July's Birthstone

July Birthstone : Ruby
Birthstone Color: Red

Like a perfect red rose, the Ruby's rich color speaks of love and passion. Called the "Rajnapura" or King of Gems by ancient Hindus, July's birthstone is among the most highly prized of gems throughout history. The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil. It was thought to grow darker when peril was imminent, and to return to its original color once danger was past—provided it was in the hands of its rightful owner!

Rubies were thought to represent heat and power. Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets for blowguns, and it was said that a pot of water would boil instantly if a Ruby was tossed into it. Ground to powder and placed on the tongue, this crystal was used as a cure for indigestion.

The word Ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after Diamond. It comes in a variety of colors, and is considered a Sapphire in any color except red, which is designated as a Ruby. Rubies range in hue from an orange-y red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are a true red in color. Large sized Rubies are very rare and valuable.

The history of Ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years ago. The most beautiful crystals are thought to be from Burma, but quality Rubies are also found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States.

It has been said that the Ruby's red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love. With its hardness and durability, it is a perfect engagement gem. And if worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the Ruby will bring good fortune to its wearer, too!

This article came from http://www.about-birthstones.com/julybirthstone.html.

Circle Etiquette

Just the basics as each group does things slightly different.

CIRCLE ETIQUETTE


Circle attendance:

Each coven or circle has its own attendance guidelines. If the circle is publicly advertised then follow the guidelines in the advertisement or call the phone number provided if you have questions. If you are personally invited to a circle do not assume it is O.K. to bring anyone else. If you have a friend, relative, child or significant other whom you would like to bring please ask the High Priest or High Priestess first. Some covens are more open than others but please respect the decision of the HPS or HP. Also, we do have freedom of religion in this country, but there are those who, out of ignorance, still deny us the right to worship as we choose.
If you have been invited to a Circle which is not publicly advertised please do not discuss it with anyone without checking with the HP or HPS first. Private circles are by invitation only and it is never good to assume who the other attendees of a particular circle will be. Respect the privacy of those in the circle and never mention who was there to anyone.
Also: Please do not attend circle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and NEVER bring drugs onto the property of any person or group holding a ritual.

When accepting an invitation:

· Ask what time you should be there AND what time the ritual will begin. This way you can be there in plenty of time to relax, center and group before ritual. And, conversely, if you are unexpectedly detained, you will avoid walking in on the ritual already in progress which is usually not acceptable. Ask what to do if you should arrive late. There may be the option of waiting in a certain area and joining everyone for refreshments or feasting afterward.

· This may should harsh, but if you need to be somewhere else at a particular time following the ritual - do not plan to attend the ritual. When we enter a circle we are between worlds and beyond time and space. Rituals take as long as they take. Two hours is probably average, but they can be shorter or much longer. We have found in the past that if someone has a time constraint it is extremely distracting and disrupts the energy flow.

· Ask what you can or should bring. There may be a small fee covering site rental, candles, refreshments, etc. Some groups ask each attendee to bring a non-perishable item to donate to a local charitable organization. If there is a feast before or after the ritual you may be asked to bring a covered dish or some other food item to share. If you bring food its a nice gesture to label it with a list of ingredients so that those with special diet requirements won't have to track you down and ask what is in it.You should also ask if it is appropriate to bring your own athame or chalice to use in ritual and/or dishes and utensils for the feast. If you are able, you could also volunteer to bring wine, juice, or candles. These may be supplied by the coven sponsoring the circle, but it is nice to ask.

· If food will be served and you have special food requirements, either bring your own food or talk with the host/hostess as far in advance as possible to arrange for appropriate food.

Clothing:

Ask what the mode of dress is for the circle you will be attending. At large pagan gatherings you are liable to see elaborate costumes, simple robes, street clothing or nothing at all (skyclad) in the same ritual.
At smaller public rituals robes are nice but street clothes are acceptable. If you wear street clothing, make it something loose and comfortable so you have no distractions.
And please, no t-shirts with pictures or messages which may be distracting to others.
If you are invited to a non-public circle be sure to ask what to wear. Some covens may require participants to be skyclad, but robes are more common and may be required. Some groups have not allow certain colors of robes so be sure to ask. Also, certain types of jewelry may not be appropriate. For example, a triple-moon head-dress or an amber and jet necklace is usually worn only by a High Priestess. If you wear one of these to a large public ritual and you are not a High Priestess you may find yourself being asked to perform some duty for which you are not prepared. Generally - when in doubt - ask.
If the ritual will be held outdoors please dress accordingly.

Before ritual:

· If you have a request for healing or other magical work please talk to the HP or HPS privately before circle.

· Do not touch jewelry or magical tools belonging to another person without asking. Many people go to great lengths to consecrate and charge their belongings, and this may have to be completely re-done if the object is touched.

· Please visit the restroom before circle. Although you may leave the circle in an emergency, it can be distracting-and you might miss something!

· Please remove hats, watches, beepers and any jewelry and/or ferrous metals which do not have a spiritual or medical purpose.

· Remove your shoes if possible. It is much easier to ground when in touch with Mother Earth.

· No smoking, eating, drinking or chewing gum while in line or in circle. Smokers: Be sure to ask where smoking is allowed and PLEASE do not throw butts on the ground or into ritual fires!

· Apply insect repellant if needed.

· Any talk while in line for circle should be quiet and limited to questions regarding the ritual or warnings such as, “Don't trip over that root!” No talk of mundane matters please.

· Continue or begin centering and grounding while waiting in line. Use the slow walk to the ritual area as a gradual shifting of consciousness from the mundane world to the magical.

· A ritual handbath or bowl may be provided or you may be smudged with smoke before entering the circle. These are for purposes of spiritual cleansing.

· When entering the circle you may be asked for your name and/or a password. If you have a magical name you want to use fine, if not don't be embarrassed about using your regular name - plenty of people do. If you are asked for a password but haven't been given one you can try the standard one you have probably run across if you have done much reading. If that doesn't work- don't worry-if you were invited to the circle you will be allowed to enter. As you can imagine, passwords were of much greater importance during the burning times.

· You may receive an anointing of oil as you enter the circle. If you have allergies or otherwise object to this feel free to let the anointer know.

During ritual:

· Always move deosil (clockwise/sunwise) when walking around the circle. In other word: when you enter the circle turn left and you will be going the right way.

· When the Quarters or Elements (the four directions) are being called turn and face the same direction the HP and HPS are facing. If you are unfamiliar with arm gestures and responses being used just stand quietly or try to follow along. For safety or other reasons some covens limit the use of athames to the HP and HPS. Ask about this before circle.

In large public circles you will see many different ways of saluting the Quarters since each person tends to use the method he or she is most familiar with. One or two pointed fingers is a customary substitute for an athame or wand in many Circles.

