Animal Healing Spell

"Spirits of the Forest, an animal is dying, Take the Life force of this spell and save it."

This spell requires no ritual, but it can only be used on hurt animals and you must be Touching the animal (not suggested use for rabies). This is an ancient spell; it might not work, but don't let that discourage you. Believe in the power sent to the animal by you.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Aninymous - The Angelical Alphabet
Anonymous - Hypnotism Spells
Anonymous - White Magic Spells
Leo Ruickbie - Halloween Spells

Handcrafted Ritual Tools

Book: Handcrafted Ritual Tools by Pangaia

Like the magic baubles from childhood stories, each of us has a stone, a tool, a box, a work of art that we hold sacred. Its power addresses us daily and in doing so, connects us closer to our awareness and knowledge of self. Most of us have purchased an item at some time or another. At stores and in street fairs, from online auctions and at gatherings we are drawn to the beautiful, the functional, the piece that says, "this is exactly what you are looking for."

Who makes these special magical tools, and why? Is it only for financial gain or does something else drive them? Melbourne, Australia is a city full of glorious handcrafted magical items and here I began to seek out and talk with a group of artists who, using their own
skill, toil and craftsmanship, produce magical tools cherished the world over.

Buy Pangaia's book: Handcrafted Ritual Tools

Suggested free e-books to read:

Louise Huebner - Witchcraft For All
Anton Szandor Lavey - The Satanic Rituals
Pangaia - Handcrafted Ritual Tools

Whither Werewolf

"Even a man who's pure of heart
and says his prayers by night
May become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms
and the Autumn Moon is bright." - Curt Siodmak

Modern film makers and writers have done much to make the werewolf a pitiable creature. A man trapped by his own baser desires, unable to control the change or the urges that come upon him when the Moon shows Her full form each month. But deep in our hazy past there was a time when the 'werwulf,' (spirit-wolf or man-wolf) was honored among our ancestors. The Wolf and those able to take her shape were worshipped as Goddesses and heroes.

Belief in shapeshifters was found throughout the range of the wolf's former habitats: from Europe and Asia as far east as India and China and throughout North America. What ties the legend if the werewolf together in all of these places is the fact that the wolf was the largest predator indigenous to those regions. The violence and aggression of were-beasts make this seem on the surface to be a hunting and warfare legend. True, it is this, but also much more.

Prehistoric peoples learned the ways of the hunt from the animals around them, and they learned the concept of time from watching the phases of the Moon. The Moon phases also concurred with the female menstrual cycles and so hunting, sex and time became totally enmeshed. The Full Moon was also the time in which the women of the tribe bled, in effect, canceling all sexual activity. The men's minds turned to the Hunt, knowing that sexual activity would resume after they had brought enough meat home to supplement the diet of grains and berries the women provided.

It is this circular reasoning that created the association of a female deity concerned with hunting, and in many cultures She was a Wolf. Apollo Lycaeus (Wolfish Apollo) was mated to Artemis as the "divine Wolf-bitch." The Sabine Goddess Feronia was "Mother of Wolves." Perhaps the most well-known of all was Diana, Mistress of the Hunt. Gaulish Diana under her totemic name Lupa, "She Wolf," was Mother of wild animals. Young men learned magic and shapeshifting from Her and She guided and protected them (provided, of course, that they never set foot inside a Christian Church.) Her follower's shapeshifting ability followed the Moon phases and the Moon was another form of the Goddess.

Shapeshifting abilities usually lay within the realm of one person in the tribe, the shaman. It was reasoned that at the moment of death, the animals that the hunters killed and/or emulated took themselves to the spiritual "other-world." For the shamans to 'speak' to these animals, so that they could intervene on behalf of the humans, the shamans themselves must lose their own bodies and take on the aspects of the animals. And so the first shapeshifters were born.

Down through the years the werewolf was known in almost every culture. The title of the shaman who held high position in the life of the Slavs was 'volkhvi.' Variants are the German Volk, 'people' and the Russian Vrach, 'physician.' This indicates that the werewolves were people, shamanic healers in wolf masks.

It wasn't until Christianity came on the scene that the werewolf became the demonic creature that he is today. Christ was known as the Lamb of God and the enemy of the lamb is of course the wolf. The shift toward the imagery of the Lamb of Christ led in natural sequence to the wolf as satanic. The werewolf whose first meaning in biblical Translations meant 'outlaw,' devolved from that into 'ravening wolf,' as in Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Werewolves were captured and tortured by the Inquisition alongside accused Witches.

