Rambling on about Tradition: The Benefits and Pitfalls of Group Affiliation

It is common in Contemporary Pagan circles to describe different Witchcraft Traditions to new comers or outsiders as akin to a denomination. The truth is further removed. No Tradition is setup in that manner; the organization is different, much more decentralized. In an effort to uncover just what a Tradition is, I am going to talk about the different aspects, benefits, possible pitfalls, and forms of membership a bit.

A Tradition, with a capital 'T’, is a collection of Covens and Solitaires that share a common group practice and all have been initiated into that group. Joining a Tradition usually occurs via a Coven, although in some forms of Contemporary Pagan Witchcraft there are methods and procedures in place for solitaire affiliation. These Solitaires plus those individuals that were once a member of a Coven but have moved away, are still members of the Tradition so long as the Tradition recognizes their Initiation into the Tradition as legitimate. I fall into this category in a manner of speaking; at least for one Tradition with which I work. My Elders, Coven-mates, and Mentor are all in other states, some as far as the opposite coast, due to my having moved. Yet, I am still involved and engage in Tradition training, regular ritual and magickal efforts, albeit from afar, and group association is mostly through the internet and phone. It is the common praxis, shared traditions with a small ‘t’, and shared experience thereof, alongside initiation into the group, that make us a Tradition.

There are of course unaffiliated Contemporary Pagan Solitaires within the stream of Witchcraft. In fact they make up the bulk of Witches, with no Coven, Tradition, or group membership. Their path is just as legitimate. They are still Witches, just a different form of Witches that do not share any common group praxis. This blog is simply a rather random discourse in Tradition mechanics as a means for critical thought; the focus upon Tradition Witches, regardless of the form, is not a denouncement of the chosen path of the unaffiliated Solitaires. The bias towards Tradition is simply because I am a practicing Traditional Witch, I write what I know, and this blog is from the lore and perspective of such; so no intended offense for not covering that angle.

Joining a Tradition is not for everyone. For that matter, not every Tradition is right for the individual though there may be one that is. Also of note, a Tradition may be right but the Coven not. Finally there is the other side of the coin, not every individual is right for a Tradition or Coven. There is a lot of discernment, on all sides, that goes into the decision for Initiation. There are, however, many reasons and benefits to Traditional practice when the individual, Coven, and Tradition are all a good fit for one another. Why all the worry about everyone being a good match?

Working in a small Coven engaging in very intimate spiritual and magickal practice takes a lot of trust. The work of a Coven gets very emotional at times; people are vulnerable. Additionally, any time someone new joins the group they must learn the praxis so as to be able to be a functioning member of the group. Training people takes a lot of time and resources. I know, having been both a student and teacher. Most training from a group takes years of weekly classes on top of a couple of rituals per month. Most forms of Contemporary Pagan Witchcraft Traditions have taboos against charging for training. For example, in British Traditional Wicca (BTW) all teaching is strictly free because by teaching the teacher is paying back the training they received for free– Paying it forward. In many Traditional Initiatory Witchcraft Traditions, those which are BTW derived, the same is also true. I honestly cannot say what the standard is within Feri Traditions (Any Feri Initiations reading this feel free to comment). Of the several forms of Tradition Witchcraft I have encountered and studied, I know of only a few that has a small fee. That fee, however, is akin to Coven dues. All of that being considered, I know of no Tradition, regardless of form, that charges after Initiation. So taking the whole free but very involved training into account alongside the intimate nature of a working Coven and throw on top of this that nearly 90% of all Seekers quit, there is good reason for discernment both by Seekers and Initiates.  I personally think that the benefits are well worth it though.

