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Is Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry a pagan religion?

There is no one Celtic tradition. Some Celtic traditions are pagan, some are not. Examples of Celtic subsets include Celtic Pagan Reconstructionalists (Neo-Celtic Paganism), Neo-Druidism, Celtic Wiccan, Celtic Druids, Asatru Celts - the list goes on. However some common themes predominate. Primarily Celtic traditions focus on the ancient deities and culture of pre-roman, pre-christian Europe. They honor the changing of the seasons, the Earth, Sun and Moon and the many gods and goddess that formed part of the ancient world.

When we talk about Celtic religion, we must define what we are talking about. Precisely put, we are talking about religious beliefs, practices and worldviews that existed in Gaelic and other Celtic cultures, pre Christianity.

In Celtic religion, there are three basic spheres. These are the Sky, the Sea and the Land. Each of these has a ruling body. For the Sky, the Sun, for the Sea, the Moon and for the Land, the Earth.

By careful study of the ancient texts, as well as the language itself, we see that the Sun and the Moon are feminine. They are sisters to each other. However, in some lore, there are traces of evidence that some people believed that, while the Sun was feminine, the Moon was masculine.

The basic ethical statement of standard Wicca is called 'the Rede.' The Wiccan Rede states, "An It Harm None, Do As Ye Wilt." The nature of the Rede is untenable to most Celtic religions. Most other pagan religions have much the same standards.

While it is a theoretical statement, it is one with little real life practice. This is because it's a rule that must be broken just to survive and, therefore, leaves interpretation and application to individuals.

In the Celtic paradigm, we find a heroic morality. In real life, the term "harm none" is typified by the moralities of Wicca, Christianity, and others where the primary imperative is to not hurt others. Heroic morality is summed up by the Gaelic hero Caelte as, "truth in our hearts, strength in our arms and fulfillment in our tongues". Heroic morality is rooted in concepts of personal honor, responsibility and fulfillment of duty. That which honor and duty call for is often at the opposite end of the spectrum from that which the Wiccan Rede would call.

The very foundation of Gaelic culture was the home. The hearth was the cornerstone of the spirituality of the people. In Gaelic religions, great emphasis is placed on the sanctity of the home, and strength of the family, as exemplified by the strong Clann system.

In most early Celtic religions the only generally recognized 'initiations' are those afforded by the process of life itself, with the two most important being birth and death, with marriage, parenthood and grand-parenthood coming along in a close second place.

Our Celtic ancestor's views towards women were quite progressive for the times, and were close to being on par with modern views. Much to the chagrin of other powers of the time, namely the Romans, women had the right to possess and disburse property. They possessed the right to inheritance, and to chose their mates. They possessed ascendancy to the throne, in some places, above the right of men to do so. They possessed the right to keep and bear weapons, and let it be noted that subjugating an armed populace is indeed a difficult thing to do. It was not until Christianity was firmly implanted that women lost these rights, and the equality of the law concerning women came into question.

Within Gaelic/Celtic culture, all people were considered capable of, and responsible for, the mediation of the Gods on their own behalf. Celtic regard for personal responsibility is amply abundant. This is particularly true as regards to mediating the Gods on ones own behalf.

In Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry we adhere to the Motto: Truth in our hearts, strength in our arms and fulfillment in our tongues.

For us it's "My Clan, My Family and Mine." We do not believe doing evil or in harming anyone unless there is just cause. However, when evil is done to us or ours we have no problem striking back.

It is impossible to know what effect magic will have on the future, A good Wiccan may work from the most pure point of view and still perform evil.

Also, understand that evil is a point of view. A view held by the attacked or loosing side. That which you think is evil another may think harmless. I doubt any great leader or military leader has thought he was evil.

If you do a love spell, is that evil? It might be if you deprive the person of their true soul mate.

That said, Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry is just a set of tools to use. The construct is such that you may practice it as a religious form. You may just as well use the tools and place your religious faith in any other institution you wish. The choice is up to you.

We welcome all who wish to learn. Your national origin, skin color, personal sexual preferences, religious beliefs, sex, physical condition, height, eye color, whatever are not an issue. All we require is that you follow the Motto: Truth in our hearts, strength in our arms and fulfillment in our tongues, and do your best to support and protect the clan.

You do not have t be Scottish or have Scottish ancestors. Like the Clans of old, we can take any person of value into the Clan, no matter their origin. Then, as now these adopted names are called Septs.

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Problems of an old path in a new era:

Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry is not ancient. That said, It does have elements that are ancient in their roots and application. It also has elements from historic and modern Scotland, circa 1000 AD to today.

Elements have also been taken from Pecti-Witta as described by Raymond Buckland in his book Scottish Witchcraft, with the understanding that much of the information was derived from the late Aidan Breac (1897 - 1989).

Elements from various eclectic Wiccan forms and both modern and ancient Druid faiths have been incorporated.

Other elements have been taken from the Jewish and Christian faiths.

Finally, many elements have also been taken from the teaching of Mildred Allen Sawyer, a kitchen witch, born at the turn of the last century and my mother.

Modern times call for modern solutions while not totally forgetting the ancient beliefs of our ancestors.

Modern Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry can be practiced with as much ritual or as little ritual as desired. Like most Scottish traditions, it is primarily a solitary craft. However, it can be practiced with great success in small groups.

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Festivals and Celebrations:

"The notations of the Celtic year belong to the Christian period, old style. If there are any traces of Pagan times they are only such as are to be gathered from a few names and ceremonies. The four seasons are known as:

• Earrach, spring
• Samhradh, summer
• Fogharadh, harvest
• Geamhradh, winter

There can be no doubt the origins of the names belong to a period anterior to Christianity.

Indeed Earrach is derived from ear, meaning the head or front, also the east. Samhradh is from samh, the sun. Fogharadh is from fogh, meaning hospitality and abundance. Geamhradh is connected to geamhtach, meaning stiff, thick, binding, and thus sees tied-in with the idea of snow and ice.

