Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

I sometimes feel as though I am the last person to hear about things. I don’t know how popular this story has been over the past couple of months, but apparently Christine O’Donnell, a Republican candidate for Senate in Delaware, talked about experimenting in witchcraft when she was young.

Of course, I was intrigued about this and decided to do a little bit of research on it. I wanted to know exactly what she had claimed to do during this time period and what other people were saying about it.

Well, as you can imagine (and as you probably already know) a lot of people were not very pleased about this. However, not only did there seem to be a lot of confusion regarding what she actually did when she “experimented” but there even seemed to be some confusion on her part as to what, exactly, witchcraft actually was.

I find this happens a lot. Mostly, it happens with people who latch onto a very small part of the Craft and fail to educate themselves any further. Or else they take one thing that they like about it and neglect the rest. For example, sometimes a person will dabble in witchcraft because they want to “make things happen” (ie, casting spells) yet they disregard the fact that they shouldn’t cause ill will to others or else it will be repeated unto them.

While many witches blame the youthful generation for making these mistakes, I have also come across many adults that have done the same. Today, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that being “Goth” or “Wiccan” or even “Emo” to an extent is a popular choice for “alternative teens” but there are still a lot of adults that decide to become witches later on in life and are just as misinformed as those teens that read “Twilight” and are seduced by the romantic imagery of the “darkness” in its subject matter.

Ironically, a lot of witches that I know are some of the happiest, most well-adjusted people that I have encountered.

At any rate, back to Ms. O’Donnell. So what did she do in her past when she was experimenting in witchcraft?

Apparently, she simply went on a date with a witch. That’s right. That’s where the hoopla began. Of course, that should have put an end to the argument right away, but of course it didn’t. Throughout the interview that she had with Bill Mahr on this subject matter, she used “witchcraft” and “satanic” interchangeably. This is a common misconception amongst those not familiar with the Craft so I wasn’t terribly surprised. Still, it just reinforced my suspicion that she had limited interactions in the Wiccan, or even Pagan, communities.

Let’s face it-how often do we find ourselves explaining to people that we do not worship the devil? I don’t know about you, but I find myself doing it a lot.

She also talked about blood and a satanic altar which was a little confusing. While there is some speculation that she might be making the entire thing up, I choose not to go there. Instead, I rather suspect that if she did witness such a thing she was either a) confused by what she was seeing or b) with a person who was confused about what they were doing. Occasionally, a candle will fall over on my altar and melt. That usually leaves a big mess and while I try to clean it up right away, well, I am human. I could just imagine a red candle melting and looking like a pool of blood. I am merely speculating, of course.

I try not to let too many things that I read affect me, but there was one statement that I took some offense to. She stated that in high school she hung out with “questionable folks” like others did. She was alluding to this date that showed her the altar and blood. I don’t like being called “questionable”, even though I do question the fact that this guy was indeed a practicing witch.

Calling a person’s character “questionable” due to their religious preference is insulting, regardless of the religion that they practice. It’s also a generality and I try to stay away from those. While there might be some basic generalities in terms of beliefs, people are all individuals and each has their own morals and principles which can be very separate from the religious beliefs that they adhere to.

In witchcraft, we try to illuminate the human condition as well as to restore our connection with nature and the Divine. We believe that all life is sacred and that we should all work together to try to better ourselves and our fellow people.

The idea of Satan is a very Jeudo-Christian concept so for it to be involved in real witchcraft is rare. Is there evil in the world? In a sense. But I think that’s best left to an entirely separate blog entry!

I hope that you are safe and happy and content and that you surround yourselves with love and understanding.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”

Dear Friends,

I love to travel. I like having new experiences, learning about new places, and immersing myself in different cultures. In the United States, you can go from one state to another and have a vastly different cultural experience so I am fairly easy to please! Still, there are some places that I have visited that have had incredible energy to them and I would like to take a moment and share some of them with you.

Sedona, Arizona is a place of unearthly beauty and energy. You might have heard of it due to some of the popular vortexes that exist there. In fact, many people make visits there every year to experience some of the unique energies that these vortexes produce. So what are the vortexes and what do they do?

By definition, a vortex is something that was created by the spiraling sensation of either liquid or air around a central point. (Think of a tornado, more or less.) However, in Sedona things work a little differently because instead of air or liquid circling around, the vortexes are made from spiritual energy. In Sedona, these unique places have been used as great locations for meditating, praying, and even healing. You don’t have to be Wiccan, or even practice a particular religion at all, to be able to gain benefits from them.

The vortex sites are thought to be areas that have flows of energy that exist on several different dimensions. The energy that is created from the vortex works with your own inner energy in order to facilitate a spiritual experience.

