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For all of those who have written in to us and don't mind the questions and answers being printed here (obviously minus names and contacts, etc.), or for those of you who wrote in anonymously, here are the various questions you have sent to us, with the relevant answers ........

If you have any suggestions, comments, complaints, or just wish to sign as a Guest, please click on the email and send via the email.  You may of course write to us via the address given in the snail mail listed in the contacts page.

I recently had a few letters written in more or less talking about the same thing and decided to write a long letter back to help people understand who we are and what we do.  I've placed this letter at the end of this section, so as not to take up too much space who are happy to glance through other letter and questions.  To go to the section explaining about who we are and what we do, click here.

I hope you found the website interesting and informative and I apologize if it’s rather amateur, but it is a first step.  It’s very hard to write down what in many cases, cannot be expressed in words.  You are one of many who are interested in Wicca nowadays, but probably do not know how to go about starting off in Wicca properly.  This is similar to many people's plight from around the world, who are desperately looking to join one of the fastest growing belief systems in the world.

As you have already been attracted to Wicca; taking the first step is not so hard to do and to be honest; you've already made that first step by writing in. 

Magick and Witchcraft is always looked at as being "rather different" to say the least and has in fact being persecuted throughout history.  Therefore, most witches and occultists keep to the ancient tradition of "Keeping Absolute Secret".  Witchcraft has no dogma.  It has no "you must believe this" rules and is completely free in one's inner beliefs and practices.  In fact, in groups, 'like-minded' people get together and form the covens and that coven is made up of either close friends, or strangers come together in a strong symbiosis of core understanding, who adapt and adopt their own working way, (as long as the basic handed down ancient rituals and initiations are followed closely).  At the present time, there are a few very active Covens, (some all girls, some mixed).  The newly formed girl’s Coven has a group of girls ranging in age from 17 to 26; younger one’s knocking at the door will have to be taken on a case by case scenario.

Many other people might want to work alone and find it better that way to start with, until they feel more relaxed and slowly, over time, perhaps meet other people, who are also really "nice people" and all believe in the same thing.  They all keep their secrets together and believe me, is still the best way.  In fact, it took a lot of deciding to put this page on the net in the first place and risk possible ridicule perhaps, but then I finally decided to go ahead and the response has been very good.  There's a lot more of "you" out there than you might realize, and you're definitely not alone; believe me.  In time, you may want to meet others who have the same beliefs and interests, so let time tell.

It was actually, pressured from many other people that were desperately looking for a properly constituted and “hived” Coven (from England), that I opened up the secrecy a little and put my web site up.

We have been officially seeded from England and for years now, since a little before 1986 operating very quietly, and it was a big step to go more “public” so to speak.  It was a choice of either opening up, or the possibility of genuine seekers being led astray by “Wiccan Wannabees”, or unscrupulous people in it only for money.  I could not in all conscience, do that.  We do not charge money for anything within the Wiccan Covens, (workshops, lessons, readings or ritual), as it is clearly stated in the Wiccan Law that this is NOT to be done. 

I come from the Isle of Man, (between Ireland and England) and is the place where Gerald Gardner, (the first revivalist of modern day Wicca), lived.  The whole place is steeped in witchcraft and Druidism and I was raised within that framework, of a long family traditional witchcraft and later Wicca.  In fact all of my life, I have been actively involved in the Craft in one way or another and have now just been made the Chief Instructor of one of the Ordo Anno Mundi, one of the oldest revived Traditional Witchcraft groups around today with over 400 members.  I am still reluctant to become so open here in Singapore, when there is no real need, but then again, so many people are struggling to take that next step and do not know where to go and it is my sacred pledge in the life of a third degree, that I will always be here to help.

You probably feel that you want the proper guidance and training from an experienced Wiccan, you would be right in holding that belief.  There are so many self-made “experts” nowadays and I sigh with wonder where they get their profound expertise and knowledge from.  The books nowadays are repetitive in content and have strayed so far from the foundation of Wicca and especially Traditional Craft, it is hardly recognizable, but these sort of books sell to the younger group, who think it is the true thing.