With the Scottish Quarter Days differing from the English Quarter Days, Scotland follows the ancient customs of the Celtic peoples, and England that of non-Celtic peoples of Europe.

The Scottish Quarter Days are as follows:

• FEBRUARY 2 - CANDLEMAS
• MAY 15 - WHITSUN or OLD BHEALLTAINN
• AUGUST 1 - LAMMAS
• NOVEMBER 11 - MARTINMAS, or OLD HALLOWMAS

The ancient Celtic year started on the eve of November 1. Then in 527 CE, this was changed and New Year's Day was declared to be March 25. Almost a thousand years later this was changed again to January 1. In Scotland it wasn't until 1600 that New Year's Day was first celebrated on January 1. The Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry, in common with many Witches, still celebrate the start of the year at Samhuinn, though their Samhuinn is November 11 rather than November 1.

The calendar, festivals, customs, and celebrations can become very complicated, especially when you start studying the changes that have taken place over the centuries. But the New Scottish Wiccan celebrates only on those festivals/dates which were important to them. These were:

• SAMHUINN - NOVEMBER 11
• YULE - DECEMBER 22 (Feill Fionnain)
• BEALLTAINN - MAY 15
• MIDSUMMER - JULY 5 (Feill-Sheathain)

SAMHUINN (pronounced sa-ven) This is the start of the year and the start of winter. This, then, was a time when thoughts were on the Horned God who oversaw the hunt in earlier days, for this was the time when humankind had to go back to hunting animals for food, to get through the winter. There would usually be a general celebration in the villages and towns at the time of the Sabbats. Since this particular one marks the start of a new year, in many parts of the Highlands household fires are extinguished and then the first fire of the new year is kindled from a piece of wood taken from the Samhuinn ritual fire.

First thing in the morning of the New Year the head of the household, for luck, will treat everyone in the house to a dram of whiskey and a spoonful of half-cooked sugar an ancient Celtic dish (a Quake). The toast is Bliadhna mhath ur dhuit "A good New Year to you." The response is Mar sin duit fhein is moran diu "The same to you, and many of them."

"First-footing" is treated very seriously. The very first person to enter the house on New Year's Day should be a dark-haired man bearing gifts of a piece of coal or peat, and/or salt and bread. Many households will not allow anyone to enter the house until the appropriate first-footer has come.

New Year's Day is a great day for taking precautions against bad luck, both to the humans and to the animals of the household. Juniper was burned in the byre; the house was decked with mountain ash: door-posts, walls, even cattle were sprinkled with wine.

One of the methods of divination practices by almost everyone on New Year's Day was to toss a shoe over the roof of the house. The shoe had to be held by the tip when thrown. The thrower would then rush around to the other side of the house to examine how the shoe had landed. It was believed that in which direction the toe pointed, that was a direction the thrower would be taking before long. However, if the shoe landed with the sole uppermost, this was a sign of misfortune to come.

FEILL-FIONNAIN or YULE The shortest day of the year and the longest night. At this time the sun rises and sets at its most southerly point. The day usually falls on December 22nd, though this will vary from year to year. Feill-Fionnain means "Fionn's Eve," for the great Celtic god Fionn, or Finn (equated by some scholars with Lugh).

Yule is celebrated with a large bonfire on the top of a ben. Since it can be very cold and sometimes snowy, the fire is usually much appreciated! As at Samhuinn, however, there is a sacredness about the fire. The main log in it, the largest one, is the Yule log. This must have been cut from the celebrant's own tree or have been a gift from a neighbor. It must not be a log that was bought. It is traditionally oak, ash or beech. In some areas of the Highlands the Pictish Witch will carve into the Yule log the semblance of an old woman. This is known as the Cailleach Nolliaich, or the Yule Old Wife. A toast to future prosperity is drunk, from the Quaich, over a log before it is taken away to the ritual fire, and libations poured over it. At the start of the ritual the Yule Log stands to one side, to be placed on the fire at a particular point.

BEALLTAINN May Day festivities were originally part of the general Bealltainn celebrations and the erection of the Maypoles was a common practice. A general rather than specific acquisition of fertility was intended by the widespread use of trees and foliage in May Day celebrations throughout Europe. In the belief that the tree-spirit would fertilize women and cattle, and make the crops grow, houses and farm buildings were decked with greenery, while whole trees were cut and then re-erected in the village. Although later a pole was left permanently erected and then decorated at each year's May festivities, originally a new tree was brought each year. Since the tree embodies the newly awakened spirit of vegetation, a dead tree would hardly have the same power, and the re-use of a "dead" pole indicated that by then the real meaning of the custom had been forgotten, although as a phallic symbol it could still suggest the flow of energy between cosmos and earth which people were seeking to invoke.

The sometimes "orgiastic" fertility festivities associated with Bealltainn were too blatant to be adopted by the Christian Church, which had assimilated so many Pagan practices. By 1644 the Puritans had got Parliament to ban May festivities and to do away with the Maypole. But with the return of Charles II in 1660, the people joyfully brought back their old beliefs and practices. On the first Bealltainn after Charles's return, a Maypole 134 feet tall was erected in the Strand and remained there until 1717.
Bealltainn falls on the old date of May 15th. As with all other Pecti-Witta Sabbats, the ritual starts on the rising of the moon the night before. Have your Quaich available, filled with wine or ale. The staff may be decorated with bright ribbons, greenery and wild flowers.

FEILL-SHEATHAIN, or MIDSUMMER July 5th is the date of the Old Midsummer. Feill-Sheathain means "Swithin's Eve." Swithin is the old form of John, the common form being Iain, Eoin, and Eathin. Many ancient Pagan sites dedicated to Baldur were rededicated, by the Christian Church, to St. John the Baptist. Baldur was, of course, a radiant Sun god.
Throughout Scotland, and the rest of Britain, villagers would make "cartwheels" of straw and dip them in pitch. On Midsummer's Eve these would be set alight and bowled down the hillsides, to give power to the sun god. It the flames went out before the wheel reached the bottom of the hill, it presaged a bad harvest.

