Author Scott Cunningham (June 27, 1956 - March 28,1993), created more than a dozen books on NeoWicca and modern Paganism. Born in Michigan, Scott spend most of his life in San Diego, California. In high school, he discovered Wicca, and was initiated into an eclectic Wiccan coven. In the early 1980s, he spent some time in a group led by author Raven Grimassi. It was from these experiences that Scott drew much of the information which was passed along in his books.
While Cunningham often comes under fire from lineaged Wiccans, who point out that his books are in fact about NeoWicca, rather than traditional Wicca, his works typically offer a lot of good advice for people who practice as solitaries. He frequently points out in his writings that religion is a deeply personal thing, and it's not up to other people to tell you if you're doing it right or wrong. He also argued that it was time for Wicca to stop being a secretive, mystery religion, and that Wiccans should welcome interested newcomers with open arms.
Interestingly, Scott was able to take his knowledge of natural magic and translate it into language that beginners to Wicca could easily understand. He shared his belief of the Divine, and of symbolism, and although he never dumbed it down, he managed to take complex information and explain it in a way that someone who had no prior understanding of Wicca could still absorb. It was this skill, perhaps, that made him one of modern Paganism's most popular writers. Even fifteen years after his death, Scott Cunningham's books continue to sell in bookstores around the world.
In 1983, Scott was diagnosed with lymphoma. He suffered from a variety of illnesses over the next decade, including meningitis, before passing away in 1993 at the age of thirty-six. Following his death, much of his material was repackaged by publishers and released posthumously.
-The Crafty Witch
Until 1951, England had laws strictly prohibiting the practice of witchcraft. When the last act was repealed, Gerald Gardner began to publish his work, and brought witchcraft back into the public eye without threat of prosecution.
Put into effect on June 1, 1653, the Witchcraft Laws mandated the outlawing of any kind of witchcraft-related activities. The 1951 repeal made it easier for modern Wiccans -- Gardner was able to go public just a few years later, when he published Witchcraft Today in 1954.
It's important to note that the 1653 Witchcraft Laws were not the first to appear in the English judicial system. In 1541, King Henry VIII passed a piece of legislation that made witchcraft a felony, punishable by death.
In 1562, Henry's daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, passed a new law that said witchcraft would only be punished with death if harm had been caused - if no physical harm was done to the alleged victim, then the accused only faced imprisonment.
It is important to look back upon these days and learn the struggle we had to face, people fear what they cant understand.
-The Crafty Witch
Since I have made a Facebook page to link my web store and blog I was stunned and somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of people that have reached out to me with questions, comments and just overall communication. I’m thrilled you all are so interested in my blog and work, for that I am making March Q&A month, even though I already have posts lined up feel free to keep the questions coming. Some questions may seem a bit silly but I welcome almost all questions, just not any which may be harassment/offensive to some. Keep it clean.
Today’s Q&A
Do you do any sacrifices on animals or anything? –E.B.
Wiccans and Pagans do not sacrifice animals or any of living being, I can not sit here and tell you all people practicing the craft do/don't but I can tell you its not the way of wiccans and pagan "Harm None". Though I do get annoyed when some people say there is no sacrificing within the craft. The only religion I know of that does is Santeria, but don't get the wrong idea. Where there is a sacrificial ceremony it is not to worship the devil or demons, some religions and cultures believe it is an offering to there gods.
-The Crafty Witch
Since I have made a Facebook page to link my web store and blog I was stunned and somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of people that have reached out to me with questions, comments and just overall communication. I’m thrilled you all are so interested in my blog and work, for that I am making March Q&A month, even though I already have posts lined up feel free to keep the questions coming. Some questions may seem a bit silly but I welcome almost all questions, just not any which may be harassment/offensive to some. Keep it clean.
Today’s Q&A
Do you have to be in a coven? –Kelsey
Nope. There are plenty of solitary pagans out there. I’m one of them. It’s not necessary to be within a group or coven, but it is fun to have those who share the same values and ideas. You are able to bounce ideas and chants off of each other and have people who you know are going to support you and will always be there when you need someone to talk to. More importantly it’s not the connection with other wiccans or pagans that’s important. It is about the journey that someone has with themselves that is the true purposes.
-The Crafty Witch
The book of shadows or grimoire is used to record your magical workings and strictly speaking may not be considered a tool by all. Traditionalists tend to use the term grimoire and Wiccans book of shadows or BOS for short.