This sort of teaching can only really come from a "teacher", or "tutor", called a Mentor, as you become the “Dedicant” in the first steps and the teaching is handed down accordingly, as it has been for generations.  It was the way I first learnt and have since taught many over the years.  You definitely cannot and will not get the "real thing" from even the better books.  They can only hint at the ways and cannot fully explain the unexplainable.  It has to be "realized" from within, felt deeply rather than merely read.  It is a wonderful “inner journey”, (or microcosm), otherworlds and mixing with the macrocosm and “what’s out there”, and will probably change your life – for the better.

Wiccans today are priestesses and priests, initiates to the Ancient Powers and are never laity.  They are secretive in their undertakings and do not proselytize, or spend constant hours, days and months simply and merely talking about it on the net, or in little groups, when invariably no one is properly qualified to discuss the subject in full anyway, and unless they are initiated into a properly seeded coven, it can only be mere supposition on their part anyway.  It is a personal and very much a “participant doing” activity and is of course, a way of life.  Wicca is “doing” ritual, “doing” inner workings, “doing” magick, “doing” spiritual ceremonies and “following actively” the wheel of the year.  It is “not” a talkers religion, it is a “doers” way of life.

To quote a new book recently published, “Unless a witch is willing to take initiation when the “magick calls”, and to “actively”, “consciously”, and with free will, “walk across the line” to live IN the world, but not OF it, and to take the oaths of a priestess or priest, then the line is not crossed.  The power will withdraw because it knows the witch is not yet ready.  ‘Some other time!’ it seems to say.”  There will always be the talkers and the doers in anything in life, but who really gains the real insight and satisfaction of doing, rather than merely copying and reciting someone else’s experiences, perceptions and views.  Think about it – it can’t be done!

The basic message is that, what is fundamental to Wicca is the actual doing of it and no amount of theorising and intellectualisation can substitute for the actual experience.

The beauty of Wicca, is that it allows and promotes the inner journey to its fullest by way of ritual and magickal workings in a way of living for the moment.  So many people are driven relentlessly to a goal or nebulous tomorrow, (and there’s nothing wrong with having attainable goals in which hard work will ultimately realize), but most people are forgetting that it is often the journey that really counts and is all we’ve actually got, at the present.  Living within the arms of Mother Nature is indeed a wonderful way and there’s so many things that we don’t, and probably never can, fully comprehend, but in a personal journey; you may “feel it” deeply within yourself.

One cannot simply explain the deep mysteries that you would experience within Wicca; therefore, our rituals have always been enacted in full, so that you would actually live the experience in your own way, which is invoked and activated by effective ritual.   As in anything deeply mystical or magickal, the meaning cannot be simply communicated intellectually; it has to work through an analogous process within the individual; a stream of symbols, images and experiences, rather than a mere explanation.

We are still of an ancient priesthood that works specific rituals for specific purposes and so-called magick, because we have the ability to do so.  Many people come for different reasons, some good and some bad, (and that’s why we remain so secretive and rather hard to penetrate).  Others come with a great need for a spirituality, which they wish to awaken, which also encompasses the Earth and Moon and the hidden powers of the universe, without selfish dictatorship or narrow-minded dogma.  A witch realizes certain powers, and represents, rather than worships them and fuzes with them, involves them and has a symbiosis with them.  There’s actually no such thing as a good or white witchcraft, or inversely, as a bad or black witchcraft, but an admirable shade of grey.  It is up to the individual.  Each person is answerable only to those powers to which he or she is oathed to and works with, but remembering the axiom, “Do as ye will e’re it harm none.”

