Volute's Personal BoS

Selected excerpts from Volute written 1986 to 1995. Volute is the administrator of PaganPath.com, also known as A. Minahan. Volute has since chosen the name of "Friday" as of December 21, 2011 instead of Volute.

Introduction: Finding Power Without Tripping Over It

There are many Books of Shadows that have charts of correspondence tables to tell you when to work a spell, what color of candle to use for every situation, and which invocations to use. There is no need for this type of reiteration. Much of Craft writing and teaching discusses what technical knowledge is required to be a 'first, second or third degree initiate' or how to work a spell. However, these are simply presentations of technique. Without an understanding of what it takes to find...

Part I: Getting Away from the Program

Being born and raised in American society, or any society dominated by Christianity, will have effects on people's minds. Even when we question many of the tenants of the Christian faith, there are lingering doubts and thought patterns that remain. For example:

Once upon a time, hehehe, there was a women-only ritual and study group (coven?). The women in this group had been through some trying situations, but each had emerged like a phoenix from the flame to find themselves reborn. Most of...

Part II: Where is Power?

In Part I we talked about the self defeating programming that takes power from within you and gives it to things outside of yourself. (similar to Starhawk's "power over" ideas) The classic ideas of fate, destiny, and an all powerful god, as well as modern hierarchies in business and relationships, all demand that we relinquish our responsibilities for our lives and our actions. ("I killed them because I was ordered to"........ "Who said you could do that"...... "I'm a jerk because of the...

Part III: Deity

Part III: Deity; or more "Breaking away from hierarchy or patriarchy without hating"

Ok, so you get the self-empowerment thing, and you've proven to yourself that you've got something going on spiritually, magically or otherwise. So WHAT IS IT??!!! Some Witches believe in Goddess and God and people-entities, like Jesus and Mary. In fact, some "Catholic Witches" actually use Jesus and Mary in place of other Goddess and God names. Some use Kernnunos and Kerridwen as archetypal images in much...

Part IV: Modern Use and Misuse of Deity

Part IV: Modern Use and Misuse of the Gods and Goddesses or Universal Energy

A) Deity as Santa Clause- like the exercise for changing stop light, and like the girls in the movie "The Craft", There are some who will do a spell or other magical working at the drop of a hat. This is a power or control addiction. "I need money, so I'm doing a prosperity and fertility spell" This kind of work is volatile! If that person's parents die and she gets an inheritance, or the fertility is expressed by...

Part V: Finding your Specialty

The exercises you've done so far will help you determine what areas you are good at, and at what times you work best. It is not necessary to specialize, but if you desire to do so, then the more you practice the more you will know of ideas for areas of specialization. Here are some exercise ideas:

1) want to try your hand as an herbal healer? Make infusions of teas and sense what they are doing to you, record physical, psychic, and mental experiences (including taste, smell, etc.) Try easy...

Part VI: Worship

Part VI: Worship; or, giving yourself permission to connect with what moves you in whatever way you deem best

What is being a real practitioner? As you know, guilt is self-defeating, so why include it in your spirituality? Some MORE examples:

For a year, while living and working in a private residence, I was unable to "practice" my craft, or as I felt at the time, be a Real Witch. Then, I began making a packet of instant ginseng tea every night after my duties were completed. I would say a...

Part VII: Be your own guru

Meditation can be your best teacher, but sitting in a knot half asleep sucks. Try guided visualizations to refresh your energy, make up your own. This may be more fulfilling than that OM chanting. Record everything in your journal/BOS

1) Meditation in a house, with a spouse? Visualize entering a house, what rooms are there? How many floors, anyone home?

2) Meditation in a cave: Go to an ocean, find a cave, go in, find a pool, someone emerges from the pool and approaches you?

3) Meditation...

End Note

Remember when you first started down your Witchy path? If you've become disillusioned because you've lost one too many battles in the anti-defamation and misinformation league, remember the enthusiasm you once had. Getting in touch with your original fiery spirit may keep motivated to change misconceptions about the Craft.

With the wisdom you've gained over the years, you now know that there is a time to fight, and a time to share your experiences on a beautiful spiritual path. Avoiding...

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