Many Blessings for a Happy New Year!
I like to begin the year in review of the basic tools and teachings that have served as my foundations as I have progressed along my spiritual path. I usually go back and look in review at some of the staple teachings and simplify my workings for a few weeks. This provides the space to assess and refine how I will use those foundational tools for the upcoming year. It also gives me the opportunity to re-engage my enthusiasm and see from fresh perspective the work that fed my curiosity and thirst for understanding at the start.
When I was performing as a professional classical ballerina, I never hesitated to take an intermediate class so I could focus on the execution on the technique and revisit these steps anew. This served me well when those same steps became more intricate and ultimately the language of expression used in a complex piece of choreography. This approach allowed me to place the technical approach aside and blend fully with the music and the expression. This is the same goal of working magick and spiritual practice. To become entwined and intrinsically the magick you are working.
In 2010 I wrote an on-line course of study designed to take the participant through a Year and a Day of Learning and practice of the Craft of the Wise. Each year, I review it myself (yeah, I know sounds strange since I wrote it. LOL!); but going back and looking at what your perceptions and level of understanding were at a given point in your development is an amazing tool for assessing how far you have come and what needs deeper exploration. So, in that spirit and in keeping with a fresh start to the New Year, I’ve posted the link to the course below and the full version of the Wiccan Rede for contemplation and reminder of the simplicity and beauty of this path.
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,and the werewolf howls
by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart’s desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire
it brings the God’s insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady’s tree burn it not or cursed you’ll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it’s now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached its height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you’ll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you’ll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
“An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will”
There is no sign-up or fee to participate. The goal was to offer a month to each section, but as you will see, all of the material is accessible at any time. I welcome comments and suggestions for improvement. Enjoy!
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The Magickal Pen 
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