Torches are frequently lit from the ritual bonfire. In the Orkneys these torches, made primarily of heather, are then carried through the cow sheds to keep away sickness and to make the cattle fertile. In other parts of the country the torches are carried around the fields and the houses of the village, always moving clockwise or deiseil.

The smoke of the ritual fire was also held in awe. To be censed by it ensured a healthy year to come. Mothers would hold their babies in the smoke of the Midsummer bonfire to bless them. Jumping over the fire, as it blazed, was another time-honored custom. Highland women were prone to leap over the fire with their skirts held high, exposing their genitals to the smoke and flame, to bring fertility. Ashes from the fire were sought after. Ashes were rubbed onto the foreheads of children to bless them.

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Candle Magic:
WHEN USING CANDLES IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED!

Candle magic is one of the most common forms of magic. It is one of the few forms of magical practices that are still observed today by the mainstream as well. An example is making a wish while blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.

The actual process may vary, but the general principle behind it remains the same. Candle magic is based on the belief that by concentrating energy into a candle of a given color it becomes possible to transfer that energy by means of the burning of the
candle into the universe itself enabling that energy to cause a desired affect.

A simple form of candle magic is to hold the candle between the palms of your hands while breathing deeply and visualizing your goals. Then push your personal power and energy into the candle by holding it between your hands. Actually feel the energy leaving your body and entering the candle. State very simply your goals or what it is that you wish to occur.

Once you have done this place the candle into its holder and strike a match above the candle and draw down the flame toward the wick until it is lit. Dispose of the match and hold your hands around the flame. Feel the energy between you and the candle going
so far as to visualize it very strongly. When you feel comfortable leave the area and let the candle burn down to do its job.

Candles can be made from any color and any variety or shape. The color itself can play a role in candle magic depending on the desired outcome and the color that is related to achieving that outcome.

It is possible for one color candle to have the same or a similar affect as another. It is not written in stone anywhere that you must use only a single candle at a time. If it feels right to use more than one simply do so. It is possible to combine two or more candles with supporting effects in order to strengthen the magic.

It is used as a symbol of fire and air by various belief systems. In rituals, it is used as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses or to smudge an area.

It is also used in many ways when casting spells and may have multiple purposes. During divination, it is used to help create a proper physical, mental and spiritual state.

Wands are fashioned from a multitude of materials and to many designs. Wands have been used in many cultures throughout history. In fact, their legacy is still seen in positions of authority in modern society, such as staffs, crooks, and scepter's wielded by church leaders and heads of state.

Wands can be made from wood, metal or indeed anything, which will conduct subtle energy. Plastics and other materials can be used to fashion wands but are not generally used because of their insulating properties. Leather was and is used in some wand designs to insulate the energy field of the practitioner from the wand. The choice of insulation is purely personal but our designs use conductive materials to link the energy field of the practitioner directly with his or her wand.

Many traditional wands were, and still are, made from wood. For those of you who may wish to fashion your own wooden wand you can use "live wood" or select a variety of exotic woods. Oak is a good choice representing strength.

If you use precut wood you have to breathe life back into the wood. Talk to the wood as you carve or otherwise prepare it to be a wand. When the wand is ready you can bring it back to life by cleansing it with ritual smoke and breathing over the wand. When you are done, point the wand to the sky, earth and to a water source as you say, "Awaken, and take your place of power. Thank you for agreeing to help me in my quest."

If a branch or twig is cut from a tree or plant, the life force that animates the wood will be rapidly withdrawn from the branch in order for the plant to conserve its energy. Live wood is obtained by tuning in to the consciousness of the tree and asking that a gift of the chosen wood be given. Sit or stand with the tree for a while, spend some time getting to know the tree. Then when it feels appropriate either out loud or in your head state that you wish to be given a section of live wood to create a wand and ask that the vibration and energy be left in the section from which the wand is to be fashioned. Once you have cut the live wood thank the tree, and leave some form of exchange. The wand can then be fashioned or carved into an appropriate form and augmented with the addition of crystals, colored ribbons feathers or other items significant to you.

Wooden wands are by their very nature ideal for practitioners of earth magic, Wiccan's, etc. Generally speaking, wooden wands have a very subtle, flowing natural feel to their energy. The wand was and indeed still is a part of Druidic and shamanic tool kits. The wand is used to work with the element of air, which is associated with the mental body and the intellect, hence its use as a focus for ones intent.

In contrast to wooden wands, metal-based wands are highly conductive, very directional and focused energetically. Designs may include matrices of wires or metal rods to form the wand, or more commonly a metal tube with crystals and other materials mounted in them.

The easiest form of metal wand to fashion is a tubular wand. Copper or stainless steel pipe is easily obtained and cut to length using a pipe cutter or hacksaw. Crystals are then mounted at either end of the pipe. Some designs place additional crystals or energetic materials in the pipe to confer different energy frequencies for different applications.

Designs vary and some of the most ornate metal wands have platonic solids and other complex shapes and wire matrices bonded to the pipe or handle.

In addition to using crystals to enhance a wooden or metal wand, some wands are fashioned from pure crystal. In order to form the blocks of crystal into a wand specialist tooling is generally required depending on the hardness of the crystal.

While it is possible to fashion a quartz wand using carborundum paper abrasive or sandpaper), it will take a very long time, and a lot of elbow power. These wands are best purchased ready made but can easily be augmented with the addition of extra crystals or built into metal or wooden wands if so desired.

Once the basic wand of whatever material is formed the energy may be augmented by the addition of other crystals. These crystals will blend their vibrations with that of the wand in order to bring about positive change. Winding conductive materials such as metal wire around the wand can further augment the energy of the wand. If a spiral is wound down the piece, or even multiple spirals, then the energy flow will be further amplified. Using these basic principles, the harmonics of a wand can be tailored to suit any practitioner.
Once having obtained your wand, either after purchasing one or making your own, what to do with it?

