Introduction.

I want now to look briefly at a traditional group, or brand of witchcraft that is up to date, flexible and that allows new members to join, yet the water witches, the group I am a member of.

The reason to do this at this point, is to give you an overall view of witchcraft, based on a single path that has many common elements with many more. Later you can take an in depth look at many different groups. or paths. As we cover topics and views differ between paths in later sections, I will do my best to explain the differences.

We need to first cover a little of the basics of witchcraft, and its history:-

Elements. Water, Fire, Earth, Air and Spirit.  

The four elements are Water, Fire, Air and Earth, and we place them at the four compass points of the circle. Into the circle we bring with us one more that of spirit. The elements are more than corner stones of the craft, they are the basis of everything to do with witchcraft. Elements are not gods, but may sometimes be connected with spirits of some type or aspects of the divine. 

Distant history.

There were originally way back, witches devoted to each element, they would concentrate more on one than the rest, so you had those who dealt more with healing wells, stream and water, others more into standing stones, stone circles etc, and some as keepers of the flame, later to become vestal virgins and eventually nun's. The Christian church is built on the foundations of primarily the groups of witchcraft originally connected with fire and stones. We know little about the original group(s) devoted to air, although recently I have come across some references to them in some old documents. I know  far more about two distinct groups that were devoted to water, both of which have survived until at least recent times.

Lets take a look at the central parts of the Water witches philosophy

So what are the central elements of the system we live by

We believe in one power, supreme entity, which is both male and female, you may call this nature, god or by any name you choose. We believe that this entity is very intelligent, not impressed by ritual that involves just going through the motion, cannot be tricked or mislead, and that we each have the right to communicate with, as and when we want, without any translator, interpreter, or interference from others. 

We believe that: you should "pick and mix", the individual elements of witchcraft as best suits you, and in which you can believe and perform at this time. That you can add new skills, or belief elements as you progress along life's path. 

We believe we can do what we like, providing we do not harm anyone else by our actions. 

We also believe that any harm we do to others by witchcraft would be rebounded on us 3 times, and any good we do is rewarded three fold. We have rituals that some members can choose to participate in that can convert the number 3 to 9 or 27, but advice against it for some years after joining.

We believe that people should become members by choice, no one should be coerced, converted, or feel that they have to follow our beliefs because it is the belief of their parents or friends.

We further believe in participation by choice, so put no duty on any member to attend specific events, or be involved in any ceremony that for any reason they wish to avoid.

We believe that you should live to the full in today while at the same time preparing for tomorrow.

We recognize the ability to cure, that doctors call psychosomatic or placebo effect, which is centered on belief, and is recorded throughout history. We also recognize many methods of curing people, that includes traditional medicine, surgery and drugs, but also what are known by many as paramedical areas. We encourage the study and gaining of expertise in at least one of these.

We recognize the ability to enter a trance state that some call hypnosis, that can be used for a very wide range of purposes using many skills.

We believe in magic, and do not draw artificial lines between conjuring, miracles and skills, but look on them al as a part of a larger magical world we seek to understand and participate in.

We believe in the summerlands, past and future lives and more.

We celebrate the cycle of nature and the year, with like other witchcraft traditions have 4 major and 4 minor sabats.

We pass on the old knowledge, making as much sense as we can of it in this age, and safeguarding it for future generations, while seeking out new knowledge or new areas of application for older knowledge.

Clearing up a few misunderstandings.

We are not: involved in any form of devil worship, we do not have a devil in our system. If you choose to do something to harm another person, we believe it is your own choice, the effect of the community you are a part of, or the group or gang that you are in, it is not an outside entity making you do it.

We are not anti Christian, and would suggest our beliefs are far more in line with the teaching of the new testament, than any other religion. We find very little relevant to this age in the old testament, and very little that agrees with our views, or tradition. 

We are not anti church, we are happy for people to choose their own path, and believe in complete tolerance. We recognize that throughout history religion has been a major excuse for conflict, and has been misused by individuals, states and others for a wide range of interests and that all religions should see it as their absolute duty to teach tolerance and the value of humane life. 

We are not involved with any struggle against the government of any state, neither are we involved in politics.

We have no paid people, and no subscriptions, collections or rewards for those involved.

We do not seek to get anyone to believe in anything, to participate in anything, or to take any action that is not fully their own choice. 

You will see we do not believe in hocus pocus, but cause and effect, its just that some times we have to admit that we don't understand why some things work. More and more has become understandable over the years, but unfortunately some knowledge has been lost, any there are reasons why some areas that used to work no longer do. Some of this we can explain.

There are many areas that we do not understand, and many questions that we cannot explain, such as how did the universe come into being. No explanation or theory so far put forward gives an explanation that bears close examination. We don't feel a need to make up a reason, or to accept others ideas just because we cannot come up with a better one. We just don't know so very much, and constantly are searching to understand more. 

We don't try to get you to take an interest in things that do not interest you, if you want to become an expert we will help you and recognize as wizards the exceptional skills and knowledge of some, however if you just enjoy the life style and want to join in some things, then we say enjoy the parties and what you like.

The water witches have several web sites of their own and the one you are currently on is a sub section of their public suite at www.water-witches.com  why not make a not within your favorites or elsewhere so you can remember how to find us again.

So if you had to tell other of the Water Witches you could say  "They harm no one, are non commercial, are open and honest with you, and will allow you to join. Being a traditional group that is constantly discussing and updating to become relevant for tomorrow they have a balance of real working magic, belief and relevance. Clearly however they are not right for everyone, they are very much middle of the road in many areas, very little complex ceremony, and they do not pretend to have all the answers, or see the need to make up anything to explain what they see as yet to be explained."

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