Starweaver's Online Book Of Shadows: Wicca Lesson 2

Wicca Lesson 2

Living Wicca Foundation

The Goddess

The universal Mother, the source of fertility, endless wisdom and loving caresses.

Common Goddess & Aspects

1. Moon Goddess and Earth Mother archetypes

A. usually connected with plants and agriculture since women developed farming.

2. Ancient paganism and modern Wicca, she was often recognized to have 3 Aspects.

A. Maiden, Mother, and Crone corresponding to the 3 main stages of a woman's life

Maiden: Waxing Moon
Mother: Full Moon
Crone: Waning Moon

Symbols of the Goddess

1. Cauldron, cup, labrys(double-blade axe), 5 petaled flowers, mirror, necklace, seashells, pearl, emeralds and silver

Sacred Creatures

1. Birds(peacocks,wrens,vultures etc.) cows, cats, snakes, horses and so on

FamousGoddess

Isis, Bast, Seknmet, Inanna, Astarte, Ishtar, Hera/Juno, Aphrodite/Venus, Athene/Minerva, Demetre/Ceres, Artemis/Diana, Hecate, Cerridwen, Arianrhod, Freyja, Amateresu Omikama, Kuan Yin,Durga, Sita, Kali Grandmother Spider, Tonantzin Mary, morgan/The Morrigan

The God

Not the stern, all-powerful, omniscient deity of today's modern monotheistic religions. He is the son,father and lover.

Common God and Aspects

1. God is also seen in 3 aspects Youth, Warrior and Sage
2. God is the Sun, the source of life.
3. Since the starts are distant suns,they are also his domain.
4. The God is also the tender of wild animals, lord of the forests,deserts and mountains. Sometimes he is shown with horns, symbolizing his connection with the animals.
5. Herding/Husbandry was developed by ancient men.

Symbols of the God

1. Sword, horns/antlers, spear, candle, wand, trident, knife, arrow, sickle, gold, brass, and diamonds

Sacred Creatures of the God

1. Bull, dog, fish, stag, dragon, wolf, boar, eagle, falcon, shark, and lizards

Famous Gods

Osiris, Horus, Marduk, Mithra, Zeus/Jupiter, Apollo, Poseidon/Neptune, Hades/Pluto, Hermes/Mercury, Hephaestus/Vulcan, Dionysus/Bacchus, Cernunnos/Herne, Manannan, Lugh, Odin, Thor, Quetzalcoat/Kukulkan, Pan, Shiva, Vishnu and Krishna

The Tools

1. Six basic tools for ritual-wand, knife/athame, cup, pentacle, incense burner and candle Wand-represents element of fire and is sacred to the God. Can be used to call the God/dess,direct energy,draw magickal symbols and form the circle

Knife/Athame-(uh-Thom-ee) represents element of air,and is sacred to the God. Can be used as same purposes as wand, plus cutting and resealing the circle. Often double-edged,black-handled,blunt-Must never touch blood.

Cup-represents element of water,sacred to the Goddess. Used to keep water for purifying,scrying olr blessings. Can also be used to bless Ale.

Pentacle-Flat circle with pentagram inscribed.Represents element of Earth and is sacred to the Goddess

Candle-one candle can be used to represent both the God/dess or use two white is always approperiate.

A. Goddess white, silver and green
B. God yellow, gold and red

2. If you call the Quarters, there should be a candle at each quarter. Some people like to have a candle at each quarter even if they don't call the Quarters.

3. If you take down/put up the altar alot, you'll need salt and water to consecrate it.

4. Don't forget matches or a lighter.

Altar-can be anything,should face either North or East. Altar clothes can be white or black.

Bell-sacred to both God/dess, usually placed on God's side of altar. Used to honor/call Goddess and God during altar openings and to drive away negative influences.

Candle Snuffer-useful if you don't want to blow out candles(You should not blow out candles) it is disrespectful to element of fire and you would scatter all the energies you worked so hard for.

Bolline-sometimes called white-handled knife. That is your working knife,used for cutting herbs,string etc. Cords-for binding spells

Crystal Sphere-Element of Earth, sacred to Goddess and used for scrying (seeing future)

Besom(Broom)-sacred to Goddess,used to cleanse the site prior to ritual,sweep away negative influences and sometimes to open circle.

Flowers-Dried or fresh flower arrangements to honor the God/dess. Potpourri is good. Have an arrangement appropriate to season Images-Statues or pictures of God/dess

Offering Bowl-For times to be disposed of (returned to earth after ritual. Deities share of cakes,ale,money,stones etc. Anything offered to the God/dess should not be taken back.

Oils-Essential oils used to less worshippers,dress candles,consecrate tools and so on. Often olive or almond oil with essential or fragrance oils added

Smudge Bundles-Bundles of herbs,usually cedar and sage,used like incense to purify the participants and fume perimeter of the circle derived from Native Americans. Best when used outdoors for ventilation. Staff-Large version of wand. Good for outdoor rituals.

Sword-Large version of ritual knife (see above)

Cauldron-A symbol of water,sacred to the Goddess. Place where magickal transformations--rebirth occur. Reincarnation, immortality and inspiration. Used for scrying,making potions, burning times.

End of Lesson 2

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