BASIC TECHNOLOGIES OF WITCHCRAFTThis is the outline for a collection of four semi-formal trainingsessions for people interested in starting out in "The Craft" orNeopaganism. It is intended to give enough grounding to effectivelyparticipate in ritual, with the expectation that those that are reallydedicated, skilled, and/or interested will undertake further study.Since this is for beginners, there are no textbooks, no requiredreading, and the course only deals with such material as can be taughtin four 1-1/2 to 2 hour informal sessions.I. DAY ONE: Neopagan TraditionsThe first day's material is a basic overview of Neopagan historyand tradition, intended to make people more comfortable with thesubject.A. History of The CraftExamine two topics to show how they influence the modernwitch: how Neopagan witchcraft grew out of and borrows fromthe Gardnerian Reformation, and how our Craft Law developedfrom a variety of traditions and needs.1. Origins, Ancient (?) and ModernFact before theory: discuss the evolution of witchcraftfrom Gardner onwards, then overview the evidences thatwitchcraft is a pre-Christian and (possibly)pre-historic religion.a. The Gardnerian ReformationDiscussion of Gerald Gardner and both the originaland modern versions of Gardnerian Witchcraft (witha quick side-line into its off-shoot andcompetitor, Alexandrian Witchcraft).b. The Church of All Worlds and NeopaganismHistory of the Church of All Worlds and its contri-butions, including the word "neopagan" and "GreenEgg", the journal in which the framework of modern,Neopagan witchcraft was developed from theframework of Gardnerianism crossed with Greco/Romanand Egyptian pagan traditions.c. The Non-Pagan Branches of the CraftOther types of witches: Feminist Wicca, Church ofWicca, the Masonic Druids of England, and theFamily Tradition- alists.d. Evidences of Stone-Age WitchcraftDiscuss some of the evidence that witchcraftcarries on a tradition with stone-age origins and a10,000 year history, both pro and con. Emphasizethat there is no conclusive evidence one way or theother.2. Craft Law, Ancient and Moderna. The Reasons for Craft LawDiscuss how the in-bred fear of of the Powers ofEvil, combined with the need to trust each otheragainst the Inquisition, gave birth to the conceptof Craft Law.b. The Wiccan Rede"An it harm none, do what thou will." Stress boththe libertine and the disciplinarianinterpretations of that law. Discuss the Law of
Karma, and how the Wiccan Rede (interpretedproperly) becomes more of a safety rule than aCommandment.c. The Rule of SecrecyGloss quickly over the Inquisition (everybody knowsenough), and examine some of the evidence that a"witchhunt" is being begun. Encourage the studentsto recognize that the decision to be public orsecretive has to be made by each individual, andthey have the right to expect others to respecttheir privacy on this matter.3. Magick in Theory and PracticeMagick is the unifying force in all of the NeopaganTraditions. To lay the groundwork for Day Two, explainthe basic theories of magick, and how they influence thedesign and practice of Neopagan ritual.a. The Basic Rules of MagickExplain that the central theory of magick is thatreality can be altered by a sufficiently strongwill, focused by the proper ritual. For comparisonand contrast, mention Bell's Hypothesis, fromquantum physics. Discuss seriously the possibilitythat all that the magician alters is his own mindand awareness of how the world works.b. Magick and Neopagan RitualDefine the two classic types of ritual: religiousand magickal, or (better terms) theurgical andthaumaturgical. Show how magick is used in both,and where the rituals diverge.B. The Magick CircleEven more than the pentacle, the Magick Circle is the centralsymbol of Neopagan Witchcraft. The final topic for Day Oneis the purpose, symbolism, and protocols of a pagan Circle.1. Purpose and Symbolisma. Ceremonial Magic and Qabbalism versus the Pagan CircleMost people get their idea of what a circle is forfrom the Ceremonial magicians and kaballists, whouse it for protection from outside magick.Emphasize that the quantum leap that Gardner madewas to think of using the circle INSTEAD to keepbeneficial magick WITHIN the ritual area until itis fully built-up, focused, and directed.b. The Power of the Circle: The Five ElementsDiscuss how the classic Four Elements of Greekscience are the symbols for four types of power,four states of matter, four types of personality,and so forth, showing correspondences. Highlightthe difference between elemental power, psychicpower, and divine power - and the similarities.Explain how the elements are used in casting thecircle.c. Ritual ToolsDiscuss one-by-one the tools that a witch uses tofocus her mind - the athame, the elemental symbols(salt or a pentacle for earth, a candle or lamp forfire, the incense and the wand for air, the chalicefor water), the magic mirror, the sword, candles,
herbs, and the use of images.2. Conduct within the CircleTwo final bits of information needed inside the circle:the directions of casting and the integrity of thecircle.a. Widdershins and DeosilDefine the terms (deosil = clockwise, widdershins =counter-clockwise). Explain that widdershins isoften mistaken for evil, but show that thedifference is more accurately raising or banishingpower. Stress that, in order to get along, when indoubt, go deosil.b. The Integrity of the CircleRemind people that, since no evil magick isinvolved, there is no RISK involved in leaving acircle. However, stress that since a circle issupposed to CONTAIN energy it should not bepunctured hastily or unnecessarily. Teach how toopen and close gateways in the circle, and when toand not to do so.II. DAY TWO: MEDITATION AND VISUALIZATIONThe second day's concentration is on the mental aspects of magickand ritual work, and is mostly in workshop form.A. MeditationDescribe meditation as a means of altering your mental stateby relaxation and concentration. Contrast meditation andtrance state. Discuss the use of posture (asana) andparadoxical breathing (pranayama) to attain a meditativestate, then do a few quick exercises.B. Visualization(s)Explain the difference between imagining and visualizing,then stress the similarities. Stress the fact thatvisualization is something that you will continually getbetter at - but there is still no "wrong way." Then lead thestudents through the following exercises:1. Grounding and CenteringUsing the seven chakras as steps along the way, guidethem to visualize energy being drawn up from the Earthand blown through the tops of their heads (at the crownchakra) in a free-flowing fountain. Then (if they seemup to it), guide them to mold and direct that energyflow into a circle, then a sphere of blinding whitelight. Have them draw the circle back down throughtheir spines until it is returned to the Earth.2. Contacting Your Magickal SelfGet them as relaxed as possible and in a deep meditativestate, then starting with a visualization of a SafePlace in the forest, lead them to a fairy hill, thenthrough the Maze of the subconscious until they aresomewhat lost. Guide them to a long stairway, thenthrough the door at the top. Then set the mentalsetting - that at the doorway they change into apowerful magician, and suddenly all of the tools andsymbols in the room are meaningful. Instruct them tostudy the tools for a while. After a minute or two,lead them back out through the maze, then to theclearing, and wake them back up.
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