· No talking in circle unless you are specifically invited to share a story or at other times indicated by the HP or HPS. Stories, anecdotes and discussion in circle are strictly limited to craft related topics. And remember: whatever you hear in circle is confidential. If you find someone's story valuable and would like to share it outside the circle (without names of course) please ask permission of the story teller first.

The HP or HPS may invoke a god or goddess during the ritual which means the deity has entered the body of the HP or HPS and may speak through them. Do not talk at all during an invocation unless the god or goddess specifically asks YOU a question.

· If you receive some juice or wine do not drink it all immediately. Be prepared to offer a toast to the gods. It is customary to offer part of your juice, wine and cake or cookie to the gods as a libation. There may be a bowl or bowls provided for this purpose or if the circle is outdoors the libations may be put directly on the Earth. Ask someone what the custom is or watch members of the host coven.

· If you feel faint or ill please feel free to sit down and/or ask for help. We have found that fainting in circle is not uncommon. Don't be embarrassed if this happens to you-just be assured you are surrounded by loving and understanding people. We believe a contributing factor is fasting before ritual. Some Wiccans like to fast for spiritual reasons, others are simply saving their appetite for the feast which tends to be much later than the average supper time. If you are not used to fasting, or tend toward low-blood sugar please have a bite to eat before circle. Also, do not lock your knees when standing in circle.

· If you need to leave the circle during ritual for any reason, quietly alert a member of the hosting coven and they will “cut” you out of the circle or explain their method for exiting and re-entering.

After ritual:

This is a good time for hugs, relaxing, asking questions, singing, dancing, drumming, eating, socializing and networking. Please offer to help clean up as well

Deities of the Month of July

Athena- the Greek Goddess of War and Wisdom, daughter of Zeus. She leapt full grown from Zeus’s head already dressed in Her Armor. She is, above all, the Goddess of the City, the protectress of civilized life, of artesian activities, and of agriculture. She also invented the horse-bit, which, for the first time, tamed horses, allowing men to use them. 
She is the favorite daughter of Zeus; and that's why he let her use his insignia: the terrible shield, the aegis and his devastating weapon, the ray. 

Cerridwen- the Welsh Goddess grain and sow-Goddess, keeper of the Cauldron of Inspiration and Goddess of Transformation. She is also called the White Lady of Inspiration and Death. Her son was so horribly ugly that She set to making a brew of wisdom for him, to give him a quality that could perhaps overcome his ugliness. Every day for a year and a day She added herbs at the precise astrological times, but on the day it was ready, the three magical drops fell instead on the servant boy, Gwion Bach, who was set to watch the fire. Instantly becoming a great magician, the boy fled from Her wrath, and as She pursued him they each changed shape--a hound following a rabbit, an otter chasing a salmon, a hawk flying after a sparrow--until finally the boy changed to a kernel of wheat, settling into a pile of grain on a threshing-floor. Cerridwen, becoming a black hen, found him out and swallowed him down. Nine months later she gave birth to Taliesin, who would be the greatest of all bards.

Hel- the Norse Goddess of the Dead and the Afterlife. Her name literally means ‘One who Hides’ or ‘One who Covers Up’. She is the ruler of Helheim, the Realm of the Dead. She is the youngest child of the evil god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She is usually described as a horrible hag, half alive and half dead, with a gloomy and grim expression. Her face and body are those of a living woman, but her thighs and legs are those of a corpse, mottled and moldering. The gods had abducted Hel and her brothers from Angrboda's hall. They cast her in the underworld, into which she distributes those who are send to her; the wicked and those who died of sickness or old age. Her hall in Helheim is called Eljudnir, home of the dead. Her manservant is Ganglati and her maidservant is Ganglot (which both can be translated as "tardy").

Holda (Mother)- the Germanic Goddess of spinning, childbirth and domestic animals. In old German households she brought on Winter, rewarded the industrious and carried infants that died to the Heavens. She is a symbol of virtue and hard work. Holda is perhaps the only. Germanic Goddess whose worship survived until today. Her association with the home and women may be what caused her to be much maligned in modern times. Holda means “gracious one”. She resides in the sky, riding her chariot through the night. Her chariot is pulled by many animals of the wood and she is accompanied by the infants that died before they were named. She is seen as a beautiful woman with long white hair bathing in a clear pool to the good hearted and hard working. But to the lazy and unkind she appears as a wizened old woman. She is sometimes seen as a woman with two faces; one young and beautiful, one old and stern. In either manifestation, she is not a lithe spirit. She is of sturdy stock, at par with her sisters to the North.

Juno- the Roman Goddess of Protection and special counselor of the Roman state and Queen of the Gods. She is a daughter of Saturn and sister (but also the wife) of the chief god Jupiter and the mother of Juventas, Mars, and Vulcan. As the patron Goddess of Rome and the Roman empire she was called Regina ("queen") and, together with Jupiter and Minerva, was worshipped as a triad on the Capitol (Juno Capitolina) in Rome. As the Juno Moneta (she who warns) she guarded over the finances of the empire and had a temple on the Arx (one of two Capitoline hills), close to the Royal Mint. She was also worshipped in many other cities, where temples were built in her honor. The primary feast of Juno Lucina, called the Matronalia, was celebrated on March 1. On this day, lambs and other cattle were sacrificed to her. Another festival took place on July 7 and was called Nonae Caprotinae ("The Nones of the Wild Fig"). The month of June was named after her. She can be identified with the Greek Goddess Hera and, like Hera, Juno was a majestical figure, wearing a diadem on the head. The peacock is her symbolic animal.

Khepera- an Egyptian a form of the sun-god Re. Khepera was specifically the god of the rising sun. He was self-produced and usually depicted as a human with a beetle on his head, or sometimes with the beetle as his head. His name comes from the Egyptian word, kheprer or "to become". Khepera is the manifestation of the rising sun. Khepera would roll the sun along the sky, much as the dung beetle rolls a ball of dung in front of him (sometimes the Khepera was also shown pushing the moon through the sky). This ball of dung is what it lays its eggs in. The beetle larvae eat the ball of dung after they hatch. The Egyptians would see the beetle roll a ball of dung into a hole and leave. Later, when many dung beetles emerged from the hole, it would seem as though they created themselves. Khepera also had this attribute of self-generation and self-renewal.
The particular dung beetle the Egyptians identified with Khepera was the Scarabaeus sacer.

Venus- the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty. Although she was a latecomer to Roman mythology, she rose quickly among the ranks. Like the Greek Goddess Aphrodite whose mythology she inherited, the Roman Goddess Venus assumed the divine responsibility for love, beauty, and sexuality, not to mention marriage, procreation, and domestic bliss.  She was also known as the Venus Verticordia, Goddess of chastity in women, as Venus Victrix, the Goddess of victory in war, and also a nature Goddess, associated with gardens and the arrival of spring.