I’ve already mentioned that established Traditions provide extensive training, but that is not the only benefit. For that matter, I would not even say it is the most important. Working with a Tradition provides a community and fellowship. With such there is a sense of belonging and a support network. There are many types of support given; emotional support for when life is tough, magickal support, and the general support of friends. Spiritual delving takes a toll and is not easy. In those times, the Coven and Tradition has individuals that have been there, have more experience, a different perspective to the problem, and different backgrounds. There is also magickal support which comes from a group effort in workings but also at times when the individual cannot work. I have lost count of the amount of times I have worked with other Tradition members, magickally speaking, to aide one of our own that is in a hospital and does not have the means or health at hand. Note: There is more momentum behind magick from a unified group of skilled and trained Witches than from just one. Having an agreed upon way of doing things, the praxis, when in a group makes this all easier; no reinventing the wheel at each meeting.

There is a common misconception in the rhetoric of the greater Contemporary Pagan community outside of those that have been a member of Tradition. Often the reason given for being an unaffiliated Solitaire, granted not the only reason, is due to the desire not to have anyone telling them what to believe. After all, with most being converts from orthodox religions, this is usually a sticking point behind having left there. I only know of one so called Tradition that in anyway makes an attempt to tell their membership what beliefs are correct. Most do not. All that is done, however, is for the individual to be taught a system of working for when actively working in this particular group. When in another group or at home, one’s quirks, whims, beliefs, and personal practice are all their own. The Tradition only cares about the method when gathered for that purpose, to have everyone on the same page. There is a danger though.

New Seekers have no way to honestly discern between those Traditions that are ethical and only focus on practice from those, such as the one I eluded to earlier, that try to control their membership’s beliefs, often through deceit and cult-like behavior. Traditions that do not fit in this category constantly engage in an information campaign to let potential Seekers know of these problem groups. I, myself, on occasion have had to warn someone. Not to urge them towards my own Tradition/Coven, but out of concern for them because of knowledge I have, which they are not privy to, about the group they are approaching. For example, one well known organization actively seeks to infiltrate other groups so as to spy, steal Tradition lore, and act as an inside agent during Witch Wars, they even have a manual for how to do it.

There is also the possible issue revolving around group drama. From time to time every group has its share of drama, but some more so than others. Older Traditions and established Covens have generally worked past this stage by putting policies and check and balances in place. On occasion though, a leader with a bad case of ego and control issues takes on an integral role. In an established Tradition it is the other Elders that step in to rein that individual in, but if the Coven is not part of a larger Tradition or the Tradition itself is saturated with dysfunction then problems arises. This again is all for good reason on why a Seeker should spend time in the process when thinking about joining a group.  

So long as the potential pitfalls surrounding dysfunctional groups can be avoided, there are many good things about working in a Tradition. The best part is not the training, magickal momentum, or sense of belonging. Nope, none of that. The best part when such a group has been found is simply the people, and everything that entails.

Boidh se!

-Spanish Moss

“Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path.”

Toss of the Coin: We are the Hand

Change being the only thing permanent is almost an oxymoron. Yet, in this paradox of constant movement and transformation is the root of both all of our troubles and all of our achievements and comforts. As a shaper and weaver of our path, it is an early lesson for the Witch to accept and learn to craft. Without the skill set associated with this lesson, the Witch would be completely subservient. For the knowing Witch there is hope.

The hope that is the light upon the brow of the Witch comes from the nature of existence and harnessing it. The outside world external to us is in eternal flux. Reflect back to being a small child and the comfort brought on when something became known. So many adults become cynical when each and every one of those things and all of the things trusted since then has fallen to the way side and are gone. People have died, are dying, and we ourselves have to face the truth that we are upon the same road—death looms. Friends come into our lives and leave just a quickly as their own path leads them, often times in conflict with our own. Material possessions pass by with such regularity that little is cherished into the long term. All of this and so much more brings pain to us.

At the same time that each turn of the wheel removes and casts away it adds and brings. People are born, are growing, and we too are learning with each step. The friends that stay, even if only for a short while, make life a shared experience of potential. Things alone does not make one happy but it is a great aide when meeting our root needs, without which we could not grow unto focuses beyond finding food, water, or shelter. There would be no pleasure, even in simplicity, without the basic necessities of stuff. All of this and so much more allows joy to come to us.

