How to Become a Witch by Amber K. (large ebook reader txt) 📗

in chapter 8. As with all the tools, the ideal way to obtain an athame is to make it yourself. Alternatively, you can find one at your local metaphysical shop, from a merchant at a Pagan festival, or, as a last resort (because you can’t touch it and feel its energy before buying), on the Internet.

The athame is either worn in a sheath or placed on the east side of the altar.

The coven sword

While each Witch owns an athame for personal use, many covens own a sword that is used to cast circles at group rituals. In earlier times, only the nobility were allowed to carry swords, but legend tells us that the Craft has always included people from the aristocracy. Some coven swords used today are heirlooms, some are decorative pieces, and others were originally well-crafted weapons that would hold up in a battle—except, of course, that a ritual blade would never be used to cut anything material, much less stab an enemy warrior.

South

Will, Wand

The second side of the pyramid is fire, or will, corresponding to the south. Will is perhaps the most complex side of the pyramid, because “will” can have many meanings. We discuss this in chapter 7, on ethics, because the Wiccan Rede says, “An ye harm none, do as ye will.” In that case, will means your true will, not just a whim. However, in the context of the Witches’ Pyramid, will means concentrated focus—a single-mindedness that will get you to your goal. To be a Witch, you must be able to focus on one thing until you have made it your own.

Will also implies daring and courage. Witches make change happen in conformity with will (one of the definitions of magick), and therefore Witches live with change as a constant. Sometimes change can be scary, especially changes in yourself. Yet most Witches are on a path of self-transformation to become the best they can be. Very few rest on their laurels, satisfied with the way they are.

To make internal changes, we do what is known as shadow work (more on this in chapter 8). We go within to find those parts of us that hold us back, that keep us from growing: our emotional baggage, negative thoughts, or past traumas. These are scary things to confront, and our will plays a large part in reclaiming their power. However, once imagination is fired by will, its energy and passion bring us into a whole new way of living.

Living your true will feels right in your gut, or dan-tien or solar plexus. A sign that you are pursuing your true will is that obstacles melt away and allies and resources appear. As Goethe said, “The moment one definitely commits, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred...Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” And nothing has more magick in it than a Witch (except possibly nature), so to become a Witch, begin to manifest your dream. Know and use your will, for will is the second step in creation.

The tool usually associated with fire, or will, is the wand. In Harry Potter’s world, the wand is a necessary tool for making Harry’s will come true. He can’t do much magick without it. However, a real Witch doesn’t need a wand to do magick; all you need is the power within you. What a wand can do is give you a focus to attract what is needed and repel what needs banishing. Why does the wand correspond to fire, to will? Partly because most traditional wands are made of wood and so will burn, but also because attracting and repelling things requires engaging your will.

If you choose to make your wand, you may simply find a stick on the ground that calls to you, then smooth and shape it. Or you may cut a branch from a living tree—but do it with respect. Find the branch that calls to you; then, touching it, ask the tree if you can have it for your wand. If the reaction feels negative, then thank it and find another branch or tree. Ask again. When you feel a yes, tell the tree you will be back in twenty-four hours; this gives the tree time to withdraw its life force from the branch so the cut will not harm it. When you do cut, do it gently, and leave a drop of your blood—or some hairs or fingernail parings—as a gift of yourself to the tree in thanks for its sacrifice. Then shape and smooth the branch with reverence, cleanse and dedicate it, and use it often. Of course, you may want to buy your wand, and that’s all right, too.

The wand is placed on the south side of the altar.

A magick wand

The wand is the most popular tool of any storybook magician. Real Witches do use wands, but they don’t have all the powers (or special effects) that Harry Potter’s does.

Traditional wands are made from fruitwood (such as apple) or one of the old sacred trees such as oak, willow, or holly. But they may be made from metal, crystal, or almost anything you can imagine.

Wands come in many styles and sizes, but most Witches are happy with a natural stick about 12–18 inches long, the length from your elbow to the tip of your middle finger.

West

Silence, Chalice

The third step in creation, and the third side of the Witches’ Pyramid, is silence. Silence is the element of water—think of the deep silence under the ocean, of secrets that are not shared but held close. Silence means that when your magickal working is done, shut up—don’t dissipate the energy. It also means discretion in general: “Silence knows what’s best to hide.” Being a Witch is not something you always want to broadcast. Be wary about telling just anyone. Do they need