The simple answer will be to follow your own intuition, but the following tried and tested techniques have worked for us.

Wands are usually rod like in construction, generally one end collects energy which is focused down the wand and directed via a crystal or a point to bring about change. One of the most common designs uses a sphere as the collector and a point at the other end as a director.

Wands are normally held in the right hand. Energetically we receive energy with the left hand and give with the right hand. Focus your intent and then direct the energy through the wand to the recipient. The wand may be used in this fashion to draw sacred symbols, connect crystals in a grid or matrix, or direct energy to a person, time or place.

One of the prime uses of a wand is in healing. The wand may be used in whatever fashion feels appropriate. The wand may be passed up and down the recipient pointed at wounds or energy blockages etc. and energy will be directed in. In addition, the wand may be placed base down on the recipient in order to draw negative energy or pain etc. out. Once this energy is drawn out it is important to transmute this negativity and there are a number of methods to achieve this.

A statement of intent that the negative energy removed during healing is transmuted into positive energy is one way of achieving this. Directing the energy into a vortex of purple light may also be used. Calling on guidance, angelic energies, or ascended masters such as Saint Germain to assist in the transmutation of negative energy may also be used.
After the wand has been used it should be cleansed using a smudge stick, visualization or by blowing down the wand to remove any negativity.

Wands may be laid on a recipient to balance the energy system, or to open the chakra chain. In addition to healing, wands may be used as an aid to meditation simply by holding the wand whilst in the meditative state.

A good wand is a powerful partner in any form of energy work. Tell it what you want it to do, give the wand clear instruction on what you want doing, i.e. place it at the feet of the recipient and ask the wand to open the chakra chain and dissolve any negative energies it encounters. Then turn it around and ask that it draws any negativity it has dissolved from the person's energy field. Of course, thank the wand and those who have worked through the wand for their efforts.

Never point your wand at anyone without the intent to heal or bring about positive change, and again never without his or her permission. Take care of your wand and always cleanse it after use.

In time, most practitioners develop a method of working with the wand, which suits them. This article is intended as a general guide to enable you to develop a technique, which works for you. Feel free to experiment, but we recommend that before working with any energetic process a simple affirmation that what will take place occurs for the highest good of yourself and any recipient is good practice.

Your wand is a powerful tool for change at all levels and as such should be used with responsibility.

• What is sacred space?
• How do I create it?
• What do I need protection for?
• How do I protect myself?

Sacred space is very important to witches. Sacred space is a place where you should feel safe and connected with deity. It's a place to meditate, work spells, divinate, etc.

How and where do you create it?
You can create sacred space anywhere - indoors or outdoors, a small space or a large space.

What do you need?
A representation of each element is good to start with. For example, for:
Earth - green candle, earth, herbs, food
Air - yellow candle, feather, and incense
Water - blue candle, chalice, and bowl of water

Fire is always present at any ritual so include a forth candle to represent fire.

Now it's time to build your sacred space!
Stand in the north direction, grab your representation of that element, and walk the circle sunwise, if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, that's counterclockwise.
Focus on the fire element cleansing the space and say while focusing:
By the element of fire, I cleanse and
Consecrate this sacred space
May the god/goddess bless this space and
Keep all harm out so only good shall enter in, so mote it be.
Now stand facing the central fire, with the tip of your staff always pointing at the fire, and walk the circle saying:
By power of my staff I cleanse and
Consecrate this sacred space
May the god/goddess bless this space
And keep all harm out so only good shall enter in, so mote it be.

You have now created your very own sacred space. You can do this ritual whenever you feel the need. If you feel a bit lightheaded and out of your body from doing this, it's good to sit on the earth and visualize all you're excess energy leaving your body and pouring into the earth. Another good method is to eat some food. Also, hold some hematite crystal. The next step is to call in protection. This is a great habit to get into. Protection is very important in magic and very simple to do.

So, why do you need protection?
Protection is used to stop any unwanted energy entering your space. Good or bad, you only bring in what you want. Protection is also good so you don't take on other people's energy.

So, sit down in the center of your circle or wherever possible. Close your eyes and see yourself surrounded in gold light. Now, call in your guardians, spirit guides, creator or a particular god and goddess and ask them for their protection and guidance and thank them.

That's it! How simple!

Some other good protection tips:
Hematite is an excellent protection stone. Carry it with you and also place it in your drinking water (but do not drink the stone). Drink the water so you are drinking its vibration into you. Black pepper oil - this has very strong protective qualities too. Place a drop behind your neck, for this is your psychic center and it will help stop any psychic attacks.

The Besom or Witches Broom
In Ireland, the besom, or witches broomstick, was sometimes called a "Faery's Horse." Today, "jumping the broom" has become an important aspect of Wiccan Handfasting, symbolizing the transition from the Maiden phase of life to that of the Mother. It also became a symbol of Samhain because of its fertility symbolism. The broomstick is a phallic symbol used by female witches in fertility rites, and it is from this idea that the witches of Halloween ride broomsticks. The sweeping end was traditionally made of the broom herb, a feminine herb.

The notion of the Halloween witch riding upon a broom also may have been a misrepresentation of astral projection. As Samhain represents a time when the veil, the threshold between the world of the living and the realm of the spirits, is very thin, it is the perfect time for astral projection and communion with the souls of the dead.

Traditionally, the broomstick is made of a limb from an ash tree. The World Tree, which connects the world of the living and various realms of spirits, can be identified with the Yggdrasil of Norse Mythology, the Sacred Ash upon which Odin hung crucified for nine days and nine nights before receiving the Sacred runes. It can also be recognized as the May Pole entwined with ribbon in the spring, and it is also the Witch's Broomstick at Halloween.

Using this broomstick, or Faery's Horse with its shaft of ash, the Witch traditionally rides up the chimney of her hut and over the Moon to the spirit realms on Halloween night.

Besom Care

Whether you use your broom to sweep your home of dust and cobwebs, to help your ceremony or ritual, or simply to decorate your home, you might wonder how to keep your broom in its best condition for years to come. Some broommakers have this advice for you and your broom.