Although it may seem as such when explained this way, existence is not so polarized. Both sides of the coin exist entirely and simultaneously. Growth and death coexist at each moment. It is at this point, where the two meet, that life happens.

Each religion has its own diagnosis for life, the problem therein, and how to overcome it. Contemporary Pagan Witchcraft is no different. The problem is not, however, one pertaining to the nature of existence externally. Our entire interface with existence happens from a point of complete subjectivity and relative understanding thereof. The problem is our own making. The desire to utterly control the world beyond our grasp is the root. It is the root because this ability is impossible. We have control over a very limited aspect of life. This is important though, for here is the key.

That limited part of existence for which we do have control is vast, so vast it is cosmic. Our control is here. Here is where ever we are, who ever we are. The Craft of the Witch is simply about molding and shaping our part of the grand relationship to All. Change comes to us, inevitably so, and often times in a manner undesired or preventable. The response of the Witch is not of trying to force that which cannot be forced but to seize it, shape it, and direct it through our action. The tree may not be able to be prevented from falling, but whether or not the individual is standing beneath it when it comes down can be. Even when life crashes in and pours turmoil freely in a storm of trouble, even then there is control, control over attitude, method of approach, and actions. This is the altar of the Witch upon which they rest their tools, of mind, body, and soul, for crafting creation. If life is like the coin, we are the hand controlling the toss.

Boidh Se!

-Spanish Moss

“Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path.”

A Meeting at the River of Blood: Of Life and Death

There is an intimate relationship between life and death. The body, our flesh, bones, and blood, are the vehicle within which we ride to our tomb; without this vital carriage life would never have been known. Yet death is the catalyst, the force, the spark that allows life to flourish. The most primal urges of desire are paved upon a road where the inevitability of death is a reality.

The body of our being is temporal. As is true with the physical bodies of all living creatures, our time is limited before the last great mystery is upon the doorstep knocking and culling the last breath that is the key to opening the gate of transformation. This universal truth stirs an equally universal yearning to promulgate flesh unto flesh unto flesh, the road of descent into eternity. Death courts the Lady of the Well of Life; He lay Her down beside the river that is the threshold where the two worlds meet.

Too many trees in a small plot in the forest make competition for resources and space for the sun to shine through a matter of life and death. The quality of life for all is lessened and it makes it difficult for new trees to find room to take root, reach for the canopy, and spread their branches. It is a balance, a gentle one that exists here. For if too few trees exist and the space between vast, then the means of reproduction, and life, becomes stagnate. So too must each of us find the balance of too much and too little in regards to all aspects of our existence. To flourish in a forest that has become too crowded a few trees must be pruned, death must come, and then there will be room for us to grow unto our potential.

Death is the blade that cuts us free as it thrusts into the chalice of potential, life is what is found at the point where the two meet.

Boidh Se!

-Spanish Moss

“Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path.”

Gate Eternal

Resounding through the fog of the mind chimes the singular moment tolling, calling, heralding the action as it happens. There is only stillness in the snapshot of the now and the illusion of movement onward with a simultaneous descent into the past, each instance a birth of the whole anew; a moment of creation, a moment of death.

Across the span of our sacred landsacpe arcs the tones of the bell. By our own hand the division is cast down and the holy is anointed. As the oil touches brow our focus casts illumination upon the star, a gate unto the joining of sun and moon within, throughout, and about.

Boidh Se!

-Spanish Moss

"Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path."

Reenacting Frankenstein: Fetch Making 101

I am planning on making a Fetch for some career related work. For those that don’t know what a Fetch is, it is the astral construct that resides in a Fetish (charm bag) whose purpose is those that the creator has bestowed upon them. I had one for about two years that was gifted to me and that I refreshed, as is traditional, at the one year mark. However, life happened and it didn’t get feed enough. So with the New Year and the pending reassignment to another work section, I thought I would resurrect some of the materia, only certain items can be reused from a Fetish, and put a new Fetch to work. As silence is the word of magick that allows it marinate and work behind the scenes I am going to explain how to put together and do all of this with one minor exception. The specifics of the example that will be given here apply to the career of a writer, which is not my profession.