And so the werewolf descended throughout the centuries; from deity to demi-god, from shaman to satanic. The noble wolf, whose only crime was to howl at the Moon and teach awkward humans to hunt was demonized by those who would rather be led by a lamb than a true king or queen of beasts.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Yacki Raizizun - The Secret Of Dreams
Carl Mccolman - The Well Read Witch
Mary Mazzer - Witch Brew

Power Animal Lion

LION's Medicine includes patience, family importance, courage.

"LION, TEACH ME TO BE A PROTECTOR
POWERFUL, YET SILENT AND STILL.
I AM STRONG AND PROUD,
BUT KNOW MY WEAKNESSES."

Lion is a totem of Feminine power and strength. The male Lion sits and boats his Beautiful mane while the Lioness is out hunting, working and feeding the pride.

The male Lion is the protector of the pride, but he does not fight if he can avoid it. He would sooner bask on a rock as get into a brawl. Lion always tries a passive, calm approach before resorting to violence to protect what he loves. Lion knows that one must not underestimate the power of peace, and suggests that we release all out stress and frustration before making any rash decisions.

Lion teaches many lessons. He reminds us to examine our behavior to find flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths. He teaches us to keep our temper under control. He also teaches us the power of silent, unseen observation, just like Fox. And, most importantly, he teaches us the importance of family and of team work.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Richard Weiss - Recipes For Immortality
Sir William Stirling Maxwell - The Canon
Malcolm Mcgrath - Practical Magickal Evocation
Jacob Behmen - The Super Sensual Life
John Alan Halloran - Sumerian Lexicon

Pagan Manners Or Are There Any Dead Animals In The Soup

Book: Pagan Manners Or Are There Any Dead Animals In The Soup by Grey Cat

I can hear the outraged screams already. there are people out there who believe that the very idea of "Pagan Manners" is a conflict in terms; that "manners" are outdated, dishonest and hypocritical. Well, think again. Manners constitute the only successful technique ever discovered by humankind to enable groups and individuals, holding moderately disparate views, customs or beliefs, to get along Together. There are things more improtant than manners; but, without manners, its unlikely that a discussion will ever go to them.

Pagan manners are fairly simple and have nothing to do with which fork you use or how to word an invitation. They have to do with respect for others' feelinsg and beliefs. They most specifically have to do with recognition of the fact that you should "judge not th path of your brother or sister for their path is sacred." Manners are also the only way of attempting to grant everyone the personal space which each of us needs. There have been a number of attempts to write down a list of "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots" which will cover Pagan Life.

Download Grey Cat's eBook: Pagan Manners Or Are There Any Dead Animals In The Soup

Suggested free e-books to read:

Medieval Grimoires - Libellus Magicus Or The True Magical Work Of The Jesuits
Harriet Beecher Stowe - Poganuc People Their Loves And Lives
Jantina Helena Looijenga - Runes Around The North Sea And On The Continent
Edward Carpenter - Pagan And Christian Creeds Their Origin And Meaning
Grey Cat - Pagan Manners Or Are There Any Dead Animals In The Soup

Witchcraft A Study In Bias Prejudice And Discrimination In South Africa

Book: Witchcraft A Study In Bias Prejudice And Discrimination In South Africa by Damon Leff

When discussing Witchcraft in polite company, one discovers that although not everyone permits their personal bias to evolve into open discrimination, those with bias Against Witches carry their prejudice like a moral compass. In less than civil society, bias against Witchcraft is often overtly smug and pretentious, as though the prejudice itself was some form of badge of honour indicating one’s measure of commitment to the moral struggle. If you’re a Witch, social bias against you is pervasive and perverse.

This short study in bias, prejudice and Discrimination is intended to begin to peel back the shameful and barbarous layers of institutionalized cultural bias that exists against Witchcraft in South Africa.

'Witchcraft' makes no apology for its lack of academic qualification. The study is an honest portrayal of bias, prejudice and discrimination experienced by real South African Witches. It is not intended to be an exhaustive examination of the psychological effects of stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination, nor is it intended to be unbiased. It is intended to be a critical indictment against the avarice of Superstitious fantasy that barely mimics logic and reason in our nation’s psyche.

Download Damon Leff's eBook: Witchcraft A Study In Bias Prejudice And Discrimination In South Africa

Suggested free e-books to read:

Damon Leff - A Pagan Witches Touchstone Witchcraft And Witch Hunts In South Africa
Tim Hartridge - Witches Workshop Handbook A Short Guide To Participation In The Workshop Part I
Damon Leff - Witchcraft A Study In Bias Prejudice And Discrimination In South Africa

What Is Shamanic Ecstasy

From the Greek 'ekstasis', ecstasy literally means to be placed outside, or to be placed. This is a state of exaltation in which a person stands outside of or transcends his or herself. Ecstasy may range from the seizure of the body by a spirit or the seizure of a person by the divine, from the magical Transformation or flight of Consciousness to psychiatric remedies of distress.