Cleaning your broom brush if it's made of unnatural fiber like plastic is easy -- use mild soap and hot water. But cleaning your broom brush if it's made of natural fiber like broomcorn, as most ceremonial and decorative brooms are, can seem a little more intimidating.

If you use your broom to sweep, its brush will collect dirt and dust in the fibers which will be abrasive to them and make them brittle and dry. For this kind of broom, soak the fibers once a month in sudsy hot water for a few seconds, rinse with clear cold water and shake the fibers gently to remove excess water. If you use your broom for ceremony or decoration only, soak the fibers once every six months in clear hot water for about 15 minutes, rinse with clear cold water and shake the fibers gently to remove excess water. Because the fibers absorb some of the water, the brush flexibility will be replenished. Hang your broom indoors to dry with the fibers down to keep them from bending.

If you use or leave your broom outside in a damp climate, a solution of bleach and clear cold water scrubbed into the fibers will remove and inhibit the growth of mildew.

When your broom is dry, apply a thin layer of linseed oil to the broom stick unless it's covered by paint or bark. Apply a thin layer of linseed oil also to the outer brush fibers using a clean cotton cloth with a small amount of oil and wiping gently in the direction of the fibers.

For broom repairs, consult your broom's maker, another broom maker or join the Yahoo! Group "Brooms" (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brooms). With this kind of care, your broom will serve you for many years and might become a future heirloom to another broom caretaker.

Grounding: Sit on the floor in a comfortable position and take several deep breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth. As you inhale, feel all tensions leaving your body and relaxing all of your muscles. As you exhale, visualize all of your worries, problems, and distractions dissipating. Imagine your tailbone extending deep into the ground, connecting you and the earth, and pulling up the energy into your body. Feel the energy flow up through your spine and then pour over your body at the crown of your head. Feel it filling your aura with a cool white light. Visualize it cleansing your entire body.

To discard excess energy after ritual, place your hands in contact with the earth or a conductive material that is grounded. It may also help to wash your face and hands in cold water.

Centering: Once you have drawn up the energy of the earth, draw it all into your solar plexus. Practice expanding your energy from the size of a pinpoint to the size of an entire room.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Quarters are generally called beginning in the North or East and moving clockwise (deosil). For example, North, East, South, then West. Most of the books available about Wicca and Witchcraft use these correspondences.
In the Southern Hemisphere however, these correspondences may vary. Circles are still cast deosil, but to those of us in the

Northern Hemisphere, they would seem to be widdershins. (Counterclockwise). The equator is to the North in the Southern Hemisphere, so North is sometimes representative of fire.

This Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry site is to honor the history, traditions, myth and magic of the great Celtic nations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales while acknowledging the contributions of the English and Norse cultures.

Scottish Witchcraft and Wizardry is an attempt to pull the best of Wizardry Witchcraft, Wicca, Pecti-Witta, Druidism, Christianity, Scottish heritage, Celtic history and myth and my own personal beliefs, developed over decades of research and observation, into a path that enhances and benefits the user.

In addition to these disciplines, I encompass modern physics. I embrace the concepts of "String Theory" and "Harmonics" as defined by Stephen Hawking's work.

This is not a religious path, you may worship any, all or no God and still participate in the magic of Scottish Wizardry and Witchcraft,

Like Wizards and Witches have over the centuries, I have mixed a potion of beliefs, concepts and hopes, together with my ideas and the ideas of those that have joined me, into a new path that fits the New World Scot.

In the practice of Scottish Wizardry is usually a Solitary Wizards path. I never expect any to follow my lead, however, all who do are welcome. To join New Scottish Wizardry is to join a Clan of like-minded people.

What is Magic?

"What is magic? How do I do a spell? What part do these workings play in religion?" These are some of the questions asked every day.

There are as many definitions of the word itself as there are numbers of its practitioners. Aleister Crowley defines "magic" as "The Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity to Will". (Huh? Leave it to ole Uncle Al to really clear things up! )

S. L. Mathers, one of the founders of The Golden Dawn, stated magic is: "The Science of the Control of the Secret Forces of Nature,." (

Moving on to The Lemegeton (Lesser Book of Solomon, the King), we come to: "magic is the highest, most Absolute, most Divine Knowledge of natural Philosophy, advanced in its works and wonderful operations by a right understanding of the inward and occult (hidden) virtue of things; so that true agents being applied to proper patients, strange and admirable effects will hereby be produced. Whence magicians are profound and diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of their skill, know how to anticipate an effect, the which to the vulgar shall seem to be a miracle."

The French scholar, Christian Jacq, who made a study of Egyptian magic. He says:" This magic can perhaps be defined as the essential energy which circulates in the Universe of the Gods, as well as in that of humans."
"...Spirit and matter are woven out of the same substance. The important thing in the practice of magic is to identify the thread which links everything and unites all creatures in a chain of cosmic union,."

Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, one of the greatest Wizards living today puts it this way: "magic is what we call various ways of making changes in ourselves and the world by means that cannot be explained by currently accepted theories and understandings of science and society."

To me, magic then is that thread linking all to all. Learning to both recognize that thread and to be able to follow it to its source and back again is the study of magic.

"To Know" is one of the four cornerstones of occult knowledge and the starting point of the seeker. While one can make use of a toaster without necessarily understanding the wiring which turns your toast to that nice golden brown, if the circuit does not work, one needs to either learn more about electricity or call in an expert.

That is the function of magical practice, to learn the basics of how things work, keep them working and prevent breaks in the circuits that may keep them from doing what they are meant to do. That is why magic will always exist and why those who become "wise" in its mysteries will always be sought out. Such Wizards are the "experts."

I don't hold to the theory that some are just born into this lifetime with all the skills of an expert at their disposal. I believe though that some indeed do carry over a certain affinity for the Arts magical as a result of past lifetime training. But as a whole, we all must work and work very hard, to develop the "expert" skills to become responsible and effective magical workers.

