Witchcraft, an ancient and mystical practice, encompasses a wide range of beliefs, traditions, and rituals. While it is a diverse craft, there are certain canons of witchcraft that are observed and honored by practitioners worldwide. The first canon of witchcraft is the connection to nature and the Earth. In witchcraft, there is a deep reverence for the natural world and its cycles. Witches see themselves as custodians of the Earth, working in harmony with its elements and energies. They believe that nature holds great wisdom and power, and by aligning with its rhythms, they can tap into this ancient knowledge.
Bishops and their officials must labour with all their strength to uproot thoroughly from their parishes the pernicious art of sorcery and malefice invented by the Devil, and if they find a man or woman follower of this wickedness to eject them foully disgraced from their parishes. For the Apostle says, “A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition avoid.” Those are held captive by the Devil who, leaving their creator, seek the aid of the Devil. And so Holy Church must be cleansed of this pest. It is also not to be omitted that some wicked women, perverted by the Devil, seduced by illusions and phantasms of Demons, believe and profess themselves, in the hours of the night, to ride upon certain beasts with Diana, the goddess of pagans, and an innumerable multitude of women, and in the silence of the dead of the night to traverse great spaces of earth, and to obey her commands as of their mistress, and to be summoned to her service on certain nights. But I wish it were they alone who perished in their faithlessness and did not draw many with them into the destruction of infidelity. For an innumerable multitude, deceived by this false opinion, believe this to be true, and so believing, wander from the right faith and are involved in the error of the pagans when they think that there is anything of divinity or power except the one God. Wherefore the priests throughout their churches should preach with all insistence to the people that they may know this to be in every way false and that such phantasms are imposed on the minds of infidels and not by the divine but by the malignant spirit. Thus Satan himself, who transfigures himself into an angel of light, when he has captured the mind of a miserable woman and has subjugated her to himself by infidelity and incredulity, immediately transforms himself into the species and similitudes of different personages and deluding the mind which he holds captive and exhibiting things, joyful or mournful, and persons, known or unknown, leads it through devious ways, and while the spirit alone endures this, the faithless mind thinks these things happen not in the spirit but in the body. Who is there that is not led out of himself in dreams and nocturnal visions, and sees much when sleeping which he has never seen waking? Who is so stupid and foolish as to think that all these things which are only done in spirit happen in the body, when the Prophet Ezekiel saw visions of the Lord in spirit and not in the body, and the Apostle John saw and heard the mysteries of the Apocalypse in the spirit and not in the body, as he himself says “I was in the spirit”? And Paul does not dare to say that he was rapt in the body. It is therefore to be proclaimed publicly to all that whoever believes such things or similar to these loses the faith, and he who has not the right faith in God is not of God but of him in whom he believes, that is, of the Devil. For of our Lord it is written “All things were made by Him.” Whoever therefore believes that anything can be made, or that any creature can be changed to better or to worse or be transformed into another species or similitude, except by the Creator himself who made everything and through whom all things were made, is beyond doubt an infidel.
Wherefore the priests throughout their churches should preach with all insistence to the people that they may know this to be in every way false and that such phantasms are imposed on the minds of infidels and not by the divine but by the malignant spirit. It is also not to be omitted that some wicked women, perverted by the Devil, seduced by illusions and phantasms of Demons, believe and profess themselves, in the hours of the night, to ride upon certain beasts with Diana, the goddess of pagans, and an innumerable multitude of women, and in the silence of the dead of the night to traverse great spaces of earth, and to obey her commands as of their mistress, and to be summoned to her service on certain nights.
They believe that nature holds great wisdom and power, and by aligning with its rhythms, they can tap into this ancient knowledge. The second canon is the acknowledgement of personal power and responsibility. Witches believe in their innate abilities and the capacity to shape their own destinies.
