Free Wicca School Blog

Gardnerian Wicca originated in England in the years just prior to World War Two and was created by a man named Gerald Gardner who was a retired English civil servant. It was there that he was initiated into a traditional coven or witches that claimed lineage from Pre Christian times who met regularly in The New Forest located on the southern coast of England.

He began the tradition of Wicca initiation by initiating a series of women who functioned as high priestesses of their own covens and thereby created the “downlines”, or Wicca lineage of England. In England anyone who claims to be a practitioner of Gardnerian Wicca is understood to trace their wiccan lineage to one of these downlines that were created at that time.

In North America the term British Traditional Wicca is understood to mean roughly the same thing as Gardnerian Wicca. Gardnerian Wicca is often recognized to be the most tradition based of the Wiccan practices and for this reason it is not adhered to by many Wiccans and rightly so. For many people who wish to practice Wicca it is simply not feasible to be initiated into a Gardnerian Wicca coven because there simple is not one available to them.

The Originator of Gardnerian Wicca - Gerald Gardner

It was Gerald Gardner who established and disseminated many of the traditions that are recognized to this day as the basic tenets of modern day Wicca that are widely recognized in the Wiccan community as as a whole. When Gerald Gardner was introduced to Wicca it was presented to him in what he determined to be a fragmented form and for this reason he worked to give it the more structured traditions that most Wiccan would recognize today.

It is important to bear in mind that during the time that Gerald Gardner was practicing Wicca in England it was illegal and had been for centuries and for this reason the tradition of secrecy was imperative.

According a religious census taken in 2006, about 11000 Australians identify themselves as pagans & 9000 Australians are witches. It is really no suprise that the overall number of Wiccans has increased 5x in the last 15 years, and paganism overall is one of the quickest growing religions in the country.

As Witchcraft and Wicca slowly becomes more apart of our culture, more and more teenagers are choosing to be trainee witches, enrolling in Wicca schools worldwide.

Witchcraft was once was light topic, like in shows such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Bewitched. But Wicca is increasingly becoming mainstream, especially with the horde of Harry Potter movies coming out as well - the latest of which being Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

People like Wicca because it is primarily a nature-based religion, which celebrates natural events such as full moons and spring cycles - but there is no core orthodoxy with which to limit its believers.

Wicca Symbols

The Symbols used in Wicca are diverse, and eclectic. Judeo-Christian, Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, the art of Symbolism is ever-eclectic in Wicca. I’ve picked several commonly used symbols, and I give a brief description of their usage. Personal symbols, such as a specific Mage’s name rune, are sigils, whereas symbols of a God or other non-human are Symbols or (incorrectly) Runes.

Celtic Cross (occasionally the Bottom spike is extended to reflect a crucifix): The Wheel of The Year, Four Elements, Celestial Family, Four elements as a single fifth element. Also represents the solar wheel, medicine wheel, and numerous other non-Celtic things, very versatile.

Circle: Represents cycles, the moon, unity.

Crescent Moon: Represents (Waxing) the Goddess Diana, maidenhood. (Waning) Hecate,

Cronehood: A blue crescent moon was the underground mark of Wiccan Friendly businesses in some cities several years ago. These days, I know of two businesses with a crescent moon on their doors, both for other reasons.

Eye of Horus/Eye of Time/Third Eye/Spirit Eye (Egyptian and Greek): Represents the Eye of the Egyptian God Horus, (who is also Greek Horae,) God of Time and Divination. Represents the Third Eye and the psyche.

Horned Moon: Represents the hunter God and maleness, also the Goddess Diana.

Infinity symbol/ Moebius Strip Represents: Cycles, infinity, Totality. Magic, Birth, rebirth.

Ahnk: Sex, Birth and rebirth, divine Power, especially divine female power.

Pentagram: A Pentagram is the two-dimensional five pointed star, as opposed to a Pentacle, which is a three-dimensional representation of a Pentagram. Two points up, the pentacle represents The horned god, but also has been used to represent “Satan” a Judeo-Christian God of Evil. Because of this negative use, many Wiccans only use the feminine, one point up pentacle. Symbols seem to carry energy from user to user, and the negative energy on the “upside down” pentacle is almost as strong as that of the Swastika, another once-positive symbol taken and perverted to near impossible positive use. Most Wiccans only use the feminine pentacle.

Trident Represents: Neptune, Amphitrite, Aegir, other ocean Gods and Goddesses, also The Triple Divinity, especially the Male Triple divinities.