Let’s pretend that as the creator of some other entity we are mad scientists bent on stitching together Frankenstein; it’s an analogy, just play along. Well, to do this all of the various body parts are going to be needed. Our fetch is going to need hands, feet, a heart, a head, a carriage, amongst other things.

The very first thing that needs to be decided upon is the heart. Now the heart of a Fetch is always a root—always. It is a root so as to root the Fetch into the work and to act as the center, the axis mundi, around which the work is done. For a career related Fetish we are going to go with High John the Conqueror Root. Whereas there are lots of associations with this root, herein the ‘conqueror’ aspect is what is desired.

For no particular reason, the hands are next. Each hand, however, has a slightly different purpose. The right hand is the hand that applies the work. I think that Deer’s Tongue (it’s a form of wild vanilla) would be good; used for prowess in one’s speech (the honey tongue as you were) and very handy for a writer. The left hand, which is for drawing things that are desired, we will use a Mercury Head Dime. It is a coin; it’s good for drawing money, which our writer wants to draw to them. However; this type of coin is especially good. Why? Well, it’s 90% silver, it is a coin, and it is associated with mercury. Mercury is the planet of communication. So all in one little hand/coin is the strong drawing communication of silver and money; pull the money here! Want one… Quadrivium Supplies has them here.

Now to decide on the feet; these are important as it is the feet that get-you-there. An individual walks with feet, they are for traveling. Same thing for a Fetch, the feet get ‘em where they are going. For one foot let us use Five Finger Grass, which is good for success in all things that our five finger touch (our craft), like writing is the craft of the writer. The other foot, I think, would do well to be a small charm (like for a charm bracelet) of a key, for unlocking the way ahead.

So far the hypothetical Fetch has arms, legs, and a torso (heart). Now it needs a head. Allspice Berries it is. These little berries are good for money in regards to business undertakings. As the head, these berries will have our Fetch thinking about nothing but attracting money via writing. This doesn’t mean the writer has to obsess, only that our astrally created construct does. Thoughts rooted in conquering the work by speech and drawing money to oneself via unlocked pathways and practicing our craft (writing). There are only three things left that are needed; a link, instructions, and a carriage.

The link is simply the tie between the Fetch and the creator, so that the Fetch knows where to send the fruits of its labor. This item needs to be something small and belonging to the writer, say a small clipping of hair. Now with all the various parts of the body assembled they need a carriage in which to ride forth in. In short, something practical to keep all of the pieces, a.k.a. our bag. Specifically in this case, a purple one; for royalty. Put all the items in the bag.

At this point our Fetish is nothing more than assembled parts, like a computer with no programming. This is where a petition paper comes in. On a scrape of parchment we will write the name of the writer, and other identifying information, like their sun sign and birth date, along with various symbols that represent our desire. Put the symbols on the paper first and then their name and identifying marks over top of them; so make those symbols belong to that person. Put this piece of paper in the small bag for the Fetch. Now tie the bag closed.

Like in the book Frankenstein, upon the table of work lay a lifeless body into which we need to zap life into. Pick of the Fetish and breathe deep into it, and then whisper the name of the Fetch to it several times (tell no one this name—ever), tell it what you want its job to be, and feed it for the first time. To feed it, just dab some appropriate condition oil onto it about once a week. Now all our writer has to do is carry the Fetish upon their person anytime they are at their craft, feed the Fetch once a week, and never allow anyone else to touch it, which will kill the construct.

Such is the basic process for Fetish making. There are some more advanced methods but here is not the place. Enjoy!

Boidh Se!

-Spanish Moss

“Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path.”

When Did I Get On a Horse?

