Zelda_of_Arel asked this question on 5/4/2000:

Merry Meet!

I'd like to ask 3 things.

1.) I've been going through a lot or Wicca sites and I noticed something. The Elements attributed to South and West are sometimes mixed up. South - Fire West - Water or South - Water West - Fire Are these different ways? Then why? Or maybe they're just mistakes?

2.) What's purification and how's it done?

3.) What do the degrees mean?

Thanks, I'll rate all answers.

Merry Part! Zelda

gabby2600 gave this response on 5/4/2000:

1)

North - Earth East - Air South - Fire West - Water

This is standard witchcraft, unless you study the Kaballah or Egyptian Magic where the South and West are swaped. Thats where some people get confused. Or it is just choice, as it depends on the origins of the magic.

2) If you mean Concecration read as follows

Consecrations

Consecration has two basic purposes, first is to set aside the tool or substance as something special for magical purposes and to alter the users attitude to it. The second purpose is psychic, magical and astral. Witches believe that objects exist on many levels, so consecrations also give the object a psychic charge, which will grow stronger as the item is used in a Magic Circle. Newly consecrated items should be kept at the back of the Circle when the Circle is banished. To make a Banishing Pentagram towards a newly consecrated object might have a neutralizing effect.

Consecrating Water and Salt.

The High Priestess generally consecrates the water and the High Priest the salt; the High Priestess then holds up the bowl of water while the High Priest pours the salt into it. Of course the whole thing can be done by one person and any witch. In this version the Hebrew names remain, but most covens change them to there own Goddess and God names.

Consecrating a Sword or Athame.

A man and a woman, both of whom are naked, should do the consecration of a sword or athame. A solo witch that has no choice but to do it alone, should perhaps replace the final embrace, by holding up the sword or athame in silent offering to the Goddess and God. The words should be spoken by whichever of the couple own the object to be consecrated.

[if you require the actual rituals form the gardnerian book of shadows we have them handy, however you will need to adapt them yourself]

If you mean purification of self then Have a good shower or bath, and use rosemary, and salt to was of any soap or chemical, and you will then be purified ready for rituals.

3) 1st Initiate Witch (You know the basics of rituals and spell casting.) 2nd Intermediate (You can start teaching, but not start your own coven, and you can teach people to your level) 3rd High Priest/Priestess (You must leave the coven and form your own, this is know as voiding the coven and therefore spreads the craft. Each coven has to be about 3 miles appart)

I hope this helps.

Gabriel

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