Although it’s a popular spot for tourists and those seeking spiritual experiences today, the area was used by Native Americans as far back as 4000 BC. In fact, you can even see evidence of cliff dwellings when you take some of the hikes around the gorgeous trails. Even if you don’t feel a lot from the vortexes, the stunning views, the ancient pictographs, and the peaceful atmosphere can be balm to a troubled soul.

Sedona got some popularity in 1987 when a Harmonic Convergence occurred. During this time, the Earth was supposed to begin falling out of its time beam and a risk of it simply spinning off into space was presented. The idea was that humans were to use their psychic powers in order to get it back on track. A lot of people thought that if a great number of people got together at sacred spots and devoted their energy to the earth then it would make things right.

I guess we will never really know if this worked, but so far we are pretty sure that the Earth is still in rotation.

My own personal experience with the vortexes is varied. The first one I visited left me a little underwhelmed. I think I may have been simply expecting too much. I was very ill prepared, too. The trail had been marked as being two miles long. While I brought along some water and snacks, I didn’t bring along much since it was supposed to be such a short hike. However, once I got started I realized that the trail was much longer than 2 miles. It was very, very hot that day and I ran out of water before I got there. Once I did, there were others about and it was a little noisy. I must admit, I didn’t feel much other than being tired and hot.

The next day, though, I tried visiting another vortex. This time, I left with plenty of water and snacks and set out early in the morning. When I arrived, I was the only person there and I wasn’t as tired as I had been the day before. I spread out my blanket, sat down, and began to meditate. Soon, all other sounds began to fade out. It was an incredibly moving and calming experience and I could actually feel the energy spreading through my fingers and throughout my body. I stayed in this position for nearly an hour, soaking everything in. Although I was aware of everything around me, I was still very focused on my own inner energy.

I barely remember the hike back to the car. Even though it was hot and I was tired, I felt revitalized and energetic.

I must also say that the scenery itself was enough to invigorate me. The red rocks and the bright blue sky were simply amazing and my jaunt into Oak Creek Canyon was incredible. It’s hard to imagine that you can go from virtual desert to lush canyon filled with trees, waterfalls, and vegetation in simply a matter of minutes.

If you manage to find yourself in the area, I would definitely recommend a visit to Sedona. There is something magical about the location and I think that you will find that it calls to your inner self. Just remember to pack plenty of water and to leave yourself a lot of time to enjoy the spot when you reach it.

I wish you safe and happy travels.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”

Dear Friends,

There is a lot of good literature out there for those just discovering Wicca, as well as for those who have been practicing for most of their lives. However, there is also some literature out there that really isn’t that helpful at all. Knowing how to differentiate between the good and the bad can be tricky.

I have a young friend who was trying to educate herself about Wicca and one of the first things she did was hop on Amazon and start looking at books. She was immediately overwhelmed and decided to ask around to others who were practicing in order to get a better idea of what might be beneficial to her.

I think this is a great idea. Firsthand knowledge and reviews are almost always the best. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to find someone practicing Wicca so this might not be a route that you can take. Never fear, however! There are some other ways to help you determine what the “best” books out there are.

To begin with, I would stay away from “instructional” type books. Although basic books that talk about altar layouts and designs and such can be useful, sometimes they can go a little too far when it comes to rituals and spellwork. The fact is, your rituals should be personal to you. While it’s okay to use a general idea (and candle color meanings don’t really change) I would steer clear of any books that try to teach you that you HAVE to do it a certain way.

If you are into history and want to know a little bit about the history behind some of the most prominent figures in Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism then biographies can be very good. Even though they might not teach you how to perform spells or draw down the moon, you can educate yourself on who some of the more famous figures are which might give you an idea of the practice in an historical context. Popular figures include Alexander Crowley, Oberon Zell, and Isreal Regardie. Keep in mind that you might not agree with everything you read and you might even walk away shaking your head at some things, but they can still be enlightening.

There are also some authors who are well-respected in the community and have a host of books out in different subject matters. Scott Cunningham is one of the biggest names that you will probably come across. He has written on a variety of subjects, from guides to choosing the right herbs to crystal, gem, and metal magic. He also writes about oils, brews, incense, natural magick, and guides for those who wish to practice Wicca alone. His books tend to get a lot of good reviews and I, myself, have used his encyclopedias for herbs, stones, and oils.

Raymond Buckland is another one that is popular. He might be one of the most well-known writers about the Craft. He has many books on the subject out and they break down pretty specifically. If you’re a solitary practitioner then you might find his “Wicca for One” book helpful. If you want something more ritual-based then his book on candle rituals might be the one for you.

One of my favorite books is entitled “A Little Book of Candle Magic.” It’s a small book, as the title would suggest, and gives some basic spells. The spells use candles, oils, incense, and gemstones and are very easy to use. Sometimes, I use it as a “cheat sheet”, especially when I am looking for something quickly or I need to remember what certain things can be used for.

