Natural Witchery (15 page)

Nimue promised to help the group become more structured and organized, and hinted at a circle project that she had in the works. Morgan agreed to take on a more active leadership role within the group. I was happy that we were all thinking along the same lines and was ready step back and let someone else direct the evenings. So with relief, I looked forward to our next get-together, and Nimue, Morgan, and I figured out we would bring up the subject and try to get the ladies more organized starting on Beltane.

Beltane day dawned, and with it, plans to go to Brigit's house for the celebration. Brigit had made her ritual plans and was ready to go. What she didn't count on was having complications from a tooth extraction and an allergic reaction to a prescription. She called me in a panic that afternoon and explained her trip to the emergency room. Now that she had a new prescription, she was really loopy and out of it, not to mention swollen. She could barely talk. She couldn't find the other ladies' phone numbers. Could I make a few calls and let everyone know? I urged her to go to bed and to take care of herself. Promising to send her some healing energy, we rang off.

With only a few hours until everyone arrived at my house so we could carpool together, I started making phone calls. I called Mary first. I caught her while she was gardening and as we talked, I could hear her toddler son racing around the backyard.

“Change of plans,” I sighed and filled her in on what had been happening. I was totally frustrated. Would we ever get this group organized?

“May I make a suggestion?” Mary paused for a moment and then said, “Why don't we get ourselves more organized starting tonight, and have a strictly business meeting?”

Now she had my attention. “What do you have in mind?” I asked. My mind reeled at the thought of a circle of Witches having a business meeting. “Do we have to wear suits and ties?” I teased her.

“Have everyone meet at your house as planned, only tell them to bring their appointment books and calendars, and we'll plan out the rest of the year—in advance,” Mary wisely suggested.

Done. I made a few more phone calls. Ravyn had finals to cram for; Amber and Fiona, our two prospective members, lived the farthest out and also decided to stay home for the evening. Gillian was called into work at the last minute and couldn't attend. I promised to call them the very next day and let them know what we decided about reorganization. I reached the other women, who each pounced on the idea, and Nimue announced mysteriously that she had something for us to see.

That evening, five of us sat around my kitchen table—Morgan, Nimue, Mary, Freya, and myself—each with our appointment books and calendars spread out in front of us, quietly making plans, taking notes, sorting out things, and having a business meeting. Mary, our professional, kept us on track. If she can run the research center of a major university, you know she could whip us into shape.

It was decided to take turns hosting the circles. Whoever was hostess would decide the theme and run the ritual for the evening, with a different circle member teaching a topic or giving a lecture. Generic ritual outlines were printed out and passed around. A contact sheet or “phone tree” was put together. As for potential lecture topics, Freya, our Norse Witch, offered to teach us more about the runes. Morgan volunteered to do a class on Reiki. Nimue proposed to lecture on the topic of faeries. Mary, also a Master Gardener, offered to teach the ladies about perennial and herb gardening. I suggested a lecture on the Major Arcana of the tarot, and on it went. Mary's enthusiasm was contagious. Ideas were flying fast and furious around the table. Morgan lightly kicked me under the table and we shared a grin. There was hope for this circle yet!

Then our normally quiet Nimue pulled a large stack of file folders out of her bag and handed out some gorgeous, professional-looking folders that she had started. They were filled with notes, color illustrations, and rituals that she had collected from the group over the years, and she had made copies for everyone. She suggested that these would be great for our newest ladies to study and for all of us to have. She'd been working on this project for months. Then she pulled her last surprise out.

“I started an Internet group for us,” she shyly announced. “Here is the web address, and I've taken our emails and set us all up as members.” We all simply stared. Never underestimate those quiet ones. Nimue had blown us away again with an unexpected insight—or, in this case, a very clever idea. She's sneaky that way.

She smiled and told us that if we wanted, we could go look at the egroup's homepage now. So we all got up, gathered around my computer, and checked out the web page. Nimue explained that now we could post messages to the site and they would automatically go out to the whole group. She showed us the address book she started, a page for photos, a calendar for events, and ritual notes. How cool was that? While we all stood there checking out what she had done, Nimue said with a mischievous grin and nudge to Morgan that what we
really
needed was a logo. As we all went back to the kitchen, I was impressed with what we had so far.

“I feel so official, ” I teased them and gestured to the notes, calendars, folders, Internet stuff, and phone lists spread before us.

“Order is always better than chaos,” Freya spoke up in a solemn tone with a totally unserious grin as she made notes on a legal pad about the proposed lectures and dates for the year's circle gatherings.

“So speaks the paralegal,” Mary chuckled at us all.

