Secrets

Merriam-Webster defines it as follows..
Definition of secret

: kept hidden from others 

: known to only a few people

: keeping information hidden from others

So, for today, lets discuss a secret in terms of Pagan and Wiccan paths.

Now, before you all panic and say “But Sheldon, don’t reveal our Secrets!” please know I’m talking of secrets in general, and why we keep them. NOT any particular secrets!

For many a Path, pagan, or not, Secrets kept us safe from physical harm. In a time, when your path was considered to be heretical, or cursed, how would you let someone know you were of the same path. Let us consider the story of the Icthus. More popularly known today as the “Jesus Fish”

Before Christianity became established as a popularly followed religion, it was a cult. It is said that to find if another shared your faith, you could casually draw a curved arc in the dirt with your foot. If the other person drew a curved arc OVER yours, you then knew they were a follower! The 2 curved arcs came together to form the crude shape of a fish.

Now, I personally don’t know of any such thing today. I’m not saying that Path or Society doesn’t have a call and counter call such as this. But this was used so that you would not be attacked, or even killed!

Even today, in many parts of the world, following a certain path will get you attacked. I am totally aware of my privilege here. I live in a mainly open Country. And, because of this I am allowed to follow my path. A privilege, for which I am intensely grateful for. Consider, many of the current issues plaguing the Middle East.

Many practitioners of a particular path keep things a secret because of privacy. If you are part of a Coven, a circle, or, whatever you choose to name yourselves, you all may not want others to know how you chant. For YOUR chant is special to you, of value to you, and private to you. I cannot speak for others, but, I can respect that attitude.

I find this type of secret to be in many Martial arts schools and private teachings. If a move or position is found that exemplifies your path, you and your Master/Teacher may want to keep it secret so that it becomes YOURS. You can use that secret move to establish a relationship.

“Where did you learn that style of circular walking? Only MY school teaches that style?! Its not that you CAN’T use it, I would like to know where you learned it!”

Now, its time to speak of the confusing and awkward secrets. The secrets of ignorance.

I have never been skydiving. I can read of skydiving. And I have. I’ve read of the rush of wind in your face, and over your ears, and the pounding of your heart. I have even read of the sudden powerful upward rush as you pull your ripcord. Have I personally experienced it? No.

Others have, and they are special in that shared knowledge. But, is there something that I am missing? Of course there is! Because I’ve not done it, felt it, EXPERIENCED it, I’m missing a lot of things. Why am I missing things? I’ve read extensively! I didn’t miss anything!

I’m missing things because the authors I’ve read didn’t think to write everything down, because there were somethings that have no words. My readers, who HAVE skydived, would you say that the experienced cannot be fully expressed, unless you do the act itself? And after your feet have left the plane for the first time, and then thudded to the ground, THEN you can talk, you’ve shared the experience!

Many years ago, I was accidently exposed to a very scared rite. A young lady had had her first Menses. She was congratulated by a group of local Matrons, they having been told by her mother. The matrons were speaking of the knowledge’s and treatments for many of the pains that come with being a physically mature woman. That’s when I stepped into the scene. I realize now, that this was a “Woman’s Secret” and they were angry. NOT because I was a Man, but because I could not understand what they had felt. They were angry at my ignorance. No amount of metaphors could explain a period cramp. The bleeding, the mental fog that they, as Woman, experience.

Their Secret is kept from many Men, not because we are men, but because many of are Ignorant of all the mechanics of Menses. We may profess to WANT to know, but we may never.

On that day, I didn’t understand I just knew it was important to apologize and walk away.

It’s a stretch. But, perhaps Magic is a secret such as that? A Secret of Ignorance? A Secret of Experience?

If we, as practitioners, are to learn of these secrets, we need to be open. We need to gather as much experiences, and feelings and emotions as possible. And yet, remain open to the idea that we may never be able to understand the secret.

On the other hand, if we are lucky, we may find another o teach us, to share their knowledge so that, we as well, may know a Secret.

Do you know of another type of secret?

Merry meet,

Merry part.

Sheldon

Tools of the Trade Part 3!

Now, we’ve, discussed the many things that CAN go on an altar. This is, by no means a definitive final list! An altar, ESPECIALLY your own must, be a reflection of who you are, and what you do.

Today we can talk of what very well may be the last 3 things you could put there.

A Chalice.

Miriam Webster defines a chalice as such
chalice: a drinking cup, or vessel

It’s that simple! It’s also bee described to be as a”Footed Cup”. Meaning, that it looks like a goblet. A Cup on a stem, with a wide base.

What could it be used for? Well, in a ceremonial sense, it’s meant to hold liquid to be shared, wine, grape juice or even mead. Sometimes cold, clean water. Some spell work, and opening and closing a circle (we will discuss casting the corners and circle work in another post!)

In other work its simply an offering.

A Chalice can be an ornately gold chased, and decorated. It could simply be a clay or wooden cup that you feel attached to. I’ve even seen some use real animal horn drinking horns on their altars. What pleases you?

Wow. The next one is rather huge! And open to MUCH debate!

Deity representation.

