Magic

Magic lies at the heart of the Craft. It can be usefully defined as 'the art of changing consciousness at will '. Of course, a witch realizes that the boundary between 'objective reality' & 'subjective consciousness' is entirely illusionary: The 'objective' & the 'subjective' exist on a spectrum, rather like different colours in a rainbow. Quantum Mechanics has belatedly come to a similar conclusion: Odd that it has taken western science hundreds of years to discover a basic truth known to many since before Plato. As we change our own consciousness we will inevitable change the 'objective' world too, & that, in essence is how magic works.

Of course another witch may well tell you something totally different: Any explanation is only an attempt to model an ultimately inexplicable phenomena, so it's up to you to decide what makes sense.

Ecomagic

My specialization is 'ecomagic', the use of magical & spiritual techniques for positive environmental change. Some of this work is done by members of the 'Dragon Environmental Network', who combine practical environmental & conservation work with ecomagic.

If you open yourself to subtle energy, you will find that the natural world, especially trees, will communicate with you. You probably won't end up literally talking to trees, (although I can't guarantee it..), but you will pick up feelings & possibly some kind of information.

My yew wand, which I have photographed for the Witches Altar section of Practice, came from a magnificent & very ancient yew tree which was destroyed by the vandals who helped build the M11 Link Road. I had done some magical work to try to protect the tree, & when the destruction came I felt it was important to save part of it from flames. Yew wood is very sacred, & was uncomfortable about taking the wand, which had been hacked off by the 'workmen'. The tree 'spoke' to me, & said that it was important that I take this piece of wood away. It was only later that I knew it was to become a magic wand with a particular talent for ecomagic work.

The yew wand is connected with that dark earth energy we call the 'chthonic', a power that our culture fears & misunderstands. It is Hekate's power, a dark sexual Underworld energy. Sex, death & Spirit, the three most powerful forces in our lives, are part of the same tide, & our tragedy lies in forgetting how that can be.

The Dragon Rune

The Dragon World Tree Bind Rune

This symbol has been used by environmental campaigns across the world. In the U.K. It has graffittied on bulldozers at the M11 Link Road Campaign, used in ecomagic at Newbury, Solsbury Hill & worn as a talisman by many people working for a better world.

You can use it yourself very easily. Visualize it in your mind. Imagine it projected onto someone or something; a politician, a campaigner, a bulldozer, a tree, or whatever. The Bind Rune will not 'brainwash' or curse. It will bring greater environmental awareness, the courage & strength to do what is best, or the inspiration to help change things. It can bring fecundity to the land, & wisdom to the people. Try meditating on the Bind Rune, or incorporate it into your own magical or spiritual practice.

You can contact me about this or any other subject arising from this site.