Three types of Ecstasy are specified in the literature on the subject:

1. Shamanic Ecstasy
2. Prophetic Ecstasy
3. Mystical Ecstasy

Shamanic ecstasy is provoked by the ascension of the soul of the shaman into the heavens or its descent into the underworld. These states of ecstatic exaltation are usually achieved after great and strenuous training and initiation, often under distressing circumstances. The resulting contact by the shaman with the higher or lower regions and their inhabitants, and also with nature spirits enables him or her to accomplish such tasks as accompanying the soul of a deceased into its proper place in the next world, affect the well-being of the sick and to convey the story of their inner travels upon their return to the mundane awareness.

The utterances of the shaman are in contrast with those of prophetic and mystical ecstasy. The prophet literally speaks for God, while the mystic reports an overwhelming divine presence. In mysticism, the direct knowledge or experience of the divine ultimate reality, which is perceptible in two ways, emotional and intuitive. While these three varieties of ecstatic experience are useful for the purposes of analysis and discussion, it is not unusual for more than one form of ecstasy to be present in an individual's experience.

However, it can be argued that, generally speaking, there are three perceptive levels of ecstasy.

1) The physiological response, in which the mind becomes absorbed in and focused on a dominant idea, the attention is withdrawn and the nervous system itself is in part cut off from physical sensory input. The body exhibits reflex inertia, involuntary nervous responses, frenzy.
2) Emotional perception of ecstasy refers to overwhelming feelings of awe, anxiety, joy, sadness, fear, astonishment, passion, etc.
3) Intuitive perception communicates a direct experience and Understanding of the transpersonal experience of expanded states of awareness or consciousness.

While the physiological response is always present, the emotional response may or may not be significant when intuition is the principal means of ecstatic perception. Some have argued that beyond the intuitive state there is a fourth condition in which the holistic perception exceeds mental and emotional limitations and understanding.

The ecstatic experience of the shaman goes beyond a feeling or perception of the sacred, the demonic or of natural spirits. It involves the shaman directly and actively in transcendent realities or lower realms of being.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Anonymous - What Is Wicca Article 2
Stephen Mcnallen - What Is Asatru
Lil Bow Wow - What Is A Warlock
Arthur Edward Waite - What Is Alchemy
Frater Achad - Chalice Of Ecstasy

The Animals Of Salem

Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692 by Bernard Rosenthal Cambridge University Press 1993

p.18 John Hughes, while testifying about seeing beast transform into Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, also mentions that on March 2 "a great white dog followed him and then disappeared, and then that night in bed he saw a great light and a cat at the foot of his bed." (from Narratives of the WC Cases 1648-1706 ed. G. LO. Burr)

p.21 Tituba's testimony included many animals...black dog/hog/man/yellow bird told her to serve him; yellow bird was accompanying Sarah Good (who had already given accusers legitimacy); also said she saw a cat with Good on other occasions

p.22 T. saw 2 cats, black and red. "What did the cats do? Tituba did not know. Had the cats hurt or threatened her? They had scratched her. What had they wanted of her? They had wanted her to hurt the children. They had forced her to pinch the children. Did the cats suck Tituba? No, she would not let them."

p.82 Bridget Bishop (owner of shuffle-board and cider teenage hangout) was testified against by Wonn, slave of John Ingerson. He "told a story of frightened horses, the vanishing shape of B.B. (at the time B. Oliver), the appearance of an unknown cat, and Mysterious pinchings and pain."

p.124 Martha Carrier: 7 yr. old daughter Sarah was induced to confess that "a cat, identifying itself as M. C., had carried Sarah along to afflict people when her mother was in prison."

:

Roger Bacon - The Mirror Of Alchemy
Reynold Nicholson - The Mystics Of Islam
John Musick - The Witch Of Salem

Power Animal Frog

FROG's Medicine includes cleansing, rebirth.

"FROG, LITTLE ONE With Great WISDOM,
TEACH ME TO CALL THE RAIN
TO MAKE NEW LIFE BLOSSOM FROM OLD WORRIES."

Frog's medicine brings the rain of cleansing, both Physical and spiritual. Frog will come to you at a time when you are worried, stressed, nervous, overwhelmed or weak. Take some time to cleanse spiritually and take a break from the troubles of life. From this cleansing comes rebirth. A Frog person has the ability to cleanse away negative energies whether by song, words, or tears. Frog may seem small, but his lesson is great. He teaches us that we must cleanse and release negative energies in order to conquer our daily problems. All too often we forget this, and let the stress consume us. Frog comes to you when you need a vacation to regain control of your life, enjoy this message.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Jacob Behmen - The Super Sensual Life
Stephen William Hawking - Space And Time Warps
Anonymous - Potentialities Of Loki

Power Animal Horse

HORSE's medicine includes freedom, Clairvoyance, endurance.