Black Moon Rising

Saturday, July 30th at 2:40pm (EST) will be July’s second New Moon. The first New Moon was on July 1st. Although the most common name for the second New Moon in a month is the Black Moon, the follow names have also been attributed to it: Moon of Rest and Beginnings, Secret Moon, Finder's Moon and Spinner Moon.

On the Mundane Side of Things:

She rises around dawn and sets around sunset and we don’t actually see Her too often, yet Her pull is felt by all with an inclination for such things. Because She is between the sun and the Earth, very little is reflected and for a few days the moon is lost in all the Sun’s bright and glorious splendor. Since the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the Earth, the pull on us is the strongest. Because the Sun, Moon and Earth are all in a straight line this creates a time when the high tide is higher and the low tide is lower than usual.

The original meaning of the phrase ‘New Moon’ was the first visible crescent of the Moon, after conjunction with the Sun. This takes place over the western horizon in a brief period between sunset and moonset, and therefore the precise time and even the date of the appearance of the new moon by this definition will be influenced by the geographical location of the observer. The astronomical new moon, sometimes known as the Dark Moon to avoid confusion, occurs by definition at the moment of conjunction in ecliptic longitude with the Sun, when the Moon is invisible from the Earth. This moment is unique and does not depend on location, and under certain circumstances it is coincident with a solar eclipse.

On the Magical Side of Things:

We have all spent our time gathering under the light of a Full Moon and even under the light of a Blue Moon, the second full moon to fall with one month’s time, but most of the world doesn’t even notice the New Moon. It hangs darkly in the sky challenging us to begin anew each month and unless you are an astronomer or you follow some sort of nature based religion, you probably don’t pay a whole lot of attention to New Moons.

That's not to say that New Moons aren't important to non-astronomers or Pagans. To the world's Muslims, the date of New Moon is of great interest, since the Islamic calendar is governed by the phases of the Moon. The start of each month is marked by the first sighting of the New crescent Moon. Perhaps that’s why it’s on the flag for the Nation of Islam.

We all know that the New Moon is the time for self-improvement, change, new beginnings, banishings, cleansings, among other things. This period also represents the youthful aspect of the Goddess. In the form of the Maiden, she represents youth, change and a fresh start. Children can also be Named and Dedications can be made. New Moons are great times to move, start new projects or cast new spells.

The New Moon can be thought of as a time of learning. Don't be hesitant to try new spell work at this time. You might also like to set in motion house protections. Some Wiccans celebrate the exact night of Dark Moon by honoring the Crone aspect of the Goddess (such as Hecate), focusing on lessons they have learned in the past cycle and banishing negativity from their lives.

The Black Moon is just like the New Moon with one exception, the Black Moon is stronger and more potent than the New Moon. So when you’re doing your New Moon Ritual at the end of this month, remember that any energy you raise is doubled.

Miscellaneous Attributes:

Workings on this Day are for: addictions, banishing, beauty, beginning of or renewing of something, bringing things in, change, cleaning, divorce, giving thanks, goal setting, health, job hunting, justice, love, new beginnings, new growth, obstacles, personal cleansing, planning, psychic abilities, quarrels, regeneration, releasing the old, removing unwanted Negative energies, rest, reversing circumstances, romance, scrying, self-improvement, separation, starting new ventures, stopping stalkers and theft, weight loss, wisdom.

Time: From Dark Moon to Waxing Moon (the day of the New Moon to 3 ½ days later)

New moon - The magic should be performed between dawn and sunset for the best use of this magic.

Dark Moon - The strongest pull of the dark moon is around 10:00 a.m.

Goddess Aspect: Maiden

Associated Goddesses: Callieach, Banshee, Hecate, Kali, Morrigan.

Location: moon is 0 - 45 degrees ahead of the Sun It is in alignment, directly between the earth and the sun, therefore hidden. The New Moon is the only Time the eclipse of the sun can be seen.

Pagan Festival: Winter Solstice

Goddess Name: Rosemerta's Moon- Rosemerta was a Gaulish-Celtic Goddess of fertility, warmth and abundance.

Goddess Energy: Goddesses of growth

Offering: Milk and Honey

Theme: Abundance

Rune: Fehu for abundance, Kenaz for openings, Gebo for love

Tarot Trump: the Fool

Goals: Time to set new goals and review old ones for both the long and short term. Relates to the planting of the seeds.

Just keep this in mind: The second New Moon in a month is a time of great power within the spiritual world and any magic worked during this time is especially powerful.

Basic Terms and Definitions

Basic Terms and definitions. These will be explained more in-depth as we go through our Lessons.

Altar - A small table or surface on which items meaningful to owner are placed. Can be an intricately carved table made only for this purpose, or as simple as a cardboard box or tree stump. Generally used during ritual. Can also be a central place for meditation, divination, etc.

Athame - (pr. AH-tha-may or ah-THA-may) A ceremonial object usually used to focus energy. Most frequently a black-handled knife, but other objects may be used. Generally will only be used by it's owner.

Besom - (pr. BEH-som) A broom; most frequently used to sweep a circle clear of unwanted energy. Generally, but not always, used by a woman. Usually stored Bristles pointed up to prevent damage.

Book of Shadows - Sometimes abbreviated BoS. This is a collection of rituals, information, research, spells, and other information that is meaningful to the owner. Can contain the individual's magickal journal. Generally a black book or binder. Since an individual's BoS is a collection of their journey through the Craft, it is not generally shown to others.

Burning Times - A period of time where Witch Hunts were common. Victims may or may not have been Witches. More often than not the victim(s) were women.

Cauldron - A pot which may be used for ritual purposes. Generally looks like the stereotypical black cast-iron pot. Can be used to burn things in.

Censer - A pot, dish, or other object that incense can be burned in.

Chakras (pr. SHA-kras)- Energy votexes in the body; each one has a specific property. While popular in many modern Wiccan circles, chakras actually have little to do with modern Witchcraft. However, they can be quite useful if so desired.

Chalice - A cup in which wine, water, or other beverages may be held. A ritual tool that can symbolize the Water element, etc.

Chant - A series of repeated words or tones that are usually used to help induce a trance state. Can be as simple as a one note hum, or a long song or series of words.

Circle -A group of people gathered together for a ritual, etc.
-A sphere of energy used in a ritual, generally to create a space "between the worlds". For more information, please read our "Circle Casting" page.
-Another name for a ritual. i.e. "I'm going to circle tonight".

Coven - (pr. CUH-ven) A group of individuals who regularly meet together for ritual purposes.

Cowan - (pr. COW-an) An old term meaning basically "outsider", or "one who is not a Witch". Not used as frequently today.

Crone - The Hag, the old Goddess. Frequently a death Goddess, usually wise and powerful. Also a woman who has passed menopause. Sometimes the Dark Moon Goddess.