A Witches' Canon Part 2: The Adventure & Exploration of Coven Witchcraft (Hardcover)
An Exploration of the Traditional Witchcraft Coven, its Organization and Rituals, including Initiations, Rites of Passage, Magical and Social
practices.
The truth is, "Old" Gerald B. Gardner had little interest in how the Traditional Witchcraft Coven had been organized and structured. So apart from an example of how it should not be done, he passed on little information about how it was meant to be organized. That knowledge of how best to organize and structure a modern Coven has had to be reclaimed from the old records and by trial and error. So too the social Rites of Passage; those of birth, marriage and death that were all long since appropriated by the religious authorities have likewise needed to be restored. As too the traditional forms of Coven Magic and Healings, whilst still keeping Witchcraft ever the religion of Dance, Fun and Mirth. After all, who said that religion is not to be enjoyed?
A Witches' Canon, Part 1, provides a fact-based referenced guide for those wishing to further explore the Religion and Celebratory Rituals of Traditional Wicca.
A Witches' Canon, Part 2, has been written to provide a practical, referenced guide to the social aspects of Traditional Wicca; of Coven Organization, Initiations, Rites and Rituals.
A Witches' Canon, Part 3, is a fact-based referenced guide to the practice of Magical Witchcraft, both nice and naughty.
If it isn't fun, then it ain't worth doing.
- Witchcraft (See Also Religion - Wicca)
- Spirituality
- Customs & Traditions
A Witches' Canon, Part 3, is a fact-based referenced guide to the practice of Magical Witchcraft, both nice and naughty.
They do not submit to external authorities but instead recognize their own agency and responsibility in creating their reality. Witchcraft empowers individuals to trust their intuition, embrace their unique gifts, and take control of their lives. The third canon emphasizes the importance of ritual and ceremony. Rituals are a central aspect of witchcraft, allowing practitioners to create sacred space, connect with higher powers, and manifest their intentions. From casting spells to performing divination, witches use various rituals to tap into the energies of the universe and direct them towards their desired outcomes. These rituals provide a sense of structure, focus, and spiritual connection. The fourth canon revolves around the concept of interconnection and community. Witches understand that they are part of a wider web of existence, and their actions have ripple effects. They believe in the power of collective consciousness and the ability to create change through unified intention and action. Witchcraft often encourages the formation of covens or magical communities to support and inspire one another on their spiritual journeys. The fifth and final canon of witchcraft involves the pursuit of knowledge and continuous learning. Witches are avid seekers of wisdom, exploring various occult practices, folklore, mythology, and esoteric traditions. They value the acquisition of knowledge as a means of personal growth, empowerment, and deepening their connection to higher realms. This dedication to learning ensures that witches continually evolve and expand their understanding of the mystical arts. In conclusion, the canons of witchcraft are a set of guiding principles that shape the beliefs and practices of witches. They emphasize the connection to nature, empower individuals, promote rituals and ceremonies, foster community, and encourage the pursuit of knowledge. By upholding these canons, witches are able to cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves, the world around them, and the ancient craft of witchcraft itself..
Reviews for "The Ritual Tools and Implements in the Witchcraft Canons: A Closer Look"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Canons of witchcraft". The book promised to delve into the history of witchcraft and provide an in-depth analysis, but instead, it was filled with shallow anecdotes and personal opinions. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than presenting a well-researched and objective perspective. Overall, I found the book to be a missed opportunity to educate and inform readers about witchcraft.
2. John - 1 star - I couldn't even finish reading "Canons of witchcraft". The writing was confusing and poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Additionally, the book didn't provide any substantial evidence or sources to back up its claims. It felt more like a rambling collection of half-baked ideas rather than a scholarly work on the subject. Save your money and look for a more credible and well-written book on witchcraft.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Canons of witchcraft", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The author seemed more interested in sensationalism and shocking the reader rather than providing a balanced and informative perspective on witchcraft. The book lacked depth and didn't explore the complexities and nuances of the subject matter. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a more nuanced and well-researched book on witchcraft.