Let’s say you’re Altar is built to worship Brigid the threefold Goddess of Smithing in the Celtic Pantheon. What could you use to show your love for her? Someone might use a piece of pig iron, to show that work is going to begin. Perhaps you’ve crafted that iron into a passel of arrowheads. You could choose the best one you’ve done, and leave that on altar as thanks to her and her guidance. You may even have a statue, or a picture, or, as she IS the threefold Goddess, a poem extoling her many virtues!

When it comes to a representation of your personal Deity, It is, again, what pleases you? A stone you found when you promised to worship your deity? Is it Book that explains your path? YOU choose. Ask your deity, and listen closely.

I kind of have been making small hints as to the last topic. Offerings. What does one offer on an Altar? Well, in my opinion, it’s what matters to you. It could be seasonal. Many folk offer food and colours and decorations that symbolize the Sabbat they are celebrating. (Sabbat is just another name for one of the eight possible holidays many celebrate. More on those, another time!)
Other furnish an Altar with a request. Food, and incense when asking their deity for help, to be eaten and burned AFTER the request has been granted.
An offering should be carefully considered, from the heart, and mean something special to YOU for your style of worship. I cannot tell you what to offer, but I can suggest that there is the WHOLE world wide web to research upon! If there is a particular occasion, then I can almost promise that someone has written about it. On the Web, or a book! Use your research resources.

That’s it! This and the last 2 other posts are a good start to what an altar is, and what one can put on one. In the end, I am no expert. This is where my path has led me to. I hope what I’ve learned has answered some questions for you. AS well, I do hope that ive raised your curiosity and you look more for yourself!
Any questions?

Merry Meet,
Merry Part!

Part 2 of Tools of the Trade

In my last post we were coming together to speak of just what is and what is on an altar! I hope you looked back, and did some research of your own, because all of this is my personal experiences, and many man people call Wiccan a “Solitary Path”

We spoke of the basics. The Athame, or ritual knife. The Altar itself, and Candles.

Well, this day we shall continue our exploration, join me, please!

Salt: There are innumerable types of salt. From table salt, plain old iodized sodium chloride. Himalayan Pink rock salt. Hawaiian red salt. Kosher sea salt. The list is almost endless!

Personally, I like Kosher sea salt. It feels comfortable in between my fingers, and holds a shape you pour it onto, and is easy to pick up and scatter with a mere pinch.
I mentioned that salt is protective. It is said that many “Spirits” or “Otherworldly Beings” cannot pass over a line drawn of salt. So, no few practitioners surround themselves in a closed circle of salt before they start their spell work. Others “salt” the thresholds of their dedicated spaces. To salt your thresholds is to pour a line of salt from door post to door post, or across your window sill. As you do so, concentrate on closing a door. In doing so, you define a place for yourself, and any others you choose to join you. In that place, you know your safe, because you stopped anything you don’t want from coming in. As well, salt is used to neutralize things. A rune set, left buried in dry salt may have no negativity in it. A ring, or crystal, left buried in salt, or, even just left on a bed of salt, may be cleansed as well. In a pinch, a light mist of salt water might be used if you are allergic to the smoke that some purifying incenses give off.

See? Salt has many uses other than just seasoning your popcorn!

Cauldron:

The Merriam-Webster Online dictionary defines cauldron as thus: a large kettle or boiler.

I know you’ve seen Cauldrons in popular movies that display the antics of young witches and wizards. For others, our first meeting with a cauldron is due to Halloween myths involving long nosed green and warty witches stirring up trouble in the from of some sort of potion or spell. Or even Shakespeare himself with his blasted heath and his “Double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn and cauldron bubble”

Simply, a cauldron is a pot to prepare things in. That MAY be a potion, but it could be a tasty stew! As well, it might contain a concoction of oils that you are blending to protect yourself or another. Ceremonially, It is a place to focus your intent when crafting something that needs to be cooked. As a kitchen witch? It might very well be a favoured pot, or bowl. Mine, personally is a 3 legged cast iron model. I like it, and when I saw it the first time I felt good and could see myself using it for a long time. Look into your own! You don’t need to buy one, find what feels good when you practice.

rods, staves, wands:

These devices are relatively similar in nature, but vary in appearance and effect. Wands are the smallest of these, usually being about 1 ft (30 Cm) long and narrow. Rods are the next largest, about 3 ft (About a Meter)long and 3⁄4 in thick (just under 2 cm). Staves are the largest, usually being 6 ft long (182 cm) and about 2 in (5 cm) thick. Wands and rods can be made of wood, metal, ivory, or any combination of these materials

I find that each one is best used depending on its intended purpose. A wand is personal, and easy to manipulate through waving, inscribing words or pictures in the air. A rod is best used to pass around a circle, for ceremonial magic. Whilst a staff can be used to draw upon the ground, and as a badge of office.

Look at this! In learning with me, we are building your altar! We are not done, but as you read, you can see the use of each item. You don’t need all of this to worship! Much of this is just a way to focus your intent. In later posts, I will describe different altars in different faiths.
There is still more to come about Altars!

Merry Meet, Merry Part!