#occult

And Middle Hand Path.

For witches, a question that can get often asked is what path you’re on,  usually the answers being a Left Hand Path (LHP), Right Hand Path (RHP), Middle Hand Path (MHP) or you simply just say “I don’t know.” If you don’t know what these terms mean, I listed them below and will further explain them. These terms are not void of controversy and bias, however.

The Left Hand Path

The left-hand path is considered to be about the elevation and centrality of the self as well as the rejection of religious authority and societal taboos.

The left-hand path focuses on the strength and will of the practitioner. It downplays the need for intercession by any high power although some may believe that a higher power exists.

Satanism (both LaVeyan and Theistic) and Luciferianism are considered left-hand paths. Followers of Thelema disagree whether it is a left- or right-hand path.

The Right Hand Path

The right-hand path, in the words of left-hand path follower Vexen Crabtree, “concentrate[s] on the symbols of goodness, of the sun, of herd mentality and submission to god(s) and religious authority."​

To put it a little more diplomatic, the right-hand path can be thought of as one of dogma, ritual, and a belief in the community and formal structure as well as a higher power. Though each of those can also be found in left-hand path religions, there is less focus on indulging the self in the right-hand path.

The vast majority of religions are considered part of the right-hand path, from Christianity to Wicca.

In my own words…

Usually the left hand path is viewed as “bad” and right viewed as “good.” 

With your LHP being demons, Lucifer, Hades, Anubis, satanism, and black magick

And your RHP being angels, Apollo, Archangels, Ra, and white magick

Yin and Yang type situation.

Limitations and Biases

One very large limitation of this terminology is that it is primarily used by followers of the left-hand path. Satanists commonly describe their path as that of the left-hand. However, Christians, Jews, Wiccans, Druids, and the like do not identify themselves as being of the right-hand path. As such, definitions of the right-hand path tend to be phrased in fairly derogatory terms as Crabtree demonstrated. 

The Origin

The terms left-hand and right-hand paths in Western occultism is commonly attributed to Theosophy founder Helena Blavatsky, who borrowed the terms from Eastern practices.

The West has a history of associating the ‘right’ with goodness and correctness and the 'left’ with inferiority. 

The left side of a shield is known as the sinister side, which is based on the Latin word for "left.” This later became associated with evil and maliciousness. 

Middle Hand Path 

Both the left hand path and the right hand path can often have extremists and see things in linear shades of black and white if they aren’t looking deeper.

Middle path is about moderation and about having empathy to understand who is next to you. Anything in excess will have a negative effect. While spirituality and occult can be helpful, we need money to buy the clothes we wear, pay the internet we view this on etc.

It’s all about moderation and also seeing things objectively. To view the world in black and white can be rather limiting. Every story changes depending on who tells it.

Sources: 

https://www.learnreligions.com/left-hand-and-right-hand-paths-95827

Here’s a list of different types of witches, this is a pretty chunky list but it’s not all and as I remember more and more and learn about more of them, I’ll add more of them onto the list but for now, here ya go:

There are many types of witches, many of which can change throughout one’s journey, it’s important to know which path is which and how that affects us and others.

Atheist/Laveyan Satanic: Witchcraft worked with the idea that satan is a concept, rather than a real person or entity (loosely put; it’s a very detailed concept). Also known as Satanic witches who fit the secular description.

Alexandrian: holds that all participants are priests and priestesses; everyone is able to commune with the Divine, therefore there is no laity.

Augury:Divine omens, signs and symbols 

Celtic: Studies and worships Celtic deities and magick

Cosmic: Looks to the stars, moon, and astrology

Christian: Witchcraft that is performed to honor / or is performed in conjunction with the Christian God as the primary and only deity

Correllian: practices based on the idea that inner truth is universal in nature. Since Corellian Witchcraft teaches that Deity enters the life of the seeker in a way that can be best understood by them, Deity is key to the beneficial magic of this tradition.

Crystal: Uses crystals and their properties 

Dianic: Offshoot of Wicca focused on female deities 

Divination: Used tarot cards, I Ching tools, etc for divination

Druids: promotes harmony, connection, and reverence for the natural world.

Eclectic: Embraces any and all magick and magickal work

Elemental: Works with fire, water, air, earth, and spirit

Faery: Based on British folklore and works with the Fae

Gardenian: based on the polarity of a male and a female, which are represented in covens by the High Priestess and High Priest. The values being: the value of life, the inevitability of death, and the reincarnation after this life ends.