Crystal - Usually a semi-precious gemstone thought to have specific qualities. For example, clear quartz can be used to focus energy, Black Onyx can be used for grounding, etc.

Dedicant - One who has been dedicated.

Dedication - A ritual that marks a person's decision to dedicate themselves to the Craft. In eclectic circles, usually a first step "I'm going to study this" decision. Frequently marks the beginning of a year and a day period where an individual studies and decides if this is a path they want to follow. Solitary Practitioners may wait and perform a self-dedication as a "this marks the point that I choose this as my path" ritual. Not all dedications are equal. The definition of a Dedication varies between traditions and paths.

Degrees - A title that is earned, generally beginning at initiation. There are usually 3 degrees, initiation being the first.

Deity - An individual's view of the Divine. May be an all-encompassing entity, or one of many Gods.

Deosil - (pr. JIH-sel) The direction of sunwise; the direction the sun takes through the sky. In the northern hemisphere this is clockwise.

Drawing down the Moon - A ritual in which the Goddess may be invoked at full moon. Also a highly influential book by Margot Adler which examines many modern Neopagan traditions.

Eclectic - A path that takes it's "traditions" from many paths. One who is Eclectic may take rituals and philosophy from sources as widespread as traditional Witchcraft to Taoism to Christianity.

Elementals - A creature associated with a given element. For example, Gnomes are Earth elementals, Sylphs are Air elementals.

Elements - Generally one of 4 or 5 "energies" that are thought to create all matter and thought in the universe. In modern Wicca there are thought to be 5 elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Each has specific qualities; ie. Earth is home, law, stability, Air is thought, change, beginnings.

Energy - Exactly what it sounds like. Energy, thought, vibration, life.

Esbat - Generally a celebration of the Full Moon, but can also celebrate the New Moon and Quarters, as well.

Evoking - To call a Deity or Element(al). To ask someone/thing to be present.

Familiar - Generally a cat, although not necessarily. During the Witch Hunts, was thought to be the incarnation of a demon that helped a Witch perform evil magick. A Familiar can be a magickal helper, but it certainly is not a demon.

God - The Divine male principle. Can be the Horned God, the Greenman, the god of the Hunt, an agricultural god, a specific God from a certain mythology, etc.

Goddess - The Divine feminine. Can be the Maiden, Mother, Crone, Earth Mother, Moon Goddess, Dark Goddess, a specific Goddess from a certain mythology, etc.

Greenman - Generally the God of the Forest, etc.

Grounding - A process by which you bring yourself to a normal, clear state of consciousness. Usually involves shedding all the extraneous thoughts and worries that get in the way of self.

Handfasting - A Pagan "marriage", although the word ‘marriage' isn't quite right at all. Can be of short duration, such as a year and a day, or can be a permanent bond.

Herbs - A plant that has a use. For medicinal or magickal purposes.

Hived - A coven that has branched off of a previous coven is said to have "hived off" the older coven.

Initiate - One who has been initiated.

Initiation - There are many different definitions of initiation. Generally, however, it is a ritual that marks an individuals formal acceptance into a tradition. A solitary initiation may be a ritual that vows "I am dedicating my life to the gods". Generally one who has been initiated into a tradition has earned the title of Priest/ess.

Inscribe - To carve or mark something. For example, carving a rune into a candle is to inscribe that candle.

Invoking - To call a Deity, etc. "into" yourself.

Law of Three - A law that states "whatever you do returns threefold". ie. Harming someone returns harm on you three times, helping someone returns good things three times.

Magick - Spelled with a "k" to note its difference from stage ‘rabbit out of the hat' magic, it is the art of causing a desired result through no apparent measurable cause.

Maiden - The spirit of the wild, untamed feminine; the young Goddess. The strong, free Goddess. Sometimes the Waxing Crescent Goddess.

Mother - The Mother Goddess, who gives birth to all life. Sometimes consort to the Horned God, sometimes the Full Moon Goddess.

NeoPaganism - A way of life, or a spirituality, who's movement began during the 20th Century c.e, and whose practices are usually based on Pagan practices.

Paganism - A way of life, or a spirituality, that generally involves Pre-Christian practices and or beliefs.

Pantheism - Basically a belief that all gods are part of one greater encompassing Deity.

Pentacle - A five pointed star within a circle thought to represent the five elements, among other things.

Pentagram - A five pointed star that can be drawn in one single line.

Polytheism - Basically a belief that all gods are separate beings.

Rede (pr. Reed) - A Wiccan "moral guideline" that states "An' it harm none, do as ye will".

Ritual - An activity, generally repeated over time, that has some sort of spiritual meaning. For more information, please view our page on "Ritual Construction"

Ritual Bath - A ritual cleansing, generally a bath, but a sometimes a shower, swim, etc. .

Sabbat - A day with specific meaning in the wheel of the year. There are generally 8 Sabbats, roughly a month and a half apart representing the turning of the seasons, etc.

Solitary - One who practices the Craft alone; usually with their own personal "tradition".

Spell - A method of bending reality to will. For more information, please view our page on "Spells".

Summerland - Sort of a Pagan "heaven"; a place after death.

Sympathetic Magick - Magick done by acting out the situation to your desired result, thus encouraging reality to do the same.

The Broom Closet - proverbial; One who does not acknowledge they are Wiccan to non-Wiccans is said to be "in the Broom Closet".

Tools - Athame, Besom, Altar, Chalice, etc; an object that helps achieve a purpose.

Tradition - A specific way of practicing the Craft.

Visualization - To see something clearly in your mind.

Warlock - Not a Witch. An Oathbreaker.

Wheel of the Year - The turning of the seasons, the cycle of the year.

White Handled Knife - Sometimes used to harvest herbs, sometimes for all the menial cutting chores (plants, paper, cloth, etc.).

Wicca - A Neopagan spirituality that emphasizes spiritual balance and the idea of "Harm None".

Widdershins - Not Sunwise; counterclockwise.

Witch Queen - A Priestess who has hived off three or more covens.

Witchcraft - Without annoying too many people, the art of practicing Earth-based magick, and sometimes a Pagan spirituality.

Lugh

With Lughnassadh fast approaching, I thought I’d take a moment to post something about the God for which it was named: LUGH.

The festival Lughnassadh is in honor of the God Lugh who was known as the Master of All Arts, and his foster mother, the Goddess Tailtiu ("The Great One of the Earth"). Lugh means “Bright and Shining One” and he is associated with both the sun and, to a degree, the golden corn. Lugh (pronounced Loo) is the Celtic God of creativity, fertility, earth & grain, justice, moon, war, revenge, smithing, agriculture, architecture, carpentry, civilization, commerce, healing, initiation, jewelry, journeys, magic, martial arts, medicine, prophecy, roads, retribution, travel, weapons and writing, to name a few. He is also the Patron of Priests. He is associated with the Ash tree and ravens.

