A Witch Alone

Excerpt

Introduction
 
I am brother to dragons and companion to owls ...
Old Testament; Job 29:30
 
 
Many people are drawn, these days, to the idea of witchcraft. Some seek
religious freedom, some wish for magical powers, some wish to reawaken the
ancient links with our Mother Earth, or seek healing of both body and
spirit.
 
Some wish to be part of covens, to share ceremonies and regular meetings
with like-minded folk in the comfort of their own homes. Others, however,
have heard wilder music, playing to an older beat, and wish to reunite with
Mother Nature, alone, out of doors, under the light of the stars and
changing moonlight, in a simpler way. It is for those people I am writing
this book. Those who seek covens have been well served by recent
publications and they will find the contacts they require if they look
diligently, but others who do not wish to join with a group, or cannot
because of their work or family commitments, those who wish to master the
ancient arts of magic, the personal pagan faith, the various ancient crafts
alone, may need this guidance.
 
The solo occult path is a traditional one, following in the footsteps of the
oracle, the hermit, the shaman or Druid priest. Even those who are able to
share the festivals and healing rites with others may wish to develop their
personal spiritual dimensions, gaining self-confidence and power as an
individual witch as well as a member of a coven. But the solo path in any
study is hard, and that which leads through the hidden worlds of witchcraft
perhaps even more so, because it is dealing with intangible things, with
'inner worlds', with gods and goddesses, and ancient myths and magic. Much
of the work involves dealing with symbols, with mysterious forces, and
seeing with illuminated vision things invisible to the ordinary, waking eye.
Beginners will have to get used to dealing with the past, and the future, or
aligning themselves with a new pattern of celebrations and milestones in the
turning year, with the phases of the moon and with their own inner tides.
They will have to make contact with the gods and goddesses, but they will
find that the Mighty Ones are gentle, treating those nervously taking their
first tentative steps into the world of magic as delicate chicks or small
children. It does not mean that they are always so mild, and the student
will soon discover their fiercer faces can be shown to protect or ward off
interference. The kindliest goddess can still scold her children if their
demands are excessive.
 
From A Witch Alone by Marian Green.
Reprinted with permission. Hampton Roads Publishing Company (c) 2009.