Green:Magic based on gardening and herbalism 

Hearth: Practices magick focused on the home

Hedge: Solitary practitioner, a herbalist

Hellenic: Worships Greek gods and goddesses

Hereditary: Handed down a bloodline of witches

Kitchen: Likes to mix food and cooking with magick

Lunar: Works with the lunar cycles

Norse: Based on the religion of Scandinavia 

(Theistic) Satanic: Witchcraft that is often centered around honoring and/or working with satan in spellwork and prayer

Science: A form of magick in which both metaphysical ideas and scientific facts/theories are mixed in together by the individual practicer

Sea:Practices water based magick 

Secular: Does not worship deities

Shaman:Enters altered state of consciousness 

Solitary: Practicing by ones’ self; not included in a group 

Traditional: One who practices witchcraft by honoring and using old and ‘traditional’ ways of magick; this type of witch might be one to practice modern methods of magick, but they might also stick to traditional concepts or techniques

Wicca:Modern pagan 

Casting Circles is very important for baby-witches to learn for protection and in general for spells, but before preforming any spells please make sure you know how to cast a circle. 

What is a circle, and why does it matter?

A circle is often a barrier that houses your spells and rituals. By casting a circle, you’re allocating energy to protect you from any unwanted or negative outside influences. There are a lot of formal ways to begin a circle and some informal.

It’s important to note that there are many ways to cast a circle.

In traditional witchcraft, you might call upon a god or goddess, while if you’re a secular witch, you might call upon the elements, or create a wall of your own energy. A circle isn’t mandatory, but it can significantly assist with protection and energy.

How to cast a circle

Always begin by cleansing your space. You can either use your mind to mentally push out, use incense to burn away or use a broom or besom to sweep away. Once you have your method for cleansing your space, it’s time to define your circle. To define your sacred circle, it’s important to take your space and location into consideration. Are you in your bedroom? Bathroom? Or outside? You can make your intended circle as large or as small as you’d like. You can mentally define your circle or mark the directions or elements with candles or crystals. If you’re using the four elements, you can create a cross shape. If you’re using the five elements, you can create a pentacle shape.

To cast a circle by calling upon the elements, begin facing the east. This is home to the element of air. When you move clockwise, you’ll end facing North where you can begin your ritual or spell work. Stand in your intended circle as you begin to relax and focus on your breathing. Take as long as you’d like at this step or until you feel calm, centered, and present.

What to Do/Say

Begin by envisioning the wind whipping around you and get really in tune with the element of air and say: “Element of air, I call on you.”

Moving clockwise, turn to the south. Envision crackling flames and the warmth of the sun. Once you are in tune with fire, say: “Element of fire, I call on you.”

Turn to the west. Envision flowing water in waves and waterfalls and streams, possibly moving around your body. When you feel attuned with water, say, “Element of water, I call on you.”

Turn to the North. Conjure up the scent of the earth after it rains. Imagine the silence and darkness of a cave and the rooted feeling of being barefoot on the earth. When you feel attuned, say, “Element of earth, I call on you.”

Still facing North, become aware of your feet and send a column or roots of light deep into the core of the earth. Bring this energy up from the center of the earth and into your body and visualize a white light flowing, creating the circle and say: “With these elements together under spirit, I cast a circle of protection above, below, within.”

This is where you perform your ritual, meditation, or spells.

You can also temporarily exit your circle without repeating the entire circle casting process. To do so, hold an athame or wand in your hand and make a cutting motion across the line of the circle and say: “I use this athame of crystal to open a door.” Your wand or athame will help you direct energy to make an incision in your circle of energy. When returning, you can simply reverse the process to close the door.

Opening a circle

Also called closing a circle is a way to release the energy you’ve built and is a way to thank the elements for their assistance.

The process of opening a circle begins with you facing north to release earth and saying:  “Earth, thank you for your energy. I bid you farewell.”

Next, you’ll turn to the west to release water: “Water, thank you for your energy. I bid you farewell.”

Then, you’ll turn to the south to release fire: “Fire, thank you for your energy. I bid you farewell.”

  After that, you’ll turn to the east to release air: “Air, thank you for your energy. I bid you farewell.”

Finally, you’ll return back north to release spirit and the circle by saying: “Spirit, I bid you farewell. I open this circle and release the energy back into the earth.”

Other popular phrases for circle casting and opening:

“The circle is open, but never broken. The love of the deity name is forever in my heart.”

“Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.”