Worshipped as the God of Fire, He also presided over metallurgy, crafting, weaving, and served as protector of the weak. A primary deity of the Druids, Lugh sometimes took human form and worshipped alongside them. He is a wonderful God to call upon when one doesn’t know how to proceed, because He can do or assist with anything. Lugh is often associated with the Greek God Apollo, and more statues and holy sites were erected to this handsome God than to any other Celtic deity.

He was the Prince of the Powers of Air; a shape-shifter. His symbol was a white horse. He was the greatest of the enchanters; a warrior-magician.

His many names include: Lugh, Lámhfhada (meaning ‘long arm’ or ‘long hand‘ for His skill with the spear), Ildánach (skilled in many arts), Samhildánach (equally skilled in many arts), Lonnbeimnech (fierce striker or sword-shouter) and Macnia (boy hero) and mac Ethlenn or mac Ethnenn ("son of Ethliu or Ethniu"). His Welsh counterpart is Lleu Llaw Gyffes, "The Bright One with the Strong Hand".

Lughnassadh (pronounced loo-na-sa) means the “funeral games of Lugh”. But it is not his funeral that is observed at this time; rather it is the funeral of Tailtiu She is honored as the deity who, in Gaelic myth, single handedly cleared away wilderness and virgin forest, making fields for the first time, so that crops could be grown. She did this for the good of Her people – and died as a result of Her efforts. Perhaps it is for this reason that Lughnassadh is also called Brón Trógain (the sorrows of Autumn) in Irish myth.

Trógain, however, carries a double meaning, as it was also the name of a much earlier Gaelic God - the actual son of Tailtiu … the true Corn-King… whose function seems to have been overshadowed and displaced by Lugh, who probably was imported from the Continental Celts, where he was primarily known as Lugos.

To facilitate the work of Tailtiu, Lugh had to battle with the Fomhoire - the Gods of Chaos/wilderness. Together, they tamed the wilderness of the land and furthered humanity’s learning - one of the major functions of the Gods of consciousness, the Tuatha De Danann - so that man could grow and harvest crops.

Lugh, however, has mixed parentage. His father, Cian, is Danann, his mother, Eithne, is Fomhoire.

Lugh’s fame is so great in Gaelic myth that it would be impossible to do him justice here so we will only look at some of his attributes that are relevant to the meaning of Lughnassadh.

Although at one point in legend - for forty years - he does actually take on the role of High King, Lugh is depicted primarily as the initiator, guide, and helper to High Kings. His Divine helper in this work is the Goddess Sovereignty (the Land), who has many names in Gaelic Myth. Tailtiu is one of them, Madbh another. She offers the cup of sovereignty to the High King, who begins his reign with a marriage ceremony between himself and the Land.

Classical observers of the Celts often compared this Divine pair to Mercury, the otherworldly protector of earthly kings and Rosmerta, who was the divine keeper of the drink of sovereignty.

Like Mercury, Lugh is also known for his fleet-footed agility in traveling between the worlds. Perhaps as a result of his mixed parentage (half dark and half light) He belongs fully to neither world and partakes of the qualities of both. It is significant to say that, as we see in the Gaelic legend “The Wasting Sickness of Cuchulainn”, Lugh is also an inner plane initiator into a higher plane of consciousness.

Lugh’s mastery of all arts suggests he transcends His own divinity. He therefore represents the summit of all human achievement. It could also be said that He represents the sum of the Gods’ achievements.

At the start of Lughnassadh, as the corn prepares itself to be cut in the coming weeks of harvest time: the first ceremonial “head” is cut, we return one part, in gratitude, to Tailtiu, we grind down our grain, we throw our chaff to the wind of the Great Mystery and we enter into communion with the Bread of Life.

Blessings to you all!




The picture of the statue of Lugh above is Copyrighted by Paul Borda, Dryad Design
Information on Lugh is from this site: http://www.ceilede.co.uk/

The Pendulum

The Pendulum

Tuning in to hidden tidings

Once you have your pendulum in hand, author Nialla offers further suggestions about using the pendulum effectively:

It is essential to operate the pendulum in a receptive, emotionally unattached state. Although this can be difficult, beginners can build confidence and skill by first asking relatively insignificant questions. For instance, you can ask if you have sufficient calcium in your body for optimum health. If the answer is no, you can ask if you would have sufficient calcium in your body if you took 500 milligrams of calcium citrate. Keep raising the dose until it comes back with a yes. What of the case where the pendulum never confirms a dose? Is it wrong? The detective work needs to proceed down another road, such as asking, “Would this brand of calcium citrate be an effective calcium supplement for me?”

As you become experienced, you can graduate from yes-or-no answers to using charts with multiple responses. There are books composed of nothing but radiesthesia charts for different conditions and queries. These charts can easily be made as well.

A good method of detaching yourself from the process is to write all possible answers on sheets of paper and fold them up. Then query the pendulum over each folded sheet and save the results. This method works particularly well for diagnosing food allergies. Confirm the reliability of your answers by retesting several times on other days.

Care needs to be taken in forming your words for the questions. In our day-to-day lives, we use language so often that we tend to forget that words are symbols and can have many meanings. The pendulum’s answers are quite literal, and when words have multiple meanings the answers can be confusing. For instance, if you ask, “Is there gold on my land?” and someone happens to be there wearing a golden wedding ring at that moment, the pendulum will respond yes. But it is not answering the question you intended to ask. Be specific in your wording.

Writing the questions beforehand helps eliminate confusion. It is also prudent to check your answers by asking a question several different ways, using different wordings each time.

Once you have achieved reliability with your pendulum, you may want to observe your body’s reactions while working with it. You may feel a tingle in your fingers, a twinge in your stomach or a touch of lightheadedness coinciding with your workings. Some people become so attuned to their body’s responses that they are able to dowse without any tools at all!

From Witches Almanac For more things visit there website.

Dandelions

Dandelion

Most often thought of as an annoying, hard to kill weed, the dandelion is actually extremely beneficial when eaten. In the Spring I’m am often found picking and eating the dandelion heads from my yard.

Parts used- flower, stem, leaves, root
Flowers- in wine, as a yellow dye, eaten raw, sautéed, fried.
Leaves- use in salads, in tea. The young leaves are less bitter than older one.
Roots- use as a coffee substitute, as a magenta dye.

Medicinal-
The Flowers are good for your heart and your liver. In fact, if you have liver problems this is the best thing for you and if you don’t, it could save you some trouble down the line. It’s also good for cleansing and building healthy blood.
The Leaves are used as a mild laxative, to promote bowel regularity and for UTI’s.
The Roots are used as a diuretic or for treatment in the gall bladder, liver and other digestive ailments. They’re good for heartburn and are beneficial to the female reproductive organs. The roots increase spleen, pancreas and liver activity and promotes the formation of bile. They’re also wonderful for stomach aches and upsets.