"HORSE, TEACH ME TO SEE THE TRUTH.
SHOW ME THE TIES OF FRIENDSHIP.
FREE MY WARRIOR SPIRIT."

Horse is a beautiful, powerful, proud creature who has taken many forms in mythology. Pegasus, Unicorn, Centaur, and many other creatures in mythology are brothers to Horse. Horse is a magickal creature who can see into man's soul.

Horse shows his devotion in his willingness to carry man on his back, giving him a freedom of movement and travel that no other animal can provide.

The lesson Horse brings to man is that there is strength in numbers. He teaches that cooperation, collaboration, and the ties of friendship equal power. Horse shows us that when we can synchronize our motive with the motives of others, we have the power to do anything and reach any goal.

A Horse person has a wild spirit that cannot be broken. Horse loves freedom, but also is unquestioning and faithful to his master. A warrior lies inside those with Horse medicine. This warrior spirit keeps you safe in your travels and fills you with stamina.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Sri Swami Sivananda - Brahma Sutras
Edward Kelley - The Angelic Alphabet
Giuseppe Bezza - The Astrological Metaphors
Stephen William Hawking - Space And Time Warps

Calling Your Power Animal

There are different names for this exercise in different cultures. It is a way for a person to get in touch with their animal aspects through dance. Keep in mind that a Guardian Spirit can appear in animal or human form.

Undertake this exercise in a quiet, half darkened room which is free from furniture that can hamper your movements. It is helpful if you have the use of one or two rattles, but these are not necessary.

There are two parts to this exercise, 1- The Starting Dance, and 2- Dancing your animal. In both dances, you loudly shake a rattle in each hand and dance in time to the rattle. In all dancing, you keep your eyes half closed. This allows you to cut down on the light and at the same time enables you to know where you are in the room.

The Starting Dance

Standing still and erect, face east and shake one rattle very rapidly four times. This is the signal that you are starting, ending or making an important transition in serious shamanistic work. Think of the rising Sun and the power it brings to all living things.

Still standing in place, start shaking one rattle at a steady pace of about 50 beats per second. Do this for about half a minute in each cardinal direction while thinking of the element or Power Animals of that direction. For example, you can think of an Eagle in the East, a Lion in the South, a Serpent or Dolphin in the West, and a Bull in the North. Move clockwise.

Return to the East and shake the rattle above your head at the same rate for about half a minute. Think of the sun, moon, starts and the entire universe above. Now shake the rattle towards the ground and think of the earth, our home and the gifts she gives to us.

Still facing the East, begin shaking both rattles at the same rate and dancing along with the beat as if you were jogging in place. In this starting dance, you are giving proof of your sincerity to the power animals wherever they may be, by making a sacrifice to them of your own energy in the form of dance. Dancing is a form of praying and evoking the sympathy of the Guardian Spirit.

Stop dancing and stand still. Shake one rattle four times to signal that you are about to make an important transition.

Start shaking your tattles loudly, but in a slow tempo of about 60 beats per minute. Start dancing around the room in time to the rattle. Move slowly and in a free form. Try to pick up the feeling of some kind of mammal, bird, fish, reptile or a combination of these. Once you feel the sense of Something, concentrate on it and slowly move your body in accordance with the creature. Be open to the Experience and emotion of the creature.

Don't hesitate to make noises or cries. By keeping your eyes half closed, you might be able to see the non-ordinary environment in which the animal is living. You may even be able to see the animal. Do this for about 5 minutes. Without pausing, shift to a higher state of rattle shaking and movement. Do this for about 4 minutes. Another shift to a still faster pace of rattle and body movements. Do this for about 4 minutes.

Stop dancing and mentally welcome the animal into your body. To do this, shake the rattle four times and draw it and the animal towards your solar plexes.

Face the East and shake the rattle four times, while standing still. This is the signal that your work has ended.

Once you have successfully gained your power animal, make it content enough to say with you. This is done through exercising your animal through dancing and singing songs of the animal.