In retrospect, Beltane day was not quite the ritual we had all looked forward to; however, we had accomplished quite a bit. Morgan, our artist, agreed to design a logo for the group, which we later posted on our group's web page. Then she went one better and made copies of the artwork that we could slip into the front of a three-ring binder. The binders we all filled with notes and the pretty file folders that Nimue made for us. Morgan also set up a private page to order T-shirts, coffee mugs, and even mouse pads with the group's logo on them, thinking that it would be fun to all wear our circle T-shirts to the next festival we attended as a group.

The circle was in business, and everyone enjoyed the difference that preparing in advance and organization had made for our get-togethers. We all took turns planning and leading rituals and now shared in the responsibilities. The difference it made was simply amazing.

Dedicating the Group

Here is a lovely idea that was first suggested by the ladies in my circle: a ritual to dedicate the group. This will commemorate an officially chosen group name as it also celebrates your unity and the individual strengths and magick that you each bring to the circle. For this, you will all need to sit down and decide what the circle's name will be. You will also each need to think ahead and decide what specialties you will contribute to your group's knowledge and character. Do you have a knowledge of herbs, crystals, or tarot? Perhaps you contribute art, sewing talents, a skill in Reiki, or you are an adept at runes. On the other hand, maybe you bring to the circle organization skills—which is a talent that would benefit any group.

Setup and Supplies

The setup for this group dedication is uncomplicated but can turn out to be very attractive when everyone contributes a little something to the altar. For this I would use a central small table that you can place in the middle of your working circle. One of those circular decorative end tables works out well—you know, the ones that are about 30 inches across, made of wood, with three support legs, and are extremely plain and then covered with a tablecloth? Set that in the center of your working space and add a new, large white pillar candle to represent the group. Carve a sun and the group's name on the side of the candle, and then place it in its holder. This candle is important to the ceremony and will be used for illumination. Also, you will need as many plain white tealights as you have members. Add a lighter to the table, so you can light the main
pillar
.

Everyone should bring a small symbol or item that can be used as a physical representation of the knowledge or skill that they are contributing to the circle. Then one by one, during the dedication, they will place their items on the center table, with a simple explanation of what it symbolizes. For example, if you bring organization to the group, try setting out a few pens and papers. If your specialty is the runes, then place a few runes on the altar. Perhaps you are knowledgeable about herbalism and plants; then you could place a small green potted plant or a bag of dried herbs on the altar. Or if you feel that you don't have a specialty just yet, but that you bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, perhaps you could place your magickal notebook or even a photo of yourself. Use your imagination, and see what you come up with. I wish you much success and magick as your group grows together.

Ritual Outline

1. Set up the central table. Cover with a cloth, and place the large white pillar candle in a holder in the middle of the table. Arrange the unlit tealights all around the central pillar. (Keep them in easy reach.)

2. Have the members of the group bring their items and gather together in a loose circle around the central table.

3. Light the engraved pillar candle. Ground and center.

4. Call the quarters and cast a circle, as is your group's preference.

5. One by one, going around the circle in a clockwise motion, place your items on the central table with a simple explanation of what each one represents. Say something like this: “I bring to this circle the knowledge of herbs (or runes, Reiki, etc.). I am happy to share this with my circle mates.” Or try “I bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. I am happy to share my energy with my circle mates.”

6. Once all the items have been placed upon the central table, then formally announce the chosen name for the group.

7. Pass the tealights around to each circle member. One at a time, light the individual candles from the large central pillar. As each person lights their individual candle from the pillar candle, they will say, “May the magick of our circle burn brightly within me.”

8. Once everyone has their tealight burning, repeat the following spell verse together: “Though the candle flames are many, they symbolize the one. May our bond of friendship grow and shine bright like the sun. With many voices together, we create a magickal harmony. We dedicate this group, now known as _________________________. And as we will it, so must it be!”

9. Finally, have everyone carefully set their tealights in a circle once again, about three inches away from and all around the pillar candle (just like they were arranged in the beginning). Make sure that you keep the other objects on the table safely away from the candle flames, as those tealights get hot. If necessary, move the personal items out of the way and arrange them on the floor around the table; better safe than sorry. Allow the tealights to burn until they go out on their own; keep an eye on them as you immediately proceed to step 10.

10. Release the quarters and open the circle. Snuff out the pillar and save for the next group ritual.

11. Break out the snacks.

12. Relax, and enjoy each other's company.

13. Clean up.

Ever the Circle Continues . . .

I hope that these techniques will help you and your magickal group, be it coven or circle, grow in fellowship together. Group work brings its own challenges, but it also brings many joys. There is nothing like standing hand in hand with a close set of Witches and magick users, all working mutually in a spirit of trust and camaraderie. Those bonds of friendship will only grow stronger with time. You will be there to support each other in the tough days and to celebrate the good ones.