Nutritional-
Vitamins A and C, Iron (leaves), Calcium, Sodium, Vegetable Protein

Magical- (from Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)
The seed heads are used in divination and wish making. The roots, made into a tea, promote psychic powers and the tea is used for spirit calling when placed beside the bed.
Gender- Masculine
Planet- Jupiter
Element- Air
Deity- Hecate

From time to time I will be posting information on various plants, herbs, etc. As with anything taken medicinally, you should contact your doctor first to make sure it is safe for you.
If you think you have an allergy to any of the herbs, plants, etc that I talk about you should stop using it immediately and contact your doctor.
If you are eating anything that you are picking or harvesting yourself make sure that you are properly identifying the plant. Many plants look very similar and are hard to identify. Make sure that you are not eating plants that are growing by the side of the road (car exhaust and road dust is not healthy), near a swimming pool (chlorine can splash onto the plants), where you think an animal has defecated or urinated or anywhere else that is subject to fertilizers, weed killers or any other chemicals.

Photo in this blog c/o of my daughter Mariah K. Copyright 2011.

The Law Of Accountability

The Law Of Accountability

The 3, 9 and 10 Fold Law

The Basics Of Karma
Simply put, karma is the result of an act or deed, either in the present, recent past or in past lives. Many people for some reason, think there is only 'bad' karma. But think about it, if you owe karma to someone, then someone is in a position to receive a karmic repayment. So there is both positive and negative aspects of karma.

Karma however is not the same thing as what has become known as the law of return, or the 3fold law. In actuality, these are not laws of "return", but rather accountability. To further confuse the issue, not all traditions of Witchcraft follow the 3fold law, or a law of return. Some adhere to a 9fold or even a 10fold law.

The best way to think of this is:
Karma is the result of an action. 3fold, 9fold, 10fold is the action and your accountability to it.
If you still need more information, you might want to review or Metaphysical posting on Karma.
What Is The Law Of Accountability?
A belief that any energy put out into the divine universe will return to the sender three times. Ancient beliefs state the senders mind, body and spirit, (thus the threefold concept) is accountable for all actions. In actuality, this isn't really a law of return as much as it is a law of accountability. You are responsible for all your actions not just the results of those actions. So theoretically you are accountable at the time the action is created.

The 9-Fold law (also called the 3x3x3 law | where x=by) concept is the same, however, the return is a little different. In these traditions, the essence of the mind holds within itself the energy of mind, body and spirit. The essence of the body holds within itself the energy of it's own mind body and spirit. And so for the essence of the spirit.

To better understand this, equating the essences with your "parts" might help. When an action occurs, the accountability resides in the:
Mind's
Mind - the emotions
Body - the physical brains
Spirit - the subconscious or higher consciousness
Body's
Mind - the life lines, your nervous system/blood system
Body - the physical body
Spirit - the chakra centers
Spirit's
Mind - the seat of spiritual consciousness/memories
Body - the physical energy body
Spirit - the soul

The 10fold law is exactly the same as 9fold; you just add one for the Divine. The 10fold theory suggests not only are you responsible based within your own mind, body and spirit, but also to the Divine, or your place within it.
The Laws of Magikal Rites
It's important to note once again that not all traditions of Witchcraft believe in the Law of Accountability. Neither do all practioners of Magik. For those that do, when performing a ritual, rite or spell, many believe that karma is always in affect. So to are the laws of accountability. As a Shaman, or witch you should always think of the spiritual implication of your intent. Here are some basic do's and don'ts for the religious magikal practioner to adhere to.

The Do's:
All actions should be of positive intent.
Conduct a spell or rite with happiness, love and kindness.
Hold respect for all living things.
Accept the responsibility for your actions.

The Don'ts
Never cast a spell or rite out of anger, jealousy or greed.
Never cast a spell for harm or to endanger another living being.
Never conduct a spell or rite that requires harm to another living being.
Never cast a spell or rite to force someone into following your will and desire. This includes any spell of manipulation such as a love spell. Even a healing spell is manipulation of another. It's best to get permission first. If that's not possible, there are ways to gain what my tradition calls Soul Permission.
The Reasoning Of The Laws
Now that you know the basics, think about why they're in place to begin with.

The most important lesson you can learn is how to live in respect and balance with yourself, nature, those around you and the divine universe in general. I used to think that meant learning and living with unconditional love. But too often, we think unconditional love means being a door stop for someone to step on. That isn't exactly living in balance. You're part human, with human emotions. To deny the physical side of yourself and concentrating solely on the spiritual; isn't living in balance either.

So why is 'respect' and 'balance' so important. Simple, these are the two components that allow you to experience the lessons you came to this incarnation to learn. Without learning spiritual lessons, redeeming or collecting karma, working on your own enlightenment, how can you, or anyone advance their soul and accomplish your mission here?

Now if you have a right to experience the lessons you chose to learn, then so does everyone else. And you do not have the right to interfere with their lessons or choices that might (or even might not) advance their souls potential.

Let's take a couple of examples to better clarify the reasoning.
Positive Intent.
Let's say for a moment a close friend or relative was the victim of a crime. As a magikal practioner you want to gain justice or satisfaction for your loved one. The last thing you should do, is sit down and cast a spell against the criminal. So what do you do?

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. A simple spell to enlighten the police so that they can see all the necessary clues to find the criminal is a perfect example. The positive intent would be to help the police do their job. Ask the God/Goddess of Justice to help bring insight and vision to the detectives, the lawyers and the judges so that they might see the path justice and come to the virtuous decisions that will bring a satisfactory resolution to the event.

Happiness and Love
The worst time to conduct a ritual or rite is when you're angry. These are strong emotions, but they are also earth-bound heavy energies to carry around. A spell or rite should be conducted from a place of light, sight and height. In other words, raising your awareness to the higher divine planes of existence. Even controlled anger is better than raw anger. I personally don't see anything wrong with setting up a shield of protection round yourself, home or family while in a state of controlled anger. It's the uncontrolled anger that might cause you to lash out at someone that isn't a good thing.

Hold respect and never do harm.
Many magikal belief systems or religions define their spirituality as earth-based nature religions. This is a long winded way of saying respect for all things. From the lowly spider nesting in your garage to the frightening predator of man. All life is significant, important and respected. Those who practice any act of sacrifice or harm during a spiritual ritual are NOT holding to the laws of karma, and respect within their practice. Therefore, these acts are not spiritual in nature and should not be condoned.