To do this, we have need of a guidebook, a training manual or a blue print. We need to know what the basic rules are, be it of electricity or of magic, before we starting tinkering around with the ole cosmic circuitry!

THE HERMETIC LAWS: "That which is below is like unto that which is above, and that which is above is like unto that which is below, for the performing of the miracles of the One thing." So states Hermes Trismegistus in the "Emerald Tablet", one of the few of forty-two books on everything from astrology to cosmology to law that have been attributed to him.

Dating back to the third century B.C.E., they probably were the works of more than one person. Most were destroyed in the desecration of the great library at Alexandria, although there are some who say that they are hidden until humanity might reach a point in evolution to be able to make use of the information wisely.

But lest the reader wonder why such a work would be one of the founding treatises on magical practice, it is not its ancient origin that makes it so significant (Not all things ancient are necessarily true!). It is the fact that these concepts have been proven to work and that they are now being studied in the realm of quantum physics!

"The first criterion of new-paradigm science is the shift from the parts to the whole. In the old paradigm, it was believed that in any complex system, the dynamics of the whole could be understood from the properties of its parts. In the new paradigm the relationship between the parts and the whole is reversed. The properties of the parts can only be understood from the dynamics of the whole. Ultimately, THERE ARE NO PARTS AT ALL! What we call a part is merely a pattern in an inseparable web of relationships."Fritzof Capra, Ph.D.

As a pantheist, this concept of everything being connected to everything else is an easy concept for me. This makes the sometimes troublesome interpretation of the Wiccan Rede, 'An it harm none, do as ye will," a non issue for me. I see it this way: If I lived alone in a cave, I could pretty much do whatever I liked, but once I step outside that cave, I have to consider how my actions will affect everything and everyone else.
To me, it is a simple act of respect for the rest of the Universe to be careful out there! If I feel like twirling around with a baseball bat in my hands, you know that I will check to be sure that no one is standing close enough to get a concussion.

Which brings up the question: "How can I be absolutely sure that my actions will BE for the good of all?" Same way you check around for possible concussion-getters...you look at the situation very carefully before you take a swing.

"Does that mean that you will not inadvertently still harm someone or something?" No, but it DOES mean you are acting as responsibly as you can with the knowledge that you do have. Something may still fly suddenly into the circle of your magical "swing" that you did not anticipate. The only way to be sure is to ask that if it is NOT for the good of all, that your magical working not come to pass. Many Wiccans and Witches use this technique at the end of their spells as a "safeguard."

"But aren't you supposed to put your entire will into a spell? How can you do this if you have doubts about its correctness?" That IS the question indeed. And one of the main reasons that seasoned magical practitioners are very, VERY careful about the magical workings that they do. They know that they ARE responsible and will be called to account for any changes made in the universal energy patterns. You are making changes in the fabric of reality itself. This is not work for either the foolish or the faint hearted. magic, done correctly, is serious business indeed!

That is why the next principle of magic is called-"TO WILL"...but before you can take that next step, you must spend the time and energy to learn the basics of magical principles. Believe me, there are no shortcuts to becoming an "expert". You can't bluff your way into the "Universal Workings Union". You have to study the blueprint and follow the guidelines. If you are not prepared to do this, then just go out and buy yourself a role playing game. Your magic will never be effective, but at least you will keep yourself amused, you won't be doing any damage.

.Let's work forward from the basic of idea of magic and into the realms of the practical world. If you have been led to believe that the physical world is far and away much different than the magical one, you may be surprised to learn that others do not always share that point of view. In actuality, practicing magic is for many people not the domain of some mysterious force 'out there somewhere,' but rather merely the utilization of a skill.

Some people have an affinity for it, some people seem to have a natural gift of it, some people have always been interested in it and some people have been trained to develop it. Whichever path led you into the workings of magic, there is another component to magic that you may have not considered before-the role of religion.

Generic Magic

Throughout the ages, magic has been practiced. The reason for this is not because it makes people cool or different, better or worse than anyone else. People work magic because magic works. It is just as practical to use spells and charms as it is to use any other skill that you may possess to make your life better in some way or to help someone else in theirs.

'Practical magic -it's not just a movie title anymore!

While it is true that 'throughout the ages', people have indeed practiced magic, it is also true that not all peoples have practiced magic in the same way or in the same context. That is still true today. Some folks practice magic with no inherent religious element. These are the practitioners who consider magic to be entirely neutral. Some may go a bit a further and attach their own religious components to it, but some always just stay 'generic.'

Wizards, Witches and Magic

The words 'magic' and 'Wizard or Witch' seem to be forever linked, yet it is also true that some Witches, Wiccans and other pagans use magic as part of their religious practice and some do not. Some magical folk, Wiccans and pagans use magic as a tool for divination or spellwork for such things as healing, etc, yet do not consider magic as a religious practice, but rather as a practical utility tool. Heathens, like many others in the Northern traditions, acknowledge the existence of magic, but generally leave the workings of it solely to the office of a special person, usually a diviner.

Religious Magic

In describing those who use magic as part of their religious practice, it is often almost impossible to say exactly where the magic leaves off and the religion begins (or the reverse). Religious belief and magical workings weave together physical, mental and spiritual threads in a way that the single strands of any one element can no longer be distinguished from the entire fabric. Hence, the religious tenets held by these magical practitioners and the magic that they employ are, at least to them, inseparable and that is the only way that they can describe what it is to them or pass what they know about it along to someone else.

Ethical considerations, such as we understand them today (example-Wiccan Rede), may not have played the same function in past ages. Certainly, there are many existing examples of spells and curses from very ancient times that can only be described as 'nasty.' Whether the societies in which they were formulated held different standards when it came to manipulative or malignant magic than we tend to hold today is unclear.

The archaeological examples of these 'nasties' that have survived the centuries do tend to point to the fact that this sort of spell and charm were, if not acceptable, at least widely practiced.