As you are actually seriously thinking following the "Wicca" ways, (whether in a group – or as a singleton, but nevertheless apart of an official coven), there are a few things you have to know and do first.  I don't know how many books you have read on Wicca, but the real Wicca is quite formal in many of its ways (where other ways are free to grow and change), but you have to first begin to learn the "correct ways" in a form of standardized learning, BEFORE you can be advance or ultimately initiated.  Don't forget, our coven here is a direct descendent of Gardner, who brought Wicca into light in the first place, (after the Witchcraft Law was repealed in the UK).

I will say however, that naturally, in the end it is the most rewarding experience you might ever have and it really is "getting in touch with nature and the Otherworlds".

However, in saying that, it does not mean that the doors are flung wide open to accept anyone who comes a’knocking.  There are strict guidelines and steps to follow and ultimately, it is the various Coven’s own process’ and discussion, that either allows, or does not allow, a seeker to enter.

The present groups already formed and others still forming right now are expanding carefully and nicely, being of a like-minded group that follows the Wiccan path together, building the Coven on a foundation of Perfect Trust and Love, and will never have any real inner problems as the total attunement will be one of loving harmony.  Enjoying their rituals, enjoying their outer work together, and enjoying their inner pathworkings sharing insights together.  Laughing together and working together, and during those unfortunate times due to life’s way, may cry together and console and support each other.  They are presently enjoying bar-b-ques together, trips to the jungle, the beach and nature parks.  

Actually, a few months ago, I had been hosting a three week long Summer Camp, or get-together for all kinds of occultists, Druids and Witches from around the world, some of who came and stayed for just a few days, while others came for the complete time.  It was held on a small tropical paradise island in Indonesian waters that is owned by a friend.  It was an idyllic place to hold it, as many expatriates from Britain, Sweden and America had never been to Asia and of course found this little tropical island absolutely "magical" to their senses.   It was only about one and a half hours away from Singapore and the transportation was arranged for free from Singapore every three days and would have been an excellent introduction to real pagan get-togethers.

We had four initiations to first degree in Wiccan Witchcraft and one in a Traditional Witchcraft craft, while two other girls went through for their second degree.  It was all very nice, the people of all ages were nice and I'm sure that these unique and beautiful tropical settings in which the rituals were carried out will imprint on their minds for as long as they live.  There were lots of discussions from different groups and people were just happy and relaxed in a happy and relaxed setting, sitting around a fire till late at night.  We did some tutoring on hypnotism as well as magick and pathworking.  We had our Beltane Ceremony on the island, which was truly out of this world.  The central fire, dozens and dozens of candles around the circle, plus the candles each member held, the beautiful trees, (no mosquitoes too!!), the nearby beach to our West and the moon on the wane all made it truly spectacular to behold.  Everyone went home remembering something very different and amazing.  It is not often that this happens and is so nice and refreshing when it does.

Anyway, this just means that you may want to start by being self initiated, (if you so wish), into the Research Coven whereby it gives an idea into what it is to come and you wait out your proper time as a candidate and Dedicant.  You might then also be interested in other practices as well, such as Traditional Witchcraft, (of which we also have an official and ancient linage from England), or perhaps Chaos Magick, Druidism, or a mixture of the lot.  But then again, if Wicca is your will; so be it.  You have to earnestly show your interest.

After reading this, think it over and get back to me.....

A -   

It depends on how you practice, but there’s certainly no “you must do this or that” and to be truthful; one’s own path may “appear” to be within a mixture of one or more.

That does bring to the surface the fact that you have to consider giving due respect to any groups you're practicing with at this point in time, or in the future.  It certainly must be discussed with them, for if you couldn’t actually discuss such issues, then to be perfectly truthful; you’d be in, or about to join, the wrong coven for you, or perhaps anyone.

It seem like you’ve been struggling on the “path” for a while now and to tell you the truth, all those that seriously walk any such path, walk it for their whole lives, constantly seeking and soul searching.  However, I don’t want to be offhand and this is actually about you and the rest of your life, is it not – therefore, I’m certainly not going to be flippant or offhand and give you any old answer, but the answer you deserve, to the best of my ability.