Accept responsibility for your actions.
Simply put, if you do it; admit it and deal with the consequences. If you don't want to 'get in trouble', then you're probably doing something against one of the laws set forth here and you shouldn't be doing it in the first place. But if you did it, deal with actions you created for yourself.

That's the Do's list. The Don'ts list can be seen in these previous explanations, but I'd like to touch on and expand on 2 of the don'ts anyway.
Never harm or endanger another living being.
Young or inexperienced witches often have a desire to cast a spell against a teacher who gave them a bad grade, a person who hurt them in a relationship, or against someone who they just don't like. It is important to remember that these people have been put upon your path because you asked them to be. You asked your higher divine guidance to set certain situations upon your path so that you would have an opportunity to learn, grow, and enlighten your spiritual knowledge. A test if you will, to determine for yourself if you are learning the lessons you came to this incarnation to experience.

Casting a spell or rite against someone else in order to make your life a little easier will back-fire in your face big time! For when that energy does manifest, you will be held accountable for sending it out and it will indeed knock you off your feet!

Never force some into following your desires.
We are all here learning lessons and following the paths we have designed for ourselves to learn and grow. We are placed here with free will and choice, as a means to test ourselves as we go through those lessons of life. Interfering with another's free will and choice can cause that person to miss a major lesson or change for enlightenment. Eventually your desire and spell will wear off, and that person will grow despondent and perhaps even angry at you for the manner in which you were able to manipulate their lives.

This type of interference is most commonly abused in love spells. A practioner mistakenly sees their desire for loving someone and having that person love them, as a positive intent. When in fact it is manipulation and can generate negative karma. If you want love in your life, try loving yourself. Be your best friend. After all if you can't keep yourself interested in something, how is someone else going to find you interesting?

A love spell should be an ritual that pulls love from within yourself for yourself and your situation. Not to manipulate or control another being.

Cooking for Lughnassadh: Homemade Biscuits

Here is a wonderful biscuit recipe for Lughnassadh. Whenever I think of this festival I think of breads and cakes and it is the perfect festival for baking what you've harvested.

**You can make the biscuits as is or you can add your favorite cheese to the dough before adding the milk. Cheddar works wonderfully.**

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups of flour
4 tsp. of baking powder
1 Tbsp. of sugar
1 tsp. of salt
3/4 cup butter
1 cup milk

1- Mix together in large bowl: flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
2- Cut butter into flour mixture using a fork until the mix is a bit lumpy.
3- Add milk and mix until dough-y.
4- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead, adding a little flour as you go until the dough has an elastic consistency.
5- Pat down or roll out the dough to a 3/4 inch thickness.
6- Cut into biscuits using a 2 inch biscuit cutter. I use a glass with a 2 inch diameter.
7- Bake on an un-greased pan for 10-12 minutes.
8- Serve warm.
9- Makes 15-17 biscuits.

~All pictures are the property of Justine Marie. Copyright 2011.~

Red Raspberry

Red Raspberry Leaves

Every morning, I wake up and have a cup of red raspberry tea with a little raw sugar. It starts my day. I have another with lunch and sometimes supper too. I love the sweet taste and the raw sugar doesn’t jangle my nerves the way white, processed sugar does.

Parts Used-
Leaves, bark and fruit

Medicinal-
Red raspberry leaves are a wonderful medicinal aid for those of the female persuasion. They work on the reproductive system and its hormonal aspects. When used regularly during pregnancy will quiet premature labor and help with the eventual delivery. The leaves stimulate and regulate before and during childbearing, assisting contractions and easing the normal bleeding you have at labor. They relieve after pains and strengthen, cleanse and enrich the mother’s milk during post delivery.
The leaves will also ease the transformation of young girls into their hormonal teenage years then into adulthood and eventual with menopause as well. This I can attest to. It has helped immensely with hot flash and mood swings.
It’s also used for constipation, nausea, diarrhea, diabetes, hemorrhoids, vomiting, fevers, intestinal flu and thrush. It is primarily for women.

Nutritional-
Iron, Vitamin C, Fiber, B2, Magnesium, B3, Potassium.

Magical- (from Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)
Raspberry canes are hung up at doors and windows for protection. This is also done when a death has occurred so the spirit won’t re-enter the house once it has left. It is served as an aphrodisiac and the leaves are carried by pregnant women to alleviate the pains of pregnancy and childbirth.
Gender- feminine
Planet- Venus
Element- water

From time to time I will be posting information on various plants, herbs, etc. As with anything taken medicinally, you should contact your doctor first to make sure it is safe for you.
If you think you have an allergy to any of the herbs, plants, etc that I talk about you should stop using it immediately and contact your doctor.
If you are eating anything that you are picking or harvesting yourself make sure that you are properly identifying the plant. Many plants look very similar and are hard to identify. Make sure that you are not eating plants that are growing by the side of the road (car exhaust and road dust is not healthy), near a swimming pool (chlorine can splash onto the plants), where you think an animal has defecated or urinated or anywhere else that is subject to fertilizers, weed killers or any other chemicals.

Universal Law and Chaos

Universal Laws & Universal Chaos

The Universal laws are absolutely necessary for a metaphysical system of the universe to work. In other words, all the laws, the concept of balance within the universe, the theory of there being a Divine universe, reincarnation, and so on, all these ideas can only work or function if there are laws that govern cause and effect. And like all things, this concept is a theory. As mortal beings, we can only 'know' facts based on our inner knowingness or belief. These laws are no more factual or invalid than the mythology of the creation of the universe in the Norse Eddas, or the Christian Bible.

With that said, what is the theory of Universal Law & Chaos? Before we can examine the Universal Laws, we need to understand what Universal Laws are and how they relate to Universal Chaos. And yes both exist, this is how balance is created within the universe.

Universal Laws were created with 'Creation', whether mankind has discovered them or not. No other laws are necessary to run the Universe. These principles have no exception (as man made laws do) and if events, situations, objects, persons, phenomena and mother nature act as if an exception exists, it is only because humanity does not understand the law in its entirety. These laws are basically rules of nature, or more accurately stated, rules of the Divine Universe. Like laws of science (gravity, relativity, etc.), the Universe laws exist to provide order in nature. Without that order, we would have no purpose, no basic concept of knowledge, wisdom or life.

Universal Chaos - where Universal Laws provide order, chaos provides balance. There are theories that Chaos existed before order was established in the universe. That the Universe was born out of chaos and thus chaos is in all things. Keep in mind that Metaphysical concepts are from the great masters (Pythagorus, Aristotle, Plato). The words and meanings are Greek. Chaos, is the creation of perfectness consisting of indestructible, intelligent, energetic atoms (and smaller particles) not having order. Chaos is the essence of all things made in the universes, the formless void of primordial matter.Some call it chaos, others call it perfectness as mankind knows no other.

