent in swords is more than many sensitive people can cope with, especially in as intimate a situation as ritual.) Often awkward around an altar, swords may be kept near or under it to be held in the magical aura.

In the past, swords were the athame of the nobility, but this custom is obviously ridiculous from a spiritual standpoint. Blue blood does not equal spiritual nobility!

Unlike knives, however, swords have no practical use other than as weapons. This link with violence makes swords unacceptable as altar tools for most people.

Altar Cloth

An altar cloth is optional, but useful. By choosing one with an appropriate color design, you set the stage for the energy of your altar. 

It’s also handy on a pragmatic level. It keeps dripping wax from marring your altar top. And since dripping candles are a hazard common to all practitioners, you may want to choose a cloth that isn’t too hard to remove wax from. Or so expensive you’ll cry if it gets ruined.

Anything You Want Charged With Magical Energy.

When you want to charge something with magical force, you can put it on your altar for a time. A full cycle of the Moon is a standard time frame. This could be spells, new altar tools, crystals, deities, or symbols of something you would like to have more of in your lif–whatever would benefit from being infused with spiritual power.

Book of Shadows/Grimoire

If you have a Book of Shadows it should be kept on your altar, preferably. It is one of your most important altar tools. If your altar is not private enough, or you can’t keep it there for another reason, then keeping it under your altar is best.

If you have other books that you use for reference for spells or rituals, it may be handy to keep nearby. It’s better to remain within the cast circle than to leave it to look up something.

Song Books

If you have a collection of song books with chants you like to sing, it’s useful keep it close to hand.

Tokens Of Helpers

Your altar is also an appropriate place for symbols of and offerings to any guides or special beings who help you.

The Classical Elements

In some way, you will probably want to represent the four classical elements on your altar. Typically, these are aligned with the four cardinal directions. The tools listed here can be used to represent the elements, but here are some examples of some other correlations: a bowl of dirt or sand in the north aspect of your altar to represent earth, a stick of incense in the east can symbolize air, a candle or charcoal in the south for fire, and water in the west. Get creative with it!

Offerings

When you would honor the Divine with a gift of thanks or prayer, you can bring them to the Altar as an offering. Often flowers are kept on the altar as an offering. Anything that is beautiful or special to you, or symbolic of the purpose for the offering, can be offered. Offerings are one of the most overlooked practices in Wicca today, yet one of increasing spiritual power and importance.

It is probably not necessary to point out that offerings should not be anything that could harm anything (but just in case, I’ll point it out anyway).For one thing, since the Divine lives in all things, anything you harm is an injury to the Divine. And pragmatically, you’ll be giving the offerings to the Earth later.

TENDING YOUR ALTAR

A Wiccan altar, just like a garden, needs at least occasional tending. Nurturing the plants, taking care of your tools, and seeing to the health of the soil will create a productive garden. With an altar, tending means feeding it energies, caring for the altar tools, keeping things clean - essentially freshening up your “soul garden” on a regular basis.

Tending an altar is a wonderful spiritual practice that anyone can do. It’s very forgiving, as spiritual practices go. Which makes it perfect for those of us who are not yet particularly disciplined.

The benefits of tending your altar are not all in the spiritual realm. Your daily life will reflect what’s happening on your altar. In other words, when you make changes on your altar, you will alter your life.

If you feel stuck at work, for example, alter things in the spiritual realm. Clean your altar thoroughly. Put on a fresh altar cloth in a bright color. Decorate it with some new things and give it a good energy cleanse. And then watch your life transform.

SUMMARY

If you don’t enjoy it and find it meaningful, if it doesn’t carry the energy you want, whether peaceful or stimulating or charged with power or anything else, the magical universe will not find it so either. Make it to please yourself, and you will please your divine as well. Altar tools are symbols, remember. It is the meaning we invest in them that gives them their power. So listen to your heart; it’s the seat of your Power. If something else would be a better symbol for you than what’s listed here, it is probably wise for you to use it.

Many practitioners use items that are especially important to them as their “athames.” Starhawk, the writer, apparently uses a pen to cast her circles. Others I’ve seen use feathers, sticks, and crystals. Find what focuses the energy for you.

After all, the gods and goddesses speak to each of us in our own unique language. As in every aspect of Wicca Spirituality, it is what makes your heart sing that is the right thing for you.

