Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Appendices 269
1. Polytheism. Most but not all practitioners of
the Church of All Worlds Tradition believe that
Divinity takes many forms and worship whatever
form is meaningful to the individual. The
Myths and Mysteries of many Deities provide
deep sources of initiation and wisdom for practitioners
of the CAW Tradition.
2. The Wheel of the Year. Like almost all Neo-Pagan
traditions, the CAW Tradition celebrates the
cycles of the seasons, especially the Quarters
and Cross-Quarters: Ostara, Beltaine, Litha,
Lughnasadh, Mabon, Samhain, Yule, and Oimelc.
3. Magick. Practitioners of the Church of All
Worlds Tradition sometimes use traditional and
untraditional means to influence the course of
events through the focus of personal will. They
acknowledge, honor, and use unseen forces beyond
rational human understanding.
4. Wiccan Rede. Church of All Worlds practitioners
support the Wiccan Rede as an ethical foundation:
‘”An it harm none, do as you will.” However,
in the CAW Tradition, it is understood that
all magick, whether it serves personal ends or
not, is intended to move toward the best outcome
for all. The CAW Tradition looks beyond the
perennial spiritual value of nonharming, and actively
contributes to the evolution of the whole.
What form this takes varies widely.
5. Casting a Circle. Practitioners of the CAW Tradition
frequently cast a circle by ritually drawing
it with a blade, wand, or other power object.
The circle then serves as a place of protection,
holiness, and power in which religious and magical
acts are accomplished. The ideal of every
action and relationship inside the circle is perfect
love and perfect trust.
6. The Five Elements. Practitioners of the CAW
Tradition often use the traditional elements, Air,
Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit and the corresponding
directions East, South, West, North and
Center as important parts of religious practice.
7. Evoking the God and Goddess. Practitioners
of the CAW Tradition often choose individuals
in their Circles to serve as focal points and expressions
of the Divine Male and Female. Divinity
is also invited into the ritual Circle on its own
without being invited into a particular individual.
8. Bardship. The Church of All Worlds Tradition
is a rich source of song, chant, ritual, art, lore,
scholarship, vision, and so on. The practitioners
of the CAW Tradition who have made
major contributions to the creative life of the
Neo-Pagan Movement and the broader culture
are too numerous to name. Innovation and creativity
are valued and nourished.
9. The Influences of Other Traditions. The CAW
Tradition enjoys and embraces influences from
all the world’s religions and traditions in ways
that complement its basic principles and practices.
Foundations of the Arte
By Ian Corrigan
T he Four Pillars of the Witch’s Gate
Will—The Magician must have strength of
mind, to always seek to overcome.
Imagination—The Wizard must be able to bring
to mind any image or feeling that is needed.
Faith—The Witch must be confident of her power,
ready to set aside doubt when needed.
Secrecy—Magick must never be revealed to
those who have no part in it.
T he Four Powers of the Magus
To Know—Knowledge is power, and we must seek
knowledge of the myths and stories, of the
ways of herbs and stones and natural things,
of spells and charms, of healing and blessing,
and of how to turn aside ill.
To Dare—No magick is made without the courage
to act. The Magician must be prepared to
risk failure, to look into the unknown, to discover
strange things about themselves and
about the world.
To Will—Every Wizard needs the strength to seek
goals with determination, to focus on one thing at
a time. The Magician must train the mind to serve
the will, and not follow the blind habits of life.
To Be Silent—Magick is a secret Arte, not because
it is forbidden, but because it works with
the hidden paths of the world. No deed of
magick—no spell, no charm—should be revealed
to anyone who is not working it.
Nine Magickal Virtues
Wisdom—to seek knowledge, and know its
meaning.
Vision—to see truth in the world and in the
Otherworld.
Strength—of body, mind, and spirit.
Courage—to face fear and overcome.
Honor—to serve the good, and keep one’s word.
Diligence—to work hard and get a good reward.
Hospitality—to be kind to strangers, and share
what you have.
Pleasure—to enjoy your life and the world
around you.