Triple Moon: Represents: The female triple divinity, esp. Hecate, Selene, Diana.

Wicca Sigils

Sigils are created by combining the letters of your name into a single design. Much leeway is allowed with sigils, where the individual letters may be bent, reversed or otherwise altered to achieve a distinct pattern. This is most commonly done with runes by Wiccans, but is really much the same as a custom monogram. (meaning Single symbol, “not initials”.)

Creating a Sigil is a great way to mark your tools and other personal items. The power it has relies on the power you give it. Experiment with Runes and other writings until you find a Sigil that fits. Have fun!

I make no claims to be an expert on incense, oils, and the like. Nearly all of the information here appears as I would use it from my own Grimoires. I’ve tried to be concise, but the creation of and the various purposes of incense requires in depth reading. Rarely do I feel compelled to tell a student “no, go read about this somewhere else,” but, well, go. The following table lists some basic fragrances and their uses. The forms used are up to you.

Acacia: Attunement, Motherhood.

Allspice: Cleansing, The Element of Fire, Health, Warmth, An end to fear, Power.

Amber (Warm): Attunement, The Consecration of Tools, The Element of Earth, Exorcism,
Healing.

Apple (blossom): Fertility, Prevention of Homesickness, Spring.

Apple (fruit): The Cycle of Life, Happiness, Marriage.

Bayberry: Birth, Cleansing, Initiation, Yule.

Bay (laurel): Achievement, Consecration, Divination, Exorcism, The God Apollo, Priest(esse)s, Male Deity.

Bergamot: Attunement, Holiness.

Blueberry: Goddesses, Harvests, Protection of crops, Survival in bad weather. Catmint/Catnip: Bast, Creativity, Gymnastic/acrobatic ability, Inner Harmony, Luck, Power, Visions.

Cedar: Attunement, Ceremonial States, Cleansing, Consecration of Tools, Healing, Purification, Purity.

Chamomile: Centering, Luck, Peace.

Cinnamon: Centering, Divination, Element of Fire, Healing, Oneness, Warmth.

Clove: Element of Earth, Healing, An end to Pain, Openness, Warmth, Wisdom.

Cypress: Banishing, Consecration of tools, Oaths, Out of Body experiences.

Damiana: Aphrodisiac, Love.

Frankincense: Ancestral memory, Divination, Holiness, Initiation, Protection

Floral, Any: Element of Air, Fertility, Goddesses (esp. Floralia), New beginnings.

Gardenia: Aphrodisiac, Beauty, Love, Marriage, Perfect Trust.

Ginger: Anointing, Element of Fire, Energy, Healing, Holiness, Warmth.

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, Creativity, Element of Earth, Thought, Warmth.

Honeysuckle: Creativity, Element of Air, Love, Peace, Tranquillity.

Jasmine: Anointing, The Element of Water, Fertility, Goddesses, Inspiration, The Night, The Moon, Poetry.

Lavender: Attunement, Cleansing, Healing, Health, Luck, Lust.

Lemon: Appetite, Cleansing, The Element of Fire, Health.

Lily of The Valley: The Goddess Nemisis, The Fey, Purity, Virginity, Wisdom.

Lotus: The Element of Water, Energy, Holiness, Inner Harmony, Inner Peace, Visions, Wisdom.Mace, see Nutmeg.

Marigold: Fertility, Health, Sun, Warmth.

Melissa (Lemon Balm): Healing, Element of Water, Fertility, Goddesses, Purity of thought.

Musk: The Gods, Lust, Male fertility, Strength, The Warrior.

Myrrh: Cleansing, The Element of Earth, Holiness.

Nutmeg: Luck, Soothing, Strength, Winter.

Orange, Blossom: Goddesses, Rebirth, Spring.

Orange, Fruit: Cleansing, Heartiness, Summer.

Patchouli: Holiness, Inner Peace, The Gods, Strength.

Peach: Fruition, Love, Soothing, Summer.

Peppermint: Anointing, Cleansing, The Gods, Strength.

Pine: Cleansing, Consecration of Tools, Defense, Harvest, Heartiness, Winter.

Pine, White: Attunement, Ceremonial States, Element of Air, Element of Earth, Exorcism, TheGods.

Raspberry: Fertility, Health, Soothing, Sustenance.

Rose, Red: Anointing, Element of Water, Fertility, Harvest, Health, Love, Magick, Romance.

Rose, Yellow: Anointing, Element of Water, The Goddesses, To Turn jealousy, Lust.