Perhaps the best way to leave the religion/magic connection is like this: In those people (or those traditions that teach this concept) for whom the separation of magic and religion is impossible to define, ethical considerations become very important. The values that the religion embraces will be the same values that the magical aspect will be defined with. Hence, for the people who uphold certain religious ethics to be sacred, magical workings will be defined as 'bad' if they break from these ethical standards. Conversely, the closer to the religious ethical ideal that a magical working is perceived to be, the more 'right' or 'correct' or in harmony with the religion (and the person) that it becomes.

Talking Magic

If you are confused, you are not alone. Because of the sloppy language usage prevalent in modern societies (especially in the United States), general 'short cut' words are often used to describe an action or event. Thus the words 'magic' and 'spell' are tossed about as if these words always mean the same thing to everyone who uses them or anyone who hears them. They do not, and-given the diversity of magical practices and beliefs-they simply cannot. Not all spells are created equal.

Religious magical practitioners and those who do not attach any (or alternative) religious ethics to spellwork may both use the words 'spell' and 'magic', but they are really talking in different languages. No wonder folks will get into raging debates over what is 'right' or what is 'wrong' when it comes to working magic and spells! The differences in 'where they are coming from' are very real.

Wiccans will almost always have a problem with someone practicing what they perceive through the eyes of their religious ethical system as manipulative magic. Those who see magic as a neutral force- and whose own ethical system perhaps does not embrace the 'harm none' tenet- will (at the very least) tell the Wiccans to 'loosen up already' and stop with the 'white-light fluffy bunny' stuff. From that point on, the language can become very 'common' indeed as each side heaps abuse upon the other.

No one has to (or should be expected to) compromise their own personal position on magic or what it may mean to them, but it could help to normalize relations a bit if we all simply realize that not everyone else views or employs magic as we ourselves may do.

Perhaps considering the points outlined above may help to better clarify-or rather encourage pagans engaged in discussions with one another to better clarify-the various and individual positions, outlooks and assumptions that surround magic, magically based systems, religious beliefs and practices in our communities.

Maybe then, we will not only be able to say that we have 'embraced diversity', but also that we have actually learned to live within it as well.

Guidelines to a Magical Life

It is not sufficient to say you are a "Witch" or a "Wizard"; or to practice magic, you must also live as one.

Do not look for excuses for why you cannot follow the path. Accept responsibility for your failures as well as your successes.

Honor your Spirit, but recognize that the spirits of all entities in the Universe are equal.

All life is sacred; all acts are ritual. Your actions should reflect your own divinity and that of all beings.

Achieving balance with the Earth is essential for a magical life. Responsibility toward the environment and the Earth's inhabitants should be evident in the activities of your daily life.

Wealth and fame are not necessary ingredients for a magical life. Power is a sacred gift and must be used wisely and with humility. Pride in ones power will ultimately cause failure.

Power should never be used to prove your ability or in any form of competition with others. Power should be used to create happiness, not sorrow.

Be certain of your intentions when performing any act of magic. magic is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. The intentions of the magician determine the path it will take.

Act always with honor and accept responsibility for your actions. It is honorable to protect your loved ones, but be willing to accept the consequences of your actions with honor as well.

Words are sacred, use them wisely. There is honor in truth. Your word is sacred. Others must know that they can depend on you absolutely.
Learn to forgive yourself and others.

Knowledge is the foundation of the Craft. Never believe that you know enough.

Teach those who truly wish to learn, but take care that you do not teach those who only wish to serve themselves or harm others.

Recognize that even the least knowledgeable of students may offer you valuable lessons.

Magical Names

Magic names, Craft names, Coven names, Wizard names, Witch names, Circle names... all phrases we use to describe the special names that Witches and other Pagans traditionally take on.

A magical name is as much your name as the one you were given at birth, many of us have three or even four names at a time and may change them as we ourselves grow and change.

Why have a magical name?
There are many reasons for having a magical name, and many ways of finding one, but no matter what it is or where it comes from, ultimately it is sacred to you and describes a part of your greater being.

A lot of magical names are chosen partly because they describe who a person is, and what stage they are at in their journey along their personal path. It's descriptive of your nature, it shows your strengths and weaknesses, it should be as much a guide for you as it is to others about who you are.

Your magical name has practical purposes too. The name that you use attracts certain energies to you, it may appeal to a particular force, entity, element or deity. By taking the correct name for you, you are affirming your Journey: who you have been, who you are and who you will, or hope to, become.

Your name is also a trigger, when you go to magic you do so with your magical name, and in so doing you trigger a change in your consciousness.

It is a name just for your Craft, not tied with associations like your VISA card, your payslip or your friends down the pub. It is the name by which you identify yourself, it's a symbol of your Craft.

Why not to have a magical name.

Despite the reasons I've mentioned to take a magical name, there are many who find cause not to. For some solitaries, they simply see no reason, many people live every facet of their lives as a magical person and so have no need to mark a separation. In fact, there are those who believe that to create such a schism between your mundane and magical selves is actually detrimental rather than beneficial, they simply use their birth name.

How many names can you have and what for?

There is more than one reason to have a magical name, and because of this, some people have more than one magical name. From speaking to people, recently, and in the past, it seems that the average is three.

Using a pseudonym can also be an issue of safety, allowing you to communicate freely with other pagans without fear of recriminations or being discovered if they haven't told their family, friends or colleagues.

For others it is, or is akin to, a tribal name, a name used by those who you consider to be a part of your greater family or Clan. I have a private names known only by people very close to me, one mundane name and one name used in magical circles.

How do you get your name/s?
I have heard a large variety of opinions on how a person can, or should, get their magical name or names. The one concept that seems to run across the board, is that your name will come to you, you can't force the issue, only be open to it. Receiving a name isn't just something you do, it's something you experience.

The general feeling amongst pagans appears to be that your inner circle magical name is something that should be given to you, whereas a private name can be chosen by you.

Your name holds power and when you receive it you'll feel those energies: that's how you'll know it's the one for you.