TIPS

Your altar feeds your soul. Once you make your first conscious altar, and discover how beautiful and nourishing it can be, you may find yourself wanting to make altars everywhere. Go for it! How could you possibly go wrong, bringing the blessings of the Divine wherever you are. Your office, your car, your bedroom; all are perfect places for an altar. 

You’ll probably want to keep at least one altar private. Put it in a personal part of your house, or somewhere you can discretely close a door and keep it from sight.This can be your innermost Temple’s altar. This is where you can put your most personal and meaningful items.  

You can also decorate your altar to celebrate the Sabbats, which is a great way to stir up some awesome energy. 

In all cases, it’s inadvisable to use a tool that you have a negative association with. For instance, if knives make you think of violence first and foremost, then find an alternative for an athame.

If you can’t set up a full altar for whatever reason, you can start with a mini-altar. A popular method is to use an Altoids can or something similar to hold all of your tiny sacred items. 

The Wiccan Rede is a statement that provides the key moral system in your Path. It’s important to acknowledge, in any discussion about the Rede that this is simply a guideline. There is a significant amount of variance from one path to the next and even from one individual to another. There is a good deal of room for interpretation and personal alteration. Many Wiccans even choose to claim the shorter rendition which reads simply as such: 

SHORT VERSION

“Eight words the Rede fulfill, ‘And it harm none, do what ye will.”

“An” is an unnecessarily archaic way of saying “as long as” or “if.”  It’s intended to be conditional. If this happens, that happens. It’s a “cause-and-effect” statement.  It implies that “doing no harm” is transitory, because it is a condition that might, or might not, be present.  If you are doing no harm, then you can do what you will.

I would argue that “doing no harm, ever” is simply not possible. Have you ever eaten a steak?  The cow was butchered and you consumed it.  How about a celery stick? That plant was destroyed for your sustenance. It’s not realistic to believe that one can live life and do no harm; just that one should go out of one’s way to minimize harm!  

A Wiccan should do their best not to cause harm; and that means that we should do our best to consider the effects of everything we do; magickally or otherwise. Moral decisions should then be made according to what is going to cause the least harm, including to ourselves.

FULL VERSION (Angelfire Rendition)

“Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones: Bide the Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.

To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. Light of eye and soft of touch, speak ye little, listen much. Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, Let love and light be our guides again. Deosil go by the waxing Moon, sing and dance the Wiccan rune. Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.

When the Lady’s Moon is new, kiss thy hand to Her times two. When the Moon rides at Her peak then your heart’s desire seek. Heed the Northwind’s mighty gale; lock the door and trim the sail.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast. When the West wind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them quick a’ burn them slow. Birch in the fire goes, To represent what the Lady knows. Oak in the forest towers with might, In the fire it brings the God’s insight. Rowan is a tree of power, Causing life and magick to flower. Willows at the waterside stand, Ready to help us to the Summerland.

Hawthorn is burned to purify, And to draw faerie to your eye. Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning, Adds its strength to the bright fire burning. White are the flowers of Apple tree, That brings us fruits of fertility. Grapes grow upon the vine, Giving us both joy and wine. Fir does mark the evergreen, To represent immortality seen. Elder is the Lady’s tree, Burn it not or cursed you’ll be.

Four times the Major Sabbats mark, In the light and in the dark. As the old year starts to wane, The new begins, it’s now Samhain. When the time for Imbolg shows, Watch for flowers through the snows. When the wheel begins to turn, Soon the Beltaine fires will burn. As the wheel turns to Lammas night, Power is brought to magick rite. Four times the Minor Sabbats fall, Use the Sun to mark them all.

When the wheel has turned to Yule, Light the log the Horned One rules. In the spring, when night equals day, Time for Ostara to come our way. When the Sun has reached it’s height, Time for Oak and Holly to fight. Harvesting comes to one and all, When the Autumn Equinox does fall. Heed the flower, bush, and tree , By the Lady blessed you’ll be. Where the rippling waters go, Cast a stone, the truth you’ll know. When you have and hold a need, Harken not to others greed. With a fool no season spend, Nor be counted as his friend. Merry Meet and Merry Part, Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Law you should, Three times bad and three times good. When misfortune is enow, Wear the star upon your brow. In love you must be ever true, Unless your love is false to you.