Sage: Ancestral Memory, Attunement, Ceremonial States, Cleansing, Consecration of tools,
Exorcism, Healing, The Inner Elder, Purity, Magick, Meditation, Wisdom.

Saffron: Ancestral Memory, Dreams, Sacrifices, Warmth.

Sandalwood: Attunement, Autumn, Ceremonial States, Cleansing, Control, Element of Air, Exorcism, The Gods, Shielding, Protection.

Spearmint: Anointing, Cleansing, The Goddesses, Meditation.

Strawberry: The Goddesses, Harvest, Summer, Sustenance, Youth.

Vanilla: Attunement, Element of Earth, Fertility, The Goddesses, Healing.

Violet: Anointing, Growth, Nobility, Purity.

Wisteria: Grace, The Inner Child(feminine), Maidenhood, Purity

I should mention that Magick and Wicca are not inseparable, some Wiccans use Magick, some don't. The Gods give us tools, this is one of them.

What is Magick? Well, there is the Wiccan stock answer (let me pull it here from my bag of standard trinkets...) "Magick is the art of getting results."Of course, there is the more impressive "Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will," of Crowley's Magick in Theory and Practice, but unless you wish to impress that really cute Metaphysicist at work the first one's easier. I chose to define the Magic used in Wicca with Wicca in its definition "Wiccan Magick is change, directed by the Self, empowered by the Will and decided by Morality." An old name for alchemists and Mages alike is transmuter, one who transmutes (alters) one thing into another. The practice of Magick is taking one thing, and creating another.

There are four broad groupings of Magick in Wicca, along with Ceremonial and High Magick, which, while done by many Wiccans in ritual, are not religious in nature. These are Celebratory Magick, Ritual Magick, Healing Magick and personal magicks.

Celebratory Magick, Magick done in ritual to honor the Gods, is advanced prayer, as is Ritual Magick, which is the Magickal aspects of our rituals and ceremonies (to clarify, Ritual Magick is done at ceremonies, and Ceremonial Magick has nothing to do with Wiccan ritual practice.) Healing Magicks are self-explanatory, and Personal Magicks combine Celebratory, Healing and Ritual Magicks with "lesser" or "low" Magick for personal reasons. A example of Personal Magicks in a non-Wiccan setting are novenas published in community newspapers. They usually invoke St. Jude, and follow a ritual whereby the novena is prayed for a set number of days, then published, and the prayer comes true. This is a bit "hokey" for most Wiccans, but I know of two Catholo-Wiccan trads using Catholic saints that use novenas much as other Wiccans use wishburying and similar rituals.

Celebratory Magick usually is power raised in the circle, directed toward the earth for its own usage, or directed toward a god or goddess as a sort of token with a prayer. Think of Celebratory magic and regular prayer like a delivery service, anyone can deliver a telegram (prayer), but Celebratory Magick is like delivering a singing telegram, complete with flower bouquet and fourpart harmonies. We wish to show praise, glory, welcome and love for our Gods...how welcome is an intoned ceremony, complete with stifled yawns and rampant boredom. The Gods want us to be happy, to survive to the fullest and best of our abilities. "If I can dance wildly beneath the full moon, the sand between my toes and my shouts of joy echoing in the night air, how divine, how perfect, how holy.

There are primarily two branches or "sciences" of Magick used in all Wiccan Magick, Sympathetic Magick, which involves doing a symbolic action to achieve a real action, and Dynamic Magick, which involves using the body's powers in a non-standard way. A few Sympathetic Charms are given in part three, but a good lesson on sympathetic Magick can be found in any discourse on Wicca, and I'll leave talk of it to those with expertise. Psychic abilities, Healing touches, etc., are mind/body dynamics, as are all of the "untapped" powers locked within the Self.

The "Self," or "Integrated Total Self," which we spoke of earlier, is the entirety of the mentality and personality of a being. "Will," "True Will" or "Total Will," is the force of the Self. One of my students came up with the term "ITS Will," to remember the two and their relationship. You must understand that "The Will is the slave of the Self, and has no limitations."3 With that in hand, and a healthy dose of morality, the Wiccan improves his/her life as much as (s)he can. Strength of Will improves the level of "can", as does belief, but it seems that, as you grow in Will, you need less and find more enjoyment in the smaller things, so it's a bit self-defeating. I had the good fortune to "Fall in" with a group of Metaphysicists, nicknamed "the old men" because most of them were over 50 and argued over Metaphysics as easily as they argued over Talmud, and since, of the eight, seven were Jewish and the eighth a self-proclaimed heretic, Talmudic arguments came easily. Like a kid in a fantasy novel, I ducked into a coffee shop to get out of the rain and heard this whispered argument in the corner where four of the men were sitting. Being nosy, I got a drink, sat at the table next to them, put on my headphones (which were off) and pretended to read my book, listening intently.

