44 Days of Witchery: Day 3

Witchy tools: athame.


An athame is a ceremonial dagger with a double-edged blade and (usually) a black handle. It is normally used by Wiccans, though other witchcraft traditions outside that religion may use one.


It represents one of the four elemental tools in Wicca (in this case, fire). This tools' primary use is energy work. It is not used for cutting (there is another knife for that use). This tool also aids in the creating of a magic circle. Another one of its uses is to invoke the guardians of the four directions. The athame, being a phallic symbol, is also used to represent the masculine in fertility ceremonies.

44 Days of Witchery: Day One

"What’s your witchy background?"


As discussed in a previous post, I was raised in a Catholic family. I realized that it was not for me by the time I was in High School. But I had to keep that to myself. My family would not approve.

I remember being at a bookstore, and my cousin found a book on Witchcraft. After telling her mother (my father's sister) that she wanted to buy it, she was admonished for it. My cousin was told that simply reading the book was a path to destruction.

However, books like the Odyssey were not dangerous like the book on witchcraft. Not only was my reading of mythology encouraged, I was given antique books on the subject. It was (and still is) difficult to read the antique books, because they aren't meant to be read. They're meant to be listened to.

I always felt like I had special abilities. When I was around six or seven, I slept in an upstairs room. I woke up in the middle of the night and heard a tornado in the distance. But I didn't feel threatened (though I should have been terrified). Instead, I went back to sleep. Somehow, I knew it was going to pass our farm without incident.

After I left home, and moved to California, I stopped being a practicing Catholic. As far as the majority of my family is concerned, I just don't attend Mass. It wasn't long after that I began studying Witchcraft, and alternative religions, voraciously.

Now I am firmly on the path I was meant for. It has no name, and it does not follow anyone elses path. Some of my beliefs come from existing religions, or extinct ones. Some come from fictional books, but the idea presented in the story made sense to me. My beliefs grow and change as I continue to learn, and as such can't be labeled. At least not for long.

44 Days of Witchery

I was reading blogs that I subscribe to via RSS, and I saw a post that sounded like a fun idea. It's called 44 Days of Witchery. Starting today, I will also be filling out this poll. Honestly, it sounds like fun, and gives me something to talk about every day.

Here is the complete list of days.

1. What’s your witchy background?
2. A myth or story from folklore.
3. Witchy tools: athame.
4. Picture of nature (water element).
5. A favorite Goddess.
6. A favorite God.
7. Air element.
8. A photo of a magical place outdoors.
9. A favorite mythological animal.
10. Your sun sign.
11. Witchy tools: oils.
12. Picture of nature (air element).
13. What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
14. A favorite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
15. Thoughts on the afterlife?
16. Favorite witchy website(s).
17. Picture of nature (fire element).
18. Have you had any paranormal experiences?
19. Fire element.
20. A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.
21. A favorite scent.
22. Current moon phase.
23. A favorite candle.
24. Your moon sign.
25. How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?
26. A witchy podcast.
27. Picture of nature (earth element).
28. A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!
29. Water element.
30. Witchy tools: wand.
31. A favorite pagan/witchy movie.
32. A pagan/witchy artwork.
33. Faerie of your choice.
34. Rune of your choice.
35. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
36. Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.
37. A famous pagan/witch!
38. Witchy tools: cauldron.
39. Something that inspires you.
40. Your altar, if you have one!
41. A spell you’ve done.
42. A favorite nature spirit.
43. A magical recipe.
44. Witch’s choice!

What is Witchcraft?

Most people that are new to religions other than Christianity, Judaism and Islam have many questions and preconceptions. Most are based on Hollywood or what they were told by religious leaders. Many of these preconceptions are false, however.

Witches do practice magic, but it's not like Harry Potter, Charmed, the Wizard of Oz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Bewitched. It's a subtle movement of energy. Some claim to be able to do more obvious magic, such as turning one substance into another, but I have never seen it work in real life so I can't say for certain if it's true or not.

Witches are not Satanic, and do not practice "black" magic. They follow religious laws. The first is the Rule of Three, which is primarily a Wiccan law. This rule states that anything you do will come back to you three times greater. So, if you do a love spell to gain a lover that is already with someone else, three future partners will leave you for someone else. Another law is the Wiccan Rede, which states "an it harm none, do what ye will". To translate, it means "you can do what you like, as long as it doesn't bring harm or trouble to another person". Others believe in Karma, which is every action has a single consequence or reward. Also, in my opinion, there is no "white" or "black" magic. All magic is grey, neutral. It takes intent and outcome to make it "black" or "white".

While we're on the Satanic idea, most witches do not worship Satan. Some are Wiccan, some are members of other Pagan faiths, some are atheists, and some are even Christians. Witchcraft is a tool that can be used by anyone, regardless of their religion.

Witches, also, do not deal with demons. Some believe in them, some don't. But no witch I know will deal with a negative entity, regardless of the name given to it.

With the exception of Traditional Scottish Witchcraft, warlocks are not male witches. The word witch is actually gender-neutral. The accepted etymology (the study of the history and origin of words) of the word Warlock is the Old English word wǣrloga, which means "oath-breaker" or "deceiver". In traditions other than Scottish, the word is used to describe someone that betrayed other witches or an entire coven.

Cottage witches, kitchen witches, garden witches, green witches, hedge witches and hearth witches are examples of different kinds of witches. There are probably others I missed or have not heard of at this time.

Actual spells and rituals vary from witch to witch, depending on their personal views. The religion one might follow dictates certain rules. Sometimes even down to the tools used, and the clothing worn. The rituals can also vary, depending on if there are minors in attendance.

All in all, witches tend to be good people. They live within the boundaries of society and the law. You probably wouldn't even know one if you saw one on the street, as most keep their religion to themselves. All they want is to be allowed to live without persecution from the majority faiths.