It is not uncommon in this mortal life and our struggle through it to reach our nebulous goals we set before us that the goal posts keep shifting position so to speak and we’re constantly adapting and adopting as we go through our own stages of development and just plain old basic aging.  The reason why Wicca is so appealing to many seekers is that there is no rigid dogma attached to it.  Wicca is very flexible in fact and a joy to follow, certainly not a bain of life.  There’s an awful lot of Italian Witchcraft hidden within Wicca too and not everything came from Gerald and Doreen.  Just look on our site and read up about Charles Godfrey Leyland.  Therefore, those practices may have a certain affinity and symbiosis to one another, if not frowned on too much by thorough fundamentalists.

Apart from basic little rules and ways, so as to at least have a foundation for other visiting Coven groups to be able to interact easily, etc, there is total freedom of beliefs.  You may even find that members of a single but similar Coven have differing belief systems within its unified outward appearance, as these very belief systems are ultimately one’s inner self being rather clumsily verbalized.  The inner self knows instinctively, but cannot explain it and that is why there is a deep similarity in the overall structures around the world, but cannot be classified in mere words as exactly the same.

There are many people like yourself and I too was/am a genuine seeker like you are now and am in fact still seeking and probably will for my time here.  I walked many paths, but was perhaps lucky in that my upbringing was of the Old Religion and was very much Nature based.  As a child I guess I hugged trees with the best of them and laid on the stones at Stone Henge, (which cannot be done nowadays, as it’s fenced off).

Everyone has to try this experimentation on their own and realize (and know) what it is they are looking for ultimately and invariably is spoilt by “people” who run it and the dogma they invent to maintain it.  Power trips and egotism pressure new members into a dogma that clings and drags one down into despair and threats.  It is also shy there is usually a “so-called” year and day to assist a person in perceiving if this is what he wants and quite conversely, whether the Coven can lovingly harmonize with that individual also.

Pure spiritualism does not need Priests and Grand Pubabahs’, in actual fact, as there is really no great Gurus “out there!”  We are, ultimately, all seekers on a similar path, or series of paths, perhaps at very different stages, but never-the-less, still seekers still struggling to know ever more and what is good for one, might not be exactly the same for another.  We are, after all, all different and that is the beauty of it.

We must live by experience, not someone else’s liturgy of their own journey.  I keep saying on my site, that Wicca is definitely an experiential belief system.  If someone wants to call it a religion, then it’s his or her prerogative.  I don’t care.  Wiccans actually have a “similar” belief system “in general”, in that we might join a Coven to meet up together to practice magick and help each other delve deeper into our own psyches and celebrate the Wheel of the Year festivals together and have fun.  However, on our own, the true seeker will be at one with nature riding the sky and bypassing the stars and time itself.  It is also true and of merit that within Wicca everyone is a Priestess and Priest once they reach the First Degree and we certainly don’t ask for any funds or initiation fees or any other fees.  It’s not a business!  We have a High Priestess and High Priest to simply run it and maintain order and mainly to “invoke” or “evoke” the forces to the Circle.

We are not by any means individualistic in this or Nature belief, for nearer to home we find Taoism, which can loosely be translated as the Witchcraft of the East and of course,  vice versa.  There are so many similarities within many of the ancient practices around the world that makes one wonder if there is a really core structure and that it is simply one’s own interpretation of it that is written down and spread to others.  Did ancient man and woman find the secrets of these forces and through proper working, find the ultimate key to spiritualism and being at one with our Gods, Goddesses, forces and powers?

But, it’s still only an interpretation we can say.  Spirits, forces and otherworldly beings do exist in realms we cannot comprehend ourselves, never mind verbalize and explain it all.  We can experience some of this/these at times and certainly journey to places we cannot describe.   And around the world, over many generations, similar occurrences happened to generations of genuine seekers and practitioners.