Guardian animals usually only stay with a person for a few years, and then depart. So in the course of a life long shamanistic practice, a person will have a number of animals.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Tommie Eriksson - Tree Cults In Northern Magic
Anonymous - Healing Gemstones And Crystals
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Living With The Lama
Anonymous - Reaching Out To Wiccans

Shamanism Faq

Summary: This FAQ contains a general overview on shamanism. It should be read by anyone interested in Understanding what is meant by shamanism and what differentiates shamanism form other forms of ecstatic experience
Keywords: shaman, anthropology, ethnography, consciousness, spirit, oobe

NOTE: The following general overview of shamanism is not intended to be the last word or the definitive work on this subject. Rather it is, as its title implies, intended to provide the participant or reader with a set of guidelines that will familiarize them with the general use of the terms shamanism, shaman and shamanic in the trends, study and practice of historic, traditional and contemporary shamanic experience. The word 'shaman comes to English from the Tungus language via Russian. Among the Tungus of Siberia it is both a noun and a verb. While the Tungus have no word for shamanism, it has come into usage by anthropologists, historians of religion and others in contemporary society to designate the experience and the practices of the shaman. Its usage has grown to include similar experiences and practices in cultures outside of the original Siberian cultures from which the term shaman originated. Thus shamanism is not the name of a religion or group of religions. Particular attention should be paid to the use of qualifying words such as "may" or "usually". They indicate examples or tendencies and are not, in any way, intended to represent rigid standards Please send comments to deane@netcom.com (Dean Edwards).

Table of Contents:

1. Terms used in this FAQ
2. What is shamanism?
3. The Relationship between shamanic traditions and culture
4. The role of Shamanic Ecstasy
5. The origin of the term "shamanism"

1. Why were the terms used in this FAQ selected and do they have special meanings.

There is an extensive literature about shamanism that has been compiled since the late Eighteenth Century. Like any field of study and religious practice, shamanism has developed a specialized vocabulary. Please note that some of the words used in the material that follows are drawn from scholars who have a solid background in shamanic studies and may have meanings that are specific and less general than is often the case in popular usage. Consulting a good dictionary should clear up any points of confusion.

2. What is Shamanism?

Shamanism is classified by anthropologists as an archaic magico-religious phenomenon in which the shaman is the great master of ecstasy. Shamanism itself, was defined by the late Mircea Eliade as a technique of ecstasy. A shaman may exhibit a particular magical specialty (such as control over fire, wind or magical flight). When a specialization is present the most common is as a healer. The distinguishing characteristic of shamanism is its focus on an ecstatic trance state in which the soul of the shaman is believed to leave the body and ascend to the sky (heavens) or descend into the earth (underworld). The shaman makes use of spirit helpers, which he or she communicates with, all the while retaining control over his or her own consciousness. (Examples of possession occur, but are the exception, rather than the rule.) It is also important to note that while most shamans in traditional societies are men, either women or men may and have become shamans.

3. Does the presence of an active shamanic tradition necessarily mean that the society itself should be deemed "shamanic"?

No, not at all. The presence of shamanism in a nation or a community does not mean that shamanism is central to the spiritual or religious life of the community or region. Shamanism often exists alongside and even in cooperation with the religious or healing practices of the community.

4. What is meant by shamanic ecstasy and what role does it actually play in shamanism?

The ecstatic technique of shamanism does not involve itself in the broad range of ecstasy reported in the history of religion. It is specifically focused on the transpersonal movement of the Consciousness of the shaman into higher or lower realms of consciousness and existence. Another aspect of shamanism is that compared to other spiritual traditions, it is a path that the individual walks alone. While much of the focus of shamanic studies has been on the shamanic complexes of north and central Asia, shamanism is a universal phenomenon, not confined to any particular region or culture.

5. What is the origin of the word "shaman"?

Shaman comes from the language of the Tungus of North-Central Asia. It came into use in English via Russian.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Anonymous - Witchcraft And Wicca Faq
Christopher Siren - Sumerian Mythology Faq
Ro Winstedt - Shaman Saiva And Sufi
Roger Whitaker - Antinomianism

Power Animal Panther

PANTHER's medicine includes rebirth, Knowledge of darkness and death.

"PANTHER, LET ME KNOW YOUR SILENT WISDOM.
AS MY Perception EXPANDS,
I WILL FIND A WEALTH OF INSIGHT AWAITS ME."

Panther is secretive, silent and graceful in her every move. She is solitary by choice, she tell little but listens much. She is careful not to share too much information, only enough to ease curious minds.

Panther people have a broader vision. Panther medicine gives them a deeper insight, both spiritually and physically. Their enhanced Perspective lets them see things in close detail or from a distance. Panthers enter the world enlightened whereas others have to work to achieve that.

Black Panther is very mystical. She finds the most power in darkness. Black Panther understands death and teaches people not to fear it, for out of death comes rebirth.

When Panther enters your life, it is time for a new beginning, a new door has opened for you. Panther introduces you to an expanded awareness, alternate realities, the elimination of fears, and most of all, total rebirth. Panther gives us the opportunity to become a whole new person and she promises to be our protector and guardian throughout this rebirth process.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Correllian Times Emagazine - Issue 23 July 2008 Vol 2 Power Animals And Totems
Edward Kelley - The Angelic Alphabet
Aninymous - The Angelical Alphabet
Anonymous - The Urantia Papers

Power Animal Snake

SNAKE's medicine includes change, immortality.