“I thank you, element of name for lending your energy tonight. I bid you farewell.”

“I call the Guardian of direction and the element of element to watch over this sacred circle.”

Sources:

https://medium.com/@ambrosiahawthorn/how-to-cast-a-circle-of-protection-8defbaacd575

The links to Centering and Grounding are here:                      GroundingCentering

Shielding is a way of protecting yourself from psychic, mental, or magical attack—it’s a way of creating an energy barrier around yourself that other people can’t penetrate. 

When you shield, you envelope yourself with your energy. Focus on your energy core, and expand it outward so that it covers your entire body. Ideally, you’ll want it to extend past the surface of your body so that it’s almost as though you’re walking around in a bubble. 

When you’re forming your energy shield, it’s a good idea to visualize the surface of it as being reflective. This not only protects you from negative influences and energy, but it can also repel them back to the original sender. If you’re someone who is often affected by the emotions of others—if certain people make you feel drained and exhausted by their very presence—then you need to practice shielding techniques.

Sources: 

https://www.learnreligions.com/grounding-centering-and-shielding-4122187

THE ELEMENT OF WATER

Water is the cleansing, healing, psychic, loving element. It washes over us when we see our mates; supports us when we swim; gives us life when we are dehydrated. Dew dusts plants after the sun sets. Rainstorms (one manifestation of this element) drench us.

Taste pure water. Move your hand through a stream, lake, pool, or bowl full of water. Feel its cool liquidity; it’s soft touch. Listen to water trickling into a pool. As you do these things, remember that we contain Water energy within ourselves as well.

The energy of this element is vital to our well-being as humans, for it contains within it the essence of love. Love is the underlying reason for all magic. Water is love.

Here are some magical Water associations:

BASIC NATURE: Flowing, purifying, healing, soothing, loving.

TYPE OF ENERGY: Receptive.

COLOR: Blue (from the hue of deep water).

PLACES: Lakes, springs, streams, rivers, beaches, oceans, wells, swimming pools, bathtubs, showers, bedrooms (for sleep), health spas, steam rooms, fountains.

RITUALS: Purification, love, psychic awareness, dreams, sleep, peace, marriage, friendships.

RITUAL FORMS: Dilution, placing into water, washing away, bathing.

HERBS: Aquatic, such as water lillies and seaweed; fleshy, as in succulents and lettuce; loving, as in rose and gardenia; generally flowers.

STONES: Transparent or translucent, as in amethyst and aquamarine; blue, as in blue tourmaline.

METALS: Mercury (Quicksilver), silver, copper.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: Cymbal, bell, all resonant metals.

CREATURES: Cat, frog, turtle, dolphin, whale, otter, seal, dugong; most fish and shellfish.

SEASON: Autumn (the time of harvest).

DIRECTION: West (the place of the setting sun)

TIME: Dusk

MAGICAL TOOLS: Cup, the cauldron.

POINT IN LIFE: Maturity.

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

SENSE: Taste.

NATURAL SYMBOLS: Shells, a cup of water.

Source: Earth, Air, Fire & Water by Scott Cunningham

THE ELEMENT OF FIRE

Fire is the creator and the destroyer. It warms our homes, cooks our food, and fuels our passions. Unlike the other elements, Fire cannot exist in physical form without consuming something else. Thus, fire transforms objects into new forms: heat, light, ash, and smoke.

On a sunny day, go outside at noon and press your receptive hand against a warm rock. Smell the smoke from a burning fire. Gaze into a candle’s flame. Immerse yourself in Fire energy, and realize that it also exists within ourselves.

Fire must be controlled to be of benefit to us. When we light a candle, we call upon its powers-but also limit them. This is necessary if its physical forms are to be of use. But even a raging forest fire actually helps the Earth, clearing away underbrush and encouraging dormant seeds to burst into new life.

Here are some of the magical associations of Fire:

BASIC NATURE: Purifying, destructive, cleansing, energetic, sexual, forceful. Heat is a manifestation of this element.

TYPE OF ENERGY: Projective.

COLOR: Red (from the color of flames).

PLACES: Deserts, hot springs, volcanoes, ovens, fireplaces, bedrooms (for sex), weight rooms, locker rooms, saunas, athletic fields.

RITUALS: Protection, courage, sex, energy, strength, authority, banishing negativity.

RITUAL FORMS: Burning or smouldering; heating.

HERBS: Stinging, thorny or hot, as thistles, chile peppers and bouganvillea; desert-dwelling, as cacti; stimulating, as coffee beans; generally seeds.