This however, has been changed and corrupted over the years to cater for changing times, growing egos and other “people” things, but it must be said that the core and the forces are still there and just needs to be tapped into.  No one can tell you how, or do it for you.  There is no quick recipe book; only hard work and actually “doing”, gives results, so that one can experience oneself.  What one person calls Quan Yin in one area of the world “might” be called Dianna in another, or is it a purer essence of sorts?  A power perhaps with male or female characteristics or traits, which mere humans can only relate to in this mundane way and thus call these inner forces by a human name they can relate to, which of course helps visualization and evocation of Them.  They then in fact can manifest these forces and have continued to do so over a great period of time maintaining a connection made with one civilization or another.

My Nana introduced me to Gardner when I was a kid on the Isle of Man and to be truthful, the first time I saw him I was more than a little scared, as he looked like a very strange old man with glaring eyes and was full of himself.  I also studied in London under Alex Sanders in the early days when he was still married.  Although there are many other Wiccan paths besides Gardnerism and Alexandrian nowadays; they of course had a great influence on me at a time was I was easily influenced and subtly persuaded, but over the years I have reinforced those beliefs on my own while traveling the world and living with many different peoples, studying their magick and inner beliefs and actually living it while there for at least a year or more and I can’t say I regret any of it.

I am a free thinker at heart still, but my beliefs might be outwardly stereotyped as being somewhat animistic, nature based with Mother Nature and a strong belief of the intrinsic magick we can tap into, once we know how.  I still look up at the Moon and feel Her power when I wish it.  It’s all a very personal thing and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, is it not?

We must go along at our own speed and never feel pushed or pressured to do anything.  Study within the group should be at one’s own pace and activity is only at certain times, so it’s not all encompassing or time consuming.  All in our own time and at our own pace and is the true way of walking the path.  Spirituality is within, not without and is gained in many ways and not just one, and over many moons, certainly not by only sitting down “Ommm’ing” all the time.

I’ve actually felt great spiritual moments when even swimming under a majestic waterfall, and also while alone in the jungle one night with a gentle fire flickering in front of me.  I’ve felt it simply sitting one day on a mountain top, while another time it was in the laugh of a sick child with no arms or legs as I tickled her tummy, and in the touch of a blind man wanting to get to know me and of course when I’ve deliberately gone on Otherworld journeys and met with the forces, so to speak.  I guess it can never be the same, otherwise it wouldn’t be a deeply spiritually moving experience would it?

But perhaps I’m wrong, and that’s only me and you might have something different, but slightly similar in other ways perhaps and is what Wicca is about in its most base configuration.  Once again, that’s the beauty of it all.

Lot’s and lot’s of possibilities, all as beautiful as the other and all it’s how you feel as you walk along that will guide you to the right choice for you at that particular time.

Anyway, the beauty of having a structure similar to having a Dedicant and Mentor relationship in one’s spiritual journey is very conducive to this outer journey within a Coven that we speak of and close bonds allow the necessary interaction to delve into spiritual matters and the deeper sides of  yourself and Witchcraft.

We are all mostly still of an ancient priesthood that works specific rituals for specific purposes and so-called magick, because we have the ability to do so.  Many people come for different reasons, some good and some bad, (and that’s why we remain so secretive and rather hard to penetrate.  Even though the site is there and we are easily contactable, it does not mean one is automatically welcomed into our Wiccan groups, even if they are keen to join).

Others, like yourself perhaps, come with a greater need for a spirituality, which you wish to awaken, (which is commendable during these trying times of today),  which also encompasses the Earth and Moon and the hidden powers of the universe, without selfish dictatorship or narrow-minded dogma and are simply at a quandary of which path you should take.  It must come from within, for another’s format is simply that and was made, adapted and/or adopted to suit others before you and you simply have to consider if it feels as good for you, as it might’ve for them.