"SNAKE, YOUR VENOM IS SWEET.
MY FEAR IS GONE,
I AM READY FOR CHANGE.
I FOLLOW YOU DOWN THE NEW PATH
YOU HAVE GUARDED."

Snake medicine is rare and is most often presented to the person using the approach of fear. A person with Snake medicine will find that they are fearful of this Shadow Animal most of their lives. But after Surviving many venomous snake attacks, they conquer their fear and are opened to the world of Snake's medicine.

Snake comes to you at a time when you are heading for change. You are ready to explore the mysterious, voyage where you have never gone before, whether in the Physical world or in the depths of the mind and soul. People with Snake medicine know the power of renewal. Snake sheds his skin leaving it behind and slithering away completely renewed. Snake people can do the same, shedding their dull layers to reveal a brilliant new self underneath.

Snake people are also creative and have strong psychic intuitive powers. Snake represents the silver cord that connects the physical body to the astral body, so Snake people may also be especially adept in astral travel.

The snake is a symbol of Goddess energy and he will protect you from religious persecution.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Lesslie Hall - Beowulf An Anglo Saxon Epic Poem
Sri Swami Sivananda - Brahma Sutras
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Tibetan Sage
Stephen William Hawking - Space And Time Warps
Aninymous - The Angelical Alphabet

The Power Of Familiars

I am sure you are familiar with the typical figure of the witch and her black cat. Witches have been using animals to help them with their magickal works for a very long time. It is said that the familiar is the animal that the witch has. The familiar lives with the witch and assists him/her in magickal works. Traditionally cats are associate with witches. Other animals, like dogs, rabbits, horses, and snakes, can be familiars too.

However, your pet is not necessarily your familiar. I have a small fish tank with a Beta fish in my room where I perform most of my magickal works. Even though I love it dearly, my red Beta fish is not my familiar. A familiar represents all the good qualities of that animal, and it is attune to the witch. It provides the witch with a link to the animal kingdom and the essence of their power.

Totem/Power Animals

Witches cannot always work with Physical familiars due to many reasons. Perhaps the most common one will be space limitation. Let's face it, who can keep a tiger in his/her house? Sigfried and Roy do NOT count! Therefore, many witches work with their totem animals in the astral. Totems are not specific animals but mystical powers. Totem animals are sought in the astral world. Witches choose those Power Animals that closely represent their higher selves. In other words, power animals are chosen by their affinity to the witch. Power animals are used for specific purposes too. For example, a Witch may choose the animal that lends to a specific kind of magick. Maybe the spell needs some "medicine" from the Snake. Some animals are associated with the quarters. Sometimes these energies are activated with the quarter calls. Totem animals are great advisers. So if you are confused about something, call the
Wolf!

-part of the Information was taken from: "Indian Power Animals and Totems" by Marguerite Elsbeth, To Ride a Silver Broomstick and To Stir a Magick Cauldron by Silver RavenWolf

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Rabbi Michael Laitman - The Path Of Kabbalah
Ea Wallis Budge - The Book Of Am Tuat
Edna Kenton - The Book Of Earths
Yacki Raizizun - The Secret Of Dreams
Aleister Crowley - The Book Of Lies

Power Animal Turtle

TURTLE's medicine includes Earth wisdom, protection.

"TURTLE, TEACH ME YOUR MAGIC.
I FOLLOW YOU TO THE SOURCE OF POWER
TO LEARN THE EARTH'S GREATEST SECRETS."

Turtle has many Mystical powers – earth magic, water magic, psychic protection, healing. Turtle can allow you to find balance in Your Life as well as freedom from struggles. He teaches carefulness, tenacity, and patience as the keys to Reaching your goal.

Turtle people can feel at home anywhere they go because they carry their protective shell with them. But when Turtle finds himself in an uncomfortable situation, he tends to retreat into his shell instead of facing the problem. While sometimes this keeps Turtle from learning valuable lessons, it also means that people with Turtle medicine are survivors. They can chase new opportunities but feel safe knowing that they can withdraw into the refuge of their "shell" when trouble rears it's head.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

William Frederick Poole - Cotton Mather And Salem Witchcraft
Stephen William Hawking - Space And Time Warps
Correllian Times Emagazine - Issue 23 July 2008 Vol 2 Power Animals And Totems
Mama San Ra Ab Rampa - Flor Silvestre
Lyall Watson - Supernature

Animal Speak The Spiritual And Magical Powers Of Creatures Great And Small

Book: Animal Speak The Spiritual And Magical Powers Of Creatures Great And Small by Ted Andrews