I’ve been told that I am stubborn. They are probably right, after all my family is all stubborn. In fact, part of the rhetoric of my extended family’s culture is that we are all too stubborn to die. It is an expression that relates to the fact that we all tend to live into our 90s and additionally points to our stubbornness as a reason as to why. Needless to say that this stubbornness aided my ancestors in a world of hardship; knowing a bit about them and the lands unto which they have homesteaded I am fond of this theory. So why the hell am I babbling on about being stubborn? Well… cause on occasion that same stubborn nature comes to a head in my spiritual life. This is especially true when the mind has been set upon a course of action with determination. The crops will grow in this swamp even if I have to force them! Yeah, that kind of stubborn the-path-is-set kind of approach.

For the past year, our Lady and our Lord have been prodding me, “Hey! Here’s a great idea.” As I tend to do from time to time I just didn’t. Why? Lots of reasons but mostly because my mind was made up and the path was set,  which hasn’t been a big deal because the gentle nudge has only felt like a suggestion. However; something changed over the course of the holiday season. I’m not sure exactly what, but I can only say that the word ‘volun-told’ comes to mind. The universe has conspired and I am along for the ride. At no point have I given in, but it doesn’t seem to matter. This is just how things are. Without meaning to my I-will-not has converged and become the same as the here’s-an-idea.

I would say I am surprised but I am not. The life of a Witch, Priest, and Devotee is paved not only with shaping the world around us but by being shaped ourselves. It’s a familiar place to be. Now to see where exactly this horse I have found myself on is headed.

Boidh Se!

-Spanish Moss

“Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path.”

Inclusion, Rest, and Omens: A New Year

The last several days have been a whirlwind of academic writing at my house and then a day of recovery. Since my last blog I have probably spent 30-40 hours of writing, crazy hurried crunch-time writing. Some of it was good and some was painfully wrenched forth and word-smithed into something coherent.

Yesterday, the last year of one of several calendars for which I follow was the last day of the year. The Gregorian Calendar in my personal practice is the calendar of the mundane, of day to day living, of paying the bills and going to work, and of the point at which all comes into manifestation. After-all, all of spirituality comes together into day-to-day living and becomes part of the routine, the mundane, the earthly plane. It only makes sense to me that the last day of a year in such a calendar is a day of rest. So it was.

For the first time in their lives the kids were successful in staying up to witness the threshold between the years. It was a moment in which I was thrown back to my own childhood, to when I was told I was FINALLY big enough to make the great attempt at staying up all the way until midnight. Until then midnight was only some fabled time that happened at night while I was sleeping, full of magick, as evidenced by all the plot points in cartoons involving midnight. It was like a mini-Rite of Passage in which the wee-ones got to celebrate being big. For them it was a celebration of inclusion into the ritual lives of society. They truly could care less about what year it is. The night mattered because they got to be a part of it.

Today I will make collard-greens, to bring green folding money, and hopping John, for luck, as is a tradition in my family, and much of the South; and otherwise celebrate the mundane New Year by doing everyday things, maybe clean a bit of house, read out of a book, or wherever it is that I am led. All I can really say is that I will do so mindfully and with my spiritual and magickal arte engrained into the routine.

This morning I asked our Lady and our Lord to provide an omen for the coming year, not just for me but for all. From the Crane Bag I pulled the following Ogham:

1 Onn (Gorse)- This few indicates the past, which would have been last year. 2012 was a year, for better or worse, dealing with our relationships to others.

2 Ailm (Fir)- This few is the now. It is a moment looking out towards the horizon in awe and wonder with a bit of enthusiasm.

3 Nion “Reversed” (Ash)- This is few a reminder not to be swept up in trying to control all that is external to our being. An attempt to play master to others, events, and anything not of the Self takes the Crown from our heads and they become the ruler over us.

 

May your New Year be blessed!

Boidh se!

-Spanish Moss

“Lost in a thicket bare-foot upon a thorned path.”