I repeat - A witch in general realizes certain powers, even outside of this spirituality, and represents, rather than worships these powers and fuzes with them, involves them and has a symbiosis with them.  There’s actually no such thing as a good or white witch, or inversely, as bad or black witch, but an admirable shade of grey.  Each person is answerable only to those powers to which he or she is oathed to, (within one’s self) and works with, but remembering the axiom, “Do as ye will e’re it harm none.”

True initiation actually comes from within oneself and all others can do in the physical experience is guide you and take you on a journey that invokes that inner spiritual side of you to enable you to make that commitment and self-initiation to yourself.  The trappings of the Circle are but props to aid in effect and inner visualization and the various initiations follows a rather strict tradition, perhaps dating back eons, but whatever - if it is done properly, it releases a great flood of emotion and a deep moving happening is experienced.

I can understand the turmoil also that is flowing through, praying and hoping that it is not a sham and is indeed genuine, because if the truth be known, that is what you really want deep down and you know it.

You are like so many others around the world and regrettably many of them cannot ever find a “properly constituted Coven” in their area to join, which is indeed a shame.

  Yours is a personal choice though and must come from deep inside you as the seeker and not be biased by anyone else, in either pros or cons, for or against.  Only you yourself know your own feelings and what draws you to your own path. 

With that I will leave you to reflect.  I know this posting was long, but that is the very intention of it, to keep you still for a little while and let things soak in within its own time.

Usually the mind is racing at a million miles a minute and you’re probably no different and really want a genuine answer to all these perplexing problems that are overwhelming you and the fact that you just don’t know what to think; I don’t blame you.  Time to step off the rat race treadmill and as I’ve said before, the beauty of Witchcraft of any form, is that it allows and promotes the inner journey to its fullest, all within your own time.

 BB  Azaz

A - I'm glad you feel at ease and are happy with what you have learnt so far.  The next step is to contact some of the others in the group and perhaps talk on the phone.  We then usually set up a meeting with some of the members and see how it all works out.  There is still a vetting procedure that is standard throughout the world. 

I tried to idnentify what constitutes the "True Path" and how does one find it? A hard question and not so easily answered and has been dealt with in various ways in other postings before this one. But, I thought it may be time to bring a few
relavencies up, perhaps for further discussion with our members.

The other day I went by one of the local bookshops and checked out the Occult section and was rather surprised to see a host of very young teenage girls and boys sat on the floor giggling and laughing, while flicking through an assortment of spell books, (mostly love spells). It's the same the world over though, not just here.

I realize that many people today, especially youngsters, are attracted to the Occult in general, (I certainly was at that age), but these folk are really heading in the wrong direction, so to speak and missing the Spiritual Essence. Writers are making a fortune
pumping out such rubbish books and the gullible are still buying them, (or in this last case, let's say just sitting and reading them within the bookshop itself).

This although alarming in one way, is comforting in another, in that youngsters are finally breaking free of the oft-times strict unbending dogma of many inflexible belief systems still in abundance today and perhaps offers a more open and free path, with many side benefits, such as I guess, magick.

I KEEP saying however, and have even posted it on the Home and Chat Pages, that flicking through books together with a half-hearted belonging cannot lead to anything serious or practical, especially in the growing troublesome times of today. It is actually what initially prompted the main website, together with "The Research Group" (and the resultant chat group here), and was developed in the hope that it might "properly" educate all interested persons, dispelling the rubbish while attempting to instill a perceived genuine concept, and even perhaps attract any first tentative steps from interested persons into the occult and Wicca itself.

I certainly don't want to deter anyone from asking any relevant questions whatsoever, as that is what this group is all about, but hope to keep it in some semblance of order and in line with the "Path" as a whole which often coincides with levels of maturity within us all. 

It does not constitute any recruitment to any "Orders" or "How to Do Spells", as that is beyond the scope of a chat group and mere words, and actually most Orders and Covens are extremely secretative and not easy to penetrate – especially nowadays, and have strict vetting procedures.