STONES: Red or fiery, as in jasper; volcanic, as in lava; clear, as in quartz crystal.

METALS: Gold, brass.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Guitar, all stringed instruments.

CREATURES: Snake, cricket, lizard, praying mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion, shark.

SEASON: Summer (the time of heat).

DIRECTION: South (the place of heat).

TIME: Noon.

MAGICAL TOOL: Knife.

POINT IN LIFE: Youth.

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

SENSE: Sight.

NATURAL SYMBOLS: Flame, lava, a heated object.

Source: Earth, Air, Fire & Water by Scott Cunningham

THE ELEMENT OF AIR

Scientists and magicians may have different views concerning this element, but all agree that it’s vital to human survival.

Without air, we would perish.

Air is the power of movement; of freshening and of intelligence. It’s the invisible and yet quite real mixture of gases that we breathe in every day. In magical terms, Air is also the power of the mind: the force of intellect.

Go to a place with clean air and breathe deeply.Touch a feather. Inhale the fragrance of a heavily scented flower. Study an intricately patterned leaf. Experience the wonders of the manifestations of this element. Remember, too, that we possess Air energy within ourselves.

Here are some Air associations:

BASIC NATURE: Flying, moving, fresh, intelligent, suspending. Sound is a manifestation of this element.

TYPE OF ENERGY: Projective.

COLOR: Yellow (the yellow of the sun, the sky at dawn).

PLACES: Mountaintops, wind-swept plains, cloudy skies, high towers, airports, schools, libraries, offices, travel agencies, psychiatrist’s offices.

RITUALS: Travel, instruction, study, freedom, knowledge, recovering lost items.

RITUAL FORMS: Tossing objects into the air, suspending tools in high places, fanning light objects, visualization, positive thinking.

HERBS: Fragrant, as many flowers; pungent, as in culinary herbs such as dill; airy, finely-veined, or wind-swept; generally leaves.

STONES: Light stones, such as pumice; transparent stones, such as mica.

METALS: Tin, copper.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Flute, all wind instruments.

CREATURES: Spider, most birds, winged insects.

SEASON: Spring (the time of freshness).

DIRECTION: East (the place of sunrise).

TIME: Dawn.

MAGICAL TOOL: Wand.

POINT IN LIFE: Infancy.

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

SENSES: Hearing, smell.

NATURAL SYMBOLS: A feather, incense smoke, fragrant flowers.

Source: Earth, Air, Fire & Water

THE ELEMENT OF EARTH

Earth is our mother. It’s as fertile and nurturing as farmland; as moist as soil and as dry as sand. In its physical manifestations (such as stones), Earth represents the densest of the elements.

Press your hand against fresh dirt. Feel it’s stability, its earthiness. Know that within its fertile surface we’ve raised our food; on it we live our lives; within it we bury our deceased.

We couldn’t exist in this form without the Earth. But our planet is simply a manifestation of this element. True

Earth energy also exists within ourselves and within the universe at large.

Here are some symbolic associations of Earth. Think about these aspects of this most basic element.

BASIC NATURE: Fertile, moist, nurturing; stabilizing; grounding. Gravity is a manifestation of this element.

TYPE OF ENERGY: Receptive.

COLOR: Green (from the color of living plants).

PLACES: Caves, canyons, chasms, forests, groves, valleys, fields, farms, gardens, arboretums, parks, plant nurseries, farmer’s markets, kitchens, baby nurseries, basements, mines, holes.

RITUAL FORMS: Burying, planting, making images in soil or sand.

HERBS: Earth-smelling plants, such as patchouly and vetivert; mosses and lichens; nuts; dry and stiff plants; heavy, low-growing plants; generally roots.

STONES: Heavy or opaque, as in coal; green, as in emerald and peridot.

METALS: Iron, lead.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Drum, all percussion instruments.

CREATURES: Dog, horse, earthworm, gopher, ant, cow, burrowing animals

SEASON: Winter (the time of darkness).

DIRECTION: North (the place of greatest darkness).

TIME: Night.

MAGICAL TOOL: Pentacle (a wooden, metal, or clay disc inscribed with a five-pointed star).

POINT IN LIFE: Advanced age.

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

SENSE: Touch.

NATURAL SYMBOLS: Salt, clay dish of fresh soil, rocks, sheaves of wheat, acorns.

Source: Earth, Air, Water & Fire by Scott Cunningham

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