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Differences Between Witches and Non-Witches
Notes made while reading “A Deed Without a Name” by Lee Morgan. Shamanic, ecstatic practice blurs the lines between physical, “in the body”, experiences and spiritual, “in spirit”, experiences. Extension of the senses leading to Other ways of being. Thus…
Shamanic, Ecstatic
Notes made while reading “A Deed Without a Name” by Lee Morgan. An ‘ecstatic’ is a type of mystic who leaves or transcends the flesh in powerful visions and has congress with another world. But a ‘shaman’ is one who…
How to become a witch
Notes made while reading “A Deed Without a Name” by Lee Morgan. Born that way -> approached by spirits or the Devil and informed of vocation/gifted with power. Initiated by other person -> share food/drink with fey/shifter, agree 3 times…
Images of (Traditional) Witchcraft
Notes made while reading “A Deed Without a Name” by Lee Morgan. Choosing the path of witchcraft because drawn to imagery like spirit flights, hedge crossing, bubbling cauldrons, wild dances in wild places, death and ghosts, shape-shifting, sorcery. Imagery created…
Animals
Notes made while reading “Children of Cain” by Michael Howard. Sending forth the fetch in animal form. White rabbits as animal forms of witches in Essex. Toad Bone / Horseman’s Word. Frogs/toads as medieval familiars. Diana & Hecate have dogs…
Paradigm
Notes made while reading “Children of Cain” by Michael Howard. The Italian witches… are taught the pantheistic and Hermetic philosophy that the world is a living organism ‘where stars, planets, birds, plants, stones and humans interact with each other in…
Initiation
Notes made while reading “Children of Cain” by Michael Howard. How to become a witch (magical transmission of knowledge and ‘passing on of power’): Initiation by faeries Initiation by other witches via ceremony Witch blood/elven blood Literary transmission, via texts/grimoires…
Practice
Notes made while reading “Children of Cain” by Michael Howard. On the Cultus Sabbati: ..It practices ‘the spells and customs which generations past have bequeathed’ such as healing, divination, toad bone magick, the use of knotted cords for magical purposes,…
Black Book
Notes made while reading “Children of Cain” by Michael Howard. In the 19th century: “There is also evidence of home-grown grimoires or ‘Black Books’ circulating among practitioners of folk magic. These manuals of practical occultism contained spells, incantations to call…
The Grail
Notes made while reading “Children of Cain” by Michael Howard. The goal of witchcraft religions is the seeking of the Grail – the archetypal symbol of spiritual illumination, divine knowledge, and mystical union with God; “the return of the divine…