Despite popular movies and television shows, there is no one single book of shadows. A book of shadows, or BOS, is a Wiccan's or Pagan's notebook of information. It usually contains spells, rituals, correspondence charts, information about the rules of magic, invocations, myths and legends of various pantheons, etc.
Sometimes information in a BOS is passed along from one Wiccan to another (and in a coven setting, there may be a coven BOS as well as individual members' books), but you can create your own with a little bit of effort. A BOS is a very personal thing, and should contain the information you find most important.
-The Crafty Witch
The Robe
This is perhaps one of the most controversial items in this section. For those
of you who believe that the only way to work is skyclad (naked), by all means,
proceed. I'll not argue with you, work as you like. There are those of us, into
middle age and living in cooler climates, who like robes. Robes also appeal to
the more theatrical among us who enjoy costumes and for whom the robe sets a
mood. This area is best left to personal opinion. Robes can be quite ornate,
with hoods, rope belts, long and flowing fabrics; or very simple.
The matter of color is a personal one as well. Many prefer black, being the
color of the night sky, mystery, and the unknown. Some feel black has negative
connotations and wear white, it is up to each witch to decide for themselves. In
Ceremonial Magic and some traditions robes are worn in planetary colors,
elemental colors, and the colors of the office held by the individual. You may
decide to utilize color correspondences appropriate to the particular magical
working you will be doing when choosing the color of your robes. Do what suits
you. In some covens tabard in the elemental colors are worn by those who call
the quarters over the top of their normal robe.
Do consider practicalities when choosing a robe, if you will be attending
outdoor rituals be sure to consider the weather and select appropriate fabric to
keep warm if necessary. A heavy wool cloak can be added to help with this, as
well as long johns. Be aware of the sleeves and flowing fabric since you will
likely be around candles and perhaps even a fire. The fabric should be flame
resistant and the sleeves containable. Whatever sort of robe you use it should
never be worn for anything other than ritual, it is a magical garment and must
not be used for any mundane purpose. When you are done with ritual change into
your regular clothes.
The Boline
Pronounced as bow-leen, the Boline or white handled knife is the usable,
practical knife used to cut herbs, cords, whatever one must cut. It should be
kept sharp enough to actually be useful.A simple kitchen or hunting type knife
that has a painted white handle or sometimes a white horn or antler handle may
be used for a boline. There are bolines available that are shaped like a
crescent and are reminiscent of a Druids knife. These are lovely, and perfectly
acceptable, but by no means necessary. They can be difficult to cut with.
-The Crafty Witch
The Sword
It represents fire and is used for many of the same purposes as the knife. Its
main use is for casting the circle. All authors agree that the sword is
optional, and that a replica is appropriate. Most suggest that some part, either
the handle or an inscription be added to make a purchased sword more personal.
All agree that if it is possible the sword should be made by the owner or a
coven member, but unless you are a blacksmith you are unlikely to be able to
manage the blade. The handle could be made or at least decorated however. There
are a number of suppliers of fine replica swords that cater to the SCA and Renn
Faire groups, keep your eyes open and you may find just the one for you. They
are also readily available at occult supply stores, often of lesser quality, but
also lesser price.
The Staff
The staff or stang is commonly included among the tools of Traditional witches
as well as Wiccans. It represents air and is, in effect, a long wand. It should
be made out of hardwood, equal in length to the height of the owner, and
decorated with feathers, leather, crystals, carving or engraving according to
Buckland. The staff has little practical use being largely ornamental. Farrar
and Cunningham do not mention it. A staff or walking stick can be a very
personal accessory since there are so many options for decoration. One can affix
any number of items to leather cords to dangle from the top, and it can be
carved with symbols, runes, the owners magical name - any meaningful words you
like. I recommend putting a rubber cane tip over the bottom to provide traction
and avoid marring floors.
Valiente tells of her traditions use of the Stang, a type of staff. It serves as
an emblem of faith and walking aid to and from meetings, a sign one is of the
craft, and a personal altar. The stang is forked at the top. It is of ash, cut
during the full moon with your knife. A small coin must be left with the tree as
payment for taking the branch. The stang must be shod with iron by driving a
nail into the bottom of it, the purpose being to hold the magical charge within
the stang once it is consecrated. Garlands and arrows are hung on the coven
stang for the four major rites. In some traditions the stang rather than being
forked at the top has a forked antler or even a whole skull with antlers of a
deer or similar animal. It may be decorated with fur, feathers, crystals or
other objects as well.
*author unknown
-The Crafty Witch