Want to learn how to speak the language of critters, large and small? Easy-to-read and understand, Ted Andrews's bestselling Animal Speak shows readers how to identify his or her animal totem and learn how to invoke its energy and use it for personal growth and inner discovery. Nature lovers will love this insightful compendium, chock-full of touching stories about animals, natural history, and animal folklore. Readers will also learn magical animal rites and how to read omens. Animal Speak includes a Dictionary of bird, animal, reptile, and insect totems, which describe each creature's meaning. For example, if a person's totem is dragonfly, he or she was most likely excessively emotional and passionate in early years, learning with age to balance it with mental clarity and control. If a dragonfly suddenly shows up in your life, it means you may need to gain a new Perspective or make a change.

Totems are Spirit Guides (spirits who help you along on your journeys through life) that come to you in the form of animals. A Totem can be any animal that you have a strange connection to. This book is very good when it comes to the topic of Totems. Trust me, I've done a lot of studying and have seen a lot of information, but this has the most extensive collection of knowledge.

The best part of the book that is original that you can find few other places is it's huge dictionary of animal Totems. You can look up your Totem animal in the dictionary and it will give you the animal's history and folklore. It will also give you suggestions for someone who has that Totem. But that isn't the only good thing about the book. This book teaches you to find Totems if you don't yet knoww how. It tells you how to meditate to find your Totems, or, for the less patient, it gives other ways, too. Animal Speak also teaches you to read Totems in your life. Other topics include Things That you won't find in other books like the Preadator and Prey Theory, magic with bird feathers, honoring your animal Totems in many ways, and working with TOtem medicine. All of these are extremely useful and you can learn about the topic greatly. This good and all, but the book is not reccomended for beginners on Totem study and preferable for advanced people serious about the subject. The book is okay for starters, but some things are not explained as well as they should be for those who know nothing about Totems. Totems are a very interesting topic and this book is very good for the adventerous one that you know.

Buy Ted Andrews's book: Animal Speak The Spiritual And Magical Powers Of Creatures Great And Small

Free e-books (can be downloaded):

Nevrom Ydal - Preparing The Ritual Area And Yourself
Adolph Von Menzel - Historical And Literary Studies Pagan Jewish And Christian
Sirona Knight - A Witch Like Me The Spiritual Journeys Of Today Pagan Practitioners
Medieval Grimoires - Libellus Magicus Or The True Magical Work Of The Jesuits

Code Of Ethics For Spiritual Guides

People have long sought to enrich their lives and to awaken to their full natures through spiritual practices including prayer, meditation, mind-body disciplines, service, ritual, community liturgy, holy-day and seasonal observances, and rites of passage. "Primary religious practices" are those intended, or especially likely, to bring about exceptional states of consciousness such as the direct experience of divinity or of cosmic unity.

In any community, there are some who feel called to assist others along spiritual paths, and who are known as ministers, rabbis, pastors, curanderas, shamans, priests, or other titles. We call such people 'guides': those experienced in some practice, familiar with the terrain, and who act to facilitate the spiritual practices of others. A guide need not claim exclusive or definitive knowledge of the terrain.

Spiritual practices, and especially primary religious practices, carry risks. Therefore, when an individual chooses to practice with the assistance of a guide, both take on special responsibilities. The Council on Spiritual Practices proposes the following Code of Ethics for those who serve as spiritual guides.

1.[Intention] Spiritual guides are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate awareness, empathy, and wisdom.

2.[Serving Society] Spiritual practices are to be designed and conducted in ways that respect the common good, with due regard for public safety, health, and order. Because the increased awareness gained from spiritual practices can catalyze desire for personal and social change, guides shall use special care to help direct the energies of those they serve, as well as their own, in responsible ways that reflect a loving regard for all life.

3.[Serving Individuals] Spiritual guides shall respect and seek to preserve the autonomy and dignity of each person. Participation in any primary religious practice must be voluntary and based on prior disclosure and consent given individually by each participant while in an ordinary state of consciousness. Disclosure shall include, at a minimum, discussion of any elements of the practice that could reasonably be seen as presenting physical or psychological risks. In particular, participants must be warned that primary religious
experience can be difficult and dramatically transformative.

Guides shall make reasonable preparations to protect each participant's health and safety during spiritual practices and in the vulnerable periods that may follow. Limits on the behaviors of participants and facilitators are to be made clear and agreed upon in advance of any session. Appropriate customs of confidentiality are to be established and honored.

4.[Competence] Spiritual guides shall assist with only those practices for which they are qualified by personal experience and by training or education.