Now, as a teenager, I'd tried Satanism, I think most of us do when we realize "conventional" religion doesn't fit us. From there, I went into a very "dark" neo-goth Crowley sect and wore all black, but I was the only female there, and I quickly realized that being the love object of a batch of intelligent but wasted (in more ways than one) teenyboppers was not my idea of study, and I'd read in passing more Crowley then they'd read in "serious study." At the time of the "meeting" with the old men I was absolutely lusting for intelligent metaphysical conversation, but my tea was gone, and I had to go back to the counter for another.

Providence, or maybe the rituals praying for serious discussion, stepped in, and while I was at the counter, one of "the Old Men" told the woman they were out of sugar at his table. She was busy as hell, so I grabbed the sugar carrier from a nearby table and told her "Finish what you're doing, I'll give them this one." I had several pieces of jewelry made by a boyfriend in copper and I was wearing a thick bracelet on my right arm with various metaphysical phrases and symbols of protection upon it, and a few choice phrases from metaphysical tomes.

I purposely stretched my arm a few inches from the guy's nose to place the sugar carrier on their table, repeating "notice it, notice it, notice it," inside my head, and sure enough, he saw it, and asked me about it. I asked him if he knew what it meant, and he said yes, and asked if I did, and I translated. I'll tell you right now, a few nights before I had Jonah, a good friend and Clansman, write the inscription out for me, because I could not read the Script. I bluffed my way in, though, with a few choice Crowley quotes, a bit of Hermetic philosophy, and a mental note to "do my homework" if they invited me back. I was asked to pull up a chair...it was the first of several times. I learned that year two vital lessons, Magick WORKS and as a rule, Metaphysicists are sexist pigs, and the older they are the worse it is.

If you wish to do "more" magically than the simple healing charms and such, begin your "training" by fixing the damaged Will and the damaged Self. Get rid of your addictions (smoking, too) by affirming that you Will to not have them. If you find you cannot quit, your Will is weaker than the addiction. I've been "hooked" on things before, and by inflicting my Will, I stopped. Anyone can, it's just a measure of the ethic of Self- Responsibility. It's willpower, and if I have one thing, it's willpower. I've "detoxed" people by going for the ego, and if anyone out there is addicted I'll tell you right here that I'm a coward, a great, shivering coward who cries at movies and is so agoraphobic that the forest at night scares me half-witless, and I was strong enough to
quit...what's your excuse?

Once your Will is beginning to heal, test it and strengthen it with little affirmations of Will, like conquering fears. Most of us are walking wounded, by affirming the Will, you heal some wounds and keep from becoming walking dead. I'll warn you right now that as you grow and learn in metaphysics, you will begin to detest it. The stronger you become the more you know, the more you know the less you like. I cannot stress enough how much better it is to gain enough power metaphysically to have Total Self and Total Will and choose to use them only for inside improvement. I've seen so many good friends go into the "Death" of knowledge that I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Many of us, strong Will or not, don't live through that stage of development, and frankly, I think most of us don't want to.

If you use your Will outside of a religious and moral context, it's not Wiccan, and a decision may come as you grow in Metaphysics that morality isn't a question anymore, but a hindrance. I would never be so bold as to tell anyone that they are wrong, but if it gets to this point, take a mental "vacation" for a few weeks, do no Metaphysics and no ritual, then read over your journal(s.) You may find that your changes are the work of an outside force, maybe a "teacher" and that you need to "adjust" your path. Balance reigns supreme in Metaphysics and nature, and a slow descent into darkness or over-zealous goodness will begin to cause harm.

As we integrate our Self, we need to improve all of it to stay "balanced." Just as you wouldn't hammer a nail with a rusted hammer with a loose head and a broken handle, doing Magick with an imperfect tool (Self) is dooming the act to imperfection. Improve the body, improve the mind,improve the Karma, improve it all. It's not easy, but remember Constant Improvement. An essential if you plan to incorporate Magick into ritual is that you know what you believe and why, and that you've answered many of your basic life-questions.