The idea of the Research Group is to cater to everyone, as long as it is relevant to the group's ethos and any physical meetings that we arrange here can help those of any age that turn up and help start them on the path proper. While the chat group allows people from anywhere around the world, of any age and/or experience to openly
chat – SO THAT WE MAY ALL LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

Again and again, I reiterate, (and I'll do it again here), that most seekers probably feel that they truly want the proper guidance and training from an experienced Occultist or Wiccan, and those people would be right in holding that belief.

There are so many self-made "experts" nowadays and I sigh with wonder where they get their profound expertise and knowledge from. The books nowadays are repetitive in content and have strayed so far from the foundation of any ancient occult ways or Wicca, especially Traditional Craft, it is hardly recognizable, but these sort of books
sell to the younger group, who think it is the true thing.

This sort of teaching can ONLY come from a "teacher", or "tutor", called a Mentor, as the seeker becomes the "Dedicant" in the first steps and the teaching is handed down accordingly, as it has been for generations.

This means that there has to be a "commitment" FIRST. After showing that `much needed commitment', ONLY then the true teaching can begin, but mark my words; until that moment has come, it is only trivia and skirting on any `true teaching' that is passed along to an undedicated student, until their attitudes have changed to a more
mature one.

This sort of information cannot and will not be handed out for someone that is not dedicated, or who cannot keep his or her oaths, promises and/or commitments to themselves, never mind to each other within a traditional group.

It was the way I first learnt and have since taught many others over the years. A seeker definitely cannot and will not get the "real thing" from even the better books. They can only hint at the ways and cannot fully explain the unexplainable. It has to be "realized" from within, felt deeply rather than merely read. It is a wonderful "inner journey", (or microcosm), otherworlds and mixing with the macrocosm and "what's out there", and will probably change your life – for the better.

Everyone has to try this experimentation on their own and realize (and know) what it is they are looking for ultimately and invariably is spoilt by "people" who join it and run it and the dogma they invent to maintain it. Power trips and egotism pressure new members into a dogma that clings and drags one down into despair and threats.

Pure spiritualism does not need Priests and Grand Pubabahs', in actual fact, as there is really no great Gurus "out there!" We are, ultimately, all seekers on a similar path, or series of paths, perhaps at very different stages, but never-the-less, still seekers
still struggling to know ever more and what is good for one, might not be exactly the same for another. We are, after all, all different and that is the beauty of it, is it not?

We must live by experience, not someone else's liturgy of their own particular journey. I keep saying to people who write in to me and also in on our site, that Wicca is definitely an experiential belief system. 

If someone wants to call it a religion, then it's his or her prerogative. I don't care. Wiccans actually have a "similar" belief system "in general", in that we might join a Coven to meet up together to practice magick and help each other delve deeper into our own psyches and celebrate the Wheel of the Year festivals together and have fun.

However, on our own, the true seeker will be at one with natureriding the sky and bypassing the stars and time itself. It is also true and of merit that within Wicca everyone is a Priestess and Priest once they reach the First Degree and we certainly don't ask for any funds or initiation fees or any other fees in our groups to "inner members". The Coven is not a business! We have a High Priestess and High Priest to simply run it and maintain order and mainly to "invoke" or "evoke" the forces to the Circle.

We are not by any means individualistic in this or Nature belief, for nearer to home here in Singapore, we find Taoism, which can loosely be translated as the Witchcraft of the East and of course, vice versa. 

There are so many similarities within many of the ancient practices around the world that makes one wonder if there is a real core structure and that it is simply one's own interpretation of it that is written down and spread to others. Did ancient man and woman find the secrets of these forces and through proper working, find the ultimate key to spiritualism and being at one with our Gods, Goddesses, forces and powers?

But, it's still only an interpretation we can say. Spirits, forces and otherworldly beings do exist in realms we cannot comprehend ourselves, never mind verbalize and explain it all. We can experience some of this/these at times and certainly journey to
places we cannot describe. And around the world, over many generations, similar occurrences happened to generations of genuine seekers and practitioners. Remembering that reality is in the eyes of the beholder!

