Markings of a witch.

In a similar way to many Christians wear a cross, many witches wear a symbol of their belief system.  There are a number of different ones, and here we will give a very brief explanation of each.

In addition to this there are power rings or power symbols that allow witches to focus their power. 

All witches must be able to draw the markings they use, And while drawing a pentacle or pentagram, or the sign or Aqua is easy, some like the triquitra are far more difficult.

The sign of Aqua.

 The sign of Aqua is a circle within a circle. 

Aqua is the high king of the water witches, and as such has a power symbol that is the power symbol of all water witches. the symbol is worn in ceremonial dress by high priests and above, and of course by Aqua.

It is in effect his symbol of power, and one that is recognized, and empowered in every ritual and every initiation at any grade of the order.  When Aqua invokes his sign, he does so, backed by the combined authority, will power and energy of every water witch throughout the world, and by their collective request the energy of the supreme power. 

It is the sign itself that is empowered not the physical item however the items containing it are often  in their design impressive.

When a high priest or high priestess or above puts on the sign of Aqua, be it as part of their clothing or as a pendent, ring or brooch when they are within the coven acting as the agent for Aqua, and are charged with carrying out his will, rather then their own. When Aqua is present they start any ritual by kissing his hand as a sign of their devotion to the order. It is an agent of Aqua, that all officers of the Water Witches caries out their role, and in effect are standing in for Aqua in each and every ritual. Similarly when Aqua is present, he will often ask a person wearing his sign to lead the ritual. Should they leave the order to set up some other of their own, or to join another tradition, then they cease to be authorized to wear or use this symbol. 

The sign of Aqua is empowered to only work for water witches authorized by the spirit to use it, by agreement with the spirit it is not effective if used by any other.

The sign symbolizes a magic circle used to build and hold power, with the inner circle symbolizing a container of water, which in this case represents the stored will, experience, history and wishes of all water witches.

Coven rings and markings.

Each and every coven has its own ring or marking, and these are warn not only during rituals but often most of the time by water witches. Although each coven is free to choose any marking that they like, many choose to use the one used by the Atlantic or Mediterranean covens.

Atlantic coven.

This is the first coven many water witches join, and is what many would call a virtual coven, in that is has very many members, and few if any meet together. It is in effect a coven made up of solitary witches, or small groups who have not yet established a coven. Their ring is the Claddagh ring, often referred to as being based on an ancient Irish legend but based on a design that dates from ancient Egypt. The Claddagh sign is of two hands holding a heart,  with a crown on the top. The heart or any part can be covered by a stone, or collection of gems or stones, and the heart can also be engraved to bear an initial. The initial should be the first name you are known by and not your witch name.  

The understand the meaning we give to this sign you have to think of yourself as the symbol of love and energy, the heart. The hands are two fellow witches supporting you, therefore giving you the power of three, even if they are not with you at the time, and the crown showing both your allegiance to Aqua, and the order but also the sign of protection over you.

When members of the Atlantic coven meet, they touch their own ring with the thumb of their opposite hand to draw attention to it and to act as an invitation for the other water witch to identify themselves. If they are also a water witch they copy, but don't say anything else. If two or more from the Atlantic coven meet, to take part in any ritual or group activity,  they touch together their rings, combining their individual power. If they undertake any rite of passage they touch their ring with Aqua's sign, both showing their allegiance to the order and Aqua and allowing the crown within their own ring to become empowered. 

You can join the Atlantic Coven from 16 years of age, but not a day younger, but cannot attend any coven meetings or rituals until you are 18.

Mediterranean Coven.

This is a similar coven to the Atlantic coven but is for younger people under the age of 18, and no one over that age can join this coven, or remain in it when they have passed 18. It has a two year age overlap with the Atlantic coven so groups of friends can transfer together. Members of this coven are either solitary witches or meet together with friends who are also members of the coven, as a circle but not a coven as they cannot currently undertake any right of passage ritual that would make one a high priestess or high priest. 

Their sign is an image of a Dolphin.  It is usually worn as a pendant. It can be worn around the neck under clothing so that it does not show. Because of the age of members of this coven there is no recognition sign to strangers. Friends who are part of the same circle and known to each other can form a circle using the dolphins this is done by:-

Standing in a circle facing inwards towards other members. Each holding lightly the dolphin sign of the member to the left of them by their right hand . Turning so they can walk in a clockwise direction with their left hand stretched out to draw the circle.  You may find it helpful to first put some marker down it could be items of clothing a salt ring or string.

Many implements are also available with dolphins on from bowls and incense burners to jewelry.

Dolphins have long been held to have magical powers and many sick children are taken to swim with dolphins. The sign also has the benefit of being a calming influence and not likely to cause offence to anyone. 

Pacific Coven and rings.

Members of the Pacific coven and, Pacific rings that are within some of our other covens concentrate on proving pleasure to each other. This includes all types of pleasure including sexual pleasure. 

	Their sign is the triquetra, which is a very ancient Celtic protection symbol with three loops. To this is added a single inner circle signifying a container of water.	There are many variations, however we always show ours with the inner circle clearly separated from the outer loops.
	Interestingly this is the sign that was chosen by the producers of the TV series Charmed, to have on their book of shadows and elsewhere.

Click here if you want to know more about the Pacific covens and rings - but beware this contains what some may call adult information that some could feel if offensive and not suitable for younger people.

Open display

Some witches of all traditions feel they need to make a public statement, and therefore wear the pentagram either as a pendent, as ear rings or in some other form. 

Clearly once you make this open statement, you are opening up the possibility of an adverse reaction from people who are less tolerant or have no knowledge of what witchcraft is all about. Although a religious symbol and therefore at least in principle your right to wear it is protected by the European civil rights legislation, enforcing your rights may not be as straight forward as it would be if you were part of a religious movement involved in political life.

Some have side stepped the ill informed by wearing the triquetra symbol above or the one like it with the background shape changed to a circle as featured in the TV series Charmed,  featured further up this page,  however this has a less clear meaning, as its really a protection symbol,  and by choosing a sign that others will not understand you have to question if any purpose is being served.