Eight words the Rede fulfill, ‘And it harm none, do what ye will.’“

BREAKING IT DOWN

Now isn’t that a mouthful! Believe it or not, each line has its own special meaning, which of course is up for personal interpretation from the individual. Here are some examples from Angelfire to get you started in your studies.  

“Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must, In perfect Love and perfect Trust.” Basically, this refers to Perfect Love and Trust in the Divine, not necessarily in a human person. Remember, all Wiccans are human first, and they will have the same faults and shortcomings as everyone else. Honor them for their knowledge and experience, but don’t expect them to be saints! “Live and let all else live, Fairly take and fairly give.” Pretty self-explanatory… “Cast the Circle thrice about, To keep unwelcome spirits out.” This refers to casting the circle first with your athame, sword, staff, or whatever tool you use, then casting again around fully with salt & water, then a third casting is done with the Incense. (Not necessarily in that order - it goes by tradition) “To bind the spell every time, Let the spell be spake in rhyme.” This refers to your "younger self” or subconscious mind, which hears and reacts more quickly and more fully to rhymes and chants. It also makes it fun for your inner child, and this will enhance your magickal workings.

“Light of eye and soft of touch, Speak ye little, listen much.” “Light of eye” is an injunction against staring forcefully at another, and comes from the “evil eye”. Be gentle in both your gaze and touch. Avoid violence! The second line has always been sage advice. “Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, Let love and light be our guides again.” Similar to "Honor thy father and mother” but this means anyone elder, not just family. Somehow politeness is being lost in today’s society.  “Deosil go by the waxing moon, Sing and dance the Wiccan rune.”

"Deosil” means clock-wise, or sun-wise, and the waxing moon is from New Moon to just before the Full Moon, while the moon is “filling out. This is the time to ask for what you want to have joyful in your life. "Rune” is another name for spell, but specifically a rhymed, chanted, spell working. This is evolved from the use of a single rune (such as today are used for divination) to represent the person’s desire.

“Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.” Now “widdershins” is counter clockwise, and the waning moon is after the full moon, when it is “dwindling.” This is the time to get rid of unwanted habits, weight, bad feelings, or anything you wish to be rid of. “Baneful” comes from “banish” and that’s what it means. “When the Lady’s moon is new, Kiss the hand to Her times two.” It was the custom in days gone before to send kisses to the New Moon. It must have been a very wide spread custom as I have seen references to the Inquisition warning people that those who did it would be closely watched for signs of heresy and witchcraft! “When the moon rides at Her peak, Then your heart’s desire seek.” This of course is the Full Moon, and the time when the magick of the Moon is at full power. “Heed the North winds’ mighty gale, Lock the door and trim the sail.” These next four verses are “wind wisdom” and refer to the times when the wind comes from the four directions, and also refers to the four seasons. The North wind is well known for the winter storms it brings. Lock everything up tight!

“When the wind comes from the South, Love will kiss thee on the mouth.” The warm southern wind brings Springtime, when young fancies turn to romance. “When the Wind blows from the East, Expect the new and set the feast.” The second line refers to the tendency the East wind has to bring changes, and unexpected visitors. “When the West wind blows o'er thee, Departed spirits restless be.” The West is the direction that the souls of those passing on to the Summerland will take. (I suppose they have to work harder when the wind is against them!) “Nine woods in the Cauldron go, Burn them quick a’ burn them slow.”