5.[Integrity] Spiritual guides shall strive to be aware of how their own belief systems, values, needs, and limitations affect their work. During primary religious practices, participants may be especially vulnerable to suggestion, manipulation, and exploitation; therefore, guides pledge to protect participants and not to allow anyone to use that vulnerability in ways that harm participants or others.

6.[Quiet Presence] To help safeguard against the harmful consequences of personal and organizational ambition, spiritual communities are usually better allowed to grow through attraction rather than active promotion.

7.[Not for Profit] Spiritual practices are to be conducted in the spirit of service. Spiritual guides shall strive to accommodate participants without regard to their ability to pay or make donations.

8.[Tolerance] Spiritual guides shall practice openness and respect towards people whose beliefs are in apparent contradiction to their own.

9.[Peer Review] Each guide shall seek the counsel of other guides to help ensure the wholesomeness of his or her practices and shall offer counsel when there is need.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Allen Putnam - Witchcraft Of New England Explained By Modern Spiritualism
Raymond Buckland - Bucklands Book For Spirit Communications
Ashe - Journal Of Experimental Spirituality
Aleister Crowley - Songs Of The Spirit

Your First Journey

This is a simple Exploration down through the tunnel into the lowerworld. The only mission is to travel the tunnel and perhaps see what lied beyond. Make sure you thoroughly Understand the Instructions before beginning the journey.

To carry out the exercise, you will need a second person to act as a drummer or a cassette recording of Shamanistic drumming.

Wait until you are calm and relaxed before undertaking any Shamanistic journey. Avoid alcohol or any psychedelic substances for at least four hours before the exercise. Eat only lightly or not at all during the preceding four hours.

Choose a dark and quiet room. Loosen or remove your clothing and lie comfortable on the floor without a pillow. Take a few deep breaths and relax your arms and legs. Lie there and contemplate your forthcoming mission. Then close your eyes, placing a hand or forearm over them to keep out any light.

Now visualize an opening into the earth that you remember from sometime in your life. It can be one you remember from childhood, or one you saw yesterday. Any kind of entry into the ground will do. It may be a hole made by a burrowed animal, a hollow tree stump, a spring or even a swamp. It can even be man made. The right opening is one that feels comfortable to you and one which you can visualize. Spend a couple of minutes seeing the hole without going into it. Note its details clearly.

Now either start the cassette recording or instruct your companion to begin drumming. The drumming should be a strong, monotonous, unvarying, rapid beat. There should be no contrast in the intensity of the drum beats, or the intervals between them. A drumming tempo of about 205 to 220 beats per minute is usually effective for this kind of journey.Allow yourself ten minutes for the journey. At the end of that time, the drummer should indicate that your time is up by striking four sharp beats to signal that it is time for your return. The drummer should then beat the drum very rapidly for about half a minute to accompany you on the return journey, concluding with four more sharp beats to signal the end of the journey.

When the drumming begins, enter your opening into the earth. Go down through the opening and enter the tunnel. At first the tunnel might be dark and dim. It might go underground at a slight angle, or it might descend steeply. Sometimes the tunnel appears ribbed and often it bends. Occasionally, one passes through the tunnel so fast that it is not even seen. In following the tunnel, you may run right up against a natural wall of stone, or some other obstacle. If this happens, just go around it or through a crack in it. If this fails, simply come back and try again.

At the end of the tunnel you will emerge our of doors. Examine the landscape in detail. Travel through it and remember its features. Explore until you are signaled to come back, and then return through the tunnel the same way you went down.

DO NOT BRING ANYTHING BACK WITH YOU.

Suggested free e-books to read:

William Phelon - Our Story Of Atlantis
Charles Webster Leadbeater - Occult Chemistry
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - You Forever
Mama San Ra Ab Rampa - Flor Silvestre

Consulting Your Animal

The Power Animal can be consulted in order to obtain advise on problems. This is commonly called "divination". To do this, simply journey to the Lowerworld to see your animal. Your Power Animal is usually quite close by and you won't have to journey far before you see it. Quite often it is at the end of the tunnel.

When you see your Power Animal, silently greet it and pose your question. Most often the Power Animal will provide the answer by moving it's body in an unusual way. However, sometimes it may lead you on a journey. The Experiences of the journey will be relevant to your answer.

The first few times you do this, it is best to keep your answers simple so that they may be answered in a "yes" or "no" form. When you become more experienced in Understanding the animal's language, the questions can be more complicated.

You should keep some form of diary in which to record your shamanistic experiences. These you should record as soon as you finish a journey so that the memory is still clear.

You need not wait until you have a problem before you undertake a journey to see your animal guardian. It is beneficial to visit without posing a question. You will find positive things happening in Your Life around such visits.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Tommie Eriksson - Tree Cults In Northern Magic
Roger Whitaker - Antinomianism
Aleister Crowley - Songs For Italy