Once you make the decision to Seek a name you must be open and aware of the world around you so that you won't miss any signs being shown to you. Actively, you could do some research into myths and legends, you should definitely meditate on it, I even know one person who divined their name with a pendulum and a book of baby names. Your name will be shown to you in the way that is most appropriate for you, it can come in any way and at any time, but when it does, you'll know.

In many religous traditions, the magical name is given to a Witch at their initiation by the High Priestess and Priest of their Coven. Obviously, this isn't right for everyone, or possible for those who are solitary from circumstance rather than choice. Even a Coven name is not necessarily given by an Elder, it may be found when Journeying, in dreams, during meditation, as a sudden flash of "just knowing"... you might hear it in the wind, or hear the voice of Goddess or God. Basically, unless in your tradition, for example Gardnerian or Hereditary, you are given your magical name by your Elders, then it's up to you to let the universe know you are Seeking, and then go out with your eyes open... all three of them.

Your magical name is a symbol of rebirth. Your initiation is a little death, followed by your rebirth. When you are reborn you are cleansed, named, blessed and introduced.

Ethics

One issue a Wizard always has to consider is ethics. In the movie, Spiderman the great line delivered by Peter Parker's uncle says it all, "With great power, comes great responsibility."

Before you take any action you must consider, as best you can, the possible ramification of those actions.

Silence

Did you ever wonder why Wizards are always portrayed as people that often answer a question with a question and always take an inordinate amount of time to come to a decision?

It's because the fate of the multiverse is always on their shoulders.

Most people think that extraordinary and monumental events are the only events that effect the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, it is the millions of seemingly simple and meaningless decisions that change the fate of our existence.

I met my wife because I made the seemingly simple decision to attend a co-workers going away party. It had been a long week and I was not much in the mood to put up with a bunch of rowdy people. I could have made the decision to call this person the next day and wish them well. Being a solitary person it was my more likely decision. However, I experienced a feeling that I should go. Fortunately, I followed my instinct. We have been happily married for almost 23 years.

When you go to work tomorrow, you have the option to take different routs, drive at different speeds and leave at different times, decisions you make everyday, any one of which could cause you to live or die. Have you ever been in an accident or witnessed one. Did you ever consider what difference would have been if you had left 20 seconds earlier or later?

I once had a writing assignment in journalism school of writing a short story titled, "If I could go back in time, what would I change?" I started my essay with a note to the teacher saying that the words I was about to write were totally fiction, because I would not want to change anything in my past. My reasoning was that even the smallest change would change my entire life form that point on.

One of the Wizards tools is to take the slow path, to consider what might change and to consider how to adjust to that change and the change that that change will cause. Its like looking into a funhouse mirror with your image repeated to infinity.

One of the advantages, perhaps the only advantage to getting old is that you learn, by having your nose rubbed in it time after time, that things come and go in cycles. You come to the understanding that sometimes no action is the best action. Have you ever heard the saying, "This to shall pass?" It is often true.

A good skill for a Wizard to develop is being silent. It is a skill that has been lost in the daily rush of modern life. When you are silent, you can listen. You will be amazed what you can hear if you can only be quiet.

Scry to improve your Wizard sight.

Scrying is a form of divination. By gazing into a crystal, pool, mirror or other reflective medium, one is able to enter into an altered mind state and gain access beyond the veil. Because every person you meet will have a different way of accessing their own individual mind states, you will hear many different scrying techniques. Some of the techniques border on the realm of superstition and fantasy.

For instance, you may have heard or read that unless a crystal sphere is made of true quartz, it will not work, or that a perfect sphere without any visible flaws is necessary. While still others say that a scrying mirror or crystal must never be touched by sunlight or it will not work. These statements are simply not true. There are however, legitimate reasons for each of these myths, but it doesn't mean that you have to follow them in order to scry effectively.

To better understand scrying let us break down the process to the basics so we can understand why there are some real rules that do exist. This way you can determine for yourself if you wish to follow them or not.

In order to scry you will need some type of reflective surface. This is to achieve what is more commonly known as the Ganzfeld effect or state. An example of this state would be staring at a blank wall until you begin to hallucinate and see patterns or images that seem to appear on the wall.

While the example above is a very basic one, it does give an accurate example of how scrying works. The only difference is that scrying has an actual occult side to it. It isn't how you get to the mind state of scrying that is important, it is the mysteries that are revealed to you once you are there that is important.

The difficult part of the process is interpreting what you see when you scry. There are many books that will define each image you see, but the bottom line is that it is up to each individual to determine for themselves what the images mean.

To begin you should place your scrying medium on a table at a 45-degree angle from your line of site while sitting in a comfortable position. Then arrange some candles throughout the room so that they are elevated above the scrying medium but remain outside of your direct line of sight.

Some individuals choose to cast a circle of protection at this time, over the medium and over the entire scrying session.

Breathe deeply and rhythmically while gazing at the medium. When you feel that you are relaxed, keep looking at the medium. Your first sessions many last 10 to 30 minutes, but work up to an hour at a time. Do not be critical of yourself or your results at first. If you fall asleep that's ok, if you daydream that's ok too. Just let it happen, no matter what. In this way, you will begin to refine your skills. Relax your gaze as if you were looking at one of those 3D magic eye hidden picture puzzles. If you have trouble with those don't worry, scrying is similar only in that you relax your eyes and don't really "look" at the surface of your scrying medium.

After you have finished it is a good idea to write down a few notes. Then, ground yourself and clean up. Later go back over your notes and fill in more details as you remember them. This will help to clarify the images that were seen during your session.

Remember while there are many books that "interpret" scrying images or dream images the only one who can interpret the images you see is YOU. With practice, your interpretation will become better and better.

The Colors of Wizardry
 
Meditation (Aqua)
Healing (Blue)
Wortcunning (Green)
Divination (Yellow)
Conjury (Orange)
Alchemy (Red)
Beast Mastery (Brown)
Cosmology (Violet)
Mathemagics (Clear)
Ceremonial magic (White)
Lore Mastery (Grey)
The Dark Arts (Black)

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