I have also noticed that when a circle works together on similar goals, things will begin to fall neatly into place within their own lives. Group magick is powerful, and it creates a sort of ripple effect. When a circle of Witches works magick together for positive purposes such as protection, job security, healing for a friend or relative, to create prosperity, or to bring opportunities and growth, their magick radiates out, not only touching the immediate environment and the folks who are standing in the circle, but flowing out further, into the house or garden where the ritual was performed. That positive force is unstoppable, and it will smoothly roll into the neighborhood and surrounding area, and then beyond even that.

Quality group magick changes everything it touches in subtle ways, and it forever transforms the group who originally cast the magick. As a group, they will then reap those benefits together. I have experienced it in my own circle and seen the magick at work within my own life and my circle mates' lives. If you perform group magick with heart and compassion, you will see the benefits in your daily life as well, which is why we say, “In perfect love and perfect trust, ever the circle continues.”

[contents]

Chapter 6

The goal of life is living
in agreement with nature.

Zeno

Practical Magick:
Living the Life of a Natural Witch

Being a Witch encompasses all aspects of your life, not just the spellcasting parts. After I wrote
Cottage Witchery: Natural Magick for Hearth and Home,
I was surprised by the questions that I received. Folks were curious as to what they should do next after working all the various spells for prosperity, protection, and harmony in the home. They wanted more—which left me trying to explain that the next step was to
live
the magick. The spells are simply the first of many steps. In other words, it's not enough just to bless your home; living as a Witch is also about working and thriving within a blessed house, and this includes your whole environment.

Your environment includes what part of the world you live in, how you live, who lives with you, and in what variety of neighborhood you reside. Is there the hustle and bustle of the city to consider, the structure and tempo of the suburbs, or the relaxed energy of the country? All of these different considerations affect the magickal energy that is present within your world. Taking a moment to reflect on how you as a magickal individual react to and work with all these aspects is key.

So how do you gain the most from your surroundings? I suggest that you begin by tapping into the magick that is inherent in every environment. I will admit there will be days when this is going to seem like a tough order to fill, but use your imagination and follow those instincts that we've been working so hard on developing. Stretch out your feelings, and see what you can discover. What do you suppose would happen if you took a few moments, tuned out all the silly distractions in your life, and really sensed what sort of natural energies and magick was going on all around you? Why, you'd learn to tap into the rhythms of the natural magick that is already there. You would learn to work in harmony with these forces instead of battling against them, no matter where you live.

As a Witch, do you acknowledge the tempo and current of the magick as it swirls around you and your loved ones in your everyday lives? Do you work with your environment and recognize the unique tempo of nature's energy in your own surroundings? No matter where you live—in the city, suburbs, or in the country—magick is there. Sure, it may be easier to feel that connection to the earth while standing on the beach and watching the moon or the sun rise over the ocean or even watching it set below the tree line in the woods. But most of us live in urban or suburban areas, and we face more of a challenge maintaining that connection to nature, her seasons, and the psychic energies of the Wheel of the Year.

A few years ago, I was fortunate to be able to travel to Chicago for a book signing. Maybe it makes me sound like a rube, but I had never stayed in such a large city before. As my husband and I drove next to the shore of Lake Michigan along the edge of the city, I was amazed by just how big Chicago really is. (Yeah, yeah, go ahead and snicker.) Chicago impressed me.We arrived on a cloudy day, and you couldn't even see the tops of many of the skyscrapers, which gave it a very otherworldly feel. After checking in to our hotel, my husband and I hit the pavement and walked around the city. There was a very different type of rhythm there. At first it seemed alien to me, as there were no trees in this part of downtown but there was lots of traffic, noise, and people. We grabbed a quick bite in a café and sat at the window to people-watch. The energy and tempo of the city was contagious, and even my husband commented on the different “vibe” that was in the air.

I recall sitting there and wondering how in the world folks who live deep in the concrete jungles felt and kept their connection to the earth and to their nature religion. Maybe they had to dig a little deeper, or perhaps they were just more clever at it. Then again, I imagine the folks who thrive in the city wonder how in the world people can stand living in the suburbs. There is a unique magickal energy to every city and to each environment; the trick is to pull it in and use it to your advantage.

There is a way to use that perception that we've been developing and to intuitively change the magick to suit your own surroundings. It requires you to step outside of the box, use your imagination, and stretch out your psychic senses and intuition.

Magick is in every environment.

