Tag: Zen

9-23 Traditions And The Old Ways

The Northern Witch 19694 Comments

Continuing the closer look into the structure of my Book of Shadows, welcome back dear reader.

Today you see the first “chapter” in my Book of Shadows. It is about old traditions and a worldwide tour around magick, as it has been practiced since ancient times. I like to research the background of things, and so I´ve tried to gather information and inspiration for my work on a daily basis as a witch.

  • 9 Laws Of Nature
  • 10 Magickal Understanding
  • 11 A Magickal World
  • 12 Witchcraft Traditions
  • 13 Wicca
  • 14 Druids
  • 15 Celtic Traditions
  • 16 Native American Traditions
  • 17 Buddhism
  • 18 China
  • 19 Japan
  • 20 Hinduism
  • 21 Jewish Traditions
  • 22 Muslim Traditions
  • 23 Zen

Laws of nature : Universal laws about e.g. attraction, harmony, cause and effect and Karma.

Magickal understanding : Nature magic, working with Mother Earth, natural observations, spirits of nature, e.g. the fairies, the Moon, the elements, herbs, trees and animals, metals and minerals/crystals, major life stages and changes, e.g. handfasting, birth and rites for the Elders.

A magical world : Magick all over the world.

Witchcraft traditions : Types of witches and witchcraft, such as traditional witch, hedgewitch, hereditary witch, covens, solitary witch etc. Personally, I´m an ecclectic, cottage witch. I research many traditions and choose what feels right to me. I use a lot of herbs and crystals in my magickal workings. I´m a solitary witch, but I like to share my knowledge and learn from as many sources as possible.

Wicca : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture. I´m inspired by the beauty in the rituals and the structure of a both modern and old tradition.

Druids : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture. They are so mysterious and there is so little known about them. I have a place in our garden, where I´ve made the symbol of Awen as a celebration to the rising sun every morning.

Celtic traditions : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, Celtic Moon months, astrology (tree and animal zodiacs).

Native American traditions : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture, Shamanic principles, medicine wheel, dreamcatcher, smudging, qoutes, prayers and blessings, animal birth totems.

Buddhism : Spiritual beliefs, culture. Concepts like the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the Chakras, meditation, glossary, quotes, prayers and blessings.

China : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture. In progress, when I get there, I´ll update this post.

Japan : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture.

Hinduism : Spiritual beliefs, symbol, culture.

Jewish traditions : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture.

Muslim traditions : Spiritual beliefs, symbols, culture.

Zen : Quotes and symbols.

Of course, I´ve only practiced as a with for almost 3 years, so I haven´t been through every subject in my Book of Shadows just yet. It takes time, my interests are broad, and there is also a life to be lived on a very daily basis.

The mundane world takes it toll on the worst of days, when arthritis or bipolar disorder have to be contained and changed into something much more positive. Then I like to read a little in this part, because I´ve taken the time and the patience to gather inspiration and positive energy from beautiful old traditions that we need to take good care of.

Because the modern world is so hectic and stressful. If I could be granted a wish, it would be to meet people from the old traditions and just sit around a bonfire and listen to their stories and beliefs. Hear how they feel about the world and how we could learn so much from them.

It has a calming effect on me to learn about other traditions than my own, and I like to learn what other people do and why. It makes me think of my own practice and how I can do it better from day to day.

To me, witchcraft is also a life long learning process that never ends. So I take a subject at a time, enjoy the learning process and the making of usable notes for both further studies and daily practice.

Another thing is that some things take longer to learn and understand. That´s where the degree of life experience comes into the big picture. It´s not the quantity, but the quality that counts. Age does not matter in years alone. There need to be some kind of substance too. And we all have the capabilities to gain life experience, no matter how old we are.

Therefore, witchcraft is relevant both for the young, the grown ups and the old.

It´s good to be back writing after celebrating my 50th birthday for 3 days. We had a bonfire in the garden on my birthday yesterday, and as always it was comfortable and great to sit and listen to the crackling of the flames from wood with a history to tell.

My birthday bonfire in the garden

Now I´m 50 years and 1 day old. It is a thought-provoking fact. Getting older is a price for life. But what a price. It probably won´t be easy to handle later on, but for now it is a wonderful gift to get.

And there is still plenty of time to just live and be grateful for the much I already have. Thank you, Universe, for opening my eyes and see the beauty of it all. Let this day be worth remembering. So Mote It Be !