Nine woods are placed in the Beltain fires and each one is significant. “Birch in the fire goes, To represent what the Lady knows. Oak in the forest towers with might, In the fire it brings the God’s insight. Rowan is a tree of power, Causing life and magick to flower. Willows at the waterside stand, Ready to help us to the Summerland. Hawthorn is burned to purify, And to draw faerie to your eye. Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning, Adds its strength to the bright fire burning. White are the flowers of Apple tree, That brings us fruits of fertility. Grapes grow upon the vine, Giving us both joy and wine. Fir does mark the evergreen, To represent immortality seen. Elder is the Lady’s tree, Burn it not or cursed you’ll be.” Count them, Elder is the 10th tree, and the Balefire only gets Nine. This is a warning to those who would burn the elder, and refers to the English elder, but I don’t burn the American one either. “Four times the Major Sabbats mark, In the light and in the dark.” The eight Sabbats are divided in two: the Major and Minor Sabbats. The Major Sabbats are: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas. “As the old year starts to wane, The new begins, it’s now Samhain.” For many Wiccans, Samhain marks the New Year and is the most important Sabbat. It’s the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year.   “When the time for Imbolg shows, Watch for flowers through the snows.” Imbolg, is a preparation for spring. At Imbolg, Wiccans clean and organize their living environments, as well as their minds and hearts, in preparation for the upcoming season of growth. It’s a time to shake off the doldrums of late winter and light the fires of creativity and inspiration. “When the wheel begins to turn, Soon the Beltaine fires will burn.” Beltane is the time of the marriage and union of the Goddess as Mother Earth and the God of the Greenwood. It is an ancient fertility festival marking the beginning of the planting cycle. The festival was to ensure a good growing season and a bountiful harvest. Beltane is light-hearted and joyful. “As the wheel turns to Lammas night, Power is brought to magick rite.” For the ancient Pagans, Lammas was a time of both hope and fear. They held hope for a bountiful harvest and abundant food, but they feared that the harvest wouldn’t be large enough and that the cold months would be filled with struggle and deprivation. At Lammas, modern Wiccans also face their fears, concentrate on developing their own abilities, and take steps to protect themselves and their homes.   

“Four times the Minor Sabbats fall, Use the Sun to mark them all.” Now these Sabbats are called “Minor” simply because they happen at the start of the season, when the sun is just entering the Fixed Astrological signs of the four seasons. All of the Sabbats are considered “solar, meaning that they are calculated by the sun. These Minor Sabbats include Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon.  “When the wheel has turned to Yule, Light the log the Horned One rules.” Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. This is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope. “In the spring, when night equals day, Time for Ostara to come our way.” Winter is now over. Light is increasing. The day and night are equal in length at the equinox. Spring has arrived or is coming soon. Ostara is the time of fertility, birth, and renewal. The ice is thawing, and the growing season for plants and animals begins. Growth is the theme of the day.   

“When the Sun has reached it’s height, Time for Oak and Holly to fight.” Litha is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Light triumphs, but will now begin to fade into darkness as autumn approaches. The crops are planted and growing. The woods and forests have reached their peak fullness. This is the time of abundance for wildlife, including people! The holiday is joyous. “Harvesting comes to one and all, When the Autumn Equinox does fall.” At Mabon, the day and the night are equal in length, in sublime balance. For many locations, Mabon coincides with the final harvest of grain, fruits, and vegetables. Mabon, also called Harvest Home, is the time of thanksgiving. The beauty and bounty of summer gives way to the desolation of winter, and the darkness overtakes the light.   

“Heed the flower, bush, and tree, By the Lady blessed you’ll be.” All life is Sacred to the Goddess, and proper respect should be shown for the sacrifice of Her Creatures and Plants so that we may eat and survive. “Where the rippling waters go Cast a stone, the truth you’ll know.” This is referring to a water divination, where one tosses a pebble into the surface of still water to watch the ripples and divine the future. “When you have and hold a need, Harken not to others greed.” One should not do magick out of greed, but out of need. So if someone offers you money to do a spell for them, what is your motivation? And what is theirs? Do you want to attract dependent people to you who could possibly put so many demands on your energy that you have no time for yourself? This one is thought provoking, isn’t it? “With a fool no season spend, Nor be counted as his friend.” Or in other words, people know you by the company you keep…. “Merry Meet and Merry Part, Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.” Also self explanatory… we’re all pretty happy to see one another, and open expressions of affection are encouraged. “Mind The Threefold Law you should, Three times bad and three times good.” The Threefold Law is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans that states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times. “When misfortune is enow, Wear the star upon your brow.” In this form, it means to open your third eye and listen to your higher self/Spirit Guide/Guardian Angel whenever you find yourself in difficulties.  “In love you must be ever true, Unless your love is false to you.” A witch does not give her or his word lightly… and a vow of true love is also not spoken lightly. However, if your lover is untrue to you they have already broken vows with you. “Eight words the Rede fulfill, ‘And it harm none, do what ye will.’” This is the law by which most Wiccans live, with harm to none. 

WHAT’S YOUR RENDITION?