Topic: The Magickal Web

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Witchcraft? Perhaps an aged woman with a wart on her abnormally large nose, a pointy hat, a black cat and a broom? This is usually what comes to mind: a fictional figure that most of us enjoy and even laugh at. But what comes to mind when I tell you someone practices Witchcraft? Does the mental image change? I have asked this question to many and I have received the following answers: satanic, dark figures, the devil, and others. Why is the view of Witchcraft so negative when it is talked about as a real practice? Susan Greenwood thinks "…[Witchcraft] is often used as a derogatory term used to encompass all that orthodox religion disapproves of or prohibits and is therefore frequently viewed in negative terms." Meaning, it is thanks to the Catholic Church that people have such a negative view of Witchcraft.

The book would be called Windows to the Goddess.

Iconology would be a major chapter.

Accept others as they are. We are all individuals.

Belief in yourself is a necessity.

Concentration is important in any endeavor, both magickal and in life.

There is a storm here. The Sea roils and churns and becomes what many may call a fearful place. The gulls wheel and spin and head for places only they know. The salty sea air becomes crisp and the wind whips the sands and Sea up into the air and rains confusion and mystery upon the shore. Where is the peaceful solace of the Goddess of my heart? My Ocean Mother. Has she gone from my life? Am I alone? Is my power drained away with the wrenching turmoil that is taking place in my life, just like the storm here at Sea?

Many years ago, I had a pagan friend who half-jokingly related to me his fear of Mormon relatives, because of Church members' well known penchant for posthumous baptism. "I'll be sitting in Valhalla, singing heroic songs and toasting the Gods, and these dour-looking angels in black ties will turn up with orders to drag me away because my grandchildren have baptised me Mormon!"

The Cross and Triangle spread is a powerful means of understanding complex situations, developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This spread is rich in occult and mystical symbolism, and one of our favorites here at Facade. The Golden Tarot is a modern celebration of late medieval artwork. This deck is the choice of scholars, for it evokes images of elegance amid barbarism, and the light of virtue in dark times.

CHAOS NEVER DIED. Primordial uncarved block, sole worshipful monster, inert & spontaneous, more ultraviolet than any mythology (like the shadows before Babylon), the original undifferentiated oneness-of-being still radiates serene as the black pennants of Assassins, random & perpetually intoxicated.

What the United States needs is a viable third party. Both the Democrats and the Republicans have grown into self perpetuating behemoths whose sole purpose seems to be confiscating money from all levels of working Americans and spending it on their (the parties) pet projects. TheseJabba -the-Hut politicians claim the differences between the parties are great, but the reality of it is that most the differences are no thicker than the width of a dollar bill.

Each of these creative elements are necessary for human life, the each have both positive and negative aspects The Earth without Water to moisten it, without Fire to warm it, and without Air to surround it, would be a lifeless planet. The elements work in harmony, even though at times their contrary aspects may seem in conflict with each other, to create and to sustain life. The elements exist in a physical form, such as a handful of soil, and in an unmanifested, non-physical form or energy. All the elements emerge from Akasha, the source of all energy.

The pentagram that hangs from a chain around Kate Dunning's neck elicits raised eyebrows from many people who catch a glimpse of it. The emblem of a star enclosed in a circle symbolizes that she practices witchcraft.