Christopher Penczak

Enchanting Your Environment

Some of the best things about a city are its history and its architecture. The different ethnic districts within a large city all have their own culture and history. While each of these will have its own magickal type of atmosphere, the important thing for a city dweller is to tune in and to work in harmony with each different environment. Even while in the midst of the city, you can find the four elements. Fire is represented by the sunlight or even by the illumination of the skyline at night. Air is pretty self-explanatory: the sky or the breeze as it blows by. Water is represented by rain or snow. For earth, if there are no trees around, in a pinch you can always work with the concrete beneath your feet. (While my gardener's soul whimpers at the thought of no soil to play in, my husband pointed out to me that concrete is made of crushed stone.)

Hmm,
well, you could also argue that the stone used in the buildings could represent the earth too. And what about the metal beams and frames of the skyscrapers? I don't see why that wouldn't work, as metal is one of the five magickal Chinese elements. Anyway, use your imagination! Tap into the rhythm of the people all around you. There is a powerhouse of energy there.

I have heard folks refer to the modern big cities as being similar to the forest primeval. Well, I can see that. The inner city can be a wild place, and it can certainly be a dangerous one, too, if you are unaware or careless. However, there is more diversity in the cities, hence there are more cultural opportunities as well. Attend a symphony, concert, or play. Enjoy a street festival, and try different ethnic foods. Experience all the wonders and the cultures that are available to you. Also don't forget to take advantage of the formal parks, public gardens, zoos, and botanical gardens. Use this as an excuse to snoop around your city and check out a few museums and parks—see what you can find!

Also, don't forget that older homes within your city have gardens and balconies that will be turned into tiny oases, and lush miniature courtyards and pocket gardens will pop up here and there. When you stumble across these small green spaces in the city, acknowledge them for the magick they bring. If no green space is available to you, then bring the natural energy of plants into your homes. Try growing some easy-to-care-for houseplants, and bring a touch of nature inside with you.

I can bear a charmed life.

Shakespeare

Suburban Sorceress and Country Charm

Living in the 'burbs has its own set of challenges. Sure, you can plant up your yard to your little heart's content, but unless you have a large yard or a privacy fence, you may be in the middle of a goldfish bowl the moment you step outside. I have a sibling who lives in a large, beautiful home in a very expensive neighborhood. They have a gorgeous deck and landscaped yard—and absolutely no privacy. You step out the back door, and everyone from six houses around can see you. When I suggested they plant some trees or a hedge to give them privacy, they were shocked and pointed out that half the point was in being seen.

Umm, okay. Suddenly my little fifty-year-old ranch-style house, which is in the city limits if I want to get technical, seemed much more appealing. So I don't have five bathrooms or three stories overlooking the neighbor's hot tub, but I do have an older neighborhood with diversity and character. We live right outside the historic district, close to a university, and there are large elm, oak, and maple trees in my yard, plus all the other neighborhood trees—not to mention the blooming dogwoods, crab apples, and magnolias in the vicinity. Kids ride their bikes, parents walk their babies in strollers, older kids skateboard, and in the fall we are serenaded by the marching band and the sounds of football games from the nearby high school. We like our older neighborhood.

So while I think of myself as living in the 'burbs, I imagine there are others who would consider me to live in the city, too. How about that? Could I be between the worlds? I don't see why not. I planted up my suburban Witch's gardens and saved up to put in a privacy fence to create a secret garden area. I planted assorted blooming shrubs along the fence rows to create a modern sort of hedgerow and to give us more privacy. I live and practice my craft quite nicely here in the suburbs, in a modern and very natural Witch kind of way. Essentially, I tap into the nature and the energy of the seasons that is around me, and I put it to excellent use.

If you live in the country or a rural area and have private open spaces or secluded wooded areas, well, good for you! Acknowledge your blessing of the surrounding natural areas, and take your time getting to know the character of the land. While you have the gift of privacy, you may feel a bit isolated and cut off from the rest of your brothers and sisters in the Craft. But just remember, when you are out there under the light of the full moon, standing alone in the wild places as did the earliest Witches, that you are never truly alone.

Because all of us, as magickal practitioners, Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans, share a psychic and spiritual connection to each other. On those evenings when you are working under the full moon, know that even as you stand alone in your backyard gardens or living rooms, your brothers and sisters in the Craft from all over the world are out there standing with you. If you stretch out your intuition, you will feel their strength and the magickal bond that links us all together. If you like, here is a spell that you can cast no matter where you live that will help you feel and rejoice in that sense of fellowship and connection.

Ritual of Connection

For this ritual, the supply list is short and sweet: you will need a white jar candle (something that is safe to burn for several hours), yourself, and a full moon night. Light the jar candle and move to a place where you have a view of the full moon as it rises. If possible, I would perform this outside under that full moon, but in a pinch it will also work indoors.