This however, has been changed and corrupted over the years to cater for changing times, growing egos and other "people" things, but it must be said that the core and the forces are still there and just needs to be tapped into.

No one can tell you how, or do it for you. There is no quick recipe book; only hard work and actually "doing", gives results, so that one can experience oneself. What one person calls Quan Yin in one area of the world "might" be called Mary or Dianna in another, or is it yet a purer essence of sorts?

A power perhaps with male or female characteristics or traits, which mere humans can only relate to in this mundane way and thus call these inner forces by a human name they can relate to, which of course helps visualization and evocation of Them. They then in fact can manifest these forces and have continued to do so over a great
period of time maintaining a connection made with one civilization or another to the present day.

A true Occultist realizes certain powers, and represents, rather than worships them and fuzes with them, involves them and has a symbiosis with them.

And especially for seekers such as `Sonya', who wrote into our group about white and black, fluffy or dark, let me AGAIN say that there's actually no such thing as a good or white witch, or inversely, as bad or black witch, but an admirable shade of grey. It's what you do and how you use these powers for that makes it so. Each person is answerable only to those powers to which he or she is oathed to and
works with, but remembering the axiom, "Do as ye will e're it harm none." 

True initiation actually comes from within oneself and all I can do in the physical experience is guide a seeker and take them on a journey that invokes that inner spiritual side of them to enable him or her to make that commitment and self-initiation to themselves.

The trappings of the Circle are but props to aid in effect and inner visualization and evoke the Ancient Powers and the initiation follows a rather strict tradition dating back far before Gardner and if it is done properly, releases a great flood of emotion and a deep moving happening is experienced.

To quote a new book recently published, "Unless a witch is willing to take initiation when the "magick calls", and to "actively", "consciously", and with free will, "walk across the line" to live IN the world, but not OF it, and to take the oaths of a priestess or priest, then the line is not crossed.

The power will withdraw because it knows the witch is not yet ready. `Some other time!' it seems to say." There will always be the talkers and the doers in anything in life, but who really gains the real insight and satisfaction of doing, rather than merely
copying and reciting someone else's experiences, perceptions and views. Think about it – it can't be done!

The basic message is that, what is fundamental to Wicca is the actual doing of it and no amount of theorising and intellectualisation can substitute for the actual experience. However, even here, one must be practical and not be a doer of absolute rubbish and high hope wishing. 

We must work within practical boundaries, until we are advanced enough to work alone and not be on group chats asking and offering nebulous and very personal so-called inner secrets, such as spells even. They certainly wont be given over a chat group, if they are to be real at all and you wont find them in any book on the free market. Any book at all in fact, can only point the way and loosely guide someone – and the rest is up to the individual to search it all out and make it work.

It has recently being written in a book called, "Wiccan Roots" by Philip Heselton that secrecy within Wicca (and other Occult groups for that matter), besides fear of persecution of course, there is a concern that certain very powerful magickal techniques could be dangerous if they got into the wrong hands. Actually even Gardner said that; 

"Witches have a firmly rooted belief in their own powers, and the danger of these being misused if unitiated people learn their methods. Also, Witches reverence their Deities and Ancient Powers, and do not wish Their Names to be known, or bandied about and mocked."

Most genuine Occult groups can trace a long history – both as a group and individually and – the heartbeat of Occult and Witchcraft today must always reside in the old established Covens and Temples of such. However, in saying this, we must try and pass on truths and assistance to those seekers that knock on the door to learn and I'm hoping that this Group can assist with this.

There are now an ever-growing number of us within the group and I hope to hear from some of the other members too, so that we can all feel the spiritual pulse and practicalities of the Path together. Don't be afraid to speak out. We are all but mere seekers on the same path remember.

Blessings,
Azaz

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