That's a concept that for humans can sometimes be hard to grasp or put your hands around. So let's break both these down into an example.
Order: Before you are born, you create a blue print of your incarnated life. You lay out the general path you want to take, the situations that need to occur to provide you opportunities for learning lessons, paying or receiving karmic debts, expanding your awareness and hopefully becoming more enlightened. This is the order of your life.

Chaos: In that incarnated life, you have free will and choice. You walk on that path established in your spiritual blue print, but like all construction, once you're building the life, situations present themselves that require choices. This is the chaos that balances the order. Your free will and choice are the chaos in your life. We only hope that we make the best choices and decisions for the evolution of our soul and spiritual growth.

If life were totally preordained, then what's the purpose of learning? What's the purpose of growing and expanding your awareness? The outcome is already known. So why not skip the process and just get to the result. But that's the point. Life IS NOT preordained. Your free will and choice create the chaos that by your decisions direct the outcome. You have the ability to continue your construction and spiritual evolution, or destroy it and face the same situation over and over until the lesson is learned.

Superior and Subordinate Laws:
There are many different laws and not all of them are Universal laws. Pick up a book from Einstein and you'll discover the laws of science, research the mind and you'll find laws of the psyche, study nature and you'll find the laws of nature. These are subordinate laws that provide support to the physical world's perception of order and function.

All the other laws, such as the law of perception, or meditation, organization and so on are established by mankind to give further form, function and detail to the superior Universal laws. They are not necessary, but for mankind, they subordinate laws give additional guidance in the detail of their principles.

The Universal Laws:
There are 23 Universal Laws that balance out the chaos of the Divine. These are Superior laws of the Divine Universe created at the time of Creation. (You might take note of the significance of the number of laws. 23 and how that can be seen in other aspects of creation; or incarnation).

1. The Law of Absorption:
All matter in the universes, regardless of it's manifested vibration, absorbs emanations from all other matter and the matter is influenced by this absorption. In other words, all things are connected, relate and affect one another.

2. The Law of Accountability:
(Also known as the Law of Return). You are accountable for what you create at the moment of creation. This accountability occurs on the physical, mental and spiritual levels and cannot be avoided.

3. The Law of Activity:
Action results from attention of thought and the nature of the action corresponds to the nature of the attention. In other words, the seeds you sow will grow the fruit you plant. What you sow, so shall ye reap.

4. The Law of Apperception:
Conscious of being flows within all units of the Universe. Throughout all eternity, everything has a consciousness and knows it's own conscious being. Thought knows it is thought, energy knows it is energy, every single unit, from the Great Cosmos to the tiniest Atom, knows what the function of it's unit is.

5. The Law of Association:
If two or more things have something in common, the 'thing in common' can be used to influence or control the other thing. The degree of control depends upon the size of the 'thing in common'. The more in common the things have, the more control can be used to influence the things.

6. The Law of Attitude:
"Attitude" is the only weapon that can harm an individual. Nothing, absolutely nothing can harm a human being, but his or her own attitude. Each experience is put in its proper perspective and hopefully resolved in a favorable manner. How you react toward those experiences, your attitude about them, determines how the experience affects you.

7. The Law of Avoidance:
Refusing to handle a highly emotional or unpleasant situation, to deny living up to one's full potential or neglecting to do something that should be done, will affect an individuals physical body and mental mind. As well as lifestyle affairs through each incarnation, until that person correctly balances with the situation.

8. The Law of Balance:
This is the Key To Life. Balance is the nature to maintaining order within the divine universe. Each entity makes choices to exist, when those choices are made in conjunction with the flow of the energy, entities and events balance is maintained.

9. The Law Of Manifestation
(Also known as the Law of Beamed Energy):
Thought is energy, focused on one central idea with one's undivided attention can be created in the mind and then physically transferred from any point of the physical body (eyes, mind, hands, etc.) to any object, subject or ethereal realm for manifestation. The energy can be directed and controlled, with certain behavioral characteristics to accomplish a given result. Mostly commonly used method in healing.

10. The Law of Catastrophe:
Also referred to in the human experience as the stage of drama/trauma. An absolute necessity for the evolutionary process, motivated by many laws of totality, when the seed cracks and growth is permitted to begin. This occurs in the human experience, and in nature.

11. The Law of Cause and Effect:
For every happening in the Universe, there is an equal and opposite reaction. (This is not to be confused with the Law of Accountability - also known as the Law of Return).

12. The Law of Center:
A basic principle in nature, that everything has a center from which it obtains it's source energy, intelligence and pattern which is continually self-renewing. Each center is connected to every other center and to the one center from which all life is vitalized.

13. The Law of Communication:
Every unit, from the single atom to the galaxy system is "plugged into" a giant switchboard. Each unit as the ability to communicate with all other units through it's own vibrational frequency. This communication system makes it possible for all beings to have psychic possibilities, and to communicate or share information with each other on a psychic level.

14. The Law of Change:
The readiness of a situation to alter, modify, transform or convert is caused by a continual change of inner attitude. As one continues to experience situations in life, their attitude adjusts to process the experience and change occurs.

15. The Law of Consciousness:
Totality is all Consciousness, All there is - is. This is the 'conscious of being' or 'awareness of it's existence'. In other words, what we know at a given moment is reality for us as a conscious individual. What one perceives in consciousness from moment to moment is our individual reality and therefore real for us.

16. The Law of Contact (also known as the Law of Contagion):
Things, animate or inanimate, once in contact with each other will continue to act upon each other even at a distance, long after the physical contact has been made.

17. The Law of Continuity:
Nothing in the Universe ever dies, is lost or destroyed, it just changes form. Everything becomes a part of forever. Matter and Energy are never destroyed only transformed or changed.

18. The Law of Correspondence:
Each component within a system or thing retains its own characteristics and takes on the characteristics of the system or thing as a total sum of its parts. Each component then has two functions; to retrain its own characteristics and to function as the whole system or thing.

19. The Law of Cosmic Web:
Every point in space regardless of vibrational frequency connects with every other point in space and interconnects with every point of time; past, present and future.

20. The Law of Cycles:
A period of time divided into equal lengths and each length of time produces a certain definite effect upon the progressional path of each living organism, object or event. This effect repeats itself in the same order, and at the same intervals, making a circle of time for each system.

21. The Law of Duplication:
If one person can do it, it can be done by others; perhaps to a lesser or higher degree, or equally, to equalize with the activity.

22. The Law of Dying:
When a unit or entity has completed one stage or area of growth, it will gather all the knowledge from this area of growth and all the knowledge from the Group Soul of it's element and withdraw this knowledge into itself, ready to expand into enlightenment.

23. The Law of Elements:
Each unit has it's own frequency, each element in that unit has its frequency of emanations connecting it to and compatible with the parent unit. When these elements are separated from the parent unit, they will still have the same emanations connecting them to the parent unit.