So, is “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wicca & Witchcraft” any good? Well, it’s not bad. Of course, if you’ve been practicing for years then you probably are aware of most of what it has to say. However, if you’re just starting out and want to find out about it or have some general questions it does a pretty good job of trying to answer them. Of course, I highly recommend that you continue educating yourself and don’t stop there.

When using the internet, or even reading books, keep in mind that some of what you are going to read are mere opinions. Ultimately, the choice and decision-as well as the way that you want to practice-is up to you and you alone. While it’s great to try to learn as much as you can, it is a personal path that you will have to pave yourself.

If you read something that you don’t necessarily agree with then continue doing more research. The author might have been wrong or merely misinterpreted something in a different way than you would have. Don’t give up after reading one book or one account. This is a lifelong journey, remember.

I hope that you continue seeking answers and finding them when you are able to.

Brightest Blessings,
Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”

Dear Friends,

I would like to talk a little bit about another fascinating place that I have visited, full of high levels of energy, interesting people, and all sorts of magic: Glastonbury, England.

People have been visiting Glastonbury for thousands of years. While it might be more popular now for the big music festival that it hosts, it’s been important for travelers for a variety of reasons over the centuries.

What I find interesting about it today is that it draws Christians and Pagans alike. There is a very welcoming vibe there, regardless as to what religion you practice, and even the shops there seem to get in on it. You can walk into some shops, for instance, and find crystal balls and herbs on one side of the store and Bibles and rosaries on the other. Fascinating. I have also witnessed both Pagan marches and Christian marches while I was there-both peaceful.

So what brings people to Glastonbury?

You have probably heard of the stories of King Arthur. You might even know a little bit about a place called Avalon. Avalon was a land that used to exist in our dimension. It was a magical place where priests and priestesses that worshipped the Goddess lived, studied, and worshipped. They also practiced magick. Although they were priests, they didn’t shun sexual relations and in fact, even though they didn’t normally take on life partners they were very receptive to children and mating. The women were educated and talented and practiced the “old ways” long before they were called “old ways.”

Over time, however, fewer and fewer people believed in Goddess worship and Avalon started slipping behind heavy fogs. Eventually, the only way that you could find it was to study hard, believe in it, and have enough power to part the fog as you sailed across the lake in a boat. Ultimately, Avalon disappeared entirely and went beyond our reality and dimension, although it is said to still exist somewhere out there. It’s a beautiful idea.

King Arthur was meant to have ties to Avalon. It was thought that he might have studied there and that Morgaine (most commonly known as the witch “Morgan le Fey”) was his sister. She also lived in Avalon.

Today, it is widely accepted that Glastonbury is actually Avalon in a parallel universe. Studies have shown that the famous Glastonbury Tor has been linked to one of the holy hills in Avalon and that the sacred city might have been in the same spot. So what about the lake? Well, there really used to be a lake there and if you go atop the Tor in the early morning or evening hours on a foggy day you can even see how the lake might have laid below the hilltops.

There are other reasons to Glastonbury, too. Joseph of Arimathea was said to have visited there and a Holy Thorn Tree still exists in the Chalice Garden. The Chalice Garden, incidentally, is where the Holy Grail is said to be buried. A landscape zodiac is present around the town and there are also several ley lines there, too. The Glastonbury Abbey is meant to be the oldest above-ground church in the world. One of the most popular things is the labyrinth which circles around the Tor.

I have several favorite places around Glastonbury. The Tor is free to visit and while I haven’t done the labyrinth, I love walking up to the top of it (although it is a steep walk) and meditating. I visited it on All Hallow’s Eve and there were many groups and solitary practitioners there on the Tor conducting rituals and spells. It was a lovely time to be there.

I also like the Chalice Garden for meditating. Many people visit it for the healing properties that the water from the well is said to hold. The well is around 9 feet deep and has 2 underground chambers below it. The well itself is sometimes portrayed as the female deity while the Tor is the male aspect.

In 2002, the Glastonbury Goddess Temple was established. There are few places like it in the world and it hearkens back to the days when Goddess worship was prevalent in Avalon.

I have felt immense power and energy while in Glastonbury, regardless to the time of year that I have been there. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place and somewhere that you can visit and spend a lot of time listening to your inner self. Although I haven’t been able to part the fog and enter Avalon myself, I have had many lucid dreams while visiting. I’ve also had amazing energy while performing rituals there and have even walked away feeling a little bit drained afterwards.

If you do manage to make it to Glastonbury then I highly urge you to visit nearby Avebury as well. Though not as famous as Stonehenge (which is also close) you might come away liking it even better since you are actually able to touch the stones and hug them and even feel them pulsating.

I wish you happy and safe travels during your journey, wherever the road may lead you.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”